Life Lately | November

We've been celebrating a lot of firsts this month so needless to day, it is very exciting in our house, especially with Christmas fast approaching. This year, I've tried to be quite organised and have done the vast majority of my Christmas shopping (this must be what growing up feels like). Here's how I filled up my days in November:

George's first Bonfire Night // Recovering from my first cold this year // Lunch date with my gorge mum // Harry came round for another night in including face masks // George in his flat cap just like daddy's // My boy chuckled for the first time // First night out with my girls in a year // Cousin Charlie came to see us // George's first Christmas

What did November bring for you?

Jegz xo

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OOTD | The Bardot Edition

Dress: Missguided
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

I want to start introducing more outfit posts to my blog, and I really loved my outfit from Saturday night, but Pete was out so I had to get Lauren to take these photos on my phone rather than use the camera. Excuse the poor quality!

On Saturday night, I went out to celebrate my friend, Emma's, birthday. The last time I went out with the girls was this time last year, so it was long awaited! We booked a table in Tribeca, a great pizza place, and it was really busy because the boxing was on. All nine of us were shoved into a tiny little booth and when we asked for another table/ put a little one on the end, the waitress all of a sudden turned really snotty. It was a shame because the food was really nice in there. Probably wouldn't go there again after that! 

After Tribeca, we went to a little bar that had recently opened again, The Jacqueranda, a place Emma and I used to LOVE, but since it's been refurbished and reopened, it just isn't the same. We were really let down and were a little bit gutted that it wasn't full of old men and sticky seats! Too many hipsters spoil the broth everything.

I'm not making this sound like a great night am I? In actual fact, I had a fab night! We had some more cocktails, plenty of drinks and loads of laughs! 

I purchased this bardot dress from Missguided and paired it with my spiked Litas ( I was so nervous walking in them, it's been such a long time since I rocked a pair of heels). I asked my mum to do some victory rolls in my hair and voila.

What night out would be complete without a selfie?

What do you think of my vinatge-esque look?

Rachael xo

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Friday Favourites | #003

This week has been an iffy one but I won't go into that! Here's what made me happy this week:

On Monday I was invited to my nan's for a roast dinner and on Tuesday I was invited to my mum and dad's for homemade soup. I've been fed well!

Caramel latte and Victoria Sponge Cake after a morning of shopping with my lovely friend, Lauren

Pete bought me a new dress and I can't wait to wear it tomorrow

George rocking his onesie off Uncle Christopher and Auntie Lizzie

Also, George laughed for the first time yesterday and it was the cutest thing ever. I almost cried I was so excited.

How was your week?

Rachael xo

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Christmas | My Favourite Christmas Movies

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear"

Can you tell I'm excited? I'm a self-confessed Christmas geek. I love the lead up to Christmas and what better way to get in the mood than watch Christmas films? (I've had Christmas 24 on all week.) Here are just some of my favourite Christmas movies:

1. Elf

Buddy, a human raised by elves, ventures to New York to meet his birth father. My all time favourite Christmas movie. Ever. I watch it at least three times, much to Pete's dismay.

2. The Santa Clause Trilogy

When Scott Calvin makes Santa fall off the roof, he has to take his place.  This is a childhood fave of mine. I love that both sequels are equally fantastic!

3. The Polar Express

A young, doubtful boy hops aboard the Polar Express and goes on a magical journey to the North Pole. I wish I'd gone to the cinema to see this but I didn't expect it to be so fab! 

4. Jack Frost

Musician, Jack Frost dies in a car accident and is reincarnated as a snowman. Jack then gets to spend time with his son. I cry at the end. Every. Time.

5. Nativity

Primary school teacher, Mr Maddens, is charged with producing the school's nativity play. This film was improvised and is actually bloody brilliant.

What's your favourite Christmas movie?

Rachael xo

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Want | The Bardot

Bardot Dress // Missguided

On Saturday night, it will be my first proper night out with the girls in a year! It's my friend's birthday and we're going for a meal and for drinks afterwards. Long gone are our days of pre-drinking and hitting the bars hard! I'm debating whether or not I should wear tights or brave bare legs (showing my age aren't I?) 

I fell in love with this bardot skater dress from Missguided and after cutting a deal with Pete, I persuaded him to buy it for me, what a babe he is (thanks Pete!) So I'm technically not wishing for it, but let's not split hairs! 

I might pair this with some chunky silver jewellery, a slim belt and my Jeffrey Campbell Spiked Litas. I see an outfit post in the making here!

Are you into the bardot trend?

Rachael xo

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Tag | Photos that Make me Happy

So this little tag is floating around Facebook lately. I wanted to share my photos that make me happy. I know it's supposed to be only five photos, but for the sake of this post I've added an extra one.

My boy and I // My gorgeous parents // My lovely brothers // My boy smiling for the first time // My beautiful bridesmaids // Being proposed to (yes that's The Blackout behind me. I'm on stage)

It was so hard to just choose five photos, but I think each of these photos captures a moment perfectly, if that's not too cliche? I'm not usually one for Facebook tags but I thought this was a pretty cute way to share with everyone what makes us happy. 

What photos make you happy?

Rachael xo

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Friday Favourites | #002

Back in January, I started a Friday Favourites post (read me) where I wrote about all the things that made me happy that week. I've finally got round to doing another one. Here's what made me happy this week:

I spent some time with my dad this week while he was off work. We went shopping on Monday and yesterday we went to Costa where I had my first gingerbread latte of the year! 

Pete took Elliot to see the wrestling on Monday, so Harry and I had a night in complete with face masks and selection box.

On Tuesday, George was a bit under the weather, so we had a day of cuddles on the couch. 

What things have made you happy this week?

Rachael xo

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Wishlist | Pugs Edition

Snood // Jumper // Pyjamas // Mug // Phone case 

Okay so jumping on the pug-wagon, but it doesn't stop me thinking all pug related items are super cute. Just look at the phone case! Perfect for Christmas. And I live in my pyjamas, so I'm always on the hunt for new ones. I really don't need another mug, but a pug mug? It's pretty awesome.

Rachael xo

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Tag | The Christmas Edition

I was considering waiting until December before I got into the Christmas themed posts but I'm feeling extremely festive! I'm listening to Christmas songs and I've done most of my Christmas shopping already. I'm so organised this year. 

1. Do you prefer a real Christmas tree or a synthetic Christmas tree?

I've never had a real Christmas tree, they smell amazing but they're too messy! Synthetic all the way.

2. You're in a coffee shop, it's December, what do you pick?

Toffee nut latte from Starbucks without a doubt! 

3. What's your favourite colour scheme for decorating the tree?

I don't really have a fave colour scheme. Our tree is red, silver and white and it looked fab last year! I can't wait to put it up this year now we're in our own home. 

4. Giving or receiving?

Call me selfish but receiving. Don't get me wrong, I get excited buying for other people, but it's nowhere near as exciting as opening your own surprises.

5. To mince pie or not to?

Not to! 

6. What's your traditional Sunday lunch? 

Sunday lunch consists of chicken, crispy roasties, a mountain of veg you need to climb, yorkies and it has to be swimming in gravy.

7. Christmas day fashion?

I tend to dress up a bit more on Christmas day. It is a special occasion after all! 

8. What's your favourite Christmas song?

It's definitely a toss up between Barry Manilow's River, Michael Buble's Baby Please Come Home and Chris Rea's Driving Home for Christmas. Oh and Glee's We Need a Little Christmas.

9. What's your favourite Christmas film?

Elf! Closely followed by The Santa Clause Trilogy. Then Jack Frost. And The Polar Express. Just don't make me choose okay?!

10. Open present before or after lunch?

Before. My mum always comes downstairs with us and says "has he (Father Christmas) been?" It's a little Christmas tradition.

I just LOVE Christmas! 

When is it acceptable to put the tree up?

Rachael xo

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Family | Becoming a Baby Bore

We've all been scrolling through Facebook and thought "not another related baby status." I'm guilty of hiding people from my Newsfeed on Facebook for being a "baby bore." (Who else thinks the unfollow button is a god send by the way?) 

When I got pregnant, I vowed not to become what I hated the most, the baby bore. What I didn't realise is that it comes naturally! I try my hardest not to post constant photos of George and tell Facebook what he's been up to that day because I've been there, I know not everyone wants to see that. I don't want to be the person that has a whole Timeline of baby photos and statuses. Let me tell you none parents this, it's really really really hard!

The reason we do it, is because we are proud! We created a little human being! A little human being who is completely dependant on us, a little human being we have to teach. So when George smiled for the first time, I wanted to show him off! When he talked (coohed) for the first time, I wanted to share that video. These little things that bore none parents are really special to parents. They're big achievements for our babies. Plus, they look really cute in photos.

We promise, we don't mean to do it. It's something that just happens to us!

Rachael xo

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Sunday Snapshots | Week #008

I've been really ill this week, but have still been none stop almost every day! My little boy had his needles on Wednesday and it was heartbreaking. I cried in the waiting room before we went in. I have to take him back again in four weeks for his second lot. Eek. I'm not looking forward to it. I also managed to box off a lot of my Christmas shopping which is pretty exciting, I know it's only November, but I just love Christmas okay?

George all wrapped up after a day of shopping // Kisses with my boy // Holding hands // Bonfire night // A night in bed to recover // New dress // Lunch date with mum // PJs over shopping // Peanut butter hot chocolate.

How was your week?

Rachael xo

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Winter Essentials | Lip Saviours

Winter might be my favourite season, but my lips suffer terribly with the cold! Every Christmas, my family and I take a trip to the Trafford Centre (the best shopping centre ever for all you Southerners), and we get a little present. Last year, I picked up the Santa's Lip Scrub from Lush. This was my first and only Lush purchase as I think it's a bit pricey! I know it's naughty that I bought this as it's just sugar, but it tastes so good. It also makes my lips feels super smooth and scrubs of the dead skin really well. Just what we all need when our lips feel really dry. Much more pleasing than using an old dry toothbrush to exfoliate our lips!

After I've used the lip scrub, I slap on some Carmex, which is, in my opinion, the best lipbalm ever. Both these products together sort my lips right out. Who needs cracked lips when we're sporting our favourite lippy? 

Which products take place in your lip routine?

Rachael xo

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Winter Warmer | Gingerbread Latte

With Halloween and Bonfire Night out of the way, it's finally time for Christmas right? I finally took down my Halloween decorations  today and started listening to Christmas songs. I love the build up to Christmas, it's never too early to get in the spirit. Red cup season has officially started, but who wants to pay £4 every time they get a craving for a gingerbread latte? 

That's where Nescafe have come to our rescue! I'm not normally a coffee drinker, it's tea all the way for me, but I'm partial to a flavoured coffee every now and then. When I saw these boxes in my local supermarket, I thought I'd give them a try! They really are great, and £1.50 for 8 sachets is pretty good going! Just add boiling water and hey presto, homemade(ish) gingerbread latte.

I added cream and cinnamon to make it that extra bit special, and there you have it.

Will you be trying these this Christmas?

Rachael xo

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Life Lately | October

Okay, so I'm a little bit late with this post but October has been busy, busy, busy! Coffee dates, shopping dates, lunch dates and lovely Autumn walks as well as hosting a little Halloween party for the kids. So here's what I got up to last month:

First PSL of the year // George and I had a PJ day // Purchased some Makeup Revolution pieces.

I finally got my big pram! // Off to church to organise George's Christening // All wrapped up to face the day

Meal for my grandad's 70th birthday // Cousin Georgia came to visit // George and I in matching skeleton costumes

So that was my month in a nutshell!

Rachael xo

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Wedding | I Said Yes to the Dress

Image Source Unknown**

In March 2013, Pete popped the question. Since then we haven't really done any wedding planning, then we found out we were pregnant with George and decided to buy a house, so of course any wedding plans (not that we had any) were put on hold. Now we're all settled in our gorgeous new house and we have our perfect little boy, I'm ready to get stuck in! 

We made the decision to get married in March 2016 and as soon as I told my mum she got really excited and wanted to go wedding dress shopping. We went to a few shops and I had an idea in mind of what I wanted, but nowhere had anything remotely like it. I tried on a few dresses but wasn't blown away by any of them and my experience wasn't very exciting like I expected. One shop didn't even zip the dresses up properly and the girl told me she didn't like a dress I wanted to try on! 

So feeling a bit deflated, we headed onto another shop where they had a few dresses similar to what I wanted, so immediately I was excited. The lady, Lesley, who owned the shop came out to greet us and introduced herself (even heated George's bottle up - he won't drink it cold), she really was lovely. I saw a dress I liked, but my mum didn't, however, I tried it on anyway.

It's really funny, they say "when you know, you know" and it couldn't be closer to the truth. I fell in love with it. I swirled round the shop like a princess, tried on loads of different hair accessories and I knew I needed this dress. I did try on another one but there were too many "buts." Lesley let me try on the first dress again and once again I was swirling round the shop. There were tears from my mum and I (she set me off) and I knew I had to have it. 

Part of me was sad that I'd found it so soon, but I didn't think it was worth going anywhere else because I'd found the one.

So, I said yes to the dress. Now we have to find a venue and book it!

Rachael xo

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**please let me know if this photo is yours and I'll remove or credit x

Sunday Snapshots | Week #007

The last time I did a weekly summary was back in July! I don't know why I don't post these more often since I snap photos of everything! Anyway, here goes:

Autumn walks with my boy // Standard selfie // Check out my new boots // Big Reunion time! // The morning after the night before // George as a pumpkin // Another Autumn walk in our big pram // Halloween nail art // Mummy and George in matching outfits //

This week we also celebrated George's first Halloween and I just have to share his little outfits.  We took full advantage of dressing our little man up! 

Excuse the blurry photos, he wiggles a lot! 

Rachael xo

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