The Real Motherhood Challenge

One thing I continue to see on Facebook these days is these 'mother challenges' whereby a mother is tagged in a post and 'challenged' to upload a photograph that makes them proud to be a mother, they then tag other fabulous mummies to participate. Is it just me or is this just not a challenge? I could go on and on about all the things that make me proud to be George's mum, just look at my Facebook and Twitter, he's practically all I talk about! 

For me, the real challenges are the things that are the hardest about being a parent. The things nobody wants to talk about on social media as they are in fear of looking like a bad parent. Nobody said becoming a parent would be easy, so why don't we talk about the meltdowns our children had in public? 

The real motherhood challenge is listening to your toddler say "no mummy work" and your heart breaking at the thought of leaving him behind whilst you head off to work for 8 hours day.

The real motherhood challenge is explaining to your toddler that you can't go outside today because it's raining and dealing with the multiple toys that will come flying at you in a fit of rage.

The real motherhood challenge is attempting to tidy your house that hasn't been tidied in two weeks because you both work full time and are exhausted every night, whilst your toddler is insisting on you play with him. 

The real motherhood challenge is waking up at 3am because your child has had a nightmare and you need to console him. 

It is far too easy to become self involved and want to show off to others about how wonderful our lives are and paint this perfect picture, when in fact, the lives we share on social media only show a small percentage of how we actually live. At the moment, my living room is full of toys, the dishwasher needs fillings, I have a laundry pile as big as an elephant (clean and dirty) but wouldn't be showing you Instagram photographs of that. Maybe there's a niche there, who knows?

What do you find most challenging about being a mummy?

Rachael xo

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Missguided Do Maternity

I absolutely love scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration these days, who doesn't? It's fabulous for all kinds of different things from DIY to recipes to fashion. It is my go to when my little bump and I are feeling in a style rut and I find it SO difficult to dress my bump. It seems like many retailers only cater for older women and all I see are stripes (I don't want to look bigger!) or floral patterns. It can become pretty boring so when I see all these gorgeous Pinterest mummys-to-be I get so envious and like "HOW CAN YOU LOOK THIS GOOD?" 

Yummy Pinterest Mummys! 

Anyway, I digress. I was scrolling through ASOS today, as I do many a lunch time at work when I stumbled across a Missguided maternity dress! Yes, Missguided have a maternity line which I had never even heard of until today. After doing a little research it seems the line is quite new and is exclusive to ASOS. The line is pretty small but they have certainly kept everything fresh and on trend which I absolutely love. Here are two of my favourite things from the collection but you can shop the rest here.

Well done Missguided!

Rachael xo

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*this post was not sponsored, I just wanted to share the good news! Hurrah! 

The Autumn Tag

September rolls around which means darker colours, darker nights and tonnes of cosy layers! It won't come as a surprise (since I say it all the time) but I really am glad when summer comes to an end and the darker nights start. There is just something about the autumn months that make me so happy and what better way to start September than with the Autumn Tag?

For Autumn, what is your…

1. Favourite thing about it? 

Autumn nights! Okay, leaving work when it's still dark is a bit of a bummer (I'll give you that one, summer), but getting home from work, putting warm pjs on, lighting candles and warming up with a cuppa is definitely a winner.

2. Favourite drink? 

Call me basic but I love PSL! I also love a good cuppa but I've been drinking loads of green tea with lemon recently. It's so good.

3. Favourite scent/candle? 

I have been burning my Black Coconut tart from Yankee Candle at the moment which is delicious but that doesn't really scream Autumn does it? The air right after Bonfire Night is probably my favourite Autumn scent though, does that count? You know the smell, crisp, cold, burnt air. 

4. Best lipstick? 

Who doesn't love a good berry lip during the colder months? However, I recently bought NYX Liquid Lingerie in Teddy and I am obsessed with it. 

5. Go to moisturiser? 

Nivea Soft is the best moisturiser around and only £1 in Home and Bargain ;) 

6. Go to colours for the eyes? 

I don’t really experiment much with my eyes, during the day they’re mostly neutral colours and my night time look is dark and smokey.

7. Favourite music or band/singer to listen to? 

I am obsessed with Moose Blood and Adore Delano at the moment. 

8. Favourite outfit to wear (i.e. boots & a scarf combo)? 

Any outfit that involves an oversized jumper, leggings and boots is a winner for me. You can check out on of my favourite A/W outfits here.


9. Autumn treat? (i.e. a new scarf or bag you have your eye on) 

I haven't really got my eye on anything in particular at the moment (being pregnant means I tend to avoid clothes shopping which is great news for my bank account) but I do have my eye on an Isoki changing bag which can double as a handbag! 

Since the sun is shining through my window at 8am you could say this post was a bit premature but I am excited okay? 

What are your favourite things about Autumn?
 

Rachael xo

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Wednesday Wishlist

Dress // Jacket // Shoes // Bodysuit // Bag

Autumn is fast approaching and I am beyond excited to embrace dark colours, pumpkin spiced lattes, candles, Halloween and Bonfire Night! I probably say this on a regular basis, but I hate the summer months and long for days where I can rock up in tights, boots and all of the layers. I blame the natural red hair, we're just not equipped for summer okay? In fact, you wouldn't believe it was still August at the rate the weather is changing but I am (not so) secretly loving it. 

What better way to prepare for the darker months than with a wishlist of all the things I am currently pining after? It seems that when I'm pregnant and am resigned to wearing tents all of the time, I find the cutest things that I need want to buy! Part of me is just tempted to buy the things on this list anyway and put them to use when the baby is finally born. 

Yes, we're having another baby, I forgot to mention that over here! Baby Walker is due on the 14th January and we're expecting another little boy. Exciting hey? 

Anyway, I digress. I've seen this little leopard slip dress popping up on New Look ads over on Facebook and I just love it so much. It's short and leopard print and I love it loads. I've had my leather jacket for over 10 years now and although it's still going strong, I really want a biker one so this one caught my eye via the ad too. Seriously, who does the visual merchandising for New Look? They must be reeling it in! I don't need another black shoes but that certainly doesn't stop me lusting over these Dr Marten beauties, every time I see them in store I get serious heart eyes. Dramatic me? Nah! I spotted the Witchery Bodysuit by Killstar on their website the other day and my inner goth just squealed. I love anything witchy and body suits are a big yes from me! I'm so tempted to just have a payday splurge then put all this stuff away. What do you think?

Have you got your eye on anything lately?

Rachael xo

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The Terrible Twos

The dreaded terrible twos, something you as a parent hear so much about! We always said George's terrible twos started early as we had many a tantrum as he started exerting his independence more and more. We're yet to have a full on meltdown in public, you know the kind, lying on the supermarket floor, kicking and screaming because you won't buy them something they want (that's sure to come soon no doubt). It seems to be tantrums galore in our house recently as the big two approaches.

But what people fail to mention to you is how lovely toddlers are at this age! I mean, really, really lovely. Oh George is the sweetest thing and every day I find myself in awe of what a lovely little person he is growing into. His speech is coming on amazingly at the minute and every day he is coming out with more and more funny little sayings that he picks up from those around him. I will never grow tired of his little voice saying "love you, mummy!" I get kisses and cuddles aplenty and he isn't shy when dishing out those kisses to us, kissing all of his family and even cuddly toys. He can now say please and thank you without being prompted which just makes me beam with pride as I guess any parent would. Each morning he wakes up chattering away to his cuddly toys and there has been plenty of wake up calls where he is singing the "I Love You" song from Barney. What better way to wake up? Nobody can be mad at 6am once they hear that, am I right? We've had a play date with his cousin recently, there are six weeks between them and they just played so lovely together and my heart actually melted when they were chasing each other round! 

So yes, the tantrums are horrible, the attitude stinks sometimes (BOTTLE NOW) but these little loving traits just outweigh the bad by a mile. I'm sure I will change my mind when he gets to two and a half and I have a newborn and a toddler screaming at me for some juice or a bottle or a dummy but for now, I'm appreciating this age as much as I possibly can because before I know it, George is going to be a stroppy teenager that won't tell me he loves me and won't give me lots of kisses! 

What's the cutest thing your toddler has done recently? 

Rachael xo

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That New Look Bomber Jacket

Bomber jackets are everywhere this Spring and I am so happy. I have wanted a bomber jacket for so long and ever since New Look posted a photo of this bomber jacket on their Instagram, I knew I had to snap it up straight away!  I am not normally one that would opt for anything pink at all, but I have recently started up a love affair with rose gold and have slowly started introducing pink into my wardrobe. 15 year old me would be so disappointed, but she need not worry because I will never betray black and grey. 

This is surprisingly versatile considering the colour and print. I went to Manchester at the weekend to see Funeral for a Friend play their last shows (sob) and sported this beauty both days. Above is how I would style this on a day to day basis, it just gives a plain outfit a little bit of something extra, I love how it makes jeans and Converse look so cute and no extra effort is required. Perfect for us mums who have to tackle getting somebody else ready. 

I also love how this can be dressed up for a night out - not that I ever wear a jacket for a night out, I'm Northern and we're hard. Normally I would never pair pastels with black but somehow this just works. 

I love the bomber so much, I want one in every colour. Even Pete said it was nice and he never compliments my clothes (all his taste is in his mouth).

How would you style this jacket?

Rachael xo

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The 90s Tag

Born in 1990, I was only young at this time but some of my favourite childhood memories are from this time. It's been a while since I did a tag post and when I saw Danielle over at Underland to Wonderland do this one I thought it'd be fun to do! 
1. Favourite Disney Film? Mulan is  my favourite  Disney film. I remember going to see this in the cinema for my 8th birthday. I'll Make A Man Out Of You is still one of mine and my mum's favourite Disney songs today.
2. Favourite Music Artist? I loved the Spice Girls, who didn't? I even went to see a tribute act when I was visiting family in the Isle of Man. My cousin and I met then and had a polaroid taken. I thought it was amazing.
3. Favourite Sweets? I used to love those ABC sweets you got. Remember them? They were hard. I really don't know any other way of describing them. 
4. Favourite Game? (Board game / school game) Cluedo was amazing, I played it so much that I got really good at it. I loved playing detective. Payday was another favourite. I used to have Disney Trivial Pursuit as well and the board was amazing. I wish I still had it.
5. Favourite McDonalds 'Happy Meal' Toy? I can't say I really remember any of the Happy Meal toys. 
6. Favourite Book? When I was a kid, I loved Enid Blyton books. The Faraway Tree stories were up there with my favourites, but I also read Mysteries over and over by her as well. 
7. Favourite Clothing Store? I don't think I had one but I used to think all of the clothes in Tammy were really cool. Especially when I had leather pants and thought I looked like Rachel from Friends.
8. Favourite TV Show? 90s TV was amazing. I loved Kenan and Kel, Sabrina, Art Attack, Zzzap, Rugrats, Hey Arnold, Are You Afraid of the Dark, I could go on. I think we all loved these shows, am I right?
9. What Show Would You Watch After School? All of the above! I was a CITV/ Nickelodeon kid.
10. What Was Your Favourite 90s Game Show? Probably Wheel of Fortune or Catchphrase. I also loved Jungle Run but I think that might have been late 90s / early 00s
11. Did You Own A Virtual Pet? (Cyberpet, Tamagotchi etc) I had a Tamagotchi and a really creepy, green Furby which ran out of batteries and it's half closed eyes used to freak me out.
12. Favourite Video Game and System To Play On? Sonic the Hedgehog on the Sega Megadrive was amazing. I used to know the cheats to get on any level and defeating Dr Robotnik at the end of each level was triumphant. 
13. Weirdest Fashion Trend? Do you remember the trousers with the built in skirt over the to? I used to LOVE these things paired with Spice Girl boots!  14. Favourite Toy? I loved Barbie. I had this pink Barbie camper van which I thought was the absolute best thing in the world. She had some amazing accessories. 
15. Favourite Nickelodeon Show? It was definitely Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Even now I wish I could just point with my finger and magic things would happen. 
A little flashback to the 90s was really fun! I'm too lazy to tag people so if you do this tag, post a link in the comments so I can see your favourites from way back when.

Rachael xo

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