Life Lately | September

September was a bit of a "meh" month for me as my due date passed me by, I slowly got fed up of people asking "are you still here?" and becoming more and more impatient for my little bundle to arrive. Here's what happened in September:

Selfie at  my Grandad's birthday meal // My brother and his girlfriend stole my phone // Aztec nails // Morning of reading Darren Shan // My baby boy all swollen after he finally arrived // My new mug off my lovely friend, Heather // I can drink cider now // ASOS sale finds // Ditched the maternity clothes.

Since we got home from the hospital, we have had visitors most days, so this month we've just been settling in with our new addition!

How was your September?

Rachael xo

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20 Years of Friends

Friends has been making us laugh for 20 years. I remember watching it every Friday night with my mum and brother when I was younger and Nescafe was the sponsor! It's not until I was older that I really appreciated it (obviously).

To celebrate 20 years, here are my 10 favourite top Friends moments:

1. Ross: "I just want to be married again" Rachel walks into Central Perk in a wedding dress. Chandler "I just want a million dollars! 

2. Ross: Well uh, I like how you look, what are you?

Tanning Salon Guy: Puerto Rican.

3. "Hi, I'm Chandler, could I be wearing anymore clothes?"

4. "PIVOT!"

5. "Ross, we better stick to the routine, we don't want to look stupid."

6. "I'm FINE!"

7. "I'm just a love machine."

8. "I'll be a fool for you."

9. "I'll be my something blue."

10. "I got off the plane."

What are your favourite Friends' moments?

Rachael xo

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Family | Becoming Mummy

At 7am on Tuesday 09th September, I woke up with slight labour pains. A trip to the Mums and Midwives shop in my local town centre was already on the agenda for the day so I could have a second sweep since little Baby Walker was already over due! 

When I went for my exam in the shop (which my midwife was working in that day), she told me I was already 4cm dilated which meant no sweep for me! I was told to go home and bounce on my birthing ball and to take it easy until my contractions got stronger and closer together. 

After ringing my (midwife) mum (who screamed down the phone), she said I would be approximately 7cm dilated by the 8pm and that was when we would go up to the hospital. She advised me to go home and have a hot bath to ease the pains, and take some paracetemol (also a running joke in our house as she advises this on a regular basis!) 

By the time 8pm come, my contractions were really painful and getting closer together, so we rang the hospital and off we popped. I was told I was only 5cm dilated - which I was really upset about as I thought I'd be well further along than that. The midwife who examined me was concerned about the size of my bump and I was really big, therefore my birth plan went out the window and I was advised not to have a water birth. 

I was then sent to an active birth room where there was a birthing ball, and a horse shoe shaped chair to sit on to try move my labour along. I was on gas and air from the minute I got into the room and what an amazing thing that is, it made me feel drunk. After another examination, I still wasn't progressing as baby was back to back and his head was in a funny position, so the midwife looking after me broke my waters around 4am.

Labour was extremely slow and I didn't start pushing until 10am on the 10th September. He got stuck because he was so big and had a slight shoulder dystocia, so when he finally come out, he was really swollen and his head was really long, but he was perfect. We never had a definite name when we went into hospital, but as soon as we saw him we knew George was his name. 

11 days over due, he was certainly worth the wait. The past 12 days have been hectic with visitors and night feeds, but we're really settled at home with him and I'm excited to share all our new experiences! 

Rachael xo

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Reads | Zom-B Circus by Darren Shan

Aimed at a younger audience, you could say that Darren Shan is the James Herbert of the teenage fiction world. Zom-B Circus is a short story that doesn't follow B Smith in the Zom-B books. If you're looking for something new to read and you've not yet read any of the Zom-B series, I highly recommend you start with this and you will definitely be intrigued! 

Darren Shan isn't your average run of the mill kind of story teller, so if you're expecting a typical story about a zombie apocalypse and the survival of humans against monster, you'll be pleasantly surprised, because let's face it, the zombie thing has been done to death these days.

Cat Ward is a teacher in a high school when it is over taken by zombies, she's ruthless and will do anything to survive, including throwing school kids to the zombies. Callously, she continues to sacrifice humans in order to save herself, which came as a surprise to me as normally Shan's characters are pretty damn loveable! 

Taken into consideration his younger readers, Shan incorporates a nasty lesson for Cat which is presented as an excellent plot twist at the end! 

For fans of the Zom-B series, this is a great little additional story which doesn't effect the series, but keeps some other characters fresh in our minds, such as the creepy babies, Kinslow and of course Mr Dowling himself!

Have you read any of Darren Shans's books?

Rachael xo

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Wishlist | Autumn Edition

Coat | Skirt | Candle | Dress | Lip Crayon | Bag

So I'm currently writing this at 41 + 2 days pregnant, knowing my baby will be here by the weekend which means I can lust after post pregnancy clothes again! This makes me happy because I love to shop (what girl doesn't?) I absolutely love collarless coats and even though I own many coats, I want one to add to my collection. I'm a fan of the pastels which seem to be staying with us throughout the colder months.

What items do you have your eye on this Autumn?

Rachael xo

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Family | It's a Boy!

On Wednesday 10th September 2014, Pete and I welcomed our gorgeous baby boy, George into the world. As you can imagine, life has changed dramatically in the past 5 days. We now have a perfect little man at our beck and call, but wouldn't have it any other way. I've never been in more in love (sorry for gushing but he really is just amazing and I'm still very hormonal. Cue the tears writing this post). 

Rachael xo

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Tag | The Autumn Edition

Is it too soon to start blogging about Autumn? I am so ready to embrace this season! I love Autumn because it means Winter is on it’s way , Winter is my favourite season!  I’m a natural red head, so the sun doesn’t agree with me at all. I love scarves, hats (I’m a hat person), coats and boots! I like dark colours too, so I’m ready to embrace my inner goth! Bring on the berry lips, plum nail varnish and dark eye makeup!

For Autumn, what is your…

1. Favourite thing about it? 

Coming home from work when it’s been wet and cold, making a cuppa, putting my pjs on and getting cosy when the nights get dark!

2. Favourite drink? 

Spiced Pumpkin lattes from Starbucks. I hate seasonal drinks though because I miss them when they're gone.

3. Favourite scent/candle? 

I don’t have a favourite autumn scent or candle, but I do like spicy candles, I associate these more with winter though. I love the smell in the air the day after Bonfire Night. I recently bought a Champagne scented candle from Dunelm Mill which is really nice.

4. Best lipstick? 

I love Barry M’s Ultra Moisturising Lip Paint in Cranberry Red or Avon’s Smooth Minerals Lipstick in Cranberry which sadly they discontinued because it’s my favourite lipstick.

5. Go to moisturiser? 

At the moment, I’m really liking Simple’s Light Hydrating Moisturiser.

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 don't really associate music with seasons, I listen to whatever I fancy. At the moment, I'm rediscovering my love for Funeral for a Friend.

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

I recently bought a fluffy cardigan from Primark and a pair of grey Chelsea boots which I've already worn quite a lot. I can see them getting a lot of wear this Autumn.

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

There's a tweed coat in Primark at the moment that I really like, but as always with Primark, you have to snap it up really quickly! 

10. Favourite place to be? 

At home, I love being in the warmth and comfort of my own house! Candles on, blinds closed, heating on with a cuppa tea!

All credit for this tag goes to Georgina  at makeup-pixi3 I had fun doing this tag!

I tag you :)

Rachael xo

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