Personal | Taking Stock

I recently read this Taking Stock post on Lojo Vs The World's blog and really enjoyed seeing what she was currently up to! I thought I'd give it a go myself, so here's what I am currently:

Enjoying: George's first Christmas and getting ready for the big day

Listening: To a lot of Christmas songs, mostly Michael Buble's Christmas album in fact

Wearing: Knitwear and leggings. Oh and my amazing bargain boots from New Look

Making: A mess of the house after wrapping presents

Cooking: I don't cook, Pete does, but the last thing I made was pasta

Drinking: Tea and Diet Coke. I don't think I go a day without Diet Coke

Feeling: Very festive, I can't wait for Christmas

Reading: the only reading I get time to do these days is other blogs. I miss having a good book!

Looking: For an outfit for George's Christening

Wishing: My bedroom wasn't such a mess, I really need to tidy it

Liking: Seeing a lot more of my family

Waiting: To go and view wedding venues

Snacking: Chocolate and crisps. I'm naughty

Coveting: A new pair of Jeffrey Campbells

Hearing: Michael Buble singing Holly Jolly Christmas

Watching: Christmas films and Revenge (it's dead good)

Admiring: All of the rich people in Revenge and wishing I had that much money without the drama

Playing: Words with Friends, I'm addicted

Getting: More blog inspiration every day

Wondering: Where are we going to get married? 

Noticing: All the little cute things George does, he's pretty cute

Giggling: At Pete. He's being really silly these days, think the festive spirit has finally arrived

Bookmarking: Toys for George - no longer am I lusting over clothes and shoes

Deciding: To move my blog in a different direction (more on that later) 

Hoping: I get another girls night out soon, either before or after Christmas

Contemplating: On what cake I want for George's Christening

Wanting: To spend more time with Pete, he's been working loads recently

Thinking: About how cute Christmas day is going to be in our new home

Knowing: This year has been perfect from day 3

Rachael xo

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Family | Mummy Time

I love being a mum, I really do. It's the best feeling in the world. As I mentioned in my last post, Mummy Talk, you don't get much time to yourself. My life revolves around George now, if I'm not feeding him, changing his nappy, washing his clothes or doing a mountain of housework, I'm talking to him, playing with him and trying to comfort him! It really is hard work, but I wouldn't change it for the world. 

I'm really grateful because my family are so local and they'll have George any time I need them to, and Pete is quite hands on most of the time as well. 

As much as I adore being a mum, sometimes it's nice and most of all it's important to take some me time. George is a really good boy and I'm lucky enough to put him in his chair and take him into the bathroom with me when I need a bath, he'll happily sit there babbling away to himself. However, once a week, I have a bath, light some candles, put on a hair mask and a face mask and have some time to relax. It works out well for both Pete and I because he has some one on one time with George after work, and I get to pamper myself. 

Even though, as I've said, my life revolves around George, I try not to pass the opportunity to go out with the girls. It's so important to stay in touch with friends and it easy to forget what life was like before you had your little one. Nobody should lose touch with their friends because they've had a baby. I love a good catch up with my favourite girls. As we get older, we do get busier and we do see our friends less which is sad, but I love the fact I can get in touch with any of my friends and just chat for hours! That's what a true friend is. 

A week after George was born, my family went on holiday, it was really bad timing. When they got back, my mum offered to have him over night so Pete and I could have a full night's sleep (I secretly think it's because she missed him so much). It was glorious! We had takeout for tea, a drink, watched TV, had an early night and slept right through. It's also important to have some time together with your partner! We argue over silly things a lot, so it's nice to appreciate some alone time. 

Are you a mum? How do you relax?

Rachael xo

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Sunday Summary | Week #010

I cannot believe Christmas is only 11 days away, I am so excited! On Monday, Pete and I went Christmas shopping (no presents were purchased) and we took our little man to his first grotto, I was so emotional! On Wednesday, I went to the Trafford Centre with my family, a little annual tradition, alas I think this is our last year. We did some shopping, ate a lot of food and went to see Mockingjay in the cinema, if you've not seen it yet, then why not?! I cannot wait until next year for part two, p.s J-Law and Liam Hemsworth are beautiful. 

I spent all day Friday wrapping Christmas presents, complete with hot chocolate and the Santa Clause Trilogy. George discovered splashing in the bath and I don't think I've laughed so much since he's been born. Yesterday, we went to see Pete's family to celebrate his Grandad's 95th birthday. I know, 95, congratulations Grandad Phil. It's not often we all get together due to everyone living all over the place, so it was nice for George to finally meet everybody. After a 12 hour day we came home and watched the X Factor final, thrilling I know. I've been extremely stressed this week sorting out Christmas presents so it was nice to just chill. 

Are you ready for Christmas?

Rachael xo

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Beauty | Ditching the Ginge

All my life, I've been stopped by people in the street to admire my hair. See, not only am I a natural ginge, but my hair is naturally really, really curly. It's usually the talk of the town (okay, slight exaggeration). When I was younger (about 4 years old) people would ask if it was permed! Seriously.

Strangers always approach me and the first thing they will ask is "is that your natural hair colour" proceeded with, "it's gorgeous, don't ever dye it!" Well thanks stranger, but I really didn't ask for your advise.  

I was once stopped by a bunch of people at a bus stop who were complimenting my hair and one woman said "I remember you, I've seen you before, I love your hair, it's fabulous!" Stalker much? I'm kidding, sometimes it's nice for strangers to compliment you and give you a bit of an ego boost. 

During my teenage years, I went through a few bad home dye jobs where I went red and brown. Nobody ever told me that ginger hair is a nightmare to dye and doesn't take to colour well, so yes, I still had tinges of ginge. When I'd had enough of the colour and the upkeep, I decided to go au natural by growing out the colour. It took so long, but when I was finally back to my natural colour, I felt an overwhelming sense of achievement. Yes, I did it! I was ginge again.

Being a ginger kid was never easy, from names like "ginger pubes" (yep, nice one Kevin and Perry, to questions like "do the curtains match the drapes" and even the obvious "ginger" (yep, thanks mate, was unaware what colour my hair was). Each of these remarks were met with a simple "fuck off!" It's pretty safe to say, without sounding too cliche, being ginger has made me who I am today. Without being picked on, I probably wouldn't be so outspoken and able to stand up for myself. 

Now I've come to the point where I'm bored of my hair again! I see pictures of gorgeous bloggers with gorgeous pastel hair and I want that. The idea of bleaching my hair terrifies me, the thought of growing it out to become natural again terrifies me even more, I just want a change, but what? 

What do you think, shall I brave it or "never dye it" as I've been told a million times by the original strangers in the street.

Rachael xo

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Family | Mummy Talk

After reading Giovanna Fletcher's most recent blog post about Mummy Talk, I realised how right she is!  Being a first time mum is hard. Don't get me wrong, George is perfect and I'm very, very lucky to have such a well behaved baby, but there are days when I don't manage to get any house work done, and just about manage to eat a sandwich. Pete has been working long hours recently, meaning I've been spending a lot of time on my own with George. Gi's right, it CAN be lonely, it can be daunting and you do question your actions all the time. There is no right and wrong way! 

I'm blessed in the fact that all my family are very local and pretty much baby experts, meaning if I need them, they're a phone call or a 10 minute walk away. However, I don't want to find myself relying on them too much. 

I'm also blessed that George sleeps right through of a night, feeds really well and is generally a happy little man. I do love being a mum, there is no better feeling, despite the exhaustion and the fact you no longer have any time to yourself.

Apart from my family, I don't really speak to any other mums. The reason for this? I don't know any! Of course I know mums, but I don't have many friends who are mums. Peter is always trying to encourage me to take George to a few classes which I've always dismissed, but now I feel inspired to take George out and meet new people. 

Now that we've finally found our own little routine, after Christmas, I am going to start taking George to Aqua Tots and a few local classes. It will be a nice change of scenery from our usual shopping trips and it will be lovely to have a little natter with other mums.

Are you a new parent? Do you attend any mums and babies groups?

Rachael xo

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Sunday Snapshots | Week #009

It's been a while since I did a Sunday Snapshots post, I'm currently cosy at my mum and dad's house writing this post watching the X Factor semi final. We had a little throwback to the end of my pregnancy and I really was massive! This week has been filled with Christmas happenings! Peter and I put our Christmas tree up with the help of my little brothers, Harry and Elliot. I bought my Christmas phone case, who doesn't love Elf?! We've cracked out the Christmas mugs, Pete told me off because we really don't need any more mugs (I'm a bit of a mug hoarder). I've been to church this week for a meeting with the Father to discuss the arrangements for my little man's Christening. The weather has been really frightful this week and we've spent a lot of time snuggled up on the couch with the Christmas candles on. George and I also went to sort out a surprise for Pete's Christmas present and took a walk through the park, which we don't do very often.  It was my brother's 21st this week and we went out for a meal, I devoured the All American Platter which was full of ribs and chicken and was absolutely amazing. We booked tickets to see Idina Menzel which I am so excited about and also booked a trip to Merthyr to see The Blackout play their final show. 

My weeks are getting busier and busier with the run up to Christmas and I don't know where the time is going. I'm off to the Trafford Centre this week and I'm going to wrap all my presents! I'm feeling very festive.

What has the beginning of December brought for you?

Rachael xo

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Tag | My Life in Letters

A is for Assertive
Pete might use the word bossy, but I prefer assertive. I know what I want, and how I want it done. You have to be assertive to get things done! 

B is for Birkenhead

It's this little town in which I live. After living in Liverpool for two years, I've moved back home after Peter and I bought our first home together here.

C is for Christmas

Christmas is my favourite time of year, I love everything about it. The smells, the films, the cold weather, the Christmas fashion. 

D is for Drama Queen
This sums me up in two words. Drama. Queen. If I fall over, I'm dying. If it's a little bit cold outside, it might as well be the North Pole.

E is for Eating

I love food! I'm not a particularly fussy eater, and I can eat fast and loads. I probably shouldn't eat as much as I do, especially considering I'm always shovelling crisps in my mouth. 

F is for Family
I have a big family and we're really close knit, it's great (most of the time) and since I've moved back to my home town and had George, I get to see them a lot more which is nice. Although, I might have to start pretending I'm not home because they're always popping by! (Kidding, kidding!)

G is for George

George is my 12 week old baby boy. He is my whole world. He's the most perfect little baby in the entire world (of course I'm biased) but the's beautiful and such a good little boy. Okay, I'll stop gushing now.

H is for Home
As I said, Peter and I have just bought our first house together and it's all very grown up. After years of renting and staring at vile flower wallpaper, we've finally been able to put our stamp on somewhere. I've loved being able to decorate and there's nothing I love more than picking up new bits for the home.

I is for Impatient? Iphone?
I'm pretty addicted to my iPhone, it's really bad, I'm constantly playing games and scrolling through social media or texting. I need to make a conscious effort to put it down more.

J is for Jegz 
I have the most unfortunate nickname ever! Jeggins, Jegz for short. When jeggings first came out (yes the clothes), I thought it was the funniest word ever (it was a long time ago okay) and put Jeggins as my middle name on Facebook. It stuck.

K is for Kisses
I love a good kiss, I think it's always important to give your loved ones a kiss whenever you say bye. I always smooch George's face loads, but I have to because in a few years he isn't going to want to give kisses!

L is for Lazy Days
There is nothing I like best than spending the day in my cosy house, in my pjs, drinking tea and watching films or TV shows on Netflix. I don't really like leaving the house much.

M is for Music
Music plays a big part of my life (cliche? oh well), I love going to gigs and watching my favourite bands play live. I love musical theatre as well and I'm always singing to show tunes.

N is for Nail Varnish
I have a slight obsession with nail varnish and must own about 100. I can't say I wear them all but I have slowed down purchasing any for a while. I probably change my nail colour every other day.

O is for "Oh Ay"
Probably the thing I say the most, is it a Scouse thing or a Northern thing? Please let me know in the comment below if you know this expression!

P is for Pete
Pete is my future husband the father of my baby boy, so I suppose it's only right I include him in this tag (just kidding Pete, of course you were going to be here).

Q is for Quite Loud
I talk so loud, I don't really mean to, I just do. Pete always tells me off for being noisy, but I can't help myself. My family are all quite loud as well though so it must be in the genes.

R is for Reading
I love getting lost in a good book, but since George has been born I haven't had the chance to read anything new. I've got a reading the list as long as my arm at the moment.

S is for Series
Since we got Netflix, I've watched so many series and I'm a serial watcher. I managed to watch all six seasons of Ru Paul's Drag Race in approximately two weeks. (It was at the start of my maternity leave in my defence).

T is for Tea
I drink gallons of the stuff. Okay, I might be being a tad dramatic, but there's nothing a good cup of tea can't solve.

U is for Untidy
I hate tidying up, I really hate it. Since I've had George I have tried my very best to tidy up more and be more organised because you have to when you've had a baby. But never expect my house to be immaculate if you come round to visit.

V is for Victoria Sponge 
The best cake ever, I have such a sweet tooth and Victoria Sponge is my favourite. I love the mini ones you can get from Greggs.

W is for Wicked
Wicked is my all time favourite musical ever. I wish I was rich and had a time machine so I could go back and see it on Broadway with Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth.

X is for X Factor
This year I've been really into X Factor. Stevi was my favourite but he;s gone now and I'm truly devastated! I wouldn't say it was a massive part of my life but give me some slack, X was a hard letter.

Y is for Year 2014
Those who know me personally know that 2013 was a pretty shitty year for me and everybody said "2014 will be your year" and they were right. I landed myself a permanent job, bought my first house and had my first baby. It's been a massive whirlwind!

Z is for Zzzzz
Okay, I stole this one from Natalie at youralmostalice but who doesn't love snoozing? I hate getting out of bed and cuddles in my bed with my boys is my favourite.

What is your life in letters?

Rachael xo

Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram