Roundup: My Year

What an amazing and emotional year this has been.

I started off in January as a fresher at Uni studying for a Business degree and having the time of my life as a student, lots of drunken nights out and not a whole lot of studying!  My life couldn't be more different now - I have an absolutely gorgeous 2 month old little boy called Noah, I finished my first year of Uni with a 1st (not bad considering I had 16 hours of exams that I studied for and sat with horrible morning sickness!) and am genuinely also having the time of my life now, just in a very different way.

In 2013 I hope to go back to studying, I LOVED my course, loved living in Bristol where I was at Uni and think it'd be a shame to waste the first year I've already got.

Keep smiling everyone, I have a feeling 2013's gonna be pretty great =)

2 Months Old Today

Wow, my baby's 2 whole months old today, I really can't believe how fast time has flown!  H'es changing so much every day.  Such a special boy and my absolute world!

Wish List: Boohoo.com Long Sleeve V Neck Skater Dress

Long Sleeve V Neck Skater Dress, Boohoo.com, £18

I think this dress is so cute, and such good value.

Wish List: George at ASDA Chiffon Pussy Bow Blouse

Chiffon Pussy Bow Blouse, ASDA, £15

Love this blouse, it's super-cute - I really like the pattern.  It's almost leopard print, my favourite!  Plus only £15, what a bargain.

Wish List: Ted Baker at ASOS Digital Floral Dress

Digital floral dress, Ted Baker at ASOS, £129

Love this dress, sadly far too expensive for me but it's so pretty!

Clothes Haul: 8th December 2012

So I decided I was fed up of being in leggings and jeggings and stretchy dresses after having my son nearly 6 weeks ago, so it was time to take the plunge and go and buy some jeans and a couple of flattering tops that actually fitted me.

This was my first time shopping with Noah, and oh my goodness it's almost impossible!  If I hadn't had my sister there with me I'd have given up I think - prams and changing rooms don't normally mix very well!  So rather than my usual tactic which is to go to a million different shops and then usually uy the first thing I tried on (sound familiar haha?!) I decided New Look would be my best bet for some affordable style.

Pre-pregnancy I was a size 10, so it was gutting to be trying on size 14 jeans =( but then I found these, which look great, fit well AND are a size 12.  I know in the grand scheme of things a 14 isn't even that big but it's all relative isn't it with what you're used to?

The lighting in my pictures isn't very good so the jeans look really dark, but they are navy!  Here we are, moment of truth (ahhhhhh no judging the baby belly please!!!) ...........

My waist has also disappeared and yet to make a re-appearance as well as having a tummy to cover, so a lot of my normal tops just don't fit right any more ~ bring on the peplum!  So flattering, pretty and girly, there's nothing I don't like about a peplum, and this one's only £8.99 from New Look - what a bargain.  It comes in 7 different colours, I got the purple and really wanted the cream, but they didn't have it in a 12 =(

I also got this gorgeous textured peplum top for £14.99.

Wish List: Miss Selfridge Shona Closed Toe Heel

Shona Closed Toe Heel, Miss Selfridge, £48

I love nude heels, they just go with everything and these ones are really pretty with little gems to add some sparkle!

My Little Boy's 6 Weeks Today!

I can't believe how quickly time's flown but my little boy Noah's 6 weeks old today, and absolutely perfect.  I can't even begin to explain how amazing having a baby is, I don't think you can comprehend it until you do it yourself.  What a soppy post haha!

Happy 6 weeks Noah!

I Need Lots Of Cuddles

How could you refuse???

Shop Spotlight: Dorothy Perkins: Kardashian Kollection

I discovered the Kardashian Kollection at Dorothy Perkins the other day and got massively excited.  I don't normally shop very much in Dorothy Perkins cause I find their stuff a little bit bland, good for basics but not a lot else, but I'm a self-confessed Kardashian-aholic so I couldn't wait to see what products they had!

To be honest, overall I wasn't that impressed.  I haven't seen the products in person, which can obviously make a massive difference but I just wasn't inspired by most of the clothes in the collection.  There were a couple I loved though:

Nude Lace Skirt, £35

This skirt is super-sexy, the lace panelling is gorgeous and it'd be really flattering on, giving you a bum like Kim - we wish haha!

Green Crepe Dress, £40

I love the colour, the fit and the style, especially the cut out on the back.

Black Mesh Dress, £40

The mesh panel's really cute and this is a look that could easily be dressed up or down.

Green Gold Bar Dress, £40

Love the colour (again!) and looks like it'd be really flattering.

Colour Blocking

I love a bit of colour blocking, so here's my little angel working the trend at 5 weeks old.

Wish List: Miss Selfridge Asymmetric Stripe Jumper

Asymmetric Stripe Jumper, Miss Selfridge, £39

I love this slouchy jumper, it looks so cosy and pretty!

POTB Babies Christmas Outfits

Boxing Day will mark 2 months for my little boy, so I want to get him a really cute outfit for his first Christmas.  Here's my pick of the best and cutest babies Christmas outfits:

Christmas Penguin All-In-One and Hat, F&F at Tesco, £5

Super-cute and you can't argue with the price!

Mrs Santa Baby Set, George at ASDA, £8

Awwww!  If I had a little girl I think I'd choose this one.

Reindeer Dress-Up, Mothercare, £15

I love the antlers!

Santa Dress-Up, Mothercare, £15-£18

How cute is the little one in this outfit!

Novelty Elf All-In-One with Hat, John Lewis, £19.50

This is crazy-expensive compared to the rest of them, but it looks like such good quality!

To see my pick of the best Christmas jumpers for us, click here.  What do you think - will you be dressing your little one up this festive season?

OOTD: 5th December 2012

Here's my outfit of the day for the 5th December.

Butterfly Print Top: A Wear

Pink Belt: Primark

Jeans: New Look

You can't make it out too well in this picture but the belt is the exact same shade as my Bourjois lipgloss.

Wish List: Curvy Kate Wild Bra Set

Curvy Kate Wild Bra, Bravissimo, £29 and Curvy Kate Wild Thong, Bravissimo, £14.

I love all things leopard print, and this bra set is no exception - I've been lusting after it ever since the Bravissimo catalogue came through my door a few weeks ago, it's absolutely gorgeous.

Such A Tiring Day!

We've had a busy busy busy day today, bless him!

Getting Rid Of The Flab!

It's coming up to 6 weeks since I had Noah, and these love handles and tummy aren't going anywhere fast!  So a couple of weeks ago my mum and I signed up to WeightWatchers - I've got baby weight to lose and she's getting married at the end of January so we've both got a good incentive.

Pre-pregnancy I was around 9 stone 8-10lbs and a size 10.  I was even happy to get my belly out occasionally and here's the evidence!!

That's me on the right (as a blondie!) about a week before I got pregnant.

When I signed up two weeks ago I was (sob!) 11 stone 5lbs and a size 12-14.  The first week I only lost 1lb and was gutted.  I had the best part of 2 stone to lose and it was going to take me forever!!  However, this week I only went and lost 4.5lbs - get in!  

Feeling much happier about everything, I'm eating so much healthier - much more fruit and veg and a LOT less carbs, not that that's hard, I am the carb queen!

As well as the weight, I'm also keeping track of my measurements to see how they change.  I'll be weighing in once a week but I'll only do my measurements every 4 weeks so there's actually (hopefully!) a change.

     Pre Pregnancy                                   Now

     Bust: 37 inches                                  Bust: 37.5 inches

     Under Bust: 28 inches                       Under Bust: 31.25 inches

     Waist: 28 inches                                Waist: 33.5 inches

      Hips: 37 inches                                 Hips: 40.25 inches

The one I'm most gutted about is my waist, it's totally disappeared and looking at my measurements now I can see why - I've got more to lose there than anywhere else.

Bring it on!

Wish List: Boohoo Rowena Reversible Leopard Scarf

Rowena Reversible Leopard Scarf, Boohoo, £15

I think this pink scarf is sooo cute and it looks lovely and warm, plus it's reversible!

MAC Lipstick: Ruby Woo

My favourite red lipstick ever!  This is the gorgeous Ruby Woo by MAC, which retails at £14.

 It's a very intense red, not one for the faint-hearted, but I used to wear this shade as a blonde and think it suits me even more now I'm dark again.  It's got quite a dry texture and comes out very matte, so I tend to wear it with some clear gloss over the top as well, like so:

And here you can see how it actually looks on me - love this look, it's super-sexy for a night out, and I've occasionally worn it in the day time as well.

What do you think?  Are you a fan of red lippy?

FOTD: 4th December 2012

Here's my face of the day for today and the products I've used (scuse the rollers in my hair haha!)

Face

Foundation: MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW20

Powder: MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NW20

Bronzer: 17 Instant Glow Gold Bronze Shimmer Brick

Eyes

Eyebrows: Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown

Eyeshadows: MAC Pro Longwear Eyeshadow in Thru the Night

MAC Eyeshadow in Hush

Mascara: L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes mascara in Extra Black

Eyeliner: MAC Eye Kohl in Blooz

Lips: MAC Lipstick in Lovelorn

Wish List: Miss Selfridge Tan Authentic Leather Jacket

Tan Authentic Leather Jacket, Miss Selfridge, £150

This is such a gorgeous leather jacket, I love the colour and love the asymmetry of it.  I really want a proper leather jacket, I've got a fake grey one which is a similar shape to this but want the real deal!

Product Review: Strawberry Carmex

I know the strawberry Carmex has been out for ages, but despite being a massive fan of the original Carmex, I'd never tried any of the flavoured ones so I decided it was time I changed that!  As well as being strawberry flavoured, this one also has an SPF of 15 which is always a bonus.

The first time I put this on my lips I thought it was so strange!  It has the original Carmex taste and tingle, but weirdly also tastes of strawberries as well.

Before
My lips don't look too bad but they feel really dry and have a couple of cracked bits.

Immediately after applying
My lips feel silky smooth and look really glossy.

After eating
My lips still feel super-soft and kissable, even though it looks like the product has all gone.

Verdict - I wasn't sure about it at first, but after a couple of tries I love it, I think it's a product you just have to get used to - pretty much like when I tried the original Carmex for the first time!

Shop Spotlight: George at ASDA

I've never shopped at George at ASDA before, but after having a look just now they've got some really nice things actually, and for great prices!  I can't say about the fit just yet, but I'll definitely be trying some of these and I'll keep you posted - in the mean time, what's your experiences of George at ASDA?

Here's my pick of the best:

Sheer Back Printed Jersey Top, £8

A cute little top for dressed down glam with a slick of red lippy.

Animal Print Blazer, £15

This is such a cute blazer and would look fab with a pair of dark skinny jeans and a vest top for a drink with the girls.

Monochrome Bodycon Dress, £16

I've fallen in love with this dress, it's amazing!  Just need to get my flat stomach back to be able to wear it - a post baby belly in a bodycon dress probably isn't the best look!

Moda Embellished Collar Ponte Dress, £20

I really like this dress, it's quite sophisticated and the embellished collar looks great.  I'd want to jazz it up with a brightly coloured waist belt and shoes, maybe in a red for the festive season or a teal.

Overall, I'm impressed with the clothes available at George, and will definitely be trying some of their stuff very soon.

Poor Bubba

My poor little bubba's not very well today (not that you can tell from the pictures cause he's such a happy chappy!) so he's having a chilled out day today.

TRESemme Overload!

So I saw in Boots that all TRESemme products are 3 for £9 at the moment and I haven't really tried many of their products, so instead of just coming out with my usual heat defence spray, I got:

• 24 Hour Body Root Boosting Spray £5.39
• 24 Hour Body Amplifying Mousse
• 24 Hour Body Sky High Plumping Powder £5.50
• Touchable Finish Firm Hold Volume and Lift Hairspray £4.69
• Salon Shine Glossing Spray £4.99
• and my standard Heat Defence Styling Spray £4.69

I'll keep you posted with some reviews soon!

Wish List: Miss Selfridge Barbie Vest Top

Barbie Vest Top, Miss Selfridge, £22

I love a bit of Barbie (my make-up bag is actually a kids Barbie lunchbag I got off eBay!) and this top is no exception - it's so cute!

POTB Christmas Jumpers

It's December, we've officially got less than 3 weeks before Christmas Day (eeeeekkk!!) so I thought I'd give you my pick of the best Christmas jumpers.

Oatmeal Reindeer Embellished Nose Hoodie, New Look, £16.99

Hehe this one gets my vote purely for comedic value - amazing!!

Christmas Cat Jumper, ASOS, £30

This would be my sister's perfect jumper.  In fact, I'd get it for her if she hadn't already bought it for herself lol!  Pretty cheesy, but cute all the same.

Ivory Snowflake Jumper, Dorothy Perkins, £30

This jumper's not too over-the-top and just subtly festive with a bit of sparkle.

Deluxe Vintage Crew Jumper, Soul Cal at Republic, £30

Subtle and pretty, love this jumper!

Christmas Jumper with Mistletoe Detail, ASOS, £32

I love love love this Christmas jumper, so cute!  Not too cheesy, but definitely gets me in a festive mood.