July's Music Favourites

I really like writing these posts about the music I have been listening to this month. I love finding new songs to learn all the words to, and pop on whilst I am on the bus home from work (one day these will be on in my own car where i can sing out loud to my hearts content).

From source (not my image)

On to the music - I got spotify premium, and wow has my life changed.  I love that I can find pretty much anything to listen to, I use it to send me to sleep and to download new albums I want to have with me. My selections have been pretty varied this month but here they are...

1. Biffy Clyro -. Ellipsis.

I have always loved Biffy since seeing them when I was 15, at the UEA before Puzzle even came out. This album is so good, I have been listening to it on repeat. My favourites on this are Animal Style and Friends and Enemies. Absolute bangers!

2.Blink 182 - California

Again a long time favourite band - this album is GOOD. I have really been enjoying blink sounding like their happy old selves. I had an in depth conversation with my friend about them the other day, where although we both love this album, we both think Take off your pants and jacket is our favourite.

3. Deaf Havana - Sing (single)

James in deaf havana has an amazing talent at song writing. this song is also brilliant. Randomly I always go back to old Deaf Havana albums. Give them a listen for great music and lyrics.

4. Chvrches - Bury It (single)

Im new to Chvrche, but this song is my jam at the minute. I love singing it wherever and whenever. Plus the addition of  Hayley Williams is always welcome in my opinion.

5. Shawn Mendes - Treat You Better

Some days I just love a good pop song, this is this months

What are your favourite songs this month? Please let me know I want more music to listen to!

Love

Kelsie

xxx

My Favourite Jeans

I am so obsessed with these.it may be because they are the smallest sized jeans I have fit into post having a baby, or it may because i feel great in them, doesn't really matter cause I bloody love them.

These are Topshop's Jamie Jeans. Starting from £40, and worth every penny. These are so comfy, slightly stretchy, but spring straight back once they are washed. They are just high waisted enough that even if you aren't comfortably with your stomach you can wear a cropped top and the jeans are still super comfy. I especially love these and topshop jeans as I have pretty short legs, some say hobbit like, and well thanks to the petite section in topshop i can actually get jeans that not only fit my waist but also my leg length too.

They come in so many different 'jean based' shades - have a browse here

If you are on the hunt for some jeans, well give these a go, not the cheapest, and also not the most expensive. I would swear by Topshop Jeans. I am up for suggestions though, so if you have any send them my way!

Love

Kelsie

xxx

The Pregnancy Truths

Having given birth just 4 weeks ago i now feel a lot more like myself ( even wanting to dye my hair crazy colours again, i've refrained so far) i now feel it may be an appropriate time to reflect on those lengthy 9 months and give you the truths about pregnancy, basically what they dont tell you!

1. You may not get morning sickness. 

I had absolutely no morning sickness at all. A lot of people realise they are pregnant because of morning sickness. A lot of people realise because they are late  for their period. I was part of the latter. I didnt throw up at all. There was one time where i took some whitebait out to a table (was a waitress at the time) and it smelt so awful that i almost almost threw up. But i didnt. Im pretty thankful for this. You mah get sick, you might not. 

2. At around 30 or so weeks pregnant or possibly earlier you will just pop and your belly will start looking significantly bigger. This is also the time you maybstart getting stretch marks (time to purchase those creams!) 

Again i was quite lucky that i really didnt get many stretch marks. I did a post all about then HERE. 

3. Be prepared to be tired, ALL THE TIME. I napped so much during my pregnancy. Trust me make the most of it. Sleep is rare with a newborn. 

4. Everything will get bigger. That acene in friends were they say her boobs, feet and bum will get bigger. Well rachel aint lying. My feet swelled so badly towards the end of my pregnancy. I took to waddling everywhere. Wide fit shoes are also a dream here! Thankfully the swelling on my feet went away really quickly and i an back in ny old shoes. Some women's feet dont ever return to their old size! 

My fingers swelled so badly i got carpel  tunnel syndrome (basically numbness and pins and needles in my fingers and down my arm). My fingers swelled so much i couldnt take my rings off and they started digging in. Left them hoping they would be alright afterwards. Update swelling has reduced in my fingers but my knuckles have put on weight (yay!) so rings are still firmly in place but no longer digging in!

5. Not all women enjoy pregnancy. I hated it. I didnt feel like myself. I didnt feel like i was 'glowing' at all. Hated it all. Plus it was a super hot summer and i just felt awful. Obviously i am mega happy now, i love and adore Fletcher. 

There are just a few things i found out about being pregnant. There are some more things i realised whilst being pregnant but these are some of my most notable! 

Did any of this surprise you? Have any of you had a baby and had a similar pregnancy experience? 

Toodles

Kelsie xx

Matalan Christmas

Just to put it out there first, Matalan have not asked me to do this post nor have i been sponsored by them. I genuinely went on to their website and fell completely in love with all their christmas stuff! 

This year is going to be my first Christmas at home, in my own home, with a new baby boy. To say im excited is an understatement. In the past brad and I havent had enough space to buy a Christmas tree and decorate a house, so this year I'm really eager to make it something special. Especially as Brad is a bit of a scrooge. This year is going to be our first at home, in our own home surrounded by family. In the past we have always worked on Christmas day, so I honestly cannot wait to get planning and decorating.

I found all the items pictured on Matalans Website, and i just think it is adorable. It looks so nice and traditional too and nothing is overpriced at all. I can not wait to start purchasing some of this stuff! 

I'm aiming for a very traditional theme this year, as in France and in the mountains thats just the way Christmas Feels. It is so beautiful and i would love to just recreate that a little bit in my own home. All this makes me feel like a child entering a sweet shop for the first time. My opportunities are endless! 

Are you getting anything new for Christmas decorations wise this year? Is there any shops for Christmas decorations you would recommend? any suggestions very appreciated!

Toodles

Kelsie xx

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Introducing Fletcher...

Some people may have noticed i have been quiet for a little bit. To be honest i havent even got a clue how long its been (its only a matter of days) but i also havent got a clue what day it is now. See on Tuesday 28th October, Our little boy decided to make his appearance and after a relatively quick labour at 6.32 am Fletcher Brian Day was born! I am now incredibly tired a little bit sore and tender but just enjoying spending time being a mummy and having a little family. He is currently happily asleep (like i should be too) and now is my time to finally settle down from getting my house back in order and give the world a little up date, as well as relax and start to learn my new role as a mummy.

Yes i do have a cracking narnia prince caspian pillow (the comfiest pillow ever)

I will be back with pictures, labour story and general other stuff i have learnt along the way but in the mean time i may just take a bit more time off the blog so i can recover a bit more and spend some quality time with my gorgeous little boy.

Im not entirely sure how much of my life i am willing to put on the internet and i am quite wary about posting pictures of my child so this may be the only picture of my child that will appear. This may change but for now i am quite wary of protecting him from the internet for now.

In the meantime follow my instagram for more regular little updates (this but minus the words really) HERE. So thank you for being patient with me. i have so many post ideas running through my head now which i am super excited to compose but im really aware that i have to just go a bit slower in my life at the moment, especially as i need to actually physically heal in the downstairs area yet! Again thank you for being patient with me.


Toodles

Kelsie xxx

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Cosy Jumpers

I am a big fan of layering clothes and I am always mega happy when it comes to autumn winter and i can wear a nice chunky knitted jumper and layer a nice woolly scarf over it for those colder days/evenings.

It was my birthday recently and as my baby is due any day now I have been thinking more and more about my post pregnancy clothes. My sister had asked what I wanted and I spent a good long while on boohoo and stumbled across a couple of things I liked. I picked this jumper for my sister to get me though as I just couldn't get over how pretty it was and how nice it will look with black skinny jeans!

I love the detail yet simple-ness to this jumper and the bold colour (it does also come in Red) I think it will just be so easy to style and wear with other stuff and still be an item that will look great by itself too!

Find this jumper HERE for just £15.00

(obviously this isnt me! haha ) 

By the time your reading this i may have had my baby and be already be wearing it!

What do you all think of this jumper? (honest opinions always appreciated!) What jumpers are you loving at the moment? send me some links, I'll need a whole new wardrobe after this baby is born.

Toodles

Kelsie xx

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The Primark Winter Boots

I have been on the hunt for beautiful winter boots for a couple of years now. I have just never found the right colour, size, look nor have any been sturdy enough. Having lived in the Alps during winter season I am very much into getting boots that will last a harsh winter (whether I am in the Alps or not) .

These ones were £18 (i know a little pricey for Primark) However, these feel amazing, sturdy with a strong sole which will last a good amount of walking during winter and hopefully more winters after.

I had been lusting after a pair of similar boots from new look but that had a larger heel and as much as I adored them I just couldn't purchase something that is impractical in snowy conditions, plus I'm not the biggest heel kind of girl and they were nearly double the price.

I finally found boots that seem fit to withstand a harsh winter in the UK and a harsh winter in The Alps and I am chuffed with that, especially at a price of just £18. Now I just cannot wait to give birth and let my swollen feet reduce in size to fit even more comfortably in these shoes!

Toodles

Kelsie xx

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A Week To Go!

Theres just a week to go till that little boy i have been carrying for 9 months is due. Seems like a long long time ago since i rang my mum to tell her i was pregnant. The absolute fear that went through me at telling my mum, i immediately felt like a 12 year old that had done something wrong. I don't think thats a feeling you ever grow out of.

Im really excited to finally meet him, however, it may mean i fall a bit behind on my blog. I intend to have some blogposts scheduled, and there should be quite a few seeing as all im doing right now is sitting around at home waiting to go into labour. So i'm using this time to fill my time with writing blogposts.

I must apologise that a good few of them will have been constructed in advance (i.e. Christmas posts/ halloween/bonfire night posts) and some things may change with in that time, but im sure people will appreciate the effort non the less.

I may also have to apologise here in advance that when i do come back i may not be able to post quite as regularly as i have been. i have heard a lot of tales of newborns being a bit of a handful hehe. this is something im excited about and also something that i think will actually help with post ideas.

I just wanted to put together this post in case i do just drop of the face of the internet world, so there is some explanation.

In the meantime, there will still be scheduled posts!!

Toodles

Kelsie xx

Review; Garnier Moisture Match

This has been a saviour for my skin, as i am having more 'make up free' days.  Im heavily pregnant and aside from the days when I am venturing further than the local shop i am not feeling the need for any makeup. To be honest as soon as i wake up im just too exhausted to do this, but thats a whole other post (coping with the last month of pregnancy!)

My skin however has become in itself tired and dull. My full nights sleep just don't exist anymore, Regular toilet visits any mums to be??, and well my skin is definitely paying the price. I picked up this for dull skin in an attempt to well make it less dull. It so far has been amazing on my face, I use it twice daily, as recommended. its soft and a little goes a long way here!

 I also picked it up whilst it was half price so for £2.99 I am definitely not able to find any complaints about this product here!


Have you tried this product? Or one of the others in the range? what do you think of them?

Toodles

Kelsie xx


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The Past 3 Years

I wanted to just put a post together to remember my last 3 years and all the fond amazing memories I have. All the people I have met over that time and the adventures I have had, in different countries with people from different walks of life. There were highs and lows over those times, times where I wanted to pack it all in, fly back to the UK and run back to my mum, I didn't, I stayed I powered through and for every bad time there are hundreds of great times for me to remember. Best of all if I hadn't gone on that first adventure, I would never have met Brad and now almost 3 years later be engaged and expecting a child together!

This post will also have a very general autumn/winter feel because our joint love was skiing/snowboarding and we (brad and I) met in the mountains of Austria! Its crazy to think if I hadn't gone on that first ski holiday with some friends I would never have fell in love with the mountains and never gone on my first ski season and never met the people along the way I did.

I want to encourage anybody that is afraid of taking that step or going on that adventure alone that you wont be alone for long at all. You will meet people that will change your life, and some that won't ever leave it once you have met them. I was terrified when I got on that first plane alone and flew to Austria, even that very night when I tucked myself into bed alone in a country where so far I had met a couple of people and didn't know the local language all that well but, Its the greatest thing I have ever done and now I'm still completely excited about what adventures there are to be had in the future. I'm so thankful for everything!

Have you gone on any adventures? share them! 

Toodles

Kelsie xx

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Autumn/Birthday Wish List

Its getting colder and this is my favourite time of the year, where I can wear nice new clothes and change my wardrobe up a little bit. Its also the time of year I love where I can fill my house with candles and items that make my house feel so nice and cosy on a rainy winter evening! 

My birthday is also coming up and as by then end of the month my baby is due I will be able to go back to wearing non maternity clothes soon and i am so very excited. I cannot wait to wear scarves and hats out on fireworks evening all wrapped up with a sparkler in my hand! (seriously this is my favourite time of the year)

1. Yankee candle in Autumn Wreath
2. Cath Kidston Childrens Back Pack
3. Topshop Faux Leather Biker Jacket
4. Topshop lace detail dress
5. New Look Grey Boots
6. Lush Melomint bubble bar
7. Asda Lace Detail Candle
8. Tartan print reversible scarf
9. Cat print oven glove
10. Asda Stag Candle
11. Dr Martins floral boots
12. Asos oversize crinkle blouse

Anything here you really want? or would add?

Toodles

Kelsie x

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Review : Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I picked this up the other day whilst out and about with my sister. I've been looking for something new to change up my skin care routine a bit. I may have said in the past how I'm really quite lucky to have very good natural skin, I very rarely get blemishes or spots, but as I am getting a bit older now and about to become a mum I figured I should spend a bit more time on my skin and hopefully keeping me looking younger for longer! (l just wanna be a hot mum! ). I kept seeing this on the shelves and i was always drawn to it.

I've been using it for about 2 weeks now and must say my skin feels incredible now. SO SMOOTH. I dont think you realise how un-smooth your skin feels until it is actually smooth. I keep making brad feel my face every night! I am particularly fond of the tingly feeling you get once your face is nice and clean! Always good to feel a product physically working on your skin!


I do have a slight negative about it, that it does state that there is no need to rub, but if you are like me and like to you the Benefit they're real products, well then you'll definitely need to do a bit of rubbing to remove that! I've found it removes everything else very easily though!

Overall im really happy with this product and for just over £3 (from Boots) Who wouldn't be!

Have you tried this? what do you think about it?

Toodles

Kelsie x

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September In Photographs

Christ it is October already! This is going to be a big old month for me, not only is it going to be my 24th birthday on the 11th but my baby is also due! Plus its Halloween and autumn is like officially here. My absolute favourite time of the year, I especially appreciate it more now since I spent a summer being very pregnant in ridiculous heat. Cooler weather just suits me most and the anticipation of winter is heavy on our shoulders and some of you may know I'm a complete winter lover, give me snow and mountains over sun and beaches any day!

I spent a lot of the month with my sister and a lot of time just tucked up at home with Brad, as I'm so pregnant now, just getting about is tiring me out a hell of a lot more. We did however, go and visit my grandma who lives by the coast and take my sisters new puppy to the beach for the first time! We also visited Cambridge again for a friends leaving do which was just lovely (see the pic of the river) We took a lovely morning stroll along the river cam and it felt great to head back! Norwich is lovely but Cambridge will always feel like a second home. 

I am massively excited for October now, the most exciting month of the year!

How was your September? did you do anything exciting? let me know! 

Toodles

Kelsie x

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DIY ; Chocolate Chunk Biscuits

I decided the other day to do some baking, as being pregnant and stuck at home a lot of the time means I get very bored and this filled some time in what could have been an incredibly boring day for me, also I want to be like monica in friends and be the mum that makes the best cookies! These aren't really cookies more biscuits which I think makes a nice change from cookies every once in a while.

You will need;
115g Butter (at room temperature)
55 g caster sugar
140g all purpose flour

Half a bar of Chocolate or generally however much you fancy putting in!

Method ;

1.Preheat the oven to 170c (I have a gas oven so adjust depending on what you have)






2. Cream together the butter and sugar using a spoon or electric mixer (of which i have not yet purchased one for myself! Tis on the Xmas list!)

3. add the flour in and stir or need until it makes a semi firm dough. Add the chocolate chunks also at this phase

4.Using your hands, roll the dough into balls and place on a baking tray. Flatten all the balls down with a wet fork (a la picture)

5. bake in the oven for 20 or so minutes.

6. remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool down and then munch away!

Let me know if you try these biscuits and what you think. My fiance loved them which is surprising as he does not really like sweet things all that much, yet he ate loads of these!

Toodles

Kelsie x

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What's In My Hospital Bag? Baby Edition

As I said in my previous post a couple of days ago, I was splitting these into two posts, otherwise I think it would be ridiculously long. This is what I am packing for my baby boy! Again I must apologise for the poor quality of my pictures I must have been very tired that day! 

All of this is so cute and blue, I am so excited for him to arrive already! 

1. Baby blanket and swaddle cloths - To wrap him up in and bring him home in. The blanket was actually hand knitted by Brad's auntie which I absolutely adore. 
2. Baby wipes - Kind of obvious this one, however, I do know that some hospitals don't allow you to use baby wipes and prefer cotton wool and water
3. Booties and scratch mittens- Baby essentials shall i say. The shoes were actually a gift, and I believe we picked up some mittens from mamas and papas.
4. Sleep suits and bibs- Again gifts but these are pretty plain and standard though!
5. Hats - The woollen one was again a knitted gift from Brad's auntie. I adore this so much its so cute and with our Snowboarding background is just perfect! The other hat I got here as part of a set. 
   
6. Cotton Wool - In case baby wipes are not allowed!
7. Muslin clothes - for sicky times, burps etc.. 
8. Socks- These are so cute and small. I found these ones on Mamas and Papas website (adorable)
9. Cardigan - Knitted again by Brad's aunt
10. Toy - a gift from my sister, when I initially found out I was pregnant

I have also packed new born nappies, but you don't really need to see that. I'm so fully excited for his arrival now. I'm dreading the labour pain (trying not to other think that) but I really really want to be skinny again now! 

Toodles

Kelsie x

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What's In My Hospital Bag?

I'm going to be separating this post in to two, one for me, and mums to be, and one for babies. I'll show you what I am packing for me and for the baby. I must first apologise for the poor quality of my photos, when I took them I thought they looked great but obviously I was asleep! However, as I have actually packed all the stuff now I really don't want to pull everything back out just to take more pictures. Also I realise some things may be missing (i.e. going home outfit) as I just haven't packed them yet and they are generally going to be my last couple of things to pack.

I must state, this is in no particular order at all!

1. Firming butter - This was actually a gift from my sister plus I'm a big moisturiser now days so I am taking this with me just in case.
2. Tangle teezer - You know to brush my hair. it really is such a great hair brush so its packed for this hospital trip!
3. Johnson's Facewipes - I won't lie, I'm lazy when it comes to removing my make up, these do the job for me, I have said previously I'm quite lucky with my skin. (I am planning on beginning to cleanse and moisturise soon or I think these years will catch up with me!)
4. Vitamins - folic acids and what not.

5. V05 matt hair clay - This is packed for Brad. He can be quite vain (don't tell him I said that) but this is packed for if he is in over night with me and also for photos if he feels the need to touch up!

6.Toothpaste and Toothbrushes - Pretty self explanatory there

7. Hair bobbles - Including the invisibobble (see my review!) just to keep my hair out of my face during the tough times!

8. Makeup - I have seen some other mums to be get some stick for putting this in their hospital bag on other websites but I think each to their own, I have packed the bare essentials, just in case I want to prep myself up a bit. I'm only taking it for a back up an 'in case' cause you never know!

9. Old towel - In case I decide to have a shower there

10. General beauty products - Deodorant, batiste dry shampoo, stretch mark products

11. Old knickers and socks - In case my feet get cold, and because i do not want nice new knickers getting ruined! everyone has those pairs of underwear tucked in the back of the draw! one day they will come in handy

12. Old tshirt and Pjs - Pjs self explanatory (in case your in over night). Old t-shirt for labour (actually grabbed one of brads old ones here)

13. Maternity Pads and briefs - An essential for after labour

14. Breast Pads - Especially important if you are breast feeding and don't want leakages or spoilt clothes!

So there it is. What is in my hospital bag! I have not included a picture of my bag as we just picked up an Adidas one (I do love Adidas stuff though). I really hope this post helps other expectant mums to be!

Toodles

Kelsie x

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Nursery Finishing Touches!

We have just about finished the nursery! all Harry Pottered up and everything! very exciting times. The only thing I want to add is a Rocking chair (perfect for breastfeeding!). But here are our pictures of the room now. Feel free to ask any questions about it! We have had so much fun putting it all together and getting things for it. I have spent ages organising it too! so it is just the way I want it!

Yes, That is the marauders map on the wall amongst other harry potter related items

My sister made these amazing letters for the baby shower which I took and decided to hang up around the room

what do you think of our nursery? has it inspired you?

Toodles

Kelsie x

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Review : Invisibobble

I had a little spree in Boots the other day and I picked up a pack of these as I had seen quite a few other people talk about them. I went for brown as I obviously have brown hair now. I found the look of them extremely weird. I even gave one to my sister who had no idea what it was and said it looked like telephone cable! I guess there is a design flaw with these as they don't look the prettiest thing there has ever been to put in your hair.

The invisibobble claims to be 'the traceless hairband', with an even distribution of pressure, meaning that you can tie your hair up and not end up with that awful headache you can get when you have your hair up all day for work or school. Which I believe it does! I wear my hair up a lot at the minute, with the heat and heavily pregnant, the need to have my hair out of my face is essential and these are amazing for that!

I think these are great for messy, no care buns. In fact they are my favourite thing to use when I wear a messy bun. There is absolutely no pain and I think it actually makes getting that 'Perfect' messy bun really easy! and its also easy to take back out after a day of wearing your hair in a messy bun.

The website states it makes a nice bracelet feature. Now I'm not sure about you but wearing a telephone cable around my wrist isn't exactly high fashion if you ask me, and I think I would very rarely have it round my wrist! That aside, the Invisibobble is amazing, a must have for busy people and people who want to protect their hair from everyday damages!

Have you tried the invisibobble? what did you think of it?

Toodles
Kelsie x

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Baby Shower Gifts

As some of you may know, we have recently had the baby shower, and i have just got around to photographing some of the presents we were given. I must say we were completely humbled by all the gifts we were given, and we have one very loved boy. I will say this is going to be a very photograph heavy blog post! But if you are stuck of with what to buy a friend for her baby shower or a gift for a relative or someone, I will say any new mum will be appreciative of any gift given to her!

These are literally the cutest thing ever that my sister got for us!

Musical mobile 

We got some seriously cute stuff, and also some very practical stuff, like nappies and creams and bath stuff, which I didn't photograph as it can be quite boring. 

Toodles

Kelsie x

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