Playlist : January 2017

Well Hello! It's a whole new year. I am not even sure I have written a blog post yet this year. If I haven't, well then, i'm kicking it off with my play list for this month.

Now not an awful lot of new music gets released at this time of year, unless your Ed Sheeran, cheers pal, i think everyone needed that (yes, of course he features here) Any way, lets get this started.

This months top picks!

1. Ed Sheeran - Shape of You & Castle On The Hill
I'm from Norfolk, not a million miles froms Ed's home town too. I don't think I need to say much about these to be honest. they speak for themselves and i'm fairly certain they are already number one and two in the charts anyway!

2. Alessia Cara- How Far I'll Go.
I'll admit i haven't seen the film yet, i really want to. But this song is so good. I like to sing it around the house to myself.

3. ZAYN & Taylor Swift - I don't wanna live forever.
Again just a massive song, but taylor swift doesn't ever really put out shit songs now does she.

4. Deaf Havana - Fever
Another new one. I am not sure there has been a month when Deaf Havana haven't been in my playlist

5. The Chainsmokers - Paris
I still have a lot of love for these guys since Closer was such a big song for me.

Again this is just a small selection of the songs on my playlist for this month. Also featuring are  You Me At Six (great new album), Martin Jensen and Four Year Strong. 

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What have you all been listening to this month? Again  I am always up for more suggestions for new music! 

LOVE 

KELSIE 

xxx 

Mum Realities #5 - Bath Time

Bath Time has gone through phases of being dreaded and the best time in this house. Currently we are in the phase of it being the best time.

Bath time is a huge part of our routine in this house. However, with Fletcher's terrible eczema he is limited to the number of baths he can have in a week, currently he has a bath on Mondays, Wednesday and Friday. sometimes though, they just don't get done on those set dates. Routine is big though, Fletcher knows once he is out of his bath that it is then cream time (again for his eczema) and then pyjama and bed time.

We have a few toys for the bath, However not a lot. Speaking to my step sister she once told me her son only had a cup for the bath and he loved that, so tats kind of what we went with.

As Fletcher does suffer with eczema it means he has bath oil in his bath too. this means his toys etc can keep the moisture on then and if your not careful will grown mold (vomming in mouth) not what you want your child bathing in. Like seriously people should check the insides of rubber ducks.. its gross. Anyway, this is why fletcher doesn't have many bath toys but i also think the fewer there are the calmer he is.

Fletch has hated the bath before, screamed his head off and generally not wanted to be there. i tried to changing a lot of factors until we got it right for him.

what are you bath time routines or tips?

Love 

Kelsie 

xxx

Managing Your Money

I feel that now I am a parent and 25 and classed as the overs category on x factor *sobs*, I am so much better with my money. recently with bills to pay and nursery fees coming out of my account every month, budgeting and planning have been important so we actually make it through the month and manage to put some away in savings.

Whether you have a monthly/weekly wage or pocket money, I put together some tips to help save and manage your money better

1. Make a list of all your known outgoings - i.e. bills you pay every month, what days they go out etc. I have nursery fees and phone bills come out of my account. All the other bills leave Brads account. however we have a list of all the bills that leave our account collectively to see how much money we have left over once all bills leave our accounts, leaving us with spending money for food/ petrol/ general spending money

2. write your food shopping list before you go and stick to it. this is the best way to ensure you don't spend more than necessary. we don't not buy ourselves little treats here and there we just try and be modest with it. we also plan our weekly meals, making sure we don't waste any food or anything goes out of date.

3. spending money - anything left over that gets spent we write down (keep receipts and write down exact expenditures). a handy tip I learnt from a friend years ago. you know those time you check your account and wonder where the hell all your money has gone. This.

4. savings - make a plan of how much you want to save each month, is it realistic? can you actually live the month with out that money? wanting to see your savings increase drastically is what everyone wants but sometimes its not feasible. if your outgoings are low, put more into an ISA etc. Make more from your own money, interest can be the best thing in some circumstances.

5. Those pennies you always end up with in your purse. Get a giant bottle or money box and just pop them in there. they amount up eventually and you'll be surprised by how much you actually have.

I really hope these tips help. I work a full time job and you know bills suck, I have an actual job where I can work overtime and be paid for it. its worth it, with Christmas coming up.

have you got any other tips for being Savvy with your money? share them!

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

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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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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Pregnancy update #4 - 34 Weeks

How far along? 34 Weeks

Maternity clothes? no new ones since last week, but i am taking to wearing some of my old clothes (i particularly liked baggy clothes before i was pregnant) especially round the house.

Stretch Marks? A couple. Have a few now just slightly appearing on my boobies but have been using stretch mark products. See my previous review post on these products here

Sleep? Getting crazy dreams now, but actually sleeping really well. Only getting up a couple of times a night to wee.

Best moment this week? My midwife appointment where she said I could have him as soon as 37 weeks (3 weeks away!) as she thinks this would be easiest for me to give birth to a healthy little boy! Very exciting stuff. Just need to get my self prepared for the rest of the week. Also Sons of Anarchy is back!

Miss Anything? Dippy eggs and still Alcohol. Can not wait for that first beer!

Movement? seems like he is doing back flips, he's got his head down towards my cervix now and his feet just seem to constantly kick out the side of my body! Very uncomfortable!

Food Cravings? Chocolate still. Anything sweet. Also new found love of bananas, I just have to eat them when brad isn't around!

Anything making you feel sick/queezy? Nope not really, got a bit of a cold at the minute anyway. I still can't seem to handle the smell of tuna at all at the minute

Gender? A Boy

Symptoms? Tired and exhausted, let me tell you stairs are a very big challenge when heavily pregnant! Pins and needles in my hands!

Belly button in or out? Still in!

Happy or moody? Really happy. Very giggly days at the moment. We have both been a bit poorly, so down in that front but not moody really.

Looking forward to? A Friends surprise leaving party from our previous place of employment this weekend, going to be lovely to catch up with some friends.

If I am able to have him in a few weeks I will be very excited. I want him to come earlier rather than later.

Toodles

Kelsie x

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Pregnancy Update - #3- 33 Weeks

How far along? 33 Weeks

Maternity clothes? Oh yes. Had to purchase some new black jeans the other day. As we all know black is slimming and I really like black jeans anyway. Thank you H&M (£14.99). And I purchased some nice new tops from Topshop. One in a Khaki Green, which is a colour I am loving at the moment. Pretty disappointed that both the New Looks in Norwich has discontinued their maternity range. Very Annoying New Look! I can fit in a lot of my old tops still though just a nice tight bump showing fit!

Stretch Marks? Been pretty lucky that I have only just noticed the tiniest of little marks on my muffin top area :( I had some there when I was younger from a nice little growth spurt I must of had. And they didn't bother me much then. I have been given a nice load of cream to fight this (review coming soon)

Sleep? Honestly, pretty well. started having crazy dreams. I get up a couple of times a night to go to the toilet (thank you little bug pushing on my bladder)

Best Moment this week? Having lunch with my sister and dad and playing with my sisters new puppy. Also Brad is progressing at work still which always makes me happy. And at the weekend (so not this week really) we had the baby shower and got so many lovely gifts from family and friends and had a great time with everyone!

Miss Anything? Alcohol. So badly I could kill for a beer.

Movement? Pretty much constant but every time I lay down to nap or sleep, the kicking and wriggling starts, And the hiccups the other day

Food Cravings? Chocolate. I honestly cannot go a day without my fix. Also cold custard with whipped cream and sprinkles. a dessert I always used to eat at my grandmas when I was a kid.

Anything making you feel sick or queezy? Not really. been very lucky I have had absolutely no morning sickness at all. I used to be an avid coffee drinker, but I have gone off that somewhat.

Gender? A boy

Symptoms? not a lot. Bit of discomfort in my back. sometimes period type pains

Belly button in or out? Still in! I hope it stays that way!

Happy or moody? I was extremely moody yesterday as I had really bad toothache as well. generally very happy though. Pretty tired a lot of time though

Looking forward to? Strangely enough food shopping this evening! we are trying to be healthier so lots of vegetables to pick up! And in a few weeks we are planning on going to do the studio tour of harry potters wizarding world!

Only a few more weeks to go! Follow my other social media accounts (links below) to be the first to know everything


Toodles

Kelsie x

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