Best of 2013

I honestly cannot believe we are now at the end of 2013, this year really has flown by. It has been another mixed year, the joy of qualifying for my BTEC in Make Up Artistry and finding out I was pregnant with our first child; alongside the downsizing of our home, my husband losing his job and family illness.

2014 is starting to line up to be a year of a lot of changes and I really do not have a clue how everything is going to be until Minilemming makes an appearance. I have not really planned anything as I have learnt that when I do plan and it falls through it only makes me more stressed!

Before we embrace a new year let's have a reflection on the year that is going:

Products that I'm having a love affair with

B.Skincare Replishing Facial Oil - This was my discovery in September from British Beauty Blog and managed to get my hands on a preview bottle before launch. It's light but powerful, smoothed my skin out with feeling I had an oil slick on it. It was love from first use.

Herbal Essences Bee Strong Honey Mask - Not only does it smell like toffee but it does smooth down frizzy hair and brings a shine to it. I can see the difference every time I've used it compared to when I've use my normal conditioner. I do have to resist over using because I love it that much.

Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream - Best base product I have ever tried, hides redness, smooth's out skin tone, perfect colour (for me at least) and doesn't look like I've dipped my face in a cement mixer. The only product this year that I was given a sample of in a goody bag and went back to buy the full sized product even before finishing that sample.

Brand that I discovered this year and loved everything I've tried (so far)

The whole NSpa has without a doubt been a small revolution to me, I got gifted their mum-to-be collection when another blogger got me in touch with them. They are an exclusive to Asda but I like them enough that I could happily get the two buses it would take to get across town to restock. They are Spa inspired but at really affordable prices (around £6), smell great without being sickly, which was a blessing when everything was making me feel sick early pregnancy. Well worth an investigation if you haven't already.

Blog Bits

Most popular entry (other than giveaways) - Superdrug AW 2013 Press Preview My first official PR day and loved every moment, got to met some great Superdrug people as well as other Bloggers. Still kicking myself over not going to say hello to Bettina of Beauty Swot and Jane from British Beauty Blog.

Most Comments - How Commenting has Rattled Me Not surprised this seemed to hit the nail on head with a lot of fellow bloggers. Thank you again to everyone who got in touch and shared their thoughts, it one of the main reasons I started blogging.

Highest of number of readers came from America, then UK and Russia (привет means hello).

Twitter is still my biggest referral site where people find the blog from (other social media available).

Goodbye 2013 and Hello new beginnings in 2014.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Unevenlemming Christmas 2013

The Christmas tree from my parents

I have now concluded that you can have a baby as well as a food baby twin. Christmas was perfectly timed with my craving for eating as Bubba is building up bulk to finally emerge into the world. I ate a lot on Christmas Day (and well, days after that as well), a full dinner, dessert and then a few hours later I was sniffing round the kitchen for something else.

Christmas morning was spent with my family before they went to my extended family for afternoon lunch. My mum again was her generous self - I got Disney themed presents, Wreck It Ralph, Monsters University, Marvel's Avenger Assemble and Now That's What I call Disney CD. I also got The Bobbi Brown Make Up Manual which I have asking for since it came out for Chritmas's/Birthdays so I was overjoyed with it.

Bubba also got some gifts, some sleep suits and lots of bibs, Husband asked if we needed that much and both Mum and I started laughing. I gave each set of grandparents to be a framed picture of both scans and an empty slot so they can put their own photos in, this was present from Bubba.

My brother was one that got me the most, not only did he get a cinema gift for Hubby and I so we can have a night out (even came with an offer of baby sitting!), but he made me a calendar that charted my life so far, ending with the scan photo of Bubba. He said it was for the new chapter in my life.

After a huge dinner back at the in-laws, we opened presents from each other and to this point I couldn't keep my eyes open. I was crawling back into bed at 4pm and slept until 6, but then I spent over an hour having contractions (which was Braxton hicks in the end). Then, I was ready to eat again!

I got the day I wanted in the end, calm without too much moving around. I really didn't want to travel close home, as at the moment I do feel really uncomfortable and tire easily. Got really emotional as well, not only at the thoughtful gifts but that this time next year Bubba will be sharing it with us.

Did see the Midwife today, Bubba is head down and all ready to come out. The waiting game now truly begins......

Merry Christmas

Home Alone is one of my favourite Christmas movies (1&2 I mean, the others are cheap copies), so loving the jumpers you can get with the iconic line from the film.

This will be the last Christmas where it'll just be Hubby and I. We'll spend the mirning with my parents and then lunch with Hubby's parents who live in the main house ajoined to our annex. Nothing more stressful than that (you could argue thats stressful enough!).

We decided to have a more quiet day this year just in case Bubba doesn't want to wait until New Year to appear. Next year I'll be longing for the peace of this year!

No matter what you are doing, I hope you all have a wonderful day and get spoilt rotten. I already know Bubba is and they are not even here yet!

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals!

Minilemming - Week 37

Here we are, Bubba is now classed as a full term baby. This means that I am now in the 5 week window that I could go into labour. This also means I am being watched like a hawk for any signs of labour.

Bubba has been active and well in the past few weeks, Mummy however have been really poorly. I have been feeling unwell for a few days before seeing my midwife.

Thry picked up straight away on lots of funny worded things in my waters (sorry I did try to put it as polite as possible). I did have to wait over the weekend for the confirmation, so I waited which I shouldn't of done. By Sunday I was shivering, sweating and curled up in bed. I chased my results on Monday but they weren't there so Tuesday I called and explained what was going on. Within yhe hour the doctor called me back and confirmed everything, by the afternoon I was on antibiotics and bed rest.

3 days later I was nesting like a mad woman! Does this mean I am ready? No not even close but am very close to being prepared baby item wise.

Personally, I flip between all the different emotions all the time. I have had a tour of my midwife birthing unit which is like a home from home, quiet, relaxed and Hubby can stay with me. After my antenatal classes I've also coming round to idea of having a water birth as well. It sounds great for pain relief as the option of stronger drugs are not available where I am (I would have to travel 30 minutes away instead of 8).

It is still surreal that this time next month I will be a Mum and Bubba will be here. For now its fidgeting in my bump trying to find a comfortable position or pushing my hands.

How commenting has rattled me

The other day I got a notification of a comment (this reduces the spam), this made me really happy because I love comments/feedback from people. It was the main reasons I started a blog to share opinions with like minded people.

So why am I mentioning said comment? Because it only contained 4 letters - "good". My inital reaction was, "Urmm, thanks?" Not even a mention on what was good, I still published it just for the sheer hell of it.

It has however got me rattled over the past few days. This is my hobby but I do spend hours on it - researching so my facts are straight, photographing, editing etc. I must admit I took a step back because it knocked me - am I really just "good"?

I know there are now thousands upon thousands of bloggers out there, fighting for the same scraps. Any little snippet I get I am amazingly thankful for. I try to use the knowledge and experiance I have to help at least one person.

I also try and comment on other peoples blogs but I try to be constructive with feedback rather than, "I like blog/entry". I think the saying, "If you haven't got anything nice, then say nothing at all", applies here.

We are all writters surely we can come up with something more original than "good"?

Weleda Stretch Mark Massage Oil

 

 

I will tell you this now, I am now a huge fan of Weleda, but it wasn't an instant love affair. I have previously reviewed one of their body oils before (Weleda's Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil ).

When I announced my pregnancy they did send me a mum-to-be package (which included this and the soon to be used Calendula Face Cream 50ml) to help me over the next few months. Weleda is a certified natural producer, and have been producing medicines and cosmetic products for skin since 1921. There is a huge amount of experience and knowledge in their products.

The base blend has Sweet Almond Oil (light source of fatty acids, perfect for dry skin), Jojoba Oil (close to natural oils in the skin), and Wheatgerm Oil (contains high level of Vitamin E). To this base blend they add Arnica Montana Flower Extract which eases tightness of the stretched skin.

This results in a thick, rich oil with a slight delicate nutty scent. I found on my skin it sunk in easily without leaving any residue behind, but still hefty enough to be used as a massage oil. My skin felt softer afterwards and any dry patches that I has been having were now no bother at all. I found I used this more in the evening as an extra rich, warming treatment before bed or at time where my skin felt it was being stretched out.

For 100ml it is £15.95, it is on the higher end of the price scale per a ml. I have found that a little 10p pence size amount can cover a large area easily.

Bloom Remedies Mama-Tum Pregnancy Tummy Oil

Bloom Remedies is a little independent ran aromatherapy business from Cornwall. They believe in a back to basics approach, utilising what nature has provided and being inspired by the Cornish landscape around them. Their products are made in small batches so they do not waste away on shelves which can make the product least effective.

From my own aromatherapy back ground, when a company say they are 'aromatherapy' based I must admit I get a little twitchy. The term is thrown around so much these days, a lot of 'essential oils' can be synthetic and really down not harness the philosophy of aromatherapy.

I am very happy to say that after doing a little research on the website it exceeded my expectations, all the information I was looking for was present (from manufacturing to storage). The customer service when I had questions I could not fault, the product even came with a hand written note with apologies being late sent out to me. This is why I do love an independent company. This was even before I tried the product.

Mama-Tum Pregnancy Tummy Oil is a blended oil with Rosehip and Apricot kernel oil as it's base which is nourishing to the skin and helps with healing. This then had Vetiver, Frankincense, Lavender & Sweet Orange essential oils added for their relaxing and skin healing qualities.

This is my favourite oil for bonding time with my bump, it is deep in colour and thick that a little goes a long way when massaging. The scent is soothing and relaxing, you can smell it but it gently wafts rather than slaps round the face. I quite happily smell my hands after massage and breath it in for a while afterwards.

Price wise for an aromatherapy product it is perfect £8.00 for 100ml (unfortunately Frankincense is an expensive per a ml product). You can purchase them online at http://www.bloomremedies.co.uk/

*PR Sample

Miracle Bump - Bump Butter and Oil

 

Miracle Bump is 99% natural company who believe in being as close to nature as possible as well as keeping bodies beautiful. The oil contains Argan and Jojoba oil in a pump bottle while the butter has Organic Shea Butter and Vitamin E, this comes in a glass tub.

 

This is pure luxury to use, you need to melt the butter to you body temperature before massing it into the areas you want to use. The scent is a delicate cocoa butter smell from the Shea butter, reminds me very much of white chocolate (just a reminder this is not edible). The oil has a slight nuttier smell that isn't overwhelming or unpleasant, if this not to your taste it would make a great base oil to add essential oils to that are baby friendly.

 

It did keep my skin soft and supple, I combined the two to extend the life of the two products (a small pea size bit of butter with 1/2 pumps of oil). My main stumbling block with this range is the price point: The Butter is £50 for 200ml and the oil is £45 for 100ml. I am not denying that this range is beautiful and the quality exceeds expectations; It would make a wonderful baby shower present. If you are on a budget like myself then there are products who preform just as well for a lower price point.

 

*PR Sample

 



Pregnancy Stretch Marks - An Introduction

Via NHS Website

Apart from labour the other thing that scared me when I found our I was pregnant was stretch marks. I had previously had them for a dramatic weight increase so I knew I wasn't completely immune to them.

Stretch marks are lines that develop on the skin when the skin is stretched quicker than it can regenerate showing the dermis (or middle) layer skin through. They start off as red/purple and then fade into silvery white colour.

You can never fully prevent them from coming (it is predicted that 9 out of 10 pregnant women will get them in some way), but there are products and treatments that help support the skin in healing from them. You can also help by:

• Not eating for two - you will only need an extra 200 calories a day in the last trimester. You will naturally put on weight as your baby grows, if you are concerned speak to your midwife or doctor.
• Keep Hydrated - Sipping on water throughout will keep the skin hydrated which will help with it elasticity.
• Gentle exercise - Not only will help with balancing weight gain but also make you feel better about your developing body.

There is a huge market in oils and creams that can help with the fading of the marks and over the next week we are going to looking at the different products on the market from the budget to the high end as well as musket to the independents. Creams and oils are great not only for the reduction but for another stretch mark side effect - itching.

I have been using them myself over the course of 5 months, (just after my first trimester was complete). With any products please read the label before use and if you get nay reactions please stop using straight away.

B. Replenished Facial Oil

 

I spotted this on British Beauty Blogger early September and being already obsessed with Antipodes Organic Avocado Oil & Rosehip I was looking forward to getting my hands on this which I was very vocal about on Twitter - this lead to only getting a preview bottle but an invite to the press day which you can read about here.

Suitable for all skin types, the thing that appealed to me most is that it was said that it is lightweight. I find with combination and hormonal skin I cannot now have anything really thick on my skin or it just sits on the top. It has a combination of Rosehip, Argan and Crambe seed oil, really good replenishment ingredients for battered skin.

I used 3 drops pattered over the skin, day and night for the initial week to give my skin an extra boost. I woke up in the morning with smoothed and even skin, even the slightly red patches around my cheeks and nose where gone. You put a moisturiser on top, and I found that after letting it sink in for a few minutes that if my skin had drunk it in I would add the moisturiser.

I am very impressed that an own brand company are producing a product that rivals more established brands. Since B.Skincare (and Make up) has launched it has gone strength to strength, this is my first product from them, with Micellar water now being my second after hearing the rave reviews.

Retails at £13.99 (Is on offer exclusively online at the moment at £9.99) at Superdrug stores where if you purchase 3 items you not only get 3 for 2 but a wonderful introduction to B. free gift until 30th December. Please be quick, my local store had already nearly sold out when I went in Saturday!