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......

Love Yourself This Valentine's

I have a love-hate relationship with Valentine's. The romantic in me likes the planning and the reaction of creating something to share love to another, the cynic in me hates the force fed feeling that I must show someone I love that I love them today or else! These two sides have battle overs the years and have left their scars behind, I have many war story's that I could share.

I now, thankfully, have a loving husband who does the little things that reminds me that he loves me everyday, as well as tells me he loves me everyday. When we came to our first Valentine's day we both came to same conclusion, we spend every day loving each other; Why is this day any different from any other? We both re-met after 7 years apart (we originally met as 13 (him) and 15 (me) at school) on a night out with friends exactly a week after Valentine's. It made sense for us to put the day to rest and create our own day.

A tradition I did continue from my teenage years is that I brought a present for myself, it usually was something that was a treat - In my younger years was chocolates, etc. As I grew up and my love of beauty came forth it turned into Lush bath products, face masks, nail varnish. This year is the eye shadow single from the latest Bourjois collection - it is a pale lilac sparkle beauty in compact.

What I am really building up to is that this Valentine's is love yourself. Love yourself for who are, what you have accomplished, and love how stunningly beautiful you are (stop arguing - you are). Throw convention out of the window and treat yourself. I'm not talking about madness here, even just taking 10 minutes of the day to take a breath and take stock is a treat in itself.

Now matter what you choose to do I wish you all a Happy Valentine's and remember: You need to learn to love yourself because how are you going to let someone else love you?

An Unevenlemming Christmas

So here it is Merry Christmas.... OK not quite but there's not long to go, my advent calender is nearly empty and I'm only less than 24 hours left before my 6 day holiday begins (and the nation finally takes a collective sigh of relief that for another year, it's all over).

Before I take a couple days break and start on the merry-go-round of going round to see all the in-laws/family - Here's my thoughts on Christmas from my side of the screen (With thanks to Nikki Etc for the twitter tag)

1. What is your favourite thing about Christmas ?

There just seems to be a different feeling around Christmas time, I really can't explain it. I like the decorations, cards, and thinking about the presents to get everyone. I like to put as much thought as I can behind it, as well as reflect on why we celebrate this time of year.

2. What is your favourite make up look for festive the season?

Yes I follow the cliche of red, I like red nails and red lips for the Christmas parties. For the day itself I keep it simple and relaxed - smart pair jeans with a jumper. It is a day off after all!

3. Real tree or fake tree?

This year I have none, yes you read that right this year we have no tree. We were due to move but as we started to move delays came up and the tree is at the other place. My TV stand is a my supplement with all my cards around it as well as red and gold tinsel. I normally have a black fake tree with blue and silver. My parents fake tree is nearly 40 years old!

4. Giving presents or receiving presents?

I like thinking of different and new ideas for presents, so I' certainly a giver. I also make presents as well as buy and make it as personal as I can. This year money is extremely tight so I've used my own skills to make my own gifts including a set of nail art done of fake nails to give to one of my family (who doesn't read this!)

5. Do you open presents Christmas morning or eve / evening

I used to do my 'Santa' presents in the morning and then after lunch do ones from my family. My stocking was opened as soon as I could sneak it into my room. Now I'm a little older, it's husband's after breakfast (another family tradition from my side so I had something to eat and not just chocolate!), then the morning is my family as they go out for lunch, before eating at in laws and presents from them.

6. Handmade Christmas cards or bought?

Brought and even then I haven't sent many out as stamps are really expensive this year. I normally do them for people I don't see often and this year I've even sent some to other bloggers.

7. What is your favourite Christmas film?

Santa Clause The Movie with Dudley Moore. When I was younger they always had this and The Snowman on Christmas Eve (I'm looking forward to The Snowman and The Snowdog :D), once it was finished I was sent to bed to wait for Santa. I have it on DVD now, but I still watch it on Christmas Eve before bed, I am still a big kid at heart.

8. What's your favourite Christmas food?

I do like a good piece of Stollen, a German fruit and marzipan cake dusted with icing sugar. Mince pies can be a mixed bag, my father in law has made 9 dozen of his version this year!

9. What's your favourite Christmas song?

I like Fairytale of New York by The Pogues, however for the time of year it can be a little depressing. I do like The Darkness, Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End or A bit of Cliff with Mistletoe and Wine (I dare you not to sing along after a post dinner Baileys!)

10. What's your favourite Christmas memory?

They've all be very good and relaxed but my first married Christmas, I was getting over the flu and husband had the start, either of us could not eat and just sat on the sofa trying to get the other to make a cuppa (At least it got us out of the family visits).

I must admit this year I'm looking forward to getting more than one day off like previous years, the joys of not being in retail anymore. For everyone who is I hope you have a good break not matter how small.

What to pack for your different holidays

Some of you lucky things will be jetting to somewhere sunny, hot and fabulous! It does always through up the question what to take? My make up kit is a huge trolley and the last thing I want to do is to take it with me, there is also the restrictions in airports of only taking any liquids on flights.(All Update information can be found on the Directgov's Page.

As we get into Spring/summer you should change your moisturiser lighter lotion with a SPF of a least 15, and if oilier this is the time you really need to switch to a oil free formulation. When I go away I take a lighter edited kit with me: tinted moisturiser or BB cream, blusher, mascara in waterproof, powder, lip balms with SPF and maybe a choice of bright lipsticks for partying in the evening.



Ibiza 2007

What I also like to do is to save up my samples or buy smaller versions of products to use exclusively on holiday. When I return and the tan starts to fade I can use those products that remind me of my holiday. I took loads of Boots Botanics body scrub to Ibiza in 2007 and 2008, it reminds me off getting ready to watch the sunset on the beach and then dancing the night away with my friends.

For adventure breaks like Centre Parks, SPF is still a vital and a stripped down skincare routine like cleanser and moisturiser. I also find face wipes are great for holidays to put into luggage, as well as multi-purpose items that can be used on the body and face.

For all those gearing up for the Winter season, you need to think about more intense moisturiser as it can really dry the skin. SPF is still important as the sun can reflect off the snow and burn just as much as being in the hottest climates. My brother regularly returned from 6 month winter seasons with a burnt face with the white ringed 'pande eyes' from wearing sunglasses. Did like the way he protected one part of his face but not the other!

Not only should you think about your skin, but your hair also takes a battering. A weekly deep conditioning treatment will keep your hair looking lush, from over exposure as well as saltwater. If you've been swimming in the pool then you should be washing the chlorine out of your hair to prevent damage. I also get a trim a week before I leave (as well as eyebrow threading, waxing etc) as well as a hair colour (to leave it looking fresh and the colour to settle) so I can look fab in photos and reduce products to lose take.

The most important thing of all is to let your hair down and have fun - That's what holidays are there for!

Jubilee Weekend

We seemed to of timed our garden party rather well and had it early in the weekend on Saturday, we actually had a little bit of sun in ours. Where we live is in a small community in a cul-de-sac that circles a community grass area, which turned out useful as we didn't need to cut off our car par to join in the festivities.

There was enough food to feed a small army and a lot of people has gone to the trouble of baking fresh cakes and scones - yummy. Our little area was once a over 65's (which recently changed), so a lot of the residents were they for the original coronation and told us stories from there. Toasts were done and national anthem was sung (badly by the younger lot including me) before the bigger kids started playing games.

The celebrations have been great to watch, I was really moved by Prince Charles's speech at the concert last night. It was really heartfelt, warm and humourless, the concert itself was a bit hit and miss but you did have to fit in 60 years worth of different music to suit everyone. The floating pageant was great, it was really a sight watching all those boats floating on the Thames, but I was very glad to be indoors with the Jubilee tea blend.