Sunday Snapshots | Week #002

Finally getting round to reading The Host | Mother's Day chocolates | Bun head

Bump is getting big at 18 weeks | Presents from bump and daddy | Card off my amazing family

I know, I know, two posts in one day, what has gotten into me? I've got the blogging bug and all I want to do is write! I've been trying to take more photos lately. Here are a few snippets of my week through the eyes of Instagram. I'm trying to cool it on the baby posts! My one vow is to NOT become a baby bore as so many of us see all the time on social networks. 

What did you get up to last week?
Leave me your Instagram links below :)

Rachael xo

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Family | A Very Exciting Mother's Day

My gorgeous mum and I at a wedding last July

A present from bump

I had such a lovely Mother's Day yesterday! Pete surprised me with the most beautiful Silvercross Heritage pram bag for my amazing coachbuilt pram and a card that said "From the Bump." I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry! Damn hormones.

My family bought me a mum-to-be card which is just the cutest thing and my mother-in-law bought me some chocolates, so I unofficially had my first mother's day. I got very spoilt but was one happy lady!

I went round to my mum's for a lazy afternoon of watching TV and a gorgeous roast dinner cooked by dad! We had the most relaxing afternoon, I never want to leave my mum's when I get there, so I ended up staying the night. 

I have three brothers, and the only photo we had of the four of us together was from the twins' christening day, almost 9 years ago, so at mine and Pete's engagement party, I nabbed the three boys for a photo of us all and I love the way it turned out (despite my gappy fringe). My mum's a sucker for personal gifts, and I thought, what better present than framing this photo? Needless to say, she absolutely loved it. Job well done.

How did you spend your Mother's Day?

Rachael xo

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Family | Three is the Magic Number

Three years ago today, Pete took me on our first date, after days of persuading him to tell me where we were going, he refused to tell me as it was a surprise. My pleas of "I need to know where we're going so I know what to wear" went unheard. We met up and went to the pub for a drink, when he told me we were going to see McFly. What an amazing surprise! I could barely contain my excitement (so much for keeping cool on a first date, I probably looked like a massive geek!) 

A year ago today, Pete proposed and of course, I said yes. It wasn't a traditional proposal, of course, him being him, he proposed on stage, during The Blackout's set in front of hundreds of people. My family were there, his family were there, our friends were there. It was pretty fantastic! You can see the video here: 

Another year has passed, we're expecting our first baby and buying our first house together! It's all very exciting! The time has gone nowhere, and had you asked me three years ago where I'd be today, I would never have imagined this is what my life would be like, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

I guess there wan't much of a point to this post, and I'm going to stop my soppy ramblings now (you can blame the pregnancy hormones!) 

Rachael xo

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Nails | Daisy Nail Art

(Please excuse the dodgy lighting)

It's no secret that I'm a massive fan of Barry M Nail Paints, their range of colours is fantastic, but I don't get as much wear out of some of them as I'd like - terrible I know. I dived into my massive nail varnish collection to rediscover Shocking Pink and Yellow. 

I decided to paint some little daisies on my nails in the spirit of Spring, the weather here hasn't been great compared to the rest of the country, and what better way to brighten up a miserable day than by painting flowers on your nails? I like painting flowers on my nails because they're just so easy, simple, yet effective. All I did for this look was use a dotting tool.

What do you think of my daisy nails? 

Rachael xo

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Sunday Snapshots | Week #001

Cath Kidston nails | Enjoying tea for the first time in ages | Flashback | Favourite ladies | Pre Fall Out Boy selfie | Fall Out Boy | Whacked out the flower crow | Tea and Criminal Minds | Maternity top | Nandos date | Circus of Horrors | Daisy nails |

So here's what I've been up to lately on Instagram. I neglected it for a while, so some of these aren't very recent but hey ho! 

What have you been up to recently? Are you an Insta-addict? 

Leave me your Instgram links below :)

Rachael xo

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Gig | Fall Out Boy, March 2014

Image Source: http://bit.ly/1l7bDl2

So, when Fall Out Boy announced their comeback last year, I almost wet myself with excitement. Following their announcement, came a small gig announcement (which I was lucky enough to get tickets too), a festival announcement, and of course an arena tour! Now, after having never seen them live before, I've seen them three times and they haven't disappointed once. 

Bursting onto stage with The Phoenix, complete with balaclavas (see video here), the crowd erupts with screams and everyone sings along. Finishing the song, Patrick manages to take his balaclava off and of course put his hat on before they start jamming along to I Slept With Someone In Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Lousy Song Written About Me (they were a big fan of songs with long names back in 2005). 

The energy was just none stop all night, both from crowd and the boys, in fact the energy was so static, the microphones all broke, and poor Patrick tried to sing his little heart out to keep the crowd going until the problem was resolved. With the slight glitch resolved, the crowd was soon back to singing and bouncing around.

After all the hype, the boys took to the little stage in the middle of the arena for an acoustic set, which was the highlight of my night! Hearing Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year acoustically was perfect. 

The encore of Save Rock and Roll, Thanks for the Mmrs and of course, Saturday was the perfect end to a perfect night! I didn't want it to end, but as the saying goes, all good things... You know the rest. 

Are you going to see Fall Out Boy on any of their other dates? 

Jegz xo

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Tag | 15 Random Questions Tag

So I've been meaning to do this most for a while since I saw the lovely Lojo at Lojo Vs The World post it but kept forgetting (baby brain) until Amie at Casually Amie posted it and it jogged my memory!

Question 1. What’s a nickname only your family calls you?

My family don't really have a nickname for me. My mum and uncle call me "Ginge" which is pretty self explanatory really. My nan absolutely hates it when they call me that as well! 

Question 2. What’s a weird habit of yours?

I don't know if I have any weird habits. I always push Pete's ear piercing in when it's sticking out. I pick my nail varnish off. I quote films. Are any of those weird? 

Question 3. Do you have any weird phobias?

Nobody thinks their own phobias are weird, but I'm scared of clowns, I hate their freaky white faces and bright coloured clothes. My family use this to their full advantage and constantly post clown photos on my Facebook wall. I also don't like spiders, they move too fast and why do they need so many legs? I also have to sleep with the landing light on when Pete isn't in bed with me. If we go to bed the same time,the light stays off.

Question 4. What song do you love to secretly belt out and blast when you’re alone?

Okay, I don't think it's a secret that I love Barry Manilow, so you can normally find me singing my head off to most of his songs! I do it when I'm not alone too. You'll also find me singing really loudly (and out of tune) to any musical number, my current favourite is Tango Maureen from Rent. Or even Cool Rider from Grease 2! 

Question 5. What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Tardiness! Argh this really annoys me! If we agree to meet at a certain time, I expect you to be there (okay, there is an exception with regards to my friend, Emma, because we always end up meeting each other late which is hypocritical of me). I hate waiting around for people (Pete if you're reading this, yes I'm talking about you :p) When we get married, I'm telling him we're getting married an hour before the actual time so he's not late. It's the bride's job to be late, not the groom's! 

Question 6. What’s one of your nervous habits?

I used to play with my lip ring whenever I was nervous, but I've taken that out now. I do bite my lips a lot, and bite the skin in and around them which is really bad. I also fiddle with my hands and check my phone.

Question 7. What side of the bed do you sleep on?

I sleep on the right side of the bed if you're standing at the foot of the bed, which means Pete is closest to the door. I do tend to roll around a lot in my sleep though, so when Pete isn't in bed with me, I end up on his side of the bed or in the middle.

Question 8. What was your first stuffed animal and what was its name?

I had a dog called Lucy and a bear called Jessica. I don't remember if these were my first but I loved them both so much. Jessica was my favourite, I don't know what happened to them and it makes me so sad. Jessica was amazing :(

Question 9. What’s the drink you always order at Starbucks?

It depends what mood I'm in really, I like caramel macchiatos and caramel lattes. At Christmas, I order Toffee Nut lattes. In Summer it's either a mango frap or a caramel cream frap with whipped cream. 

Question 10. What’s the beauty rule you preach but never practice?

Cleanse, tone and moisturise!!! This is so important for clear skin. Until I entered the blogging world, I'd never really practiced this ( bad I know) and even now I'm quite lazy with it. I always fall asleep with my makeup on as well, or I'm too tired when I do go to bed that I just can't be bothered. I'm awful.

Question 11. Which way do you face in the shower?

I prefer baths to showers, but when I do shower, I have my back towards the shower head. I don't really like water going over my head because I'm strange. I didn't realise people faced another way in the shower! It seems normal to me to have my back towards the shower head.

Question 12. Do you have any weird body skills?

I can shake my eyes, I don't really know how to describe it or how I found out I could do it, but yes, my eyes shake. I used to do it a lot when I was in primary school, and my friend said it made me look like a snake! 

Question 13. What is your favourite comfort food that you know is bad but you eat it anyway?

Grilled toast with loads of butter on it. There is nothing better than toast but it has to be grilled under a gas grill. I hate toaster toast, it just isn't the same. Nobody understands this. Every time I go to my mum's I have grilled toast because we don't have a gas grill :( Tea and toast is the ultimate comfort.

Question 14. A phrase or exclamation that you say a lot.

I use the F word a lot. Pete always tells me off for my potty mouth. I just can't help it, it come so naturally to me. I did try stop myself swearing so much when I was in college but it just never happened. I also say "are you messin'?" and "I can't cope" quite a lot a well. 

Question 15. Time to sleep. What are you actually wearing?

Pyjamas. Pyjamas. Pyjamas. A old colleague of mine laughed at me for wearing pyjamas to bed "sexy" were her exact words. I am literally the queen of pyjamas. I can't sleep if I'm cold so I have to wear pyjamas in bed. I don't get dressed if I'm not going out, and if I do go out, as soon as I get home, I get straight into my pyjamas. It's the first thing I do when I get home. 

So thats it; 15 random questions. I tag anyone who wants to do this post :) I f you do, leave me your links below so I can have a nosey at your answers.

Rachael xo

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