Life Lately | August

So in my bid to develop a more steady blog habit, I've decided to start a 'Monthly Roundup' post. Here's what happened in August:

I had a baby shower, you can read about it here. It was such an amazing day and I didn't want it to end!

My gorgeous cousin was born on 08th August, so I got to meet him for plenty of cuddles. I hoped Baby W would get a bit jealous I was holding another baby and make an appearance. No such luck!

Pete turned the big 30, I threw him a surprise party which I also blogged about here. I also met my niece Georgia, cuddling her didn't encourage Baby W to arrive either!

Pete getting his daddy practice in with niece Georgia. We also went to Blackpool. I sorted out baby's wardrobe. 

Addicted to Ru Paul's drag race thanks to my 9 year old brother. Some lovely presents I was bought. How gorgeous are my flowers?

Some little preggo selfies, I had a new fringe cut in and thought why not? Also trying to make the most of my maternity clothes before our bundle of joy arrives aaand ready for A/W 14!

Bought myself some treats to welcome in A/W 14. Our last selfie before baby arrives (hopefully) and our due date has rolled around pretty quickly!

So that's my month in a nutshell. Baby was due yesterday and the stubborn little thing is refusing to make an appearance, but that's okay because we hoped for a September baby anyway. It's all just a waiting game.

Now I'm off for a hot bath, a spicy curry and a bounce on my birthing ball to try and encourage the little monster to come out! 

Wish me luck!

Rachael xo

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Lifestyle | What's in my Bag?

I've been wanting to do this post for ages but have just been far too lazy to take photos, terrible I know! Now normally, I'm a big bag person, I love big bags, but since being pregnant I've had to downsize and found a love for all things satchel! I purchased a grey one from eBay a few months ago to help me stop carrying so much crap about with me. I recently went shopping with my nan when I spotted this gorgeous mint green satchel in a shop window, she only went back two days later and bought it for me. 

Anyway, here are a few items I carry around with my daily:

My phone and house keys, because let's face it, they're the two main essential things you should have with you before you leave the house. My keys are on a lanyard because I used to have a habit of forgetting where my keys were and constantly being locked out. This solved my issue, plus they're really easy to find inside my bag! I should probably tidy them up a bit as they're really messy, but I don't want to break a nail on those horrible keyrings.

Makeup for touch ups throughout the day. I hate carrying loads of makeup round with me, so I just have the basics in my bag, a bit of powder with a mirror, a cream stick blusher (no need for brushes), lipbalm and lipstick of course, and a nail file for any emergency breaks! 

Hand sanitiser and body spray to keep fresh.  This bacterial gel is from Bath and Body Works in America and smells absolutely divine, you can find them on eBay. This body spray is from Avon and is bloody gorgeous, it's everything you want in a body spry during the hot, sticky weather. It's a fresh exotic scent with notes of Tahitian Tiare Flower, but I think it just smells like coconut. The smell lasts for ages and it's just what you need to freshen up. 

What's in your bag?

Rachael xo

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Tag | The British Edition

1. How many cups of tea do you have a day - how many sugars? 

During my pregnancy I haven't really been into tea, but on a normal occasion, probably about 5 cups a day. Hold the sugar, I'm a grown up.

2. Favourite part of a Sunday Roast?

Roast potatoes! The crispier the better.

3. Favourite Dunking Biscuits?

I don't dunk my biscuits, it's weird. Crumbs in tea? No thanks.

4. Favourite British Pastime? 

Going to my mum and dad's for a roast dinner, getting all cosy in their house and not wanting to leave.

5. Favourite word? 

Probably bloody. Why do we say it? I don't know, but it's a bloody good word is what it is!

6. Cockney Rhyming Slang?

Call me a bad Brit, but I don't know any Cockney Rhyming Slang. Hey, i'm Northern what do you expect?

7. Favourite Sweet?

I love Crunchies. Honeycomb and chocolate. Yes please. 

8. What would your pub be called? 

Tea and Toast. Worst pub name ever, but there's nothing more comforting than tea and toast!

9 Favourite British person?

Can I say the Queen? She's just so cute and always looks amazing in her little queenie dresses. I love how she always looks unimpressed at everything. It's the British way after all.

10. Favourite shop or restaurant?

New Look is definitely my favourite shop!

11. Which British Pop songs pop into your head?

Everybody Get Up by Five. If you're not British and don't know this, listen to it. IT'S MY JAM!

12. Marmite? 

Hate it.

I tag anybody who wants to do this tag.

Rachael xo

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Family | A Trip to the (Pleasure) Beach

On Wednesday the whole family went on a day trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. They all had wristbands for the rides, whilst I minded the bags all day - the pregnant lady missed out on all the fun. I still had a fab day though and it was worth it to spend the day together and it was great seeing everybody enjoying themselves! 

We booked our tickets online so saved some money on entry, the only downside was the queue when we got there, it was absolutely massive! It was to be expected though, especially as the weather was lovely and it's the Summer holidays. Hands up to the staff though, they were really efficient and the queue went down pretty quickly.

As soon as we arrived, the Grand National was due to open, the big wooden rollercoaster were you race, so everyone queued up for that whilst I parked myself on a bench and people watched. My little brother came off it feeling quite sick and refused to go on anymore rides for the rest of the day (he gets his drama queen behaviour from his big sister ha!) 

After a few more rides, we left the park to go for some lunch. We had fish and chips in a little cafe outside the Pleasure Beach and it was so good! I love a good chippy. Cannot beat fish, chips and mushy peas.  They also had donuts and candy floss and I wasn't allowed any candy floss because my mum and Pete wouldn't let me, you wouldn't think I was 24!

We strolled back to the Pleasure Beach for more fun and rides, we spent some time in Nickelodeon Land which was amazing! Everywhere was bright orange and full of characters. I definitely recommend you go there, even if it is full of kids. You 90s kids will definitely appreciate it.

Pete, my mum, dad and brother, Christopher, all queued for the Tango Ice Blast whilst Harry, Elliot and I chilled on some benches for a while. When they went on the ride, we went to watch them from the side and Pete's face was hysterical, I don't think I've ever seen him so nervous! Even better when they came off, he was white as a ghost. Poor lad isn't a fan of big rides, his face really was a picture. The quote of the day was from Harry (he's 9) "oh ay, all that waiting just for that." They queued for about half an hour for a two minute ride, so his statement was pretty accurate. 

We hoped all the walking would encourage Baby W to make an appearance, but however, we were let down! I made sure I got some fudge and cinder toffee to take home (especially since I wasn't allowed candy floss). 

I know a lot of people think Blackpool is tacky (I'm not going to lie, it totally is) and while it's not the nicest location to visit, it's really good seaside fun for a family day out!

Have you been to Blackpool recently?

Rachael xo

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Tag | The Disney Edition

1. Favourite Disney film?
It's definitely between Mulan and Beauty and the Beast! I really love the songs in Mulan, but Beauty and the Beast is just such a classic. Bon jour! 

2. Favourite Disney Character?

What a difficult question! I think my favourite Disney Character would probably have to be Tigger. Is that too obvious?

3. Favourite Disney Princess?

I wish Mulan counted as a Disney Princess, but she really doesn't so I'd have to say Belle.

4. Rather be Aurora or Cinderella?
Definitely Aurora, I sleep more than I clean!

5. Rather be Hercules or Tarzan?
Probably Hercules, cos I have no strength whatsoever, so it would be nice to be strong!

6. Rather be Lizzie McGuire or Raven Baxter?
Definitely Lizze McGuire, I'm just as clumsy as her that's for sure. And what girl doesn't want to go to Rome and be mistaken for a pop star and get out of boring school trip stuff?

7. Favourite Disney song?

Let's get down to business to defeat the huns! HUH! Did he send me daughters, when I asked for sons? Okay okay, I'll stop before I sing the whole song.

8. Which Disney character would be your best friend?

I'd have to say Rapunzel because she's so sweet and crazy. I'd love to play with her hair!

9. Which Disney character would be your pet?

Would Mushu count as a pet? I'd love to have him around all the time!

10. Have you ever been to Disneyland?
Yes I've been to Disneyland, Paris once with my family at New Year. I've also been very lucky to go to Disneyworld, Florida three times with my family. The last time I went was two years ago and I still have holiday blues!

I tag you all to do this!

Rachael xo

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Family | Pete Turns 30

On Tuesday, Pete turned the big three-zero! Being 38 weeks pregnant, I obviously couldn't do anything too out there to celebrate with him, but I wanted to do something special for him.  I decided to throw a little surprise party, just for family (he'd been out for a meal and drinks with his friends already). 

The original plan was to have the party in our house until Pete took the day off and ruined it all, luckily, my parents live round the corner and let us use their house for it. 

With a lot of help from my fantastic mum and dad (thanks guys, I know you'll be reading this), we went out, bought all the food, my dad cooked it all, even baked a cake and his amazing brownies, whilst my mum decorated her kitchen (decorations courtesy of my mother-on-law).  

Okay, I lied when I said I threw the party, all I really did was buy some food and get everyone together! Pete's family live in Manchester/ Crewe aways with a few cousins spread out here and there, and we live in Birkenhead (plastic Liverpool for those of you lucky enough to never have heard of the place), so it's not very often all his family get together at the same time. 

On Tuesday morning we woke up, had pancakes for breakfast, Pete opened his presents and we watched Breaking Bad until it was time to get ready.  He thought we were going for a meal and to the cinema, and just stopping at my parents' on the way to get his card and present. Little did he know, his family were all hiding in the kitchen. Everyone shouted surprise and there were party poppers going off. It was such a sweet little tea party even if I do say so myself! 

Rachael xo

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Bump and I | Baby Shower

On Sunday, I had my baby shower. My mum and dad worked pretty hard at making the whole day simply perfect for me. My mum decorated the whole house in banners, balloons and home made bunting. She even made me the biggest nappy cake I've ever seen, it's so cute, I don't want to take it apart, but given it has 140 nappies inside it, I have no choice! 

My extremely talented dad made a baby shower cake, complete with stork and a baby with ginger hair. as well as some gorgeous cupcakes, which were pretty fantastic. 

I made some mocktails for guests on arrival and we played some amazing games throughout the day. My favourite was The Great Sperm Race! You had to pin the sperm to the egg whilst blindfolded, absolutely hysterical. I don't know how I got pregnant since my sperm went nowhere near the egg! My nan even had an eptopic pregnancy as hers was in the fallopian tube! The day went absolutely nowhere and I was sad when everybody left, but I was a little bit relieved because I was exhausted. Baby Walker was absolutely spoilt rotten and we received some of the most adorable gifts! Peter and I are very lucky to have such amazing family and friends (excuse the gushing!) 

I'm very ready to have this little baby in my arms now! Only 24 days to go - not long at all, it's very exciting.  We're just preparing for our new addition by bringing all our baby stuff to our house which my mum and dad have kindly been storing for us. 

Rachael xo

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