Wanting my hair to grow F.A.S.T

I know I haven't posted anything for ages I've been trying to have some quality time with my family which is a rarity! But I'm back...

So I have an addiction... to dying my hair! I've been doing it since I was about 12. Terrible, I know!  Blonde, black, red, brown, pink, purple.  You name it, I've done it. Unfortunately, , it's taken its toll on what was thick long locks! My hair grows so slowly now, and although my hair isn't short I would like it to grow a few more inches, and some if we include my shorter layers! It's said that when you get pregnant your hair grows like crazy. Not mine, too much damage!  So Feeling totally fed up with my hair I thought I would try a new shampoo and conditioner that is supposed to help increase the growth rate. 

Now I currently have blonde hair and have had for the last 8 weeks.  My regrowth is only about 3/4 inch long.  Pathetic hey! I have a family wedding to attend mid-April and I'm praying for hair to be just a bit longer and healthier for the occasion.

Now I'm quite sceptical about these 'miracle' shampoos but I'm desperate!!! So it's called F.A.S.T and its a scalp treatment.  You get 300ml of shampoo and 300ml of conditioner and it is £25 at Boots. They say to use it everyday which I have been since 13th December.  I'm going to do a trial with it over 30 days and see if I start to see a difference.  When I review the product in 26 days time I will include a before and after photo.

Does anyone have any tips on encouraging hair growth or even have a review on this F.A.S.T shampoo and conditioner?

Xo

Being a Mummy is... (Part One)

...A blessing, amazing, hard work, exhausting, precious, forever, constant, trying, special, priceless, overwhelming, entertaining, memorable, rewarding, challenging, fun, messy, worrisome, beautiful, hilarious, educational, a journey.
 
There are so many ways to describe being a Mummy, pr even a Daddy for that matter. All the books, midwives, parents and Internet access in the world cannot prepare you for parenthood.It is such an individual journey, going way back to the day you learn of your little bundle, or in some cases even earlier.
 
I remember the day I learnt I was pregnant, it came as such a shock but my boyfriend and I were over the moon. I was only 2-3 weeks when I learnt of the exciting news, so for the next three weeks or so I walked around with my head in the clouds, it was such a surreal feeling, I had a little person growing inside of me. Excited didn't cover it! I made my doctors appointment, which I thought would make everything feel  more realistic but to be quite honest, it didn't. The doctor didn't even confirm I was pregnant, as home pregnancy tests are that accurate nowadays. ( I did seven... yes, SEVEN!) All the Doc told me was to start taking folic acid, what I should and shouldn't eat and to make an appointment with the midwife on my way out! I was quite shocked that that was it,although I don't know what I was expecting.
 
By the time I reached 6 weeks, morning sickness hit me like a sledge hammer. The name is so deceiving, for me it was all day, every day sickness. My bed and the bathroom became my new best friends. All I did was sleep and eat dry frosties (that was about all I could keep down). I was extremely unlucky though, not everyone suffers from it, and if you didn't, I envy you! For me it lasted for about 11 weeks! Even though i was going through this unfortunate, yet natural part of pregnancy, it STILL didn't feel real that i was going to have a baby. It wasn't until my '12 week' scan which i didn't have until i was 14 weeks, that it started to sink in. Seeing our baby for the first time, it was a feeling like no other, seeing that tiny pulsating heart. The little limbs and side profile of their face. Wow! I couldn't stop looking at the photo. Absolutely incredible! Its such a reassurance to hear that everything is as it should be, although i had been surprisingly calm from the get go. I had no reason not to be.
 

To be honest morning sickness aside, I had a healthy pregnancy. I was slightly anaemic in my third trimester but again that is very common. I loved going to all my scans, we paid to find out the sex of our baby at 16 weeks. We were having a girl! All things pink! My boyfriend had said from day one that we would have a girl, he was spot on. We were delighted, what was even better is we had already decided on a girls name. We then paid for  a 3D scan at about 30 weeks. the little tinker kept on covering her face with her hands and feet, but that was okay because we got to go back the following week at no extra cost. Even then she only decided to show her side profile. She was beautiful! She was ours! We couldn't help but shed a few tears!

When I got to 31/32 weeks I wanted her here, I was dying to meet her. Not to mention I was suffering with squashed ribs and an extremely painful pelvis. Sleeping I found difficult from the minute my bump started to appear as I have always slept on my front. All the pillows in the house were not going to make me any more comfortable. The one thing I did find that helped me to sleep, which I still do now, is put cotton wool in my ears, it really helps me to shut off from my thoughts oddly?



***awful photo*** Me at 32 weeks whilst at work at Topshop

My princess was always extremely active in my tummy, especially around lunchtime and in the evening. When I was 30+ weeks she seemed to find a position she was happy in and would dig her heel in my right side below my ribcage all the time, my word I would yelp sometimes whilst at work it would come as such a shock! little lanky long legs my baby! Awh! The first time she had hiccups in my tum, that was an interesting feeling, I couldn't decide what it was for a little while, it felt like my own pulse but in my lower tummy. She had these A LOT!

There are so many significant and memorable moments during pregnancy. It would be the longest post ever if i spoke about it all; the first fluttery movement I felt, the first baby grow I bought, deciding what sort of birth I wanted and what I didn't want. Finding clothes to wear that went over my bump that I still felt like myself in. How she always kicked and wriggled during every bath I had or every time I watched One Born Every Minute.. The first time my bump sat to one side or had a pointy lump sticking out. There are so many!

The further into my pregnancy I got the more I was willing my princess to arrive, not to soon but around the 38 week mark would of been great. Lets face it the excitement and anticipation of meeting your baby is enough to make anyone want to wish a few weeks away. Right?
 
By 35+3 weeks gestation, my baby girl, Maisie Summer was delivered via emergency C-Section. It was unfortunately not the arrival we had hoped or prepared for. She was extremely poorly and for the next month, life was going to be harder than we ever thought possible, but that is a story I hope to share later on with you all...
 
So this was my pregnancy in a nutshell. what were your favourite or least favourite parts of your pregnancy?
 
I'd be interested to hear your story.
 
xoxo

Let the Festive Season Commence...

So I'm a day late posting this, my apologies, but I had a busy one yesterday. It was the perfect start to December... something that has become tradition for me over the years. This year however, is going to be even better, for one very special reason...

You see, every year I go round to my Mum's house and together we put the Christmas tree up and decorate the rest of the house with lights, snowmen, Christmas bunting, you name it, its there. The house feels even cosier than normal. All I want to do is curl up by the fire and watch Santa Claus the movie. I love it, what better way to start the festivities than with the people you love most? Start as you mean to go on right? There we all are; my boyfriend relaxing on the sofa playing Mr Scrooge (or so he likes to act, he loves it all really though). Me and Mum are stood in the front bay window, decorating the tree very strategically. (We take it very seriously you know) :) and the extra special someone was sat on the floor with a ball in hand. My 8 month old princess, completely mesmerised by 'Happy Feet' on the telly. She didn't even blink!

What was even better is that once me and my Mum had finished decorating the tree and turned the pink lights on.... yes, pink lights! Her little, excited face was such a picture, completely melted my heart! It probably wasn't the best idea to take her too close to the tree like we did though, as she decided to pull the bells off and not give them back, the little tinker!

I have so much to look forward to this Christmas, so many firsts with my baby girl! Christmas dinner, opening presents, Christmas films. I can't wait to catch it all on camera! I have even more to be grateful for; a wonderful boyfriend, supportive family, great friends and my miracle baby! I feel so lucky to have all these lovely people to surround me.

So now I've shared my first tradition of December, what's yours? What makes this time of year so special for you?

please comment and follow me.

xoxo

Party Time...

So I bought this beaut' skirt the other day from ASOS, although it is actually a MANGO skirt. Its a black based skirt with a flecky gold effect over the top and a faux leather waistband at the top. Perfect for the festive party season right? Christmas work party? Night on the town? A meal with the boyfriend? This little number has got it covered!

I teamed it with a V-neck black cami from Topshop and black 'barely there' sandals from River Island. Totally girly and glam, And my watch is by Michael Kors in rose gold. To wrap the outfit up (quite literally) why not add a snug fur coat, let's face it, it's definitely needed here in the UK! I chose my black fur coat from Topshop, such a good old faithful, and so versatile for any look.

 I cant wait for a night out to wear this outfit, but why only wear it at night. Why not wear it in the day with some chunky heeled boots, a Fedora and a leather jacket. Go on, rock it out!

xoxo

The 'Cosy' Lunch Date...

This seasons must have...The fluffy jumper. There are so many different, amazing styles in beautiful colours, and what's so fab is that they go with everything, and if you're anything like me you will have a nice collection building in your wardrobe. I love mixing up different materials this season for a gorgeous textured look and the fluffy jumper is the perfect starting point.

I've created what I think is the perfect 'lunch date' look for meeting that special someone or even the girls. I have the Knitted Sparkle Fluffy Jumper in Mint from Topshop at £36 teamed with the leather look Grey Wrap Skirt also from Topshop at £30 and the Popper Boyfriend Coat in white at £58 also Topshop. All recent. The shoe boots I adore and are surprisingly comfy, they are also Topshop but are a couple of years old. The bag which has a beautiful blue and grey floral print, is River Island but is about 5 years old. No matter how many clear outs I do, I can't part with it. Last but not least the necklace which is also recent is from Dorothy Perkins, approx £16.50. 

Oh! The charm bracelet is Thomas Sabo, the charms are all personal to me and range approx I between £15-£50. They have fabulous other jewellery too, so if you haven't recently, you should check it out.

I hope you like the outfit, feel free to comment.

xoxo

5 Beauty Products I Can't Be Without...



So if I had to choose 5 things out of my make up bag that I couldn't live without, it would be these, so I thought I'd share them with you. Going clockwise; Topshop False Lash Mascara, MAC Studio Fix Fluid, Loreal Paris Super Liner Brow Artist, Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat and Topshop Cheek Duo.

Topshop False Lash Mascara I was pleasantly surprised with, I mean I love Topshop make-up but I can be quite fussy when it comes to mascara as I'm sure many of you will agree? This one has a great flexible brush that seperates your lashes beautifully and if you only do one coating, it leaves a really soft look, great for the daytime, but if you add a few more coatings, it really gives you that vavavoom, perfect for a night out! The MAC Studio Fix Fluid is amazing! If your like me and you're after a flawless, even finish, that gives you a glow, this is for you! I'm totally in love with it. My shade is NW20 as my skin is naturally quite fair. What's better, is I own the matching concealer for those 'off'' days. Loreal Paris Super Liner Brow Artist has a brow pencil one end and a fix and finish wax at the other for any corrections that are needed. A brow brush is also included. Now I naturaly have very dark eyebrows, so I dont need any help in making them stand out but its great for filling in any sparse areas, as shown below.

Oh the saviour that is YSL's Touch Eclat, it hides those dark circles and shadows from under your eyes. Especially if you're a Mummy life me and your little one wakes you up in the early hours EVERY night! it really does work wonders last but no means least, Topshop Cheek Duo, its a blusher and bronzer in one. It gives you that great slightly flushed look with an added shimmer, just what I think you need for a natural look.

So I thought to give you all an idea of how they look, I would include some pictures.

xoxo



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A Fresh Start...

 

 

 

 

Hey everyone! This is my first official post and I'm super excited to share a little about myself so you can get to know me. So here we go... I'm Stacey, I'm 24 years old, I have a wonderful boyfriend, Pete, who I love more than I could say and a beautiful baby girl, Maisie, who is my miracle and my everything.

When I'm not on maternity leave I work two jobs, the first as a sales associate at Topshop and the second at UPS. I know, two very different jobs right? I love working at Topshop, it's like walking into a heaven of all my favourite statement pieces for the current season. What girl wouldn't be envious? UPS is a million miles away from this; it's a lot of office clerical work, sitting at a computer, answering phones, helping customers with queries. It can have its tough times, but can also be rewarding when you can help someone... Not really me, but to be honest neither are my dream job. I've reached a point in my life where I feel like I should know where I want to be, but I'm still trying to figure that part out. So for now I'm going to enjoy all the time I have with my family.

xoxo