Glossybox Starter Kit Unboxing | May 2016

I joined Glossybox in the end of May so unfortunately, the May box had already sold out so I was send a Glossybox starter kit instead. Overall, I was super pleased with everything I received in it. When I got an email saying I would be getting a stater kit instead, I did feel a little worried I wasn't going to like or be able to use all the products but now I'm super glad that wasn't the case. 

Haute Light Highlighting Pencil by SO SUSAN

This was the first item I say in the box and oh my God was I pleased with it. I had received this product before when I was previously subscribed to Glossybox and have been using it ever since. I could have been disappointed since I already had one exactly the same but I love it so much that having two of these is a bonus. I like to blend this pencil under my waterline to get rid of any darkness and also to make me look a little more awake, it's super creamy so you can even use it for disguising the bags under your eyes.

This product costs £15.00

SHOP | sosusan.com/en

Catharsis Vitamin Mineral Shampoo by -417

I have actually never heard of this product and was quite surprised to see it in my box as it's obviously shampoo. I instantly had to open it up and I have to say it smells absolutely amazing. It says that this shampoo aims to ensure the hair is left gleaming, clean and hydrated. I have been a little more laid back with my hair recently so I'm really looking forward to trying this product and finding out what it does for my hair. Don't worry, I will be posting an individual review for this product once I have used it long enough to create a proper opinion on it.

This product costs £16.89

SHOP | minus417.com

Diamond Heart Primer by EMITE

This is another product I have never ever heard of. However, I'm quite excited to give this primer a try. As we all know, using a primer underneath your make up can make a gigantic difference. This particular primer says it aims to even out the skin tone, boost radiance and create a smooth finish to make up. 

This product costs £13.82

SHOP | emitemakeup.com

Power Pout Glaze Low Voltage Gloss by MUA

I have heard of and tried so many of MUA's products before in the past. When the Power Pout collection came out I really wanted to try it and then the stores in my town never had them in stock so I ended up throwing it into the back of my mind. I was so surprised when I saw this in the box and I was so glad. I haven't tried it yet but I can't wait to try it and review the product. The aim of this product is to provide a sheer, subtle hint of color to the lips to flatter the skin tone. 

This product costs £3.50

SHOP | muastore.co.uk

Dermo Defence Face Mask by UNANI

I've never heard of this brand or face mask but I love a good face mask so trying this out will be awesome for me. The aim of this product is to care for the skin and keep it protected. You're meant to apply this once a week over a cleansed face. 

This product costs £11.36

SHOP | comprarcosmetica.es

Pregnancy Weekly Update | 28 Weeks

You all asked for a weekly pregnancy update and that's exactly what I will be doing all the way through to giving birth. 

This week has been super eventful, filled with countless appointments and scans. I did my glucose tolerance test in the beginning of the week, and also had a growth scan and a consultant appointment.

The glucose tolerance test was actually super draining. I wasn't allowed to have any food since the night before the test so you can imagine how drained and unless I felt having to keep waiting in a boiling hot waiting room and with nothing in my stomach. I had a few tubes of blood taken and then had to drink just over a bottle of Lucozade for the test and then had to wait in the waiting room for an hour (I think), had another blood test done and then had to wait another 30 minutes to have another blood test done. I did feel super exhausted and hungry by the end of it but it was nowhere near as bad as what people had told me.

Later in the week, I had a growth scan where they measured the baby and also my waters. Good news is that we are good with the liquids, the waters are totally fine and our little boy is now average size (he was measuring 3 weeks ahead before). He is still a little heavier but is still considered average so we have been told to expect him at 37 weeks. This means we have 9 weeks to go, I can't wait.

We are literally counting down the days now. 8 weeks feel like so soon and yet, also feels like forever.

I Won A Prize | Jamberry Nails with Rachel Schofield

I absolutely love these nail wraps so when I found out I won a prize I was super excited.

I had tried these before and made a post about it but unfortunately all my pictures and post was lost from the 7 day challenge due to blog being transferred. If I could do the 7 day challenge again and re-take the pictures I took every day to show you, I really would. So, I already knew how to apply these.

The first time I applied these nail wraps (when I did the 7 day challenge), I struggled a little at first but because I already knew what I was doing this time, I had no problems applying them this time. It's a matter of practice really. After you have applied one or two, you already know how to do it super easily and well.

Another thing I love about these is that they last incredibly long. In fact, surprising long. I wash up a lot so whenever I used other nail wraps, they would be coming off within hours. With the Jamberry Nail wraps it is completely different. I have a habit of putting normal nail polish on most of my nails and then just leave one undone so I can apply the nail wrap. The nail wrap lasted 3 days extra than my normal nail polish. In fact, my normal nail polish started flaking off within 4-5 days and the nail wrapped nail was still intact.

So, now you can imagine how excited I was to find out I had won something from Jamberry. If you are interested in purchasing some of these amazing nail wraps the link is below and also the link to the Facebook page:

Shop: https://rachelnailart.jamberry.com/uk/en/shop/shop/for/nail-wraps?collection=collection%3A%2F%2F1120

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamberryWithRachelS/?fref=ts

Lush Shower Cream Review | The Comforter

I literally love the smell of this shower cream. We bought this around a month ago and considering we purchased the smaller version, I think it has been lasting us quite long. It’s one of those shower and bath products that you don’t need to use much off because a little bit does so much.

It has lasted us quite long so far, the best part is that a little really goes a long way with this shower cream. The scent stays on the skin pretty much all day long, even if you continuously wash your arms and hands at work like me.

The scent reminds me a lot of the strawberry bubble gum I used to have when I was younger, so as you can imagine with anything bubble gum… It smells on point.

Do I recommend this shower cream? You can bet I do and you would win that bet. Everything about this shower cream is on point.

Where I Find Inspiration For My Posts | Collab Post with Acorn Life and Fitness

Today’s post is a collab with the lovely Jess from Acorn Life and Fitness. Remember to go and check out her post on the following link: https://acornlifefitness.com/2016/06/15/where-i-find-inspiration-for-my-blog-post

I remember when I started blogging I had no idea how to find motivation to keep up with posting, let alone find inspiration to create a post. So here is how I have found inspiration for my blog posts recently.

1. Twitter. I love Twitter when it comes to everything blog related. Not only is Twitter amazing for advertising your blog, it is also a great way for you to connect with other bloggers and also your readers. I often run polls on Twitter and have people vote for which of the options they would prefer the next post to be about. This is definitely a great way to also know what your readers want to see on your blog.
2. Lists. I do lists a lot, especially for things that are blog related. Whether it’s a list of things I plan to give away or actual blog post ideas. I don’t usually write every post I list down, I usually choose three post ideas, run a poll on Twitter and whichever one is voted for the most is the one I will do.
3. Other bloggers. I often check out other blogs and find ideas that way and then change things a little so it has my own twist.
4. Beauty products. I have my days where I really struggle to decide what to write, either because I haven’t been on social media much to find inspiration enough or because I can’t put my thoughts into words. When this happens, I usually review beauty products. Beauty product reviews are highly requested by my readers so I know when I put a post out there, it isn’t just because it’s the easiest way out of a writer’s block. I usually sit down with the product and describe what I like and don’t like and then the next day I may have a better idea for a post so it isn’t always the same content.
5. Television. Now this is going to sound strange, I watch a lot of programs on TLC and a lot of them sometimes make me think or improvements or a nice dress I would like to talk about. I sometimes pick out my topics like this, even though I have tried to keep it as less personal as possible as the blog is just starting but later on I may even want to talk about something I saw and give my own raw opinion.

I hope this post helps you. Are you a blogger? How do you find inspiration for your posts? Feel free to comment and let me know, maybe I will start using some of your ways too.

End of Second Trimester | Pregnancy Update

Now that I sit here and think about it while writing this, this trimester has been crazy. So much has happened. The first trimester was quite calm and it time did drag a lot, time always felt like it was going so slowly, this trimester has been the absolute opposite.

At 17 weeks, I started getting really bad pains that started from my spine, went round my left side and over the left side of my bump. The pains would usually last 5-7 hours and would be constant. I would be in absolute agony to the point of having to bite and scream into pillows. At 19 weeks, I was getting the pains every 5-8 days and didn’t feel much movement for a few days after the last time I had the pains at the time (I was feeling flutters before) so I had an emergency ultrasound scan. At this point, they did some tests and turns out I had a really bad UTI (Urine Tract Infection) which was likely to be causing me the pain. The ultrasound showed a very sleepy and happy baby that put his thumb up at us when he was woken up during the scan and gave us the cutest ultrasound picture ever. I was also able to hear the baby’s heartbeat for the first time, which by the way was perfect.I was put on to antibiotics for 7 days.

I was referred to a consultant for my high bmi. The consultant said he predicts our baby to be here any time from 37 weeks as he was measuring quite big for his time.

At 20 weeks, we had the scan that is well known as the gender scan (however, it is a lot more than that as there are loads of important measurements and checks that need to be done). We were so nervous and time really seemed to drag during the weeks leading up to the scan. We found out we are having a little boy and honestly couldn’t be happier. Next date to look forward to would be the long-waited-for due date, the day we meet our little man.

I can’t remember weeks properly for this point exactly, I’m sure I was 21-22 weeks. My pains were still happening like before, more intense each time. A few more tests were done and turns out the infection I had before had traveled up tract into my kidneys, even though I had been on antibiotics for it for 7 days straight just before. I was given more antibiotics to take, another 7 days of non-stop antibiotics. A week or so later, I had to do a an ultrasound to my kidneys to see if I had kidney stones, I got the results soon after and turns out I had a little tiny stone there but was no reason to be medicated as it would go away on its own.

During all this time, my bump continued to grow more and more. I love it. At around 24-25 weeks I started to feel the baby so much more. The kicks are the best feeling ever. At 25 weeks, we started being able to actually see him kicking and moving inside the belly.

At 26 weeks, I was told that it would be best for me to pack my maternity bag ready for when I am 30 weeks because they can decide to induce me at any point after that, depending on what is shown on growth scans. If our baby boy continues to grow like he is, he will be a few weeks ahead and needs to meet us sooner. My UTI has also come back, which is another thing that can push them to induce me early or he may even come earlier when he is ready.

At 27 weeks, the really bad Braxton Hicks contractions have made an appearance. And from what I have been told, I can expect a lot more of these the closer I get to the due date.

I am hoping the next trimester flies by just like this one did, I can’t wait to meet our little boy. Even though, I would prefer for him to stay inside my belly for as long as he needs and is best for him. The next trimester will be full of appointments, growth scans, and we will also be getting things ready for him and doing his room. Excited is an understatement.

Review: AVON Naturals Body Lotion | Fig

I really hesitated to buy this product, mainly because I hate the smell of fig. Well, at least I did. But when I smelled the fragrance patch in the catalog I had to give it a shot. I also noticed it has a hint of plum as well so that is probably what makes me like it so much as well. I must say, I don't regret purchasing this at all. 

It literally feels like butter on the body, it does everything it claims to do. I like to put this on my body after a shower and I also like to put this on my hands every time I wash up as the washing up liquid often makes my hands dry and gritted so this lotion stops that from happening. The scent is also super long lasting so I have no way to not like this. 

As many of you have already realized, I really like saving money and buying things on the cheap so every sale I have to step up and get. When I purchased this, it was at £1 so I can easily say it was £1 very well spent. Ever since I bought this, I have been tempted to try the same fragrance in the bath section, I still need to do that. Only negative thing I have to say is that you need to apply rather generously to the hands and body to reach its full effect or it really won't do much.