Harrogate, Knaresborough and York

Hello Lovelies, 

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend and bank holiday weekend (if you're lucky enough to have one). I have had a busy few weeks, moving from our house and back in with my parents for a while. Long story short the house was bad we hated and needed a nicer space and my lovely parents have made us a bedsit in their house. 

So we have been moving between houses as well as myself working 8 - 9 hour shifts, busy, busy times. 

In the middle of all this Anthony decided to whisk me away for a romantic weekend to Harrogate and York. It was so refreshing to just have some relaxing time together. Mum and Dad kindly agreed to look after little Ozzy. 

Our first stop was Harrogate. I myself had never been before so it was nice to experience somewhere new. it took a while to get there as the traffic on the way was really bad, a quick change of route and we were soon there. 

Harrogate is such a lovely place and we spent all day wandering the centre looking in independent shops and high street shops. I realised half way around that I had forgotton to pack any Pjs for myself, so we popped into Primark and picked up some dispicable me pyjamas. 

After lunch and a long stroll around we decided to have a rest in a little coffee shop called the Bean and Bud, we were drawn in by all the artwork on the wall by Sheffield Artist Pete McKee. I love his prints and had to have a peek at the ones on the walls. The coffee they served was amazing and the atmosphere was so calm and relaxing. 

We then popped across the road to Mellow Melts, such a cute little shop selling all things delicious smelling from candles to bath bombs. Anthony treated me (us) to three bath bombs, they both look and smell amazing. 

We then went back to the car and set off to our hotel. Anthony wanted to take a detour through Knarseborough to see the castle and bridge. We arrived, and oh my goodness it is such a nice little place to walk around. 

Finding the castle we had a quick stroll around the grounds and found this amazing view. It was so beautiful, we sat on a bench together and took it all in having a casual chat about the area and what a great day we had. 

Anthony then turned to me and explained that he had bought me here for a reason. I had no idea what was going on. The next thing I knew he was down on one knee and asking for my hand in marriage. EEEEPPP! I was so shocked I even asked at one point if he was being serious haha. It turns out that he had been planning it and had the ring for a while. He of course asked my Dad first. 

Obviously I said YES! I was then surprised further when a lady appeared from over the hill saying what a lovely moment it was and that her husband had a camera if we would like a picture. Her husband then came around with a huge camera and took a lovely picture which he emailed to us the next day. So a big thank you to the lovely couple. 

After spending the night in a hotel we then headed for York early Sunday morning and had a quick walk around whilst it was still quiet. It  was lovely that it wasn't to busy and that a lot of the shops were not yet open. It meant that we could have a walk around and just take in the lovely City. 

Wow that ended up being a long post. 

Thank you if you made it to the end.

   

xx

Gender Reveal!!

Hello Lovelies, 
Just a quick update today. On Thursday we went for our 20 weeks scan, Anthony and I had both decided that we would like to find out the gender of our baby. 

The 20 weeks scan is so detailed, the sonogropher spent ages looking at all sorts. He did say that we had a very active baby. I had to get up and wiggle a bit (pretty embarrassing wiggling my hips around) to get the baby to move so that we could see the heart better. After a thorough inspection we were told that everything is fine. 

Nothing had been mentioned about the gender so I plucked up the courage to ask. The Sonographer had a good look and revealed we are having a .....

  

Boy!!!

We are both so excited,  I had a feeling from the beginning that we were. We didn't have a preference however now we know it all seems a bit more real. I have definitely bought more things since finding out. 

I hope you have had a fab week. 

xx

Skin Care/ Pamper Routine

Hello Lovelies, 
I hope you are all well. It's been a busy few weeks for me and Anthony, if you follow me on instagram you will know that I was a bridesmaid at Anthony's brothers wedding. 
I have also been back at work whilst Anthony is still off recovering. Although the reason that he is not at work is not nice I am enjoying having him around more, we have been able to visit a few places together when I have a day off. Separate post coming up about that. 
Recently I have been trying to look after my skin. my everyday routine usually consists of the Garnier Micellar cleansing water and Lancome Hydra Zen Moisturizer. This evening as I had a bit more time to relax I decided to pamper my skin with a combination of my favourites at the moment.   

  1. Garnier Micellar cleansing water

 2. Soap & Glory The Fab Pore 2 in 1 mask 

 3. Soap & Glory You Won't Believe Your Eyes

 4. Boots Baby large cotton pads

 5. Cussons Mum & Me bump stretch mark cream 

The first step of my routine was to take off any make up using the Garnier Micellar Water, I love this as it removes make up so easily and you hardy need any on the cotton pad.
I have been using these larger ones from the baby section in boots as I find that I can use just one to remove my make up .

 The Fab Pore mask has been one of my go to masks for a while (I think I have mentioned it in a previous blog post). This was a fresh new pot ooo a part of me did not want to ruin the newness haha.

 I took a big blob of this on my fingers and massaged onto my face, this mask has small beads in "Rice Microbeads" that exfoliate the skin and leave it feeling really smooth and soft so make sure that you massage these in really well for the full effect.  

 Another ingredient in the mask prevents spots and clears pores, I fell that my skin really needs this at them moment as I have a few hormonal breakouts. The mask also smells really refreshing with a minty fragrance. 
Ahhhh here is my face covered in the mask, I wasn't going to put this on the internet so I do apologise if this gives you a fright. 
Anthony came upstairs to see what I was doing, safe to say he was a little surprised when I turned around looking like this!!

I left the mask on for 15 minutes, I had to set a timer because otherwise I would have forgotten what time I put it on. 

After the 15 minutes I removed with a cotton pad and warm water. 

After removing the mask I moisturised with the Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm moisturiser. I have been using this for a few weeks now, mainly at night, and my skin feels super soft. 

This is a sample size that I got from the counter when I bought my foundation and blusher. I think once I have used this up I will be purchasing a pot. 
  




The cream smells lovely, I find it very relaxing to use on my skin at night time. The scents which are     used are anti-stress and calming. There is more        information about this here.




Under my eyes I then use the Soap and Glory You Won't Believe Your Eyes.  This eye cream has a roller ball applicator and is so soothing on tired eyes. I use it in the day as well as it has light reflecting particles to lighten my tired mummy to be eye bags,  

 Speaking of mummy to be this brings me to my final skin care product which is the Cussons mum & me bump stretch mark cream. Obviously I don't use this on my face but it just finishes the skin care well. I'm not 100% sure that any stretch mark cream or oil works but it's worth a try I suppose. 
I find this cooling especially with the hot nights we have been having in Britain recently.  

                           

What are your favourite skin care products/ mummy to be products? please let me know as I would love to try some of your recommendations. 

Thanks 

xx