July Favourites 2012!

Watch my July Favourites video here! 

Welcome to my July Faves! :)

I don't have a ton of products to talk about this month, but the ones I'm mentioning are items I've absolutely loved!  I decided to include a few non-beauty products in here too...hope you guys don't mind ;)

MAKEUP

Avon Supershock Gel Eyeliner in black

This stuff is amazing!  It was actually sent in a care package by a subscriber of ours and the first time I used it was right before the Dublin meet-up...holy moly!  It draws the blackest line, is super pigmented and lasts all day!  I don't know where I can find Avon near where I live but whenever I do I am definitely repurchasing it.

Chanel Coco Rouge Lipstick #38 Superstition

This is my first ever Chanel lipstick, and as you guys know if you read my blog regularly or have been with me for a long time my all-time favourite lipstick used to be Rimmel Summer Angel which they have sadly discontinued!  This is like an even more beautiful "grown up" dupe for that.  It's a gorgeous nude with gold shimmer in it...I absolutely love it!

FYF Cosmetics Dewdrop Lipstick in Coy

My wedding day lipstick, and not a new product by any means...it's been sitting in my makeup drawer for a couple of months but I've been loving it again lately and I'm sorry I ever forgot about it!  It's like the perfect Brigitte Bardot nude pink.

Here are the three products mentioned above swatched -- Superstition is above the liner and Coy below.

Maybelline Superstay 24hr Concealer in #3 Medium Beige

I have written about this concealer before but this month I repurchased it in a darker shade, as I've been using self-tanner and I felt like #2 was too light.  This is a much better match!  And as I've said before it's a great drugstore concealer.  It covers both blemishes and dark circles so it's perfect for my everyday routine!

NAILS

OPI My Address is "Hollywood" Nail Lacquer

I received this polish in the same care package from a lovely subscriber and I think it's so pretty!  It's that perfect dark/dusky pink shade that I love but the difference is that this particular colour has gold flecks in it, so it's just right for summer.  It also shows up true on my nails, unlike a few others I own that always seem to look coral on me :(  Also please note that this is NOT the polish I'm wearing on my nails in the picture!  Ha ha ha, that's Essie's Fiji!

SKINCARE

Dove Visible Effects Nourishing Body Lotion

I mentioned this in my hygiene routine post but this really has become my all-time favourite body moisturiser.  It truly does keep your skin super soft throughout the whole day and does a fabulous job at maintaining my tan.  I definitely recommend it, especially if you are looking for something to use in between tanning to keep your skin moisturised!

HAIR

Tangle Teezer

I'm so glad I finally got to try this!  It had been recommended to me by everybody as my hair has always been very thick, unruly and tangles so easily whenever it's wet.  So this has been an absolute lifesaver...making brushing out so much easier and less painful, ha ha!

FASHION

Sarita Chakita Necklaces

These two necklaces were sent to me as a gift from another subscriber of mine who made it clear that she did not expect me to promote them in anyway, but I just had to let you guys know about them!  I think they are super cute, well-made, good quality and not too heavy or bulky for chain jewellery.  She sent me two necklaces, one is silver with three chains at the end of it and the other is gold with a big pink stone in it.  You can check out her website here!

DIET

Peaches/Nectarines

If you're lucky enough to live in a hotter climate where these are grown in abundance, I envy you because they have been my ultimate favourite fruit lately!  Here in Ireland you can really only get the smaller, slightly bitter ones but I'm craving a huge juicy white Italian peach like the ones we had in Sorrento...yum!   

Knorr Gourmet Moments Cream of Sunripened Tomato Soup

You might have been wondering when I was going to address the random packet of soup...lol!  This has been a popular lunch here in our house ever since Jofus decided to make it with fun little pasta shapes and parmesan cheese on top...it's very comforting in this crappy weather!  

YOUTUBE CHANNEL

couturemomnyc

I've really been loving Jan's channel this month -- it's such a nice feeling to know that you have such lovely subscribers and when they make videos of their own it's even better!!  I found Jan by accident when I clicked on her profile after she left me a sweet comment, I had never realised that she made videos too though I did recognise her username as someone who had often left very supportive & kind words...this is the way to promote your channel IMHO, not by spamming -- just be nice! :)  It always pays off in the end.  I would love for you guys to check out Jans' channel here.  I think you will all enjoy it and she is such a chic, stylish woman who really knows her stuff!!

Albi's July Favourites: Cuddles & Treats ;)

I hope you all had a nice July and that the weather is better for you than it is here!  Feel free to link up your July Favourites posts below!

Stay Stylish!

Week 35 Bump Update!

Watch my 35 Week Pregnancy Vlog here! :)

How far along?  35 weeks!

Total weight gain/measurements: 20lbs - which means I lost 3 of the 5lbs gained last week.  I'm pretty sure it just has something to do with water weight -- I do tend to chug a lot of water sometimes at night if I haven't been drinking it during the day so maybe that was why last week's gain was so high!  Measurements are the same!  Waist - 33", Tummy - 39".  It's hard to believe that when I got my wedding dress fitted my waist was 10" smaller...ha ha ha! 

Maternity clothes: Yes!  I bought some things in the Mothercare sale this week and was surprisingly impressed with their selection.  I bought a lovely olive green/khaki tank top dress which really emphasises the bump!  I think this was about €7.99.  I also got a pair of skinnies for €12.99 which are very low-rise but they fit wonderfully.  I got two Mamalicious t-shirts in grey & white as they were buy one get one free and a grey & pink pj set which I will be showing in a later post ;)

Skinny jeans & grey Mamalicious tee

Khaki tank dress & white Mamalicious tee

Stretch marks: None yet.  Still using Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks (I get asked this EVERY week so sorry if it seems like I'm repeating myself!!).

Sleep: Same as last week -- it's been quite good.  I do get a lot hotter than normal so have started wearing lighter summer pj's but I do find it comfortable to sleep with Brenda the dreamgenii pillow! ;)

Best moment this week: Packing my hospital bag was a lot of fun, or at least the baby side of it ;)  And shopping for Emilia!  Neither of us can get enough of it!  I found this adorable striped tutu/onesie and 3 cupcake babygros in Next.  I'm actually very impressed with Next's kids' clothes.  I wanted to buy everything!

Next pink & grey tutu €27 

Next cupcake babygros (set of 3) €21

Miss anything? Being able to bend over/paint my toes is getting increasingly difficult every week!  Aside from that I do kind of miss being able to go an hour without peeing.  Ha ha ha! 

Movement: TONS!

Food cravings: Nope.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really, but have stopped drinking coffee with my breakfast.

Gender:  Girl!

Labour signs: Not yet!

Symptoms: Lightening crotch!!  The most insane symptom so far...feels like Emilia is punching my bladder and/or trying to come out at the same time!  It's bizarre as it can hit at any moment and causes me to double over or cry out in discomfort.  It's not painful, just uncomfortable.  My GP confirmed at my appointment this week that this is all normal and just means her head is now engaged.  Eek!  Also back-ache has been a little bit annoying especially when I'm sitting for long periods of time, but nothing too severe.  Funnily enough my heartburn has slowed down a bit due to her having dropped.  And like I mentioned above, I can barely bend over/paint my toe-nails anymore...I also get super out of breath while mounting the stairs or getting up!  I sound like an old lady, ha ha ha!

Belly button in or out? My bellybutton is so weird!!  Sometimes it's in, sometimes it's kind of out.  It depends on the time of day/how I'm sitting!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Our antenatal classes actually start NEXT Monday as we never booked them last week...so that should be fun! 

Albi is waiting for Emilia ;)

Stay Stylish!

Puppies' First Beach Day!

Today we decided to take on the crazy task of bringing ALL the dogs to the beach!  It was technically our first time walking them properly on individual leads and holy moly, was it hard.  We got four new Flexi leads (same as Albi & Sina's), two purple, one pink and one blue.  Sina's is also pink and Albi's is a fancy black & white skull and crossbones one...wouldn't you know he's the first child, ha ha ha!  

At one point I found myself completely entangled in lots of different coloured leads, totally unable to move my legs OR bend over due to the massive bump and I actually thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown!!  But we figured it out in the end (Splitters are the way to go!  Two puppies to a lead!) and after lots of trial and error we did finally manage to give them a pretty epic walkies ;)  Nuvola even dug a hole...and Albi helped her, it was ridiculously cute!  

These were the pictures Jofus took, as you can see I'm dressed in typical Irish summer attire - a wool cardigan.  Lol.  

Hope you are all having a relaxing Sunday! :)

Stay Stylish!

My Week in Pictures #11

Once again, these are technically from the last two weeks because I didn't do a week in pictures post last week!  Also just a little tip...don't read this post if you're hungry, there's a lot of food, ha ha! ;)

Delicious cupcakes baked by a lovely viewer from the Cork Meet-up!  These were amazing, I ate two that night :)

Early morning coffee in my new cupcake mug from another lovely viewer who came to the Cork Meet-up!  This is so cute and even comes with a little lid!

Last Friday Sina finally got her hair cut!  She is soooo adorable in her little pink bow. (Which is now shredded, dirty and full of bite-marks!  Albi's blue bow on the other hand, is perfect.)

In the car with Sina :)  I love my pup!

Last night's dinner at Wagamama's!  I got the Yasai Yaki Soba, my all-time fave!

And here's my dessert!  I shared the white chocolate cheesecake with my mom :)  So yummy!

Hope you guys all had a great week!  You can follow me on Instagram here.  Feel free to link your Week in Pictures posts below. 

Stay Stylish!

Fashion Friday: Olympics Style!

Shirt/ASOS, Leggings/GAP, Shoes/LoveClothing, Necklace/Sarita Chakita, Earrings/Accessories, Bracelet/Gift, Bag/Love Moschino

If you watched my Pregnancy Workout video last week you'll probably already know about this but during the course of the next six weeks, Jonathan and I are going to be making a series of Olympics themed videos along with the rest of our team the "e-LEMON-ators".  YouTube is sending a bunch of lucky YouTubers to London for the Olympics but unfortunately, as we'll be having a baby in the next few weeks we can't go...so here's my little input from home! ;)

This week I tried to incorporate the Olympics into my outfit!  I'm wearing gold, silver and bronze accessories to symbolise the medals...woot!  How fancy of me ;)  

I also did a silvery/grey/bronze make-up look on my eyes using Urban Decay Naked 2 palette.  I am really loving that palette lately, I feel like there are so many different looks you can do with it!  Here's my make-up for today: 

FACE

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in Universal Glow

Maybelline SuperStay 24h Concealer in 03

Rimmel Clear Complexion Clarifying Powder in Transparent

Sarah G Cosmetics Face Kit Bronzer

P2 Sun Love Sunny Moments Blush in Summer Flirt

EYES

HD Brows Kit Ash Brown

Urban Decay Bootycall on the brow bone & inner corners 

Urban Decay Verve on the lid

Urban Decay Tease in the crease & lower lashline

Urban Decay Pistol on the upper lashline

Eyeko Graffiti Eyeliner Pen

Avon Supershock Gel Eyeliner Pencil

Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara

LIPS

FYF Lipstick in Coy

I also think that Emilia's head is now engaged...eek!  I started getting these crazy movements RIGHT on my bladder over the last day or so (last night was the worst).  They weren't painful, more uncomfortable and just weird-feeling - I don't really know how else to describe it!  Anyway it got so strong that I kept feeling like I needed to pee even though I didn't, and would even double over in discomfort when I was walking or mounting the stairs!  Then I was taking a shower last night when I got this huge amount of pressure on my bladder to the point where I actually shouted "OW!" and Jofus came running in...lol.  I visited my doctor today and he confirmed that her head was engaged.  Ahh!  So exciting :)  I just find this whole experience funny...it's like there's someone else controlling my body, I just let out little yelps of discomfort every now and then which probably scares passers by...ha ha ha!

Stay Stylish!

What I Ate Wednesday!

Sorry this post is so late!  I'm thinking I should pre-record these videos/posts the day before but then that wouldn't be "What I Ate Wednesday" would it?!  Ha ha ha!  We spent most of the today out...we went to the cinema, the food court, did some shopping and didn't get home till really late so we did not eat very healthy I'm afraid, but that's life! ;)  Here are today's eats: 

Breakfast

Porridge with almond milk, blueberries, cinnamon and almonds (you can't see them in this picture but they're in there!).  Whenever we're out of bananas I always add in some almonds instead!  I actually throw them into the porridge while it's cooking on the stove and it makes them nice & soft!

Snack

We went to the 1:30 showing of Batman so I got what I always get when I go to the cinema!  A small popcorn & a water.  (Sorry the popcorn's eaten in this pic, it was too dark to take in the actual theatre so I took it afterwards!)

Lunch

For lunch we went to the Bagel Bar at the food court!  I got my favourite bagel ever which is the Ploughman's Bagel without meat.  It's a poppy seed bagel with relish, tomato, lettuce, red onion, Gouda cheese and the non-veggie option has turkey & ham in it.

Dinner

We were bad for dinner!!  We actually hadn't been to McDonalds in ages, so this was a welcome treat :)  I got a fish finger Happy Meal with water!

Evening Snack

I decided to at least try and finish the day off healthy with my little evening snack!  I had a bowl of fresh strawberries with some natural probiotic yoghurt.  Yummy!

Drinks

About 2L water

Hope you guys enjoyed this post!  What did you eat today? :)

Stay Stylish!

My Hygiene Routine!

These videos are so popular on YouTube now which, when you think about it is actually pretty bizarre...why on earth do we like to hear about other women's hygiene routines?!  Ha ha ha...I don't know but for some strange reason I am curious about what everyone else does to keep themselves clean!  Also, there's something about the word "routine" that gets my the OCD/perfectionist in me very excited.  So I couldn't resist jumping on the bandwagon with this...and here is my daily/bi-weekly hygiene routine!

MORNING (Daily)

Step 1: Cleanse 

Nivea Visage Daily Essentials Refreshing Facial Wash Gel for Normal/Combination Skin

This is what I use to wash my face right after I brush my teeth :)

Step 2: Moisturise

Nivea Visage Daily Essentials Moisturising Day Cream

My everyday moisturiser -- that's my face done for the day, other than makeup.

Step 3: Deodorant

Nivea Pearl & Beauty Deodorant is my favourite.  It smells amazing :)

Step 4: Perfume

Either of these three perfumes: Vera Wang Princess, The Body Shop White Musk Sun Glow, The Body Shop White Musk Libertine

NIGHT TIME (Daily)

I take my showers at night.  I used to be a morning shower person but ever since getting pregnant there's something so relaxing about taking them at night, I don't know why.  Also I find it saves time in the morning!

Step 1: Remove Makeup

Simple Facial Cleansing Wipes

I use these to take off my makeup, usually before getting in the shower.

Step 2: Shower

Palmolive Bergamot & Verbena Shower Gel

Honestly my shower gel changes all the time...this just happens to be the one I'm using now!  I use this with a shower puff because I find that it lathers better!

Step 3: Cleanse

At this point I also cleanse my face again with Nivea Facial Wash Gel.

I then get out of the shower and pat my face dry with a separate face towel (this is really important!!  Don't use the hand towel or one that is used by anyone else!) and then pat my entire body dry as well.  

Step 4: Acne Control

PanOxyl 5 with Benzoyl Peroxide

I use this on any acne/breakouts I may have.  Just a tiny amount on each spot!  

Step 5: Moisturise (Face)

I then moisturiser with my Nivea moisturising day cream.

Step 6: Moisturise (Body)

Dove Visible Effects Moisturiser

This is the best body moisturiser in my opinion!  It leaves my skin feeling super soft and helps to maintain my tan.  I use this on my arms, feet and legs.

Step 7: Stretch Marks

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks

I use this on my tummy, boobs, bum & inner thighs.  Anywhere I could get stretch marks!

Step 8 & 9: Hands & Lips

Then I get into bed and use Aveda Hand Relief Moisturiser on my hands my Body Shop Born Lippy lip balm on my lips!

BI-WEEKLY (OR EVERY 3 DAYS)

Every three days I wash my hair, exfoliate, fake tan, shave my underarms and clean my ears (yes, I did just mention that...but seriously I am soooo weird about ear cleaning, it's like an obsession of mine!)  So here's what I do every three days: 

Step 1: Shampoo & Condition

When I get in the shower, first thing I do it wash my hair and condition it.  I then leave my conditioner on my hair until the end of my shower when I rinse it out (last step).  Right now I'm using L'Oreal Elvive Nourish & Shimmer Highlights Shampoo & Conditioner.  

Step 2: Shave

Another extra step is that I shave my underarms.  I normally would shave my legs once a week only but now that I'm pregnant my leg hair just seems to have stopped growing so I haven't needed to shave in months!  

Step 3: Exfoliate

Before cleansing my face I also exfoliate using St. Ives Apricot Scrub.

Step 4: Fake Tan

Dove Summer Glow for Normal/Dark skin is the best!  I use this all over my body to maintain my tan.

Step 5: Ears!  Don't forget the ears! ;)

Johnson's Q-tips/Cotton Buds -- you're really not supposed to use these in your ears, but I always do anyway.  I know I'll probably end up deaf because of it but oh well, at least I'll have clean ears!! 

Step 6: Heat Protectant

I use a combination of two products if I am heat styling/blow-drying my hair.  These are GK Hair Thermal Heat StyleHer and KMS California Shine & Shield.

Step 7: Leave-In Conditioner

If I'm not heat styling or if I feel like my hair needs some added moisture I'll use the GK Hair Leave-In Conditioning Cream.  I just apply this to the ends, brush it out with my Tangle Teezer and sleep on my hair wet.  

WEEKLY

Shave legs (if necessary)

Face Mask - Murad Clarifying Mask for Acne Prone Skin

Teeth Whitening - Whitening Lightning Pen

Hopefully you found this post interesting and/or helpful!  I would love to know your hygiene routines if you have done a similar post to this so let me know or link them up in the comments below! 

Stay Stylish!

Week 34 Bump Update!

Watch my 34 Week Pregnancy Vlog here! 

How far along?  34 weeks!

Total weight gain/measurements: 23lbs - which means I gained 5lbs this week!  Whaaat...ha ha ha I guess I caught up with myself from the last three weeks!  Measurements are the same as last week.  Waist - 33", Tummy - 39".

Maternity clothes: Nothing new.  Wearing all maternity pants/jeans, maxi dresses and regular tops getting a bit ridiculous so I think I may need to buy a few more maternity ones so that I don't stretch all of my normal clothes out!

Stretch marks: None yet.

Sleep: Pretty good.  Sometimes I use "Brenda" my lovely maternity pillow and sometimes I don't as it gets too hot.

Best moment this week: Well our Dublin meet-up was pretty epic! :)  We had an amazing time!

Miss anything? Bending over comfortably...especially when you're searching for a lost wedding ring, it sucks!!

Movement: Oodles!

Food cravings: Nothing.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Coffee/tea. 

Gender:  Girl!

Labour signs: Nope!

Symptoms: Symptoms are pretty much the same as last week - heartburn, a bit of fatigue, some backache especially after sitting for long periods of time.  On the plus side my skin seems to have cleared up, I'm not experiencing any leg hair growth whatsoever (bonus!!) and I feel like this has been a really nice pregnancy so far!  

Belly button in or out? It still looks like it's going to pop, but hasn't yet :(

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Our antenatal classes starting this week! 

Stay Stylish!

Puppy Love!

My baby girl (finally) got groomed today!  How pretty does she look in her little pink bow?!  And Albi got brushed out with a blue bow put in his hair (he got groomed last week).  Sorry Albi is half cut out of this picture...it's so hard to get a shot of the 6 of them together!  Poor Sina was awfully matted after she gave birth...her hair changed and got all woolly, it was so weird!  And then we weren't allowed to get her groomed till her puppies were all weaned.  Then we got her spayed and she had to wait till she got her stitches out, so this was a long time coming but now she's so happy and beautiful with her new haircut!  She looks like a princess :)

Her bow is upside down...that's after the pups had their way with her, ha ha ha! :)

All tuckered out after a very full day of grooming followed by playing in the garden with lots of new toys they got in the PO box...thank you guys!! 

Albi had to be separated from Sina as for some reason he turned into a complete horndog (literally) after they got back from the groomer's...it was so strange!!  It's like he fell in love with her all over again, maybe it's her perfume?!  Our groomer does use an amazing doggy perfume/aftershave...  Seriously though, has anyone else ever had this issue?!  It's as if she's in heat even though she's not, he is obsessed with her!  Poor Sina!  She's just too pretty for her own good ;)  

I love my pups!  And thanks so much to Paws for Thought for making them look so gorgeous!

Stay Stylish!