PhotoBox + 5O FREE prints

Photobox has become my favourite place to get my photos printed.

I've ordered my prints with these guys twice now and only ever had to pay for the postage (£2.99) and apart from the odd bad quality photo (which they did warn the quality wasn't great before I went ahead of my order) 

I've joined up to other photo printing sites but their prices have never matched photobox's 

even with their free prints offers the postage was still more than photobox delivery charges. 

Even better if I recommend  a friend who doesn't have an account I get another 5O FREE prints,canvas,photo book and other options to choose from and a friend will get 5O FREE prints too! 

If you round up enough friends to recommend you end up with a nice little bundle of items to get your hands on be it a gift for a family member/friend or yourself.

 The offers are endless I'm forever getting emails with new offers of money off posters, spiral books, calendars etc..

If you don't already have an account and would like me to recommend you to get yourself 5O FREE prints feel free to leave me your email address and I'll recommend you :)

Where's your favourtie place to order prints?

#Silent Sunday

IBS and how it affects me

I've been um'ing and ar'ing about making a post about my IBS for a little while now because it is a little bit to much information talking about my bowels and their movements.

But fear not I will not be going into to much detail where you'll need a sick bucket on stand by!

After having a panic attack in the middle of London before getting to my friends wedding and my IBS being the cause of it to start in the first place, I realized how much having IBS is controlling my life!

All I did was eat and that was it panic set in, The thought of having a flare up while on the coach scared the hell out of me so much so I was in tears (as well as wanting to go home because I didn't feel I could go so far from home alone)

turning down invites for dinner at friends, having to literally run home from my parent's house after eating my unexpected dinner (seeming really rude to my dad because he was unaware I had it) as its not really a conversation you have with people unless they ask, Any meals I have out with Andy or friends I have to go straight home no socializing over drinks once we've eaten, the list really is endless.

My journey originally started shortly after Daisie was born (2O11) but when I was asked to do a sample I said yes took the tube and never done it because I was far to embarrassed, fast forward 2 years and my mother in-law was diagnosed with bowel cancer with very much symptoms similar to mine. It really gave me the kick up the bum to get myself sorted because it could be anything causing me this pain, awful bloating and any kind of meal I eat lasting a maximum of 3O minutes (pretty pointless eating tbh) and the longer I left it if there was something more serious wrong it would be VERY serious if I left it another year!

So with a sample done at last and many blood tests, I had to have a flexible sigmoidscopy done to check if there was any other causes to my problems.
I have a MRI scan Monday to check the inflammation that came back in one of the biopsies taken from the sigmoidscopy I had and then I'll be seeing a dietician next month to sort out a diet to follow to see if that makes any difference and see what they think would be the best route for me.

Me and others have wondered a fair bit if I could be suffering with something else because not only do I have awful stomach pain and bloating I also end up with a mouth full of ulcers :(
1 or 2 I can handle but 5+ all around my mouth making it painful to even talk let alone eat, is beyond a joke! Every ulcer treatment going has failed to work pastes,gels,mouthwashes and tablets granted the tablets worked for the first week but that's it.
My drinking habits of a 1.75 litre of cola a day can't be helping the matter but if I dare to drink anything else be it pure juice, diluted juice, flavoured water,flavoured fizzy drinks etc I end up with the mouth full of ulcers by the next day.
But because I was gaining weight rather than loosing it most doctors didn't seem to want to investigate any further for other things and the ones they have my bloods have come back negative for.
I've only just started gaining weight 2 years after having my second daughter before that I was always 6st maximum so it's a welcome change but I can stop gaining now that would be wonderful.

I've had to deflate my girls when they come to me with beaming smiles bursting with excitement asking if I'm having another baby, Daily I do look a good few months pregnant and I have been spoke about in the school playground about expecting another (the joys of gossip)

 The above bloating was in the early days of my IBS, so imagine this around double the size I no longer need to eat to end up like this it's now just permanently there.
I no longer need to eat for my stomach to become irritated and having a flare up I can be on the school run and suddenly have to run home as quick as I can.

As embarrassed as I am from suffering with IBS I do know I am not alone and it's more common then I thought.

Bargain ebay watches

It really is no secret I LOVE a bargain, recently referred to as an eBay queen *insert monkey hiding eyes smiley* but I wear my crown with pride :)

Now a watch for not even £2?? 

You'd be silly not to buy one, of course for that price you don't/can't expect the quality to be that of what you'd expect from a watch from river island or topshop.

but to be fair for the price the quality really isn't all that bad, As you can tell from the picture (credit to my wonderful other half) None of the watches are set to the correct or same time because I haven't actually worn any of them yet but they are soo pretty and such a bargain does it matter if I never wear them?

They will take pride on my wrist this summer.

 

 

Floral watch - £1.27 FREE delivery and available in 6 different colours, you can purchase here

Mint watch - £1.52 FREE delivery, available in 15 different colours, you can purchase here

Cat watch -  £1.87 FREE delivery, available in 4 different colours, purchase here

Do you have a bargain eBay watch I should check out?

Summer bucket list Jar

This was orginally a task to do with the girls but the weekend ended up being so hectic with Issy being out helping daddy clear bubbles shed (bubbles is Andy's dad) 

I got the jar out with some glue and some bits to stick to it with Daisie so she could decorate a side and Issy do the other but Daisie stuck one or two bits on and then wandered off to do her own thing instead.

So abit of a fail, Issy is yet to decorate her side but in the mean time I've been busy filling it with all sorts of things we could get up to over the summer holidays!

 (I'm trying to work out if the jar was for my sake or the girls)

 We can use this jar in two ways take a look at the things we could get up to that day and pick one OR pick one at random and see what the jar decides for us.

 I usually do my bucketlist in a blog post with just a standard list 

but wheres the fun in that for the girls?

Do you have a summer bucket list? Is there anything you suggest we get up to this summer holidays?

#Silent Sunday

We've gone loom band loony

I'm sure you've seen the new loom band craze EVERYWHERE, shops, schools, facebook etc

Issy first came home with one from school a friend had given her so with that when I came across some at my local market at a bargain price of £1 each for a bag of 6OO or 3 for £2.5O 

they were coming home with me.

At first she wasn't all that interested as she had a friend from school round for the first time but now she'll happily sit and make one.

They are so simple to do and keep Issy quiet for hours, I've seen some really impressive ones that make my 3 ^ look pathetic.

I've seen elsa,anna,minions and unicorns!!

After looking for tutorials I noticed quite a few needed a loom

so on Wednesday it went without saying that a loom kit including S hooks,bands and a loom board for £3 it came home with me.

Being the new craze some kits are selling for £1O+

I also sit for hours making some new little creations even if I am sat alone and could be doing something a bit more productive for my age.

They remind me of scoobies I used to make growing up (I was alot better at those)

Have you joined in this latest craze?

July Blog Love #2

My top 5 go to blogs

writelikenooneswatching

 What a gorgeous little duo Charlotte and her little man make :) 

I love getting little insights into their life together from reading Charlotte's posts.

 

ohsoamelia 

Kerry's blog was one of the first blogs I came across and she covers so many areas from parenting, home decor, recipes right up to the odd fashion post. 

I get so much inspiration from Kerry's posts :)

sunshineonacloudyday

What a gorgeous smile Gemma has, Her smile alone drew me to her blog :)

Another great blogger who covers a range of topics.

 

sheandlife 

Ella's blog is full of so much inspiration for crafts,  I'm dying to give her pallet bench ago for my own garden, No doubt mine will end up more of a heap that looks like the beginning of a bon fire :/

Another blogger covering a wide range of topics!

I love nothing more than finding a wide range of posts in one place :)

fatbeautyx

I'm dying to go shopping with this wonderful woman! watching her vlogs leave me beaming like a Cheshire cat because she's just so down to earth and seems so fun to be around.

And what a inspiration for style and very talented lady! 

If you don't already pop over to these wonderful ladies blogs and give them a follow :)

How I get my hair so bright

Some of you will already know the answer but I often get asked what hair dye I use, How do I get it so bright and have others that have tried using the same dye but not get the same brightness because they left the important bit out.

BLEACH! Although now I no longer use 12% peroxide to get my brightness, I now use XXL live blonde before adding colour.

Dyes I use are directions, manic panic, XXL live and the odd crazy colour.

 

Having hair this colour does come at the cost of my hand changing colour everytime I wash my hair, turning my white tops whatever colour my hair is if I wear my hair down (it does wash out) and sometimes my bathroom. Oh and my scalp! my scalp has often got pretty blistered during the turning my hair a white blonde process before colour, hence why I prefer to use directions,manic panic and crazy colour when it comes to adding colour as it doesn't have any chemicals in and is pretty much like a hair gel so can be slept in for better and brighter results AND less damage then two lots of chemical hair dyes would do.

 

 

Daisie's starting nursery

Today my teeny 6lbs 4.O5oz baby had her stay and play at nursery where she got the chance to meet her teachers and some other little ones that will be starting at the same time as her in September.

While there we filled out her about me form ready for her little marvelous me book and she had her photo taken for it too, They got a lovely big smile from her I'm so excited to see the picture.

 But no trip out to the dentist (she begged me for weeks to go to the dentist and today was her appointment) is complete without a little hand bag full of cat teddies and a miniature dog teddy, 

Daisie absolutely loved having lots of friends to play with and lots of toys to share with them :)

She loved joining in sitting in a circle with the others singing along to a few songs before it was home time and sitting down with a carton of milk and a biscuit.

 Heart strings getting tugged all over the place lately, Even tho she was very happily playing she still nipped over to see me to make sure I was still there and that I was okay!
We will be receiving her start date within the next few weeks, excited just doesn't cover it :)
No doubt I'll be in tears on her first day but I'm so excited for her, she's ended up in tears almost everyday when I have to say no to her going to nursery because it isn't time yet.
With September nearing not only is my tiniest baby starting nursery my biggest one is going into year two!!!

Do you have a little one starting nursery/school this September?

A peek into my instagram #2

If you don't already follow me on instagram and would like to you can find me under 'mummaoftwogirls'
or by following this linky 'here' :)

God I love poundland

Now we all know I love a good bargain, So it goes without saying that I'm a big fan of poundland and 99p store.

There's so many hidden gems in these places

The girls don't even need shampoo but like hell was I leaving these behind, Who doesn't love disney princesses and frozen?

I'm still undecided if I bought them for me or the girls, I only noticed the frozen stuff as I was quing up so I'm heading back tomorrow to see if there's anything I missed and if they stock the bubble bath and nail polish I was tagged in by a friend on instagram.

(sorry for the picture quality I grabbed the photos from my instagram)

Anxiety and travelling

Yesterday I traveled up to fareham Hampshire by train,coach and then a taxi.

Yeah so what?

Well all was going well until I boarded the coach then the panic set in, I had to breathe in and out as if I was in labour and then came the tears I was ready to run off the coach and back to the train station to come home I can't do this.

But I had to there was no way in hell I was letting one of my best friends from primary school down on her big and special day, We haven't seen each others in years and I was lucky enough to get an invite.

So a quick text to my mum just simply saying tell me I can do this?

With a reply back of how I can do it and just imagine my friend Beckies face when she see's me there

That was it set in stone I'm not turning back!

The coach set off I was still in quite a flap knowing I couldn't turn back now and many times tempted to run to the front and ask him to stop so I could get off.

Then came a text from Andy he was just setting off himself to meet me at the other end, Brilliant I can relax now a little while later my phone vibrates and Andys text he has a problem with his bike and has to go back. Que my stomach just dropping so hard it almost made me gag then never mind his still coming he'll just be a little later no problem.

After nodding off a few times and reading my magazine to keep my mind of panicking I arrived at Fareham bus station! 

Then it was a taxi to the wedding venue, As i'm strolling up to the church I see my friends nan and automatically felt safe again, she's known me since I was tiny she was shocked about my travel to get there and then came the god send I could jump in the car back with them if I wanted.

Halleluiah!!!

I wasn't due to travel back until 12:3O the next day and already having panic attacks I was dreading it.

With the lift being offered for that night and Andy having so many bike problems we decided it would be best he didn't struggle to get up there and I'll see him when I get home, As by the time he got to me it would be around 8-9pm anyway, so it made sense for him to just stay put at home.

 If you suffer with anxiety you'll know how going somewhere over 2 hours away from home alone and staying is a BIG thing to do

With the offer of a lift home that night I was able to relax and enjoy the day.

 

The summer tag

1.  What's your favourite thing about Summer?

It has to be the weather! Waking up and knowing it's going to be a warm day without a cloud in the sky! The sun shining is an instant happiness boost for me.

2.  Do you have a favourite Summer drink?

If it's a warm summers day and I'm in about out of the garden - reading and sunbathing generally, I like to make up a batch of Lipton Lemon Ice Tea in a big jug with ice and keep it in the fridge. If you are lucky and have a world food aisle in your local Tesco you should definitely try it! I also love making a fruit smoothie in the morning for breakfast and sitting in the garden to drink it.

3.  Is there a location you like to go to each Summer?

I love going to the beach in summer for a picnic/BBQ though it's always way more crowded than I imagine. But Barbecues in my garden is the thing I love the most! 

 

4.  Favourite makeup look for Summer?

I don't really change my makeup too much with each season. But for warm days I like to do a simple winged eye and a bold lip or stain depending on how warm it is. I discovered for hot days a good lip stain is my best friend for looking still made up even after my eyes have gone a little smudged. 

5.  Dresses or skirts?

Pretty summer dresses all the way! I love skirts with black tights in winter but as soon as summer comes along I love wearing comfortable above the knee dresses (mainly from Primark as they always have so many lovely ones).

 

6.  Sandals or ballet pumps?

Since discovering Melissa ballet pumps (which literally are indestructible and waterproof!) I wear them all year round - I have 6+ pairs now. So I continue to wear them come summer but I do love sandals especially with dresses and on holiday they are a must. 

7.  Do you prefer to wear your hair up or down for Summer?

Most days I'm lazy and stick my hair up in a high messy bun but if I take the time to straighten my hair or curl it with my Babyliss Conical Wand I do prefer how it looks. 

8.  Deep smokey eyes or bold lips?

I always find a bold lip much easier even if it takes some maintenance during the day. I also feel like I don't wear bold lipsticks enough any other part of the year so I love delving into my lipstick drawer and deciding what I'm going to use. I love both Kiko and Clarins for super pigmented but hydrating lipsticks!

9.  Favourite perfume for Summer?

I love, love, love wearing pretty floral and fruity perfumes in summer, even if the bees are attracted to me! My absolute favourite for the past two years has been Vera Wang Princess - such a creamy floral vanilla scent that is perfectly summery. 

10.  Last but not least, favourite music for Summer?

Ohh, this is a tough one as I don't really think my music tastes change throughout the year. If I'm in a super happy mood, which is generally when it's a sunny day and I'm getting ready, I listen to a 90's playlist on Spotify - Savage Garden, Green Day, Alanis Morissette etc! But it's generally what's in the charts... do the charts even exist these days? Currently loving Happy by Pharrell, All of Me by John Legend and anything by Bastille.

- See more at: http://www.makeupsavvy.co.uk/2014/06/the-summer-tag.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+co%2FXRuB+%28Makeup+Savvy%29#sthash.N7qrsAWX.dpuf

Who doesn't love a good tag? 

Whats your favourite thing about summer?

Being able to wear pretty sandals and lovely clothes without having to hide it all under a big clumpy coat.

Do you have a favourite summer drink?

  I wish :( I'd love nothing more than to drink a lovely pure juice packed with ice cubes but my mouth just won't allow it and I'm still no closer to the cause.

Is there a location you like to go to each summer?

I'd love to be able to just dissapear to a beach with the girls and Andy, This year may be the year where we may just start :)

Favourite make-up look for summer?

It would have to be the usual natural with no shadow etc, It all ends up dripping off because of the heat so anything more than that could end up quite messy.

Dresses or skirts?

Dresses for me, Skirts always make me look and feel frumpy because of my sticky out hips and I just don't feel comfortable.

Sandals or ballet pumps?

Sandals as much as I hate my feet I do like to have my little painted piggys out, ballet pumps always leave me with horrible blisters

Do you prefer to wear your hair up or down for summer?

It's got to be up, I get way to hot and frustrated with my hair down in the winter let alone the summer.

Deep smokey eyes or bold lips?

Bold lips all the way for me.

Favourite perfume for the summer?

I don't really have a fave but I love the smell of Katie prices first 2 perfumes but I'm dying to get my hands on some Marc Jacobs perfume

Last but not least, favourite music for the summer?

My go to album for the last 5 years of summer has been Natty - Man like I

Me and Andy went to see the streets for our first date and he was a support act we stayed for him and left as soon as the streets came on (just awful live) as soon as we got home we bought Natty's album and we play it every year while relaxing in the garden :)

Got to love abit of reggae too.

I tag anyone who would like to take part, I'd love to read your answers 

feel free to leave me a comment with a link to your answers.

1.  What's your favourite thing about Summer?

It has to be the weather! Waking up and knowing it's going to be a warm day without a cloud in the sky! The sun shining is an instant happiness boost for me.

2.  Do you have a favourite Summer drink?

If it's a warm summers day and I'm in about out of the garden - reading and sunbathing generally, I like to make up a batch of Lipton Lemon Ice Tea in a big jug with ice and keep it in the fridge. If you are lucky and have a world food aisle in your local Tesco you should definitely try it! I also love making a fruit smoothie in the morning for breakfast and sitting in the garden to drink it.

3.  Is there a location you like to go to each Summer?

I love going to the beach in summer for a picnic/BBQ though it's always way more crowded than I imagine. But Barbecues in my garden is the thing I love the most! 

 

4.  Favourite makeup look for Summer?

I don't really change my makeup too much with each season. But for warm days I like to do a simple winged eye and a bold lip or stain depending on how warm it is. I discovered for hot days a good lip stain is my best friend for looking still made up even after my eyes have gone a little smudged. 

5.  Dresses or skirts?

Pretty summer dresses all the way! I love skirts with black tights in winter but as soon as summer comes along I love wearing comfortable above the knee dresses (mainly from Primark as they always have so many lovely ones).

 

6.  Sandals or ballet pumps?

Since discovering Melissa ballet pumps (which literally are indestructible and waterproof!) I wear them all year round - I have 6+ pairs now. So I continue to wear them come summer but I do love sandals especially with dresses and on holiday they are a must. 

7.  Do you prefer to wear your hair up or down for Summer?

Most days I'm lazy and stick my hair up in a high messy bun but if I take the time to straighten my hair or curl it with my Babyliss Conical Wand I do prefer how it looks. 

8.  Deep smokey eyes or bold lips?

I always find a bold lip much easier even if it takes some maintenance during the day. I also feel like I don't wear bold lipsticks enough any other part of the year so I love delving into my lipstick drawer and deciding what I'm going to use. I love both Kiko and Clarins for super pigmented but hydrating lipsticks!

9.  Favourite perfume for Summer?

I love, love, love wearing pretty floral and fruity perfumes in summer, even if the bees are attracted to me! My absolute favourite for the past two years has been Vera Wang Princess - such a creamy floral vanilla scent that is perfectly summery. 

10.  Last but not least, favourite music for Summer?

Ohh, this is a tough one as I don't really think my music tastes change throughout the year. If I'm in a super happy mood, which is generally when it's a sunny day and I'm getting ready, I listen to a 90's playlist on Spotify - Savage Garden, Green Day, Alanis Morissette etc! But it's generally what's in the charts... do the charts even exist these days? Currently loving Happy by Pharrell, All of Me by John Legend and anything by Bastille.

- See more at: http://www.makeupsavvy.co.uk/2014/06/the-summer-tag.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+co%2FXRuB+%28Makeup+Savvy%29#sthash.N7qrsAWX.dpuf

Make shopping fun

Daisie hasn't stopped begging to go to nursery this morning (she doesn't start until september)

So Andy decided he'd take her to the shops instead so she's still out and not so restless.

Then it hit me why not make her up a fun little shopping list with pictures?

(I did grab a quick picture but the quality is awful and you can barely see as we done it all colourful in pencils which haven't been picked up to well)

So I  grabbed the best example I could find on google.

She loved the idea of having her own little list to tick off as they go round picking up items on the list :)

I was chuffed that she could recognize my attempt of a potato.

So off they went with her little shopping list and crayon in hand full of excitement!

We all know how stressful shopping with a bored and restless toddler/little one can be

This is something I plan to do every time the girls have to come shopping with me.

I'll update this post with pictures of Daisie with her shopping list in hand and our next trip out with her list.

LUSH Granny takes a dip

Granny takes a dip £3.25

This ginger, pepper and lemon-scented bath bomb turns your water psychedelic and puts some colour in your life. Simply drop into a warm bath and watch as its fizzing centre dissolves into multi-coloured waters. Its spicy, citrusy scent will pep you up: lemon oil boosts the mood, while ginger and pepper are warming.

 

 

I finally got round to using my granny takes a dip bath bomb!

I wasn't disapointed although it didn't fizz and spin as crazily as other bath bombs but how often is it you see a granny going nuts in the middle of a rave? 

The explosion of colour is amazing and the smell is just umpf... 

You could easily break it in half to use another time but I was greedy and put mine in whole but if your going for a quick dip you can just break some off and leave the rest for another bath or two.

As it's a fairly big bath bomb

I'm a big kid when it comes to bath-bombs so for the explosion of colour alone I'd definitely repurchase!

Have you tried something new from LUSH lately?

Wedding Gifts - Ebay

As I'm attending a wedding on Saturday I thought I'd put together

some gift ideas that caught my eye and would love to receive when I get married (even tho I don't drink champagne or hot drinks)  But how cute are those glasses & mugs.

My H&M SALE picks

Cheap & Cheerful Statement necklaces

I'm not much of a jewellery wearer but recently I feel a nice statement necklace would finish off my outfit perfectly!

So as I'm new to wearing necklaces I refuse to spend alot on one necklace for it to sit on the side.

Each of these necklaces cost no more than £4 BARGAIN!

I dread they may look cheap and tacky on arrival but at prices like £2.97 or so each it's not to much of a loss or a bank breaker if it goes to the girls for their dressing up box.

Each of these necklaces can be found on eBay searching statement necklace.

Pretty Please - River Island

A look back at the past 5 years of Me & Andy ❤

WARNING - Picture heavy post! 

On Tuesday me and Andy had been together for 5 years so I thought I'd take small look back at the past 5 years of us, I obviously won't post ALL of them as that would bore the hell out of you and take up a fair bit of my blog.