Lifestyle - We're having a girl - Baby Isabella!

Hello everyone! Well, I haven't really posted much about my pregnancy on this blog. Mostly because I have been so busy lately but also because I've been too busy actually enjoying being pregnant! Recently we had our second scan. We found that our little baby was still a little wriggler. In both the scans we have had our little baby has always been a mover!

During the scan we found that baby was developing as baby should and that... she was a girl! We were happy with either gender but it was lovely to finally give our little bump a name, Isabella. Isabella has various personal reasons behind her name which is why we had it chosen well before I fell pregnant for if we ever had a girl! We also have a name for a little boy, however that name reveal will have to wait!

In the above scan photo you can see her sucking her thumb. One of the many poses she pulled for us that day! 

I hope you've all enjoyed this little update. I definitely want to do another post in the new year about my pregnancy and how well it is going. For now if you have any pregnancy posts you'd like to read do let me know in the comments.

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

No7 Advent Calendar - Days 15-21

I can't believe we are so close to Christmas day! This month, as well as this year, has absolutely flown by. My next post will be days 22-25. As you can expect I won't be posting that on Christmas day as I will be busy spending time with family - so expect that one a few days after Christmas! Anyway lets take a look at days 15-21!

Behind number fifteen was one of the No7 High Shine lip pencils. A couple of these were in last years calender and I absolutely love them. They're the perfect thing for people like me that love a bit of lip colour but are too lazy for the upkeep of lipstick!

Number sixteen held one of the No7 nail effect glitter polishes. This year the calender offered a gold variation. Last years was a silver glitter polish and I absolutely loved it. I ended up wearing this polish for Christmas Jumper Day in work and got a lot of compliments from it!

Day number seventeen contained the No7 Youthful Eye Serum. This is, once again, something that came in last years box. I used up the sample just recently from last years box and will swiftly be moving on to this eye cream! It is definitely one I would pick up myself as it is really soothing to the eyes.

Behind door number eighteen was the Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil. A great standard black eyeliner.

Number nineteen held one of the No7 single eyeshadows. I love all the single eyeshadows that they have offered the past two years. These eyeshadows give me a little inspiration to pull out eyeshadow over the festive period and go for some neutral eye looks.

Behind door number twenty was something I had heard was in the calender and was exited to receive - a new, shiny gold, eyelash curler! Okay so I already have an eyelash curler but look, its so shiny, gold and pretty! Can you tell I am easily pleased?

Finally behind door number twenty one was the extravagant volume waterproof mascara. I love the No7 mascaras - I've yet to try one I don't absolutely love. So I am really exited to try this one!

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

No7 Advent Calendar - Days 8-14

Hello again everyone! Firstly if you haven't checked out the first seven days of the No7 calender check them out here. Lets check out the following seven days!

Day eight contained the No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Hand Cream. This is perfect for me at the moment as I am doing my nails a lot over this holiday season. I seem to have more time this year to use my Sensationail kit. So I have been of course pampering my hands alongside it!

Next in store was the No7 Skin Illuminator. Last years No7 advent calender contained this and I really loved it as a natural highlighter. It is great for those of us that want to indulge in this highlighting/strobing faze but don't want to look like a glitter ball!

Behind number ten was the No7 Stay Perfect eye pencil which I actually ended up using for my work night out! It was a lovely gold irredesent colour and actually lasted really well without a primer! Yes I was too lazy to use a primer. Oh well!

Underneath door number eleven was the No7 Body Polish. I've tried this and it a lovely fine scrub. Almost like a salt scrub. I really loved it.

Behind door number twelve is possibly one of my favourites in the calender so far. A BB Lips balm. With the lovely added extra of a slight tint of colour this has been a lovely little addition to my handbag during these winter months!

Behind number thirteen we have another Stay Perfect pencil. I have to say I wasn't too mad on the colour but it is a nice little addition to the collection and I'm sure I'll get some use somewhere down the line!

Finally behind door number 14 was another No7 nail polish. This time in a lovely pink shade in the colour Me Me Me.

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

18 weeks pregnant & 3rd Anniversary Meal at Gustos

I'm slightly late with this blog post. As it stands I am now 19 and a half weeks pregnant! However I thought I would give a little update on how I am getting on anyway. The above picture was taken just as me and Gaz were leaving for our anniversary meal when I was 18 weeks. I'm getting a bump now which is lovely and something which a lot of people have commented on. I've actually graduated to maternity leggings which, oh my word, are the most comfiest thing ever. I may never wear normal leggings again! 

I'm beginning to feel tickles which is lovely and the odd few sensations which I think are kicks! I have my next scan on the 14th to find out if little bump is a boy or a girl. That is if little baby behaves and allows us to see!

Luckily I'm out of the tired faze which a lot of you may have noticed I was in for a while. I suffered awful morning sickness for a good few months. After that I could barely eat much which left me very low energy. I'm a lot better now thankfully. I also have a lot more motivation to blog now!

Craving wise? I'm mad for beef with gravy all over it. Also Fab lollies (I'm eating one as I type this). So nothing really consistent! 

As far as purchases we have bought a lot however I'm planning to do a separate post on that! Anyway lets get on with the main bulk of the post! Mine and Gaz's third anniversary meal.

As always we decided to head to Liverpool to eat at Gustos which is on Liverpool Docks. We have done this ever since our first anniversary. If you ever get the chance to have a meal at Liverpool I highly suggest choosing Gustos. Liverpool was fully decked out for Christmas along with Christmas market stalls so I was well and truly in the festive mood that night! In fact I put my tree up the next day!

We arrived pretty early as we usually do so we decided to have a relax and a few drinks in the lounge type area whilst we waited for our table.

Gaz had his usual pint. Of course I can't drink so I had a lovely mocktail. This particular one was a lovely strawberry and banana mix. There mocktails were jam packed with fruit so I felt that it was not only a treat but also pretty good for me!

When we were seated I decided to go for the spaghetti bolognese which was delicious and the perfect portion size for me. Ever since becoming pregnant I can't deal with large portion sizes!

Gaz went for the lasagne which he has had before and loves. This is one of his favourites so he seems to go for it over and over again!

We also had some garlic bread to share! Overall Gustos was once again lovely. The service is always fantastic and quick. The seating is always so lovely no matter where you are sat in the restaurant. During December it is always so romantically and festively decorated. Myself and Gaz can't fault it and have a lovely time each time we go.

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

No 7 Advent Calendar 2015 - Days 1-7

For those of you that have been loyal readers since last year, and for that I thank you, you will remember me posting about last years No7 Advent Calender. I have to say compared to a lot of others last year that were a total flop... Benifit *cough* paperclips *cough* it really did stand up against its competitors as one of the more affordable calenders on offer. So as you can imagine I was exited to pick up the No7 advent calender this year. Apologies for the photography in these posts being far from perfect - I take these photos in the morning when I get up at 5am for work... otherwise I would forget!

Behind door number one, which is ever so sparkly, is the No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream. This was in last years advent and I absolutely adore it. My skin is so dry in the winter. Since becoming pregnant I seem to have developed severe dry patches on my skin. For the past few days using this day cream has really helped.

Underneath door number two is the No7 Beautiful Skin Body Wash. The scent of this is really nice. I've only used it the once since collecting it from the calender however it does have a lovely scent. I'm exited to try it further!

Number three held a real beauty. No7's Instant Illusions Airbrush Away Primer. Just as I was about to go out and order a new primer! I've been using this for the past week for work. It has held up against my usual L'oreal and Maybelline primers so I may be converted. We will have to see how it goes!

Inside number four was another goodie that was featured in last years calender - the No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator. I must admit I was glad to see this again. It left my skin feling beautifully soft last year and assisted with the horrible dry flakey skin I develop during a winter. I shall definitely be using this little beauty again.

Number five was an absolute pain to get out! I had to resort to using a knife to prying it free... it was the No7 Shine and Tint in a lovely pink shade. Not a colour I would usually reach for however I love having variety I can reach for in my collection. Gloss is also a slightly friendlier option for my dry lips in these colder months.

Well if I thought number five was heard to open... number 6 was even worse! I once again had to delve into my knife drawer and use a thinner bladed knife to pry it free (don't try this at home kids). Luckily it was worth it. The photo doesn't pick it up to well but it is a lovely iridescent purple shade. Last year the No7 calender held so many beautiful eyeshadow shades that were perfect for chucking in my bag and perfect shimmery shades for the holiday season.

Finally for this post we have door number seven. Behind door number seven was this lovely red polish. Perfect for the festive season! I tried a few of the No7 polishes from the calender last year and I absolutely loved them so I can't wait to try out this gel finish formula.

Overall No7 have had a really impressive first seven days! Here is hoping the next seven willbe just as impressive!

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

Sensationail - NOTD - Silver Glitter

I'm all about the glitter, especially now that it is officially the Christmas season! We've hit December and I can safely say for the remainder I will be wearing glitter polish! This polish is absolutely gorgeous. I've been wearing it since Friday night and I have had absolutely no chips! Unlike normal glitter polish this gel polish was not a pain to apply and only needed two coats to get this opaqueness. If you're looking for a festive Sensationail gel to pick up I would seriously suggest giving this one a go!

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

NOTD - Sensationail - Rose Gold Glitter

It is officially Christmas in my head. Tis the season for me to begin celebrating! So, as you would expect, I have deemed it socially acceptable to begin wearing sparkly nail polish. If you check out my Instagram you will see I have already begun stocking up on sparkly polish for the season. This week I have chosen Rose Gold Glitter from Sensationail which I have had my eye on for a while.

I have received loads of compliments on this polish, not just on the colour but on how beautifully the glitter catches the light.  Photos really don't do this polish justice. I'm so exited to try the other glitter polishes from the Sensationail range.

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

Lifestyle - I'm Pregnant!

Hello everyone. As promised last week I am here with a post that will, hopefully, explain my recent absence from the blogging scene. I'm pregnant! I'm just over 15 weeks as it stands. As you can imagine I've been exhausted the past few weeks. Pregnancy and working full time can really take it out of a girl! Consequently there have been a few occasions where I have had to miss a blog post or two to catch up and rest.

Now, luckily, I seem to be getting my energy back so I should be posting regularly as usual! I'd love to involve some pregnancy/baby blog posts in the future so keep an eye out for those!

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

Lifestyle: Belated Halloween Post

Hello everyone! As you may have noticed I've been rather less active on the blogging scene! If you haven't seen the reason over on Twitter stick around for a blog post! For now I thought I'd post a few snaps of mine and Gaz's Halloween. 

Unfortunately I wasn't very well all day on Halloween but it was fun to watch and help Gaz carve his pumpkin! We also got our first trick or treaters since we moved in to our place! We didn't have any last year!

What did you get up to this Halloween? Let me know in the comments!

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

Sensational NOTD - Taupe Tulips & Sugar Plum

Hello all! Today I am writing up another Sensational Gel Nails post. I've not had an awful lot of time to sit and do my nails as of late but I did manage to this week so I thought I'd give it a mention!

I used the colours Sugar Plum which is a deep berry colour and Taupe Tulips which is fast becoming my favourite nude. I don't know why but this colour combination has made me feel very festive! I can't wait to pick up some festive nail colours and experiment!

What have you been wearing for on your nails this Autumn? Let me know in the comments!

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

Lush Twilight Bath Bomb - Review

Hello everyone! First off, apologies for the lack of blog post last week! I was very busy and very unwell. I am still unwell this week but I'm making sure I have a blog post written for you guys! Yay! Today we're taking a look at the Lush Twilight bath bomb which can be picked up for £3.35.

Forgive the yellowish lighting. As always, I take bath bomb photos with my phone as I don't trust myself dangling my camera above my bath! Also I used this bath bomb during the night so I had less than natural lighting! Anyway! The bath bomb itself is understated. It diffuses a lovely mix of pink and blue into your bath resulting in a lovely purple colour. As with all Lush bath bombs the bath bomb dissolves over a good amount of time, letting you get the most out of your bath bomb.

The scent of this bath bomb is absolutely gorgeous. It has the calming scent of lavender with under tones of refreshing citrus scents. It is the perfect bath bomb for relaxing in the evenings which is, coincidently, what I used it for!

Overall I loved this bath bomb and intend on picking it up again when I can for relaxing pamper nights!

Have you tried the Twilight bath bomb? What is your favourite bath bomb of choice? Let me know in the comments!

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

W7 Brow Parlour - Review

For the longest time I've been looking for an affordable brow kit. I'm not too fussed with my brows, I'll be honest. They just need a little bit of filling in. I'm not the type of person that could be bothered to draw in amazingly styled and detailed eyebrows each day frankly! So I don't want to spend an arm and a leg on a kit. I spotted the W7 Brow Parlour kit on Amazon a while back and new instantly that I wanted to try it. I've tried so many of the W7 paletted and been impressed that I knew I wouldn't be let down.You can pick up the W7 Brow Parlour here for only £3.46!  

The palette is pretty impressive. It comes with a brow wax, highlight powder and two brow powders. I will say that for those with lighter hair this kit may be a touch too dark with the brow powder shades on offer however for me it is perfect. You also get a set of mini tweezers, perfect for travel, and an angled brush and brow comb.

I absolutely love this little kit. The shades are perfect for those, like me, who prefer a natural filled in brow. The wax also makes sure the product you apply stays put. I haven't yet had the opportunity to take this little kit away with me but it will be perfect when I get the opportunity too! Even the little brushes and tweezers come in handy!

Do you have a go to brow kit? What is your favourite product for your brows? Let me know in the comments!

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

*Affiliate links have been used* 

Real Techniques - Miracle Complexion Sponge - Review

A few months ago I managed to bag a few real techniques sponges at a bargain price. You know me I'm always on the hunt for a bargain! I've been meaning to try a beauty sponge for the longest time but as always I'm slow to try out hyped products... which is good I suppose. The hyped products that tend to linger on the bloggersphere tend to be the real gems to go out and pick up and this sponge is no exception.

For those of you that don't know how to use the miracle complexion sponge you simply soak it under the tap until it has absorbed water and wring out the excess water. The sponge pretty much doubles in size which is pretty impressive! This sponge is often compared with the Beauty Blender which I just can't bring myself to try. That price for something that needs to be chucked out every few months? No thank you!

This sponge makes the application process pretty easy. I use the flat base to apply the foundation to my face whilst using the rounded sides to blend the foundation. The pointed tip is perfect for getting under the eyes and around the nose.

Personally I have a problem sometimes with foundation clingy to the eczema on my face. Usually this is around my nose and under my eyes but during the winter it can be patchy all over my face and make it look really obvious that I'm wearing foundation. The miracle complexion sponge seems to help counteract this. I don't know if it's because of the water added with the foundation but it no longer leaves that clinged on foundation look. 

The only thing about the sponge is that, for me, it needs water. I've heard a lot of good things about using this sponge dry but I do prefer to use it wet. For me that is a bit annoying as I'm not near a sink as I get ready for work each day. Consequently, during the weekdays I neglect this sponge and opt for the easy make-up brush. Another downside is washing the sponge. It is a bit of a pain and because of the orange colour it can be difficult to spot where needs cleaning. I also prefer to wash the sponge after each use which in itself can be a bit of a pain! For those wondering I clean my sponge with baby shampoo and it seems to do the job!

Despite the negatives, which lets be honest is down to my own laziness, I really love this sponge. I currently have two so I can use one and have one washed! I can't see myself being without it in the future any time soon!

Have you tried the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments!

| BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick - Candy Mist

Hello everyone! Once again today I am continuing my look at the Natural Collection Moisture Shine lipsticks. Today I am taking a look at Candy Mist. From the bullet this lipstick looks very deep, however looks can be deceiving! 

Candy Mist is actually very much on the frosted pink side, as the name would suggest but the bullet would not. Personally I'm a big fan of this type of lipstick to chuck on when you don't want too much on your lips but just a touch of sparkle. Even with my pale complexion I feel as though this pale pink works very well! 

What do you think?

 | BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

Changes to Bella's Beauty Blog!

Hello everyone! For those of you that may have chatted to me on twitter or spotted on my Instagram, I'm now back to work for this academic year! Not only that but I have gone back under a new job role and full time. Last year I worked part time alongside gaining my QTS which allowed for a day that I could use a few hours to write up my two blog posts for the week.

Now, unfortunately, I won't be able to post twice a week... Well that's a lie I could but to be honest I want to use my weekends to relax and focus on spending time with family, friends and the other half! For those of you that blog you will know that writing up a post can take a few hours in itself to edit everything and get it how you want. I'd sooner focus on giving one quality post a week rather than posting twice a week with quick, short and lower quality reviews/posts.

So as of next week I will be posting every Wednesday at 10:00am. This will be for the foreseeable future and may go back to two posts a week soon/when I have spare time or time off. However for now I need a bit of time to get used to my new routine!

Any feedback on my blog or the schedule would be fantastic. Please leave any feedback in the comments or tweet me on twitter. Please let me know what you'd like to see more of!

 | BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter | 

Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick - Cranberry

As promised, here is the start of my look at the Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipsticks! Today we're taking a look at the shade Cranberry. In the bullet the shade is as the name would suggest, a deep cranberry shade. However on the lips it is slightly different.

As you can see on the lips it is a much lighter shade of pink. It is a beautiful shade and applies very smoothly. It is definitely one of my favourite, natural pink shades of the collection!

Have you tried the shade Cranberry? What is your favourite shade? Let me know in the comments below!

 | BlogLovin | Instagram | Twitter |