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!

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Lifestyle: Windermere Day Out

Hello everyone! If you follow me on Instagram, check me out here, you will know that me and Gareth recently went on a little day out to Windermere. Gareth had booked a week off of work and I am off for the summer. It's rare that we ever both have time off at the same time so we thought we would use the opportunity to go on a little day out... so we made our butties, packed our crisps and chocolate and went!

We decided to take a trip down to Windermere as Gareth's mum and dad used to love it here. I haven't been in a while either so it was lovely to take a trip down there!

It was absolutely roasting when we went! This mint choc chip ice cream, my favourite if anyone is taking notes, melted faster than I could eat it! I managed however to salvage it! You can't beat an ice cream on a hot day!

We decided to take one of the boat trips they had on offer. They had a few with different routes which is great. Since we didn't want to get too lost as we had train times to keep an eye on for getting home we decided we'd take a boat trip that simply took us round Windermere Lake and then deposited us back to where we started! Above you can see Gaz's 'I'm on a boat' pose. Somebody please forward this post to vogue.

Ignore my lopsided fringe! This is us relaxing on the boat! I just had to scrape my hair back as it was far too warm! The whole ride took around 45 minutes and was £15 for the two of us.

I couldn't stop taking photos as we went around. Every sight was so beautiful! Not only were there the bigger tour boats there were also boats for hire available and boats that people owned out on the lake.

The hotels and houses located around the lake were stunning. I hope me and Gaz can come back for a weekend away somewhere near the lake!

We really looked out on the weather. It was scorching hot and we really needed to keep on top of the factor 50! Still I managed to get burnt on my back and of course I was wearing a dress with a patterned cut out back so my back looked very unusually burnt!

This is Gaz's 'deep in thought pose'. As we went round the lake on the tour the boat driver gave little bits of description and history of the lake which was nice.

As we came to the end of the tour we decided we would sit and eat our dinner on the bits of green you can see on the picture. We brought Kit-Kats to snack on and they had melted in to some other form by the time we came to eat! Needless to say they needed to be chucked in the fridge when we got home to be brought back to life!

Overall it was a lovely day out. I would totally recommend Windermere particularly when the weather is lovely and warm. The lake itself isn't too far from town to so if you fancy a bit of shopping you can pop in to town too! We popped in to town on the way home to pick up fudge for Gaz, one of his favourites, as well as a cooler from Costa for me!

Have you been to Windermere before? Where would you recommend for a good day out? Let me know in the comments!

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Fashion & Lifestyle: Engagement Party, OOTN and Nails!

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well! Today I thought I would do a quick outfit of the night (OOTN) post and nail art post! These photos are actually from my engagement party last weekend so you will have to forgive me for the delay as I have been back in work this week and I like to stick to my usual Monday and Friday posting schedule!

OOTN

I thought I would take my OOTN shot from the photos we took on the night (ah the infamous bathroom shot) as to be honest these were the best and taken with a better camera than my Iphone that's for sure! For mine and Gareth's engagement party we decided to go out to our local Wetherspoons with around about 15 of our close friends. We wanted something quick, simple and affordable for everyone which I think we accomplished. It was also really nice seeing all my close friends and being able to catch up with the 1:1!

So lets get on to my actual outfit! My cardigan is one I wear all the time for work, nights out and days out its a great cardigan to throw over any outfit and to be honest I need to pick up a new one! I picked it up from New Look around a year ago. My dress is from Primark and I got it last year. It is one of those dresses that is pretty but unusual. It is a very light blue and is made from all over stretchy material. The flower design on the dress is actually raised from the rest of the dress and is embossed in other areas - very unusual and different! Well done Primark! The dress is pretty much body con which is why I don't often wear it! I don't have the confidence to wear it often! My belt is from ASOS a few years ago! My leggings are from Peacock and my combat high heeled boots are from New Look. I absolutely love the boots! New look have them in a range of styles and if my bank balance would allow it I would buy all the styles! They're the only heeled shoe I can walk in!

Barry M - Prickly Pear, Yellow Topaz and MUA Top Coat

My nails were kind of a last minute decision to do! I had some free time so I thought I would pamper myself! I chose to use Barry M and painted them using their gelly polish in Prickly Pear topped with Yellow Topaz gold glitter polish also from Barry M. I then used MUA's top clear coat to top them all off!

Engagement Party

We had a fantastic night and I am so happy that we managed to see a lot of our friends on our engagement night! I would like to thank everyone that came out that night and I would also like to thank all of you that have commented on my announcement post and tweeted me with your congratulations and well wishes. Considering I don't do too many lifestyle posts I was shocked by how well it was received! 

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Anniversary Gift Ideas - One Year Anniversary

So today marks my one year anniversary for me and my boyfriend. The last weekend we have been celebrating our year anniversary by having a meal and a night out and then a chilled day in over the weekend. I thought I would make a quick little post to let you guys know what I put together for our anniversary!

I decided I would pick up a Kilner Jar and I would put in all his favourite sweets and chocolate to munch on. I also added little love hearts with different notes in to make him smile as he made his way through the sweets!

To finish it off I added a note saying all the reasons why I loved him and wishing him a happy anniversary! The whole idea is a great little treat for anyone. The jar is pretty affordable, I got mine for £3 and it is a really large size! You can also slowly fill up your jar of sweets/treats as and when you get ideas!

I also bought him a bar of his favourite chocolate bar and a cuddly toy! 

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Top Tips for Freshers Week

1) Use social networking sites - back when I was a student I would often check Facebook and Twitter for various freshers week events. Often different subjects/degree specialties have different groups or societies that often plan freshers activities! Also don't forget to add/accept all the people you meet!

2) Budget! - As much fun as moving out and freshers week is and the idea of going to university it's important you keep an eye on exactly how much you will be spending through the week. You'll be needing the money for things you're probably not used to such as bills and various different things you'll be buying for uni! Not to mention Christmas being round the corner! Eliminate one stress and learn to keep an eye on your finances.

3) Don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone - some activities may push us shy lot out of our comfort zones but it is important to socialize and feel comfortable with the people you are studying with! 

4) Be safe! - For those nights out you do for freshers week be sure to be safe. Have taxi numbers in everyone's phones, pack plasters and such in your bag for those heel incidents, make sure you charge your phone and have credit and make sure at least one person knows your plan for the evening in case something happens! Always stay in groups on nights out! Look out for each other!

5) Don't worry about filling every day with an activity - if you're not feeling it, can't afford it or there aren't many activities that take your fancy don't force yourself to find or make plans! The idea behind freshers week is to have fun so have fun the way you want to!

6) Stock up on vitamins, healthy foods and things for colds/coughs - one thing I learnt VERY QUICKLY through each each is that freshers flu does exist and it is very easily caught! It's nothing too bad just a bad cold and cough but it's best to be prepared if you or your friends/housemates get it!

7) Take photos - these are the best years of your life so make a note of them! 

8) Attend Classes - As tempting as it is if you had a night out during the week to skip an early morning class, don't. These initial classes are important to get your footing in your course. 

9) Stick to safe drinking habits - freshers week can be intense drinking wise to say the least. My advise here is to stick to one drink. Don't mix! Also don't drink away your loan, this doesn't do you or your bank balance any favors and when you get your reading list for the year you will wish you'd have saved! Also keep an eye on your drink - if you leave a drink don't go back to it!

10) HAVE FUN! - overall have fun! University fly by and before you know it it's over! Enjoy this experience and the chance to meet knew and interesting people in environments that are new to you!

So so you have any freshers tips or words of wisdom? Let us know in the comments below!

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50 Facts About Me!

Hey everyone! I hope you've all been doing well! So today I thought I would write a more personal since I have a lot of you lovely readers checking out my blog! I thought I would write up 50 facts about me!

It's funny it's not until you have to write about yourself that you realize how dull you are! Anyway on to the facts!

1) My name is Claire and I live in England

2) I'm 21 years old

3) I have recently finished a degree in English and Communication and media and now I am starting my degree in teaching adults.

4) I'm a meat eater now but for three months I turned pescetarian, then vegetarian for two years then vegan for one. Then I went back to meat due to ease as I was always back and two between houses and uni at the time. One day I might go veggie again!

5) I currently have 4 tattoos; one on each hip and two on my left foot. I have designs drawn up for more which I plan to get once I've started teaching so I can plan where is best to place then.

6) Thanks to university I am amazingly good with trains, not so good with buses! I am learning with buses but on the hole I'm pretty good with public transport.

7) I walk everywhere that's within an hour walk. No idea why I just always enjoy walking more than I do driving/getting a lift! 

8) I've been dying my hair black since I was 16 and I am naturally pretty much bleach blonde!

9) My favorite films are 10 Things I Hate About You, Back to the Future and The Muppets Christmas Carol which I have watched every Christmas. Its a Christmas tradition for me! 

10) I've been with my boyfriend for just under a year now. Our anniversary is December 9th.

11) I am MASSIVELY into 70's/80's music particularly power ballads! I just think the music back then was so much better and the lyrics meant more! 

12) I act about 30, a lot of my friends think I am wise beyond my years and I am often referred to as the mum of the group.

13) My toenails are always painted red. Since I was 16 I painted them red every week! 

14) I also never leave my nails on my hands plain, they look naked!

15) I always straighten my hair because naturally it looks like Monica from Friends in that episode they went abroad...

16) I wear glasses and contact lenses, I wear glasses a lot more now as back in school I hated wearing them as they were my only option; however now I have the choice!

17) I have eczema, sensitive skin and I'm allergic to egg.

18) I've never had a Donna kebab and I have no desire to ever try one; bluergh!

19) Nowadays I only have the occasional drink, usually wine, after taking a 40 day break from it for lent I never really wanted to go back to drinking anymore than a few glasses!

20) I have three pets, a Chihuahua and two chinchillas.

21) I love to play darts and I have a dart board in my room.

22) I am also a massive gamer, I'm a Nintendo girl at heart but I do also have a PS3 currently.

23) I am stubborn at heart.

24) I was about 4 stone heavier in high school.

25) I have 9 piercings.

26) I have never had a filling in my teeth.

27) I can't ride a bike.

28) I like swimming but I'm not the strongest at that either...

29) Although I am obsessed with my nails now I used to bite them so much in high school, to stop myself I used that nail polish that tasted awful...

30) My favorite features about myself are my hands and my legs.

31) I enjoy banter, which is probably why I have more guys as mates!

32) I am so over the top with my boots card, if someone is even just buying a buttie or drink and I'm with them and they don't have a boots card I'm like 'wait use mine!'...

33) I can never ever understand why people are nasty, mean or judgmental to one another. I try to be nice and maintain friendships with everyone. I suppose caring is in my nature!

34) I love writing as you can probably tell! 

35) I have four bookshelves in my room that are full as well as books shoved under my bed and all along the too of my cupboard. I am obsessed with reading.

36) I danced for just under 11 years doing Tap, jazz, ballet and modern among others.

37) I wanted to become a vet when I was younger but realized I wouldn't be able to cope with the emotional aspect of putting down animals so I decided against it.

38) I like watching shows on TV like documentaries the most.

39) I'm soap mad. Particularly Coronation Street. Before last year I didn't really watch it however now I get genuinely gutted if I fall behind on it... Yes I am sad! 

40) Favorite drink is a bottle of Blossom Hill Rose wine or Scrumpy Jack which I recently tried and loved! 

41) My favorite none alcoholic drink is Monster, yes I know it's bad for me but I can't help it!

42) I'm in love with Spicy Doritos even though everyone around me after I've eaten them probably hates me...

43) I used to have a bob in high school and then in college but I decided to grow it back out again before university. Now it's below bra length. Even though its a pain I much prefer it long.

44) I go through headphones like they're going out of fashion.

45) I wear my combat boots with everything; yes everything. When I get married I plan on treating myself to an expensive pair of combat boots and wearing them under my dress because that's just me!

46) My favorite color is red!

47) My favorite take out is chicken and bamboo shoots with chips!

48) I haven't had Facebook for about a year now; I can't stand the thing!

49) I am however obsessed with twitter!

50) I've been blogging for around 5 months now!

WOW I actually managed to find 50 facts about me! I hope you guys enjoyed this more personal post about myself!

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The Liebster Award - I Was Nominated!

As I went to check my blogs twitter the other day I discovered that I had been nominated for the Liebster Award by Ellen by Ellenblogsit who like me is new to the blogging scene so go give her blog a look; and if you're interested in her Liebster nomination blog post click here!

I was also nominated a second time which I was shocked about by Live*Life*Love and then a third time by Harriet Does Makeup! So a big thanks to all the nominations I received! *Edit: I have received a TON more nominations for this award since then so a major thank you to everyone that has since nominated me!*

So for those of you who haven't heard of The Liebster Award here are the rules!

• give 10 random facts about yourself

• answer the 10 questions given by the tagger

• choose 10 bloggers with under 200 followers to pass the award on to and link them in your post

• create 10 new questions for the bloggers you choose

• notify them of their nomination

• no tag backs

so lets gets in to it!

10 random facts about me:

• I recently just graduated from university and I'm now attending college to do a further diploma qualification.
• When I was 16 I turned vegetarian and when I hit 17 I became vegan till I was 20! I eat meat again now mostly for ease as I commute a lot and I am always out and about with people but when the time comes I would love to turn Vegan again!
• I have three pets, a Chihuahua and two chinchillas
• Last year I pretty much took a break from make-up. I wore a bit of foundation occasionally and mascara but that was it. Towards the end of the year I realized just how much I missed playing around with make-up and in particular wearing my eyes dark like I used to at the beginning of the year! So I began wearing it out again!
• I am obsessed with wearing boots and combat boots - I wear them with everything!
• I am also obsessed with nail polish - I have far too much of it!
• As well as beauty I am also in to gaming and reading!
• My hair is pretty much always straight - on the odd occasion I curl it!
• I am awful at applying eyeshadow but I am trying to learn!
• I'm naturally blonde, I've been dying my hair black since I was 16. So for 5 years!

Ellen's Questions

1. What's your favourite song right now?

My favorite song right now is Please Don't Say You Love Me by Gabrielle Aplin. I absolutely love the lyrics. However since its been summer I have also been listening to The Beach Boys allllll the time on my Ipod!

2. Best memory of 2013 so far. 

That is a tough one! I have three main ones! Going to Wales for a weekend away, my 21st weekend and my graduation. 2013 has been a tough year but full of big events and dates!

3. Your 'holy grail' make up product.

At the moment I am really loving my Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation which I have reviewed here. It really is giving my skin that summer glow!

4. One fashion trend you don't like. 

A fashion trend I don't like... hmmm. To be honest its one I can't work myself. The whole neon/bright colors trend is lovely but I am just not that confident. So I wear bright colors on my nails instead!

5. Best fashion/beauty tip you have in 10 words or less. 

Always always ALWAYS take your makeup off before bed!

6. If you could only wear one of these at at time would you pick mascara or foundation? 

Mascara! My skin is pretty good naturally thankfully and I do have good eyelashes but I'm all about a dramatic eye!

7. One thing you would never leave the house without. 

Hand cream, perfume, hair brush... all necessities for me!

8. Shorts or skirts? 

Skirts!

9. Country you would most like to visit that you haven't Already. 

America; if only to go shopping crazy.

10. All time favorite TV show. 

Coronation Street!

My Nominees:

• Sisters Who Shop
• Baby Beautiful Mummy
• Beth Does Beauty
• Freckless and Flaws Beauty Blog
• Lashes and Splashes
• Lolly Laura
• A Bit of Mac and Cheese
• The Beauty Hot Squad
• The Fairest of Them All
• Alex Rocks

My questions:

1. What inspired you to start your blog and blogging?
2. Are you a heels or a flats type of girl?
3. What is one beauty thing you can't do that other people seem to able to do?
4. What product can you not live without?
5. Hair... wear it curly, straight or natural?
6. Do you prefer natural nails or fake/false nails?
7. What are your other interests besides what you blog about?
8. What is your favorite food/drink
9. What is your favorite piece of clothing?
10.Who are your favorite bloggers?

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