My Labour Story

Hi Ladies, I've been very neglectful off my blog the past few weeks for obvious reasons

but I am getting back on the wagon and promise to be do more frequent posts. It's just so hard as I said, to find the motivation to do anything after having a baby. All I want to do is laze around and be with our little boy. The past five weeks have went by in a world wind but I don't want to ramble too much as this will probably be a long enough post!! 

The reason I'm sharing my story is because I have been so open about my pregnancy from the get go and there's no point in hiding anything now. I don't however want to put any expecting mothers off labour but I will try to be as honest as I feel necessary, well in all honesty pushing a baby out of ones va ja ja isn't going to be a walk in the park now is it?! So before I begin, for the expecting mothers reading this obviously it hurt like a bitch I would rather have chopped my leg off in that moment and time but we are women, we are made to give birth, unlike men! So, brave a smile and push on my lovelies!

So, as you all know my due date was the 7th July, but did our wee man want to make an appearance then? No!! Of course he didn't, I went ten days over my due date much to my annoyance! Ladies.... I tried EVERYTHING. I mean I did it all, from eating two big pineapples in one go to drinking cup after cup off raspberry tea leaf, to bouncing like a mad man on the ball, running up and down the stairs, power walking, eating Madras Indian curries and yes the same thing that got me my wee man as well!! 

The day after my due date which was the 8th I was back in the hospital for a check-up and my consultant was happy to let me go home and see if anything happened naturally. After trying all of the above, I was back for another routine check-up the following week which was Wednesday 15th. My consultant had decided to set a date to induce me which was Monday 20th of July, much to my annoyance as I just wanted it over and done with at this stage. After giving me an internal examination and a sweep to see if it would kick start anything I was sent home and told to be back in Drogheda hospital on Monday morning at 6.00 am to be induced. That night me and himself watched a movie and just chilled hoping something might happen but I felt no different and had an early night, but baba had different plans! I bolted awake at ten to six on the Thursday morning and sat up in the bed because honestly I didn't know why I was awake and then I felt wet running down my leg and nearly had a heart attack with excitement, I started shouting ''Conor, Conor, I think my waters are breaking''. So I hopped out off bed and ran for the bathroom leaving a trail of water behind me and made it to the shower just in time for what I can only say as an eruption of water! No joke it was like you see in the movies, it just exploded everywhere. I was drenched. I just stood there looking thinking ''sweet mother of Jesus it's happening''. After a couple of minutes I took everything off, grabbed a towel and went back into our bedroom, but water was still leaking so I just stood there on a towel feeling over the moon that he was finally coming. Me and Conor where literally sooooo excited.  I rang the hospital and told them and because I was feeling no pain they told me to take my time, have a shower and grab some breakfast and make my way to the hospital. And I did just that. I had my shower and then sat for well over an hour turning myself into a princess!!

 

I blow-dried and straightened my hair, done my make-up (highlighted and contoured the shit out of my face!!) painted my nails, applied body butter all over myself so I smelled fab for all the nurses, picked out a wee dress, had a coffee and off I went out the door with my wee bag thinking this was a walk in the park! On our way up in the car we where sending snapchats, had the radio on singing away, ringing all the fam bam and our friends, literally buzzing! Half way up the motor way  I got this small twinge of pain and it kind off stopped me in my tracks, but went as soon as it came. Seven minutes later I got another one, and I was like ''okay, that was a bit sore but nothing I couldn't handle'' I got a few here and there but when I got to the hospital there was nothing. I was examined by the nicest midwife ever and she told me unfortunately I wasn't in established labour, my cervix hadn't really softened and I wasn't dilating at all. I was going to be sent home, but they decided to keep me in because off being monitored. While we where waiting on a bed, they lovely Midwife gave us some tea and toast and done all the rest of the mandatory procedure and off we went up to the labour ward.

 

For the rest of the morning we just relaxed and watched the shitty Golf ( sorry for anyone who is a Golf fan, but it was the last thing I wanted to watch but himself loves it and I was told it was The Opening or some shite) so we watched it and then at about half twelve I got a pain that made me sit up in the bed. After that I got them more and more frequently and at three o' clock I decided I better tell the nurse as I wasn't sure what was happening. She had a feel of my tummy and told me I was in Labour and suggested I take a bath to help with the pain. Conor ran me a bath and left me to my own devices but  I was only in it five minutes and needed to get out because I was in so much pain. It took me so so long to get dressed again because I was getting contractions every few minutes and at this stage I was starting to moan with the pain. I finally got myself ready and went out to my room and asked Conor to get the nurse, that I needed some pain relief, and what was I giving? Fucking paracetamol!! Well I was actually so annoyed at this but downed the hatch with them anyway and then I was giving a heat pack. Obviously this done absolutely nothing for the pain, it wasn't my period I had for Gods sake I was having a baby and I was fuming!!! Anyway, at about six o' clock this Midwife finally gave me some Pethidine. This made me feel super woozy and sick but I got about half an hour sleep after taking it, but when I woke I just started to vomit and I was still in pain.

 

From about seven that evening until half ten that night it was a blur because at this stage I was getting four contractions every ten minutes and I was in agony. My mum, stepdad and Conors dad where with me at this stage and I was begging the nurse for the epidural. I was told I couldn't have it as I wasn't 3cm dilated but after another while they checked again and I was taking down to the delivery suite at eleven o'clock that night. When I got down, I was prepped for the Epidural but because my waters had broken the previous morning I needed bloods to be taking to make sure I had no sign of infection. This took over two hours, much to my extreme annoyance but, I was giving the gas and air in the meantime and maaaaaaaaaan did I love that shit!! I was away with the fairies in the arse whole of nowhere when I took it! It done me wonders for the first few hours, Conor was actually recording me and sending snapchats to my friends and I was out off it! He even had a sneaky few goes of it!

 

My bloods took two and a bit hours to process because first they didn't take enough blood and had to do this twice and then again it said it was an inconsistent read. During this time the Anaesthesiologist was coming in and out off my room to see if my bloods came back so I decided while I was high on gas and air, to do some ass kissing thinking this would make her give it to me quicker, I told her how amazing her hair was, and asked her all about her ''fab'' lipstick she had on!! I wasn't wise at all, but after one o'clock I was finally giving the go ahead for the Epidural. Unfortunately it didn't work for me, and after the second attempt my left leg went slightly numb but I could feel pain everywhere else. They decided to take it out a few centimetres and up my dose but this didn't work either. Through all of this baby was being monitored and the Midwives didn't seem happy with his progress and decided to prep me for and emergency section. As Conor was in the car having a nap, this was about five or six in the morning, they told me to ring him to come back over Asap as I would be in surgery within the next half hour. After removing all of my make-up, my nail varnish, jewellery and being prepped I was then told I wasn't having one by a Doctor. This sent me crazy as I was in so much pain, I had no pain relief and I was exhausted at this stage I was in labour all in all for 24 hours. I actually begged them for a section but I didn't get one. I won't go into too much detail but a few things happened between the next six hours that I wasn't happy about and which caused me to become very stressed during the rest of my labour. I was eventually put on a morphine drip, which basically gives a flow off morphine into your bloodstream when you press this button. Bad thing is, the button was on a timer, and knocked me unconscious for about ten seconds and It had to be removed. Just after ten, I actually think it was half ten I felt like I needed to push but I was told not to because I was only eight centimetres. 

 

Trying not to push was so difficult because I felt the urge so much but I some how managed not too until after eleven when I just couldn't help it any longer I needed to. So sneaky Rachy started pushing on the q.t thinking no one would notice but obviously they did, but I was giving the go ahead as I was finally ten centimetres. When you push the Midwives will say push like you need a pooh and they will say when to push and when to stop but in all honesty you just want it to be over. Ten minutes before Jaxon was born there was a lot of people in the room so I started to get scared and felt like giving up but this lovely Doctor came over and introduced himself and told me he was going to give me a hand with getting Jaxon here. I knew what this meant and I was to say the lest petrified and tried to trash and kick my legs as much as I could. I would say to anyone who finds themselves in a similar position not to panic like I did as they are only trying to get baby there as soon as possible and sooner they help the quicker it's over. So after 30 hours of labour and fifty minutes of pushing baby Jaxon Bell was born at 12:58 on the 17th of July weighing a healthy 8 pounds 4 oz.

 

It was crazy seeing him lying on my chest, after the whole process I just bursted into tears because I couldn't believe it was over and I couldn't believe my baby boy was finally here. When I was pushing when his head came out they where telling me to look but I honestly couldn't I just wanted him out completely and here with me and his Daddy. Seeing him for the first time was amazing, I was in a complete state of shock and I actually couldn't touch him I just kept crying. He was taking to be cleaned and weighed etc, and then my body went into shock and started shaking uncontrollably. When the nurses said he needed to be taking to ICU I couldn't even hold him and as well I actually didn't want to. Now I know people might read this and think what?! why?! Well I can't really explain it other than I was in such a state of shock, I had a very traumatic time and I couldn't believe the pain was gone. Conor was amazing and gave him all the cuddles and after about five minutes our wee boy was brought away to be giving some special treatment in the special baby unit.

 

 

After I was cleaned up and giving some orange juice which I downed like shots of Tequila I was brought to see my wee man in ICU, I don't really want to go into too much detail regarding this but I must say the nurses and Doctors who work in that unit are truly amazing and I can't thank them enough for looking after our wee boy.

 

After six days myself and Jaxon where discharged from hospital and it was the best feeling in the world finally getting home with my baby and being able to be with Conor and recuperate.

 

To any expectant mother, take all the help you can get, I was as stubborn as ever and tried to do everything and more all on my own but realistically I was codding no one I was still in a lot of pain and was dosed up to the eyeballs on pain relief etc and was only causing myself more harm. It's been over five weeks and yea I am starting to feel normal again physically but I am not ashamed to say it took it's tole on me mentally. I still get upset when I think off my labour and I've shed a few tears writing this but It was also therapeutic.

 

I had a traumatic experience and I am not saying that's how it will be for anyone else as everyone is different. I am just sharing my experience. It's just unfortunate that this is what happened but looking at Jaxon I would hand on heart do anything for him and would do it again if it meant he would be with me. He is amazing and to say I am in awe and head over heels in love is an under statement. It's crazy the love you feel and there's times I just look at him and start crying because I can't believe we made such a perfect human being. He is doing amazing and yes he had a shaky start but he is a wee brute now and just wants all the food in the land and to sleep beside his Mam and Dad. I'm actually laughing thinking I am a mam, I never thought I would be sitting writing something like this ever.

 

He's actually asleep on Conor here beside me and now I just want to go and kiss the face off him!! I forgot to say through all of my labour my man was the best in the whole entire world. He literally kept me going and if it wasn't for him I don't know what I would have done, he was amazing and I couldn't love him and more than I do.

Thank you to everyone off my friends and family, over the past few weeks I needed the most support I've ever needed and I got just that and more. I love yous all.

 

To all of my readers, thank you for having patience with me over the past few weeks and if anyone would like to talk to me if yous have had similar experiences or even just want to ask questions I am here to talk or listen.

Love BV xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make-up Trend Alert!! Baking & Strobing

Hey ladies, 

So I'm still baby-less, it's so frustrating I was convinced he would have made an appearance by now but no, he is obviously very content with where he is! I've actually tried everything; raspberry leaf tea, tonnes of pineapple, walking, baths, bouncing on my gym ball, spicy curry and nothing is budging him! It's frustrating because I just want to see him and the longer the wait the more nervous I'm becoming! However, he will come when he's ready as my mother has been saying and when he does it will be well worth the wait! 

So as I've been obsessing over make-up lately I've been noticing in all my favourite you tubbers videos that they have been using different techniques and trying these new trends; Baking and Strobing.  Now I actually hadn't a clue what these where when I heard of them first it was actually my friend who was talking about strobing first and then the next few videos I watched on you tube they all seemed to be trying this new technique. I love trying new make-up techniques, anything that makes my face look purdy I'm all for it, and these two are worth a go. So lets get started! 

STROBING

The new contour apparently, loved by celebs for red carpet events, this one is a lot more simple if you ask me. It's all about accentuating your features. It's basically the same as highlighting but it focuses on more of a natural glow rather than the harsh transit between contour and highlight. I love this trend! I'm all about the storbing life, as it makes your skin look so fresh and natural and healthy. I'm actually not really fond of contouring any more, I prefer to just have flawless skin and focus more on it and my brows. However, when I get back on the wagon and have a night out with the girls you can be sure to see my contoured looking self! So with strobing it's all about emphasizing the points of your face where the light is most likely to hit off, exactly like highlighting. However it's best to use cream based products as it will give a more natural appearance and a dewy glow rather than a heavy look which sometimes comes with powders. Your basically trying to make yourself look like a natural glowing angel with amazing skin. It's pretty simple! Queen B is a huge fan of this trend and well if it  makes me closer to Youncé then I'm all for it! All you need is to use a cream highlighter such as Mac Strobe Cream or even a NYX illuminator or any decent primer or highlighter that adds a glow to the skin. There's so many you can pick up in your local pharmacy it's not all about spending a fortune on them it's how you apply it to the skin which gets the best results. Make sure to prime your face before you begin, apply your foundation and highlight your face as normal using whatever products you have.

When I tried this for myself I used the following products;

• Mac Strobe Cream as my base
• Mac Fix plus as a setting spray prior to my foundation
• Mac Face & Body Foundation in C2
• Mac Studio Fix Concealer in NC15 and Nyx hd concealer to highlight and conceal
• I then used Mac Strobe cream again mixed with some Mac Soft & Gentle on my finger to highlight the high points on my face. They say it works best with wet based products but I just had to use my soft and gentle I love it too much!! 
• I then sprayed my face again with the Fix Plus

This is the finished result and well I feel pretty glowy and angelic!! Thumbs up from me!!

BAKING

What is it you ask? Well exactly as the name says, baking! You are literally baking your face. This trend has actually been about for years. In the Drag world it's a basic part of any make-up routine to hold and set their make-up in place, it's only now that Make-up artists and beauty lovers are dabbling in this brilliant technique. So what is involved? Well basically a good decent powder is the key to the success. If you want to give it a go for yourselves all you have to do is apply your foundation as normal, it will help by using a primer and setting spray as this will give extra hold and creates a flawless bass. Next apply your concealer/highlighter to the desired areas, under eyes, chin, nose, forehead, jawline etc. Then use a damp sponge to pack on the powder to the highlighted and/or contoured (just make sure to use a darker powder for your contour) areas, as I said in a previous post I love to dampen  my sponge with a setting spray such as Macs fix plus as it gives a seamless finish but running it under the tap does just as fine. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, remove the excess powder and VOILÀ you are freshly baked!! 

So when I tried this I decided to do all my contour and highlight to get the full effect. The products I used where;

• Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 
• Same concealers as before to highlight
• Crowne contour palette to contour 
• My lovely new Nars powder to bake!! (so impressed with this btw the powder is so fine and just amazing!)

I let my face bake for about 5-10 minutes and then wiped the excess off with a brush. Not impressed with the results at all. I feel way to cakey, it's just too much for me. I don't like the feeling of all the powder on my face and I just don't like the look of it at all. Thumbs down for this one! I also used no filters in any of my pictures as I wanted to show yous the real effect of the trends!! 

Thanks for reading everyone and if yous have any questions feel free to ask! 

Lots of Love BV xx

Kabuki Style Brush Review

Hi everyone, 

I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine, it's so nice out it's about time we've got some good weather. I thought my wee buster would have made an appearance by now but no, here I am baby less awaiting on his arrival so I'm reviewing the ten piece kabuki style make-up brush set I just recently got, all the way from China! 

The reason I bought it was because I wanted to see if there was any good brush dupes about so when I seen how cheap this set was It was a no brainer really! So I ordered the brush set off e-bay about three or four weeks ago and completely forgot about it until I landed home yesterday evening and it was there. 

First off all as you know yourself the packaging was nothing special. They where just in a brown envelope however, they where wrapped in clear plastic and then individually wrapped again which was good. When I first took them out of the plastic they felt sooooooooooo soft I couldn't believe it. I thought they would defiantly be all hard and bristly but no, they are just so smooth. 

I'm a bit weird when it comes to smelling things, I always smell things like cups and saucers before I use them or anything really, I don't know why I do it and my mother is constantly giving out to me for it but I want to know what it smells like okay? It's not the worst thing in the world! But anywaaaaaaaay, when I smelled these, the smell was awful! I mean they all smelled like paint stripper! Ugh I was so put off, but I said I'd take them out of the plastic, let them air out, and wash them before I gave them ago. Sure enough this morning when I checked them before I gave them a clean they smelled fine so I'm putting it down to the plastic that they where wrapped in. I washed them before I used them anyway using my Mac brush cleaner. Anyone who uses this knows its got quite a lot of alcohol in it so I thought it would do the job at making sure they where 100 per cent clean before I used them. 

So I started off my make-up as per using my base and decided to use a corrective green concealer by NYX to take away any redness from my face. I used brush number 2 to apply this and to blend it out. It blended the product out quite well which surprised me and the bush itself was quite lightweight. I then used brush number 1 which is a flat topped stippling style brush to apply my foundation. I was so shocked at how well this applied the foundation to my face! This is as good as any high end foundation brush I've used I'd nearly go as saying it's up there with my favourite Mac 190 foundation brush. It's not as lightweight but it still glides the product on nicely and doesn't leave and streaks. The fibres are more compact than the Mac and I also find it softer than the Real Techniques stippling brush. This could possibly be my new favourite brush! 

I then used brush number 10 to apply my concealer with. I found this brilliant as well because it's at an angle it curved well under my eyes, around my nose and around my eyebrows. The bristles bend easily with what ever direction your going in which is brilliant! 

For my eyes I used NYX Jumbo pencil in iced mocha and blended it out with brush number 8. Again this blended the product really well and distributed it evenly around my eyes.I also used brush number 6 to smudge out my eyeliner underneath my eye.

 I then went on to use brush number 3 for my contour and well I wasn't impressed. The powder fell off the brush and when I applied it to my face it just left a big sploge in one area. It didn't blend out well at all. I tried brush number 5 for my highlighter and again same problem. I ended up fixing it by using my brush number 1 and my beauty blender. I didn't even bother using the blush brush because I knew it just wouldn't work well. 

So basically the brushes are brilliant for liquid/cream products but shite for powder based products! For €8.27 it's a complete bargain and brush number 1 and number 3 are great dupes off Fuschias flawless finish and blusher brush! 

All in all it's well worth the spend, it's an absolute bargain! The brushes are very similar in shape but I will definitely be getting a lot of use out of them! They would be great for kits and playing about with different products. They come in a variety of different colours such as pink, black, and purple and they can be purchased here;

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/141342818574?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&var=440532983048&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

That was the finished result! For anyone wondering the lipstick I have on is Macs Amplified, it's an amazing orange colour I love it so much! 

Thanks for reading,

Love Bv xx

Hair Care Routine

Ola ladies,

How is your Friday going?? It's the weekend yaaaaay! Well for me it doesn't make a difference as I get to laze around all day now I'm on my maternity leave! But for everyone else have fun my friends! 

So onto my hair care routine. I've had blonde hair for my whole life, I've never changed it really, well I went through a few dodgy phases where I had pink, blue and purple highlights in big huge chunks going through my hair! Not the nice mermaid type you see these days I mean big rotten streaks through the top of my hair when I was like 13! I was also a top notch bebo stunnah, with a mullet and short spiky brown and blonde fringe to match!.... Such a ride! 

However my hair colour has always been blonde. I've had every single shade of blonde in my hair and I go through phases where I like honey blonde one minute and the next I want to be platinum. I've also had my fair share of using box dyes. I went cray with them when I was a broke ass bitch in college and dyed my hair every other week using box dyes and it completely ruined my hair :( 

I was using a fab colour in my hair that I loved and it actually has been the only one I've ever truly loved the colour off but after finding out I was pregnant I decided to go and treat myself and get ma hair did! When I went into the salon the hairdresser just looked and touched my hair and her face basically said it all! She wouldn't even touch it with a colour and I had to chop it all off! It was all ratty dead ends anyway, but I loved those ratty dead ends and it was so hard to say goodbye! But it was the BEST thing I did!.. 

I was so embarrassed when she told me how bad of condition my hair was in and I literally had heart failure and couldn't get out of the place quick enough! But before I did she cut my hair in a clean long bob (lob!!) and conditioned my hair and recommended some products I should use for the next couple of months to try and repair my hair, and, I bought every single one of them with out hesitation. So here's what I've been using since last November. 

 Kérastase Reconstructing Shampoo, Conditioner & Hair Mask & Hair Oil

This range I used before, it was given to me when I was in college but I was too poor to ever buy it again so I only started back using it after my hairdresser gave me a stern talking to! This is what has saved my hair 100 per cent! This green range is for weakened to very damaged hair. It rebuilds and strengthens the hair fibre no matter how badly damaged your hair is. It reconstructs the hair, helps prevent breakage and split ends which I had plenty off. I hadn't had my hair cut in a good two years before last November but all of my hair was completely broken off. It also smooths, protects and strengthens the hair fibres making it more durable against heating appliances like the good aul GHDs which I used to love (but not no more my friends I've laid off the poker straight look for now!) This range is quite expensive and you can only buy it in hair salons but my god it's worth every penny. It leaves your hair feeling so good and like you've just had a good wash from a salon. It doesn't really smell like anything, apart from clean, if that makes sense?. I use the shampoo and conditioner every time I wash my hair (try to lay off washing your hair every day as it stops the natural oils in your hair from forming and if anyone gives you shit about greasy hair dry shampoo the life out of it!) and the hair mask once or twice a week depending on how much of a princess I'm feeling. I also use the hair oil but not religiously as I don't really like the feel of product in my hair but I do try and use it a few times a week. This has really really helped my hair so much and I would recommend it to anyone. They have a whole range of products to suit every hair type and even though it's pricey it's still worth the splurge or even to buy it and use it just a couple of times a week and use your regular shampoo and conditioner in between to help make it last. 

Redken Extreme Cat Reconstructing Protein Spray

This protein spray has given me great results and really has replenished my hair. It replenishes the moisture levels in your hair leaving it silky, soft, shiny and healthy. It's specially formulated with proteins and loads of good chemicals that I won't even bother to try and spell but are brilliant for your hair, to provide a line of defence for brittle weak hair which in turn stops your hair from breaking and it really does stop dead ends! I use this in the shower, after I wash my hair with my shampoo I spray this all over my hair, brush it through, leave it for about five minutes wash it,and then apply my conditioner. Now I don't use it every day just once a week and the same bottle I bought back in November last year has done me. It costs about €23.00 and from using this I have found my hair thicker and the regrowth of my hair is stronger than ever! 

Revlon Equave Hydro Nutritive Detangling Conditioning Spray

You might have seen me upload a picture of this during the week on my Instagram and Facebook pages. This is hands down my most favourite product of all time. I want to drink it every time I spray it on my hair it just smells so so good! like proper amazing smelling I want to eat/drink you but I can't or Ill poison myself smell! My hair is so fine and will break at the slightest bit of harshness, and after the shower no matter what conditioner I would use my hair would still be knotty when brushing it, but not with this baby! I douse my hair in this straight after the shower. I actually think I spray way too much on but it's because I love the smell it leaves on my hair and you know when you find a bottle that sprays really well? Like a good mist? and not a wee sprits? Well this is it! I actually sound a bit weird here but I like when it gives a good spray okay! It's a leave in conditioner which doesn't leave your hair feeling greasy at all and it instantly detanlges your hair leaving it soft and smooth. I use this every time I wash my hair and can't be without it! Prices vary with this depending on what size you buy but it's genuinely around the €15 - €20 mark.

Charles Worthington Style Setter Salt Spray

This is what I've been using to get a soft messy look instead of using hair straighteners because I know how much they damage and break my hair so I try to stay away from them as much as possible. I actually hate drying my hair as well so unless I'm going anywhere I'll just let my hair dry naturally or I'll spray this onto my hair when it's damp and blow dry it really roughly. My hair is naturally straight with a bit of a kink in it so when I use this after I dry my hair I tie it in a low bun for a few minutes and it help's give it a more wavy look. This doesn't benefit your hair in any way bare adding a beachy look and volume but it just helps me stay away from my GHDs and it's a quick alternative as I don't like doing my hair at all because I'm really shite at it! You can get this anywhere and I think it's about €6 / €7.

Hask Macadamia Oil Hot Oil Treatment

So when I was in the hairdressers that dreadful time last year, and my stylist was telling what I should use she recommended these hot oil treatments from pennys! Couldn't believe it when she said there the best ones to use as I thought you needed to spend a fortune on hot oil treatments! So I obviously went and bought a tonne of them and when ever I'm in I always stock up on them. I was using them twice a week up until about May (that's how bad my hair was) but now I don't need to use them as much as I did because my hair is in really good condition, but I still use them maybe every second week. I normally just pop it on and get into the bath and leave it in for about an hour or so. It's got omega 7, Vitamin E and anti oxidents in it so it can only do good! But I find you do need to give your hair a good wash after it being in or some of the product will sit in your hair leaving it a bit greasy. There a bargain at €2.50 a pop! 

So that's the lot! I actually don't use a heat defence spray in my hair as  I really don't use much heat on my hair and I've yet to find one which doesn't leave my hair feeling heavy or weighed down by product so if anyone has one they use and love please let me know! :) 

After using all these products for the past seven months the difference in my hair was unbelievable! I also never dyed my hair at all in that space of time either so that obviously helped a tonne. It was the hardest thing ever not getting a box dye and putting it in, I was tempted soooooo many times but I didn't cave and I am so happy I didn't. Now some people find them great and they work well for their hair, on my hair I thought that for a while, but it wasn't the case and when a hairdresser refuses to dye your hair you know it's bad! 

I last got my hair done in May and when I went back after those few months of using these products she was delighted with the results and tbh I felt like a hero! My hair is stronger and healthier than ever and that also could be down to my wee baba as well because they do say your hair becomes a mass of loveliness when your pregnant but I think these products have saved my life. I now have a blonde balayage and it's so much easier to keep and doesn't require much maintenance at all. I hate wearing my hair down and mostly wear it up but I don't use bobbins I'll use wee clips or a sexy scrunchy instead so my hair won't break. 

I hope this helps anyone with damaged hair and let me know if you find any of the products beneficial.

I haven't used a filter in these photos so you can see the colour of my hair! :)

Thanks for reading,

Love Bv xx

Pregnancy Update

Hey everyone,

Just a quick update on my pregnancy seeing as the majority of my readers are enjoying my pregnancy journey I said I'd do a quick update! 

So I've three weeks left until my due date ( 7th Juy) and it's just flew by! A lot of people I've spoken to about their pregnancies would have said it felt like they where pregnant for ever, but it's not the case with myself I feel like I got pregnant yesterday! I don't know if it's because I only started to really show at about six half / seven months or because of being monitored and working I was always busy but it really feels like it's gone by in the blink of an eye! 

However, the past few weeks have taken it's toll on me mentally and physically. I do not feel myself in the slightest, I feel like I'm in someone else's body and my head is all over the place. It's crazy how emotional you feel over the smallest tiniest thing, like I will literally cry over anything! One minute you're on cloud nine and the next thing I feel like I'm a serial killer looking to murder someone!.. Honestly I do not know how my family, friends and boyfriend have put up with me, a big pat on the back to you's saints! 

So as my due date is approaching I'm also like a hypochondriac, the smallest pain and I'm like ''BITCH I'M IN LABOUR''  and well yea I'm not!! It's actually gas thinking of it, I sound like a nut job! Everything is hurting at the moment though, my feet are looking like balloons and so is my legs and as for my boobies!.. Hello thunder tits!! They are so so heavy! How in the name of god do you big booby ladies carry that weight around all day? I will never dis my little boobies every again when they hopefully go back to being the tiny tots they where! 

I'm also nesting  like a mad man. I am freakishly obsessed with soapy warm water and sponges!... This my friends is actually my pregnancy craving. I will literally go down stairs and fill up a bowl of hot water and fairy liquid and put a sponge in it and sit there for hours playing with it and scrubbing unnecessary things.. like skirting boards?! I've washed down every single item of furniture in our room every single day religiously and I have a special system on how I do it!

 Today I actually went and took down our curtains and lampshade and decided it was time for them to go in the bin! I washed the curtain poles, moved so much of Conors things out of the room and removed all our dvds as they where ''gathering dust''! I've also rearranged everything millions of times the past week and feel so happy and satisfied when I do it! I've also taken cotton buds and cleaned in the cracks of the doors and shelves and window ledges, yep I am a crazy bitch! 

Also another thing with the sponges and soapy water I actually have to admit I'm guilty of drinking the water! (I hang my head in shame here) Okay so it wasn't the fairy liquid but when I've been in the shower/bath I tend to use a sponge (my favourite one) and just put Radox all over it and soaked it in the water and well yes you guessed it drank it!... Look lads, I'm pregnant and I'm being weird but I can't help it!... And as for my beauty blender sponges, well they've seen better days! 

All my bags are packed and ready at the door along with babas little car seat, I can't wait to turn around in the car and see him sitting there in it! I've been drinking raspberry tea the past week every day with the hope that it will speed things up but so far nada! It's supposed to be good for you'r uterus and helps it contract during labour and to smooth out the process so here's hoping to that! 

My pregnancy has been far from easy and has had it's highs and lows but now thankfully everything is looking good, and after my previous hospital appointment my consultant has given me the thumbs up for a what will hopefully be a smooth labour. Again I couldn't have gone through all of this without my family or friends or my amazing boyfriend. He's been the best in the world and if you're reading this don't get a big head you gobshite! 

For any woman or young girl who is pregnant at the minute, stay strong amigos, it's a precious gift and it will be the best one you will ever have received. When people ask me if I'm nervous I say yea and no because well you never know what's going to happen but if millions of women in the world can do it then of course I can. 

As for now my wee bear is happy in my belly and maybe fingers crossed my next pregnancy post will be with him sitting beside me! :) 

And for anyone wondering on my outfit, the shirt is my boyfriends and it's from River Island, and everything else is from New Look! :) 

Thanks for reading everyone,

Love BV xx

The Ibiza Edit

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone is enjoying this amazing weather,finally a bit of sunshine in Ireland! I've decided to do an Ibiza Edit post seeing as all of my friends are heading there in the next few weeks and as I won't be going (sadface) I picked some of my must haves that I would have purchased If I was making the trip to the golden Island.

Anyone who is going for the first time... be prepared... it is as hardcore as everyone says it is! I went for two weeks one year and I actually needed another holiday to get over it! Seriously tough going, but absolutely unbelievable and well worth it! Honestly it is one of the most magical places in the world, everyone is so happy, the sun is shining the views are amazing and the night life is unlike anywhere else in the world! There is nothing more amazing than sitting with a couple of hundred people along the sunset strip with top DJs from all around the world playing in Cafe Del Mar and watching the sunset, gives me goosebumps thinking about it and I cannot wait to go back!

So I've picked a few pieces that I would most defiantly have in my suitcase for the trip of a lifetime!

River Island Monochrome Drawstring Beach Bag €55.00

I fell in love with this when I was browsing their website. I'd double this as my carry on luggage bag on the plane and also use it going to the beach. I love the monochrome and the gold detail and the drawstring helps secure all your bits and bobs.

Boohoo Wrap Front Halter Neck Body Suit €16  Boohoo Alicia Strappy Front Body €14.00

I picked out these two body suits from Boohoo because I love the detail on both of these. They come in loads of different colours and there so easy to match with a pair of shorts for a night at Amnesia!

New Look Rust Wide Leg Trousers €18.99        Primark White Mesh Sun Hat €4.00

              

These wide leg trousers from New Look look so comfy and airy and would be perfect for the plane They come in white black and a few other colours and prints but I'm loving the rust colour, very 70s! These are an online exclusive and I actually just bought a pair as part of my post pregnancy wardrobe! I'd team these with the white bodysuit from Boohoo the sun hat which is perfect for protecting your head against the Sun to stop any sun stroke and would make you feel extra fab! 

ASOS White Playsuit €27.40                                        Mango Strap Cord Sandals €24.95

                     

 

I spotted this playsuit on Asos and thought it would look amazing with these gladiator style sandles from Mango. I love the front detail and it actually gives a cleavage and support because of the two straps so all  you members of the itty bitty titty committee rejoice! 

Jagged Edge Vintage Custom Made Shorts

Everyone loves shorts shorts in Ibiza so what better way to stand out from the crowd than to have your own personalised ones that nobody else would have?! Jagged Edge Vintage are an Irish based company that customises your shorts to what ever suits your taste. There made from authentic vintage Levis and they are the funkiest shorts ever! They have shorts on their website already pre made or you can customise your own pair. They also have some pretty cool t-shirts and swimwear. Alot of celebs from Towie & MTV series love there pieces. Prices start at around €30.00 but the lovely Claire at Jagged Edge has given all of my readers a special Discount of 10% of all custom orders. To get your discount all you have to do is e-mail RACHEL101 to jaggededgevintage@gmail.com and quote the code to get your discount! Yaaaaaaay!! How unreal would you look bopping about to MK in a pair of these?? 

Check out their website here 

 http://www.jaggededgevintage.com/

 Nike Air Max 1 Ultra Moire €132.00

I picked these as I do love me a pair of air max and these bad boys are perfect for all the dancing you'll be doing in Ibiza. The colour is amazing and would look so so good with a tan and I will defiantly be purchasing a pair and wearing them with my custom made shorts from Jagged Edge Vintage for the next festival I'm going too! AMAZING! 

River Island Tassle Bum Bag €25.00

Ok like it or loath it the bum bag is an essential on holiday! I personally love them! There the handiest thing to put all your money and hotel key in with no fear of being robbed or losing it. Do not do not do not attempt to bring a clutch out with you or you will most definitely be crying your eyes out after it's robbed or lost. Seriously you can't shimmy about when you have it stuck under your arm so all the ladies who hate the bumbag embrace it because it's the most practical thing to bring out! 

New Look Beach Towel €11.99

I seen this and yes I would buy it and yes I would parade around the beach with it because I like mermaids and would like to be one! 

Boohoo Cross Back Dip Front Swimsuit €27.00

I picked this swimsuit with the vision in mind of having a day at Bora Bora beach. Anyone travelling to Ibiza it's a must on your list especially on a Sunday the beach does be rocking, it's an all day long beach party!! 


Missguided Sports Lux Sandals €28.00                 HotMess White Mesh Swimsuit €53.57

I'm obsessed with anything Sports Lux, and monchrome, as you can tell I have a lot of black and white included in this post! Honestly most of my wardrobe is black I need to step away from it and branch out a bit but it's just such a versatile colour!!! This swimwuit would be the one I'd wear to Ocean Beach Club along with the sandals. I love the way swimsuits are making a come back because they hide so much of the wobbly bits and you don't feel as nakey! 



River Island Two Piece €24.00 & €18.00

Oh I do love a two piece and these high-waisted bottoms suck the belly right in! I like with two pieces the way you could mis match it with another top/bottom and it's like a completely different look, I love the detail on this bikini and how dressy it is, another look that could be worn on a boat party, pair it with your air max or favourite sandals and you'r the hottest piece of ass on the west end! 

They have been my favourite picks that I would have purchased if I was heading off with the rest of Ireland to the white Isle!... However I am not as this baby is nearly here, but for averyone that is going here's a few tips

• Don't buy tickets of reps on the beach. More than likely there pricks trying to steal your money and I know so many people who actually have got done by this scam and it's shit when you think your paying €80 for a ticket and it turns out to be a dud. Stick with the ticket sellers from the booths and you'll be safe enough.
• Don't unless you want to waste your money buy tickets of your hotel reps. Yea I know it may seem like it's going to be the best party ever but more than likely it's a shit fest in a kip so don't crumble under the pressure and get tickets off them because some of them are pushy! 
• Don't drink the tap water!!! No matter how thirsty and hungover you are, stock up on water when you arrive! I done this and well... it wasn't very pleasant! 
• Be wary of where you walk. There's so many prostitutes and pimps about especially car parks so don't venture around these areas. 
• Don't entertain the lucky lucky men (men selling all the shit off the day) because they will not leave you alone for the rest of your life! 
• Don't be a pleb and wear heels. Seriously? You don't look sexy you look like an uncomfortable giraffe. 
• When it comes to make-up invest in a good powder! Worst thing ever looking like a sweaty betty! Also I'd say leave the lashes at home I'm only speaking from experience on how mine hung off my cheek the whole night with out me even realising! 

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday and act's the maggot,

Thanks for reading,

Love BV xx