October Nails

Never been one for a red nail, but I fell in love with this colour after my husband put in a request for me to have red nails! 

Little bit of gold tape really finished them off! 

Next I went for this gorgeous maroon, such a lovely autumn colour with a different accent nail. 

So happy with this set, I've already had loads of compliments and I've only had them a week! Still so shiney and pretty :) 

September Nails

This month I used a new nail technician and won't be changing again! Finally found someone I enjoy going to who did my nails exactly how I like them, hooray!

My nails were feeling a bit sad and a few had broken quite short, but I love how they look now! 

I chose 'Bubbilicious' for all but my ring finger, opting for 'Princess Pink' glitter dust as an accent nail. This is such a perfect pink! I've had so many comments in the week I've had it on my nails. 

If you're in the Solihull area I definitely recommend Belle's tips and toes, search belles_tips_toes on Instagram, or Facebook! Thanks Belle! 

Calgel Nails

I love having my nails done, before I had my daughter they were always painted perfectly, on maternity leave I would enjoy sitting quietly and taking my time to paint them. Definitely can't so that anymore! 

Amber is starting to ask for her toe nails to be painted (I can do my toes and I don't (usually) need those to go about my day!) so I have to be inconspicuous these days. 

I used to either have acrylic or shellac done. For our wedding I had calgel sculptured nails. My poor, usually long nails suffered the pre wedding stress! I had a simple, pretty French. 

Once they had grown out I went for a much brighter option...hot pink, glitter and hearts! 

As you can see my nails grew happily underneath, while the gel stayed looking perfect. So happy nails, and a happy mum! The time I spend having them done is mostly my only baby free time and is very much enjoyed. 

Just before holiday I had them done again, this time going for a peachy coral colour with diamantes and again, the glitter accent nail! 

They're at that crazy grown out point now, so I'm busy searching for what to have next! Too many pretty colours and ideas...

Monday Baking - Chocolate chip cookies

Cookies are a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine so making them is definitely the cheaper option in our house. 

First thing this morning we made a big batch of chocolate chip cookies, certainly makes the house smell gorgeous! 

Ingredients:

350g plain flour

175g caster sugar 

175g soft brown sugar 

225g unsalted butter 

2 eggs 

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 

1 tsp salt 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

Chocolate chips (I white chips and milk chunks! Recipe calls for 350g but you can never have too much in my opinion!) 

I combined all the dry mixture (except the chocolate) and mixed well. Then I added the butter and creame that all together. Finally the eggs, vanilla and chocolate. Nice big stir to get an even spread of chocolatey chunks, splat them onto a greased baking tray then into the oven at 190C for around 10 minutes. 

Mine always go a little delirious in the oven and spread all over the tray, which just gives them more character I like to think 😉 

The batch we made today is the best one yet! Yum. Enjoy! 

The Details - Bridesmaids

Our colour scheme was mint and pink, and despite mint being quite 'in' at the moment, I couldn't find dresses I liked for the life of me! After a bit of a palava with ill fitting dresses off etsy, we found them! 

They are actually the same dresses my sister had for her bridesmaids, hers in teal, mine in mint. 

The colour was originally a bit darker than I wanted but on the day it looked perfect! 

Along with Amber's little mint dress 

The girls all had pink shoes, which were again hard to settle on! 

So I think it all came together well on the day! 

The groomsmen all wore mint polkadot ties with the exception of the groom, who had a darker mint colour. This wasn't planned...silly me forgot to order the extra tie! Oops! 

The Details - Veil, tiara and garter

I chose to have a veil and tiara as my dress was fairly plain. At first I wasn't sure, but when trying them on in the shop they just completed the look. 

My veil was a standard, 2 tier, ivory veil with diamantés and drop crystals. Simple, but I loved the way it hit my shoulders then fell down my back! 

Tiara...was quote blingy! Again, not something I would have chosen but the dress shop owner plonked it on my head and it just fit. I had several nightmares a out it slipping around whilst saving my vows but it stayed put! 

And finally my garter, one of my favourite accessories from the day. My mum hand made it! The blue is a strap from her maternity dungarees which she wore to wed in herself (she was 7 months pregnant with me!) and the pink lace is from my late Nana's sewing box. It was my something old and blue rolled into one, and such a personal touch. I hope that one day, if/when my daughter marries, she chooses to wear it, and I can add something from my wedding day to it. 

Next...bridesmaids 

The Details - My dress

I want to remember the day forever, so I'm going to do some posts filled with all the little details that made our day what it was!

My dress

My dress was a gorgeous sweetheart neckline dress with a fuller skirt. The detail was actually a belt which tied at the back. The dress was fastened with a zip (it had mock buttons) and was ivory. Fairly plain, but I adored it! It wasn't my first choice, when we went back to pay for my original chosen dress I saw this one on a mannequin in the window and was instantly drawn to it. Love at first try on! 

It was absolutely filthy at the end of the day! It had a multitude of stains, including food dropped on me by Amber, food dropped on my by myself, mud and confetti stains. 

A lot of brides get their dresses dry cleaned, but I think I'll leave mine. I quite like looking how well loved and worn it was, each mark provides a different memory. It has had a thorough drying out so it doesn't go mouldy (!) and is now hanging in our spare room. I'd really like to get a dress form to keep it looking pretty on! 

I definitely won't be selling it, I want Amber to be able to see it and dress up in it when she's older, even include it in her own wedding somehow if she chooses. 

My favourite compliment I had on the day was from Amber, whispering 'wow!' And kissing my dress! 😍 

Next...veil and jewellery