Whats in my hospital bags?

Hi everyone
a little break from my regular beauty posts to share what I have been packing into my hospital bag for my upcoming labour! I actually cant believe that I am at 36 weeks already this stage has just flown around for me and with the packing of the bag is now getting very real.

Lots of hospital lists are already out there and have such diversity so this is just my version I will be bringing a bag for labour, one for my hospital stay and as a beauty blogger the important one my washbag! I am a FTM so there may be some bits that I wont use and others that I will send for so dont judge me too harshly! I am just going to dive straight in and if anyone has any questions re quantities ect you can leave a comment at end :)

Labour Bag

2 nightdresses with button down front if you can get them
Maternity Pads-green pack
Long sleeve sleep suit
vest
Nappy
Hat & Mitts
Socks (adult ones!)
Glucose sweets
Cereal Bars
Water

Wash Bag 
This will be in my labour bag to start.

travel size where possible to save space

Shampoo- think I packed head and shoulders!
Shower gel - body shop vanilla brulee
Water Spray I've got LA Roche posay and avene and am considering adding in voya ritzy spritzy for making me feel lovely after! ( am I going overboard with these?)
toothbrush & paste
dental floss
deoderant
razor
2 face cloths
Lip balm - I've a Mia and Dom peppermint & lavender pot and LA Roche posay stick balm.
Simple moisturizer
Bioderma micellar water travel size
Hair band,clips & bobbins
Holos happy momma oil
Vaseline & sudocreme

All of this is housed in the beautiful eve wash bag from the quintessential .

Of course there is also my make up to consider , I will be going minimalist with it but I still need a little bit. It took me a while to decide what would come with me but I have decided on rimmel 25 hour foundation and my real techniques buffing brush for application, physicians formula happy booster blush its so pretty plus has the bonus of having a mirror if I can't get one elsewhere. I also would of added my physicians formula mineral wear powder but it got smashed and so would be far too messy :(
Next in is fuschia eyebrow kit and an angle brush for application, my rimmel scandal eyes mascara will also be making the trip as will wet n wild lipstick in pinkerbell to give me a pop of colour. So that's pretty minimalistic at only 5 makeup items especially when I imagine I'm going to need every bit of make up I can lay my hands on!

Main Bag

My main bag is mostly made up of very practical things

2 dark towels
Nightdresses & PJs - I got a tip from friend to get the button down front PJs, to wear a vest top with bottoms and then use the shirt part instead of a dressing gown for when I need it as in July it should be too hot to use gown.
Bridget jonses , lol you all know what I mean :-)
4 packs maternity towels
1 pack size 1 nappies - I've gone for pampers
Cotton wool
Water wipes
Cellular blankets
Baby towels
Muslin cloths
Baby hats & scratch mitts
8 baby sleep suits
8 vests
Cardigans- my mam knitted these as I couldn't find any and just couldn't get into the mind frame of knitting them myself.
Bibs
Breast pads
2 nursing bras even though I'm not planning to BF
Flip flops
Phone charger-very important for all the showing off after I imagine :-).

All of the baby clothes I have bought in size 0-1 as at 35 weeks baby is already 6lb and I've been told is gonna be a big baby!

I'd really appreciate if you would let me know any tips or anything you think I have left out in the comments so I can add more to my stash :-)

Mia & Dom skincare

Holding my hands up in apology as I start this post I'm a day late getting published! Had some pregnancy news that floored me a bit yesterday ( all good) :-) 
I've been testing these bits from Mia and Dom skincare which FYI is named after creator Jennifer's children which I adore and also wonder if there is a fast and furious connection?
I have tested out the calming baby massage oil, spearmint & lavender lip balm and the organic morning sickness balm.
As I am in my third trimester I have tested the morning sickness balm and the baby massage oil in slightly differ:-) ent way than intended but I think its good to show a products diversity :-) 

Calming baby massage oil
Starting off with the massage oil obviously as I am still pregnant it means that baby isn't here yet ( that's how it works ;) but I have been using this as a belly massage oil to soothe myself and baby when there is lots of kicking going on. Now this might be true I have no idea but I have wrangled a few lovely gentle belly massages from my lovely husband on the pretense that it is his bonding time with baby, I don't normally set out to trick but the massages are so relaxing!
This massage oil has a gorgeous consistency its just a little thick just enough that it doesn't run off your hands when you pump it on. Its not greasy feeling at all but just a small amount allows a good length of massage before it dries in. The massage oil also gives a lovely warming sensation while your using it. The oil left my skin feeling really soft and moisturized feeling very supple. I am very excited to use this on baby when he/she arrives and will report on that experience in the future.

Organic morning sickness balm

Oh how I wish I had this in the first 18 weeks of my pregnancy when I was suffering with hypermesis and living in misery! Fortunately the morning sickness went away but it does mean that this balm couldn't be tested properly for its true purpose. I have however been having a fair bit of nausea over the last few weeks not sure if its anxiety from impending arrival or if its from lack of space in my belly? So I have been using the nausea as a mild replica of morning sickness to test out this balm. To use you rub some under your nostrils and onto your temples. It has a really refreshing scent which I can imagine would help you feel better during morning sickness ( I used to smell Vick vapo rub!) So for a quick fix you could just open lid and take a whiff. I used as instructed and it definitely removed or greatly reduced my nausea, I have to admit I've been carrying this in my handbag not for any sickness reasons but just that I like how refreshed it makes me feel when I use it :-)  so although I haven't been able to comment on its true purpose I do like the balm.

Lavender and peppermint lip balm

When I fell pregnant something very strange happened , well actually lots of strange things happened but the one I'm referring to is that I started to really like lavender? it was my most hated fragrance before and since being pregnant is one of my favorites i have even used a lavender body oil the whole way through to combat stretch marks! 

When i saw lavender and peppermint in the same tin though i did wonder a bit its not really something i would of ever put together but i stand corrected because it is really really nice. You kind of get the refreshing tingle of peppermint with lovely relaxing slightly luxurious lavender. Its funny when you smellit in the tin too because you can definitely pick out the two distinct scents but they blend so well together at same time. THe lip balm is fab for keeping moisturised especially in this hot weather and this one has now made its way directly into my labour bag :-) 

I have really enjoyed testing these and will be rushing back to find more once baby has arrived to make sure he/she has lots of lovely things! 

You can purchase all of the products mentioned and more on 

Miadomskincare.com

And dont forget to give them a follow on their social media accounts too 

Facebook: mia & dom skin care

Twitter: @miaanddom

Apologies im on my phone just putting in these details but once home later i will change these to direct links x 

Shop for beauty :budget beauty technic

Hi all sorry for the lack of consistency with posts lately but baby sparkle will be arriving very soon and is already keeping me very busy!

Todays post is a collaboration with new website http://www.shopforbeauty.co.uk/ shop for beauty specialises in cheap or i prefer budget makeup. They are stockists of lots of well known makeup brands e.g. max factor and barry m among lots of others.
Today I am bringing you a review of Technic make up from the site.
Technic is the definition of budget make up its price point is very low and so Its definitely accessible to all, I dont normally go this budget with my make up but was pleasantly surprised with it in particular with the eye shadow palette, read on below for my thoughts.

Technic Matte 6 eyeshadow palette £2.29

http://www.shopforbeauty.co.uk/technic-matte-6-eyeshadow-palette.html

the palette consists of nude, pink and brown shades. Its probably the kind of palette that will appeal to everyone and that everyone should own one of as the neutral colours are so wearable.
To my surprise the pink a colour I wouldnt normally even try was my absolute favourite. It is a really soft powdery pink and looks absolutely gorgeous as a base all over shadow. The browns allow you to add definition over the base pink or nudes and as there are 3 different shades to choose from you can create a day to more dramatic night look all with the same palette. The palette comes with a double ended applicator which I didnt use, I am just not a fan of them I always use brushes and probably wouldnt even be able to attempt application without one!

The best thing about this palette is most definitely its value for money price It is ridiculously low priced for the quality and range that it does allow. On my testing It wore from 8am until about lunchtime 2pm which for a palette costing only £2.29 gives serious lasting in my opinion.

Technic Cheek sculpt contour blusher and brush rosy £2.95

http://www.shopforbeauty.co.uk/technic-cheek-sculpt-contouring-blusher-brush-rosy.html

I have to admit that I never really got into contouring and the little that I did do is the type this provides!

a bronzer for underneath cheek bones and a blush for the apples of my cheeks!
The blush comes with a flip up mirror and a little brush thats really useful for sticking into your handbag for on the go. The colours of the blush are very subtle so definitely for more of a daytime look. Its probably best for a young teenager just starting to get into make up but again at the price of £2.95 it wouldnt be out of place in anyones makeup bag.

Technic Slanted Blusher Brush £2.95

http://www.shopforbeauty.co.uk/technic-slanted-blusher-brush.html

the final product I reviewed was the slanted blush brush, a bargain at £2.95. this is a synthetic brush and for a budget brush Its actually quiet nice. the brush is really soft and again ideally suited to a young teens first makeup kit. The only slight negative is that you have to use a bit more product than normal as the brush dosnt pick it up as well as others.

Check out http://www.shopforbeauty.co.uk/ for lots of other fab budget beauty buys. I love doing budget beauty posts and hope you have enjoyed this one. Im really hoping to be back with another one really soon x

Spongelle Ireland Pedi Buffer

A quick blog post this evening I couldn't let the evening pass without posting immediately about the amazing Spongelle ireland pedi buffer. It has been a long time since I was this quickly impressed with a product. 

So with the gorgeous weather today my feet were in my sandals for the first time this year and after the day I was embarrassed to look down and see the absolute state of them! I've got 7 weeks left of my pregnancy and to be fair haven't seen my feet in a while so I allow myself a slight bit of leeway but I then remembered about the pedi buffer I've been threatening to use for the longest time. It has a soft side for cleansing and a buffing side for exfoliation. 

I'm actually so glad I kept it until now and I have fallen in love, it straight away eased my achey feet and made me feel like I was in the middle of a luxurious pampering session. Not only did it feel amazing but it has dramatically reduced the terrible look of my feet and made them look and feel human again. Excuse the yucky feet pics but they must be included for the sake of blogging! 

You can clearly see the dramatic difference in the amount of dry skin between both! 

The pedi buffer has 20 uses and I already know I am going to wear this right out. 

This is an absolute summer feet essential everybody ( especially pregnant ladies) should get themselves one. 

The pedi buffer retails at a very reasonable €12 and is available from Spongelle ireland - studio wax drogheda and a number of stockists nationwide. 

This is just a quick post to share how impressed I am but I will definitely be following up with a more detailed post including the fab success story of Michelle from Spongelle ireland x 

My Chelle Refining Cleanser

A few weeks ago I received this refining sugar cleanser from my chelle and I have been testing it since. This isn't the first time that I have pharmacyts from my chelle and in the previous post I have a bout of detail on what my chelle is about so if your interested in that you can find it here. 

http://sparkleblossombeauty.blogspot.ie/2014/09/my-chelle-skincare-review.html

IN  my last post one of the only negatives I had about my chelle was the unusual smell of the products due to the natural ingredients, this is 100% not a problem with this cleanser the bottle says sugar and that is what you get! Still you don't get the sickly overpowering sugar scent rather a lovely mild sweetness that makes you smile when you take a whiff. 

The refining cleanser wasnt really like anything I had used before on first application it works as a really gentle exfoliator. I have fairly sensitive skin when it comes to exfoliation but have to say the texture and grittiness was the perfect balance between actually working and ripping the face off me ;)
So once your exfoliation part is done you splash a little water on your hands and start to rub over the exfoliator and like magic it turns into the most beautiful creamy cleanser. You can then wash off the cleanser with water or a cloth.
It leaves my skin beautifully clean and although slightly dry after nothing compared to how it normally is after using a scrub and certainly nothing a but of moisturizer won't sort.
As I've probably said before I love a multi use product and this definitely ticks that box not only does it exfoliate and cleanse but it has added anti-aging peptides and crocus chrysanthus extract to aid us in the wrinkle fight and finally  along with saving time it definitely adds some luxury to my morning routine.The sugar cleanser has a retail price of €24.95.

UNfortunately my chelle has been one of the victims of the closure of clearys department store and so the current stockists of my chelle is life pharmacy. 

LEt me know in the comments if you have used any my chelle and what your favorite is x