5 Things: May 2017

It's been a while so i think we need an update, some pretty big things have happened recently...

01. IVF Update

We have done a full round of IVF since i last posted on here, thats crazy isn't it! So i bet your wondering why i haven't posted anything,? Surely id have something to say?!? Well i do, but It's ridiculous how bad i am at updating my blog. :( I want to be better and i promise to try harder, pinky promise.

The injections weren't too bad this time! Thats the first thing :) I think i am used to them now. I was on 3 this time, I was on Merional for my stims, as well as Fragmin (blood thinner) ad then cerotide after 5 days to stop my ovaries ovulating. I reacted to the stims well, I had more follies on one ovary (11) than the other (7) but they were all growing at the same rate (which didn't happen last time) so that was great.
I had a scan on a Wednesday and they were planning for my collection to be on the Friday but my follicles were not big enough (between 13mm-17mm and only 2 at 18mm) and so i had to go back on the Friday and was told my collection would be Monday. Because of this my trigger was Buserelin and i took it on the Saturday night.

At my Friday scan more follicles had appeared and I had around 25/30 follicles if not more (my memory is hazy) so the nurse told me i wouldn't be able to have a fresh transfer. This basically means that when they take my eggs out and fertilise them they won't put them back in right now. They will be frozen and I will have to wait 3 months to put them back in.

Although this was gutting I understood the reasons why because by Sunday my lower stomach was so swollen and and i felt so full, i kept running to the bathroom needing a wee because it was pushing on my bladder. I was so swollen and felt sick.

We also had a call on the Friday afternoon to say that the chemical hadn't arrived at Knutsford and Dr Harris was going mad about it. They have had 3 months to prep for this!!!
I was mad, but I am quite laid back so I just got on with it because it isn't something i could change and I just hoped everything would be okay. The nurse said they would try their best to get he chemical to Knutsford by Monday morning.

On collection day I was pacing the room because it was uncomfortable to sit down. I couldn't wait to get these eggs out! The chemical hadn't arrived yet...I was nervous.

We got 12 Eggs, and the chemical did arrive but it was un-usable! It had been 'open' for 5 weeks beforehand. So this was it, we were on our own and hoping we got fertilisation.

I felt fine on the drive home and relaxed all day. But on Tuesday morning i was anxious about the call...

By 10am Tuesday, We had it confirmed that we had 4 fertilised Embryo's :)

I rang for an update 3 days later and were told all 4 had progressed to the next stage, 1 was good quality and 3 were average quality. We had to prey they would reach blastocyst stage.

By the following Monday we were told only 1 had reached the early blasto stage and had been frozen. WE GOT ONE!

So now we wait 3 months (3 bleeds) before we can put it back in. However its not all sunshine and happy feelings, oh no. On the day before we put it back in it has to be thawed an it has to develop overnight. If it doesn't develop it won't be able to go back in and we are back to square one...and we will only find out on the morning of transfer. How sickening! I really really need to google the shit out of FET (Frozen Embryo Transfers)

It's a crazy, emotional and long drawn out process. But hopefully it will result in something amazing.


02: Finding out my Mum has Cancer

This happened during my IVF treatment, and it happened very quickly!
My mum informed me she was seeing a doctor as she had been bleeding irregularly. The GP immediately referred her for a scan of her womb. When they did the scan, her womb lining was double what it should be and the nurse told her they wanted to take a biopsy there and then.
After they took it they sat her down and basically told her they thought it was Cancer but they would send it off to be tested straight away and let her know for definite. I mean that's how quick it was, how crazy!

She told us all and we prepared for the worst. Now this sounds silly but i wasn't worried. I don't know why but i just kept thinking, she's too young to die, there so many things we still have to do together, theres no way this is the end! And i literally didn't worry. I was so calm.

me, my sister Katie, my cousin Hayley and my Mum <3

Weird huh! The Monday i got my results that 1 egg had reached Blasto and been frozen was the day i went with my mum and dad to get her results and they confirmed she did indeed have Cancer.

She had Stage 1a Cancer in her womb.

I honestly felt relieved. Stage 1! So Lucky. Obviously there's still risk it might have spread but stage 1 is the best you can hope for in this scenario. It's been caught so early.

8 days later she had a hysterectomy.

As i am writing this she is sat on the couch recovering, it's been just over a week since her Op.

We will find out in a few weeks if she needs any further treatment (if it's likely to have spread)

Keep your fingers crossed for us!


03: Not sure how to follow that!...Re-Decorating!

We recently purchased a new sofa from DFS. It's the Dynamic Sofa (see below) but it hasn't arrived yet, it will take 10 weeks to be made and delivered. I really really cannot wait for it!! It's a pale grey, fabric, recliner sofa. I swear our sofa now is so uncomfortable, I just cant describe how bad it is. To be fair to it though we got it for a bargain and its actually from Canada. When we bought our house a friend of the family was selling his girlfriends sofa. She had shipped all her furniture from Canada to here to live with him. Obvs it didn't all fit in his house so this was to be sold. It was a three seater, a two seater, an armchair and a pouffe all for £120!! Bargain. It has served us well over the past 4 years but now its time to go!

Roll on July when this beaut arrives...

I love recliners, I always have my feet up at home so this sofa is ideal. My mum has one and i just love going to hers and putting my feet up (its the small things in life eh!)

Obviously this means i need to redecorate my living room to match it. Rick isn't too impressed but to be fair its been the same for 4 years now so we deserve a refresh.
The wallpaper above (from Wilko's) is the one i am going to buy because its such a nice colour, the picture doesn't do it justice. In real life its gorgeous!..and the right kind of pale grey colour, it's textured and a bit glittery.

I have also seen a mirror in BnM's that i really want and a rug in Wilko's that i want as it is super comfy to walk on. It is however £60 and i don't think Rick will let me buy that just yet, that money could be spent elsewhere (like the garden).

Mirror with bevelled edges, £20!!

I will be doing a before and after of this room to show you :) I haven't actually purchased anything yet apart from the sofa though so it won't be anytime soon. I think I will show you my pinterest board for it though soon.

04: Beauty Haul and Wishlist.


I love a good beauty haul, my only problem is everything i like is pricey! Like I really really want the Anastasia Beverly Hills: Modern Renaissance Palette but its around £40 and i just can't justify it.

I bought 3 palettes from Make up Revolution a couple of moths ago that are dupes for Too Faced. I am actually really liking them, they were cheap and are hella pigmented and long wearing so it seems silly to pay loads of money just for a name. For some reason though i think ABH Modern Renaissance Palette would be worth it. gahhhh I wish i had it so much!

Onto the things i recently bought:

Alert! Beauty Haul!...small beauty haul! :)

The Ordinary: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

I have heard SO SO much good stuff about The Ordinary. Fleur De Force raves about them so i decided to try a product out as my skin needs nourishment (and their prices are very cheap so why not!) plus so many people rave about them. 

Tbh I actually wanted to try the foundation but it's sold out everywhere!! So i'm on the waiting list for it and so many people want it!! God only knows when i will get to try it. 

I have only just started using this so i will let you know if i like it.

Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick: Rose Matter

I purchased my first Jeffree Star Liquid Lipstick in the colour Rose Matter. Its a gorgeous colour. Quite bright but totally wearable everyday. I am wearing it in the photo below.

Next on my list is Mannequin. I just ordered it today so hopefully this will arrive in a few days.

Anastasia Beverlely Hills Dipbrow Pomade: Soft Brown

I also got another Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade, this time in soft brown. I have this in dark brown and have had it for over a year and its quite dry so i figured I would buy another but this time go lighter as my hair is lighter. I'm also wearing this in the photo above. I haven't used another brow product since discovering the dip brow! So you can tell i like it :)

Primark

I recently went to Primark too... There isn't much to say about Primark that you don't already know. You can great basics for a decent price. That the bee all and end all. I actually nipped into New Look on the same day and tried a few things on and was dissappointed. Its the same kinda stuff as primark but a bit more money. Seems pointless.

I have only posted a picure of this one outfit because I got this in different colour variations.

I got these trousers in 3 colours, these are a pink/blush and I also got them in Khaki and some white linen ones. Perfect for summer, As is the top! I also got this in a pale mint green colour. The shoes are a nude platform that isn't too high, so hopefully wont hurt the balls of my feet.

Lastly, I thought i'd show you this...it's recently been Easter, as if you didn't know!! (hehe)
Isn't this just the best egg!! (apart from Cadburys obvs) I mean the Mr totally did good with this one, I adore Lindor.

05: My New Office (Dressing Room)

I recently decided to ditch a massive set of drawers in my little dressing room to make room to incorporate a desk/dressing table. I had a bunch of old clothes in the drawers and i just wasn't using them to their full potential so its gone! as are the clothes.
The desk I found on facebook actually and i managed to get it for £20. I am hoping it will encourage me to spend more time in this room, on my laptop making more blog posts!

and the lighting is pretty damn good :)

I'd like to shabby chic the table but i haven't bought any paint just yet. Thats another project on the list!

I have a list as long as my arm!

Peace out.

Brockwood Hall Lodges - Millom, Lake District - NYE 2016

*that awkward moment when you forget a blog post is just a draft and not live!

I really sucked at doing Blogmas, i'm sorry! I am completely crap at keeping blog promises. So my resolution for 2017 is to not promise anything. And thats a promise!

I have been away for New Years Eve so i thought i'd tell you a little bit about it, and show you pictures... Me and my group of friends decided we wanted to go away again this year, we did this 2 years ago and as couples & kids we all went and stayed at a lodge. It was brilliant so we really wanted to do it again this year.

We booked this almost a year in advance! :) Brockwood Hall Lodges in Millom.

The Drive:

We set off on the 30th December, and on this day last year i passed my driving test. This is the first long drive I have done since passing, quite shameful i know. I only went on the motorway for the first time in November when Rick and I went to the Trafford Centre in Manchester, so this journey was a little daunting. 

Honestly though, it was a breeze. There wasn't one moment i felt uncomfortable or out of my depth. The car however did struggle. It's only a 1 litre Peugeot, poor Peter Peugeot struggled getting up those lake district hills...Sometimes i had to get into 2nd gear to get to the top! When we turned into the road that Brockwood Hall was on i had to actually get into first gear half way up. Hahahah. But other than that it was great, i felt like i was starring in my own Top Gear episode zooming through those roads.

Brockwood Hall:
The Hall itself was impressive as we drove up the hill, such a sight! And the scenery around it is glorious. You can see for miles!
We had arrived before check-in so we parked up and waited in the Hall for our friends to arrive. One couple had already arrived and their lodge was ready so we decided to nip there for a brew. The staff were so friendly and helpful during the whole stay. Housekeeping came everyday and asked if we wanted them to clean etc. If we ever needed anything they would get it...(like an extention lead we really needed)

We ended up all going for a meal at the Hall on New Years Day, there was around 19 of us and they put us in our own private room. The food was great value for money and so so tasty. We had no complaints at all. The only thing i could fault was the Coke, it tasted awful. But they didn't charge us for it, so that was great service.

On the site they have an indoor heated pool, which i am ashamed to say i didn't actually go in (i spent a lot of time in the hot tub) Others in our party did though and they said it was great; there are changing rooms in there and its right in the middle of all the lodges. Right next to it is a childrens' park.

 Entrance to Pool (above)

The view from our balcony - Pool Entrance (above)

The Lodges:

The lodges are cozy and each one has a Hot Tub :)

We had a few problems, the first night a few lodges had a power cut, so a lot of us only had tea around 10:30pm which was a bit of a nightmare especially when you have kids. Ours thankfully was fine though. One of the lodges had to have a bedroom door kicked through because it got stuck/locked in, so the maintenance guy has to kick it in and replace it. Sounds more dramatic than it was, they fixed it in the end. In another the mirror fell off the wall. But other than that there were no complaints. They were tidy, stylish, warm and had everything you need.

I forgot to take pictures when we arrived, plus it was dark so here are some just before we left.

 This tub did have a side panel but the guy was here to clean it as we were leaving.

My messy room, we had put the bed together but i put them back as they were when we left.

We went on a few walks, and we had a trip to Lakeside aquarium on Windermere whilst we were here but the rest of the time we chilled, drank, played Monopoly Card game and relaxed in the Hot tub :)

If you're visiting Brockwood Hall or for any reason would like to ask me any questions, feel free to do so in the comments. Peace out and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

30th Birthday wants!

My 30th Birthday is fast approaching!! July is just around the corner. One would think a big birthday bash would be happening but NO, just NO. I am not looking to go crazy at all. I actually feel old. Who wants to go clubbing anymore?! Not me.

I thought i'd share a few present ideas in the hope my family read this. Haha. Fingers Crossed!!

On my list i have jewellery, Designer Handbags, a macbook...yes i know i am asking for too much, but hey ho, you only turn 30 once!  (: May as well start with the most expensive...

Apple Macbook Pro: £999.00
Okay so mine isn't quite broken yet but it is 6 years old if not more and the memory is full and its still on 10.6.8 Snow Leopard. I still only have Photoshop CS2  from my uni days. Oh the shame. I use my mac everyday and because this is so full now i am gutted i cant properly sync my phone, the photo's will not download due to lack of space and so my phone currently has 5,000 photos i don't want to lose but i cant back them up anywhere.

Buy from: Apple

Vivienne Westwood Earrings: £75.00

I absolutely love these earrings, i feel like i just don't have enough earrings or wear earrings enough but i really love these orb ones.

Buy from: Vivienne Westwood

LOVE MOSCHINO Bag: £97.00

It's on sale!!!!!! I have been looking on this site for a while. I can't believe a bag i like is actually on sale. Woop. Tempted to buy this now....but i won't. I have seen a few i like.

Buy from: Very Exclusive

MOSCHINO Bag: £429.00

Yes, i can't help it, i have been looking at this bag for months! It'd be a great night out bag, shame its so much money!!

Buy from: TK Maxx

Harry Potter Complete Bloomsbury Set: £29.99

I've obviously got the books but i really like the cover designs of this set. I really really like these books, please someone buy them for meeeeeeee.

Buy from: thebookpeople

5 Things:

Don't you just love weekends!!

01: Hair
SO, If you have read my previous post about dying my hair you know that i put another dye on this weekend. I really love it and i'm really liking being Ginger. I know it will wash out a bit when i wash it tomorrow but the dye kit has a colour extender included so hopefully it wont be too bad. I'd really like to get some extensions too but because the tone and colour will change all the time, it's just not worth it. I really recommend the dyes used but i'd still advise anyone with brunette hair to lighten their hair a little first.

02: Food & Drink
This weekend has been pretty good food-wise but pretty naughty considering i am supposed to be on Slimming World. After weigh-in on saturday (i put half a pound on oooops) I had a sausage and egg roll. Pretty naughty. But then the same day i went to McDonalds! Very Naughty. Then me and Rick went out for a few drinks (Half a bottle of wine and 5 bacardi's later...!) then had half a pizza!!. NAUGHTY.

Today we had a lie in and then went to the local Carvery for 'All you can eat Breakfast' and my god was that good! Not bad for £3.99. For tea i have just made a roast beef dinner.

Diet pink lemonade :)

So basically i have not followed Slimming World all weekend. I'm a shit bag. I am back on it 100% tomorrow and I'm also getting back to the gym tomorrow after work. But oesn't it look good? So worth it.


03: House
Let's admit it, Weekends are spent frantically cleaning the house because you couldn't be arsed doing it during the week, right? Well that's how it goes with me haha. I spent this afternoon blitzing the kitchen and the bathroom. I managed to hang a few pictures up near my sink area, which I have been meaning to do forever! I always feel so calm after a good clean.

04: Shoes
I recently bought some shoes from New Look and they are so comfy and perfect for those days you want be casual but maybe not so casual that your wearing converse.
They are quite low heel and were on offer :) Win Win.

 They really reminded me of these Steve Madden Boots....
These below are also from New Look:

I also cheekily got some jelly shoes for summer...
It's happened, i've gone back to the 90's hahaha.

I actually bought some last June to use in Greece, but i left them there thinking i'd never wear them in the UK but I actually think i would.

These were only £8 off ebay.


05: Motivation
I really need to get my act together now and get motivated to lose weight. I have lost 10lb so far and want to have got my stone award by the 19th April for my appointment.
I have pretty much planned my meals for the week in my head so im sure i will be fine, but it's nearly witch week so i'm craving chocolate at the moment...
Wish me luck!!

Hope you have all had a great weekend!