Indie is ONE

Our beautiful baby daughter turns one today and I have so many emotions about it. Most of them feel like the purest kind of happiness you can imagine, but I also feel an inner sadness that makes her birthday bittersweet for me.So many people told me how quickly the first year would pass. "Babies don't keep" I heard over and over, but I never gave it a thought to how true that phrase is.

It honestly seems like yesterday that I was in labour, breathing through the pain telling myself that each contraction gone was one closer to finally holding her. She was worth every second of pain and I'd go through it a million times to experience that feeling of meeting her again for the first time.

Becoming a mother was always my highest priority in life and I waited what felt like forever to finally earn that title. We prayed and prayed for a baby, and when it didn't come it felt like maybe my path was going to turn out different to what I had always imagined. When we finally learned she was on her way, I felt completed in a way that was so surreal but so very innate.

This past year has changed who I am forever. It has been the hardest year of my life but everyday has been so, so cherished. Even the ones that have left me feeling like a complete failure. Filling my days with Indie has blessed me beyond measure and brought a light to our lives that we truly thank God for every single night before we go to sleep. Babies are straight from heaven and having her around is like having something sacred with us. She is a perfect bundle of joy and always has been since the beginning.

The wait for her has been compensated a million times over and I feel truly lucky that she chose me to be her mother before she came. Thanks baby girl for the best year of my life. I have found myself in you and you have completed me in a way that I can't put into words. Your little life has become the best part of mine and your birthday will always be my favourite day of the year.

We love you more than you'll ever know Indie Girl. Happy first birthday x

Sephora Haul from America

One of my absolute favourite things about visiting America is the shopping. I especially love makeup shopping (anywhere in the world ha!) and my first stop is always Sephora. It baffles me why we don't have one in the UK yet, but maybe its a good thing as my makeup collection would grow and my bank balance wouldn't.

I bought a few things on our most recent trip and have been using them for a couple of weeks now so thought I'd share.

Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation

I've had this foundation before and remember loving it so buying this was pretty high on my priority list. It was a while ago that I used it for the first time so maybe my skin has changed slightly since then because this time round, I'm not diggin' it. The formula seems really thick and I feel like I need at least 3 pumps to get a decent coverage. It is a buildable, high coverage foundation but I don't think it gives my skin a nice finish and I always feel a bit cake when i wear it! I'm going to keep using it though and might fall back in love with it again. We'll see!

Nars Radient Creamy Concealer//Shade: Vanilla

There's a lot of hype amongst the makeup bloggers surrounding this concealer so I was excited to try it, especially since their Sheer Glow foundation has become my new favourite. Sadly, I don't think it lives up to its rep. Its a nice concealer but I've used cheaper ones that give the same coverage/finish.

Tarteist PRO Glow Highlight & Contour Palette

This is probably my favourite purchase but disaster struck a day after I bought it and 2 of the highlighters are now cracked and loose and the mirrors inside are smashed. Devastated!

This palette has 4 gorgeous highlighters and 2 contour shades, one powder and one cream. I've yet to use the creamer bronzer but I adore the powder contour! I've used it every single day since I bought it! Gorgeous packaging. Just a shame I ruined it! Tarte is definitely up there in my all time favourite makeup brands!

Origins Make a Difference Plus Rejuvinating Moisturiser 

I've also had this before and it is for sure my favourite moisturiser. I love the brand and have my eye on a few other things I want to try out. Its a little pricey compared to some skincare bands but I'm a believer in investing in your skin. You won't regret it when you're older!

This moisturiser is best for normal/dry skin which is what I have (although i do get oily too! I suffer with it all!) I'd describe it as an alsmot gel-like formula so its not heavy on the skin at all. They also do the same moisturiser but for oily skin too, I just feel that my skin needs more hydration so is why I chose this one.

Jo Malone Perfume "Nectarine Blossom & Honey"

I really wanted a new perfume at Christmas so asked Josh to pick me one from Jo Malone but ended up getting one by Paco Rabanne. When I asked him, he said he didn't like any of the Jo Malone ones as he thought they were more suited for older ladies (which I don't agree with!) When out luagge didnt arrive in America, I was using my sister in law's toiletries and she had this perfume which I fell in love with so went out and bought straight away. The best way I can describe it, is being fruity and peachy. Its so fresh for the spring time which is lovely too. Do yourself a favour and go spend some time in a Jo Malone store or counter, sniffing away! There is so many to choose from and you can even layer different ones to create your own unique scent. Will definitely be buying the full size bottle when this is finished (Tip: buy the smallest bottle when trying out a new perfume just incase you don't like it!)

Thanks for reading! Where are your favourite places to buy makeup?

SLC x

(by clicking on the bold text, you will be redirected to another site where you can find the products I've mentioned in this post)

Looking after YOU

I think its really important not to forget yourself when you become a mum. Its so easy to focus all of your time and attention on your little baby but I've been trying to do little things here and there for myself recently and have noticed a massive difference in how I feel.

I used to feel guilty for booking myself in for beauty appointments as I felt it was eating into my time with Indie girl, but I realised that its okay to take some time for yourself to do something you enjoy, whatever that may be. I know it may sound vain to some, but I feel a lot better about myself when I feel good about myself, and I tend to feel better about myself when I look after my appearance. Us mums should allow ourselves an hour or so every week to indulge in something we enjoy. Do anything that will bring you a bit of peace and quiet!

Anyone who knows me knows that I like to have tidy nails at all times (I get on to my sister so much because she literally lets her nail polish chip off until its completely gone. Its one of my pet peeves! ha) but my nails have been in really bad condition recently (thank you pregnancy- ANOTHER thing to add to the list of post-baby woes!) so when the lovely team at Barn//It in Manchester got in touch to ask if I'd like to try out a few treatments in their beauty room, I knew exactly what was I wanted done, especially since we had a holiday planned.

First, let me say this. I've had many mani\pedi's over the years but NOTHING like this. The whole experience from start to finish was nothing I had ever experienced and I left feeling utterly pampered. If the salon itself doesn't wow you from the minute you walk in then the built in bar definitely will. Their signature cocktail, pictured above, was too pretty to drink! 

Part of their luxury nail treatments include dipping your hands and feet into wax which is then wrapped up and left to soak in to you skin. After about 30 minutes, the wax was taken off and my skin had never felt softer. That was definitely the best part for me- its the extra mile that stands out the most. 

I can't thank the Barn//it team enough for having me in and allowing me to feel myself again for a few hours. As much as I adore being a mum, I love a good pamper session and taking the time to do something just for me that makes me feel myself and gives me a confidence boost! 

Check out their salon HERE and book yourself and some friends in for a girls day! You won't regret it. I'm already planning my next trip back...

SLC x

Instagram: @barnitmcr

34 John Dalton St, Manchester, M2 6LE

Tel. 0161 641 4310 

Baby no. 2

I can't remember how old I was when I knew that I wanted to be a mother. I feel as though its just always something I knew I wanted and never questioned. I come from a family of three girls and I loved growing up with my sisters around me. 

Its never been an option for us to be a one child family and baby number two has been on my mind recently even though Indie is only 6 months. I feel like a crazy person for even writing this but I have been thinking a lot recently about when we will have another baby.

There is 6 years between me and my oldest sister and 4 years between me and my other sister but we have always been really tight knit. The three of us are literally best friends, we talk or text every single day, laugh together and cry together about everything. I'm so grateful for the bond we have and would love if my children had the same.

Before I had Indie, I always thought I'd leave a few years in between each of my babies so I could really focus on and give them my whole undivided attention, but there is a big part of me now that would like to have all my children fairly close together in age so they can grow up close.

I don't know why its been playing on my mind recently but I'm a planner and like to try and organise as much as I can, even though we've learned that babies definitely don't come according to your agenda. We waited 3 years for our Indie girl and it scares me to think it could take that long again for baby number 2 to arrive.

Even though I definitely want more children, I don't know if I'm fully ready to go through pregnancy and labour again. The trauma and memory of my experience still scares me and I don't know if I could handle it again, knowing what I'm in for. I also worry that I won't be physically able to love my next baby as much as I love Indie. That instant bond you have and the love you experience when you meet your baby is so overwhelming and deep that I seriously question if it can happen multiple times. I know a mothers love has no limits though and every mum I've spoken to have said that as soon as they had their second or third, the feeling was always the same and just as strong.

I don't think there is such a thing as the "perfect age gap" but will accept that when its time, its time. I'm excited to have more children and for our family to grow but for now I will savour and soak up every minute its just Indie & I.

Did you have your babies close together or did you wait a while? 

SLC x

Getting ready with baby!

Now that I'm a mum, I'm unable to enjoy the luxury of getting ready at my own leisure and often find myself rushing around trying to get myself together. I feel as though I'm finally getting to a point where I'm able to make myself look presentable without spending an hour in front of the mirror so thought I'd share my top tips on how to get yourself and baby ready in the mornings without it turning into a total nightmare.

First things first- get yourself organised the night before. I have found this to be the most helpful thing I do to make sure my mornings are plain sailing. I have a basic clothes rail from Ikea that I use to plan my outfits out a few days in advance. If I don't do this, I honestly end up wearing the same things all week which will typically be sweats and baggy tops. I know it sounds silly but when my outfit feels put together I feel better about myself and the days I get dressed are almost always more productive!

The products I now use since having Indie have changed too as I don't have the time to pamper myself so I like things that can give me the look I want quickly, with little effort. Here are my favourites:

- Lash extensions. I can't live without these now and am obsessed. The first time I had these done I wasn't impressed at all and hated them. They ripped out so many of my natural lashes and it took weeks for them to look how they were before. But the moral of the story is: do your research and find a good lash technician. The girl I go to now is amazing and my lash extensions stay on for a good 3.5 weeks before I need to go back and they feel like my own lashes but longer and thicker. I get silk lashes that are a "J curl" so they look a bit more natural as they're not too curled. This makes my makeup routine a lot quicker and even though makeup removal takes a little longer in the evenings because you have to be more careful, it makes me more gentle around my delicate eye area. 

- Tinted moisturiser/facial tan: This was something I NEVER used until recently and I don't know why I didn't do it sooner. I've not tried a lot of products seeing as though its not been long since I've added these to my routine, but the ones I have used I would definitely recommend. For facial tanner, I use the St Tropez Face Bronzing Lotion. It gives a really nice subtle, natural tan colour and doesn't smell bad. I use this a few times a week to make it last. For tinted moisturiser I use the Nars Tinted Moisturiser. I love their Sheer Glow foundation which is more build-able, but this tinted moisturiser is really lovely & lightweight and gives a good coverage. 

- NYX Butter Gloss is my go to for my lips on an everyday basis. These aren't sticky, feel really moisturising and last well but because they're a gloss, they give a really nice natural look. I have a few shades and you can guarantee there is always a couple of tubes somewhere in my changing bag.

I've never used a lot of products on Indie and I think thats the reason why she never has any problems with her skin. My number one product I use on her is the Burts Bees Face & Body wash which I use in her bath and I don't use any body creams, talcs or lotions on her once she's out. If she needs any cream when I'm changing her nappy then I use Bepantham, but again, she doesn't need that very often!

My morning routine is obviously based on Indie's and can change from day to day, but usually when she goes back to sleep after her first bottle, I use that time to jump in the shower and get ready. 

When Indie wakes up, I take her downstairs to play and give her some baby porridge before I get her dressed for the day as she gets it everywhere! Once she's dressed, we get our coats on and take the dog out for his morning walk and then go about our day depending on whats on the agenda.

Hope you've found these tips useful! 

Happy Wednesday!

SLC x