What's in My Maternity/Hospital Bag?

As a first time mother to be, I have no idea what I am doing. However, after a lot of googling and watching Youtube videos, me and my mother have packed my hospital bag. I am due on the 22nd of September so thought we should probably get on top of it. I thought I would write a post on it to help prompt any other mothers in regards to ideas of what to take, and see if anyone has any useful hints and tips to leave in the comments! It's definitely difficult to know what exactly you need as everyone has such different experiences. I could be in and out in the same day, in which case I have majorly overpacked, or I could be in for a week. A lot of people have the minimum in one bag and a back up bag at home to be retrieved if needed, but me and my mother decided we are going to overpack and take one bag for the baby and one bag for myself. I've filmed a video showing all the individual items which you can find below, but I thought having a visible list will also be useful!

Homeware Wishlist | September '17

I love homeware shopping. It is definitely my favourite kind of shopping, even over make-up (shock-horror!). I've noticed a lot of the shops are stocking new season homeware in, so I thought why not make a wishlist of all the stuff I'd purchase if I had the money (sadly I don't)!

August Favourites | 2017

It is now the end of August... which is madness! I'm not sure whether I'll get a September favourites up as I am due to have a baby towards the end of that month, so I thought I better get one up for this month. A lot of my favourites are from my makeup haul, which I suppose is a good thing as it means I didn't waste my money! I've also got back into filming YouTube videos after a short break, so you can find the link to that favourites video at the end. Let me know if you subscribe and have a channel yourself :) Right, lets get into it!

My Baby Shower

I wasn't sure whether I was going to write a post on my baby shower, but then I decided to go ahead and do it as my memory is bloomin' awful, so it'll be nice to look back on. I was originally going to take lots of photos or vlog, but there were so many people and so much going on that I just enjoyed the day instead! 

How To: Save Money

I have had to really focus on not spending anything extra than what I have to since becoming pregnant. I am very aware of the super low income I will be trying to survive off whilst on maternity and all the things that I need to buy for the baby. Therefore, I have been trying and testing different methods to help save some money. This post is a list of things that I have found are quite useful for either saving money generally, or getting yourself a bit of a discount on items without having to completely go without.

Makeup Haul & First Impressions

I haven't bought myself anything for months (apart from a vacuum and other boring items). I am trying desperately to save money, but I also ran out of basically all my makeup whilst doing so. I managed to get myself out of my overdraft so I rewarded myself with purchasing some items (...logic). Kiko had a big sale on (they're a pretty low priced brand anyway) and a £5 off for subscribing so I went a bit mad on their website. I also caved and ended up on the John Lewis website buying a couple of items from Urban Decay, two guesses what I bought? Finally, the lovely guys at Glo Minerals sent me a few of their items, so I thought I would include those within this post as well! I also got the Tarte Concealer (finally!) and a gift set, but they are taking forever to be delivered and I am impatient! 

Badass Bloggers That Inspire & Motivate Me

Blogging is a massive industry. In comparison to some, I haven't been writing for long (around a year), however, I have followed bloggers for years and years. There are a few 'stand out' bloggers that I have read their content for years and they continue to inspire me on a daily basis when it comes to my own blog. This is everything from personality, style, photography and content. If you want to know who these 'badass b******' are, then keep on reading...

What I Have Learnt Since Becoming Pregnant...

This post is not just for those who are expecting a baby. I've tried to include some humorous points, some 'please do not say this to your pregnant friend' points and some serious ones. Being pregnant is completely different for each woman. However, a lot of online posts about pregnancy are not my kind of 'thing'. They seem to be either terrifying or a tad on the cheesy side. I thought I would write a post of what I have encountered since being 'up the duff'. I'm not a very serious person so this is my half jokey/half serious take on being pregnant so far.

My Must Have Makeup Products

These are the items that I reach for when I want to look half decent, but not over done. None of these items are new loves, they are firm favourites that I have gone back to time and time again. 

Pamper Session with CharlotteRhys UK*

I love a good pamper session, especially on a Sunday before that dreaded Monday rolls in again. My favourite thing to do is have a bubble bath, listen to music and light some candles. So, when I had the opportunity to try some items from Charlotte Rhys, I was very excited! 

How to: Plan, Write and Promote a Blog Post

I love reading blogging tips from all the wonderful bloggers out there, both big and small. I don't think the number of followers has much to do with it, I just enjoy seeing the different ways people approach blogging. I thought I would write a post on the process I go through to plan, write and promote my blog posts. I'm not saying this is the 'correct way', it's just my way! Feel free to let me know what you do in the comments below, it may give me some ideas!

June Favourites

Hello! As you can see from the title, today's post is a June Favourites. This is quite a short list as I haven't changed up my make up much this month, in fact, I haven't really worn it much! But, on the days that I have, I have found that I've reached for a few items more than others. To see what they are, as well as to know what I've been watching and listening to, keep on reading! (The video version can be found at the bottom of this post!)

June Round-Up & July Goals

I've decided to do a round up of the month of June! I have been making some vlogs which can be found at my YouTube Channel, but I thought why not do an overall 'June Roundup' post on here as well! I will do a separate post and video on my June Favourites - so keep an eye out for that one coming in a couple days time :)

Tips: How to be more organised

I am not a naturally organised person. I am definitely more chaotic and forgetful. I've always wanted to be one of those super  'on top of life' people, but it is safe to say, I am not. My mother, for example, is annoyingly organised, the woman has a place for everything! Due to my natural nightmarish mind set, I have to actively try different methods and ways of being organised. So, the blogger side of me thought - why not make a post on the ways that I have found personally useful to stay on top of work/blogging and everyday life.

My previous 'How to' post (how to lead a more positive lifestyle), proved to be oone of my most viewed pieces of writing. It was also the one I think I enjoyed writing the most. So, why not continue to do 'how to' posts if I enjoy writing them and others enjoy reading them!

Continue on reading if you want to sort your shit out.

PS take a shot for every time I say organised/organisation. Joking. Don't to that. It won't help.

Favourite Nude Lip Products!

Cruelty Free Nail Polish - Roxanne Campell*

 Todays post is a review of a couple nail polishes from the Roxanne Campell Lacquer, Summer collection. Roxanne contacted me and asked if I wanted to try a couple of the new shades in her most recent collection. Obviously, I jumped at the chance as the brand is cruelty free and the range looked beautiful. 

People I have been loving recently!

Free stock images

Hey guys! Sadly there has been a lot of negativity within the old blogging/youtube community recently, so, I thought why not share a little love.

I have decided that I am going to do a post on all my favourite content creators! From Blogging, to YouTube, to Instagram!

Sunday Round Up & Weekly Vlog

Good day! Hope you've had an awesome week. As previously mentioned (on Twitter @JaynieShannonx), I am trying to do weekly vlogs. I decided I still wanted to do a blog post along side of it that was a round up of my week, so that is what I have done! (The video is linked at the bottom of the post, feel free to subscribe! My Youtube channel is very new so appreciate each and every follow! :))

Get Ready with Me: Glowly, Simple, Glam.

Hello there! Today I bring you a Get Ready With Me for the above look. It's the one that I go for if I want to make an effort but go full glam with a smokey eye or something. A video of this 'Get Ready With Me' can be found at the end of this post if you find that easier to follow :)

Bedroom/Beauty Room Tour

KKW x Kylie Cosmetics Nude Lipsticks Review

I am a sucker for nude lip products. However, I am super pale so finding the 'right nude' for me is difficult. When I saw these shades I jumped at the chance to try them. I had birthday money left over so decided it was worth the splurge (due to customs charges). 

Current Beauty Favourites

I have been trying to save lots of dolla recently due to the offspring I'm going to be producing in September. Because of this, I haven't discovered very many new products recently. However, there have definitely been a hand few of items that I have reached for more than others. I've decided to do 'current favourites' from now on, rather than monthly, as it's unlikely I will have different favourites every few weeks now!

Face of the Day: Everyday, Glam Makeup.

I haven't been doing very much with face recently, so, I thought I would do a face of the day for the one time I did. For my birthday, I wanted to look like I'd made an effort but without doing anything too intense. This is what I came up with.

My Birthday Weekend

Tips To Lead A Positive Lifestyle

Throughout my 24 year of living (25 in a weeks time, but still), there have definitely been a few negative things that have happened. In spite of this, or maybe because of this, I have always tried to have a positive outlook on situations. I am by no means a professional in this topic, but, I do believe that there are many things a person can do to try and be positive. I've also read a lot about this topic as negativity is something I really don't like to be around. I thought I'd write a post on the things that I personally do to try and live a somewhat 'positive lifestyle'. 

Beauty Wishlist

Today I return with a Beauty Wishlist post. I haven't bought anything other than food and essentials for myself in almost two months (very good for me) but that can't stop me from window shopping! These are some of the products that have caught my eye recently. Also, if you're wondering why I haven't been blogging much recently, I explain at the end of the post :) 

Jade Hair Straightening Brush - Irresistible Me*

Today's post is on something a little different. I don't do much with my hair, I'm definitely more of a make up girl. I was contacted by the lovely lot at Irresistible Me to try their hair straightening brush. I'd see quite a few of these floating around the internet so I jumped at the chance to try it. 

January Favourites | 2017

The first favourites of the year is upon us. I really didn't know if I would have anything to talk about this month as I have not long done the best of beauty for 2016. Turns out I was wrong... I have yet more products (etc.) that I have fallen in love with over the past month. 

The Perfect Grey Bag: Featuring KoKo Couture*

I am a monochrome girl, through and through. I very rarely wear colour and all my bags (bar one beige one), are black. The lovely guys over and KoKo Couture contacted me to see whether I wanted to review one of their handbags. Being the massive handbag fan that I am, I jumped at the opportunity.

Sunday Round Up

Today's a chatty post as I felt like writing something more laid back. The last couple of weeks have felt super grown up. I had a week off of work to do an intensive driving course, and I passed! 

Beauty Wishlist

Another beauty wishlist of things I really want but probably can't afford...

How I Got 1000 Blog Followers In 6 Months

I am not claiming that my blog is the most popular thing in the planet, in fact, it's a relatively small fish in a big pond. However, my blog has grown from 100 followers to over 1000 in around 6 months.  This isn't something that I expected, and I definitely thought it would take a lot longer to hit quadruple figures. I am very proud of my blog and although there has been some, lets say, 'critics', it's something I really enjoy. I've always loved to write, I just never liked being told what to write about and how it would be deemed as successful (aka, school grading). 

This post is based on what I did to get to this point in my blog. You may have a lot more followers than me, or a lot less, numbers aren't everything. However, this may just spark a, 'oh I might try that', moment for you. I suppose this is also for me, a way to remind myself of what to keep on top of and how to help grow this platform further. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills: Modern Renaissance Review / Swatches

I finally have it. I have been after this palette since it came out. But, living in England means that getting hold of many 'cult' products, often proves to be very difficult. I considered shipping it from the US and paying the charges but it worked out pretty pricey and it was still out of stock a lot of the time. I went to Los Angeles in February this year and dragged everyone to all the stores I could think of that stock it, still with no luck. However, Anastasia Beverly Hills has launched a UK website, which I squealed out loud about. I wanted to get a few liquid lipsticks, but they were out of stock, however, this bad boy was in stock. I purchased it without even thinking, and I do not regret it. Keep reading to see the modern renaissance palette review with swatches. 

Favourites of 2016

I tried to narrow down my favourites from 2016, I didn't really do that well, so this might be quite a long post. Saying this, a lot of items were stand out favourites for me so, it didn't feel right to leave them out just to shorten the post! So, grab a cuppa tea and continue on to find out what my 'go to' items for 2016 were!

Goals For 2017 / New Years Resolutions

I use the term, 'resolutions' loosely. I've never been one to make New Years Resolutions, mainly because I forget them almost instantly. However, I love listening to other peoples. With this in mind, I've spent the last few days reading peoples goals and plans which inspired to set some myself this year. I mean, there's no harm in having a little hope! Plus, if I write a post on it, I have it right here in writing, so I cannot forget!