So I'm Gonna Be A Momma...

I'll be honest writing pregnancy related blog posts isn't something I saw myself doing when I started this blog in November but hey here we are! February just gone by, valentines day to be exact myself and my other half Josh got the most AMAZING news ever...we were expecting our first baby!! We were and obvs still are literally over the moon. It is the most life changing news ever and sharing it with family and friends is daunting but the love and support you feel is really overwhelming. 

The very first time I met Josh was October 2007 on a school tour in Barcelona and it was love at first sight. I honestly fell in love with him all over again when we found out a little mini me/us was on the way. I won't go on to much about him but he is the sweetest, most thoughtful and patient man in the world. I rely on him so much, sometimes for silly things like a constant supply of suppoertive hugs or closing my shoes because I can't reach them! I commend any woman who has, is or will be going at it alone. I don't think I could so ye ladies are superwomen!!

So the whole pregnancy thing is a huge roller-coaster or emotions, good and sometimes bad. The first thing you can do is kiss goodbye to your skinny jeans. For me anyway these were the first things that left my wardrobe. I'm quite lucky that I am having a summer pregnancy as I can get away with wearing maxi dresses and skirts etc. You will also need to book yourself in for a bra measurement...they get huge and very quickly!! Oh and I can't eat so much as a biscuit without being crippled with heartburn, rennie and/or gaviscon are now my best friend. I swear I am single handedly keeping my local pharmacy in business. When it comes to cravings I have had a few so far including potato wedges, kinder buenos, mr freeze cool pops and now pingu bars but not together so don't panic. 

Bump meets So Sue Me!!

The past month or so has been great because my bump is quite visible now. There is a stage in early pregnancy when you just look a bit chubby and not actually like you have a bump. This was upsetting for me as I am such an image conscience freak! Random strangers on the train or in my job always ask about the baby and it's so nice. It's always the same questions, ''When is the baby due? Is it a boy or a girl? Any names yet??'' so when your time arrives be prepared to be on repeat all day everyday. One thing you absolutely need when you are pregnant is a pregnancy diary, you can get really cute ones in Easons. Mine is like a little record book of how I'm feeling week to week and it has scrap book pages to for photos etc. I even keep the bus tickets from our trip to the hospital for our scan. I am such a loser like!! It's such a good present for a newly pregnant friend or family member to.

One of my favourite maxis...so comfy!!

I'll be honest as I always am I was quite nervous about writing this blog post. I wanted to share my experiences with you all without being to forward and in your face. The phrase TMI springs to mind! Lol. If you have any more questions you can message me on facebook or email me at the address below. There will be more pregnancy blog posts to follow. I hope you enjoyed this one! 

Thanks for reading

Pose And Pout Makeover Studio

 

I had sooo many inquiries about my outfit, hair and makeup for the Aussie & Her.ie blog awards. My jumpsuit was only €15 in Penneys last week and my coral wedges are from Menary's Tullamore last Summer. My hair and makeup is thanks to Cindy O Meara's magical and talented hands. I absolutely loved it. I got so many compliments and it was the first time I EVER got my makeup done and didn't change something when I got home. It was just perfect and exactly the way I like it...IF I could do it that wys myself. Cindy is assisted by the equally fabulous and talented Nathan in a gorgeous studio just outside Blanchardstown, Dublin. Nathan done my sisters makeup and it suited her soooo much. My sister, Tina, actually had a hair stylist from Aussie Hair ask her where she had hers done.

If you have event in, around or anywhere near Dublin you need these two looking after you. As well as being super talented they are just so much fun. I honestly don't know how Cindy managed to do such an amazing job on my makeup with all the chatting and giggling we were doing. Pose And Pout is a one stop shop for looking fabulous. Make-up, hair, nails, eyebrows, tanning and photography all in one place. Right now they are in with a chance to be named Dublin's best hairdresser!! Nobody is more hardworking or deserving so if you have a minute pleeeeease vote for them here http://www.98fm.com/bestofdublin.

All contact information for Pose And Pout is in the flyer picture above or you can find them on facebook here https://www.facebook.com/cindy.m.cunningham1 :)

Thanks for reading you guys!!

Aussie Hair & Her.ie Blog Awards 2014

So on Monday evening I attended my very first official blogging event ever and loved it. Myself and Ellen were nominated in the ''Most Aussome Newcomer'' category which is an honour considering our blog is a little over six months old. When we began creating Lipstick And Louboutins we had no idea it would take off like it did and we are just over the moon about it. 

I LOVED taking this photo!!

 The event itself took place in House on Leeson Street, Dublin. One of the most amazing things about it was actually meeting other bloggers in person rather than just chit chat online. I was sitting there looking around going who do I recognize and then shamelessly introduced myself to Sue from Makeup By Ruby Sue Blog. She then introduced me to some other fellow bloggers and the chatting and photo taking began!!

Myself and Sue from Makeup By Ruby Sue Blog

I am still in shock over the fact that I met Suzanne Jackson from SoSueMe.ie AND the amazingly beautiful Vogue McFadden!! They are both such lovely and really friendly girls. I nearly gave them both a heart attack when I told them I was six months preggars! Suzanne actually never felt a baby bump before so I let her say hello to little bump...my child is now blessed!! LOL! 

Me and bumps future godmother lol!

Impossible to look half decent in a photo beside this stunner!

So then we had a cute little BBQ and there was an incredible amount of prosecco going around... I stuck to my passion-fruit and lime cocktail. It was soooooo yummy! Despite the fact that we didn't win I still had the most amazing time and our category winner Dee from La Belle Mama is honestly such a sweetheart!! She is one of them girls you start chatting and feel comfortable with immediately like you've known her forever. 

Some fellow bloggers and I. Dee (La Belle Mama), Sue (Makeup By Ruby Sue) & Sonia (Irish Food Goddess).

So to round up I had an amazing time and met some really lovely people. So looking forward to the next event. Here are some more photos. I was very snap happy!! 

Nearly died when I saw this on Her.ie instagram page

An amazing drawing by my talented little sister of me meeting So Sue Me

The goodie bag contents... Cannot wait to use them!!

Gorge centre pieces and prosecco (that I couldn't have booooo)!

Happy sistas!

Let me take a selfie.

Geraldine O'Callaghan PR (centre), Kate from Pure Irish Sugar (right) and I.

 

 

Again a massive thank you to everyone who voted for us and to everyone who takes the time to read and follow our blog!

We would be nowhere without you guys!

 

Mel Loves: All My Favourite Products

So as the title suggests this blog post is going to be all about my favourite products. I'm going to cover all areas that us ladies need to pamper such as hair, skin, makeup and body. Obviously our favourites can change as new products are released or we try something new but these are my favourite right now. Some of the products I have mentioned below I have repeatedly purchased overtime and others are newbies to my collection. I hope you enjoy it. Feel free to share your favourites in the comments section below.

Haircare

Shampoo: Mane 'N' Tale Clarifying Shampoo

Conditioner: Aussie Three Minute Miracle Re-constructor 

Mask: Boots Ingredients Almond Mask

Leave In Conditioner: Revlon Professional Equave

Hairspray: L'Oreal Elnett Satin

Home Colouring: L'Oreal Casting Creme Gloss

Dry Shampoo: Batiste Tropical

Oil: Moroccan Oil

Skincare

Eye Make-Up Remover: Lancome Bi-Facil

Cleanser: Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

Scrub: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Toner: Garnier Soft Essentials Soothing Toner

Moisturiser: Decleor Hydra Floral

Eye Cream: Green Angel Seaweed & Aloe Eye Gel

Mask: Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque

Serum: NeoStrata Illuminating Serum 

Make-Up

Primer: Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser

Concealer: Artdeco Camouflage Cream

Foundation: MAC Studio Fix Fluid or Vichy Dermablend

Powder: GOSH Cosmetics BB Powder

Highlighter: Benefit Watts Up

Bronzer: Benefit Hoola 

Mascara: MAC Extended Play Gigiblack Lash

Liquid Eyeliner: Catrice Waterproof Liquid Liner

Gel Eyeliner: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

Pencil Eyeliner: GOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Eyeliner

Lipstick: MAC Matte Collection or LUSH Cosmetics

Lipgloss: Lancome Juicy Tubes

Lipliner: GOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Lipliner

Lip Balm: Maybelline Baby Lips

Eyeshadows: Urban Decay

Eyeshadow Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion

Blusher: GOSH Cosmetics Multi Colour Blush

Eyebrow Shading: Benefit Browzings

Body

Shower Gel: Any Radox

Moisturiser: Nivea In Shower Moisturiser

Scrub: Cocoa Brown Tough Stuff

Shaving Gel/Cream: Baby Shampoo (little secret)

Tan: He Shi or Karora

Hand Cream: Soap And Glory Hand Food

Deodrant: Sure Fresh Cool Pink

Perfume: Jimmy Choo Flash 

I think that's everything!! If there is anything I have forgotten pop it in a comment below!

Love Mel x

15 Totally Random Beauty Tips & Tricks

 

  

Mix any shower gel, the juice of one lemon & 2-3 spoons of brown sugar together to make an amazing homemade body scrub. 

Putting a small amount of original Vaseline on the tips of your eyelashes a few times a week will help make them longer, stronger and fuller.

Eating tomatoes during spells of hot weather actually helps prevent sunburn. The juice from a tomato also helps to soothe recent sunburn and reduce the redness. 

Broken your compact bronzer? Mix it with a facial or body moisturiser for a homemade tinted moisturiser. 

After blow drying give your hair a blast of cool air for extra shine.

Wearing your hair up in a ponytail or a plait at least twice a week helps to reduce split ends.

Shaving your legs with baby shampoo ensures a closer shave and softer, smoother skin afterwards.

The darker the lip colour the whiter your lips will look. A lipstick with a blue undertone also creates the illusion of whiter teeth. 

An oil such as bio oil or coconut oil is a natural exfoliater, applying it about thirty minutes before tan removal will help loads. 

Soaking in a tub of hot water with a few cups of epsom salts is proven to relax the muscles, reduce swelling and draw toxins from your body. It also acts as a natural sedative for your nervous system.

If you suffer with brittle nails you could mix a teaspoon of olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice, massage into nails and pop on cotton gloves overnight.

Dipping a cotton bud into baby powder and applying it sandwiched between two layers, focussing on the tips, of your favourite mascara will make your eyelashes look fuller and longer.

Add a few drops of peppermint oil to your favourite lipgloss to make it an instant lip plumper. 

I hate those eyeshadow applicator sponges but they work waaaay better when creating an ombre manicure than makeup sponges do.

Combine 1 tablespoon of olive oil, one tablespoon of brown sugar, a few drops of vanilla extract and aprox two tablespoons of cocoa powder to make a chocolate facial scrub. Yummmy!!
 

If you guys know of anymore beauty tricks pop them in a comment below!! :)