Hey guys,

So by now you should know that I'm pregnant! I decided to document my first trimester in a diary format, so parts will be as I am experiencing it and there may also be comments from me reflecting on it later. Even though my blog started off as a motherhood and beauty blog, more recently I have focused a little more on the beauty side of things, but please expect to read more of my experience in pregnancy. The interesting thing is I started my blog nine months after the birth of my second child. So even though there are a lot of post-natal posts (click here) there are no pre-natal ones, so I am making sure I document how I feel every step of the way!

7 weeks

How can I feel so lifeless when I have never been more full of life? I'm pregnant, and the reality is I'm exhausted, not just from feeling tired but from feeling sick, from being constipated, from the smells that are the most overpowering they have ever been. This is my third pregnancy. so you might say you knew what you were getting yourself into. Yes I knew, but when reality hits, there's nothing quite like it. 

Hi Guys,

This week I am bringing to you a blog post all about glasses. I have worn glasses from a very young age. Primary school in fact. I went through a long period of trying to get away with not wearing them, like a lot of kids probably do, however, I think they just gradually got worse. I used to do the whole thing where I would take them with me to school but only wear them when I was in lesson, but around sixth form and uni I gave in a decided to just wear them full time as I literally couldn't see clearly more than 2 metres in front of me. 

I do still battle constantly with wearing glasses for many reasons. I think I have one of those strange faces where my head is quite big and square so finding glasses that suit me is quite difficult. Also my prescription is quite high, so when I do wear them the thickness of the lens seems to reduce my eye size a little, which distorts what my actual face looks like. Saying that, I do wear glasses everyday and have come to accept my glasses as part of me. However, I do wear contact lenses sometimes for special occasions or a day out etc.

Glasses Direct appealed to me as I literally couldn't find any glasses at my recent eye test that suited me. I felt stuck. I had taken time out of my busy schedule to get my eyes tested but when it came to picking a frame I could not choose. Being a mum of two, working part - time and basically not having time in the day to wee let alone shop for glasses left me stuck. I then came across Glasses Direct and was left intrigued.

I found loads of glasses styles that I really loved and what's fab is they have a virtual try-on page where you can upload a picture of yourself and virtually try the glasses on. I tried this, but felt it wasn't a true representation. Still stuck, I delved a little bit deeper and found out they do a free 7 day home trial service where they send you up to four of your favourite styles for you to try on and all for free! I think this is such a great service as they even pay delivery for you. So in essence, you get to try before you buy. 

Once I got my glasses, this is where my lovely Instagram and Twitter followers came in, as I got them to vote for which glasses suited me best! Out of the four options, the majority voted for option four which I was over the moon with, as I liked them best too.

Literally all you then need is your prescription details, which are usually given to you when you go for your eye test. Once you select your frame online, you are then directed to complete the prescription details and it is as simple as that. You can then add on any extras such as anti-glare coating etc. Being so busy, it literally made my day that it was made so simple.

Up until this point, I was completely happy with the process. However, when my chosen frame did arrive, it felt quite loose and one of the arms were bent. The good thing about Glasses Direct is they have optometrists on hand via phone, so any problems and they are literally one call away from being contacted. I was then asked to send the glasses back in the pre-paid envelope and they would do their best to resolve the issue. However, I guess this is one thing to consider when opting to purchase glasses online, you don't get the glasses personally fitted to your face and this can make such a difference to your vision. Up until now, I have had to send the glasses back twice and they are still in for correction. This is something I will definitely consider next time I'm purchasing glasses.

I hope you enjoyed this week's post and has opened your eyes (pun intended) to a new way of selecting you future specs. Do you wear glasses? Where do you purchase from?

Amina  xx

Hey guys,

This week I am bringing to you a brand focus on Stila Cosmetics. They have appeared on the blog before in my Christmas Stocking Filler Gift Guide and New Year's Eve Makeup Look, however this time I am going to introduce you to some of their key products and new releases for Spring and end with a Spring make-up look, so be sure to scroll all the way down!

One thing I love about the brand is how easy their products are to work with. The products speak for themselves and help anyone achieve an effortless make-up routine. They are fast becoming my favourite make-up brand and something about the brand as a whole really connects with me. 

First up we have the Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows. These are one of the products that Stila are well known for. The Glitter & Glow combines glitter and eyeshadow into one product, it applies wet and dries to a powder. No need for glitter glue, it is fuss free, with maximum impact and I think this is what really appeals to me. Below are some swatches from the christmas gift set which contains 3 mini's, however there are a range of over 20 shades. Including duo chrome shades new for Spring. I am obsessed by the way, and want them all.

Carrying on with the eye theme, Stila have also released a Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow for Spring, as easy to use as the Glitter & Glow but with less of the glitter and more of a pearly shimmer. This is perfect for a less obvious look and gives such a subtle shine, it is soft and beautiful. I love that the colour applies wet and dries to a powder. It also means it is buildable, you can apply a thin layer, or apply more to get fuller coverage. These can also be worn with the Glitter & Glow if you are looking for maximum impact. However on their own they give a pearlescent effect that is so stunning. 

One thing I find fantastic about Stila is the usability of the products. They are created with ease in mind. You don't have to be a make-up artist to use them but can still get a professional look. An example of this can be seen in the new Smudge Kajal Eyeliner. It is essentially kajal eyeliner with a smudge sponge and sharpener attached at the bottom.  The formula is lovely, very waxy and applies smoothly. Perfect for smudging and giving a blended look, but with a high intensity pigment. It comes in four colours and I need them all.

Another classic Stila staple is the Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, infused with Vitamin E and Avocado oil it keeps your lips hydrated throughout the day. As matte liquid lipsticks go, this is a very comfortable formula, one of the best I've tried. And that is saying something really as I am definitely a gloss girl! For Spring there is also a shimmer version which is metallic and just stunning. Shimmer for the win I say.

Also new for spring are the Stay All Day Sheer Liquid Lipsticks, same formula but somehow more transparent and less pigmented. Everyone is so caught up with high impact these days but these are surprisingly nice and lightweight. They offer a light wash of matte colour to the lip, and offer a great compromise for someone who loves a matte lip with a softer finish. 

If you are looking to jazz your lips up you need to get your hands on Stila's new Glitterati top coat! It is a clear liquid with tiny particles of pearl, perfect to apply over any of the Stay All Day liquid Lipsticks. Perfect for nightwear and gives your lips a little added extra. This is next on my wishlist!

I created my Bohemian Beauty look below with Shimmer & Glow in Carefree over the lid, with a dark brown shadow blended into the crease. Because the liquid dries to a powder you are still able to apply and blend powder eyeshadows to the rest of the eyes. I then applied the Smudge Kajal eyeliner in Intense Black over the lash line and used the smudger to blend it out. On the lips, I applied Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Bellissimo with Stay All Day Sheer Liquid Lipstick in Sheer Caramel over the top to give an ombre effect. I love the fact all the products can be layered to get different effects. 

So that's my round up of some of my fave Stila products and some of their new releases. Once again this is a brand I am totally falling in love with and will continue to purchase from. They somehow make beauty and make-up un-intimidating and make it exciting for everyone. Have you purchased from Stila? What are your faves? Let me know in the comments below.

Amina xx

*Contains PR samples. All opinions are my own.

Hey Guys,

This week I've got something a little different for you and a bit of food for thought. How many of you go through your everyday only interacting with people you know or have been introduced to? How many of you feel nervous to strike up new conversations or even smile at others in your community? I for one can say I am guilty of both of these. Social media has made it so much easier for us to be less social with those around us but instead focus our efforts on dialogue online. Permission to Smile is an initiative that has started in Birmingham encouraging people to come together as a community and simply interact more with one another.

When I was contacted by Martin Graham, one of the founders of the initiative, and made aware of the campaign, something struck a chord with me. What's better than society and communities working together to benefit everyone? Whether it be by having a conversation with some one who is feeling isolated, or going shopping for someone who might be struggling to get outdoors. Working together works out for everyone, but it starts by communicating, and a smile is just that. It is the initial communication to say I am warm, open and welcoming.

Only a month ago I had been battling and supporting to save my local children's centre for this exact reason. It was the one thing that had given me support when I had had my first child. Meeting other like minded people from my area gave me a sense of belonging and togetherness. It gave me so much happiness to know other people from my area with kids my age and to know we could be there for each other if we needed. I then began to think about what life would be like if I didn't have service like this. It made me realise we can't rely on the council of such services anymore as cuts are being made everyday and we need to take action ourselves.

This is where we come in. How can we take part? Well, firstly by doing exactly what it says, in every day life there is no harm in smiling! We tend to walk around avoiding eye contact with people just in case the worst happens.... a conversation starts! So simply just smile, or say hello. It could make someones day. Permission to Smile have also set up a crowd funding page in order to get the word out there and hopefully launch an app where people who live local to one another can meet up and start engaging with one another, it is also hopefully going to become a school programme and introduced into school lessons. You can donate here. The website is due to launch on the 12th May with a event in the city centre to celebrate.

So if you are in Birmingham why not show some support, but no matter where you are you have permission to smile! Being nice doesn't cost a thing, so if there is one thing you can take from this post it should be that!

Amina xx

Hey guys,

Last week I attended a fabulous event with the Brum Bloggers Group and got to experience a little taste of what it's like to have a personal shopper at Topshop and was introduced to a brand new salon, Bad Apple Hair, that has opened on the first floor of Topshop in the Bullring. We were given a sneak peek into the Spring Summer trends for 2018, so I've decided to share them with you. Make sure you read to the end because there's a treat for you too. Ever fancied your own personal shopper for free? Well it's right at your fingertips.

Firstly with the salon, Bad Apple Hair is already a well established hairdressers with salons in Solihull, Wolverhampton and Walsall. This is the first Bad Apple Hair Salon within a Topshop store and hopefully the first of many. From what I saw from the hairstyles demonstrated on the night, I was really impressed. The hairdressers all showed that they can create cuts and styles to suit all preferences. I think all the styles in the pictures below are lovely and one of the main trends for longer hair was the accessories. So get those ruffles out ladies....and men. No but seriously, around the ponytail a shoelace was wrapped to give it a little quirkiness and I loved how on the shorter hair bobby pins were used to create a accessory to push the hair back. For men, the trends seemed to be hairstyles that could be worn relaxed but also messed about for a bit of dimension. I can definitely see myself going for a bit of shopping and then popping in for a quick hair fix.

Bad Apple use TIGI Bedhead products, we were given some products to try ourselves so look out for a blog post on these soon.

Now for the Personal Shopping. Did you know that Topshop offer a complimentary styling service which is absolutely personal to you. I had no idea this was available. They are tailored to you, whether it's a big event, new wardrobe, a birthday treat or simply some styling advice, you can book yourself in with the personal shopping team and they will cater to your every need. Specific trends that were highlighted to us were pastel colours like ultra violet being very popular. Also A-symmetric designs, such as the skirt below. There was also a nod to the 70's with more flare and wide leg jeans coming into fashion.

Sitting there while the demonstration was going on it occurred to me how much I had let my style go since having kids. I could see a rail full of outfits which in my teens and early twenties I would have been confident wearing. It kind of reignited my love for clothing and made me realise if anyone needs a personal shopping experience I definitely do. I just need that little bit of advice to find my style again. If this sounds like something you would like you can book in with the personal shopping team by visiting Topshop.com, calling 03442435544, or visiting their Instagram @topshop_personalshopping.

So next time you are the Bullring why not go for a spot of personal shopping and treat yourself to a new do at the same time! That's what I am going to do! Have you ever had a personal shopping experience before? If so tell me about it! I would love to know who else offers this kind of service!

Amina xx

Hey Guys,

Let me start with saying I love the feeling of having freshly painted nails. It just makes my hands look so pretty and feels like a little bit of luxury. It's such a treat for me to set aside some time and pamper myself. The dream is to be able to go to a salon and get them done professionally, however I just don't have the time or the money! I think I have found a great alternative. Cue CND Vinylux Weekly Polish.* If you haven't heard of CND before, it may be because they are widely used in professional salons. However with the release of their weekly polish it is now easier for us to get this salon quality at home. The idea is you apply two coats of nail polish and one coat of the top coat and you are left with nails that will last up to 7 days.

The four polishes I was sent are:- Radiant Chill (£6.95, 15ml), a beautiful rose gold colour, Ice bar (£6.95, 15ml), a shimmering iridescent colour, which works great as a topper, Alpine Plum (£6.95, 15ml), a metallic lilac and finally the weekly top coat. I have enjoyed wearing the colours, together, on top of each other and creating feature nails using them. Tried and tested, I can say they do actually last the seven days, as long as you use the top coat. The top coat is where the long lasting technology comes in. With exposure to natural light over time the nail polish becomes more durable and long lasting. This also explains the black bottle it comes in (as to not allow any light into the bottle). The only wear I saw after seven days was slight chipping near the bottom of the nail, where natural wear and tear would occur. 

In the above pictures I applied Ice bar over the Ring finger nail to create a shimmer over the top of the other colours. I really liked this effect and think it added a little dimension to the nails. One thing I will say is the nail polish has a very strong smell. As do most nail polishes, however I put this down to the fact these are salon quality nail polishes. The rounded shape of the brush and formula of the nail polish make it very easy to apply. The bottles suggest two coats of nail polish however I only applied one as the colour pay off was great. I would recommend buffing the nails prior to application to totally smooth your nails out, as the metallic effect can cause the ridges in your nails to show a little more.

Overall I am really impressed with the nail polishes and think they would make a great stocking filler or gift. The colours are perfect, so feminine and perfect for the upcoming Winter months. Have you used CND before? Which colour is your favourite?

Amina xx 

*PR sample. All opinions are my own.

Hey Guys,

This week I am bringing to you the much anticipated NARS x Christopher Kane Limited Edition Chrome Couture Collection which features the Hardwired Eyeshadow Palette (£34) and Holographic Lipstick in Chroma Chrome (£23). If you don't know, Christopher Kane is a Scottish fashion designer and he has collaborated with NARS before in 2015. When I heard there was going to be an eye shadow palette in the new collection I knew I would need it. And when I set eyes on it, well to be honest I didn't even look at the price tag!

The packaging says it all. The holographic cover ensured me I was in for a treat. I couldn't wait to get inside! Let's start with the eyeshadow palette. It's a collection of six eyeshadows, three of which I would class as duo chrome, in that they shine two colours, two highly metallic shimmers, and one matte base with flecks of shimmer. My favourite has to be the duo chrome blue/purple shade (III). It is so stunning and just stole my attention straight away. The consistency of all the shadows are very smooth and creamy. All swatches are a one touch swatch, so you can see below that they are highly pigmented. I can't wait to start creating some make-up looks!

Low lighting. Top to Bottom VI, III, V, II, IV, I

Natural lighting. Top to Bottom VI, III, V, II, IV, I

One thing I was disappointed with is the size of the product. It is Limited edition so I didn't think it would be very big, but in fact, it is actually tiny. And to top it off I don't feel as though the pans are actually full of product as there is a good millimetre of metal pan visible around each eyeshadow. So I wouldn't exactly say this is value for money, but you are paying for quality and a designer product.

Swatches top to bottom, II, IV, I (eyeshadow palette), Chroma Chrome (lipstick)

Now for the Holographic lipstick. Going by the name, I think I was literally expecting it to be, well, holographic. But then I thought maybe this wouldn't be as wearable as I would hope. Still amazing though. I would class the li[stick as, a beautiful metallic pink colour with a slight highlight of rose pink running through it. So when the light catches it it gives you this beautiful highlight. It is very comfortable on the lips and is actually quite subtle which is not what I expected at all. The colour may be a little light for my skin but I love it and will continue to wear it. Once again, it is on the small side. Definitely not a full sized product but more of a deluxe sample size.

Now the big question is would I recommend? Of course! If you're an eyeshadow addict like me then you need this in your life. The fact it has duo chrome as well as highly pigmented shimmers all in one palette meant I had to have it, as they are the one thing that is was missing from collection. If your bank balance can take the hit, then I would definitely say it's worth it. Will you be buying? Tell me your all time favourite palettes!

Amina xx

Hey Guys,

This week I thought I would share with you some perfumes that I have recently purchased, or been gifted, that I am loving. It's funny how it's not until you do a blog post, you realise how many perfumes you have. But it just so happened that I had run out of a few perfumes, and it coincided with my birthday, so I decided to treat myself. I'll stop trying to justify myself now.

Perfumes are definitely a very personal thing, however I have got a mixed bag of scents coming up, so make sure you have a look through to see if anything suits you!

Jo Malone London - Woodsage & Sea Salt (Cologne, 30ml, £44)

So first up I have this amazing Jo Malone Cologne in Woodsage & Sea Salt. I was lucky enough to receive a voucher from my friends for my birthday, so decided to splurge on this beautiful perfume and an accompanying shower gel in Peony & Blush Suede. I felt very spoiled when I attended the store as I managed to get a lovely arm and hand massage, which added a little bit of luxury to my experience. And this is totally what this brand is - luxury. Because of this you can expect the scent to linger for ages and to be honest their scents are very original and not your average. I opted for  Woodsage & Sea Salt, as I love woody fragrances with a little bit of spice. It has a top note of ambrette seed which gives a very opulent feel and a base note of sage which makes it very earthy and fresh. What makes it even better is it is unisex, so the hubby and I can match (barf!)

Monsoon - Rose Gold (EDP, 30ml, £24)*

Carrying on with the luxurious feel, next up we have Monsoon's signature fragrance - Rose Gold. You all know what I'm going to say... ROSE GOLD! *Heart eyes emoji* As soon as I saw the packaging I was like forget what it smells like, this is going pride of place on my dresser, and it hasn't moved since! But the beauty doesn't stop at the packaging, it truly is a lovely fragrance too. When I sprayed it, I loved it straight away as it just oozed sophistication. It is a feminine scent, with vanilla, musk and amber notes. It has a fruity accord with notes of mandarin and lemon, which when combined produce a more-ish fragrance. It's definitely one I would wear on date night and I can see myself using for a very long time - it has become a favourite.

Accessorize - Lovelily (EDP, 75ml, £19)*

Now for another great addition to my collection, Lovelily by Accessorize. When I saw the packaging I immediately thought it would be a very floral and sweet scent, which is totally not me. However I was pleasantly surprised at how wearable this fragrance actually is. I thought it would be over-bearing, and a little heady, but it's not at all. I would describe the overall smell as floral, as it has hints of jasmine and vanilla. It's quite a fun fragrance and I could definitely see myself wearing it when I go out shopping or when meeting my best girl friends for a catch up. It's quite versatile, in that I have also found myself spritzing my little girls with it and it would be perfect as a gift too. I love the packaging and how the bottle is hexagonal. The little flower in the lid just adds that extra bit of excitement and I like how the pink follows down into the bottle to resemble a stem.

Primark Private collection - Rose Oud (EDP, 100ml, £8)

Now when I say bargain, I actually mean BARGAIN. Seeing how this product is eau de parfum (EDP), meaning it has a higher percentage of pure perfume compared to eau de toilette (EDT) or eau de cologne (EDC), this is value for money.  I love rose-scented products and had heard so much about these in the blogosphere, that I had to get my hands on whatever stock Primark had, which just so happened to be Rose Oud and Jasmine & Honey scents. Rose Oud is not for the faint-hearted, it is a very strong smell which is quite opulent and decadent. It is floral with quite a woody top note. It reminds me of sandal wood incense and I'm still not sure the scent is for me. However, the price is for me and it had to be bought. In terms of staying power, I wouldn't say it lasts quite as long as other EDPs I have, so maybe it's on the lower percentage of pure perfume, but it is definitely worth a purchase!

Primary Private Collection - Jasmine & Honey (EDP, 20ml, £3)

I bought this perfume because of the fantastic size it comes in, I thought it would be perfect for my hand bag when I need a quick top up and it really has been. Again I bought this because it was one of the only scents that were left but I have really enjoyed using it. It is not a stand out scent, in that I don't think it will get people asking you what you are wearing, if you know what I mean. However it is a very pleasant smell which is quite sweet, zesty and refreshing at the same time.

So those are my recent perfume buys and none of them really break the bank (well apart from the Jo Malone), but I think I also have some great alternative options to the standard designer brands. What's your favourite perfume? Have you tried any of these recently?

Amina xx

*PR Gift. All opinions are my own.