I Am Her Mother

Hey dolls,

As I'm sure some of you are aware I had a bit of backlash and negativity this weekend over pumping my breast milk after a night out. I did my calculations and left it 9 and a half hours before pumping but some people had to have their say. And then to be removed from a support group for a complete mistake was the icing on the cake. I decided to take a short break from snapchat to have some head space but don't worry, by the time you read this I am probably back snapping away.

 I don't want to keep addressing it but I just felt I had to come here and thank all of my amazing followers. I'm blown away by the amount of support I've received over the last 24 hours. My phone hasn't stopped and my inbox is filled with hundreds of emails from you all. I don't know how I will get around to reading them but I will and I'm sorry if you don't get a reply but just know I appreciate each and every one of you.

Like the titles says, I am her mother and since becoming a mother 8 weeks ago I've had an overwhelming need to protect her. As a first time Mam I'm learning with each day and that is what parenthood is all about. Not one parent out there is perfect but we do the best by our kids. Since having Sienna and even while I was pregnant I had so many people tell me to take everyones advice with a pinch of salt and that people will give you advice and criticism whether you like it or not. What I have learned in the last 8 weeks is to take each day as it comes, enjoy each smile and goo and to just go with my gut. I haven't read the "manual" but from the moment she was born my mothering instinct kicked it. I know for a lot of people they find it so difficult in the beginning and that is so normal. It is a life changing experience. Birth alone takes weeks to get over, especially if you were like me and had any sort of traumatising experience.

What I am trying to get at here is each persons experience is different, each child, each baby and each family is different. No one has the right to pass comment, judgment or criticise you for how you do things. If you are the type of person that does pass comment or feels the need to direct negativity towards others then I encourage you to take a look in the mirror and ask yourself why. What benefit is there in being negative to others, does it make you happy? Does it benefit the other person? Does it make life easier? No, no it doesn't. So here is my two cents, if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything. Take a look at your own life and see how you can change your negative thoughts into positives ones and be a happier person.

When it comes to being a mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, single parent or whatever situation you find yourself in, know that what you are doing is the best for your child. Don't listen to what people have to say, never second guess yourself and always go with your gut!!!!

I have just set up a Facebook support group for ANYONE that whats to join. You won't be judged, you will only be given support, love & encouragement. Tell your friend if they need a safe place to look for advice or share their stories they can join the community too. The group is called Nothing But Support.

Thanks again to all of you, I honestly have the most supportive bunch of followers 

Love Grace xox

Meet My Beautiful Sienna Harper

Hey dolls,

Well, I'm sure you all know that we had a beautiful baby girl three weeks ago. I wanted to share some pictures of her with you all. It was the most unbelievable moment when I first met her. It was love at first sight. I didn't have an easy labour but it was so worth it. She is so perfect and the last three weeks have been pure bliss. She is doing so well and is so good. 

My friend Leanne is an amazing photographer and she came over when Sienna was just 5 days old and took the most incredible pictures of her. 

Check out her website for more info and to book her. 

Click here for leanne website 

It's been a hectic few weeks but I'll be back posting here more regularly very soon. I hope you all love the pictures just as much as I do.

Love Grace xox

My Baby Shower

Hey dolls,

Two weeks ago my family and friends threw me the most amazing baby shower. It was such a lovely day and I wanted to share it with you all. It was held in The Stone Leaf on Leeson Street Lower,  which was also the location for the Mothercare photo shoot I did with the Sunday World.  

Mags & Dominique did most of the organising, all I knew was where I had to be and what time to be there for. It was so special and such a fun way to get all my friends and family together to celebrate our impending arrival. 

The Venue & Food

Mags & Dominique booked a private area in The Stone Leaf for the shower. The food was to die for and they catered for everyone. They had an afternoon tea table set up with a massive array of sandwiches, cakes and scones. They also had gluten free and vegan options. The food was delicious, especially the desserts! They went down a treat with everyone.

The Decorations

Mags ordered the personalised balloons from Project Party. You can see their full range here.

She bought the baby balloons, bunting and centre pieces from Woodies and ordered the Instagram frame from RSPD.ie Click here to see more.

 I loved these cute little keepsake books and pictures. 

Click here buy the finger print picture.

Click here to buy the keepsake book 

Click here to buy the "Mum To Be" sash

They bought the memento book & props for the Instagram frame from Mr Price.

The Games

They had some games like guess baby faces. Everyone brought a baby picture of themselves and we all had to guess who was which baby. They had a guess the nursery rhyme quiz and everyone who won, won a beauty product. The last game was guess the size of my bump! Nearly everyone guessed too big haha. Mags organised a lovely hamper from Meagher's Pharmacy for the winner.

We received so many amazing gifts, baby faces is so lucky already. I want to thank all the staff working in The Stone Leaf, they were amazing. The food was so good and they really looked after us, I would highly recommend this venue for anyone planning a party. 

A massive thanks to Mags, Dominique, my family & friends for making me feel so special. It was such a lovely day and one I will cherish forever.

I hope you all enjoyed this post. Not long now till Baby Faces is here.

Love Grace xox

My 5 Makeup Finds in August

Hey dolls,

I wanted to share my 5 hero products of the month with you all, these are all products I've never used before that were either sent to me this month or I bought myself.  Be sure to let me know your top 5 products for August.

I am wearing all 5 in this picture

Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Coverage Foundation

So many of you have been asking me over the past few weeks what foundation I've been wearing, I didn't want to tell you all until I tested it out properly but I can finally share it. I've been wearing it most days and I love it so much. I wear shade Rose Beige, its lightweight but very build-able and lasts all day on my skin. I'm in love with the packaging and it has a dropper so you don't waste any product. It's been forever since I found a drugstore foundation that I really loved.

This one ticks all the boxes for me, It's available in 4 shades and is only €7.90! 

You cant really go wrong. Available in Penny's & Pharmacies.

Loréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Fatale

I started using this mascara about a week and a half ago, I know thats not long but when I find a good mascara I know instantly if I'll love it or hate it. This one is a game changer. It's so build-able but it doesn't make my lashes look clumpy or like spiders legs. It lifts and holds my lashes and makes my eyes look so awake. I love the wand of this mascara too. Although I'm a makeup artist I still, without fail, get mascara under my lower lashes. With this mascara I have noticed a dramatic change haha. I barely get it all over my eye balls. It doesn't smudge on me or leave any unnecessary panda eyes if I wear it for hours. It gets a 9/10 from me. The only down side is it's not super easy to remove with miscellar water. I need to use an oil based cleanser to get every inch of it off.

It's only €13.99 & available in Boots.

Click here to check it out online

Freedom Makeup Pro Highlight in "Ambient"

I've two highlighters that equally deserve a mention, one is very affordable and the other is quiet expensive. I'll start with the Pro Highlight in "Ambient" from Freedom. First of all the product itself looks divine, It's so soft and blend-able. Its quiet subtle on the cheeks but gives a gorgeous glow and the best part.... It's only €4.20 Click the link below to check it out.

Click here to check it out online

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed "Champagne Pop"

The second highlighter is from Becca. I've raved about it on my snapchat and I'm just so in love with it. Jaclyn Hill is my Fave YouTuber so when I found her highlighter "Champagne Pop" in Space NK on Grafton Street I had to have it. This one is a little bit pricer but It's so worth it. It's so highly pigmented, so creamy and gives the most amazing glow to the skin. If you're in town soon pop into Space NK and swatch it, it will blow your mind, you can trust me on that one.

 It's €38 from Space NK 

Click here to check it out online

The Balm Pickup Liners

Last but by no means least are the Pickup Liners from The Balm. I'm a massive fan of The Balm and love everything they bring out. These babies didn't disappoint. They're so soft and extremely pigmented and have such a wide variety of shades. There is literally a shade to match every lipstick I own! And that's a lot!!!

The three shades I've tried and loved, from top to bottom are "Acute One", "Chemistry" & "Pineapple"

They're €17.50 each, click the link below to check out all the shades 

Click here to check it out online

I hope you enjoyed this post and please let me know in the comments what your top 5 products of the month are :)

Love Grace xox

35 Week Pregnancy Update.

Hey dolls,

Today marks the official one month countdown!!! I am due this day next month, how crazy is that. The time has gone soooo fast. We are super excited to meet our baby and I feel like its never going to come. I had a checkup this week with Tallaght hospital and the midwife was a little concerned that my bump was measuring 38 weeks so is sending us to have a scan at the Coombe tomorrow to see exactly how big the baby is. Hopefully it means there is a lot of fluid around the baby and it will stay cooking for another few weeks. As much as we are dying to meet him/her we want it to be inside as long as possible.

I wanted to tell you all how it has been going because I haven't written a pregnancy update since I was 28 weeks. Most of you will know how it's been going for me because you follow my snapchat but for those of you who don't, I thought id share it here too.

Since 28 weeks so much has changed. I now feel sooooo pregnant haha. I was dying to have a proper round bump and I certainly have that now. Each day brings a new struggle but I wouldn't change it for the world, everyday is a little harder though. I've to keep reminding myself I can't do as much as I used to. My body is working round the clock to nourish and grow this tiny baby and I need to take it slow, put my feet up when I need to and listen to my body.

For a few weeks I was completely unaware just how much pressure I was putting on myself to try and do as much as I was doing during the early stages of pregnancy. For the longest time Chris was telling me to slow down, relax and reminding me that I was heavily pregnant.

I haven't been sleeping great the last few weeks and It's getting harder the less I sleep. I cant even nap anymore which is so strange for me, haha, I think I napped everyday for the first 4 months. The lack of sleep is causing me to be irritable and anxious, so I've made a conscious decision to just rest when I can't sleep. I try not work or do house work, instead I just lie down and put my feet up. It has been helping a lot.

Although my anxiety has surfaces during this trimester I feel like I'm able to control it so much more than I would've a few years ago. I put this down to the amazing therapy I had last year. I'm not saying its been easy, I've cried and had massive panic attacks but not on the scale like they used to be. Chris has been so good and understanding and really has helped me to control them. Whenever I start to feel anxious I immediately make myself aware of what is causing me to feel that way and try to remove myself from the situation and relax my mind. It has helped so much.

Apart from the lack of sleep and slight anxiety, everything else is going so well. I feel amazing 90% of the time, there is that 10% when I'm very uncomfortable but that is bound to happen, I have a human living inside me, haha. How weird is it when you actually think about that!!!

We packed our hospital bag this week and I will have a post & video up on it asap :)

I hope you enjoyed this quick update.

Love Grace xox

DIY Selfie Station For Mags & Linzi's Wedding

Hey dolls,

I'm finally getting around to sharing all the detail about selfie station I surprised Mags & Linzi with for their wedding. I was trying to think of something different to do for them for the longest time and I came up with a selfie station, we all love a good selfie, right!

I started planning it a few months ago and started picking up little props along the way. I wanted to share all the things I got as so many of you loved the idea and wanted to recreate it.

The Instagram Frame 

I ordered the Instagram frame from http://www.rspd.ie and I also ordered some props to go with it. 

Check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rspdie/ for more ideas!

The Backdrop

I ordered most of the backdrop, the black balloon & the Love ballon from Hippenings.com  They have props, decor and cute bits for every occasion. I also ordered a Kate Spade guest book that I passed around the room for guest to write messages for Mags & Linzi.  Loved the gold  & black tassels and the gold backdrop.

The White Mrs & Mrs balloons and the Instagram table stands are from project-party.com

One of the last surprises for Mags was the personalised ropes I had done from robes4you.ie Mags nearly died when she seen them on the bed, can you remember my snaps, she literally screamed so loud haha. I also got us matching PJs from Penny's :)

I wanted to also share some of the unique touches Mags & Linzi had on their special day.

Can we just take a second for the wedding cake! I have never seen anything like it! Alan handmade the cake along with the paper bouquets and table centre pieces. He is the most amazing, creative person I've ever met.

Check out Alan's Facebook Page to see more of his masterpieces Alan's Cakes to Craft

Mags & Linzi had a Dj / Master of Ceremonies on the day and Martin was by far the best entertainer I've ever seen. He had this amazing ability to get everyone involved and the atmosphere was outstanding for the whole wedding. I will leave his details below.

Email: martin@discocops.ie

Web: www.discocops.ie

Facebook: Martin Keogh (Discocops) or Discocops DJ & Uplighting!!

They also had an amazing wedding singer during the ceremony! Paul had me in tears from start to finish. He has the most incredible voice. Check out his social media @RuPaulRyder and to book Paul here is his Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RingmasterRyder

The selfie station was so easy to organise and everyone loved it on the day.

Hope you found this helpful and tag me if you do one yourself.

Love Grace xox