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

Coffee Time Is My Favourite Time.....

Hey dolls,

Today I'm back with another bump style post. I just hit the 9 month mark so I want to capture as much of my bump before its gone. If you hadn't noticed I'm quiet obsessed with it haha. I've never been happier in my own skin but cant wait for Baby Faces to be here. I've been in maternity clothes since about the 3 month mark and I know how difficult is can be to find stylish maternity wear. I feel like I kind of lost my style but recently Ive found some new pieces that made dressing my bump easier. I'd love to bring out my own maternity range in the future, I never realised how difficult it was for pregnant women to find nice clothes!!! The struggle is real.

I love this look, it's so girlie and I dressed it up with accessories, the bag is my fave. Ive linked all items below for you if you wanna take a look.

Top is JoJo Maman Bébe 

http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+pretty-maternity-camisole-in-maternity-fashion+B4527

Short are H&M

http://www2.hm.com/en_ie/productpage.0360145001.html

My Handbag, Shoes & rings are Penny's

Sunglasses are Tom Ford from Sunglasses.ie
http://www.sunglasses.ie/Tomford-FT0371-20B-Sunglasses

Thanks to Ali for the fab blow-dry as usual :)

https://www.facebook.com/AliDeeBridalHair/

Big thanks to Mark from http://www.markguinee.com for taking these pictures.

Love Grace xox

Lazing On A Summers Afternoon....

Hey Dolls,

I wanted to share this cute maternity dress I got last week. I know maternity style isn't going to suit all of my followers because most of you aren't pregnant but bare with me haha, only 5 and a half weeks to go. 

This dress is from JoJo Maman Bébé, I ordered a good few pieces from their website a few weeks back and I'm so impressed with everything I got. It's so hard to stay stylish while pregnant and this store is one of the few I found that have stylish & fashionable dresses and outfits. 

They have a store on Wicklow St in Dublin & one on Princes St in Cork.

Here is their website for anyone wanting to do a bit of online shopping http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

My accessories, bag & shoes are from Penny's. I got all them last week (except the hat, that's last years stock.)  They should be still available in store now :) I love these little box style bags, they're super cute but practical because they fit in them for such small bags. 

I love the shoes, mules are huge this season. I love this style with the back strap especially being pregnant because I feel like I've more support wearing a heel. They're so comfortable and the leather is so soft. These babies are limited edition to Penny's so if you want to get your hands on them, I suggest getting into a store near you quick! 

My necklace is from Penny's and my watch is from Parfois

Can we just take a second to talk about my flowers!!!! I was looking for a pretty bouquet for this shoot but couldn't find anything like I had in mind. Of course I left it until the last minute on Sunday to find flowers and most shops just had standard bunches of flowers. I tried Jackies Florist in the Square and when I asked the florist Darren if he had a bunch like what I had in mind, unfortunately he didn't but said he could make me what I wanted. 

Ive learned recently to just ask for what you want,  instead of settling on something. I was blown away by the bunch he created for me. I will definitely be going back to that florist for future occasions.

Here is their website http://www.jackiesflorist.ie

I really hope you like this look and let me know what you think in the comments.

Love Grace xox

Big thanks to Mark from http://www.markguinee.com for taking these pictures.

Check him out on Instagram @Dublinscenes

Mothercare Baby & Me Event

Hey Dolls,

I wanted to tell you more about the Baby & Me event I attended in Mothercare yesterday. It was my second time going to one of these events. The first one myself and Christopher went to was in Carrickmines last month. We didn't really know much about the event or what to expect. We both found it so informative and we picked up so many tips and advice from it.

As first time parents to be, it can be quiet overwhelming walking into a baby shop.  I don't think we ever imagined just how much was involved in having a baby and everything you need to buy. I found these events so helpful because they talked about products and things that never even crossed my mind.

When I heard there was going to be another Baby & Me event on in August I knew I definitely wanted to go. The Belgard store is just down the road from me, it's so handy. Unfortunately Chris had a football match so couldn't come. I think that might have been a good thing because I came home with a list the length of my arm of what we needed to buy haha. Oh and a bag full of maternity clothes :)

The event is held on the first Sunday of every month before the shop opens. Mothercare had a midwife in store on the morning of the event. She talked about signs of labour and how to care for your baby after they have arrived. She also talked about the importance of a healthy diet and exercise during pregnancy so that the baby has the best possible start in life. They also had volunteers from the Red Cross to talk about first aid and safety.  The Mothercare staff also demonstrated key products that they would recommend to everyone i.e travel systems, car seats, car seat fitting & mattresses etc.

It really is a lovely morning and if you have any questions or concerns about what to buy or what's best for you, the staff are so helpful. I actually nabbed the midwife on the break to ask about a pain I had experience the night before and she reassured me there that it was nothing to worry about.

I think because it's my first pregnancy I want to know as much as possible when it comes to my body, my baby and everything I need to make it as comfortable and as enjoyable as possible. It's not as easy as it looks, carrying this bump around all day is tiring haha. I have kept such an open mind during my pregnancy and I am willing to try everything to see what works before for me.

These events are great because you get to chat to other expecting mothers and also the staff are so highly trained they know exactly what they are talking about.

For more info and to see more about the event I will link their website here.

http://www.mothercare.ie/events/index/view/?id=2

Be sure to check out Mothercare Ireland's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to see when the next event is on near you.

I hope you found this post helpful and do let me know if you attend one. I might see you there :)

Love Grace xox