Weekend Round-Up and a Quick Review (also maybe some cartoon boobies)

I was busy with a post on Thursday then got the dreaded family emergency phone call, calling me away from "work" (I say that loosely). So I'll save that one for another day and do a round-up of the last of the long weekends activities and purchases for the next 2 months (boo-hoo).

It's always nice to have an extra half a day to the already long weekend, but not when you have to spend it at the emergency room, and then the ICU. Although, I didnt actually spend it in the ER. You don't know what kind of lurgees are hanging around there, and with an immune system that is already functioning at minimum capacity I decided to send my well wishes with family and waited outside instead. I was however allowed into the ICU which brought back a thousand flashbacks of my life 4 years ago.

The guy in the bed next door was having a blood transfusion, which was quite sick and yet facinating to watch at the same time. Call me weirdo if you must.

I will say however, looking around to see every bed in the ICU was full, there was even an isolation room with someone in there that didn't move once while we were there, makes you take stock of your life and it gives you an opportunity to be thankful and grateful for your health. I'm thankful for my health and I'm thankful for the blessed opportunity I have to grow life.

Friday doesn't have much to report. I felt almost guilty for the fact that pajamas, movies and rest were the order of the day.... But, rest we did and I was all the better for it the following day.

Disappointment

Shawn and I went shopping for a camping cot and pram on Saturday. Although, we still walked away empty handed, after I said that I first want to see what there was on offer and if there were any discounted items that we might find at the Baba Indaba that was taking place this weekend. We had planned this outing for Sunday. Woke up Sunday morning and my gut told me just to check the website. Lo and behold it was cancelled.

I had joined their Facebook page a while back to be kept updated of any happenings, yet none of their posts show in my feed, so I missed the post that states 4 days before the event that it had been cancelled. Apparently I wasn't the only one who hadn't seen that post. People were furious to say the least. Driving all the way to the expo to find an empty exhibition hall. This is was also the second show this year that was postponed/cancelled. Very bad planning to say the least.

So I decided to then spend Sunday with my parents. Not before painting my nails with this sexy colour!

We met at Irene Mall, had something to eat at Mugg & Bean (the family go to restaurant), ooohed and aaahed over baby items at Naartjie Kids (As per Nana,WILL be wearing outfits from there - 16 weeks and already spoilt) and shopped for bunnies for the babies room, ate bubblegum ice-cream and then decided to drive to Woodlands Boulevard to do more shopping.

I remembered while we were out that I need more facial wash but also wanted a scrub because my skin has taken a bit of a turn for the worse over the last few weeks. It's looking very dry and I have a lot of little pimples sprouting a long the jaw line as well as tiny bumps on my neck and chest.

Review

For those that have read my previous blogs will know that I have always been a fan of the African Extracts Rooibos range and have been using that for quite a few years now. I'm also not one to change my facial products too much as it does have an adverse reaction on my skin. Rather the devil you know and all that. However, because I felt that with all the changes going on I really neeeded something different, and I needed a scrub desperately. But. there's always a but, I am not a fan of those very grainy hard scrubs, It makes my skin feel sore, red and blotchy. Then I spotted the Rooibos and Anti-Oxidants 3 in 1 Facial Cleanser from the Clicks Skincare Collection. It claims to:

- Cleanse Skin
- Gently Exfoliates
- Helps to remove make-up

Also, it was cheap as chips and was price at R37.99

Sold!

The Verdict (after one use only) 

I quite liked it. The exfoliating beads were a lot more grainy than the African Extracts cleanser, but they were not hard. It didnt feel like a was rubbing course sea sand on my skin and it felt like my face, neck and chest had a good cleaning. This cleanser is also gentle enough that you can use it daily.

I also bought the Rooibos and Anti-Oxidants travel/trial pack with a Facial Wash Cream, Toner, Day Cream and Night Cream to sample before buying the complete range and not being entirely happy with it. I probably wont be using the facial wash cream, I've never been fond of that type of cleanser. I bought it mainly for the toner and moisturisers. If anyone wants a cream cleanser, mail me and you can have it!

Note to self (and to others)

Do not drink the toner which smells just like peach iced tea. Very yummy for the face indeed. I decided to use the night cream this morning instead of day cream for a thicker coverage seeing as they my skin has been so dry lately. So far, I'm happy. A small amount goes a long way. It wasnt too thick and blending it in was a breeze and it left my skin feeling moisturised.

All in all, not a lot of money spent and still I'm left feeling suitably satisfied. Thanks Clicks.

Did You Know?

You can use nipple cream for many things other than just nipples.Yes, yes you can. I started getting this crack on the side of my mouth. Goodness knows what caused it but it was flippen sore. Nothing was clearing it and Shawn suggested nipple cream. I laughed him off and then went to Dischem to get something else. The lady behind the counter fully agreed with nipple cream and or baby bum cream and sent me on my way.

It started healing in 2 days. Can you imagine that.

Nipple cream for the win then.

[Series] | Moms Budget Buys - OOTD On A Budget

I've decided to start doing a series of my cheap finds. Since I'm going to be a Mom now, I really need to relook my finances to make room for things like nappies etc. (I bought the first of my stash this weekend. It felt very weird to be putting nappies in the trolley - very weird indeed)

Since fashion and lifestyle arent really my blogging forte', I don't actually know where to begin, but begin we must, so.....

Some days pregnancy can really leave you feeing less than desirable. To be fair though, the second trimester is definitely a far cry from the first and less effort is required to look "normal".

I don't want to sound like I am exaggerating, but the first trimester was rough. It really was. I was throwing up all day, every day. I was falling asleep at work and crying one cue was becoming the norm. (I once cried because someone on Jacaranda FM won VIP One Direction tickets to their concert back in March). 

So, anyway, to try and combat the new hobo look I was sporting I decided to start experimenting more with make-up by introducing eyeshadows to my already tight time constraints in the mornings. 

(Side Note: I am certainly not getting up 5 minutes earlier to make time for eyeshadow. I'm not that much of a girly girl. I'm actually just lazy)

(Side Side Note: Although I am a girly girl, I'm not a girly girl. So I have to give credit where credit is due, My friend Elrese from Dressed In The City is a girly girl. You guys, this chick has nailed it, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I get most of my ideas and make-up tips from reading her blog - I also get a lot of my ideas from Daisy Person too) - go check them out!

I spent the past long weekend with my parents and my Mom and I went shopping for a few items to accommodate my expanding waistline. 

I uuuuuummmed and aaaaahhhhed about whether or not I should take the leopard print top back as "pattern" has never really been my thing and although I was keen for something different I was less than 50% certain I would end up feeling comfortable in such a wild (haha - proof reading this post. Laughs at own joke) choice. Then yesterday I popped into Clicks and spotted the new Hello Autumn range from Essence. I fell in love with the eyeshadow palette 01 Walk In The Park and immediately in my minds eye paired it with the leopard print top waiting at home. 

I thought why not. At R69.99. It's not a bad price and I do have another pinky nude palette from Essence at home that my mother blessed me with and I never really had any real problems with it. 

Now I hate finding negative things and then blabbing it all over the internet. I really would prefer to just zip it and keep my opinion to myself, but I've always been transparent and in the effort to remain constant I will say.... the fall out from this was horrific. It looked like I had a massive shiner on my right cheekbone. I swopped the brush I was using for the sponge applicators (which I don't normally like using) because well... I had already started and I wasnt going to wash my face and start again. Remember early morning time constraints. The sponge applicators worked much better and there was a noticeable difference with less fall out. The colour is quite pigmented, when I used the sponge applicators. With the brush, not so much.

To complete this look, I used the Smashbox Photo Finish primer (not pictured), Catrice All Matt Plus in 030 Warm Beige, Almay Eyeliner in black and MAC mascara in black, followed with a little bronzer on my cheeks,

My eyebrows need to be tamed again, they are growing like wild fire - I'm guessing that's got something to do with hormones though. #judgenot

I wear a lot of tights these days as it is definitely more comfortable around the stomach area and they really are great as an Autumn wear seeing as though I can wear them with pumps on the warmer days and dress them up with boots on the colder ones.

These (which you cant actually see) I bought as a twin pack from Pick n Pay. One black and one dark grey. I think both pairs were R99. A real steal for a Mommy purse.

The leopard print - Mr. Price (maternity section)- R89.99

Long black jersey - Chinese shop (Irene Mall, Centurion) R140

I finished the outfit off with a few black and gold accessories and a black handbag.

Long gone are the days where pregnant woman wear frumpy tent dresses and look like pregnancy is possibly the worst thing under the sun and it is absolutely possible to still look good on a baby budget.

What do you think?

             All my love