Back To Blogging and Update

Hello everyone. I have been absent from my little corner of the internet for quite some time; 9 months in fact. Although I wasn't posting any content myself, I've still been reading my favourite blogs and keeping up to date on YouTube. I just felt that I had somehow lost my spark for it and I didn't want to just write posts for the sake of getting content up.

Also in my personal life I had just finished my Specialist Practitioner Qualification in district nursing and although that had been over the course of 2 years, I felt like I never wanted to go near a computer again! It was just nice to enjoy coming home from work and not having to think about picking up a book or nursing journal to use for an assignment. I enjoyed the summer, with my family in the evening and on my days off, and then came the autumn with winter quickly after it. Time just escaped me and before I knew it the new year was here and I hadn't felt like blogging. Until now...

I have decided that I'm just going to post content when I feel like it. I really admire the bloggers who have set days where they post, but I just can't commit to that. I'm a mother to a 5 1/2 year old girl, I'm a wife, I work full time and I have a house to run. I also don't have an overflowing bank account that allows me to buy lots of new products on the market to write about. So I'll just go with flow for now and blog whenever I get the urge!

I'm still quite active on Instagram (heartoceansecrets) and I'd love you to come say hi. I'm just getting back into Twitter (rachel80jones) so bear with me on that! Thanks to my followers who have stayed with me with the occasional tweet/email/insta asking how I am.

See you all real soon

Rachel xx

image from stocksnap

Bloglovin With Bloglovin ~ My Current Top 5 ~ Winter 2014

For the past 15 months I've been part of the amazing blogger community that is Bloglovin. For those of you that might be unfamiliar with it, it's simply a place to follow your favourite bloggers easily and also to find various blogs on a range of interests such as beauty, fashion, cooking, gaming etc...
I love to read (of an evening mostly) and settle into bed with my iPad and catch up on 'my feed' on my homepage. My current top five that I enjoy reading the most are listed below.
Lydia - Fuzzy Peach Drops I first came across Lydia on twitter a few weeks ago and I have been reading her new and old posts ever since. She's a fellow Mummy and lives in Cardiff and writes about beauty, baby and thoughts.
Sarah - Sarah Loves Makeup Sarah has a popular Instagram account and this is where I found her first when using #bbloggers in a photo I posted. Her blog has great photography and I love her daily looks and general layout of her page.
Allison - Allison Anderson I'm hoping most of you know who Allison is. She is a popular beauty you tuber and I especially love her tutorial posts and homeware hauls. Her photography is to die for and I can't get enough of her videos.
Lisa - China Doll Diaries Lisa writes in detail in her posts and I love her product swatches and has really great photography.
Grace - Graceyblossom Grace is another beauty blogger I came across on Instagram. I love her blog because it's fun, girly and gets to the point.

I hope that those of you reading this visit my current top five blogs. I think that Bloglovin is a great community and we should share and support each other.

Rachel xx

Hello October

Image source: Google

As I'm writing this I'm lying on the sofa under a blanket, fire on and a candle burning. Summer has well and truly gone with the changing colours of the leaves and the colder air. Aside from Spring, Autumn is a favourite time of year of mine. 

I love walks with my daughter and the dog, kicking the fallen leaves and wearing warm layers of vests and cosy jumpers, with boots and chunky socks and a bobble hat. But most of all knowing that Christmas is on the way...Yes I did just drop the C-bomb!

Rachel xx

Blog Your Heart Out Tag

A big thank you to Leah at Squire For Beauty for tagging me on Twitter. Sorry it has taken me so long to do this!

1) Who/what encouraged you to start blogging?
I'm not quite sure to be honest. I started to watch a lot of Amariex videos on YouTube and then headed over to her blog and I just loved her photos and layout and I thought, o that looks fun. I wanted a bit of a hobby and seeing I like all things beauty and fashion I decided to give it a go.

2) How did you choose what topics to talk about?
I never contemplated blogging about anything else really. I felt beauty and fashion went hand in hand and I love my home so I sometimes do a little post about homeware.

3) What is something most people don't know about you?
O gosh not sure, maybe that I sometimes kick out in my sleep for no reason.

4) What three words describe your style?
That depends on the mood and what I'm doing. I'd say comfortable, relaxed and safe.

5) What do you love doing when you're not blogging?
Sleeping and eating! Apart from being with my daughter, I guess reading and having a dance around the house when no one is watching.

I now tag five lovelies:
Taylor Collectionn
My Sweet Valentine
A Beauty-Full Life
Everybeauty Talks
Rach Raves

Thanks for reading.

Rachel xx

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas ~ For Her

I have to admit that the gifts I have picked for this Valentine's Day Gift Ideas are secretly what I would love to receive on the day, but I doubt very much that would happen so I thought that I would share them you. I may even treat myself this year (again).
Even though Valentine's Day has become a money making scheme in some shops, it's still nice to show a little appreciation to your loved one with the simple things like flowers and a handwritten note or card with a poem or special message that you can keep forever, rather than a text message that gets deleted after a few days. Here are 7 gift ideas that you can casually show your other half (i.e leave your laptop/tablet/pc in their view so that they take the hint).

1) An obvious choice really; who doesn't love flowers? I know I do. Whenever I do a big supermarket food shop I usually treat myself to a bunch, so it would be nice to have some bought. Next online has a lovely selection here but if you're on a budget Lidl do some beautiful roses for just £2 in a variety of colours.

2) Paper Plane Make Up Bag (£15.50) -  I've had this make up bag on my wish list for quite some time and eventually I will buy it. It's from the brand Paper Plane and you can buy it here along with other lovely items in the range.

3) Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb (30ml rrp £50) - A fruity and floral fragrance with notes of tea, bergamot, samba jasmine, rose and orchid. This scent would suit both day and night. Other sizes available here.  

4) Urban Decay Naked Lip Glosses (£14) - The newest launch from the UD Naked range these are a luxe gloss that hydrates due to the rich balm combo, vitamin E and avocado oil. There are 7 shades available here.
5) Zara Home Humming Bird Duvet Cover (from £69.99) - Create a nice romantic atmosphere with new bedding...you know what I mean? ;) See the Zara Home range here.
6) Gift voucher from Boux Avenue - From delicate lingerie to nightwear, it's hard to choose so why not buy a gift voucher just incase your choice is different from what your partner would choose to wear. View the Boux Avenue site here.
7) Personalised silk and silver bangle by Hurley Burley (£34) - By far my favourite idea. I would choose to have my daughter's name engraved but you could have your partner's name or even a special date that has a personal meaning for you. Not On The Highstreet have a lovely selection here.

I wish all of you a Happy Valentine's Day and I hope you all have something nice whether it be from your partner or even a friend. For those of you that are single, treat yourself to something...at least you'll get something you like!

Rachel xx

A Mother's Journal ~ Our Story Book

When my daughter was only a few months old I took up the hobby of card making and scrapbooking. As she got older and started to become more and more busy, I found that I didn't get much chance to make anything new. I planned to make a scrapbook of key moments in her life with photos and items attached. Sadly I haven't done one for quite a while...(I work full time plus I'm back studying too for my district nursing degree).

A few weeks ago I was browsing in a small gift shop when I came across a journal entitled 'Our Story ~ For My Daughter'. With a lovely hardback cover and cute design with a ribbon page marker I was interested before I even opened it up.

Inside are beautifully illustrated pictures and sections for you to write about your daughter from birth to 18 years, to share your memories and hopes for the future year by year. Then on her 18th birthday it can be given to her; a hand written account of the years you've had together.

I actually plan not to show or tell my daughter (who's almost 3) until I give it to her when that milestone birthday comes. I wonder what she'll she decide to do for a career? Will she still be quite determined and head-strong? Will she still love the outdoors...?

It only takes about an hour or so a year to fill in, which is ideal for busy working Mothers! Although there's not much room for standard sized photos, we are now in an age where we have instagram sized prints available, so 4x4 would be the perfect size to glue to some of the larger sections in the journal.

I bought it from Amazon for £9.99 but the price has since gone up a bit, but it is still cheaper than the rrp of £19.99 on the you to me site.

What are your thoughts on journals? Have you started one? Did you keep one as a teenager? I did, but that's another story...

Rachel xx

My Leibster Award Nomination & What's It All About?

An award for me? Why thank you...I'd like to thank my Mother and Father for having me...My faithful computer...The lady who serves me in Boots...etc etc...
Ok, it's not an award as such but, it is in fact a recognition by another blogger who follows you to simply say 'I think your blog is great and I give you an honorary award for your hours of typing, taking photos, spending money (!) to inform the world of this and that and general online sharing'.
Sounds quite nice doesn't it? So I would love to thank the lovely Stephanie Eva for my nomination and here's hoping it brings us both new followers.

So, my questions that Stephanie has set for me and her other chosen bloggers...

1. Have you ever wanted to be famous? If so, what type; actress, model, singer, etc?

When I was younger I really wanted to be a singer. I used to have solo singing roles in the school's yearly productions and often daydreamed about being famous on stage. I once had a job in the summer and autumn of '99 as a singer in a wine bar which I really loved.

2. If you could only use one makeup product for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

Only one? That's a tough one, but I guess it would have to be foundation.

3. Most people don't like their natural hair, do you like yours? If you do, what do you like about it? If you don't, what did/will you do to change it?

I love my natural hair colour. My Dad tells me it's the exact match of my Mother's when she was young. My hair sometimes has a mind of its own one day being completely straight the other day very wavy.

4. Have you ever been confused for or told you look like a celebrity? If so, who? If not, who would you love to look like?

No, can't think of anyone ever saying I do. I guess we all would like to have other people's features maybe. I would like Jennifer Aniston's sun kissed glow and smooth complexion.

5. Who would you want to swap lives for the day with, if you could?

My daughter. She's nearly 3 and I would love to see the world through her eyes. Plus she gets to play and have her food made for her, no housework, worries etc! LOL

6. Do you like blogging? What made you want to finally dive into the blogging universe?

I love it. I guess I wanted a hobby that was completely different to my job. I guess I was researching something I wanted to buy that was expensive, and wanted to know if it was worth spending my money on. I got to read so many blogs on a huge range of topics from beauty, home decor, DIY and craft that I thought 'why not have a go myself'.

7. Have you ever been addicted to anything (soda, coffee, habits, etc) that you've had to stop using/doing?

I wouldn't say I'm addicted to anything as such. I have a bad habit of letting the ironing build up though which I really hate doing. I never leave the house without my phone.

8. Do you film YouTube videos? If you do, how do you feel about your channel? If you don't, why not?

No I don't. I'm not at all confident in front of a video camera, plus I feel that's a huge commitment. I really wouldn't have the time to film, edit and upload.

9. What is your favourite scent? Could be anything.. 

For a perfume my all time favourite is Eternity by Calvin Klein. I've repurchased it so many times. Whenever I smell it I'm instantly transported to a very happy time in my life. I also love the smell of the morning dew when spring is in bloom.

 

10. If you are dating/living with/talking to/married to anyone, what's their name and where did you meet?

I'm married and he's extremely social media shy so I won't be saying his name. We met locally.

Stephanie only gave me 10 questions but when I researched Leibster Award, 11 seemed to be the most common.

I now tag...

Bee

Parie

Iyana Nikita

Mandy Sickle

Victoria Jane

Amy Tester

Rosie Penelope

Lianne H-x

Kendra C

Charlotte Rose

Sinead

Here are my 11 questions for you...
1) Do you prefer the countryside or the city?
2) What's the worst present you have received?
3) Do you drive? If so, what was the first car you owned?
4) Where do you see yourself in a year's time?
5) Have you ever read a book that's made you cry?
6) What's the strangest dream you've ever had?
7) Salty or sweet popcorn?
8) What's your favourite online shop?
9) How many hours sleep do you have on average?
10) What's the best advice you've been given and by who?
11) Have you ever bought something that you've used or worn and then taken back?

I hope you accept your 'reward' and play along. But before I go, here are my 11 random facts about me...
1) I like peanuts but have never tried peanut butter
2) My favourite colour is red
3) I love antique oak furniture
4) I love rings especially ones with precious stones
5) I started reading 'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill and have yet to finish it
6) My first car was a mini (original model)
7) I don't drink tea or coffee
8) I want to visit New York some day
9) My favourite season is Spring
10) I've lost the left sandal of my favourite pair but still keep the right, in the hope of finding it
11) I ran over a cat on my driving test and still past!

Thank you again to Stephanie for my nomination. Now I think I'll go treat myself to something as a reward...

Rachel xx

Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo

Just under an hour away from where I live is a fantastic place called Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo.

Situated in South Wales in the county of Pembrokeshire, it is home to 250 animals and 50 species of wildlife.

It has been awarded Best Family Day Out in Wales 2010-2012 as judged by the National Tourism Awards for Wales.

Now I’m not a travel or tourism writer but I wanted to share with you my recent visit and a few snaps that were taken that day.

After we (myself, husband and daughter) had paid we placed a wristband on the little one with her name and my mobile number on, just in case for whatever reason she got lost (heaven forbid). These wristbands are given to anyone who comes along with children.

We then headed straight to see the penguins. The penguins are a recent attraction and FF currently has 24 Peruvian ones.

The enclosure allows you to overlook them so you have an excellent view of them swimming and sitting on the rocks. Round the side and underneath the enclosure you are able to watch them swim under water. This was fabulous as they would come up close to the glass and it was such a large size that even little children could get a good view without being lifted up.

After being entertained there, we headed off to see the giraffes at the Giraffe Heights Walkway. This is absolutely amazing as it allows you to stand on a platform so you are the same height as them and even get close enough to touch. Also from here you get a fantastic view of the Zebras.

As you walk around the park looking at all the different animals there are information boards telling you interesting facts. These are by the specifically build and large enclosures that house them.

Dotted around FF there are many picnic tables for your convenience if you have brought your own food along. There are also great places to eat from a light bite to a full restaurant serving hot food.

Aswell as the more exotic animals to see, there is also a huge undercover barn. Here we saw and got up close to a shire horse, donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens, ferrets, rabbits and turkeys.

The biggest hit of the day that my daughter enjoyed were the adventure play areas, featuring a dragon and a pirate ship. Slides and rope and climbing frames could easily entertain children for hours on end.

The full size ferris wheel is always popular too. This is 50p per adult which you pay by exchange for a FF token. My daughter (who’s almost 3) has no fear and always asks to go on it!

There is also plenty of indoor fun too. Carousel Woods is a massive adventure area that has a forest and a soft play centre. 

A big hit with the older children is the indoor Vintage Funfair with waltzers, dodgems and a shooting range. Again you have to exchange tokens.

There was, and always is so much to explore and do. One day there is not enough. And FF recognises this. They offer a ‘boomerang’ ticket where if you return within seven days you only pay half price.

We thoroughly enjoyed. We arrived at 10.30am and left just before 4pm with an extremely exhausted toddler.

If you are on holiday in this part of the world you must pay a visit to Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo.

I have only told you what my family got up to; imagine the other family’s stories of their day here.

Make sure you visit their website to see for yourself everything that is there and the opening times and admission prices.

I hope you like this post. Please let me know if you have been to FF or any places that are great for a family day out.

Rachel xx

Life's Lessons #1

This blog post is a little bit different from my usual posts.

I have decided to do a series of posts entitled 'Life's Lessons'. I want to share with you my experiences of general day to day life of something that has made me take a step back and really think about it. Whether that be good, bad or sad or downright funny. This is number one and believe me, it wasn't funny at the time.

I want to share with you my little mishap the other day so that it doesn't happen to you...

We all lead busy lives and like to save time where we can so we can get on and do other things. On this particular hot day I decided that I was not going to stand at the sink and do a mountain of dishes and cutlery, so I loaded the dishwasher to the max. It was then I realised that there were no dishwasher tablets.  Bloody hell I thought, I cannot be arsed to unload it and wash the lot by hand!

In a bit of a Eureka moment, I thought all is not lost, I'll put washing up liquid in the box thingy-me-bob and so I did. I was actually over generous with the stuff and put it on a longer cycle than normal.

I then went out of the kitchen to do other things...After a while (and I'm not even sure how long a while it was) I came back in to find this... 

Lovely watery bubbles, literally pumping out the side and onto the floor.

I was gobsmacked.  What was I thinking?!

I opened the door as it automatically shuts off the cycle and more bubbles and a pool of water came flooding out.

Let me just say, that it took about 2 hours to clean up. I could have cried, but in the end I laughed at myself.

I was longer sorting the mess out than I would have been if  I had washed them in the first place.

So what have I learnt? Never, ever, even if you are desperate, DO NOT use washing up liquid in your dishwasher.

I hope this has made you laugh.

Please share a life lesson in the comments below.

Rachel xx

PS The dishes and cutlery were very clean once I found them!

Best Friends Birthday Gifts

I love birthdays! Whether it's my own or someone else's, I just love them. 

The best thing about someone else's birthday is going to buy them gifts and buying something for them that they may not necessarily choose for themselves.

Mid May was my best friend's birthday.

We've been friends since we met at University in 2001 and we know each other inside out from music, films, style and emotions. We've been bridesmaids for each other and our daughters were born 3 weeks apart. I am Godmother to her son. I am blessed she is in my life. 

When it comes to our birthdays (and Christmas) we like to get a mixture of gifts and this year was the same.

We are both very homely and have a colour theme in our kitchens, mine being sage green and hers being red.

The pegs, paper straws, cake cases, memo pad and stickers I bought were from dotcomgiftshop. Such a lovely range of gifts and homeware, I spend hours on this site.

The Yankee Candle was from my local gift shop, the socks from Dorothy Perkins and the flip flops from Roxy.

The lovely wooden bunting was from eBay and a bracelet was from Accessorize, which was wrapped in the shop.

It was a very quiet birthday for her this year as she was working nights but her family and friends made it special for her as she is truly loved by all who know her.

She has got me through some very dark and tough times and that for me is true friendship.

Happy Birthday Sharon! 

I love you to bits.

Rachel xx

Is Spring Here To Stay?

I woke up Saturday morning to the sound of birds singing and the sun streaming through my window. I jumped out of bed and looked outside - I couldn't believe it, a dry and calm day!

I decided to get up before my daughter woke to have a wash and get dressed, and headed downstairs with a spring in my step. 

I had a list of things I wanted to do today seeing as though the weather was nice:

• Hang washing on line
• Clear weeds from the slabs
• Sort the shed out
• Take photos of items I want to blog about
• Take the old glass and magazines to the recycle bank
• And general pottering about

Such an 'exciting' life you say...? Well it makes me happy anyway.

After my daughter got up it was her usual breakfast, wash, getting dressed and playing with her dolls. Then I asked her if she wanted to play outside...Wow she said.

I opened the back doors that lead on to the decking and then the garden and she ran outside with such excitement. She took all he dolls out and picnic set as I was getting out her slide and trampoline from the shed.

By now it was around 10am and after hanging the washing on the line I sat outside with a drink and watched my daughter play.

As I watched her I realised that the list of jobs I had could wait and how it was important for me to just spend some quality time having fun with my mini me.

We spent most of the day picking flowers, blowing bubbles, dressing up, having tea parties and running around the garden.

My eldest nephew came round to 'revise' but he joined in the fun too; pushing her around in a rusty old wheelbarrow!

Screams and laughter filled the garden and it was one of the most enjoyable days we'd had in ages, to just be able to enjoy the outside.

I guess what I'm trying to say is enjoy the little things in life and make the most of good weather and health, and yes sometimes housework really can be left. And I'm glad I did because it rained today and we didn't venture far, we just had fun indoors instead, for now, until spring returns again.

Rachel xx