What to actually expect when you're expecting

Finding out you're pregnant is pretty exciting and very daunting at the same time. I don't think an pything can prepare you for all the change your life's about to go through but just try and take it all in your stride! Here's a few things that I think you should or shouldn't expect!

Expect to want to go crazy buying clothes; my advice is don't buy anymore than 6 sleepsuits and 6 bodysuits in each size, don't get fooled by thinking 'first size', 'newborn' and '0-1m' are different sizes check the labels for the WEIGHT that size goes up to most of the above will be up to 9 or 10lb. Buying loads of outfits for a newborn isn't worth wasting your money on, they'll either wear it once or get some poo or sick on it (trust me) I think a couple of nice outfits for when visiting family or a photo shoot is sufficient. Finally; make a list, then you know exactly what you've got and what you need to get.

Don't expect breastfeeding to be easy. It may be natural and the best thing to do for your baby, but your newborn doesn't know exactly what their doing and, if it's your first time, odds are neither do you. You've both got to learn and learning takes time and effort and sometimes, a bit of pain and frustration. If you're going to breastfeed persevere through those first couple of weeks, it gets better, if you're still struggling then ask for help and don't feel ashamed if you turn to formula, breastfeeding isn't for everyone. What works for one mum might not work for another.

On the same note expect most medical professions to ask if you're breastfeeding and to preach about how good it is for you and baby, but don't be made to feel bad for using formula, it still has everything baby needs. It's your choice and your child, don't let anyone tell you differently!

Don't expect everything to go as you've planned it. You make a birth plan and have decided exactly what you want but, as soon as you're in that delivery room it all goes out the window. Life doesn't exactly go to plan so don't obsess too much about your birth plan, when my midwife asked if I had a birth plan and my reply was 'yes, it's got to come out' she wasn't too impressed.. but, that was my way of dealing with the impending pain of labour! Try not to worry too much if it's not how you expected, whatever happens just think pretty soon you're going to meet your little one!

Expect alot of people to try and tell you what to do, asking for advice is one thing but having it shoved down your throat is not what you signed up for. Just nod and listen politely, even if you don't agree, as I've said before what works for one family might not work for another. 

Finally, expect to fall in love again and again and again!

A long silence...

Things have been very quiet here on Beckywhatshername and that's for one huge life changing reason..

Meet Noah! Nearly 6 weeks old and the sweetest little thing you'll ever lay your eyes on! So I guess now I have a little spare time on my hands (emphasis on the little!) I'll be back to blogging, but I'll be broadening what I write about to all things baby related seeing as this is what takes up most of my life now and being a first time Mum myself, I think it's nice to be able to give some advice and my point of view for others to read and (maybe) take something away from. Hopefully I can help out a little!

The ugly pretty shoe

This trend, whether you think its great or just pretty ugly, is sticking around for spring

. Personally I LOVE an ugly shoe (despite the fact that maybe 10 years ago I'd have turned my nose right up at any of them) , what better to team a girly floral dress with, with dungarees, with mom jeans; the list is endless. They are invading the high street at the moment, you can find an array of ugliness in New Look, Topshop and online at Boohoo and Missguided, making then accessible and affordable to all. I will admit that some are dupes of much more expensive brands but not everyone can afford JC's or see the point in spending over £100 on a pair of shoes when you can get 4 for the same amount, however annoying it is for the original brand.

Here are a few of my favourites around at the moment

From L-R

Extreme platform heels - £44.99 Missguided

Velcro strap sandals - £24.99 Missguided

Cleated sole lace up boot - £50 Boohoo

Patent chain chunky brogue - £20 Boohoo

Butterfly print perspex heels - £30 Boohoo

Cage block heel sandal - £24.99 New Look

Holographic cut out boot - £25 Boohoo

Will you be giving these a miss or are you head over heels for them?

What's on my wishlist...?

Missguided

I'm sure everyone has found themselves on Missguided lusting after half of their site and then buying it as it's so affordable. This is just a small selection of my favourites, my actual wishlist on their website is huuuuuggggeeee

1. Velvet Playsuit - Purely because I'm getting rid of my denim pair and need a more 'grown up' replacement

2. Kimono - I've actually been drooling over most of Missguideds' kimonos, there's over 60 to chose from and all so very purse friendly. What's not to love?

3. Boots - My high heel habit turned into a boot habit instead (everyone's got theirs faults, eh?) these come in 4 different colours already and (don't quote me on this) but I'm sure they'll be stocking them in green some time soon?! At only £37.99 I can have a few different colours...?

4. Leather look zip skirt - This has been on my wishlist for sooooo long. Maybe Santa will treat me a little early this year? *hint hint*

5. Loop Knit Cardigan - This reminds me of those dogs that look like mops, in a good way. I can guarantee I'd catch all the threads on most things and it looks highly impractical but so so so good on.

6. Velvet Disco Pants - Every A/W I'm all over anything velvet, and these are a lovely little update on the 'disco pant' (which in my opinion are just a little too sweaty for my liking) and a little easier to wear than velvet leggings. Am I the only one who has trouble finding tops long enough to cover the dreaded camel toe? Velvet and camel toe can NOT be a good look, I'm sure

What have I been up too...?

I guess this is a little different from usual, I really haven't felt like doing outfit posts at the minute and probably won't be doing them for a while (depending on how quickly I manage to sort my life out!) Anyway, this is kind of a little project I've been nurturing for a long time, I've been playing around and seeing what I can do and what I can make and these are what I've managed so far! 

They are only prototypes, I've realised that I need to invest some more time and money into my materials, so I'm going to spend a little more money on all the bits and bobs so I can make something that is affordable for you guys but still be good quality. 

For now, I need to make some space, so I'm selling all the above for just £1 each (£2 for the rainbow fluorite chipstone bracelet) plus 75p p&p per item. Just leave your email address below and the item(s) you'd like and I'll send you an invoice over. There's one of each item except the rainbow fluorite bracelets, I have 6 of these fro sale. 

Florescent Adolescent

Excuse me but when did Ark up their shoe game?? These are pretty good dupes of the Topshop 'Argo' and £50 less! There's plenty of other boots on there as well including some Coltrane a-likes (love or hate dupes) sometimes people can only afford the look-a-likes, especially when everything goes out of fashion so quickly. 

Huge lack of posting these past few weeks, I've been a bit pre-occupied. All that should change soon though hopefully!

Dollydagger - Model search

Hi all, just a quickie here to let you all know I've gone and entered myself into a model search for 'Dollydagger' all you need to do to vote for me is like this picture here. I'd really appreciate any votes from you guys (I need them haha, some of these girls are abit more 'woahhhh' than I am!) anyway you've got till the end of the month to do it :)

You could save me from the way I tend to be

Top - ASOS / Skirt JW Anderson for Topshop / Necklace - gift / Boots - New Look

 Just a quickie today, to basically show off my favourite new thing - my fluffy jumper! It goes with everything, like this skirt that I've been struggling to wear as nothing just seemed to go well with it. I am welcoming the winter months with open (furry) arms now. 

I've been contemplating chopping my hair off, maybe get a jaw length bob? It just doesn't seem to want to grow anymore and more love for bleaching means that when it does it just snaps off or have to have loads off the ends when I do get it cut. I just want long mermaid hair now :(

Now it's three in the morning

Dress - Topshop / Shoes - Dr Martens / Necklace - Handmade by me

*Warning* Boyfriend appreciation post!

 As you can see, the blonde is back (and it's staying) and I've got myself a new pair of shoes! Or rather I should say someone else got me them, my boyfriend treated me to these for my birthday. I had no idea what he was getting me but I can say I was pleasantly surprised when I unwrapped these and I know he went to so much trouble to get them, bless him. 

I can't believe I'm 23 now, urm where did all the time go?! I spent my rainy birthday at Alton Towers specifically to go on the new ride and guess what? It was closed for maintenance; just my luck. It's only an hours drive from where I live at the moment so I'm sure we'll get chance to go again soon and actually go on it.

I wore this dress for the little party my friends threw for me the night before my birthday, which was lovely, but one things for sure I think I've grown out of drinking! I just don't like it any more, I have noticed over the years that I don't need to be drunk to have a good time (I'll do dance my socks off anyway) and if everyone else is drunk then what do I have to be all shy and self conscious about when they really won't care at all!

Fast - Does it work?

In the past year alone my hair has been through a hell of a lot and all inflicted by myself. I've been blonde, then blue (which had to be removed quickly), then purple, blonde again, brown, browny red and finally blonde again. It's had its fair share of bleachings to say the least and I can't actually remember the last time I gave my head of a hair a good long break from dying.. since having it cut off and not being able to do much with it I took to dying it -A LOT. I'm sure many of you ladies out there will be able to relate with the whole 'my hair won't grow past a certain length' thing and whilst my hair has been growing fairly well during the phase of me treating it nicely, it's condition was still very poor. 

So, after reading a few reviews I decided to treat myself (with my boots points so no money wasted if it doesn't work) and see what the hype is all about. 

I got my hair cut and coloured it myself in preparation, so I think that's a good fresh start for my hair. I've been using it for nearly 2 weeks now and I can see a vast improvement in condition but growth wise? I've maybe got a couple of millimetres of root showing but honestly not a lot more than what I would usually have, let's hope it works it's magic soon! 

What's on my wishlist?

Topshop 

1. Teddy Fur Coat - I own quite a few coats but non of them are black... so in that case I need one! I've been in store and felt this coat and it is actually like teddy fur, so soft.

2. Boots - This boots kind of remind me of juju jellies?! Red patent and glitter heels probably shouldn't work but, this A/W needs some brightening up I think and these will do the trick

3. Tartan Skirt - I think everyone knows by now what the biggest tread for A/W is and at £22 you can't really say no to joining in. Now, this was sold out but is in stock at the moment so go snap it up quick

4. Playsuit - Black, floral, key hole detail, long sleeve, this doesnt really need any more explaining it's simple and very very pretty

5. Mesh Top - If you haven't already thrown yourself into the 90's trend or are maybe a little afraid of the thought of mesh, then this cute top is a way of easing yourself into it. It's very easy to turn this top from girly to edgy depending what you wear with it

6. Block Heels - Not very A/W friendly but anyone going away on holiday during the autumn months should have these packed in their case

As I arrived I thought I saw you leaving

Shirt - Primark / Pinafore - Urban Outfitters / Shoes - Primark / Collar Pins - Ever Ours

This pinafore landed on my lap after a sneaky Urban Outfitters sale binge (one that shouldn't have happened but, never mind), it's kinda school girl chic I feel and perfect for the summer/autumn transition what with all this tartan and check around for A/W. I must admit I did buy a a size up thinking it would be on the small side but it actually came up quite big, always the case, right?!

I'm currently sorting my hair out, I'm going back to the light side the brown/red/blonde mess was really starting to bug me, plus it means I got to catch up on Breaking Bad during the process, who's as hooked as I am?!

They never look to see me fly

Dress - Topshop / Shoes - New Look / Socks - Primark / Necklace - Empty Casket

I'm pretty sure I don't know how to smile these days, look at that scowl... This week's been another one of those weeks, I've been in and out of the doctors and spoken to so many different people (some helpful, most not) and in the end I have to have another trip to the hospital, yay. In all in honesty I'm not one of those types that goes to the doctors about every little thing and experiences like this make me not want to do so ever again but, after everything that's been happening to me I really have no choice but to seek help.
Anyway, I bought this dress to cheer me up and so I had a new dress to wear on a night out. The print is lovely but be wary of the fit, especially if you're a 'big booby lady' (my boyfriends words, not mine, bless him) like myself or broad shouldered as it is quite tight across the chest. I did stupidly try it on in a size 8 with hilarious results, it was most definitely stuck around my shoulder blades, a lot of shimmying and trying not to rip it ensued.

You came on your own, that's how you'll leave

Bag - Zatchels (Please excuse the hand and the chipped nails...!)

I was a bit of a bad blogger and hid this bag away for a good few months after I got it.. I snagged it in  the Zatchels sale they had a while ago and of course I had to get my initials on them! I did have to wait a while to receive it but with them all being handmade and due to the sale, I did expect it. 

When I did receive it I was very pleased with it, it's a beautiful pastel blue colour and now I'm going through a phase of wearing black it brings a little bit of colour to my outfits. It's beautiful quality and I've been after one for so long that I'm glad I took the plunge, so much so I now need another one.

There was no doubt about which side I was on

Crop top & Shoes - Topshop / Skirt - Miss Selfridge 

This skirt was something I was going to pick up agessssss ago (at full price) but I just wasn't quite sure about it and put it back on the rail, but I found it a few weeks ago in Miss Selfridge's sale for a measly £7 and decided against my judgement. What put me off was the thought of 'what will I wear it with?' and to be honest I'm still struggling now, nothing I own seems to suit and this top was the only one I could find that I didn't immediately think 'ew, no Rebecca' anyone give me any ideas how to style it as I don't really want to let go of it now.

I'm adding loads more things to my eBay, having a huge clearout and I'll be adding more as the week goes on

Colour my life with the chaos of trouble

Dress - Ever Ours / Shoes - Primark / Belt - Stolen from another dress

This dress is very similar to one currently on Dahlias website, which I couldn't justify (however pretty it is) spending £49 on and is currently out of stock anyway. So when I saw it on Ever Ours I had to snap it up, I actually ordered the black sleeves as the grey was out of stock but then I received the grey version! Sometimes these things do work out in your favour! 

If anyone's interested I'm also selling a few bits on eBay here

You, my everything

Dress - ASOS via eBay / Shoes - Topshop

You know those moments when you're really glad you didn't buy something (which don't really occur that often) well I had one of them when I stumbled upon this dress on eBay. I very nearly forked out £45 for this dress originally and do you know how much I paid for it? £12, guys. I am one happy eBayer (or at least I was when the dress was eventually posted, a whole 11 days later, grrr) and I'm back on that bandwagon, why bother paying full whack for something when I can buy the same item someone has worn a couple of times at a fraction of the price?!  You can always find similar items if you can't find exactly what you want as well. You guys found any eBay gems recently?

On a side note, we're currently looking after some rats, Cece and Jinxy, although my house mate reckons they're both boys... They're really friendly and super cute, but now I'm adamant I'm allergic to them as I'm sat here sneezing with an awful runny nose, let's hope not because after they go back to their owner I really want one myself!

What's on my wishlist?

Zara

I would usually try and not do two of these posts in a row but if you've already seen Zara's new A/W collection then you know why I'm so excited, these are all picks from the TRF range

1. This is THE perfect transitional jacket, I literally need it in my life, anything grey or burgundy I flock too like a moth to a flame when autumn draws near

2. How 'clueless' is this dress? I think my style has gone full circle and I'm being drawn towards anything with a collar

3. I don't even need any words for this top, really, timeless.

4. These are very similar to a pair Topshop had in last winter, but these are a little higher and a little more grown up

5. More checks with a black veiled twist, simple yet vampy

What's on my wishlist?

ASOS

1. Just to satisfy my leopard print habit, and seeing as I don't own a leopard print cardi also...

2. I love overalls/dungarees but they're a little samey and everyone and their dog owes a pair but these (black and cord, winning team) are a little twist on the norm

3. I really need some new tops but I'm so fussy about them, this is simple and would go with everything, I love them paired with leather shorts as above

4. Myself and my boyfriend have decided to take a holiday next year and I think this would make a good casual day dress or a cover up for the beach, nice and floaty

You can find all the items by clicking the numbers next to them!

I should be over all the butterflies

Cardigan - Urban Outfitters / Top - Topshop / Shorts - H&M / Boots - New Look

By the looks of my recent posts you'd think I haven't taken actually taken these boots off and you'd be right. They just go with everything and the little phase I'm going through of everything I buy needing to be black.

I just rediscovered this top at my parents house shoved in a bookcase of all places, I had plans to tie-dye it but I think I'll leave it be as it work's well as a waistcoat if you unbutton it.

I'm having a movie night as the boyfriends at work till late and I have to be up early in the morning, hopefully everything goes okay tomorrow I am rather more nervous than I probably should be but, I'm a worrier so I'm putting the nerves down to that!