I’m  growing a human in my belly!

An actual human! Well according to my many apps, its only now beginning to look remarkably human!  Previous more alien / Tadpole like!

But beside that it’s an actual human, with a heart beating away and arms and legs that can now bend at the elbows and knees, and can suck it’s thumb. I know! Madness!

Our family of two is about to become three and life as we know it is about to change!





The FAQ’s

Baby Amies-King is due January 2019.

We are not going to find out whether we are having a boy or a girl, We love the idea of it being a surprise! Plus its 2018/19 we are not limited to Pink or Blue, and we won’t be anyway once the baby is born! We both really like a lot of unisex clothing that is out there, and plus we are all for a girl in  blue tractor dungarees and a boy in a pink shorts set!

We have some names we like. Some names I like and some names Thomas likes. In all honesty, we have a long list and at some point will make a short list. We will then probably make  a short, short list and hopefully at some point I hope we can whittle it down to two names for each sex and then decide when the baby arrives!

We are super excited! Like super excited and feel very blessed. Without too much TMI it didn’t take us long to conceive, and I know that there are people who are trying to conceive (ttc) for years! So we are aware we are super lucky and super blessed!

Am I scared? This is a hard one to answer for me! Being an health care professional (Paramedic) I take a very medical facts view a lot of the time on all things medical. So for now I am very much I trust in the Midwives and Doctors, that medically this is nothing new, women for years have been doing it and the human body is incredible, and does what it has to do! On the other side of this, I can also be the worse patient ever! Firstly, sometimes knowledge is a bad thing! And that can make people in healthcare, not the best patients! But secondly the very thought of pushing out a baby (probably with a big head if My husband and I are anything to go by!) well... enough said! But I will cross that bridge when the time comes!

Pregnancy has had its up and down’s but I will leave that for another post! But all in all, I am very happy and feeling better each day!

On that note, as well as this being an announcement post, this also serves as an explanation to my absence on the blog and social media! Between sickness and tiredness and everything in between, the blog and social media has been the last thing  on my mind!

As I am starting to feel better as I get comfortably into the second trimester, I am hopeful I will be back writing blog posts and posting more on Social Media.

But if I go quiet for a few days or weeks, then so be it. I am growing a human after all, which aside from being pretty incredible, is my number one priority right now!

Jasmine
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Hello. Yes, it’s been a while. I have had a small detox from the blog and the Instagram grid (If you don’t follow me on Instagram, come on over, say hi!) and it has been bliss.
I say small detox, It has bee a whole month, which in the fast paced world of social media, is a VERY long time indeed.

I wish I could give you some elaborate story of mountain retreats, ‘finding myself’ and new ‘horizons’ but none of that I just took a break and spent time on general life and adulting.
So yes, nothing major to report, but thought it would be rude not to check in and let you know.

So I am officially back, and I hope you all will enjoy all the up coming content I have planned for you.
Always here for suggestions, so If you have any then please do let me know in the comments section below.

#BackinBusiness

Jasmine

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I have made it my aim to read more books this year. I  do love reading, aways have from a young child, but I don't put aside the time to read these days. I wouldn't say I don't have the time, I believe we can always find the time to do anything, we just have to put in the work to plan our time better.

So with that in mind, I am putting together my reading list for the year, and would love you help to expand my list with books you are reading / looking to read this year too.

I like to read most genre's apart from horror/thriller/murder that stuff is not my thing so please let me know your suggestions.






My current read: Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed

- I have been looking for an inspirational book to start off  my reading in 2018 and give me that new year inspo. I got this book from the hubby for Christmas and OMG it is brilliant and so me. This book is about high performance, growth and achieving success. It draws on examples in healthcare, aviation and sport.  Hello this book is SO ME!! - The healthcare profession, the aviaton geek and the sports lover in me cannot sit still.

Review so far: Its a great book, it draws on some great examples of high performance and success and how this can be translated to everyday life.

So along with the current read here is my current 2018 reading list:

* Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult - heard so many good things about this book that I must read it.

* Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Sthetterly - I bought this book intending on reading it before I watched the movie, but I gave in and watched the movie, but I am determined to read the book too.

* When Breath Becomes Air  by Paul Kalanithi -  Being a healthcare professional I do like to read books in and about the mdeical industry. Paul Kalanithi is a doctor who was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He goes from to doctor to patient whilst also becoming a new father. This book highlights the relationship between doctor and patient, but also reflects on life and mortality.

* Sarah Knight Books - Her books are described as 'Self-help with an edge' by Vogue and sound right up my street. The first book; The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**K  shows us 'How to stop spending time you don't have doing things you don't want to  do with people you don't like' - I SO NEED THIS BOOK IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW!

* I Know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou - I read this book in secondary school and it was  pretty life changing.  I have made a vow to read this book , along with Maya Angelou's additional six volumes of autobiographies and some of her poetry books. She was an phenomenal, inspirational women and extrodinary writer.
Her stories and poems written many years ago are still so relevant today.  I love the poem 'Still I rise' so empowering.

On the poetry note, I do love poetry. So poetry recommendations also welcome.

Please comment below your reccomendations and I will post at the end of the year all the books I have managed to read.

Jasmine

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I had been looking a trying food boxes for a while now. When I got home one day after work, the husband announced that a 'Gusto Man' ( that is what he shall forever be called) had knocked on the door and offered 50% off trying a Gusto Box, and he had signed up and we had one being delivered the next week. I was very excited to try this out. The husband had picked some lovely meals and as we both love cooking we would try following these recipes together and see what we thought of the food box concept.

We ordered 4 meals for 2 people and paid £17.00 normal price of £34.00

Here is the meals we cooked and a review of our experience.





Meal 1: Goan Fish & Spinach Curry, Coriander Rice.


This meal was so delicious.  I love a good curry and this tasted delicious. It was very simple and quick to make. You could choose how spicy you wanted the dish, by the amount of chilli you  added. It was very filling and  the corinader rice was a delicious accompliment.



Meal 2:  Lamb Burger with Minty Mayo & Chips

If you now me and my husband, then you know we love a good burger and lamb and mint is a classic combination. I also love a good burger bun. This meal came with ciabatta rolls. I was skeptical, ciabatta is known for its bite,  it's chew... this is not what I like when it comes to a burger. However, this worked suprisingly well, gave the burger different textures. Also shoutout to the minty mayo that came with this meal. delicious!




Meal 3: Chicken Satay Skewer with Cucumber Pickle

Chicken Satay is an all time favourite for me. I love chicken and I love peanut butter. The chicken satay was nice as expected, nothing to right home about. For me the standout was the pickled cucumer. OMG. GAMECHANGER.  Let me put this into prespective. I don't actually like cucumber. As a rule If its in a salad I will eat it as I just eat everything. On its own I would avoid it, like at the subway counter its a NO to  cucumber, thanks. So thats my particular stance on the cucumber. BUT pickle the badboy and I am all over it. Who knew! Some rice vingar in a bowl, and cucumber ribbons (we made ribbons for the burger,  for this meal it was just cut in 1/4, much preferred it in ribbons) made with the trust potato peeler, and cucumbers are back on the menu! Its a quick and simpe side to add to a meal and one of thise 5 a days I am meant to be getting!  Win.




Meal 4: Chorizo & Cherry Tomato Risotto

I have actually never had a rissotto at home. I have probably only every had one once or twice at a push when I have been out or at someones house for dinner. Iam not a huge rice fan in general, so chosisng to make or have a risotto is never top of my list.  Imust admit this risotto was very nice, I am a big fan of chorizo and cherry tomotoes so this combination was a good choice for me. Iwill definately love to try different risotto combinations in the future.

Overall Review

Yes to Food boxes.

I now know what the hype is all about when it comes to food boxes.

Meal prep like a pro. Meals are chosen in advance, so you avoid the night before panic of thinking what to have for dinner. Theres options to have things you won't normally have or know where to start to cook at home.

It'so easy.  Everything  pootrioned out already, just follow the instructions and away you go.

No waste. Linked to the  previous point. With everything portioned out theres no excess of  ingredients that 1. you will probably never use again or 2. will go off before you get a chance to use again. This is a huge one for my husband and I, as shops rarely sell things portioned for 2 people and a lot of food bought for certain meals especiallyvegetables gets thrown in the bin as theey go off. This is a huge waste of food and waste of money.

Tasty, quality ingredients. The ingredients we had from gusto were tasty and good quality ingredients. A lot of the food was sourced from the UK which was also nice to see.

Will I purchase again? YES. I want to try some of the other food boxes out there so Ican compare what is on teh market. But its a YES to food boxes from me.


Jasmine

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A new event is in the athletics calendar.

The Athletics World Cup.

If you know me, then you know I love Sport, but you also know I love my athletics. Whenever there is a meet I am usually watching it. I think I got my athletics bug from my Grandad and my Mother as I always remember them glued to the screen when the athletics was on, years on my mum is still the same and I am no different, but probably worse with the addition of the Internet and the red button.

There are so many athletics meet and the likes of the popular diamond league is constantly changing to meet the needs and demands of the athletes and the fans alike.





So here's the lowdown on the newest meet in town.

The Athletics World Cup will see 8 top athletics nations Compete to win prize money and the World Cup Champions Title.

The 8 nations are: Great Britain, United States of America,  South Africa, Poland, France, China, Germany and Jamaica.

One male and one female from each nation will compete in all field and track events up to 1500m

Dates: 14th and 15th July
Where: London

Side note: For the eagled eyed amongst you, yes, you have thought right, this is the same weekend as the Football World Cup Final and the Wimbledon Tennis Finals. So you know where you will find me that weekend. #WeekendOfSport  #PassTheSnacks

At the moment, this event is not known to be held annually. But there is scope for it to be held around the world hosted by the competing nations.

My thoughts: Yaaaaaaaas more athletics. Are there too many meets? As a fan, I don't think so. More athletics is a good thing in my opinion. This event will be 4 months after the World Championships; which is also being held in the UK in Birmingham. Athletes coming off the highs of a great world camps,  combined with athletes who didn't do as hoped and has some thing to prove, can only produce a great event. Hopefully there won't be too many world champs injuries, forcing many athletes and 'big names' to pull out.

In August, Chief executive of British Athletics announced 'The Meet' a GB vs USA one-day athletics competition in London in 2018. This event seems to have now been cancelled in favour for the Athletics World Cup.

Jasmine

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This monthly favourites have been quite beauty heavy. But here are all the things I have been loving this month:


1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place Makeup (7N1 Deep Amber)

I love my Lancome Tient Idole Foundation, I have used it for over 10 years and no other foundation I have tried as ever come close to its greatness. However, I have been loving the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place Makeup Foundation. It does what it says on the tin. It definitely stays in place. It is medium coverage, but very buildable and also SPF 10. I normally love full coverage, but how this foundation builds I can chose my perfect look. The only negative is the bottle has no pump or tip for easy dispensing. However, You can purchase a double wear pump from Boots, House of Fraser and Sefridges for around £5.50 for easy dispense. This foundation is definitely staying in my makeup bag.

2. Elf Matte Magic Mist & Set

Admittedly I have used this setting spray for a couple of months now. But I have been loving using this setting spray this month. So thought I would add it into my monthly favourites. This setting spray is high street, super cheap and works like a dream. My makeup stays in place after a 12 hour shift and has been suprisingly good with all the daily weather changes we have had this month.

3. Pixi by Petra Shea Butter Lip Balm (Natural Rose)

I love to pull out a lip balm out of a pocket and put some on, it keeps my lips moisturised and is just easy to apply. I normally use a plain Nivea lip balm, but I have been loving the pixi by Petra Shea Butter Lip balm in the colour Natural Rose. I am always weary of tinted lip balms as the nornally are quite drying. I don't know if it's the colouring that takes away the moisture element, but I have not got on with tinted lip balms in the past. The Pixi by Petra lip balm has not had this problem, which I have been pleasantly suprised. This made me very happy, as sometimes I want a little colour on my lips, but not the hassle of putting on lipstick.  Winning. The colour is a little pinkier than I would chose for my skin tone, but with a brown lip liner I can get away with it. I definitely want to try some more colours in this lip balm range.  I will keep you updated.

4. Chroming Nails by Primark

I love the Primark Nails. I have round nails so I wear the almond style for a shorter polished look, the pointer nails when I want long claw like nails and the rounded french nails.  This month there has been a few occasions where I wanted something a little more special,and  I have been loving the Primark Chroming sets. Definitely stand out from the crowd with those on. Starting from £1 you cannot go wrong with Primark nails. They do come with nail glue, but I only use elegant touch nail glue on my nails as I find they don't ruin my nails and extra residue comes off nice and easy with my nail file block.

5. YourGoodSkin Balancing Skin Concentrate
If you read my post on my skincare journey you would have heard all about YourGoodSkin and in particular the Balancing Skin Concentrate. If you haven't read that post, than I recommend you do! Anyway this month every day we have had all four seasons, one minute its sunny, the next hailing and then snowing! My skin started to not cope at the begging of the month, and I realised I had not been using the Balance Skin Concentrate religiously like I used to. So I started using this again, and my skin has definitely thanked me! My skin has felt and looked visibly healthier once again.

6. Make up Revolution Concealer (C13 and C14)

If you have not heard about the Make up Revolution Concealer where have you been? Rivaling the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, but only £4 on the high street, this concealer has been raved about everywhere! I have to say, I love it! The coverage and consistency is incredible. A great shade range also with 18 shades! The easy applicator achieves that perfect finish. The concealer does start to dry very quickly, so no hanging around, you have to start blending quick, but apart from that. Well Done Make up Revolution. Rumour has it the foundation in the same 18 shades will be released very soon!

7. Spectrum A05 Blush Brush

So apart from this Brush being super cute! The Green and the Pink just pops in my makeup brush vase. The quality of the Spectrum Brushes are really good. I sometimes look at Brush brands that have incredible design and think are they just all about the design all about the look for the Instagram photos, but the spectrum brushes is really nice to use. I particularly like the blush brush as it gets the right amout of product onto my cheeks, and the brush doesn't seem to retain too much product. I am a real techniques fan, and this is one of the first other brush brands I have tried. I think I do need to try more. Any recommendations?

8. Tassimo Cadbury's Hot Chocolate

When it is winter, there is nothing I like more than to snuggle down on the sofa with a Hot drink. Sometimes its a fruit or herbal tea, but this month I have been indulging in a Cadbury's Hot Chocolate made on my Tassimo Machine. Super simple, Super Quick and Super Chocolatey! Perfect!

Jasmine

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Team GB hope PyeongChang 2018 will be their most successful Olympic Winter Games to date.

Here's a quick guide on some of Team GB medal hopefuls and events to watch!

9.2.18 - Opening Ceremony - Face of Team GB Winter Olympics Lizzy Yarnold will be Team GB Flag bearer.

10.2.18 - Annika Taylor makes her Olympic debut in the women's 15km skiathon. She faces 10 x Olympic Medallist, including six gold medals, Marit Bjørgen. Marit only needs one more medal  to become the most medalled female Winter Olympian.

11.2.18 - Snowboarder Jamie Nicholls, 24, is looking to improve on his 6th place finish at Sochi 2014 in the slopestyle event.

Fresh from a bronze medal at Decembers World Cup, Andrew Musgrave, 27, competes in cross country skiing



12.2.18. - Snowboarder Katie Ormerod missed out on selection for Sochi 2014 aged 16, but has been selected for her first Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. Named as one of Britain's medal hopes, she is Competing in the slopestyle and big air snowboarding events.

UPDATE: Katie Ormerod has had to withdraw from the Games after a severe right heel fracture requiring surgery. Wishing her a speedy recovery.

13.2.18 - Elise Christie, short track speed skater, won 1000m, 1500m and overall gold in the 2017 world cup, the first British & European Woman to do so. Today she kicks of her Winter Olympic campaign in the home of the sport South Korea. She faces tough competition especially against top-ranked Choi Min-Jeong.

14.2.18 - The Muirhead family are in action today, as the Curling begins. Thomas and Glen Muirhead will compete in the Men's rink for the first time. Whilst Sister Eve Muirhead will be skipping the women's rink again following their bronze medal in Sochi, 2014.

17.2.18 - Lizzie Yarnold, Team GB Opening Ceremony Flag bearer, aims to become the first British athlete to successfully defend a Winter Olympic title in the skeleton. 

Izzy Atkin, became the first British Woman to win a ski slopestyle world cup last year and followed this up with a bronze medal at her first World Championships. A Medal hopeful for Team GB, her campaign begins.

In the men's ski slopestyle, James Woods looks to improve his 5th place at Sochi 2014 after overcoming injuries.

30 years after the men's Jamaican Bobsleigh team made history, the women's team are doing the same. Jamaica have 3 athletes at the Winter Games, Skeleton athlete, and two women competing in the Bobsleigh... Cool Running 2 anyone?



19.2.18 - Making its debut at the Winter Olympics is snowboarding's Big Air event. Expect big flips and tricks in the air, as the name suggests. Slopestyle was one of the most popular events at Sochi, and its thought that the Big Air event will be just as, if not more popular at PyeongChang.

20.2.18 - In Figure Skating Penny Coome and Nick Buckland compete in the Ice Dancing.

22.2.17 - Dave 'The Rocket' Ryding competes in the slalom. Last year Dave got a silver medal at the World Cup, Britain's best ever World Cup finish and will want to medal at the Winter Olympics.

25.2.17 -  Closing Ceremony - Who will everyone be talking about in the closing ceremony? Will it be the medal hopefuls or will there be some unexpected stars? Who will be GB's standout performer and flag bearer at the closing ceremony?

The Winter Olympics never disappoints, the sport may be less mainstream, but after a few days you are sure to find that everyone is an expert, or has an opinion when it comes to curling...

Lets go Team GB!

Catch all the action on BBC and Eurosport

Jasmine

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Note: Photographs thanks to Louisa Bramley IG @louisabramley
www.facebook.com/loulabellcreations