Pregnancy Diary ~ 25 weeks

Hi all,

Long time no post (I will be catching up with previous weeks as soon as possible).
Just thought I would give you a little update on bump and I.

Pregnancy Diary ~ 20 Weeks (Gender Reveal)

It's a....

Pregnancy Diary ~ 21 Weeks

This week I've felt particularly ill, the week started off with a serious bout of morning sickness which took me by surprise considering I had been feeling much better. The morning sickness then seemed to convert to some kind of head-cold/flu type thing which meant that I had to take a few days off work.
Today I have slept a record amount and really been trying hard to drink plenty of water so I'm hoping this awful illness will cease soon.

A few other things I've noticed this week:

Pregnancy Diary ~ 18 Weeks (The TMI post!)

Hello my lovelies,

Well don't I have some things to tell you this week...
 Firstly, I totally spoke to soon with the whole feeling great thing. I feel like I've been hit by a bus this week. Hubby has started a new role at work which means he has to get up at 04:30 most mornings to travel to work. This seems to be affecting me more than I realise as I am SO tired. When he gets up, I then have to get up to use the bathroom and it takes me an age to settle back to sleep by which time it's nearly time to get up anyway! Oh well, I can't moan. Feel sorry for hubby putting in all these long hours! One highlight this week was that he was able to see the baby kick as the movements this week have been getting stronger! It's such a lovely thing to be able to witness.

 A new (and very unexpected) symptom this week is...

Pregnancy Diary ~ 17 Weeks

Hi all,


This week (the day before Valentine's Day) I actually felt the baby move! And I was 100% sure that it was baby and not any internal motion. If I lay or sit very still I can feel a wriggling sensation which feels a little like I have a small eel inside my stomach. It really is the most peculiar feeling!
I'm hoping this will get stronger and stronger in the next few days as it's a really addictive feeling.

Pregnancy Diary ~ 16 Weeks

It always feels like 16 weeks should be held as a landmark pregnancy week. I don't really know why I feel this way. Maybe because weeks 12 and 20 are usually quite notable in the pregnancy calendar or maybe because it marks your 4th month beginning. Either way I was very pleased to reach this point.
My sickness is considerably less than this week than it has been in previous weeks (although I am still throwing up on occasion). I'm finding the nausea slightly more predictable. *

Pregnancy Diary ~ 15 Weeks

Hi all,
Here is my 15 week pregnancy update.


I started off the week with my head in the toilet bowl. Yuck. I thought this awfulness was supposed to wear off by now!! I suppose at least I know that the baby is growing and is healthy as I was a little concerned after having no sickness that something was wrong. My brain was telling me that I was somehow un-pregnant.
So obviously I can't win. Sickness= terrible, no sickness= worry.

Pregnancy Diary ~ 6 Weeks

We found out I was expecting on the 16th November which was quite a surprise but a happy one none the less. I took a few tests which doubly confirmed the result. Definitely pregnant.
Here is a day-by-day account of my first week of pregnancy. I will move on to weekly accounts of pregnancy (if there is enough to write about) so watch this space...


Week 6, Day 1 - Saturday 19th November 2016:
Morning sickness! Boom! This is what greets me at week 6. I was attempting to clean up a puppy accident at the time (enough to make anyone retch) so I'm hoping it was that and it's not going to continue any longer. It seems that when I take my pre-natal vitamins in the morning, my stomach can't handle it. I might start taking them at night instead. Anyway, I went happily off to working praying that I didn't need to vomit during the 45min drive.
After work I had my friend (and work colleague's) 30th birthday celebration in the city centre. I drove so that I would have an excuse for not drinking. It was SO hard though. Usually I will just have the one small G&T. It was torture. Also there was lots of pre-bought Prosecco and cocktails which I skilfully avoided. Win.

Day 2: Mega tiredness. Sleeping in the day. Mum's house. Told Garrad. A few cramps, used wheat heat pack. DH delayed shower, wanted to shout at him and felt so angry. First hormonal outburst. Taking vitamins at nighttime instead of day.
Day 3: Working in Norwich. Weird that people don't know. My friend at work questioned when I would be going on honeymoon - "er... not yet!" Went home and went to cubs. Then Pizza & chips.
Day 4: Working in NW. Felt really sick while registering births and someone registered with the name that I was keen on. Cheesy Chips again for lunch. I will be as fat as a house by the time this baby is born.
Day 5: Sicknesssssssss. So I decided to tell my work colleages today... Seeing as I was feeling so yucky and we work in a very close proximity (they were bound to notice anyway). They were so overjoyed and have started trying to come up with some names for me.
Day 6/7: On hindsight the Cheesy Chips was a terrible idea!! I always put loads of black pepper on my food. Nope, never again. I feel sick at the mear thought of pepper. Yuck. At the risk of sounding like a broken record.... Early pregnancy is not amusing.


(As I post this I am 15 weeks - apologies for the delay. I will be posting more weeks very soon!)
Love Mel x

Disney Themed Wedding Invites

Planning a themed wedding is always a lot of fun, we have chosen to incorporate my favourite Disney film - Beauty and the Beast.

Read more for a sneak preview of our wedding invite menus/poems!

Giving Notice of Marriage

If you are having a civil marriage or civil partnership in England/Wales you will need to book an appointment for both you and your partner to 'give notice' of your intention to marry.

It is a similar thing to have your Banns read in church however slightly different and more involved.

This is what the General Registration Office says about Notice giving:

For most marriages or civil partnerships you must give at least 28 full days’ notice at your local register office. You need to include details of where you intend to get married or form a civil partnership. Your notice will be publicly displayed in the register office for 28 days.
You may also need to give notice here if you plan to marry or form a civil partnership abroad. Ask the overseas authority if you’ll need a ‘certificate of no impediment’.

You will need to take documents to your appointment and many of those are dependant upon your marital status and whether or not you have changed your name in the past.


Here is a list of what you will need:

• Passport (Must be valid and in date.)

                         or

• Your full birth certificate (if you were born after 1st Jan 1983 you will also need to provide your mother's birth certificate. If your biological parents were married at the time you were born you can bring your father's birth certificate instead.)

                       and

• Proof of address (You may use your drivers licence providing it has your correct address and is valid. Bank statements dated within 1 month, Utility Bills dated within 3 months or your most recent Council Tax Statement are also acceptable. 

• If you have been married previously and divorced you will need to take your Decree Absolute. 

• If you have been married and widowed you will need to take in a certified copy of your husband/wife's death certificate.

• If you have changed your name in the past either through marriage or by a change of name deed the Registrar will need to see evidence of this. If you were divorced and reverted back to using your maiden name after receiving your Decree Absolute the Registrar will need to see your marriage certificate. You will be able to obtain a copy of this from the registration district or church in which you were married.

If you are in any doubt about the documents to take with you to your appointment, you should always contact the Registration Office where you are giving notice for clarification.

For more information follow this link to visit the General Registration Office Website: 

General Registration Office

Hope this helps and makes things a little clearer for you.

Good luck!

I'm getting married!

Surprise!!

Thats what we said when I planned a massive 'proposal party' for my other half on leap day this year.

We are now neck deep in wedding planning and with just 3 months to go until we 'tie the knot' I am just so excited. And before you ask, yes its going to be a Disney themed wedding. Eeeek!

I am going to be updating this blog regularly letting you know what we've got planned down to the tiny details and highlighting any challenges we have faced.

I thought I would link my proposal video here for you to enjoy. Firstly, the video asking my fiancé to marry me and secondly, the reaction video.

Proposal Video

The Reaction Video 

(I was really ill on the proposal day so excuse my sick appearance.)

Let me know what you think in the comments below and let me know if you are planning a proposal or have been proposed to recently. I would love to hear from you!

Love Mel x

Lush! Herbalism Face & Body Cleanser.

I'm a bit of a late-comer to the Lush scene. The whole Lush rush completely passed me by but don't worry, I'm here now! Whenever I walk into a Lush store I always feel a little overwhelmed.  I just wanna smell, touch, try everything. Luckily for me, I always get snapped up quickly by one of their sales assistants.

There are always so many different concoctions on offer, but I was focused on getting something to help with my recent breakouts. I was initially drawn to the Dark Angels Cleanser however I felt that the Herbalism Cleanser (pictured above) was going to suit my skin needs better.

You use the cleanser by taking a small amount and placing it in the palm of your hand, add a small amount of water and mix it into a paste then rub over your face (or body). The smell, as you can imagine, is beautifully herbal. You can really notice the Rosemary in the mixture also which I absolutely love! The mixture is gently exfoliating because one of it's main ingredients is ground almond, which is a big thumbs up for me!

Since using Herbalism I have noticed that my complexion seems more radiant and I'm definitely not getting as many breakouts. I think that the natural ingredients are really helping to clear my skin up! Maybe I was just overdoing it with harsh chemicals in other products or maybe my skin knows that this product is vegan and cruelty free! *wink*

Unlike some Lush products, you don't have to store this is the fridge however you do have to use it within 3 months because the ingredients they use are fresh.
It is £6.40 per 100g pot which I think is pretty darn good.

Have you tried any Lush products? If so, what is your fave?

10 Alternative Rock/Metal Songs to have at your Wedding

If Ed Sheeran and Whitney Houston isn't something that you were wanting for your wedding ceremony there are plenty of alternatives out there that are just as romantic and tear jerkingly sweet.

I have compiled a few rock and metal songs that I think would work in your wedding ceremony along with videos in case there are any that you aren't familiar with.

Give them a try and let me know your faves too! I would love to hear from you.

Bon Jovi - Thank You for Loving Me

Metallica - Nothing Else Matters

Ozzy Osbourne - I Just Want You

The Smashing Pumpkins - Tonight, tonight

Marilyn Manson - Running to the Edge of the World

Aerosmith - Crazy

Alice Cooper - Poison

Motley Crue - Home Sweet Home

The Cure - Friday I'm In Love

David Bowie - As the World Falls Down

Look Book | Sultry Bridesmaid Styles

Sultry Bridesmaid Styles

I have picked a sample of bridesmaids dresses that I feel will suit any and every type of ceremony.

They range in price from £13 to £195, proving that you can get gorgeous bridesmaids dresses on a budget. These would not only suit a wide range of shapes and sizes but also could be worn by the mother of the bride/groom. Very trendy.

I would love to see pictures of your bridesmaids dresses, post them below in the comments section.

Look Book | Maternity Bridal Wear

Maternity Bridal Wear

Some of my favourite bridal looks are actually from those who are expecting. They always have such elegance and seem so serene. Above are some examples of bridal gowns for the blossoming bride.

Bare in mind that any wedding dress you choose can be altered to allow for a bump. 

Oh and congratulations!

Amelia Lace Maternity Dress Long (Ivory) by Tiffany Rose
tiffanyrose.com

ASOS heart locket necklace
£7.47 - asos.com

Lily Silk Maternity Wedding Gown Long (Ivory) - Maternity Wedding...
£190 - tiffanyrose.com

Wedding Dress (maternity friendly)
indulgy.com

An Honest Review of 'Your Tea' 28 Day Tiny Teatox.

I first saw about 'Teatox' on Instagram, then it popped up on my twitter feed... Teatoxing has suddenly become a thing. I thought the concept was pretty standard (I know of a variety of people using herbal remedies and herbal teas to help soothe minor health complaints) however this was intriguing. These teatox companies were pushing out of their 'alternative remedy' quiet zone and using social media and bloggers as a way of promoting their product to their target audience.

Because 'Your Tea' was the first 'Teatox' I came across, I decided to look at their website and their claims were quite astounding...

This cleanse will assist with reducing weight, easing bloating, increasing digestion functionality, improving skin clarity, increasing energy levels and alleviate issues associated with food intolerances.  

Wow! Definitely some big claims there. All the reviews, insta-pics and tweets seemed to be showing that this was indeed a pretty remarkable tea so eventually I caved to peer pressure and bought myself a 28 day Tiny Tea Teatox box.
The prices were, in my opinion, pretty pricey and I would never normally spend so much on a hot beverage however I managed to obtain a 20% off code - win!
I'm guessing that a lot of you reading this will already know a little bit about the tea so I won't bore you with too many details. The idea is that you drink 3 cups a day. Either 30 mins before each meal or 1 hour afterwards. Also it's important to say that they recommend you don't drink it after about 6pm and that you always consume them warm/hot. Anyway the website is pretty detailed so please check it out thoroughly before ordering. www.yourtea.com

I reviewed the teatox each day, sometimes (due to lack of planning) grouping a few days together. Let me know your experiences, thoughts or questions in the comments section below.


Day 1 Today was an early day for me, I was up at 6:30am and out to commute the 1.5 hour journey to work at 7:30am. I was a little concerned about how I was going to fit my morning tea in but with a little forward planning I used my travel mug (£3 from Costa) and drank it on the way. After the first few sips I was seriously starting to wonder if I could finish the cup let alone continue the full 28 day box that I'd ordered. The tea tasted so strong and the smell was a little overbearing. I forced myself to drink all three teas today because I know that usually if I keep eating/drinking something that I'm not keen on, eventually I begin to like it. I think if you're a big herbal tea drinker then you'll have no problem at all with the taste. I like green tea and a couple of other varieties but I can be a bit fussy. Anyway this tea tastes to me like I've taken a big bite out of Autumn while someone nearby is spraying hairspray. Weird thoughts. Basically a dry, earthy taste. Decided that because you have to plan when you drink the tea in relation to when you consume food, it really helps gain a sense of what and when you munch throughout the day etc. Also I haven't had time to drink any other hot beverages such as my usual lunchtime coffee or my 3 cups of tea with soya milk.


Day 2 After a further 3 cups today I have noticed that I don't mind the taste as much. I am however still finding the smell of the tea quite offputting. I've been eating clean too which I think will help with how sluggish and bloated I've been feeling recently. It's my friend's wedding tomorrow so I'm not sure if I'll be able to fill my quota of tea and I definitely won't be eating clean. Lots of cake and alcohol coming my way!


Day 3 Woke up this morning feeling a lot more revitalised and awake. I think that this whole teatox thing is really starting to work. I feel better on the inside. And without giving you tmi, it makes you very regular which is another positive. No one wants slow, sluggish bowels. At the end of today: I only managed one tea this morning. But hoping it won't make a difference to the overall 28 days. I didn't think it would be very good of me to sit drinking my own brew at the wedding breakfast.


Day 4 Only managed 2 cups today. It's a sunday - a gal can relax right? Also don't mention the amount of junk food I've eaten!! Shhhh.


Day 5 I know it's not great that I can't fit in time to have a hot drink while I'm at work but it's true some days. Some days I work through my lunch to try and get all of my work finished. I wish there were more hours in the day sometimes. Anyway two cups isn't too bad, 'Your Tea' say that if you have a hectic schedule then it can work out well for you if you only have two.


Day 6 Managed two cups today, mainly because two of the teabags I had taken with me today have ripped apart when I've opened them. It seems that in the sealing process, 'Your Tea' had accidentally sealed the edge of the teabag to it also. I've emailed them and they were amazing! They instantly responded and offered to send me out a 14 day box free of charge. I must say, I'm incredibly impressed with their customer service. Big thumbs up from me!!


Day 7 I got through three cups today, yay! It's amazing how much better you feel when you've had all of your teas in one day. It's like I can feel my body thanking me. Also, its strange but I'm really finding the smell and taste quite comforting. Its been a week since I started and although I wasn't doing this teatox to lose any weight I have dropped a couple of pounds.


Day 8 I've been drinking only 2 cups a day. That's all I've been able to manage I eat at very odd times especially if I have wedding ceremonies booked and I can't always plan ahead which is annoying. I have been really missing the tea when I'm only drinking it twice a day and I kinda never want them to end. I really enjoy the smell and the taste is quite pleasant especially in the morning. It's quite an enjoyable routine.


Day 9 I'm feeling so energetic today and I am at the stage now when I really enjoy drinking the tea three times a day. I just love it. My skin is a lot clearer too! My breakouts are at an all time low and my complexion seems brighter. I squeezed juice from 1/2 a lemon into my last cup of tea and it tasted wonderful. It really combats the bitterness and with added vitamin C you can't really go wrong.

Day 10 - 17 I've been drinking the tea every day for so long now, I feel like it's integrated into my life. Some days I'm only drinking 2 cups but for most I drink the full 3 cups. I used to get bad bloating most evenings, but now - nothing! I've not been eating very healthily this week so I'm expecting my acne to come back with a vengeance. Lets hope not!


Day 18-23 I've hit a wall... I'm really struggling to drink all three cups each day. I'm thinking now that the 14 day tea would have been better for me. I find it really difficult sticking to things for long periods of time. Some days I'm only managing to have one cup which is a bit rubbish. Although I still feel really good. The bloating hasn't come back and I do feel more energetic! My acne is still fine. Hardly any pimples at all!


Day 24-28 Today is my last official day drinking the tea and I'm sure that I will miss it. (I still have a few left because I kept missing them out! Oops!) I will carry on until I finish my pack anyway.


Summary: Drinking 'Your Tea' Tiny Teatox has been a really good experience for me and in all honesty I have really enjoyed it. I feel the tea has really helped to clear up my acne and improve my complexion and I 100% have more energy than when I started. I haven't felt bloated in ages and although I haven't lost any significant weight through drinking the tea (I think I lost like 2lbs) I do feel that it makes you consider your eating choices more carefully and aids with the digestion process. The only reservation I have with the tea is the price. I feel that it could potentially attract a larger number of customers if they decreased the price a little.
I think that the taste may put some people off. Stick with it you guys! It gets better, I promise! I would really suggest adding some lemon juice into the tea, it makes it taste so much better!


Have you got any questions for me? I will be doing a Tiny Teatox FAQ really soon! Leave any comment or questions in the comments section below or tweet me @lifelikedisney xx

Booking your ceremony venue | The Happily Ever After Chronicles

Photographer: Luis Holden  |  Venue: Somerleyton Hall, Norfolk.

Deciding where you want your ceremony/wedding breakfast/evening reception is extremely important. There are a few things you need to consider when you are visiting your perspective venues…


What type of ceremony is best for you?
If you are getting hitched in the UK there are lots of different options open to you.

Firstly, you have the choice between a religious ceremony (held at a place of worship) or a civil ceremony that can either take place at a register office or an approved venue, (such as a licensed hotel for example).
If you had set your heart on an outdoors ceremony (pray for good british weather!) there is such a thing as a DUO ceremony, this basically means that the legal elements of the ceremony would be carried out in a licensed room either before or after your outside ceremony. For more info on DUO ceremonies you would need to discuss it with the registration office that is in the area of your ceremony as not all of them are able to do these types.

Is it going to take place in the area/county where you live? The area where your family live? Abroad?
Think about logistics here, is it a reasonable and ‘do-able’ distance for you both and your guests to travel to your chosen area/county?
If you have decided on a wedding ceremony abroad then you will need to contact the country’s authority/government dept to find out what information and paperwork you will need, how early this paperwork/documents needs to be with them and also how long this paperwork will be valid for. (Some countries ask you to present them with a ‘Certificate of Non-Impediment’ which is something you would then need to speak to your local registration office about getting.)

Key things to think about:
Location vs. Travel costs: Remember that if you are travelling a long distance it will cost you more in travel expenses. Especially if you are hiring cars/transport.
Disabled access: Do you have any elderly or disabled guests attending? When looking around venues check for disabled access and parking
Parking: Speaking of parking, is there any parking? A lot of inner-city locations may only have ‘pay and display’ or multi-story car parking which can leave guests with a large bill if they are there all day.
Accommodation: At the end of your day, are you going to be staying in your venue? A nearby hotel? Do they offer a discount for the wedding party rooms?
Venue vs. Photography: Is it a place that you can have nice photos taken indoors if the weather turns sour?

Whats included? (Some ideas of what to ask…)
Do you get drinks upon arrival? – Is there a bar?
Are seat covers included or do you have to pay per seat?
Is there a min/max number of guests for the room?
Can you have the ceremony/wedding breakfast/evening reception all in the same room?
Do you get special rates for wedding guest bedroom bookings?
Do you have good choices in the menu and is there an evening buffet?
Do you have to use their own in house DJ/caterer/florist? Beware! Some venues charge extra if you wish to use your own people.


Remember!
Haggle! The prices the venues set are not set in stone. If you want something thrown in to the plan then ask. Or if you feel uncomfortable asking outright then mention your budget and ask of anything can be done/swapped/exchanged.
The worst they will do is say no. What have you got to lose?

It’s your wedding! So DON’T let people bully you into changing your plans or doing something you don’t want to do. However, DO keep an open mind and don’t get annoyed or upset if somebody suggests an idea or highlights a problem.
Nobody likes a bride/groom-zilla after all!

Thought of anything else? Please comment below.

A Register Office Wedding | The Happily Ever After Chronicles

There are many venues around the country in which you can get married. 

Today I am going to tell you a little more about having a marriage ceremony in a Register Office.

In each registration district there is a Register Office. Usually these types of ceremonies are referred to as '2+2 ceremonies' and are reserved for the bride, groom and two witnesses. (Some councils will allow you to have any children that you and your partner have together in the room also.) These ceremonies usually cost about £50 and are simple, quicker ceremonies that are usually friendly, more informal and intimate.

If you are wanting to have more guests present at your ceremony, but not wanting a huge expense for your wedding day, many registration offices also have a 'Decommissioned Suite' which usually hold up to 50 guests. These ceremonies cost between £150 and £500. These are similar to having a ceremony in an approved venue, for example; you are able to have a photographer or videographer present for these ceremonies also.

Both of these ceremonies are 'civil ceremonies', although they may be smaller, this in no way lessens it's validity or importance as a marriage ceremony. You can arrive in full formal/bridal attire or you can choose to wear something more casual. You can have readings in your ceremony to make it more personal to you and even decide upon your own ring/token words.

It's your wedding day so it's completely up to you.

The prices above are not inclusive of the legal preliminaries that you and your partner will need to do. Giving notice is similar to 'reading the banns' at a church, it is done to get your marriage licence and these usually cost £35 per person.

If you have any questions about getting married in a Registration Office or are planning one for yourself I would love to hear from you.

The Perfect Spring Wedding | Eeek - Colour Schemes!

Planning your dream wedding may seem a little daunting and everybody seems to have their own take on what makes for a good colour scheme. I'm here to give you my two-pence of what I think works well based on the various ceremonies that I have seen each season.

Lets start with Spring...


The Chic Wedding

Pastel pink, coral, pastel purple, mint or pastel blue look so beautiful as a colour scheme. Light, bright and airy with a hint of romance. You can add candles and some oversized letters, balloons or paper lanterns for that extra bit of 'je ne sais quoi'.


The Classic Wedding

One or two pastel colours with gold accessories is a big winner for this coming year.
We are going seriously glam here. Think Marilyn Monroe meets the Dior J'Adore advert from circa 2011.


The Boho Wedding

For those wanting a natural feel to their wedding; pale green or mint as a main colour scheme with cream. Pale freshly cut wildflowers everywhere; daisies, poppies, forget me not's- a fresh fruit wedding cake. Candles, ribbons tied around fixtures... The possibilities are endless.


The Simplistic Wedding

White with additional bright colours or multicoloured accents. This will draw the eye and you can have a lot of fun with this... Think multicoloured shoes for each bridesmaid, multicoloured socks for the groomsmen, balloons, flowers, even multicoloured umbrellas for if the weather turns into 'English Springtime'.


Which would you choose for your perfect springtime wedding? Let me know in the comments below.

I'm famous darling! Don't you know who I am?! :P

This year I was given the amazing opportunity to be in our county's marriage magazine.
I'm so excited to be able to share this with you.
Being a registrar wasn't a career that I was planning but I wouldn't change it for the world!