Put Spring Into Your Step

This year I have vowed to do much more fashion posts as I love them and miss shooting so much. This is a post I've been so excited about sharing because I just LOVE this outfit and the cute booties that go with it. Not to mention the absolute bargain piece in this outift...

Goodbye 2017, Hello 2018!

The last post of 2017 and what a year it's been for me, my life and the blog...

Sunshine Fields

Today is FiveFootFour's THIRD birthday! I can't believe how crazy and fast these years have gone and if someone had told me where I'd be now when I started I would NEVER have believed you (and it's exactly a week till my birthday...ahhh) I wanted to share a super pretty post with you today to celebrate...

Ridiculous Things I've Learnt In My First Half Of Pregnancy

As a first time mum to be, I had no clue what to expect from pregnancy. There has been so many things I've come across that I never even knew existed and finding other people who were going through the same shock as me was pretty reassuring to know I'm not the only one. So I thought I'd share a few things just incase one of you is sat there thinking the same thing.

Morning Sickness

Let's start with the obvious. "Morning sickness typically happens to you in your first trimester." NOT EVERY TIME! I basically breezed my first trimester without knowing I was pregnant. It was only because I was late I just checked because I got myself worked up...if i hadn't of checked I could have gone the whole 12 weeks without feeling any different. Then BOOM! Like a big fat slap in the face it hit me. I thought it was flu...wrong. Morning sickness came to bite my ass with vengeance and here I am at 22 weeks writing this with a bottle of water after being sick 3 times today. Also morning sickness isn't just being sick. If I stand up for too long I get dizzy and have to sit down. No matter where I am I must sit...yes this means in public places. At gatherings I have been in a full blown conversation and had to slowly squat to the floor and tell them to just carry on, I just need to be low to the ground. This makes you feel like a total freak. Yes it's also happened in H&M whilst trying to pay, mortifying to say the least.

Pains

This hadn't even entered my brain. You see people all the time getting more and more pregnant and you don't even think about it hurting; well it does. There's this ridiculous thing called Round Ligament Pain, which in my case felt like if I sneezed my belly was going to rip open at any second. Usually this happens when you move suddenly or bend down etc because your body and joints and more relaxed to accommodate baby. But with me I only got it when I sneezed. One sneeze and I'd be rolling around on the bed like I'd been shot. The crazy thing is this amount of pain is totally normal. Then the stretching pains and aches begin. Recently I've felt like my belly is so heavy to what I'm used to I will just fall forward like a backward beetle stuck on it's back. Yes I'm well aware I'm only half way through and by the end I may well exist just face down with my bump in the air because I'm not allowed to lie on my front! 

Food Aversions 

We mostly hear about hilarious cravings people have like dipping mars bars into mushroom soup or something similarly gross, we won't really hear too much about people going off food they once loved more than their unborn child. For me...no meat and pretty much all hot food until about 2/3 weeks ago. If it was cold great, if it was cooked, stay away from me or I'll vomit everywhere. Even words of said meats were enough to make me gag. My other half very much enjoyed reminding me of this greasy pork filled pita called a Gyros he was obsessed with in Greece back in June...even this one word would be enough to make me heave. This is still something that is very prominent. I don't like meat that much at all and have only just been able to stomach chicken in small pieces. I did however become obsessed with dairy products. Ice cream (I'm on tub 7), cheddar cheese, cheese strings, milkshakes, yoghurts (I was getting through a pack of 6 muller corners in 2 days, this was me fighting to not eat them all in one sitting...I then literally had to battle with myself to have 1 a day. Which leads me onto my next topic...

Random Emotional Overloads

Sticking to the topic of yoghurts and foods you MUST have or your world will end around you. I had just opened my last muller corner, the banana and chocolate cornflake one...saved it till last because it was my fave. I put it on the side to shut the fridge, turned back around and literally watched my hand forget how to hand and it just pushed it off the side onto the floor. WTF hand?! This ended me. I was in floods of tears and just sat on the floor next to my beloved yoghurt and wept for its passing. What made it worse was the ever so helpful labrador came in and hoovered it...I had to fight his banana smelling face so he wouldn't eat the chocolate pieces. I'd say this is my biggest breakdown so far, thankfully. And I have yet to experience one in public. A smaller burst of emotions was opening baby clothes I ordered online. When they arrived I was not prepared for just how teeny there are and this made me cry. Yes, I cried because baby clothes are tiny and too cute for my body to handle.

Baby Brain

Ok, so we knew this was a thing right? When our friends or family members have been preggers and they come out with hilariously stupid comments that make little to no sense at all. (MY sister once stated leprechauns lived in my mothers downstairs toilet). But I didn't realise just how much it happens. For example - I lost my own lunch in the house. Yes that is how special this topic is. I had made a nice cheese sandwich. I had put it down to make myself a drink. I then took my drink upstairs. An hour later I realised I had forgotten my lunch downstairs so I went hunting for said lunch...couldn't find it ANYWHERE! Got the hump with myself for being so bloody stupid and went back upstairs. Another 30 minutes later I went into the garage to grab a yoghurt...there on the side was my cheese sandwich. I had taken it and given it to the garage. Why? I have no idea! I don't even remember doing it! I'm sure baby brain is only going to get worse through this pregnant but seriously, it makes you feel so totally stupid.

You Pee A LOT

So me being my naive self this made total sense to wee more towards the end as baby is pushing on your bladder or occasionally using it as a play thing while inside you. But seriously from about 15 weeks if I laughed too hard, it was close I'll tell you that much. Even trying to sit up in bed the wee pang would hit. Not to mention when you have to go, you REALLY have to go. No saying "it's ok I can hold it"...no you can't!!! There have been multiple times I've have been in the car and hit a bump and felt like my water broke...thankfully they haven't. No I was not prepared for this, but at least I'm not some of the poor ladies who have spoken about literally wetting themselves in public at only 18 weeks gone. I am now doing daily pelvic floor exercises to prevent such horrific occurrences in public.

Lack of Excitement

This one is not so ridiculous, and after reading up a lot about it recently it made me feel whole lot better. If you read my Pregnancy Story you will know this was not a planned pregnancy and in the beginning it was seriously hard for me to accept. Once I had accepted it, I then felt really disappointed in myself that I couldn't feel excitement. I am very much a "it's happened now make the most of it" person so I found how I was feeling very confusing. I was being congratulated by those we chose to tell first, some of them were so happy it made me jealous that I wasn't as happy as them. I felt pretty detached from the pregnancy for a while. Even at our 12 week scan I was aware I was seeing a baby but in my head it wasn't mine. It wasn't my baby wriggling around and waving at us. It was amazing and I couldn't stop smiling but I just felt like it wasn't real. In order to make myself more excited and attached to my bump I fully immersed myself in baby things. I bought little bits I read up everything there was to know but this didn't help all that much. It was only really when we had our gender scan with no doctors, a happy atmosphere, totally relaxed, in a place I feel most at home did it really hit me. When we found out she was a little girl, that was when pregnancy hit me. You don't really hear much about people not being excited in pregnancy as there are so many parties, baby showers, smiling selfies, gushing status' that I felt really alone on this topic. But it's totally normal. Some people just aren't as excited during pregnancy, but it doesn't mean you'll love your little peanut any less when they arrive. So if you feel like this, give yourself a break and don't beat yourself up about it. Or if you're really worried chatting to your midwife can really help.

All these things however are just temporary and all part of the experience. I know that no matter how many times I'm sick, nearly wee myself, forget things, cry or throw a tantrum, in the end I get to hold my beautiful baby girl and know it was all totally worth it. Doesn't stop me wishing it would hurry up a bit though.

My Pregnancy Story

As you've probably noticed and some of you have even very thoughtfully directly contacted me to see how I am, I have been very absent from my blog for the last couple of months. Life has been beyond crazy and it's given me a surprise that totally stopped me in my tracks. 

Blessings come when you least expect them and this little bundle is exactly that...which is due in February 2017 by the way! That's right I'm currently making a little mini me and I'm 18 weeks so very nearly half way through already! Ahhh! 

What's made the whole thing crazier is that I had no idea. Obviously we flew out to Rhodes for my birthday...the whole time unknowingly carrying extra luggage. Even when we came back it took another 4 weeks till we found it, purely because I thought I had caught a bug in Rhodes and it was belated symptoms making me so ill. But no it was the little bambino deciding I needed to know about him/her and wanted to tell me by making me super ill for a good 2 months.

So when you hear about people not knowing they are pregnant...it can actually happen. I didn't know till I was about 11 weeks. Basically smashed the first trimester without knowing...now I'm making up for it with constant sickness, headaches and heartburn.

I can honestly tell you that this is completely the opposite direction of where I thought I'd be this year, but this is another level of exciting. I know some of you will be sat reading this and judging me ("OMG I can't believe she's pregnant WTH") but this journey has not been an easy one and you really can't judge unless you have been in this situation. In the beginning I was terrified, "how am I pregnant?" "This can't be happening to me!" "I wanted to have my own house and be married and settled when I have babies"...but sometimes life knows you better than you know yourself. Life gives you what you can handle...and I am a strong person so I know I can do this. If life believes I can do it, then so do I. Just have to have faith in these things.

Another crazy factor to this story is how I actually got pregnant....no no don't worry I'm doing going to into the details of "that" but I'm talking about how it was possible. I have been on the pill for years and it's been pretty reliable...until now. Until I made the mistake of wanting to drop a few pounds before holidays...yes this is all thanks to a very very well known Teatox. That's right ladies...if you don't want a surprise baba then don't buy them. Not saying I regret it as I've made this adorable little munchkin that's kicking away inside as I'm typing but it was not at all planned thats for sure. As the teatox flushes you out it flushes out your pill at the same time...it seems obvious now but at the same when you've been on it for years you just think you've taken it so you're safe. WRONG! Let's just leave that warning there shall we. 

But anyway onto the more exciting bits. On a very rare afternoon of feeling 20% ok and after applying a LOT of make up so I don't look like a zombie, I met up with my dear friend and photographer, Emma Griffin so she could take some photos for our baby announcement and just some nice ones we can keep forever. Literally a day before this I had no bump...then boom, the baby knew it was being photographed and wanted to be seen...like mother like baby ;)

Hopefully I'll keep feeling better and better and can start blogging properly again, now with a little bit of a mix between fashion and baby things but cheers to the next chapter of FiveFootFour...(+1) xxx

Off The Shoulder In Lindos

I have so many amazing adventures to share with you from the beautiful Island of Rhodes. Everyone seems to going to Greece this year and I totally understand why, blue skies, blue sea, incredible sunshine and some of the most beautiful little towns I've ever seen.

Lindos near the bottom of Rhodes Island, despite the 45 minute drive I loved it so much I went there 4 times. Just couldn't get enough of the white maze that was the town centre, the bellowing pink bushes that draped over balconies and the gorgeous beach. 

As walking up the towns steep alleys it gets so warm adventuring so I prepared with this super cute Adriana playsuit from Misspap. Being so warm all the time and in the sun wearing something heavy wasn't an option. This playsuit however is super light and floaty allowing the breeze in and the off the shoulder design is fantastic for keeping cool. Not to mention it's so comfy. Driving for nearly an hour in this made the holiday feel like a total movie moment. Windy in your hair, cute floaty outfit, sunglasses on and music up. The lace detailed around the sleeves and the top add a lovely boho feel to it which I love...hopefully the UK will get some sun soon so I can actually wear this again.

I paired this playsuit with a wonderfully fitting clutch from Meyno. A gorgeous brand with a goal of creating fashion inspired by the African Soul. They have so many bright colours, and patterns they were totally unique with their designs. I chose the eye popping Magatte Clutch which fitted perfectly into her Greek surrounding with her pattern and colours. I used this clutch so much in Rhodes for nights out, meals and just walking around towns. A pop of colour is exactly what this outfit needed. 

Accompanied by my Primark Gladiator sandals which were so comfy...this genuinely surprised me. I thought they'd rub or hurt after hours of wondering around but they were comfortable and looked amazing. Seriously love these shoes and they will be out all summer long no matter what. And for only £14 who can argue with that! Bargain! 

Be Present

Lately I've been realising just how easy it is to lose yourself amongst the hustle and bustle of life. How easy it is to let your mind drift off the calm and collected path you've taken so long to build. I feel a bit like i've drifted off this path lately with everything that's been going on in my life.

Moving across the country to Hertfordshire, getting a new job, leaving the place I will always call home, my sanctuary by the sea as it were. I know it's important to embrace change no matter how scary, but I don't think I've let myself process it in fear I'll get too scared by it all. 

It made me think about what I used to get so much out of...writing to help others. I'm well aware that sometimes we need a helping hand to get us through or someone to talk to but not all of us have that trusted person in our life we can go to, to help us out. We worry about being judged, about giving too much away, about our closest friends looking at us differently if we fully unload our darkest thoughts and problems onto them. So we often bottle it up, hold it inside and think we can deal with it on or own. It's not always the best way of dealing with our problems. So I'm writing this post for you. For those of you that need that friendly ear, a friend to unload onto, for those who need a new outlook on life or something to inspire them to remember the good things in everyday. 

Life can get overwhelming a lot of the time. But when you feel like you're sinking and getting swallowed up by life and you can't keep afloat, try and remind yourself to be present; this helps me on a daily basis. 

Remember where you are, hear what's around you, be grateful for who you have in your life right now, smile about what's going right...there is ALWAYS something you can smile about. 

If yesterday's worries start to seep back into your mind, take a breath, imagine you're breathing out your worries and breathing in positive thoughts. Think of something that makes you happy, think of what you can do today that will be good for you, something that will make you smile. Think of something that will contribute towards today being a good day. It could be as simple as getting your lunch from your favourite place. Remember YOU are in charge of your happiness, you make your attitude towards your day. 

Yes some days will be harder than others, but the process is the same. Breath, let it go and let the positive thoughts flow. 

{Outfit details:}

Skirt - TopShop

Top - Asos

Sandals - Primark

Hat: Missguided

Crochet Crushes

Rat and Boa  - £45

Missguided - £30

Missguided - £35

New look £24.99

H&M £9.99

I can't be the only one channeling my Coachella obsession right now? One day I will make it my mission to go and have the best time ever and if i died there...I honestly wouldn't mind too much. But right now all I can do is obsess over stuff I would wear there! One of the main things I keep finding myself staring at is crochet pieces and as half of them are sold out I thought I'd just blog the pieces instead in hope some of you are sharing this crochet crush too! There are SO many crochet garments I have my eyeballs on at the moment but I just thought I'd share my top few...

So Rat and Boa are seriously hot and I want so many of their items but this amazing crochet dress is something I'm keeping my eyes open for when it comes back in stock. How can you not want that?!

Missguided are pretty hot on the trend of crochet at the moment too providing our shopping habit a lovely outlet that isn't going to set us back by thousands. The crochet jumpers are a total must and I will be getting one asap for my holiday in June...perfect over bikinis to stop my pale fragile skin getting crisped up! But also the beautiful crochet dress in white. Perfect for channeling you inner gypsy soul. I would much prefer to wear this stuff on beaches everyday than face reality...maybe one day.

Crochet waistcoats are pretty awesome too and this tasselly number form New Look is the ideal piece at a festival with a crop top, shorts and maybe some gladiator sandals...

Finally this most perfect crochet dress that I'm dying to purchase but can't as H&M is totally sold out...all the time!!! It's not even a case of I want this...I need it! 

Anyway summer is coming and you can expect to see some hippie style outfits coming in soon as I totally love that style! Enjoy.

A Bit Of Advice

I've been reflecting a lot lately and I decided to write something a bit different today. When I wrote my post on anxiety a lot of you wrote to me saying how much it helped and I'm hoping this one can help some of you again.

It is so important to remember who you are. To take a look at yourself often and remind yourself how well you're doing. No you might not be exactly where you want to be. No you might not be earning as much as you'd like and you might still struggle with yourself every now and then. But look at how far you've come. In school I always put on a front of how I thought people wanted me to be and along the way I lost who I was. I was always scared of who would insult me today, what would this girl do to me today, how many times do I have to say I'm ok when I'm not. But as you grow up you lear to let these things go and move on. Those girls were nothing. Do I see them anymore? No. Do I need to? No. Do they influence me at all anymore? No. Yeah anxiety still says hello when it's not wanted and a big group of people tend to scare me and make me pretty shy but sometimes it doesn't. And that is a big thing for me to overcome.

You have to pat yourself on the back sometimes at just how well you're doing. Yeah people around me are doing great, but from that girl in school, scared of walking through the gates in the morning, I am now confident in myself. I'm proud of my achievements and what I've overcome. I can more times than not, say hi to someone I don't know and not have to worry that much about how they're judging me. I have people from my past saying how well they see me doing and wish they'd taken a similar route. People who I used to envy now look at me that way. That in itself is super weird but you have to remember everyone has a different road in life. Different bumps, different minds, different goals. 

You just have to hang in there, focus on your dreams and really aim for them. 
Don't put so much pressure on yourself to be the best when all you can be is yourself and that is all you need to be. Don't wish yourself away by looking at others wishing you were them because there will be someone somewhere wishing they were you. You are unique, one of a kind, be you and be the best you that you can be. Everything else will follow and work out how it should.

But just remember to pat yourself on the back and look at the road you've taken and you might surprise yourself with just how steep that road was and how high you are now. 

Golden Shave

Winter is over which means one thing...time to shave off that winter coat on your legs ;) 

Introducing my new BFF of the shaving world. Personally I'm not really into waxing (basically i'm a wimp but it hurts too much) so razors are what keeps me smooth and silky. But it's pretty annoying when you have to keep buying new ones and try to find one that really keeps your legs smooth for more than a few days.

This is where Friction Free Shaving has filled that void. Not only are the heads much better quality than standard ones I use but it has way more blades to keep the shave super close. Obviously it's also super pretty in gold but comes in loads of other colours, they will also deliver new heads for your razor each month! No more awkward razor shopping in front of your boyfriend!

It is super important not to over use your razor heads as you damaging your skin and the heads build up bacteria. No one likesGetting your heads delivered every month helps you remember to change your heads and also saves you money. Instead of buying new razors you can just change the top and keep the pretty razor on the side in your bathroom. 

TIP: Use coconut oil on your legs for super smooth shaving and great to keep your legs hydrated without irritation! 

I'm using Samantha, a 5 blade head razor which you can shop here!

Tassels and Jewels

Merry Christmas Eve all you lovely people and here is a little blog post for you to read when you're all snug in your pjs with a good film on. 

The wonderful people at Cloggs sent me these super cute brogues from Clarks, just in time for Christmas and they are definitely getting a lot of attention. I love little tassel shoes and these are no exception. Going with any dresses or just jeans for colder days they are my number one recommended flats for the festive season. 

As it's been such a warm winter I'm still prancing around in my knitted dresses and simply a scarf for warmth so I can get away with these little cuties out and about while I finished my Christmas shopping today. 

Talking of presents, I did say I would be showing off my beach jewels from Tegen Jewellery and this is just one of many posts that they will be featuring I'm sure. I absolutely love them and they remind me of my inner boho, mermaid. All handmade in Cornwall right near the sea, I have opted for a jewelled ring, plain silver textured band and a wishbone midi ring. I haven't taken them off since!

These super cute shoes and rings are definitely something you should put on your list of things to spend your Christmas money on!

MERRY CHRISTMAS MY LOVES! 

Dress: Topshop
Scarf: River Island
Shoes: Cloggs - Clarks
Rings: Tegen Jewellery