I'm back! What have I been up to?

Hi Everybody!

Wow, this feels a little bit weird, it's been a while!

First of all I'd like to say, thanks for sticking with me while I took a much needed break from all things Truly Polished. I needed some time off but I've still been checking in on Blogger every now and again and to see my page views still going up has been unexpected but lovely.

Secondly, my return begs the question of where I've been since before Christmas, so I thought I'd fill you guys in on what I've been up to!

The main reason is the most exciting... We're expecting a new addition to the Truly Polished family! We found out just before Christmas, and my energy was gone, just like that. I've been napping every day, totally unable to function without a crazy amount of sleep and generally useless. Trying to look after a nearly two and a half year old livewire, keeping my house looking like humans rather than pigs live in it, and actually having some me-time meant that blogging had to go for a while... But I'm itching to get back into it, and certainly haven't been slacking on the haul front so have plenty to show you once I get it all swatched!

Here's a little picture of Baby TP number 2 from a couple of weeks ago! We find out in just over a month what we're having so that's exciting.

So what else have I been up to?

I never watched Entourage when it was actually on, but in January I decided to start from the beginning. I'm up to Season 5 and loving it!

One of my New Year's resolutions was to learn to crochet. I've been having a good go at it, I've learned how to make a granny square, and a granny triangle to start some multicoloured bunting for Caleb's room. I've also made a flower headband for myself, as well as making some little flowers and stars. I want to take the next month to make something for Caleb, and then when I find out the sex of this baby I want to make a nice blanket for the nursery. I'm hoping (if what I make isn't too embarrassingly bad) to share some of my crochet on here! 

We went to Tenerife for 8 days the second week of February, it was so nice to get a bit of sun, the English weather makes me so miserable!

My fiance has been home for the last four weeks, he leaves tomorrow, and so we decided this was the time to potty train our son. We started on Valentine's Day, a Friday, and used the fact that he was off preschool for half term the following week to our advantage. And it's done. He picked it up really quickly and much more easily than we had expected. Obviously we're anticipating accidents still, but we had a trip to Colchester Zoo at the start of this week (2 hours each way) accident free, so I'm optimistic!

So that's what I've been up to! It's been a busy and tiring couple of months, but I'm ready to get back to blogging. If I can get some swatching done over the next few days, I'll be back next week with some pretties. I'm thinking the Limited Edition Picture Polish newbies first. I have thermals as well that I want to show you, plus some indies. Honestly I've lost interest in the mainstream recently so it's indie all the way for the time being!

Thanks again for sticking with me through this break, and you won't be disappointed next week!

Festive Friday 2013 #1 and the Truly Polished Christmas Tag!

Hi Guys,

Doesn't it feel Christmassy today?! It's really cold here and we bought our Christmas tree today so I'm feeling very festive. We got a real tree this year, went to the garden centre to pick it out and everything, I'm feeling grown up and our house feels very homely now for our second Christmas here. Today is also the first Friday in December and I thought I'd bring back one of my favourite features from last year... Festive Fridays! Last year I did it for six weeks if I remember right, but this year I've been busy actually preparing for Christmas so I thought I'd keep it as a December thing this year.

For my first Festive Friday 2013 post I wanted to do a Christmas tag, but I couldn't really find one I liked, so I thought I would create one myself! It took me a little while, but here it is.

1. Sign that Christmas is coming?

2. Favourite Christmas song?

3. Favourite Christmas movie?

4. Opening presents... Morning or afternoon?

5. Smoky eyes and sequins for Christmas dinner or tacky jumpers all the way?

6. Christmas eve plans?

7. Favourite Christmas food and drink?

8. Favourite Christmas memory?

9. Who are you spending Christmas with this year?

10. Top of your wish list this year?

11. What's on your plate?

12. Must have nail polish for Christmas day?

13. Favourite Christmassy scent?

14. What is at the top of your tree?

15. Boxing Day?

16. Best thing about Christmas?

This is quite a long post, so click Read More to see my answers...

Where have I been?!

Hi Guys,

I almost feel like I need to introduce myself again, feels like ages since I last posted. I decided to take a little hiatus from blogging, rather than do one post a fortnight and feel like I was getting behind. After I wrote my buyer's remorse post I kind of lost my way when it came to posting, and after writing my last post on Dollish Polish, I thought it was high time I took a break for a couple of weeks. And what a busy couple of weeks it has been!

Here's a little bit of what I've been up to...

Our new addition, Augustus

Finding new projects

TRYING to learn how to crochet

Eating a lot of cheese and biscuits - I'm addicted

My son turned 2 - Happy Birthday Caleb!

Home made rainbow cake by me!

Caleb started preschool, here he is in his uniform playing in his kitchen at home. This was a
 birthday present and was from IKEA, as was the table.

We went away for 5 days to Iceland, my boyfriend planned  it all behind my back but let it slip two days
before we left by accident!

Wearing Cult Nails Nevermore in Reykjavik!

And... We got engaged!!

So that's what I've been doing in my absence. It's been a busy few weeks! I'm going to do some swatching over the next couple of weeks, plus I have a really nice haul to show you guys (indies don't count on no-buys in case you didn't know... Haha!) 

Now my son has dropped his afternoon nap I don't have the same kind of time to swatch polishes as I used to, but he started pre-school two mornings a week just after his birthday so that means I'll have 3 hours on a Wednesday and Thursday to get things like that done! So hopefully blogging will get back to normal soon. My boyfriend (or I should say fiance now!) is going away for work again next week so I'm sure the boredom of being alone again will mean it'll be all blogging all the time!!

Although I do have a wedding to plan now...

Bloggers, No Buys and Buyer's Remorse...

Hi Everyone,

I've got something a bit different to talk about today... This post is about the main problem I've encountered (or maybe developed) since I started blogging! I wrote this post a few days ago and didn't post it straight away, so here it is now...

So, as I'm writing this it's Sunday night and I'm fresh out of an indie restock! Rainbow Connection were launching CrowsToes, Liquid Sky Lacquer, Cadillacquer and Polished by KPT online and I was so excited to finally buy some thermal polishes. When I found out the launch was at 8 tonight I set an alarm and a goal to have my son in bed by 7:30, then I had a look at swatches and made a little list of things to get. 

I put Caleb in bed at about 7:15 because he was extra tired from no nap this afternoon, and then I just sat at my computer. At half past 7 I called my Mum for a chat and told her how stressed I was feeling about the launch and she told me to get a grip obviously! 

I had been feeling nervous all afternoon because there were a few polishes that I'd have been really annoyed if I didn't get. If you're familiar with Polished by KPT you'll know how gorgeous her thermals are, but the shipping/tax/Royal Mail issues have meant I hadn't bought anything from America, so I really wanted to get a few of those. 

The last time I bought indies was from Dollish Polish and that was about a year ago, the Halloween Collection from 2012 and it was so stressful, pressing refresh a million times to try and get the last bottle of Spectral Pup knowing I was cart-jacking but just wanting to get it anyway! I vowed to wean myself off the panic-buying restocks...

Until tonight! When you're shopping in a restock, it's like you're finally getting a taste of what you're addicted to after so long. Sounds so stupid but it's true, and I think that's why I always make a list, otherwise I would end up buying triple. I have issues with needing to have things in case I can't get them again, and LOL Syndrome aka Last One Left Syndrome! 

So tonight I bought three thermals, two glitters and a holographic polish. 

I know what you're thinking... The title of this post includes the words Buyer's Remorse. And that's the issue here. Do I have it? I don't. I'll admit that I feel guilty immediately after buying a bottle of nail polish, but then the guilt goes away when I realise I actually enjoy having it!

At the end of the day, I could be addicted to collecting much worse things... Designer handbags... Huge pieces of furniture that would fill the whole house up... My obsession fits neatly in my Helmer. And in the three carrier bags that are waiting to be unloaded into my Helmer! 

With that being said, drastic measures have to be taken. I was looking through my Helmer the other day and I have so many pretties, plus I have some bits coming through the post from this launch tonight and some other bits and pieces, including a small jot I'm bidding on, on eBay.

So I'm enforcing a no-buy! I'm banning myself from those little trips to TKMaxx when I fancy a drive, or just having a peek in Boots or Superdrug when I'm in town. No browsing on eBay, and no more indies!!! 

I won't buy any nail polish until Christmas, aside from one. The new Barry M flakie is going to be my one allowance purely because I'm so curious to see what it's like. 

It's going to be hard not to take notice of new collections, but I need to start enjoying what I have! And I have some frankens I want to try so I might actually get around to doing that when I feel the craving for something new. Or I might just go and buy some winter clothes, I'm dying for some jumpers...

I know some people have real stress in their lives, and so I refuse to stress about nail polish! 

By writing this post, I'm making a commitment to my no-buy...

Wish me luck!!!

In Five Years Time, You Might Just Prove Me Wrong...

Hi Everyone.

Ten points if you got the reference in the title! It is of course from the lovely "Five Years Time" by Noah and the Whale. If you'd like to listen to that, here it is!

Tonight's post is a little bit different, a bit more personal. This is the time of year when a lot of people are starting a new phase in their lives, whether that is college, university, or anything else. Five years ago that was me!

In the summer of 2008 I spent about a month in Holland at my Dad's house contemplating what was about to happen. I was just about to turn 18 and my whole life was about to change! I was sat in the park opposite my Dad's house listening to music and suddenly this song came on and it seemed to explain my life perfectly. It was about how time changes, losing touch with people and never really knowing what the future will be. 

That was the moment where I decided to get my first tattoo. I went back to my Dad's, drew it onto a piece of paper and positioned it where I wanted to get it. Then I spent the rest of my holiday over there debating it, and then about a month later I turned 18 and decided I would definitely get it, and I did a few days after my birthday!

Here it is:

Tattoos are a very personal thing, and so I did debate putting a picture on here, as well as the fact that it's on my foot! There is a a lot of controversy at the moment about tattoos as well, sparked by Cheryl Cole revealing her huge one and, love them or hate them, we all have an opinion on them! My tattoo is very special to me and I still love it five years on.

But what I love more is the meaning behind it...

Five years before I had this tattoo done I was moving to Spain. I left my friends and my whole life behind and moved to a whole new country with a different language and culture and a new set of people. I hated it at first but as the years went by I grew up and ended up loving my life so much that I didn't want to leave!

When I got my tattoo, pretty much everybody asked me the same question: "so, what's happening in five years then?" I always say that the point is that you never know!

Since I got my tattoo so much has changed. In the last five years I have:

1. Graduated university with a 2:1 in law

2. Met the man of my dreams (yes, that's you Richard, you're bound to be reading this!)

3. Had a baby

4. Bought a house

5. Started a blog

6. Passed my driving test

And probably a load of other things I can't think of off the top of my head!

I guess what I'm trying to say in a rambling way is......

Whatever stage of life you're in, embrace it. Every moment you live through, good or bad, leads onto the next one and if you feel like you're drifting away from people and things then believe me: you're drifting towards something better! 

Here's to the next five years!

Do you guys have any tattoos? What life changing moments have you had? And have you marked them with anything special: a tattoo, piece of jewellery, clothing? Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear all about it!

Where on Earth have I been?

Hi Everyone,

I've been working up to this post for about a week now. I basically had a nightmare few weeks and a holiday that meant I couldn't post. And then when things calmed down I didn't really know how to get back into the swing of things! Tonight I'm ready. I think sometimes it's nice to go away and then come back with a fresh view, so here goes!

Here are a few pictures of what I've been up to over the last few weeks. I have so much to show you as well... I need to find a way to fit it all in! I need to do drafts of all the posts I want to write so I don't end up having another lull!

The mid point of our renovation!

All that is left is the skirting board to be put on - YAY!

Pink Raindrops! SO PRETTY!

A doormat to remind me to cease the day...

The holiday villa we rented

Corfu was very hot... A little bit too hot!

I started off my house warming present while I was at my Mum's!

My Mum's cat Leonard wanted to use my laptop as a pillow to cool himself down!

Tonight while dinner was in the oven I threw some flowers together
I love peonies right now

So that's a little catch up. I'm going to do a joint Five Favourites for May and June, and obviously nail posts. Tomorrow I have a nail art idea that I need to try when Caleb is asleep... I'm struggling for time at the moment. My boyfriend went away just over a week ago after he was home for 4 weeks. We exhausted ourselves working on the house, and since he went away I've been struggling to organise my time!

So I'll be working on that! Thanks for sticking with me! 

Five Favourites: APRIL!

Hey Guys,

I am so delayed with this post, but around the start of this month was a super stressful time for me, and that's when I usually end up writing it...

I'm actually sat at my laptop now while Caleb is sleeping. I find that it's better for me to post during the day, bevause

1. Staying at my Mum's:

My Mum walking her dogs, they are mental, especially the one
on the left! No point her being on the lead, she won't leave my
Mum's side!

I spent the whole month of April staying at my Mum's house. Since I moved back up to Norfolk, I feel like I hardly see her anymore. It was nice to have a few weeks there, Caleb loves being there, and to spend some time together.

2. Hart of Dixie:

This month I decided to watch Hart of Dixie, and I am hooked! I downloaded every episode I could get and watched it all within a week, so I ended up catching up and having to watch one a week the old fashioned way! And then it finished last week, I can't wait for season three! For the record, I'm team Zade!

3. Family Visits:

I made these at Easter for all of my family...  Five giant ones for the adults and about
30 smaller ones for everyone, including the babies, Caleb loved them!

My little brother had his Easter holidays while I was at my Mum's and I hadn't seen him since Christmas, he's up in Manchester studying nursing so I don't see much of him. My older brother also came down for a few days with his fiancee and my nephew, so we were all together! I had to move out of the house and into a hotel because there weren't enough beds, but it was nice to have some space to myself for a couple of days.

4. Derren Brown:

So exciting!

For a long time I've been obsessed with Derren Brown! What he does just amazes me! Anyway, a while ago I bought tickets for my boyfriend and I was disappointed in the seats I could get. I had been stalking the site for months waiting for tickets to go on sale for Norwich, then I gave up. One day I decided to check again and they had gone on sale 10 days before! I got the best seats I could, but I wanted to be nearer the front. Anyway, we're going on June 12th and I'm really excited BUT... In April he released a bunch of new dates in London and I'm going again in July with my brother and...

WE GOT FRONT ROW! My brother loves Derren Brown too so it's going to be amazing. I don't mind going twice, plus it'll be a night out in London!

5. Getting Ready For Summer:

Walking at the beach at Stokes Bay

Towards the end of April the weather started to get a bit better. By better I mean about 20 degrees, but I'll take what I can get! It was nice to at least consider buying some summer clothes! Although I think I'm going to have to get a holiday in soon if I want to see the sun, I can't imagine we'll be getting a good summer in England this year!

This month was a little bit uneventful, but in a good way. Sometimes I have so much going on, travelling and everything, so it's nice to be in one place for a little while with not much happening, I got to have some family time and that was what I needed!

I'll be back on Thursday with a nails or beauty post, I haven't decided yet, I have a bunch of photos on my camera to look at first! So I'll see you then!

My Week In Pictures #3

Hi Guys,

So... This has been a bit of a break. And guess what? I'm in Holland! Recently it seems like I'm not in one place for more than two weeks and that means that blogging has been taking a back seat in favour of being less stressed and more stable! 

I thought that my first post after this break should be a My Week in Pictures post before I do last month's Five Favourites, so you guys know what I've been up to! So here we go! 

My Dad came and stayed for a week at my house with my littlest brother and his mum. It was pretty packed in my house with a hyper 6 and a half year old and a 19 month old competing for attention but it was nice to have everyone staying to keep me company!

We did a few things, like the Sealife Centre and shopping, and the weather was ok-ish, we had a couple of really nice days, and then we all came back over to Holland together.

As you probably know, I only passed my driving test in September, so it was kind of a big deal me driving all the way over here and on the other side of the road! I wasn't nervous though because I rode a moped for four years in Spain on the right, but as soon as I came out of the ferry port I nearly went straight onto the left!

Lovely hot weather, I was loving it!

My boyfriend FINALLY (after well over two years of
nagging) let me get a new Hoover. He had his last one since
before we met and it was heavy and the wheel kept coming
off... So hello Henry!

Being a passenger for the first time in ages! My Dad's car is a
left hand drive from Holland. It was nice to be driven for a change!

The Sealife Centre - I love this place, I need to go
to more aquariums... Bigger and better ones!

I finally made the investment - Estee Lauder Double
Wear in Ecru

Yuck, early morning getting up for Holland. I'm so not an
early morning person, we were meant to be leaving at 6:30 but
of course I was running half an hour late... 

Beautiful Dutch tulips!

This road symbolises Holland to me, I remember it from when I
was 14 visiting my Dad and seeing all the wind turbines on this road
going to a from the airport!

I leave the gloomy English weather to find this on my Dad's terrace
this morning, I hate rain... Typical!

So this is my Week in Pictures and what I've been up to! Tomorrow I should have my Five Favourites up for April, even though it was a bit of a meh month! And then after that I have some nails and makeup posts planned. And I have my camera to take pictures of things I might potentially buy here. I brought some polish with me to swatch if I have time, but if today is anything to go by, Caleb thinks that he should only have a half an hour nap instead of his usual two hours, so I probably won't have time! 

See you tomorrow!