Category: Health

Posted in Beauty, Health, lifestyle, Personal, self care

Skincare for spot prone skin

Posted on by Holly

When I did beauty therapy at college 12 years ago I always thought that the products we were using Dermalogica would never be in my price range.

Well it’s great when you spot a bargain, and that I did.

This Breakout clearing kit was £26. I am a sufferer of spots any time of the month so I’d be silly not to try it. The kit includes

  • a breakout clearing foaming wash
  • A breakout clearing booster
  • A skin soothing hydrating lotion.

The headband was a freebie.

This clear start blotting paper keyring is just perfect for on the go oily moments. He was also a freebie ( I’ll get to why at the end)

For when my skin in semi OK I thought this special cleansing gel would be one to alternate from the one in the kit. It was £11.50.

This daily microfoliant is meant to make your skin look radiant. I believe it will just not tried it yet. Its a powder. This was part of the freebie.

OK so you all probably know Toff from I’m a celebrity. She suffers with bad skin and works alongside Dermalogica. So if you spent over £30 and put in the code TOFF then you got some extras.

Not sure how long the offer is on but the freebies are about £20 if you bought them.

Oh this was at the bottom of the box, 4 of them actually. I’m hoping they make my skin perfect like their name.

Thanks for stopping by

Til next time my lovelies

Posted in favourites, food, Health, Personal, self care

July Favourites

Posted on by Holly

I must say we had a treat this July with some glorious sunshine so that was a fave. Though it’s lovely now having a bit of breeze.

I have a nice handful of my favourite things I’ve been loving this month to show you, so let’s get into it.

BEAUTY BITS

Oh my goodness I have literally fell in love with this 24 hr moisturiser from Palmers. You can imagine the cocoa makes me smell of chocolate, which is a good thing as I’m a bit of a chocoholic. A little bit goes a long long way. Highly recommend it.

If you suffer with anxiety like me a little lavender essential oil will be your new best friend. I have used a little spray bottle added a few drops of lavender and then filled it up with water. Now I have my homemade anxiety reliever to spray on me, my pillows or in the air around me.

YUMMY BITS

This was part of my childhood and then I saw they still sold them I was so happy. They’ve been my go to snack when I’ve needed that sugar fix.

Oh wow, these tick so many boxes. As a lover of houmous. These chickpea crisps that are sea salt flavour, gluten free, vegan and 40% less fat. To top it off they are 50p at the mo for a big bag 😋

Through being lacking energy lately and then being put on tablets because I’m low on iron I thought I need something that has all the goodness but is still yum and these tea bags from Tetley are just that.

BITS AND BOBS

I have bought / had as a present a few notepads this month and as a stationery addict one can never have too many.

I have wanted to get stuck into a series and then I saw Derry Girls was on my recommendations on Netflix so I’ve watched the first season. The second season is on 4 on demand so I can’t wait to finish watching them all. The girls are balshy, Irish school girls standing up for what they believe. I love the Irish accent and it’s something to get stuck into. I’ll let you know what I think of the second once I’ve binge watched it.

I have really loved Vogues makeup /self care routines with well known celebs and I have always adored Liv Tyler from a young age so watched her self care routine this week. Worth a watch just to get the tips.

Hope you’ve had a fab July

Thanks for stopping by

Til next time

Posted in Health, lifestyle, mental health, Personal, self care

Self care is the best care

Posted on by Holly

Self care is not just all about putting on a face mask and pampering yourself, but my goodness doesn’t that sound like a great idea.

Self care is about taking care of you as a whole and making sure you are being kind to every part of you inside and out.

I’ve come up with a list of things to do on days when you need that extra more care and attention…mind, body and soul.

So here goes

  • Unplug your phone/ put it on do not disturb for an hour or two just let your mind just be
  • put on some relaxing music whether it’s acoustic or panpipes or just instrumental just enjoy the sounds.
  • Do a brain dump – grab a notebook and just unload what’s in your head onto one page it’ll help clear your head.
  • write poetry/ song. You will find it so therapeutic.
  • light some scented candles or diffuse essential oils. Get your area smelling serene.
  • Find an app to destress you I think insight app is great. A must try.
  • self massage, the bits you can get to just add moisture to it with either baby oil or a body lotion. Make your body feel loved.
  • Practise positive affirmations whether you say them out loud on in your head it will keep you in a positive mindset.
  • Do some yoga or some form of stretching, you’ll find that this will get rid of any tension built up inside.
  • Take a nap if needs be, it’s will renew your energy and get you in the mood to take on anything the day has in store for you
  • Make yourself a self care box of all things you love and that make you smile. If it fits put it in there.
  • Just enjoy your own company doing what ever your heart desires whether it’s watching a movie, eating your favourite food or singing along to your favourite songs.
Posted in Confidence, Health, Positivity, words of wisdom

Be brave, be bold, be you

Posted on by Holly

Today I braved a bare face and then thought I’d put my new bikini on and show my urostomy bag too.

OK its only just peeping over the top but I felt confident and thought I’d take the opportunity while it was there.

I want to also say: Embrace your beauty flaws and all. You only have one body so appreciate it very very much inside and out 😘

Sorry its only a short and sweet post.

Til next time

Posted in Chronic illness, Health, lifestyle, Personal

Straight out of the blue

Posted on by Holly

Imagine turbulents at sea and how you’d feel …

This is how my Dr has explained to me what labrynthitis is… I have inflammation of the inner ear that causes your balance to be very distorted. I can’t move my head and if I try to look about the room feels like it’s spinning. So I’m literally confined to my bed and my head in one position until it passes.

Let’s hope it’s not too long a feeling. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone 😣

Posted in Chronic illness, Health, lifestyle, Personal

My Surgery

Posted on by Holly

Most of my posts have been written in advance as I didn’t know how I was going to be feeling after my surgery. I usually write and publish my blog posts the same day but I had to think ahead.

So I thought I’d just write a short question and answer about my surgery and how I’m feeling

  1. What surgery did I have: I had my bladder removed it took 9 hours as they wanted to save my bowel and uterus as they were stuck together with adhesions.
  2. Did you have to have anything done to prep you for it: I had to drink these vile drinks for 2 days then alter my eating to softish food. It was a bit of a struggle but I did it.
  3. How long is recovery expected to be: some people are still recovering years later but I’ve been told I can’t lift anything heavier than a kettle for 6 months or more. My niece will just have to come cuddle up on the other side as she’s getting a lump at nearly 3 so I’m not up for doing myself damage.
  4. Are the staff nice: Overall they are all really nice and helpful and reassure me when I’m a bit scared
  5. What’s the hospital food like:to be honest because my appetite has gone a bit I’ve not ate very much at all. The food I have had is edible just not a variety that I see on the menu they bring round.
  6. What are you doing to pass the time: for the first couple of days / nearly a week I felt pretty rotten and been dosed up with painkillers. When I have been ok I’ve watched the TV they have in my room then the occasional Netflix film or YouTube video.
  7. Do you have to adapt to anything differently: yes plenty. I now have a bag stuck to my body that needs to be very well looked after and of course the stoma itself. It’ll all come with practise.
  8. A positive message for others facing surgery: keep a positive head, a strong mind will get you through anything.
Posted in Chronic illness, Health, lifestyle, mental health, Personal, Positivity

Prepping for my operation

Posted on by Holly

I say I am not scared but deep down I’m bricking it.

So on Friday I had to go to hospital to get ‘marked up ‘ which means they get a permanent marker and draw on where they think my stoma will go to and how high I wear my trousers so this is what my tummy looks like at the mo.

On Saturday I had to have my last substantial meal but also 3 of these build up drinks called fortisips. Luckily I like the 2 flavours they gave me – Apricot and vanilla. I must say it was hard drinking them as they are like a milkshake but fill you up a lot more.

I tried to distract myself from thinking too much about it and watched a bit of eye candy on the TV – Micky Flanagan. I know he’s not your typical hunk but there’s just something about him 😍

Today’s Sunday and I’ve got to seriously get sorted because tomorrow is the day.

I have to make sure all is packed in my bag the essentials and mum said she can bring things up at a later date when I’m feeling a bit more human. I have to stop eating properly at 2pm and can have jelly and ice cream til midnight if I am hungry. The dreaded drinks I have another 6 to drink today and then 2 Monday in the morning before surgery.

I’m going to enjoy a nice soak in the shower as I dunno when I’ll be able to have my next one. I bought Bohemian Rhapsody on DVD so that’ll be tonight’s viewing before I attempt to get a bit of shut eye before my 5am wake up call.

I’ve got some scheduled blog posts for 2 weeks so I hope you’ll enjoy them.