Sunday Summary #11

Life

Quite frankly, this week has been rubbish. I’ve been ill for most of it and am only just starting to feel a bit better. I don’t have a long list of fun things to report tonight (I’ve been in bed before 9pm most evenings!) but I have tried to find some positives in an otherwise crappy week.

Firstly, I ticked off one of my New Year’s Resolutions this week by giving blood. I know this is commonplace for a lot of people but I should add that I have a ridiculous and irrational fear of needles so, for me, it was quite a big deal. Yes, I may have cried (twice!) but I did it and have even signed up for another go in a few months’ time.

My brother came over this week for a very tense football match which luckily went Liverpool’s way. My parents also stayed for a night as they were off to a gig in Bristol (they are cooler than me!)

My love of natural disaster films knows no bounds as I made Ian watch San Andreas this weekend – he hated it, I loved it! We also started watching The Night Manager on TV which seems rather far-fetched but gripping at the same time.

I’ve continued reading The Memory of Love and am starting to feel a bit more connected to the main characters now.

We also realised we are off on holiday in about two weeks so have started to book airport parking, hotels and some excursions…it has really snuck up on us but now we’re starting to get very excited for some sunshine!

Food

I’ve not had much of an appetite this week and have stuck to home comforts most nights. I feel like I’ve undone a lot of the healthy eating and gym-going from January and February but when I’m ill, tea and toast is all I fancy!

Ian and I did enjoy lunch at Grillstock on Saturday where I had ribs, even though they weren’t the best.

We experimented with cauliflower rice tonight…not bad but I needed a lot of sweet chilli sauce to add some flavour.

Beauty

A bit of pampering can make a real difference when you feel ill, so I popped into Bath this weekend to sort my roots out. I opted for my usual mix of blonde highlights and feel much more ‘me’ again.

I also had my brows threaded and have been using this amazing ModelCo Brow Gel to shape and define them. Here are two photos that show my rather sparse blonde brows before and after use.

Whilst in Bath, I visited Kiko again and came away with a bag of goodies – I really like this make-up brand and so far have enjoyed everything I’ve used from there.

Finally, an emergency dentist trip this week revealed I need a double filling, so that’s something to look forward to next week!

Fashion

I have lived in pyjamas and comfy clothes this week although did rock this rather fetching outfit for Victorian Day at school…

 

My January Charity

This is my first in a year-long series of charity posts. I was in two minds about whether to write about these on my blog or just donate and keep it quiet. I really hope these posts don’t come across in a holier-than-thou manner! It’s not my intention at all to make myself look like a real do-gooder but to try and bring attention to what I feel are extremely worthy causes.

First up, a charity that is now quite close to home after a dear colleague of mine (and all-round brilliant lady) was faced with cervical cancer and fought it with humour and determination. I could try and put it into words but the lovely Julia kindly agreed to write a piece for me. If you are moved by these words, then you too can donate to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust here and if you want to read Julia’s brilliant blog and her story, then click here. But above all, if you do one thing after reading this, make sure your smear test is up to date.

Over to Julia…

I’m very pleased Hannah has picked Jo’s Trust to be her first charity for 2016! Especially as Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is in January too. 

I came across Jo’s when I was given one of their information leaflets by a Macmillan nurse just after I was diagnosed with cervical cancer a week before Christmas 2013. It is a small, but growing, charity offering information, support and friendship to all women, their partners, family and friends affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities. They do this through their website, online forum, posters, leaflets, helpline, ‘ask the expert’ service, local support groups and their annual ‘Let’s Meet’ events. The also take an active role in encouraging a greater uptake in cervical screening. Look out for the social media campaign #smearforsmear in January. 

1 in 5 women do not attend their smear test when invited. I should know because I was one of them. If I had, it is likely that I would have avoided all the heartache and treatment I’ve had to endure due to my cancer being found at a precancerous, therefore far easily treated, stage. Unsurprisingly, I am passionate about women attending their smears, especially as in the 25-30 age group the number not attending rises to 1 in 4. 

9 women a day are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3 will die. For the ones that survive most are left infertile by the treatment and it seriously affects sexual functioning. It is the largest cancer killer in women aged under 35. 

Please make it your number 1 resolution to make sure you, your sisters and your friends are up to date and fully aware of the risk factors of this horrible disease.  

My story can read at https://helloverajuice.wordpress.com/

And Jo’s can be found at http://www.jostrust.org.uk/

Sunday Summary #1

Hello and welcome to a brand new blog feature! This series will replace my ‘Sunday Catch-Ups’ but will follow a similar vein of summing up my week in a few words and pictures along with a few items and products I have been using, wearing or enjoying under four sections; life, food, beauty and fashion.

Life

It has been a funny old week with that period between Christmas and New Year where you aren’t really sure what day it is and I’m usually torn between wanting to relax for as long as possible and wanting to pack away all traces of Christmas ready for the new year.

We spent the run up to New Year’s Eve doing a bit of both; heading to gym to undo some of that Christmas eating and drinking; stocking up on healthier food; trying to find a place for all our new gifts and those less fun jobs like changing car headlights and descaling the kettle…it’s non-stop glamour here!

In more exciting news, we headed up to London where we saw in the New Year at Alexandra Palace, overlooking the city with friends. We spent January 1^st visiting my favourite gallery, the Saatchi, followed by dinner and champagne cocktails before going to see Wicked in the West End (my Christmas present for Ian!) Finally, we spent last night dancing and drinking to celebrate my friend Cat’s 30^th before our long drive home this morning and work tomorrow morning.

I managed to finish a cross stitch that seemed to take me the best part of a year due to constantly stopping and starting but I have the bug again and have started a new, more ambitious piece. I find it really relaxing to do whilst watching TV in the evening.

I finished reading ‘In the Kitchen’ by Monica Ali (which seemed to take me ages!) and started reading ‘The Doll’s House’, a gripping murder mystery by M. J. Arlidge.

Like nearly every other person I follow on Twitter, Ian and I are watching ‘Making a Murderer’ which I am finding gripping viewing and I was also really excited when the new series of the podcast ‘Serial’ started again, although I have to admit that I’m not enjoying it quite as much as the previous story.

Music-wise, I found a ‘Hip-Hop Workout’ on Apple Music which I have been listening to at the gym; not my usual choice but quite motivating on the treadmill!

Food

I am still dreaming of the delight that was our Christmas dinner whilst at the same time craving lighter and slightly healthier food.

This jar of M&S ‘Christmas Cake Curd’ is still going strong and is a delicious slathered over croissants for breakfast.

Equally as indulgent were these delicious cakes bought from a little bakery in Muswell Hill which we enjoyed with a cuppa after getting caught in the rain!

Finally, on New Year’s Day, Ian, my friend Lucie and I enjoyed a great 3-course meal at Côte Brasserie on Sloane Square. We started with Kir Royales then I had a warm lentil and poached egg starter, sea bass and crème caramel…all delicious!

Beauty

This week, I gave my make-up brushes a thorough clean using Dr Bronner’s Liquid Soap which always gives me great satisfaction!

I opened the last few windows of my Ciaté advent calendar and am enjoying trying out various shades.

My brother bought me the ‘Blackberry Bath Bomb’ from Lush for Christmas and it was lovely to use. It smelt amazing and there was even a little message left in the bath after the fizzing had stopped!

Finally, after a fair amount of time spent wandering around Planet Organic, my friend Lucie and I picked up a few products from Bouclème, an all-natural brand especially formulated for curly hair. I bought the ‘Curl Cleanser’ which is like a clarifying shampoo and I am very much looking forward to giving it a whirl.

Fashion

I have spent a fair amount of time in my pyjamas or similarly comfortable loungewear this week but when I have ventured outside, I have been wearing my new Zara leather jacket – a Christmas present from Ian.

My black fedora has been a staple too and is almost worth the ‘hat hair’ it gives me!

I also made an ASOS order after seeing a few pretty items in the sale and I think my favourite purchase was this pair of patent croc boots which I have been wearing non-stop.

I hope you like this new weekly feature – I probably won’t always write this much but I’ve had a jam-packed week! x

 

Well Hello 2016!

First of all, Happy New Year!

Whether you are a fan of going out or keeping it cosy and staying in, I hope you had a good one and welcomed in another year with your nearest and dearest.

Ian and I spent ours in London and will be staying up here for another few days for a theatre visit (my Christmas present to Ian!) and one of my best friend’s 30^th birthday party.

I always write a blog post at the start of January, thinking about the year ahead. I don’t try to set any goals that are too unrealistic although there is a general theme of getting healthier and getting organised!

For 2016, I hope to:

Find a good work/life balance

I’m sure everyone struggles with this to some extent but I find I am a different person during half term and the summer holidays. I’m happier, more relaxed and eager to do a lot more. I love my job but it is hard to switch off so I need to work on finding a better balance this year.

Get fitter

A standard resolution and one that I started in November when Ian and I joined our local gym. Slowly but surely I am getting into a routine and whilst I don’t love going, I always feel glad I did afterwards…plus, there is free wifi so I can sit on the exercise bikes watching YouTube videos!

Read

More importantly, read before bed rather than scrolling through my phone to get a better night’s sleep. During the Christmas period, I rediscovered my love of reading and am hoping to keep it up and work my way through the pile of books sitting on my shelf.

Give more

I have decided that on my blog each month, I will choose a different charity to write about and then make a donation to. I think it’s easy to get caught up in buying the latest make-up and fashion trends but this money will make more of a difference and will help causes I care about.

Up my blog game

I have been blogging for almost 5 years now (!!!) and whilst I have no plans to make any sort of income from it, I do think I would like to challenge myself to take some better photos, learn to edit them properly and maybe, maybe try vlogging…watch this space!

Give blood

I am terrified of needles but have booked myself in to do this in March (enough time to psyche myself up for it!) and have heard there is a good biscuit selection to enjoy afterwards?!

I think that’s probably enough to be getting on with for now – have you made any New Year’s resolutions for 2016? x