Sunday Spotlight - 16th March 2014

This week, I’ve been loving…

Random Acts of Kindness

When I was diagnosed with M.E, I joined a charity called AYME and their message boards were an absolute lifesaver at a time when I was isolated and lonely. After a few years using the board, I decided to set up a Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK) scheme, where people nominated someone who was having a difficult time and I would organise something nice for them – cards, letters or a gift. I don’t use the boards any more, but recently I was reminded of my RAOK scheme. It’s something I really enjoyed doing, so I thought, why not recreate it, but on Facebook? So, that’s what I did this week! It’s still in the early stages, but we already have a couple of nominees that we are putting things together for. It would be great to have more members, so please take a look at the RAOK Group and request to join!

Image found on Google Images

Sunshine

This past week, there has been a strange looking yellow circle in the rather blue sky! Finally, after months and months of rain, cold and grey skies, the sun has made an appearance. I’ve not been able to get out that much, but even just looking out of the window at the sun shining down on the beautiful Spring flowers in our garden has made me smile. And when I have been able to get outside, you can’t beat the feeling of warmth on your face, with a slight breeze in the air. Long may it continue!

Blossom tree in our garden last year

Awesome post

I’ve always loved post. Ever since I started getting pen pals I’ve always been excited to see the postman walking up our road. It’s not just receiving post that I like; I love sending it too. Picking some nice writing paper, rambling on about everything in my head and decorating my letter with funky stickers. But this week I was really spoilt with exciting post. Firstly, I got a lovely letter from a friend I’ve made in Winchester. Instead of just writing one letter, I opened the larger envelope and was presented with 3 separate envelopes, with the instruction to open them over three days – such a good idea! Then, the day after, I got a parcel from Gibraltar full of snack foods and a lovely letter. I’m already looking forward to sending some post back!

What has grabbed your attention this week? I love hearing about people’s new discoveries and you may end up sharing something that makes it onto my list next week!

P.S – Just to let you know, Ramblings of a Jaffa Cat now has its very own Facebook page! Please check it out here, like the group and share with everyone you know :) 

Mother's Day Gift Guide

I can’t quite believe we’re already half-way through March – where is the year going?! In a couple of weeks it will be Mother’s Day and I always like to make sure I spoil my Mum, as she does so much for me throughout the year. Obviously it’s nice to pamper the special ladies in your life throughout the year, but I think it’s also nice to have a special day, dedicated just to them, so I intend to make sure my Mum feels really special on 30^th March. I’ve put together a round up of a range of gifts suitable for Mum’s, Aunties, Grannies and any other lady you decide to treat.

It’s always nice to treat yourself to some pampering, but it can be difficult to know what people do and don’t like. Some ladies enjoy a massage and facial, whereas others would prefer a cupcake decorating master class. That’s what makes Red Letter Days Perfect for Her a good choice. At £55, it’s not the cheapest option, but for spa day you probably wouldn’t find something much cheaper than this, and you’re giving her the chance to choose for what she’d like to do. If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, this Mother's Day Print for £35 would make a lovely gift. I’m really taken with this Message in a Bottle for only £3.50, which I think would make such a cute little gift, perhaps from children who can write their own little message to put in the bottle. Ladies always need a bit of pampering, so why not treat her to a few goodies to keep her body and mind calm. This Lip Butter Lollipop, £15 from The Body Shop, contains 5 different beautifully scented lip butters. Or, if you want to spend a little more, this Molton Brown Hand Cream Trio for £25 is a lovely feminine choice. You can’t have a pampering session without lighting a few candles, and I particularly like this Crushed Almonds Candle from Lilyflame, as my Mum loves the smell of almonds. There are plenty of other scents to choose from, so there should be something to suit every taste (and I might even have to treat myself to one at the same time!)

I love receiving perfume, but it can be quite a tricky gift to buy someone unless you really know what scents they like to wear. But I think this new Marc Jacobs Daisy Sunshine should be a safe bet, as I’ve loved all the other perfumes they’ve brought out over the years. It’s always lovely to give someone a gift that they can actually go and enjoy with someone else, and what could be better than treating your Mum to Afternoon Tea for 2 for a very reasonable £39. There are a whole range of locations to choose from, and if you’re lucky she might choose you to be her companion! Last but not least, you can’t beat the traditional flowers and chocolates. These beautiful tulips are £24.50, but if you have a local florist it can be nicer to pay them a visit and choose the particular flowers to go in an arrangement. And who can resist this tasty looking chocolate selection box for £24, created especially for Mother’s Day.

Whatever you decide to do to treat the ladies in your life this March, remember that it’s not about how much money you spend on them, it’s the thought that counts and even if you aren’t able to see them on the day, a simple phone call can make all the difference.

Have you made any plans for Mother’s Day yet? What will you be doing to treat the special ladies in your life?

Sunday Spotlight - 9th March 2014

This week, I’ve been loving…

Smile for M.E.

A couple of weeks ago I got a parcel in the post (nothing strange there, that’s what usually happens when the postman comes!) However, I hadn’t ordered anything and I didn’t recognise the writing as one of my friends. When I opened it I found a goody box from Lush, with a little note saying I had been nominated by a friend to receive a gift to make me smile. It was from a charity called Smile for ME, which is run by two ladies (Alice and Gracey) who both have M.E. themselves. They’re doing an amazing thing, using their illnesses in a positive way, as they know how much a parcel can brighten someone’s day when they’re unwell. On their website you can nominate someone you think could do with an extra smile, and despite not being well, the girls will consider all nominations. The charity is obviously dependent on having enough money, so if you’re looking for a good cause to donate to or fundraise for, take a look at Smile for M.E. and make your friends and family aware of it.

Cute pictures (Weheartit)

Ages ago, I discovered an app called Weheartit but it’s taken me a while to actually look at it properly. If, like me, you like searching for cute and funny pictures, then this is the app for you! I actually find it quite addictive and my phone memory is filling up fast with pictures I’ve found there. My friends are probably getting fed up with me, as I keep sending them pictures I like, in the hope it will make them smile as much as it made me smile! If you don’t have a Smartphone you can also just look on the website for the same pictures. I particularly like this photo, as it reminded me of when we put glasses on our dog!

Image from Weheartit

Spring Flowers

Finally, after what seems like months on end of rain and grey skies, it’s actually beginning to feel a bit like Spring! For a start, we’ve had two days of uninterrupted sunshine and blue skies, with not a rain cloud in sight. All of a sudden, our back garden is awash with colour again, which is so lovely when you look out of the window. We’ve got daffodils, snowdrops, crocuses and some other flowers that I don’t know the names of; I just know they’re pretty and make me smile! I’m hoping this isn’t too good to be true and that we’re finally saying goodbye to Winter and hello to warmer, sunnier days.

What has grabbed your attention this week? I love hearing about people’s new discoveries and you may end up sharing something that makes it onto my list next week!

What's in my Hospital Bag?

Since I’ve been reading blogs I’ve seen quite a few bloggers talking about what they carry around in their handbag, which I always enjoy reading – it must be the nosey parker in me! As I’ve had a fair few hospital admissions, I thought I’d mix things up a bit and show you my hospital essentials. It’s taken me a while to learn what I need while in hospital, but after a couple of admissions you soon start to realise what you need to keep you sane! Hopefully you won’t be needing to use this advice too much, but if you are ever admitted I’d definitely recommend packing some of the products I’m about to talk about!

The first vital task for deciding what to take with you is to choose an appropriate bag. You need something that will accommodate everything you need to take, but that’s not too large, as storage is generally very limited (i.e. one small bedside cabinet) and ward staff aren’t keen on you leaving things on the floor around your bed! The bag I normally take is this weekend bag from Primark, as it’s big enough to fit what I need in it and fits nicely in the bedside storage area. I’ve had this particular bag for years, but if you head to Primark I’m sure you’ll find something similar as I often see this style of bag when I’m in there.

You’ll also definitely want to take your own wash bag with you – it’s amazing what a difference it makes to have your own toiletries. Hospitals do tend to hand out toiletries if you don’t have your own, but obviously they’re fairly basic and may not suit your individual needs. You’re not going to want to fill it with masses of make-up or anything, but just pop in the essentials like a toothbrush and toothpaste and any other products you use as part of your daily routine. I’d also recommend packing some mouthwash, as if you’re nil-by-mouth or taking some types of medication your mouth can feel very dry and not taste particularly nice. My wash bag was a gift from some friends and similar designs can be found at Cath Kidston for around £28.

The next few toiletries I couldn’t be without on a hospital admission – they’re real lifesavers! If you’re feeling pretty unwell, it’s not always possible to just jump in the shower and have a wash, so I always make sure I have a packet of baby wipes/make-up wipes with me. Obviously it’s not the same as having a proper wash, but sometimes it can be enough to freshen yourself up a bit. At the moment I’m using these wipes from the Simple range, as they’re very gentle on your skin, which might be more sensitive if you’re unwell. Hospital environments are well known for being hot and stuffy, drying your skin out something rotten. I always make sure I’m well stocked up on various moisturisers to try and stave off dry, itchy skin. I’ll take my Johnsons facial moisturiser, a nice rich hand cream like this one from The Body Shop and a lip balm – either from Nivea or Carmex.

For when you’re feeling well enough, make sure you’ve got your own shampoo and conditioner, as from experience, hospital hair products don’t do your hair any favours! It might be worth investing in some dry shampoo, that you can use from the comfort of your own bed. Also pop your hairbrush in – I’ve found that even if I’m not feeling up to brushing my hair, it can be nice to have someone else do it for you. A few times now I’ve forgotten my hairbrush and quickly end up looking like a mad scientist!

I would definitely recommend bringing your own clothes and nightclothes with you – hospital gowns are pretty depressing and generally don’t protect your modesty, having a massive opening at the back, so every time you get up for the loo you end up mooning the whole ward! If you have a nightie you might prefer that to pyjamas as it’s looser, but if you go for PJ’s I’d go for fairly loose fitting ones, as it tends to get pretty hot and if you’ve got any stitches or anything you don’t want tight clothes rubbing them. You can also take your own day clothes to wear if you’d like to. I must admit I tend to stay in my pyjamas, but depending what you’re in for you might prefer to get changed in the morning and sit out in normal clothes (again, I tend to favour loose fitting clothes). 

Hospitals have a pretty fair reputation of being a place where you don’t often get a good night’s sleep – with other patients and staff making noise, lights being turned on and off and various machines making random noises. You’re probably never going to get a great night’s sleep there, but there are some things you can take to improve it. Earplugs are a definite must – I’ve spoken to so many people who have been in hospital and earplugs are one of the first things they recommend! I also like to take and eye mask with me, which helps if lights keep being turned on throughout the night, or if you want to sleep during the day.

You want to feel as comfortable as possible during your stay, so make sure you have your own bits and bobs around you. I always make sure I take a pair of slippers with me – if only to avoid the ‘fashionable’ slipper socks the hospital makes you wear! It can also be nice to have a blanket from home, but you’d need to check with the ward staff about this, as I know some places won’t let you bring things like that for infection control reasons.

Lastly, hospitals are pretty boring places. You spend most of your time waiting for things to happen – the doctors to come and see you, a scanner to be ready or test results to come back. You need to take things with you to keep you occupied while you’re waiting! Books and magazines are always a good option, depending on what your concentration is like (I tend to favour magazines as they’re easier to dip in and out of). I was always under the impression that phones were not allowed in hospitals, but rules seem to have changed and now in most wards they have no problems with you using your phone, as long as it’s not disturbing other patients. This means you could also take your tablet in – my local hospital has free Wi-Fi, so it’s worth looking into. And don’t do what I always do and forget your chargers!

Have you ever had a hospital stay? Is there anything you’d add to this list of hospital bag essentials?

Post-Hospital Pamper

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know I’ve spent the last month or so in and out of hospital. I’ve found that the warm hospital atmosphere, plus the various drugs I’ve been given, has left me with really dry, itchy skin and lacklustre, dull hair. So, I decided to treat myself to some pampering and give myself some much-needed TLC!

I decided to pop a status on Facebook and Twitter, to get some suggestions for the best products for my current needs, and got some great suggestions. I already had a few bits and bobs, but thought I’d buy myself the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser as so many people recommended it. And I can understand why! It’s really gentle on my skin and leaves it feeling clean and soft, getting rid of the horrible clogged up feeling my skin developed while I was in hospital. From Liz Earle, I also decided to try Superskin Concentrate, as you could buy a 2ml vial for £6, which I thought was a great way to try out a new product. You apply this at night, before your moisturiser, and it is said to help soften dry or mature skin and balance combination and oily skin. I haven’t used enough yet to comment on it’s effects, but so far so good!

A lovely friend of mine saw my Facebook status, and that same afternoon she popped round with the most amazing pampering goody bag, filled with hair products, bubble bath, moisturisers and nail varnish. Not only did this help me pamper the outside of my body; it really made me feel good inside too, knowing I have such a special friend! The goody bag contained the Aussie Shampoo, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Treatment and the Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Lotion. I’m already a massive fan of Aussie products, but don’t tend to use them day-to-day as they’re a bit over my budget, so I was really excited to see these in the bag. The treatment is amazing – to me, it smells like marshmallows and leaves my hair feeling so soft and shiny. I’ve been using it once a week, which seems to work well and I’ll definitely be repurchasing it when this one runs out! To get a deeper treatment out of it, you can wrap your hair up in Clingfilm, then go off to watch a movie or something before washing it out. I’ve used Dove products before and always found them very good, but I’d not seen this particular moisturising lotion before. It smells great and sinks straight into your skin, leaving you feeling moisturised but not sticky. I’m also having problems with my legs itching, possibly caused by my gall bladder problems, and the only thing that seems to offer any relief is this moisturiser.

One thing I really missed while I was in hospital was having a warm bubbly bath, so one of the first things I did when I got home was to fill my tub up with warm water, adding a squirt of one of my favourite Lush products – Snow Fairy (only available at Christmas unfortunately). I also lit some candles to really create a relaxing atmosphere. I’m a massive fan of candles, especially Yankee candles, but I was recently given this candle from Lily-Flame, which smells so sweet. They sell a whole range of candles and reed diffusers, which look lovely, but are quite similar to those found at Bomb Cosmetics who sell a whole range of pampering goodies that smell absolutely delicious – from bath bombs to candles, soaps to gift sets.

The last products that were essential for my post-hospital pampering were a selection of moisturising goodies for various parts of my body. My lips were incredibly dry and chapped, as I was nil-by-mouth for the majority of my hospital stays, so having some Nivea lip salve was an absolute must. My hands also became very dry, and were starting to get sore, so I really needed an intensive moisturiser especially designed to use on your hands. This Wild Rose hand cream from The Body Shop is fantastic. I’ve been using it every night before I go to bed – it sinks into my skin instantly, smells gorgeous (it reminds me of Turkish Delight!) and I wake up with soft, moisturised hands. They do a whole range of different hand creams for different skin problems, but I’m tempted to give them all a try! For my face, I’ve been using my normal moisturiser from Johnsons, which has always suited my skin very well. I would like to invest in a more intensive facial moisturiser at some point, that I can perhaps apply at night, but I’m not sure where to start as there are so many options to choose from! And, last but not least, is the iconic Body Shop Body Butter, which I find is really great for places like elbows, knees and so on (although I do sometimes use it everywhere!) I remember the first time I was given a Body Butter – I think it was the Vitamin E one – ever since then I’ve been hooked! I love going into the store and smelling all the different flavours – it takes me ages to choose which one I want to buy!

There were a few other recommendations from friends and other bloggers, which I’ve made a list of as I couldn’t afford to treat myself to any more at the moment, but when some of these run out I’ll be taking a look at my list for some new ideas.

Do you enjoy pampering yourself? What are your favourite products that you treat yourself with?

Sunday Spotlight - 2nd March 2014

This week, I’ve been loving…

Getting some answers

I just can’t seem to stay away from doctors and hospitals at the moment! This week, I spent Monday and Tuesday back at the hospital having more tests and doing a lot of waiting around. One of the most frustrating things about feeling ill is not knowing what’s causing it. I’ve got plenty of experience of doctors coming to see me and saying they’re stumped by my symptoms and can’t work out what’s causing them. It’s really frustrating and makes me start to question myself. But finally, on Tuesday, we had some answers! Turns out I have gallstones, which the surgeon said are likely to be causing some of my symptoms (although not all of them unfortunately). But I’m glad to know that there is something concrete that can be focussed on, even if it won’t get rid of all my symptoms. I’m just waiting to see my surgeon now to come up with a plan of action. Until then I’m keeping dosed up on strong painkillers and trying to get some rest.

Tulips

Although Spring isn’t my favourite season (it’s Autumn, in case you were interested!) it probably comes a close second. I just can’t help but feel a bit more positive after the cold, dark months of winter, when you see new life springing up all around you. Beautiful flowers like snowdrops, bluebells, daffodils and tulips – suddenly there’s so much colour around and I love it. I’m also a sucker for a baby animal, and living in the countryside I’m lucky to see lots of lambs skipping around in fields as we drive around. This week, a lovely friend of mine sent me some beautiful flowers to cheer me up (she obviously knows me well as I absolutely love receiving flowers!) I was excited to see that the bouquet contained an array of colourful tulips and some gorgeous smelling freesias. They are now arranged in a couple of vases in my lounge and make me smile every time I go in there.

These are some tulips I planted from bulbs a few years ago

 Magazines

I don’t have a lot of energy at the moment, so I’ve been trying to find things I can do that will keep my mind occupied but not tire me out too much. I’m a massive bookworm and always have a book on the go, but recently I’ve been struggling with my concentration – I just can’t seem to follow a novel at the moment – I tend to either start daydreaming, or just fall asleep and lose my page! A few days ago my Mum popped out to the shops, and she came back with a pile of magazines, which she thought I might enjoy flicking through. They’ve been a Godsend, as I can just look at the pictures if I’m having a bad day, but on better days I can read some of the longer articles. I do keep finding things I’d like to buy though, so I’m trying to be very good and keep my bankcard hidden away! Is there anything you like to do when you’re not feeling well?

My selection of magazines! What magazines would you recommend?

 What has grabbed your attention this week? I love hearing about people’s new discoveries and you may end up sharing something that makes it onto my list next week!

February Round-up

A collection of my favourite things from the month of February

February hasn’t been a great month to be honest. I’ve lost count of how many nights I’ve spent in hospital, and although I have a diagnosis that explains some of my symptoms, there are still some other symptoms, which remain a mystery. However, February has also been a really positive month – despite not feeling well I have done all that I can to raise awareness of eating disorders, as Eating Disorder Awareness Week fell at the end of this month. I’ve posted a lot of things on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and last Saturday was the charity evening I’ve spent the last few months planning. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to stay for it, but I was told it was a fantastic night, raising an amazing £1200, to be split between Beat and Fruition Youth, Yateley. I’ve now got the fundraising bug and am already thinking of different ways to raise money and promote awareness!

The information stand at the fundraiser

 This month I’ve been rather guilty of using retail therapy to cheer myself up. What did we do before internet shopping came about?! I do love the feeling of purchasing something online and then waiting for the postman to bring it. It’s always nice to get parcels in the post, even if you do know what’s in them! I’d seen this t-shirt in a magazine that Next sent out in the post, and knew instantly that I had to have it! It’s available in either white or navy – I decided to go for the white one and am happy with my choice!

Being ill for quite a while has made me really appreciate comfy clothes – pyjamas, trackie bottoms, hoodies and slippers. I already have a couple of pairs of slippers (Bedroom boots and backless slippers) but when I saw these novelty animal slippers I just couldn’t resist! At least now I can wear different slippers each day – you’ve got to find ways to brighten your day when you’re not feeling good, right?!

Duck slippers from Next, Rabbit slippers from Tesco

 Last but not least, I was lucky enough to win a couple of prizes in the raffle at our charity event last Saturday. Thankfully my Mum knows me well and picked me some great prizes. I got a gift voucher for a beauty treatment with a friend of mine, so I’m looking forward to putting that to good use when I’m feeling better. I’m thinking the full works – manicure, eyebrow shape and a massage. The other prize my Mum picked out for me was a set of nail varnishes from Ciate, which I can’t wait to use. I’m particularly excited about the gold sparkly one – I’m a sucker for anything sparkly!

Things I’ve learnt this month…

+   Being in hospital brings back bad memories

+   I wouldn’t have got through my operation and hospital stays without some of the wonderful staff and my amazing family and friends

+   Mentally I still have a lot of progress to make

+   I’m not good at resting!

+   I’ve found a new love of lemon curd

+   Post-op recovery isn’t fun

+   Organising a charity event is harder than I thought

+   I’d forgotten how difficult it can be to climb stairs

+   Every time things start to improve, something else happens to set me back

+   My health will never be simple

+   My veins do not give blood easily

+   It’s great when you find a doctor who really listens to you

+   I love discovering new blogs to read and people to follow on Instagram

+   Being ill isn’t good for my bank balance – I keep buying things to cheer myself up!

+   Gall stones are incredibly painful

What to look out for in March

TV seems to have become a rather large part of my life at the moment. I’m not generally someone who can just sit in front of the box and watch it – usually it’s something I have on in the background while I’m doing other things. But with feeling so exhausted recently, I’ve had the TV on quite a bit while I’ve been trying to rest, just to give me something to occupy my mind. Although this is technically February, I’m really excited for the new series of Jonathan Creek, which airs on Friday 28^th February. I used to love watching the old episodes with my parents, so I’m hoping it will be just as good! Another programme that started this week on BBC3 is Junior Paramedics, which I’m already hooked in to! My brother has just qualified as an ECA (Emergency Care Assistant), so will be working alongside paramedics and driving the ambulance, so it’s really good to be able to get some idea of what he’ll be doing!

Something I’m really excited for in March is the release of a new Marc Jacobs fragrance! Ever since I was in Harvey Nicholls in Manchester, a fair few years ago, and sprayed a tester of Daisy, I’ve been obsessed with Marc Jacobs perfumes. I can’t think of one of their perfumes that I don’t like – I’ve tried Daisy, Lola, Oh Lola, Dot and Honey – I always have at least one of them in my bathroom cabinet as my go-to perfume for wearing every day. The newest addition to the fragrance collection is Marc Jacobs Daisy Delight, which retails at £52 for 75ml and will be available from 5^th March. It will definitely be going straight on my wish list!

If you’re a fan of the Muppets (who isn’t?!) then keep your eyes peeled this month, as they have a brand new film coming out in cinemas on the 21^st March. Muppets Most Wanted is a tale of crime and adventure, as Kermit is framed for a crime he did not commit. Along come his Muppet friends to save the day in a battle against the evil Kermit and a character played by Ricky Gervais. I can’t wait to get down to my local cinema to see this! March also brings with it the release of some pretty awesome DVD’s, including The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (17^th March), Frozen (31^st March), Philomena (24^th March) and Saving Mr Banks (24^th March).

Lastly, we can’t forget Mother’s Day on 30^th March! Although I think it’s important to spoil your Mum/Gran/Auntie all year round, it is nice to have a special day that is just about them. I’ve started looking around for ideas on how I can spoil my Mum. I expect I’ll order her some flowers, as I know how much she loves having fresh flowers in the house. I tend to go to my local florist if I can, as you get a lot more say on exactly what you are looking for and what your price range is. Plus it’s always nice to support local businesses and the arrangement can be delivered on a day of your choosing, with the flowers probably a lot fresher than if they were sent in a box. I’ll also be going to my failsafe shop for pampering gifts, Lush. They’ve brought out a range of products especially for Mother’s Day and at the moment I’m struggling to make a decision about which products I want to buy, as they all look so good! I quite like the idea of the Mum Gift Box, which is filled with a selection of Mother’s Day products, including Mumkin, which is said to smell like a punnet of fresh raspberries. That’s definitely given me some food for thought on how I can spoil my Mum at the end of this month!

Mum Gift Box - £28.95

 Do you have any favourites or things you’ve learnt in February? What are you looking forward to in March?