Week in Photos - 5th November 2017

As I didn’t do a Week in Photos post last weekend, I thought I would bring the last couple of weeks together in this post. It’s been a fairly busy couple of weeks (as usual!) I had my half term/study week first, which was lovely because I desperately needed a bit of time off. Although I actually spent most of it working on the literature review for my dissertation. Then this week I was back at university again and also had quite a few medical appointments (one of which was over in Kent, so that was a whole day thing). I can’t believe we’re in November already! I’m really starting to feel a bit Christmassy now and should really start getting myself organised soon.

Last week I ended up taking a bit of an unintentional break from social media. I’ve just been feeling very overwhelmed by life and university work, so focused on getting my work done and taking a bit of time for myself. I was also gradually opening post that was sent to me for my birthday. I know it probably sounds silly that it took me so long to open parcels, but I really wanted to be able to appreciate opening them and feel grateful for what each person had chosen for me. So I wait for times when I’m not completely wiped out, which means it can take me a while. This parcel was from my friend Adele, and I absolutely loved the homemade unicorn card and flamingo paper!

I was very excited to get my hands on a copy of Happiful Magazine - the first time I’ve had a byline in a national magazine! It’s a pretty cool feeling. If you want to check out the UK’s first magazine to focus on positive mental health, you can find a copy in a selection of Waitrose stores. I know I’m biased but I definitely recommend it!

I love these miniature roses that I bought for my Mum. The colours are so beautiful and autumnal.

As I said, I spent most of my half term working on the literature review for my dissertation. But on Friday afternoon, my Mum, Dad, Lisa and I went on a scarecrow hunt around our town. It was organised by our church and was such great fun for all ages! So much work went into all the scarecrows too. We’re hoping it will become an annual event.

I really do love this time of year, especially when the weather is like this. Cool crisp days with blue skies and leaves of every colour. I often take a minute to just soak it all up and appreciate how beautiful it is. There have been (and no doubt will be in the future) so many times that I haven’t been well enough to leave the house or even my bed. So I like to try and lock moments like these in my memories to help me through my more poorly days. I find that when I am too unwell to get out and about, the things I miss the most are the simple things like this, rather than big exciting outings.

My sister-in-law, Emma, and I carved some pumpkins last weekend. Of course, we had to go for Disney characters, so Emma did Cinderella and I went for the Cheshire Cat. What do you think of them?

I just love all the pretty leaves at this time of year. Especially when they’re all crunchy, so that when I go through them in my wheelchair they make that lovely crunching sound.

I’ve been burning this Bath and Bodyworks Leaves candle recently and oh my goodness it smells amazing! My room definitely smells like autumn all the time at the moment. I have a couple of other autumnal ones to burn and I’m eyeing up the Christmas range. I just can’t choose which ones to get!

We decided to make my brother a New Dad Survival Kit using one of his paramedic bags. Inside were things like earplugs, wipes, beer, a baby manual, chocolate, paracetamol, a ‘Daddy’ mug, some coffee and some cute baby grows. Hopefully it will come in useful when Baby Cole arrived soon!

I was very excited to see the article I wrote in a magazine with Princess Eugenie on the cover! This is the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Reflexions magazine and I wrote a piece about my time at Stanmore on the three-week rehabilitation programme. Hopefully it might help other people who are waiting to go on the programme, as I know while I was waiting I really wanted to know what it was like. You can also read about my time there in more detail in previous blog posts.

We don’t normally decorate for Halloween, but I had to get this banner and some pumpkin balloons for our filming at university, so I brought them home and decorated the fireplace. The banner was from Poundland and the light-up pumpkin balloons were from Sainsbury’s.

Everyone knows I’m a little bit obsessed with the Marks and Spencer Percy Pigs. So when my Mum spotted these Percy Pumpkins she picked up a few bags for me. I thought they looked cute with my little munchkins from Waitrose too – I love that they come in all sorts of different colours and shapes.

There have been some absolutely beautiful sunsets this week. This one was outside the new Hobbycraft in Farnborough. My Mum and I went over to check it out and when we went to leave this is what greeted us in the car park. The colours were just amazing.

I was very excited by the October Tea Tourist box, with all the teas on a hats and scarves theme – very seasonal. And there was even a complementary biscotti! If you want to get your hands on your own box, use the code JAFFACAT30 and you will get 30% off your first box.

Yesterday, we all went to watch the Yateley Firework Display, which was great as usual. I’m really starting to feel Christmassy now that Bonfire Night has happened. After the fireworks, we came home and had jacket potatoes, sausages and beans. And then we toasted some marshmallows – we had to use forks though as we couldn’t find any sticks! They were still very yummy and smelt so good.

You can check out my YouTube channel here, where I have recently uploaded a few new videos (and hope to continue doing!)

I’m also trying to post on Snapchat a bit more, so if you fancy following me, my username is Jennycole44.

If you don’t already, please give me a follow on Bloglovin here - I can’t believe I’ve managed to hit 800 followers now! Thank you all so much. I’m planning a giveaway as soon as I can get some bits together!

What have you been up to this week? I always enjoy hearing about your news and adventures!

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Halloween at Lush

As it’s Halloween next week, today I thought I would share with you some of the spooky products on the shelves at Lush this October. Back at the beginning of the month, I organised a blogger event in collaboration with my local Lush store at Festival Place in Basingstoke. Unfortunately, when we arrived in Basingstoke, we found out they’d had to cancel due to a flood in their stock room, which was a real shame. But I managed to whizz round the store and get a few pictures of some of their Halloween products to share with you. So, without any further ado, here’s what I found!

The first thing that caught my eye (I wonder why!) was this ‘Bewitched’ Bubble Bar in the shape of a black cat. With a familiar blackberry scent, it also contains Bergamot Oil and Olbanum Oil for a spellbounding and comforting bath.

Next up is one of my favourites from last year, the Monster’s Ball Bath Bomb. Maybe it’s the Disney lover in me, but this one reminds me of a character from Monster’s Inc. It’s a mash-up of lime and neroli oils to uplift and tone your skin while you relax in a purple-y mixture of monster bubbles.

The next bath bomb to cross my path was an old favourite – Lord of Misrule. This is one that comes back year after year, and really signifies the changing seasons whenever I come to use it. A mischievous bath bomb, it features a spicy herbal blend of patchouli and black pepper oil to relax and warm you as the weather turns colder. The ruler of the pagan Feast of Fools inspires the name, and inside you might just find a surprise, but I won’t tell you what it is, as I don’t want to spoil the fun!

I don’t remember seeing the next product before (but I could be wrong – I don’t have a great memory!) The Pumpkin Bath Bomb looks just like those lanterns we carve and put on our front doorsteps every year. Sweet, comforting vanilla absolute and spicy cinnamon evokes the rich, biscuit fragrance of home baking. It’s just like having a bath in a bowl of sweet pumpkin pie (but without all the sticky mess!)

Another old favourite that always brings those festive feelings is the Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar. It includes balancing juniper berry oil, uplifting lime oil and refreshing grapefruit oil to really give your bath that zingy edge. And look at all that glitter! I think Lush really needs to bring out some sort of bath cleaner for products like this!

The next product is one I definitely haven’t seen before, and I believe the whole concept is new this year. The Ectoplasm Jelly Bomb is a lilac shade with little white ghosts on the outside (how cute!) But what’s different about this bomb is that, once you’ve launched it into your warm bath water, it lets out a gooey jelly, which oozes across the surface. With brown seaweed to soften your skin, it also contains uplifting notes of tangerine and grapefruit to keep you in high spirits.

Something that really caught my eye as I was whizzing around the shop were these pink, sparkly pumpkins! The Pink Pumpkin Bubble Bar is similar to its orange friends, but instead contains toning geranium oil, uplifting bergamot oil and floral notes of jasmine absolute. Another one that is likely to cover your bath in sparkles!

Much like the bath bomb version, Lord of Misrule Shower Cream is a feast for the senses. Containing a herbal blend of patchouli oil, black pepper oil and comforting vanilla, as you rub this on your skin, organic wheat germ oil will provide a rich and creamy lather to leave your skin with long lasting moisture.

Another old favourite is the Magic Wand Soap, which looks magical in its full form, so definitely pop into a store if you get a chance. Bubbles of orange and tangerine will magic away any dirt, while pomegranate molasses will help you feel refreshed and leave you smelling sweet. The wand also contains extra virgin coconut oil to soften and soothe winter skin.

This little character will definitely brighten up your Halloween. Goth Fairy Shimmer Bar has a multitude of iridescent lustres in gold, green, purple and silver, to cover your skin in shimmer ready for those Halloween parties. Illipe and cupuaçu butters gradually melt to soften your skin and leave a fresh and fruity scent of almond, grapefruit and bergamot. I can imagine kids absolutely loving this one!

This Black Rose Naked Lip Scrub is another one I don’t think I’ve seen before. Rather than being in a tub, this one comes naked, so you can prep your lips for that red lip with illipe butter and extra virgin coconut oil. The caster sugar gently buffs your lips to keep them smooth and organic jojoba oil moisturises, leaving your lips kissably soft. Also containing Sicillian Mandarian Oil and Ylang Ylang Oil, the scent will uplift you, ready for some Trick or Treating.

There’s nothing like a good gift at this time of year, and Lush won’t disappoint you. Like it’s little bubble bar friend, this large Bewitched Wrap is something you should really get your paws on. Inside you will find some Lord of Misrule Shower Cream, Secret Arts Jelly Bomb and, of course, a Bewitched Bubble Bar.

And what would Halloween be without a Little Pumpkin? This spooky shell cracks open to reveal a cute Pumpkin Bath Bomb and a funky Pink Pumpkin Bubble Bar. Perfect for bringing those spooky feels over the next week.

I hope you’ve enjoyed finding out a bit more about this year’s Halloween offerings from Lush. Keep an eye on my blog and YouTube channel because in a couple of weeks I’m off back to Lush for our rescheduled event! So there will be another blog post coming up soon about their Christmas range, and hopefully a vlog about the event.

Have you picked up any products from the Lush Halloween range this year? What is your favourite one?

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The best things about Autumn

I think there are good things about every season, but autumn has to be my particular favourite. So, I thought I would share with you some of my favourite things about the autumnal period!

Leaves changing colour

One of the best things about autumn is when everything around us starts changing colour. It’s one of the first signs that summer is over, but as the sun streams through the trees and light dances on the leaves, it really does feel quite magical. I just think the world looks so beautiful in every possible shade of red, orange, yellow and brown you can think of.

Jumping in leaves

Something I have loved to do since childhood is to jump in big piles of crispy leaves. There’s nothing more fun than popping your wellies and a big cosy coat on, then crunching through piles of jewel coloured leaves. Our house backs onto woodland, so we get a lot of leaves in the back garden. Every year, for as long ago as I can remember, my Dad has gone out in the garden with a wheelbarrow to collect leaves and put them back out in the woods. This would always mean lots of huge piles of leaves, and some of my fondest memories are of leaping into piles taller than myself with my siblings.

Carving pumpkins

We’ve never been very big on Halloween in our house, but one thing I do enjoy doing is carving pumpkins with cute pictures. I’m not really into all the scary stuff, but there are so many amazing stencils out there now that you can pretty much carve whatever you fancy. My particular favourite is always going to be a Disney picture – I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of Disney?!

Munchkins

Now, I didn’t think pumpkins could get any better, but last year I was proved wrong when I discovered the ‘munchkin.’ There’s nothing better than something in miniature form, and these tiny pumpkins are just the absolute cutest things I’ve ever seen! We’ve popped a few on our mantelpiece this year, and they just bring a bit of autumnal fun into the room without taking up too much space.

Great TV

There’s something about autumn and winter that seems to bring out all the great TV. Literally, as soon as the first of September hits, our screens are jam-packed with exciting shows. OK, so you get the usual reality programmes like X Factor, Strictly and I’m a Celebrity (which, by the way, are my total guilty pleasure!) but there also seem to be so many amazing dramas, films and comedy shows too. Which is just as well really, when all you feel like doing is hibernating away from the cold and rain.

Log burning stoves

Log burning stoves are something I have always associated with autumn, but they’re not something I’ve ever really been able to benefit from. That is until now. This summer we had one installed in our lounge, and oh my goodness it’s just amazing! Our heating broke recently, so we popped the fire on and the heat spread through the whole downstairs. I also love just watching the flames dancing behind the glass screen – it’s so mesmerising and relaxing, and perfect for snuggling up in front of.

A new wardrobe

As soon as that first cold snap hits, I see it as a perfect excuse to invest in a new wardrobe. Think cosy knitted jumpers, tights, fleece-lined leggings, fluffy socks and gloves, hats and scarves. I find it so much easier to dress during the colder months, and quite literally have drawers full of warm jumpers in a whole rainbow of colours. I mean, if it’s going to be dark and cold outside, then we need to brighten up our days with something right?!

Comfort food

We’ve spent the last six months attempting to eat a healthy diet and feel good in our summer clothes, but when autumn strikes the comfort food comes out. When it’s chilly and damp, the best thing you can do is treat yourself to something warm and hearty. Soups, stews, jacket potatoes, hot chocolate, roast dinners – my mouth is watering just thinking about it all!

Bonfire Night

The first time I really start to feel like winter is coming is on the 5^th of November; Bonfire Night. Every year, we wrap up warm in hats, gloves, scarves, coats and boots, trek to our nearest display, huddle round the bonfire and watch the fireworks. No matter how old I get, I still feel that sense of magic and excitement when the first firework goes off. Plus, after that, the next exciting event is Christmas!

Cosy blankets and box sets

What better way to relax on an autumnal weekend than to snuggle under a big fluffy blanket in front of the fire and sit through a box set of your favourite series? In the summer, I never feel that I can just sit and watch DVDs as I should be enjoying the weather outside. But when it gets to autumn, it seems like you suddenly have permission to stay in and hibernate. One of my favourite places for blankets is Dunelm, who do the softest and most snuggly teddy bear blankets in a range of colours. I received one for Christmas last year, and am so tempted to buy more (especially as my dog seems to hog my one!) And when it comes to DVDs, you can’t beat a bit of Miranda or Friends.

Crisp sunny mornings

Autumn can have a bit of a reputation for being cold, wet and dreary. And it is like that a lot of the time. But there are also those days when you wake up to the autumn sun streaming through your window. Then when you go outside, there’s a crisp frost on the ground and a chill in the air, but it just feels magical. Everything looks so pretty and perfect, and everyone seems so happy with their cold hands wrapped round a hot cup of coffee. Perfect.

Candles and fairy lights

I’m a big fan of candles and fairy lights at the best of times, but as soon as autumn hits I tend to go a bit mad! I just love the warmth and cosiness they bring to a room, and I really find they help to lift my mood when it’s dark and gloomy outside. I’m always on the look out for autumn and winter scents, and wish so much that we had a Bath and Bodyworks over here – they have so many amazing options! Yankee Candle is my go-to brand, although I am investigating what else is out there. You can never have too many candles!

Festive Drinks

One of my absolute favourite things about autumn is that the festive drinks start to make an appearance. It starts with the Pumpkin Spice Latte in Starbucks and soon follows the red cups and character mugs from Costa Coffee. They really do brighten up a cold day, and I’m particularly in love with this year’s cups from Costa. I mean, how cute are they?! I’m still trying to find out whether they’re doing ceramic ones again this year, although it’s probably better for my bank account if they don’t!

Countdown to Christmas!

And, quite possibly the best thing about autumn, is the fact it means it’s the countdown to Christmas! Now, I do feel that the stores drag Christmas out a bit too much these days, but that doesn’t stop me getting overly excited. My inner child seems to escape and I get into full on festive planning mode! Christmas cards, presents, decorations, baking…I could go on forever. But most of all, I love being able to spend more time with family and friends.

What are your favourite things about autumn? Do you share any of my favourites, or are there other things you particularly love about it?

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