Thought of the week #10

A quarter through the year can feel a little scary. Projects, plans and dreams that haven't yet been completed and we're 3 months down and only 9 to go. It can make you feel a little bit underwhelmed, stressed and anxious, but that's ok. Nine months is so much time to get so much done. This week take time to make yourself a cuppa, find a quiet spot and write a list. Not a to do list or a bucket list just a list of things you'd like to do in the rest of the year. Keep calm, breathe and enjoy.

Until next time, 

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Notes from a Big Country | Review

I first picked up this book about 3 years ago and I just couldn't get into it. I found it difficult to read more than 20 pages at a time and it was taking me a lifetime to get through it. That bugged me so I put it down. However, I really wanted to read it. I've read a couple of Bryson's other books, not his travel writing mind you, and loved them so I was determined to try this again. My TBR jar seemed like the perfect opportunity to force myself into picking it up again.

Thought of the week #9

It's easy to focus on the bad stuff and the negative things, especially when there are things that aren't going exactly to plan or exactly how you'd like them too. But even when things aren't 100% hunky dory it's good to remember that not everything is as bad as you think. There's always good things in your life to think about and focus on. No matter how rubbish something is making you feel you've got friends, family, a good book, a cup of tea, a long Easter weekend to look forward to. Nothing is ever 100% bad, every cloud as a silver lining so remember that when things are feeling rubbish and focus on the good. 

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FYI popping spots

We all do it. We shouldn't but we do. We get a spot, or pimple, or zit or whatever you want to call it, and within seconds we're bathing it in boiling hot water and squeezing it until it's red raw and bleeding. I'm not saint, I've been guilty of it before. But, no longer. And I want you to stop too.

To begin with we shouldn't really pop our spots at all. Ideally you want to be leaving well alone and if you really must touch it, treat with an anti-inflammatory acne treatment with a low percentage of salicylic acid or benzoyl acid and cover over with concealer and draw attention away from the area. If the spot is red where you've been picking at it (naughty naughty) or just hasn't formed a head yet DON'T TOUCH IT WITH ANYTHING. I know it looks horrible but leave it be until it's healed and you'll thank yourself later.

However if you really must pop your spot, and I'm one of those sometimes, then here are a few tips and tricks. However, don't even think about touching the spot if it's red, hasn't got a head or is sore. Just don't. Stop. Now. 

Anyway here are the tips.

1. Make sure everything you're using on your face, touching your face with, whatever, is clean. When dealing with spots you don't want any dirt getting anywhere near it that will only make the situation worse. So wash your hands first and use a clean flannel or muslin cloth to cleanse your face before going in for the pop. P.S. If a hot flannel doesn't knock the head of the spot there and then this is probably a sign that the spot isn't ready to go yet. You want to be able to see white after cleansing and you don't want it to be sore or tender.

2. Use tissue wrapped around your fingers to actually get the spot out. It's cleaner and you're less likely to dig your nails in. 

3. You want to use your finger tips not your nails and push downwards, in and then up. Like you're literally pushing the spot out of you. If you're fingers are too close you'll just end up busing the gunk back into your skin. 

4. Once you start to see pink. STOP. We've all heard that think 'if it bleeds it means it's all out'. You don't want it to bleed. Bleeding equals scarring and that will take FOREVER to fade. 

5.Use a pre-soaked acid toner pad (you can either use a cotton wool pad soaked in an acid toner of your choice or ready made pads such as the Clearisil Ultra Rapid Action pads) and press it firmly it on the spot until there is no more pink or blood. P.S. It will sting like a b***h but go with it and embrace in. Stinging is good it means no bacteria and good healing.

6. Apply a good quality facial oil. Yep oil. But oil means spots right? Nope.Bacteria is more like to spread on dehydrated skin also hydrated skin is harder to scar so go with oil or at least a very heavy duty moisturiser. 

7. Try to leave the area alone after that. Popping a spot is better done in the evening when you can slob in front of the TV no make up required. But if you have to do it in the morning and want to put make up on then do so. But cleanse your face as soon as you get home and do the process again. 

So that's it 7 tips to popping success. Let me know how you get it on and if you'd like more beauty/skincare related posts.

Until next time, 

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The TBR Jar #3

This whole TBR jar thing has definitely got me back in the swing of reading again. I've read four books in just over two months which, when you consider, I read that in about six months last year isn't bad going. 

I finished 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth on Monday and after finishing it on the bus on the way home my first thought when I walked through the door was getting to my next TBR star. I enjoyed Divergent. It was what I was expecting but still had some surprises. It was very obviously a YA book and you couldn't get away from the fact that some of the twists were quite obvious. However, there were parts that I didn't like. But I'll save that for a full review another time.

My third star from my TBR jar is.... drum roll please

The Marble Collector by Cecelia Ahern.

I love Ahern's novels. They're books I turn to when I'm lost for what to read, in a reading slump or looking for something comfortable and homely. They're proper old school chick lit. But in the best way and I love the feeling of reading her books.

I started reading this on the plane home but just couldn't get into reading it. So I'm glad to be trying again now when I'm back into the swing of reading. I'm interested by this one because it sounds different to the other books I've read of hers. So far, and by that I mean the first three chapters, the book doesn't seem to be about a romantic interest. I'm looking forward to delving in and seeing what it's all about. Especially with the sun coming out because Ahern's books are prefect spring and summer reading. 

Let me know what you're reading at the moment.

Until next time, 

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Thought of the week # 8

The best of breakfast

If you've been reading this little blog for a while you will know that I love breakfast. It's recently become my favourite meals, and Australia definitely had a role in making it so. Beautiful fresh fruit and different fruits are a big role in my breakfasts and I love getting creative with them. It's a great feeling getting out of bed knowing you've got a good breakfast idea in your head, it makes getting up a lot easier as well. 

So today I thought I'd share with you my favourite breakfasts right now. 

COPPAFEEL

Cancer is a thing we all fear and most of us know someone, either closely or distantly who has had or been effected by cancer. 

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK and thousands of women are diagnosed with it every year. 8 out of 10 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50, but that doesn't mean it doesn't effect young women, and on rare occasions men. 

1 in 8 women will experience breast cancer in their lifetime. 400 men are diagnosed every year. The earlier breast cancer is found the more likely it is to be treated successfully and you can go on to live a long and happy life. It takes 5 minutes to check your breasts so just take 5 minutes and do it. 

What should you look for when checking your breasts?

Changes in skin texture

Lumps of thickening tissue

Nipple discharge

Inverted nipples or change in direction

Swelling in the armpit or collarbone region

Constant pain in breast or armpit

Change in shape or size

Rash or crusting of the nipple or surrounding area

Obviously everyone is different and everyone's boobs feel different particularly at different parts of your cycle. Get to know your boobs and check them every week for a month so you know what they feel like at each stage of your cycle then make sure to check them about every two weeks to every month.

What to do if you feel or see something different?

Go straight to your GP. Even if you think it's nothing, which it may well be, it's best to get it checked and be sure. There are other reasons that your boobs might feel lumpy, sore or look different but it's important to make sure that it's not cancer.

It's normal to feel scared and anxious about going to the doctors about something like this but it's important to take in what they say either way. Try and remember that even if they do suspect it could be breast cancer and send you for a referral, if you're checking your breasts regularly and you haven't notice the change before, you've probably caught it early and that's positive. 

For more information about what to expect from a GP appointment about a change in your breasts check out this handy leaflet from the CoppaFeel people.

It's important to be clear so check out the CoppaFeel website and the NHS website for more information and remember to check regularly.

Until next time, 

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Thought of the week #7

It's self explanatory isn't it really? There's always something we don't truly believe we are capable of or think we can do as well as we'd like to The truth is we can do anything that we set our minds to as long as we believe in ourselves that we can. This week try believing in your own capabilities and realise just how capable and unstoppable you really are.

Until next time, 

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The TBR jar #2

I got to the end of 'Notes from a Big Country' by Bill Bryson on Wednesday, and it's fair to say it took me a lot longer to read than I had anticipated.

The book was an enjoyable and despite it taking me way longer than I thought it would, it was a fun easy read. At times it felt a little dull and monotonous and I found I couldn't read it for more than about 30 minutes at a time which is probably why it took so long to read. 

It's probably something that should be read every now and again rather than all in one go like I did. However, it is a really good book for reading on public transport and before bed as the chapters, or columns, are short and sweet so you don't have to read too much before feeling as if you've completed a chapter.

So on Wednesday I picked out the next TBR star from my TBR jar and the book I'll be reading next is Divergent by Veronica Roth.

I realise I am very late to the party on this one as the final book is due to be released as a movie this year. I picked this book up ages ago with the intention of reading it before the film was released, but clearly never got around to that. I am concerned that I'm not going to enjoy it as much as I thought I might as I think maybe it's a book suffering from over-hype. However I'm excited to try it and see what it's about as somehow or another I've managed to avoid all spoilers and have no idea what the premise even is for this one. 

Until next time, 

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Hello March

Another month is here. Unbelievable really, at the end of this month we will be a quarter of a way thought 2016 and it feels like it's only just started. One thing I've notice blogging regularly and consistently does make time go a lot quicker. 

February was, all in all, a pretty good month. I had the all clear from the hospital for the next two months with regards to my eye which is a big relief, because even when really you know it's all fine the possibility of something having gone wrong is always in the back of your mind. 

Jack and I have made a good start towards saving and have been very diligent with putting some money away every now and again which feels good. We've made a couple of decisions in regards to where we want to take some time away from Sussex and work and hopefully we'll get one of those booked this month. We've decided we'll spend this year seeing a bit more of our own country both because we haven't really seen that much of it and being away for so long makes you realise that, and also financially it's better for us. 

I didn't get around to sorting out a photo album for our Australia photos but hopefully I'll get round to that soon. Maybe over the Easter break. 

Looking forward over March I'm planning on having a no unnecessary spend month. Aside from the photo book and booking a little trip, nothing is going out of the bank that isn't needed. 

I plan on making March the month I sort out some organisation. For Valentine's Day Jack bought me the beautiful large yellow planner from Kikki K. So I now have that, my personal size Filofax and my bullet journal.So I think what's going to happen is my Kikki K will be for every day planning, events, meetings, long term to do, financial tracking all that sort of thing. My Filofax will be for blog stuff, post planning and scheduling, stat tracking etc. And then I'll have my bullet journal on my desk through the day at work for work to do list, notes, things I remember and think of through the day, ideas that come to me and all that sort of stuff. So hopefully, by the end of the month I won't be a mess of paper and lists and will know where everything is. 

So here's to March.

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