Life updates, Why have I been so quiet? Whats Been going on?

Hi all,

Well, I'm back after a very long time away, There has been a lot going on here in the last 6 months and I simply feel like I haven't had time to sit and write.

I have a new job
I have had Hernia Surgery
I have got hair extensions
I have a new car

I now work for the national trust in the catering team at Clumber Park. I LOVE it! I feel like I finally belong, and have found a job I love to go to and get up in a morning and look forward to it. Yes, I have taken a pay drop and had to rearrange and reassess my spending. But its well worth it for actually feeling and being truly happy. My family have all commented on how I seem genuinely settled and happy.

I around easter found a lump in my stomach that was very painful, which ended up being a "paraumbilical hernia". I was signed off work and was operated on within 3 weeks. It was a painful recovery, and now 4 months on I am still not 100% strong in my core and stomach, but it has made me concentrate on eating well, and gentler forms of exercise and the process of building back up.

My hair never grows, and if you have been here for a while I have documented this. I have tried biotin and millions of different products. So finally I have taken the plunge and got tape in extensions, (I am now on my second install). They have lasted me about 8 weeks before needing to come out and be retaped and reinstalled. I have been truly amazed at how much my hair is growing while I have them in. I think its a mixture of the extra heat on my head and the sulphate etc free shampoo I am using to maintain them. I know it is growing as I am needing my roots doing every 8 weeks, and I can usually manage 12 weeks. I think they will be installed 2 more times and then my hair should have grown to my desired length.

I had a big life change last year when my sister died, and one thing I have learnt is that life is true too short and if you want something go out and do it. Well, I have always wanted a convertible "Sunday car". And I worked hard and saved hard and thankfully I went and bought it just before the summer weather started. I have been very thankful and happy to be driving around with the top down and tunes on over the last few weeks. Whenever I have felt low this has been a sure way to very quickly pick me up.

Lucy update - 6 months

Wow!
We have now had the pleasure of owning Lucy for over 4 months now, she is 6 months old,

I cannot truly remember my life without her,

We have now experienced:

• loosing teeth
• changing from puppy to adult food
• training to sit and stay
• sleeping in her room all night without accidents
• letting us know if we are out at other peoples houses that she needs to go out to toilet
• when she can or cannot come on the sofa

We need to improve:

• not pulling on the lead
• not jumping at people when coming in the door
• not crying when we leave the house (as from standing outside we know its been for like 30 seconds for attention)

I remember all the struggles and sleepless nights but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

From the day we were walking home and Lucy slipped off her lead, leading to her running back up a main road towards our house (luckily it was early morning with very few cars on the road) but it didn't stop me running like crazy and crying my eyes out.

To the time she decided to eat her flashing walking light (the size of a golfball) and waiting and checking on her sleeping for it to pass.

And all the little cute things, like sitting guard by our back door waiting for her nanny (the live next door) to come home from work, and wagging her little windscreen wiper.

To her being there when im poorly and giving me a cuddle when i need it, or licking a tear off my face when I cry.

I would not change her for the world, she is out little "cracker jack". Crazy, cute and sweet.

Introducing Lucy - The CockerJack Puppy

As you may be aware I have just picked up my puppy, she is now 8.5 weeks old and is starting to show her own true little personality.

As I am writing this, today is my first day home alone with her, and so far so good she is sitting in her basket by my feet.

Our experience so far:

Day 1:

Lucy was so good in the car, we had about 45 mins travel time from her breeder to home, but she sat in the travel crate with no crying and fell asleep. Once we got home she had a good sniff around and we took her and introduced her to the house, her bed & toys.

A little later that afternoon we took lucy out for a play on the grass, where she just wanted to be close to us and cuddle, but we managed out first family selfie.

That night lucy went to bed and cried and cried, we ended up getting up with her ever 2 hours and knew we needed to do something. We had planned to crate train lucy however amazon prime did no deliver the crate on time.

Day 2:

Sadly this day we had 2 accidents in the house, however this was mummy and daddys fault. As lucy had come over to us and we thought she wanted to play, however she was cleverly letting us know she wanted to go out. After this we decided to start logging when she had been to the toilet / played/ food etc. this had helped us to ensure we take her to try every hour.

We introduced her to her collar and lead for the first time for 15 mins, and later this evening we went to the neighbours for a BBQ, lucy sat / slept  very happily beside her travel crate, on a long lead.

we borrowed a travel crate for this night to see how she settles, and cleverly lucy managed to last until 3.30 to let us know she needed the toilet, and managed until 6.30

Day 3:

Lucy went for her first visit to the vets, who did a health check and was happy wit lucy who is now 2.3kg, she had he first jab and insertion of her microchip. Lucy was yet again as chilled as ever and took it in her stride.

For the first hours when lucy got back home she was hyperactive and very boisterous and we couldn't tire her out, then at 6pm and if a light switch had gone off she was out for the count, we had to wake her up to go to the toilet before bed, and move her to the now delivered crate.

Lucy slept through from 10.30 to 5.30 (I think she would have lasted longer but this was what time Tom needed to get up for work today)

Routine:

Food - feeding 4 times a day - Pedigree wet and dry puppy food (half a packet and a few dry parts each meal) - training treats, lucy is best on the softer treats at the min, and likes bits of  hot dog sausages.

Toilet - Letting her out to try every hour, - we now know where she like to be taken for number 1 and different place for number 2

Training -

• Lucy now wears her collar full time, and is happy to go out on a short lead to the toilet (we do this due to the nature of our garden, and 2 other dogs close by in the same open garden estate)
• Fetch it and drop it - are becoming very responded too, lucy loves her plush toys, but is starting to like a lightweight ball outside.
• Name - lucy will listen and come to you when you shout her name, and always looks when she hears it
• Sit - Today I have had my first 5 minutes of sit training and so far so good,

I am looking forwards to being able to take her out for walks, and introduce her safely to the other 2 dogs.

Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/lucy_cockerjack

New Year = New Fitness goals - Juicing, Plant food eating, & more.

Hi Happy New Year -- can you believe it is 2017!

I know this time of year everyone is doing their new years resolutions, generally jumping on the healthy eating & more exercise band wagon. 

As per most people I have enjoyed my xmas time off and this has resulted in eating of cheese and chocolates. (which is usually limit or don't buy at all). Therefore it is time now to get back to me "normal" diet and routine. However this time I am tweaking a little.

I always eat well in regards salads and "proper" dinners. As due to my allergy it is always better for me to cook and prepare myself in house. 

This time I am going to follow the Plant Food Eating plan, Which is basically, nothing animal produced (vegan in essence). But the plan is for health reasons and not ethics, it also explains in the first few weeks to ease yourself into it, and that slip ups will happen.

At the moment my partner is still at home, so we will be following this together, which is always better to motivate each other and stick to it. 

I sat down yesterday at the kitchen table with my books and wrote up a meal plan and shopping list, I dont know why but I find this so therapeutic, as well as the planning and preparing of the lunches and juices for breakfast the evening before, making my mornings so much easier.

Today we bought the food, I expected the first week to be more expensive, but this was due to buying the dried pulses and spices that I didn't have, but now I have them it will just be a veg shop as such weekly. Today I spent £30 on the "normal" shopping, and £15 on the dried and long lasting foods. This is really good for me, as I usually spend at least £50 a week, even with my meal planning and usual choices. 

Linking with the intake of fruit and vegetables, I shall be juicing for my breakfast and I am currently undertaking the mammoth research of which new juicer / blender to purchase, as my old one is on its way out. 

I am not doing this for weight loss as such, however I did this morning weigh myself and take measurements, more to see how this compares. 

I am going to also actively do more exercise, I would like to do at least 30 mins 3 times a week.

I would love your thoughts and comments, on what I can try, or even which blender is best.

Speak Soon

Nic 

Allergy and Free From show - Liverpool

Hi everyone I have just had it confirmed I shall be attending the Allergy and Free From Show again this year.

http://www.allergyshow.co.uk/liverpool

I cannot wait to see some new brands and discover some new products, and to work with and meet some of my favorite brands again.

This is the time if anyone would like to arrange a meet up or any promotional work as I am already planning my diary and event commitments,

Hope too see some of you soon

Nicola

Illness, Fatigue, Dizzyness & more

Really sorry I have been quieter than usual, over the last few weeks I have really not felt on top form.
I went to the doctors to find out I had low blood pressure, Anaemia and it was causing vertigo symptoms.


The treatment was some tablets, rest, lots of water and fruit and veg.
I was doing fine with the tablets, food and water, however the resting is a big issue for me. I cant just sit around and do nothing. Therefore for a few days I tried to go to work as usual (bad move) or even just have a 15 minute clean and tidy around in the house, which resulted in me then having hours laid home alone dizzy on the sofa.


Therefore today after 5 days off work I shall be back to work in the pub this evening for a 4 hour shift to get me back into the swing of things again.


Sadly tomorrow Tom is off to Mexico with work for about a month, therefore my buddy when I go dizzy that makes me sit down with a cuppa and a biscuit will not be here. However on the other hand I guess the house will be much easier to keep clean and on top of, so if I do need to rest I may get more chance.


Touch wood I have been able to drop down the prescription tablets a little (the doctor said to take between 1 & 3 a day depending on symptoms) so hopefully I am going in the right direction :-)


Its not great when you know you are not 100% isn't it.


Nicola

Babyliss Big Hair 42MM & Thermo heated roller review

I have recently gone into a bit of a mode to look after myself and my skin and hair a little more,
I was toying with idea of extensions, however I have decided instead to do what I can to look after my hair and treat it well, while it grows.


I am going to wash with good shampoos, and treat weekly (or twice a week) with a rich nourishing hair mask. I am looking to start taking a supplement such as biotin too.


I am aware that adding more heat to hair is not a good idea and both of the products I am reviewing are heated products, however I am very lucky that my hair holds the style for days. So if I do my hair Monday it will hold until I need to wash on Wednesday night / Thursday morning.


Babyliss Big Hair 42mm,
I love the smoothed bouncy effect when I go to the hair dressers and they finish my hair with a "bouncy blowdry". I wanted to find a way to make my hair replicate this at home. I have naturally frizzy curly hair and didn't know how / if I could get the smooth effect myself without straighteners.


I have never been able to manage the blow dryer in one hand and brush in the other system at home, therefore seeing the big hair was very interesting.
If you are not aware the big hair basically takes the two tools and turns them into one. The hot air comes out, and the brush end spins and finishes your hair.


I went for the middle size brush for my long bob / shoulder length hair. I used this one evening when I had time to play, and from shower to finished was 10 minutes! I was shocked at how easy it was even on first play. I did need to get used to pressing the buttons in the right direction for the side of my head, (curl under or curl over)


I am very happy with the full effect this gives, with the smooth finish. (please ignore the lack of makeup - it was about 9pm)

Thermo heated rollers,
I wanted a day with tighter curls and a little more vintage look so out came the rollers, I put the rollers on to hear while I had my shower (they take about 10 minutes to heat up) and then after the shower blasted my hair with the dryer (making it a big frizzy mess). Brushed through and started with the rollers. I used the biggest sizes and started on the top on my fringe / parting sections, easly securing with the comb clips. They felt secure and not tight (like pervious roller experience) I then sat down and did some work for about half a hour while the rollers cooled.
Simply hold the end of the roller and unclip the comb - once all out the hair was a tighter curl, so I simply swooshed the hair a bit (think because I'm worth it lol). I was very happy, leaving a different look.
I know that there were 3 sizes and the size of roller used and length of time you leave in can give different effects.

What do you think? Or what can you suggest of looks to try.


Nicola

How much a difference stopping looking after yourself makes!

Hi, this week (as we as the last 2 weeks) have involved me putting a lot of hours in at the pub. Leaving not a lot of time for other things. I can see a difference in myself with this, as having less "me" time is making me not feel as fulfilled and confident. I am also feeling really sluggish and tired.


I had been taking new vitamins and supplements to try and help, however I was consciously eating more healthily and drinking more water. My partner is also really wanting me to take up biking, so I have been borrowing a bike and going for the odd bike ride. I could see the difference in a week! The reason I can now see the difference is after around 4 days of quick grab and go food, and less active relaxation time, I am really sluggish and not on top form again.


I honestly didn't realise how instant or noticeable the changes to my lifestyle and outlook would be. Needless to say as I am righting this I am struggling to keep my eyes open, and guess I should get a large glass of water and get back in the game.

Therefore I shall commit to:

1. Drinking at least 1.5 ltrs of water a day
2. Spending at least 30 minutes outside
3. Taking my vitamins and supplements
4. Eating 3 healthy meals a day, and limiting snacking
5. Doing something that makes me smile for 30 minutes a day (e.g. YouTube videos, colouring, talking with my partner)

Hopefully I shall be on top form again very soon.


What do you do to for a quick pick me up?


Nicola

Graduation day Sheffield Hallam University 2015

This week I have been very proud to attend my Boyfriends graduation.

I know there was a lot of trials, stress and testing times throughout. However this was very proud and happy day for all. Showing great achievement and success.

In Sheffield city hall with myself and 7 members of his family.


Congratulations
T Buzzard BEng

Nic

I hit the shops in York this weekend,

I hit the shops in York this weekend,

This weekend I went on a girly day to the local city of York, this was me and a few members of the family on the train for a shopping trip.

Where to start but lush,

As I live out of town lush is a few and far between treat, I think the last lush haul I had was in around February / March and I had well and truly run out.

I treated myself to a favourite of the comforter and, the butterbear bath bomb. The ventures to a few new treats, the stardust bath bomb, mint julips lip scrub and oatifix face mask.

I cannot wait to get chance this week for a proper lush bath / pamper night to try all of the new products.

Then I popped into boots, I have been using a hairspray from my local aldi and it really was not suiting my hair and it made it all sticky. I have missed my natural hold boots own hairspray. Therefore I had to pop by to get more. I have been loving my new unique lip stain, therefore I bought a new one at £4.95 from Seventeen in berry crush. I do like the colour however all of the options were very dark, I wanted to find a coral / pink tone however so far I have not come across an option. (Suggestions welcome) I like the stains in autumn as there is a good colour payoff, and you are not constantly reapplying like a lipstick.

I decided to invest in some new winter boots, I have x2 pairs of black boots and had no brown, I looked in a number of shops then found some really comfy boots in Dorothy Perkins, I was looking at the black boots and nearly bought my third pair of black, until a friend advised me to get the brown. I really like how comfy they are. I now need a matching bag and jacket, I am on the lookout. Again suggestions welcomed.

I am fully into xmas shopping mode, and I keep seeing products I would love myself when out and making not so subtle hints. Hopefully Santa will think I have been a good girl this year.

Nic

New things I like this week, Perfume, Makeup, Canon Lens

New things I like.

Well this blog was set up to share with you new things that I have been trying.

This week I have been trying a few new items that I have been loving.

We went to a younique party this week and tried their lip stain, I was very pleased that the item did not transfer onto my glass or even my back of the hand test. I have since tried again and timed it I managed a full 6 hours before you could not see the stain any more. Including lunch and multiple cups of tea at work. I went for the colour sleek, this is a reddish burgundy colour which is ideal for autumn winter. You don’t need to be scared of the blood red colour coming out of the tube as this offers a tint of a deeper colour to your lips but, not vampire blood red.

At the same party I was shown the eyebrow products, however they looked amazing with the results even the lightest colour was too dark for me. At £30 I didn’t want to just make do. However the following day in my local Tesco I spotted the Rimmel version of the fiber gel “brow this way” and Maybelline “brow satin” pencil. They offer the same effect, in a much better colour for me and less than £10 for the two.

I am a perfume lover, however I begrudge paying high amounts for work perfume, this week I spoke to a colleague as she smelled really nice, she was wearing the Suddenly Madame Glamour. I had not heard of this one, therefore I got on to Google. To find this was a lidl perfume at £3.99. This has been commented to be a replica of Chanel Coco Mademoiselle (which I had heard of). I purchased some myself this week, and have had a number of comments on how nice it smells. Yes I can admit that it does not have the same staying power as my “usual” perfume, however I can get through a 8 hour work day just. I have already considered purchasing more next week when this is on offer at £1.99. Apparently Lidl also have a range including candles and body mists at some times of the year, I think I know what is going on my xmas list.

I have recently purchased myself a new lens for my DSLR camera. I am currently saving for a new body and lens combo for my wedding photography. However recently a lens I have been looking at for years was on offer. I decided to treat myself. I have heard so much about this type of lens and the clarity and definition this can offer me compared to my normal zoom lens. I also used this lens for a recent engagement shoot. All I found was I had to turn my brain back on when working, by moving myself more and thinking about positioning before taking the shot.

(The lens is Canon 50mm prime 1.8)

What have you been loving this week?

Speak Soon

Nic x

The last few weeks,

The last few weeks.

I have had a bit of an emotional roller-coaster over the last few weeks, And as some things I think are best keeping private I have not posted much on here.

I have previously battled with depression, and I am aware of lots of my triggers. Recently a few of these have been apparent to me.

I have been trying to force myself into doing the things that help pull me around.

·        A bath

·        A walk

·        A run

·        Watching YouTube videos

·        Listening to music

Do you have any other suggestions?

The only other issue I am having is I cannot sleep well at night. I get to sleep easily, however then around 4am I awake and have broken sleep until I have to get up. I have tried no electronics, a bath, lavender spray and the odd glass of wine. Again all suggestions are welcomed.

Speak Soon

Nicola

Teeth Whitening Toothpaste - yes the one you have seen on all of the selling websites

Teeth Whitening Toothpaste - yes the one you have seen on all of the selling websites

I have just bought from a Facebook rep the new toothpaste everyone is raving about.
I thought it was really strange how all the unbelievable before and afters were getting published, yet no one knew the name of this wunder product.

It seems that for some reason the company who have the products don't want everyone knowing about it.

Well I always use whitening toothpaste, usually one of the well known like Colgates normal whitening. I don't smoke, I don't drink black drinks or red wine. Therefore the stains should not have been too bad to remove.
Through the last 2 weeks I didn't think the product was making much noticeable different, and deffernately not like the pictures guaranteed after 2 weeks.

However I can see from looking at the pictures this morning there is a noticeable difference and more even tone.

I think this could be a good product for overtime and not an instant or special event whiten. I would say still stick to the LED systems or the Colgate Max White toothpaste. However when my tube is finished I will not be repurchasing.

What do you think?

Day 1

Day 7

Day 14

Nicola

August Favorites 2015

August Favorites:

Things that I have been loving in August:

My new Home – I moved out of my cold, expensive mouldy flat and I am very happy about that. My new house is modern, clean and cosy. The best things for me is I have storage space. I can help the place look tidy most of the time as I can put stuff away. Then I have a 5 minute wipe around and everything is done. Even a big clean takes around 20-30 minutes. I am still saving to no longer need to rent, however this will be a few years away.

Actiderm micellar lotion – over the last few months I have been introduced to a new range of skincare products. I have had a few facials and this month I have bought a few of the products.  I am loving the Micellar lotion, I had previously been using the Garnier version, however after just a week of using this my skin feels and looks cleaner and clearer. I have other items from the same face range and I may be writing a full post on this.

Bodyshop all in one face base – seeing as my skin is better I have been able to go back to my trusty all in one face base, usually I can get away with this instead of a heavy foundation for work. However I have just gone through a dry skin phase where powder was not my friend. Although I am still having bad skin days I am able to use this 5/7. I just wish you could replace the powder section rather than needing to buy a whole new compact. It just seems a waste to me.

Aldi Rose Wine – this year I have started shopping at Aldo when It opened in the village, Now I have had some product swap fails, but I have found a few items I really like. Such as the Rose that is £2.99 from there, It is sweet and not too strong and great for an everyday drink. (Not that I drink every day)

EverythingsaFiver.com – I have now lost all the wright I was planning and am a size 8, I therefore was ready for getting rid of my 10-12 clothes and fully committing to my new size and shape. As I needed essentials and lots of them I often turn to this website. I like that now you can search by size, and don’t therefore shop find the dream dress and they have sold out. Also they are constantly adding new items to the range. I have yeas had some product fails, and in fact had a delivery today of 10 items and 1 is a fail. You can return them, but if is it your own fault due to being the wrong size for your body, you have to cover the return postage. (Around £5) therefore I shall donate this. You can do well and today I received a dress with a £60 price tag left on. (I wouldn’t have bought it at that price, but someone would)

My new car – I got rid of the Yaris Hybrid, I didn’t really like its drive and feel. I therefore upgraded to a VW gold 2.0 TDI with DSG gearbox. Basically in English, it goes fast if I put my foot down, is automatic and economical.

I still think it could be a little but big for me, but I wanted 5 door with boot space and I have that.  A few people have asked why I need a sporty car. However at the time of ordering the other car I wanted was an Audi TT, therefore the golf is much less sporty.

Speak Soon

Nicola

Where have I been for Summer 2015

Where have I been for Summer 2015:

Well this summer I moved house,

Went on holiday to the Lake District,

Found a love for a new skincare brand Actiderm

Stopped selling Partylite candles

Put a lot more hours into my Photography business www.New-Images.co.uk

And generally made myself shattered, with work and personal issues

Therefore with regret my blogging time has seriously dropped. Not only the writing, I don’t know the last time I had chance to sit down and watch a YouTube video or read a blog.

I remember around about April being the last time I did that.

No I am not giving up on blogging, and I do understand if you have given up on me. However sadly working what feels like non stop and not sleeping at night is physically draining me. Sadly blogging at this moment in time is on the back burner.

I would love to get back into it, however I think something in my life needs to give way first.

I shall post asap.

Nicola

Eyebrow Tinting / Waxing and Eyelash Tinting – Before and After

This wasn’t the first time I had this done, I have previously had my patch test and all had come up fine.

I had neglected my brows for about 8 weeks, they were uneven and unloved. I was finding it hard to make my eye make-up look good. Therefore an appointment was booked in.

On the night the lady tinted my eyebrows first, this took about 3 minutes, We were just chatting away and the time flow.

Eyelashes: - she put some Vaseline under my eye and a cotton wool pad folded in half, then asked me to close my eyes (not scrunch) and keep them closed until asked me to reopen. Then she painted on the dye. (I went for blue / black). Again we sat and chatted, this time with my eyes closed, for around 10 minutes. She then wiped away the excess dye and “tickled” my lashes to separate them all.

Then the eyebrow wax, I always find this uncomfortable. By no way pain where I would have it done again. But always makes me jump on one eye more than the other. This time as my brows were so bad she then spent another few minutes with a tweezer tidy. (This part always reminds me why I don’t get my legs or other areas waxed)

Then all done, asked me to sit up and check all is ok.

(bottom picture left = before wipe off once home)

Everything will look darker and bolder than you expected.  This is due to the residue of the dyes. Try and leave this overnight if you can to help your colour last longer. Then wash with a gentle cleanser the next day.

I love the way it makes my face change, I feel like I can just put minimal foundation on and a lippy and I’m out the door. It doesn't make me look “made up” but it makes me look groomed. The effects usually last about 3 weeks for me. Therefore I am planning on booking 4 weekly reoccurring appointments.

Any other beauty treatments I should be looking into?

Nicola