31/12/2015

So long 2015

Here we are again.  Another year done. Can you actually believe it?

I'd love to say how much better I was but the truth is I'm not. M.E is a permanent fixture in my life & isn't going anywhere soon. It took me a lot of years to accept that & every New Year's Eve for a long time I would be full of hope that the following year would be the one when I'd get better. Full of hope for getting my life back. Full of hope full stop.

But now instead of dwelling on the things I haven't done or can't do, I am focusing on the things I have & I can. When you're chronically ill, you can feel as though your life passes you by & that you spend the majority of the time resting or generally feeling poorly, but there are lots of things we DO achieve & should be proud of. And there are many happy memories made in the process.

It's nearly time to open my memory box again - see last year's post about it here - & I will be doing it again next year. It's something nice to look back on at the end of the year & smile at the happy stuff that happened. Things that non-poorly people would likely take for granted & not consider a big deal are a big deal to us. A lot of the stuff in my box is to do with my little girl so I can't wait to read them with her. At her request we are having a party tonight (which according to her means she can eat lots of sweets & chocolate!!) so we will open it then.

2015 has been full of ups and downs but there have been lots of things that make me realise I am lucky. Yes things could be better, but I've also managed to do some fab stuff for which I am very grateful. I've picked out some of the memorable ones & they all make me smile but there are lots more too. Pictures are amazing for creating memories too & probably the reason I take so many! So in 2015...

I went to my first vintage fair & loved it



We went to Harewood House where we have membership but I don't often get there so it's extra special when I do



My girlie turned 6



I met up with Sian, one of my fab spoonie friends & we pretended to drink cocktails



I spent lots of sunny days in the garden



I had a lovely birthday & was very spoilt



I got a new camera



We had another successful M.E Princess fundraiser



I changed my hair colour



We baked



We had a lovely holiday in Majorca



We had a fun trip to Sheffield to stay with friends we met on holiday



We had fun with Autumn leaves



We went to Stockeld Park & I ice-skated on my wheels



I had a lovely spa day with my sister for her birthday



I turned the house festive



I am staying positive & am looking forward to doing more happy stuff in 2016. I've already booked to go & see my bestie in Essex and I have one of my oldest friend's wedding in October. My close friend is having a baby in March & I'm so excited! There are people I want to see more of & other spoonie friends I've met online who I want to meet for the first time so we shall see what the year brings in terms of fun! I have also decided I am going to use one of my new diaries to write something positive every day. So again I can look back & realise there are good things in each day even though it doesn't often feel like it.

Finally before I go, I want to do a quick shoutout to everyone who has been there for me this year. Whether it's to be there when I've been down or to make me belly laugh just because. And despite me having my illness, friends & family who have included me in stuff or asked me to do things even if I've not been able, I really appreciate it. I love you all!

Happy new year!



Love Ali 
xx

16/12/2015

Crown & Glory Glitterati unboxing December 2015

You know the drill by now. The beginning of the month is Glitterati time! For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, it's a monthly subscription box full of hair accessories from Crown & Glory. See previous posts here & here for more details.

I can't believe we're in December & that it's almost the end of the year. How on earth did that happen?

So December's box arrived & I was hoping for some sparkle.  Sparkle is exactly what we got!!

I don't want to ramble too much so will just get on with what was in the box..



Sneaky peek!

We had a fancy new vine this time & I love it! 
Designed by Veronica Dearly

Reindeer name headband.
RRP £25
(There were all the different reindeer names including 1 very special Rudolph!)


Art deco inspired gem encrusted comb
RRP £8

Glitter rose clip
RRP £3

Ombre glitter bobby pins
RRP £3

Star tinsel headband
RRP £15




A really festive, sparkly, feel-good factor box! I I had been eyeing up the bobby pins for a while & I had spotted the glitter roses recently, which are also available in silver, so may have to purchase one of those too...


I have really enjoyed the Glitterati boxes throughout 2015 & can't wait to see what 2016 brings. As always, big thanks to the fab girls in the secret group & to Sophie and Gareth for creating such an amazing place full of fabulous, sparkly ladies.

Happy Christmas!

Ali
xx

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