Labeled or finally acknowledged

I promised I wouldn't post anything medical until I had some new to the mix. Well this morning I got the letter from the DLA, the decision on whether or not they accept the reports and write ups on my medical conditions. Prior to earlier this year I live a very independant life, but by August walking unaided became imposiable. Now if I try to move round the house without aids I end up doubled up. But because all my conditions are invisable from the outside, I was prepared for an endless battle to prove and admit to myself I need help.

Never have I been so nervous as opening the envelope when it arrived. At first I couldn't face reading more than the first two sentences, in fear of it saying I was rejected in my claim. Especially as I have managed to escape the dreaded DHSS medical. How ever the letter didn't have those fateful lines, instead it said I was recognised as needing mobility needs and some care needs. The relief was unbelievable, and I have to admit it took all day to truly sink in, that people believed me, and the doctors and consultants are on the same page as yourself.

To me it isn't about the money, although that will buy me some freedom, instead it actually will open doors for me. It means that should I make enough progress to return to work, which is my goal next year, I have a piece of paper telling employers that the conditions I have are real, and do genuinely affect me. This means that I not unemployable, but need acceptance to be employed.

I am not looking at this as a label or a dead end, but instead a freedom pass to return to the normal world. Sure there will be a fight at times, and some people are going to try and pigeon box me, but at the end of the day I am still the same person I was ten years ago, I just can't walk as easily or carry stuff. Being recognised as disabled ( how I hate that word) is no curse, it just means I do things differently. I still have a brain, a mouth and hands, a university education, and years of experience, so what changes. In my eyes nothing but the speed I get from a to b.

There is a lot to be said about that, but instead I will sum it up with an age old fable, I have gone from being the hare to the tortoise, and we all know who got there first!

A most excellent evening

I am finally home happy and exhausted. The Marie Claire / L'Occitane night was truly a brilliant evening and I can't recommend it enough. For a £10 ticket I have been made to feel worth a million. As regular readers will know I have a soft spot for this company, but tonight they went from a company I have a soft spot for to a company that truly values it customers.

You may or may not read about these evenings when they are offered in the fashion magazines. Where you buy a ticket and get a late night opening, with some offering treatments or discount shopping and maybe a token goody bag. Well I have never been to one and last month I spotted it in the magazine. So once I counted the beans so to speak I realised I could afford to go, and booked my ticket. After a very pleasant phone conversation I was informed as I was currently of limited mobility my mother come carer would be allowed to attend free of charge. Today was the all important day and after I made a courtesy call to confirm my attendance with mum, we set off to Clapham.

I was smart and planned our route to a tee including allowing extra time for me on my sticks, which turned out to be a good thing as one of my legs wasn't playing nice. Yet we still made the hour and half journey in time enough to allow me a tea stop at Mc Donald's before we went in. Tea drunk we were the 1st to arrive which wasn't a bad thing as the shop was a cosy size and it gave me a chance to hop around and have a good look.

There was I mission was on, I needed to get a person a Christmas present on a restricted budget. Before the crowds arrived I had in already got it down to a short list. That said I had also already also drunk the glass of complimentary wine, and begrudgingly turned down another  due to my medication. Although had I not been on tablets I would have happily accepted another it was a quality wine, as were the canapes on offer. From the moment I had walked in I had been made to feel special, nothing was too much trouble or effort for them, and mum was offered the same courtesy, being offered all the same refreshments as a paying ticket holder. Having made a couple enquires about my short list I knew what I wanted to buy. Even then there was no pressure for me to hurry up or spend more, instead I was offered a free hand treatment with two of their products which was delightful and relaxing.

Then when I was looking with mum at the new skin range I was offered a free consultation on skin care which I jumped at as my skin is trashed with all the medication. After talking to me about my skin problems the lady tried one product and then instantly change her mind after feeling my skin as she was applying. Instead then she changed the range trial and did a full routine on me, cleansing, toning, spritz then applying a day cream. I looked in the mirror and swore I had lost 10 years. But that was my bias opinion until mum said exactly the same thing. Needless to say I now have a very long shopping list for after Christmas and a completely different skin routine. After a good hour I made my purchase with the promised discount, and was given a few relevant samples, a gift card for myself for after Christmas. I was also given the advertised goodie bag and was I in for a shock.

I have experience with goodie bags from events like balls but never a fashion or style event, so this was virgin ground for me. Some how I managed to hold back until the two hour journey home had been made. Then the bag was opened. For a start it had more items than shown in the magazine and a couple had been substituted, for the better. The advert showed 3 items from the lavender range including a hard soap and 6 other items .When I opened it up for a start there were 10 items, yes there was one lavender item, a travel sized (75ml) body lotion which mum happily accepted for her effort. If she likes it she will be helping me spend in the new year. There were 2 items from the  Pioine Flora range (peony) a 75ml shower gel, and 75ml beauty milk. Then there was 35ml almond shower oil, 30ml Essential water from the Immortelle range an two 3ml samples again from the immortelle range, the precious cream in both day and night versions. Then there was the shea body 5% shower cream 75ml To finish with there were 2 hand products a verbena cooling hand gel 15ml and a cherry blossom hand cream again 15ml. The goody bag was said to contain travel sizes and they weren't skimping, I have seen smaller travel sized products in the shops to buy. Although the day and night creams were the smallest they still contain enough for probably a weeks use.

The items I was treated to in store were the lavender purifying hand gel £6.50, a very pleasant improvement to antibacterial hand gel, and the shea butter 15% hand cream at £8.50. With in 5 minutes I had hands worthy of a lady with no sign of hard skin caused by endless use of crutches. The hand gel was new to me and despite the fact you can pick up antibacterial gels a lot cheaper none will feel as nice on your skin. Like the hand creams there was no tacky feeling or residue.





 My facial started with a shea cleansing milk £15, although this felt wonderful, it proved too rich an heavy for my skin at present. We moved on the Angelica range with a fantastic result, the cleansing gel £16, facial toner £16, hydration face mist £15 and finishing with the ultra matte fluid £24. I hadn't anything about this range but the results were by far the best I have come across. Even an unobservant husband noticed the result.

The evening was the best I have had in a long time, I left feeling like a princess and looking glowing. Now I can look forward to another trip to the shop knowing exactly what I want and not worrying about any after effects on my skin. The staff were beyond caring and a quality product was only surpassed by the quality staff.

Warm up post

Just an advanced warning I am off to the L'Occitane evening in Clapham tonight. As this is a new thing for me I am more than excited They have already seemed welcoming as they have offered my mum free entry as she is my carer and this is the first time since the Para Olympics I have braved a journey to town on public transport.

So expect a full run down tonight, with all the highs and hopefully no lows. Bus route is planned with plenty of give for traffic. Even the coffee stop is planned, so nothing has been left to chance. Ticket is in bag, and trainers are lined up.

I am off in the next hour and just can't wait, wish me luck.

That little luxury gift

We are all on that hunt at this time of year. That little stocking filler for a female relative or the every looming mystery Santa at the office. We have all been there done that, and how many times have we ended up grabbing the nearest soap set or bottle of plonk. Well this year I have a few ideas based on my own tastes, but it may be worth printing and leaving in an appropriate location for the more vague of males.

Starting with an all round luxury may I suggest Champaneys Miracle balm £5 and a real blessing.I came across it by accident when some one gave me a Champaneys hamper for Christmas a few years back. It is a helpful balm to carry around during the winter months for those little patches of dry or sore skin.

It can be used any where from face to elbows and knees, and at this price you can always just use it as a top up present, tree decoration or for a pocket money present. I was expecting to pay a lot more for this, the name speaks volumes.

Another pocket money price present is rimmels disco ball nail polish from £1.99. One of the many new glitter polishes on the market, the price bracket means it is affordable to all and will suit anyone from teen upward.  It is a sparkly over coat that can jazz up any colour nail polish. Its blue / silver effect is perfect for the winter wonderland look. There are plenty of these effects in many brands but for a gift no one would be upset to receive.


L'Occitane have several different ideas for these kind of gifts. My suggestions are the brightening Immortalle set at £20. Its a great little starter set including brightening cream, cleansing wash and face water is perfect for a younger person still installing a beauty regime.







The hand and lip buckets are brilliant, in several different aromas from shea to winter flowers to date. £16 is a more than reasonable price for the products and they are wrapping in a metal bucket for storage. I would definitely appreciate this as a gift from any. It is a perfect secret Santa gift.



For £20 you could also get either the shower quatro or the hand cream trio. Both safe bets for some one you don't know quite as well. They are fantastic little gifts that won't break the bank. I have seen soaps and other little bits from under a £10 on their web page as well so it is well worth a look as any order over £40 gets a free tote bag for the woman in your life.


The other website that is laden with little goodies is the Bayliss and Harding. There I found gifts from £3 for a sweet madarine hand lotion wrapped like a cracker. This would look fantastic hung from a tree or as a place setting. I know I have spotted some really nice gifts from Bayliss and Harding in my local supermarkets, but on the web site there are even more and free surprise gift for orders over £25. The site is easy to navigate as it is well labelled and the under £10 range is just as well presented as the £50 range. There is even a clearly labelled section so that the men in your life are just as catered for.

If like me you like to keep it seasonal there is an complete gingerbread range most under £20 including this little set for £15 which I think is a right little cracker I may have to buy for myself. It is 8 bottles, 2 of each ,100ml Sweet Gingerbread Body Wash, 100ml Chocolate Chip Shower Crème, 50ml Vanilla Frosting Body Lotion and 50ml Caramel Fudge Body Scrub You could buy this as one present or divide it up and sharing it in stockings in which case it would work out just pennies over £2 each.







After 5 minutes on the net I have also found lovely sets from Body Shop and Nails Inc under £20 that would make excellent secret Santa presents. Both also have items £11 and under that could be tucked in a stocking. It is worth looking and buying now as many of these sites are offering deals that could get you something either as a treat to yourself or extra in the present.

Hope these help the mass search as there is 6 weeks till Christmas Eve madness.

Pain patches and pills

I know I haven't posted much about whats really happening in the progress of my health. Mainly for two reasons, 1) I was in danger of boring everyone to death with it, and 2) I am still getting used to various changes.

I have had pain patches added to my collection of pills and potions to lower the chronic pain so that when I start physio I can bear the pain. Well the good news is they are working they are genuinely lowering the day to day agony to something more livable. But with the sugar comes some salt and I am not talking about the constant sensation in my mouth.

It would be better to ask this question, how hard is it to keep a plaster stuck to you for 7 days? Very hard is the answer. These things just won't stay stuck more than 5 days. It doesn't matter what I do where i stick it (upper body only according to the instructions). They just come unstuck. I have tried using various tapes when they start to give, nope that just makes it worse. We are now on some kind of surgical clingfilm/ second skin, stuff, But that is too small to use just one to cover the whole plaster so at the moment I am sporting one pain patch covered with two of these other dressings and praying that they stay put till next Sunday.

Trust me, tattoos are a whole lot easier to deal with than this. To be honest on these tablets would be the ideal time to have another tat as I wouldn't feel anything between the dormant pain and the pain killers. As soon as I can earn my own money again that's what I am doing, treating myself to a survivor tattoo. That will give me a chance to choose between the 3 I have in mind. A grapevine over the ball of my foot, a dragon on lower back or an original my niece has on my hip. I have one simple rule will tattoos, they must not be visible in an evening dress or office work clothes. Not because I don't like the sight of them, it is just I have them done for me and no one else.

Anyway I transgress, back to the medication. I am no longer having back spasms every other day, we are now down to one or two a week. But I am still unable to hold myself up right for more than a couple of minutes. Instead it is a choice between relying on my sticks or ending up at a 45 degree angle. But I now on a count down to physio which is standing at 25 days to go. Then it is assessment day, from then we will have a better idea of what is treatable and what isn't.

So from now till then I probably won't blog about it until the 7th Dec, unless we have a major issue. Till then I hope you enjoy the rest of my blog.

More Kandee

So Kandee held back on us and there are few more treats in this latest collection. Two I personally love and two are less my taste but I know others who will love them. Anyway lets have a look.

I just love this the Cinder pump. very like the Glace pump already released. But I actually prefer these over the Glace, there is just something more wearable in these. I think it is the colour just goes with so much more in my wardrobe. I still love the Glace but if I had to choose between them then the Cinder will win. I just love the subtle mute gold colour, and the contrast between matted texture and then the sheen of the colour on the platform and heels. They are just perfect for the festive season what ever your LBD looks like.

Then we have Ribes a purple version of the winter boot design. I don't know why but this just doesn't rock it for me. The only one in this style I really love is the After Eight. I think it is purely  colour issue though, I am just not a purple person. As a winter party boot, this does have everything going for it, just not for me. I just think the platform is highlighted by the colour and that's not my thing. That said I can imagine this one being very popular . With the right outfit and the personality to match this boot could just rock an outfit and make the perfect Kandee statement.

Peanut Crunchy was a complete surprise in this range. Although as Caramel Crunch has already sold out in certain sizes, it is probably a smart move.  The Peanut range in bang on it, in regards to the animal prints that have been around for the last few seasons, and seem to be as popular in the Kandee range. The Peanut Crunchy is a boot with real attitude and is as edgy as they come especially in this seasons Kandee range. I admire the way they have mixed the pattern with the studs, and the fact it makes it a statement piece. I would definitely say this is the statement shoe of the collection.

Finally we have Galaxy, and I have to admit I didn't need to take a second look to fall in love with them. The same red colour as the Glace but like the Verdi with no platform. For me the ideal combination. It has that red slipper feel from the wizard of oz, and gives every girl the chance to feel like Dorothy when she wears them. For me love at first sight. After all every girl has the right to dream do they?

Me Me Me

No I am not turning narcissistic on you its the brand of make up I have been coming aware of over the last two years and loving.

I came across it by accident when choosing a present for a friend. being a good friend I never give anything I don't like myself so I bought a trial box myself. I started with the rouge set as I have an inner doll in me at times at love the chance to trial it out. It was a 3 piece set that consisted of a dark blood red nail polish, a blush and a lip gloss. On first opening I was impressed with the stylish box that is study yet feminine. This blush was surprisingly easy to use and not over do, this was refreshing as I find blush the hardest thing to use and often end up looking like a reminder of the 80's. The nail polish was pleasant enough  ( although nothing will touch Nails Inc for me). It worked well after two coats and I did love the colour. The winner overall was the lip gloss, it was a strong striking colour easy to apply. It also has a little trick to it, a little light that clicks on when you open it up. As you apply the gloss even in the darkest room the light in the cap makes it easy to see what you are doing. Needless to say friend got this as well as a present.

The next thing I bought was the nail pamper kit as I not good on having plain neutral colours in my collection. This has every thing for the basic manicure look. Two polishes one baby pink the other white, a top coat, file, buffer and hand cream. Again it was an excellent purchase an came in a stunning box, and again I got a second set as a present.


Since then I have also bought the first set in the pink range for a lighter more day time look and wasn't disappoint either. Especially as these sets come in comfortably under £20 most under £15, yet look far more expensive and make excellent presents. As yet I have had no complaints from the recipients.


Then I found my final purchase to date the little angels set. I was slightly disappointed it came in a cheaper package, but it has highlighters and check tints, that are almost as good as my favourite benefit ones. I was very happy with these as a little went a long way so they are excellent value for money. There are 4 colours two pinkish based, two golden. The first one is  Poppy tint, the paler of the two pinks. Depending how much you use or blend in you can achieve an almost not there look to a light bubble gum colour. The other pink is Pussy Cat which gives you a clue, it is a strong pink colour that can create almost a doll like colour on you. The two highlighters are Sun beam and Moon beam. Sun beam is more pink pale gold for day time and then moon beam is the stronger gold tint for night time. I have just fallen in love with these four tints and I can see these being bought as presents this year although I do think they may end up re packaged.

So now I am waiting for my next inspiration from their collection and can't wait to see what they bring out next, MeMeMe certainly is a brand to look out for.