If you would have asked me on my 30th would I be happy staying in on my 40th and not because I was having a house party, I would have said ‘Oh, hell no.’ BUT it was great!
The Bloke, my favourite person came round (only person, apart from my Dad really but the Bloke would still be my fave anyway) and dyed my hair for me, surprised me with these gorgeous flowers. He managed to find me gluten-free Mac and Cheese and a big box of gf Peroni beer. We then binged watched The Sopranos from the start.
That’s my idea of the perfect, simple day!
We are also booked in for a meal at our fave restaurant Lily’s (when they open again) in Ashton, in ten days for a joint birthday celebration.
I used Manic Panic in Voodoo Blue on pre-lightened hair. It’s actually a deep Teal colour indoors, which glows bright Cyan in the sunshine!
It came out (way) brighter than I imagined but I love it!
The easiest way to create this effect if you have long wavy hair, is just dying the whole top layer and it will separate itself into big fat highlights.
Remember in my first post I told you I wasn’t happy with my first ‘fix’ and so Stitch Fix said they would try again for free? Well, prompted by the site asking ‘Is there anything your wardrobe is missing?’ this time I left a note saying that I’d been trying to find tapered cargo pants and joggers that were long enough but not baggy for ages! 34” to be exact.
A Note from Molly the Stylist
What Was in the Box
CROPPED JOGGERS NOT PICTURED
Keeping
I absolutely love these shorts because they can be dressed up or down but more importantly, they are the first shorts I’ve worn in decade which don’t cut into my chunky thighs when I sit down! Hurrah!
The two long joggers/cargo pants are exactly what I’ve been searching for, comfortable and luxurious, the perfect street style!
Returning
I liked the idea of simple black lacy top but I already have quite a few similar items so I returned it, along with the cropped (mid-calf) cargo pants as the cuffs were too tight and there wasn’t a zip.
Result
I’m so pleased with this fix as it did everything I needed.
If you have been looking all over for particular items (one’s that are either basic or in fashion and not too alternative – long sleeve mesh top – ahem), then it’s a lot easier to let a stylist pick out different ones for you to try on.
Easier than paying for delivery from different websites and if the items aren’t suitable, having to retrieve return labels online and if, like me, you don’t have a printer, having to print them out at the library/a friends/work. Plus, everything is packaged in paper and card so no endless chain of plastic bags either.
You could also be pleasantly surprised by an item you might not have considered, like I did with those awesome shorts!
Here’s a very simple veggie ‘ch!cken’ burrito I made, which tastes amazing! I stuffed so much in I could hardly hold it – hence the action shot, hehee!
BFree gluten free Wrap generously splashed with water and steamed in microwave. I’ve just discovered their Sweet Potato wraps which are wonderful.
Humus used to butter wrap, trust me, warm humus is ace
Quorn ‘chicken’ Style Pieces with…
Old El Paso Seasoning Mix to stir fry with sunflower oil
Not sure how my eyes are on two different levels here 🥴 and it’s such a strange light 🌝 but I love this piccy of me because I’m happy, I love what I’m wearing and who it was taken by. ☺️
Okay lovely people, what I want you to do is describe your ‘best worst photo’ and why you ‘late’ it! 😁
This week I’m trying Stitch Fix for the first time.
You pay £10 for a personal stylist to analyse your answers to an online style survey, so they can send you items they think you’ll love. Questions include style preferences, lifestyle and body shape.
You can add notes for them i.e. ‘Flat/low heels only’ and even review and adjust their first attempt online before they post it.
I’m under no obligation to buy anything and can return everything.
No shoes were included. Shoes featured are my own.
Good Points
The stylist has understood my laidback style fairly well and chose clothes which compliment my colouring and also got my size right, overall. 💁🏻♀️
Bad Points
I specified low-mid rise, bootcut jeans. I got mid-high rise, skinny jeans. Eh!? 🤷🏻♀️
The fit of the dress, jump suit and play suit are perfect in the shoulders and chest but because they are gathered at the waist, they make my belly look the size of half a watermelon! 🤦🏻♀️ At the start, I left a note saying ‘I often have a very bloated belly that I’d like to hide’so again, a swing and a miss!
Conclusion
I’ve given my feedback on the site for each item (really detailed questions, which I appreciate). They have offered me another fix for free!
I’ve given them the clue that I like sports luxe and soft grunge. But I am going to have a sneak peak this time and maybe edit what the stylist chooses.
However, it was fun getting a surprise last time because I wouldn’t have usually considered a flowery dress or jump/play suits and now I definitely would! 💃🏽
Would you let a stylist choose your outfits for a change?
I’ve decided to try Wild refillable natural deodorant. I didn’t sign up for a renewable, letterbox subscription but instead, bought a one-off package with the metal case (I chose the Aqua shade) and 5 refills.
I chose 2 limited edition Lemon Meringue (you will smell like desert for hours) refills and 3 Coconut ones.
The case is recyclable and the refills are compostable!
I’ve been using natural stick deodorant for around three years now so I’ve not needed time to adjust and it’s working really well!
One thing I struggled with (possibly because of Dyspraxia and Hypermobilty) was pressing in the little buttons at the side to change the refill. Easier to get my carer to that as you do need some strength and it’s a bit fiddly.
Would you make the swap to a refillable natural deodorant?
Photos: Clockwise from Top left – At my thinnest, Top right – At least my arms are a bit stronger, Bottom right – Doing well but tummy bloated from gluten, Bottom left – Curvy, healthy and happy!
Hello lovely people! Someone suggested it might be a nice idea to share my weight gain and consequent health journey with you.
The reality of me being so thin and also unhealthy in my late 20’s early 30’s:
I was ALWAYS cold; if I got ill I’d become under weight and weak so easily; if I fell down (which I am prone to do when fatigued/not concentrating) I’d get really hurt because I had no padding over my bones; I struggled carrying my heavy boobs around on such a narrow frame and always had a bad back. I was so pale and not olive skinned like I should naturally be (which I covered up with fake tan).
BUT I was constantly told by people that I looked amazing and should feel grateful that I was ‘so skinny’.
I honestly thought through my 20’s and early 30’s that it was normal for young people to be over-worked, slightly stressed and to push their body to it’s limits and then prop it up with caffeine, sugar and beer/cocktails because that seemed the social norm at the time.
How I got healthy in my 30’s:
I mostly cut out foods containing gluten and dairy as I have an intolerance to them (meaning the body doesn’t absorb nutrients from those foods as it can’t digest them properly but it can, confusingly, make people look fat/bloated in places). I eat regular balanced meals with enough protein. I priorities sleep (even though that means saying no to morning invites). I don’t push myself to the limit of my strength and energy for fear of missing out (using up all of my body’s resources). I got a full blood work-up and found I was totally lacking in B12 and Vit D (no wonder I was so weak, brain fogged and grey!).
Even though I have MS now, I still feel healthier overall these days!
Has wanting to gain or loose weight prompted you to start a health journey?Let me know what you think in the comments!
