Dorothy Perkins and Next Haulage :)

Ever the sucker for a discount code and the word sale I had a little splurge over the weekend. Next very kindly emailed me a £5 discount code to celebrate my birthday - how many companies do this now I had loads of discount emails over the weekend? Anyways there wasn't anything clothes wise I fancied but I did fancy a pair of shoes, well trainers to be precise

These are the NX Tone Ups, basically Nexts version of MBT'S, Sketchers Shape Ups, and Reebox EasyTones. Basically trainers that are designed to work you muscles and help your legs tone up. As you know I can't do a lot of excercise because of my ME so to be honest I need every bit of help I can get - I also love these because they are specially designed to ease the impact on your knees, hips and ankles. I tried them today and they are so comfy and supportive especially around my ankle bones which is exactly what I've been looking for - I got them for £40 instead of £45 which is much cheaper than any of the other trainers of this type.

Next up Dorothy Perkins - It's VIP week so they are offering 25% off online with the code DPVIPD - So it would have been wrong not to have a little splurge - As well as a pair of boring black leggingsI got this frill ribbed vest

This is the coral but I also got it in the electric blue, and the stone x

I also got this petal trimmed top - it's basically a navy blue t with an elasticated hem and cute little chiffon heart petals on the sleeves

It is so sweet the pics really aren't doing it justice - I have also just ordered it in the coral and yes the discount code worked again :)
So that was yet another haul ;) I am trying to recap a bit via an updated blog sale page which you can check out above. Any questions please let me know x

Lots of Goods and A Couple of Tiny Bads

Hey my loves welcome to this weeks goods and bad posts which for once is predominantly positive :)

Goods

• Yesterday in case you didn't  know was my birthday - my celebrations started on Friday when I went for a gorgeous meal with one of my best friends - I know she reads my blog so Hi Dawn :) It was really nice to spend some time together and catch up - sometimes life just gets in and we don't see as much of our friends as we should x Saturday was pretty quiet apart from a visit from some relatives and then of course there was the big day itself. Unusually for my birthday it was quite a quiet one the relatives I usually spend time with were on holiday so it was just me and Mummy Lou so what did we do? we had a great but quiet day, chatting and eating yummy food to almost bursting point :)Check out my gluten free birthday carrot cake above ;) I was so spoilt by all my friends and family it was untrue - a few of you have requested a pressie post so I'll try and get that up today or tomorrow :) I did get a little bit of spends but that has already gone whoops, thanks to ASOS, Dorothy Perkins, Nails Inc, and believe it or not H&M - yes I know I ranted about their service but £2.99 for a dress is just to good to turn down!
• As well as my immediate friends and family I was also overwhelmed by the lovely birthday wishes from you guys on both here and on twitter, and by all my facebook friends everyone was so kind yesterday and I really appreciate it x

Bads

• I suppose with every good there has to be a bad and unfortunately I broke one of the little lugs on the battery compartment of my camera which means the battery compartment won't shut properly and the camera keeps turning itself off - I am managing at the moment by taping it up but I really need a better solution or a new camera grr
• and of course it wouldn't be a good and bads post without a bit on my ankle - well it started to hurt on Saturday morning and I had to wear my splint all weekend to walk without pain grr thankfully it seems to be ok this morning but I guess it's just one of the things I'm going to have to get used to
• Well that was rather positive on the whole wasn't it  :) I have a few planned posts for this week mainly ones that I never got round to from last week hmm. First up there will be my birthday pressie haul, then maybe a product rave and then a product review and drumroll... a giveaway. I will also be posting an updated blog sale page on Wednesday after blogger kindly lost half of my items hmm. Thanks as per usual for sticking around and thanks for being lovely xx

Easter Greetings

Hey my loves instead of my normal Monday Goods and Bads post I thought I'd focus on lots of positives and happy things :)

First up Happy Easter - I hope you have all had a fabulous holiday weekend - I got so much chocolate it is untrue - the picture above shows two of my favourites the customary chocolate bunny and a Cadburys Caramel Bunny mug :) I haven't weighed myself next week because I just know that I've gained, and believe it or not I'm cool with that - it's just one of those things I'll weigh in next Sunday and deal with it then :)
I had a pretty quiet long weekend to be honest I am just getting used to walking around on my bare feet, I am ok in the house but going will probably be a different story - uneven ground and kirbs eek. I managed to have a proper bath on Friday which was my first since before my accident and it was amazing I have a whole load of Christmas Lush things to use up :)
On to my bloggy blog - well I managed to get most of the posts I wanted up last week including my giveaway (click here to check it out), and I've gained some more new followers which is so exciting - thanks guys :) Again I have quite a few posts planned this week including a couple of Royal Wedding posts which I hope you'll enjoy, a couple of reviews and hopefully towards the end if this week and into next my shopping your stash / rediscovered products post and the accompanying video :)
Apologies that I didn't get a blog sale update up yesterday but I was feeling a bit blargh never mind - I will try and list a whole load of new items on Saturday including more limited edition MAC items, Sleek and more x Huge thanks to everyone that made a purchase from me last week, everything was posted on Monday afternoon so if you haven't got it by now you should soon x
Well I am off to eat some more Easter Egg, and enjoy the remnants of the Bank Holiday, and if your in the UK don't forget we get to do it all again this weekend - lets just hope the weather holds x

Freedom :)

I'm Free Bar An Evil Scar That Is :)

Hi Guys
Well today was my hospital appointment to see my orthopaedic surgeon - I have to say I had been dreading it especially when I became convinced that I could actually feel one of the screws in my ankle!!!! The weather today was ridiculously warm and predictably orthopedic out-patients was unbelievably hot and crowded. Surprisingly enough I wasn't sent for an x-ray I just went straight to see my surgeons registrar. The big news is I can go splint free and walk and weight bear in my feet :) He says I can wear the splint for days when I will be on my feet a lot but I need to wean myself off it . The bones have healed fine, I just need to keep up the little exercises I was given to build my tendons and muscles back up. I mentioned that I could feel the screws in my ankle and I was right indeed I can, it made me feel a bit queasy to be honest, but it's perfectly normal to be able to feel the metal work!!!! There isn't a lot of flesh on your ankles so the bones/metal are quite close to the surface, and if it moves a bit you can feel it- I swear I can feel a bolt! He said I should expect to feel some discomfort, aching, swelling and so on for at least another 18 months while it beds in and everything heals inside, so I need to take it easy and not wear any silly heels for a little bit. I've had a little walk around the house in my bare feet tonight and it doesn't feel too bad but it's just going to be about building my confidence up and taking it slowly. It's certainly been an interesting 4 and a bit months for me but I've been discharged from the hospital now so my journey appears to be nearing it's end whoopppeee!! I've learnt a few lessons but the biggest one is don't go out in the snow and ice!!! I just want to think you all for the whinging and moaning my little (or not so little) foot has caused - I've really appreciated all you nice message and your support x After the hospital we popped to Sainsburys where my mum bought me a few bits - pics tomorrow x I felt a bit down this morning but this really lifted my spirits - I have a Dentist appointment tomorrow and after that we're going to the cemetery to put some flowers on my dads grave x I still miss him more than anything - Happy Birthday Daddy and Rest In Peace xx

Fabs and Fail

A new title for this weeks goods and bads but the same meaning :) sorry it's a day late I wasn't in a good place yesterday :(

Bads

• One large bad today -an upturn in my families health seems to have affected everyone but me and my mum- everyone is stable and comfortable but to be honest I've felt as though I've been falling apart. A pretty miserable couple of weeks culminated in a trip to the doctors today where they have upped some of my meds to hopefully help me return to somewhere a bit less painful and a bit more cheerful - I have to go back in a month to see how I''m doing. Inbetween that though I have a trip to the hospital to see up the knackered ankle I had to mention it to the doctor today too because the skin is sooooo tender and sore at the minute and now Mummy Lou has some nasty flu / sickness bug thing and is staying in bed :(

Goods

• I lost another pound last week - I was so surprised because I hadn't really been trying - I am back on track today tho so hopefully I can have another loss this week :)
• You ladies for purchasing from my blog sale I really appreciate it - I have some more stuff to add at the weekend too x

• I recently won the lovely Jo's giveaway, a whole load of lovely Simply Wax products - with that and the Acorelle sugar/ wax I have I am going to be sorted for summer x
• You guys again I am now at 412 followers -  huge, huge thanks x

This Weeks Goods and Bads

Hey guys it's good and bads time again :)

Bads

• My Aunties Health - They have potentially found another two aneurysms, including 1 on her lungs - she is going to have a full body scan today but understandably we are all rather concerned.
• Comments On You Tube - I've had a couple of blinders this week that really got me down on Saturday - it really makes you wonder if it's all worth while and it also makes you wonder why people are so nasty
• The Foot - the aches and pains are back after a week or so off :(
• Toxic Nature has launched on ASOS but all the things I want either aren't there or have already gone  :(
• The World In General - Everything is so awful when you watch the news now, if it's not the devastating news from Japan, it's the violence in Libya - the world is a scary place at the moment :(

Goods

• I lost 4lbs this week :)
• Still on the mini high of my shopping trip last week I felt like a human being again
• Project 10 Pan - I have another 3 products that are on the final straight :)
• The weather how nice is is at the moment admittedly it's freezing at night still but we have sunshine and the nights are getting lighter too :)
• My lovely blog, twitter and you tube subbies - you make me realise that it is worthwhile after all - I am at 399 blog followers which amazes me daily

I hope you all had a good week and if not I hope this week is brighter x

Wednesday's Haulage

As you probably know through my bleating on twitter I actually managed a proper shopping trip this week - On Wednesday me and my mum took a little trip to the Metro Centre - I only managed 5 shops in the Red Mall, including Starbucks ;) and I'm paying for it now but it's definitely progress :) I mainly bought some fashion bits and a few accessories, and my mum was kind enough to pay for all my goodies from Primark - I bought a few things myself too which has seen me go over my spending limit this month but still I've been good for two months so I think I deserve a treat - Unfortunately I haven't has the energy to edit pics of all my goodies so I made a You Tube video of my haul instead



OK I know what your going to say "I don't have time to watch that" I understand - all you need to do is skip forward to 19:10 in the video and I've inserted all be it unedited pics of my haul x Any questions on anything or if you are desperate to see more pics of anything in the video please leave me a comment xx

Goods and Bads :)

It's that time of the week again time for LouLou's goods and bads of the week :)

Bads

• Just the one bad this week the foot need I say more - it seems that since the cast has came off I am pretty much back to square one, I am having to start learning to walk with my frame again let alone unaided and to make it worse the splint rubs right on my scar, and my foot keeps swelling :(

Goods

• Despite a few ups and down and melt downs on my part my mum has been amazing as per usual. As well as lots of hugs, and home baking she bought me some lovely carnations this week (excuse the awful Blackberry pic) and this lovely silver and mother of pearl turtle necklace - it's from the South Western Silver Collection at QVC and represents Wisdom which is written on the back :) I love tiny pendants and the sentiments behind this one :)

(pic taken from QVC)

• My families health nightmares are hopefully nearly at end, my Auntie still has a way to go after her surgery after Christmas but my Godfathers shingles is clearing up and he is feeling much better
• Blogging and You Tube - I think I have my mojo back - after coming out of hospital I felt a bit disheartened but I am feeling brighter and more motivated and ready to tackle my coming soon list x Thank You x
• Make Up - Don't get me wrong I never went off make up but I have well and truly got my mojo back and I'm starting to shop my stash - at the same time I am also discovering things I'm probably not going to use so expect a revised blog sale soon x
• Nigella's Crunchie Nut bar  - I have just had Nigella's Kitchen out of the library and I have to say it's a fabulous book every page had me drooling this is one of my favourite recipes I made it at Christmas after copying the recipe down from the TV series and it's fabulous I am going to make some tonight yum yum x

I hope you've all had a good week, if not here's hoping this one is better xx

Free, Kind Of ?

Well today was my hospital appointment to check the progress of my ankle. First up out came the circular saw and off came the cast, then it was off to x-ray cue me eeking as I had to put my full weight on my bad foot, and jam it again an x-ray plate !!! Then it was back to the waiting room where my consultant was running over an hour late :( Eventually I got to see him and he was happy with my progress, it's healing well hurrah! I was then wheeled off to physio to be shown a few exercises, and then I was given a removable splint which I have to wear for the next 8 weeks before seeing my consultant again. What that does is basically provide support and protection for my ankle bones while they finish healing - slightly yack picture!

Thankfully I can take it off and I will be able to have a proper bath and a shower now! I will also be able to plaster it in moisturiser before putting my socks on :) You can probably see from the picture but my skin is beyond gross, it is soooooo dry and flaky. My scar isn't looking too bad thankfully but it still has a bit of healing to do then I can start moisturising it, I thought of trying Bio Oil but if anyone has any scar fading tips I'd love to know x All in all I am pretty pleased with how today went I've still got a little way to go yet and it's going to take some time to start walking normally again, and to build up the strength in my ankle but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel even though my shopping trip to the Metro Centre is still on hold x Thanks again for all the sweet messages on here and on twitter I really appreciate it xx

The Return Of Goods and Bads

Hi Guys - I haven't done one of these posts for a while so I thought I'd start them up again for you :)

Bads

• I thought I'd start with the bads and the biggest bad is obviously the offending foot/ankle/leg eek - I am walking in my cast shoe without my frame now but it's isn't half giving me gyp - as well as been beyond itchy and dry, I keep getting little stabby and naggy pains particular where the clips came out, and my legs are aching like hell grr

•  Feeling a bit bleugh generally my cold is gone pretty much bar my nigh on continuous sore throat but I still don't feel myself, I feel down, and  unmotivated about everything and that's not me - everything even blogging seems like so much of chore for what seems like little reward. My sleeping is awful and everything
• seems like a chore - I hate feeling like this and want the old enthusiastic LouLou back  :(
• My godfather has shingles :( he's OK but he's in a bit of pain and he's in his 80's so it's a bit of a worry

Goods

• Hospital on Wednesday fingers crossed I can get the cast of doom off my foot
• Apart from my godfather my families 2011 illness/accident crisis appears to be over, whilst I was in hospital 2 other members of my family were in different hospitals at the same time, shortly followed by third - 2011 certainly didn't start that well for us hmm
• Sticking to my Project 10 Pan and not buying anything! - need I say more I haven't been tempted by a hardly a single thing in the past few MAC collections - is my MAC obsession over? I've also not been online shopping - normally feeling bleurgh is an excuse to buy but I've been good. I am starting to realise that shopping only gives me a little boost that to be honest doesn't last - lets hope I can keep it up
• Having said that about shopping -  I did receive a little parcel this morning the last part of my Next sale order - I placed a sale order on the 22nd December and it came today!!! To be honest I had forgotten about it but I'm keeping it, it's a lovely cozy grey winter cardi with a black belt pretty essential I am sure you'll agree especially since the snow is back :(

Well this was a big uppy and downy post wasn't it - hope it wasn't too depressing for you - oh another good - new followers - hi everyone and thanks for clicking the follow button I really appreciate it :) I'll see you later in the week with a hospital update post, a review and maybe a few randoms :) See you soon xx

Cough, Wheeze, Sniffle

Well yet again this week I have been a bit AWOL. At the beginning of the week I have a sore throat which has since developed into a full blown cold, with a dry tickly cough and pains in my face :( It seems lately as though I am skipping from one illness and disaster to another so erm yeah I'm sorry for going AWOL again. I will try and make up for it over the weekend although reviews and stuff involving my face may have to wait till I look less ghastly, posts planned include a little peek at a magazine freebie, and a review come product rave, just pray for better lighting for me to take some pics- after a little bit of sunshine the other day we are back to grey, dull, dank misery again grr

I have to say though despite my melancholy whinging, this week hasn't been all bad I have been managing to walk a little bit (less of the Bambi on ice comments Mummy ;) with my special cast shoe and my walking frame, it's a little bit surreal as you can't really feel the floor too well but at least I can get upright again and I can stand for a little bit. I am getting more confident with it everyday so hopefully I should be okay when my cast comes off in two weeks fingers crossed. Till then I am going to have a little blow into a tissue, eat some graze box (use my code 97N1BP13 for a free box ), drink plenty of fluids, and try to find a better light dance somewhere on the Internet all be it one I can do on 1 leg :) See you tomorrow xx

January Japes

Well January really has been a month to forget for me - a certain slip on the ice and a poorly foot has curtailed my plans left, right and centre, In some ways this has been a good thing my inability to walk at the moment has meant that I can't go shopping booo. Well I could always shop online, but the continuation of project 10 pan and a distinct lack of enthusiasm for anything has meant shock of horrors that I am way under for the first month of my 2011 spending diet I spent the grand total of £9.41

Nails Inc Denim Nail Polish - ebay - £3.49
Made Bangles x 3 - ebay - £5.92
Total So Far - £9.41
£30.59 Under


So from my January 2011 limit of £40 I have £30.59 left which has to be some sort of record for me, admittedly I have purchased a nail polish but I still think that's pretty good going :) Now onto trimming my stash well predictably January has been a bit of a fail

Dove Beauty Care Body Wash Go Fresh Burst 55ml
Lacura 3 in 1 Facial Cleansing Wipes x 30
Philosophy Carrot Cake Ultra Rich Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath 473.1ml
Trilogy Smooth Shine Shampoo 250ml
Total - 4 Items

I managed 4 items this month which to be honest wasn't great I have a few bath things on the way out but obviously me ability to have a bath has been postponed for a bit so they will have to wait. I managed no make up items this month probably because I've barely worn any :) but I do have a mascara that should be done in the next week or so which will hopefully get me back on track :)
My other plan for 2011 was to try and eat a bit more healthily and lose a bit of weight well I haven't weighed myself for a bit I think the cast would give a false reading ;) but my clothes certainly feel a bit looser thanks to rubbish hospital food and a lack of appetite - every cloud as they say ;)
I certainly hope that you have all had a better start to 2011 than I have, as they say things can only get better xx

The Bionic Woman

Hey my loves first up thank you for all the lovely comments on my last post I really appreciate it and yes I know you are all right my health comes first.
Well today was my hospital appointment, as you know I was feeling a bit apprehensive about the whole thing, the first hurdle obviously came when I had to get to the car - we have steps at both sides of the house and torrential rain made it a bit hairy on my zimmer but I managed it.
The first task when I got to the hospital was to have my old cast removed, and my little staples removed - eeek to be honest the staple removal wasn't that bad a little bit stingy but nothing more, what surprised me was the length of the scar it goes 1/4 of the way up my calf :( I then had it re plastered with a full purple plaster cast - chic no?

Then it was time for another x-ray and to see my consultant - it was the first time I had seen my x-rays since before my op and I have to say I was a bit shocked - as well as a huge long pin through my bone, there are also a few metal plates and screws in my foot holding all the bones together  hmm it looks like someone has been playing with a mecanno set - the bionic women indeed. But I have to say despite me visible blanching when I saw the pics he was very happy with my progress and I'm ahead of schedule so I was given a very unattractive surgical shoe and I can start to try and use my foot and begin to weight bear from next week - wahoo - I have to go back in a month for cast removal and continue with my daily injections and just to confirm everything is OK but that's good enough for me for now -a great weight has lifted from my mind and I certainly feel a lot happier. So thanks again for your nice words I really appreciate it, all we need is some decent light and blogging properly can resume xx

I'm Sorry

 

The offending foot



Hi guys - Just a bit of an apology really - I meant to get a few posts up but to be honest my heart just hasn't been in it -I think what's happened has just hit me really, I've felt a bit weepy, and just generally sore and exhausted. It's quite scary being so dependent on some one else for washing, food and water, etc. Don't get me wrong I can dress myself and use the loo but that is pretty much it, and my poor mum has been at my beck and call. I have a hospital appointment tomorrow which I'm not looking forward too - it's mainly just to take out my surgical clips and to put a full cast on my foot but still I'm a bit nervous I am really hoping that the surgery has been successful and tomorrow will be the first proper indication since the op. I'm sorry again for being a bit miserable but I can't help it :( I'll do a post tomorrow letting you know how I got on and then hopefully normal service will resume with a few reviews. Thanks again for your sweet messages on both here and on twitter xx

It Only Took 32 Years....

Well where do I start ? You may have noticed I've been AWOL, I'm sorry but I do have a good excuse honest which I'm sure you'll agree if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter ;) x Last Monday the heating engineers were coming to install our new heating system, the house was freezing so I decided to decamp to my Godparents for the day. All was going well a nice chat, warm cuppas then I decided to pop to the library -hmm bad move, last Monday we had more snow, and lots of ice, So I guess you can bet what happened.. I fell down and my leg bent underneath me with a sharp cracking noise. Eek I managed to crawl the short distance to my Godparents house where by this time I was feeling very faint and shaky, they managed to get me comfortable and my mum managed to collect me and bring me home - I could still move everything on my foot so after taking a few painkillers I tried to get some sleep. By the Tuesday morning though my foot didn't resemble a foot anymore swollen and every colour under the sun. So we headed off to the nearest hospital where after a bit of prodding it was revealed after 32 years I had my first ever broken bones :( I had spiral fractures to my right foot and ankle, and not only that but I would probably need surgery to realign it and put it all back together - I have to say at this point I nearly fainted again :( I was then transferred to the main hospital in my areas orthopedics department and after about 6 hours I was eventually found a bed. After a few days of I have to say vile food, attempted joint manipulation, and various periods of being nil by mouth I eventually had my operation on Friday, I have to say it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be bar the anesthetic which made me a bit sick. On Monday afternoon they let me go home with some walking frames, so you can now refer to me a hopalong ;) I can't put any weight on my foot for about 8 weeks :(. All that coupled with my ME means I'm feeling pretty crappy - my legs, back and arms ache and my nails, skin and hair are a disgrace - how the heck do you wash your face when you can't stand up without grabbing hold of something hmm I guess I'm going to have to learn a lot in the next month or so. So I'm back not quite with it but I'm here - I am going to start trying to get a few posts up over the next day or so but please be patient - I have hospital again next week to remove my clips and put on a full cast but otherwise I will be around I can't bend down or reach anything but I'll be here. Thanks for all the sweet messages I really appreciated it especially when I was stuck in a hospital bed - I dread to think what my phone bill is going to be - oh and thanks to my new followers too I logged on today expecting to have lost a few but there are actually more of you lovely peeps thank you so much xxx