December #Paperhaul Subscription Box

It's only been two weeks since I showed what was in the November #Paperhaul box but this month arrived early and it's CHRISTMAS THEMED!

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Peach Face Compact Review

I haven't bought a limited edition item from Mac in so long but when I saw the Nutcracker collection, I knew I needed this face duo in my life and all over my cheeks. Not only is the packaging absolutely stunning but the blusher and highlight are top quality.

Getting to Know Me: The Blogger Tag

I haven't taken part in a tag post for so long, so when the lovely Francesca over at My Life in Rose Tinted Glasses nominated me, I thought it was about time I got back on that bandwagon and divulged even more about me. I mean, it's not like I don't share everything as it is anyway, so why not?

My New Wheels: Invacare TDX SP2 Narrow Base

At the end of September I began fundraising for a new powerchair as mine was causing more harm than good, and I've finally taken (or rather Ian did) some pics to show you all exactly what my new machine can do. So, yeah, this is going to be a very photo-heavy post.

A Masterclass with Clinique

Last week I attended my first blogger event at the Clinique counter in Debenhams, intu Milton Keynes. I'm a huge Clinique fan; they were the first luxury skincare brand I used when I was having problematic teenage skin, and more recently I've really fallen in love with their makeup, so I was extremely excited to learn more about the brand.

November #Paperhaul Subscription Box

November's box only arrived late last week so I quickly photographed it at the weekend to get it up as soon as I could. This box featured artwork from Michelle Gaskell at Stupidcats, and it's birthday themed.

Do You Know What 'Chronic' Means?

I wrote a few posts last year about empathy, and in one I briefly touched on what 'chronic' means but I thought I'd go a bit more in-depth, well, because I want to. If you'd like to read my posts on empathy, part one is here, and part two here.

An Introduction to Products from Nouveau Lashes

I've been part of Nouveau Lashes #lashgang from the beginning and every product or treatment that I've had/used, I've absolutely loved. I thought I'd dedicate this post to this awesome brand and give you an insight on the types of things they offer.

I'm Not Scrooge: Why I Find Christmas Difficult

Apparently if you don't like Christmas or can't get into 'the Christmas spirit' you're miserable and a Scrooge. Okay, mate, sure. Have you ever wondered why someone doesn't like Christmas? I'm not cheerless, a killjoy or the Grinch, I just find Christmas time really hard.

7 Parts Of My Chronic Illness That Not Everyone Sees

I'm always very open and honest about my chronic illnesses (or at least I try to be) but there's still sides of my condition that not everyone is aware of. Why? Because my health makes me quite vulnerable and only people that live with me see me at my worst. At the moment I live with my boyfriend but when I was living at home, my mum, Pops and brother knew exactly what I deal with.

November Favourites

November has been busy; well, it's certainly busy for me and my boring little life. At the beginning of the month I travelled back up north to spend a few days with my family, and celebrate my nephews fourth birthday. I can't believe he's four, he's growing up so fast. My blog has had a revamp, let me know what you think; I absolutely love it. AND, I got my powerchair!!! I'm not going to say too much as I have a whole post planned but I bloody love it.

Taking the 'Step' Out of Stepdad: Blood Doesn't Equal Family

'Family is not defined by blood, it is built and maintained through love.'

Planner Addict: My Current Planner Collection

I've been meaning to write this post for a while but you know how it is, posts pile up and things get put on the back-burner; alas my planner addict post is finally here. I'm not going to show you inside my planners just yet, I intend on doing separate posts for each one, but I will tell you what I use them for and why I use three.

Health Update | PoTS Follow-Up

In  September I went for three days of autonomic tests at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery - you can read all about the tests I had here. I received a letter a few weeks after my tests with my results but obviously still had to have a follow-up appointment with my consultant.

The Body Shop Matte Liquid Lipstick

If  you pop by here often you'll notice that I'm a huge liquid lipstick fan...actually let me rephrase that, I'm a huge fan of high-end liquid lipstick. Call me a snob but I've found the staying power, pigmentation and wear much more comfortable and all-round better quality with the more expensive brands. So, when I won a Twitter competition for all twelve of the new The Body Shop Matte Lip Liquids, I was extremely excited but didn't have high expectations...

Enamel Pin Collection featuring Punky Pins and Veronica Dearly

I've always been a lover of badges; I used to cover my bag in mildly offensive pins during my teens, and spend ages raiding the badge tub in Quiggins (alternative shop in Liverpool) whenever I went shopping. My jackets, coats, bags, were all stamped with a pin, but they were nowhere near as amazing as my collection now.
When I found Punky Pins on Twitter, I almost immediately headed to their website and placed an order. Luckily, I heard about them during the time they had a Halloween discount code live, so I quickly added that baby to my order!

All Natural Hair Dye from Naturigin

For the last few months I've been dyeing my hair in the comfort of my own bathroom; now I say 'I've been' doing it but I mean my boyfriend has, unfortunately my health makes these things very difficult. Not only is it a lot more convenient but it's so much cheaper. I don't know about you but I'd much rather spend (approximately) £10 every six weeks rather than £80 plus on hair colour. 

My Love/Like Relationship with Books

Anyone that knows me will tell you I'm a bookworm; I have books in every room, shelves, cases, boxes of books, and as much as I love them, I often find myself in a bit of a love/like relationship. What I mean by that is, I either inhale novel after novel, and can't get enough, or I don't look at a book never mind pick it up and read it for a few months. 

Brain Fog #3

If   you've missed my previous post on brain fog, you can check it out here. Don't expect to be reading this and learning something about brain fog, this series is all about the ridiculous things I say, or try to say, when brain fog has kicked in and I make no sense. 

October Favourites

October has been a month of all kinds of emotions; it's been busy and I've cried a lot but it's also been absolutely amazing. I reached my £5000 target for my powerchair in 26 days, I was interviewed for ITV News Anglia, and I was featured in my local newspaper - lets just say that I got about last month. 

October #Paperhaul Subcription Box

October's #Paperhaul box arrived on Friday and as soon as I opened it, I squealed with excitement at all the cuteness; I think I also remember doing a happy dance and waving the adorableness in my boyfriends face.

Wheelchair Update: £5k in 26 Days

WE DID IT THANK YOU SO MUCH!

OUAI Haircare

OUAI haircare is a brand created by celebrity hair stylist Jen Atkin. Jen is part of the Kardashian's glam squad and often featured on the sisters social media. She is the most in-demand stylist right now and going by the Kardashian's amazing hair, I can completely see why. The woman is a master. According to Jen, OUAI  (pronounced 'way') products are 'luxury, that are simple, affordable, and classic in a world full of loud noise.'

Abandoned Places

Since it's Halloween next week I thought I'd share my love of abandoned places. They're always quite dark and creepy, have an air of eeriness and make the mind wander. That's no doubt the reason a lot of horror film/shows take place in derelict hospitals and buildings - they're bloody scary.

Firsts: First Holiday Abroad

I thought it was about time I wrote another instalment of my Firsts series; I've previously written about my first kiss and first job, so check them out and please try not to cringe too much at my first kiss tale.

Mental Health Update: Paranoia, Rejection and Humilitation

I first discussed my mental health back in May; I touched on how confrontation terrifies me and that I'm consumed by paranoia. This hasn't changed. Although I'm really, really working on it. I've figured a few things out about myself whilst going to CBT that have made me realise why I am the way I am, and I'm actively trying to change my thinking process.

Remove Makeup Easily with Dermalogica Precleanse

I absolutely love makeup - no shock there, but when I've applied it, been out for however long (mostly for an hour) and come home, the first thing I do is get in my pyjamas and take my makeup off. I'm not planning on going elsewhere, I'm in for the night and I want to relax - so the face needs to be removed. Yeah, I love makeup but I also love taking it off.

Wilson's Give A Dog A Bone - Pet Sitting and Dog Walking in West Lancashire

Before we get into this - I've not been paid and this post isn't sponsored, blah blah. Wilson's Give A Dog A Bone is my younger brothers business; he set up four months ago, after wanting to do it for years, and I thought what better way to show off what he does than on my lifestyle blog.

To the Doctor that Told Me She Wouldn't Patronise Me

I'm no stranger to my GP surgery; I'm pretty sure if you suffer with a chronic condition you're well-known at your local doctors. However, I do avoid going if I can. They mostly blame any new symptoms on my preexisting condition(s), so I'll only go if I'm really concerned or can't get any relief at all.

Perfumes I'm Loving

I've always been a lover of perfume. I remember during my teens I was obsessed with Davidoff - Cool Water, and wouldn't wear anything else. That stuff was my jam. I can't for the life of me remember how it smells now but I have a feeling it wouldn't appeal to me.

September #Paperhaul Subscription Box

 

After I was gifted July's box to review I asked you guys if you wanted me to subscribe and do a monthly unboxing - you said 'yes', and here we are. Have a little peek at July's box here. I was a shitty blogger and didn't subscribe before August boxes went live so that's why I'm starting with September - do forgive me.

I Need a More Specialised Powerchair - Can You Help?

Get Sarah a Powerchair

This is a hard post for me to write because I never thought I'd be in a position where I needed a wheelchair, let alone a wheelchair that is so expensive with functions I never knew existed. I have this constant stabbing in my chest because I'm so worried that I'll never reach my target, I'll never get the chair that does it all, the chair that will change my life. It makes me feel sick thinking about it.

September Favourites

September has certainly been busy, and not in the fun way. But let's not dwell on the past and here's hoping for an awesome October. Urgh, October, where the hell has this year gone?

Kikki-K Haul

As a planner addict Kikki-K is heaven to me, so when I knew I'd be spending a few days in London having tests a few weeks ago (you can read all about that here) I knew I had to visit one of their stores. Luckily our hotel was under a ten minute walk to Covent Garden, yay!

Mishka Mail Stationery Subscription Box

I'm back again with more stationery - I know, I know, I can't help it. This time I have a subscription box all the way from Australia that ships worldwide!

PoTS: Autonomic Tests at National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

Last week I travelled down to London to spend three days having tests at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. I'd been a few months prior to see a new consultant who suggested I go through the autonomic tests so she would have a better idea on how to treat me. I was diagnosed with PoTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) almost ten years ago, and had been seeing a consultant in Salford before I moved to Northants. However, my PoTS has been taking over my life lately and I knew I needed to be seen by someone nearby - hence NHNN.

Beauty Wish List

It's been a while since I did a beauty wish list so I thought I'd share a few items I've got my eye on, and desperately need to add to my collection as soon as possible.

It's Not a Miracle, Some Wheelchair Users Can Walk

There’s something about awkwardness and disability that seem to be intrinsically linked. Nobody likes awkward situations but when you have a disability it’s nigh on impossible to avoid. The majority of the times I leave my house I’ll be faced with an uncomfortable situation.

Train Journey's Are Never Simple When You're In A Wheelchair: My Disaster Trip

You'd think travelling via train in a wheelchair would be simple, wouldn't you? What could go wrong? Passenger assistance is booked, the assistant meets you, gets a ramp, you wheel onto the train, and the same happens at the other end. Easy right? Hell-to-the-no. Nope. Nada. Nah.

Products to Check Out

Soap, shampoo, lip balm and an eye mask - you might think this a random post, and I guess it kind of is, but humour me and you might potentially discover a company you've never heard of who produce some fab products.

24 Things I Couldn't Live Without As a Spoonie

Luckily in this day and age we have a lot of resources and equipment at our fingertips. As someone with a disability, there's quite a few items I need in my everyday life to help it run more smoothly. Now, I don't have unlimited funds (if only) so I don't have every product that could potentially make my life easier, but I thought I'd share a few things I couldn't live without.

Paul Mitchell Hair Products

Since I've been growing my hair (almost three years, I don't know how I've had the patience) I've tried out so many different hair products to see which I love and will continue buying and which I despise and will never look at again. Paul Mitchell hair care is something I'll definitely be adding to my 'love' list.

Stationery Galore: Huge Haul

If you're a stationery lover, I can guarantee you will adore this post. It's very picture heavy but I'm sure that won't be a problem with any of my fellow stationery addicts. 

Aurelia Skincare

As much as I love makeup, I have a soft spot for skincare. You can't have great makeup without decent skin so I'm always on the hunt for products that help my skin look its best. I've had issues with my skin since my teens, and although it's nothing major, I wish it was better. Then I tried Aurelia Probiotic Skincare.

Toddlerlife #5

KP and Nanny

A few weeks ago I travelled back up north to spend a week with my family. I stayed for eight days and my nephew slept over at my Mum's house seven out of those eight nights. I couldn't move without him; he followed me to the bathroom, he sat on my knee at any given time, he slept in the same bed as me. He was literally my shadow and I'm totally not complaining. 

The 'Done' List: Acknowledging Achievements

I've always been overly critical of myself; I give myself a hard time and feel guilty if I spend a few hours resting. As someone that suffers with chronic pain, I should be used to chilling out and letting myself recover but I put a lot of pressure on myself, and never give myself credit for the things I do do.

Spectrum Brushes: A Review

Luckily you can't hear me singing like Ariel because I'd probably burst your eardrums, but whenever I see and/or use these Spectrum Collections makeup brushes, I'm suddenly transported to a far-off land and running (ha) with unicorns. 

A Fascination with Crime

I've been fascinated with crime since my teens. I'm pretty sure it began with my grandad; no he wasn't a criminal, but he loved watching crime shows and since I lived with my grandparents, I naturally began watching them with him. We'd watch CSI together every week and I'd imagine being a forensic scientist when I grew up. Obviously that didn't happen as I'm shit at science.

Bricks on my Chest: Costochondritis

I've dealt with costochondritis for about sixteen years. When it first happened I thought something was seriously wrong. The pain was awful, so I went to see my GP immediately. Was I having a heart attack? Had I cracked a rib? What the hell was going on inside my chest?

August Favourites

Unlike last month, this month I narrowed my favourites down hella quickly. I've pretty much used these products every day (or at least days I've worn makeup for the cosmetics) and I'm kinda in love with a few of them; especially that perfume, but we'll get to that.