I have written posts in the past about both my anxiety and fear of judgement and explained how they have affected almost every area of my life. I even wrote posts about the impact this has had on the way I dressed and my relationship with make up. Now it is time for hair and of course hairstylists.
Thursday, 14 December 2017
Wednesday, 6 December 2017
BLACK IRON AT WINSTANLEY HOUSE LEICESTERSHIRE - A REVIEW
Last month my husband Ross and I were invited to attend the Media and VIP launch night of new Leicestershire restaurant Black Iron.
The contemporary British steakhouse and restaurant is located within the historical Winstanley House which has recently been renovated turning it into a boutique hotel, restaurant and event location.
The contemporary British steakhouse and restaurant is located within the historical Winstanley House which has recently been renovated turning it into a boutique hotel, restaurant and event location.
Saturday, 2 December 2017
HOW TO MAKE CHRISTMAS PERFECT BY NOT MAKING IT PERFECT
Let me start by saying I absolutely love Christmas and always
have. December is by far my favourite month of the year and even more so since
I had my children. However, I think we now are under too much pressure to fully
embrace every possible aspect of Christmas and there are so many new traditions
we are meant to adopt that it has left the whole thing overwhelming and
pressured and frankly we have set ourselves up for disappointment. So, what can
we do differently?
Relax for a start!
Sunday, 26 November 2017
A FAMILY REVIEW OF HAVEN THE ORCHARDS
Back in July we spent four nights at Haven The Orchards. The park is situated on the Essex coast close to Clacton-On-Sea.
We have been holidaying with Haven at least once a year since our eight year old Annie was a baby and we visit a different of their sites each time.
In this review I will concentrate on the site and it's facilities as well as telling you about the local area that we visited. I am also including lots of photos, all taken by us, to give you a real inside view.
My children have also made a three minute YouTube video showing you the site from their perspective, you will find it below and it's worth a watch.
My children have also made a three minute YouTube video showing you the site from their perspective, you will find it below and it's worth a watch.
Wednesday, 22 November 2017
ME AND MY HEALTH - AN ANXIETY UPDATE
Today I am going to update you on my mental health, namely
my anxiety. I intended to add depression too, but the post got too long so that
one will follow another time.
Friday, 17 November 2017
Me and My Health – A CFS Update
When I posted my first catch up post a week and a half ago I said I would update you on some areas in more detail. I've done diet and now it is the turn of my physical health. Namely my chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME).
I started this blog back in January to log my journey to
improve my physical and mental health, face my fears and generally become a better version of me.
Thursday, 9 November 2017
What the Heck Is Happening with My Diet?
I am currently aiming to improve my health and life using nutrition,
exercise and stress management. My health conditions are chronic fatigue syndrome
(CFS/ME), depression and anxiety. By better managing those, confronting my
fears and saying yes to opportunities I hope to become the best version of
Kelly.
I started around three years ago looking to my diet to
improve my health. Of the three areas I must tackle it is by far the one I have
worked the hardest on. I have been motivated to change as it makes sense to me
that what you put into your body effects every area of your health.
Sunday, 5 November 2017
Catching up with Kelly #1
Hello and welcome to or welcome back to my blog. This post also welcome’s me back. For those unaware, I have not posted a
personal blog since July and haven’t been blogging with any regularity since
May.
I want today to give you an overview of how I am and an
insight into why I needed to take a blogging break.
Wednesday, 1 November 2017
The Hatchimal Colleggtibles Hatchery Nursery Review
We were recently lucky enough to be sent the Hatchimal
Colleggtibles Hatchery Nursery to unbox and review.
Sunday, 1 October 2017
Review of the Spin Master Meccano Off Road Racer
We were recently asked to try and out and review the Spin
Master Meccano off road racer.
For those of you who have never heard of Meccano products
they are a set of construction toys that I was surprised to learn have been
around for over one hundred years. These toys are great for keen mini builders
and engineers and are a fun and educational toy.
Thursday, 31 August 2017
Zhu Zhu Hamster Pets Unboxing and Review
There was much excitement in our house recently when we received
a box of the Spin Master Zhu Zhu Hamster Pet toys to review. We were lucky
enough to receive the adventure ball, hamster wheel and tunnel and two
hamsters. Thank you for sending two hamsters, you saved so many arguments!
Monday, 21 August 2017
Little Live Pets Ladybug Playset Review
I was recently asked to review the Little Live Pets Ladybug
Playset. Those of you familiar with my blog will know my children Annie who is
eight and Freddie who is five have a YouTube channel on which they love to
review toys and so of course we said yes.
Friday, 18 August 2017
Big Beard Battle Review
I was recently asked to review family board game Big Beard
Battle.
As Annie and Freddie have recently started a YouTube channel
I am keen to accept toys for review so that we can blog and vlog our
experience.
Thursday, 17 August 2017
Review of Midsummer Night's Dream at The Curve Leicester
Last night I was invited, along with some fellow local bloggers
to watch Leicester theatre The Curve’s latest production, A Midsummer Night’s
Dream.
Tuesday, 15 August 2017
Bobble Art Party Review And A Family Day Out At The Intu Centre Derby
Last week me, Annie and Freddie were invited to a family blogger party
at Bobble Art in the Intu Centre Derby.
When I realised Bobble Art is a stationary and accessory shop I knew I
had to accept the invitation or the kids would never forgive me!
Sunday, 16 July 2017
Kelly’s World Week’s 15 to 19
Welcome back to my diary series, this one covers 12th
June until 16th July 2017.
In these diaries, I welcome you into my life and talk about my
health, diet, exercise, family, life in general and of course blogging.
Friday, 7 July 2017
MOKURU Desk Toy Review and Fun Introduction
I was recently asked to review the MOKURU and as my children
have just started a YouTube channel on which they love to review toys I really
couldn’t say no!
The MOKURU is a wooden desk toy from Japan that is set to become
the latest craze amongst adults and children alike.
Tuesday, 27 June 2017
Hatchimal CollEGGtibles Mystery Puzzle Review
When I was recently offered the opportunity to review the
latest Hatchimal CollEGGtible toy I couldn’t refuse. My children, Annie 8 and
Freddie 5, adore any toy that comes in an egg or is a mystery so this range is
right up their street.
The latest edition to the range is a 48-piece puzzle and
matching character which of course comes inside an egg. This is our review and we have also made a YouTube unboxing and first impression video, see below.
Sunday, 11 June 2017
Kelly’s World Week’s 12, 13 and 14
Welcome back to my diary series, starting 22nd
May 2017 up until today, Sunday 11th June.
In these diaries, I welcome you into my life and talk about
blogging, my health, my diet, exercise and life in general.
I can’t believe I’ve gotten so behind with these posts, you
would normally get a diary post each week but today you are getting three in
one. It’s been a challenging few weeks. With highs and lows in life and
blogging.
I’m not even sure how to write this one or where to start so
I’m just going to type and see what happens. I think the best posts are often
those where I just ramble and don’t change it too much once it’s written. It’s
more real, raw if you like. So here goes.
Thursday, 25 May 2017
Kelly’s World Week 11
Welcome to week 11 of my diary series, starting Monday 15th
May 2017.
I literally can’t believe I am already on week 11 of this
series! Time really does go so quickly.
Tuesday, 16 May 2017
Kelly’s World Week 10
Welcome to week ten of my diary series, starting Monday 8th
May 2017.
If you’ve not read one of my diaries before, they are where
I update you on my life, my blog and my journey to improve my health naturally
and become the best version of Kelly. See previous diary posts here.
Monday, 8 May 2017
Kelly’s World / Diary Week 9
Welcome to week nine of my diary series, starting from May
1st 2017.
What happened to week eight I hear you all shout. My last
diary post covered weeks six and seven, or so I thought. I had already done
week six so the last one was actually weeks seven and eight. None of you
noticed my error (tut tut.) It’s now been rectified, if I hadn’t changed it
then it would have bugged me forever!
Why did numbering them seem like a clever idea?!
First things first, I really need to buy a diary and make
notes as doing this from memory is not very reliable! It’s all true but I
probably miss plenty of stuff out. Have you ever tried to buy a current diary
in May? Don’t, all you will find are academic ones and they don’t start till
August. (rolls eyes at self) I need to just write in a notebook don’t I.
Here goes then from memory.
Sunday, 7 May 2017
A Family Review of Haven Allhallows
On Easter Monday we drove down to Kent for our annual visit to a Haven caravan park. We've been going each year since Annie was born and have visited sites in Dorset, Norfolk and Lincolnshire. This was our first trip to Kent.
The Kent Haven is situated in Allhallows on the estuary of the river Thames. The site is smaller than some yet manages to fit in just as many amenities and activities. It's a pretty, clean and well presented site with great views out across the estuary.
Wednesday, 3 May 2017
Something I Haven’t Told You Yet and What I Have Achieved on This Journey So Far
I started this blog on New Year’s Day to chart the changes I
want to make in my life this year.
Monday, 1 May 2017
Kelly’s World and Diary (Weeks 7 and 8)
Welcome to week’s seven and eight of my diary series, starting
Monday 17th April 2017.
You’re getting two for one this week as I decided last week
to award myself a week off from blogging. Much as I adore blogging, I have been
posting pretty much three times a week for four months now and I just felt I
needed a break to give me some space to get caught up in a few other areas of
life.
Saturday, 22 April 2017
A Cocktail Masterclass
A couple of weeks ago I was invited over to Nottingham with 11 other bloggers for a cocktail masterclass. I certainly didn't have to spend long deciding whether to go or not!
We got to spend two hours sat on the terrace of Nottingham bar Brass Monkey in the sun drinking cocktails and chatting with Nick Fox, a cocktail expert who launched the Loves Cocktails festival in Leeds in 2013.
Thursday, 20 April 2017
Bodega Review: The Best Nachos Ever, Dr Pepper Marinated Pork and Lots of Tequila
Monday, 17 April 2017
Kelly’s Diary Week 6 - Including Blogging Fun, School Holiday Fears and the Queen
Welcome to week six of my diary series, starting Monday 10th
April 2017.
I’ve had only positive feedback on these diaries so far so
hopefully that means you’re all enjoying them. I will still aim to improve them
each week.
For a start, I currently write this from memory, making
notes during the week would probably be a better idea! I also need to learn how to edit my pictures (insert laughing emoji!)
Friday, 14 April 2017
Two Spice Mix Recipes – Cajun and Fajita
Monday, 10 April 2017
5th Weekly Diary Including CFS lows, Blogging Highs, Diet and Exercising
Welcome to week five of my diary series.
I’m a bit late getting the diary post out this week. My diaries so
far have run from Saturday until Friday. I’m going to move that forward a
couple of days to make it Monday to Sunday as it’s so much more logical. This one therefore goes from Saturday 1st April until yesterday, the 9th April.
Thursday, 6 April 2017
Bistrot Pierre Review
On Sunday, it was my husband Ross’s birthday and we had an
opportunity to have lunch out so we booked into one of our favourite Leicester restaurants,
Bistrot Pierre. The chain started in the East Midlands and now has locations all over the UK.
Tuesday, 4 April 2017
Why has Healthy Eating Become So Confusing?
As those of you who read my blog regularly will know, I am
currently trying to ‘eat healthy.’
I’m doing this to improve my well being as I hope in turn this
will help me better manage my health. It’s also a great thing to do anyway.
Good food helps your body function at its best. It’s common sense that eating
well will make us look and feel healthier.
What exactly does eating healthy mean nowadays though?
Sunday, 2 April 2017
Week 4 Diary Plus 3 Months of Blogging Update and Stats
Welcome to week four of my diary series, my week as I am
writing them started on Saturday 25th March 2017. If you’re not sure
what this is all about then see my welcome to the diary series here.
Life and Blogging
Well what a week it has been! My best blogging week so far.
First I was on BBC radio!!!! If you haven’t read about that already you will
find it here.
My posts have been popular at my stats have been heading up
which is great. This is my third post this week, the first was my radio one and
the second was a follow on to my CFS post that caused much controversy last
week, see this week’s here.
Wednesday, 29 March 2017
Are the CFS Community Their Own Worst Enemies?
Last week I put up a post on my thoughts of how my mental
health could be connected to my physical health, namely my CFS. The reaction
has amazed me, it’s educated me it’s saddened me, yet also boosted me. Most of
all it has completely shocked me how all the negative reactions came from
fellow sufferers.
My physical health complaint was diagnosed 18 months ago, as
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). My mental health complaints of Depression and Anxiety have been an issue for me since my teenage years, I am now 38. I also
suffer from stress.
Monday, 27 March 2017
Facing my Anxiety and Fear of Judgement Head On and Winning
Those of you who regularly read my blog will know I suffer
with anxiety. Two years ago, through therapy I also realised I had spent many
years living with a fear of judgement that left me missing out on many aspects of
life.
With the help of my therapist and by facing my anxiety head
on I have made so much progress in overcoming this fear of judgement.
Today I did something I never believed I could do and proved
to myself I am tackling that fear successfully. My therapist would be so proud
of me!
Saturday, 25 March 2017
Life, Blog, Diet and Exercise Diary: Week Three
Welcome to week three of my diary series, my week as I am
writing them started on Saturday 18th March 2017. If you’re not sure
what this is all about then see my welcome to the diary series here.
Thursday, 23 March 2017
Is CFS a Mental Health Issue?
This may be a controversial post, stick with me though
before you make your judgement. I want to voice the question I have had in my
head for a while now, is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) a mental health issue?
Tuesday, 21 March 2017
Cinnamon and Coconut Granola Recipe – Sugar Free
When I did the Candida diet last year I had to cut out all sugars,
including fruit, for 2 months. It's a very restrictive diet and I found
breakfast options particularly limited.
I had always enjoyed cereal and had occasionally had granola too. I
wondered if I could find a granola recipe that was free of sugar and sweeteners.
The only sweetener I was allowed on the candida diet was Stevia. I googled some
recipes but nothing was quite right so I set about experimenting.
Sunday, 19 March 2017
The Derby Bloggers Brunch 2017 At Oliver's
Yesterday I attended my first bloggers event. The Derby
bloggers brunch which was arranged by Monet Brooks and held at Oliver’s on
Friar Gate in Derby. I loved it, great food, great venue and best of all great
company. Let me tell you more.
Friday, 17 March 2017
Life, Blog, Diet and Exercise Diary: Week Two
Welcome to week two of my diary series, my week as I am
writing them started on Saturday 11th March 2017. If you’re not sure
what this is all about then see my welcome to the diary series here.
Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Current Anxiety Triggers and How I Intend to Tackle Them
I have spoken in previous posts about some of the anxieties I
have started to make progress to overcome. I thought it was time to talk about some of the areas that I
still struggle with and explain the approach I am taking to overcome them.
Sunday, 12 March 2017
Life, Diet and Exercise Diary: Week One
Welcome to week one of my new diary series. If you’re not
sure what this is all about then see my welcome to the series. Let’s get
straight into it.
Friday, 10 March 2017
Welcome To My Weekly Diary Series
Hi All. If you read my early blogs like ‘welcome to my blog’
and ‘why I’m writing a blog’ you will know that a big part of my reason I’m
doing this is to motivate me to stay on track with my goals for this year. My
goals are the basis of my journey to be the best version of Kelly and I figured that logging
my progress here would make me feel more accountable and keep me on track.
Wednesday, 8 March 2017
Primark Haul
This week I visited Primark and picked up a few items I’m
loving. I’ve often visited Primark for bits for the kids but rarely for
myself. I was pleasantly surprised when going around the women’s section just
how great the clothes are. Then there is the homeware, they are doing great
with that. They do
make-up and beauty stuff now too, how did I not know this? I could have bought
so much! I was very good though and stuck to a few bits. Read on for what I
bought and what I wish I had bought!
Tuesday, 7 March 2017
How would my children spend a lottery win?!
A while ago me and hubby had a conversation with the kids
about what they would spend a lottery win on. I was already considering writing
a blog so I noted down their responses as they made us laugh so much and I thought
it would make a great light-hearted blog post!
Saturday, 4 March 2017
Why I Started Being Honest on Facebook
Just over a year ago, I decided it was time to be honest
with my family and friends on Facebook. It was time to find the courage to admit
I suffered with mental health conditions and time to admit my life wasn’t perfect.
Why did I do it and how did it go? Read on.
First here is my Facebook profile picture, it is of course my favourite picture of myself. Not overly realistic though as I couldn't get my hair like that if you paid me! But we don't always show realistic on social media do we?
Thursday, 2 March 2017
Second Month of Blogging: The good, the bad and the ugly!
On Tuesday, my blog was two months old. Can you believe
that?!! I’m still trying to work out where January went and now February has
gone too.
So how has this month gone? There have been highs and lows.
Monday, 27 February 2017
My Top 10 tips for Managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and My Story
My CFS story officially started in July 2015 however I suspect
it was a long time in the making. It floored me at first however after a lot of
reading up on the condition and much trial and error I have found some tips
that help me manage the condition better.
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