my skin #2

So, a quick little update on the new 'my skin' series I've started.

I went along to my GP Surgery yesterday and saw a doctor (who I'm usually not too keen on as he's previously hurried me on my way when actually I had a condition!) about my skin. I just explained that my skin had changed a lot in the past year and I now have acne,something I've never had before. He suspects it is connected to another health issue I have and that it will, one day hopefully sort it self out but for now he offered me antibiotics. I was not expecting this, as I said previously I was expecting Once Daily Duac Gel. Instead he offered me oral antibiotics or topical. I opted for topical, for a few reasons but mainly because I actually feel like I am doing something, applying to the problem area rather than swallowing a tablet.

The new treatment I have is Zineryt Solution. A liquid antibiotic containing eurythromycin and zinc. It comes in a large box (see pic) and you mix the powder and solution together and apply a 'dabber' to the bottle. This is to be applied twice a day on clean skin. This will be easy for me as it means ill wash my face am & pm then apply it. Make up can still be worn, just once the solution has dried on the face. This treatment takes weeks to months to see visible improvement and can be used long term. 10-12 months in most cases so I have it on a repeat prescription which is good (although not impressed with the recent prescription price rise-£7.85 per item WHAT?!?!)

So generally, I'm really happy that I have been taken seriously and something has been done. Ill keep updating on here although it won't be too often as I'm no expecting miraculous results anytime soon ;)

Cornish Beauty.

my skin.

Now, I'm not being big headed but when I was younger I had beautiful skin. Porcelain, pale and clear as the sky. I very rarely got any spots or blemishes and it was very smooth looking. No red patches and no discoloration. Even throughout puberty, my skin stayed lovely, allowing me to only require minimal makeup but also feel completely at ease wearing none.


As I got older, I got more into make up and therefore started wearing more. I never had much of a skin care routine but never failed to take my make up off by night-that was my one golden rule.

As far as I can remember I used to use concealer/blush/mascara and eyeliner. That was IT! I occasionally used foundation (but didn't like the feeling) and i member always using Rimmels Recover foundation in 'Ivory'. I repurchased this so many times; it was cheap, perfect shade match for my skin, felt nice & dewy finish. What more could you ask for?!

I must also add that up until the age of 22 I was on contraception that typically helps with skin and acne. Ie Microgynon pill, implant etc once I stopped these, things changed.

I came off the pill as I wanted my body to be completely natural for a while as I'd been on it since the age of 12 (10 years) and it is recommended that women give their body a rest from these fake hormones after 10 years or so. As soon as I stopped the pill I noticed a huge change in my skin. It was getting greasier and more blemishes appearing.

It's not bothered my too much until recently. I've suddenly had enough and it's making me really down. I've always had nice skin and for someone who loves looking nice and make up and beauty eye, it's quite devastating. Right now I have Los of blemishes, spots and red patches all over my chin, lips and forehead. My skin feels 'bumpy' and uneven, make up does not stay on or feel nice at all and it's just sliding off instantly cause my fave is so greasy. I'm really not a happy bunny.

Right now I'm at work and in public with no makeup on. This NEVER happens. Die to anxiety and general preference, I hardly ever go out without makeup on. It's making me feel so ugly and discussing. Chris has even noticed how bad my skin is and has mentioned it to me a few times. Come on, it must be bad if a bloke notices! I'm gonna try a few days make up free just to give my skin a break, anyway as soon as I put make up on its sliding and coming off and looks awful anyway. I just feel so self conscious! Ha below are some photos of my make up free (bar a tiny bit of eyeliner). I'm going to the doctors in the next week to beg them for something (Duac gel?) as I've tried everything in the beauty line to help my skin. I know it's hormonal but I can't go on like this-it's making me miserable!!!

This will be my skin journal and ill keep you updated with what happens.

Cornish Beauty.

stop smoking | update #9

This is my 9th update on my smoking cessation journey, and I can't believe it but it's been 6 months!

6 MONTHS

26 WEEKS

183 DAYS

That, my friends is definately something to be proud of. I can still remember the day I gave up, I was about 6 weeks into my Champix treatment and I woke up one morning and there was no cigarettes in the house and i thought "Oh well, I'll not have one and see how I go." Turns out, I could go over six months without so much of a puff. That's right, not even one little tiny drag of a fag.

I DO feel better for it...nicer breath, no tight chest, exercise is easier and I just feel rather free and liberated at the fact that I do not plan my life around having a cigarette. Tis may sound dramatic, but if you're a smoker, you will understand this. You literally plan your day around when you can have a fag and what places you can smoke etc. Crazy, but true.

The biggest achievement is that (according to me NHS Smokefree app) I have saved £1127.00. That alone, is enough to stop me from going back. People have been very supportive and the frequently ask if it was hard to give up. The absolute truth is, NO. I was totally ready to give up, i was in the right frame of mind and more than anything, i wanted to give up. So I did (and this is coming from someone with zero willpower) The only downside to this journey is that I have put on weight. I'm not sure how much but at a guess I'd say 10-14 lbs. I am obviously very upset and cross at myself at this but the truth is, it's so difficult not to out on weight whilst giving up smoking. This is my next challenge.

Cornish Beauty.

papas 83rd birthday.

This day could have gone one of to ways: amazing or utterly gutting. Fortunately it turned out to be amazing! It was the first time Nanny had come out of her nursing home for a family mean and we were worried that it would be too overwhelming for her and she wouldn't make it. But she didn't let us down and we had a brilliant time! My Papa was born 24/03/1930 and I think he really did enjoy his 83rd birthday. Myself, Nanny, Papa, Tom, Karly & Harry went to The Portreath Arms for a lovely roast and some family time. My papa was very emotional as he was so happy that his beloved wife spent the day with him. It truly was magical.

Nanny & Papa

Karly

Myself & Karly

Harry

Harry & Aunty Dani

The food was yummy, the company was even better (apart from the fact that my Chrissy was tucked up in bed with a horrid cold!) and I'm so grateful for the wonderful day we had together.

Family is precious, don't waste a moment & look after each other.

Cornish Beauty.

a few cornish days #3

These photos sum up the past few days of my life. Here are a some words that do the same.....
Sick
Roast
New house
Moving
Phil in the garden
Tissues
Tulips
Poorly
New view
Snot
Shabby shic
Sick
Sister
Papas birthday

And I have lived in my pjs for the past 4 days due to this plague. Yep, you guessed it. I've work no bra for 4 days. My breasts have now lowered 2 inches. Lush.

Cornish Beauty.

cornwall | gwithian downs.

Recently, my grandmother has gone to stay in a nursing home in cornwall. It's been a tough time for all the family, completely heartbreaking in fact. But I think (hope) the right decision has been made and that she & my grandfather are happier as a result. The nursing home is in south cornwall, about 20 miles from me but I see her atleast once a week and enjoy taking my grandfather there. My normal routine is to take Phoenix with me, drop my grandfather off with my grandmother, take the dog for a long walk and then see them after. It's great to take advantage of this as the nursing home is set in the most beautiful location; overlooking downs and farms and behind it, sand dunes leading to a huge beach. It also gives my grandparents time together without me :)

Here are some photos of Mothers Day last week when me & Chris enjoyed an arctic walk with the doggy to the beach.

Cornish Beauty.

cornish beauty loves.

There a rather a lot of things that I am loving at the moment. Here are a few....

• Avocado on toast. YUM. I am pretty obsessed with avocado and eat it with anything; sardines, salad and in fact, on its own. I'm really pushing myself to eat healthier and due to recent health problems, this is now a MUST rather than a WANT. I use soya & linseed bread, toasted with a small amount of olive oil spread with mashed avocado note top. A little bit of black pepper as there you have it. Perfection.

• Whilst were on the subject of good, here is another recent find. 'Nakd' fruit bars. Now, I was in Sainsburys shopping for a pack of cereal bars, saw these and bought them. On arrival home I looked at the back and saw words like 'raw' 'fruit' 'dates' and thought 'What the fuck?!' Turns out these little beauties are organic, vegan natural raw fruit bars, NOT cereal bars. Bugger. But I tried one all the same and I am in love! The ingredients are as follows:
40% Dates
40% Cashews
14% Raisins
5% Cocao
Plus some natural orange flavouring.
I'm am still in shock. I hate dates and raisins and never ever eat them. Yet I love this bar. Can't wait to try some more. Thank you Nakd.

• Dining table & Chairs. I am excited. We're moving house on Monday and on Sunday I'm picking up this beautiful table and chairs. Which I will make even more beautiful by shabby chicing it up :) after hours of (pleasurable) research I've discovered the secret to making furniture all distressed and shabby chic looking. ANNIE SLOANE. I will be doing a dedicated post on Annie Sloane paint when I do the job next week but for now let's just say, heaven. A woman after my own heart who makes shabby chic so freaking easy. Can't wait to let loose on this table and chairs it will look perfect. I've just been to B&Q and I'm now armed with paintbrushes, sand paper and dust sheets. Watch out.

• My new Filofax. As an organised freak, I've always been a fan of Filofaxes. My dad bought me a mega expensive A5 Italian leather Filofax organiser a few years ago and I love it but I've been on the look out for something slightly smaller and compact. Filofaxes arnt the cheapest but you pay for quality. I ended up with the 'Apex' personal size pink organiser. On the Filofax website these are retailing for around £25 but somehow I stumbled across this in my local Sainsburys for £8!!!! Amazing. Very happy with it.

• Finally, you will notice a picture of a rather nice bottom down below. I'm very sad to tell you that this isn't my bottom, nor so I think ill ever have one quite as lovely. Nevertheless, I have jumped on board for this challenge. Again ill do a separate post as I'm quite thrilled with te recent new bloggers/YouTubers I've discovered. But for the minute this is the 30 day squat challenge to tone legs and bums. Hmmmm well see.


Hope you've enjoyed this post. I dot think I've mentioned it yet (haha ;)) but were moving house next week so I'm gonna be pretty busy but stay tuned for blog posts and photos on the LUSH new house! Happy, happy, happy!

Cornish Beauty.