NOTD 02/01/13 and a Lower Spending Resolution

First Nail post of the year :)

This is Rococo EmpoweRed that cost me £2.50 in the Space NK Sale here

These are normally £12 each so a nice little bargain. And then I just couldn't leave it alone so added some little black rhinestones across the accent nails. They're not that great, but I've left them as they took flipping ages to apply one at a time!

This actually looked great after 2 coats, but after an hour, I noticed nail wear across the top!!!So I added another coat and then wrapped the tips properly and also wrapped the Seche Vite  as well. It's now lasted much better. This is nearly the perfect red but I don't think I'll ever find it! There'll always be something red-der out there.

I've just ordered:  Perfumes: The A-Z Guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez as I'm going to try and get into perfume this year. There are so many sources of information out there though and it's baffling. I've joined  the basenotes forum for some assistance and ordered some perfume samples to get me started.   

I ordered the gourmand sample pack from Scents and sensibility here, and they are scrummy. I got Hilde Soliani 'CiocoRosissimo', Lostmarc'h 'Lann Ael', Soivohle 'Fig Amarette' and also Ginestet 'Botrytis'. Unfortunately  I haven't learned enough of the lingo to be able to describe them properly but apparently my favourite; the Hilde Soliano is; 'Damascus, Bulgarian and English rose, chocolate, grass, vanilla and woods'.   I can smell the roses, the chocolate and the vanilla but the grass and wood is beyond my nose at the minute

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My NY resolution is to try a new perfume every week and try and cut back on the other spending; i.e. make-up, face and body stuff, as I have heaps and heaps of it, no handbags or shoes this year as I definitely have plenty of them as well!!! My thinking is that I've stopped smoking so that's saved me a few bob(couple of grand a year at least!) if I only buy make-up if I absolutely need it(if I run out of samples and testers) and use up all my little odds and sods around the house then I can afford a decent break with Col later this year (I can hear a cruise calling my name), once I've finished my BC treatment and before I return to work. Note I said 'try' perfumes, not necessarily buying them ;). I do want a Serge Lutens perfume for my birthday though - either the vanilla or rose as they are absolutely divine and hang around on me for ages.

I hope everyone out there has a lovely New Year, and that you got your heart's desire for Christmas.

Speak soon,

Elise

XX

Christmas 2012 Sale Haul

Sale Haul

It being just past Christmas, I couldn't let the sales pass unnoticed. I popped into M&S and picked up 2 gorgeous scarves. The pale one was reduced to £15 from £40 and the darker skull print was down to £12 from £27. And they are huge! At least a metre square.

I also paid a visit to SpaceNk but they only had a few bits left, after only 2 days!!! I picked up the Stila Seeing Star Smudgestick set from £25 to £12.50, which is a bargain as these are £13 EACH normally so £65 worth here :)

I also picked up the absolutely wonderful & splendiferous Dancing Queen set of lippies by Lipstick Queen. (More about the brand here. http://www.lipstickqueen.com/ ). I paid £19.50 which is a lot if you're used to Rimmel or Boots 17, but LQ retails for £15-20 a lippie normally and it really is the queen of lipsticks! They stay on for aaaages and go on so smoothly with no drying, unlike my beloved Mac Russian Red which flakes off :(

Oh, and SpaceNK being the wonderful shop it is, also threw in loads of sample sachets of Skincare :D

So I'm a happy bunny. Didn't spend too much and I will use everything I bought.

NOTD 23/12/12

China Glaze Ruby Pumps with stamping: White Konad and Bundle Master plates 323 & 319

Tired, but getting there!

Consultant check-up today and I’m still really none the wiser as to what my treatment is going to be next year. It looks very likely that I’ll have to have about 2 weeks’ worth of radiotherapy and maybe chemo as well but I have to wait until mid-January for a consult with the oncologist to go through the options. I do sort of want the chemo (bleurgh) just to make sure that they get it all so I don’t have to go through all this again!

I did get the pathology report though and it was interesting. I was somewhat relieved to find out that the surgery was worth it as I’d have been a wee bit peeved to find that I didn’t need the radical mastectomy. It turns out that I didn’t have one tumour, but THREE!!! They were Multi-centric, which means that they were in different quarters of the breast with one big 22 mm one and 2 little 10mm ones. Two of them were Ductal Carcinoma in Situ which is non-invasive, but one of them was an Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, which is rarer and it’s that one that will determine my treatment next year as it’s more aggressive. They were all classed as Grade 2 and at Stage 2. The cancer was completely removed with clear margins so the radiotherapy will be to clear up any odd cells that escaped into the skin or surrounding areas.  They only had to remove 2 lymph nodes which were completely clear of any cancer which is a huge relief as it means it’s less likely to spread throughout my body. The cancer was also positive for the hormone receptor which means I can have hormone therapy to reduce my oestrogen levels, throwing me into full blown menopause as I’m still peri-menopausal at the moment. So that’s the educational bit!

Next visit to the breast clinic will be January 3^rd to discuss filling up my implant to expand it (Eeeep!) The pump thingy is under my armpit and they inject saline through my skin into it to fill up the implant and I have to have a bit at a time to get a natural ‘droop’. If I leave it too long though, my implant might encapsulate and not be able to be inflated. Hopefully I’ll get a date for the oncologist then as well.

I also had my work Xmas lunch which was nice although I did have to avoid some of the more vigorous hugs as my back and shoulder are still really sore. I’ve been getting out and about as well, going into town to get last minute Christmas things, which is a complete nightmare! I’ve been taking my walking stick as it sort of warns people off and means I can actually get a seat on the bus!  I also got the first of my bras with pockets, which is nice as it has a lace fichu across the top to cover me up slightly. 

 Excuse the tired baggy eyes: still finding it hard to sleep! 

Scar is still really sore, which is weird as the actual skin over my boob is totally numb still. My armpit is in total agony though where they cut the nerves to get to my lymph nodes. I’m using Linden Voss Triple Strength deodorant as it lasts for a few days, to avoid the pain of applying it.  I also had the last waterproof dressing taken off and had the luxury of a bath, which was actually quite scary as I don’t have the strength in my chest to pull myself up and out.  I had to roll onto my knees and then stand up to step out. It was nice being able to give myself a good scrub all over without standing on a towel and using a flannel!!!  I also managed to get my hair washed this week as well, which was so nice. So it’s been an exciting week of firsts and hopefully I’ll be able to take normal things for granted again soon. (Like putting on a bra without having to contort myself).

Christmas Nails this week are Colour Club’s Put a Pin in it with Barry M Jewel Britannia in a glitter gradient.

That's it now until after Christmas. Hope you have a good one and a great New Year!!!

Byeee, Elise

XXX

I'm free! (for now)

No tubes, wires or unnecessary attachments visible, now. I went back to the Breast Clinic for about the 3^rd time this week and finally had the last drain removed. I’d been draining about 70-100mls of stuff (blood and lymphy stuff) per day and they like it to drop to about 30 mls before they take it out and finally last night it dropped to about 35mls – phew – or I’d have been back on antibiotics and stuck with the drain until Monday. It is a real drag having pipes attached and having to carry around a little baggie to make sure you don’t drop it all and pull it all out (blech).

The pain under my left armpit is going away and apparently that’s where I had the 2 lymph nodes removed. Only 2 out of 47 – I can’t imagine what the pain would be like, if I’d had them all out!!!! The skin is really tender and I’m finding it really tough doing the physio exercises. If anyone had told me that putting my hand on a wall and stretching it up would cause me immense pain, I’d have laughed at them! But I’m persisting – All 8 exercises 3 times a day with 7-10 reps – ouchy!!! And they take forever! I’ve just ordered the DVD from the website as the leaflet is starting to get a bit tatty already. If anyone wants to read up or dontate then the website is here: http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/

I’ve also spent the last 2 days back at home, so that Colin can concentrate on work more and get on from under his feet. It seems weird being back at home, especially as Zedward has more or less had the run of the place with his girlfriend for the last week. I did have to vacuum and clean the loo, but otherwise it was remarkably clean. (Probably because Colin spent last Wednesday turfing it all out as well). I’ve also cleaned out my inbox and 700 emails later, it is empty ;) No real post to speak of, apart from cards and a lovely plant from work. I absolutely have to go shopping next week though as I haven’t bought my Xmas cards and wrapping stuff yet. Something I put off and now it’s nearly too late.  I am really feeling the Scrooge this year as I just cannot be bothered with the whole Christmas malarkey! Mum and Dad are off to NZ this year so we’re seeing them next weekend; Zedward is working right through, apart from the day itself and Buttieboy is off to his Dad’s on Christmas Eve. So Col and I are looking to go out on the day itself, rather than cook and stay in all day.

What else have I been doing, apart from going nuts? A lot of competitions!!!! Those who know me well, know about my fondness for winning things! And this time of year there are about a million and one advent competitions!  I think my RSI is back with a vengeance due to all the entries I’ve made. I have won a few already as well :)

I’ve also finally done my nails – a whole week of bare nails was sending me a bit mental as well. I really don’t know what I’m going to do for the next few months if I have to have intense chemo. I don’t really do well with nothing to do. Someone suggest some sensible hobbies (no piping up about cleaning; Mr Chapman!) please? I do have a mandolin that’s crying out to be learned how to be played but that’s not appealing right now especially with my left arm giving me gyp.

BarryM Gelly in Satsuma with Boots 17 Nail Xtras Crackle. Sally Hanson Hidden Treasures Top Coat.   Quite Christmassy??? (Pre-cleanup - sorry about messy cuticles)

Got my appointment on Thursday to find out results of the biopsy on my lopped off booby so I’ll know then what’s coming up over the next few months. I also have my works Xmas lunch so I can catch up with a fortnight’s worth of gossip.

Speak soon, Elise

XXX