Yup, it’s time for my monthly appeal to your generosity. There are so many groups in desperate need. These are just some suggestions that I have given my support to this month
This month I will continue to donate to two families in Gaza. Their situation continues to be dire. If you have anything to spare, it would make a huge difference.
I also chose to support UNFPA emergency birth kit campaign. These kits include essentials like Soap, latex gloves & umbilical cord clip. These simple tools can save the lives of mother & baby when people are forced to give birth in challenging conditions. These kits fight the risk of infection, one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. You can provide an emergency kit with just a £4 donation. If you are able, please consider giving whatever you can.
I’ve needed my walking stick for quite a long time. Maybe 7 or 8 years and I’ve only just become properly comfortable with it. Using a mobility aid, especially earlier in life, is very strange. Everyone has an opinion. No one is shy about sharing it.
All the questions and reactions definitely had an impact on me. I feel self conscious more often than one might expect. I hate when strangers want my medical history. Staring makes me feel shit or angry; sometimes both. I am so fed up with being told I’m so young for a walking stick. I find it really difficult to need accommodations. I feel like a real pain in the arse more often than anyone else is bothered. Likewise, I’m sure I sense judgement more than it actually exists. All of which messes with the confidence.
Then of course there is a sense of loss. Accepting all the things you can no longer do is hard. I struggled on without a stick for longer than I should have because I had this ridiculous idea that I was giving in. I’ve always felt a certain amount of pressure to be stoic in the face of my health issues. A walking stick felt like capitulation. It also forced me across the line in my head of admitting that I was permanently disabled. Before that I was hanging on to the idea that my knee could get better. That was silly considering I’d been assured by more than one Dr that it absolutely would not. Degenerative conditions aren’t known for improvement.
All told, it’s been trickier than I’ve let on. I’ve finally found peace. How do I know? I have personalised my stick. The idea of making it in any way decorative used to make me feel queasy. I have concluded that my subconscious attached styling the stick with it being part of my identity. The way I dress has always reflected my personality. Until very recently including my walking stick in that was a frightening prospect.
Klimt Style
I’m over the line again. If I’m taking the bloody thing every where it might as well be a bit funky. Keep your eyes peeled for new incarnations. Knowing me, I’ll be mixing up it.
Moo Style
If you like what I do you can support me on Patreon.
It’s a new year and I have a two new favourites. Both were Xmas presents and I am in love.
My new favourite dress is t shirt dress with a twist. This makes it incredibly comfortable and easy to wear. With the bonus of making my curves look banging. If it is available in other colours/prints, I am buying all of them!
Dress – Asos
My second fav are these wonderful jammies. They are so soft and wonderfully comfy. The fold down waist allows me to accommodate my belly comfortably at even its most extreme pcos bloat. Plus I look cute in them. I honestly would wear them everyday if I could.
Pyjamas – Next
I’ve had a slow start to January, so the jammies have had more wear than the dress. I’m gearing up now, so more fun outfits are coming soon.
If you like what I do you can support me on Patreon.
Last month I added to my tattoo collection in the best way possible. I got a beautiful profile portrait of my beloved Bronan.
I lost my gorgeous boy in July and it has been impossible to get used to life without him. My home still feels empty without his demanding presence. A memorial tattoo felt like the perfect way to always have him with me. The fantastic Lauren at Luna Tattoo captured my boy perfectly.
I wanted a really simple black profile that highlighted the shape of his nose and white stripe. I adore him. I also had a great experience at Luna. I love being tattooed by women. Lauren made me so comfortable and I loved the vibe they’ve created at Luna. If you’re local, I highly recommend this shop.
If you like what I do you can support me here or on Patreon.
Baby, it’s cold outside! Actually it’s cold inside too. Even with the central heating on all day, I still find myself feeling chilly. So, you can imagine how freezing I get when I do venture outdoors. My solution, wear a cosy jumper with everything!
It works. Even the fanciest of items look super cute with a big slouchy jumper. Don’t believe me, check these looks out.
Cardi – ASOS Petticoat – Lindy Bop
Petticoats are amazing. Wear under a swing skirt/dress and you get a gorgeous retro swirly style. Wear it alone and you get a beautiful puffy tutu ish look. Pair it with some high denier tights and some bright knitwear, you get perfect winter wear.
Take the same cardigan, add a vest & maxi skirt and ta da; no fuss outfit. Exactly the kind of outfit I need for a day with my niblings. This skirt is so incredibly soft and it has pockets. It couldn’t be better.
Skirt – Gift
When I needed something a bit special for a really important meeting I stuck with the theme. I have hardly worn this full length tulle skirt. I’ve decided it is too pretty to languish in my wardrobe. So, I’ve teamed it with a vest and simple cardi to make it a bit more day. I felt so good, swooshing around.
Cardigan – Monsoon
I don’t love the below zero temperatures, but I am fond of layers and winter warmers. If I have to go outdoors I will be wrapping myself in the cosiest, chunkiest knits.
If you like what I do you can support me here or on Patreon.
The last few days have been a beautiful last gasp of summer. Mother Nature is easing us into spooky season and I love it.
Autumn is my favourite season; I yearn for crisp chilly days, cosy clothes and of course Halloween. Our GlasGlow tickets are already booked and costume pieces have been ordered. This week felt the perfect time to kick off the festivities. My sister, her tiny boy & I all cried Beetlejuice thrice & were transported to Burton world.
I absolutely adored the original. Well, I think I was pretty scared the first time, but I settled into it. Gothy Winona made my little weirdo heart beat faster in the 90’s & I think Beetlejuice may have kick started that. I didn’t have much time, but I really wanted to wear something on theme. My teenage niece used profanities to describe how cute I looked, I consider that a success.
Dress – Forever 21 Skirt & Vest – H&M Kimono – BoohooTeenage approval for an old Auntie.
I very much enjoyed wearing those over the knee socks. Having them peak out from under the lace is a look. Luckily I have quite a lot of sheer dresses, expect to see more of them. They are actually compression socks to help with Pots symptoms. Plus Sock miraculously make the only comfortable compression socks I have ever worn. Spoonie boon!
Over the Knee Socks – Plus Socks *
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was a hit with us. I loved that they kept the style of the OG. No high tech cgi, it felt right. Cast are fab, costumes incredible and lots of dark laughs. The juice is loose and I’m here for it.
* previously gifted.
If you like what I do you can support me here or on Patreon.
Yesterday I was doing a little insta scrolling when I came across a really strange post. It’s from Michelle Ogundehin an interior designer who is on that design competition show on BBC. I followed her for pictures of pretty rooms. Thus, I was shocked by this abrupt change in content.
I have a problem with these kind of alarmist statements. Exercise is good for us. Everyone knows that. Encouraging people to try new things, enjoy moving their body, take a nice walk is great. Scaring the bejesus out of folk with you’re going to die, is not. Life is complicated. Not everyone has time, money or the physical ability to partake in the 30mins/5 times a week suggested in this post. The comments were flooded with people pointing this out. Many said the tone was all wrong & the content ableist. Michelle’s replies ranged from patronising to snarky. Then she turned off commenting. As a disabled person who has very few exercise options I tire of this exclusionary narrative. I also believe it is counter productive; fear & shame are not effective long term motivators.
On a wider point I’m throughly sick of how many unqualified people stray into the ‘health & well being’ sphere. Even in my carefully curated timelines I find it hard to escape grifters spewing pseudo science. The scope appears to be continually growing, manifestion, fad diets, alpha males, mlms, alternative cures… the list goes on. All making unsubstantiated claims & usually making buck. Ten minutes on google is all it takes to see that almost all of these people are unqualified. Some may be well meaning, most are shameless charlatans.
Curious as to what inspired this shift in content I took a look at Ogundehin’s substack. Amongst the expected design tips there are a lot of posts about ‘health’. She covers topics I honestly don’t think she is qualified to offer advice on. She does mention that she’s not a medical professional. She also confidently declares things fact that I am not certain stand up to much investigation. Her sources are suspect, her tone is off. She uses phrases like ‘food be thy medicine’ and writes overblown articles on the dangers of gluten. To me, it seems like another person who has realised there is money to be made in the wellness world.
Before I wrote this I did a little research. I wanted to check I wasn’t mistaken about her qualifications. Michelle appears very qualified for roles related to design. She has held impressive positions in editing, journalism and design. However, I can’t find any evidence of training that would make her a go to on food or health. She does mention in her substuck that she has started studying nutrition, but by her own admission is on the first module of what sounds like an introductory course. Health is a serious topic. I’m all for sharing our experiences and what worked for us. However, I truly fear the idea of people making impactful changes in their lives based on the pronouncements of unqualified people.
Please be careful out there. Dig a little a deeper before taking things you find online as fact. That includes me! I research topics before writing about them, but that does not make me an expert. I want readers to check things out for themselves. I always provide resources and caveat my opinions. In the case of anything related to your health, my advice is always consult a Dr.
If you like what I do you can support me here or on Patreon.
Last week was hectic. I packed in way more than was sensible. So, of course I’m entirely out of spoons now. It was worth it, though. I had some productive meetings and lovely time with people I care about.
First there was the little matter of tests and seeing some consultants. Unfortunately this involved pretty much an entire day in hospital, mostly waiting. Listen, I am very grateful for our NHS, I doubt I’d still be here without it. However, watching the impact of Tory cuts over the last decade is deeply frightening. Sickness, ageing accidents will touch all of our lives. We need a functioning NHS, it is a miraculous institution. Please keep that in mind when you are casting your votes.
Tuesday involved meetings about an exciting opportunity, which I feel good about. I long ago abandoned cosplaying as a suit. I feel fake & uncomfortable in that get up. I don’t present my best self that way. Thus, I turn up as me and I find that gets the best results.
Skirt – Gift
The following day was all Bronan. We went for his bloods & then a had bit of a wild goose chase for his insulin. Fridge malfunctions caused some problems, but we got there in the end. Bronan was very grumpy about his extended time in his carrier, but once home he got thoroughly pampered.
By Thursday it was time for a reward. I put on a pretty dress and had a catch up with my very favourite man. We went to Brutti Compadres. I love it there because the have the best tapas and Rosè sangria. Plus amazing lighting that makes it feel like you’re bathed in sun. It was so nice to forget about the miserable Scottish winter. Even nicer to bask in the company of someone delightful.
Dress – Forever 21 Shrug – H&M Tights – Snag
I finished the week in the best way possible; surrounded by niblings. I spent the day playing with Batman and baby bunnies, looking up cheeky animals on my phone and finding out about the latest happenings at school. I also had a good gab with their Mamma. Friday done right.
Trousers – Glamour @ Asos Cardigan – Handmade
If you like what I do you can support me here or on Patreon.
This month I am flinging my financial support behind a group that have long had all my other support. Cabaret Against Hate are an LGBTQ+ & ally group who organise counter protests to stand against hate speech in Scotland.
They combat hate with live music, song & dance. Their presence at anti abortion & anti trans protests has had incredibly positive effect. It is essential to provide an opposition to intolerance. It’s equally vital to show support to those impacted by these hideous protests. I would love to be on the front lines with Cabaret, but my disabilities prevent me. Thus I have been sharing & supporting in whatever ways I can.
The group are currently fundraising for a new PA System. Please donate here if you can.
Something in the way she moves... 
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