Day Twenty Three

Today is the day I thank you all!

I want to say thank you for reading, commenting and generally making my life a better, happier place.

Over the last 12 months I have meet many amazing and inspirational women. Some of whom I know I'll be life long friends with. Without all of you Plus North wouldn't have been the achievement it was and Me and Becky wouldn't be planning Plus North 2013. I wouldn't have seen London and I wouldn't have worked with so many amazing companies.

I've had my wobbles and a moment in time when I contemplated quitting blogging but I had the support of people I am proud to call my friends!

So here's to you. And to you to wish you all a few Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year. Here's to an amazing 2013!

Toni x

Day Twenty Two - If you really knew me....

I saw Sian's post tonight and it hit a cord with me.

If you really knew me, in real life, would your opinion be different?

So here goes....

If you really knew me you'd know that I have have suffered from depression since I was 14. You'd know that I don't really know who I am because meds make me subduded and no meds make me fragile.

If you really knew me you'd know that my biggest fear is being alone. You'd know that I need security. I need reassurance. That I'm terrified that one day my boyfriend will leave me and I'll be alone forever.

If you really knew me you'd know that I long to me a mother. You'd know the that the multiple miscarriages I have suffered took me to the brink. But you'd also know that I am not mentally or physically ready.

If you really knew me you'd know that if I'm your friend I'll be there for life. I'll take you in to my heart. You'll become my family and I'd do anything to make sure that your happy and it will break my heart to see you upset.

If you really knew me you'd know that I have hope. That one day all my insecurities will no longer matter. You'd know that the hope I have makes me smile and gets me through each day. You'd know that I am stronger that what this life throws at me and that I'll fight until my last breath.

Day Twenty One - OOTD

Well we are all still alive!!!! We survived the end of the world!!!!

As I've mentioned before Friday is officially dress down day in my office and although I really struggled getting out of bed this morning I decided to wear a dress that I bought from the Simply Be Outlet online.

I loved this dress when it was first online but chickened out of buying it, but after seeing it on someone's blog (sorry, I can't remember who's!) And seeing Lisa Riley wear it on training for strictly I wanted it!

I bought it with the 20% of they had a few weeks, so think I ended up paying about £15 for it.

I mentioned on twitter a few days ago I was struggling to find decent tights, and then found a unopened pair from tesco in a kitchen draw?!? They are really comfy and stayed up all day!

You will also have to excuse the miserable face. I am yet to find any Christmas spirit!!

Toni x

Day Twenty - Pin fail.....

Yesterday I told you all how much I was addicted to interest and how I was going to start trying things I saw on there.

Well today I did just that.

I pretended that I was a super talented nail art technician. Now, as the world is supposed to end tomorrow (a symptom of my depression is once I get an idea in my head, no matter how stupid,  I can't stop thinking about it), in said I wouldn't get any festive spirit until Saturday, but I was bored and wanted to try this.

Click to be directed to original post.

I hought the nails were a lovely pattern and festive without been in your face. However I swapped red for blue as I hate red nails.

As you can see, I don't quite have the flare or artistic ability to decorate nails. I trained as a beauty therapist and can only just paint nails!!! I'm not sure why one is up side down either.

Anyway, this is a 'pin fail'! Its hard to keep a steady hand on something so small. I even used one of those nail art pens. I will probably try Nail art again. But maybe something with just straight lines.

Toni x

Day Nineteen - Pinterest

I love Pinterest. Infact, I'm addicted to it.

It gives me the outlet for my creativity that my brain thinks I have. It makes me think I can be a master baker. Nail Art Technician, hairdressers, well, basically anything I want to be.

I love pictures of cute dogs and cats. Of hairstyles I want but will never be able to achieve. Outfits I will never buy, make up I will never wear, places I will never see and home decor I will never do.

It's my dreamland I suppose. It's a place where I can have all the creativity in the world and never fail at anything.

I love some of the DIY pins. I think I am going to make a note of my favourites and see if they actually work.......

The tooth whitening ones are a bit scary, actual bleach??? (I think some people have made some other them up).

Here a few of my favourite pins.....

Source: shopbop.com via Toni on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via Toni on Pinterest

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Toni on Pinterest

Source: laisbernuccio.tumblr.com via Toni on Pinterest

Do you use Pinterest? Click on the P button on the top right to follow my boards!!!

Toni x

Day Eighteen - Yours Clothing

I was browsing the Yours Clothing website today and noticed that they had a preview of the Spring Summer range.

Here are a few pieces that caught my eye!

 I love this dress, it would be perfect for a summer night with a biker jacket, leggings and a pretty pair of flats.

I think these two items really go together! I would wear the wm with a pair of flip flops and a denim jacket!

What do you think! I am waaaaay premature planning spring outfits!

Toni x

Day Seventeen - Revisit

Last year I posted The Sarah Millican Guide to Surviving Christmas!

As we are only a week away from the big day I decided to repost..... Honestly, one of the funniest things I have ever read!

Sarah Millican is fast becoming one of my favourite stand up comics. She is funny, witty, down to earth and surprisingly honest.

I found this in this months Glamour magazine had to share it... I was laughing out loud reading it!

12 Steps to Surviving a Family Christmas.

1. Very early on, cultivate a reputation for being a terrible cook. Then you'll just be put in charge of the serviettes. Someone else will slave over the cooker for five hours, while you'll make six paper swans and be a hit.

2. If you're visiting family, wait outside in the car until you can smell gravy.

3. Always check with parents about what's an appropriate present for their child. I don't have kids and sought advise from a friend on what to buy a baby girl. She said "Something she can grown into." I bought her a bra.

4. Go to the toilet in pairs. If you are left alone with you bloke's family, the "why aren't you married yet?' questions start. And judging by the volume you drank last year, that's a lot of questions.

5.Always take a cardigan, as it's rude to tell people to turn up the heating. (the opposite is the case with my family. We usually end up sitting in string vests.)

6. Watch award ceremonies to help you lie when opening presents. But clapping at you new socks and saying ' well done, Kate Winslet' will give the game away.

7. Make you parents argue one Christmas - you might end up having two Christmas dinners the following year.

8. If your not an arguing family, put Eastenders on and join in.

9. Take you time over opening presents. Unless there is children in the family, the whole thing will be over in four minutes.

10. Join in with activities but remember you're with blood relations. I always sit Oops Upside Your Head out; it feels wrong to be vaginally close to family members.

11. Plan you escape; always have arrangements for the evening. its amazing how many pantos you can see if you're willing to drive for a 30 mile radius. We travel to where the Daleks are appearing. they make my fella more happy than i ever could!

12. But most of all, remember that it is spending time with you that makes your family happy, not necessarily what you bring. Unless you come to my house - I love presents.

You can find more information, tour dates and a blog from Sarah at: http://www.sarahmillican.co.uk/home.html
http://sarahmillican.blogspot.com/

You can also follow Sarah on Twitter;
@sarahmillican75