#GetTheInsideOut

When the Lloyds Bank campaign for Mental Health was released, I was chuffed to bits. Very rarely do you see Mental Health on our television's, unless it's on a programme in which is a secure unit. It's as if we are labelled to be 'mental' (excuse the pun), and we cannot be seen as normal. As if you only have a mental illness if you are placed in a secure unit.

After suffering with mental health for almost 8 years now, I have decided to use my illness both creatively an postively to impact others. I aim to help other suffering individuals feel as if they are able to reach out for help, and break the stigma. I can't do it alone, but this is just the beginning. I shall be participating in MH projects which shall also help me on the road to recovery, starting off with the #GetTheInsideOut campaign. I am more than my illnesses and I am looking forward to see what the future holds.

I have currently posted this on my personal Facebook and Instagram, and doing so is scaryto say the least. It is hard enough to admit you have a mental illness to yourself, let alone to all of your close friends and family, alongside strangers. But using social media and my voice to influence others in coming forward, allowing them to understand that they are still normal and loved is something I have wished to do for quite a while.

It's time to end the romanticized side of mental health, break the stigma and allow ourselves to feel free when discussing our issues.

#ProjectIAmNotAshamed

On Saturday 18th August 2018, individuals are encouraged to step outside in their community with a sign which reads "I have (your mental illness) or I am a loved one of someone with (their disorder) and I am not ashamed. Break the Stigma #ProjectIAmNotAshamed".

The project was created by Ross Trowbridge in order to allow individuals whom suffer with mental health attempt to break the stigma and prove that they are not ashamed of their mental illness.

This is a fantastic project which allows those who are suffering to unite in breaking the stigma, and I applause Ross for all of the hard work he has put into the project so far.

I'll be getting involved, will you?

You can find more information on the project here:
https://borderlineinwaterl.wixsite.com/projectiamnotashamed

#ProjectIAmNotAshamed

05.02.18

New Month, New Start (?)

I'm winging life right now, and due to my mental health deteriorating, that's the best thing I can do.

As exclaimed in my previous post, I aim to be more creative this year and during the time I am doing this, I hope to discover my true self.

This post again, is pretty much a ramble and unfortunately we're going to have to develop a list of crap like the mainstream bloggers do. However, here is what my aims are for February:

• Create a DIY Self Care Box - Reading about these online, I've finally become keen on the idea after several years of thinking "what a load of crap, stop romanticizing my shitty feelings". A self care box doesn't have to be the same as those created on Pinterest or YouTube, so I'm going to fill it with all sorts of rubbish which reminds me of the good times.
• Buy more clothes - I probably shouldn't, according to my overflowing wardrobe and bank balance, but I aim to dress how I wish to, rather than following 'fashion' like a sheep. Goodbye to websites like PLT and Missguided...I'm not suitable for your figure hugging linen, so back to vintage it is for me. 

• Write poems - One of my very little talents. I love creative writing, and it's a great way to remove my feelings from overflowing the mind. The best bit is, no one has to read them, so I can still keep everything to myself.
• Exercise - I know. I said before I wouldn't be one of those people posting their exercise regime, however I aim to walk more seeing as exercising releasing endorphins, which are beneficial for mental health. 

Let's see how long this lasts for...

Autumn

30.01.18

It's been a while, and there's no excuses other than being uninspired by life.

I could go on with all the "new year, new me" rubbish, but let's cut the chase.
My blog began as me following inspiration from mainstream bloggers. You know, all the 'fashion, beauty, life' malarkey; showing everyone my diet plans, exercise regime and laying out my breakfast neatly to capture the perfect photo, even if I didn't intend to eat it.
Towards the end of 2017, I then decided to change the name of my blog and aim to post only make-up looks, and well, that didn't last long.

The only way I can describe it is 'New Year, New Blog', and I'll guess that will have to do. But the past week or so I have found myself driven by reading and writing once more. The stuff I feel I actually belong to.
I guess that is all I have to say during this post, and maybe I should apologise for the lack of perfectly laid out brunch on a marble top, or Tumblr worthy photographs of the sunset, but that's not my style, hence why there shall be no apology.

If you have been a previous reader of my blog, or even a passer by, I wish to thank you for reading my ranting and rambling. Although not entirely sure where this is to lead me, I believe that this is simply just the beginning.

Hopefully some of you will stick around, some of you may not, but it's going to be in interesting journey as I learn to create once more.

Autumn

Golden

Today I decided to quickly piece together a smokey eye which wasn't too dark, therefore I used a yellow/golden tone along with a purple/red. This was pieced with a natural MAC lipstick, so the look wasn't over-done.

Although I just went with the flow and kept picking random products out of my kit, I was super pleased with the outcome, definitely suitable for prom season.

Arbonne | Review

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Maimie from Arbonne who asked if she could send me some tester products to review. Of course I said yes, as I'm a sucker for skincare!

After a super fast delivery, I opened a package of 4 miniature testers which included  a cleanser & freshener, day lotion, night cream, and eye cream, alongside a little card saying thankyou, which put a big smile on my face!

Using only a pea sized amount when testing the products, I found that my skin felt super soft once used! Unfortunately, I didn't get to test the day lotion as my Mum nabbed it, although she did exclaim that she really liked it.
The products smell fresh and do not leave your skin feeling clogged up - they simply nourish your skin and enable it to feel super smooth!
I'll definitely be purchasing some larger sizes of this product, and seeing as these small testers lasted me weeks, I cannot wait to see how long the larger products last for.

Arbonne skincare is matched to your skin type, and are to be used exclusively as they correct the pH balance of your skin. Arbonne is a Swiss-ultra brand and all products are Botanically Based, Vegan Certified, pH Correct, Hypoallergenic, Dermatologist Tested, Certified Gluten-Free, Kosher Certified, Drug Free and Cruelty Free. I don't think there's possibly anything else they can add to the list!

If you are interested in Abronne Skincare, make sure you contacted Maimie via her website www.maimieyelland.arbonne.com

Autumn-Blaze
xxx

My Diet & Fitness Plan

It's the time of year where every individual is prepared to get their body 'summer ready', and I am also one of those individuals, but with a plot twist. As I do seasonal work, most of my days are spent in the workplace, therefore I don't have chance to go abroad this summer. However, my work friends and I have decided to book a holiday for the end of the working season, so we have longer to get our bodies 'winter ready'. Lucky for us, that gives us a couple months longer than everyone going abroad during the summer!

I am clueless to fitness, and often give up easily. This time, however, is different. During my shift at work last night, I asked the Head Chef for guidance as he is more aware of fitness knowledge than I am. Together we decided the best ways for me to tone up, and agreed to begin our diet regimes on the same day in order to encourage one another to stay consistent.

Last night we started off with a mile and half run (well, a jog for me) and I felt great after it. I slept so well, and today I woke up at 8:15am rather than my usual of 11am. Now as I eat my porridge and sip on a mug of green tea, I am going to introduce you all to my diet plan, in which some of you may wish to begin yourselves.

Food and Drinks

• NO carbs. If you wish to consume carbs during cheat day, these must be brown (e.g. brown bread).
• No red meat.
• Quorn would be a better replacement for meat.
• Fruity drinks must be consumed in moderation (this includes the likes of orange juice and apple juice).
• Flavoured water is a better option than the one above.
• If you wish to eat chips, ensure that they are made with sweet potatoes.
• ALWAYS eat breakfast.
• Porridge is a great option for breakfast, although cereal can be consumed in moderation.
• A good lunch would be a bowl of soup with one slice of brown bread.
• One banana before or after a run will maintain your energy.
• Ensure to drink lots of water.
• If consuming alcohol, ensure that it is either vodka with diet lemonade, or with diet coke. However, you are allowed single shots, and either 1 lager or 1 cider.
• Green tea to replace coffee and tea. Decaff would also be a great option.
• If you wish to have a McDonald's, you may order a sweet chilli chicken wrap, without the sweet chilli.
• Try to keep your meal times consistent each day. (e.g. breakfast at 8am, lunch at 12:30pm, tea at 5pm).

Fitness

• Running every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
• Weights (2.5kg in order to simply tone) are to be done on Tuesday and Thursday's.
• When doing weights, make sure to also do leg exercises.
• Ensure to not just run, but walk often. Walk the dog, walk to the shop, etc.

Forfeits

These forfeits only apply to myself and my colleagues, but are shown to give you a brief idea. Feel free to set up your own and share them with me in the comments!

• 25p in the jar every time we have a cigarette.
• 50p in the jar if we miss a run.
• Each time we consume something that we are not meant to have, 50p is to go into the jar.

Cheat day is Saturday night and Sunday day (I'd allow this to be 12pm-12pm) as we all work carvery shifts on a Sunday and obviously wish to tuck into one once we have finished working hard! Also, Saturday night is the obvious time for us to consume our vodka and diet lemonade.

Make sure that you also include your hobbies to this schedule, For example, I am going to start dancing again as of next month. I also live quite near to my workplace, therefore I am to start walking/cycling there when the weather is nicer. Consider the distance that you may drive or take public transport to - could you get off a stop earlier and walk for ten minutes? It's a great endorphin, especially when the sun is shining!

Make sure to let me know what you think to this plan, and whether you're going to take notes from this! Got any tips? Let me know in the comments below. I can't wait to update you all with my progress, hopefully I'll stick to this longer than a day for once!

Autumn-Blaze

xxx