I came across this video on Halie and Contessa's website and I've posted it because I think it silently says VOLUMES.
Have a watch and have a read of their site.
Bullying is not acceptable! Think before you speak.
Click here for Halie's secrets video about being burned
Click here for Halie and Contessa's website F**K yeah burn survivors
Halie talking about being a burn survivor
Halie talking about her 'burn-iversary'
Monday, 28 November 2011
Spa.....ahhhhh!
For anyone recovering from an accident I would recommend going to a spa. In fact, I'd recommend it to anyone, recovering or not!
I went to Lifehouse in Frinton.
The Magic Faraway Tree!
Lifehouse has 130 acres of Enid Blyton style gardens...just beautiful. Miniature waterfalls, Harry Potter style whomping willows and lakes upon lakes of lilly-strewn waters. At this time of year the trees shone with russets, mahogany and golds. The mossy grass was thick with crispy leaves and crunchy with pine cones. Here and there were clumps of toadstools; almost complete with fairies!
Treatments
My man had a back massage and facial which, although a little girlie, he enjoyed. Although this came with the package as standard, they changed mine to a 'fabulous pins' treatment. And it was fabulous!
I had my legs massaged and exfoliated and then my scalp massaged; it was wonderful. The therapist said my little toe was 'crunchy' and asked if the burn was on my right shoulder...which it is! She said this was showing up in my feet and recommended reflexology. If you go to a spa I would definitely suggest asking for a treatment that is entirely suitable for you and your current injuries rather than adapting a treatment and trying to avoid areas. Otherwise it won't be relaxing as you will be worrying that you might get caught in a sensitive area.
Swimming
I found this more difficult than I thought I would initially and didn't go in on the first day. When I got back to the room I had a comment from http://www.esthersabetpour.com/ and it made me feel completely differently. Her photography really reveals what it is like to be in our situation. Esther has a beautiful face and body, albeit some areas now different to the ones she was born with. Her comment came at just the right time for me, thank you!
I strutted my stuff around the poolside, went in the jacuzzi (top half out because of the heat) and didn't shy away at all. I was surprised to find people barely looked at me. A couple of people glanced across me but didn't stare. All in all, it was a very positive experience.
And the rest...
The spa had several amazing massage chairs so even if you weren't scheduled in for a treatment you could go and get some relaxation. I also really enjoyed the meditation class that we took. I think I might look into this to help with my recovery.
I felt relaxed for the first time in a long time. Fantastic!
I went to Lifehouse in Frinton.
The Magic Faraway Tree!
Lifehouse has 130 acres of Enid Blyton style gardens...just beautiful. Miniature waterfalls, Harry Potter style whomping willows and lakes upon lakes of lilly-strewn waters. At this time of year the trees shone with russets, mahogany and golds. The mossy grass was thick with crispy leaves and crunchy with pine cones. Here and there were clumps of toadstools; almost complete with fairies!
Treatments
My man had a back massage and facial which, although a little girlie, he enjoyed. Although this came with the package as standard, they changed mine to a 'fabulous pins' treatment. And it was fabulous!
I had my legs massaged and exfoliated and then my scalp massaged; it was wonderful. The therapist said my little toe was 'crunchy' and asked if the burn was on my right shoulder...which it is! She said this was showing up in my feet and recommended reflexology. If you go to a spa I would definitely suggest asking for a treatment that is entirely suitable for you and your current injuries rather than adapting a treatment and trying to avoid areas. Otherwise it won't be relaxing as you will be worrying that you might get caught in a sensitive area.
Swimming
I found this more difficult than I thought I would initially and didn't go in on the first day. When I got back to the room I had a comment from http://www.esthersabetpour.com/ and it made me feel completely differently. Her photography really reveals what it is like to be in our situation. Esther has a beautiful face and body, albeit some areas now different to the ones she was born with. Her comment came at just the right time for me, thank you!
I strutted my stuff around the poolside, went in the jacuzzi (top half out because of the heat) and didn't shy away at all. I was surprised to find people barely looked at me. A couple of people glanced across me but didn't stare. All in all, it was a very positive experience.
And the rest...
The spa had several amazing massage chairs so even if you weren't scheduled in for a treatment you could go and get some relaxation. I also really enjoyed the meditation class that we took. I think I might look into this to help with my recovery.
I felt relaxed for the first time in a long time. Fantastic!
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
It's been 4 months...
Doesn't time fly....(Thank God)
Since that terrible day, I have come so far. It's only been four months! So far I have gone from being unable to walk or so anything for myself to taking steps towards recovery.
Since that terrible day, I have come so far. It's only been four months! So far I have gone from being unable to walk or so anything for myself to taking steps towards recovery.
Baring it all in the Swimming Pool...
I'm really looking forward to this week because I am going to a spa with my Man for 2 days. The Spa http://www.lifehouse.co.uk/ have been really accommodating, they changed the offered treatment to a 'Fabulous Pins' because I can't have upper body massages or facials.
The one thing that is a little nerve-racking is...SWIMMING.
I have bought a kaftan to wear over my bikini so that I am not entirely on show but when I decide to get in the pool I know people will have a look. It's natural for them to, after all, I look as though I have been in a terrible accident.
One of the reasons I have decided to brave it and not obsess (too much) is that I have a nice figure from miles of running and I have never been that self-conscious in swimwear. However, I know when I'm older and have had children or put on some weight, I will feel more self-conscious. People do. Surely, this feels the same as I do now? Although it's a different circumstance, it's similar to anyone with stretch-marks, cellulite or extra weight. They are all worrying that people might be looking at them and thinking they look less than perfect. Well, thanks to this accident I am less than perfect and at 26 years old I was going to start becoming less than perfect anyway. Goodbye twenties! A body well preserved probably hasn't experienced much (babies, red-wine, too much chocolate) and so has probably missed out in a roundabout way.
I don't intend to put up with rude people or 'starers,' (come on people, your brain controls your eyes dontcha know) but I don't see why I should hide myself away.
I am young, attractive and slightly less than perfect now but I don't think I should be made to feel ugly or freakish.
On the plus side...I am mostly looking forward to spending time with my Man and eating salted caramel ice-cream, the most delicious dessert that I rarely find on menus.
The one thing that is a little nerve-racking is...SWIMMING.
I have bought a kaftan to wear over my bikini so that I am not entirely on show but when I decide to get in the pool I know people will have a look. It's natural for them to, after all, I look as though I have been in a terrible accident.
One of the reasons I have decided to brave it and not obsess (too much) is that I have a nice figure from miles of running and I have never been that self-conscious in swimwear. However, I know when I'm older and have had children or put on some weight, I will feel more self-conscious. People do. Surely, this feels the same as I do now? Although it's a different circumstance, it's similar to anyone with stretch-marks, cellulite or extra weight. They are all worrying that people might be looking at them and thinking they look less than perfect. Well, thanks to this accident I am less than perfect and at 26 years old I was going to start becoming less than perfect anyway. Goodbye twenties! A body well preserved probably hasn't experienced much (babies, red-wine, too much chocolate) and so has probably missed out in a roundabout way.
I don't intend to put up with rude people or 'starers,' (come on people, your brain controls your eyes dontcha know) but I don't see why I should hide myself away.
I am young, attractive and slightly less than perfect now but I don't think I should be made to feel ugly or freakish.On the plus side...I am mostly looking forward to spending time with my Man and eating salted caramel ice-cream, the most delicious dessert that I rarely find on menus.
The Year of the Engagement
This year or more precisely this month, I have seen a flurry of engagements happening among my social group. All very exciting, there is nothing better than a good wedding and seeing your friends-in-love get hitched. One of my girls invited me to go to a wedding dress fitting with her as she is not sure what type of dress she wants to go for. Who knew there were so many 'looks' for a bride? Elegant, glamourous, understated, pretty, romantic, classic, alternative...after the dress fitter had finished her list we couldn't remember where she had started. Then my friend pointed at a sparkly, lace number and said, 'that one.' Dress picking at it's most refined.
Looking at all the dresses made me realise I can't wear any of your average styles for at least 2 years, should I want to. The dresses left expanses of shoulders, chest, arms....all a no-no for me at the moment and possibly, let's face it, forever. Although extremely happy for my friend sweeping about in a dress of epic corsetry, the only sweep for me was the one of frustration and angst that came over me.
I decided to get to work on Google and see what I could find that would be suitable for someone with injuries on the upper parts of their body. I deduced that yes, there are dresses that are both pretty (elegant, understated, glamourous etc...!) and covered up. Most of the dresses I have featured in the following post are not entirely suitable for me, so a dress-maker would probably be needed to select and combine elements (start saving now!) But there is no realise why covered-up has to be boring or overly 'monarch' looking.
So, please see wedding dresses galore on the next post, all a bit unconventional but stunning. I have my eye on the entirely backless one with sleeves...
Looking at all the dresses made me realise I can't wear any of your average styles for at least 2 years, should I want to. The dresses left expanses of shoulders, chest, arms....all a no-no for me at the moment and possibly, let's face it, forever. Although extremely happy for my friend sweeping about in a dress of epic corsetry, the only sweep for me was the one of frustration and angst that came over me.
I decided to get to work on Google and see what I could find that would be suitable for someone with injuries on the upper parts of their body. I deduced that yes, there are dresses that are both pretty (elegant, understated, glamourous etc...!) and covered up. Most of the dresses I have featured in the following post are not entirely suitable for me, so a dress-maker would probably be needed to select and combine elements (start saving now!) But there is no realise why covered-up has to be boring or overly 'monarch' looking.
So, please see wedding dresses galore on the next post, all a bit unconventional but stunning. I have my eye on the entirely backless one with sleeves...
Thursday, 17 November 2011
It's the small things that brighten your day.
Since my accident hair washing has become a time-consuming, arm-achingly slow chore.
It seems like such a small thing but people like me keep dry shampoo in business...it is simply too exhausting to keep washing your hair.
Luckily for me, I used to work in a hair salon 10 years ago and I made some wonderful friends. It's one of these friends, mentioned in an earlier post, who made a silk fringe out of my singed hair.
Today I popped in after they invited me for a hair wash...I washed it once this week and couldn't bear to do it again! No appointment necessary, just the promise of a wash and go, whenever it suited me. (And some lovely Moroccan oil too!)
I'd like to say thank-you to the salon for all the support and kind words since this has happened. It's generosity like this that makes the world keep turning.
P.S Just in case...it's invaluable! http://www.batistehair.co.uk/
It seems like such a small thing but people like me keep dry shampoo in business...it is simply too exhausting to keep washing your hair.
Luckily for me, I used to work in a hair salon 10 years ago and I made some wonderful friends. It's one of these friends, mentioned in an earlier post, who made a silk fringe out of my singed hair.
Today I popped in after they invited me for a hair wash...I washed it once this week and couldn't bear to do it again! No appointment necessary, just the promise of a wash and go, whenever it suited me. (And some lovely Moroccan oil too!)
I'd like to say thank-you to the salon for all the support and kind words since this has happened. It's generosity like this that makes the world keep turning.
P.S Just in case...it's invaluable! http://www.batistehair.co.uk/
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