Charlotte Elizabeth: December 2016

By now, most organised people have already got their Christmas presents purchased, wrapped and placed perfectly under their tree, ready to give them to the special person. On the other hand, there's people like me, who this year, has left things a little too late and still has over half a Christmas list of people to buy for. There are so many affordable gifts available to suit almost everyone, and a Burt's Bees gift set is the perfect place to start.

Burt's Bees always have great offers, and not only is their packaging reusable, but all their products are completely natural and are a true reflection of the Burt's Bees vision. So whether you're looking for a Secret Santa gift, have a family member or close friend to buy for - or even fancy treating yourself to some pretty products, then Burt's Bees has got you covered.

What better gift to give this winter than a luxurious lip balm and hand care pamper duo, in some beautiful festive packaging. Burt's Bees Naturally Nourishing Beeswax Gift Set (£9.99*) contains a ultimate care hand cream which is like a treatment in a bottle for your hands, and a natural beeswax lip balm, which is perfect to keep your lips soft and hydrated this winter. The beeswax is a neutral scent so it's diverse, but this set is also available with a selection of lip balm scents, there really is a choice for everyone.

The Burt's Bees Nature's Kiss Gift Set (£9.99*) is a beautiful little duo to give a hint of colour and a boost of moisture. Combined with Beeswax, Shea Butter, Kendi Oil and Jojoba Oil, this lip care set will instantly hydrate your lips. Including a Lip Crayon in Sedona Sands which is a subtle mauve, and a Lip Shimmer in Peony which gives a gentle sparkle - both perfect shades for this season.

Which Burt's Bees gift sets will you be picking up this Christmas?

* The products in this post were provided for the purpose of this review although as always, all opinions and thoughts remain my own. For more information, see my Disclaimer

No Comments

1 Comments

Often, people associate any pain that a woman has, as being "that time of the month". When in fact, to have normal cramps would be a blessing to anyone who suffers from Endometriosis. Unless you suffer from Endometriosis, it's hard to explain the excruciating pain you'll encounter quite often. So if you say to me "oh , so you get bad periods then", don't take it personally when I pull a "really, did you just say that" face.

For those of you who aren't aware, Endometriosis is not a period, nor is it just cramps. In fact it isn't close to even being really bad cramps. It's a chronic pain caused by internal bleeding and inflammation of tissue (that should normally line inside your uterus). It's most commonly appears in or on your ovaries, bowel, and pelvis; but can spread to almost anywhere - the Endometriosis Institute has reported cases of Endometriosis of the bladder, bowel, liver, lungs, arms, thighs and even brain.

The endometrial tissue will continue to thicken, break down and bleed with your "normal cycle", but because this tissue has formed outside of your uterus, it has no where to go and develops into adhesions (abnormal tissue that binds organs together) and scar tissue.

Symptoms often include (but are not limited to) pain before, during, or after menstruation, during ovulation, when going to the toilet, in the lower back, or during sex. Where endometrial tissue has formed on your bowel or abdomen, you may notice regular diarrhoea or constipation, heavy bleeding or irregular periods (mine can be as minimal as two a year), tiredness and fatigue, and severe abdominal bloating - on a flare up day, my tummy can look like a baby has been growing in there for 5 months.

Diagnosis takes a lot longer than it should. I first went to the Doctor at my GP in 2010, as I had been suffering from extremely painful, but irregular periods ever since I was taken off the pill (due to a blood condition, I'm unable to take any form of contraceptive). However, before being given a diagnosis, the GP made me undergo countless blood tests, ultrasounds, examinations, a variety of different medications, and gave me multiple potential diagnoses including possible early menopause, IBS, PCOS, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

I was diagnosed with PCOS following ultrasounds - which explains the reason why I also don't have periods, as PCOS affects your ovulation. Rather than the egg forming and travelling down the Fallopian tube, it stays in your ovaries and forms a cyst. PCOS shouldn't be painful, but can lead to further health problems. However, this diagnosis meant nothing to me, it didn't explain the pain I often had.

So after continuously nagging, the GP referred me to a gynaecologist, and following some uncomfortable examinations and a laparoscopy, in June 2015, I was finally diagnosed with Stage 3 Endometriosis. This meant I had both Ovarian Endometriosis - of both ovaries and Fallopian tubes; and Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis - of the peritoneum (membrane that lines the abdeomen), uteroscaral ligaments, bowel, uterus and kidneys. Yes I know that sounds like complete jargon, so I hope the below image helps - my diagnosis is between Stage 3 and 4.

https://www.asrm.org/BOOKLET_Endometriosis/

Following the diagnostic laparoscopy in 2015, I was booked in for a follow up surgery to hopefully treat Endometriosis, and remove any adhesions. This happened has recently happened in November 2016, so because of the length of time that had passed, my surgeon told me that the Endometriosis and adhesions on my left ovary, kidney, peritoneum and bowel had worsened, meaning most of the surgery was spent on these delicate areas.

Sadly, there is no known cure for Endometriosis. Although, apparently having a baby helps reduce endometrial tissue and symptoms. But on the contrary, Endometriosis has an extremely high risk of infertility - bit of a kick in the teeth really, the only thing that will cause a massive reduction, if not complete reduction in my pain, is a baby. A baby that I possible can't have (and most definitely can't have naturally), as the stupid disease has taken over my ovaries, pelvis and most of the other important lady organs I'd need.

There are always a variety options that consultants can discuss to help ease symptoms, although repeat surgery is usually the most common option, she also briefly mentioned hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which will help both my Endometriosis and PCOS, but that is just something that will be discussed for now. I'm due to have a review with my consultant in April to go through the next steps, so I'll be sure to share the results with you as I'm hoping to share my journey, and to help anyone else suffering with Endometriosis.

*Photos sourced from Pinterest. Clickable link on each image.

1 Comments

With Christmas around the corner, Jack Frost is slowly making his way into our lives. And that can only mean one thing for folk like me - dry skin. There are many products that I've tried over the years, to keep my skin soft and supple, and hydrated. But L'Occitane's Almond Collection - particularly their Discovery Collection*, is just the thing you need to get you through this winter - and it makes the perfect gift.

The almond scent is by far, my ultimate favourite. It's so delicate, luxurious, yet nourishing and completely irresistible. One problem, once you've tried this for yourself, you probably won't want to give this to someone (so many sure you buy a spare!).

L'Occitane Almond Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil | Full Size £18.00, 250ml

The Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil is one of my favourite products, as when in contact with water, it develops into a luxurious foam which gently cleanses your skin, while thoroughly removing dirt and excess oil. The shower oil has a delicate blend of grape seed, rosemary, bergamot, and sunflower, that leaves a satin-softness all over your body.

L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate | Full Size £38.00, 200ml

The Almond Milk Concentrate, is a gentle milky moisturiser that compliments the shower oil. The formula is enriched with almond extracts, walnut seed extract and pure almond oil; and easily melts into the skin to help your skin look firmer and smoother, and super hydrated. Your skin will instantly feel nourished, and softer, all while improving your skins natural elasticity and stimulating cell regrowth.

L'Occitane Supple Skin Oil | Full Size £34.00, 200ml

The almond supple skin oil is a beautifully delicate, fine oil that helps your skin feel firmer and smoother. With key ingredients of almond oil, camelina oil and omegas 3 and 6, you only need a small amount of this powerful little oil, and your skin will feel nourished and more supple. The full size bottle comes with a spray applicator, which allows the oil to evenly melt into your skin, leaving a delicious satin-smooth finish.

L'Occitane Almond Delicious Soap | Full Size £4.00, 50g

The almond delicious soap is a right treat for your skin. Enriched with sweet almond oil from Provence to gently nourish your skin, and ground almond shells to gently scrub away dead skin cells, leaving your skin clean. Especially at winter time, this is perfect for treating those rough areas - particularly elbows, knees and feet, leaving them smooth and soft.

L'Occitane Almond Delicious Hands | Full Size £8.00, 30ml

Enriched with almond milk and almond oil, the silky cream, non-greasy formula helps nourish and soften your hands, while releasing gentle burst of a sweet, fresh almond scent. This hand cream is the perfect for on the go, as can easily fit in your handbag or pocket, to keep your hands hydrated throughout the day.

Although the collection featured here is no longer available (as yes, I've been sitting on these photos for a long time) their Discovery Collection contains all of these products, albeit slight difference in sizes, for an amazing £20.00. Or if you're wanting to spend a little more, you can get the Delicious Almond collection for around £45.00.

No Comments

About Me

Follow Us

Trending

Labels

recent posts

SONGS I LOVE

Blog Archive