#LWIBloggies2016: The eve of the awards

Tomorrow is the big awards day! For previous posts about it, see here and here. This is the second time I have ever been nominated for a blog award, and the first time that I have ever been shortlisted and then placed into the finalist list (the previous awards didn't have any shortening on the nominations prior to the awards night).

I've been so unwell lately, that I'm quite nervous about attending. I've had two social occasions recently/ the last couple months that really took it out of me -even though walking was limited on each occasion as much as possible. Where once an event (sitting down, relaxing, not really doing anything) would have had me in bed for the next day or two afterwards, events (of any kind) now have me in bed and in pain for days So while I have to choose wisely and have a massive sense of guilt about attending, I'm still determined to go.

Guilt might like seem like an odd term there... I suppose I should explain.

As you may have read in previous postings, or even rants on my Facebook page, every activity takes so much more energy to accomplish when you are unwell. Hence where the spoon theory comes into play (although it isn't always as straight forward). I have to pick and choose small activities as well as the bigger ones -which is important to do now, which can wait. This ranges from getting dressed to walking the dogs briefly, to doing the dishes or to bigger events like socialising.

If I choose something on the top scale today, going to socialise with a friend for a couple of hours, then I can't do anything else that day or the next day. If I do the laundry and wash the dishes then I will have to nap and can't play with the dogs. If I wash my hair then I can't make dinner and Bicky has to make it (which he does loads, I'm not at all being sexist and saying women should make it, LOL! Just of course I also enjoy doing it and want to help out more often). It's give and take and many times I feel like I'm letting others down, in never ending and forever loosing battle to accomplish as much as possible.

I desperately want to work full time and miss my job, even part-time, but I get up and use my energy to get dressed (yes, that's how ridiculous it is) so then I need to nap or at least rest for a while. I need to get up extra early to prep myself -take my pills, sit up and try get my BP higher/ normal before standing, pop my joints into place, move my hands and feet to try get some feeling back into them (peripheral neuropathy issues). Of course sleep is something not really in my control, and either is waking up. From "painsomnia" to phases of sleeping 20 plus hours, completely knocked out and non responsive to anyone trying to wake me. It's an endless rotation.

#LWIBloggies2016: Circus theme inspiration boards

In light of the blog awards being circus themed, I've went all girly and created some inspiration boards -styles I love, loosely based around the more vintage, creepy take on the circus. Perhaps even more reminiscent of a freak show than traditional circus. I plan to dress comfortably myself, as I can't wear heals unfortunately and I might not bring the wheelchair -so as much comfort as possible will be my main agenda. I have a few ideas in mind, a dress ordered online that I hope will arrive on time, but other than that I'm keeping my lips sealed. Although I promise you, it really is nothing too elaborate!

I know the night in general is meant to be "casual formal" dress but less face it -all you ladies are going to dress up to some extent! And sure why not? And just today they have released that fun dress up within the circus theme is indeed encouraged.

So fellow bloggers, what are you considering wearing on the night? (Guys too!). Will you incorporate the circus theme in little, subtle tones or go full steam ahead to be the belle of the tent? Or maybe you just aren't feeling it and want to steer clear of the concept entirely (fancy dress isn't your thing, or you're going super casual, or you've had an outfit already planned for ages perhaps?). Would love to know what everyone's thoughts are, so leave a comment 😃

If you haven't had a chance to consider an outfit yet, and looking for some circus-y inspiration, I hope these help.

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ 🎪 ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

#LWIBloggies2016: I'm a finalist! - All the details

Drum roll pleeease... For those of you that haven't heard, I am now a ✯finalist✯ in the #LWIBloggies2016 🎪 (Littlewoods Ireland Blog Awards)... This being my first year and generally not paying attention, lol, I didn't realise there was going to be another shortened list until the day it was out but delighted to be on it!!! Silly me! Then when they were announced, there was a sneak peak on snapchait -a format I don't use. Apparently one of the only bloggers in Ireland who doesn't, haha. I was sent the screenshot of the image by a couple of fellow bloggers but still didn't believe it until the official lists were out. I'm in the personal bloggers list of course, under the category of Health and Well Being (which I already knew obviously, but just in case anyone else was wondering). Here's the newly shortened, finalists list:


The awards take place on September 15th in Dún Laoghaire -the theme being circus (which I LOVE -well the more vintage, creepy circus/ freak show would be my thing, but same difference). The location being Duffy's circus tent (which I do not love). My heart actually sank reading that, I have been fighting with my conscious ever since. Like I had assumed, no animals will be at the circus on the night, the organisers are simply using Duffy's tent to coordinate with the circus theme. But here's my dilemma -Duffy's circus still use animals. They may have the lesser, "non wild" animals these days but they have a spotted history and either way will profit from this event in part -I'm sure they are earning something for renting out the tent at least, and I think some of the human staff will be there. Ergo, I am still contributing to an animal circus in monetary form, something I (and many people in the country) are against. Now the argument for this could be that the animals they seem to have these days (mostly dogs and horses I gather, and I think llamas and parrots but reading mixed reports) are not the traditional wild circus animals, and as a pet owner I am a hypocrite.

Blog Awards Ireland: long listed!

Delighted to announce that I made the long list for the Blog Awards Ireland (being sponsored this year by Littlewoods), in the category of Health and Well Being!

Thanks so much to anyone who nominated me... Fingers crossed I make it to the short list, although as I had to take a long break recently from blogging all together, I'm feeling truly honored to reach this phase alone.

IBA #BloggersChoiceAwards

I just bought my ticket for the Irish Blogger's Association's Blogger Choice awards!!!

So excited, it's the first time I've ventured to do anything like this. I'm a nominee, but I really don't care about that -Just looking forward to a fun night. Fingers crossed my body behaves and I'm not in bed lying down by 10! ...Still have to sort my wheelchair which I will not have by then (I know, I know! I'm getting on that, *pinkie promise*).