Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Posts tagged Cancer
Victoria British Boutique Vintage Charity Fashion Show
3On Tuesday, my sister, my mum and I headed down to the Leicester Tigers rugby stadium for a special event – a Vintage Charity Fashion Show organised by Victoria British Boutique. The fashion show was in aid of “20-20 Voice” Cancer Appeal, a charity who provide support for head and neck cancer sufferers, with the aim of purchasing new, up to the minute camera technology with the money they raise, so hospitals can detect such cancers early.
Victoria British Boutique (VBB) is a vintage boutique owned by the lovely Vikkie, which specialises in a mix of unique, vintage pieces and current, stylish designs, both evening and day wear, all of which are British. The boutique is situated online, on eBay, so people from all over the country can browse and buy from Vikkie’s store. The boutique also prides itself on aiming for 100% customer satisfaction, so you know you’re going to get good service when you buy from VBB.
On the night there were a lot of one-of-a-kind outfits and items of clothing for sale at very reasonable prices, with most of them being modelled on the catwalk by six gorgeous nurses who work at local hospitals. I was lucky enough to get a front seat next to the catwalk so I had a really good view of the show and the clothes on offer. There were some really lovely pieces for sale, including a purple floral dress and a green and purple skirt suit which you can see below. I just wish they were my size! The models did a great job and were really well-received by the audience, and the show was a lot of fun to watch – well done, ladies!
As mentioned earlier, the aim of the evening was to raise as much money as possible for the “20-20 Voice” Cancer Appeal, so there were also stalls selling handmade jewellery and other goodies, and there were several raffles and competitions to join in with. Unfortunately we didn’t win anything, but congratulations to everyone who did!
Overall, all three of us had a great evening at the Victoria British Boutique Vintage Charity Fashion Show and I hope it raised a lot of money for such an excellent cause. You can find out more about the “20-20 Voice” Cancer Appeal here, and you can find Victoria British Boutique here. You can also follow Vikkie’s boutique on Facebook and Twitter if you want to keep up-to-date with all the latest news from VBB!
Naomi x
Bionsen Japanese Spa Minerals Deodorant
7Since my teenage years I have struggled greatly to find a deodorant suited to me, for several reasons. Firstly, I suffer from sensitive skin which is easily irritated, and the majority of high street deodorants make my skin red and itchy. Secondly, I have asthma, so aerosol deodorants are out of the question as they make my breathing bad. And thirdly, the (unproven) links between antiperspirants and breast cancer have always bothered me, but whether they’re true or not, who wants to be smothering their body with unnecessary chemicals anyway? With all this in mind, I am always on the look out for new deodorants which are chemical-free and suited to delicate skin, so when I came across Bionsen I was positively intrigued, and was keen to try their products when they were sent to me to review.
Bionsen’s deodorants contain a blend of skin nourishing Japanese Spa Minerals which are found in the volcanic spas of Japan (known as ‘Onsen’), and the deodorant’s hypoallergenic formula helps to neutralise the body’s bacteria which is responsible for bad odour. They are also aluminium and paraben free, so are gentle on sensitive skin and, if the claims about cancer causing chemicals are correct, they reduce these risks too.
The deodorants I received from Bionsen are the 50ml Roll-On and the 100ml Pump Spray. Over the last few days I have given both deodorants a go, and I have been suitably impressed. Here is what I think of each…
Bionsen Roll-On Deodorant
Bionsen’s roll-on deodorant has a light, fresh scent which isn’t overwhelmingly strong like some deodorants. The roll-on applies quite wet and feels instantly cooling on the skin, which is lovely after a shaving or a hot shower, but it does take a while to dry. I admit I got a little impatient the first time I used the deodorant and got dressed before it was completely dry, but it didn’t leave any white marks on my clothes at all. Overall, the deodorant lasts an incredibly long time. The fresh scent lingers all day (and I’m talking ALL day, from before work until bedtime), and most importantly, the roll-on causes me no irritation whatsoever. It’s a winner in my book!
Bionsen Pump Spray Deodorant
As I mentioned earlier, I can’t use aerosol sprays due to my asthma, so when I first saw Bionsen’s pump spray I was incredibly pleased to have an alternative to my usual roll-on! And indeed, it doesn’t trigger my asthma at all. Like the roll-on, the pump spray is extremely cooling, and has a light, fresh scent which lasts all day. The spray cap is moveable, so it’s easy to angle the bottle in the right direction, and I find that two sprays of deodorant on each armpit is plenty enough for long-lasting protection. The spray dries a lot quicker than the roll-on too, so if you’re looking for a deodorant that’s suited to a busy lifestyle then this one’s for you.
Bionsen’s Japanese Spa Minerals roll-on and pump spray give everything I could want from a deodorant. They smell nice, they’re free from nasty chemicals, they last a long time and they don’t irritate my sensitive skin. They’re really affordable too! The roll-on retails for £2.35, and the pump spray is £2.75, which is the same (if not cheaper) than most high street deodorants. If roll-ons and sprays aren’t your thing though, Bionsen also do a deodorant stick, aerosol spray and Deo Total Body crystals, so there’s something for everybody. The range was launched last month in Morrisons supermarkets, so if you want to try them for yourself they’re very easy to get hold of, and I highly recommend you do!
Naomi x
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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4 years
I originally planned this post back at the beginning of September, but after discovering that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought I would save until now. Breast Cancer research and awareness is a cause which is close to my heart, as it is for millions of other men and women around the world. Statistics show that breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK, and 1 in 8 women in the UK will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, so it is highly likely that most of us will know someone who has been affected by breast cancer,which is a sobering thought.
The idea of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to encourage women of all ages to check their breasts regularly. Checking your breasts isn’t just about feeling for a lump, but also about learning what is normal for your breasts, and knowing what unusual changes to look out for. I saw on the news yesterday that, shockingly, 98% of women do not know what changes (other than a lump) may indicate breast cancer, so in this post I will share those signs with you. You may find that your breasts look or feel different at different times of the month depending on what stage you are at during your menstrual cycle, for example, your breasts may feel swollen or tender, or even slightly lumpy, so it is important to tune in to these natural changes and know what is usual for you.
What to look out for…
It is incredibly important to use your eyes as well as your hands when checking your breasts, as some signs of breast cancer are visible. To check for visible signs, it is a good idea to look in a mirror and view your breasts from all angles, both with your arms in the air and at your side. Here are the changes you should be looking for:
- Swelling, in your armpit or in your collarbone.
- Changes in the texture of the skin, including dimpling or puckering (a little bit like orange peel).
- A change in nipple size or shape, or even nipple inversion.
- Nipple discharge.
- A rash or crusting on the breast or around the nipple.
But remember, even if cancer is present you may not have all, if any, of these signs, so it is important to feel your breasts as well.
What to feel for…
Many people think that cancer of the breast will always manifest as a lump. However, though lumps are common, breast cancer can also feel like a thickening of the breast tissue, so bear this in mind when checking your breasts. Also, if you feel constant pain in your breast or armpit, don’t ignore it.
How to feel your breasts…
It is recommended that you check your breasts once or twice a month, when relaxed, and preferably with a soapy hand whilst in the bath or shower. Checking your breasts isn’t just about feeling for lumps, but about feeling what is normal for you, so pay attention to how your breasts usually feel.
A good technique to check your breasts is to do the following:
- Using the flat part (not the fingertips) of three or four of your fingers, roll over your breast tissue in a circular motion, feeling for any lumps or thickening. Start at the top and move all the way round the breast until you reach the top again.
- Moving closer towards the nipple, do the same again, and repeat until you reach the nipple.
- Sweep the flat part of your fingers from the side of your breast and up towards your armpit, as your breast tissue extends up to your armpit.
- Gently squeeze your nipple at the 12 and 6 o clock position, as well as the 9 and 3 o clock position to check for any discharge.
If you can see or feel ANY changes in your breasts that are not normal to you then it is extremely important to see your doctor as soon as possible. I myself recently found a lump in my breast. I was terrified and very nervous about going to see the doctor, but I knew it was necessary so I bit the bullet and went. The doctor was very kind and gentle and checked my breast for me, and luckily, thankfully, everything was okay in the end, but it is always better to be safe than sorry, as I’m sure you’ll all agree.
How you can help…
To show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, you can wear a pink ribbon.
I am currently wearing this beautiful Magenta Crusade Pink from Avon which costs £1.50, and all proceeds go to charity. Avon have been fundraising for Breakthrough Breast Cancer for 20 years now, and they often sell other products for the charity, including nail files, baking sets and mugs, so keep an eye out for these when browsing your Avon brochure!
There are also lots of other gorgeous pins and things for sale on the high street this month, some of the proceeds of which will go to charities such as Breast Cancer Care. There is a full list of items here, but here are a few of the fashion and beauty related products you can buy…
QVS Ergo Eyelash Curler – £3.99
Boux Avenue Lyla Bra (£26) and Knickers (£16, or £12 thong)
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil – £9.99
Special Edition Twinpack Cherry Chapstick – £2.49
QVS Two Professional Nail Shapers – £1.99
Penelope Pink Tangle Teaser – £13.99
I hope you have found this post useful, and whether male or female, please remember to check your breasts on a regular basis. Oh and please show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness and wear a pink ribbon – I am!
Naomi x
