Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Posts tagged Charity
Race for Life 2015
0
8 years
I try to do at least one charity run every year, and this year I’ll be doing the Race for Life again. The Race for Life is a huge nationwide event which runs every year, where women and children of all ages come together to run, jog, walk, or even dance a 5k or 10k route, to raise money for Cancer Research UK. I’ve signed up to do the local 5k race on 5th July, which gives me just under two months to do some fundraising!
My fundraising target for this year is £50, but I hope to raise as much money as possible. So, if you can spare a few pounds, please sponsor me via my JustGiving page. Also, if you’re a UK taxpayer, please tick the Gift Aid box, as this will increase your donation by 25%, at no extra cost to you.
Thank you everyone! And please check back in July for my Race for Life photos!
Naomi x
Sport Relief 3 Miles
3
9 years
This morning, my fiancé and I took part in the local Sport Relief event, and ran not one, but three miles! The Sport Relief Games aim to bring the nation together to run, swim or cycle to raise money for charity, which will be spent by Comic Relief to change the lives of people living in the UK and abroad. My fiancé and I ran as a team, and together we managed to raise more than our fundraising target, which I’m very pleased about!
The run was hard work, and I did have to slow to a walk a few times (I blame my complete lack of training), and the weather was unpredictable to say the least (rain and hail followed by hot sun), but it was actually a lot of fun. In fact, the course we ran was about 3.6 miles in length, so we definitely worked hard for our sponsorship!
This was my fifth charity run and I hope to do an even longer one next time – better get training! Did you take part in a Sport Relief event this year?
Naomi x
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
Fashion Find: Out of Print Clothing
0
10 years
by Naomi in Fashion
One of my greatest passions in life is literature. I first joined the library at the age of two, and throughout my childhood I spent most of my free time either reading a book or writing my own stories. My love for words and books has been carried with me into adulthood, and I am even studying for a postgraduate degree in Modern Literature. As I’m sure my blog reflects, another of my passions is fashion, so what could be better than a combination of both of these things?
Last week I came across a fantastic website which combines my love of literature with my passion for fashion, and it also has an ethos I can adhere to. Out of Print Clothing celebrate some of the world’s best literary works through quirky t shirts and accessories, which depict striking, and often out of print, book covers. They also state on their website that ‘Each product is treated to feel soft and worn like a well-read book’, which is such a lovely touch. Their greatness doesn’t stop there, however, as the brand are charitable too! For every product they sell, Out of Print donate a book to a community in need, through a charity called Books For Africa. I’ve always believed in the importance of spreading stories and sharing books, so donating books to those who need them is something I support completely – it’s such a beautiful idea!
There are many t shirts to choose from and I’m sure there’s something there for everybody, but here is my pick of some of my favourite Out of Print t shirts…
A Clockwork Orange – $28.00
1984 – $42.00
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – $28.00
Alice in Wonderland – $40.00
Wuthering Heights – $28.00
Out of Print Clothing are an American company, but they also ship to the UK and the rest of the world. You can view their full range online here, or alternatively, if you’d rather order straight from the UK some of their t shirts are also available from TruffleShuffle.
Which book would you like to see on a t shirt?
Naomi x
Stella & Dot: Autism Awareness Boutique
0April is Autism Awareness Month, and to raise money for The National Autistic Society the lovely folks at Stella & Dot have set up an online Autism Awareness Boutique. Stella & Dot sell a wide range of beautiful, unusual jewellery and accessories, and their Autism Awareness Boutique features five items, the net proceeds of which will be donated to The National Autistic Society. The National Autistic Society are the UK’s leading charity for people with autism, including Asperger syndrome, and they provide information and support for those with autism, and their families.
The items featured in the boutique include Stella & Dot’s Spirit Bracelet, Tree of Life Necklace (my favourite), La Folie Necklace, Pippa Necklace and a funky ‘Bring It‘ jewellery roll. As you can see below, every single piece is absolutely gorgeous with prices ranging from £25 to £55, and at least 15% of each sale will be given to The National Autistic Society. The charity is one which is very important to me, so I urge all of you to shop for a cause and check out Stella & Dot’s Boutique!
The boutique will be open for the whole of April, so there’s plenty of time to get your hands on one (or all!) of these little gems, whilst also supporting a worthy cause.
Happy shopping!
Naomi x
Race for Life 2013
0
10 years
On June 30th I will once again be running the Race for Life in order to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The Race for Life is a big event which runs every year, where women of all ages come together to run, jog or walk a 5k or 10k distance, and the funds raised through sponsorship go towards research to help beat all 200 types of cancer.
My sister Freya and I have decided to run the course together, and will be completing the 5k track in memory of those we have lost to cancer, and in celebration of those who have overcome it. The day is always a lot of fun, full of music, colour, fancy dress and positivity, and I am really looking forward to taking part. I am absolutely determined to run most if not all of the track (rather than walking it), so I am hoping to get a bit of training in before the big day!
My fundraising target for this year is £100, so if you can spare a few pennies and would like to sponsor me, you can do so via my online fundraising page. It’s safe to use and all money goes directly to Cancer Research UK, and can be Gift Aided too. Thank you so much in advance!
Naomi x
Who Made Your Pants? Needs YOUR Help!
6
11 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Wonderful women of all shapes and sizes, this little post is aimed at YOU!
Who Made Your Pants? are a Southampton-based lingerie company who hand-craft amazing, ethical pants for amazing women. But they’re not just any lingerie brand, they’re a campaigning lingerie brand, which is what makes them very special. The company creates rewarding jobs for vulnerable women from all over the world, and gives them a chance to learn useful new skills. To keep costs low so that they can put more money back in to wages, training, support and advice, Who Made Your Pants? use material sold off by the lingerie industry at the end of the season to make their pants, and they can tell you exactly who made every pair of pants that they sell.
I’m sure you’d all agree that Who Made Your Pants? are an incredible brand, so in order to keep up the good work, WMYP need to keep selling lovely pants to amazing women like you! There are many different designs and colours of pants available to buy from Who Made Your Pants?, starting at just £12.50 per pair. So, if you can spare a few pounds, please consider purchasing a pair of pretty panties, not only for yourself but to help the brand and the women who work there! Also, please pass on the word about Who Made Your Pants? in any way you can (blog post, Twitter, Facebook, through friends), as word of mouth is a powerful tool.
Here are just a few of my favourite pairs of pants from the Who Made Your Pants? website…
Brilliant Black – £12.50
Pirate Pink – £23.00
Something Blue – £18.00
Perfectly Pretty Light Purple – £18.00
Black and Caramel – £25.00
You can also buy gift sets, gift vouchers and even yearly pant subscriptions!
Thanks for reading, and please don’t forget to spread the word about Who Made Your Pants?!
Naomi x
PS. You can also follow Who Made Your Pants? on Twitter and ‘Like’ them on Facebook!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
6
11 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
Sport Relief Mile Update: I DID IT!
3
11 years
by Naomi in Health and Fitness
After weeks of waiting, training and getting sponsorship, yesterday the Sport Relief Mile finally came around! All over the country people were running a mile in order to raise money for those in need, and after beating my fundraising target by £7, I couldn’t wait to get running. I won’t lie, I was a little bit nervous as I’d never actually ran a full mile before, but there’s a first time for everything.
At 10am, my family and I headed down to Leicester Race Course and were met with an exciting atmosphere of sun, music and happy people. After a bit of a warm up, the runners had to follow a marching band down to the race track for the run to begin. I was running on my own, and was slightly daunted by the size of the track, but when the horn sounded off I went…
(I’m the one in the red trousers with the silly face).
Despite it being the warmest day of the year so far, I managed to run the mile without any issues! I had to stop twice to tie my trousers tighter, but other than that I hardly walked any of the mile at all and ran all the way. It took me about ten minutes to run the mile and I was presented with a lovely medal at the end.
I’m very proud of myself for doing this and I’m so happy that the money I have raised will be going to an excellent cause. I’m already looking forward to my next run in July – the 5k Race For Life for Cancer Research UK. I better get training!
Thank you to everyone who sponsored me and showed me support, I am forever grateful.
Naomi x
Sport Relief Mile
0
11 years
by Naomi in Health and Fitness
Hello lovely readers!
After contemplating for days whether or not to do it, I have taken the plunge and just registered to run the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile at the race course near my house on the 25th of March! I’ll be running to help raise money for people living extremely tough lives across the UK and around the world. If I hit my fundraising target of £50, I am going to dress up for the event!! I haven’t yet decided what to wear though, so if you have any suggestions please leave a comment!
I have done two longer charity runs in the past and am really looking forward to taking part in this one for such a worthy cause. I have already started training for the Mile (it is less then 3 weeks away after all, eek) and am hoping to run a little every day. Today I did half a mile in four and a half minutes, which for me is pretty good going. Hopefully focusing on this will also help me tone up a bit too!
If you would like to sponsor me, please visit my Sport Relief sponsor page. Whether it’s 50p or £5 every little helps, so thank you in advance for your support! Remember, if I reach £50 I’ll be dressing up 
Naomi x
