The BEST gift you could give this Valentines..

Hey Guys!

Hope your all well ?

 

So here it is again, getting closer and closer to Valentines Day.

The one day every year where the focus is on Love.

Maybe your in a relationship or single - What ever your situation there is no escaping the obvious show of affection everywhere!

 

I am a sucker for 'holidays' and Valentines Day is absolutely no different for me.

This year though, I do feel differently.

 

14th February 2013 - Was the day I was finally discharged after my Third Liver Transplant.

That year I was over whelmed with the feeling of love.

 

 

I really wanted to chat about this after my friend Stacie has taken part in a campaign this Valentines Day called 'Give your heart' which is hoping to make people think about joining the organ donor register this Valentines day - Please watch the short video below :)

 

 

So what made me feel differently about valentines this year?

I have an amazing husband who shows me he loves me all year round, and as much as I love the novelty of a day surrounded it,well I don't need it..

 

But there are people this valentines day who NEED a gift,

the valuable gift of life.

 

This valentines?

I will be spending it with Gareth, appreciating the amazing gift that keeps giving - Organ Donation.

 

 

I remember Valentines 2013 so vividly as I felt such love for my donors,

as I got to return home after months in hospital and enjoy the amazing things life had to offer, and weeks later not that I knew it then I would start to talk to my now Husband.

 

Life has a funny way of working out,

And I couldn't wish more for someone to get there call for transplant more than Stacie.

(She also writes a blog at Life is Worth The Fight)

 

So why not think about joining the register and giving someone like Stacie the chance of loving life this valentines day and every day after?

Find out more & Register Here..

 

Stay Safe, Speak Soon

& Have an amazing Valentines Day.

 

x o x o

 



Liver Catchup - December to Now.

Hey Guys!

Hope your all well?

 

Recently I have kind of slacked with updating you all about how clinic has been going,

there's a few reasons for this but one being I didn't want to jinx myself I suppose.

 

In December my team decided to start to change my medications.

I was on such a huge amount of medication even 3 years on that they believe it has had a big knock on on effect on my health in other aspects - for example my asthma has got considerably worse.

 

So Decembers clinic came and I was pretty scared, the last time my medications were changed was before transplant number 3 and my liver HATED it.

I was pretty hesitant to have them changed but new the benefits of it too (which I will go into in a second).

My doctor went ahead and stopped one of my anti rejection medications - Tacrolimus.

Then up'ed my steroid dosage and tad to prevent rejection.

My bloods since this change (January) where a tad raised but this could be several reasons so we just need to see what my bloods in March are like and that will dictate wether my medications continued to be changed or not - scary stuff.

 

The whole reason for changing my medications is to try and give me a better immune system, as I am a lot more medication then most.

As well as that on some of these medications you can't get pregnant - and of course this is something Me and My Husband want to think about the next few years.

 

Overall my health seems pretty good - so here's to the tablet changing working!

 

Stay Safe & Speak Soon.

Kate

 

xoxo

 



Last Minute Valentines Gift Guide For Him AND Her..

Hey Guys!

Hope your all well ?

 

So this time next week Valentines Day will be over and done with - boo!

Are you looking for some gifts that are guaranteed to please and in a rush to get them in time?

Well you have come to the right place !

 

Flowers.

Bloom & Wild.

 Bloom and Wild is one of those ideas that is super clever and just amazing.
Bloom and wild is run via an app - meaning you can order a bouquet in under a minute!
You can either send a one of gift or set up a monthly subscription, perfect for those men who want to give there women flowers regularly but simply forget - who doesn't want a gift that keeps giving.
Above are a few images of the beautiful Emma bouquet priced at £20 or can be sent as a 3 bouquet deal of £50 at the moment!
The even better thing about these? They come in a box that will slip through your letter box so don't need to worry about anyone being in the house for delivery - Win Win!

These flowers are beautiful and I absolutely adore them and the company Bloom and Wild.
So much so I will be doing a FULL review very soon!
 

 Floric Flowers.

Floric Flowers have some beautiful bouquets over on there website,

a huge range of different kinds of roses and packages starting from £24.99 up to £299 so something for you all.

Shhh - I also have a discount code for 20% if you type LOVE20 at checkout ;)

 

Lush

 

For Her.

 

 

Lush have a pretty impressive valentines range in at the moment, all of which smell devine and any girl would be very happy to receive!

With floral, sweet and calming scents to choose from there is one for all.

But of course any of the lush goodies would be a win, even the permanent range

So why not have a nosey online or in store..

 

For Him

 

 

Lush also have some amazing things in store for men too!

They have an array of bath bombs that will please even the manliest of men (Gareth is known to be fond of having a big blue bath bomb now and again).

But if bath bombs aren't your mans kind of thing what about one of lush's fragrances, beard oils or shaving creams? Honestly there's something for everyone.

 

For You Both..

 

 

Lush massage bars are absolute heaven.

So why not this valentines day get a massage bar and treat your partner or yourself to a romantic massage?

They have floral scents, chocolate scents and even therapeutic ones!

Which one would you choose?

 

Fragrance for You Both.. 

 

 

 

Fragrance is ALWAYS a winner!

After having a hunt I found a great few deals over on The Perfume Shop  great for those of you who are leaving present buying until the last minute.

The Perfume shop are currently offering FREE standard delivery (2-5 days) but you would have to order by Wednesday 11th February to receive in time for Valentines Day OR you can get 99p Next Day Delivery if ordered before 5pm so to receive in time for valentines day you will need to order by 5pm Friday 13th February.

 

Or how about giving them something personal ?

Like a hand written letter,or just something they really love?

Usually I would suggest personalised items for that special touch but it will be pretty difficult to get anything personalised in time now - sorry guys!

 

 

Don't forget, Valentines is only one day a year,

So DON'T stress!

 

Stay Safe & Speak Soon

Kate

xoxo

 



Minted Wishlist - I want it all !

Hey Guys!

Hope your all well?

 

Me and Gareth Recently moved - again..

Not only have we moved, but we have moved into a property which is huge and has a lot of empty space which is just begging to be decorated.

 

We have been on the hunt for things to hang on the walls for ages now (even back to the old house!)

So when I found out about Minted.com I was very excited.

They sell some amazing artwork that is perfectly matched to my taste.

So today I put together a little wish list, which I must say keeps growing the more I look on minted ! 

 

Hugs and Kisses Custom Photo Print.

 

This print was one of the first ones I saw over on Minted which made me fall in love with them instantly.

Me & Gareth have a little joke where he always takes the Mikey I sign off on my blogs with xoxo so when he leaves sometimes he will say "take care speak soon ex oh ex oh" so this print seems perfect ha.

I think I may end up getting this to put in my office using some of our wedding photo's - I am also eyeing up the Mr & Mrs Print to go with this!

 

 

Fox & Deer

 

How cute are these? Slightly hipster I must admit but I love it.

I absolutely adore animals, and woodland animals are no exception - In fact they are some of my favourites!

I have seen quite a few of these different kind of geometric prints and I am in love with them all!

These will defiantly be going somewhere in our house at some point, just need to find some more woodland animals to go with these guys - any suggestions welcome in the comments :)

 

 

You are Loved.

 

I think this print is really sweet, I liked the fact it came in four different colours making this simplistic print perfect for everyone.

I think this would be a fab one in my office just to reinforce this fact..

Some times if I am having days where my anxiety is quite high,I always these kind of motivational prints handy at picking me up sooo this may be a must!

 

Be the best version of Yourself.

 

I fell in love with another motivational quote - this time for above my dressing table!

 I just love this quote, people are always trying to be the best they can be but more then often its because of how they view other people look etc.

I think it's super important to promote self worth to be honest, so think this would be perfect in any space of the house and for lots of different ages just to give a slight reminder on those down days!

 

Which of these is your favourite? Hard to choose right ?!

Why not create you own Minted.com wishlist - I'd love to see them all :)
(You can view there new Art Collection HERE)

 

Stay Safe & Speak Soon.

Kate

xoxo

#LUSHValentines Blogger Event

Hey Guys!

Hope your all okay?

So sorry I vanished for a few days but my laptop died - RIP Red Dell..

But I am BACK new laptop and all wahey!

 

This week I was lucky enough to attend a bloggers event at my favourite lush store Lush Luton.

By now, after all the posts I have done you will all know how much I love this store and its staff  and the friends I have made there so you can imagine how excited I was to go check out all the valentines goodies again!

 

 

 

NEW - Heart Throb, A bubble bar with the same scent of African Paradise body conditioner? Count me in! This has a super uplifting and spa like scent. Devine!

 

I had already uploaded a Valentines Haul - As I am a tad to eager to haul things when they bring something new out but I loved having a nosey around the store once it had closed to have a really good look at everything.

 

 

NEW - Unicorn Horn

This pastel beaut smells like lavender and is amazing and winding down after a chaotic day.

 

 

New - Lonely Heart, This one will win over any lonely heart turing your bath water a gorgeous red colour with gold flecks of glitter and a beautiful sultry scent surrounds the bathtub.

 

 

New - Cupids Soap, I love the fruity scent of this amazing soap. It is a great perky pick me up,I have got through one 100g of this stuff already - it is a fruitier version of Prince Charming I'd say.

 

In my haul you will have read that I didn't pick up the flying fox scented bath bomb floating flower as it just isn't my cup of tea for this reason I was really happy when Kelsey did a demo of the bath bomb because although I didn't like the smell I loved how it looked!

 

 

 

 

 

 

While a few of the other girls had emotional brilliance readings (keep your eyes peeled as I am going to have one done tomorrow at LUSH Swindon..) I took a seat and chatted to Kelsey & Rosie about Facemasks.

 

I love me a face mask as much as any other girl but recently they have just been causing my skin havoc so we sat down to chat about what would be best for my current dry,angry,blemish prone skin!

 

 

 

I Ended up looking at three.

Cupcake - This one smells incredible and is great from problem and oily skin.

Cosmetic Warrior - The Garlic and Tea Tree in this bad boy are GREAT for spotty skin alongside all the other great ingredients.

Oatifix - The go to mask if you want beautiful moisturised skin !

 

 

 In the end I went for Oatifix!

Even though some of the other masks may have helped combat my spots a tad better,the dryness around my nose was defiantly a lot worse and since me and my other half share face masks this one was great for his skin type too (got to be money savvy guys ha )

 

 

 

I picked up Jason and The Argan Oil (great name huh'?) shampoo bar as these things are honestly amazing,and anything with the scent of Rose Jam is instantly a fave in my book.

 

 

 

 

Since I spent most of the event having a nosey at everything it didn't take too long before I started picking up bits and pieces - haul coming very soon of course!

Gareth also picked me up the gorgeous Rosie Gift Set for Valentines which I am UBER excited to open...

 

 

 

 

Some of the bloggers even got a cheeky hand massage..

Which I was kind of gutted I missed out on - maybe next time eh Lush Luton?

 

 

 

As the evening came to a close Rosie made another bath cocktail,and we all starting making a few purchases - of which I ended up buying the most,but hey you have to make the most of an empty lush right? (well that's what I told myself oops...)

 

 

 

 

 We also got a sneak peak of one lush product which got released today as part of the mothers day range shhhh...

I was really hoping we would get a chance to see it all but I am afraid you will need to wait until next weekend to see a haul of the Mothers Day range ( or check my twitter over this weekend for a sneak peak... @KateJakes_ )

 

 

I just want to say a HUGE thank you to the fantastic Lush Luton team for having me and the other bloggers in the store for the evening.

I had a fantastic time as I always do - and learnt a lot more about some of my favourite products.

 

Honestly if you live in Luton or the surrounding area go say hey - tell them Kate sent you ;)

 

Stay Safe & Speak Soon.

Kate

x o x o