Falling on deaf ears.

I haven't done a post on my slight loss of hearing because frankly I don't quite no how I feel about it. I suppose it doesn't matter what I should feel. I just need to find a way to deal with it.

It's either going to get worse or stay as it is, as it seems to be a complicated nerve damage issue. We thought it was going to be a simple bone structure problem (imagine an echo bouncing around a cave and one of those angles send the echo off into nothing) or nerves in the ear (which means the sound is getting in there but it isn't registering), that would have been solved with corrective surgery or a hearing aid. But it seems to be the wires (so to say) between my ears and my brain. Which they can't fix. It means I have been referred to specialists who will help me understand the extent of the damage. If it will stay as it is or if it will get worse. If its a recent problem or if I've always been like this. I can hear simple clear sounds with no effort. I can't hear a thing when all sorts of noises are mashed together. Like when the engine is running in a car, I can't really hear the radio. So I just have to wait, trying hard to not feel helpless.

I have always said if we lost almost everything and could keep just one thing, it would be music. I guess I figured I would always be able to hear it.
Here's to finding out it won't get any worse.
xoxo

My 'moth' orchid.

I have been caring for my new 'moth' orchid (or a phalaenopsis orchid) for two weeks now. It was a welcome home gift from Boyfriend after I'd been to Spain for a week. I can't get over how cute that is. 

Now, I have not been blessed with green fingers. I can kill a simple herb plant if left to my own devices. This is why orchids are my type of plant. They thrive on being left alone. I used to have one in the office when I was an admin apprentice in the south of Spain, which was the same species as this and I kept it alive for quite a long time. 

I keep it on my kitchen window sill, which is a round port hole style window so it looks quite cute. It gets light for half of the day as my kitchen faces north east, which is ideal. As far as watering is concerned, you don't drown orchids in pouring water every day. They should be potted in a cage like pot, soil, roots and all and then sat in a second water tight pot. You keep the orchid in the first cage like pot, removing the whole thing from the second water tight one, fill the solid pot with about a centimetre or two of tepid water, the purer the better and then sit the orchid back in the pot. The roots soak the water up that way. I touch the top soil every morning to make sure it doesn't dry out as this can be fatal. I have only had to top up the water once in two weeks. You can buy special orchid plant food if necessary, but my little plant seems quite okay. 

Do you know of any good orchid guides I can look up? 

xoxo

Law of Attraction.

Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right.

It's as much what you say and what you feel that determines your universe.

Time and personal opinion are little more than perceptions, accept that one perception isn't the rule. 

All you have to do is CHANGE YOUR MIND and you CHANGE YOUR WORLD. 

Wake up. Take charge. No excuses. 

xoxo

Green Machine.

Don't be fooled by it's appearance.

This super food smoothie is delicious.

Packed with antioxidants and botanical extracts, it really tastes like kiwi juice. 

Ingredients: 

Apple, banana, kiwi, mango, pineapple, spirulina (protein, vitamin b12), chlorella (draws out toxic metals from the gut), broccoli, spinach, blue green algae, garlic, barley grass, wheat grass, ginger and parsley. 

I swear to god it tastes like tropical fruit juice. 

I usually grab one with a Boots meal-deal for work. It's quite filling too. 

On the side of the bottle it reads:

"We know it looks intimidating, but don't judge a smoothie by it's colour. It actually tastes good. No really, we're serious. It's got an arsenal of 10 super cool ingredients and is packed with vitamins A and C. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that helps protect your cells from damage by free radicals. So, go for it. And let the pink and orange smoothie drinkers of the world cower at your smoothie prowess.".

Fabulous stuff. 

xoxo

Sparkly phone!

A few weeks ago my lovely Boyfriend was stood in the 'pre-ordered' queue at the Apple store, waiting to collect his shiny new iPhone 5. This meant that his iPhone 4 needed a good home - ENTER JILL. I have such a bad history with phones, it's unreal. From leaving them in really obvious places, like on the table in front of me, to accident drop kicks, water damage and the rest. That's with normal nokias and cheap phones from Argos to bide me until payday. This will be my third iPhone. The first was shattered as it was accidentally launched at the wall. This was a geuine accident and I did not throw it in a fit of anger. The second went 'missing' from my rather secure bag at a very noisy Chase and Status gig at Cardiff student union. I reported it as soon as I realised it had gone from my zipped up bag that was across my body, and the office pointed out that mine was the fifth reported missing that evening. Fml. 

So Boyfriend gifting me with his Looks-Like-New, Hardly-Seems-2-Years-Old, "hand me down" iPhone 4 is a rather extravagant gesture. I feel like I am holding life itself. A memory of someone distant echoes from my past "... more power and technology than the moon rocket...". My vision is blurry. Is it really mine?

I can't walk around with it naked, given my track record. I ordered this from Amazon and it's only cost me £1.34! Isn't it just dreamy?! 

xoxo

Spain.

So last week I was back in my old home, out in the middle of nowhere in the south of Spain.

You really know who your friends are when you all pick up the conversation wherever you left it, last year. This time was a little different, as I was finally able to meet my friend Mia's daughter, Alisha who is now 11 months! I was here last year for her due week and she was a week late. She is a little angel and is very funny.
Not at all stubborn like someone I know.

It was of course my baby brother's 3rd birthday too, so we had loads of food, kids all over the place, balloons strung up and a few cheeky drinks once the kids had all gone to bed. (Serious headaches the next day).

Thank you Saffron and Casey for making loads of delicious smoothies and saving my life!

I have also discovered that I love gin and tonic with a big wedge of lemon. 

Being at Dad's is like going on an extreme retreat, you are about 40 minutes away from the busy, tourist filled coast. You are up a mountain and the views are insane. It's amazing.

Here are some of my best photos, what a great end to a fantastic summer.

xoxo

Mia, Nyssa and Alisha.

Lunch made by Mia's husband, Mike.

The view from Dad's house.

G&T

Balloons!

Campo baby.

Mango, nectarine and ginger smoothies.

Flying home.

Double bobble hat!

I was helping a good friend of mine hunt for a decent winter jacket when we visited the new River Island store in Cardiff. I don't know whether it's the shiny new fixtures and fittings, but I'm sure the stock is nicer than any other branch I've ever been in.

While we waited for someone check the stockroom for another size I spotted this cute double bobble hat. I had to try it on. It was love at first try. I have an unusual taste for cute and odd hats. I have a rather large head, so I was extra pleased that this fit and felt right.

I look forward to turning up the cute on a few outfits this season with this bad boy. 

You can find it on on the River Island website HERE for a fair £13.

xoxo

Cross earrings.

I just had to do a little post on these. I've loved crosses for a while but I've never been compelled to purchase any. That was until I found these while I was in Primark desperate for a quick pair of tights because mine had laddered.

These little gold coloured metal beauties were only £1! They also came in a dark silver too.

Well it would have been rude if I didn't buy them both.

xoxo

Calamity Jill.

So I always tell people I'm clumsy. But I rarely divulge the extent of my wobbly little problem. 

It's a daily fight with everything, moving and stationary.

For example, today in the airport, I managed to pick the only wonky table in the cafe which sent my scolding Americano flying. I was so embarrassed, but the nice bloke made me a fresh cup.

Queuing to go through security, the little clear bag with all of my small toiletries burst, scattering the tubes and bottles everywhere. Getting ready last night I managed to trip over nothing in my apartment and I ended up launching myself face first into my open suitcase.

I clearly have some kind of calamity death wish. 

xoxo

Pay day girly meal.

Thank god for pay day!

I think it's okay to splurge on one little treat at least. 

I say splurge, we had vouchers for "2 courses for £10" for Prezzo! Hardly crippling. 

Just a spontaneous dinner gathering after work. 

I had a lovely time with the girls. 

Must do more often.

I went for the mushroom risotto and the chocolate fudge cake. 

Am I the only one who eats the mint leaf that comes with your dessert? I mean, if it looks a bit limp and old, then I obviously wouldn't, but this was crisp and fresh. 

xoxo