Those that know me know I've been pretty active all my adult life and can outdo a lot of the boys in my peer group when it comes to cardiovascular fitness and even some strength related tasks. In addition, my physical resilience, if I don't mind me saying so; is excellent. My idea of light day is a minimum of the equivalent of about 15,000 steps which with normal day to day activity, is a bout 10km or 6 miles deliberate walking. When exposed to hard, intense physical activity day in and day out, or slightly lower intensity but of long duration, I can cope quite easily and bounce back. Despite having joint hypermobility, I find that being sedentary aggravates it and my body has adapted over the years to cope with the lax joints etc. Because of this, I tend to stay relatively injury free and even though I may not bio-mechanically work as one "should" the fact that my body has adapted means I can keep going.
It is my anecdotal opinion that as no two people are the same, they should also need not move the same way to produce the same outcome safely. Having spent years (since I was about 3 or 4) in and out of physio and specialists and trying to get into the routine of the exercises they set, I found that I never got any noticeable results and I'd find myself with worse injuries than the niggles I was going for in the first place (which for your context would be shin, knee and bad ankle pain, occasional groin strain and shoulder pain too. At one point I had compartment syndrome in my shins, although it was managed as they caught it early and I didn't need a fasciotomy although they monitored closely over the initial 48 hours of diagnosis and treated me with various things such as massage, anti-inflammatories, heat and ice treatment and the big one, rest)! The same applied to when I was prescribed various different Orthotics.
It wasn't until about 2012 when a civilian locum physiotherapist saw me that the cycle seemed to really stop; in particular with shin, ankle and knee pain. Knowing my 10km time and as an ex athletic coach and physio, he told me to stop trying to continually correct everything because with me, nothing was equal or balanced anyway so the net difference would still make me feel off kilter, just in different ways or places! He explained it a lot more scientifically and anatomically to me at the time so it's not quite as simple as that but it's not far off.
Having been in a lot of pain and having the energy of a 5 year old (like a digital battery; full of energy until I just switch off!) I thought I hadn't much to lose. So first of all he advised me on running footwear, he suggested neutral shoe with a low heel to toe drop. This doesn't have to mean barefoot or uncushioned footwear but footwear that has a low gradient heel to toe for your foot. I didn't get any right away but the following month I was reading a Runner's World article on low foot drop profiles and the benefits (they were talking about barefoot running) and so I took some advice from them and went out and tried and subsequently bought a pair. If I remember rightly they were made by Saucony and had a trail style footbed and sole. I also had 3 of these pairs because I ran so much and improved so much that I wore them out and needed new ones. When that model stopped I looked elsewhere and ended up with a variety of different shoes, some by Brooks (had a few excellent pairs of Cascadias), Mizuno Waves and back to the Brooks PureGrit2.
The major thing I realised was that the low foot profile made me run on the balls of my feet more. I am NOT a bio-mechanical specialist or physio but I have studied mechanical engineering and just the simplest of trigonometry and thoughts of suspension etc make me reckon that this change in my gait aided me to not only get faster, but reduce the amount of pain I experienced. Perhaps the motion of the ball of my foot taking the initial strike and rolling the force back toward my heel meant that my lower legs and heels weren't getting 70Kg of body-weight and the additional forces imposed by running going through them as directly as they had been when I was running as a heel striker!
So that was a defining moment in my running "career" and I haven't looked back since and select shoes on the feel and low foot drop; not on what it claims to do on the side of the box. I've made some real progress since then too, even when doing the majority of my training on treadmills (due to work). I've gone from running 11KPH to averaging 14KPH and even higher than this on shorter runs (like the 5km). On top of that I won a Bronze medal at an athletics event running the 1500m in less than 6 minutes!
What is worth noting is that I have been struggling with sciatica, lower back pain, neuralgia and generally quite a bit of discomfort on my right hand side. Also strange sensations in my right hand arm like tingling, numbness and sometimes pain. After several examinations from a doctor, physio and neurologist, I was told I did have abnormal reflexes and was sent for head, neck and full spine MRIs. So far the results of those have shown no issues (such as scarring of the nerves or brain stem, no indication of herniated discs etc). Whereas I don't want to assume they have found nothing wrong, I thought as much that they wouldn't find anything like that. I have a feeling it's something to do with my piriformis, my glutes have always been weaker than I think they should be. I am seeing the physiotherapist tomorrow which will be interesting to know what her thoughts are now and the battle plan. Since I first saw her in March, I haven't run once. I've been confined to using only the elliptical/X-trainer (holding the centre handles as not to twist my back) as a main workout piece of equipment. And walking. LOTS of walking.
I'm looking forward to getting back to running. Within the limitations prescribed, I have tried to retain my cardiovascular fitness and muscle tone as best as I can. Because of that, when I do get back to that and my usual weight training regime, which also incorporates classes such as Les Mills Body Combat, I don't think it will take long to get back to where I was before I started experiencing the symptoms and even improve!
There's a possibility that all the pain I've had may be something to do with my hypermobility as it definitely seems to cycle through good and bad days every few weeks, with nothing noticeable in my routine that may trigger it. Some days, the pain is so bad in my wrists I can barely hold cutlery, other days I'm opening jars that my husband can't! In a gym context, one day I can squat 90Kg on my final set of 5x5s and on another day I barely even get to 70kg before my legs are giving out if I even get to that or complete my sets; or my wrists can't take it when it comes to deadlifts when in previous days they would have been fine! Those that have hypermobility will know what I mean, aside the pain, an overwhelming surge of fatigue spreads through your muscles and body. It personally doesn't really affect my clarity of thought (I don't think) but I know some people report this symptom too. I do get exhausted though. Whereas normally I can cope quite well on 18 hours awake I sometimes struggle to do 12 when it's bad. The good news is that I have noticed that even though I get these spells of pain and exhaustion, the episodes aren't always the same, they're not always so severe and they sometimes last only a couple of days as opposed to a couple of weeks.
I have tried to avoid painkillers at all costs; not least because there are issues surrounding the use of them and my job (you can but they need to be recorded each time and the doctor needs to check for signs that you may be distracted by the issue and not so much because of drug side effects funnily enough), This can then create a false history of your symptoms that they may or may not delve into too much! Also, I prefer to save the usual paracetamol and ibuprofen for when I have really hurt myself or am in a lot of pain so I can use those relatively low grade painkillers to aid me first. There are also multiple studies that make me concerned enough as to the damage these drugs can cause to your cardiovascular system and also things like ligaments. Therefore if I keep usage to a minimum I'm helping reduce those risks.
My hypermobility doesn't get me down quite so much anymore, I know that keeping active helps it and helps keep my weight under control, I know sometimes that activity may be harder at times due to symptoms but that I will benefit from it. I know to scale back when it's really bad and do something less aggravating (I mean if it's bad, why lift weights which are just going to cause unnecessary and untoward pain when I can just do some cardio or something?!)
Keeping my weight around the 70kg mark has meant I've stayed an acceptable UK size 10-12 with some shape and not been too weak or tired; it's also enabled me to be more resilient, particularly with the more physically demanding aspects of my job and it's also fairly sustainable for me even if I do indulge in good food and booze a few times a month. I'm not as thin as I was in 2010-2012 or before my wedding in 2014, but I'm not much different, in fact I have a lot more definition in my upper back and arms because of the training I have done to my lats, triceps, biceps, traps and other muscles.
So in terms of how I go on about my life from now living with hypermobility; I intend to stay very active and enjoy life, I'll remain keeping my weight in check, I'll play the intensity and type of workout according to how I feel at that point (without chinning it off through laziness!). I appreciate everyone is different and there are genuinely people out there in wheelchairs with hypermobility because of their pain. Some people have had this brought about unnecessarily by the crap advice given by doctors in the early noughties and before that. As a child, my consultants told "me" (i.e. my parents; I found the letter they sent) not to run, take on strenuous physical activity etc, and because it was very difficult to stop me when I was little I basically went against this advice. I know my symptoms get worse with inactivity and the cardiovascular benefits weigh out the risk of relatively minor injuries I may get exercising as a hypermobile person. In fact it has improved my condition. I'd kinda like to be able to say "up-yours" to the doctors I saw back then, but the understanding of JHS was (and even now to an extent) poor and complex.
For now, I'm keeping being bouncy and enjoying life! Come join me, the water's lovely!
Tuesday, 21 June 2016
Protein Pancakes
There are 1000s and 1000s of protein pancake recipes online but here's my take.
I use 30g lean protein powder (any will do really, I've used everything from Maximuscle to PhD to myprotein; my biggest issue is if it's been batch tested or not) 5g L-glutamine powder (same about batch testing; I use batch tested myprotein) 5g dessicated coconut or unsweetened coconut flakes(toasted or raw), 10g rolled porridge oats, 10g oatbran, 1 egg and about 150ml-200ml almond milk.
I mix all these up together to make a relatively smooth batter aside the coconut!
Next I cook them in coconut butter or vegetable oil.
I serve mine with reduced fat creme fraiche, fresh fruit (usually banana and/or blueberries) with a drizzle of either fruit coulis of agave nectar and topped off with coconut flakes and cacao nibs. Sometimes both! Nom.
Approx 556kCal
Carbs 63g
Fat 14g
Protein 45g
Fibre 7g
Enjoy!
I use 30g lean protein powder (any will do really, I've used everything from Maximuscle to PhD to myprotein; my biggest issue is if it's been batch tested or not) 5g L-glutamine powder (same about batch testing; I use batch tested myprotein) 5g dessicated coconut or unsweetened coconut flakes(toasted or raw), 10g rolled porridge oats, 10g oatbran, 1 egg and about 150ml-200ml almond milk.
I mix all these up together to make a relatively smooth batter aside the coconut!
Next I cook them in coconut butter or vegetable oil.
I serve mine with reduced fat creme fraiche, fresh fruit (usually banana and/or blueberries) with a drizzle of either fruit coulis of agave nectar and topped off with coconut flakes and cacao nibs. Sometimes both! Nom.
Approx 556kCal
Carbs 63g
Fat 14g
Protein 45g
Fibre 7g
Enjoy!
Back again!
So I'm back after a fairly long time away; at least from this blog.
Over the past year I've come to really enjoy the quick, simple and highly visual Instagram and the punchiness of Twitter; something that I have enjoyed since it first became popular a few years ago.
So you can see all the gaps are actually filled elsewhere!
So I feel to get going again, a quick summary of where I'm at may be a good start!
So, I'm now 28, I'm still in the same job I was in; just at a different place.
At work I'm also fully qualified which is a nice feeling.
I also undertook an undergrad degree in my spare time (as you do) and am graduating in September with a BA(Hons) in Organisational Capability Development! Very happy about this!
I also became a First Responder with LIVES and am enjoying being the Treasurer for m
I'm still very happily married and enjoying not being parents (just yet!) but have had the joy of becoming an Aunty for the first time this year to a beautiful niece and am shortly about to become an Aunty again to another niece!
I'm preparing at the moment to go away "Down South" for 4 months later in the year; a time I plan to get rippppped!
I've spent the past few months not running or lifting heavy weights due to a suspected back injury or post-viral complications. The first has been ruled out with head and full spine and neck MRIs. However; there still could be some neurological damage causing me the horrendous sciatica and neuralgia in my right hand side. In fact, this Wednesday I'm seeing my physiotherapist about the MRI results and whether I can start running/lifting again; I'm yet to here back from the neurologist.
So, I haven't spent the last few months being lazy; instead I've used the cross trainer for my "big" cardio and done LOTS of walking! I average around 25000 steps a day most days every week! Sometimes I average 30000 a day over a week!
That brings me on to my next point; I have become even more of a fitness and health data addict. I started off with an app on my phone, then I got a Jawbone UP24 (I went through several of these- fragile but great battery life!) and then I moved on to the Fitbit ChargeHR which I've had a little over the year. It's great to see that even when I was at my peak fitness just over a year ago hitting a 21'21" 5Km PB; my RHR was still relatively high compared to what it is now. (I have several theories about this which includes looking at my training load from my workouts, specifically and accurately tracked using myPolar RCX3)
I've also started to do Kayla Itsines "Sweat with Kayla", albeit I've been fairly restricted til now (well; I say now; I'm expecting the good news on Wednesday!) and had to modify the workouts and not do all of them. They are hard! I mean they look like nothing on the screen and then you start doing the resistance circuits and they are NAILS!
I'm looking forward to getting back to my other phys activities, aside running, things like Les Mills Body Combat and even to start new classes such as GRIT!
Aside from fitness, I've learned a lot since I've been gone about keeping bunnies. I thought I knew a lot back then but I have amassed so much experience now. Rabbits; they are hard and expensive to keep. But they are 100% worth it! Thank God for insurance! With one of the bunny's vet's bills currently standing at £1200, you need to make sure you insure your pets!
Matilda, aka Miffy, has been struggling with sore hocks over the past 18 months or so. We seem to be pretty much there with it, but she hasn't got it for the usual reasons which made it quite bizarre. We managed to get one of her feet to completely heal, and the other one is almost there! She's responding well, under the care of Sarah Pellet from Animates, to laser therapy and antibiotic treatment. She's currently on a dose of 1ml metronidazole and 0.6ml of metacam (meloxidyl) twice a day and (I can't remember how much; it says on the bottle!) of salbocyl once a day.
Henry, my precious little Holland lop has been fighting some kind of infection for several months and we haven't really gotten to the bottom of it ... so he's now under specialist care with Sarah too.
Luckily, he survived the minor procedure to do some investigative work this Friday just gone. He's been so weak looking and ill and lost about 300g of weight that I didn't think he'd survive the anesthetic, but I believe it's thanks to Sarah, he's doing OK now and came round really pretty well from it! We're currently waiting on some test results/cultures back to see what we're dealing with but it's unlikely he can be cures; however, we possibly can manage whatever it is. As Henry is already 6 and she says they can normally manage it so he has a good quality of life for a few more years, I think I can cope with that! Just so long as he's happy and pain free. We suspect he has e.cuniculi and perhaps either previous treatment has weakened his immune system and made him more vulnerable to a bacterial infection (hence the current nasal discharge and damaged and necrotic turbinates, although these have been all cleaned up now under anesthetic); or the e.cuniculi weakened him OR he was already vulnerable to all these infections which is why he is poorly and his wife bun (Annie) isn't. However, he is happy in the garden as I write on Tramadol, Septrin, Baytril and Meloxidyl(metacam). In fact, he'd probably be just about OK without the painkillers but because of the procedure he had on Friday, we're keeping him on them and to help bring down the inflammation; he already has a much drier nose!
Anyway; basically I haven't changed aside I think I'm a bit more confident. I enjoy all the things I used to; the gym/exercise, food, cooking, traveling, being crafty, bunnies, family and my job in general!
I'm just a bit older, wiser, SLIGHTLY more relaxed but still full of vitality and life!
Over the past year I've come to really enjoy the quick, simple and highly visual Instagram and the punchiness of Twitter; something that I have enjoyed since it first became popular a few years ago.
So you can see all the gaps are actually filled elsewhere!
So I feel to get going again, a quick summary of where I'm at may be a good start!
So, I'm now 28, I'm still in the same job I was in; just at a different place.
At work I'm also fully qualified which is a nice feeling.
I also undertook an undergrad degree in my spare time (as you do) and am graduating in September with a BA(Hons) in Organisational Capability Development! Very happy about this!
I also became a First Responder with LIVES and am enjoying being the Treasurer for m
I'm still very happily married and enjoying not being parents (just yet!) but have had the joy of becoming an Aunty for the first time this year to a beautiful niece and am shortly about to become an Aunty again to another niece!
I'm preparing at the moment to go away "Down South" for 4 months later in the year; a time I plan to get rippppped!
I've spent the past few months not running or lifting heavy weights due to a suspected back injury or post-viral complications. The first has been ruled out with head and full spine and neck MRIs. However; there still could be some neurological damage causing me the horrendous sciatica and neuralgia in my right hand side. In fact, this Wednesday I'm seeing my physiotherapist about the MRI results and whether I can start running/lifting again; I'm yet to here back from the neurologist.
So, I haven't spent the last few months being lazy; instead I've used the cross trainer for my "big" cardio and done LOTS of walking! I average around 25000 steps a day most days every week! Sometimes I average 30000 a day over a week!
That brings me on to my next point; I have become even more of a fitness and health data addict. I started off with an app on my phone, then I got a Jawbone UP24 (I went through several of these- fragile but great battery life!) and then I moved on to the Fitbit ChargeHR which I've had a little over the year. It's great to see that even when I was at my peak fitness just over a year ago hitting a 21'21" 5Km PB; my RHR was still relatively high compared to what it is now. (I have several theories about this which includes looking at my training load from my workouts, specifically and accurately tracked using myPolar RCX3)
I've also started to do Kayla Itsines "Sweat with Kayla", albeit I've been fairly restricted til now (well; I say now; I'm expecting the good news on Wednesday!) and had to modify the workouts and not do all of them. They are hard! I mean they look like nothing on the screen and then you start doing the resistance circuits and they are NAILS!
I'm looking forward to getting back to my other phys activities, aside running, things like Les Mills Body Combat and even to start new classes such as GRIT!
Aside from fitness, I've learned a lot since I've been gone about keeping bunnies. I thought I knew a lot back then but I have amassed so much experience now. Rabbits; they are hard and expensive to keep. But they are 100% worth it! Thank God for insurance! With one of the bunny's vet's bills currently standing at £1200, you need to make sure you insure your pets!
Matilda, aka Miffy, has been struggling with sore hocks over the past 18 months or so. We seem to be pretty much there with it, but she hasn't got it for the usual reasons which made it quite bizarre. We managed to get one of her feet to completely heal, and the other one is almost there! She's responding well, under the care of Sarah Pellet from Animates, to laser therapy and antibiotic treatment. She's currently on a dose of 1ml metronidazole and 0.6ml of metacam (meloxidyl) twice a day and (I can't remember how much; it says on the bottle!) of salbocyl once a day.
Henry, my precious little Holland lop has been fighting some kind of infection for several months and we haven't really gotten to the bottom of it ... so he's now under specialist care with Sarah too.
Luckily, he survived the minor procedure to do some investigative work this Friday just gone. He's been so weak looking and ill and lost about 300g of weight that I didn't think he'd survive the anesthetic, but I believe it's thanks to Sarah, he's doing OK now and came round really pretty well from it! We're currently waiting on some test results/cultures back to see what we're dealing with but it's unlikely he can be cures; however, we possibly can manage whatever it is. As Henry is already 6 and she says they can normally manage it so he has a good quality of life for a few more years, I think I can cope with that! Just so long as he's happy and pain free. We suspect he has e.cuniculi and perhaps either previous treatment has weakened his immune system and made him more vulnerable to a bacterial infection (hence the current nasal discharge and damaged and necrotic turbinates, although these have been all cleaned up now under anesthetic); or the e.cuniculi weakened him OR he was already vulnerable to all these infections which is why he is poorly and his wife bun (Annie) isn't. However, he is happy in the garden as I write on Tramadol, Septrin, Baytril and Meloxidyl(metacam). In fact, he'd probably be just about OK without the painkillers but because of the procedure he had on Friday, we're keeping him on them and to help bring down the inflammation; he already has a much drier nose!
Anyway; basically I haven't changed aside I think I'm a bit more confident. I enjoy all the things I used to; the gym/exercise, food, cooking, traveling, being crafty, bunnies, family and my job in general!
I'm just a bit older, wiser, SLIGHTLY more relaxed but still full of vitality and life!
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
A review of Fabletics clothing
Ok, more for the ladies this one...
Recently, because of the first time offer and the desperate need for some decent well fitting outdoor running clothing, my Husband ordered me some stuff from Fabletics.
For those that don't know, Fabletics is an online subscription service co-set up by Kate Hudson whereby they send you new gear each month for a certain amount (there is flexibility to cancel, skip a month and choose items etc).
Their offer for newbies is that your first "item" is half price. Certain product combinations; outfits if you will, count as "an item" and this is certainly worth exploiting as, in my case, I got a top, tights and beanie for £36 instead of £72, whereas if I'd have added them as separate items, I would have gotten just the beanie at half price!
They took a little longer than I'd hoped to arrive and there wasn't GREAT e-mail communication, but to be fair, all the info was available on my online account, which I had the nouse to check!
They use Hermes to deliver which are notoriously bad. Our local delivery driver only will deliver to our address every other day, so I had to wait an additional day to get my parcel.
It arrived in simple packaging and my top, tights and hat would have easily fit through the postbox. At first I found this disconcerting as it made me question the quality.
However, my "fears" were alieved when I put on the clothing. The tights were made of a dense material so even when stretched they had full coverage and didn't start to go see through.
The top was a long sleeved one called "Cashel" in black and had a lovely wide head opening which skimmed my shoulders and whereas loose, was also tailored to a feminine figure so hung in a lovely way. The sleeves were long and the length of the top is substantial so won't ride up and expose and wobbly bits you may try to be hiding, as well as being highly flattering and stopping exposure to the cold! It was also made of a wonderful technical material so almost looked like you were wearing a thin base layer and a black t shirt (but in a subtle way). In addition, the sleeves are long enough for gangly people like myself to have a comfortable fit when wearing the thumb loops. Ideal.
The tights were black with an insert around the ankle of a white/grey/black design and had zips around the ankles. I ordered them in a regular hoping they'd fit. Ideally I think I need to order the long next time (and there will be a next time incidentally!) as I prefer a longer fit. The fabric is good, adequate compression where needed but not so much it hurts. Also as already mentioned, good coverage and fit.
The hat was fairly standard as far as beanies go but isn't ridiculously thick and has a technical lining meaning it dries quickly too. It looks great on and provides warmth on these colder/longer runs. It also keeps my hair back which is great as I can run with my hair down and not have to have a tight head where I've tied it back... it feels very liberating!
I've so far worn the outfit in two settings.
On a windy and cold winter 8.5km outdoor run and (minus the hat) in the gym on a steady 7.6km run.
It was fantastic outside, no two ways about it. The right amount of ventilation and skin protection for winter weather (so long as you're doing around an hour to 2 hours run closeish to civilisation in case the weather does turn!!!!) although stepping outside was initially cold, it was absolutely fine once running and I operate slightly cooler in general!
In the gym, I would normally wear capris or shorts and whereas it wasn't too bad, I think I'd rather wear capris or shorts than the tights and probably a vest top. This is also because I really push myself in the gym with the dreadmill whereas the outdoor runs are more for pleasure, so my heart rate and effort tends to be much higher and thus I run warmer!
However, so far I cannot fault Fabletics and would recommend them based on this purchase so far. We'll see how the clothing washes but so far so good as has had 2 washes and no problems. Stitching and zips all in good order!
See them here at www.fabletics.co.uk
I am in no way affiliated, sponsored or paid by them but wanted to share a good thing with you all!
Recently, because of the first time offer and the desperate need for some decent well fitting outdoor running clothing, my Husband ordered me some stuff from Fabletics.
For those that don't know, Fabletics is an online subscription service co-set up by Kate Hudson whereby they send you new gear each month for a certain amount (there is flexibility to cancel, skip a month and choose items etc).
Their offer for newbies is that your first "item" is half price. Certain product combinations; outfits if you will, count as "an item" and this is certainly worth exploiting as, in my case, I got a top, tights and beanie for £36 instead of £72, whereas if I'd have added them as separate items, I would have gotten just the beanie at half price!
They took a little longer than I'd hoped to arrive and there wasn't GREAT e-mail communication, but to be fair, all the info was available on my online account, which I had the nouse to check!
They use Hermes to deliver which are notoriously bad. Our local delivery driver only will deliver to our address every other day, so I had to wait an additional day to get my parcel.
It arrived in simple packaging and my top, tights and hat would have easily fit through the postbox. At first I found this disconcerting as it made me question the quality.
However, my "fears" were alieved when I put on the clothing. The tights were made of a dense material so even when stretched they had full coverage and didn't start to go see through.
The top was a long sleeved one called "Cashel" in black and had a lovely wide head opening which skimmed my shoulders and whereas loose, was also tailored to a feminine figure so hung in a lovely way. The sleeves were long and the length of the top is substantial so won't ride up and expose and wobbly bits you may try to be hiding, as well as being highly flattering and stopping exposure to the cold! It was also made of a wonderful technical material so almost looked like you were wearing a thin base layer and a black t shirt (but in a subtle way). In addition, the sleeves are long enough for gangly people like myself to have a comfortable fit when wearing the thumb loops. Ideal.
The tights were black with an insert around the ankle of a white/grey/black design and had zips around the ankles. I ordered them in a regular hoping they'd fit. Ideally I think I need to order the long next time (and there will be a next time incidentally!) as I prefer a longer fit. The fabric is good, adequate compression where needed but not so much it hurts. Also as already mentioned, good coverage and fit.
The hat was fairly standard as far as beanies go but isn't ridiculously thick and has a technical lining meaning it dries quickly too. It looks great on and provides warmth on these colder/longer runs. It also keeps my hair back which is great as I can run with my hair down and not have to have a tight head where I've tied it back... it feels very liberating!
I've so far worn the outfit in two settings.
On a windy and cold winter 8.5km outdoor run and (minus the hat) in the gym on a steady 7.6km run.
It was fantastic outside, no two ways about it. The right amount of ventilation and skin protection for winter weather (so long as you're doing around an hour to 2 hours run closeish to civilisation in case the weather does turn!!!!) although stepping outside was initially cold, it was absolutely fine once running and I operate slightly cooler in general!
In the gym, I would normally wear capris or shorts and whereas it wasn't too bad, I think I'd rather wear capris or shorts than the tights and probably a vest top. This is also because I really push myself in the gym with the dreadmill whereas the outdoor runs are more for pleasure, so my heart rate and effort tends to be much higher and thus I run warmer!
However, so far I cannot fault Fabletics and would recommend them based on this purchase so far. We'll see how the clothing washes but so far so good as has had 2 washes and no problems. Stitching and zips all in good order!
See them here at www.fabletics.co.uk
I am in no way affiliated, sponsored or paid by them but wanted to share a good thing with you all!
Thursday, 15 January 2015
Goal setting.
So it's half way through January of 2015.
I'm feeling a bit aimless. With so many work and family orientated events this year, I'm limited with what I can sign myself up for. I'm trying to save money, or rather not waste it and signing up to races I may not be able to do could be costly.
I could sign up to some cheaper ones but they don't offer a challenge to me and so it also seems like a waste of cash and time!
However, I have been thinking of really getting stuck in to Park Run and really hammering down my 5km time. If work and time allows, I'd love to go back to the RAF Athletics Championships and Presidents Cup and try and get a medal again at the 1500m. I have really improved my time since I last went and won bronze, so I'd like to go again, to see if I can beat my time if not get a medal!
As I get closer to some of the cycling sportives, I'll see if I can get a last minute place... I'm staying cycle fit and running fit anyway and 100miles doesn't phase me, it's just a long day out. I seem to have got my bike in a nice set up with the perfect saddle so I'm pretty keen to get out an use it more. Maybe even do the Dragon ride or a grand fondo.
So most previous years I've set myself physical challeneg goals. This year I'm kind of not.
There is no OVERALL goal for 2015 with regards to sporting prowess. I just don't want to finish 2015 unfitter than I am now. Whereas it'd be nice to take part in sporting competitions, the reality is that this year, my number 1 goal is to get my degree (BA (Hons) Organisational Capability Development) and get my career really fired up. My dream job is on the cards.... so long as I play them right! In order to focus and do well, I need to be in a good frame of mind. How am I going to acheive that? Well, by staying fit and healthy, making time for fun and sleep and just managing my life well.
Do-able? We'll see!
More on this topic later.
Tell me what your goals are!
I'm feeling a bit aimless. With so many work and family orientated events this year, I'm limited with what I can sign myself up for. I'm trying to save money, or rather not waste it and signing up to races I may not be able to do could be costly.
I could sign up to some cheaper ones but they don't offer a challenge to me and so it also seems like a waste of cash and time!
However, I have been thinking of really getting stuck in to Park Run and really hammering down my 5km time. If work and time allows, I'd love to go back to the RAF Athletics Championships and Presidents Cup and try and get a medal again at the 1500m. I have really improved my time since I last went and won bronze, so I'd like to go again, to see if I can beat my time if not get a medal!
As I get closer to some of the cycling sportives, I'll see if I can get a last minute place... I'm staying cycle fit and running fit anyway and 100miles doesn't phase me, it's just a long day out. I seem to have got my bike in a nice set up with the perfect saddle so I'm pretty keen to get out an use it more. Maybe even do the Dragon ride or a grand fondo.
So most previous years I've set myself physical challeneg goals. This year I'm kind of not.
There is no OVERALL goal for 2015 with regards to sporting prowess. I just don't want to finish 2015 unfitter than I am now. Whereas it'd be nice to take part in sporting competitions, the reality is that this year, my number 1 goal is to get my degree (BA (Hons) Organisational Capability Development) and get my career really fired up. My dream job is on the cards.... so long as I play them right! In order to focus and do well, I need to be in a good frame of mind. How am I going to acheive that? Well, by staying fit and healthy, making time for fun and sleep and just managing my life well.
Do-able? We'll see!
More on this topic later.
Tell me what your goals are!
My wedding 31 May 2014 - Yorkshire, Essex, Italy, Tiffany, Diamonds, Sparkle, RAF and Love... but best of all marrying the love of my life!
My wedding to my wonderful fella, "C" was on 31 May 2014 back in my home town.
After months of unexpected calm followed by 5 or 6 weeks of incapable stress, Saturday 31st May 2014 came around quickly and as a calm, serene morning.
After a lovely couple of days beforehand including being beauty Spa-ed all out, serenaded by my then husband to be (Bruno Mars - I think I want to marry you) with my Italian family over from Gubbio and Cuneo as witnesses, and a pre-wedding day soiree at my fantastic Aunty and Uncle's house who helped with so much of the planning and execution, I woke up early and refreshed on the Saturday morning. A trip to the hairdressers in Walton after a shower to have my hair blow dried straight (They didn't even realise it was my wedding day despite me wearing a Tiffany blue hoody with "Bride to Be" in crystals on the back!" followed by a quick stop in at the greengrocer florist to pick up my surprise fresh flower wrist corsages and buttonholes for my Mum, Dad and then fiance took me to the mid morning and in to all action stations manned! Visitors galore were over eating breakfast and prosecco and floating about, but it wasn't rushed or panicked!
The photographer arrived and created some lovely images during this time, including ones of me and my beloved pet agouti rabbit, Rosie who has sadly since passed away, providing me with cherished physical memories for years to come. (I highly recommend Holly from Belle and Beau Photography based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England... she travels all over too! http://belleandbeaublog.com/ )
The make-up lady from The Beauty Spa in Horbury, again I'd recommend them too, arrived and started to do my makeup whilst my bridesmaids and I got ready, drank pink bubbles and they did a "Mr and Mrs" style quiz on me and presented me with a fantastic book of girly memories of me, my buddies and my sisters. My wonderful sister also called Holly, styled my hair into the masterpiece it was with my fantastic tiara and veil (custom made from wedding veils direct, although Mum actually put the veil in later). All while my Dad was sending up dishes of beautifully home-cooked lasagne and salad to me and my "crew"! I was so pre occupied and tied up with all the work being done that I didn't get to eat this until just before putting on my dress and I only managed a few cold mouthfuls!
Downstairs, Italian family members were around for pieces of cake that Dad had made and bought and in the Garden, a small gazebo was up outside the French windows and everyone was buzzing around!
My dress was hung up in the immaculately decorated and furnished sitting room that Mum had been saving to this moment! She'd even put beautiful lillies (via means of my elder sister, Vivien!) in tall glass vases to decorate the room.
1200 came and Mum was dressed pretty much, and my bridesmaids were putting on their dresses, but then came the time for me to put mine on. I wasn't quite ready with my hair etc so had to tell Mum to relax and wait, but she was insistent! By now, the Rolls Royce Phantom II (in white!) had arrived and was parked up in the courtyard! It looked fantastic!
As soon as I was pretty much ready, I started to get dressed. Whilst this was happening, I opened the gift from my husband to be, a beautiful pair of Tiffany & Co. olive leaf earrings by Paloma Picasso... a pair that matched one of my silver rings from Tiffany & Co. and fell perfectly within my Tiffany blue colour theme!
Then came the big moment, putting on the dress. I moved downstairs to the afore mentioned fitting room. Here, my mum and bridesmaids helped me get in to my dress, spending what seemed like a life time pulling up the laces, tweaking and shivvying it around! The dress itself was called "Sardinia" by a designer brand called Nicola Anne based in Leicestershire, UK. I'd had a few dramas with the dress just before the wedding. I had got it from "Limelight Occasions" in Lepton, West Yorkshire. Up to the point of alterations, the service had been fantastic. I really liked Sue, one of the shop owners, but later had trouble with one of the seamstresses. Both my mother and I are not trained seamstresses, but we've done some dress making and sewing in our time and I was not initially convinced by her plan on first alterations. I was also a little annoyed that the designer had ordered a size 14 for me when the sample dress that fitted with wiggle room was a size 12 when she measured me. I felt this was a money making ploy to force me to have significant alterations in hindsight. We were pretty displeased, as even though we got a discount from the designer trunk day and a slight additional friend of a friend bonus (My Aunty, who recommended the place, has connections via the Masons with the owners), the dress did cost a significant amount, and we bought a lace jacket and a tiara from there which also were not cheap.
At the first fitting the dress had just arrived so it was just trying it on. It was HUGE! I didn't lose masses of weight before the wedding as when I bought the dress I'd done the most part of my weight loss so it should have been a close fit! On the next fitting, the skirt had been hacked and the agreed course of action hadn't been stuck to, i.e. to lift the skirt from the waist, not cut it from the bottom. The result was a misaligned skirt with a raw hem edge and was curling up. It was very distressing as I don't work close to this dress shop and live 90 miles away. Getting time off within their working times was nigh on impossible and I ended up taking leave to do this. I didn't find them helping me fit this in which isn't great for a bride planning a wedding away from her family and whilst her husband was working in a foreign country for 75% of the engagement!
The dress had to be sent back to Nicola Anne to have the skirt remade. It came back and some alterations to the hips, waist and bust were done, but in all honesty, I was pretty upset as it still didn't fit quite right, my mum agreed, but by this point it was less than a week to the big day and I couldn't take any more stress. I think to other people, they wouldn't have noticed the misfit, but I could feel it and both my mum and I knew.
Anyway, moving back to the day... because on the day, I didn't care! I was getting to marry (excuse the cliche!) my best friend and true love!
The dress was tweaked on to me and my mum and bridesmaids helped me put on my jacket. I put on my Tiffany blue shoes (with I do in matching crystals on the soles, I know a lot of women do this but I do think it was a subtle secret!) and my mum finished the look by adding in my veil!
Once that was all done it was time for Dad, who'd been getting ready too as I was, to see me! His face in one of the photos says it all! It's quite an awkward and anxious moment I think for brides! And probably for fathers too!
Shortly after that, it was time for Mum and my bridesmaids to go. My Uncle had just got a brand spanking new black Mercedes 4x4 and was doing driving duties for some of the bridesmaids and for later on, Mum and my 2 sisters went in the Rolls, and my best friend and sister-in-law travelled in the Merc.
By now, my brothers were at the church, had delivered last minute stuff to various locations and people and were doing ushering duties.
Then it was just me and dad. In the kitchen, waiting! I had bought some cognac miniatures, I was worried about port stains and I don't really like sherry! So we had a little bit of that whilst we waited for the car to return. Dad parted some words of wisdom, but those are just between him and me. In all honesty, I didn't hear everything he said as I was anxious and excited, but there were a few gems I've held on to!
The car returned and I got in, it was bloody awkward! I didn't even have a huge dress but I still had my skirt up round my neck and my veil wrapped round my legs and neck somehow!
I wasn't nervous at all as we drove but the journey SEEMED to take forever!
Arriving at the church, I had a momentary heart flutter as I waited to get out of the car, but no-one would have known. My bridesmaids were waiting for me as I got out and mine and my husband's pals were forming a wonderful guard of honour in their smart officers' uniforms various, swords gleaming! Bridesmaids at the ready, they preened, fluffed and straightened everything. My husband's little brother was the page boy and was ushered by the bridesmaids in to an orderly fashion and given the ring pillow. He looked so smart in his miniature version of the ushers' tails! As I approached the church, I saw my best friend's mum there taking pics and an old school class mate's mum too (poaching ideas for her daughter's wedding presumably, after all we were the wedding of 2014 at St Austins!)
I literally couldn't stop grinning at this point, I passed under the guard of honour, grinning at my friends! Then it was time to walk down the aisle!
Refluffed and straightened Dad and I began to walk down the aisle, closely followed by my bridesmaids, to The Prince of Denmark's March better known as the trumpet voluntary, played on the organ and cornet by one of the girls at my mother's brass band! As I approached my soon to be husband, he gasped as he did a last minute turn around when I got closer.
The ceremony was a full Catholic wedding mass, including communion. The sermon, conducted by Fr. Tim Swinglehurst, was a bit fire and brimstone, but I think he realised this and clawed it back! We modified various bits of the mass, including the Psalm, "The Lord is my Shepherd" as one of the verses is pretty dark!
During the exchange of rings, my other half presented the wrong hand and almost confused me! We sung "Guide me Oh Thou Great Redeemer", "Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace" During communion and " Jerusalem" just before walking out! Ave Maria was sung by a male tenor during the signing of the register which was stunning, I always preferred hearing it sung by a male voice than a female! Much less whiney!
We had "Allow us to love together to a happy old age. A reading from the book of Tobit 8:4b-8" as our first reading and"If I do not have love, I gain nothing. A reading from the book of Corinthians 12:31-13:8a", both read by the daughters of my God Parents who are my cousins! My God Parents took roles as witness and gift bearer. "John 2:1-11" was our Gospel reading.
As confetti wasn't permitted due to Wakefield Council, when we left, we had provided bubbles to be blown so the air was filled with bubbles as we left the church and stepped in to the car, whilst I was unwittingly being adorned with charms by aunty and NOW husband's relatives!
As the reception venue didn't have lots of stunning grounds, (sorry Blenheim House!) we decided to have our close family and couple-y photos done at Wilton Park, better know to locals as Batley Park. This is also the same place where my own mum and dad had heir wedding photos, so it served dual purpose! Whereas the sun wasn't shining brightly at this point, it was dry and we had some gorgeous photos taken by the lake and by the flower bushes. My poor photographer almost fell in the lake though trying to get a really big group shot of us though!
Once the family bits were done, they headed up to Blenheim house ahead of me and my husband and we had a couple more shots. These ended up being some of my favourite shots of the day (coupled with the ones of Rosie rabbit who has since tragically passed away).
We then headed up to Blenheim house, a lovely old building which has just had some extensive and much needed renovations to it's main function hall. It does look lovely, fresh and airy now and anyone wishing to book a wedding reception here who isn't overly fussed about extensive grounds or accommodation, would do well to save a few bob and book here. The staff are pretty happy to co-operate and it's neutral decor in most of the main areas mean it really can be made your own place. Plus the bar stocks good drink and very reasonable prices so your guests won't have a sour taste at the cost of drink if you are not having a free bar.
My guests were welcomed by a selection of canapes served by the excellent catering company "Food 4 Thought" who have just revamped their company, which was too my advantage as I had old prices with the new service which was stunning. These were served with an arrivals drink of a glass of prosecco charged with a wild hibiscus flower and syrup. They looked spectacular!
Unfortunately, a technical glitch meant the music wasn't playing but this wasn't a problem or really noticed at this point.
Soon after we all made our way in to the main hall after a receiving line. And our guests were presented to a Tiffany and navy blue wonderland of gems and crystals, pearls and shimmer!
With table centre pieces created by me (kilner jars with glass pebbles and pearl garland led lights, trimmed with lace and diamante crystals on large mirrored plates, with scatter crystals and heart shaped vanilla tealights. The cake was on a table in the bay window, lovingly made over the preceding months by my wonderful aunty. (She and my uncle did so much to help!) I made the cake toppers out of Fimo clay in the build up to the wedding, it incorporated my two pet rabbits at the time, Miffy and Rosie, and the brooches on the cake were identical to the one on my dress and on my shoes as well as the ring cushion (careful eBay sourcing!).
The flowers on the top table were country style stems and the ones on the cake were artificial flowers from Country Baskets in Leeds.
We were served a delicious meal to reflect my heritage and things I like. So I had chosen a mixed Italian/Med style antipasti starter with houmous, olives, charcuterie, breads, oils, sunblush tomatoes, salad and buffalo mozarella...it was very filling! The idea behind it was more of a social one... to get people talking on the table, make it feel like a family, passing and sharing the boards around. It also gave people a chance to pick and choose what they wanted so at least they'd hopefully like something on it!
The main meal was a pre-negotiated choice of "Risotto verde", "Pan fried sea bass on Mediterranean veg with crushed new potatoes" or "Slow cooked lamb on a potato rosti". I had the sea bass and it was amazing! Totally delicious! This was chosen to have a British element (lamb), Italian and also to reflect my husband's coastal background (the fish).
Dessert was a trio of lemon tart with raspberry coulis, "Rhubarb and Custard" creme brulee and sticky toffee pudding. This was to reflect my heritage and again, allow people to hopefully like one of them... the Rhubarb was to reflect my Yorkshire, Rhubarb Triangle home town. We struggled to eat dessert (ours were served on beautiful heart shaped slates!) as we were so busy walking around everyone, talking to them and socialising!
This was followed by tea, coffee and chocolates which we had ordered ourselves which were more of memento as it had our names and the date, the theme matched our colours!
Speeches followed with a delicious prosecco charged in our glasses. Dad's speech was brilliant, I really wouldn't want to write and describe it, as again, it's a cherished memory. The same for the subsequent speeches. All of them were eloquent and thoughtful and funny too! Dad's in particular really struck a nerve with many people and there were a few tears!
After that, we cut the cake and then all went outside to have a group photo before the evening celebrations commenced!
The cake was stunning. My Aunty had made it months in advance and had a friend ice it. I made the cake toppers and we filled the gaps with fairy flower lights and artificial flowers from Country Baskets. It was 4 tiers tall and even had gaps in between so it stood very high... I was very impressed!
The evening consisted of a variety of things. Firstly, we didn't have additional evening guests really (there were about 3 for various reasons) so we shivvied everyone out of the main hall in to the bar and outside whilst the room was turned around. The military lads changed in to their mess kit "No. 5 Uniform" and I had a few modifications to my dress, bustled up etc.
We had booked "The Briefcase Blues Brothers" for the evening based on good reviews. Unfortunately, we found the set up to be a pain in the bum. They had asked for UPTO 45 minutes... they took an hour and a half, by which time the photographer had to leave (galling really) and the sound hadn't been checked right. I wouldn't use them again. Especially when they weren't cheap.
Our first dance was by Pharrell Williams... it was "Happy"! No-one really expected it. We didn't tell many people at all and we didn't tell them we'd come up with a bit of a routine!
Link to the video here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW5nW4XqSEI
We started off like we were going to do something slow and soppy... then it kicked in! We love each other so much, and as we're both quite energetic and vivacious, this suited us to a tee! And, well, we were and continue to be Happy!
A relaxed and fun filled evening ensued... we smoked cigars outside, caught up with friends and family and ate some lovely bits of food. My Dad probably gave himself a little hyperglycemia with all the sweets he consumed from the little sweet table we had!!!
We didn't have a guest book so to speak, we instead had a tree where our guests could write luggage tag messages for us. I've yet to archive this in to a book!
When the time came, we left in a wonderful Audi exec car. (Sorry Hubby, I can't remember what model it was!) and travelled to the Doubletree Hilton at Leeds. When we got there, we threw our bags in to the hotel room and didn't realise we'd been given some free Champagne in the suite!
We decided to go up to the Sky Bar for a drink and dance on our own away from the wedding scenario... when we got up on the lift, we were complimented left right and centre by drunk, but very lovely, people. When we went up to the bar, we patiently waited, it looked like we were being ignored, but instead, the champagne that was being poured by the bar tender was handed to us, with a "Congratulations!". Lovely!
The following day, Hubby had been very organised and had parked his car at the hotel earlier in the day so that we could drive back to my parents the following day. Realising my bridesmaids had taken out my jeans from my luggage in a last minute panic trying to find something of theirs, I fortunately had packed a pair of long shorts in my bag and wore those with my tacky, but fun, "Mrs Klejnow-Penneck" diamante t-shirt!
Back at home, we had loads of family and some friends round for a big brunch. The sun was shining so we all ate outside... it was wonderful!
My siblings presented me with the amazing gift of a Kenwood Mixer (Chef Premier.... AMAZING!) and Hubby's uncle had sent us a gift of an amazing painting of a Moroccan market scene which now proudly resides above our fireplace!
A few issuings of cake and goodbyes later, Hubby and I set off to Manchester airport pre our early flight the following morning to my surprise destination honeymoon... But that's for another day!
Pictures below by Holly at Belle and Beau Photography, Halifax.
After months of unexpected calm followed by 5 or 6 weeks of incapable stress, Saturday 31st May 2014 came around quickly and as a calm, serene morning.
After a lovely couple of days beforehand including being beauty Spa-ed all out, serenaded by my then husband to be (Bruno Mars - I think I want to marry you) with my Italian family over from Gubbio and Cuneo as witnesses, and a pre-wedding day soiree at my fantastic Aunty and Uncle's house who helped with so much of the planning and execution, I woke up early and refreshed on the Saturday morning. A trip to the hairdressers in Walton after a shower to have my hair blow dried straight (They didn't even realise it was my wedding day despite me wearing a Tiffany blue hoody with "Bride to Be" in crystals on the back!" followed by a quick stop in at the greengrocer florist to pick up my surprise fresh flower wrist corsages and buttonholes for my Mum, Dad and then fiance took me to the mid morning and in to all action stations manned! Visitors galore were over eating breakfast and prosecco and floating about, but it wasn't rushed or panicked!
The photographer arrived and created some lovely images during this time, including ones of me and my beloved pet agouti rabbit, Rosie who has sadly since passed away, providing me with cherished physical memories for years to come. (I highly recommend Holly from Belle and Beau Photography based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England... she travels all over too! http://belleandbeaublog.com/ )
The make-up lady from The Beauty Spa in Horbury, again I'd recommend them too, arrived and started to do my makeup whilst my bridesmaids and I got ready, drank pink bubbles and they did a "Mr and Mrs" style quiz on me and presented me with a fantastic book of girly memories of me, my buddies and my sisters. My wonderful sister also called Holly, styled my hair into the masterpiece it was with my fantastic tiara and veil (custom made from wedding veils direct, although Mum actually put the veil in later). All while my Dad was sending up dishes of beautifully home-cooked lasagne and salad to me and my "crew"! I was so pre occupied and tied up with all the work being done that I didn't get to eat this until just before putting on my dress and I only managed a few cold mouthfuls!
Downstairs, Italian family members were around for pieces of cake that Dad had made and bought and in the Garden, a small gazebo was up outside the French windows and everyone was buzzing around!
My dress was hung up in the immaculately decorated and furnished sitting room that Mum had been saving to this moment! She'd even put beautiful lillies (via means of my elder sister, Vivien!) in tall glass vases to decorate the room.
1200 came and Mum was dressed pretty much, and my bridesmaids were putting on their dresses, but then came the time for me to put mine on. I wasn't quite ready with my hair etc so had to tell Mum to relax and wait, but she was insistent! By now, the Rolls Royce Phantom II (in white!) had arrived and was parked up in the courtyard! It looked fantastic!
As soon as I was pretty much ready, I started to get dressed. Whilst this was happening, I opened the gift from my husband to be, a beautiful pair of Tiffany & Co. olive leaf earrings by Paloma Picasso... a pair that matched one of my silver rings from Tiffany & Co. and fell perfectly within my Tiffany blue colour theme!
Then came the big moment, putting on the dress. I moved downstairs to the afore mentioned fitting room. Here, my mum and bridesmaids helped me get in to my dress, spending what seemed like a life time pulling up the laces, tweaking and shivvying it around! The dress itself was called "Sardinia" by a designer brand called Nicola Anne based in Leicestershire, UK. I'd had a few dramas with the dress just before the wedding. I had got it from "Limelight Occasions" in Lepton, West Yorkshire. Up to the point of alterations, the service had been fantastic. I really liked Sue, one of the shop owners, but later had trouble with one of the seamstresses. Both my mother and I are not trained seamstresses, but we've done some dress making and sewing in our time and I was not initially convinced by her plan on first alterations. I was also a little annoyed that the designer had ordered a size 14 for me when the sample dress that fitted with wiggle room was a size 12 when she measured me. I felt this was a money making ploy to force me to have significant alterations in hindsight. We were pretty displeased, as even though we got a discount from the designer trunk day and a slight additional friend of a friend bonus (My Aunty, who recommended the place, has connections via the Masons with the owners), the dress did cost a significant amount, and we bought a lace jacket and a tiara from there which also were not cheap.
At the first fitting the dress had just arrived so it was just trying it on. It was HUGE! I didn't lose masses of weight before the wedding as when I bought the dress I'd done the most part of my weight loss so it should have been a close fit! On the next fitting, the skirt had been hacked and the agreed course of action hadn't been stuck to, i.e. to lift the skirt from the waist, not cut it from the bottom. The result was a misaligned skirt with a raw hem edge and was curling up. It was very distressing as I don't work close to this dress shop and live 90 miles away. Getting time off within their working times was nigh on impossible and I ended up taking leave to do this. I didn't find them helping me fit this in which isn't great for a bride planning a wedding away from her family and whilst her husband was working in a foreign country for 75% of the engagement!
The dress had to be sent back to Nicola Anne to have the skirt remade. It came back and some alterations to the hips, waist and bust were done, but in all honesty, I was pretty upset as it still didn't fit quite right, my mum agreed, but by this point it was less than a week to the big day and I couldn't take any more stress. I think to other people, they wouldn't have noticed the misfit, but I could feel it and both my mum and I knew.
Anyway, moving back to the day... because on the day, I didn't care! I was getting to marry (excuse the cliche!) my best friend and true love!
The dress was tweaked on to me and my mum and bridesmaids helped me put on my jacket. I put on my Tiffany blue shoes (with I do in matching crystals on the soles, I know a lot of women do this but I do think it was a subtle secret!) and my mum finished the look by adding in my veil!
Once that was all done it was time for Dad, who'd been getting ready too as I was, to see me! His face in one of the photos says it all! It's quite an awkward and anxious moment I think for brides! And probably for fathers too!
Shortly after that, it was time for Mum and my bridesmaids to go. My Uncle had just got a brand spanking new black Mercedes 4x4 and was doing driving duties for some of the bridesmaids and for later on, Mum and my 2 sisters went in the Rolls, and my best friend and sister-in-law travelled in the Merc.
By now, my brothers were at the church, had delivered last minute stuff to various locations and people and were doing ushering duties.
Then it was just me and dad. In the kitchen, waiting! I had bought some cognac miniatures, I was worried about port stains and I don't really like sherry! So we had a little bit of that whilst we waited for the car to return. Dad parted some words of wisdom, but those are just between him and me. In all honesty, I didn't hear everything he said as I was anxious and excited, but there were a few gems I've held on to!
The car returned and I got in, it was bloody awkward! I didn't even have a huge dress but I still had my skirt up round my neck and my veil wrapped round my legs and neck somehow!
I wasn't nervous at all as we drove but the journey SEEMED to take forever!
Arriving at the church, I had a momentary heart flutter as I waited to get out of the car, but no-one would have known. My bridesmaids were waiting for me as I got out and mine and my husband's pals were forming a wonderful guard of honour in their smart officers' uniforms various, swords gleaming! Bridesmaids at the ready, they preened, fluffed and straightened everything. My husband's little brother was the page boy and was ushered by the bridesmaids in to an orderly fashion and given the ring pillow. He looked so smart in his miniature version of the ushers' tails! As I approached the church, I saw my best friend's mum there taking pics and an old school class mate's mum too (poaching ideas for her daughter's wedding presumably, after all we were the wedding of 2014 at St Austins!)
I literally couldn't stop grinning at this point, I passed under the guard of honour, grinning at my friends! Then it was time to walk down the aisle!
Refluffed and straightened Dad and I began to walk down the aisle, closely followed by my bridesmaids, to The Prince of Denmark's March better known as the trumpet voluntary, played on the organ and cornet by one of the girls at my mother's brass band! As I approached my soon to be husband, he gasped as he did a last minute turn around when I got closer.
The ceremony was a full Catholic wedding mass, including communion. The sermon, conducted by Fr. Tim Swinglehurst, was a bit fire and brimstone, but I think he realised this and clawed it back! We modified various bits of the mass, including the Psalm, "The Lord is my Shepherd" as one of the verses is pretty dark!
During the exchange of rings, my other half presented the wrong hand and almost confused me! We sung "Guide me Oh Thou Great Redeemer", "Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace" During communion and " Jerusalem" just before walking out! Ave Maria was sung by a male tenor during the signing of the register which was stunning, I always preferred hearing it sung by a male voice than a female! Much less whiney!
We had "Allow us to love together to a happy old age. A reading from the book of Tobit 8:4b-8" as our first reading and"If I do not have love, I gain nothing. A reading from the book of Corinthians 12:31-13:8a", both read by the daughters of my God Parents who are my cousins! My God Parents took roles as witness and gift bearer. "John 2:1-11" was our Gospel reading.
As confetti wasn't permitted due to Wakefield Council, when we left, we had provided bubbles to be blown so the air was filled with bubbles as we left the church and stepped in to the car, whilst I was unwittingly being adorned with charms by aunty and NOW husband's relatives!
As the reception venue didn't have lots of stunning grounds, (sorry Blenheim House!) we decided to have our close family and couple-y photos done at Wilton Park, better know to locals as Batley Park. This is also the same place where my own mum and dad had heir wedding photos, so it served dual purpose! Whereas the sun wasn't shining brightly at this point, it was dry and we had some gorgeous photos taken by the lake and by the flower bushes. My poor photographer almost fell in the lake though trying to get a really big group shot of us though!
Once the family bits were done, they headed up to Blenheim house ahead of me and my husband and we had a couple more shots. These ended up being some of my favourite shots of the day (coupled with the ones of Rosie rabbit who has since tragically passed away).
We then headed up to Blenheim house, a lovely old building which has just had some extensive and much needed renovations to it's main function hall. It does look lovely, fresh and airy now and anyone wishing to book a wedding reception here who isn't overly fussed about extensive grounds or accommodation, would do well to save a few bob and book here. The staff are pretty happy to co-operate and it's neutral decor in most of the main areas mean it really can be made your own place. Plus the bar stocks good drink and very reasonable prices so your guests won't have a sour taste at the cost of drink if you are not having a free bar.
My guests were welcomed by a selection of canapes served by the excellent catering company "Food 4 Thought" who have just revamped their company, which was too my advantage as I had old prices with the new service which was stunning. These were served with an arrivals drink of a glass of prosecco charged with a wild hibiscus flower and syrup. They looked spectacular!
Unfortunately, a technical glitch meant the music wasn't playing but this wasn't a problem or really noticed at this point.
Soon after we all made our way in to the main hall after a receiving line. And our guests were presented to a Tiffany and navy blue wonderland of gems and crystals, pearls and shimmer!
With table centre pieces created by me (kilner jars with glass pebbles and pearl garland led lights, trimmed with lace and diamante crystals on large mirrored plates, with scatter crystals and heart shaped vanilla tealights. The cake was on a table in the bay window, lovingly made over the preceding months by my wonderful aunty. (She and my uncle did so much to help!) I made the cake toppers out of Fimo clay in the build up to the wedding, it incorporated my two pet rabbits at the time, Miffy and Rosie, and the brooches on the cake were identical to the one on my dress and on my shoes as well as the ring cushion (careful eBay sourcing!).
The flowers on the top table were country style stems and the ones on the cake were artificial flowers from Country Baskets in Leeds.
We were served a delicious meal to reflect my heritage and things I like. So I had chosen a mixed Italian/Med style antipasti starter with houmous, olives, charcuterie, breads, oils, sunblush tomatoes, salad and buffalo mozarella...it was very filling! The idea behind it was more of a social one... to get people talking on the table, make it feel like a family, passing and sharing the boards around. It also gave people a chance to pick and choose what they wanted so at least they'd hopefully like something on it!
The main meal was a pre-negotiated choice of "Risotto verde", "Pan fried sea bass on Mediterranean veg with crushed new potatoes" or "Slow cooked lamb on a potato rosti". I had the sea bass and it was amazing! Totally delicious! This was chosen to have a British element (lamb), Italian and also to reflect my husband's coastal background (the fish).
Dessert was a trio of lemon tart with raspberry coulis, "Rhubarb and Custard" creme brulee and sticky toffee pudding. This was to reflect my heritage and again, allow people to hopefully like one of them... the Rhubarb was to reflect my Yorkshire, Rhubarb Triangle home town. We struggled to eat dessert (ours were served on beautiful heart shaped slates!) as we were so busy walking around everyone, talking to them and socialising!
This was followed by tea, coffee and chocolates which we had ordered ourselves which were more of memento as it had our names and the date, the theme matched our colours!
Speeches followed with a delicious prosecco charged in our glasses. Dad's speech was brilliant, I really wouldn't want to write and describe it, as again, it's a cherished memory. The same for the subsequent speeches. All of them were eloquent and thoughtful and funny too! Dad's in particular really struck a nerve with many people and there were a few tears!
After that, we cut the cake and then all went outside to have a group photo before the evening celebrations commenced!
The cake was stunning. My Aunty had made it months in advance and had a friend ice it. I made the cake toppers and we filled the gaps with fairy flower lights and artificial flowers from Country Baskets. It was 4 tiers tall and even had gaps in between so it stood very high... I was very impressed!
The evening consisted of a variety of things. Firstly, we didn't have additional evening guests really (there were about 3 for various reasons) so we shivvied everyone out of the main hall in to the bar and outside whilst the room was turned around. The military lads changed in to their mess kit "No. 5 Uniform" and I had a few modifications to my dress, bustled up etc.
We had booked "The Briefcase Blues Brothers" for the evening based on good reviews. Unfortunately, we found the set up to be a pain in the bum. They had asked for UPTO 45 minutes... they took an hour and a half, by which time the photographer had to leave (galling really) and the sound hadn't been checked right. I wouldn't use them again. Especially when they weren't cheap.
Our first dance was by Pharrell Williams... it was "Happy"! No-one really expected it. We didn't tell many people at all and we didn't tell them we'd come up with a bit of a routine!
Link to the video here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW5nW4XqSEI
We started off like we were going to do something slow and soppy... then it kicked in! We love each other so much, and as we're both quite energetic and vivacious, this suited us to a tee! And, well, we were and continue to be Happy!
A relaxed and fun filled evening ensued... we smoked cigars outside, caught up with friends and family and ate some lovely bits of food. My Dad probably gave himself a little hyperglycemia with all the sweets he consumed from the little sweet table we had!!!
We didn't have a guest book so to speak, we instead had a tree where our guests could write luggage tag messages for us. I've yet to archive this in to a book!
When the time came, we left in a wonderful Audi exec car. (Sorry Hubby, I can't remember what model it was!) and travelled to the Doubletree Hilton at Leeds. When we got there, we threw our bags in to the hotel room and didn't realise we'd been given some free Champagne in the suite!
We decided to go up to the Sky Bar for a drink and dance on our own away from the wedding scenario... when we got up on the lift, we were complimented left right and centre by drunk, but very lovely, people. When we went up to the bar, we patiently waited, it looked like we were being ignored, but instead, the champagne that was being poured by the bar tender was handed to us, with a "Congratulations!". Lovely!
The following day, Hubby had been very organised and had parked his car at the hotel earlier in the day so that we could drive back to my parents the following day. Realising my bridesmaids had taken out my jeans from my luggage in a last minute panic trying to find something of theirs, I fortunately had packed a pair of long shorts in my bag and wore those with my tacky, but fun, "Mrs Klejnow-Penneck" diamante t-shirt!
Back at home, we had loads of family and some friends round for a big brunch. The sun was shining so we all ate outside... it was wonderful!
My siblings presented me with the amazing gift of a Kenwood Mixer (Chef Premier.... AMAZING!) and Hubby's uncle had sent us a gift of an amazing painting of a Moroccan market scene which now proudly resides above our fireplace!
A few issuings of cake and goodbyes later, Hubby and I set off to Manchester airport pre our early flight the following morning to my surprise destination honeymoon... But that's for another day!
Pictures below by Holly at Belle and Beau Photography, Halifax.
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