The Anxiety And Depression Diaries

Hello chums,

P.S. this one's a bit of a personal one, something I've grown to be passionate about, nothing morbid or drastic but it's close to the heart, and I'd love it if you could bare with and read till the end. comments as always are welcome, and if you or someone you know has been through the same or similar jot me a note, hope you enjoy x

Did you hear? A beautiful day is just around the corner, know which one? Saturday October 10th! Want to know why? Well, it's none other than World Mental Health Day, woooop!!

Why am I so excited? Well, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression around 4 years ago just a few months after I had meningitis and had travelled up for my freshers year at University. (I probably should have waited longer than a week of recovery after having meningitis, to start university but hey ho). I found it hard to adjust, I felt alienated from all others, I made wrong decisions and my mental health got worse. However with the right guidance and help I managed to get on a more stable ground, (I cannot thank the people who had supported me enough).

                                       

The Depression and Anxiety didn't stay at bay they have always been with me and have worsened again over the past few years, with prolonged guidance and a few months of medication, I was back on the right track. I still have horrible days now, moments of worthlessness and panic and anxiety attacks, but I am on the mend and am so greatful to all of the people who helped me, to councillors and doctors, and my family who have stuck by me through it all, but also to my friends. Friends are people who do not have an obligation to stick with you or to understand when the path to mental illness occurs, it's a constant battle and your friends can often suffer with you, when your will is so weak. However there are those few friends who are unbelievably understanding, and caring and patient, true friends who are in my eyes my chosen family, and I am, well I'm not sure I can even express just how greatful I am, if you're reading this, thanks guys!!x

Before my friends encouragement and family support, I thought, I was a failure because of my mental illness. I saw myself in a negative light, (and still do sometimes) however I am more aware of my mental health, and so are the people who surround me. I am also aware that I am not alone, thousands of others have either anxiety or depression or both, and thousands of others have mental illnesses that you or I may have never even heard of.
That being said, We're all still human, no one with a mental illness deserves to be judged, we all deserve to be understood, we do not deserve to be locked away, we and our illnesses deserved to be heard and brought to light, we do not deserved to be mocked or abused in any way, we all deserve the respect and care we need, we are not a different species, we have a mental illness.

Awareness and understanding is ridiculously important for anyone and everyone, mental health awareness days and weeks enable this to occur. It is important to understand more and to realise an individual with a mental illness is still a human, and should not feel alienated in any way, shape or form.

I encourage any and everyone one of you to participate in any mental health awareness days or events, to help understand, just by understanding and being aware you're helping to stop stereotyping and stigmatisation and are helping all to live in a better society. By being aware you can also help an individual to identify when they have a mental illness and this in turn could help turns someone's life around.

If you have read all the way through this post, thank you, thank you so much.
If you decide to look up mental health, and/or go to an awareness event, you're beyond fantastic!!
If you decide to not call someone a retard or crazy, you're beautifully brilliant!
If you have helped anyone with a mental illness anywhere, even if it's just taking the time to listen to their stories, I could probably kiss you, for at that moment in time, you made someone realise that someone cares, and that they are not an alien or deformed or wrong, they're human, and they deserve to be here.

Thank you, so much for reading.
This post means a lot, it's the first time I've spoken about my mental illness to anyone other than my close circle, but I'm proud to be raising awareness and letting others know they are not alone.

I hope you enjoyed, and look forward to my next post, (All photos used within this Blog Post are selfies) would love anyone to comment, or get in touch, to share their story, most importantly to be aware and not feel alone.

Frenchie x

Frenchie Bee goes Cruelty Free

Hello Beautiful Readers

I'm going to let you in on a not so secret, secret lifestyle change of mine, are you ready?

After recently discovering that animal testing was still happening, I was appalled, outraged and upset.  When I found out that major companies and brands of products I used on a daily basis were still testing their products on animals, I felt betrayed by same companies but also rather naïve that I never took time to read the small print or find out any of this information before now.  

This means my vanity and cosmetic addiction was making innocent creatures suffer, this whole time without me even realising! I am an animal lover and my family now has 3 rabbits, 2 cats and a tortoise, pets and animals have been part of my life from a very young age,. I even did my secondary school work experience at my local veterinary surgery and returned to help out on the weekends afterwards.  I would never want any harm to come to any animal I know. So why, oh why am I buying products that animals having been tortured in order to produce!? It seems a no-brainer to me that my beauty junkie status should be reformed into a Cruelty Free zone.

I have gone through my beauty box and will do a post soon on all the products I will be saying good bye to and not using until the companies and manufacturers products and ingredients are Cruelty Free! I honestly don’t understand how any animal deserves to be cut, blinded, or harmed in any way for vanity purposes!

I’ve also wondered; ‘How do they get away with it?’.  Well, these big companies have big brains; often by using clever wording within the small print or by finding loopholes within laws and/or selling their products in countries such as china -where it is required by law to test products and cosmetics on animals- or just simply by ignoring the cruelty free question.

As of now, any cosmetics, I use on myself and/or recommend to others my blog will be cruelty free only. As you know my post-student status of graduate means I will most likely be delving into more of the budget rather than ‘luxury’ items. To my joy a lot of products I was using are cruelty free, and I continue using them today, yay! 

I will continue to use products from companies such as The Body Shop, Bare minerals, urban Decay, NYX and many more who have been bought by bigger Parent companies who test on animals. You may be wandering why? Simply because I don’t believe any Cruelty free brand should be boycotted as long as; when they are bought by a testing parent company the original company itself does not change their testing and ethical values and policies. If anything I encourage you to continue to buy cruelty free brands owned by testing parent companies because companies and their buyers choose their products based on consumer patterns (you and I, and the general public), so if consumers change their patterns to demanding the Cruelty Free cosmetics, we can expect to see an increase in the cruelty free options, not only within the original company but the parent company also.

Peanut Bunny

Wispa Bunny

Snowdrop Bunny

I’m excited to have already begun my Cruelty Free Cosmetics Journey and cannot wait to take you along the way with me. If you’ve already embarked on this journey let me know, it’ll be interesting to hear other stories. Have you had to give up your favourite product? Which are favourite Cruelty Free brands? Have you changed any other aspect to your life, or is it just cosmetics? Do you buy from Cruelty Free brands with Testing parent companies, or are you against them?

I hope this post will inspire you to go Cruelty Free and/or think twice about the products you buy, and hope you’re look forward to my next post!

All Pictures within Post are my own, taken by myself, of my family Pets, taken on an I Phone 5, links within captions of the pictures lead to my Instagram account. 

Feel free to comment and thank you muchly  for reading

Frenchie x

Street Style Spot_ Liverpool Edit

Hello fabulous readers, 

I took my little bridge camera to Liverpool, I spotted some street style outfits that I very much enjoyed, and even managed to photograph a few. This is my very first attempt at street style photography, I went completely out of my comfort zone and I'm excited to share it with you all and to get out and do some more. 

All pictures featured in this Street Style Spot were taken by myself, and are my own mini collection of street style inspiration. I have edited these pictures to have a black and white background so that the outfits are the main focus of the photo. These are either outfits I enjoyed or that would inspire my own wardrobe.

 I aim to include all walks of human life in my Street Style Spots, as I believe style can be found in any corner of the world and be presented by anyone of any age, gender, race or ethnicity, you just need to keep your eyes open and camera ready.  

I hope you enjoyed this post and look forward to the next one,

please comment and share as you wish, I'd love to get some feedback form you all 

Thank you for reading, 

much loves 

Frenchie x

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Beauty Box Empties

Riffling through my make up box I noticed I had a neat little pile of empties, and I thought I'd share these fabulous products with you beautiful people.

I agree with you, I have a slight obsession with bare minerals, I have many justifiable reasons, the first being I have eczema on my face and bare minerals is one of the only products that doesn't cause a reaction. Second being that they are reasonably affordable prices, a little more than budget priced but not overly expensive. Third they do not test their products on animals. Fourth certainly not the last they are all full of minerals and make my skin feel fabulous.

Now back to the products; 

It appears I have accumulated a few mineral Veil pots. 

1. Translucent (bottom) and 2.Original mineral veil (top right) are basically the same product in different packaging. The mineral veil is a finishing veil to use after foundation is applied and used to touch up throughout the day. 

Bare Minerals £21

3. Tinted mineral veil, again can be used as the same as the products above, I usually use tinted mineral veil during and just after I've been on holiday, as my skin is tanned and I don't need to use a foundation, primer and tinted mineral veil is all I need to add a bit of colour. 

Bare Minerals £21

4. Beauty, Blush; (right) soft pink blusher in loose powder form, perfect to use on top of a contour, or applied by itself to add a touch of colour and glow to the cheeks, highly recommend, and fits fair to medium skin tones. 

Bare Minerals £20

5. Ready Luminizer; (top) 'the daydream' no longer available to purchase in stores or online, which is a shame I absolutely loved this Luminizer to use with contouring or just to add on top of my beauty blusher to give a natural glow to the face, without looking super shiny! 

6. Warmth, is the darker pot (bottom) again in loose powder form the warm is an all over face colour, which is perfect to use as a darker colour during contouring or a perfect substitute for bronzer, this has been stocked up, wouldn't recommend to light and fair skin tones. 

Bare Minerals £20

7. Moisture Renew Lip Liner (top); brilliant product which does exactly what the label States, moisturises lips, I used this product as both a base before applying lip colour and after to renew moisture and shine. 

Rimmel London £3.99

8. Eye colour (bottom); queen Phyllis matte is a neutral eye shadow colour with a matte finish, perfect to pop above the eyes within a matte smokey eye effect or just as a neutral lid colour for a minimal make-up look, I pretty much used this product everyday! No longer available but close to a soul or chenille colour which are available. 

Bare Minerals £15

9. Original SPF15 Foundation, tan, N30. I used this throughout summer after I had a fabulous tan and during early winter to add colour, this colour is definitely for tanned skin as I cannot use it when my tan fades. Because Bare Minerals have such a good colour range I used Golden medium, W20, throughout the rest of the year when I'm paler and without tan. The foundation is in loose powder and should last a good seven months, if not longer. When used with primer and topped up with mineral veil the Original Foundation can pretty much last all day. 

Bare Minerals £26

N.B. I will post links to purchase items once my laptop is once again up and running. 

Hope you have enjoyed a root through my empties with me and have enjoyed my blog post. Sorry for the overload of bare minerals but they are one of the only products I can use and are fabulous. 

Thanks for reading! 

Much loves 

The Weight Taboo

I’m blogging about this subject due to my dislike to the social desirability, conformity and norms of the perfect weight set by the media and complied by society, this post and I are not here to cause harm or offense to any individual of any shape and size. I can only apologise if you are sensitive to any part of the context of this article. I can only ask that you read to the end, thank you.

Definitions:

Weight: A body’s relative mass or the quantity of matter contained by it, giving to a downward force, the heaviness of a person or thing.

Twiggy_ of, relating to, or resembling twigs                 Obese_ grossly fat or overweight

Skinny_ Unattractively Thin                                          Large_ of a relatively great size

Slim/slender _ gracefully thin          Curvaceous/Voluptuous_ sexually strive curved shape

Thin_ having too little flesh/fat on the body                  Fat_ have a large amount of flesh

The shape Society has portrayed as ‘The norm’ has changed throughout the years, in a different time psychologists believe that it was due to the evolutionary factors that males were attracted to and would mate with females who had curvaceous bodies and larger hips, as this would enable an easier pregnancy, childbirth and healthy strong off-spring. Females would choose the larger males, who would produce physically stronger off-spring. Curvaceous women were at that moment in time the ‘supermodels’ of the era.  In many different countries and cultures wealth would be presented and portrayed by an individuals’ weight, a fatter individual would be the richer individual.

Psychologists believe that people still now days chose their mate within context of this evolutionary theory, to ensure that a mate will facilitate the birth of healthy, strong offspring. However as previously mentioned it is not only the psychology behind the mating season which defines the magical desired weight, but the social norms presented and portrayed throughout the media.

Whilst I understand the word ‘fat’ is offensive to some, I believe we must all come to understand that the word ‘fat’ as defined above is actually just stating fact of having a larger amount of matter, just as the word ‘thin’ is having less matter. People who use the word ‘Fat’ in an offensive context are just quite frankly wrong and unbelievably rude. Just as puzzling to me, is the social acceptance of the word ‘skinny’ used ‘as a compliment’, unlike ‘fat’ or ‘thin’ the word ‘skinny’ is an insult –as defined above- ‘unattractively thin’, the words ‘slim’ and or ‘slender’ defined as ‘gracefully thin’ are rarely used within this social context. Now, please, before you judge the words I chose or jump to conclusions, conclusions that could indicate that you are conforming to society, a society which apparently thinks it’s perfectly normal to use a factual non offensive word as an insult and an insult as some sort of twisted compliment, due to the desired figure it portrays as beautiful.

In my eyes, the Clinical term ‘morbidly obese’ is more damaging and offensive to hear, let alone for any individual to be told rather than ‘severely overweight’, especially as ‘severely underweight’ is the term used on the opposite end of the weight spectrum.  It appears that the societal desires also seem to be reflected within the clinical and health system, after looking up the definitions of both ‘morbid’ and ‘severe’, I stand by my views and opinions of these terms.

With social norms and desirabilitys –such as the examples above- set in place it is rather obvious to any observer that there is an in-group/out-group association between the different weight categories.  After reading the examples of social discrimination talked about above it is no wonder there is discrimination from ‘fat’  to ‘thin’. This can even be seen in the social influences of songs such as 'all about that base' by Megan Trainor or even 'Anaconda' by Nicki Minaj.This is by no means stating that all ‘thin’ individuals are holy saints, I have met many horrible ‘thin’ people –even bullied by a few-, nor is this stating all ‘fat’ individuals are evil, I have met many genuine, down to earth, happy and lovely ‘fat’ people.

I’m actually trying to boarder the topic of the acceptance of social discrimination towards thin people, the social acceptance that insulting a ‘thin’ person is a norm, to be called (offensive language ahead!) a skinny bitch, anorexic, to be told you should eat more, and to ask where the rest of you is. However compare that to the despair and outrage of social discrimination against ‘fat’ people, calling them a fat cow, a chunky lump, a heffer, or asking if they ever stop eating. (Genuinely had to ask Google/people for some of these insults, I feel bad and empathise with anyone who has undergone with this form of bullying).

Both are wrong but I’m appalled at how, if a ‘thin’ person complains or asks for help against this form of bullying, they are told to ‘take in on the chin’, because ‘you’re thin, so why do you care?’ that’s just as bad as being a bully. Just because an individual is thin, it does not give anyone the right to insult them.  If any person is a different shape, size or colour to you it does not give anyone the right to discriminate against them on any form or level, being fatist and racist are wrong, not just morally but socially. So, why not thinist? (/skinny discrimination, as apparently there’s not a set word for this definition). The word for social discrimination against 'thin' people? Anybody?  –Please comment if you find out, I’d love to know!-

Again, my aim is not to blame or victimise any body shape/size, but rather the societal and social structure, norms, conformity, compliance, and acceptance that surround ‘weight’. Please stop discriminating against each other!!!!

May I please remind/inform people that; being 'thin' has many negative quotations; you may disagree with me more here than the rest of the blog post, but please hear my argument out. As I am in no way, nor do I wish to undermine the social discrimination and/or problems of any individual of any shape/size/gender.  
Already covered are the Skinny bitch, anorexic and other offensive words and insults deemed socially acceptable. Being severely (/morbidly) underweight is also a very serious and damaging health issue -as is anorexia- which can also be fatal. It may surprise you but some –not all- ‘thin’ individuals will be classed –trough no choice of their own- as underweight their whole life and have to make sure the eat enough of the right of amount to try and remain healthy. They feel the cold a lot quicker and more often, which can again lead to illness. Just because an individual is thin, it does not make them instantly beautiful, liked or respected, nor does it give immunity to all illness or offensiveness, nor are they happy all the time and they certainly do not get whatever they want whenever they want.

Being a ‘thin’ person, means, wait for it…yes, that’s right you’re a real person too! By being ‘thin’ you also fit into a shape and size category, you also have to eat enough of the right foods to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. It means some clothes will fit you and look great but some will look really rather ugly and not fit at all. Wait everyone, doesn’t being thin sound familiar? Yes? Good, it should do because this is applicable to every shape and size!

Please, you shouldn't aspire to be ‘thin’, you should aspire be the right shape and size for you, the size that fits your personal shape and weight, where you feel most comfortable at. Go and love yourself, who you are, how you look and how you feel. Be a confident little bunny. Don’t give in to societal labels, insults and stereotyping, give into a healthy and happy lifestyle.

Please feel free to give feedback, comment and give your views and opinions about this blog post and any of the topics discussed.

This is a social issue I feel is extremely important -and personal to me on many levels- due to the influences and consequences it has on people’s lives, including developing many physiological and physiological illness. 

The aim of this Post is/was to board and oppose certain societal norms and stereotypes, not to offend any individual of any size/shape/gender.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed, and look are looking forward to my next blog post,

much loves  x

What colour is this dress?

The question which has taken Tumblr and therefore all of social media by storm this morning. 

What colour is this dress? 

My thoughts? Blue and black! 

However the fact of the matter is not all people are seeing the same colours, some are seeing blue and gold and others; white and gold. 

The question we've all been asking ourselves since? Am I going insane? 

Well fear not all those who see blue and black despite popular website Buzzfeed.com test results, indicating that 72% think it's white and gold. 

The dress is in actual fact blue and black. 

http://www.romanoriginals.co.uk/invt/70931?colour=Royal-Blue 

 You can buy 'The Dress' Royal blue lace detail body con dress at Roman Originals; link above, £50.00. 

Sorry to all the white and gold believers out there! The question to ask next, is why? We all know everyone's different and therefore so is our perception of colour, it's easy to see with teal or turquoise, debating whether it's green or blue. However in this case it has something to do with the angle the dress has been pictured at and the light around and upon the dress, which is changing our perceptions of the dress colour.

Until the scientists way in that's all the help I can give. 

Hope you enjoyed this post 

Much loves, frenchie x

Lifting The Valentines Day Veil

The romantic day of St Valentine –Yes, that’s February the 14^th to you and I- this year (2015) falls on a sweet Saturday. The Saints Saturday can only mean one thing, surely? A Valentine weekend, much like a Bank Holiday weekend, -lasting over three days- with lots of romantic and wonderful sweeping gestures from one partner to another. With a Valentine’s weekend will the cupid spirit be too sickly for singles to survive? Living within the United Kingdom and in particular England, a country being known to most as; an over commercialised country which expresses greed throughout and during the run-up to this loved up day. The Romance bomb will truly hit all within the Royal Land this weekend.

However I am inviting and encouraging all singletons across the kingdom and further more across the globe to realise this weekend and furthermore all future St Valentine’s days to come not have to be as sombre, miserable and lonely as one may think, and to make the most of this spectacular day.

As Cupid comes hand in hand with his bow and arrow, Valentine’s day comes hand in hand with some sizzling treats which are not only around for the duos of this world. Singletons and fashionistas rejoice for this Saturday, with couples loved up in restaurants, coffee shops, days out or snuggled up at home, why not hit the high street for a crowd of few and some brilliant bank holiday like bargains? If you don’t fancy traipsing around the high street, or if the weather is not permitting, I-Spy some brilliant free next day delivery codes on-line for all your favourite shops.

If a clothes and beauty shopping spree is not your type of weekend, why not treat yourself in another way, these Valentines offers also seems to be slapped onto some delicious looking foods. Personally candle lit dinner for one in cosy clothes sounds like a pretty good evening to me. Who could forget the offers on strawberries and chocolate, urm yes please!! A punnet of strawberries dipped in melted chocolate, or natural Greek yoghurt, what a delight!!

No? Gorgeous gastronomic gain isn't appealing either? So pamper yourself, Glass of wine, -not an alcohol drinker?-  or a hot beverage, herbal teas, naughty hot chocolate,  healthy smoothie and non-alcoholic cocktails are a tantalising alternative, with Bath bubbles, candles and face masks galore. Take the time to relax and enjoy yourself, after all one must be able to love themselves before they can love or commit to another, no?  Whether this be going to the gym, (again a very vacant location during valentines) indulging in your favourite sport, and having a super healthy day, evening or entire weekend.  Make sure that what-ever you do is something you feel passionate about and will make you feel proud of being single, independent and enjoying the life you lead on this coupling day. Of course just because your single none of this has to be alone, friends, family best-friend can be invited or hey, why not even involve your pet, double pamper session or favourite foods feast?

If the fact that you’re ‘alone’ this Valentine’s Day really does get you blue, please remember that you definitely not alone. And No, before you ask I don’t just mean you are part of the single community, why not dig a little further and think back at the year you've had. Remember all those hugs? That laughter? The people that made you smile inside, that were a shoulder to cry on, the ones who had your back and truly care; remember them? Why not appreciate the fact you’re not alone and neither are they. Last year I did just this and will be doing so this year also, I sent a message to those who meant a lot to me and had really been there for me, not only did I show my appreciation and love, they also felt amazing for receiving a unexpected heartfelt message. So just because you haven’t met the ‘one’ yet doesn't mean you can’t enjoy this weekend, it also doesn't mean you should feel alone, and it definitely doesn't mean you should forget about the ones who truly love and care for you, why not say thank you, or even ‘I love you’.

Spreading some Valentines Love to all my readers and followers out there

As always comments and suggestions are always welcome, if you have any Valentines ideas or memories for 1 or even between friends/family why not share?

Thank you, hope you enjoyed this blog post, much loves, Frenchie x