Saturday 3 August 2013

It's Not Always Rainbows and Butterflies

I was hoping to have an outfit post for you by Thursday this week, but sometimes I forget I can't plan anything in advance with disc pain controlling my every action. My pain levels can be unpredictable from one day to the next; some days are better than average, and other days are incredibly worse. On those days, the pain engulfs me like a flood, swallowing every last ounce of my strength and energy until even every rise and fall of my chest adds to my pain. On those days, I barely have the mobility to turn over in bed. 

This week, I've had six of those days in succession.

On Monday I had my fifth group physiotherapy session at the hospital. I was struggling before I'd left home, and had to push myself through the stretches. The physiotherapists who lead these classes always say that if we're grimacing, we're pushing ourselves too much, and should ease off or stop that exercise. They say they don't want us to push ourselves to a point which leaves us physically set back and immobile for the rest of the week. This week I felt like the male physiotherapist we had was pushing me far too much, and instead of stopping when I knew I'd reached my limit, I did as he suggested. Big mistake. I pretty much crawled out of the hospital at the end of the forty-five minutes, and have been confined to bed  feeling like I've been hit by a bus, ever since. Thus explaining my absence the last couple of days. The pain has hit me hard, much harder than usual, and it's taken the life out of me.

I had no choice but to pop in to town to pay a bill yesterday afternoon, which was exhausting and so painful I've actually worsened the pain. I did, however, quickly snap a few photos of my outfit before I crawled back in to bed. And I'm sure you'd rather see them then read my musings above. So, here you go...



Firstly, sorry for the quality of the photos. As soon as I grabbed my camera grey clouds decided to race across the sky to conceal the lovely blue sky and sunshine. And would you believe, once I'd finished they dissipated!

Anyway, I'm wearing a Dorothy Perkins pinafore dress which I got for my birthday last month. I realised I was lacking casual dresses in my wardrobe, and I thought this one fitted the gap perfectly. It's black with a white bow print all over the front and back, and it's made from a thick stretchy cotton. The waist is fitted, but it has some stretch, so it's so comfortable! It also has a pockets, which I think more dresses should have!

I will say that it's a dress best suited to cooler days, especially if like me you become easily overheated during Spring and Summer, as the fabric is quite heavy. 


I ordered this dress not expecting to like it, but it turns out I really love this dress. And not just because I think the square neckline is flattering on my broad shoulders (which I'm still learning- and failing- to love).

This dress was just £18.00, and I think I used a couple of discount codes, too, which brought it down further. DPBDAY will get you 15% off Dorothy Perkins dresses, and it seems to have unlimited use as I've used it many times over the last couple of years. This dress is only available in a couple of small sizes now online (here), but it also comes in plain cobalt blue, green, and heart print (which I also own).


I wore this dress with a pair of plain black New Look leggings, my Lovedrobe off-white shrug, and a double cameo necklace, which are all pieces I've featured recently in my outfit posts. I just needed a comfortable, casual outfit to run a couple of errands, and I think I found it. I forgot to keep them on for the photos, but I also wore a pair of gold flat sandals, and accessorised with my red heart print Zatchels barrel bag.

Outfit Details

Dress-Dorothy Perkins // Shrug-Lovedrobe // Leggings-New Look // Necklace-From Rachel's giveaway.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

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18 comments

  1. I never commented on your blog before, although I visit and read every day. We have matching styles I think. I love seeing the things you have discovered on-line, shopping opportunities and otherwise!!

    So why comment today...? I hear your pain and your fight against it and I wanted to give my support to you. And also tell you off for being self-deprecating, sharing your bad days as well as your good is what keeps you real - don't stop.

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    1. Thank you for commenting and saying such lovely things! I'm glad you enjoy reading my blog, and I truly appreciate your support :).

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  2. I hope you feel better soon, we are sending lots of healing vibes and healthy thoughts your way. Xxx

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  3. hope it eases for you - the dress is a delight, I can't imagine anything better than being covered in bows, and your shoulders are beautiful as are you x

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    1. Thanks, Sandra. I'm sure I'll get there. You're far too lovely x

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  4. I'm sorry things are so bad this week. I just took a break from writing my own post about having a crappy week, and I came here and saw you are too. I'm sorry the physio pushed you too far. I hope the pain comes down a few notches and soon. Hugs. x x x

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    1. P.S. The dress is lovely and so are your shoulders!

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    2. Thanks, Leah. It's just the way life goes, I guess. I'm sorry to hear you've been having such a crap time of it, too, and hope you're feeling better soon. It was my fault for pushing myself, but I'm sure it'll lift a little soon xx

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  5. Sorry you feeling like this, I hope you see some improvements in the foreseeable future. I know how hard it is to cope with back pain, but I have not had it over the length of time you have had to cope with it, you are amazingly strong.

    Your dress is lovely, Dorothy Perkins has become a favourite of mine they have had some really nice things in the last few years.

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    1. Thanks, Jenny. I hope I do, fingers crossed! I'm not sure I'm strong; I've just learnt to accept my life for what it is right now. It's certainly not easy living with back pain, whether it's a day or a decade, but somehow you just learn to cope with it as time goes on.

      Thank you. Dorothy Perkins has always been one of my favourites. They always have such lovely clothes x

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  6. I love the look of square necklines but I avoided them because I thought they made me look even broader but omg you look so amazing in this, I have to give them another try!
    The dress is so pretty, I love the print and how you accessorized everything. If it weren't sold out in my size I might have bought it myself!

    Also omg your hair looks so healthy and silky! :D

    Lots of <3 & strength to you Louise :)

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    1. You'd think that square necklines would broaden shoulders, but apparently they actually do the opposite if the straps sit at the end of the shoulders. (I think I heard that from Gok Wan). They make me feel less broad, anyway. You're not broad at all, Nita, but I do think you'd look amazing in dresses of this style. Thank you! It's a shame that it sold so fast, but there's always eBay. Hopefully they'll bring out some other designs.

      Really? Thank you! I've not been happy with my hair all year; it's not been cut in twenty months! It's in need of some TLC to restore it.

      Thanks so much, Nita :) xx

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  7. Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling great. I hope your feeling better now lovely big hugs xx

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    1. Thanks, Rachel. Still not any better, but I'm just fine. Thanks for the hugs xx

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  8. Sorry to hear things have been so bad for you lately, Louise :(
    On the plus side.. you look stunning here, I adore this dress on you, the shape looks amazing and what a bargain xxx

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    1. Thanks, Hannah. I'll survive!
      That's lovely to hear about photos that were taken when I was feeling so rough! You're far too sweet. I really do love the shape of this dress, and can't believe what a steal it was! xx

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