Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015!

Happy New Year, everybody! I hope it's already treating you well, but if it's not, I hope it does soon!

I can't believe that another year has come and gone. (I'm actually surprised by how quickly the days have passed so far this year; how is it already the fifth?!) I'm not going to lie, 2014 was not a fantastic year for me. It wasn't full of sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns; It was one of the hardest years I've ever had to face. 

I wasn't able to travel, make many memories, or reach any of life's milestones; instead I spent most of the year alone, bed ridden from constant pain with just a laptop for company. Yes, that's as glamorous as it sounds! When I did escape confinement, it was mostly for hospital appointments in an attempt to get myself better. It didn't work.

However, 2014 was the year I first ventured in to private health care. It was the year I finally found a doctor who would take me seriously, after almost three years of begging the NHS for help but getting none. I found an amazing spinal specialist in June, who immediately began getting a diagnosis by sending me for X Rays, MRI scans, and CT scans. Each one discovered something new, and within just a few weeks from my initial consultation, I learnt I had multiple spinal problems, most of which the NHS had never picked up on.

Soon after, I had my first round of spinal injections; they only had a negative effect and worsened the pain.

I was sent for a few sessions of physio at a different clinic, and for the first time I had massage, manipulation, and ultra sound therapy. Sadly, I didn't respond well to any of them, either.

Then, a couple of months ago, I was referred to one of my specialist's colleagues for physio instead, on his instruction. I trusted / trust my specialist one hundred percent (a whole new experience for 2014!), so he said "jump" and I said "how high?" Both men are the best in their respected fields, so I wasn't in a position to argue. I trust his judgement.

November and December were filled with physio sessions. I threw myself in to stretches, massage, manipulation, cranial sacral therapy, and acupuncture; the latter which I'm currently being given. (Okay, not right this second; that would be a weird time to blog! My next session is tomorrow.) Frustratingly, I've not experienced improvement through any of them.

My physiotherapist is stumped. Apparently from a muscular and skeletal point of view (and his), my body shouldn't be responding this way. From my scans and my known spinal issues, he can't understand why I'm in so much pain, or why particular stretches or activities aggravate my pain levels and leave me spiralling down hill. Last month he told me I react to touch the way a fibromyalgia sufferer does. He also diagnosed me with arthritis in my lower spine a few weeks ago! It was a big surprise, but in another way it wasn't; suddenly all the years of joint pain that began before I hit my teens made a lot of sense. It leaves me wondering what I'm going to be diagnosed with next! (I'm having more tests done this week).

He had a meeting with my spinal specialist to talk about my case, and looked through every scan. He told me he wants to see me get better and is determined to do everything he can to help me. I got a little emotional; nobody had ever said anything like that to me before. He and the specialist are the only two medical professionals who have given me fantastic medical care and have promised not to give up on me. I can't tell you just how much that meant/s to me after three years of being told to "get on with it" by NHS GPs, specialists, and physiotherapists in my county time after time after time. 

Even though I've not made any improvement in the last six months and their health care isn't free, I'm so glad I ventured in to private health care in 2014. I'm glad we found an amazing doctor who finally gave me some answers, and began suggesting routes to try; sending me down a road which led to a brilliant physiotherapist. It was a turning point in my journey, and it was definitely one of the best decisions my family and I made in 2014. I hope I can look back so positively and optimistically on my medical care this time next year! Fingers crossed I can! 

2014 was filled with dozens of hospital appointments, and days and weeks on end spent in bed recovering from them, but I did manage a little fun here and there, too. 

I got to see Fall Out Boy live for the very first time, and it was worth the nine year wait to achieve that goal!

I won a night's stay at a Travelodge (thanks, Rachel!), and spent a night in London with my sister and my best friend. We soaked up the festive atmosphere in Covent Garden, and took a boat along the Thames from The London Eye to Greenwich and back, sight-seeing along the way. We saw Linkin Park live at the O2, which was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I had such a great night away!

I explored a historic local church and graveyard I'd never stepped foot in before.

I enjoyed Bourton-on-the-Water in the summer sun, and in the glow of Christmas lights.

I made it to my local wildlife park, and survived the three hours. I saw my first baby anteater and it was adorable!

I made a few cinema trips through sheer determination to see my favourite book adaptations on screen.

I went to London for a CT scan... well, it was technically a hospital trip, but it was still nice to be in London during a 33'C heat wave! 

I was taken out to lunch a few times by the sister.

I even did a spot of window shopping here and there, mostly just to get some exercise, and fresh air...

Sometimes the boring little things are the ones that you cling to get through the difficult times. I definitely appreciated every chance I had to get out of the house and do normal, everyday things. It is kinda worrying now I realise that a trip to the supermarket has become one of the most exciting things in my life, though, (beyond these four walls)! What happened to me?? Ha ha!

As difficult as being house-bound for a third consecutive year can be, I refused to allow it to break me, upset me, bore me or anger me. I did my best to wake each day with a content persona, and filled my time as best I could. I read; I wrote; I attempted to cross stitch; I watched movies; I got lost in music; I took photos; I edited them; I dressed up; I experimented with make up; I spent approximately 9972159 hours on Pinterest; and I dedicated far more to this little blog. I was rarely bored. In fact, there were never enough hours in the day!

This little blog of mine was definitely my biggest distraction during 2014. It kept me busy every day, and without it, I don't want to think about how much harder last year would've been for me to deal with. It's a life line I don't want to let go of. I know I wasn't the best blogger in 2014; I wasn't best organised, I got behind on all your comments, and I didn't always bring great content, but I enjoyed blogging just the same, and had some amazing opportunities with some fantastic brands. I hope to be a much better blogger this year, and I'm going to do my best to make sure I am! I've got so many ideas and goals for the year ahead!

For the first January ever, I feel excited for the year ahead, and optimistic about where it might take me. I know it won't be easy, but I hope 2015 is a fantastic year and perhaps even the best year yet! Who knows where it might take me.

I hope that your 2015 is filled with happiness, good health, great times, great people, real love, and everything you could possibly hope for. Here's to 2015!

Where do you hope 2015 will take you?

My Best Posts of 2014

Like most bloggers, I'm feeling quite reflective at the moment, and I've begun the new year by thinking back to the one we've just left behind. One of the things I've thought about is the posts I shared here in 2014. 

In all honesty, I know it wasn't the best year for posts here at Polka Spots and Freckle Dots; I often missed a couple of days between posts, and I feel like I blogged more filler than killer posts. I am my own worst critic. I had so many ideas for posts, but at the same time, I had a lot of writer's block and kept losing my mojo when I just wanted to write. There are a handful of posts I am proud of, though, so today I've collected them all together and put them in this best-of post as a way to mark 2014.

Time for a Polka Spots and Freckle Dots montage! (Insert cheesy Eighties Music here!)

My Novelty Handbag Collection

I gave you a peek at what was a small collection of novelty handbags... it's since grown a lot!

That Time I Saw Fall Out Boy Live 

Last March, I spent a rare night away from home, and saw Fall Out Boy live for the very first time. 

Polka Spots and Freckle Dots Turns Two

This little blog turned two last March, and I looked back on where it had taken me.

Dressing Table Tour Part One

I took you behind the scenes and gave you a peek at what's on my dressing table.

Dressing Table Tour Part Two

I shared the contents of my dressing table drawers and showed you how I store my make up.

Cut Make Trim Barrel Bag Review

I had the opportunity to review this beautiful handmade leather bag which quickly became a firm favourite.

Alive Here In Death Valley

I explored a historic local church and graveyard.

A Fever You Can't Sweat Out

I escaped cabin fever with the help of some pretty scenery and some farm yard animals.

Urban Decay Electric Eyeshadow Palette Review

I fell in love with the best eyeshadow palette ever, and enjoyed blogging about it.

Gallop of the Stags and Other Local Adventures

I visited Bourton-on-the-Water, and on the way came across a field full of deer that I just had to stop to photograph.

Q&A a Day: 5 Year Journal Book Review

I reviewed the only journal I've ever managed to keep!

My First Venture in to Private Health Care

2014 was the year I ventured in to private health care for my back pain and spinal problems, and I wrote about my initial experiences with private health care in England soon after.

What An MRI Scan Is Really Like

I had an open MRI scan last summer and wrote about my experience as a claustrophobic patient. I also compared it to my previous experiences with closed MRI scans on the NHS.

A Day at the Zoo

I visited my local wildlife park and shared the best bits.

What's in My Bag? July 2014

I gave you a glance at what I'd been carrying around in this pretty scalloped satchel.

My Brooch Collection

I blogged about my brooch collection.

712 More Things to Write About Book Review

I reviewed a fantastic creative writing book full of fun prompts to write from.

Literary Listography: My Life In Reading Lists Book Review

I featured the perfect journal book for every book enthusiast.

Three Year Spinal Pain Milestone

In September, I reached the three year anniversary of living with constant spinal pain, and wrote a reflective post on where the years had taken me, along with an update on the recent developments.

I Wore: Red and Yellow Polka Dots

A favourite outfit from 2014, otherwise known as the time I dressed like Minnie Mouse.

Bookshelf Tour Part One

I let you browse the dusty old books on my book shelves.

Bookshelf Tour Part Two

And I also gave you a closer look at my DVD collection.

50 Christmas Shopping Tips

I shared my 50 Christmas shopping tips, many of which can be used all year round!

101 Things To Do This Christmas

I also shared 101 of my ideas for fun Christmas activities.

There's No Place Like London Part One

I won a night's stay at a Travelodge, so I spent a night away in London. This was a room with a view.

There's No Place Like London Part Two

My adventures in London, from Covent Garden to Westminster, to Greenwich and back again.

That Time I Saw Linkin Park Live At The O2

I saw Linkin Park live at the O2 in November, and it was one of the best gigs I've ever seen!

Christmas Home Tour: My Bedroom

I took you behind the scenes and gave you a tour of my bedroom decorated for Christmas.

What's in My Christmas Eve Box?

I put a Christmas Eve box together for myself, and showed you how I did it.

Christmas Home Tour Part Two

And my final favourite of 2014 is a tour of my living room decorated for Christmas.

Which post was your favourite?

What would you like to see me blog about this year?

What I Wore In 2014

It's that time of the year when I like to look back on my best outfits of the past year. 

Best outfits? I barely even blogged enough of them to choose from!

I know that 2014 was not the best year for outfits on this blog. I only managed about twenty, which is extremely pitiful. Even worse so when I remember that I created Polka Spots and Freckle Dots for showcasing my outfits! It's frustrating, but it was and still is out of my control. In 2014, my back pain grew steadily worse, and it go so bad that I was barely mobile, and was forced to spend the majority of the year in bed, wearing pyjamas with my hair scraped back. It wasn't a pretty sight! Some girls can rock that look and still look stunning; I'm not one of them! 

Even when I wore proper outfits, I didn't often have the strength to pose for photos, and most of them weren't even worth blogging about. However, there were some outfits I loved wearing, and many of them eventually made it on to the blog... Here's a look back at my favourites:

Polka Dot Hepburn- This was my very first Lady Vintage dress, which has quickly become one of my favourites dresses of all time. It's perfect in every way!

Red Gingham and Strawberries- Another first for 2014... the gingham Audrey swing dress was my first Lindy Bop frock, but not my last! The large gingham print reminded me of tablecloths, so I enjoyed wearing it with my novelty strawberry bag from Accessorize, and a matching necklace.

Red and Yellow Polka Dots- In early Autumn, I channelled my inner Minnie Mouse by wearing a classic red polka dot Lindy Bop dress, with so much yellow! Yellow polka dot pumps, a yellow cropped cardi, and the most amazing lemon wedge clutch bag. It was one of the most fun outfits I've ever worn, and definitely one of my favourites, not just of 2014, but of all time, too.

Brown and Yellow- I experimented with some different colour combinations, and ended up looking like a nineties Brownie when I wore my Pretty Woman dress with yellow!

In the House in a Heartbeat- My absolute favourite buy of 2014 was a black and white heart print skater dress by Alice & You, which fits like a dream. I've lost count of just how many times I wore it last year, but I think it made an appearance at least once a week! I loved wearing it with bold pops of colour, but especially red.

It Must've Been Love- This was the debut of the Pretty Women dress; a brown polka dot swing dress by Lindy Bop I got my hands on in the summer. I didn't have the best pieces to style it with, so this outfit wasn't one of my best, although the dress is a beauty.

Seasons Change- This was one of the few plain dresses and outfits I wore all year, but it's another that's high on the favourites list. Why? Those colours! The deep raspberry of the dress and the forest green of the boots made this colour junkie happy.

Purr, Purr. Purr- I remixed an old frock from 2012; a coral cat print dress from AX Paris which was the cheapest garment I've ever snagged on sale- less than £6.50!! I teamed it simply with black pieces, and was complimented by a lady in the supermarket.

Freckles and Fox Print- I couldn't stop myself from giving one of my favourite dresses a reappearance in 2014, and dressed the raspberry fox print frock with purple, pink, and coral. This dress is still one of my faves; I wore it just last week.

Lips of an Angel- I didn't feel hugely confident with my looks last year, but the photos from this outfit shoot were some of the few I felt I looked nice in. It's funny as this lip print skater dress is one of the least expensive dresses in my wardrobe, and it didn't even fit me perfectly!

Aztec Stripes- I bought this stripey Aztec print skater dress with a voucher I won in a blog giveaway, and it was easily one of the most fun pieces I wore all year.

Swans a Swimming- My love for quirky prints showed no sign of letting up in 2014, and I added several new garments to my wardrobe zoo, including an amazing swan print skater dress from Dorothy Perkins. The print was so cheerful, and I couldn't help but wear it with a novelty bag shaped like a Russian Doll.

Polka Dots and Vampire Teeth- I based this outfit around the amazing vampire lips clutch bag, which has to be one of the best bags ever created! I wore it with red and black, and a generous helping of polka dots.

Lemon and Aquamarine- This was, without a doubt, one of the brightest, and most colourful outfits of 2014, and a new colour combination for me. The bold aquamarine dress was unlike anything I've ever worn before, and just in case I wasn't colourful enough, I decided to go extra colourful and added lots of yellow to finish the look off. It was a happy outfit.

Hearts and Polka Dots- I went even shorter with my hem lengths during the summer, which was a turning point for me; rewind four or five years earlier and I was terrified of stepping out in public in leggings and dresses below the knee! I was surprised by how good I felt in this outfit, and I've worn the dress many times since.

JD Williams Knitwear Review- The final three outfits were featured in one post. I know I blogged about them yesterday, but I actually wore them in December, so I'm still counting them as last year's outfits. Annoyingly, the post was delayed as my laptop broke and I lost some of the photos. I had fun styling all three outfits around three gorgeous pieces of knitwear, and I even wore my first pair of trousers in two and a half years!

And that's eighteen of my favourite outfits of 2014! I didn't dislike any of the outfits I wore, but I do think most of them were quite predictable, and not really worth writing home about. I used to wear all kinds of clothes in all kinds of styles, but I've definitely become comfortable with dressing a certain way over the last couple of years. 

My aim is to try to mix things up a little in 2015, and go back to taking more risks with my fashion choices. I also hope to get back to blogging more outfits this year, although only time will tell if I can manage that one!

What was your favourite outfit of 2014?

This Year...

With the turn of a new year, so many of us take the time to reflect and reevaluate our lives. We see a new year as the opportunity to start afresh and make changes that we're certain will make us happier; more fulfilled, and a better version of ourselves. We look for what it is we want, we set our goals, and with some new found hope and motivation, we take our first steps towards achieving them. Some of us see them through to the end, but far more give up before they get there. I don't know why that is, exactly; I'm no expert, but perhaps some goals are just a little unrealistic or unattainable in the short-term.

I don't make resolutions, instead I favour setting goals that I can achieve at my own pace. I find I achieve far more this way. So, when I came across a new year challenge on Pinterest recently, I couldn't resist taking it on, and coming up with my own answers for each of the nine questions. They're all aimed at improving different areas of our lives, like learning a new skill, dropping a bad habit, and  bettering ourselves at something, and I personally think these are achievable goals worth committing to!

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This is what I hope to achieve before the year is through...

A bad habit I'm going to break:

I am going to stop dipping in to my overdraft for non-essential items. It's a habit that I don't want to have or encourage, and I'm going to avoid doing so as much as possible. I'm not going to die if I have to go without leave in conditioner or a magazine for a few weeks.

A new skill I'd like to learn:

There are many things I would love to learn to do: crocheting, patchwork quilting, card making, making candles out of tea cups... to name but a few. For the last couple of years I've repeatedly expressed an interest in jewellery making, and I hope 2014 will be the year I start trying. I've little interest in turning it in to a trade, but I would love to be able to make my own accessories out of quirky little trinkets... say, turning a Sylvanian Family figurine in to a necklace.

A person I hope to be more like:

I hope to be more like my best friend, Angela. She is such a strong, hard-working woman who will take everything that's thrown at her with her head held high, and a smile on her face, even when she's going through hell. She handles everything with such grace and dignity. She never moans or rants about her life in public for all to read / hear, instead she remains so positive. Instead she focuses on the good in life. Her son, her friends, her family. She works extremely hard to give her son the best in life, even if it means going without herself, and she always put others before herself. I wish I could be more like her. I wish I had her strength, dignity, and outlook on life.

A good deed I'm going to do:

This is a hard one, as so many good deeds require more mobility than I have at the moment. I can't go and help an old lady with her shopping, or roll up my sleeves to help somebody whose home has been flooded. I can't even do all the house work to give the rest of my family a break... I want to do more random acts of kindness, though, like secretly sending my best friend something frivolous she has her eye on, or letting people cut in front of me in the queue at the supermarket. I'd like to work on being a kinder, more thoughtful person.

A place I'd like to visit:

Since the odds of me being in a fit state for a holiday or any form of major travel are slim, it's unlikely that I'll be able to get away for a break this year, otherwise I'd be answering with Italy or New York. The latter because I'm dying to return, and the former because I've always wanted to visit it. Instead, I've been thinking of local places I'd like to aim to visit.

I hope to manage a walk around my local wildlife park (zoo) which is just a few miles from home. As zoos go, it's small, but it's one of my favourite places which I've been visiting since I was a baby, and the grounds are so lovely to wander around. (Plus they have tapirs!) I plan to attempt a visit this Spring / Summer, and my reasoning is: if I only manage to view a small section of the park before I have to admit defeat, it will be worth it. I've missed not being able to go for the past two and a half years. 

A book I'd like to read:

Just one? I have at least 60 books waiting to be read on the shelf, and more than 300 to get through on my Kindle! (Most of them were free Kindle books, FYI; I'm not a book-buying addict!)

I would like to finally get around to reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which I've been meaning to read for years now. Everybody's been raving about it since the film was released (which I've also not yet seen), and I'd like to see what all the fuss is about.

A letter I'm going to write:

I want to make a habit of sending hand written letters to my best friend again, from time to time. We used to write each other on a regular basis, before social media and email grew in popularity and became easier and more efficient- and before life's commitments got in the way. It's become so much easier and faster to keep in contact by text message, email, and Facebook, but I'd like to send her letters every now and then when there's no occasion involved. Just because. 

A new food I'd like to try:

Not a food exactly, but I'm going to go with coffee. I've never tried a single cup of coffee, and I think 2014 should be the year I finally pop that cherry. I like the idea of trying a seasonal flavour.

I'm going to do better at:

Keeping on top of emails and blog comments. I've fallen so behind in recent months, and I know the length of time it's taking me to respond to them is absolutely atrocious. I appreciate every comment and message left for me, and I assure you I always read them. They make me smile! Taking weeks to reply to them is unacceptable. Once I've caught up on the back log over the next few days, I'm aiming to keep on top of them and respond within a couple of days at most.

Well I know what I want to achieve in 2014. What about you? What do you hope to achieve this year?

New Year Goals 2014

I don't often make big resolutions at the turn of each new year, because past experience has taught me I rarely see them through. Instead, I like to make lots of little resolutions in the form of lists like my 101 Things in 1001 Days list. I'm a few months in to my current list, and hope to cross off many of the goals over the course of the year. I'll be posting my December progress any day now, and will continue to post monthly updates to monitor my progress.

So, although I don't make resolutions as such, there are a few things which I'd like to work on in 2014. I suppose they are all resolutions, really, but I haven't waited for the new year to propose these goals, nor am I putting pressure on myself to follow each of them through. They're just on my to-do list, and I aim to give them all my best shot.

In 2014 I...

♥ I want to work on tolerating my pain better; both when I'm out of bed at home, and out of the house. I still struggle with sitting, standing, walking and travelling, but I would love to get out of the house more often. I would love a little more excitement in my life than the occasional trip to the supermarket. I would love to go on more walks and explore nearby places that are interesting to photograph; go to the cinema; and go out for the occasional meal or shopping trip.

♥ I think I need to surrender my stubborn refusals, and allow my parents to book me a consultation with a private doctor. I've point-blank refused so far as I think it'll cost more than we can afford, but I do wonder if they'd be able to offer a solution that the NHS aren't willing to try.

♥ I want to become less frivolous with my spending, especially when it comes to nail polish. I have a whole drawer full of nail polish, and certainly don't need any more, but if I see one I like, I often come home with it. It's so easy to justify small purchases like drug store make up, but they soon add up. I want to be more sensible, buys things I actually need, and only buy new clothes and accessories that I'm head over heels for and will most likely wear for years. I need to be more appreciative of what I already have and stop spending money just because I find myself with some to spare.

♥ I need to stop dipping in to my overdraft for non-essential items. I may want that new dress or another pretty nail polish, but I shouldn't be using money I don't have to buy it. It's a bad habit I don't want to have, and I intend to keep myself in line as much as possible in 2014.

♥  I also aim to refrain from using store cards, unless I have the money to pay the bill off straight away, or an emergency arises. (For example, there's a funeral and I have nothing suitable to wear)..

♥ I want to spend less time on the laptop,  and make more time reading and doing other tasks such as crafting. I'd like to learn how to make jewellery, dig out my art supplies, and perhaps challenge myself with some creative writing.

♥ I want to read more books than I did in 2013 because I enjoy reading, but don't dedicate enough time to doing so off of a laptop screen. I only read 13 books in 2013 (I began a handful more I didn't stick with), and isn't that pitiful! I can do better.

♥ I need to finish my blog design, work on a new header, and possibly give the blog a name change. I've been considering changing the name for quite a while because I think it sounds a little childish, but I haven't reached a decision yet. The name I have in mind isn't all that different, but we shall see.

♥ I need to become better organised, and reply to blog comments and emails within a day or two. I've fallen so behind over Christmas, and it's not okay. I don't want to leave comments and questions unacknowledged for weeks and months, and I'm intending to catch up on the backlog this week.

♥ I also must give in and get my laptop fixed or replaced. I've been procrastinating the inevitable for over a year, putting up with it sounding like a washing machine on the spin cycle because the cooling system and battery are buggered. Again. It's not safe and makes blogging a nightmare, so I must do this soon. I'm currently working on cleaning up my files so I can back them up and get my laptop seen to.

♥ I'm planning to pick up birthday and Christmas presents throughout the year to spread the cost and so come December I'll be organised instead of bankrupt! I have a couple of things put aside already! I did this in 2013 and it made such a difference.

♥ And finally, I must get my jewellery hooks up on the wall, because I've been waiting over a year to do so!

I don't know how many of these goals I will actually stick to, but I do hope I manage to work on them all!

Have you made any new goals or resolutions this New Year? Or do you just go with the flow?