Mr Tom James

It was just a normal day, I arose from the bed and trotted off to the bathroom to style my hair. I pulled my fringe to one side and to my shock horror there they were a cluster of them, a little family, a little SPOT family. Now, you're probably wondering what's the emergency, they're just spots , but I've managed to go 22 years on this earth without ever having them, the nearest I've got to spots in the past was chickenpox as a kid. They weren't even in the stage where they could be popped. I don't know how spots make others feel and I don't means this in an offensive way it's simply my perspective, they made me feel dirty. I can only describe it as a stain in your favourite top which just won't come out no matter how hard you try. I pulled my fringe back to hide them, pulled on a wooly hat and over-sized coat and left the house. You'd think I was famous trying to avoid being spotted (see what I did there) by the p...

On New Years Eve I published my five new years resolutions. So let's look back at them and see what's happened since... 1. Take steps to control my anxiety (easier said than done). This is probably my most difficult resolution and will take time finding the right approaches which work for me. One of the worse things about my anxiety is the sweating which comes with it. I've noticed the more relaxed I am, the less I sweat. I've been trying to not be so tense and it's going kinda well apart from the snappy comments I make towards people. I've seen a big decrease in my sweating so I'm doing something right, for once. There is still a long way to go and I can't wait until my regular GP comes back in April from maternity leave so I can get some real help and confide in someone I trust. 2. Lose weight again *sigh*. This involves giving up chocolate, crisps, sugary drinks, fast food and reducing my sugar intake. Th...

Not sure if I've mentioned before I have 3 dogs; a French Bulldog (Reggie), a Basset Hound (Louie) and a Springer Spaniel (Billy). So you can imagine the amount of food and treats we get through every month. It's difficult and costs a fortune buying treats not just to feed all three but to meet their individual taste buds, they all have their favorites and whilst one will snap your hand off for one treat another will turn his nose up at it. Recently, I came across petshop.co.uk and spoke to a lovely lady explaining all of my pooches dietary requirements and medical issues. She hand selected a variety of products specifically for them. Now, the stress is taken away as the support is there from people with the right knowledge. I should point out they don't just cater for dogs, they cater for all animals from your dog to your mouse, rat and hedgehog and they don't just provide food they supply a range of accessories. The website is a life saver be...

Vaping has taken the UK by storm, with shops popping up left, right and centre you can be spoilt for choice and it can be overwhelming. I have found the PERFECT vaping company, they are called Shoreditch Vaping. For a while now I've wanted to get in on the action and join the ever increasing 3 millions vapers.  I've tried it in the past but just couldn't get into it. I'm sure I am not the only one who made quitting smoking one of their new years resolutions. It's an addition I don't want patches or gum, I wanted a like for like alternative. In addition, the Government and Public Health England have published a report outlines the following benefits of vaping: the current best estimate is that e-cigarettes are around 95% less harmful than smoking nearly half the population (44,8%) don't realise e-cigarettes are around 95% less harmful than smoking there is no evidence so far that e-cigarettes are acting as a route into smoking for children a...

Following the introduction of the Maternity Grants Act 1937 in Finland, the first maternity grants were delivered the following year. Initially, the grants were introduced for mothers only on low-income and is now available to all expectant mothers since 1949. The purpose was to tackle declining birth rates and high infant mortality. Many people argue the box is the reason behind Finland having one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world. The grant enabled Finnish mothers to access public health services. Mothers have two options, they can either opt for the maternity package or a cash grant, over 95% select the box as it it worth a substantial amount more. The box provides all children with an equal start in life regardless of their background. The box has several benefits and consists of; a mattress, a mattress cover, undersheet, duvet cover, blanket, sleeping bag/quilt, snowsuit, hat, insulated mittens and booties, light hooded suit and leggings in uni...

This morning was judgement day at the doctors. It didn't help that the only appointment I could get was with a doctor I didn't feel comfortable with. I waited anxiously for my name to be called wondering how I was going to put into words how I am feeling. There's no option though, ideally I would never have gone but I need evidence from the doctor to prove to my university I am unwell. I blurted out all my feelings and emotions which were met with very little response, I wanted help, anti-depressants or some sort of reassurance that things will get better. But what did I get? Well I left the consultant room clutching a piece of paper with some breathing exercises and a link to a website to read more about depression and anxiety. I have these for years, I know what they are, I live with them every hour of every day. I felt humiliated, I felt ignored. This was a big deal to me to actually speak to someone in person and ask for help, I know if my regular d...

I thought yesterday was a really good day, I got my second tattoo which was important to me and I was even asked to review something for this blog (what an achievement). Yet, a few minutes ago I got a phone call from my girlfriend ending it. This came as a shock in a way, we have been struggling for a while, I can't blame her because I know I am a lot to blame for a lot of things and incredibly difficult to put up with. I can't say hand on heart I tried my best because I didn't. At first I had reservations about us getting together and I had only recently come out of a long term relationship and wasn't ready for another one, but this was different I knew this girl from university and had feelings for her for a long time. I was fed that classic lie " I will never hurt you". At the beginning things were good but let's be honest every relationship starts off good. We then faced some difficult situations having to leave a house she was sharing,...

Hold on ladies, don't go anywhere you don't get out of this if your boyfriend won't check his balls then there's no reason why you can't and no I don't mean that in a sexist way but purely as health awareness. It's better for someone to check them than no one check them, you can even make it fun (depends how imaginative you are) or maybe get him to check your breasts, they may feel something you don't. Men are notorious for shrugging things off, believing it doesn't happen to men like themselves, well lads it got to happen to some one no lad is safe. So here are a few facts about testicular cancer published by the NHS : Uncommon cancer accounting for only 1% of all cancers than occur in men Most common symptom is a painless lump or swelling in the testicles Usually affects young men aged 15-49 Around 2,300 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer every year It is rare for a man to die from testicular cancer But don't...

Anxiety is a big part of my life. I guess I have always had it but it's only been these past few years I've accepted it. The thing is I have no idea how to cope with it, I should be in control of my life but instead the anxiety is in control. Anxiety disorder is a 'feeling of unease such as a worry or fear'. It affects me in several ways on a daily basis: Isolation My anxiety has taken over my life, the last thing on my mind is socialising. The thought of meeting up with friends excites most people but it fills me with dread. I rarely agree to meet up or go places with friends and nine times out of ten I make up a last minute excuse and cancel. As stupid as this may sound I refuse to go out anywhere alone or at night unless I'm in a car, it's that bad I won't even go to my local shop just twenty feet away from my front door. Irritability I mainly get this when I'm shopping. There's nothing worse than having to wait in a qu...

Following the success of the Lush Dream Cream, I am now only using Lush products to treat my eczema. I am overwhelmed by the number of eczema sufferers who also speak so highly of its effects on their eczema. So as it stands I am using the Dream Cream to treat my eczema on my hands which has improved dramatically. In terms of other products, I am using Snow Fairy, Butterbear bath bombs, Father Christmas bath bombs and Baked Alaska soap for bathing. I have moved onto bathing products as throughout my childhood I was forever prescribed bathing lotions and shampoos such as; Oilatum and Polytar and their smell was revolting. Lush has been a god send, finally I can enjoy bathing surrounded by phenomenal odours which linger on your skin for hours whilst leaving it feel smooth and radiant. Father Christmas Bath Bomb The second this pink fella hits the water he explodes turning it green in seconds. This is worth the money as its larger than most bath bombs so I will...