Natalie ~ strut or stumble

@strutorstumble

50+singleMum with chronic illnesses #mybrokenbodyandme 🙏positivity&reality, smiles 💞lifestyle 👗fashion&beauty My links 👇
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Instagram vs reality ~ I’ve thought so long about showing my scars~ silly really as I will wear shorts in the summer & have scars on my hip & knee 🤷‍♀️ 2 points to this post 2 reasons for sharing~ 1:: I keep saying I’ve had 2 change my style & love fashion. This is why~ after op number 14 the shape is full of deformities ~ worse in real life than in these pics ~ a little clearer on next pic . Swipe 👈 I found it easier actually with my colostomy bag in many ways. Now clothes cling & seem to hold onto the bumps lol 😂 so hence baggier clothes. When I’m on an all over flare up ~ jeans are a no go as they are too tight both tummy wise & around joints. I’ve never shown my scars like this & even whilst writting I’m not sure weather to post. But it helps bring awareness & these scars are after life saving ops .. & I wouldn’t be here without them ~ so it’s important not to hate them I guess. I was inspired by @behindthescars_ @sophiemayanne her work is amazing 🤩 so I took these selfies & braved it 🤦‍♀️ Reason number 2:: we sit at home at the moment & look at posts ~ peoples lives, homes, styles & bodies .. but it’s so extremely important to remember people post what they want you to see. And can transform a photo so easily. This pic is not edited on a computer.. taken by me & a quick app ~ not even photoshop & boom 💥 I have the perfect tummy !! I even have a tummy button which in real life I don’t have one anymore ~ Yes I put make up on to post ~ most of the time as it makes me feel better & when I have makeup I might put a few different outfits on to keep in my phone to post. Then don’t post when I’m sat here slobbing out 😂😂 I love to keep my page as real as I can as you know if you follow me. Please remember whatever & whoever you are you are worthy & great 👍 You can’t do better than your best 🤩🤗 So anyway this is very brave & hard for me to post .. my heart is beating through my chest like you wouldn’t believe.. but I don’t judge other peoples scars & sure you won’t mine. It’s good to raise awareness & if this helps one person to not be ashamed or one person to realize the inta vs reality that’s all I can hope 4. Xxx #mybrokenbodyandme
0 102
3 years ago
As the song says what a difference a day makes ~ Living with chronic illness you never know when you’re going to have a flare up or even develop something else. Last week I was rushed into hospital ~ to return home & then Monday the ambulance bought me back & here I am . If you followed me for a bit you’d know that I have a bunch of autoimmune diseases, no bowel, & have had many ~ multiple lifesaving surgeries. I’ve had a good run this year .. but 💥 & here I am again. Not sure what’s going on or what the plan is at the minute, but am not in as much excruciating pain now slightly better the passed few days 🙏not home ready for sure just yet but hopefully soon. I am exhausted it’s hard work being a pain fighter 💪 been moved out of 24hour observation to a ward I’m not sure I think it was Wednesday. 👏 I don’t always share my bad days on here. But I do like to keep it real too & to post helps to help bring awareness & understanding ~ by any means I don’t do this for sympathy ~ it’s my life & it is what it is. I will not let it rob me of me~ don’t get me wrong I hate being ill but for about 12yrs I’ve been fighting it so now & over time grabbed more autoimmune diseases along the way. I will embrace the good times when I can Still have fun 🤩 still a bit loony lol ~ known by a couple of people as “nutty nat” 😆 It’s hard sometimes for people to remember we are ill ~ not that we need pussy footing around us there’s a balance that’s needed. A bad spell doesn’t give you warning when it comes. We sometimes have to cancel plans last minute which I rarely do < But I will suffer after if I push myself to hard. Or you stop getting invited. It can be frustrating, dark place sometimes. There is no cure, treatment or medication that will make us well .. We are managed not healed. Positive vibes & laughs etc are so important & really do help when you are struggling ~my dm is always open 😘🫶🌹 In reference to above I refer you,I, we etc in regards of so many people, not solely me. None of us have the exact same illness’s but we are all so similar health wise in many ways . Thanks for reading 🙏 #mybrokenbodyandme #spoonielife #hospitallife #hertfordshireblogger
0 45
7 months ago
Always be the first rate version of yourself instead of the second rate version of somebody else ~ Judy Garland Gone are the days where I would get a new outfit to go out, or shopping without much need to watch the price really.. Now I shop my wardrobe or sometimes buy something new ~ I’m a sucker for a charity shop & have turned into a brilliant charity shop shopper ~ & love it lol 🫶 With that plus having to hide the deformed tummy shapes, scars etc from the many open surgeries & baggier bottoms on swollen or painful joint days with the above to take into account going out fashions are slightly more challenging ~ but if you put it all together, add accessories, and a big fat smile lol you can look just as good in fact high street fashion these days are so great & in a way more trendy ~ for want of a better word. Here’s an example of #budgetstyle Jeans @primark (current) love baggy style jeans 👖 Vest @primark (current) got 3 of these black, brown & this khaki one I’d mentioned these in a previous post as love the fit & texture will definitely get more & love the high neckline too Boots @hm last year Blazer ~ another fab fit I love the padded shoulders and slimline waist line which silhouettes your figure is @hobbslondon via @rgphospice (fab find) blazers are always my go to ~ I’ve a good selection & a good blazer will carry you from year to year & season to season ~ a simple vest under on milder days ~ a hoodie, jumper or layer it up on colder days. It can dress an outfit up or wear it casual ✔️🫶 Belt @ralphlauren (old) What’s your go to item… 🤔 Anyway happy Wednesday ~ mum & I are away for the night & off on a call the midwife tour tomorrow (meeting a friend for a curry this evening before heading back to our hotel) will pop some posts on my story tomorrow 👍🫶 Bye for now 😘 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #mybrokenbodyandme #stylingmy50s #maturewoman #fashionover50 #stylingonabuget #secondhandbutgrand #charityshopfinds #prima #hmxme #highstreetfashion #brunette #baggyjeans #blazers #easywear #changeofcircumstances #shoppedmywardrobe #fashioninspo #silhouttefashion #paddedshoulders #disabledstyle #beproudofyourself #fashiontipsforwomen #primark
0 25
15 days ago
Simplicity of nude tones~ One of the greatest advantages of nude shades is their versatility throughout the year. They seamlessly transition from season to season, adapting to the changing fashion trends… & look great with most skin tones & hair colors 👌 Hollie & I took Jamie for lunch to start a weekend of celebrating turning a teenager .. 13 years old !! Time flies way too fast … Would recommend @chez_jerome_restaurant a little French restaurant in Dunstable ~ service & food was excellent ~ will definitely go there again ~ we’d not been prior but Jamie wanted snails so googling a French restaurant was how we stumbled across this little gem … Love trying new restaurants ~ don’t you 🤔 😘😘 I wore an old pair of @giorgioarmani jeans on Cream/beige polo neck @shien_shopinng Waistcoat @boohoo old Blazer @riverisland (old) Bag @tkmaxxuk Belt @ralphlauren Boots @marksandspencer Earrings @temu_uk Tags or exact & similar items can be found on my https://liketk.it/4zf8R ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #mybrokenbodyandme #womenover50 #fashionover50style #maturefashion #over50fashion #chicclothing #nudetones #midlifestyle #midlifewomen #jeanlooks #brunettestyle #restaurantreviews #teenlife #birthdays #snails #frenchrestaurant #foodie #hertfordshire #dunstable #blazers #jewelry #temu #imwearingri #treasureseeker #mymarksfave #shienclothing
0 9
25 days ago
Beautiful send off yesterday for an amazing man who was a huge part of our lives. These beautiful girls who I love to bits are Ted’s granddaughters 🫶(and my mum) A beautiful church service followed by a lovely wake. You all did him proud 🥹 Ted was a wonderful man, who left his stamp wherever he went, a charmer, a gentleman, kind and charismatic and will be greatly missed. He had an amazing life surviving the blitz , national service & war in Malaya to back home and a football career until recently years. Seeing him wk with some of the biggest names in football… This is his book which I must get round to reading as it’s said to be a great read 📖 Hope your all doing ok 👌 RIP xxx Love you @jadehockham @danibailey90 @_demzbux_ Sending you and your families strength & love 💕 in my prayers always see you soon xxx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #mybrokenbodyandme #bookstagram #tedbuxton #footballlife #war
0 7
28 days ago
Always be the first rate version of yourself ~ instead of the second rate version of somebody else ~ Judy Garland It’s so easy on here to see someone you like ~ love what they do ~ what they wear , what makeup they use, their homes, lifestyles etc… which is all so great to nose at .. & get inspiration from but never loose sight of yourself in the process… We are all individuals ~ we are all different & great in our own rights… Life would be boring if we were all the same… Just a little weekend thought for you… 🤔 Anyway I’m at my mums for the weekend… so a quick hello 👋 Long drive so comfy @primark jeans & vest .. don’t wear vests as a rule but this simple ribbed vest is a dream. High neck & fit seems to hide a multitude of sins yeahhh…need to grab a couple of other colors for the milder weather ~ going to be a great under blazer piece or under shirt etc… & maybe a summer vest when not needing to hide those batwings lol… Nothing beats a good vest 🫶☝️🫶 #mybrokenbodyandme #fashionover50 #womenover40 #womenover50 #womensupportingwomen #primarkvest #primania #smilesparkleshine #youareenough #stylingtips #judygarlandquotes
0 41
1 month ago
#mybrokenbodyandme … Forget your troubles & dance 💃 ~ Bob Marley. Being disabled & living a daily pain life can be so debilitating but it’s so important to still have fun for your mental health aside from feeling good. You are still you just a slightly different you. I would have been glued to that dance floor many moons ago. Now if I’m not on a wheelchair day I will grab my stick or zimmer & join in best that I can. I’ve even had the biggest trust in some of my friends at times and trusted them to not let me fall ~ and hold on to them to have a free boggie ~ all be it not for long as that’s impossible lol 😂 Also can (again not for long) but chair dance ~ or feet not jiggling and still have a boggie. There’s always a way & disabled or not you can still have a jiggle around if you want. Fatigue is a bit of a problem so after a good night I will be whacked for the week literally but it’s all worth it 👍👍 I mentioned before my mental health has been so bad this year or last I should say now we are a new year again~ but it’s time now to find me again & shake it off 🫶🫶 For me I find music ~ singing or dancing so up lifting it’s a real feel good tool!! What’s your feel good thing that you love to do… 🤔 My music is so varied what I listen to depends on what mood I’m in… Happy Thursday 😘😘 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #dancingishealing #musicisgoodforthesoul #feelgoodvibes #womenover50 #chronichealth #disabilty #positivevibes #positivethinking #youareenough #trustinfriends #friendgoals #spoonie #feelgoodvibes #chicwithawalkingstick #babeswithmobityaids #dancingquotes #bobmarley
0 31
1 month ago
All about snug & cozy yesterday ~ today another pj sofa day here for me ~ been avoiding another flare this week ~ well trying. So curled up listening to that wind ~ WTH ~ it’s so bad out there can’t even go outside with my wobbly body it’s way to strong lol I’d be blown all over the shop … 😆 Hope you’ve had a good weekend 😘 Outfit tags Jeans 👖 @primark Jumper @zara Boots @ugg #mybrokenbodyandme #primania #zara #fashionover50 #storms #stylingover50 #comfyclothes
0 24
2 months ago
Laughter is the language of the soul ~ Pablo Neruda Isn’t it amazing how a bit of time & giggles gives you such a lift. It’s a pure tonic. Decades on @martinemccutcheon & I are still the best of friends. Some bonds & friendships are so strong they last a lifetime. I’m so grateful & lucky to have amazing friends ~ a bunch of mixed pickles who are all my closest & best friends. Who I love unconditionally all in their own rights 🫶 Love this ~ these pics of Martine & I as captures us to a tea ~ laughter & giggles probably over nothing much at all 😆 We have the ability to cheer each other up regardless of whatever life is throwing in the way. We’ve had so much fun ~ ‘back in the day’ made so many memories & a book full of hilarious stories along the way. I wish I could share them all but there’s not enough space to jot them down 🤷‍♀️ Through the hard times we’ve also been each others rocks ~ shoulders to cry on. We haven’t seen as much of each other as normal over the past year but it always seems as though we saw each other the day before when we finally get together. Mainly health reasons have gotten in the way. I’ve not had the best year with physical health & been bouncing in & out of hospital like I do lol 😂 & for the 1st time I’ve suffered with my mental health quite significantly ~ I’m much better now 🤞with my MH apparently I’ve got ptsd. Physically well that’s something that I have to live with unfortunately ~ but will talk about that another time. Life’s too short we need to embrace it & fill ourselves with positivity & people that make us feel good, feel happy. It’s so important & gives you the boost that you need. Dressed in what I call my spooniefashion ~ one where my joints can flare up all over so nothing tight. ~ flat comfy boots good for those ankles back. Layer it in case you have a hot turn but warm enough if it’s cold to stop the cold getting in your bones. Jeans T-shirt & knitted tank top @primark ~ jeans are a loose fit. Blazer (love the grey trim on the lapels) & the gold buttons on the cuffs it’s warm too ~ bonus @gant (old) Boots @ugg @uggsince1974 #mybrokenbodyandme #primania #primark #gantblazers #baggyjeans #blazerlook
0 76
2 months ago
Happy new year… Started this recap with kindness… I was struggling to get down the stairs (in Brighton) & these kind strangers stopped & carried me down. So starting the new year with spreading kindness 🫶 2023 has been a mix of highs & lows & more inpatient hospital stays for me… struggled with both physical & mental health this year so determined to bounce back to the positive me in 2024… Got to take a slower pace so I don’t burn out but also going to make the most of my good days too & grab life by the horns… so here’s wishing everyone a happy healthy 2024 🥂 You set any new goals for this year.. #mybrokenbodyandme #2024 #startofthenewyear #recap2023 #kindnessmatters #strangers #womenover50 #disabledlife #disabilty #babeswithmobiltyaids #chronichealth #familyandfriends #goodbye2023 #highsandlows #positivity #goals #grablifebythehorns
0 23
2 months ago
So this was Christmas ~ hope had a good time. Come down to see @nancy_venables for couple of days we picked & drank last night & we are having a cozy night in tonight us, Sam, Lucy & Dixie… fires burning, candles lit glass of bubbles in hand already ~ dog’s chilling ~ so happy new year from us to you have a great time ~ keep safe. Xmas day sparkle ✨ outfit ~ skirt & blouse @primark You up to anything nice … #mybrokenbodyandme #newyearseve #bubbles #forverfriends❤️ #goodfood #goodtimes #lifestyle #womenover50 #fashionover50 #fashionover40 #sequins #sparkle #primark #primarni #over50style
0 14
2 months ago
Another build up to Christmas Day (getting them on before it’s over lol) still not had a chance to go onto here. From doing nothing to these odd things is so exhausting with my health & pain but no way am I giving in and not doing our Christmas things .. So as tradition @ljd1306 & @suzymcgeachan had our Marlow mooch & lunch @ivyrestaurants chilled relaxed & festive as always. Food amazing I had the shepherds pie made with goose ~ yum 😋 Had the best time with these gorgeous lifelong girls ~ (my Christmas treat from Suzy) thankyou soo much.. (Times have changed & I can’t stretch budget to do this sort of thing anymore ~ like once upon a time when I wouldn’t of even thought twice ~ that’s a whole other subject but so thoughtful & grateful that I have the best friends to still allow me to go 🙏) Then had a little mooch in @thewhitecompany & @susiewatsondesigns who never fail to have the most gorgeous Christmas bits 🫶🎄 Comfy clothes as joints a bit swollen & sore at min so baggy jeans old @nextofficial the #emmawilliscollection @hm boots @wallisfashion cardi & my hand me up coat from @zara ~ I say hand me up as it’s normally hand me down right ~ but my gorgeous chosen niece @thatsellatoyou handsme up clothes as we like to call it… lol 🫶 Anyways can’t wait to get time to sit & go through your Christmas adventures 🎄❤️❤️ #mybrokenbodyandme #chronicillnessawareness #foreverfriends #handmeupfashion #timeschange #marlow #theivymarlowgarden #thewhitecompany #susiewatson #christmasgoodies #christmasbuildup #disabilityfashion #hmxme #zarawoman #sharewithnext #fashionover50 #stylingover50 #wonenover50 #interior
0 1
3 months ago