Sunday saw me hobbling around London raising money for Refuge. Here’s some photos.
You can still sponsor me (all money goes to Refuge) here: https://walk4.everydayhero.com/uk/madeleine
#Walk4Refuge
Category: challenges
#BoldisBeautiful
So you may remember approximately a year ago I took part in the first #BoldisBeautiful march sponsored by Benefit Cosmetics in aid of women’s charities Refuge and Look Good Feel Better.
Well it rolled around again and my 10k partner Rehana and I signed up.
Last Sunday was boiling hot and I melted somewhat as we marched our way around London. There were 600 ish people, mostly women, a few men, some children and at least three dogs taking part.
Having mangled my knee a few weeks before I was a bit worried about hobbling along but it was only after we stopped that I was in pain, so that was something.
At checkpoints, including the Good Ship Benefit, we were given goodies and funny marching gear (pompoms, capes) to speed us along.
I received a medal to go with last year’s and brought home a giant pair of tweezers to terrify the Mr with (he has two giant caterpillars on his face forever trying to meet one another).
If you want to get involved, head to your nearest Benefit Brow Bar and get yours waxed, all profits go to the charities and you get a free product to say thank you.
Last year’s had a few hiccups that spoilt it and while this year’s wasn’t perfect (one of the checkpoints definitely wasn’t wheelchair friendly) despite the sunburn, it was really fun and I will be signing up for next year’s event.
Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?
Did anyone else watch that show as a kid? I know I didn’t make it up.
Anyway, you might be wondering where I and my boxes of beauty products have been all week. Let’s just say it hasn’t been the best week.
WordPress has been a bit buggy and ate some posts, the WiFi and the crazy weather have been duking it out all week and I spent the first half collapsed in a sunburnt achey heap (find out why on Saturday).
Let me know how your week’s been and stay tuned for more posts very soon..
Blackheart Creatives DIY Jewellery Box
I discovered Blackheart Creatives through Twitter and loved the fun things they sell.
So when they released a DIY jewellery box I leapt at the chance. For £20 you get everything you need to make some pretty cool, totally unique jewellery.
I sat myself down in front of The Good Wife last week and had a go. Following the step-by-step instructions was super easy and since the box not only contained the components but also the tools I needed, there was no faffing about.
This month’s box contained a pair of earrings and a necklace, which you can put your own unique spin on and make something no one else has.
This was a limited run of 30 kits, but if there’s enough demand, I imagine there will be more in the future. The plan is to give you something different each time and build up your skills and tools at the same time.
The lovely Charlotte even made a how to video for you, if you’re all thumbs or just want tips from the pros.
As a not very crafty person I found it really fun and as you get something unique to keep and wear at the end, complete value for money.
To find out more, visit Blackheart Creatives online, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, they’re a friendly team and respond quickly, should you have any questions. You can also see everyone else’s fab creations there.
ramblingmads
NaNoWriMo
National (or international) Novel Writing Month is here. Every November dozens of brave (crazy) people try to write a novel (50,000 words) in a month.
It has been disparaged by some published writers, like Joanne Harris (of Chocolat fame) who tweeted rather negatively about it.
I know it seems like a lot to do in a month, and it is, but if you break it down and do your best, even if you don’t finish the novel you might just have a really good start.
Every year I plan to do it, but usually fail by mid-November, but this year I’m going to give it a fair crack. I’ve got an idea that’s been rattling around my brain for a while, and the support of some friends, a lot of whom are also giving it a go, why not. Of course I may have a change of heart further in to the month.
If the blog goes a bit quiet, you’ll know why!
ramblingmads
I love a goodie bag
I realise I never shared my 10k goodie bag with you. As well as a medal, everyone who completed the Walk4 Refuge 10k got a bag full of gifts from their sponsors and doners.
It came in a handy canvas bag – perfect now that shops are charging 5p a bag – save the planet people, reuse your bags.
I felt a bit sorry for the men and children who did the walk as these goodies were definitely for women.
As well as a Refuge keyring to match the bag, there’s a hot pink water bottle – which I am clipping to my bike, as I don’t have a cycling one.
Then there’s the beauty spoils – Benefit have a long running sponsor relationship with Refuge and there’s a little They’re Real! Push Up Liner from them in the bag.
Then there’s exciting corporate pens and mints from Shearman & Sterling – which I gather is a law firm.
Other brands that donated are John Freida (Style Creator Styling Spray), Avon (Magic Effects Mineral Crush nail polish in Diamond, a glittery polish), L’Oreal (super liner) and Max Factor (sheer gloss balm).
It’s great to see so many big name brands, brands we probably all own a fee bits and pieces from, contributing to a good cause.
Also featured, mini bubble mix, not featured – the Haribo we were given at the start, they didn’t make it to the finish!
ramblingmads
Walk4 round up
My feet are throbbing and I am knackered so here’s a photo round up of the walk4 Refuge. Apologies for the less than stellar photos, the sun was in my eyes and my phone was struggling.
The day was really good, approximately 300 people, men, women, children, dogs, took part. Every £60 raised is a night in a safe place. An incredibly vital cause, rounded off with lemonade, goodie bags and winning in the champagne raffle.
There were lots of other charity walks taking place as well, for Cancer Research, Diabetes, MS, and a very cool dapper gentleman’s vintage motorbike ride for breast cancer – they looked amazing.
Shame all the roadworks got in the way, but I’m sure you’ll find better photos out there.
Great to see so many people raising funds for the causes they care about.
You still have time to sponsor me, while I recover from my blisters and aches.
ramblingmads
Regular update – sponsor me
You are going to see a fair few of these posts over the next few months.
I am doing dreaded exercise but as it’s for a good cause, I am actually happy to do.
Walk4 Refuge is in September but I want to exceed my fundraising target so please, sponsor me and help women and children fleeing domestic violence.
Www.justgiving.com/madeleine-walk4
Thank you. Your support means a lot.
ramblingmads
Walk 4
This September I am doing a charity walk for an organization I am quite fond of – Refuge.
They are the UK’s biggest domestic abuse charity and support women and children fleeing abusive situations. They receive no government funding and as the Government tighten the country’s collective belts, sadly organisations like Refuge are needed more.
I am asking, very nicely, if you could sponsor me. All of the money goes to Refuge, nothing will be in my pocket.
So click here and give whatever you can.
Thank you ladies and gents in advance. I’ll keep you posted.
ramblingmads
#BoldisBeautiful charity walk
On Sunday my friend Janet and I undertook the #boldisbeautiful walk in Central London in support of Refuge and Look Good, Feel Better sponsored by Benefit Cosmetics.
Refuge is a charity I have a lot of time for, having spent the last few years working for a charity that supports victims of crime, and Look Good, Feel Better helps women fighting cancer to learn how to use skincare and make up to boost their confidence despite the changes to their bodies and skin.
This is the first year Benefit have run this, and it shows.
We were told to wear minimal make up as we would get a makeover en route. This meant a spot of lip gloss and some blusher, which wasn’t quite up to Benefit’s claim.
We were given freebies of sample sized items at each checkpoint and offered others to buy (all proceeds to the charities). As well as a make up bag to keep them in.
There was branded water bottle available, which was definitely needed in the hot sun. Everyone was given a canvas bag to keep their treats in, a pair of comedy glasses, a cape, cookie and T-shirt. We also received a medal at the finish line.
However there were some serious issues.
My friend is a wheelchair user, and parts of the route were so badly planned as to be completely inaccessible. There was a info box on the sign up sheet stating wheelchair users should speak to an organizer, so we did and were told it would be fine. It was not.
Then there was the frankly offensive sizing issue with the t-shirts. A medium fitted a four year old girl there with her mum but not any adult women. One girl I spoke too said she was a size 8 but needed a large. The XXL tees ran out incredibly quickly as they were the only ones that fitted anyone comfortably.
The average size woman in the UK is a 16, so why order t-shirts for a charity event supporting women that fat shames?? I couldn’t even get the supposed XL over my rugby player shoulders, let alone my boobs. Because of this I felt like I wasn’t really part of anything and seeing the same five generically pretty girls being photographed for all the promotional material was quite frustrating.
Women come in all shapes and sizes and can be victims of domestic abuse or contract cancer regardless. Disabled women are four times more likely to be victimized, their abusers are usually intimate partners or family members who take on caring roles.
There was almost no promotion done, I only knew about it as I’m on Refuge’s mailing list. Janet went into a Benefit store on Saturday and the staff didn’t know it was happening.
Finally. At the end of the walk, a party atmosphere was being encouraged so imagine our horror when Blurred Lines came on over the PA system. At an event supporting Refuge is a song about date rape appropriate?? Is that song ever appropriate?
When I mentioned this on Instagram, Benefit had the cheek to claim it was a public playlist. Clearly it didn’t occur to anyone to vet the playlist and check there wasn’t anything inappropriate on it.
I personally think it was a good idea but just executed a little poorly. Hopefully lessons will be learned and adjustments made to make it feel more inclusive.
My energies are now focused on the 10k London Bridges walk in September for Refuge. Look out for my sponsorship requests. :):)
ramblingmads
ramblingmads 