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in Lifestyle &middot May 30, 2016

May Favorites + J.Crew Giveaway

I know, I know – a few weeks ago, the blog was on a holiday schedule, but this week (when there’s an actual holiday), it’s not. Don’t question that strange schedule that is my life! Anyway, here are some of the things I loved in May. It’s a shorter version than usual because I’m working on finals plus my health plus yada yada yada. Check out the things I loved in May and/or enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post! My birthday is next Sunday, June 5, and so I’m kicking off the celebrations now. And at some point there will also be a birthday ad discount, so keep an eye on Twitter!

May 2016 Favorites

Reading

The Time of Singing – This historical fiction novel is about Ida de Tosny, an unwilling mistress of King Henry II, and Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk. I love it!

The Royal We – This is based on William and Kate, and while some of it is a little too close to reality (there’s only so many similarities I can take), it’s a wonderful book. It’s their take on what the relationship would be like of a modern prince and an American girl who he marries. Again, very close to reality, but still great.

I listen to books on Audible! It’s a great way to pass the time when commuting or traveling. Get 2 books for free when you sign up for a digital membership (which is so, so worth it to me since I listen to long books that are way more expensive than the monthly membership charge).

My All-Time Favorite Books

Wearing – Style, Clothes, Etc.

May 2016 Favorites

Old Navy boyfriend shorts, Maxi skirt, H&M jersey tees, Jack Rogers sandals, Keds

My All-Time Favorite Clothes, Shoes, Etc.

Wearing – Beauty

May 2016 Favorites

Benefit Consmetics ‘Hello Flasless!” Oxygen Liquid Foundation, Benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Full Coverage Concealer, Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara, Sally Hansen Inda-Dri Nail Polish in Set Sail, ColourPop Dope Taupe brow pencil, ColourPop Lippie Six in Frida

My All-Time Favorite Beauty Products

Enter to win $75 to J.Crew!

On June 5, I turn 25. To celebrate, a bunch of us have gotten together to give away a $75 gift card to J.Crew, my favorite store.

J. Crew Giveaway

Kate the (Almost ) Great | Anchored to Sunshine | Briana Mae Morgan | Travelvan | Rhyme & Ribbons | The Girl Who Loved To Write

This is only open to the US (sorry!), and you must be 18 or older to enter. The giveaway runs from 12:00 AM EST 5/30/2016 to 11:59 PM EST 6/5/2016. If you lie on any of your entries, you will be disqualified. The winner will be chosen and their entries examined within 48 hours of the giveaway ending, they will then be emailed, and they will have 48 hours to respond to that email to claim their prize. If they do not respond, another winner will be chosen, etc. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that when you click on them and purchase something, I receive a small profit. You can learn more by reading my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting Kate the (Almost) Great!
Kate Mitchell

Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emelia @ Dream Big & Buy the S says

    May 31, 2016 at 10:02 am

    I think I’m going to check out Audibile for listening to books at the pool. I get a headache reading in the sun, and this sounds like the perfect alternative!

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  2. Emily of Em Busy Living says

    May 31, 2016 at 3:04 pm

    Happy birthday to you friend! Thanks for the fun giveaway opportunity!
    The book “The Royal We” sounds right up my alley 🙂

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  3. Sandra Meaders says

    June 1, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    Happy Birthday!

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Trackbacks

  1. What To Do if a Doctor Doesn't Believe You - Kate the (Almost) Great | Boston Lifestyle Blog says:
    June 3, 2016 at 8:01 am

    […] Don’t forget to enter to win $75 to J. Crew! You have until 11:59 PM EST on Sunday. […]

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    Reply
  2. Kate the (Almost) Great | Boston Lifestyle Blog - Gift Guide: Books & Bookish Gifts - Kate the (Almost) Great | Boston Lifestyle Blog says:
    December 1, 2017 at 8:02 am

    […] your friend who loves the royals: The Royal We (here’s my review), Kings & Queens of England and Scotland, The Heir and the […]

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    Reply
  3. 2023 Recent Reads: April-June says:
    August 17, 2023 at 4:35 pm

    […] Check out my review from the first time I read this book here. […]

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I’ve been on IVIG since September. So what does su I’ve been on IVIG since September. So what does success look like? ⁣
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*This is all just for me and my case!*⁣
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1️⃣ I haven't gotten sick at all since I started, not even a cold. ⁣
2️⃣ My lungs are clear of any ground glass opacities, which was what pushed us over to finally doing IVIG regularly. ⁣
3️⃣ We feel better about saying that I don't have any infections. Because symptoms are often signs of the body fighting an infection, we couldn't always trust that I wasn't sick because I didn't have symptoms. ⁣
4️⃣ Because of all of this, we're increasing my next Rituxan dose! This will mean better RA symptoms and hopefully no new illnesses for a few years.⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.⁣
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ID: A bunch of IVIG supplies, including a pump. ⁣
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#ChronicallyIll #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #AutoimmuneDisease #Autoimmune
Week 17 of 2026 Weekly 1️⃣ Making some real progr Week 17 of 2026 Weekly

1️⃣ Making some real progress with this cross stitch
2️⃣ Walking casts have multiple uses, including holding down your mat! (Don’t worry - I only did broken-foot-compatible things) 

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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.

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IDs:
1️⃣ An in-progress cross stitch. You can see that Kate stitched 2 bears.
3️⃣ A walking cast lies on a black yoga mat 

#CrossStitching #CrossStitcher #RheumatoidArthritis #Osteoporosis #LoopsAndThreads
Can we talk about fatigue for a sec? ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ Fatigue Can we talk about fatigue for a sec? ⁣⁣⁣
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Fatigue is so much more than being tired. It's sleeping 10 hours at night and then struggling to stay awake during the day. It's trouble focusing because, even though you just had 3 cups of coffee, you're thinking about sleep. It's needing to factor rest in during the day because you have plans at night. ⁣⁣⁣
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It's a lot. ⁣⁣⁣⁣
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It's no secret that I have multiple chronic illnesses. But did you know that all of them - all 11+ of them - have fatigue as a symptom? Sometimes the fatigue is worse than the pain and, uh, I live with a lot of pain.⁣⁣
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This picture was taken when I was super anemic and waiting for 4 iron infusions. Now, months later, I can see it. And I also don't know how I got through the months of that anemia. ⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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ID: Kate takes a selfie. She's a redheaded white woman wearing a gray sweater and pink glasses.⁣
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#ChronicallyIll #RheumatoidArthritis #Fibromyalgia #Endometriosis #POTS
Week 16 of 2026 This week had EVERYTHING 1️⃣ Cr Week 16 of 2026 

This week had EVERYTHING

1️⃣ Cross-stitch during virtual mass 
2️⃣ Tuesday featured a 90-minute meeting during work and then an hour advocacy work call after my day job (both were good!)
3️⃣ Wednesday started at my foot doctor’s office and I left in a walking boot. Hopefully these 3 fractured bones will heal correctly this time 🤞🏻
4️⃣ Thursday started back at MGH for my annual neurology appointment + foot CT scan
5️⃣ Then I went up to Maine … 
6️⃣ to celebrate my grandma’s 85th birthday! 

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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.

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IDs: 
1️⃣ In the foreground is an in-progress cross-stitch piece. The background shows an open laptop streaming Catholic mass.
2️⃣ Kate takes a selfie. She’s a white woman with auburn hair and green glasses.
3️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a doctor’s office. 
4️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a car.
5️⃣ Kate takes a selfie snuggling with a golden retriever.
6️⃣ Kate and her cousins stand with their grandmother in front of a sign saying "Happy Birthday." 

#CrossStitch #ChronicPain #ChronicallyIll #InvisibleIllness
My face comes with subtitles, so .. ⁣ ⁣ ⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ I My face comes with subtitles, so .. ⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣.⁣
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ID: Kate drinks coffee giving side eye. White text box reads "My Face When Someone Says 'You Shouldn't Need a Cane At Your Age'" ⁣
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#ChronicPain #ChronicallyIll #RheumatoidArthritis #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #Fibromyalgia
There's beauty everywhere, not just in the Maine w There's beauty everywhere, not just in the Maine woods. (Shocking to me, I know.) ⁣⁣⁣
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There's beauty in little things, medium things. There's beauty in ordinary things. ⁣⁣⁣
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In the first cup of coffee of the day with the sun shining into the kitchen. ⁣⁣⁣
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In a completed checklist.⁣
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In a freshly cleaned house. ⁣⁣⁣
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In discovering a new-to-you genre of television that you LOVE. ⁣⁣
In quiet moments with people you care about. ⁣⁣⁣
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There's beauty everywhere. ⁣⁣⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣.⁣
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ID: A beautiful lake and a mossy bank. ⁣
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#MaineLife #207 #MaineLiving #IGNewEngland #Vacationland
Weeks 15 of 2026 Weekly Just trying to get throug Weeks 15 of 2026 Weekly

Just trying to get through!

1️⃣ IVIG time
2️⃣ I got a hair cut last week and then I looked nice at one point!

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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.

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⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣1️⃣ Looking at Kate’s lap. There’s a pump with tubes attached that go under Kate’s shirt.
2️⃣ Kate takes a selfie. She’s a white woman with auburn hair wearing a navy dress with flowers, a silver Celtic knot necklace, and green glasses. 

#ChronicallyIll #RheumatoidArthritis #SjogrensSyndrome #Fibromyalgia #IVIG
FAQ: What Is Subtalar Fusion Surgery? Background FAQ: What Is Subtalar Fusion Surgery? 

Background: I have tarsal coalition and rheumatoid arthritis and had subtalar fusion in my left foot in 2009 and in my right in 2018. While this was started because of the tarsal coalitions, it is a surgery that can help rheumatoid arthritis, too. 

Video: Kate talks to the camera. There are captions. A black text box at the binning reads “FAQ: What Is Subtalar Fusion Surgery?”. 

#TarsalCoalition #RheumatoidArthritis #SubtalarFusion #AutoimmuneDisease
There will be times when you do everything you can There will be times when you do everything you can to feel better and it won't work. That's not a failing on your part.⁣⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣.⁣
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ID: Screenshot of a Bluesky post. The background is dark teal, and it's written by Kate Mitchell | Kate the (Almost) Great with the username katethealmostgreat.bsky.social. ⁣The text reads what's above the first black box.⁣⁣⁣⁣
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#RheumatoidArthritis #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #Endometriosis #Fibromyalgia #SjogrensSyndrome
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