Hola chicos, I was invited by Boots to attend a super cool event for a new campaign to help raise awareness of ‘Insneezia’ – their name for the insomnia-esque effects caused by hayfever symptoms at night. The event was held in the beautiful St Christopher’s Place in Central London, just off Oxford Street. They threw a fantastic #PetalParty where over 3 million petals made from colourful tissue paper were dropped over one hour.
It was great to meet the lovely Nicky from Not Just the 3 of Us for the first time who was my partner in crime for that night. We met outside of Bond Street station and then headed over to St Christopher’s Place. It was nice because it felt as if we had known each other for a long time already which was really nice. It was like a blind blogging date for us, LOL. Anyway, I couldn’t have asked for better company! 🙂
As soon as we arrived to the #PetalParty we saw Lauren Pope, a TOWIE celebrity who was invited to DJ for the party. She was great and the music was awesome as it really transformed the place into a proper party. When the petals started showering down all over of us we were all so delighted and super excited. It looked really beautiful.
Nicky was so kind as she took lots of photos of me with the petals. They were all so pretty that I couldn’t just choose a couple so I decided to share a selection of the best ones from that day. I hope that I’m not boring you with too many photos of me, LOL! Thank you so much Nicky for these amazing photos, you are a STAR! 🙂
When the petals had finished falling, the floor looked gorgeous with millions of multicoloured petals. It was like a sea full of petals. With that beautiful setting it was definitely an Instagram moment.
I had never suffered from hayfever until I moved to the UK. Now I know how uncomfortable it can be to have the typical itchy and running nose symptoms along with with irritable eyes. I’m very unlucky as I seem to suffer from hayfever on and off for most of year whilst Nick on the other hand only suffers once a year during June when it is really quite awful!
Sleeping is definitely the most uncomfortable part when suffering from hayfever. Boots aim to raise awareness of how sufferers can tackle their night-time hayfever symptoms, so they can get a better night’s sleep. Boots pharmacist Tom Kallis says that “Many hayfever sufferers lose sleep during spring and summer, when pollen falls as the evening temperature decreases. However, there is no reason why people need to let their hayfever have such an impact. If hayfever does affect you at night time – you just need to remember to take action and treat symptoms in the evening, before you go to bed.”
Also, research by Boots found that 64 per cent of people with hayfever say their sleep is disturbed by symptoms, while Dr Peter Burt, aerobiologist at the University of Greenwich, explained: “Towards the end of the day, the temperature drops causing the pollen that has risen in the atmosphere during the day, to fall back to the ground. This explains why hayfever sufferers may experience a worsening of symptoms at night which can impact how they feel the next day.”
For anyone suffering symptoms, Boots Pharmacist Tom Kallis offered a few tips on how to reduce night-time hayfever pains:
1. Keep the windows shut at night and first thing in the morning. Feeling hot? Pop your pillow case in the freezer before bedtime for a temporary cooling effect
2. Wear sunglasses after sun down. Not because you’re a wannabe celeb but to help protect your eyes from pollen
3. Hang laundry inside – even when the sun is shining – because you don’t want pollen-infused bedding
4. Shower before you go to bed to help wash any stray pollen from your hair and skin which could aggravate your symptoms overnight
5. Teeth cleaned, face washed and moisturised? Don’t forget a final smear of petroleum jelly under your nose which may help trap pollen
If you’re suffering from the impact of ‘insneezia’ the next day – such as irritability caused by lack of sleep, Tom offers a few more tips:
1. Shower again! Showering in the morning helps to stimulate the circulatory system and ‘shock’ your body into a more awake state if you’ve lost out on shut-eye overnight
2. Think twice before reaching for a coffee or chocolate based pick-me-up – both contain high levels of vasoactive amines, like histamine which can cause some sensitive individuals to suffer ‘allergy-like’ symptoms
3. Lose the booze – Alcoholic drinks, such as wine and beer and cider can make it hard to sleep well anyway and these also contain histamine and other vasoactive amines.
4. Chill two teaspoons in the fridge overnight then cup them over your eyes for 5 minutes to help combat any puffiness caused by lack of sleep
5. Stay hydrated – to help replace lost fluids and help you feel more energised
I would like to say Thank You so much to Boots for inviting to such an amazing event. It was absolutely beautiful. I had a great time and I was even more happier to be able to help them with this campaign.
What did you think of this campaign? Did you like the #PetalParty? Did you find the tips useful? Do you have some tips to tackle hayfever? Please leave me a comment below as I would love to read what you think about it.
Disclaimer: I was invited to attend this event in exchange of a blog post. However all the thoughts are mine.
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤
Franca 💋
Linking up with:
Such a great list! And look at those petals BELLA!!!! So many people brush hay fever off but with so many types and sometimes such severe symptoms it needs addressing. Thank you! #MarvMondays
Wow! Some lovely photos here, all so colourful! I’m so lucky in that I’ve never so far, suffered from hayfever. I’ve seen the effects on other people though especially this year and they’ve felt really ill with it. Thanks for sharing with #BloggerClubUK x
Looks like an amazing event to raise awareness, absolutely love all the petals! I’ve never suffered too badly but my partner has started too and my son which I hate to see, so it’s important to see this out there. Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Kaye xo
What a fabulous event to raise awareness! Love all the photos.
#KCACOLS
I didn’t know that hay fever is worse at night! My little one suffers bless her but thankfully not too bad. Thanks for the tips!
This is the perfect post for me! I suffer from hayfever and i suspect my son does too. I love the list of tips. Thank you for posting! #KCACOLS
Those petals look like so much fun! 😀 Normally I’m not bothered by hayfever or anything, but this year I’ve been sneezing a lot but haven’t changed anything *in* the house. Hopefully it’s just a one off! x #KCACOLS
I am really lucky because although I do get hayfever, it’s usually only ever quite mild. I always feel sorry for people who get it really badly as it stops them enjoying the summer as much as they otherwise would!
Thank you for hosting #KCACOLS as always 🙂
Oh, hay fever is AWFUL.
The other day, I walked out of my house and was completely unable to open my eyes. They swelled up instantly, and tears just streamed down. If that wasn’t a warning to just stay home, I’m not sure what would be!
I’ve never heard of a petal party, but it looks like soooooo much fun. And, as annoying as allergies may be-those petals are beautiful…even if they are fake! Thank you for hosting #KCACOLS
Wow, how pretty was that, so jealous lol. My husband suffers greatly with allergies so any tips for help are always welcome. There are definitely a couple here I might try. I think this campaign is great.
#KCACOLS
Really interesting, and useful for people who suffer. I’m lucky and don’t get hayfever, although it can come on all of a sudden can’t it? So I may well need these tips in the future! Lovely photos of you! x #KCACOLS
Wow what an informative post – I had never thought of night time hayfever! Now I am wondering if this could be a reason for how rotten I have been feeling lately – I just assumed it was a cold or something similar but I guess it is worth thinking about hayfever too!! I have often heard people saying that you should try and buy local honey to eat if you suffer from hayfever as it can help stop the symptoms from local pollen! I’ve never worked out where to buy any from though lol!! #KCACOLS
Those petals looks fab and make wonderful photos. Allergies are miserable so anything to help is well worth shouting about #KCACOLS
Great post and fab campaign! I seem to have avoided the worst of hayfever this year (although the year is young!), last year I was affected terribly by it. I’ve heard local honey is supposed to be a fantastic cure but I was a bit too late to start it this year! Great post and thanks as always for hosting #KCACOLS 🙂
Those petal photos are brilliant, the event looks amazing. I don’t suffer from hayfever luckily, but I like the tips you included, pillow case in the fridge and spoons in the fridge for puffy eyes is a great idea. I will remember those.
Amanda #kcacols
p.s How nice you could meet up with Nicky too.
This is such a great post! I am lucky enough not to suffer with hayfever, but my poor husband does every summer and there is so much useful information and tips in here that I think I will email this post to him! I love some of the tips which I havent come across previously for us to try. Im not sure our pillow will fit in our freezer though! 🙂 Emily #KCACOLS
Looks like such an amazing event. Love the pictures with all of the petals – so pretty! I have hay fever and it can be a pain sometimes. I find sleeping with the A/C is very helpful. #kcacols
Luckily I don’t suffer from Hayfever too badly, but my sister does. It’s horrible to see someone suffering from it, especially when their eyes are puffed up and watering. I’m glad Boots are making awareness of the condition and that many were involved on the day. It seems you had a great time in the fake petals. 🙂 #KCACOLS
What a great idea for a party and fab pics! Fortunately I don’t suffer from hayfever but I know that it can really affect those who do. I think those tips are brilliant x #KCACOLS
These are such great tips Franca thanks so much for sharing and hosting #kcacols
I have really bad hayfever and never thought that there could be pollen on my bedding from drying it outside!! And I’m def gig g to try the teaspoons in the fridge too x
Gorgeous photos! And some great tips here which I’ll be sharing with my poor hubby – I’m lucky not to suffer myself but he really does. I hope our daughter takes after me! X
#KCACOLS
Wow some really great tips here and ones that I will be employing. My youngest suffers from hayfever really badly. I like the idea about the pillow and keeping the windows shut. A great idea. Also such lovely photos with all the colour, it looks like it was a really lovely event 🙂 #KCACOLS
Fortunately no-one in our family suffers from hayfever – it didn’t occur to me it could be worse at night! #KCACOLS
I never used to suffer until I moved to the UK, so clearly there’s a pollen here that’s extra strong (especially for Peruvians and Danes it seems lol) Gorgeous photos and great tips. I’m not too bad at night, but it does hit me during the day. Thank for hosting #KCACOLS
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
This looks like a fab event Franca, I love the pictures of the petals! It must have been pretty magical with all the petals falling too. Hayfever is terrible, I’m lucky enough not to suffer from it, but I know plenty of people who do and it is really disruptive to their daily lives. Thanks for hosting a fab Linky, it’s good to be back this week. Claire x #KCACOLS
Wow what a great idea, I would have loved to have been there! Great list #KCACOLS
Wow what a great looking event. All those petals look so pretty. Good tips too around hay fever. It’s something we luckily haven’t suffered with. I do work with people who do and they look awful in the mornings if they have had a bad night. I’ll pass on the details from your post.
Mainy
#kcacols
Looks beautiful! Reminds me of a flower festival we went to near Perugia a few years ago.
Great post – like parents need another thing to keep them awake at night! Some helpful remedies here – thanks!
#KCACOLS
What a great idea. I love all the photos with the petals! Thanks for being a fab host #kcacols
I get hayfever all year round too and it drives me crazy! I’ll be trying some of these tips – I always hang my bedding outside in nice weather so that will be stopping! The petals look great 🙂
Thanks for linking up to #BloggerClubUK 🙂
Debbie
I always wear sunglasses in the summer to protect my eyes from the pollen. Everyone says I’m mad. Having hayfever is the pits!
Looks like you had a blast! #KCACOLS
Hi Franca, I’m an ex-pharmacist and didn’t know some of these tips for hay fever sufferers. Some of those pictures with petals are stunning. I’m glad you had good company and a good time #kcacols
I’ve only ever had mild hey fever symptoms but Mr Tin Box really suffers with it at certain times of the year. I didn’t realise that coffee and chocolate could make things worse. Great tip about the teaspoons! #KCACOLS
Hayfever is so understudied. I get the impression it’s something that’s not considered to be anything more than an annoyance. In actual fact it’s horrendous. So much that I’m on steroid injections.
From a long term severe hayfever sufferer.
#KCACOLS
What a beautiful event! I’ve only struggled with hay fever in the last year, which gets aggravated by all the pet hair at work. Great tips! I also take bee pollen tablets by forever living, and that seems to help! Thanks for hosting #KCACOLS
It looks like an amazing event and those petals are just so pretty. You look fabulous honey! Thanks so much for sharing thsee useful tips.xx #KCACOLS
Wow what an awesome-looking event!
Really interesting advice and tips, just this week I’ve been wondering if I have a pollen allergy as I’m blocked up at night, with windows open as it’s hot etc… #KCACOLS
Great tips, I do have hay fever but not too bad thankfully. It looks like an amazing day and your photos are lovely. It must of been a lot of fun to experience it with Nicky x #KCACOLS
I’ve been fortunate to not suffer from hayfever so far, but will definitely come back to these tips if I know anyone who does. The petals looks fab as well! #KCACOLS
Wow!!! This looks like an amazing event and I’m so glad they are offering help to Hayfever suffers. Hubby gets Hayfever and has really struggled in the past. Love the tip about he pillow too 🙂
#kcacols
Those petals look amazing!! I don’t suffer from hay fever but do get a stuffy nose at night sometimes. Great tips I’ll go for a shower!! #kcacols
My son suffers from seasonal allergies. I am so happy for these tips, I will try to get him to do some of these. I love the photos, so pretty! #KCACOLS
I suffered from hayfever for the first time ever last year when I was pregnant. It was absolutely HORRIBLE and this list of tips is really useful – wish I’d thought about hanging washing inside and showering twice … fingers crossed it doesn’t happen again this year but if it does, I think I will feel a bit more prepared! #kcacols
I live in the US but have suffered from allergy problems most of my life. I’m always interested in finding new ways to help deal with it. It has been a terrible season for it here for the last few months. Everyone is walking around feeling like they have colds. Thanks for the tips! The party looked like so much fun. Love the idea of a PetalParty looks so pretty.
#KCACOLS
I had never heard of this. Great info! #KCACOLS
This sounds amazing!! Love the pics and I’m glad you enjoyed it!!
All those petals look amazing!
Lx
#KCACOLS
I saw your Instagram photos and thought how amazing this event looked! Great tips too – I suffer badly from hayfever and it seems to be particularly bad this year. Luckily mine always seems to ease off once we get later on into the summer – looking forward to that coming! #KCACOLS
Wow those petals do look amazing. I love the idea behind the party too, being a hayfever suffer, such a good way to get publicity, I’m glad you got to go and share your experience and raise some awareness! #KCACOLS xx
haha blind date. it is fab that you were able to meet up with a fellow blogger to hang out with at the event. as for the actual event, this is really interesting as I used to really suffer from what I thought was some sort of allergy, I just assumed it wasn’t hayfever as it was at night. I used to live on antihistamine! #kcacols
Hi Franca,
What beautiful pictures and great tips for insneezia which I most definitely suffer from. An antihistemene a day usually sorts me out, but it was an absolutely when I couldn’t take them when I was pregnant. Loads of love. Pen x x #KCACOLS
That petal party looks so fun and really pretty too. X #kcacols
What fabulous photos!! I suffer with not only hay fever, but severe allergies. I just saw an allergy specialist this month who has started me on a host of different medications with a view for surgical desensitisation if there is no improvement in four months. This time of year is really awful, and I find rainy days my hay fever is ten times worse! Great way of raising awareness, lovely pics. #KCACOLS
I love all the petals – really pretty! A great list you have there. Its funny as my dad is 87 and its the first time he has ever had hayfever in his life this year! xx
Looks like such a lovely event – look at those beautiful petals!! I have suffered from hayfever since I was a teenager but thankfully don’t suffer at night…that would be quite hard to bear. Great that they are raising awareness for it as I hadn’t heard of it. Thank you for hosting #KCACOLS great to be here again! xxx #KCACOLS
I like the word inseezia. I suffer randomly throughout the year, sometimes really badly. I never considered drying laundry inside when it’s bad.
#kcacols
Looks like a great party. My daughter and I both suffer from seasonal allergies. We are both usually worse in the morning than at night, but these are some great tips #KCACOLS
This year has been terrible for my allergies! It seems every day I am waking up with my eyes swollen and feeling terrible. I will definitely take these tips and use them in hopes of no more itchy eyes and terrible nights! PS what a fabulous event to attend! #KCACOLS
These are beautiful pictures! I am glad they were pretend flowers. I am enjoying the delights of hayfever at the moment, itchy eyes and heavy feeling in my face, yum. I find it funny as I was brought up on a farm and had no problems until I moved to the South. I have been trying the wives tale of eat honey from the local area but will definitely be trying your tips! #KCACOLS
This looks like so much fun Franca! We are lucky and don’t seem to suffer much with allergies in our house. x
Hayfever can be so awful. I know a few people who get it very badly and it really affects their quality of life. This event looks amazing – all the pics of you in the petals are gorgeous. And the post has some great tips 🙂 #KCACOLS
Oh wow that looks like fun! Did you know the petals were going to fall or was it a surprise?
Some useful tips for hay fever sufferers too, thank you!
x Alice
#kcacols
Yes I knew about it. They told us before hand. It was amazing! Thanks for commenting Alice, x
This looks fab – the petals are amazing! Gorgeous pics. My husband suffers with hay fever terribly – it’s one of those things that has such a huge impact, I’m not sure people always realise (particularly if you work outside, which he does – oops!). Like the description of a blogging blind date…glad it was a good event and useful tips too. #KCACOLS
Fab photo’s lovely! And it looks like an amazing event and campaign to be involved in. Luckily, none of us (so far) seem to get hayfever but James used to suffer really bad a few years ago, so I know how frustrating it can be for someone! #KCACOLS xx
It looks like a beautiful event! I’m lucky I have never experienced hayfever before but my sister does a lot of this for my niece who does #kcacols
Argh! Don’t even get me started on hayfever, mine has drove me nuts the last few weeks! And yes, I agree with boots research, my sleep is CERTAINLY disturbed because of hayfever symptoms. I’m gonna try the petorlium jelly under my noise! I already keep the windows shut etc. 🙂 Really helpful post, thank you for sharing #KCACOL
Looks like a great event, I love the petal photos! I don’t suffer from hay fever but my dad does and the tips you’ve given all sound really useful. #KCACOLS