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BB Blog — chemo headwear

What are Bold Beanies and why are they so special?

Posted by Emilienne Rebel on

What are Bold Beanies and why are they so special?

So comfortable you will forget you are wearing it. Natural, Breathable, temperature controlling UV protective as well as stylish. 

Bold Beanies Cancer Chemo Hats were designed by Emilienne after she lost her hair with chemotherapy treatment for Stage 3 advanced Breast Cancer at a young age. She found her bald head very cold, particularly at night time. 

Losing your hair suddenly makes you feel extra cold. Emilienne wore woollen beanies mostly but they were itchy and would get too hot and so she would take it off and then of course she'd get cold again... disturbing an already difficult night's sleep. The sheer relief from wearing a soft comfy breathable beanie that fit snuggly so was less prone to slipping around (as head scarves do, especially in bed) is felt by many. Perfect for day wear to feel less conscious of your hair-loss Alopecia and just get on with your day with one less thing to worry about.

It was important for her to stay covered up for her family as she looked very ill and thats when she realised the need for Bold Beanies. A hat with minimal seams, especially over pressure points and no extra irritants, like labels.

Bold Beanies hats sleep cap beanys bonnets skull caps... however you choose to describe them are silky soft stretchy cotton and so very comfortable you will forget you are wearing them, but with beautiful Liberty Fabric prints or fun prints (as well as a rainbow of plain colours ) you won't have to. Styles to suit everyone and at an affordable price. 

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FESTIVE FEELING... Our gift to you :)

Posted by Emilienne Rebel on

FESTIVE FEELING... Our gift to you :)

We're feeling festive here at Bold Beanies HQ and want to offer all our lovely customers 10% discount of all full price orders over £20. All we ask is that you follow us on Facebook and Instagram #BoldBeanies please to help us spread the cheer please :) 

As a small business this discount is significant to us. A fair-trade small business on the borders of England and Wales employing highly skilled lifelong trained local seamstresses in an otherwise ending manufacturing industry. 

Bold Beanies was set up by Emilienne over a decade ago to provide stylish, yet comfortable and easy headwear for women suffering chemotherapy hair loss Alopecia. It has grown to include beanies for Men, Teens and Children as well as a wide range of headwear options (Bandana, Headscarves, Head Wraps) and products such as PICC line covers for Arm ports, Eco re-useable face masks to stay protected during treatments and Award Winning Cancer gifts. 

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October, Breast Cancer Awareness...and Me.

Posted by Emilienne Rebel on

October, Breast Cancer Awareness...and Me.

It's been a while since I blogged about myself and my personal 'journey' with Breast Cancer. I'll admit I'm struggling with it more than usual recently. Still? Yes, still. 

This past Thursday, was my youngest daughter Lotte's 17th birthday. Many years I have had the honour of being the proudest mum to both my girls. Watching them grow to adulthood, was something I genuinely thought I wouldn't have the chance to experience. Would I even make it to an age that they would remember me? I'm so incredibly lucky and grateful... of course I am. 

I was diagnosed with Grade 3 advanced aggressive Breast Cancer (with lymph nodes) when she was just 7 months old. I was breast feeding and felt this small pea sized lump in my right breast. It could so easily have been nothing. But I took her along to see the consultant for the results of my biopsy on that fateful Wednesday surprised when he asked that I'd come alone... but of course I wasn't alone I joked, the baby was with me. 

Lotte's first birthday was the day I had my second round of chemotherapy and had started to lose my hair. I was very ill with chemo and I still feel the after effects to this day. My hair loss became a significant life moment inspiring Bold Beanies... which has, in turn, also become a significant part of my life.

But I'm struggling. Finding it hard to still be involved in this world of cancer. Constantly reminded of re-occourrance. I've lost many friends over the years and have friends living with secondaries. I'm continually amazed by the strength of other people.

Everyones experience of this cruel disease if different. Everyone's path to diagnosis is different. Everyones support system is different. Everyone's ability to move on is different. For example, I have never been given the 'All Clear'. I never 'Rang the Bell'. I was told to stay vigilant.

I'm sharing this because maybe it resonates with just one other person and they feel less alone. To know they are understood if they say they feel like they live on borrowed time. When is it my turn again? Am I making the most of every day? Every year? That irrational, rational fear in your head that whispers 'is this it, this time?'

Breast Cancer Awareness Month / October is therefore hard for me. I plead with you all to actually check your breasts once a month, don't just read about it and wear a pink ribbon. If you've had mastectomies, you still need to check (note to self)! My cancer was so aggressive I wouldn't be here today had it not been found early and taken seriously.

I also ask that people be kind and understanding that maybe when you're asking "...but you're ok now?" it's hard to answer. That irrational 5% thought that it could come back is always niggling no matter how positive you are. When I was diagnosed with PTSD I wasn't surprised, but I did expect it to get better. I fear it gets worse with every passing year. I'm finally in a space where I can start to deal with my PTSD and I hope can start to believe in plans for the future. 

I would still see my Breast Cancer has a gift as well as a curse in my life (as one of the lucky ones allowed to survive). It's shaped me and given me priorities I'm proud of and I learnt to be strong. Whatever your experience with Cancer, I wish you peace and kindness, Emilienne xx

Bold Beanies is a small business by my choice and I care about the people and the products. Award winning quality, beautifully designed, stylish, soft, comfy and easy cotton headwear for all. The range has grown from the original Bold Beanies hat to other quality chemotherapy hair loss products including headscarves, head wraps, PICC port sleeves, gorgeous cancer gifts beany posies and bouquets, my book HOPE, bandanas, eco face masks and sleep caps. I love the iconic Liberty prints, the fun prints and offering a rainbow of plain colours. Making a difficult time just a bit better. Sustainable fashion made with care on the borders of Wales and England.

#boldbeanies #breastcancerawareness #cancersurvivor #chemohat #cancerhat #emiliennerebel #breastcancer #checkyourbreasts #ptsd #lifeaftercancer #chemotherapy #mastectomy #piccline #bekind

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Sunday Morning with Alex Jones - BBC Wales Interview

Posted by Emilienne Rebel on

Sunday Morning with Alex Jones - BBC Wales Interview

I was delighted to be approached by Alex Jones to chat about the creation of Bold Beanies and my experience of Breast Cancer on her BBC Radio Wales show on Sunday Morning. Talking hair loss from chemotherapy treatments and starting my small business making my innovative soft, comfy yet fashionable Bold Beanies from North Wales.

Explaining the need for stylish cancer headwear for younger women and what makes my award winning beanie cancer hats so popular for hair loss sufferers; my Bold Beanies Bouquets and roses to create a beautiful, traditional yet practical gifts for women suffering hair loss (from chemotherapy treatments or Alopecia); expanding the range to mens, teens and kids ranges also and the development of sustainable new products like head wraps, headscarves, face-masks, PICC sleeves all using quality Liberty and fun cotton fabrics and my book HOPE.

A positive story of survival 15 years after my grade 3 advanced diagnosis of Breast Cancer and how grateful I am to be able to watch my children grow, support lovely charities and make a difficult time for others just that bit more bearable.

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Liberty Cancer Headwear

Posted by Emilienne Rebel on

Liberty Cancer Headwear

Are you looking for stylish, quality headwear for someone having chemotherapy treatment for cancer and losing their hair?  The original concept behind Bold Beanies came from Emilienne who lost her hair with chemo for Breast Cancer aged 31 and couldn't find anything fashionable as well soft and comfy to cover up whilst looking after her young family.  Choosing only the very best UK fabrics from Liberty of London as well as other designer quality cotton-based prints and plains she created a collection of Chemo headwear to suit women of all ages, as well as men, kids and teens. From Bold...

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