Review - Galgorm Resort and Spa, Northern Ireland

My first memory of Ireland was one of great mirth and childhood tomfoolery.

I was 10 years old, peering over the till of a rather rustic looking sweet shop with my naughty brother and literally dying in a frenzied fit of laughter as the shop keeper kept repeating the price of our candied goodies. 

'That'll be farty five pence my love.' We could hardly breathe through our suppressed chuckles but sensing an opportunity to prolong the merriment, managed to mutter, ' Sorry what was that?'

'FARTY FIVE PENCE.'.....Sorry what?....FARTY FIVE!'

And so my love affair with Ireland and its people began. I adored the accents, the green pastures, the idyllic country pubs...and the potato-based snacks with funny names such as Tayto.

How could anyone say no to Tayto?

A couple of months ago, I was invited to visit the charming Galgorm Resort and Spa in Northern Ireland and try their Organic Muslin Bag Massage. Having never been to the northern side of this lush n' green land I jumped at the chance and took my beloved buddy Hiba, aka Bumder (dont ask).

After we jigged off the Air Lingus flight (too much?) we were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a plush Galgorm Range Rover, there to whisk us away in comfort to the resort which resides in a pretty green village of the same name, just 30 minutes away from Belfast.

Hell yeah!

Our friendly driver catered to our every (slightly demanding) whim, stopping off at numerous food establishments so that we could stock up on plentiful snackage for the evening ahead (being the 6 meals a day type of girls that we are).

We were ecstatic when we were shown to our spacious room and rejoiced at the chocolate treats that welcomed us. A nice touch Galgorm. A nice touch....

After an evening of ridiculously girly conversation and fine cheese feasting, we called it a night, remembering to fill out our breakfast forms of course....

Too much maybe?

After devouring our delicious Irish breakfast platter we skipped downstairs to the spa in eager anticipation of our massages.

The newly refurbished spa at Galgorm is truly stunning. Decadent crystal chandeliers, elegant velvet sofas and bubble gum pink lighting give the place a fabulously girly, boudoir feel - which is why I suppose it was named 'The Boudoir.'

You can always tell a good spa by their product houses. The most exclusive, luxurious spa can be bitterly let down by the dodgy, low quality products they sell and use. (not mentioning any names...)

Anyone know where the spa be around ere?

I was very impressed with the high quality skincare that adorned the glass shelves of 'The Boudior.' Aromatherapy Associates - one of my favourite spa brands and Voya - exceptional, certified organic products enriched with locally sourced, antioxidant-rich Irish seaweed.

The Organic Muslin Bag Massage that I had later that morning used soaked and warmed muslin bags filled with Voya's detoxifying seaweed and herbal concoction. 

After five minutes on that heated treatment bed, at the mercy of the expert strokes of the therapist, I found myself drifting off (It was also an early morning and being the night owl that I am, was surviving on the 4 hours sleep of the night before).

The base oil of sweet almond nourished and hydrated my skin. The muslin bags felt smooth, yet invigorating, pummeling away all the tension and stress of the city that languished within my weary muscles and induced a deep, tranquil state of mind.

Benefits of Galgorm's Organic Muslin Bag Massage

• Detoxifying
• Exfoliating
• Celulite busting
• Moisturising 
• Circulation boosting
• Stress releasing 

By the end of this epic full body massage, my relaxed and happy self was led to an inviting relaxation area to meet Bumder - who had just returned from an equally blissful massage and was delightfully spaced out.

'Fancy chilling in this relaxation area? um.....DO I?!'

After flicking through the various magazines and gloriously numbing our minds with mindless celebrity gossip, we made our way down to the resort's thermal spa and were truly flabbergasted by the pure magnitude of the place - and I don't use the word magnitude lightly. Oh no.

Come. Swim in my inviting azure waters

We yelped with joy as we plunged into the gorgeous blue water of the incredibly elegant pool. Ok, maybe it was more like gradual ebbing inch by inch rather than plunging but we were still rather excited about it all.

After a few laps, we decided to explore the outside section of the spa and gasped as we discovered not one but two bubbling hot tubs, steaming away against an idyllic backdrop of green pastures and...wait for it...a babbling brook.

When our fingers were suitably wrinkly after our excessive soakage we made our way to the spa's steam room...where we remained for most of the day, laughing, debating and.,..well, opening our pores.

Dinner that evening in the resort's Italian restaurant, Frateli's was a belt-busting affair. Oh how we gorged on sumptuous dishes such as baked aubergine and tomato and massive rib eye steaks that although divine, sadly defeated us in the end with their abundant meaty nature. We still, of course, made room for a hearty portion of desert - a trio of indulgent chocolate, lemon and cherry puddings. 

Queasy Bumder after excessive meat consumption

The next day before we left for bustling London streets, we walked around Galgorm's spacious, scenic grounds. We agreed it was a place of true escapism and beauty - vital for us city dwellers to take time out in to relax our perplexed minds.

Posing by a brook that is babbling is mandatory

Galgorm Resort and Spa is one of those magical places that remain in the memory long after you leave. The warm hospitality, good food, beautiful grounds and luxurious spa make this idyllic countryside retreat an Irish haven full of lucky charms...

Prices start at £115 for an overnight stay at Galgorm Resort and Spa (based on two people sharing), breakfast and full use of the thermal spa.

The Organic Muslin Bag Massage costs £110 for 85 minutes.

Banishing adult acne - a holistic approach

There you are with barely a smidgen of tinted moisturiser, merrily mincing about with gloriously clear skin for weeks when an angry red blighter decides to make an unwelcome appearance. This dreaded occurrence is of course, usually around the time of an exciting social soiree or a date with a very dashing, much yearned for individual.

The bane of adult acne affects so many of us, yet it is still a somewhat taboo subject. We were meant to grow out of our pimply faces as we did with the embarrassing crop top and shell suit stage of our teenage years.  

Except many of us sadly haven't.  Adult acne, as we are told by dermatologists and GP's, is not curable and can only be suppressed - usually via the health damaging route of over-prescribed, toxic medications and skin-striping topical treatments laced with harsh chemicals.

It appears we are not alone. According to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 54% of women over 25 are diagnosed with low-grade acne and oily skin.  

In my early twenties, when it was clear that I was still suffering from adult acne (although mild), I visited my GP in despair. I was told abruptly that make up was causing my condition. No talk of hormones, diet or lifestyle. Oh no.

It was here that my turbulent relationship with GP's began...

I was prescribed long term antibiotics to clear my skin. This did work after a while, yet I also endured the toll these toxic tablets took on my immune system - which I believe was weakened due to such a lengthy usage (over a year). I started feeling lethargic and seemed to endure more colds - which ironically made me feel more down than the acne did.

So back to the doctor I went with my plight and spoke of the research I had conducted online into adult acne. I explained how androgens (the male sex hormones present in both men and women) played a big part in causing the sorry state of my skin. 

I had discovered that women who produce higher levels of androgens, (the most common being testosterone)  tend to develop adult acne as these hormones encourage sebum production and increase the rate at which skin cells shed (thus blocking the hair follicles). Testosterone in the body can also be converted to a more active version of this skin-plighting hormone, called dihydroterstosterone - leading to an even mightier onslaught of pimply wrath.

I asked my doctor (who by this stage was increasingly looking like she was about to slap me for being such a know it all, pretentious twat ) to prescribe me a course of the oral contraceptive, Dianette - which works by inhibiting androgen production.

Dianette can only be prescribed as an acne treatment, not solely for contraceptive purposes - which is a side effect of the drug. After taking these tiny, innocent looking pills for over 3 months, I started to notice a significant improvement and by 5 months my skin was flawless. 

The acne on my face, chest and back disappeared and I was jubilantly clear-skinned after years. I ignored warnings online (God bless the internet) of deep vein thrombosis (a higher risk with Dianette than other OCP's), liver damage and mood swings. I finally had the glowing skin I craved and was basking in a happy abundance of compliments.

After being on this pill for over eight years, and moving towards a new holistic lifestyle, I did start to worry about the potential long term effects. I had read that Dianette should be discontinued after 8 months or so and had been banned in America - yet my doctor was still readily prescribing these toxic nuggets of synthetic hormones.

I noticed that I would get unusually upset about seemingly unimportant issues but would blame these mood swings on my hot-blooded Persian side. I then started to suspect that maybe I was wrong and that my ethnicity had nothing to do with my occasional outbursts of teary blubberings. Could Dianette have been the culprit? Were my Iranian genes innocent?

It was after all this research into the dangers of antibiotics and anti-androgen oral contraceptive pills, which are so heavily prescribed by healthcare practitioners  (the reasons behind which are for another lengthy blog post...) that I started looking into holistic methods of healing. I had finally discovered a healthy way to rid my body of the cause of acne, naturally.

I realized that nature has provided us with all we need to heal ourselves holistically. My rampant use of Dianette was discontinued and I dealt with the unyielding fear of my acne reemerging (type 'coming off Dianette' into Google and all manner of horror stories will greet you).

I discovered that for example, Saw Palmetto berries have been used for years to heal the body internally from acne, in a similar way to Dianette - by slowing down the conversion of testosterone into the dreaded dihydrotestosterone. I stated taking Solgar's Saw Palmetto Berry Extract (£22.21 for 60 capsules from Revital) for a month before coming off Dianette and was ecstatic to find that my acne did not return to haunt me.

Let meh elp your naughty skin...

There was, admittedly, the odd annoying spot or two around my time o' the month, but after 8 weeks of taking Solgar's Saw Palmetto, my skin was again completely clear and I felt confident enough to shun my foundation and unveil my naked face to the world.

A word of advice - don't just buy any random Saw Palmetto supplement as many contain fillers and sugar (why, damnit why?). Always purchase the best quality, which I personally believe is made by Solgar. Their extract is also quite a potent dosage, whereas others can be too weak to produce the required healing effects.

We are what we eat, so I also took the vital steps to change my diet, introducing whole foods to heal and prevent acne breakouts.

Scientific studies have shown that excessive insulin levels can stimulate the androgenic activity that causes acne, so I found that cutting out foods that increase the amount of this hormone in the body does wonders.

Naughty sugary things and refined carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta and rice all were shunned in favour of sugar-free and B Vitamin-rich wholemeal varieties as well as introducing skin-beautifying quinoa and bulgar wheat.

A few months back I met a charming celebrity medicinal chef by the name of Dale Pinnock at a press event by Revital (see earlier post 'Revital's 21st Birthday Party') - my favourite health food chain. He explained to me (over a ludicrously delicious vegan curry) how years of suffering with acne led him to research into the important role food plays on the health of our skin. Dale believes that healthy eating and introducing zinc and B vitamins to the diet is the optimum way to heal the body internally of acne.

Sensing my apparent eagerness to discover more, he gave me a copy of his acclaimed foodie skin bible - The Clear Skin Cook Book (£7.99 from Revital)

Nom your way to clear skin

This book became my skin-clearing savior over the following months as I learnt how to cook creative, nom-worthy meals such as the detoxifying tomato and fennel soup and the insanely moreish raw key lime pie - made primarily (and amazingly) from vitamin e-rich avocado.

Dale's top five acne-fighting foods

Pumpkin Seeds - high in zinc and fatty acids
Prawns - bursting with zinc and skin-smoothing selenium
Red Bell Peppers - plentiful anti-inflammatory properties
Sweet Potatoes - immune system boosting

Strengthening the immune system is vital for your body's fight against acne. It seems somewhat ironic  (and incredibly counterproductive) that GP's so casually prescribe long-term antibiotics which weaken our immune systems in such a slyly evil manner. 

Probiotics can help reverse this damage and ensure the future health of our skin by promoting a healthy gut.

For this reason, as part of my holistic clear skin regimen, I have been taking vegan supplement brand Viridian's Clear Skin Complex (£21.20 for 60 capsules from Viridian), which contain a powerhouse of acne-fighting ingredients such as zinc, selenium and gotu kola along with a potent blend of probiotics.

So wholesome, I store them on a bed o' grass

I also slather a generous amount of their vegan Organic Clear Skin Omega Oil (£15.50 for 200ml) over my superfood salads for a further skin-purifying boost. A blend of organic, cold-pressed, omega-rich seed oil's including flaxseed (a miracle oil for treating acne), pumpkin, avocado and rosehip, this golden oil is a permanent fixture in my kitchen cupboard.

Traditionally prescribed topical acne treatments such as benzol peroxide, salicylic acid and Retin A tend to strip the skin of its natural oils and cause irritation. I would recommend cleansing with a natural, gentle cleanser such as Priori's Revitalizing Cleanser with antioxidant-rich coffeeberry (£32 from Cosmestore) and using argan oil (which has anti-acne properties) to moisturize. The brand that I always swear by is Douvall's which is 100% organic and pure.

Priori's cleanser contains Coffeeberry - natures most potent antioxidant

Another recent natural acne-busting find that I am rather excited about is the Konjac Puff Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal (£6.99 from Konjac Sponge Company). Made from the purifying konjac plant root and mineral rich volcanic water, this cleansing puff of joy also contains bamboo charcoal to deep cleanse and decongest oily, acne prone skin, whilst respecting the natural PH levels of the delicate epidermis. 

LED therapy is another chemical-free way to effectively treat adult acne. I had a course of 6 Dermalux LED treatments at Jill Zander's fabulously plush beauty salon in leafy Esher (£250, jillzander.co.uk) and was completely ecstatic by the results. This futuristic light therapy works by using a combination of red light (to increase collagen for an anti-ageing effect) and blue light for an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action to heal acne lesions and prevent new ones from occurring.

Bask in my healing rays. Bask!

I received so many compliments when I unveiled my new, flawless face during and after completing this skin-transforming therapy and was genuinely impressed after every treatment. My skin looked brighter after just one session and after completing the course, silky smooth, clear and radiant. I would also recommend Dermalux as a radiance-boosting beauty treatment before a special occasion for that head-turning, radiant glow makeup simply cannot achieve.

Often, we overlook many simple ways to prevent bothersome breakouts. Paraben-laden shampoos and conditioners laced with artificial fragrance and colour can clog pores and aggravate body acne in the shower. Ensure you opt for natural formulations free from such skin-troubling ingredients such as Organic Colour Systems Power Build Shampoo (£10.95) and Conditioner (£11.95 from Organic Colour Systems) which contain skin-soothing extracts of lemon and green tea.

Acne is an incredibly frustrating, embarrassing and mood-deflating condition to be riddled with throughout our adult lives. The good news is that we can take simple holistic steps to heal ourselves naturally, whilst improving our overall health at the same time. Clear, blemish-free skin can be achieved without chemicals or scary fake hormones.

As for those off days when a menacing blighter erupts on the tip of our nose....well, its just a good excuse for a much needed duvet day...

Candlelit Yoga at Shoreditch Pilates

One bizarrely sunny day in Shoreditch a couple of weeks ago, I walked past a sign advertising candlelit yoga on Monday evenings.

Being rather partial to a spot of yoga...(and candlelight!), I decided to sign myself up for a class the following day.

Who's fine legs are those?....oooh whats this sign all about then ay?

Lucia Chinnery, who runs the classes, welcomed my friend (a yoga virgin) and I warmly when we arrived and explained  that she teaches various styles of yoga according to the energy she feels from the people in the room.

Trained by expert yogi's in India, Lucia explained how candlelight is perfect for teaching yoga as it allows us to achieve a relaxed, meditative state of mind - essential to clear away troubled thoughts after a stressful day at work and to allow for a more engaging yogic experience.

I often find that I can hold each yoga pose for longer when my mind is still and my body relaxed, so I knew that this enchanting yoga class would be ideal for me.

The class was small, with about ten people in attendance, mainly arty Shoreditch types and stressed-out city career girls in search of toned limbs and inner serenity.

As Lucia turned off the lights and started lighting the candles around the class, I immediately felt at ease and began to focus on my breathing, letting go of unwelcome thoughts and ponderings, allowing my body to unwind and submit to an optimum level of escapism.

ooooh!

We began with a bridge pose to open our chest and heart chakras which Lucia explained would 'help us love openly and allow us to receive love from others without barriers' before perfecting our forward bends to 'support our digestive system and massage our internal organs'.

After a few downward dogs, energizing warrior poses and twists to help detoxify the body and enhance our immune systems (who needs a doctor ay?!), I felt deliriously relaxed, yet invigorated. My yoga virgin friend effortlessly made it though each pose without a wobble and as I lay in shavasanna at the end of the class, I felt that familiar euphoric feeling wash over me. The one when I have just had a darn good class o' yoga. Namaste!

more candles please!

The hour long class ended with guided meditation and even individual head massages by Lucia herself (don't mind if I do!), which helped me drift off to a happy slumber among the twinkling candles all around me.

Lovin it!

A connection with my yoga teacher is vital for me in order to fully benefit from the class as I see yoga as a somewhat spiritual and meditative experience.

 Lucia is one of those warm-hearted, soothingly-voiced yoga instructors that has a calming nature about her which projects itself to the class, though her teachings, making the whole experience truly addictive.

I cant wait for  my next class...


Lucia Chinnery's Candlelit Yoga takes place on Mondays at 8.15pm at Shoreditch Pilates and can be booked online here where you can also find timings of her Ashtanga and Dynamic Flow yoga classes (Pregnancy and Fertility yoga coming soon).

You can also find Lucia Tweeting @LightofYoga26 and on Facebook - 'Yoga to tone, reflect and revive'. 

Natural hair extensions by Secret Extensions

Long, thick, flowing hair. For me it is the epitome of femininity.

My love for hair extensions grew (unlike my hair!) after a traumatic episode at the hairdresser when my request for layers resulted in a horrific hairstyle identical to Bon Jovi's choppy barnet in the early 80's.

Oh how I cried as I tried to put my hair up and failed miserably when the shortest layers (about 2 inches from my head) poked up in wiry strands and needed to be pinned down with kirby grips.

After troublesome thoughts of suing the inept hairdresser disappeared and (after numerous meditations) my mind calmed down, I decided to get some hair extensions put in at the excellently named Secret Extensions in London's trendy Old Street.

This was many years ago now and I have always worn them with pride (apart from a couple of years when an ex boyfriend begged me profusely to take them out. on a daily basis. For 8 months).

Celebrity hair stylist Shannel Watson is the brainchild behind this renowned company and the inventor of her hand-tied extensions service which involves the attachment of thin strands of natural hair to the roots by organic cotton thread. The whole process takes about 6 hours but the results are truly worth it. 

After my first set of individual, hand-tied extensions I was amazed at my new longer, thicker mane and became prone to random outbursts of Pantene advert-style hair swishing - which was most unfortunate for the innocent people standing within close proximity to me.

There is also the option of a traditional weave which is a cheaper, less time-consuming choice (a full head takes approximately one hour) yet with the same gorgeous visual effect. The only main difference is that the weave lasts up to 2 months before another appointment is required to reattach the hair. The individual extensions last for approximately 6 months.

Shannel shuns the use of toxic glue which is the most common attachment method of extensions in the UK and known to cause damage to the hair, severe irritation to the scalp including dermatitis and all manner of allergic reactions.

The results are truly stunning with both the weave and the individual extensions and a number of various looks can be achieved.

Aftercare is minimal. I treat my extensions as I would my natural hair but Shannel recommends that I use a good, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner and plat my hair before I go to bed to minimize excessive tousling to prolong the life of the hair. 

'What about the damaging effects of extensions'?! I hear you cry. Well I admit I was worried about this after seeing Naomi Campbell's bare head in those photos on that super yacht, and Christina Agrillera's dodgy bald spots. 

I have been using hair extensions for 6 years now and whenever I have a break, my hair still looks thick and long. I am just unashamedly addicted to dramatically long hair and my hair only grows to just below my shoulders for some unfair reason (whyyyyyy damn it, whhhhy?) 

From my experience, I feel that as long as you look after your extensions (hold the hair from the roots before you brush, plat your hair before you swim/sleep and use high quality, nourishing hair products) and stay away from the ones that are attached by glue your hair will be fine.

Will I ever stop? Maybe. But for now I will continue to swish my long, bouncing locks at regular intervals (maybe checking who is next to me first) and continue to visit my hair extension guru Shannel, who in my opinion is the best at what she does, by far.

me without extensions (during a break after 2 years of  extensions)

with extensions (weave)

A full head of hand-tied extensions starts from £545

A weave starts from £195 and can be booked here.

Angela Langford's Take it Easy Body Butter and Body Wash

Oh London. How I loveth thee. Your history, shopping, culture, spa hotels, pie shops, counterfeit dvd sellers...I could go on.

But how I despise your despicable icy winters and the havoc they play on my skin! 

I'm sure many of us dread the wrath of the colder months on our epidermis and are longing for a sensuous, nourishing body butter to revitalize our bodies and make them gleam.

My latest body-smoothing find is Angela Langford's delightfully creamy Take it Easy Body Butter  (easy now) which is a true joy to use after lathering up with her equally lovely shower gel with the same fantastic name.

make me soft. pls.

Containing 100% nourishing, natural ingredients hand blended by Angela herself, this rich body butter contains shea butter, avocado butter, aloe vera and rice bran oil to deeply hydrate parched winter bodies.

I tried this product for the first time after my skin was still damp from the shower. I felt silky-smooth already after using the travel sized shower gel which calmed my buzzing mind with the relaxing aroma of mandarin and neroli essential oils.

The body butter has a gorgeous, airy texture which is a sign that it received a jolly good whipping at Angela's delightful country abode in Somerset (where she makes all her natural skin-care goodies).

mmm whipped pot of lusciousness

It absorbed into my skin quickly and left it glowing and comfortable. The neroli and mandarin scent also soothed my mind and helped me drift off to a very happy slumber.

I will happily make room for these aromatic skin-saviors on my bathroom shelves this winter, and all year round.

Angela Langford's Take it Easy Body Butter costs £17.50 for 200ml and the travel sized Take it Easy Body Wash is £5.50 for 50ml or £12 for 200ml.

Products can be purchased here.

Shimmering low lights by Karine Jackson

Ah blogging. Blogety blog blog. I have missed you. Due to a crazy few weeks frolicking about London Town, indulging in various pampering and preening activities and a spontaneous snowboarding/spa trip to Andorra, I have alas neglected my beloved beauty blog.

Oh the shame! It eats away at me like a rampant sea urchin.

But hoorah! I have now returned to merry blogdom with a buzzing mind and oodles of beauty blatherings to share with you all.

I have been itching to blog about my new, lighter mane of hair after my fantastic ammonia-free low lights by London's very own organic colour guru, Karine Jackson, at her swanky Covent Garden salon.

The gloriously bubbly and gorgeous Karine had tended to my locks before, when I opted for a mysterious shade of brown using the salon's Organic Colour Systems dye and products, loved by many an organic beauty junkie like myself.

The result was truly stunning and made me realise that we do not need to slather carcinogenic, toxic dyes on our scalps (arghhh too close to the brain!) when we have such a fantastic toxin-free alternative that is composed primarily of naturally derived ingredients - and smells of berries! And herbs! Mmmm erb.

So I fancied a change (with the newly emerging London sun and all) and decided to book myself in with Karine (who won hairdresser of the year a few years back) for a smathering of golden low lights around my face for a sultry spring look.

After I was happily nestled into the comfortable leather chair and nursing my fragrant cup of herbal tea, Karine began applying an ammonia-free high lift blond called Nature Light to thin strands of hair around my head.

This was left to develop in foils for 30 minutes and then rinsed off before a toner was applied in a warm golden brown shade to subtly blend the colour.

After another wash and a deliriously relaxing head massage by the lovely Georgia Stagg, my hair was given the best blow dry of my life by blow dry queen Alaina Blake who also used ghd's to create an abundance of bouncing waves.

Straight after leaving salon

The Result?

Big, glamorous hair with a subtle yet eye-catching array of glistening, golden low lights that emerge delightfully lighter every time I wash my hair and still look vibrant five weeks later.

Five weeks later!

So, for all you toxin-loathing, hair colour-loving folk who crave shimmering tresses but would rather not take the risk of nasty allergies (or cancer!) when getting your barnet dyed, Karine Jackson is the place to go.

A quarter head of low lights by Karine Jackson herself including blow dry is £95 and can be booked here.

Treatment Review - Thai Traditional Facial at Thai Square Spa

I am always on the look out for a good, deep cleansing facial. There are times when a bit of exfoliation with a jojoba beaded cleanser at the sink will just not cut it.

Thai facials are the daddy of facialdom. Book yourself an appointment at the Thai Square Spa in Covent Garden and you will understand.

After a deeply upsetting breakout after months of smugly clear, gleaming skin I hastily made an appointment with these hardcore skin specialists in this hidden urban hideaway.

I arrived flustered and weary after ploughing though crowded streets and was impressed with the sensual ambiance of the place - all dimly lit and evocatively fragranced, metallic Buddha's strategically dotted around, exotic flowers gracefully adorned in regal black vases.

Upon entering the treatment room, my therapist summoned me to sit down before bathing my feet in warm water, infused with scented oils and detoxifying sea salt.

After this relaxing ritual I was instructed to lie on the treatment bed and close my eyes. I did sneak a peak at my therapist who was looming towards me, wearing a surgical mask, which I found a little odd at first, and a bit clinical. Memories of my wisdom teeth operation flashed before my eyes and I let out a silent yelp.

I then calmed down and realised that this was probably because she didn't want to breathe all over me whilst performing a relaxing, purifying skin treatment. At least I hope this was the reason...Harr!

After a deep cleansing ritual where a rich cleaning milk was massaged into my skin and removed with hot towels, a refreshing toner was spritzed all over my face to tighten pores. A thorough exfoliation followed with an invigorating facial scrub to rid my tired skin of dead cells and reveal a fresher, more luminous complexion.

As I began to drift off, a traditional hot compress containing a heady concoction of Thai herbs and spices was placed on my face. These skin rejuvenation ingredients included tamarind, lemongrass and tumeric - known for its skin brightening effects.

To deeply cleanse and purify, a detoxifying clay based mask was applied and left on for 20 minutes or so (I may have fallen alseap at this stage so not quite sure!)

After over an hour of blissful pampering the treatment finally came to an end with the generous application of.an antioxidant-rich serum, eye cream and nourishing moisturiser infused with Jasmine.

The Result? Brighter, smoother skin...and two weeks later I am completely blemish free.

The Traditional Thai Facial at Thai Square Spa in Covent Garden is £85 and can be booked here or at there recently launched sister spa - Thai Square Spa - City, located in Aldgate.

The Importance of Sleep - Meditation and Yoga for Insomnia

I had always been a borderline insomniac/bed avoider.

All those times when worn out friends would vocalise their yearnings for their nocturnal nests at the end of a long night, I simply couldn't relate.

Even after watching hours of trash TV and 'straight to DVD' cringy tearjerkers on those dodgy true movie channels I still didn't get the urge to end the day and recuperate, even though I loathed the zombie-like haze I would have to endure the following day.

By the coffee machine, perky morning people would ask if I 'got up to anything crazy' when I moaned about the four hours sleep I had the night before. The truth was usually far less exciting and mainly involved something like my latest iPhone addiction (being a recent convert from Blackberry) and lying awake for hours, my mind buzzing with the hectic happenings of the day.

I was never able to understand my sleep-starving ways. As a child I would cause havoc at bedtime, making all kinds of excuses to stay up till naughty o' clock.

I would often wonder why I had this warped perception of bedtime, of saying goodbye to the day and yielding myself to merry slumberdom.

Was it because I didn't want the day to end as I was enjoying myself too much, London being the frivolous city of endless amusements that it is?

Or did I avoid my supposed haven of serenity because it was the very place where my mind was plagued by a thousand thoughts?

I was looking for answers so I consulted The Sleep Guru, also known as Anandi, on my troublesome sleep issues.

Anandi is a holistic sleep expert who dedicates her time to helping people improve their sleeping habits naturally using meditation, Ayurveda, whole foods and yoga.

It was with Anandi that I first experienced Yoga Nidra, an ancient form of yoga that involves lying completely still, palms facing upwards (Savasana pose) and guided meditation, involving the visualisation of each part of the body and tranquil imagery.

My kitteh demonstrating the Savasana pose for Yoga Nidra

The aim of this mind-calming practise is to induce full body relaxation and a deep meditative state of consciousness. After trying this for the first time with Anandi guiding me through the visualisations in person and then going home and listening to her sleep CD before bed, I slept for nine hours. Which was most unlike me.

I discovered how important it was to wind down and clear my mind before gracing my bed for the night.
In our hectic urban lives, troublesome thoughts of the day linger within us, preventing restful sleep, which is why meditation is so useful for treating sleep disorders in modern times.




Kitteh demonstrating how NOT to do Yoga Nidra


I now try to alternate between listening to Anandi's blissfully relaxing sleep CD and my favourite guided meditation video by Lilian Eden, which you can listen to here.

Doctors are quick to over-prescribe toxic sleeping tablets to exhausted patients who could benefit solely from holistic therapies.

In my opinion, yoga and meditation are all you need to still the mind and induce healthy sleep but there are some nights when were are tormented by painful thoughts that refuse to leave our minds. This is when I feel we should not turn to drugs, but to herbs.

I have always been a strong believer that medicine can be found in abundance in nature. Valerian, Wild Lettuce and the fantastically-named Jamaican Dogwood have been used for hundreds of years to help us drift off when our minds refuse to shut down.

The aptly-named Nod Off from herbal remedy gurus, Potters Herbals contain these hypnotic and sedating herbs to help you fall into a deep sleep when meditation alone is not enough.

mmm sleepy erbs

What I adore about this natural sleeping potion is that unlike sleeping pills, you wake up the next morning feeling refreshed, without a fuzzy head and the incessant desire to down five double expressos.

During my educational sleep quest I also discovered how various foods help us get a good nights sleep by releasing sleep-inducing hormones.

Anandi's top sleep-promoting foods are;

Almonds
Turkey
Rice
Pasta
Wholegrains
Pumpkin Seeds.

I know that yoghurt and rice help you feel sleepy from personal experience eating Iranian food as I have been known to practically pass out at the dining table in restaurants after feasting on them - much to the bemusement of the waiters.

I have found that practising yoga on a regular basis also helps me drift off quickly to a deep and restful sleep after a crazy day. That euphoric feeling I get straight after a vigorous Ashtanga class banishes all negative thoughts from my mind. When I get into bed that evening, my body is exhausted and my mind is still.

While all forms of exercise are good for aiding sleep, yoga goes one step further by stimulating the brain and nervous system, thus encouraging deep relaxation.

Sleep is important to us all. It is a vital process that rejuvenates us, enlightens our mood and keeps us in optimum health and as a beauty writer, I would say that it is the ultimate beauty treatment...

Treatment Review: Holistic Massage and Aromatherapy Shower at Santi Skin Spa

After a hectic month mincing through the sales and hunching over my laptop, drowning in a sea of endless deadlines, I was greatly in need of a truly relaxing massage.

As January is also a month of sluggish systems and dull skin after frivolous festive feasting, I was in search of a massage that was also detoxifying in nature.

The Holistic Massage at South Kensington's Santi Skin Spa was clearly the answer. 





Beloved of well-heeled locals and the odd celebrity, this stylish urban sanctuary is renowned for its skin transforming facials, laser treatments and organic massages.

Upon arriving at the spa, I was impressed with its minimalist, calming decor. I was welcomed warmly and led to a seating area by a bookcase showcasing the latest books on luxury spas and holistic living.

After a calming chamomile tea I was led by my warm-natured therapist, Juta to an inviting treatment room, twinkling with an array of candles and evocatively fragranced with stimulating eucalyptus.

I was left alone for half an hour to relax in the aromatherapy steam shower - a sensuous steamy haze bathed in purple lighting. After a tumultuous journey trekking through the snow and battling with various armpits on the tube, this was a welcome moment of rejuvenation and the perfect start to my treatment.

Afterwards, when I had let go of all troublesome thoughts and rid myself of the city, I lay down on the treatment bed and focused on my breathing before Juta returned to begin the massage.

As with all Santi Skin Spa massage oils, the detoxifying and calming oil used for my treatment was hand blended by the spa themselves and certified organic.

A heady blend of anti-inflammatory liquorice, detoxifying fennel and purifying palmarosa in a silky base oil of sweet almond was smoothed over my skin as the tension I had been carrying with me for days began to fade away.

I succumbed to a much-needed blissful state as Juta used long, sweeping strokes to erase lingering stress and help disperse the toxins in my bloodstream.

After a zesty lemon and ginger tea, I left feeling deliriously relaxed, the usual rampant barrage of thoughts in my mind stilled, ready to face the fresh blanket of London snow.

The Holistic Massage with Aromatherapy Shower at Santi Skin Spa costs £100 and can be booked here.

Spa Hotel Review: Luton Hoo

The magnificent splendour of Luton Hoo, nestled between the leafy borders of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, truly is a place of serene escapism and grandeur.

This decadent mansion house was redesigned by the architects of the Ritz Hotel and dates from the late 18th century when it was home to an earl, a diamond dealer and a countess with a penchant for hosting high society parties.

I booked myself in for a much needed spa break and some bonding with my very good friend Roshana who left me many years ago for smug married life in Saudi Arabia and now graces me with her delightful company only once a year.

As we were driven down the sweeping pathway, through vast grounds, we marvelled at the grand building before us, complete with its own black London taxis with Luton Hoo number plates.

I say!

We were given a tour of the hotel, which was absolutely huge, and were in awe of its opulent antique furnishings and features. We were told that the spa was in a separate building, five minutes walk through the ground, (or a two minute drive in one of the taxis!).

I knew what option I would be choosing (Ugg Boots or no Ugg Boots!) I was there to relax after all.....

Our suite was massive and splendidly named 'De Hoo', consisting of a large living room with two sofas and a flat screen TV, a spacious twin bedroom and a lavish double bedroom with a gloriously regal bed.

Come to meh...

After lounging around and catching up we (very lazily) got ready for dinner in the hotel's coveted Wernher Restaurant, which has been awarded two AA rosettes and is known for its sumptuous culinary offerings.

As we scanned the menu, my fellow meat-loving buddy nodded with me in agreement as we decided on the roast beef - quite a naughty choice, considering that before departing on the (30 minute!) journey to the hotel we had already feasted on the exact same meal at a St Johns Wood pub.

 Oh the heartiness of it all.

Feeding time is now yarr?

The meat was served beautifully rare and was so tender it made me want to weep. (rare, succulent meats usually have this effect on me). The roast potatoes were better than home made and their glistening crispy skins and fluffy centres made me suspect the use of some fine goose fat.

Dessert was a debauched affair. A debauched affair indeed....

Yeah baby!

The photograph here exhibits the first course of our dessert feast. Per person. (We asked for a second portion to be brought up to our room).

There was the rich chocolate mouse which came accompanied with 'all you can eat' strawberries and (optional) clotted cream (which we opted for) and creamy New York cheese cakes which were simply epic and brought us much joy.

Hmmm. Maybe I should be a food critic. Forget spas and frivolous pampering! Its all about the hearty noms!

After rolling back to our suite to watch films, chinwag, continue feasting on merry puddings (with the random addition of monster munch), we passed out on the deliriously comfortable bed.

Finally, here comes the spa bit.

The next morning a car was sent to take us to the famous Luton Hoo Spa for a few laps in the pool and my holistic treatment - the Aromatic Full Body Massage.

The spa itself had a very calming ambience with a large swimming pool and spacious jacuzzi  where we spent most of our time after we hastily abandoned the unrealistic lap swimming idea.

One would imagine this pool would be good for lap swimming.

As I waited for my treatment in the relaxation room, comfortably swathed in my billowing dressing gown, I lost myself in mindful meditation as I stared at the tropical fish swimming seamlessly in the oversized tank in front of me.

My blissful treatment began with a relaxing foot bath before I lay down on a heated bed and was asked to choose which essential oils I felt most drawn to after being presented with a selection to smell.

I chose the combination of warming bay and revitalising rosemary which was combined with a nourishing base oil of grapeseed.

Lois, my friendly therapist with expert hands, used long, smooth strokes and medium pressure to not only relax and calm my active mind and knotted muscles but to detoxify my body by encouraging lymphatic drainage.

After the gluttonous feasting of the previous day, I believe this was exactly what the (holistic) doctor ordered....

The Holistic Body Massage at Luton Hoo costs £80 for 60 minutes. 
Rooms from £170 including breakfast.
www.lutonhoo.co.uk