I’m sure many of you will understand the weight gain battle for busy women with busy lives. The constant grabbing food on the go and no time to cook a healthy meal from scratch. I put pressure on myself to get to the gym but then I neglect my business, housework, children, husband in the process all whilst trying to lose weight. I am fit, its not about getting fit for me. I feel I chase my tail constantly and it was making me miserable. Today I made a lifestyle change, I decided to stop putting so much pressure on myself to get to the gym and instead just go when I have some leisure time free and I already feel like a weight has been lifted. How many of you suffered that guilt feeling for not going daily? It would put me in a bad mood with myself if I could not get to the gym and it would always be the husbands fault even though it wasn’t, although I did envy his skill to always manage leisure time daily, sometimes twice per day. Some days I would squeeze in a session but still have so much to do after that I would end up not eating correctly hence chasing my tail and never losing weight!
My sister in law and brother inspired me to stop worrying about the gym and just eat healthy so I have joined my local Slimming World group because I need the discipline of getting weighed weekly and I have previously done slimmers world.
Tonight is the perfect example of how this change has worked. I came home from my day job as a dental practice manager at 2pm, picked up my kids, popped to the shops for groceries with my son, popped to royal mail office, came home and made myself a very late healthy scrummy lunch and cooked for the boys, house work got done and I have had time to sit and write two blog posts without no stress or guilt feeling for not attending the gym.
I will lose my stone through diet alone and will hit the gym as and when I have time but what I wont do is feel guilty about it.
We are not super women and cant do it all ladies and that’s OK! Lets stop putting so much pressure on ourselves .
Hail The Hydra Facial and Newcastle Hair and Beauty Clinic! I am serious when I tell you that this is the BEST facial I have ever experienced and I have experienced many many facials. Now it is not the most relaxing like some I have had but for instant, visible results it is incredible.
The Hydra Facial is a firm favorite with the celebs. It claims to restore your skin to its healthiest state by removing impurities and replenishing your skin with essential nutrients. It is a step by step treatment that rids dead skin cells and unblocks pores by extraction, which was my favorite part might I add. You actually feel the muck being pulled by a suction from your pores and it is hugely satisfying, not only that but they then fill these opened clean pores with skin loving serums to hydrate and plump the skin helping with fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin is instantly looking revitalized and just feels so clean and hydrated.This is a medical grade facial with no down time and is completely pain free. Since having my facial I have been using the products pictured above to try and help with my oily skin and to compliment the facial results. They are lovely products and have helped massively with my oily T zone, these are not essential but I would recommend them if you are wanting to prolong your facial results. I filmed this treatment for my new beauty TV show coming soon but I could not wait till autumn to tell you all about it. If you want to find out more click HERE
Now this treatment does not come cheap as this is a medical procedure but it delivers results which is what people want for their money.
*** 1st Time Clients Deal Alert ***
The skin health for life is on offer for £99 instead of £120
On Monday I was invited along to the Garage Spa located near Barnard Castle, Co. Durham for a morning pamper session. As if I was going to refuse a morning of pure relaxation so of course I jumped at the chance. I have seen this spa mentioned many times on Tried and Tested with glowing reviews so I was very excited.
Firstly the area is stunning, lots of green surroundings and it was a red hot day. I noticed a large hotel ‘’The Morrit’’ beside the spa and did not realise that later this would be where I would dine for lunch.
‘’Adjoining the historic Morritt Country House Hotel, The Garage is a building with a fascinating past, transformed from an ancient stopping station into a first-class spa.
Here you’ll find everything you expect from a modern spa and more. Created with imagination and luxurious rural simplicity, sumptuous decor awash with warm natural stone and timber welcomes you like an old friend.
The Garage is no ordinary spa. Want your nails done? Step into the paint shop. Not firing on all cylinders? A full body MOT is just the ticket. Need to put on the brakes after exploring the stunning Teesdale countryside? Make The Garage your destination.
We’ve put a unique and luxurious spa on the map and look forward to welcoming you to our one-of-a-kind facilities and gorgeous treatments.’’
On arrival I was greeted by two lovely smiley therapists who gave me a medical form to fill in, asked if I would like to book any additional treatments as they had availability and gave me a menu to pick my two course lunch which was either a starter and a main or a main and a dessert. I was very impressed by the menu, true restaurant standard food and lots to choose from.
After I had filled in my forms and picked my lunch I was shown to the changing area and given a fluffy robe, towel and flip flops to wear. The changing areas have individual units which include a toilet, basin and shower which was a nice touch and they were fitted to a very high standard, I loved the tiles and huge shower head. It did feel like my own private bathroom. Shampoo and Conditioner was supplied, however there was no body wash and my hand wash had ran out on the basin so I had to wash with shampoo.
Once I was changed into my robe I was given a guided tour of the spa which consisted of
Steam Room
Salt Room
Jacuzzi with separate plunge pool and a separate warm pool
Outdoor Gardens, which if you get the weather like I did are just amazing to relax in. I loved the swing seats
Outdoor Sauna
Outdoor rustic Jacuzzi bath
Many different fancy showers around that all looked different so I assume do different things and cold bucket dunkers which would be great fun if with friends
Many treatments rooms including a mud treatment room (you can buy the mud to massage all over the body, chill in the room letting it work its magic and then wash it off) the floatation bed room (ill come to this treatment later) then upstairs they have a couples treatment room which has its own private balcony with a copper bath on the balcony and more treatment rooms.
I had a go of everything apart from the mud and didn’t have a treatment although I wish I had now.
I must admit I loved the outdoor space especially as the weather was so good and it was so peaceful.
I was treat to a 15 minute dry floatation treatment which is a like a water bed that you lie on and your submerged down into warm water. Imagine being on a lilo in a hot bath but actually being submerged without getting wet. The bed sort of hugs you tight and you just float on warm water. I did lie there thinking that it would be great it had settings that would create a slight wave so you felt you were at sea but it was very relaxing all the same.
After the floatation treatment I was peckish. I’d had no breakfast so went to the reception area which has a beautiful lounge and ordered tea and a teacake. I sat and enjoyed this in my robe catching up on emails. Once finished I went back to make the most of the facilities.
At 12.30pm I decided to go and get changed ready for lunch at 1pm. I sat in the sun outside the spa and a lovely girl from the hotel came and got me and escorted me to the restaurant in the hotel. My meal was fantastic, could not fault it. As was the service, I had corn fed chicken and a strawberry shortcake. It was divine and from what I saw of the hotel it too was beautiful.
After lunch it was time to head home. I really enjoyed my time at the Garage Spa, its quirky and different to the norm which I like. I will definitely return with friends in the future and make sure I have a treatment.
Don’t worry I did not leave without securing all my readers an exclusive discount and I have a cracking offer for you all subject to availability so don’t miss it!
So that’s all the packets filmed for my new beauty show. Not sure why they call them packets but that is what they are called in T.V. land and mine consist of me visiting salons experiencing beauty treatments and getting the inside story from the professionals. Not your usual manicure or pedicure mind you but more unusual treatments. I have the rest of the show still left to film but I am so excited for it to be on the telly box soon.
Friday I visited a brand new clinic in Jesmond called 1 Benton Tce. Think of it as a one stop shop for all things beauty, from hair styling to lasers to botox to fillers. Here I experienced the ”iron man facial” which is hugely popular with celebrities and consists of wearing a light therapy mask which has many benefits, however I really don’t want to say too much as I want you to tune in to find out more but it was a canny impressive piece of kit!
Tuesday I visited Newcastle Hair and Beauty in central Newcastle for a Hydra facial which again is a celebrity favorite. It is a 7 step medical facial but again I really don’t want to say too much, however what I will say is that results are instant and my skin has never ever felt so clean and fresh…eeekkk right that’s too much, you will just have to tune in and find out about all of these amazing treatments.
Ill be sure to let you all know when Confessions of a Beauty Addict will air on Made in Tyne and Wear!
After having the worlds worst cold I needed a little TLC. I knew exactly where to go for a pick me up that is not only great value but a great indulgent luxury treatment. Having been before I knew I would be well looked after.
Did you know Clarins in House of Fraser, Metro Centre offers a RED ROOM treatment? It is a 45 minute facial within a private treatment room. It is amazing and a facial that you wont experience anywhere else as Clarins staff are uniquely trained.
Clarins is the leading Number 1 in skincare so I would expect you to be shocked if I told you that you can get a 45 minute facial for £15 and that the £15 was then redeemable against any purchase made at the time of your appointment, making you facial FREE!!! Yes that’s right FREE!!! You cant even get a Facial with budget products in a salon for that price ladies.
I am a big fan of Clarins and this facial is a great way to try products and find favorites. Katherine is very informative and so passionate about the brand. Katherine first asked about my current skin care regime and asked what I was currently using, she then studied my skin to help her pick the products that would be right for me. Katherine ran through every product she used and the benefits. I particularly like the mask and the serum. The facial was so relaxing with an added bonus of some neck and arm massage. My skin feels amazing!
After the treatment you are offered ”a hint of colour” make over. Great if you have some shopping to do or are going out that evening, although it is just a mini make over but a nice chance to experience Clarins make up also. I opted out on this today as I was only planning on going home and wanted the full benefits of the facial products all night.
I will definitely be returning again and again for this facial, it is my port of call for a ”pick me up”. Katherine and the girls are very kind and very professional, a credit to Clarins!!
If you feel you would like to try this amazing £15 facial deal then I’d urge you to book asap. Last time I blogged this deal got booked up very very quickly.
To Book call House of Fraser Metro Centre Clarins counter on : 0191 493 2424 ext 7954
