Treat yourself with Aromatherapy Associates

It's always around this time of year I up the pampering game.  The party season and cosy nights in always calls for an extra bit of TLC and one of the things I always look forward to are my long, lingering bath time rituals through the colder season.

Aromatherapy Associates is a bit of Christmas treat for me, I usually stock up on some products (my favourite is the Deep Relax bath oil) and it's a sure bet it will feature in a friends Christmas booty from me.  This year they have these adorable stocking fillers which double up as tree decorations with mini versions of your favourite bath oils.  At only £10, it's an affordable splurge on some gorgeous essential oils.

For an extra wee treat though, Aromatherapy Associates have just launched their new flagship boutique at Montpelier Street, London.

Bah, if only I lived closer!  It's a stunning salon with not only the full range of products available for sale but also treatments in their relaxing 'bedroom feel' treatment rooms.   From facials to 'stress buster' massages, the aromatherapy associates treatment menu offers a therapeutic experience using their famed essential oils.  I can only imagine how amazing this boutique must smell.

There is even the chance to have a one to one consultation with Aromatherapy Associates co-founder, Geraldine Howard who will create a bespoke blend of essential oils especially for you.

To visit the boutique you can visit the website here.  I know where I will be treating myself the next time i'm in LDN!

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Blythswood Square Spa

You might remember a few months ago I attended a blogger event hosted by Scottish Ballet at Glasgow's 5 Star Blythswood Hotel & Spa.

At the event Blythswood kindly gave us some complimentary passes to their Spa's Thermal Experience so a few weeks ago, I got round to booking a girly day at the spa with my 2 sisters in law, Esther and Katie.

First of all, when you enter Blythswood Hotel, it is impossible to escape how gorgeous it is.  It previously was home to the Royal Scottish Automobile Club which is reflected in it's contemporary decor while keeping many of the traditional and somewhat breathtaking aspects of the building.

We were directed down to the spa level which feels like entering another world in comparison to the glitz of the main hotel, plush yet zen like furnishings, dimmed mood lighting, relaxing scents and friendly informative staff greet you as you enter.  The staff couldn't be more helpful, directing us to the changing rooms where you have your own personal locker equipped with towels, flip flops, robe and a bottle of water for your convenience.  They have thought of everything!

As we wanted to make a day of it, we had also booked treatments but that wasn't before experiencing the exclusive Thermal Spa.

The Thermal Spa was a true chill out experience, with various rooms taking you from wet to dry, hot to cold, awakening the senses whilst refreshing the skin.  I loved the Saunarium - basically a sauna with a viewing window over the pool.  The crystal steam room, Laconium and Trepidarium where all favourites of mine as they smelled utterly gorgeous and had to be nearly snoozing on the tiled benches.

The hydro pool brought us a bit of fun with pink, green and blue froth bubbling up from behind and beneath us, while the vitality pool provided some cool down time.

We then moved on to our treatments.  Mummy to be Katie went for the special Ila mother-to-be package while Esther and myself went for the Anne Semonin Anti Stress Back Therapy.

Well, I tell you, I have never had my butt cheeks pumelled before so this was a first, I did mention I had some pain in my lower back so I guess it only made sense for the therapist to really go at it.  Odd at first, eventually I realised the benefit as I slowly felt the tension releasing.  As for Esther, this treatment went down as one of the best massages she has ever had, and she is a seasoned spa junkie so she is in a good place to judge.

Katie felt suitably chilled after her treatment and was pleased not to be driving so she could snooze all the way home given her state of utter relaxation after he mummy to be package.

And that's where it all ended, we left the spa quite late in the day with a cumulative decision to make the most of our pampered state and head home to bed.

It was the best sleep I have had in a long time!

I am already looking forward to my next visit to the spa but if you are in Glasgow/Edinburgh I definitely recommend a visit to Blythswood Spa.

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Champagne Pamper Package at The Bonham/Chamomile Sanctuary

Last month after a very hectic week of awards, events and blatant nose to the grind, my girl Ann from girl in the city and I headed East for a day of pampering and indulgence with the Chamomile Sanctuary and The Bonham.

Starting off at the very plush Restaurant at The Bonham where food is rooted in French tradition using Scotland's abundant natural larder.  Chef Michel Bouyer has been awarded two coveted AA rosettes for the restuarant, in recognition of his creative flair.

Ann and I arrived to a glass of bubbly and a Market Menu to make the mouth water.  Two courses was on offer but being us, a little bit greedy some might say, we went for three! :)  Although we arrived at a quiet hour, the atmosphere is relaxed with a minimalist urban interior keeping a little bit of cool about this very gorgeous traditional building.  It goes without saying, the food was just beautiful.  From my risotto to the melt in the mouth lamb I ordered, it all went down a treat.

Suitably stuffed, we were then whisked away in a complimentary taxi to the Chamomile Sanctuary for an afternoon of pampering as part of their Pamper package. 


A set choice of treatments is available with this offer and while Ann went for the blissful option of a masssage, I decided to face my fear and get my very first pedicure.  

I have very very tickly feet as well as the fact that my feet are just plain U-G-L-Y but my therapist made me feel comfortable, relaxed and she also seemed to have the midas touch when it came to fondling my tootsies.  No tickly moments and no kick in the face for her ... smiles all round.   I had a huge choice of polishes and in the end went with a gorgeous milky lilac.  For your own sakes, I have chosen not to display a photo of my trotters but rest assured they looked the lushest they have ever looked after some Chamomile TLC.

The Chamomile is in a central but quiet location in Edinburgh and is beautifully elegant on the inside.  The decor makes for a relaxing visit in itself and the staff are all so helpful and friendly.  


Needless to say, Ann and I hit a couple of cocktail bars before we headed home, feeling very blissed out and refreshed from such a treat! 


So where might one take advantage of an offer like this?  Well you can purchase this offer for £75 per person, which is a steal for such a lavish day of pleasure and play,  directly through Chamomile Sanctuary or The Bonham.

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Itison's Winter Indulgence at Radcliffes Beauty Salon

I had a tough day today ... you know the kind of day when everyone you come into contact with has to bring you down in some way? By the time I had finished work I was stressed and full of tension and definitely ready for an evening of pampering.

My luck was in as I was booked in for a salt scrub, mud wrap and hot stone massage courtesy of itison.com. Itison is a fantastic site offering exclusive invitations and daily deals with huge savings on a variety of different events & activities from spa treatments, sunday lunch at a posh hotel to indoor climbing experiences. I have been a member of itison since the off and have bagged quite a few of their deals already - mostly pampering sessions ... i do love to treat myself ;)

Tonight I got to preview what will be tomorrows deal - a 'Winter Indulgence Spa Package' at Radcliffes Beauty in Glasgows Merchant City, which consists of a salt glow body polish, full body thermal mud wrap and a hot stones therapy massage.

This package normally costs £140 but for itison members (which is free to join) ... you get it for a bargaintastic £58!!I couldn't get to the Salon quick enough after I left the office. I was greeted by the lovely Michelle, my therapist who welcomed me into what would be my little bit of heaven for the next 2 hours.

With calming music, low lighting and scented candles filling the room, I was already starting to relax. For this treatment you need to pretty much be naked and as Michelle passed me the paper pants, she warned me it could get messy. For all you shy girls, you need not worry as your modesty is safe at all times.

The treatment started off with the salt scrub. Michelle massaged gently as she scrubbed which helped ease off initial tension and felt fantastic on the skin. If you are ticklish you may want to warn the therapist beforehand as I literally screamed when Michelle touched my foot ... hope I didn't give her too much of a fright!

Michelle then wiped off the salt scrub with warm towels which felt amazing in itself before starting on the thermal mud wrap. This is where it gets messy! A mud product by Pevonia was slathered across my back arms and legs, the mud was warm and soothing. I was then wrapped up in towels, literally snug as a bug in a rug. I was then given a head & scalp massage which I hadn't expected and it sent me snoozing almost immediately.

Michelle left me for 10/15 minutes while I snoozed. Embarrassing confession: I actually woke myself up snoring at one point, that's how zoned out I was. I then had to shower off the mud (the shower cubicle is in the same room so no need for shuffling in and out of rooms) before it was time for the pièce de résistance - the Hot Stone Massage.

Ugh! It was utter bliss. This was my very first hot stone massage, so wasn't sure what to expect. Oil was slathered over my legs and back before the hot stones were placed on then used to actually massage my muscles and get rid of aches, pains and unwanted tension. The stones are quite large and very and warm so feel very comfortable against your bare flesh, it almost feels like the stones are melting into your body.

I was actually sad when the treatment was over, I could have stayed there all evening, I just didn't want to move. But here I am snuggled into my fluffy bathrobe, chilled out, relaxed with smooth, rejuvenated skin that my husband keep stroking in awe - I think he is jealous!

This deal will go live tomorrow on itison.com and is live for 6 months so will make a fantastic Christmas present ... but I can see me being a bit selfish and booking myself in again ;)

Thank you Radcliffes Beauty and itison for such a lush evening!

Remember to join itison.com here to take advantage of this amazing Winter Indulgence deal - 3 amazing treatments for only £58 - but be quick, it is only available to buy tomorrow, Tuesday 5th October!

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