Beauty Feet Fish Spa

This week I eventually ventured into the realms of the fish pedicure.  I have been dying to try this ever since I seen it on Eurotrash at least 10 years ago when some women in Japan had been filmed having their feet nibbled by little fishies.

Yeah, I know I should be embarrassed about watching Eurotrash ... guilty pleasures an' all that. Don't judge. ;) 

I opted to not head to my local shopping centre with their unhygienic and non fish friendly approach.  Instead I went to the newly revamped Virginia Galleries (a much loved old haunt of mine) to the very comfortable, chic and private Beauty Feet Fish Spa. 

The origin of the fish pedicure is in the Middle East and Turkey where there are plenty of naturally occuring hot springs.  The garra rufa fish that inhabit the waters are renowned for their ability to feed on dead surface skin resulting in baby soft tootsies, improved circulation and relaxation.

At Beauty Feet Fish Spa you are vetted before you go anywhere near the tanks by filling in some medical forms in advance of a therapist massaging and washing your feet in the generous sinks throughout the spa.  

Comfortable sink area at Beauty Feet Fish Spa

The owner of the salon has a background in Environmental Health so she knows healthy, safety and hygiene inside out and is very strict in her practise of this in her salon.  Verucca's are simply not allowed and you will be refused if the therapist discovers any, likewise any cuts would deter any further treatment as you would be at risk of causing or catching an infection.  Everything is done to ensure both you and the fish are not exposed to harm.  

Tanks seat 4 at a time, go with your girlies!

After your feet are all cleaned up you are escorted to your tank and this is where it does get pretty scary.  There are 200 fish per tank and the thought of sticking your feet into an abyss of hungry, squirming fish is daunting.  It took me a bit of psyching up to eventually plunge my feet in and after much internal screaming I removed my feet after about a minute.  At this point I was told there was no dipping in and out of the tanks... I was either in ... or I was out.  After some deliberation - I was in!  

Lorraines feet being mauled, green tea to relax and my feet being eaten alive! 

I squirmed and writhed around intensely on my seat for about 5 minutes before I eventually relaxed into it and in the end it felt extremely soothing.   The sensation is that of bubbles much like jacuzzi bubbles vibrating under your feet.  If you can imagine that instead of fish then you will stay sane until your 20 minutes are up.

Some tips if you want to try this for yourself ...

• Don't look down.  Try not to watch the fish nibbling away, I guarantee it will make you feel a bit squeamish and send a shiver down your spine. 
• Stick your feet in and keep them in.  The tickling sensation or squeamishness you might feel at first will subside to a pleasurable refreshment of the senses.  
• Just think of the bubbles 
• Paint your toe nails ... if 200 fish are gonna nibble your feet, you might as well make them look pretty
• Take a friend to keep you occupied ... fish don't replace the good gossip you can have with a therapist

I would totally recommend this treatment even if it is just for the experience alone but I would strongly advise you go to a reputable salon who will look after you and the fish.  

Who else has tried out this treatment?  How did you find it? 

x

Bravissimo fitting

I often feel I have been cursed with curves ... being a big busted girl isn't nearly as glamorous or sexy as you might think it should be.

Buying clothes isn't always as fun as i'd like it to be.  The styles and shapes I covet usually turn my silhouette into the atrocity that is a big boobed oompa loompa leaving me feeling frumpy and less than fashionable.  I have to pick my garments carefully ensuring my puppies are well secured indoors and flattering on the eye.

Of course, the best helping hand in this situation is well fitting underwear.  Something I know the importance of only too well.  At 17, my sister got a little bit happy with the measuring tape and declared my bust an ample 36C.  Six years later at an impromptu trip to an underwear store, the lady assistant simply eyed me up and guffawed at my ill fitting boulder holder ... a 32F she announced and bounced off to fetch me some bras.  I didn't believe her and her beady eyes so off I went to another 5 shops that day who all confirmed that yes, I was a 32F.  Quelle Horreur!

So it seems that the measuring tape is no longer the apparatus of accuracy it once was when it comes to getting your funbags fitted.  It's not only important to make sure you are properly fitted but also to keep a check on it regularly as our bodies and shapes can change as I was about to find out.

Bravissimo offered me a shot of their free fitting service this week so there was no time like the present to check my sizing.  Now all this eyeing up and boob watching might sound a bit daunting but really it couldn't be further from the truth.

At Bravissimo they have a separate fitting area where the girls there measure up mammaries all day long.  I was introduced to Zoe my 'fitter' who instantly made me feel at ease.  Zoe was warm, chatty and very respectful of my needs making sure to ask if I needed help in and out of bras or if I preferred her to leave while I changed.  In the end I was jingle jangling in front of Zoe with gay abandon (not literally).  I didn't feel the need to shy away and believe me I do not bare my bewbs for anyone!

So Zoe had a good look at the bra I was wearing (no need to bare all), she had a feel around the back of my bra and made sure to check both bosoms were securely in their cups.  There was a slight bulging so in the end it was decided I must go up another cup size.  G for Ginormous!! ooofft!  Zoe asked me what styles of bra I was interested in trying so I asked to try some strapless.  I was brought some fantastically fitting strapless bras but none to my liking so I sent Zoe on another trip for some colourful bras ... she toddled back with a huge selection ... still undecided I asked to try some basques and again Zoe cheerfully picked me a few options to try from.

I certainly gave Zoe the runaround but she made sure she listened to everything I asked for and nothing was a problem.  In the end I chose a beautiful burlesque style balcony bra courtesy of Bravissimo as a thank you for trying out the service.

Zoe told me about the extensive training the Bravissimo girls go through before they are let loose on their own with customers.  They are also trained to fit different styles of bras from sports to maternity as these usually size a little differently to our normal everyday bras.

I would recommend Bravissimo for fittings for any size lady, their dedicated staff and so well versed in fitting and it's clear they go through a strict training regime before they qualify for the role.  In the store itself, it not only stocks bras but there is a wide selection of swimwear and now clothing which is featured in abundance in store.  For D cups and up, Bravissimo is a good choice for bra shopping but may not carry the ranges desired for the petite ladies.

I was fitted at Bravissimo in Ingram Street, Glasgow.  You can contact them by phone on 0845 408 1909 to arrange a fitting or on the day appointments instore.


x

Style Crush: Kate Lanphear

Kate Lanphear first came to my attention a few months ago when I was catching up with fashion week coverage online.  I was captivated by images of her at various fashion weeks usually looking a little moody and rebellious, utterly compelling and super stylish.

I wasn't surprised then to find out she is the Style Director for Elle US.  With her platinum blonde crop and tall lean figure, Kate strikes a powerful and intimidating figure, usually dressed in her trademark elegantly masculine style.

Part androgynous part glamorous, Kate's style is very specific with a mixture of fine tailoring and a monochromatic colour palette.   Accessorising with chains and studs there is more than a hint of punk to her style.

Unfortunately for me, Kate's style is something that I just can't pull off but her simple and effective style choices can inspire my own wardrobe preferences.  I think her effortless chic image is a reminder that sometimes less is more.

x

When I grow up ...

... I want to be Julianne Moore.

Last night I watched the BAFTA's and was totally wowed by the gorgeous Julianne Moore in a floorlength blue velvet dress by Tom Ford, who was also her partner for the event.  She teamed the dress with stunning red lips (not unlike my favourite, MAC Lady Danger) and beautifully coiffed hair that harked back to old Hollywood Glamour.

Julianne and her good friend Tom Ford - oh hellooooo! 

As a fellow redhead I have always been fascinated by Julianne Moore.  It's not just red hair we have in common, as well as being half Scottish, Julianne too has pale celtic skin and a multitude of freckles.  Refreshingly, Julianne wears her freckles with pride against her porcelain skin ... something I just cant bring myself to do and so admire her for.

Odd as it may sound, I struggle to feel comfortable with my freckles.  There are so many of them covering my face, body, arms and legs.  I use fake tan as a platform to blend them with my skin.  I guess this struggle comes from the reaction of others over the years.  People do look at me sympathetically because of my 'infliction' or 'blemishes' and the fact my skin won't tan naturally.  It really is quite rude but something I have had to put up with for years and it has kicked my body confidence in many ways.  It is only now as an adult I am starting to accept and sometimes enjoy my peely wally speckled skin.

I love the mix of leopard print and blue in this image

Scenarios I have dealt with for instance, are being laughed at on the beach sunbathing, locals abroad taking photos of me, hysterically laughing and pointing at me or looks of disgust from passers by.  On the other hand there are the countries I have visited where they adore my ghostly tones ... 'White Chocolate' became a favourite nickname in Egypt where they couldn't get enough of my red hair and what is known in Scotland as my ginger skin!  You gotta have a sense of humour about these things ;)

Love the berry lips

Anyway, back to Julianne.  She is so beautiful and at over 50 (i think) she has aged so graceful and stylishly.  As an actress I have seen her in few movies but most notably are Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski and A Single Man.  Julianne carries herself with such poise and elegance and although appears to be completely comfortable in her skin, she has admitted that growing up she was nicknamed 'Frecklefaced Strawberry' because of her sun kisses ... quite a cute nickname, huh?  She even went on to write a children's book about a little girl who tries to get rid of her freckles.


'I still have mine and I still don't like them, but I have other things to worry about. I care about it less'

Freckled and gorgeous in Boogie Nights

And I guess that's where I'm at now.  I care about it less.

x

Tom Ford is in my sights

A while ago I posted about my £1 Primarni geek chic spectacles that I have grown so fond of.  I love wearing them and they really make a difference to an outfit, just one simple accessory and your look is completely altered.

Well, I'm hoping to invest in a pair that scream more chic than geek and whilst I initially toyed with buying a pair of rayban wayfarers it is true to say my heart really lies with Tom Ford.

Not only is this man a God in the looks department, schhwwwiinng!! He is a kickass designer and even produces the odd amazing fragrance but for me it's his specs that have got my blood pumping - I think his line in eyewear is just the bees knees.  I am also partial to the imagery that comes along with his collections, it's bold, sexual, simple and striking.  You could pretty much frame it and hang it on a wall in your home as a one of piece of contemporary fashion photography.

Anyway, here are the glasses I lust after, I'm not even sure what season they are from but if I can't hunt them down, I will sure as heck searching for a half decent copy.  Retro, glossy and chic ... I love 'em!

x

Revitalash update

A few months ago I posted about my journey with Revitalash and the increased length it had given my lashes.

More than 8 weeks after I first started using it, I thought I would report back on the progress.

 
My lashes did get slightly longer than what I reported previously but not by a huge amount.  Nevertheless, I have still been more than happy with the increased length of my lashes.  However, after a time, it seemed that one set of lashes was growing more than the other.

My right eyelashes had grown to a much longer, flirtier length with beautiful corner lashes all curly and alluring.  The left eye had grown to a nice length but stopped growing despite the continued use of revitalash and lacked the flirty curl of the right eye.

I have decided then for the time being to stop use of revitalash.   I hope to get both sets of lashes to the same length again.  Although I do have a sample of rapidlash that I am dying to test out, I think I will give my lashes a rest for a few weeks before I start use of either rapidlash or revitalash.

x

Let me entertain you ...

I promise to stop banging on about this soon but the novelty of the new laptop has still not worn off. 

I now have photobooth!  This meant that for about 40 minutes today I entertained myself by snapping pics of me making silly faces at the screen.  Simple things ...

In other news this weekend, my husband finally arrived back from his trip to the States, we spent a weekend of eating, drinking, going to the cinema and shopping.  It was lovely to just spend time with my Valentine after his trip away although sadly he is now off to South Africa :(  Just in time for Valentine's Day ... 1, 2, 3 ... aawwww.  Bah, Valentines Day is such a farce anyway! 

Movies viewed this weekend were Peter Mullen's NEDS and Black Swan.  NEDs is set in Glasgow, depicting the life of a young boy from a deprived background who gets involved in Glasgow's notorious gang culture.  Tongs ya bas, anyone?!  Good film but still think NEDS was the wrong title for it.  Anyone outside of Glasgow going to see it will really need subtitles and anyone going to watch in Glasgow, be prepared for hysterical laughing at the coarse language and and extreme violence... what can I say, we have some sense of humour up here!! ;) 

Black Swan was the ultimate anti climax.  I was promised an erotic violent thriller.  It was an interesting psychological drama but I was expecting to feel traumatised after hearing the reviews.  Not at all.  I wouldn't say it was a bad film at all but it was hyped up way beyond my expectations.

Anyway, weekend is almost over ... time to chill out and enjoy the last few hours of down time :) 

x