Thursday 29 October 2015

My second Obagi peel at Transform

This summer ( what summer? I hear you Scotland) has gone super fast and I couldn't believe I was due back into the Transform clinic for my follow up Obagi Blue Radiance Peel already. Following my first peel my very spotty skin was looking much much better but of course I went and got myself a skin infection while I was away on holiday which resulted in some seriously sore scars on my face. After having bad skin in the run-up to the trip and then coming back with a whole new problem, I was feeling pretty deflated. Me and my skin arrived for the peel with a smoother and brighter texture but with a frustrating amount of scarring that I was keen to see if the peel could help.
My poor broken skin before either of the Obagi peels
Welcomed as always by the lovely Marie, she got me settled in and described again what to expect from the peel.As the Clenziderm system I am using on my skin just now contains Salicylic Acid my skin was a little more used to the strength of products and I found the layers of the peel applied didn't sting quite so much this time around. The whole thing is done so quickly and professionally, it really is amazing how soon you are ready to get back outside with a little SPF on top of the skin to keep you going.
On the treatment bed for peel 2 and a week after peel
The peel itself was maybe not quite as sting-y as last time but boy did I peel with a vengeance after this. The day after my face appeared fine bar a little redness around the  mouth area, nothing I couldn't cover up with my favourite BB Cream. Two days after however and the fun really starts- your skin goes incredibly tight looking, so much that so that lots of little lines appear that essentially made me look a little 'older' for the day! Day three and that tight mask starts to majorly peel off, kind of like a full on sun burn and in the couple of days following the treatment, that peeling continued. There was definitely a little more of it this time around which is worth bearing in mind when planning when to have a peel. I just had to keep mine at bay during work hours and ride it out. 

some peeling action for you 3 days post peel
 The worst peeling stage really only lasted two days so it was ideal having it just before the weekend. As of a week following the peel as signs of flaking and peeling were completely gone and my skin was looking much healthier. There is something incredibly cathartic about seeing all the bad stuff peel away, and seeing some good results afterwards. Looking at the photos of my skin before either treatment was shocking, I had forgotten just how bad it had gotten so it is amazing to see it much smoother feeling as well as the colouring looking a lot more even. Obagi peels can useful for a whole host of skin complaints and they have really helped my skin when it has been at a really aggravated stage.
Before peels and one week following peel 2

I really can't believe how much better my face is looking now!! I noticed the Transform gang are doing an open evening tonight from half six at the Glasgow City centre clinic, the perfect time to go and see some live demonstrations and handily also receive 15% off any treatments booked on the night. If there is anything non-surgical you are considering like one of these peels, this is a fab opportunity.

You can contact the clinic on 0800 655 6406

Thursday 22 October 2015

Glasgow Reviewed; The Trading House


Live music,a buzzing atmosphere and a cocktail list to die for- there is plenty to love about the newest addition to the Glasgow pub and dining scene and that is before I have even tried the foodThe Trading House already has a location in London and offers a vast selection of craft beers, ales and cocktails alongside a solid menu inspired by the deli, rotisserie and bbq. If that wasn't enough to catch my eye, the dedication in here to peculiar eccentricities and curiosities could not be more up my street, there was a strong chance I would be moving in.



From the moment we arrived at the door at The Trading House, we were struck by the friendliness of the staff, unlike many a bouncer in the city centre, we were actually greeted with a smile and a hello and the door was opened to then meet the super lovely hostess for the evening. Walking in we were blown away with the stunning decor of the bar and restaurant and the absolutely buzzing atmosphere. We were shown to our seats and took some time to pore over the incredible drinks menu and specially created anthology of ale. There is seriously SO much choice when it comes to drinks here it is unreal. With an extensive list of cocktails, gins and mojito's alongside alllllllll the beers we struggled to know where to start ( don't worry, we nailed it!) I decided a mojito with pineapple and coconut cream was the way to go and Ally was instantly taken with their brewers and traders, beer and cocktail pairing option. Such a clever addition to a menu, this means you can choose from 3 sets of  popular brews matched up with a complimenting cocktail and enjoy the best of both worlds. Both were absolutely gorgeous and the perfect way to kick off the evening and to help us pick from the extensive menu.


I am a huge fan of the variety of food that they have on offer here, I love that there is
a proper mix of options and it all looked so delicious as it came past the table. Handy for us we had a real pro for a waiter who was amazing at helping us make the most of the experience and offered great tips on what to go for. Jordan was a total hoot, there is something so nice about being served by someone who is clearly really passionate about what there is to offer and not afraid to squat down and get comfy so they can fill you in on what you might like and what their personal choices are.


Starters wise I had seen a few snaps from the launch night of the delicious scotch egg with runny centre so I had to try, but there was no way we weren't trying the pork crackling either. The one we both had instantly wanted to go for was the salt and pepper onion petals and  this was the one Jordan was first to ensure we had noticed so we just had to try it. With a new beer from the anthology book ordered for Ally and a glass of red for me, we tucked into our little starter medley and we were insanely happy with our choices. I loved that spare plates and cutlery arrived without having to ask so we could dish out and share, and what a little tapas it was. Those petals are a thing of genius, crispy, peppery, and damn delicious with the sour cream dip, I could have wolfed them all down myself. The pork crackling was a huge winner with Ally and the sweet apple sauce almost jam-like addition to the plate was a really lovely compliment. The egg with a touch of picalli was just as I hoped and felt like a fun thing to order that I wouldnt normally find or probably go for on a menu.


Another brewers and traders combination for Ally (Number 3) and a beautiful refreshing Rockport gin. tonic and fresh blueberries for me and we were ready for mains. It is worth noting that the mini cocktail of Ally's combo was absolutely incredible, kind of like an alcoholic love hearts drink that was simply unreal! My gin was pretty hard to pick from their impressive selection of 16 and 4 different tonics, it was great to try one I hadn't had before. On the advice of Jordan who was fab at going through the options and answering all our questions, we opted for the lamb hanging kebabs that come with properly seasoned chips and sauce and the pan fried sea bass fillets  with pico de gallo. I am new to actually liking fish, and it is not something I would normally ever think of ordering in a restaurant but Jordan certainly knew his stuff so who was I to argue! He did recommend ordering a side of some form to go with it and was even sure to recommend something from the deli board menu as the flavours would be a better compliment than just fries. This knowledge and attention to detail was a lovely touch and you can really see the lengths the staff go to in ensuring you have a good experience even when it is a bustling Saturday night.


The hanging kebab is a great fun order, there is something about the show of having it arrive at your table and the waiter or waitress pouring the sauce from above which just trickles down to your fries, no wonder so many people were ordering it! The lamb was cooked just as we asked and was incredibly flavoursome while the chips are exactly as described, perfectly seasoned and certainly not a tiny portion either. My sea bass was just delightful, well cooked with a slightly crispy skin and full of flavour that felt incredibly light and alongside the pico de gallo and my little potato salad, was perfect. I love to try as much as I can when out for dinner so we shared our mains too and both were super happy with what was there. The portions are satisfying without being ridiculous so they don't leave you feeling heavy which  I liked, all too often I have been left following a dinner feeling too full to actually feel like carrying the night on, which is a waste with drinks like these on offer!



I had been looking at the menu ahead of my visit all week and if there was one thing I was sure I wanted to try it was the banana and coconut kebab with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce and Ally was right in there opting for warm chocolate fudge cake. Like the kebab mains the spectacle of the banana kebab is fun and although tasty I was left wanting just a touch more from it, maybe the banana warmed slightly and a bit more melted is all it needed, or a larger amount of sauce would be perfect. It was still very tasty just maybe not quite as wonderful as it could be. The warm chocolate fudge however was a total star, I was ready to rip it from poor Ally's hands, rich, well sized and absolutely gorgeous, thick rich and goey- I would absolutely opt for this one next time.


I couldnt resist one last cocktail to go with pudding, the cherry choc tini was just too amazing sounding to leave behind and my word was it good. A really complex tasting, not over heavy drink that was a perfect finish to the meal and I could have drank it a million times over. Really stunning work from the bar people here and they were keeping up incredibly well seeing as both the bar and restaurant were absolutely packed too!

I loved the addition of decent live music in the form of singer and guitarist who were playing newer hits and classics with their own twist. It was perfect for standing watching or as good background music and was delighted that it wasnt too loud. Not to sound like your gran, but I do get annoyed when I go somewhere and before a certain hour the music is completely blaring and you can't hear what anyone is saying. This was spot on however and really added to the already buzzing atmosphere.


I think The Trading House has a huge amount to offer in terms of Glasgow city centre restaurants and bars. The food is affordable ( and hello 25% off in October- now is the time to get in!) the music and atmosphere is spot on and for me the best part is the really lovely and passionate team they have put together. They have made somewhere that is perfect for either a full blown meal and night out, or just drinks with pals complete with a fab small plate menu and nibbles to enjoy with cracking cocktails and a spot of music too. Safe to say we have a really fantastic night here and we could tell the place was filled with people having that same experience thanks to the excellent staff and food and drink choices on offer- well done The Trading House, you can stay!

You can contact the staff on 0141 223 7010 or check out their facebook and twitter

Monday 19 October 2015

Introducing; the Trtl Napscarf


Everyone at my work is used to me having all sorts delivered to the office, not a week goes by there isn't something unusual looking arriving at my desk that invites lots of questions from my colleagues. Nothing has ever piqued as much interest however as my latest purchase, the TRTL ( pronounced Turtle) travel pillow. The team at TRTL have actually been on my radar for some time as they have appeared on a BBC documentary on the amazing entrepreneurship centre Espark located right here in Glasgow and not only that but they have appeared on one of my fave programmes- Dragon's Den!

napping in extreme comfort
Why all this attention you are wondering?? well the clever cookies have only gone and completely redesigned the travel pillow and my god have they done a good job. I have so many memories of sharing around the silly little blow up pillow with my brothers when we were going on long distance journeys when we were younger, and even when I did get a shot it never failed to be super uncomfortable anyway or just slowly start to deflate!!


As a grown up I never even thought to try and use one- the idea of actually blowing one up
 seemed too embarrassing and the filled cushion style ones just took up too much space to cart about. Without one the next obvious option was....Ally, and essentially using the poor boy as a travel pillow who gets the pleasure of me clambering all over him to try and get comfy in the hope of catching a few zzzz's when we are going adventuring. With so many cheaper airlines now charging to even get to sit next to each other I had been once again scuppered however as utilising a stranger for a pillow just seemed a  step too far. Funnily enough the night before my TRTL actually arrived, Ally returned from a short flight for work and he laughed as he got in the door as not just one but both of the strangers he was sat between had promptly fallen asleep on his shoulder. NIGHTMARE.

You can imagine his excitement then when I produced the ultimate in travel luxury, the Trtl nap scarf. Designed with a love of travelling and a sense of adventure in mind, the scarf has been designed by a duo of mechanical engineers who wanted to make a more comfortable experience and boy have they got that right. This little beauty just wraps around your neck and provides a perfect little napping 'ledge' for you to rest your head on. The strengthened ribs provide the head and neck support while the super soft fleece provide serious comfort. Being able  to have the scarf element over your mouth while napping is handy addition and the perfect for any droolers ( sorry!) or wide mouth snoozers out there! What a joy for all the poor strangers that have had to witness my sleeping face in the past....


 Ally ripped it out my hands and promptly fell asleep which was a massive thumbs up from him. My colleagues all gave it the once over too and it was a resounding success for them with 4 orders going in right away for Christmas presents for people. It has been pure TRTL madness since it arrived!
I coincidentally booked flights to NY for my birthday next year just a couple of days after finding the  pillow ( I blame this spontaneous expense on them!) and I can tragically admit I am looking forward to such a long flight just so I can put this little beauty to good use.

only £20?? WHAT A BARGAIN!
You can order the pillow direct from the website ( with free delivery) or they are also available on Amazon priced a super reasonable £19.95. Join the TRTL revolution today and travel in comfort for evermore. It is available in black, grey, red and a super cute coral version too.

Sleep well and Dream Big indeed.

Friday 2 October 2015

Glasgow Reviewed; A consultation with La Belle Forme



Heading back to the La Belle Forme clinic is like being reunited with a good friend, they are just the friendliest bunch and the atmosphere in there is always so positive and welcoming. Even though there are people coming in and out who are having treatments of a varying scale there isn't any nervousness surrounding you which I think it really important when you are making decisions on your appearance. I absolutely love settling in with a cup of tea and just taking time to peruse all the leaflets they have sitting out explaining the variety of treatments on offer and there is always a happy staff member ready to share what amazing results they have seen with clients recently or share their own personal experiences. For this consultation I was meeting with Laura who is a hoot to deal with, with years spent as a nurse in one of Glasgow's busiest hospitals she has a fantastic bedside manner for reassuring you over even the smallest procedure, her warmth and knowledge is such an asset. She also just happens to be this years Scottish Hair and Beauty  Awards winner of the best cosmetic practitioner award which is an amazing achievement and so well deserved as she is incredible at what she does.

4
Best Cosmetic Practioner- Laura Miller
We had a chat through where my skin was at and where I would like it to be and Laura gave me the run down on the kinds of treatments I could be considering to help me achieve those goals. I hopped on to the treatment bed and she cleansed my face and took a good look at my skin while asking me about any concerns I might be having at this stage in my life and was really good at understanding my fears about certain procedures. A consultation here is just so useful in getting someone in the know to give you an honest perspective on what is achievable and what other tips you can bearing in mind to help such as skincare.


With a lot of  my pigmentation gone it is the early signs of ageing that I am starting to notice. I am turning 30 next year ( GULP) and I am well aware that is by no means old but I have certainly noticed changes in my skin in the last year or so that I would like to make sure I am keeping on top of. Thanks to a recent bout of adult acne twinned with a frustrating skin infection I have had, there are two areas really plaguing me currently, acne scarring and some dreaded wrinkles! The deep lines I have between my eyebrows from years and years spent refusing to wear my glasses which I now could not be more annoyed at myself for, are a constant course of irritation for me. Although I am well aware are not the end of the world they consistently bug me, my make up gathers in them and I just felt they age me generally. Laura was amazing at taking a good look at these areas and suggesting a plan for helping take care of the issues and I am so excited to get started and compare some before and afters.

You can contact La Belle Forme on 0141 552 0828 or make an enquiry on the website

Thursday 1 October 2015

Mirelle Activewear Leggings


If you missed my post all about the wonder woman that has created an amazing active wear line ( and lives right here in Glasgow) then you can catch up here. Since then I have been putting two of the Mirelle Activewear pieces through their paces in the last couple of weeks and can happily report that these beauties perform as well as they look. On first glance I was super impressed with the sheer quality of the fabrics used and the cut of the design, when I got them in I could not believe the  difference between these and the ones I had worn that very morning to the gym. Although I spend a lot of my time in gym gear for various activities, I have never really spent much on that wardrobe and honestly did not realise what paying a little more  might get me in terms of comfort, durability and actually confidence and motivation too!

We managed to at least get one serious pic....
First up was the Acqua legging and I was quick to give it the old DOES IT GO SEE THROUGH IF I SQUAT test, and that is when I knew we were on to a winner- there will be no bum showing through these bad boys. They are thick and tough to the touch but still feeling incredibly supported and light on, these leggings are not mucking about. Serious sports performance but with beautiful style, the Acqua leggings are made from incredibly breathable spandex that along with its hydrophilic finish that absorbs and disperses moisture means there are perfect  for workouts. This design incorporates a compression fabric that provides amazing support  and they are not cut super low on the body so give a solid amount of support to the torso and handily don’t give that dreaded camel toe effect either! The mint coloured panels give you a wonderfully sleek silhouette and the fabric really sculpts the body and  adds to a super shapely fit that genuinely makes me feel much better than my previous ill-fitting ones. Looking in the mirror and seeing your clothes really giving you that strong shape is a real motivator for me to push myself more which is a definite plus when you are strength training like I have been in recent months. 

The action shot!
It has been pretty hard to pry me out of the Acqua since they arrived but I handily also sent a different pair to test out too which have been the perfect complement. Much as I am fully addicted to the shape the first pair give me- I don’t always require full compression bottoms when I am out and about such as my yin yoga class, or just a spot of Urban Adventuring with Ally. The light fabric of the ethnic print legging is absolutely perfect for this as they provide a spot of thermal comfort  while still being breathable, flexible and really soft to the touch. These have been my total go-to bottoms as they unbelievably comfortable never mind flattering with their high waist design and best of all- fun to look at. Who says sports wear should be boring?? Built with that same attention to detail, these leggings are just dreamy to wear and have been my perfect yoga bottoms, and as with the Acqua print they are easy care, easy wash and easy drying too which is ideal. These ones are only £34 in the sale right now so I would grab them while you can!


I am so glad Mirelle has shown me the light when it comes to finding decent gear that will actually last as it withstands multiple washes and lots of different types of activity. I have built up quite the wish list from her collection and my next top picks are definately the Penna Light Leggings in the most amazing feather print and the super stylish Mesh Top. Working out will never be frumpy again!

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