Edinburgh Reviewed; The Hydratight facial at Beyond Medispa

Any facial that is created to combine the knockout benefits of two tried and tested formulas sounds like a total  winner and that was exactly what was in store for me at the weekend as I headed along to the Beyond Medispa in Edinburgh. Following on from the success of the Hydrafacial ( which you can read all about my experience here) and the Protege Elite facial, the Hydratight has been created to incorporate both to allow for the ultimate skin rejuvenating treatment. The Elite offers long lasting wrinkle reduction using radio frequency technology to stimulate collagen and improve skin texture, while the Hydrafacial on the other hand utlised powerful jets of cooling water to remove dead skin cells and treat the skin to a cocktail of serums designed to dramatically increase the skins hydration levels and reveal clearer, brighter skin. Now both of those separately are what so many of us are in need of so the of combination of the two is absolutely magic and I was chomping at the bit to give it a whirl.

Settling into the lovely surroundings of the Beyond Medispa hidden away in the shopping utopia of Harvey Nichols, I was ready for them to turn my skin around. Thanks to a fraught couple of weeks working on the General Election, my skin was looking tired, congested and generally flat- so I was hoping for a miracle that could get me back on track and with these facials having celeb fans in Beyonce and Eva Mendes, I was pretty sure this might just be that miracle. My therapist Sharon was fantastic at talking me through the procedure and was sure to prepare me on what to expect. The Protege element of the facial involves using heat so it was great to know to expect it from the outset. Starting with lymphatic drainage which helps detoxify the skin and remove dead skin cells, the treatment uses water and a vacuum based tip which is gentler on the skin than more abrasive micro dermabrasions. Performing the treatment this way also means the skin is receiving much more hydration which contributes to giving the skin a plumper, healthier look.



We then moved on to the Protege Elite element where Sharon applied a thick cool gel to my neck area and then ran  a heated device slowly and repeatedly over portions of my skin at a time. Although the system does get very warm, you are still relaxed and comfy throughout and I didn't find it too bad at all. there was the odd twinge where the frequency was near the fillings I have but it wasn't sore more just a quick snap feeling. This heated portion of the facial works to disrupt the collagen fibres and encourage the cells to create more resulting in tighter, more youthful looking skin. Billed as the most advanced skin tightening treatment in the world, Sharon filled me in on the different areas this cutting edge technology can actually be used on, and the success she has seen clients get from it. We chatted as she continued to move the device up the jaw line and onto the cheeks and before I knew it it was time to move on to the last portion of the facial. Using the specially designed vortex fusion tip again, my skin was treated to a concoction of serums filled with antioxidants, peptides and glorious hyaluronic acid  to replenish my skin and leave it feeling super... well, juicy! We finished off with a little red light technology that helps reduce redness and further promote the stimulation of new collagen and then a layer of SPF and I was good to go.

These facials although perfectly relaxing to have done are not designed to be all aromatherapy and candles, but instead to work the skin to deliver real tangible results and that is exactly what they do. My skin was incredibly bright and smooth following treatment, the difference with only one  was very visible so I can only imagine the results when booking in for a course. I was delighted to get to try out this futuristic feeling facial, and my skin is certainly thankful for it.

You can contact the Edinburgh Beyond Medispa on 0131 524 8332

Edinburgh Reviewed; Design by K Jewellery at Kakao

Scandiburgh is not a term I have gotten to use before, but after meeting with Karina the owner and designer of the gorgeous Kakao by K boutique in Edinburgh this weekend, it is a term I can say I am happy to have learned! I adore Scandinavian design so a boutique that is curated around that feel, sitting right in central Edinburgh is an absolute dream for me. Clean, fresh and stylish Scandi-style seems so effortlessly chic to me, and Karina has worked hard to pull together a sensational collection of clothes and accessories that incorporate that mood in one beautiful shop that just makes for a wonderfully relaxing and bright shopping experience. Her laid-back but vibrant personality shines through and watching her at work with the customers I can see why everyone is smiling in store, she never fails to make anyone feel less than special which is a lovely personal quality in a shop. It is no wonder she was a finalist in last years Drapers Independents awards who recognise the best in independent retailing.

Stocking labels that I am a huge fan of already such as Oliva Burton watches, Petite Bateau and Gestuz, Karina has put her hand to designing her own range to add to the impressive designer list. Design by K is a jewellery collection that takes from her Scandinavian heritage and mixes it with her Edinburgh lifestyle and has some beautiful pieces included. I was bowled over by her eye for shapes as all the pieces are just the style I adore, minimal and dainty and perfect for everyday wear.Karina filled me in on the collection and the influence behind them, incorporating the unfussy lines she loves with darker chains on many inspired by the dark brick of the Edinburgh buildings she is surrounded by. There is definately a combination and style to suit any outfit or mood thanks to her vision.

I am in love with geometric styles right now and have long been a sucker for a simple disc style chain, so you can imagine I was in heaven taking a look at these pieces. I am terrible for never wearing earrings these days so I really loved the addition of the long delicate styles she included as they look incredibly classic and the longer necklaces are just what I need to jazz up a summer maxi skirt. The prices are fantastic too, starting from £20 up to around £40, the Design by K collection is fab value which handily leaves you plenty of pennies for some of the other amazing bits in store. The whole collection won't be launching until the 28th of May so consider this your lucky sneak peak- but in the mean time you can head into the shop on Thistle Street or take a look at the amazing brand line up on the website. Karina has been keeping the shop blog up to date with her top picks of the season too so you can get a feel for what is waiting in store. I was delighted to find new brands to keep my eye on after my visit, with Soaked in Luxury and YAS really grabbing me with their offerings. I highly recommending popping in to meet Karina if you can, she is a wonderfully bubbly host with an impeccable eye for style who won't let you leave disappointed.

Introducing; Wolf and Moon

I have completely lost my mind over British designer Hannah Davis' handmade jewelry at Wolf and Moon.  So much so it took me 4 days to actually pull an order together for my recent birthday as there was just too many spectacular pieces to choose from. Graduating from the prestigious Goldsmith college with a degree in fine art, Hannah started selling her pieces on a market stall and since then has expanded to stock her online shop and provide pieces to boutiques in the UK and Europe. Taking inspiration from a variety of places, Hannah utilises absolutely stunning shapes and colour combinations in a variety of materials which she then gives you the ability to customise by offering most pieces in a variety of combinations. This option to tailor your choices is what really stood out for me when shopping on the Wolf and Moon site as it gave me the ability to pick my favorite items in a combination that then works with  particular outfits or works in tandem with jewelry I already own.

Her latest collection, Fjordland, just launched online and it inspired by a journey through the impressive fjords of Norway and includes some phenomenal shapes. A stunning look book has been put together to showcase the collection and I absolutely adore what they have done with it. Pops of colour and simple, clean but still sharp lines really let the products speak for themselves. They all have such a lux, high end look considering the fantastic prices. I love that in this collection the team have added in the option for a sterling silver base for many things and it certainly made my deciding even harder.

For my birthday I ended up splurging hard. It started off innocent enough- a little harmless ring in the sale stole my heart... and from there all hell broke loose and I decided to get a few of my most favourite pieces they had on offer. I was delighted with the fast delivery service and the way the whole lot was packaged up was gorgeous, you know when even the bubble envelope is pretty that you are on to a winner. The expensive feel carries right through into their branding, the little boxes and bags are really pretty and just make the purchase feel really special.

But of course I still have a ridiculous wish list that I just had to share with you guys as I think there are some incredible bits on here that are perfect for summer.

L-R Double Triangle Earrings; D Studs; Ripple Ring; Egyptian Necklace; Crystal headpiece;
Sash Ring; Ripple Bracelet; Little Sun necklace

Aren't they all just stunning? I don't think I could ever tire of glitter and perspex! I am already plotting purchase number 2... what would you go for?

Edinburgh Reviewed; Guinot Age Summum treatment at Chamomile Sanctuary Spa

So I turned 29 at the weekend, and man am I starting to see those little signs in my skin that is telling me I am 29! Lucky for me though Chamomile Sanctuary Spa in Edinburgh had just the treatment for me to help work on those little tell tale signs of ageing. The Age Summum facial by Guinot  incorporates pure vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and pro-collagen, which are all anti ageing ingredients that are music to my ears.This hands on treatment aims to tackle lack of radiance, loss of firmness as well as fine lines and wrinkles and is without a doubt the best Guinot treatment I have ever tried.

In the run up to giving this new facial a go my skin had suffered terribly thanks to an infection and it left me with seriously dry skin and scarring. The lasting effect this had had on my skin was unreal, I was feeling totally unconfident and just generally flat about my appearance, so I had high hopes that this facial could turn things around and get me back on track.

I settled in to the ever stunning treatment rooms at the spa and my therapist Rhona, got me started with a superb in depth skin consultation. I love how they take their time here to really go through where you skin is at and what kind of things you are looking to treat, you get the real benefit of their level of knowledge about skincare generally and the products they are going to be using which just elevates the whole experience. 

The treatment begins with a dermabrasion exfoliating cream, which does not feel at all rough or over zealous when applied with skill and helps remove dead skin cells and stimulate new cells. This is then followed up with a regenerating anti-aging serum which contains a whopping 56 active ingredients and an active pro collagen mask. While the mask takes effect you are given a beautifully relaxing massage of the arms, hands and shoulders which leads really nicely into the facial massage that is then used to work those vital ingredients into the skin. This helps work on the all over tone, firmness and brightness of the skin and feels absolutely fantastic too. 

The difference in my skin after just the one treatment was absolutely fantastic, I might not have deep set wrinkles or massive sagging issues but considering how dull and congested my skin was looking when I went it in, afterwards it was SO much brighter, clearer and youthful looking. It completely transformed my mood and gave me so much more confidence. it didn't bother me for a second that i was wandering around all day make up free- and I genuinely could not stop glancing in shop windows at how much better my skin looked. The treatment costs £70 for the hour and without a doubt I would be happy to pay that again for these kinds of results, it is crazy just how much your skin can change in an hour with the right type of ingredients applied in the right way by a skilled therapist. I was absolutely over the moon!

I highly recommend checking the Age Summom treatment at Chamomile Sanctuary spa out. A top notch treatment in one of the best spas, I was commenting on this visit that the team here just never disapoint and neither does the spa itself. Often over time I see standards slipping at venues, a lick of paint needed here or there, but at Chamomile the attention to detail is always utterly flawless and that always makes me relax and enjoy the experience that little bit more. A really impressive visit once again, I might just move into that relaxation room yet....

You can contact the reception on 0131 220 1000 or visit the website here.

Glasgow Reviewed; AG Fitness Training

This is one of the hardest posts I have ever tried to write, not because it is about to be a terrible review but the total opposite in fact, I just have SO many good things to say that I don't even know where to start! If you missed my intro post about Andy from AG Fitness training you can catch up here, this post is the promised full review of his 6 week personal training package that I have just finished up and I have been so excited to sing his praises. To refresh, I have wanted to get into weight and strength training for ages as cardio bored me to tears and I walk 7 miles a day Mon-Fri so I feel that is more than enough.  My problem with weights in the past was that I had no set structure and absolutely no correct form what so ever so I was keen to try out a package like this to make sure I was starting off with someone in the know leading the way.

From the outset I knew Andy just 'got' it. He understood where I was now, why I was at this point and where I wanted to get to- which made setting out on this journey together so much easier. He was quick to gain my trust which I think is so important when taking on a new approach to fitness, I felt completely at ease with him and with his plan for getting me to where I want to be. As I mentioned in my intro post it is his approach to nutrition that just blew me away and throughout the 6 weeks this has continued to be an outstanding commitment on his part. Having his clients track their eating on my fitness pal- he monitors and advises you as you go to ensure your diet is in the right place for achieving your goals. He is in regular contact with you to either make suggestions or tweaks or just offer a big well done for keeping on track which is fantastic motivation and helps really build a good relationship. He is always on hand to answer questions which in my case has been millions, he takes time to provide you with any answers you need to keep you on track and strengthen your understanding of how nutrition and fitness work hand in hand and how they affect one another which is something I don't think you can get from a lot of PTs. On top of him monitoring your diet and being on hand to answer questions, he posts handy links and info on his facebook and twitter and also helpfully posts really useful pieces on his blog which are fab for expanding your knowledge.

Nutrition aside, his knowledge and passion for weight training is incredible. Having a solid education in what he is teaching is so important as it again solidifies the trust that I think you need when placing your fitness in someone elses hand. He knows the science behind why things work the way they work and how to then improve on them which is a huge help for me- I love to understand why I should be doing something in order for me to want to continue doing it. Andy is incredibly patient in teaching you good basic form for exercises to ensure you are not going to give yourself any injuries, and so that you are getting the most from every move. He sets you up with a plan so that you can train out side of your sessions and it was no problem at all when I asked him to  make me an additional one to get some exercise at home when I don't have time to get to the gym. As the weeks have progressed we have worked on a variety of important compound moves using different equipment and learning about them has been genuinely good fun. It doesn't matter what you are capable of when you start out Andy makes sure you get going without any embarrassment or intimidation, he is a total joy to train with and manages the perfect mix of patience and encouragement. It has given me the motivation and confidence to then hit the gym on my own to work on what I have been learning and it is amazing just how much I have loved it. I was so over and done with cardio that having a good set routine for the gym that I then building on is actually exciting and  it is incredible just how much more confident it actually makes you feel. Weight loss is not the number one goal here ( although it can be for some) in my 6 weeks I have started to see little muscles grow which were never there before, my clothes fit so much better while my weight has gone down a little but that actually hasn't mattered to me at all as I am finding the fit of my jeans far more motivating. Without a doubt my stomach is the flattest I have seen it, and no jokes- there is a wee proper bum starting to form- the excitement!! I have even been getting up earlier some mornings to fit a quick trip to the gym in before work which is a HUGE change for a sleep lover like me, but I have enjoyed my little sessions so much I have actually been excited to get in- what a turn around!

Andy has been cheering me on every step of the way and I really look forward to our sessions to see what else I can learn and improve on with him leading the way. I haven't hesitated in booking myself in for another course of sessions and neither has Ally who has been just as delighted with the service with AG Fitness as I have been. He is a total gym-phobe normally, before Andy it was a proper battle to get him to come and spend any time in one but now he is gutted when his work shifts means he can't get along to work on his lifting- he will be a beefcake in no time!

If you have been looking to get your fitness and nutrition in line this year I cannot recommend getting in touch with Andy enough, I am gutted I didn't sort out something sooner as I could have saved myself lots of horrible forced cardio! His prices are just fantastic for the level of service you can expect and he is really flexible in working out the best package to suit you. Even if you just want to know more about how a PT session can benefit you just send him a tweet or email- I guarantee you wont be disappointed. I am so excited to see where all Andy takes his business in the coming months, he has some really fantastic ideas for videos and online content alongside ways to expand his training so if I was you I would get in there now and book some space before it is all gone!

You can contact Andy on 07961 085921 or email him at andy@agfitnesstraining.co.uk

Introducing; RedRubyRouge.com

Every so often a website comes along that I just lose my mind over and RedRubyRouge is exactly one of those sites. I am a sucker for unusual design and this site has so many amazing examples of unique designers that I instantly compiled an epic wish list of goodies and I just had to share.

How could I not be on board with that approach?! So much care and attention has obviously been taken in selecting the finest in talent for stocking the shop and they have really created something special.   I had been eyeing up a Baggu for ages which is what led me to the site so it was first up for ordering when a 20%  discount voucher came winging its way into my inbox. As I had hoped, this new foldable tote/backpack made from tough nylon akin to a parachute is the ultimate in 'be prepared' style. Finally someone is nailing the mix of practicality and style and this little beauty is going to be put to all sorts of good use. My mum has already jumped right in and ordered one for herself as she is always looking for a decent extra tote for when she is out shopping and as she uses a stick the fact she cans sling this on her shoulder is a massive plus.

Following some seriously quick free delivery and a further 15% off purchases for signing up to the newsletter my baggu was very closely followed by an order for these amazing Hiro and Wolf earrings which just spoke to me massively. Modern but chic, I loved the mix of textures with the tiny pop of metallic and at £12 they seemed like too good a bargain to miss out on never mind the added fair trade credentials which I love.

As you can see from the below- these two purchases are clearly not enough as  I pretty much want EVERYTHING. Even narrowing down my choices just for this post was hard enough- you seriously need to go and check out the line up for yourself, but hopefully this gives you a pretty good taster of what they have on offer.

1. Black Cat Scarf / 2. Mrs Jermyn Neon Clutch / 3. Baqqu Breton Stripe
4.Elizabeth Stone Agate Necklace / 5. Hurraw Green Tea lipbalm / 6.Wild Thing Fox Necklace
7. Anna Joyce Star Tote / 8. Wild Thing Digital Cuff

So good right? My birthday is coming up next month and this little post might just be popping up in the other half's inbox shortly....!