babyurbeautiful

Guest Post by Clara B

It's not often I'm virtuous but when I am - I do it with gusto - no Mc Donald's, gluten, or alcohol in sight.

In short, I'm one extreme to the other - a gluttonous pig inhaling chocolate and ice-creams; to quaffing smoothies, quinoa and anything else of generally unpalatable  taste and texture in order to shift the bloat.

So when the team had the chance to visit Ragdale hall (a hydro health spa) I got my fine fettle face on.

We headed to the acclaimed Ragdale Hall, where, despite working in beauty for eight years, I've never actually got the chance to visit.

On initial arrival the grounds appeared very well groomed. Much like the staff themselves. Unfortunately I couldn't say the same for myself. We'd both been putting the world's to right, running businesses, blogs and babies (baby making in Cat's case)  all very exhausting to say the least.

The Hall itself is located in the rolling Leicestershire countryside. The journey there from Essex was very pleasant - especially with Cat to witter away to on the 2-hour schlep.
There was an air of serenity (minus us stumbling along with our heavy bags we needn't have brought) and we loved ye olde world charm of the Victorian architecture complimented by state-of-the-art spa and modern chill-out areas.

Ravishing Ragdale Hall

When it comes to a spa. I don't ask for much, but if I want a sauna and a hot tub  - I can go to my local gym, right? (It's a bit posh is my gym).
But I get listless, not to mention hot and bothered in the standard sauna, whirlpool and experience showers.
Give me a rose-petal scented steam room, twinkly relaxation room and a pan pipe/dolphin chorus for good measure - and I'm sold.

Well, I wasn't just sold - I was signing up to stay for the week (like literally pricing up a week).
The service and the general feeling is phenomenal - not a word I use often, but became enamoured with after watching a drunk guest on Come Dine with Me who kept repeating it after every mouthful of dessert.

In the past, the words 'Thermal Spa' always brought what I can only describe as disappointment - as I mentioned before, a sauna, whirlpool and freezing cold showers ends up aggravating rather than relaxing me.
I'm the token screamer with my howls reverberating around the spa area.

On entry to the TS (thermal spa), I really wasn't expecting much.
Cue a condescending sniff (so ungrateful) to discovering what I thought was a dry, boring slab of marble that I should plonk myself on and sit in silence. ...
After opening the door, there was marble, in the form of steps, yes!
At the bottom of those was a cave, filled with water and illuminated by multi-tonal lights in pinks, greens and pretty warm hues.

Twinkly lights at their best

If it wasn't for the silence and an awkward stomach gurgle ( FYI I can't not talk for less than 5 minutes) I would have stayed in there and shrivelled up like one of the prunes that I was later served up for breakfast. It was divine! There was an inside rapid pool that lead to outside (pictured below) I won't spoil it for you if you decide to visit - but the TS had a LOT to offer two weary ladies.

Outdoor Pool Vibes

I wondered if we were getting preferential treatment, it certainly felt like it. But then I realised that everyone is treated with the utmost care and individuality.
We weren't A-listers - but for that weekend felt like P Diddy flipping deuces at every opportunity.

Everyone receives a welcome drink on arrival and after every lunch and dinner, tea and coffee is on the house. Which, in effect, makes it feel like it's home from home; 'Cuppa tea, darl?'
There's none of this churning the guests out, hurrying them along and conveyer belt treatments like so many other spas. Everything is in your own time and, well, just refreshing really.

I also had a bloody lovely therapist,  Heidi.
(Let's all give Heidi a massive Heidi high-five.)
We were assigned to each other by chance, as you usually are (doh).
The facial I received was tremendously relaxing, I probably dropped some zzz's mid- massage as my spotty, aggravated skin was transported into silky, smooth and glowing.
After an hour of pummelling and enlivening using only the finest Decleor from their mandarine range (scented like sweet marmalade) it also has nourishing ingredients like cranberry and argan oil for parched skin like mine.
A quick Amazon purchase later, and I've now got this collection at home and LOVING it (quick newsflash; recently smashed on the floor).
I then booked up another two treatments with Heidi as I was hugely impressed - and trust me, like Gillian McKeith is to turds, I'm the beauty alternative.

I could honestly go on and on about our much needed weekend away, food was top notch, company was even better (go, Cat!) and the ultimate achievement?

We relaxed.

Babyurbeautiful were sent to Ragdale Spa to review, Overnight reviver break from £211pp including treatments, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If you haven't heard of Sock ons, they are an essential must-have item for any new Mum's shopping list.

Babies just can't keep their little socks on with all the constant wriggling about, and Sock ons are the perfect solution.

Just bung them over the top of any sock and they won't budge a millimetre! Amaze!

They come in tons of lovely colours too.

For more info go to:

www.sockons.co.uk

While you're there do check out other gorgeous items from their range such as funky stylish Dribble Ons bandana bibs, Mocc Ons moccasin baby shoes and Plod Ons- their funky crawling knee pads. All really good quality products. 

You can buy from major retailers such as Mothercare, JoJoMamanBebe, BabiesrUs and Asda as well as many others.

CB

Whilst fantastic for the calf muscles and tanning of the forearms, all this recent pram walking in the sunshine has left m once kissable lips feeling a little weathered.

My smackers have cracked and dried up – feeling super sore and uncomfortable, as a slight aside, this led me to thinking – why is it you can’t stop licking them when they feel like that, making it 100 times worse?

Anyway, disappointingly, having turned to all my old faithfuls to try to regain some moisture nothing was working. 

As if a gift sent by God, my mother-in-law, Bunnie, drops by with a treat - a bag full of goodies from SpaceNK (I’d recently done her a good turn).

Ripping the beautiful black bag open in excitement, amongst other items, I was greeted with a lip conditioner I had not come across before-Caudalie Lip Conditioner (from www.feelunique.com)

Well, what can I say? Goodbye chaffed chops and 'hello plumped pout!'

This anti-aging and nourishing lip conditioner by Caudalie Paris is absolutely amazing.  I immediately felt relieved and this feeling continued for quite some time - unlike some other lip balms etc that seem to slide off instantly.  

Derived from 99.5% natural products and paraben free this product left my lips feeling soft and smooth 

It has a sweet light vanilla aroma and flavour which is super soothing. AND in my opinion, a snip at £5.50 in comparison to some of the other high end lip conditioning products.

In summary, this little lovely lip moisturiser definitely gets my vote, and will be a make-up bag essential for many years to come – thank you Caudalie (and Bunnie of course for the discovery and gift).

(Incidentally this product has a consistent 5 star review on the Caudalie website so I am not alone in my thinking).

SK xx

Go to www.feelunique.com now to buy.

Make-up artists, mummies and Aussies all extoll the virtues of the wondrous Paw Paw Balm (from Oz).

And that it is. It's a regular in my make-up kit as well as the baby bag.

Daddy and I had the pleasure of attending the launch of a new Brazilian street food venue last week.