After boot-gate I behaved myself for a little while and listened to my voice of reason. So why am I here once again having just paid an extortionate sum of money to get my hair cut ahead of a Christmas party on Friday? Why did I buy jewellery to go with my new togs for said party when I already have a box full of sparkly things – am I a magpie? Why do I still feel I need to buy a few extra ‘options’ for festive season outfits? These are some of life’s great mysteries, but my “if I pay by card it’s not real money” attitude I’m working at the moment is not a sensible one. I am therefore on the look out for some DIY shortcuts to meet my hefty demands for self indulgence – no, I CANNOT justify a pre-Christmas trip to the Covent Garden Spa – and the Sanctuary have definitely come up trumps. The manicure kit means I don’t need to make time to go and have a proper one done – and the same can be said for the pedicure set – the socks included with this are so cute too! To go the whole hog I also have my eye on the bath robe – I have always wanted a fluffy white dressing gown for some reason, and this would be a real treat.

Now that you’ve all read this you are personally responsible for ensuring in my next blog that I do NOT report back that I’ve spent a bomb on spoiling myself… I’d like to say I have faith in that commitment! We shall see… until next time!

x

I have managed not to give into temptation until now , but since noticing that not only have the shops put up all their décor, but a few houses have been “dolled” up too, I have been thinking…..Let me at the tinsel!

As ever the colour of my decorations are important. I think last years theme was silver, white and purple, so I have been looking at colour combinations that are festive or at least look well put together! I have decided that our tree this year will follow the traditional theme and am looking at red, gold and silver tinsel, chocolate coins and golden baubles. I think I even have a little nativity set somewhere that I can put under the tree as a bit of a feature….which will probably need to be moved once all the pressies start rolling in…..keen aren’t I!

Part of my step-daughter’s Christmas project is to make some decorations – these will take pride place on the tree! However, she has been told of the colour scheme…..just so that her decorations fit in with the rest (yes…cringe)! She also plans on making some edible decorations, which I think will not last too long in my house…..well if her dad and brother have anything to do with it!

Note to self – Find out whether I can decorate my desk at work!!!! YES….I am a big kid but at the same time ever the professional! Wouldn’t want to look like the office “saddo” by being the only one that has decorations….and yes they will be in keeping with my colour scheme at home!!!!!!

Another thought for me at Christmas is what to do after the “big” day? What state and how will my body feel after all that food, drink and usual merriment?? I know…….it will be in total need of some TLC. Coupled with it also being my birthday the day after I am looking into the possibility of visiting the Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden. Now, I don’t expect it to be open during this period, however it’s a thought for the New Year for when I return to work and will need to be bright eyed and bushy tailed! Another good thing about this idea is that I can invite my mum along for a little treat (hope she is not reading this but also as part of her Birthday pressie!)

The fun and frolics continue next week folks where I should be coming to an end of my Christmas prep…

Michelle xoxo

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The Christmas party season is looming days away and I have been mentally preparing myself since approximately September. I am into preparation in a BIG way – I’m not one of those lucky people who can make themselves look effortlessly black tie ready in 15 minutes. No, I start my scrubbing, tanning, priming and prepping days in advance – and I love it. I adore putting outfits together, choosing make up, accessories, practicing hairstyles … and whilst I tend to go for similar looks each time, I never get bored of the excitement of a big party, particularly combined with my love of all things festive. I’d describe my style as quite classic and elegant – the most important thing to me when I’m getting ready for fancy occasions is looking polished and glowing, and most importantly I have to feel comfortable (although this makes my adoration of my favourite Kurt Geiger heels a real issue). I strongly believe that achieving the perfect party look is all about making your skin, hair and body look great – after that, the clothes and make up will have a much easier job and will simply work to accentuate how great you already look. In saying that, my carefully chosen office Christmas party dress is now purchased and hanging in my wardrobe. I promised myself I’d be a little more adventurous this year but alas once more I have defaulted to my trustworthy love of the LBD. There’s always next year!

As I said in a previous blog, I’m now almost fully booked up with parties and social gatherings from now until Christmas (it’s a tough life), so Operation Look FABULOUS is well underway. I’ve been buffing and exfoliating to within an inch of my life to get my pasty skin ready for a bit of light tanning – although I am embracing the English rose look (which comes very naturally to me – not so great in the summer when I become a sweaty lobster but you can’t have it all can you?) more this year than I did during my uni days when fluorescent was the prerequisite on any night out. The Sanctuary Salt Scrub is fantastic for this, and the clever little Body Boosting Brush has also worked a treat.

Undoubtedly THE most important thing to me during party season is having clear skin – one of my pet peeves is getting that inevitable blemish the day before a special occasion! Why does that happen?! My skin is especially difficult in the winter months, so to alleviate the threat of the fearsome spot I’ve really taken a keen interest in skincare over the past month or so and have gone all out to look after my skin in the hope that it doesn’t let me down come party time. I’ve started using the Polishing Hot Cloth Cleanser every day, and I did want to write about this sooner but I thought I’d properly test it for a month or so before sharing with you in order to see the real results. I’m sure you’re all familiar with the infamous Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, and this is very similar. I have extremely troublesome skin so I’m always wary switching up my skincare when I find something that works for me, but I did feel that I needed a change and so this came at a good time. This cleanser leaves skin feeling so clean but not dried out or tight, and I really love using the muslin cloth. It takes off every scrap of make up in one go and hasn’t irritated me. My only gripe is that I’m not keen on the smell, but when it retails at £10.20 it is a little cheaper than it’s famous dupe so I’d recommend giving it a go.

Tonight I have phase 3 of Operation LF planned – whipping out the Micro-Dermabrasion Body Renewal from the professional range. It sounds pretty intense (talk of micro silicates and fossilised seashells, eek!) but has come highly recommended so I’m going to give a go and see if it really does refine and reduce lumps and bumps on the arms, thighs and bum… miracle product ahoy?! I’ll keep you all posted, but for now shall love you and leave you!

Read our latest copy of Glow Magazine online now for beauty tips, our 12 step Christmas survival guide, gift ideas and lots more!

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With my favourite day of the year rapidly approaching and my window of opportunity to buy gifts for my loved ones disappearing equally quickly, I’m really starting to feel the pressure. Not that I’m complaining as it’s no secret I adore Christmas shopping – but for the first time ever it’s almost December and I haven’t bought a sausage yet (not a literal sausage, no one will be receiving one of those from me). Usually November sets in and I’m ready to go, but this year I seem to be flagging. Having looked at my diary I have deduced that I have exactly ZERO free weekends before Christmas itself, so I’ve taken it upon myself to book a day of annual leave in a couple of weeks (sneakily coinciding it with the day after my work Christmas party – an entirely strategic choice, I assure you) to hit the London shops.

In the meantime though I’ve started on some online shopping and have been making lists for all of the people who will be lucky enough to receive presents. I must say I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the abundance of gorgeous gifts out there this year – so much so I’ve been putting a lot of them on my own wish list that has been circulated to my nearest and dearest. I always think that buying ready selected gift sets is a wise move, not only because you usually make a bit of a financial saving but also because they’re so well put together and usually packaged beautifully – not to mention they do tend to save a bit of valuable time! I find myself drawn to presents that people wouldn’t usually buy for themselves, so this usually means something a little bit special or luxurious instead of lots of little bits and pieces that have been thrown together. The Pamper Hamper Ultimate Indulgence set  would make a fantastic stand alone present, whilst the Facial in a Box is a lovely idea for bringing a bit of spa therapy into someone’s own home. With a Mum who is an avid candle collector (you don’t even want to know how many were in our house when we last counted), I’ve spotted the Classic Fragranced Candle which will no doubt be sneaking it’s way into her stocking.

Aside from the Sanctuary’s offerings – which I must note are very helpfully 3 for 2! – my ever growing list of potential gifts includes a number of fragrance gift sets (I’m a firm believer that every girl should have her signature scent – Agent Provocateur is currently my fave but is so hard to track down!); the YSL Beauty Icon set (inclusive of my saving grace Touche Eclat – this needs to find a space in everyone’s make up bag); pretty much every item in the NARS Holiday 2011 collection; an array of Diptyque candles (candles once again – can you sense the theme here?); some beautiful Astley Clarke pieces … I won’t bore you with the rest of these extensive lists – and in reality they are broken down by person and assigned into categories (yes, I’m extremely sad but I prefer the word ORGANISED) – but I’ll finish by saying Benefit, Clinique and Jo Malone also have their usual reliable offerings too which is always a huge relief to me when I have a ‘don’t know what to buy’ moment – in other words, if my lists fail.

My own requests this year range from MAC goodies to a book on economics (no, really), but proudly taking number one spot on my ultimate Christmas wish list (and it shall remain there until the glorious day when one of these beauties finds it’s way onto my arm) is the one and only Mulberry Bayswater – preferably in the shade Chocolate but who am I to be fussy? In fact I’d probably sever an arm just to carry one of these on the other. I need one in my life and will not stop until I have convinced Father Christmas I’ve been a good enough girl to receive one. In fact, Santa if you’re reading this … pleeeeeeeeeease… ?

As seen on the Boots’ TV ad and ITV’s Lorraine’s Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert, this better than half price gift is set to fly of the shelves.

Packed with full size pampering products (and a very cute shower cap), this indulgent gift is all wrapped up in a beautiful presentation box, perfect for making someone smile this Christmas

If you’re looking for a gift for the woman who has everything or just someone you want to treat, this packed to the brim gift case has everything a woman could need to pamper herself head to toe.

Available for one week only, this offer has limited availability so don’t miss out!

Before the wedding, there is of course the hen party, traditionally the route of L-plates, bars and nightclubs has been the number one choice but many women are now opting for a more sophisticated and relaxing experience of a spa day.

With pampering treatments, lounging in bathrobes and lots of girly chat on the menu it’s easy to see why this option is proving to be so popular.

Booking a spa day is a great way of sharing some time with your friends and family, whether it’s an intimate group of one or two friends or a group of ten or more, a spa environment allows you to relax, unwind and gossip the day away.

With sumptuous surroundings, dribble–inducing treatments and naughty but nice nibbles all under roof, The Sanctuary Spa is a tardis of facilities waiting to be explored by you and your hens. We want you to enjoy your time at The Sanctuary, we’re all about pampering yourself for a day, a moment in time when you can just sit back, relax and do what you want to do, be that reading in one of our lounges, taking a dip in one of our pools, or just gossiping with friends over some bubbly, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Our group bookings team can even organise a Champagne reception, personalised cakes and gifts on arrival if you wish to go the extra mile and make your day a truly unique experience.

We understand organising an event such as a hen party is not everyone’s forte so why not take advantage of our expertise and leave the organising to us? We’ll make sure each and every one of your hen’s leaves feeling like a princess, whether they’re Royalty or not!
 

After her visit Rachel said “We had such a lovely time…so relaxing. Everyone really looked after us”

Whilst we love to have celeb’s visit our spa, all our guests receive the VIP treatment. 93% of our January guests stated they were more than satisfied with their visit, 91% were impressed with the quality of their treatments and 92% were impressed with the quality of the spa’s facilities. The spa team strive to ensure that every guest that passes the glass doors, leaves feeling as though they’ve had the most special day possible.

The spa has undergone a lot of changes over the last year and has recently just had the lounge refurbished so if you haven’t visited for a while, get yourself booked in and check it out for yourself.

We currently have some great deals on so visit our offers page to see what’s available.

We are always shouting about the loveliness (not that we’re biased) of the spa but now you to can view inside without even leaving the house.

The spa recently went under a make over so those of you who haven’t visited for a while will now be able to see the transformation. You can also show your other half what he’s been missing and hint that you’d like to go again at the same time!

Providing more facilities than any other London spa, you can lose yourself for a day (or evening), ignoring the mobile phone, kids and all the other daily chores to simply gossip with friends or catch up on that all important me time. Now what can be better than that?