Benidorm

I haven’t written a blog post for a while now and something came up that sparked an idea off and gave me a flare to write about my holiday. There’s not a lot I can do when I have to rest a fractured foot and wear a trendy boot, so therefore it was another reason to write a post since I have been told to keep my feet up for as much as possible. That’s a bit hard to do being a single mum of two. I don’t like not being able to drive, but my mum and dad have been my hero in taking the girls to and from school. I really don’t know what I would do otherwise.

I have been wanting to take Isabelle and Alina ‘Isalina’ abroad for a while now but I have been putting it off due to various circumstances. One being that I wanted my youngest Alina to be a little bit older and I thought now she’s three it’s just the right age. I have heard the earliest memories go back to about three. I wanted to create some memories with my daughters and not only is travelling abroad an adventure it’s also educational too. It’s the pre-planning for the holiday beforehand and making sure there are enough things to entertain the girls whilst on the flight that can be difficult. I have been that parent at my wits end with a crying toddler on the plane. This was a few years back when Isabelle was only two and there is nothing worse when you’ve tried every tactic going, whilst worrying about disapproving looks from other fellow passengers. Luckily, Benidorm is only two and half hours away, so you don’t feel like you have spent that much time in the air before you’re descending again.

I have visited Benidorm for a night whilst on holiday with a friend ten years ago and there was a lot to do back then. However, this was before I had children so it’s the nightlife I experienced mainly. This time round it was my two girls and my mum and dad who I went to Benidorm with. We stayed at the Gran Hotel Bali, which is the tallest hotel in Europe. There are 52 floors in total and a glass lift takes you right to the top. We went to the top on our very last day, but it’s something that must be done whilst you’re staying there. I couldn’t fault the hotel at all and we even got the red carpet treatment upon entering the building. From our balcony, we had a sea view and opposite was a colour changing hotel at night. The swimming pools were really nice and now Isabelle is seven she was swimming most of the time and is able to go in by herself. I have noticed Isabelle’s confidence has grown. She was not afraid of asking Spanish people who worked at the hotel for what she wanted beginning with “hola” and finishing with “gracias.” Alina was still saying “hola” to English people on the flight home.

Alina didn’t go in the swimming pool as much, because she got a bit fed up and enjoyed going down the slides that was located on the hotel grounds. I think the heat did get to her at times, but she was quite happy wearing the pink sparkly flamingo cap and the cute flowered straw hat that I got from Primark, just because they were cute and girly. It’s hard to sometimes get the right balance because they are both at different stages with a four year age gap and although they’re close in their ‘sister bond’ they’re not when it comes to certain situations, for instance Isabelle was quite happy in the pool for most of the time and Alina wanted to go down the slides. However, both girls enjoyed the slides together at night time. I suppose it doesn’t always have to fall on age gaps, because siblings can have different interests to one another as well.

I have noticed Isabelle’s confidence has grown. She was not afraid of asking Spanish people at the hotel for what she wanted beginning with “hola” and finishing with “gracias.” Alina was still saying “hola” to English people on the flight home.

Whilst in Benidorm we travelled on the bus to what is called Old Town Benidorm quite a bit, which was before I fractured my foot that did actually happen on holiday and no it wasn’t because I had too many Sex On The Beach (drinks) but more like a freak accident at a wildlife park. I just simply cobbled over on a slope. Anyway, I preferred the quaintness of The Old Town Benidorm parts compared to the tourist areas as that is where you find most of the shops too and sometimes it’s nice just to get out there and explore. I still had four days left to spare on holiday when I fractured my foot and therefore didn’t go back to Old Town Benidorm after then, but although it was an inconvenience, at least it didn’t happen at the beginning of my holiday. I have never fractured anything in my life either!

All in all, it was a lovely family holiday (apart from the fractured foot) but it is one we’ll all remember and treasure for various reasons. I have attached some pictures of our little adventure and intend on going on more adventures in the future to make more wonderful memories.

I have attached a PDF word search that has been provided by education.com to keep your little ones entertained on their travels.

Traveling can be fun and educational. Check out education.com for more word search, reading, and thinking activities like this one!

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International Women’s Day

If someone were to ask me who my role model was, it would be to all the women who go through tough times but find the strength to carry on regardless. Equally, I admire ones who admit to struggling and don’t know if they can carry on because they are the most brave for admitting that and don’t always know how strong they really are. We all find ourselves in hard stages at some point in our lives but I find that as long as you have true family and friends around, you can get through anything life throws at you. I am stating the obvious but it is true. I ended up at rock bottom, raising two daughters and am slowly building my life back up bit by bit and there is nothing more empowering than being an independent women. It’s Isabelle and Alina (Isalina) who have given me the strength to do this and at least I can say I did it all by myself. I am now at a place in my life where I know what I want and to always trust my gut instincts when something doesn’t feel right, because it usually follows through with what I know already. Standing up for myself can be a challenge at times but I am getting better at that and there are still bad days but I focus on the good and that is the same for everyone. I know there is a craze out there on self love and self care but I am believer in that, because if you can’t look after yourself properly then you can’t look after anyone else either.

Be the woman that fixes another woman’s crown, without telling the world it was crooked 👑👸🏼

Remember, there is a difference between being lonely and being alone. You could be in a crowded room and feel totally isolated and lonely or sat in your house alone and not feeling lonely at all. Change only occurs when you make it happen. Take one day at a time but every small step leads to a better, happier, healthier you. It doesn’t happen over night but small changes lead to big changes eventually and when you’re at your happiest, that is when you attract positivity. Negative energy attracts negativity and therefore if negative happenings start rearing its ugly head in my life I either address the situation as diplomatic and as minimal as possible, or simply ignore and carry on with my day. In fact, I came across a post last night that I found quite funny. “I’m at that stage of my life where I keep myself out of arguments even if you tell me 1+1=5 you’re absolutely correct, enjoy!”

I’m at that stage of my life where I keep myself out of arguments even if you tell me 1+1=5 you’re absolutely correct, enjoy!

My mum, daughters and friends inspire me to do what I am doing and I intend on being a good role model for my girls to look up to. There are times when Isabelle leaves me notes of kind words out of the blue and she says some very encouraging and nice things to me, that I think for a seven year old to say is very grown up. Alina said to me the other night “mummy… you’re my treasure!” I sometimes read a book on treasure not being gold or silver, but someone or something you love that is your treasure. We didn’t even read that book that night, nor is little treasure something we say to each other. It shows she has understood the meaning behind what the book is trying to imply. These are the girls I am raising, who I am very proud of because of the way they are turning out to be.

Here’s to good women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.

I am dedicating this post to my mum, daughters and friends who inspire me each and every day. Thank you! #internationalwomensday xxxx

Cuckoo’s Beauty – White Witch Facial Review

It is recommended you should treat your skin to a professional facial every three to four weeks, since it takes 21 days for the skin cells to renew itself. Exfoliating and deep cleansing the skin aids the renewal process faster for younger looking, radiant skin. That said, it all depends on skin type, skin care goals and budget. Whatever your budget, or goal and if you find time to treat yourself, Cuckoo’s Beauty offers a relaxing White Witch facial, costing £30.00 with products tailored to suit different skin types using the most natural ingredients. The products used for my skin are Wild Flower Cleanser, Rock Rose refining toner, Starflower conditioner to massage, Moroccan red clay Rose face mask and Barbary Fig moisturiser. I have purchased the Wild Flower Cleanser and Barbary Fig moisturiser that I have used for two months now, and the cleanser exfoliates your skin, leaving it smooth on a daily basis. The moisturiser leaves a nice even tone on the skin and you don’t have to apply too much for it to go a long way. The purchased products are beautifully packaged and come in little glass jars and wooden spatulas, encased in White Witch pouches, which are really cute. 

Whatever your budget, or goal and if you find time to treat yourself, Cuckoo’s Beauty offers a relaxing White Witch facial, costing £30.00 with products tailored to suit different skin types using the most natural ingredients.

I have been going to Cuckoo’s Beauty once a month for a facial, therefore I have had enough to report that after every visit, my skin always feels revived and glowing. Last time I had a back massage too which was lovely, using natural coconut oil. There are many different benefits to coconut oil, which I will point out on another blog. My next beauty review, will be on the facial masks offered at this little retreat. I have already sampled the Moroccan red clay Rose mask after some angry looking spots appeared on my chin out of the blue, and it really left a calming effect on my skin afterwards and the spots reduced in size. I felt it really made a difference to my skin afterwards and it is Claire the Beauty Therapist’s favourite mask. Until I have tested them all, I will let you know my preferred choice, but roses are my favourite flowers. 

There are some special offers coming up at Cuckoo’s Beauty in January, so keep a look out on Cuckoo’s Beauty Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/cuckoosbeauty/  Oh and the vegan chocolates Claire has to offer at her salon are tasty too.

** Update** Cuckoo’s Beauty January offer that is advertised on the Facebook page.

** New Year… New vegan skincare routine? 
All the lovely clients who book a White Witch Facial for January will receive a 15% discount. A beautiful facial made from vegan and cruelty free ingredients. Roses, lemon balm, rosehip and green tea to name a few.**

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Nature Beauty

Ever felt at one with nature and how the simple things in life come with just admiring beautiful flowers and watching the rolling waves come crashing in at the coast. Walking amongst the wildlife and looking out to sea can make one feel grounded, inspired or both. Imagine if the smell of that beautiful rose can just be placed on your skin in the form of a cleanser or moisturiser and nothing else was added in. This is when it all comes back to nature with some very special and exciting beauty products and treatments, I would love to share that are offered at Cuckoo’s Beauty in Cleethorpes.

All White Witch products are made using wild flowers, plants, oats and seaweed from the unspoiled coast and meadows, in front of the Atlantic Ocean. White Witch is a product consisting of all-natural vegan materials. Other products that are offered are Madam Glam and Jax Wax.  Cuckoo’s Beauty was the first salon in the U.K to offer treatments using White Witch skincare and I am sure other salons will soon follow.

I have sensitive skin (which I have previously stated on another post) and can sometimes get allergic reactions to different brands. Since using natural products when I worked in a beauty salon myself, I realised how beneficial they really are. It only seems like common sense to use raw materials on your skin and I think the nation has slowly become accustomed to this. You don’t have to be vegan to visit, but some have travelled far and wide to the enchanted little hideaway, filled with flowers and candles for a warm, cosy welcome.

I was given some beauty testers to try before my facial. The wild flowers cleanser left my skin feeling amazingly smooth with the little granules that carefully exfoliate the skin. The Burbury Fig moisturiser starts off with little granules, that slowly dissolve leaving a radiating glow. My skin had an even tone, like I was wearing foundation.

On arrival for my facial yesterday morning… the room was lit by candlelight and was so warm and welcoming. The earthy feel to the place with raw wood shelves, flowers and particularly the twinkling heart made from twigs added to the ambience of the place. This gave just the right touch, especially with all beauty products made from raw, earthy materials. The facial was so nice and relaxing. The products smelt amazing and I could have laid there being pampered all day. It literally feels like a nice hidden gem to escape to.

The facial was so nice and relaxing. The products smelt amazing and I could have laid there being pampered all day.

I can’t highly recommend Claire the Beauty Therapist enough. Not only is she very experienced and professional, who has given me many treatments before, but she is lovely person and kindness goes a long way.

Keep posted for new product and treatment reviews at Cuckoo’s Beauty.

See below for more information and to book…

Contact Claire at Cuckoo’s Beauty on 07523 111898 or info@cuckoosbeauty.co.uk

Location: Cleethorpes Business Centre, Wilton Road, Humberston, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire.

The end of an era…

The summer holidays have come to an end already! It doesn’t seem two minutes ago when I was planning all the things I can do with Isabelle and Alina. We have done a lot and when I say a lot, we have made the most out of this gorgeous weather. You really don’t have to always spend a lot to just appreciate days out at the beach, the woods and the local park. Having said that, since today is literally the last day, I have come to the point where I have ran out of ideas and looking forward to getting back into a routine again.

I love the black and white picture above of me and my two girls walking down a steep hill towards the woods. For me it symbolises where I am in life, the beginning of a path, heading for the unknown. It’s not quite unknown now, as I am certain I am on the path heading in the right direction, although for a year it really has been an uncertainty in what direction to take for the best. Now it’s a relief as I go on to start a new chapter in my life. This past year, I have had time to reflect on things and it’s not been easy. Now, I am moving forward onto pastures new and have a mixture of apprehension and excitement, but I am doing it for the two little people in my life. Everything I have and continually do in my life is for them. All I’ll say is that it’s going to be challenging, but I’ve got this. If certain events hadn’t have happened in my life, it wouldn’t have lead me to this path that I am on today. I am glad it has worked out this way in the end.

Talking of which, my daughters have grown even closer during the summer. It’s so nice they have each other to lean on. Yes, they do have their bickering moments, what sibling doesn’t? I just love how they look out for each other. There is four years between them but now Alina is approaching three, she’s stringing her sentences along brilliantly and they play together so nicely. I love how Isabelle tries to reason with Alina and how Alina will look up to Isabelle as well as looking after her too. She’s always giving her a hug and it’s just the little things that make you go all warm and fuzzy inside. They definitely have a strong bond… a bond that is getting ever more stronger, and I hope it stays.

I have made a collage of pictures below of the things we got up to over the summer. The six weeks that contains a lot of birthdays too. There are four generations of Leos on my side of the family, all in August and all of us are lady lionesses. That’s my nana, her daughter (my mum), me and my daughter. I wouldn’t know the odds on that one!

This llama don’t want your drama!

Alina helping Isabelle get something out of her shoes in the woods

My birthday

Little Victorian girls

Isabelle left me a cute happy birthday note outside

birthday

Sister bond

My mum’s birthday

birthday

Wales trip