Cruelty Free Facial - Review

This review has been a long time coming - I've been a bad, bad blogger of late and not been writing. Life stuff but it's all under control.

Anyways - I've written about my beautiful friend Emma before, when she shared her cruelty free face mask recipe with me. She's an utter legend, and invited me to her beautiful beauty room Gold Holistic Beauty & Massage at Origin Health Club in Ripon, North Yorkshire, for a facial.

Chunky Monkey

I first realised I'd put a considerable amount of weight on when I couldn't get my arms through the arm holes in a dress that had always fitted baggily.

I'm happy to be curvy, and to carry a little extra. I've had two babies and I love food, so it kinda goes with the territory. But I absolutely draw the line at my latest fun discovery - I can't really breathe when I bend over to put socks and shoes on.

Smoke & Mirrors

Mental health awareness is growing, but the stigma remains. It affects over 350 million people world wide, and yet we still don't understand why it's such an issue.

Parabens - The Unknown Quantity

It’s so important to be aware of what you’re eating, drinking, breathing and washing your clothes in these days. All the allergies, cancers and other terrible things reported in the media; the fear is endless.

SLS – The Seriously Loathsome Substance

We all check our food meticulously, watching out for nasties such as too much salt or sugar, e numbers, scary sounding chemicals. Because you wouldn’t want to knowingly eat something that would cause you harm.

The Valentine's Day Gift Guide

I know, I know, it's an over commercialised made up holiday in the present day, but the old romantic in me does see the cute side of Valentine's Day. Obviously we should love our loved ones the other 364 days of the year too yadda yadda...

Cruelty Free Natural Face Mask

Busy mums (and dads!) might not have time to head out to the beauty salon for luxurious treatments and me-time, but you can treat yourself at home. Get the babies in bed, pour a glass of wine, sack off the ironing and enjoy this.

Spent Rhubarb Chutney

After making my Rhubarb Gin, I was left with a quantity of spent fruit that I was loathe to waste. After all, it had just spent two months in gin and sugar - it had so much more to offer!

Homemade Rhubarb Gin

I have a rhubarb plant that seems to go from strength to strength, even though I have successfully managed to kill any and every plant I have ever owned. Being the only one that actually likes rhubarb, however, it can be slightly trialing to find ways to make use of the fruit rather than let it go to waste.

Raw Parenting

Babies are precious, wonderful things. Miniature dictators of our hearts with smiles that melt us and sticky hands, that grow up all too fast into fiercely independent children that seem to need us less and less.

Crappy Christmas

For the battle-hardened Warrior Parents, Christmas can be a seriously daunting time. Possibly the most family-centric day of the year, and yet one of you won't get to see the children.

My Mushroom Pate

I love the idea of pate, but really struggle to eat it because I can't stand offal. As such, I've played around with a few ingredients and come up with my own vegetarian one that's absolutely delicious and so, so easy to make!

Tasty Tomato & Red Pepper Soup

Winter is the perfect excuse to enjoy delicious homemade soups. I tend to make batches and freeze them in individual portions, so that I can defrost a different one each day for my lunch at work.

New Year, New...

When 2016 came around, I made a series of non-resolutions. Promises to myself that I thought would make me feel better, look better, be happier.

All aboard the Gin Train!

The Wensleydale Railway is a heritage and tourist line, running from Northallerton to Redmire (through Bedale and Leyburn) in stunning North Yorkshire. Running heritage diesel engines and some steam trains too, the railway has a fascinating history and is now kept alive by a group of dedicated volunteers.

The Magic of David

You'll have seen me endlessly banging on about living with my mummy body and learning to love it. This is the first year that I decided I wouldn't wear a bikini on holiday, and this was a big thing for me.

Miraclesuit the Miracle Worker

I've always believed that shapewear and tummy control are reserved for old ladies with saggy wrinkly bits.

A Fresh Scoop

I've been doing lots of work with an awesome new brand called Fresh Naturals recently. Based in Leeds and run by Fliss (who seems just as mad as me - winner), the business sells cruelty free bath and beauty products, without the high price tag!

The Mummy Body

I recently posted about being a mum. The way I was ashamed of my body until I realised that it looked the way it did because I have created two beautiful miracles. And like cake. Must admit to the cake.

Returning to Tickton Grange

I've written about the absolutely stunning Tickton Grange and its gorgeous Hide Restaurant before, but was recently lucky enough to visit for a second time. Let's be honest, following the previous visit the hotel had a lot to live up to! It had been completely flawless, with beautiful decor, faultless service and impeccable food.