Throwback Thursday- VA Cabin Crew to Gold

When I left Virgin Atlantic eight years ago to open my own beauty salon, I never envisioned I would be standing here today as the BABTAC Beauty Therapist of the Year and having won their Gold Award for my contribution to industry! 

I loved flying and had been to every destination that Virgin flew to at the time. It was a wonderful way to see the world with such an amazing mix of people! I used to visit salons and spas in each destination to experience different treatments and get ideas for Orchids Hideaway. 

Another dream of mine was to open my own salon, I had been operating a treatment room out of a spare bedroom for five years and my client base was building. Flying turned into my days of rest because when I was at home my diary was full with clients and I had a waiting list. 

The time had come to spread my wings and open a salon working in beauty full time. A place had just become available in town, so that day I went to look at it and have never turned back. I have always been fervent about the beauty industry and enjoying sharing my knowledge and passion with others. 

I am available for business coaching, mentoring and beauty consultancy. Info@orchidsretreat.co.uk 

Monday Motivation- How to have that post weekend glow

Fitness Friday- NYC marathon training

This week I didn't get my next run in until Wednesday. Busy schedules, bad sleep patterns & family time outweighed the running time. I did a 3.5 miler and TRx with http://www.karendavisfitness.com/ on Saturday, and pump class on Tuesday to keep up my cross training. 

Wednesday was a wet start to the day, but I did have an audience of cows! Only in the new forest are cows roaming free on the sea wall! 

On the upside, my nutribullet arrived- I love it!! A fruit and vegetable smoothie for breakfast everyday with seeds and a few oats keep me full until lunchtime! 

With the reduction of cardio I have craved less carbs, so have enjoyed salads & stirfries for lunch and dinner this week. Loading up on vitamins and nutrients this week makes me feel less guilty about the lack of mileage! 

My goal is to raise $2,500 for Team for Kids to help children get into fitness. Click here to show your support.

https://runwithtfk.org/Profile/PublicPage/33186

Travel Tuesday: Desert Island Beauty & Wellness- Part 7: Tao Te Ching

A popular radio program in the UK called Desert Island Discs asks a variety of listeners which eight records they would take to a Desert Island. 

A friend asked me what my beauty version would be. So here's the beginning of an eight part Beauty & Wellness series about what I would take with me if I was only allowed one item. 

The seventh item I would take if I wasn't allowed a fully loaded kindle would be a book. It's a great way to switch off from life, get absorbed into another place and relax. 

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu is a book you can read again and again. Every time you read it you grasp something else from it depending what's going on in your mind & in your life. 

I've included a picture as there seems to be several editions printed, but this is my favourite. It was introduced to me by a friend in high school and it's been a book I've turned back to many times over the years. 

Travel Tuesday: Desert Island Beauty & Wellness- Beauty item

A popular radio program in the UK called Desert Island Discs asks a variety of listeners what they would take to a Desert Island. If they were only allowed 8 records what would they pack?  

A friend asked me what my beauty version would be. So here's the third entry of an eight part Beauty & Wellness series about what I would take with me if I was only allowed eight items. I've chosen one item from each category- skincare, makeup, etc. 

One of my beauty essentials is a lash conditioning and growth serum called LiLash. I have to import it from the United States and am one of the only salons south of London to sell it! It is anatural alternative to getting eyelash extensions. 

This serum is the number 1 in the world and it encourages lash growth and thickness. By using this product regularly it stimulates the natural lashes to grow and with continued use the lashes begin to thicken. In the heat and with limited resources on a desert island, maintaining a longer fuller appearance with a natural curl. This helps to open and frame the eye area, and with a pre-holiday eyelash tint it looks like you're wearing makeup! 

Travel Tuesday: Desert Island Beauty & Wellness- Fitness kit

A popular radio program in the UK called Desert Island Discs asks a variety of listeners what they would take to a Desert Island. If they were only allowed 8 records what would they pack?  

A friend asked me what my beauty version would be. So here's the fourth entry of an eight part Beauty & Wellness series about what I would take with me if I was only allowed one item. 

I love to run and have completed the European Marathon Majors. Running barefoot in the sand helps to build the foot muscles and is great for all over toning and strength building. It is important to wear a supportive sports bra because the breast tissue can stretch with the constant bounce caused from running. Victoria's Secret make the best sports bras ever! I love the support they give and bright colours make me happy. 

Soft sand running is great for your joints. “The soft sand surface and barefoot running means your stabilising muscles and joints work a little bit harder to keep you balanced. It’s insanely awesome strength work for your legs” says 12WBT Trainer Greta Truscott. 

Get out & enjoy a run on your holiday this summer Bisous! 💋

Travel Tuesday: Desert Island Beauty & Wellness- Makeup

The second item I would take to a desert island would be lipstick because it brightens the face even without any makeup on. 

The colour would depend on what I packed and the time of year, but red is a classic staple in any season. 

Anyone who knows me knows I always wear something on my lips because it completes any look- fitness, beach, glamour or day to day. 

It also can be used to add colour to cheeks if applied lightly, so it's multi purpose in the sense of one item only. 

A great quote from my favourite charity Look Good Feel Better!