Mother's Day is nearly here in the UK and I am sharing a little gift guide with some of my favourite products sent from brands recently, some of which would make perfect mother's day gifts for your mum or another special female relative or friend in your life.

This year Mother's Day for me will be a little different.  I am going to visit my daughter in Bath for the weekend.  I've booked a small Airbnb apartment.  We have Thermae Bath Spa booked for some relaxation and rooftop swimming, we will do some shopping and meet up with her friends, then we will have lunch on Mothering Sunday before I head home and see my son in the evening.

Like so many of these 'special days', Mother's Day can bring mixed emotions for lots of us, I won't see my own mum on the actual day but I will visit the care home as soon as I can and take some spring flowers, a card and most importantly be with her and hold her hand, 

This blog post includes gifted items and affiliate links.

What is Hypoxi?  I'd vaguely heard of Hypoxi but not ever really understood what it was or how it can help with weight loss goals.  And as I found out at Dorota's Lifestyle Studio, it is much more than just a weight loss treatment - it helps with fat loss from our midsection, skin health and is also a cellulite treatment, plus it is good for our general fitness as it encourages regular gentle exercise.  

​Over the last six years here on my blog I have regularly shared my ups and downs and love hate relationship with exercise! Starting with The Body Coach I was able to lose the half a stone I hated, create a leaner body and build some muscle which gives me my desired slimmer, shapely physique as well as helping me feel stronger. I would really rather not work out though! So you will see when looking through my blog archives, various attempts at exercise classes, personal training, walking and more. But I have never been able to fully integrate a love of exercise into my routine. Nutrition I am better at, I am guided by the 80/20 rule and eat a balanced, healthy diet on most days, it helps keep me slim and allows time off for holidays and socialising. But like everyone, lockdowns interfered with my enthusiasm. Initially during the amazing weather of spring and summer 2020 I walked daily but wine also featured heavily - well who doesn't love sitting in the garden with a glass (bottle) of chilled rosé. It was also a very stressful time for me, as it was for everyone, and comfort eating crept in.

But the last 6 months I have been determined NOT to exercise! I know I need to! I know it does me good! I tried out a new Pilates studio in Marlow and I genuinely loved the sessions I did - but why didn't I keep it up? I have my gym set up in my log cabin but still avoid actually doing anything!  

Then Dorota's Lifestyle Studio in Chiswick got in touch and asked if I'd like to visit, see what they offer and try out some of their treatments including Hypoxi.  I was intrigued by Dorota's personal story too. And I do love a trip into London, Chiswick is an affluent area, with pretty tree lined avenues, Chiswick High Road is full of my favourite shops and restaurants - 'Megan's at the Flower Market', yes please!  It is also easy access from the M4, so off I went!

This is a gifted blog post.

Collagen is the most common protein in our bodies, it is what gives our skin firmness but as we age the quality and quantity of that collagen decreases and around the age of 35 our skin laxity starts to decline and this is what leads to sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles. We all have different skin types and skin tone so these changes differ for everyone but most of us are keen to delay the signs of ageing if at all possible and without doing anything too drastic!

As a lifestyle blogger for women approaching and in their 50's I am so fortunate to be invited to try out and review different treatment and share what I find out with you my readers.  As part of my ongoing collaboration with ERA Skin and Laser Clinic in Thame, they have asked me to try out their radio frequency skin tightening procedure over a period of 6 months.

​My first blog post in this little series is to introduce you to radio frequency facials, explain how they help with collagen production and talk a little more about their benefits for maintaining a youthful appearance! I will then be back at the end of my treatment protocol to update you on my results!

This is part of a gifted collaboration.