Without any intention, I seem to have acquired a few little bits and pieces in the last couple of weeks which are well worth mentioning…
Well the week before last, quite a few members of my family were over in London for the week. It was fantastic fun! Lots of moseying about, eating and drinking and general merriment. It was like Christmas all over again! I stayed with my parents and my brother in their hotel in Kensington – a wonderful excuse to make frequent visits to Whole Foods Market. Not that I need much of an excuse to go there. I often go out of my way to go there actually. This is one supermarket which I could quite happily live in. In fact, I would even pay rent to live there. They have everything you could possibly want! Plenty of delicious food, fine wines, possibly the biggest selection of tea in London, books, I’m quite sure they even sell yoga mats! And last but not least, in the basement they have, in my opinion, one of the best cosmetics departments in London. So many of my favourite brands… Dr. Hauschka… Ren… Abahna… Jonathan Ward candles and John Masters Organics. Speaking of which, I picked up a great little John Masters Organics travel bag (I was, after all, on a sort of family holiday) filled with 4 of his best products – Citrus & Neroli Detangler, Lavender Rosemary Shampoo, Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk and Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Wash – each of which smell absolutely delicious and the hair products work wonders. If you don’t know this brand, specialising in organic hair care, I suggest you get to know it! And at £9.99, this little selection in Whole Foods is the perfect introduction.
John Masters Organics Travel Bag
My aunt who was also over from Ireland, made Liberty her first stop and there, she very generously bought me the most beautiful little washbag/make-up purse with a classic Liberty motif. My handbag has been so much more organised since! No more taking out mascara wands and eyeliners instead of pens! (That can be embarrassing) Thank you Liz!
Liberty Zip Purse
Useful zip compartment on the inside too!
And then my mother was buying some Essie nailpolishes for my sisters back home and she threw in one for me too – a classic French Manicure pink, Ballet Slippers. Thanks Mum!
Ballet Slippers by Essie
So when everyone flew back home on the Saturday evening : ( …. Where did I go? I went to the pub to watch the England vs. France Six Nations game and accidentally ended up at the English Team’s after party that night. Of course, there was a wonderful atmosphere! And some very charming rugby players… And the rugby raucousness continued into the Sunday with Ireland vs Scotland and a group of us Irish (and one English man) whiling away the afternoon in front of the TV with a few bottles of wine. Ireland won. And then there was dancing… And a late night burger… And home! The following day, I sentenced myself to the sinbin and a major DETOX for the following week. For 10 Days in fact. Today is my last day but I am going to continue the healthy living for so many reasons… Firstly, I just feel so much BETTER! I have that energy you take for granted when you are ten but later loose somehow along the way. Secondly, my body shape has been rapidly returning to the way it was before the trail of calorific destruction I have relentlessly been blazing down since December. Thirdly, I am sleeping so much more soundly and another thing, I look different, in a good way, and people keep commenting on that! My skin has improved and the whites of my eyes are really white and my hair is in good condition. Everything is just better! When I met an old friend for coffee (figure of speech here – just water for me thank you) yesterday, she commented on how well I looked and I told her about the detox… She wanted to know everything about it! And so I told her my secret and I’ll tell you too; it’s the The Organic Pharmacy‘s wonderful detox program. I say wonderful because it truly works wonders. My friend was so impressed that she asked if we could go down to The Organic Pharmacy right away so she could get it too. And so, off we went.
I suggest visiting the website and a branch of The Organic Pharmacy for full details and advice on the program but I will tell you that the great thing about it is that it is a realistic one. None of this you must live on lemon juice for 2 weeks nonsense. It has been designed to encourage sustainable permanent lifestyle/diet changes that are pleasant rather than punishment for the detoxee. For me it has involved, if not a complete elimination of coffee, certainly a massive reduction (the cold turkey headache was just too much!), 2l of water daily, excellent organic meals – I have been going to Jakob’s on Gloucester Road for a delicious lunch every day – no processed treats/bread/alcohol/cigarettes/red meat and lots of fruit, grains and vegetables. As the Homeopath in The Organic Pharmacy told my friend yesterday, “the great thing about it is it’s up to you how you do it. If you want to go ahead and spend this money and have a glass of wine on your detox, well that’s up to you but y’know, do the maths.” Certainly, the program makes you more aware of what you put into your body and the money I have spent on the detox capsules is indeed a major defence from the callings of my sweet tooth. I am sad to say that my detox is coming to an end and I will not be retoxing any time soon in the near future. Even if it is my birthday next week…
The Organic Pharmacy Detox Capsules and Liver & Kidney Drops
And speaking of birthdays, I got a lovely surprise email from Space NK‘s N:Dulge loyalty program on Monday, inviting me to come and collect a birthday treat. And what a treat it was! Kiss Mix, Eve Lom‘s renowned lip balm. Although I use many of Eve Lom‘s products, I had never actually tried this before but coincidentally in need of a new lip balm, I made my way to the shop on Kensington Church Street the other day, eager to try it. It is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you Space NK!
Kiss Mix by Eve Lom, Space NK
And last but not least, another gift – from my old housemate/best friend’s boyfriend who just returned from travels around South Africa and Egypt last week; a lovely South African beaded friendship bracelet.
South African beaded friendship bracelet
All very special things from very special people and places! Thank you thank you thank you!
