February 2nd, 10 / by rachel
I’m one of those lucky people who were blessed with a Christmas birthday. I suppose it could be worse, say being on Christmas Day instead of the 19th, but it’s still bad. I’ve had years of excuses as to why people can’t attend a birthday bash (funny how they always expect me at theirs) or why it’s too expensive to get me two presents (again funny how they expect seperate Christmas and birthday gifts). Anyway, moan over and onto the real reason for this blog.
For my birthday just gone I received a gift voucher for a local holistic treatment shop. I have used another local place in the past but stopped going due to their growing use of crystals. Now I’m not dissing crystal therapy, I just don’t like it! Anyway after recents exams I decided to book myself in Saturday past as I reasoned I deserved a treat. I’m always a bit apprehensive about trying new places but I was not disappointed here.
Holistic Harmony have a lovely little shop jam packed with natural products, handmade jewellery and cards, scarves, crystals and books. The girl in the shop Jade was lovely and chatty and her mam Sharon, who was my therapist was just as nice, making me feel relaxed and easy from the moment I walked in. Once in the treatment room, it was deemed that I needed a relaxation massage. Although they have a price list, they do tailor treatments to the person. And then followed the most delicious and relaxing experience I’ve had in a long time! I would love to give you more details but I was so relaxed I kept dozing off.
At the end of my massage there was no rush to leave the room and even better Sharon was able to mix me my own recipe bath oil to take home for the tiny price of £5. Amazing. And better still my eco buddies, it’s all natural product. Sharon even explained they are registered with the Department of Trade and Industry for their products.
So the purpose of this blog isn’t to make you all jealous but to urge you all to hunt yourselves out a little gem such as Holistic Harmony. If anyone does live in the North East drop me a message and I’ll give you a number. If not get searching. I still feel relaxed three days on and it was worth every penny someone else spent on me. In fact I loved it so much I’m booked in again for pay day.
Posted in Treats |
January 16th, 10 / by rachel
So, new year, new me and with this in mind off I went to the sales. Well I say ‘the sales’ but when the only two items you buy are full price then I’m, sure this counts as everyday clothes shopping. I was armed with my two beautiful new shopping bags that fold down into handy pouches and was determined not to collect a single plastic bag. Easy mission I hear you cry!! Ah, think again. Flaming hard mission I can tell you.
Now we all know that plastic is bad news for the environment and some retail stores have moved to paper bags. Fine in Summer, not so good on a rain drenched Newcastle highstreet. Hence my eagerness to use my new bags for life. First stop was Superdrug: now although they still use plastic they do charge you two pence per bag. I felt rather smug as I informed the sales assistant that I had my own and prompty unfolded my bag. Easy peasy this bag lark and on the way I collect green karma points for my soul.
Marks and Spencer and John Lewis followed much the same pattern and another plus is you also prevent yourself being loaded down with bags of all different shapes and sizes. However my smugness faltered and my cool was tested in Wallis. I’d chosed two beautiful (but full price) jumper dresses and approached the till to pay for my wares. As the assistant went to bag my dresses I told her not to bother as I had my own. With a blink and a frown she told me to enter my pin and while my attention was elsewhere snuck my dresses into a plastic bag. No I said, I have my own. But they might click she said. But it’s the chance I’ll take I said. And here was the plastic bag standoff.
Now my dilemma was do I look like an idiot and argue with the assistant removing my garments from said plastic into fabric bag. Or do I take plastic and deposit plastic bag containing dressing into fabric bag? Well one look at her perfectly plucked eyebrow lined steely gaze had me reaching for the plastic faster than you can say ‘helloecoliving’!! And with that I slunk of of the shop along with my rapidly diminishing green karma points.
So the moral of my story is a) don’t be so bloody smug about your bag for life, b) get your bag out before approaching the till and c) get your mits on the items before the shop assistant does!!
Posted in Shopping |
Rachel Wright