Twelve memorable moments: February

Image from Puma Hotels

So month two and I was going strong with my ideas. It was my mums birthday and I decided to seize the opportunity to do something different, something memorable. I wasn't quite ready for my sky dive but some beauty therapy couldn't go a miss..

Believe it or not but I have never been on a Spa day before. Yes, really. I've gone and had a tan, my nails done but not a proper Spa treatment. So, to celebrate my Mums birthday in style we decided to pamper ourselves.

We found a deal on Travel Zoo, a holiday and mini break deal site. I haven't ever brought anything off these sites before but thought we should give it ago when it was £29pp for access to a spa, treatment and afternoon tea. Being all optimistic we felt there wasn't much to loose.

A nice drive to the Cotswold and we arrived at the country hotel, The Lygon Arms. On arrival to the Spa we were offered our towels and slippers and told that disappointingly no other treatments were available than our pre book massage. Expecting this, we weren't completely disheartened and took into consideration the price we had paid is what we were going to get. We remained positive and ordered a glass of presseco which we drank in a seating area at the top of some spiral staircase (no drinks by the pool).

The pool area wasn't massive; there was limited seating (in which someone removed our towels whilst we were up in the seating area) and the pool was basic. It would have been nice to have some atmospheric music as it did feel like our conversations were clearly heard to everyone else but it was nice enough.

We were approached regarding some last minute facials which after about an hour we were told the beautician had gone home... great.

Stay positive....

The massage we had pre booked was amazing - just what the doctor ordered. Atmospheric music, a full briefing I really needed it. Starting light to firm to begin with I found it hard to adjust and found myself twinging when my pressure points were touched but it was definitely needed and with my tense muscles.

After a bit more relaxing we got dressed and moved across to the hotel bar for our afternoon tea. This was definitely the highlight.

We were served a selection of finger sandwiches and desserts on a plate - ham, cucumber, smoked salmon. Victoria sponge cake, mango dessert and a pot of tea and I was sold.

Overall I think for the value, it was a great deal and a lovely day out which lead to wondering between the country stores in the cotswolds (lots of Cath Kidson and Barbour).

I would definitely recommend using the deals especially if you want to try something different and are short on the cash. One thing I would say is not to go with too many expectations and enjoy it for what it is.

Twelve memorable moments - Take one - January

So I'm a bit late with the uploading but here is Januarys memorable moment... Firstly, for those who cannot be bothered to click all the way over to Twelve memorable moment of 2014 page here is the update...

 I decided to do a sort of bucket list for the year 2014. One thing a month that I haven't done before, that is memorable or can be classed as an achievement. I want to end the year with 12 key things to be proud about, to look back at as deafeningly happy moments.

So the first month. Ah the world is my oyster! (sorry I love that phrase) What could I possibly do?

Well I feel now maybe I exhausted myself early but either way, Im so chuffed. Ok, Im 23 and a complete virgin. Nope, I'm not talking about the birds and the bees, that definitely isn't your business. Im talking piercings. Sharp needles, holes in weird places.

Until January 2014 I have been metal, pierced, needle free. Not out of fear or protest, to be honest.... complete laziness. I begged my mum for years in primary school to get some glitzy studs but she told me I had to wait till I was a big girl....until senior school. I guess by then the novelty wore off and I 'CBA' as I probably said back then (ok, you got me, I still say it now). I just never was really bothered and I think I had a little fear of being the 1/100 people that get their earing caught on something and suffering a long, painful death of some sort.

So January 2014 came and I thought...YOLO. Yup, sorry, I really did.

And did I good. BOOYAH, two piercings. Yup, not one, two people! Check out the bad boys.

So for those still with me and want the story...one wonderful Saturday I casually asked the good people of Facebook to recommend the best piercing palour in town and I can say, they chose good. I went straight to the place of choice (a suspicious tattoo shop down a side street at the bottom of town) with my mum. Yes, Im so rock and roll.

I'll give it to the guy. He waited a good 3 minutes before questioning the inevitable... Why so long? Why now? And in cool, casual tone I replied 'Why not brother?' (Ok, not brother but you get the jist).

And within a few squinting minutes later, tadah! Hey presto. I am now, pierced! Not going to lie, it felt quite liberating for a small country girl like myself. The adrenaline was pretty fun, which I think now worries my poor mother after being left for too long alone amongst the beef men tattooing only god knows what.

But I did it, I achieved what seemed the unachievable. Dreams really do  come true people....