Bubble bath

At Christmas time, I was spoiled by my sweetie who bought me a selection of bath ballistics from Lush, makers of the most divine range of handmade cosmetics, bath products, and soaps that look and smell good enough to eat. Seeing how I oohed and aahed over their gorgeous products while we had a few hours to kill in a shopping mall (not literally - obviously we didn't kill anyone), he found their main shop in town and chose some treats for me for Christmas.

It's rare that I have a bath for relaxation, but it's a luxury that I certainly enjoy. Tonight, with an empty house, a tired body, and three luxurious bath ballistics to choose from, it's time to tick off another 101 in 1001 activity: #43 - Have a bubble bath. Such a simple pleasure, yet one I've taken almost two years to do. Tonight's selection is called Lush Lil Pud (well, it was seasonal when he bought it). It smelled absolutely delicious and bubbled and fizzed all around me when I dropped it into the hot water. The photo (taken on my phone - excuse the quality) only looks half as cute as it did in real life.

Lil Lush Pud

Thanks, sweetie - you sure know how to make me feel good. :-) Now, my book and bed are calling ...

Pampering and high tea

Today is my friend's 40th birthday. Her partner organised a whole weekend of surprises for her, including a romantic weekend away in Martinborough, a six course meal with wine matching, and various other treats along the way. He asked myself and another friend if we could 'help' him by doing a "girlfriend girly girly soft and fluffy girlish thingie for her" today. Would we mind doing this to celebrate our friend's birthday? We were happy to oblige, especially when he said he had booked and paid for the three of us to have a two hour spa treatment, consisting of a massage, facial and foot bath "with wonderful luxurious copper foot baths and water jugs". While we conceded that this would require a lot of effort on our part, how could we refuse such a good friend? ;-)

And so we arrived in secret at Bodyhaven in the James Cook Hotel. The birthday girl was delivered to the door, very surprised to see us, and with no idea of what was ahead of her. We began with a relaxation massage, the three of us side by side and serenaded by the sound of rainforests. Under strict instructions from my osteopath to change positions every 15 minutes to prevent further damage to a disc in my back, this appeared to interfere with the masseuse's planned routine, so I found myself squirming and wriggling for the best part of an hour or so while she worked around my body. I hesitantly anticipated the facial, my first. I'm not sure what was in the face mask, or what was used to cleanse and exfoliate, but my face and neck is now super-smooth. However, I'm still slightly worried that my hypersensitive skin might start burning at some stage, as I've been known to have this reaction to even the most gentle of products (especially those containing sunblock). Time will tell!

The copper foot bath was ... interesting. Not being someone who is partial to having their feet (or legs) touched in the best of times, I found the temperature of the water almost unbearably hot and had to ask (beg?) for some cooler water to be added to the mix, even though we were assured that "the temperature is correct". Gulp. However, having Earl Grey tea leaves (which supposedly are good for softening skin) floating in the bowl ... well, I don't think I'll be repeating that experience in a hurry.

Then it was on to high tea. I had been particularly looking forward to this as I haven't had high tea before but am hoping to hold an outdoor tea party this summer and I need ideas for what to bake. We were offered a choice of teas or coffee to accompany our food. Starting on the bottom tier, we enjoyed mince savouries and delicate crustless club sandwiches skewered with stuffed olives. The middle tier held sweet treats: miniature cheesecake and brownie pieces and tiny cups of chocolate mousse. On top were small scones with jam and clotted cream, chocolate cookies and strawberries dipped in chocolate.

High tea at James Cook

What an amazing afternoon of pampering with girlfriends! I'd like it known that I'm happy to volunteer my services if anyone else needs 'help' of this kind for future events.

A bath by candlelight

For me, I find very little that is more relaxing than a long soak in a warm bath in the evening. Throw in some epsom salts and light a few candles ... such a simple act, yet complete bliss.

So, how on earth does a simple act like this become one of my 101 goals, right up there with some big life-changing things? Well, I honestly can't remember the last time I just had a bath to relax. I've occasionally had one following a massage, or to relieve a sore back/arms/neck etc. But this kind of indulgence ... well, it's been a long time. Until tonight, that is. And the candles? There's no more forgiving way to create such subtle ambiance. Ahhhh.

Relaxation massage

Today, I carried out a goal I was really looking forward to: #42 - Have a massage. After my relaxation massage course a few weeks ago, I was keen to get back onto the table for myself.

For Valentine's Day, my sweetie gave me a voucher for a relaxation massage. He shopped around and decided that nourishe was the place for me; he was right. Deborah performs miracles; she quickly figured out where the tension was in my body and worked to release it. I was tempted to stop and ask her a couple of times how she was doing certain things (which I didn't recognise from my course), but I was in such a state of bliss that I didn't want to move or even speak. I will definitely be back sometime in the future.

Ahhhh.

Relaxation massage course

I am a tactile person (not a kinesthetic learner), meaning that I like to touch and my senses are stimulated by touch. As a result, I love massage, both giving and receiving them. Mmmm.

A while ago I changed one of my goals to take a course in relaxation massage. (I find it hard enough to make it to my usual Ceroc classes each week, let alone a structured course in ballroom dancing, hence the change.) Massage something I've always been interesting in learning more about, after having years or remedial and relaxation massages myself. I'm not looking to set up my own business although, quite scarily, I'm now qualified to do so, as massage is an unregulated industry in New Zealand. I already have a willing line of friends along with my sweetie to practise on.

I spent Monday and Tuesday on a two-day 15 hour course in relaxation massage. We learned basic sequences for massaging the whole body, including a range of techniques which could be adapted and used on different parts of the body and for various effects. This includes both effleurage and petrissage strokes. It is incredibly important to be aware of your own posture as you give a massage; your body tells you very quickly when you're using your back/forearms etc to follow through with movements instead of bending your knees and using your whole body for support. I came home from both days physically exhausted and needing more massage myself ...

I was surprised at how much we managed to cover in two days. Each sequence involved watching a demonstration, then giving and receiving ourselves. Some parts were quite challenging; personal space goes entirely out the window, along with any inhibitions you may have!

My sweetie gave me a voucher for a relaxation massage on Valentine's Day. I'm now really looking forward to using it (well, I was looking forward to it anyway) but will no doubt experience this massage in a different way to how I have in the past. I might try and book in an appointment sometime next week. It's another goal for me, as was the course: #62 - Take a course in relaxation massage.