My first performance with Rock Choir

So, I did it! My first performance with Rock Choir went well two weekends ago - we performed at the Christmas Light switch-on in St Albans. As it was my first time, I decided to do the sensible thing and hide at the back, so there are glimpses of me, but thankfully I am not centre front for the whole thing! There are also glimpses of my smallest fan who was very excited at the prospect of seeing Mummy singing.

Here is the video  if you would like to take a look:

 

Review: Angel of Kindness by Joanne Rawson

It's not often I have time to sit down and read a book, and then if I do, it is normally a text book full of facts and information I need to retain. However, every so often it is nice to lose yourself in a good short story, and for one author, I am always eager to read anything she writes. Since my lovely friend Jo Rawson moved to Goa to be an author I have been an avid fan of her work. 

Jo's latest book is called "Angel of Kindness" and is a short story which is perfect for this time of year. Angel of Kindness is a very easy read and would appeal to those who like reading chic-lit. 

The story is set in Derbyshire at Christmas. Megan has returned home to her bi-sexual hippy mother who is not the most traditional of people. Finding herself back in her old town, with old friends, Megan is throwing off the shackles of a dreary marriage and a cheating husband, and reliving her misspent youth. Dragged to her old haunt (the local nightclub) by her well-meaning friends, Megan runs into a blast from the past, and wonders whether she made the right choices all those years ago.....

This story reminds me of going home for Christmas back to your old friends and family where time stands still whilst your life evolves. Set at one of the most picturesque times of year, Jo manages to conjure up a vivid picture of quintessential British life and the British traditions that surround Christmas. With a good dose of old Derbyshire charm thrown in this delightful short story warms the hear strings and just proves how the power of Christmas can bring people together.

I would definitely recommend having a read as the book is fantastic. I really enjoyed the plot line and found the characters really interesting. 

Angel of Kindness is available to buy here for just 99 cents via pdf and $1.23 for Kindle.

Disclsoure: I received a review copy of this story. All reviews are my own

Review: Espiritu Salon and Spa: Hair, Reflexology & Christmas Charity Donations

You know those pretentious kinds of Hairdressers or Beauty Salons where you walk in and you are met with cold stares from employees who look like they just stepped out of a celebrity magazine or fashion catalogue? A place where you immediately wonder what possessed you to even book an appointment, and why you thought it would be a good idea? Well..... I don't know if you have had that experience, but that's what I typically experience whenever I walk into anywhere vaguely beauty-related.

I wouldn't say I am a particularly girly person. I am not massively into beauty - mainly because I just don't have the time. My nails have seen better days, and the last time I went to the hairdressers was probably somewhere circa 2009. I loathe getting into the hairdressers chair and have them ask the dreaded question "so when did you last get your hair done" and have them visibly step back in horror at the answer I sheepishly give.

Well, with that sort of salon in mind, I have also been a bit wary of paying to spend a bit of me time in a Spa or Salon. So I was quite excited, but also a little cautiously apprehensive when my friend Lisa Pearson aka The Mummy Whisperer told me that she was opening a new salon and spa in Radlett. Knowing the lovely, friendly person that she is, and her vision to help women to look and feel good, I felt certain that the kind of Salon she opened up would be welcoming, friendly, and a place which makes women feel comfortable, and where they leave feeling fantastic.

Espiritu Salon and Spa, which is set in Battlers Green Farm, Radlett, does not fail to disappoint as a salon which is a bit different to what else is available locally. The salon offers both beauty treatments and hairdressing services. They also offer holistic therapies. Espiritu uses completely natural, organic products, which means that your body is not being exposed to any nasty chemicals or toxins when you visit.

Set in wonderful vintage surroundings, a trip to Espiritu salon is a bit like walking back in time. The salon and spa is dedicated to old-style glamour, with the most beautiful vintage wallpaper, and free beverages in vintage china - real teapots and all, whilst offering more up-to-date features like free wifi, free mobile phone charging and state of the art equipment for treatments. 

Having heard good things about the staff Lisa hired, I decided to bite the bullet and get my hair done. Pre-children I had highlights in my hair, and I wanted to get them put back in. My hair also needed a good cut having not been cut in a while (when do Mum's have time to cut their hair???). I booked in with Jo - a local stylist who used to work for a Salon I have visited before. Still a little apprehensive, I described what I wanted and she immediately understood. I felt very safe in her hands and her friendly manner really put me at ease. Having had highlights before, I know what a tedious, time-consuming process it can be, but I have to say, Jo was the fastest person I have ever known to do highlights. Her hands moved like lightning and pretty soon I was sitting under the dryer, waiting for the colour to take hold. My hair was soon washed and cut, and Jo spent time blow-drying it into a great style.

When she had finished, the end result was absolutely amazing. I was very surprised with how good the colour looked after having had a few bad experiences with other salons. Jo got the colour just as I wanted, and it was well distributed throughout my hair. I was really impressed with my experience of having my hair done. I was well looked after by Jo and the assistant, felt completely in safe hands, and I loved the result. I have found a hair salon I can trust and will be going back to!

After my fantastic hair treatment, Lisa asked if I would like to try a Reflexology treatment with the lovely Mandy. Reflexology is a system of massaging the feet in order to relieve tension and treat illnesses. I had never tried Reflexology before, but knew about it and had heard good things about it.

The environment of Reflexology is typically  like many other holistic treatments, in that it occurs a one-to-one basis, and takes place in a treatment room, with low lighting, music and a scented candle or similar filling the room. Personally, I love having holistic treatments such as a massage or similar, and so felt very at home in this environment. During a reflexology treatment, Mandy would typically start by taking her clients' medical history, and talking through any health issues or similar they had. After a chat, Mandy began my treatment. What followed was an absolutely blissful hour. I don't mind my feet being touched, but it may be a little strange for those who are a bit squeamish about people touching their feet. As Mandy massaged my feet, I was able to completely relax and I'm sure at some point I fell asleep and may even have emitted a little snore - I was so relaxed! The Reflexology treatment was absoloutely amazing.  After my time was up, Mandy left me to reacclimatise to my surroundings. She then talked through what massaging my feet had told her about my body. I must say that I was surprised when she was able to diagnose a minor issue - just from touching my feet! She told me how she would work through future reflexology treatments to try and balance my system out. I would definitely recommend a trip to Mandy if you have any health issues. She is fantastic. If anything, it's a blissful hour that could help improve your mental and physical health!

Mandy is especially experienced in Reflexology for women trying to conceive, and during pregnancy, so I would definitely recommend a visit to her for pregnancy-related conditions.

I would also recommend a visit to Mel for reflexology and EFT - she is also a great therapist.

Espiritu Salon and Spa is a fantastic place, It makes you feel relaxed and comfortable, and there is a range of treatments on offer - Hair cuts and colour, Nails, Waxing, Threading, Facials, Massage, Reflexology, Head Massage, Reiki, and more!!

Do go and make a visit to Espiritu Spa and Salon and book a treatment - you won't regret it!

Christmas Donations
Espiritu Salon and Spa are also very community minded. This Christmas, the salon is supporting Homestart Watford and Three Rivers. Homestart is a voluntary organisation which promotes the welfare of families with at least one child under five. Underneath their salon Christmas Tree, Espiritu will be collecting Christmas Presents for families with a child under five years old. If you are able to donate a present for a child under five, please do consider dropping one off at Espiritu if you are able.

It's easy to donate all you need to do is:
1) Wrap a present suitable for a child under five.
2) Label the present "girl" or "boy" - depending on who the gift is most suitable for
3) State the age of the child the present is most suitable for.
4) Drop off to the salon and spa at Battlers Green Farm, Radlett

Please deliver before December 13th 2013 if you can.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary Reflexology treatment in consideration for review, but even if I had paid for my treatment, I would still be writing this post to tell you all about this new fantastic place!

Something for Me: The One Where Mum Joined Rock Choir

In September, youngest started school, leaving me with some extra time during the day to do more work do something for myself. So, with all of this extra time on my hands, I decided to rekindle some old hobbies. 

When I was younger, I used to sing in school choirs and played a musical instrument in the school band. I also had singing lessons (classical)  and even performed in a few shows. Sadly, I was never going to be Katherine Jenkins, and so the singing lessons petered out quickly after I left school. However, my love of music (and singing in particular) has continued as I have grown older, and before I had children, I had a stint in a couple of adult choirs - the classical kind with sheet music and lots of serious music types. Even though I love singing classical music and performing songs in lots of different languages (o mi babbino caro) anyone?, I enjoy singing more contemporary current songs today - with a few songs from the Musicals thrown in for good measure!

When a friend introduced me to Rock Choir a couple of years ago, and I went to a taster workshop, I knew that I had found a place to rekindle my love of singing. I'm sure you've heard of Rock Choir - It's been running since 2005 and there are over 240 choirs around the country. There was also a TV series on it, so it's pretty hard not to have heard of it. Rock Choir doesn't require any audition or the need to read music (although for a muso like me - I do like to have the notes to see what i'm singing) but the words are enough and the songs are learnt by rote, so it's easy to include everyone. So once youngest set off to school, it left me free to join Rock Choir! I have been going for the last few weeks, and joining others filling the rehearsal hall with lovely harmonies and melodies. It has taken a while to get used to all of the clicking, swaying and clapping which accompanies the songs (a Rock Choir trademark) but I think I have finally got the hang of things - and a good job, because there are lots of performing opportunities for Rock Choir members. I joined a little too late for a couple of big ones this year - a concert at the 02 and singing at Wembley Stadium, but I have been encouraged to get performing, and so I am starting small which I think is good ......

I am excited as I will be doing my first Rock Choir performance this weekend at the switch on of our local Christmas Lights, followed by a charity concert the week after. Although I will probably be the one standing in the back looking hopelessly out of place amongst all of those pros who have been there since the choir began, I am looking forward to getting that buzz from performing again.

I am also looking forward to the girls seeing me sing. Eldest and youngest are both avid singers, with eldest following in my foot steps having Piano lessons and singing songs. She is desperate to join a choir, so hopefully this will inspire her, as well as providing a good opportunity for me to claw back a tiny bit of the sense of self that you lose when you become a parent. I'll keep you posted as to how it goes!

Phillipines Typhoon Appeal - Please Donate

A few weeks ago when most of the UK suffered terrible storms, even though we expected damage, I'm sure that it never crossed our minds that we could potentially lose our houses, or everything we own, or that the storm would endanger the lives of our friends and family. Even though it may blow down a few trees, we never expected damage which would require an international response.

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and those in the Philippines were faced with the same kind of weather that we recently experienced - but on a much larger scale. Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines on the 8th of November, bringing winds of over 195mph and creating a surge of waves over thirty feet which wiped out entire coastal communities. Thousands were killed, and those left behind are now left desperately trying to salvage what belongings, if any they can.

It is hard to imagine losing everything, trying to look after your children in the open-air, with no food to give them, or sanitation to keep them from getting ill. Those affected by the typhoon in the Philippines who survived the storm urgently need food, water, food sanitation, as well as clothes, medicines and other aid.

The Disasters Emergency Committee consists of fourteen member agencies who are mobilised to provide aid to countries who require it after being hit by disaster.

Please consider making a donation to the DEC to help fund aid in the Phillipines to get help to those who are suffering. They need the help of international communities to help them get back up on their feet.

You can Text the word DONATE to 70000 to donate £5.

Your full £5 donation goes to the DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal. This donation will be taken directly from your phone bill. Or you can donate online via paypal or via phone, or at a bank or post office, or via the red button.

When Videoing your Kids Goes Wrong.....

This week, eldest decided that she wanted to make a film of herself singing to go on her blog. Grasping an opportunity, we grabbed the video camera and headed outside. Easy I thought - "I'll press record, she'll sing her heart out and we'll be done in a couple of minutes". How wrong I was! Youngest decided that she wanted in on the action, and well... here's what happened next.....

Closely followed by this: 

Who ever said that videoing your kids was easy???