Tonic Social

Now you all know....this girl loves a good cocktail or two! So when I was invited along to a cocktail and menu launch at Tonic Social in Bournemouth....I mean, it was a tough decision but....I forced myself.

Dragging my best mate along (kicking and screaming at the idea of cocktails and food a'plenty obviously) I headed to a bar I never knew existed, in a location I pass all the time. Ten out of ten for observation Emma! Tonic Social is nestled below the Hilton in Bournemouth, ideally placed for town-centre food and drink, with a fantastic terrace, tailor made for summer-evening Gin and Tonics.

Awaiting us was General Manager, Vince, and his team of staff, plus two visiting chefs, poised to tell us all about their upcoming events in collaboration with Tonic Social. First up was Maciek from Molecular Magic who, according to his website, "loves to provide the creative fair to wow your palette and exquisite presentation to delight your eyes". Think, Bournemouths answer to Heston Blumenthal. Macieks upcoming event at Tonic Social is on the 30th April, and I am assured of dry ice and food hanging from the ceiling. Make of that what you will and book your tickets to see for yourself.

Next up was Chef Kamil from Art Sushi who wowed us with sushi making right before our very eyes... this of course went down magnificently well with Liz, my friend, who despises fish....however, I will point out that Kamil's sushi actually managed to change her mind! Its just that good folks.
I can certainly back up just how bloody tasty the sushi was, I demolished several of the blow-torch seared salmon masterpieces, along with one or two of something else which contained prawn marinated in tea.....along with several other flavours (I know there were mushrooms....) Check out @artsushi_uk on instagram and find out more about Kamil's events and lessons.

Food kept coming with dishes from executive chef Matt Budden who whipped up a selection of 'nibbles' including marinated olives, garlic bread, lamb samosas and crab & salmon parcels. Honestly....I am still salivating over those salmon/crab parcels. All of these items are available on the menu and make the perfect 'sharing board' for nibbling on whilst enjoying a drink or two.

Speaking of drinks....during this time, the incredible bar staff were whipping up an incredible selection of cocktails which we sampled (Its a tough job folks, but someone has to do it!)... including a variation on a Pink Lady, a Prosecco Margarita.... and an Espresso Martini made with Conker Cold Brew. Given the town-centre location of Tonic Social, the gorgeous interior, the friendly staff and the welcoming atmosphere, I will most certainly be returning for cocktails a'plenty....and highly recommend anyone local do the exact same thing.

Head over to Tonic Social's website here to check out their upcoming events, menus, cocktails list and opening times. 

Emma-Louise

Eforea 'Speed Spa' at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton

Full disclosure, this experience was gifted as a press treatment, however, all feedback and opinions given are my own.

The concept of a spa is just blissful to me, I would love to be one of those women who 'pops' to the spa once or twice a month....just to unwind.
As a mother of two boys, this alone cuts my 'me' time down to a bare minimum (not that I would change this fact for the world), but added to that, I also work in finance, run a Beaver Scout group and direct a Pantomime....so my time allotted to spend on me, time for pampering....is extremely limited, and for the most part, non-existent.
Generally I will make sure I have a couple hours, late on a Thursday evening once the kids are in bed and I have finished up with work, to box-dye my roots, paint my nails, and of course, slap on a coat of fake tan....and that folks, is my 'pamper time'.

So when I was invited along to check out Eforea's brand new 'Speed Spa', I jumped at the opportunity. The concept seemed tailor-made toward people like myself....busy mommas, heavy workloads, those with limited time on their hands who are just as deserving of the opportunity to unwind, relax, pamper themselves and get the treatments they're truly struggling to fit into their everyday lives.
Eforea have designed their brand new addition to their incredibly gorgeous day spa, to fit in with busier schedules.... for individuals who don't have as much time to take out for themselves but who want the same results from a treatment, in a shorter space of time. Here lies the basis of their tag line #MakeEveryMinuteCount

Find out about the full range of Speed Spa treatments available here

Arriving at the spa, the entrance lobby is utterly stunning, and the welcome is immediate, friendly and with a smile....just the way I like it. Before my treatment I was given a full tour of the facilities, including the cafe, speed spa, day spa and the outdoor terrace.... given it was a tat nippy thanks to storm Jorge? Dennis?... or whichever one we were on that week.... I decided to give the terrace and its hot tub a miss...however inviting. I headed back to the cafe to await my facial and, with a glass of bubbly in hand, had a chat with a lovely member of staff who chatted through my skin needs and recommended a facial which would suit my requirements and give me the results I was looking for.

Lola was my therapist for my facial and I honestly cannot recommend it more.... the chairs!! oh my goodness the chairs! I need one for my home! The massage chairs in the speed spa massage you from head to toe whilst you are having your facial... thereby giving you a full body pamper in record time. Now let me just clarify...this is not one of those 'massage chairs' like you get people demo'ing in the middle of shopping centres and feels like you're being repeatedly pummelled in the small of your back by two metal fists.... oh no folks! this is so much more.
Reclined and somewhat 'encompassed' by this chair, the massage motions grip your arms, legs and shoulders and has three levels of intensity for an all over massage. I honestly could have spent the rest of my life in that chair.
Meanwhile. Lola spent thirty minutes ensuring that my face was suitably cleansed, toned, moisturised and well and truly pampered with the most beautiful feeling and smelling range of Elemis products. Ultrasonic vibrations are then used to draw out all the impurities in the skin and slough off the dead cells. Galvanic currents then help to re-energise and restore moisture.

Feeling incredibly relaxed and with a face as soft and smooth as the proverbial baby's backside...I headed in to the day spa to explore the facilities properly. A beautifully decorated lounge is the middle ground between the spa and treatment rooms....giving guests the perfect waiting space for their upcoming treatment. Relaxation 'pods' then hung in a dark and silent room, for those wanting to completely wind down and shut out the outside world for complete relaxation. Heading past these and through the changing rooms, the hydrotherapy pool, bio sauna, foot spas, ice bath, light and dark steam rooms and heated mosaic loungers beneath a twinkling, star studded ceiling awaited. Further through from here again lay the outdoor terrace, complete with hot tub and a seating area.

Whether you are heading here for the day, or popping in for a swift treatment, I cannot recommend Eforea Spa at the Hilton Ageas Bowl more. The staff, facilities and treatments absolutely blew me away and I will definitely be back!

International Womens Day

I didn't really intend to post much in the way of content this 'International Womens Day'.....however, having received a couple of comments and messages last night, I felt it was, actually, the ideal time to speak up.

I had in fact, posted a couple of photos from an outdoor pursuits weekend which I attended as a Scout leader... next to an old modelling shot from about two years ago. This sparked some negative feedback from a couple of people, questioning my suitability as a Scout leader, as a role model... and most confusing of all.... noted that I 'didn't seem the type' to be involved in Scouting, or indeed outdoor pursuits. 

Firstly...there is no such thing as being the right 'type'! 

I modelled for a while, however, this does not define me or what 'type' of person I am, or indeed portray myself as. 

And then I am also a Scout leader, and was a Scout when I was younger too...my whole family have been in scouting and its a part of my life and a part I truly love. 

Yes, the hair extensions get taken out and the makeup gets taken off for Scouts...but I can take pride in myself and still be a good Scout... I can still be made up on a day to day basis and then still enjoy lobbing axes and spending an evening round a camp fire. 

STOP JUDGING PEOPLE ON THE EXTERNAL

Life is full of variety...as are people. Embrace it! 

Secondly...Yes I am perfectly suitable to be a Scout leader and am very much able to be one (thank you to the person who checked that with me) 

My life outside of Beavers is mine to do with as I wish......I do not portray myself in an inappropriate way during my time in Scouts. I am careful to ensure that I represent and conduct myself in a way which befits the Scouting movement whilst in uniform, when speaking with Scouts or their Parents, and via accessible social media by my Scout group. 

However, outside of Scouts I drink, model, wear a shit load of make-up and hair extensions, and swear a little too much....

This doesn't mean I'm not a fucking awesome Beaver leader! 

I hope this clarifies things. 

So to all you ladies out there being shamed for portraying yourself a certain way on social media, being told you 'don't seem like the type to be capable of that', being told you shouldn't be doing certain things or don't fit into other peoples ideas of how you should look or act....sod them! You do you...because YOU is frikking awesome. 

This girl right here can be a (retired) glamour model one minute and then pitch a tent, fire an arrow, climb a mountain or throw an axe the next. 

#ThisGirlCan 

Emma-Louise