Leaving the north for a holiday in the sunny Southern Hemisphere is a tricky one. Not tricky in the sense that it's difficult to do - trust me, I could spend my days on the beach all day every day without a problem! But tricky in the sense that all you want to do is take in as many beautiful ocean views as possible while soaking up the sunshine yet, you know all the dangers of UV rays and the long term damage that each hour in the sun causes. I recently visited Mauritius and was reminded of not only the beauty of the island, but also the importance of looking after our skin in the baking hot sun. Whilst a sun-kissed look will last only a few weeks, the damage we do to our skin through sun exposure lasts years. Often sunscreen is not enough – we need a cover-up to aid in sun protection as well. The problem I find in warm climates is that the last thing you feel like doing is covering up completely - I mean, you're trying to cool down and it seems almost counterintuitive to add more layers. Am I right? Thankfully, the cool, light fabrics of my Sea Lily Hanna cover-up and sarong helped solve this dilemma. Made from 100% cotton, these garments are a lifesaver if you want to make the most of the sun whilst still protecting your skin. Now, if the thought of covering up in the sun leaves you with terrifying flash backs of your mom smearing sunscreen all over your face and squeezing you into some dreadful nylon ‘rashy’, then fear not. Fashion has finally caught up with sun-smart wear and the Sea Lily range is full of fantastic beach and poolside resort style garments. The Hanna cover-up has beautiful embroidered detail on the front and long sleeves to keep arms protected. It is the perfect ‘day to night’ piece as it can easily be teamed with some sandals and jewellery for summer evenings or thrown over a bikini during the daytime. Not only does Sea Lily have us rejoicing for allowing us to tick both the 'stay cool?' and 'stay cool?' criteria, but the brand is also dedicated to coral reef conservation. This is something that is very close to my heart. In 2013 I was involved in a coral reef conservation program in the beautiful, tropical Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. We built coral farms with the aim of rebuilding the coral population on the coast of Mauritius and in doing so rebuilding the homes of many a sea creature. Sea Lily donates a portion of each sale to coral reef conservation and so it seemed only natural to return to the island with garments that support the cause I was involved with years ago. As we go about our busy lives we may be unaware that coral reef destruction is a serious issue. The WWF believes that two-thirds of coral reefs are under threat worldwide, with 25% of coral reefs already considered damaged or beyond repair. With coral reefs forming the home of a quarter of all marine life, coral reef destruction poses a massive threat to our oceans. Whether you are heading to the beach or preparing for a coastal getaway, why not make a special effort to look after the world whilst looking after your skin as well? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

Looking for a great place to get a mani or pedi? What about a salon that offers a cosy atmosphere where you can sip coffee, tea or cocktails whilst chatting with a friend? If you find yourself nodding your head, then scheduling in a 'mani and mocha' date is a must and I know just the place! A friend and I recently caught up at London Grace, Putney for a shellac manicure and hot drinks times two! Whilst the wind was howling outside, we were snug and warm inside the cosy, pastel-toned interior of the salon on Putney High Street. The great thing about this nail bar is that it is also a cocktail bar....I mean it really doesn't get any better than this! The menu includes a range of cocktails, teas, coffees and non-alcoholic beverages so you can sip away whilst being pampered. It was an evening appointment and the salon was buzzing - clearly a popular spot for busy Londoners who want to fit in a catch-up and a manicure after work or simply want to treat themselves after a hectic week. And London Grace accommodates for the busy Londoner so well, staying open until 9pm most evenings and until 10pm on Thursdays and Fridays. With quirky named services such as ‘Stark Naked’ and 'Hunky Dory,' there's something for everyone, and you can choose between normal nail polish and gel. I say 'normal' but really, the London Grace nail polishes are not your average varnishes at all. They are in fact cruelty free and contain no chemicals, so a wonderful alternative for those passionate about a healthier mani. You can also reserve a table to a party, like for a girls' night or bridal party pampering as there is plenty of room to accommodate for a group. After a busy week at work, what better way to wind down and bring in the weekend than with a glass of bubbles and a girlfriend - catch up on the week's gossip, prep your paws and fuel up on some delicious cocktails before a dinner or night out? I will definitely be back! And I'm adding 'making my way through the nail polish colour palette at London Grace' to my list of goals for the year. Martinis and a mani anyone? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

Whatever time of the year you are reading this - now is the time to get healthy. And it can start off small, easing into one thing at a time to make it a positive, healthy habit. I'm a big fan of coconut everything - from coconut oil, to coconut scented beauty products, to eating the fruit and drinking it. Coconut is a go-to for its many health and beauty benefits. Coconut water is something I like to sip on, and recently had the opportunity to try cold-crafted, INVO coconut water. INVO uses high pressure processing to keep the nutrients from the coconut as pure and intact as possible. (Drinking an INVO is like sipping direct from the coconut itself!) I'm sure you are aware of the many health benefits of coconut water. If you're not, it's known to boost hydration, reduce blood pressure, facilitate digestion and aids in weight loss. Coconut water is rich in nutrients such as potassium, calcium and magnesium. In addition to the great health benefits, coconut water also has some pretty amazing beauty benefits when it comes to your skin. Thanks to its anti-microbial properties it helps to fight blemishes (much like drinking lemon water - but this is much more tasty!) It also contains a protein called cytokines that is responsible for encouraging cell growth and cell activation. Each bottle of INVO coconut water is packed with 5 essential electrolytes, which promotes rapid hydration.  It is low in sugar, 99% fat free and has as much potassium as a whole banana. You may notice that each bottle pictured seems to be a different color. I tested INVO's Pure Coconut flavor (they also have Tropical and Sencha Green Tea), and despite the color ranging from clear to a deeper pink, they all tasted the same and were completely refreshing (chilled is my preferred way to drink it.) The pink color comes from enzymes working to change the color of some of the beneficial polyphenolics found naturally in coconut water and do not affect the quality or taste. Do you drink coconut water? What are the benefits you've seen from it? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

If you’ve reached the point where you have tried what feels like every possible skin care product under the sun and still aren’t seeing results – trust me I’ve been there! I know how frustrating it can be to be doing all the things you are told you should be doing for your skin – exercising, cleansing, toning, moisturising and eating healthily and still wanting to wear a balaclava every time you step out of the house... A few months ago, feeling absolutely helpless after experimenting with every trick in the book and still looking like I had a mild case of facial chickenpox, I decided to give organic skin care products a try. Goodness knows why I hadn’t given this a proper shot before, but I just thought that these products couldn’t possibly deliver all the blemish, blackhead and wrinkle-free promises that the conventional, big skin care brands rant and rave about. Oh, how wrong I was. My skin has noticeably cleared up and feels far softer and smoother than before. Some mass market beauty and skin care products can contain ingredients that are harvested with pesticides and other harmful chemicals, they can also contain ingredients that can irritate the skin. So, whilst we think we are doing our skin a world of good and caring for ourselves, we are in fact doing the opposite. Our skin is like a giant sponge, so anything put on it gets absorbed. The hundreds of chemicals (yes, hundreds) that are in the conventional products we use on a daily basis soak into the skin and directly into the bloodstream. I have heard people say that putting chemicals on ourselves can in fact be even worse than consuming them, because not only is your skin the largest organ in the body, but it is also the thinnest. So whatever goes on gets distributed within, whereas when chemicals are consumed we are given the chance to fight them as the enzymes in our saliva and stomach break them down somewhat. I'm not a scientist and don't know if this is true, but the idea of it made me cringe. Now before you start rolling your eyes and thinking so what, there’s more. The damage that these concoctions we put on our skin can cause are not just skin deep (see what I did there?) - these chemicals are also hormone disrupting. Long term exposure to chemicals often found in skin care (but also cleaning, hair care and makeup products) can elevate estrogen levels, which is linked to a variety of conditions like endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and PCOS.– Without getting too technical on you, the endocrine system is a series of ductless glands that secrete hormones into the blood to regulate various body functions (adrenaline, insulin, etc). Endocrine disrupting chemicals are absorbed into the body and once in the blood stream they interfere with the natural production and action of naturally present hormones. So, whilst we are trying to do the best we can for our skin, the skin care we are using may actually be aggravating the situation by disrupting hormones. If all that is enough to make you want to rush to your nearest Whole Foods store and empty the shelves of the skin care aisle into your basket, there is one more thing to keep in mind – natural, organic and certified organic are not all the same thing. For a product to be considered organic, it needs to contain 70% organic ingredients. Although, that doesn't stop some brands from stating made using organic ingredients. Usually this means that potentially as little as one ingredient could be organic. And while a product could have 70% organic ingredients, the other 30% could be chemical laden. Certified organic on the other hand - now that’s what we want! Instead of stripping our skin of their natural oils and impacting our bodies’ natural hormonal functions, organic products have nutritional value – they nourish, repair, support and rejuvenate skin. Depending on the certifying body, this means that these products usually contain 95% organic ingredients with very strict regulations on the remaining 5% (unlike the previous 30%, which is completely unregulated.) It’s important to keep in mind, though, that the certification process can be very costly and often smaller skin care and beauty brands, which may in fact contain harmless, natural ingredients, do not have the budget for this. Seeing a certified organic logo on a product makes it an easy choice because you know all the ingredients are top notch, but you shouldn’t rule out other products that are natural or organic, that are not certified organic. What it comes down to is reading the label and understanding your ingredients while learning about the skin care brand that you are investing in. Because it is just that – an investment in not only your skin, but your health in general. So where do I start? The best thing to do of course would be a complete overhaul of your beauty cabinet, but this may be daunting, not to mention expensive. Why not decide to gradually replace your skin care range with certified organic products as and when you finish a product? Make sure that you are buying the real deal. Look out for the following logos on skin care products which are proof that the ingredients have been certified and meet all criteria to be truly certified organic (that is, at all stages of production ingredients have been grown without GMO's, synthetic pesticides or herbicides, antibiotics or hormones.) Remember that just because a product may not contain these logos, doesn’t mean it’s a no-go. Read the label and understand what you are putting on your skin. There are many natural brands out there that are completely safe. It all comes down to being equipped with the knowledge of understanding the label. Ingredients to stay away from: DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine), parabens (although many people are still on the fence as to whether this is truly a bad thing or not), synthetic fragrances, to name a few. Try these certified organic skin care brands: Origins – these products pride themselves on being powered by nature and proven by science. Each year Origins tests 600 ingredients to make sure that only the most active ingredients are used. Antipodes – Certified organic and premium natural products featuring Vinanza antioxidants from New Zealand grown avocado oil, Manuka honey and superfruit. Neil’s Yard Remedies – These products are truly nourishing and visiting one of their stores is an experience in itself as shop assistants genuinely care about living a natural, organic life and are honest and transparent about what the products contain. Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr– Made with the purest premium Australian organic ingredients. I would love to hear about your favourite organic skincare products! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

MAC Cosmetics recently opened at Macy's within The Viewmont Mall here in Northeast PA. I'm still very much a mall rat and you can find me roaming the stores here a few times a month in search of a great deal. I recently asked the makeup artists at MAC to put together a holiday makeup look for me to share (Thank you Shae!) I am all about that red lip in this look and those gorgeous smokey eyes! Skin Prep Step 1) Apply two or 3 spritzes of Fix+ Spray to prep the skin. Fix+ adds hydration to the skin, leaves skin feeling smooth and protected before applying foundation. Step 2) Apply Natural Radiance. Just two pumps massaged into the skin will help control oil production in the skin all day and mattifies for a flawless application. Foundation Application Step 1) Apply Face and Body Foundation with #160 brush. This is a sheer natural-satin finish foundation that moisturizes skin, gives up to 8 hours of flawless wear for any occasion and is transfer resistant. Step 2) Set the Face and Body foundation with #167 brush, lightly tapping Mineralize Skin Finish in the color of your choice (11 different shades) for a luminescent finish. It contains jojoba oil to help condition the skin. This can also be used to touch up during the day or night! Step 3) Highlight the high planes of the face (cheek bones, nose, forehead, cupid's bow, chin) with Mineral Skin Finish Highlight using the #116 brush for a glow. Step 4) Add warmth and a pop of color to the skin using Mineralized Blush and #116 brush. These blushes contain shimmer, which add dimension and shine to the cheeks. Eyes + Lips Eyes: Step 1) For a festive sexy eye look for the holidays and a timeless look, apply the Nutcracker Sweet Eye Bag prolongwear paint pot that comes in the special holiday gift set called "Dream Scene" with a #248 brush, lightly applying a thin layer on eyelids. Next, use a #217 brush to apply eye shadow in the shade "Fathoms Deep" in the crease to add depth to the eye and it adds a smoky effect as well. Step 2) Apply False Lashes Maximizer. This is a smudge proof, clump proof, flake proof and all day wear that is used to prep, plump and thicken the lashes before mascara application. This product is also essential to conditioning lashes after false lash application (strip or individual lashes during wear or after.) Step 3) Use False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara - as many coats as needed for desired lash effect! This mascara gives volume and curl, is smudge and flake resistant, and comes in a waterproof formula. Step 4) Apply Kohl Eyeliner in "Phone Number" on the bottom waterline and lower lash line for a smokey effect. Lips: Step 1) Apply MAC Lip Primer on lips, which helps prep lips for all day wear, prevents lipstick from feathering and provides immediate conditioning and moisturization. Step 2) Apply Prolongwear Lip Pencil in "He Said She Said," along the lip line and fill in entire lip with liner to create a bed for your lipstick to lay on for all day wear. Step 3) Apply lipstick (Nutcracker Sweet "So Good for You") on the entire lip for a beautiful pout. Step 4) Apply Vamplify Lipgloss in the shade "Smart Aleck" on top of of lipstick for a beautiful plump look for the holidays! If you are local here in the Scranton area - stop into Macy's at The Viewmont Mall and drop by the MAC Cosmetics counter to see these products in person and get personalized recommendations from their makeup artists. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

Even though I moved from South Africa some time ago, there are a few things that I haven’t been able to shake off. One being my excessive use of the word "shame," my unique pronunciation of words like "years" and "car," my love for biltong and…my obsession with rooibos! I drink rooibos every day and like most South Africans, I tend to think that it can solve many of life’s problems. Have a headache? Drink some rooibos. Have a sore stomach? Drink rooibos. Stressed? Put the kettle on – time for some rooibos. Pronounced ‘roy-bos’, the herbal tea is only grown in the mountainous Cedarberg region of South Africa and has a dark red, almost copper colour. It has a sweet, earthy taste and is caffeine free. Unlike some dark herbal teas, rooibos does not have a bitter taste and is not too overpowering. How to drink it: There are many ways to drink rooibos. Some people add a dash of milk and sugar, others have it black with a spoonful of honey. It also makes a delicious refreshing iced tea - just brew the rooibos with some fresh mint or sliced lemon and allow to chill. As the tea has gained popularity beyond the shores of South Africa, more and more variations are emerging such as vanilla rooibos, citrus rooibos and rooibos chamomile to name a few. Benefits: Yes, I’m super proud that this wonder tea is South African, but trust me that’s not the only reason I’m bragging about it. Rooibos has a seriously impressive list of minerals that aid in a variety of ways, from improved sleep to strong bones. Clear skin - Rooibos is acclaimed as one of the best beauty teas due to its anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants and enzymes that fight the aging process. These properties help soothe skin, decrease blemishes and fight free radicals. Healthy skin starts from within and drinking rooibos is a great way to feed your skin with the nutrients it needs for a natural glow. Zinc and alpha-hydroxy acids found in rooibos help clear skin, heal wounds, reduce the signs of aging and reduce inflamed, acne prone skin. Strong bones - Rich in minerals such as manganese, fluoride and calcium, rooibos promotes healthy bones and teeth. Manganese stimulates enzymes in the body used to help repair bone damage and build bone mass and therefore drinking it may help prevent arthritis and joint pain. Digestion - When I was younger I suffered from sharp pains in my stomach and you guessed right – I was always given a warm cup of rooibos to help soothe the pain. The antispasmodic agents in rooibos activate potassium ions in the body which help ease stomach cramps, indigestion and abdominal pains. Healthy hair - Zinc alongside copper, calcium and potassium strengthens hair fibres and promotes healthy hair growth. Helps regulate blood sugar - The aspalathin antioxidant found in rooibos tea helps regulate blood sugar and improves insulin resistance. This can help prevent the development of type II diabetes as well as stop sugar cravings due to spikes in blood sugar levels. So, next time you find yourself tempted to devour a cheeky Mars bar, turn the kettle on instead and stay on track with your health and weight loss goals. Blood circulation and a stronger immune system - Chrysoeriol in rooibos aids blood circulation and is linked to reducing cholesterol. The polyphenols in rooibos assist in preventing heart related illnesses and boost the immune system to help protect the body against cold and flu. Improved sleep – Being naturally caffeine free and rich in calcium and magnesium, rooibos is the perfect bedtime beverage to help you wind down. Studies have found that when calcium levels are high we sleep a lot deeper. The brain uses calcium to manufacture melatonin (the sleeping hormone) and magnesium has a natural calming effect on the nervous system so together these two minerals help increase the quality of our sleep. Where to buy it: You should definitely book your air ticket to South Africa right now to purchase some of this beautifying brew – that’s a good enough excuse, right? Alternatively, rooibos can be found in most health shops and increasingly in many supermarkets. Some of my favourite variations are: Pukka Rooibos Honeybush – sweet and fragrant, with a hint of honey Tick Tock Rooibos Tea – Tick Tock offers a few different rooibos teas namely vanilla rooibos and rooibos green tea. I usually stick to the original which has a strong, earthy and almost nutty taste. Do you have a unique way of drinking rooibos? What’s your favourite variety? We’d love to hear from you! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

Eat your greens, avoid gluten and dairy. Eat less red meat, drink more water. Floss, moisturise, stretch, meditate. Stress less, sleep more. Add green tea to your diet, cut out refined sugar. Exercise every day, take your multi-vitamins, don’t slouch… Woah, woah, woah – slow down. How on earth can I do all of that? We are constantly reading and hearing about what we should and shouldn’t do and going into the new year places even more pressure on us to reassess our lives, our habits, our diet and our routines. It’s easy to get overwhelmed though and think, "if I can’t do it all, then there’s no point doing any of it." Before you know it, you find yourself on the couch chowing through a whole packet of Kettle crisps. It’s important to remember though, that Rome wasn’t built in a day the same way that the abs on that girl on Instagram didn’t just happen overnight. We must work for what we want. We need to set goals and practice self-affirmation along the way. Baby steps, weekly changes. I’m no fan of fad diets and believe that health is a lifestyle choice and a journey. Setting a goal for yourself at the beginning of the week is a great way of making small, realistic and attainable changes in your life. It may be as simple as going for one run a week. This may be a big step for you, but once you’ve overcome that challenge, you could say to yourself that the following week you will go for one run and get to bed 20 minutes earlier than usual each night. Week three could see you cutting out red meat for one day, and week four you may set the goal of drinking 2L of water a day. Eventually, by the end of one month you could look back and see that you have been on 4 runs, slept 10 hours more, reduced your intake of red meat and have clearer skin and fewer headaches due to increasing your intake of H2O – wouldn’t that be nice? Keeping a daily journal is an important step in attaining your goals by being more mindful and organised. It keeps you accountable to yourself, helps you to track your progress and when you have those days when your mood is lower than usual, you can flick through the pages and see all the little wins you’ve had along the way. Remember – a person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. In fact, the biggest mistake of all would be to decide to do nothing – you can only benefit from trying to live a healthier, more active lifestyle. Here are some simple ideas of small changes you can incorporate into your weekly routine. Make sure to plan it all out in your wellness journal:

• Start your day with a warm glass of lemon water. This aids digestion, boosts immunity and helps flush out toxins. You'll even see clearer skin.
• ‘Meatless Mondays’ – have one day a week where you opt for the vegetarian option. Eating less meat will help you consume less fat and lower your risk of heart disease.
• Pack your lunch (even if it’s only once a week) - you’ve been sitting at your desk all morning, have a to-do list as long as the Great Wall of China and the fastest lunch option is ducking down to Pret and grabbing a baguette. Why not prepare your lunch the night before or on the weekend before your work week even starts? Steam some vegetables, pack some tuna and quinoa and prepare your lunches way before hunger sets in when you’re more likely to make unhealthy food choices.

• Add chia seeds– This is a superfood of note! They are loaded with anitoxidants and minerals such as manganese, iron, magnesium and calcium. They are proven to reduce insulin resistance and improve blood sugar control. Add chia seeds to your porridge, smoothies, salads, just about everything! And the best thing is that 2-3 tablespoons is all you need to fulfill your daily requirement of omega-3s.

Do you keep a health and wellness journal? If you have easy, healthy daily habits that you’ve incorporated into your routine please leave a comment!

Believe me when I say that, at times, I am the biggest culprit of trying to do a million things at once. Whether it be applying my mascara on the bus whilst scrolling through Instagram and talking to my mom in Australia on the phone. Or watching the latest episode of Homeland (okay, I'm about 4 seasons behind...bear with me!) whilst reading the latest issue of Women's Health mag and touching up my nail polish... I've developed a terrible habit of feeling 'lazy' if I am not trying to cross at least 3 things off my to do list simultaneously. Society has glorified the ability to multi-task and living in the city has only fuelled this habit. It seems as though everyone is doing it all around us - we all know those stressed out business people on the tube in the morning balancing a Pret coffee and bacon roll in one hand and the morning's copy of City A.M in the other, trying to catch up on the news....whilst on a conference call. It feels like there's a stressful vibe all around us wherever we go. I recently visited Copenhagen where I was absolutely amazed at the happy, relaxed and blissful nature of the Danes. I spent a short weekend in the capital city with a girlfriend, but unlike the usual ‘hurry scurry’ of a weekend city break-away (think minimal sleep, rushing onto the Gatwick Express after work on a Friday and back at your desk Monday morning before you know it, not knowing your head from your tail, wondering where your weekend went), we returned relaxed...quietened.... refreshed! We both noticed that the pace of life was a lot more relaxed. People walked slower, they took time to talk to each other in the street, the shop windows were lined with candles and the cafes actually wanted you to stay, to linger, to savour the moment. Our favourite was Laundromat Café where we spent what felt like hours; precious hours of quality time, playing board games and chatting over herbal tea. And unlike what can sometimes be the case in cafes, we didn't have the waiter popping over asking the almost rhetorical question of, "Would you like anything else...?" which we all know is code for, '"Seriously, you've been here for ages, can you please either order something else or leave." These cafes encourage guests to stay - even if you only order one cup of tea each and lose track of time as you immerse yourself in a game of chess like we did. The Danes must be doing something right. They’ve been voted one of the happiest nations on Earth, they have one of the longest life expectancies and they’ve mastered work-life balance. One of the main reasons behind this happiness is the concept of Hygge – pronounced HUE-gah. Hygge is uni-tasking, it’s the art of enjoying the simple things in life, living in the moment and replacing the feeling of guilt with enjoyment and pleasure. It’s the company of family and friends, the scent of your favourite soy candle burning whilst indulging in a bubble bath, a warm cup of tea in front of the fire, having a warm shower and hopping back into bed on the weekend and the sound of the pouring rain outside. Hygge is taking time out from the ‘go, go, go’ of everyday life. It’s cosiness, being relaxed and balanced, the feeling of togetherness, the absence of anything annoying or stressful…it’s a bit like that, but it’s more. Hygge can’t really be described – it has to be felt. So how can we incorporate hyge into our lives? Make Time – set time aside to hygge. Start by setting aside just ten minutes a day to switch off and do something you love. Sink into a warm bath, savour the taste of your warm tea, sit down and have your breakfast without any distractions instead of eating at your desk scrolling through your inbox. Atmosphere – a major part of the stylish Scandi minimalist look is lighting. Create a space that you feel relaxed in – it’s all about lamps, fairy lights, and warm bulbs. Transform your space into a hygge haven with cushions, rugs, throwovers, candle light…now that’s super hygge! I spray Neom De-Stress Home Mist on my pillow each night before I go to bed to help create a tranquil atmosphere. Be Cosy – snuggle up on the couch with that soft fleece blanket that you love and those woollen socks that you’ve had for way too long, but can’t face getting rid of. These cashmere socks look blissful…Christmas wish list anyone? Be Grateful – keep a gratitude journal, take time to think about all the things you are thankful for, write to your loved ones and tell them how much you appreciate them. Bake – I have such fond memories of going on road trips in South Africa with my family as a child, stopping at bakeries along the way for ‘provisions’ as we liked to call it! Who doesn’t love the smell (and taste!) of a freshly baked chocolate cake or homemade bread? Going to your local bakery is very hygge or why not create a masterpiece in the kitchen and invite a friend over for some ‘taste testing’ and chats. Be Still – switch off from the rest of the world from time to time, have technology-free hours. No Instagram, emails, Twitter….I know, I feel you! Get in Touch with Nature- being in nature helps clear your mind, helps us to put things in perspective and reduces stress levels which helps boost self-esteem and energy. Being in nature reminds us to enjoy the simple things in life – the fresh air, sound of the birds, the lack of congestion. Organise a day trip to the countryside or a walk in a forest. Be Mindful – eat together at the dinner table with your loved one, family or housemates each evening, take your time to eat, be mindful of what you are eating and the conversation you are engaging in. Be present. Spoil Yourself – buy that beautiful bouquet of flowers from the corner shop you pass on your way home from work every day. Quite literally taking the time to smell the roses can bring such joy to your home. Go for a massage or have a home spa day with your favourite products. Togetherness – start a new tradition, invite friends over for tea once a month, a board game evening, or movie night. Create memories or why not reminisce of past adventures whilst looking over old photos together (although on second thought, cringing over that fringe you were rocking in 2008 may defeat the hyggely state you’ve just tried to create!) For more tips, and for a hyggely afternoon of reading, try The Little Book of Hygge. How do you hygge? Leave a comment and let me know!

I'm always looking for new nail trends to try and one that I spotted recently that really caught my attention were Black Matte French Tips. And really, it makes sense. A French Manicure is always classy and black nails are a hot trend for Fall, so why not put them together for a chic look? We love it! There are two easy ways to create this look. If you can get your hands on Layla Ceramic Softouch in Noir Touch and Layla Ceramic Effect Nail Polish in Black Star, you can create this look in just 3 easy steps. 1. Apply a base coat of your choice. (We recommend Orly Bonder Basecoat ) 2. Apply a smooth, even layer of Layla Ceramic Softouch in Noir Touch and careful not to go outside the lines or get it on your skin! 3. Just to the tip, apply Layla Ceramic Effect Nail Polish in Black Star. Almost everyone has a mattifying top coat like Essie Matte About You that turns any color / any nail polish brand into a unglossy, matte finish. You will need this, tape and black nail polish for the next tutorial. 1. Apply an even layer of Bella Pierre Nail Polish in Ebony on all your nails. 2. Use a small piece of tape to cover just the tips of your nails. We recommend only doing 1-2 nails at a time. 3. Polish the remaining exposed portion of the nail with a matte top coat like Butter London or Essie. 4. Carefully remove the tape towards your cuticle so that the tape comes off in one piece and doesn?? tear. It is best to remove the tape before the matte top coat dries completely so that the tape will come off easier. 5. Do steps 2-4 on your remaining nails, doing just 1-2 nails at a time. Then, voila! You have a gorgeous French mani in just a few minutes. Now wasn't that easy? Here is our picture tutorial: Thanks to The Fashionable Housewife for providing us with this awesome nail art tutorial! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

You would love to try yoga, but it seems intimidating and you're not sure where to start. Here are some easy steps to ensure your first yoga experience is a good one.

Research: Find the class that's right for you

1. Is the studio heated? If it is heated- is this something you're comfortable with and are you healthy enough to participate?

2. Does the studio offer "beginner" or "basic" classes? These are the types of classes you'll want to start with to make sure you don't get overwhelmed or injured on your first visit.

3. What type of yoga does the studio teach? Depending on style- you'll have a wide variety of experience. Kundalini, for example, will be mostly seated and repetitive breathing exercises focused on energetic releases in the body. Vinyasa will be more active movements and Restorative yoga is on the ground with props to support you while you hold poses for 5-7 minutes (think deep healing meditation meets a wonderful nap).

Arriving: Show up prepared

1.Once you have decided which class is appropriate for you- you'll want to show up early. (arriving 15 minutes prior to class will give you time to fill out their waiver, get to know where everything is located in the studio, and find a comfortable spot in the room).

2. Yoga is practiced barefoot and in stretchy, comfortable clothing.

3. Bring a yoga mat (you can purchase mats very cheaply at most big name stores like Target). A thinner mat is better for yoga class (unless its a restorative class you're taking, in which case you can have a thick, padded mat). Some studios will rent you a mat for class- but not all, so find out ahead of time.

4. Bring a water bottle as staying hydrated is extremely important during the practice.

5. Introduce yourself to the teacher and tell them that you are a "first time student". This way, the teacher will look out for you and give you some extra support if needed.

6. Placing your mat at the back of the room can be helpful the first few times so that it's easy to peek around at other students to see what they're doing if you're confused. Class: Know what to expect

1. Most yoga classes will start with an "OM." According to the yogis, this is the universal sound for all things and can attune us with everything in the universe. It's also a useful tool to get people to start breathing more deeply. You don't have to "om" but it's a nice way to start the ancient practice of yoga.

2. Go at your own pace and rest when you need to rest. If anything ever feels painful or stressful in yoga, stop what you're doing immediately. Child's pose is a great pose to take in class to signal to the teacher that you're resting safely (toes together, knees apart, forehead resting on the ground)

3. Breathe! This is the most important aspect of the yoga class. Breathing with awareness takes practice- so don't expect it to be easy. The results of deep breath on your nervous system and whole body will be felt for hours, if not days, after you leave the studio.

4. At the end of class the teacher will most likely conclude with the sanskrit word, "namaste". This loosely translates to "the light in me recognizes and bows to the light in you". It's custom for the class to bow and say "namaste" in response to the teacher.

Remember, if you believe you're "too stiff" or "inflexible" to do yoga- then yoga is probably exactly what you need! EVERYONE starts off this way. Flexibility and strength take time, practice, and consistency but you will see yourself transforming if you stick with yoga long enough.

Above all, enjoy your time on the mat- it's a beautiful opportunity to slow down, appreciate your life, and heal whatever ails you.

Learn more about yogi, Emily Burton at www.EmilyBurton.com and find her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/EmilyBurtonYoga