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8 cheap and easy ways to pamper yourself

<p>If you love the idea of being able to pamper yourself at home without spending a fortune, read on.</p> <p>We’ve got eight ways to relax and rejuvenate, all in the comfort of your own home (BYO fluffy robes).</p> <p>Relaxation is not just nice, it’s actually essential for a healthy lifestyle. Having downtime allows our body to repair itself, and also decreases stress.</p> <p><strong>1. Eat out for less</strong></p> <p>Whether it’s online websites such as Dimmi (for restaurant discounts), shop-a-dockets (for cafes and take away style offers), or the Entertainment Book (for everything from restaurants to experiences), there are discounts to be found if you know where to look.</p> <p><strong>2. Let students practise on you</strong></p> <p>There are always deals to be had if you let a student cut your hair, give you a facial, or cut and colour your hair. Often for a nominal fee you can enjoy the treatments, knowing that the student is being closely supervised by their teacher.</p> <p><strong>3. Cook a decadent dessert</strong></p> <p>Peruse your favourite recipe books, or jump online and find a recipe that you’re keen to try. Buy good quality ingredients and spend the time enjoying the process of cooking and baking (as well as eating, of course). It can be even more fun to share a dessert with a partner or friend.</p> <p><strong>4. Deep condition your hair</strong></p> <p>The chemist and supermarket have a great range of leave in conditioning masks or hot oil treatments that you can easily do at home. Get the shine back in your locks with a half hour soak in the tub while the products set to work.</p> <p><strong>5. Grab a load of magazines</strong></p> <p>You could spend a small fortune on mags if you wanted to, but did you know that your local library is a great resource? If you love cooking magazines for instance, pop to the library and grab a handful of past issues of your favourite title. Then spend an evening perusing them at your leisure.</p> <p><strong>6. Treat yourself to a manicure kit</strong></p> <p>If you love having your fingernails and toenails done, invest in a small kit of tools so that you can do it yourself at home. Spend the money on some good quality polish too, and you can have great nails every day of the year for a fraction of the cost of a manicure.</p> <p><strong>7. Swap houses with a friend</strong></p> <p>Not all of us can afford a weekend getaway in a fancy hotel. But living like a tourist in a friend’s house (even if they live close by) can be a lot of fun. Treat each other like a ‘real’ hotel guest, with fresh linen and a welcoming bottle of wine. Leave notes for great local spots for coffee or fish and chips.</p> <p><strong>8. Take a candlelit bath</strong></p> <p>It’s not just a cliché, a warm bath really helps to relax you. Turn out the lights and put on some candles and nice music to really help you get into the zone.</p> <p>Have we missed any great (cheap) ways to relax? We would love to hear from you in the comments.</p>

Beauty & Style

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Pamper mum with this simple spa treatment

<p><em><strong>Samantha Sargent, distributor of <a href="http://www.energisedorganics.com" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">AEOS</span></a> and natural beauty expert.</strong></em></p> <p>A mother’s touch and love is unrivalled compared to most relationships. So, when Mother’s Day comes around each year most of us become overwhelmed with the thought of buying a gift that doesn't compare to what our mothers, grandmothers and other inspiring women in our lives, have done and given us. </p> <p>The act of loving presence is one of the most powerful gifts you can give, and one that is too often forgotten. Being fully present is such a powerful, more intimate, meaningful and rare gift to give a mother and is precious when time may be of the essence.</p> <p>Give mindful gifts that can be used together, as a bonding experience or assist in the quality of the time spent with each other. This DIY hand treatment is the perfect gift.</p> <p><strong>Top tips for the best at-home manicure and hand massage for the special women in your life this Mother’s Day</strong></p> <p>1. Set up a sanctuary in her living room with a soft towel and your favourite essential oil blend burning.</p> <p>2. Make a little pot of calming herbal tea and a bowl of warm water scented with essential oils to rest your hands in.</p> <p>3. Shape the nails with a crystal nail file. Metal files and emery boards tear the nail as they file, leaving rough, sharp edges. The crystal file glides across the nail tip so you can quickly and easily shape your nail to a flawless, smooth finish. Crystal files seal the nail tip as you file, preventing water, dirt and debris from seeping into the nail tip.</p> <p>4. Rest your mum’s hands in the warm “bath” and focus on your breathing for a couple of minutes, breathing out any worries, and breathing in relaxation and the scent of pure essential oils.</p> <p>5. Remove the hands from the water and gently pat dry. Apply a nourishing natural and organic hand cream, such as the AEOS enriching spelt hand cream, to her hands and forearms, paying particular attention to the cuticles. This is a beautiful opportunity to gift your mum a mini massage to help further alleviate any stress or tension.</p> <p>6. Optional (if you like a splash of colour): Apply two coats of nail lacquer. Remember to choose a toxin-free nail lacquer brand that is free from formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor and animal derivatives. To maintain a perfectly polished mani, keep the AEOS Biodynamic Nail &amp; Cuticle Oil in your handbag and apply each day when you have a spare moment.</p>

Beauty & Style