TLH Leisure Resort, Torquay

It’s the latest in make-up technology and you can’t buy it in stores in the UK, so I was thrilled when I realised that the Aztec Spa sells Bare Escentuals mineral make-up.

If you haven’t heard about it yet, you soon will do. All the major beauty houses are getting in on the act, but nothing compares to the 100% pure bareMinerals.

It looks like a powder but feels like a cream and is free of preservatives, talc, oil, fragrance and other harmful chemicals so is perfect if you have any allergies. And if, like me, you’re prone to the occasional break out, it doesn’t clog your pores either. You apply it like a blusher with a large brush in circular movements all over the face. The beauty of it is you can slowly build up the coverage and you get a really natural look. It takes a couple of goes to get used to this new way of applying your foundation but once you get the hang of it you’ll be hooked!

At the Aztec Spa you can buy starter kits which include the special natural bristle brush to apply the powder and a free DVD to give you tips on applying. The Aztec therapists can also give you some expert advice on the best choice for you.

As well as the foundations, all with an SPF15 by the way, the Aztec also stocks the bareMinerals gorgeous eyeshadows, lip colours and blushers.

Mineral make-up really is a revelation – you must give it a go!

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas, but there are always a few nearest and dearest who are very difficult to buy for. You’ve done the usual smellies, chocolates, socks year after year and it’s really time to find something a bit different - something which will bring forth a ‘just what I always wanted’ response.

Which is where Elephant Dung stationery comes in………….

Cards, paper, notelets, pen pots and more all made from, believe it or not, elephant poo! Now there’s a novel gift idea.

On Wednesday 3^rd December, the Aztec Spa is hosting a Christmas Shopping Evening. This is just the place to find some fabulous gifts, including said elephant dung stationery from Green Elephant. If you are an Elemis lover (or know someone who is!) it is definitely worth a visit for the range of Elemis goodies on offer, including their gorgeous gift packs, with the added bonus of an Aztec Spa treatment voucher if you spend over £50.

Other treats include OPI nail polishes from only £9.15 and Bare Escentuals Mineral Make-up which is being hailed as the next big thing in beauty (by those in the know!). There will be stunning contemporary jewellery from Gemme de Joanne and beautiful lingerie from Foxy Lingerie as well as Phoenix Trading with unusual cards and wrapping paper.

If you are still stuck for ideas then the perfect answer is a TLH Gift Voucher which can be in the Aztec Spa, Bistro or on just about anything else which may take your fancy at TLH!

With mulled wine and mince pies on offer, it will be a great evening to get you in the festive mood. And if you happen to be a member of the Aztec Club you’ll get 10% off when you show your membership card*. No need to book, just come along to the Aztec Bistro from 5.00pm on Wednesday 3^rd December.

*except Elemis gift packs

Like many married couples, my husband and I were caught up in the round of endless shopping, cooking, cleaning and childcare, not to mention working! We were fast becoming ‘ships that pass in the night’ so decided it was high time we had a weekend break. I wanted some pampering and after some persuading, I convinced him that he would benefit from some too.

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway, I can thoroughly recommend TLH Leisure Resort’s Carlton Hotel and an All About You Spa Break. This 1 or 2 night break includes a special menu of spa treatments to help you relax, refresh and revive.

The 2 night All About You weekend break at the Carlton Hotel was fabulously indulgent. There is one package for ‘her’ and another for ‘him’ so you can both enjoy the wonderfully relaxing benefits at the same time. Luckily for us the Spa managed to book all our treatments together, although I gather this isn’t always the case, so best to book early.

I enjoyed a soothing Elemis Exotic Coconut & Milk Ritual Wrap which almost sent me off to sleep. My other half experienced his first ever facial, designed specifically for male skin. He claimed the Urban Cleanse Facial worked wonders and even I had to admit he was looking more like George Clooney at the end of it (or maybe that was just wishful thinking)! He went on to have a more traditional Swedish back, neck and shoulder massage whilst I had my neglected hand and nails well and truly restored with a Juicie Minicure. I was so impressed with the Elemis range in fact, that I bought several of the products to keep up the good work at home. We also relaxed on one of the therapeutic massage beds – absolute bliss!

Besides all the pampering, of course you get dinner, bed and breakfast included at the 3 star Carlton Hotel and with that comes use of the truly stunning leisure facilities, including the 25 metre indoor pool, sauna, steam and Jacuzzi plus lunch in the Aztec Bistro on the day of your treatments. We were so impressed and  made the most of all that was on offer- who knows when we’ll get chance to get away again! All this was excellent value at only £199.00 per person. I notice that the Carlton also offer a one night package from just £119.00 and day packages from £79 per person. What a great way to recharge your batteries!

I picked up details about the other Spa breaks that TLH offer as I can see this could be a regular thing. Next time maybe with some girlfriends. Gift vouchers are available and I’ve already added them to my Christmas list!

There I was sat in my office at the end of last year when a colleague came in and said ‘you’ve put on a bit of weight haven’t you’. Now this chap wasn’t exactly slim himself, so I knew it must be pretty bad – time to do something about it!!

I’d been using the Aztec Gym at TLH Leisure Resort in Torquay, but only on and off, well actually more off than on if I’m being really honest, so went back to talk to them about getting fit and losing some weight.

They weighed me, measured me and talked to me about not only exercise, but also diet. Apparently the benefits of going to the gym are soon wiped out by going home and eating 3 chocolate bars!!! I never used to eat breakfast and I discovered that that is the most important meal of the day.

Adam set me a new gym programme and advised me on sensible eating targets – it’s all about calories I discovered – a difference of 500 calories per day by either eating less or moving round a bit more equates to 1lb per week. My target was 2lbs per week and I was trying to lose 2.5 stone overall.

I started to keep a food diary so I knew what I was eating (a bit scary to start off with) and added up my calories and started going to the gym 4-5 times per week.

Going regularly to the gym needed a bit of motivation at first, but I made sure I went as often as I needed to, even if that meant getting up at 6.30am to be at the gym for 7am on some days when my evenings were busy. Sometimes I swam in Aztec Falls instead, or sometimes I just did things at home, or walked to work or walked to the shops – it all helps.

Amazingly it started working, I was losing almost exactly 2lb every week, when you start to see the weight come off then that motivates you even more to exercise and continue to eat sensibly. Then when other people start to notice and comment then that’s encouraging too.

It took only 4 months to lose the weight I needed. 4 months further on and I have lost another ½ stone. Now all I’m interested in is maintaining my weight and not putting it back on. I’m going to go to the gym 2-3 times per week now, or sometimes I swim instead. Here are the before and after stats:-

Weight              Before            16 stone      After            13 stone

Waist                Before            38 inches    After             32 inches

Collar size         Before            16.5 inches  After            15.5 inches

Proof if ever proof was needed. Why not try it out for yourself and join the Aztec Gym. Give them a call now on 01803 400190.