Laura Pearson-Smith: Taking care of myself

FASHION blogger Laura Pearson-Smith prepares for the winter season as her festive schedule builds up
Aesop Stockbridge. Picture: Laura Pearson-SmithAesop Stockbridge. Picture: Laura Pearson-Smith
Aesop Stockbridge. Picture: Laura Pearson-Smith

Now that Christmas preparations are in full swing, I don’t know how I managed to forget just how stressful this season is. Work-wise, it’s the busiest month of the year for me. Add to that a bathroom renovation, having to decorate my home in a suitably festive manner, hosting an event, gift wrapping and card sending and you have what could quite simply be described as a wreck. I am the wreck. Still functioning, but only just. This last week has involved a lot of me trying to take care of myself inside and out - something we should all put more focus on as advent races towards Christmas Day.

Stylish Happenings

Nail painting just doesn’t fit into my schedule at the moment, so when The Spa at 200 on St Vincent Street in Glasgow invited me in for Shellac nails (£28), I knew this would be my key to a few blissful chip-free weeks of perfect polish. Shellac is a gel-based nail polish from CND that is cured using a UV lamp. Done properly, it should last for over two weeks – mine are getting along brilliantly and I went for a glittery midnight blue. The spa itself is beautiful and not one that I had heard of before. I will definitely be making a return visit when Christmas takes its toll.

What To Buy On A Shopping SpreeWhat To Buy On A Shopping Spree
What To Buy On A Shopping Spree
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Popular Australian skincare brand Aesop held a media launch event for their first ever Scottish store. The new premises in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge is proving popular already and stocks Aesop’s range of plant-based, laboratory-tested products that are designed to deliver fantastic results. I have been slathering on their Perfect Facial Hydrating Cream (£81) to combat the drying effect of the cold weather on my skin. This moisturising cream, packed with Vitamin C, smells and feels wonderfully indulgent and I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my daily pamper sessions with it.

What to Buy On a Shopping Spree

This Scarf Knit Jumper (£110) from GANT in Glasgow and Edinburgh is perfect to keep you warm on a cold day or snuggle up warm with in-front of the fire. It’s made from a very cosy lightweight Merino wool and looks effortlessly stylish.

Cult beauty brand Elemis has just launched in Jenners Edinburgh. There’s an Elemis SpaPod that offers 30-minute face and body rejuvenation treatments and an Elemis SkinLab for expert advice from a skincare specialist. If you visit it would be rude to leave empty-handed, so pick up Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks (£46) to de-puff, reduce wrinkles and carry on the spa session at home.

Aesop, Stockbride. Picture: Laura Pearson-SmithAesop, Stockbride. Picture: Laura Pearson-Smith
Aesop, Stockbride. Picture: Laura Pearson-Smith

AriZona Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey (£2 from Tesco) has plenty of health benefits. It’s 100 per cent natural and helps reduce stress levels, detox the body of toxins that have built up, speed up your metabolism, lower cholesterol and encourage brain activity. It tastes gloriously sweet too, and should definitely be making its way to your basket to help your mind and body cope with the upcoming festivities.

Instagram of the Week (@LPearsonSmith)

I had my bathroom entirely refurbished last week. The process was extremely stressful but all the new space I have to store my relaxing Lush Cosmetics bath bomb stash makes it more than worth it. Try the Luxury Lush Pud (£3.95)- it’s my favourite of the limited edition Christmas releases and is a sleepy blend of tonka and lavender.

• Laura Pearson-Smith is a fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger at A Life With Frills. You can drop her a tweet at @LPearsonSmith

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