BallyGarry House Hotel and Spa Review Part 1

Looking out on to the backdrop of rolling hills, tall grass, trees and mountains, I sit in a white pod, engulfed in cushions, courted by the sweet melody of classical music and utterly content.  Living in London, one of the busiest cities in the world, 'content' is not a feeling that I regularly experience. London is all about the next, the hustle, getting there- being first. It is a place where 'room for improvement' is the constant grade and for the most part I love it- yet ever so often I have to escape. So here I am, in Tralee Kerry Ireland at the BallyGarry Hotel and Spa. 

After last nights partying till 4 am during the annual Listowel Races Ladies day, Kieran and I opted against round two of madness in Dublin for the All Ireland Final and instead opted to recharge. We booked easily online in minutes via the BallyGarry House website: http://www.ballygarryhouse.com . Choosing their overnight spa deal we received  2 nights for 2 people, with Breakfast, Dinner and 50 euro off a spa treatment each included for only £211.

I know - what the heck?! Almost too good to be true, but when we reached the lobby of the 4 star hotel and were were greeted by really warm staff I realised that today, we had booked well. 

                               

Decorated in soothing neutral tones our room boasted A king sized bed, 4 chair seating area, large modern stone bathroom with a bath and separate shower and a real coffee machine (this sealed the deal for me). 

After getting settled we headed to the spa to book a treatment for the next day with the beautiful, friendly and so helpful spa host Bonnie. Treatments range from beauty (tanning, nails, facials) to Aromatherapy, massages and detoxing wraps. My back has been at me so I booked a hot stone back massage for 45 minutes this was £70 but with our voucher it was £20 difference to pay.  

Once booked we were then free to head to the facilities - which are breath taking. An in ground out door hot tub over looks the Kerry hills, a shower with 3 settings - including 'mist' preps you for the " Herbal Glass Sauna,  a dry sauna described as "a traditional dry sauna experience with intensifying dry heat, infused with herbal essences to induce a deep state of relaxation". I found that the dry heat soothed my muscle aches. The view of the hot tub and hills are visible from the dry sauna, and I soaked in the back drop as the stress left my body. Next: "The Crystal Steam Room", where Humid heat and colour therapy is enhanced with eucalyptus essence to improve restoration  and detoxify the body". The Crystal Steamroom is a refreshing change after the dry heat, this room and I definitely noticed that the infused humid air was great for my breathing.

Top tip:  I usually use saunas as a chance to deep condition my hair. The heat is great for penetrating hair follicles. As this was a last minute trip I didn't have my conditioning stuff so regrettably missed out on this hair treat experience but it's a great tip for next time you're at a spa ;) 

After some time in the wet sauna  we headed to the relaxation room which over looks a beautiful garden, set In front of the famous Kerry mountains. Here there are large pods, water, ice, berry juice and magazines. As spa music plays my body finally switched gear into relaxation mode. And here my loves I must leave you, sleep is calling.

Stay tuned for my part 2 , on my treatment, dinner and breakfast.

Loves and Finds: Olivia Von Halle Sleepwear

This is an ode to pyjamas, real pyjama's I mean.  Not oversized t-shirts or your old school gym kit. I am talking real stylish, silky, luxurious pyjamas. Night suits they should be called, for those who like to powerdress from board room to bedroom. Speaking of style champions of sleepwear, who better to than British designer Oliva Von Halle. A favourite of Harpers Bazaar and Vogue, her eclectic prints, bold colours and tailored pj's are number one on my Autumn wishlist.

After all, with the days turning a little more gloomy, nothing makes me smile more than the thought of a good September issue, a cup of Baileys Irish cream coffee and luxury silk on my skin.

You can buy Oliva Von Halle at Net-A-Porter 

A favourite from the new Zodiac collection, these adorable illustrated silk satin eye masks! 

Prabal Gurung NYFW Ready To Wear

The show began with the sombre sound of 30 monks, clad in vibrant burnt orange with their hands held in prayer. An unusual reverent start to a typical bustling NYFW show, however this wasn't just any show, this was the start of Prabal Gurungs show the Kathmandu, Napal raised fashion designer who this past year, followin the Nepal earthquake crisis used his social media platform to spread awareness and raise over 1 million for the people of Napal. Prabal remarked, that he is grateful to the fashion industry which granted him the platform to change so many lives.

Against this backdrop perhaps the monks were perfectly placed, the juxtaposition of prayer and fashion a reminder of how fashion and the people can united to change the lives of many.

Themes:

Burnt Orange:
Nepal was a great theme through out the collection evidenced through burnt orange that featured more than a few times: a strong yet beautiful colour perhaps alluding to the fierce resilience of people to overcome tragedy.

Movement: If burnt orange symbolises strength, the light airy fabric alludes to the delicacy of humanity. Movement is beautiful for SS.


My favourite pieces:

This bronze glitter and low v-neck dress was a show stopper for me. I also love the ethic models. It is great to see some colour on this runway.

Stunning open shoulder design and silk fabric over lay is a delicate yet bold look for summer. The shoes make the over all look cool and urban

The jagged hem and openings are a SS16 trend which can also be seen during the NYFW opening show. 

  Elegant. Simple. Stunning.

 Kathmandu

OOTD & Happy Hour On The Horizon

Today was a great day of late summer sunshine, rewarding meetings and strolls with my bestie. This week coming up to Fashion Week has been a busy buzz and so when I got a break- I decided to enjoy my high point above the clouds.

I fell in love with the The Shard long before its opening, when I visited for a Thomas Sabo new collection party in the then pre open shard. At the time it was empty, no restaurants, just a promising shell elegantly peering over the expansive city scape. Now however it is a buzz of activity- hosting a hotel and Resturants  AquaShard and Oblix.

I have been to Oblix a few times, namely for my 25th birthday earlier this year ( which was a stunning candle lit affair over Londons twinkling skyline) Today however, it was daylight and I figured perfect time for Margharita's and Empire Artisan Chocolates.

Pairing Empires Sea Salt and Pistachio with my zesty Margharita's I had the best time laughing and talking over Londons unusually visible skyline. 

The Shard is a hit and miss kind of place depending on the weather. On a cloudy day, it can feel pointless- a cruel tease to know all that amazing view is out there - but you can't see it. However catch a bright one like today- and its amazing. 

Having the view going for it - it doesn't take much more for Oblix to stay winning over other London bars. Yet, far from resting in the clouds- it has a great  has a fantastic atmosphere, live jazz, raw stone , warm lighting and great food and bad eats ( think lamb cutlets and tapas style hearty dishes) add that killer cocktails and I'm more than happy. It's a great place to spend happy hour on a successful day. 

Cocktails at 45 Park Lane Hotel

Cocktails in a hotel lobby are a great way to get the tourist experience in London without actually spending half your rent in a hotel in London. I actually prefer hotel bars to the actual hotel room. The hotel bar is like dating before the relationship, the hotel is on its best sparkly behaviour, it's guests are at their most interesting and no matter what your budget, the decor is the same for the prince as it is for the pauper. That and the fact that when you stay in a hotel room, all you is sleep and shower- the essential boring stuff. In a hotel bar you talk, laugh, drink and drink some more.

So long as we are evaluating hotel bars the 45 Park Lane, is a great place to go. Set on actual park lane, we now enter premium Monopoly board territory.

I had always seen its impressive artists Art Deco exterior and wanted to go in, and so the other day, I decided I would.

The bar is upstairs, the seating is comfy, the colours warm and the art engaging.

The staff are friendly and come around with bowls and bowls of delicious butter salt garlic popcorn as well as offering great service.

I ordered my signature Margharita love, and being a tequila fanatic found it to be exquisite.

It had soft jazz playing in the lobby, and all in all - if this was a date with 45 Park Lane, I would certainly be up for a second, and perhaps even up for a hotel room...