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2 SELF-CARE DAYS & CASTLE STAYS

April 10, 2019 in LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL
dundas castle boathouse review

A couple of weeks ago, I treated myself to two days of ‘self-care’, where I gave my body and mind all the things they like, to comfort it and calm it. The reason was that it was my last week working from home until July, as I was about to start work on a short film and a television series. I wanted to treat myself, as from that point on, I was going to be incredibly busy and stressed. I wanted to share with you what I did during my two self-care days, in case you would like some ideas for amazing places in Scotland for yourself.

First of all, I headed to one of my favourite shops in the world – Homesense. The only one we have in Scotland is at Fort Kinnaird – a retail park on the outskirts of Edinburgh. I love to get candles from here, stylish seasonal decorations e.g. for Easter, as well as other little trinkets for my home. Fort Kinnaird also has another one of my favourite stores, and it’s a giant store too – Primark. I love hunting for bargains here and this branch has lots to explore. Afterwards, I popped for lunch to Pizza Express with my Mum there, and then went and had a little bit of pampering at a beauty salon that’s actually in the retail park next to all the restaurants.

Elegance* is a small beauty and hair salon that’s housed in cute pimped-out hut. They do nails, eyebrows and lashes, and hair. Haircuts and colours are only available on a Friday; but the other treatments are available all week round. They invited me in for a haircut and LVL lashes. With my hair I just got a trim to tidy it up as I’m enjoying having it long at the moment, as I can do more with it. However, I think that the LVL lash lift treatment made a huge different to my long but poker straight lashes that point forwards not upwards. They now have a lovely curl in them that will stop me having to wear mascara for this next month or two.

The LVL lash lift treatment (meaning length, volume and lift) is a treatment that makes your lashes look longer, more defined and curled upwards. It last for up to 6 weeks. It takes around 45 minutes, and your lashes are tinted, then straightened and curled at the root with a special serum around a plastic shield. This makes them point upwards and look curled. It works by applying serums that break down the bonds in your hairs in order to change their structure and shape, moulding them around the plastic shield in a curl at the root.

exterior of the boathouse at dundas castle

After lunch and having my beauty treatments, my Mum and I went to an M&S to buy lots of yummy food and then headed to our home for the night – Dundas Castle*. It’s not far from South Queensferry. We checked in to The Boathouse in the Dundas Castle Estate – it’s a lovely little bolthole that has a kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom/living room studio and a balcony, all overlooking the lake full of swans. The estate has been the home of the Stewart-Clark family since the 1800s, and Sir Stewart-Clark and Lady Stewart-Clark currently live in the main castle (which can also be rented exclusively for weddings and other events).

interior boathouse dundas castle

It’s a very romantic place so it’s definitely designed for couples; but you need a car to get there and David hasn’t passed his test yet. It was fun spending the night here with my Mum, and we went for a long country walk, and then cooked all of the delicious food that we bought.

fabletics outfit review
dundas castle estate
dundas castle exterior

The estate is stunning to walk around, and I put on my new Fabletics leggings* and hoodie* for the jaunt. I’ve never had expensive fitness leggings before, but OMG, I am converted. These leggings are the comfiest things on the planet, and you feel really confident in them as they suck in your tummy, bum and thighs. The hoodie has a thick fluffy lining that makes it so warm and cosy. These are definitely both clothing items that are worth every penny of their £72 price tag, as you can feel and see the quality of the fabrics immediately.

In the Boathouse, you get chilled soft drinks waiting for you on arrival, and there is whiskey and gin provided for a night cap. I loved that the kitchen had a Tassimo machine too, as it meant I could have a nice hot chocolate before bed. I had an amazing sleep, even although it was my first night away from David in 5 months.

laura pearson-smith

This would be a great place for a bride and groom to stay if they are getting married in the main castle, or just looking for a weekend away somewhere lausecluded and peaceful. I spent my stay there eating and reading my book. The book I’m reading at the moment is actually not available to buy until May, so I got a preview copy. It’s called The Girl Before You by Nicola Rayner *. It’s a psychological thriller that’s so gripping – a wife becomes obsessed by one of her husband’s exes from college, as this girl died and she has always felt uneasy about it. She begins investigating the incident and when she sees someone who looks just like this dead girl, she can’t shake the feeling that her husband knows more than he’s letting on about what happened. If you like gripping thrillers that play mind games, this is definitely one to look out for when it’s released in May.

The next morning, I headed back to Glasgow and went to an appointment at the Bobbi Brown counter in John Lewis. They invited me in to get shade-matched for their new range of Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundations, and for a makeup session at the same time. I love getting my makeup done and we went for a very glass skin look. Look out here on the blog or on my social media channels to find out how I got on with the foundation.

This post contains some experiences that were complimentary for review, but all opinions are my own.

You can see more of what i’m loving, and what i’m doing, over on my Instagram.

Tags : dundas castle, dundas castle boathouse review, edinburgh review, lifestyle, luxury stays, luxury travel, self care, self care tips, south queensferry, Travel

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ABOUT ME

ABOUT ME

Laura Pearson-Smith is an ex beauty journalist that's obsessed with luxury skincare and makeup. She's all about that glow! She is also a luxury travel writer and always has a trip planned. Laura has a chic style and enjoys sharing her life and loves.

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Instagram

PR sample — You’ll have seen a lot of this pro PR sample — You’ll have seen a lot of this product over the last couple of weeks & it’s for good reason. It very much is, indeed, a miracle. In just 8 seconds, as your conditioner, this will give you the smoothest, sleekest, softest hair you’ve ever had. I’ve just ordered 2 more bottles.
🙌🏻
The L’Oreal Dream Lengths 8-Second Wonder Water is £9.99 and you’ll get no more than 10 applications per bottle, but it sure is ‘worth it’. Wonder Water is a breakthrough damaged hair treatment, in a rinse-out liquid conditioner formula that’s powered by Lamellar Water Technology. Moisturising agents and amino acids target dry, damaged areas of hair, forming thin layers called Lamella to smooth hair’s surface instantly transforming lengths for silkier, shinier and healthier-looking hair. 
🙌🏻
I’m honestly not sure I’ll ever use another conditioner again. You need it, go buy it. Now, now, now!
💗  #selfcaresunday #loreal #lorealparis #lorealhair #loreal8secondwonderwater #loréal #hairconditioner #hairtreatment #hairtreatments #hairsmoothing #hairsmoothening #hairrepair #haircareroutine #haircareproducts #haircareproduct #haircareproductsthatwork #beautycommunity #beautyreview #beautyreviews #beautyreviewer #bbloggers #bbloggeruk #skincarecommunity #skinfluencer #instabeautyblogger #instabeautyblog #ukbeautybloggers #ukbeautyblog #goodhairdontcare #goodhairvibes
PR sample — There’s only a few more days to ge PR sample — There’s only a few more days to get your hands on this month’s epic @mintdbox - it’s a fantastic box this month, as usual. Now is the time to jump on board as a subscriber as I’ve been told March’s box is a super special one!
💗
In February’s box you get 4 full-size luxury skincare products (worth £212) for just £70! We all need some self-care time at the moment & that’s the theme of this month’s box!
💗
The Oskia Renaissance Mask is a cult favourite & I’ve loved it for years. It’s a thick lush balm that you lather on your face, leaving it for 20 mins to do it’s amazing exfoliation & radiance-boosting work. The Kora Organics Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum brightens, boosts skin elasticity, diminishes the appearance of lines and hydrates the skin too. The Aromatherapy Associates Rose Bath & Shower Oil is a heavenly treat. I apply it around my shoulders and chest, breathing  in the calming aroma, before getting into the shower. Finally, Prismologie’s Rose Quartz & Rose Balm soothes your mind and nourishes the skin on your body. It leaves you with a little bit of lustre too 💫 
💗  #mintdbox #beautysubscription #beautysubscriptionbox #luxurybeauty #luxuryskincare #luxuryskincareproducts #highendbeauty #highendskincare #skincareaddicts #skincareaddicted #skincarejunkies #skincareobsessed #butfirstskincare #skincarefirst #selfcaresunday #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #ukbblogger #bbloggers #instaskin  #skincarecommunity #instaskincare #igskincarecommunity #igskincare #beautycommunity #oskia #aromatherapyassociates
💗 💗
PR samples — What amazing makeup have you discov PR samples — What amazing makeup have you discovered recently? These are all fairly new in my collection but I’m already in love. The only one I haven’t used yet is the Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow quad, but how pretty is it?!
🥰
@ctilburymakeup Hyaluronic Happikiss in Pillow Talk
@ctilburymakeup Hollywood Flawless Eye Filter in Diva Lights
@lancomeofficial Lash Idole Mascara
@lauramercier Blush Color Infusion in Passionfruit
@lauramercier Lip Glacé in Rose Gold Accent
@marcjacobsbeauty Glam Glitter Eyeshadow in Glitter Rock
@marcjacobsbeauty Le Marc Lip Creme in Cream & Sugar
🤩  #lauramerciercosmetics #lauramercier #lancôme #lancomelashidole #lancomemascara #marcjacobsbeauty #charlottetilburymakeup #charlottetilburyhyaluronichappikiss #charlottetilburyeyeshadow #makeupcollector #makeupaddicts #makeupaddicted #makeupjunkie #makeupobsession #ınstamakeup #instamakeuplovers #makeupstash #newmakeup #newmakeupproducts #makeupcommunity #beautycommunity #skincarecommunity #ukbeautyblog #ukbeauty #ukbeautyblogger #makeupfavorites #makeupfavourites #glasgowbloggers #skincareaddict
Gifted — I am beyond ready for the weekend. This Gifted — I am beyond ready for the weekend. This week hard been so full-on work wise, from all sides, and I’m knackered. I just want to lie in and read @tatlermagazine under my @finebeddingco  pink coverless quilt. It’s honestly like a big, soft, fluffy cloud & you just pick it in the washing machine & it’s super-fast drying too!
☁️  #finebeddingco #beddingdecor #luxurybedding #beddingset #beddingsets #beddingstyle #luxuryhomedecor #luxuryinterior #bedroominspo #bedroomideas #bedroomstyling #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #beautycommunity #skincarecommunity #dreamingoftheweekend #weekendmood #weekendreading #skincareinfluencers #skincarebloggersuk #skinfluencer #relaxandunwind #relaxationtime #selfcareaccount #selfcarepage #beautypage #beautyfeed #selfcarefirst #beautyaccount
PR samples — I wanted to share a sneak peek at t PR samples — I wanted to share a sneak peek at tomorrow’s alifewithfrills.co.uk blog post on 4 sustainable & ethical beauty brands to know! @wedo_act @greenpeopleuk @nudestixskin & @_labuskin - have you tried them?
💗  #sustainablebeauty #ethicalbeauty #organicbeauty #organicbeautyproducts #veganbeautyproducts #veganbeautyuk #sustainableskincare #ethicalskincare ##skincareaddicts #skincareaddicted #skincarejunkies #skincareobsessed #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #ukbblogger #ukbeautyblogger #ukbeautybloggers  #instaskin #skincarecommunity #instaskincare #skinalgo #skinstagals #skinstasquad #365inskincare #skincarerecomended #skincarefeed #beautyfeed
PR sample — You’ll have seen a lot of this pro PR sample — You’ll have seen a lot of this product over the last couple of weeks & it’s for good reason. It very much is, indeed, a miracle. In just 8 seconds, as your conditioner, this will give you the smoothest, sleekest, softest hair you’ve ever had. I’ve just ordered 2 more bottles.
🙌🏻
The L’Oreal Dream Lengths 8-Second Wonder Water is £9.99 and you’ll get no more than 10 applications per bottle, but it sure is ‘worth it’. Wonder Water is a breakthrough damaged hair treatment, in a rinse-out liquid conditioner formula that’s powered by Lamellar Water Technology. Moisturising agents and amino acids target dry, damaged areas of hair, forming thin layers called Lamella to smooth hair’s surface instantly transforming lengths for silkier, shinier and healthier-looking hair. 
🙌🏻
I’m honestly not sure I’ll ever use another conditioner again. You need it, go buy it. Now, now, now!
💗  #selfcaresunday #loreal #lorealparis #lorealhair #loreal8secondwonderwater #loréal #hairconditioner #hairtreatment #hairtreatments #hairsmoothing #hairsmoothening #hairrepair #haircareroutine #haircareproducts #haircareproduct #haircareproductsthatwork #beautycommunity #beautyreview #beautyreviews #beautyreviewer #bbloggers #bbloggeruk #skincarecommunity #skinfluencer #instabeautyblogger #instabeautyblog #ukbeautybloggers #ukbeautyblog #goodhairdontcare #goodhairvibes
PR sample — There’s only a few more days to ge PR sample — There’s only a few more days to get your hands on this month’s epic @mintdbox - it’s a fantastic box this month, as usual. Now is the time to jump on board as a subscriber as I’ve been told March’s box is a super special one!
💗
In February’s box you get 4 full-size luxury skincare products (worth £212) for just £70! We all need some self-care time at the moment & that’s the theme of this month’s box!
💗
The Oskia Renaissance Mask is a cult favourite & I’ve loved it for years. It’s a thick lush balm that you lather on your face, leaving it for 20 mins to do it’s amazing exfoliation & radiance-boosting work. The Kora Organics Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum brightens, boosts skin elasticity, diminishes the appearance of lines and hydrates the skin too. The Aromatherapy Associates Rose Bath & Shower Oil is a heavenly treat. I apply it around my shoulders and chest, breathing  in the calming aroma, before getting into the shower. Finally, Prismologie’s Rose Quartz & Rose Balm soothes your mind and nourishes the skin on your body. It leaves you with a little bit of lustre too 💫 
💗  #mintdbox #beautysubscription #beautysubscriptionbox #luxurybeauty #luxuryskincare #luxuryskincareproducts #highendbeauty #highendskincare #skincareaddicts #skincareaddicted #skincarejunkies #skincareobsessed #butfirstskincare #skincarefirst #selfcaresunday #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #ukbblogger #bbloggers #instaskin  #skincarecommunity #instaskincare #igskincarecommunity #igskincare #beautycommunity #oskia #aromatherapyassociates
💗 💗
PR samples — What amazing makeup have you discov PR samples — What amazing makeup have you discovered recently? These are all fairly new in my collection but I’m already in love. The only one I haven’t used yet is the Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow quad, but how pretty is it?!
🥰
@ctilburymakeup Hyaluronic Happikiss in Pillow Talk
@ctilburymakeup Hollywood Flawless Eye Filter in Diva Lights
@lancomeofficial Lash Idole Mascara
@lauramercier Blush Color Infusion in Passionfruit
@lauramercier Lip Glacé in Rose Gold Accent
@marcjacobsbeauty Glam Glitter Eyeshadow in Glitter Rock
@marcjacobsbeauty Le Marc Lip Creme in Cream & Sugar
🤩  #lauramerciercosmetics #lauramercier #lancôme #lancomelashidole #lancomemascara #marcjacobsbeauty #charlottetilburymakeup #charlottetilburyhyaluronichappikiss #charlottetilburyeyeshadow #makeupcollector #makeupaddicts #makeupaddicted #makeupjunkie #makeupobsession #ınstamakeup #instamakeuplovers #makeupstash #newmakeup #newmakeupproducts #makeupcommunity #beautycommunity #skincarecommunity #ukbeautyblog #ukbeauty #ukbeautyblogger #makeupfavorites #makeupfavourites #glasgowbloggers #skincareaddict
Gifted — I am beyond ready for the weekend. This Gifted — I am beyond ready for the weekend. This week hard been so full-on work wise, from all sides, and I’m knackered. I just want to lie in and read @tatlermagazine under my @finebeddingco  pink coverless quilt. It’s honestly like a big, soft, fluffy cloud & you just pick it in the washing machine & it’s super-fast drying too!
☁️  #finebeddingco #beddingdecor #luxurybedding #beddingset #beddingsets #beddingstyle #luxuryhomedecor #luxuryinterior #bedroominspo #bedroomideas #bedroomstyling #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #beautycommunity #skincarecommunity #dreamingoftheweekend #weekendmood #weekendreading #skincareinfluencers #skincarebloggersuk #skinfluencer #relaxandunwind #relaxationtime #selfcareaccount #selfcarepage #beautypage #beautyfeed #selfcarefirst #beautyaccount
PR samples — I wanted to share a sneak peek at t PR samples — I wanted to share a sneak peek at tomorrow’s alifewithfrills.co.uk blog post on 4 sustainable & ethical beauty brands to know! @wedo_act @greenpeopleuk @nudestixskin & @_labuskin - have you tried them?
💗  #sustainablebeauty #ethicalbeauty #organicbeauty #organicbeautyproducts #veganbeautyproducts #veganbeautyuk #sustainableskincare #ethicalskincare ##skincareaddicts #skincareaddicted #skincarejunkies #skincareobsessed #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #ukbblogger #ukbeautyblogger #ukbeautybloggers  #instaskin #skincarecommunity #instaskincare #skinalgo #skinstagals #skinstasquad #365inskincare #skincarerecomended #skincarefeed #beautyfeed
PR samples — Both of these new luxury fragrance PR samples — Both of these new luxury fragrance launches landed on my doorstop on Saturday and I’m OBSESSED! 
♥️
I know the @lancomeofficial Idole scent well, but the unique slim-line flat bottle has just been released as LE edition, emblazoned with words of love. It’s a delicate feminine floral with rose & jasmine.
♥️
The new @jimmychoo I Want Choo fragrance is just dreamy! It has one of my most favourite fragrance notes in it - jasmine sambac. This is a sweet, light floral with a bit of a mood to it. Notes of lily, peach, vanilla, benzoin & orange too.
♥️
What fragrances are you loving at the moment?  #jimmychooperfume #jimmychooiwantchoo #lancomeidole #lancomeperfume #luxuryperfume #luxuryfragrance #luxuryfragrances #luxuryscents #luxuryscent #luxurybeauty #luxuryaddict #luxuryaddicted #beautycommunity #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #bbloggers #skincarecommunity #boujie #instabeauty #instafragrance
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