Birthday treat: Aqua Sana Spa day at Centre Parcs.

For my birthday I was a very lucky girl and got treated to a day of pampering and relaxation at Aqua Sana at Centre Parc's sherwood forest.

Me and Gary had such a good day at Aqua Sana I just had to share it all with you. Now I didn't take any pictures of my own seeing as it was a day for relaxing and unwinding I left my phone locked away all day, and it was quite nice actually.  However, the kind PR staff at Aqua Sana have sent me some photos to include in this post.

So lets start at the beginning:

Normally for my birthday I have a nice long list wish list, however this year I had no idea what I wanted. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of things I want, but there was nothing I really need and with our wedding just 4 months away (aahhhhh) I didn't want Gary to spend a fortune on something I didn't really need right now. So instead I thought it would be lovely to spend the day out together, so I strongly hinted how nice it would be to go on a spa day.

Well the boy followed through and off to Aqua Sana we went. I have been to Aqua Sana before but only for the twilight spa, so I was very excited about having a full day to just relax and unwind.Gary had never been on any kind of spa experience before so he had no idea what to expect.

When we arrived we changed into our swimsuits and complimentary fluffy robes and went through to the cafe where we given a complimentary drink and breakfast snack.

While nibbling away on my pan au chocolate we were greeted by a very friendly member of the spa team who went through our spa experience, explaining the different rooms, seminars and lunch. Gary let slip to her it was my birthday and she came back over with two glasses of bubbly as a Happy Birthday treat, which was a lovely treat.

Then into the spa we went to explore all the different rooms and spa experiences around the spa. I cant remember exactly which order we did each experience, but I will give you a quick run down of them all.

Tyrolean Sauna- This is a traditional wood lined sauna, by sitting (or laying) in the sauna your body heats up quickly bringing on perspiration and opening your pores. I love sauna's and this was lovely and warm and I just closed my eyes and imagined myself laying on the beach in Dubai. I did get very hot rather quickly so had to nip outside where there is a conveniently placed ice fountain which I reluctantly put my hands in and cooled myself off, and it felt lovely and refreshing.

Turkish Hammam- This is room is themed like a classic Turkish bath inspired by the Sultan's glittering palaces. This room is filled with steam and essential oils. The essential oils in this room work to detoxify and purify and relax any sore muscles and body aches. Me and Gary had our first holiday together in Turkey and had a traditional Turkish bath on the first day and in this room as we relaxed and reminisced about our trip to Turkey, deciding that we had to go back one day.

Indian blossom Steam room- This room is filled with glittering lights, flower petal and exotic aroma the soothing steam that will help your mind and body unwind. This aroma of this steam room is filled with eucalyptus and menthol which helps promote clear breathing.

Japanese salt steam bath- I loved this room, it was so relaxing and comforting I could have sat here all day, but there was too much to explore for that. The central focus in this steam room is an illuminated rose quartz stone. Rose quartz is a stone with healing qualities and the capacity to stimulate the senses and to heighten awareness. The room is filled with salt, jasmine and mint infused steam to help clear congestion and help you breath more easily. I was recovering from a cold so found this room really helped clear my sinuses.

Greek Herbal bath- This was Gary's favorite room so we had a few trips in here throughout the day. This room has individual domes to sit in, the room was infused with an array of herbal essences. A small bucket of water trickled over each herb individually and filled the room with its aroma. The herbs used were Chamomile, which cultivates a feeling of calm, soothing the mind body and spirit. Sage, reviving and stress relieving to counter muscle tiredness and fatigue. FinallyRosemary which stimulates the mind and body, while promoting clarity and thought, sharp memory and focused thinking. This was so relaxing, if I had been able to put my feet up I may well have drifted off into the land of nod.

Laconium- This is a very gentle heat bathed infused with citrus to purify and detoxify your body. This room slowly heats up your body and tingles your skin feeling refreshed. This room is cooler then some of the other experiences so this was perfect to cool down before lunch.

Which brings me on to lunch. We went through to the cafe, Gary seemed to know where we was going and took me to a table covered in confetti, happy birthday banners and a plated covered in melted chocolate spelling out 'Happy Birthday', which was lovely and made me feel really special. When I went to order my lunch I was serenaded to a enthusiastic round of Happy Birthday by the lovely staff behind the counter. We both went for a panini for lunch finished with a cake, I went for the lemon tart and it was delicious.

After lunch we went outside to a little log cabin like hut. Inside there was overhead heaters, cushions and some incredibly comfy and snuggly blankets. With our full bellies and relaxed minds we cuddled up together had a little chat about wedding and dozzed off and 40 winks. I don't know what it was but there was something so relaxing about seeing the rain trickling outside while we were wrapped up warm in the fresh air.. Waking up 30 minutes later  we both came back to life and agreed it was the best nap we had ever had and vowed that once we have a house with a garden we are building one of these in our back gardens, Gary suggested with a hot tub in the middle, that's up to debate.

After our little snooze we decided to go have a swim in the heated Outdoor pool, which is right in the center of the spa and has swim jets and bubbles to relax the muscles.

After a bit of a swim we went to the Tepidarium. we tried to get in here a couple of times but with just a handful of heated beds it was a battle to snatch one up. This room has warm mosaic beds, the ideal temperature allows your body to gently cleanse and bring a sense of well-being. This was very relaxing and would be the perfect place to get lost in a good book, I must remember to take one next time.

Finally the last experience was the Aqua meditation room. This room was extremely peaceful, I think Gary may have nodded off again but I just sat and allowed my mind to clear and relax. The meditation room is round with comfy seating around a bubble tubes. This room is filled with multi-sensory stimulation through water droplets,cascading from above to create a moving water surface which give a really peaceful atmosphere.

We revisited some of our favourite experience rooms, the only one we missed out on was the water beds which were very popular people were waiting to bounce on one as soon as there was a free bed so we decided to give this a miss.

My only regret about the day was that we didn't book a treatment. At the time of booking I think Gary was slightly overwhelmed and wasn't sure on the different treatments. We both said on the day it would have been lovely to indudge on a couples treatment of some kind, will make sure we do that next time.

Overall we had a fantastic day at Aqua Sana, the staff were super friendly and made my birthday very special. We both went home feeling  pampered, relaxed and it was so nice to have a day unwinding together. We both had an amazing night sleep that night and my skin was left feeling smooth and soft after being treated to the spa experiences.

We have both said we would really love another trip to Aqua Sana, we are looking at going before our wedding in July so we have a pamper and relax before the big day.

Thank you to the team at Aqua Sana for giving me one of the best birthday's ever.

If you fancy a spa day here is a link to the Aqua Sana website which has a range of spa breaks and prices.

Thanks for reading lovlies 

100 Random facts about me

Hi everyone, so I am going to write something a little bit different today, it isn't really beauty related its a bit more personal. I love these 'facts about me' posts, probably cause I am quite a nosey person and its nice to get know each other a little bit more. So here goes.........

1. I got engaged last year in Las Vegas to my partner Gary. We have been together three and half years and he really is my best friend (soppy sod I know).

2. I grew up in Scotland.

3. I work full time and I am currently half way through a degree in Early years with the Open University.

4. I am very organised, I plan and prepare everything to an extreme level.....even my wardrobe is colour coded.

5. My dad, sister and step mum live in Dubai. I miss them all lots and lots, but I do love going on holiday to see them.

6. I love friends, I have probably watched every episode 100s of times and I still never get bored. My all time favourite moment is when Ross is trying to get his new sofa up the stairs.

7. I am a big book worm. I love getting lost in a book, yes I am a geek.

8. I am addicted to candles. I have then burning all round my flat constantly. My favourite is bath and body works, especially leaves.....it's amazing.

9. My dream is too travel the world.

10. My favourite colour is pink. I really want a pink dressing room/ walk in wardrobe.

11. I didn't start wearing make up till I was about 16. I was a late bloomer the beauty world.

12. I am obsessed with Harry Potter. I don't think I will ever get bored of the books or films.

13. My favourite restaurant is a Thai place is Dubai called the Noodle house.

14. My fiancé is a semi professional motor bike racer, so through out summer I spend most my weekends at race tracks.

15. I used to go out every Friday and Saturday night, every weekend. I didn't drink every weekend I just enjoyed socialising and having a dance. I still go out occasionally but I have settled down a lot more now and actually enjoy quiet nights in....must be getting old.

16. My best friend is also a blogger :) she is the one who convinced me to start mine. Please go check out her lovely blog at www.coco-butter-blog.blogspot.co.uk

17. I love Disney, I have a huge disney DVD collection. My favourite film as a child was sleeping beauty.

18. I have been to Disney land in Paris and Florida. I love it, sounds ridiculous but it does feel magical.

19. I generally eat healthy due to having a very sensitive stomach, but I do enjoy the occasional treat.

20. My favourite treats are doughnuts, Krispy Kreme the best.

21. I love fruit I could eat it all day.

22. My favourite flavour ice cream is cookie dough (that's a lot of food facts right there).

23. I love planning and organising events. I am that annoying friend who texts people constantly trying to arrange stuff.

24. I went to university to study history, however the course was not for me and to be honest I don't think I wasn't ready for university and being away from home, so I ended up moving back to my mummies.

25. For my 4th birthday I asked my granny for one of those cards you put in the wall and money pops out......not much has changed.

26. My favourite shoes are Kurt Geiger, although I do dream of owning some Louboutin's some day.

27. I drive a white mini convertible it's so pretty I love her, her name is Minnie.

28. I try to be a positive, happy person.

29. I love the Saturdays's, Mollie is my favourite. I would love to have her wardrobe.

30.I used to go to stage school at the weekend till the age of 17, I loved singing, dancing and drama.

31. I enjoy going to the gym and swimming. I really want to start running.

32.I have dyslexia (ridiculous name for a condition where people cant to spell), I have no problem reading but I really struggle with writing and spelling :(. I try very hard to not let it bother me, but it's been hard. I spend hours checking over my university work and my blog. However on the bright side it makes me even more proud of myself for writing my blog.

33.I change my hair all the time, it's been white blonde, brown, black,dip dyed and back to blonde.

34. I love watching YouTube videos my favourite 'beauty gurus' are Tanya Burr, Zoella, missglamorazzi, Nicole Guerriero, all that glitters and CarliBel55.

35. My favourite cereal is Cheerios, as a child I loved honey nut loops.

36.I bought my first flat when I was 22, it was very scary but it was the best thing I ever did.

37.I love nothing more then getting snuggled up on my sofa with my fiancé, wrapped in a blanket watching a film.

38. My favourite films are comedy's and chick flicks, but I do love films like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and hunger games. So a bit of a mix really. I hate horror films, I am such a whimp.

39. I love musicals :) when Les Miserables was on at the cinema I went to see it three times.

40. My favourite perfume is Juicy Couture, in particular Viva La Juicy La Fleur.

41. I love wearing onsies, if I am just having a day in the flat I normally wear mine all day.

42. When you first meet me I come across shy and quiet, but after a while you can't shut me up.

43. I love hot chocolate, if I am feeling wild I add some baileys.

44. I am very emotional, I cry far too much, both happy and sad tears.

45. I never drank coffee until I went to America and there was a Starbucks at every corner, now I drink it most days.

46. I hate jealous people.

47. I have a very close group of friends, we have all known each other since school and are still very close.

48. I love nail varnish but I am so impatient waiting for it to dry and normally end up smudging it.

49. I love cheese I put it nearly everything. my favourite food to add it to is soup, makes the cheese go all gooey.

50. My favourite fizzy drink is Dr pepper.

51. My favourite alcoholic beverage is Malibu and coke or a yummy cocktail. I hate tequila, after a night of being quite ill on the stuff I have never touched it again.

52.I played Mary in the nativity when I was younger three times. The other children probably hated me.

53. I love my bed.

54.I really want to go to New York at Chritmas time and go ice skating.

55.I am a total hypercondriac

56.I would love to do a make up course.

57.I am very ambitious I believe you don't get anywhere in life without hard work and determination.

58. I collect magnets of all the places I have been to so yes I have a tacky travel themed fridge but I love it.

59.My favourite holiday destination so far has been Las Vegas it was amazing. I went on the sky walk on the Gran Canyon it was amazing, I am normally scared of heights but I just loved it.

60. I love baking.

61. Saying that I am a pretty awful cook, I can make it basics but anything to adventurous normally ends in disaster. My fiancé is an amazing cook though so he whips up some beautiful meals to make up for my lack of skills.

62. My favourite flowers are roses, not red though white or pink.

63. I am a self confessed poser and pouter. I struggle to walk past a mirror and not take a glance, oh so vain!

64. I have far too many handbags, my favourite is my Vivienne Westwood clutch. I really really want a mulberry and a pastel pink Cambridge satchel, a girl can dream.

65. I used to spend a lot of money on clothes, but since becoming a home owner my shop of choice is Primark or ebay these days. (Even if I do lust over designer handbags) I do treat myself to the occasional more expensive dress or outfit but only now and again.

66. I am always people watching and taking note of pretty outfits I see girls wearing.

67.I have about 12 black dresses but I am always on the hunt for the 'perfect LBD'.

68.I love Beyonce, I went to see her on tour this year and she was unbelievable.

69. I love sex and the city. I have everything episode on DVD and love having a sex and the city duvet day.

70. I love the sea side.

71. I really want to go camping in a pod, I have no idea why just looks really fun.

72. I have never been to a music festival, I would really love it but the thought of the public toilets really puts me off ha ha!

73. I love party food.

74. I am petrified of big rides, I have been dragged on a far few but my stomach is literally doing flips the whole time.

75. I am always day dreaming, hence my blogs name Emma Louise dreams.

76. My fashion style is very femine, I love lace embellishment, Peter Pan collars and anything pastel.

77. I would be lost without my hair rollers.

78. I take lots and lots of pictures.

79. My sister is like my sole mate.

80. Some of my best childhood memories are weekends with my family at the seaside.

81. My family literally live all over the world.

82. We had a big family reunion last year. It was great to get all my family together. Family time is my favourite.

83. I really like the royal family and find the history of the royals really interesting, such a geek.

84. I really want a white Maltese puppy, who I will call Coco.

85. I really want a garden so I can have a BBQ.

86. My fiancé built me a walk in wardrobe, it has glass shelves for my shoes I adore it.

87. I am very pale, I don't really go brown just pink. So I just fake tan to get my desired glow, it's the safer option too.

88. I am a very nervous flyer every time there is any kind of turbulence or sudden movement I am clutching on the chair. However, my desire to travel outweighs my fear of flying. Long fact there.

89. Me and my best friend are both getting married next summer and we are both each others bridesmaids, it's like real life bride wars, without the falling out though :p ha ha!

90. I loved the film Fame as a child, that's where I got my stage school bug from.

91. I used to drive my mum mad I was constantly dancing in my bedroom and apparently it made the ceiling in the living room and the chandelier shake. Whoops!

92. I have always been a drama queen, my grandad loves to tell the story of the time he walked in to my bedroom when I was 5 and I was practising crying in the mirror...cringe!

93. I love a pamper at the beauticians.

94. I love the sunshine

95. My make up collection is getting out of hand.

96. I loved school, sixth form was my favourite I met some of my closest friends and really came out of my shy shell.

97. I would love to be confident enough to have a YouTube Chanel.

98. I get freckles on my nose when I have been in the sun. I used to hate them but I quite like them now.

99. My first pet was a hamster called Whisky, he was a rascal though and used to escape all the time. Once he was gone over a week and I found him nibbling on a bag a bag of potatoes.

100. My fiancé is 6,6 and I am 5,2 so a bit of a height difference.

So there you go you know quite a bit more about me now. I hope you enjoyed this more personal post. I would love to read your random fact post, so leave me your links below. Have a lovely evening and thank you for reading.