Sleep Couture...

I feel like I have spent quite some time away from my lovely blog lately. Not through wanting to, it was more out of necessity! I have been rather snowed in with work lately as it's nearing the end of a term AND nearly Christmas and in schools this is a very busy time. 

Throughout this stressful time I have had a few things going on with certain parts of my life. It hasn't been bad, it's just been things which have kept my mind whirring away. It's this time that my poor sleeping habits have kicked in. I am finding myself tired all the time as I just can't quieten my mind. I write, I stop work early and exercise but as soon as I go to bed I can't sleep through. 

Last week I attended a Christmas event at the spa I go to. There were a range of different brands there with the Christmas deals. I managed to get a few Christmas presents in but I did some sneaky shopping for myself. After all, we've got treat ourselves once in a while!

After trying many different things to sleep well, I was shown a 'sleep set' by ESPA. In fact, it was actually named Sleep Couture. So straight away it sounded rather nice. The lady then explained the 'ritual' that entailed. I know...sounds like a sacrifice to sleep doesn't it? But it is actually a gorgeous product. It has bath and body oil and soothing candle. The idea is that you have a bath with the oil, light the candle and then use a small amount of body oil. Once the aromatherapy kicks in, it should leave you wanting to sleep. Now I'm a bit of a sucker for products (Hello Clarin's counter in my bedroom!) but have actually had a massage there before using the soothing oil. So I decided what harm could it do?

Zzzzzzzzz........

I tried it on Friday and guess what...I had the best sleep I've had in ages. It was the type of deep sleep that I have been unable to get into lately. I even settled down enough to have dreams. It is rather indulgent but oh so nice.

Do you have any tricks to help you sleep better?

Dream on...

I awoke this morning with sore eyes, exhausted and a headache. Usually this is after a rather good night out...however as it was a school night there had been no drinking. It was unfortunately all due to a bad night’s sleep consisting of a vivid dream ALL night!!!

If you sleepwalk or talk then you will know what I mean when I say I was caught in a dream. I was constantly waking up and feeling like I was in my dream. The dream itself was pretty traumatising as I was getting left in a house and I was all alone. I then proceeded to wake up nearly every hour thinking I was in said house. When I eventually awoke up this morning I was just exhausted. I felt like I’d not slept and spent all my night awake in the house. I sat having breakfast and actually cried as I felt that exhausted/upset. How strange? I’ve looked up occasional dreams but there were so many different parts to this that I have no idea what the meaning behind it was. All I know was that I didn’t like it and it didn’t help me get out of the right side of the bed this morning. 

Luckily the day picked up...kids were great at school and I also saw Miss GG. We had a nice chat and I feel things are a bit better between us. There were no arguments it was just two best friends trying to fall back into step again. I think it’s going to take a while before I can trust her again fully and ultimately forgive her for not helping me when I needed my best friend. However, I think it was a lesson learning moment for her too. Let’s hope things keep getting better.

Maybe I need to invest in one of these?

Sweet dreams to all tonight!!

*Image from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/460783

Accessorising...

I woke up yesterday morning, slowly turned my alarm off and then fell back asleep. When I awoke it was 8.20- time I should be at work. Oh no.... so I danced a merry jig as I stuffed breakfast down, made myself look presentable and ran out the house. Luckily it was planning time so it didn’t matter I was a couple of minutes late – by the way, ½ and hour to make up, eat, dress and get to work must be my new personal best. Anyway, not a great way to start the day. As I bustled around in a right fettle I promised myself, “Early night tonight to avoid this again.”

Just another 5 minutes.....

Today, well, I kept waking up every couple of hours thinking I’d slept in but was fine. Alrm went off at 7, wide awake lay for couple for minutes and then jolted awake!! Again! Luckily it was only half an hour later but seriously...I’ve had 2 week off so should not be struggling this much. Again, I ran around rather ridiculously and then.. the worst thing happened.... I looked in the mirror only to discover my eyes were being accessorised but two lovely bags! Lucky me? No!! To make matters worse, I had not Touché Éclat! Now fellow woman (and maybe some men- you have guy liner so why not Touché Éclat?), I defy you not to feel my pain. A Mulberry, Chanel or Dior... wouldn’t say no to one of those but my new bags just left me saying NOOOO!! So, I must, must, must start sleeping to get rid of them. I’m thinking 1^st phase of attack is sleep, followed by my over hyped (and no doubt useless) eye brightener cream. Wish me luck!

Now this is the type of baggage I like....

However, I have been rather lucky as due to burst water pipes I didn’t have my class in school today which allowed me to potter around and get some bits and bobs done which I have been planning on doing for ages. Nice day and a lot more relaxed than usual o maybe there’s hope for my fight against my horrid eyes yet!!