This month’s tots100 Center Parcs family blogger challenge is to create a mini home spa experience. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning a family break at Center Parcs yourself and to become a part of the Center Parcs Family Blogger Club then take a look over here and get blogging. Then just tweet @tots100 and @CenterParcsUK linking to your blog post with pictures and tips of how you created your own mini spa experience and include the #CPFamilyBreaks
I’ve been a huge fan of the Aqua Sana at Center Parcs for many years now, going for Spa day’s even when we’re not on holiday there.
I’ve been to a couple of other day Spa’s but the Aqua Sana’s have been my favorite, possibly due to the wide range of rooms/experiences they offer. A lot of people who have not visited a Spa before often assume it’s just about the treatments and while the treatments are wonderful the Aqua Sana has so much more to offer, take a look 
On to the challenge…
Being a Mum of 6, parent carer to 2, the one thing I have learnt to benefit from is looking after myself, not always on the outside but definitely on the in. Inner peace is very important to our well being but something that’s easily over looked and not always so easy to come by. I’ve found it very important to make a bit of time for myself (at the risk of sounding selfish). It helps me cope with the daily demands of being both a parent and a carer. Creating a mini spa at home is something I love to do.
Step 1 of my home mini spa is all about preparation. As strange as this sounds my preparation often starts the day before with clearing the spaces I’ll be using, as I find I can never relax around to much mess. I’ll often use plug in air fresheners too that help to create part of the ambiance. A quick before and after pic…
Step 2, there’s nothing stopping most people doing this during the day if they have a few child free hours but I rarely do, so step 2 for me is waiting til the children are tucked up in bed sound asleep and then gathering up my mini spa essentials.
In the photo is my mini spa box and other bits and bobs.
Included in my mini spa box, to create the right ambiance are…..A fluffy robe, a nice big bath towel, comfy slippers, a solitudes CD because I find the music along with the right lighting makes ALL the difference. Candles (scented when I have them).
For treatments, I like a nice calming scented bubble bath, a body scrub, body butter, a ped egg….it’s less glam than fish nibbling my toes but I’m not sure how much my daughter’s goldfish would love me dipping my toes in their tank, so ped egg it is 
Another body treatment you could try at home is a contrast shower, supposedly good for circulation, switching between a hot and cold shower.
For my hair and face I have hot oil and some deep pore cleanser and some Elemis face masks. I love them, I first bought a fruit rejuvenating one at Center Parcs a couple of years back. I was also very lucky to receive a Decleor gift set which is amazing.
Step 3, is to enjoy all of this!
Step 4, if you have a willing partner is a hot stone massage. You can buy these cheap enough from various outlet’s. I first had a hot stone massage at Center Parcs. The home version is not quite the same but still pretty fab.
Step 5, getting in to a warm bed and having the best nights sleep
That’s it,
Occasionally I add in a carafe of iced water with lemon, a small fresh fruit platter or a platter of antipasti and a chilled glass of Prosecco if you’re recreating a twilight spa experience then this is that extra touch of luxury as I’ve enjoyed at Center Parcs itself.
That about wraps up my mini Spa experience at home, I was very lucky and received most of these items as Xmas presents although I often look out for special offers.
There are of course cheaper ways of having a mini spa experience and recipes you can find online for hair and facial treatments you can make in your kitchen at home.
I hope some more of you enjoy taking part, what better excuse to enjoy re creating your own mini spa at home than a chance to win a fantastic family break at Center Parcs yourself
That looks and sounds awesome, you can do me one lol, thought I would create a calming bathroom this evening. Failed, one orchid fell into the bubble bath and them my best candle slipped off the other end also into the bath, did not fancy getting in then. Maybe tomorrow lol, great post love it.xxx
Made me laugh…oops lol, one way of having petals in your bath
xxx
Oooo, I love a good spa day but they’re way too expensive to do over here. Will be using your tips to recreate my own at home though x
Thank you, and I know I said it on Twitter anyway but many Congratulations again on the birth of your son. Hope you are all keeping well xxx