Repair your hair day!

So apparently its February....and apart from the sunlight making everything lovely and sparkly like a enchanting Paris afternoon (Thank you to my friend for cheering up my morning with this comparison), it should really be re-named Frost-uary this year.

So it comes at no surprise that the 2nd of Frost-uary is the day that Brits are most at need of a hair-fix.

Charles Worthington of great salon fame, did extensive research into this, showing that there was a massive increase of 35% in hair treatments sold on this very date. This might be a combined result of the weather and the first pay-packet that hasn't had a dent due Xmas and New Years. That and of course with the prospect of Valentines around the corner, millions of people are styling themselves fabulous in the hope to attract a date on the evening you really don't wanna be sat at home with a copy of 'The Notebook' and our favourite twins (Ben and Jerry's).

What with the weather outside, and the central heating inside, it's no wonder our hair needs a bit of TLC. Moisturising treatments and a much sought after hair-dressers appointment are on the cards, so take some advise from man-in-the-know Marc Trinder, Creative Manager, for Charles Worthington Salons who says-

‘The early part of the year is a great time to focus on improving the texture and health of your hair as it’s likely to be damaged from the winter weather and over-styling during the party season. Damaged hair is more prone to splitting, tangling and breakage so it’s important to seal as much moisture into the hair as possible to keep it healthy and looking glossy. I recommend using a good at-home treatment like the new Charles Worthington Salon at Home Strength & Repair which offers intense nourishment and is proven to reduce hair breakage by 93%. And don’t sacrifice your regular trips to the salon for a trim, as getting rid of dry ends really helps to maintain the condition of your hair.’

....and how has the legend-Mr.Worthington himself responded?

Why with a Salon at Home Strength & Repair kit (RRP £19.99) – 'a treatment kit that restores dry, damaged and fragile hair to leave it looking healthy and intensely nourished – is exclusively available nationwide, at Boots www.boots.com.'

Review to follow!

REVIEW- Hotel of the Month- Chewton Glen.

So just by living in the South East, Mr Biscuit and I happen to have a whole range of scenery on our doorsteps. The beach is a few minutes away, the countryside just over the way, and as it happens there is also a rather glorious forest just around the corner.

The New Forest is in itself a rather spiffing day out with a variety of offerings from quaint tea-shops to beholding sights of galavanting horses running over the plains. There is even a go-ape course for the more adventurous adrenaline-junkies. Amongst that lies Chewton Glen- 5* country house hotel and spa, voted 'Best Hotel for Service in the UK' and listed as one of the 'World's Best Hotels' by Conde Nast Traveller readers in 2011.

It's impressive drive approaching the hotel itself reminded me of an Austin novel, imagining my coach steadily galloping towards an impending ball or gala, for the house itself is vast and impressive in magnitude. Simply elegant, and quite frankly, just luxurious.

Something that you might take note of if you yourself wish for a spot of Chewton Glen decadence, is the valet parking. This is something we completely missed and were quite dis-heartened we did not utilize as it all adds to the exclusive nature if the retreat. The sweet gentleman who came up to our car mentioned that we didn't have to drive ourselves into the car-park and then offered to take our bags, and actually looked quite sad that we politely said there was no need- Mr Biscuit already sighs heavily when carrying my gloriously flowery overnight luggage set- no need to inflict that on another man.

Upon arrival we were greeted courteously and with great attention. The real VIP treatment that every guest can expect at this hotel. Awaiting our suite to become ready, the splendid reception and various lounges and bars more than rested our weary feet (driving does become a strain on the ankles don't you know?), and an open log fire with a cuppa is splendid on a cold January afternoon.

The Master-man Ready Suite is a master suite within the variety of rooms on offer at the hotel. At 70m2 it has sweeping views across the grounds and golf course from it's own private sun terrace, and a lounge separate from your beautifully decorated bedroom and classically tasteful bathroom.

It is here that we found our luggage already conveniently stored and Champagne in an ice bucket eagerly awaiting our arrival.

Now this suite certainly is something to toast about. It's antique finishing-touches compliment a modern yet traditional look that certainly makes it quite fabulous. It's comfortable though with the decor giving it a homely feel that made us relax instantly.

There was a stonking great fly in the room however....but turns out I actually let it in myself. Definitely says something that the only thing I can post as a downside is that there was a fly in our room, and I guarantee that if I had asked for help from reception- they would have obliged with removing said fly. Instead I watched Mr Biscuit dance around with a magazine (complimentary magazine none the less!), flapping at it like a loon. This provided additional entertainment alongside the gourmet chocolates, juice bar, expresso coffee machine, and televisions in the lounge AND bathroom.

Now readers will know that this blog continues to review beautiful luxury beauty and skin-care products, and this wouldn't be a luxury hotel if it didn't provide luxury toiletries. But it is....and it did. REN products in fact- and they are just marvelous. I might well rant about them in a separate post. It is these products that continue to be complimentary across to the Hotel's spa.

The Spa is beautiful. Utterly gorgeous in all it's splendor. It is possibly the best equipped spa I have encountered at a hotel, with not only the usual pool and sauna/steam rooms and gym, but also a considerably vast hydrotherapy pool and outside hot-tub. It is an ideal spot to relax on your afternoon settling in to your well deserved break. Indeed we were so relaxed that we almost forgot that we should really get out and get ready before dinner. I know they are accommodating but I am sure that even they would frown upon some drenched swim-suit clad guests sitting down for dinner in their newly designed restaurant area.

This area of the hotel where you dine is the famous Vetiver. Vetiver is spread across 5-separate rooms that blend into a single uniform contemporary design with great attention to detail. Not only can you dine privately in their wine room, but the menu is so varied that it caters for a wide variety of tastes and pocket-sizes.

The A La Carte dining menu is what we sampled from across 3-courses. The Wine list is impressive, and some walls are adorned surrounding you showcasing the wonders of their collection. We noted the tasting menu also, a gorgeous 5-course delight that would send any foodies into seventh heaven, with complimenting wines recommended by the sommelier.

Our starters of dressed crab salad and scallops with a curried celeriac side were immaculately presented and arrived with such diverse yet interestingly accenting flavours, it is difficult to comprehend how this restaurant is not Michelin starred. My main of lamb tagine, a personal favourite, was melt in the mouth and succulent, whilst my partner serenaded his excellent cut of steak with a selection of ooh's and ahh's.

Dessert again did not disappoint, as the Chewton Glen Bumblebee consisting of honey sponge and orange sorbet was worthy of a painting, let alone Mr Biscuit's cheesecake to which was exclaimed to be the 'best cheesecake he had ever tasted'. We never had to wait for our glass to be empty for the attention to detail and excellent service is impossible to fault. Indeed, where service charges are included, there is no need to worry about tips- in fact they are simply not allowed. This is followed suit across the whole hotel. Tipping here is just not acceptable as you are reassured that the price you pay before always has it included.

Arriving back at our room we found our suite prepared for a comfortable night's sleep. Sheets turned down, water set at the bedsides, and lights dimmed. Perfect worry free ending to a beautiful evening leading to a stress-less night of sleep.

Breakfast is also served in the restaurant, and after our wake-up-call of a glorious cup of tea brought to our room with our choice of Newspaper (request this the day before on arrival- also includes delicious mini-muffins!). Opting for the continental buffet we were really pleasantly surprised by the variety of options available. It's a far cry from the slightly hard croissants and cold toast you normally expect. Enter delightfully fluffy Danish's and home-made pain-au-chocolat alongside a selection of breads nestling amongst the cheeseboard and fruit selection, and freshly prepared granola yogurts accompany a plate of different hams. Sat in the sunshine of the restaurants conservatory area, we enjoyed views whilst nibbling the fresh toast and tea being served to us. Sheer bliss! I only wonder if there is an option to have this as room service, as often breakfast on a relaxing weekend is best served in bed!

A busy day to come we opted to relax after breakfast back in the room as we had a late-check out of 12pm, allowing us to leisurely get ready for our spa afternoon we booked in to enjoy before our journey home. Packing done the reception kindly stored our bags and we headed to the pool area to await our call for the beauty-treatments. Mr Biscuit wondered over what I had in store for him, a massage incidentally, as in all his bearded wonder I did ponder as to how much point a facial would be.

His full body 60-minute massage was just what the doctor ordered (quite literally perhaps as back issues do pester him) and with an hour of deep tissue kneading and relaxation, he emerged blissfully and full of amazement at his masseuse Jill. She considered his problem areas and concentrated her efforts at pushing out the knots and pointing out key tension spots. Where the stress of his aches often leaves him tired, he was simply jubilant and re-energised.

My Ananda facial utilizing the natural products from Ila was amazing. I could just leave my comments at that but I feel obliged to elaborate.

Heres the official description-

Our Ananda facial, created by ila-spa, has been voted the 'number one' treatment in Organic Spa Magazines 'Top Ten Natural and Organic Facial'. This healing and reviving treatment brings deep feelings of bliss and peace, as well as beautiful skin! The facial techniques used open up the energy centres on the face working with the blissful higher energy in the body.

Now it just so happens that that day I had the cold-from-hell. Fully congested and prone to awake-snoring, yet I was told that this facial would relax and perhaps rid me from my snot-filled yucky-ness. The facial concentrates on massage and the chakras, utilizing gorgeous floral oils and luxurious cleansers. I never seem to fully relax during facials as I am too keen on knowing what is going on and what products are being used, but this time I clearly needed the rest and it was just so peaceful. The combination of moisturizing and hair and scalp-massage was enough to send me to sleep........until I woke myself up snoring. Luckily my embarrassed apologies were laughed off and I was gently guided to the relaxation room to meet my Mister, and we reclined in their chairs happily reading magazines until we were ready to face the blustery wind outside once more.

As you probably have noted, the facilities at Chewton Glen are excellent. Alongside the spa and restaurant, there is a lovely golf-course which I am assured is quite superb (not being a golfer myself!), AND........

• Outstanding Croquet Lawn
• 4 Tennis course (2 indoor) with on-site residential tennis professional
• 130 acres of jogging trails and walks
• Mountain Bikes
• Beach Walks (15 minutes through the hotel grounds to the sea)
• Outdoor heated Swimming Pool
• Clay Pigeon Shooting
• Archery
• Falconry
• Duck Herding
• Apache Buggy Racing

Good grief! Certainly enough to keep you busy, and if your hotel visit buddy fancies buying you a present, there is even a boutique shop on site for that perfect gift!

Chewton Glen is a venue that can provide an extensive range of options for your event or occasion. From a simple retreat, to a spa-hen-weekend, to your wedding day, it can be hired for all or part of your day- even with the option to hire the whole hotel for exclusive use!

More details about the hotel and spa as a venue, or to have a look at the range of room options, are on their beautifully designed site www.chewtonglen.com .

Thus all I can say is- enjoy, relax, and be happy, on your special visit to Chewton Glen........

Technical-error, apologies!

Hello fellow Biscuit-eers,

Just a brief note to apologise for the technical-difficulties we are experiencing with our pre-Xmas reviews around perfect gift ideas.

The posts for- Elemis, Southsea beauty clinic, Champneys day spa, Weleda, Bliss, babyliss, Bobbi Brown make-up, Liz Earle, Jo Malone candles, Lolita-Lempicka fragrance, and Boots 3-for-2 - will be retrieved a.s.a.p!

Many Apologies again, but we assure you we have some fab New Years-New You reviews and features coming up soon too!

From the Whim Biscuit Team.

The Whimsical Xmas pressie countdown.

So theres about a week until Xmas, and all though the house, not a present has appeared, not even a....oh I dunno....I ruined the rhyme.

Either way it's the time of year where we all go a bit do-lally with the ol'spending, and what with sorting dinner and decorating, and still working every over-time hour available just so you can afford said dinner and decor- presents are the priority.

Not only do you have to find time to shop, buy and wrap beautifully, but most of us at least like to try and buy things that the present-receiver would love. Or at least like.

So over the next week we will be giving you our recommendations for what we think are interesting, varied, and different beauty and style gifts.

So enjoy and good luck in your shopping adventures.

p.s- Just take a look at this gloriously cute tea-cup pig to relax!

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Hotel and Venue review- Stoke Park Hotel and Spa.

So do you remember in Bridget Jones where she and hotty-Mc-Hugh go boating on the lake? Remember the four-poster bed in the hotel when she puts on that bunny costume?

Course you do.

Far from simply being a set piece, Stoke Park Hotel and Spa is famous not only from featuring on numerous block-busting cinematic delights, but also from being ridiculously fabulous.

At five-stars and deserving no less, it sits in the the Berkshire countryside and is a feast of beautiful-ness with its gardens and lakeside views.

When asked to review this magnificent hotel with it's Bridget Jones mini-break, the first thing I did was pop on the DVD and prepare....So needless to say I arrived that Thursday afternoon in style.

If by 'in style' you interpret that to mean 'determined to be as Bridget-esque as possible'.

So with my silk scarf and twin-set I rolled up (in my clio....more fondly imagined to be an open top sports car) and insisted that Mr Whim Biscuit capture the moment of me pretending to be wind-swept (please note I made him wear his silliest Xmas jumper so he could be Darcy also- I wasn't going to leave him out was I?).

Now we are a normal average hardworking couple, and I feel it is important to state this because amongst it's more obvious qualities, this hotel has something that is so much more difficult to find. It is welcoming and friendly and makes you instantly feel like you belong.

Now I have stayed in some hotels where my excitement bubble has been burst by a distinct resonating feeling of not fitting in because my Gucci dress is more Primar-ni than Gucci, so this wonderful and comforting welcome-ness was great. The staff were friendly and helpful, giving us maps for their recommended 'Heritage walk' around the gardens, and helped us relax after our drive with a lovely cup of tea by an open fire.

While the room was being prepared we toured the building, noting where good ol' Darcy walked down the stairs, and then running up said stairs so I could pretend that I was them and feel very important. We then were showed all the beautifully decorated meeting rooms and eating areas, before actually going in the room, 'The Pennsylvania Suite', where Bridget stayed- and it is I assure you as opulent as it seems! (I didn't get to sit on the bed....but I really wished I could....).

(Oh good grief I sound mental).

Now Stoke Park kinda has two-hotels more or less next to each other.

It has the Mansion, where the rooms "are all individually designed and furnished with fine art, priceless antiques, large comfortable beds, en-suite marble bathrooms, HD TV, iPod dock, tea and coffee facilities, SPC Skincare products, WiFi and most have open fires."

Also the Pavillion, with all the same comforts but with a more modern decor "carefully chosen furnishings, equisite marble and fabrics are of the highest and most luxurious quality. The bespoke furniture is handcrafter in the UK with additional antiques sourced from the Far East. The walls are aborned with hand-made mirrors as well as moder, iconic artwork, including oil paintings, large photographs, Andy Warhol lithos and film posters."

Whilst we were in the Mansion, we noted that we thought having the contrasting styles was a brilliant concept, as both were as luxurious as each other but it meant that if you wished to, you could have a different stay each-time.

The Bridget Jones mini-break includes-

• One night's accommodation in a Mansion or Pavilion Room (upgrade to Pennsylvania Suite £130 per person)
• Bottle of chilled Chardonnay
• Three course dinner
• Full English or Continental breakfast
• SPC Aromatherapy Back Massage 25 minute per person
• Prescriptive Manicure or pedicure
• Bridget Jones's Diary DVD to take home
• Complimentary use of Health and Racquet facilities
  (indoor swimming pool with hydro-seats, state-of-the-art gymnasium, multi-surface tennis courts, steam rooms, dance and fitness studio)

*Upgrade to the actual four-poster suite used in the film, voted 'the most Romantic Hotel Room in the UK' by Sunday Times Magazine (subject to availability) for £290.

From £245.00 per person (offer based on two people sharing).

We stayed in the Coke-Suite named after Sir Edward, and as you can tell by below, it is simply glorious. Beautiful and tasteful, it is an encapsulation of wonderment and romance. The terrific interior design is complimented by elegant details to make your stay the best it could be. From chocolates to coffee table books, and all the extras in-between. The bathroom again, is superb. Marble, his and hers sinks, roll top bath etc etc. What more could you wish for....oh right....yeah....a balcony.

Our (yes for our room only) private balcony that is more room sized than anything, that showcases views across the grounds and impressive golf course. We even took our complimentary Chardonnay out there and had a dance to celebrate how impressive it all was (ok, I danced and Mr Biscuit laughed at me).

As we had arrived mid-afternoon, we had our spa treatments scheduled in shortly after, so I quickly checked how prickly my legs were (those of you who read my Elemis day spa review will remember my terror at realising I had forgot to shave before the masseuse had to do her massage, so I was still mortified by this embarrassment).

Contented, we went to reception where we noted though the glorious entrance that it was raining. Not a problem. Why worry about messy rain hair when a mini-bus will escort you to the next building.

Words do not describe how pampered we felt when we were driven all of 100-feet just for our comfort.

The spa itself is as luxurious as the hotel, as expected. It's the spa mentioned in the Pantene advert....you know....they say it's endorsed by Stoke Park Spa and the woman swishes her hair about, so we thought it had to be pretty great after all that.

....and it was.

Now since I am a sporadic nail-chewer, and Mr Biscuit had to ask me what the difference is between a manicure and a pedicure to begin with, I had asked for us both to have the pedicures alongside the back-massage. We changed into our robes and slippers and waddled into the relaxation area with complimentary tea and nibbles. Very zen. Very feng shui.

Then, escorted into our treatment rooms we transended into bliss and enjoyed our massages and pedicures utterly and completely.

Mr Biscuit insists that you know how manly this was, and how much he enjoyed it. This is because as a man that thinks washing your face with anything but soap is ludicrous, he really did not have a clue what to expect and probably thought he was going to end up with sparkly toes. He notes that we has never felt more comfortable and the staff were so friendly that when he came out and I was sat with my magazine, he actually berated me for never explaining to him properly how amazing spas were. I replied that I assumed this meant I was allowed to try all my creams and face-packs on him when we got home.

With a couple of hours before our late evening dinner, we took to the facilities- namely the pool. He splashed about for a while without me because the beauty therapist who did my pedicure had put the fear of God in me that I would ruin my new coral toe-nails if I skipped about excitedly. So I skipped about excitedly with bits of tissue between my toes for twenty minutes before I couldn't resist the steam room.

On a separate note about steam-rooms, I am still not sure what steam-room clothing etiquette is. There is always some others lounging in there in the buff, and I suddenly feel very over-dressed in my swimming costume. Ah well.

Giddy with elation, we retired to our room to beautify and dress up for our dinner, because when you are going to the hotel's 2-AA Rosette awarded restaurant 'The Orangery', you kinda wanna look glam.

The menu is varied and exquisite, and the epitome of fine dining. From sea-bass to fillet steak there will be something to suit you and the service is impeccable, particularly when you consider that I probably was awkward with my order when I asked for my starter of mixed pate's and asked if they could possibly not put any Fois gras on my plate as I thought it was mean. Mr Biscuit squirmed and kicked my foot, but the waitress was nothing but accepting and courteous. It reminds me of a time I was in Covent Garden and I asked for the lobster spaghetti but only if the lobster was already dead because some other diner ordered it and they could use some of that. Obviously I didn't wish for a lobster to end it's lobster-y life just because! Except my waitress there gave me an aspirated groan, and I bet that if I was at Stoke Park they would have been nice about it. Sigh.

Breakfast is also provided, and you have a choice of continental or English Breakfast, and the choice is ridiculous!

We put our order on the door to be collected, and discovered to our surprise the next morning that we perhaps ordered a tad too much. Just remember that when it takes a couple of waiters to deliver it all to your room in the morning because you might have accidently ticked most of the boxes in the choice selection, you will be embarrassed. Because it's not like a silly buffet that comes on a single plate, but actually is very generous in size and the fruit plate is a proper fruit plate, and the smoked salmon with scrambled egg is not just a side note to your breakfast but a full size portion in itself. So yes, silly us indeed.

Although check-out is around midday, we took the opportunity to pack our bags in the car before ensuring we didn't miss out on the scenery set in the 27 hole park-land golf course. The heritage walk was just what we needed after a morning swim (especially to work off the breakfast), exploring the 'Capability' Brown designed gardens, and lakes (by the way, you can't row on the lake. I asked. Apparently that was just for Bridget Jones....disappointment much?!?!). Yet all in all it literally was the perfect ending to a perfect mini-break, and whilst we write this now, Mr Whim Biscuit and I completely agree...we just can't fault this.

With impressive backdrops and impeccable decor, why not hold your wedding at Stoke Park? With it's convenient location just over half and hour away from London, and next to Windsor Castle, it is the ideal venue for any couple determined for decadence and wonderment.

So go, stay, relax, and adventure!

www.stokepark.com .

Congratulations to our Re-Tweet To Win Competition Winner.

Whim Biscuit would like to congratulate the winner of our fabulous Re-Tweet To Win competition, check your Twitter to see if it's you!

@whimbiscuit .

We also would like to thank Stoke Park for providing us with such a wonderful give-away for our launch. The Bridget Jones mini-break is certainly the ultimate in luxury and we have no doubt that our winner will enjoy their stay.

Wish to know more about Stoke Park and Spa? Want to know more about what it's like and what kind of magical get-away you could purchase for friends or family this Xmas? Then Tune in later for Whim Biscuit's review!

Whim Biscuit re-launches for Xmas 2011.

As our readers noticed, Whim Biscuit took a year out, but this was just a tad too sad for our loyal biscuit-eers. Thus, in true form, the whim is back and better than ever....

For all your beauty and life-style tips, reviews, friendly-banter, and some fantastic give-aways, Whim Biscuit is the place to be.

Sponsored by The Events Engine, an ethical events company (more news from them in the future), we will be tailoring Whim Biscuit to general product-reviewing, and generally suggesting how you can look and feel wonderful as you already are for your big day. Be it the wedding of the century, the party of the season, or that all important Xmas do.

Christina Hendricks is vintage style encapsulated at her recent wedding- click for link.

So, keep reading, follow us, and even tweet us, as your go-to-guide for beauty, style, and well-being tips.

Our thanks always go to all you Whim Biscuit fans.