Mermaid Gin Summer Party- Southampton HarBAR on 6th

 

M E R M A I D   G I N

Harbour on 6th, Southampton

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A Splash of Summer with Mermaid Gin at HarBAR on 6th



We had the absolute pleasure of attending a fabulous Mermaid Gin Summer Party at the stylish HarBAR on 6th, located at the stunning Southampton Harbour Hotel. It was the perfect way to kick off the summer season in style – sun, sea views, and sensational cocktails!





The event showcased Mermaid Gin’s spectacular new summer cocktail menu, filled with bright, refreshing flavours that truly capture the spirit of summer. Think zesty citrus notes, subtle botanicals, and beautifully balanced mixers that make each drink as photogenic as it is delicious. πŸ‹πŸŠ✨







Adding to the summer charm, HarBAR on 6th has unveiled a brand-new Mermaid Gin foliage installation – a lush, vibrant display that transforms the space into a citrus oasis. It's the perfect backdrop for a chilled drink with friends or a golden hour selfie.





The atmosphere was buzzing, the cocktails were flowing, and the views over the marina were as gorgeous as ever. Whether you're a gin lover or simply looking for a summer spot with a great vibe, this is the place to be.





Have you seen the new setup yet? If not, I highly recommend heading down to HarBAR on 6th and enjoying your first sip of summer. Trust me – it's the kind of experience you'll want to come back to again and again. 🧜‍♀️🍸🌿



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Exbury Gardens- Beaulieu

E X B U R Y   G A R D E N S

Beaulieu, UK

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A Rainy Day Adventure at the Stunning Exbury Gardens


{AD} A Family Day Out in the Heart of the New Forest


We had the absolute pleasure of visiting the breathtaking Exbury Gardens, a true hidden gem tucked away in the heart of the New Forest, near Beaulieu. Despite the rain (and yes, there was a lot of it!), it turned out to be a magical day full of colour, exploration, and memory-making.


For those unfamiliar, Exbury Gardens is part of a historic estate purchased by Lionel de Rothschild in 1919. Over the decades, this visionary horticulturist transformed the land into a world-renowned garden, and walking through it today feels like stepping into a living, blooming piece of history.







Wandering Among Giants: Rhododendrons in Full Bloom


We began our adventure with a gentle stroll through the gardens, where towering rhododendrons burst into vibrant bloom all around us. The colours were nothing short of breathtaking—rich purples, fiery reds, glowing pinks and snowy whites seemed to glow against the moody skies.


Even as the skies opened and the rain poured, we simply popped our hoods up and kept going. There was something oddly calming about the rain tapping on leaves as we wandered through winding trails surrounded by nature’s springtime display. The kids thought it was brilliant—puddle jumping, leaf-spotting and all. It really was the perfect way to unwind and feel connected to the outdoors.








All Aboard the Exbury Steam Railway


Next up was something the kids had been looking forward to all morning: the Exbury Steam Railway. And let’s just say, it didn’t disappoint—Cass was beyond excited!


This charming miniature steam train winds its way through some of the gardens’ most scenic spots, including the rock garden, the peaceful dragonfly pond (my personal favourite), and a magical tunnel. The ride takes about 20 minutes and is a wonderfully relaxed way to see the gardens from a different perspective. There are even quirky little statues and sculptures hidden along the route for kids to spot—turning it into a bit of a treasure hunt.


Fun fact: during Halloween and Christmas, the train transforms into a spooky ghost train and a festive holiday ride—a definite must-do if you’re visiting later in the year!









Celebrating 60 Years of the Azalea Bowl


This year, Exbury Gardens is celebrating the diamond anniversary of their famous Azalea Bowl, planted an impressive 60 years ago. It’s currently in its full, dazzling glory—rolling hills of red, magenta, coral, and blush pink, shimmering with raindrops. If anything, the constant spring showers seem to have enhanced the colours even more.


We took part in one of their Azalea-themed guided tours, which offered a deeper understanding of the plants, their origins, and the design of this iconic part of the garden. It’s well worth joining if you’re interested in the history or just want to slow down and take it all in.





Exploring Witcher’s Wood & a Well-Earned Treat


From there, we wandered through Witcher’s Wood, a woodland wonderland filled with ornamental trees and—you guessed it—even more jaw-dropping rhododendrons. These ones have matured over the years into towering giants, with blossoms cascading above like colourful umbrellas.


After all that exploring, it was time for a little refreshment. Nestled in what used to be the estate’s old tennis courts is a cosy little coffee shop, where we treated ourselves to hot drinks and ice cream. A sweet little break before the next round of adventures!



Family Fun at the Play Area & Log Trail


No family day out is complete without a play park, and Exbury absolutely delivers. The children loved the playground, and just nearby is a woodland log trail where they could climb, balance, and explore freely. Honestly, I think they could have stayed here all day—it was a massive hit.


From Witcher’s Wood, we followed the lovely Lovers Lane path, which winds through scenic woodland and eventually opens up to spectacular views of the Beaulieu River. Even in the rain, the views were stunning—peaceful, wide open, and picture-perfect.






Final Thoughts: A Must-Visit All Year Round


Rain or shine, Exbury Gardens is a truly magical place. With its rich horticultural history, seasonal floral displays, family-friendly activities, and peaceful walking trails, it’s somewhere I’d wholeheartedly recommend for anyone—whether you’re a plant enthusiast, a family with little adventurers, or just looking for a tranquil day out.


We’re already planning our return trip—hopefully under sunnier skies—but honestly, there’s something beautifully wild about visiting during spring showers. It adds an extra layer of atmosphere, and the gardens still shine.






Plan Your Visit:

Check out seasonal highlights, train schedules, and guided tours at exbury.co.uk

Tag your visit with #exburygardens to share your own adventures!

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Beauty Sculpting Room- Lymington

B E A U T Y   S C U L P T I N G   R O O M

Lymington

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Come with me for my first ever fat freezing treatment at the fabulous Beauty Sculpting Room in their gorgeous new salon location situated in Lymington.



I had the ultimate abdomen fat freeze treatment, to try and shape up my “mum tum” and give myself a little mummy makeover after having four children. 




I don’t have a very high pain threshold but this felt fine for me, I’d say the worst part was how cold the masks are they put on πŸ˜† I could feel a little discomfort for the first 10-15 minutes but once it was numbed from the intense coldness I couldn’t feel a thing and felt so comfortable and at ease thanks to Stacey & Hetty. They have a television in the room as the treatment is about 35 minutes and you can literally “Netflix & chill ❄️”





I then got to head back to have their amazing Tesla toning treatment which is literally just over half an hour of your life, and does the equivalent to 20,000 crunches (or other areas) all from the comfort of laying down. I have never enjoyed a treatment more! Now I couldn’t think of anything better as I really struggle to get motivated for the gym and to tone up my tummy area let alone finding the time. I found it relaxing, the Tesla machine makes your muscles contract and then it does pulses so helps with the lactic acid meaning you don’t ache the next day like you would at the gym. 




This along side maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help give you the body boost you need. It can also do your hamstrings, lunges, squats, underarm curls and inner thighs. 

This treatment also works well after having their fat freezing treatment so the two can work along side each other. I had a course of four Teslas but you can keep it up weekly or monthly depending on your preferences.






Thank you for giving me a fabulous kick start to 2024! Definitely go and check them out for all your beauty needs!!



Alexis x

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New Bed & Mattress

N E W   B E D   &   M A T T R E S S

Check out this fabulous bed and mattress

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I have been kindly sent this beautiful super king sized bed and mattress from Sonno Beds UK.




I went for the Monaco Wingback Divan in Silver Linoso with two draws and honestly the best mattress ever- the Sonno PillowTop 3000. Having the extra layer on the mattress has made it super comfy and we are having the best nights sleep ever. I also love the grey yet slightly earthy tone with the bed and fabric, and the silver detail along the wingback headboard.





https://sonno.co.uk you can check them out here, they have a huge variety of beds in an array of different colours and materials and lots of fabulous mattresses to choose from!


If you looking to upgrade your bed to transform your bedroom or just want to refresh your nights sleep and get a new mattress I highly recommend Sonno beds, and will be getting the girls some from them too when they need them!


I have a blog post with this on and lots of photos plus you can check it out over on my instagram as will be more uploaded this week - 
Hope you all have a lovely weekend, Alexis x
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