Hello and welcome to my blog..

I thought I would start with introduction and a bit of background and why I decided to start a blog.

I’m Amanda and I run my holistic therapy business, The Rose Room, from my home treatment room and also work as a Complementary Therapist for the NHS.

I was a child of the 60’s and 70’s, my lovely mum was a single parent until I was about 10, she was a bit of a hippie, a touch bohemian and a beautiful free spirit.  She was living in London when I was born, an independent woman in her 20’s with a job and a flat, then she got pregnant…remember this was the 1960’s, quite scandalous to be an unmarried mother in those days, nowhere near the norm that it is today and she had quite the fight not to have me adopted.  My Portuguese father didn’t stay around for long and she brought me back to my grandparents home.

They lived in a flat in a old converted manor house, lovely big rooms but still a bit of a squeeze with another adult and a baby so we moved into our own flat in this lovely ‘commune’.

And a lovely community it was, everyone in the flats in that building knew one another, and I grew up surrounded by the love and support of uncle this and auntie that even though I wasn’t related to any of them apart from my grandparents.  I remember them all, and that beautiful building and its gardens some 60 years later with fondness and the realisation of how lucky I was, although there were times as I grew up when I would have given anything to live in a ‘normal’ semi detached house with modern fittings like my friends, rather than a flat in a creepy old house with mis-matched junk shop furniture, kaftan covered sofas, lamps and incense sticks…that seems like madness to me now, but that’s the insecurity of youth and wanting to fit in I suppose.

So what is the point of all this rambling?

I suppose I am trying to illustrate how things shape us, touch us and stay with us along the way, turn us into the people we become and draw us towards the things we feel happiest doing.

It is no surprise then that I now live in a house with vintage furniture, draped sofas, lamps and incense sticks, friends, family, love and laughter make me happy (my Mediterranean genes coming into play there), kindness touches me and I endeavour to pay this forward, I am spiritual, empathic and my bohemian side is always itching to get out.

No surprise either that I was drawn to a caring profession, although I didn’t start my therapy training until after I had my children in the 90’s I have always had a passion for complementary therapies, holistic wellbeing and aromatherapy.  Although a qualified beauty therapist, it was always the holistic therapies that were my true vocation, therapies that could really make a difference to others wellbeing, therapies that made them feel relaxed, cared for and safe.

I absolutely love what I do, both in my treatment room and in the NHS.  Some of our hospital patients are very unwell, and I am honoured to be able to spend precious time giving them support and care and make a difference, however small.

So why did I decide to start a blog?

I love sharing and I love helping people.  In The Rose Room I share my knowledge and experience in the treatments I give my clients and help them with their aches and pains, skin concerns, stress levels and general wellbeing, my holistic approach means that their treatment experience doesn’t  stop when they walk out of my door.  I will always look for ways to extend the feel good factor and ensure they get the ongoing full benefits from their appointment, these things can be an essential oil aromastick or rollerball, skincare samples, herbal teabags, or some of the oil used for their massage.  The point is that they have something to help them return to a place where they felt relaxed and stress-free, safe and cared for.

These things are all self-care and there’s no reason you have to come for a treatment (although I’d love you to!) to have these things to help you with your wellbeing.

What will I be writing about in my blogs?

Holistic therapies – I will be sharing in depth about treatments, what they do, how they do it and how they can help you.

Aromatherapy – all the wonders of essential oils, looking at different oils in more depth and how you can use them, not just for your wellbeing but as eco friendly household products.  I will be sharing some recipes to make your own products and some lovely blends you can pop in your diffuser.

Self-care – tips to help you look after your wellbeing, both physically and mentally and why self-care is so important.

Home comforts – I love my home, it’s my sanctuary.  It’s not a show home by any stretch, my style is, well, my style really!  A bit vintage, a bit boho, old, new and repurposed, I’m a habitual tweaker, which is my personal self-care.  I won’t be presuming to tell you how to style your home, we all have our own tastes after all, but I will sharing things that I love in my home that make me happy and feel good homes that inspire me.

I will be sharing the inside of my treatment room with you, the little touches that make it a place where my clients can feel peace and relaxation in the precious time they spend with me.

The Rose Room is an extension of me, my style and energy. It’s not a clinical setting. Like the rest of my house, it’s warm, cosy and welcoming, with vintage furnishing, plants and lamps.

So why should you read my blog posts?

Why should you take time out of your busy day to read my posts?

How are you?  When was the last time somebody asked you this and you answered honestly, when was the last time the person asking actually wanted an honest answer?!

It would be great if we could all live a bohemian lifestyle, in a lovely community that all looked out for one another, free from the constraints of mainstream society, money, the stress that comes with material attachments.  Most of us don’t have that luxury, we have to work, drive, show up, be social, suffer bad manners and rudeness on a daily basis (my pet hate), deal with things and people, some of which may not be our ideal bedfellow..

This all takes its toll on us, we feel stressed, anxious, strung out, and this can have an effect on our health both mental and physical.  Most of us are not very good at taking care of ourselves, we haven’t got time, feel guilty or are too busy looking after others.

So, first and foremost, I will be flying the flag for well-being and everything else will kind of stem from this, so if you are looking for ways to fit some me-time into your life you’re in the right place.

Have you discovered the wonder of essential oils but are not sure how to use them and blend them safely or are you yet to try them but would like to?  We will be looking at aromatherapy and why and how it works here.

Are you yet to experience a holistic treatment and would like to know more about them, or you have certain treatments but would like to know what else is available to help you?  We will be looking at some treatments in depth here.

So welcome to your well-being oasis, get ready to uplift your spirits, restore your balance and let me unleash your bohemian side..

“The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose”

Hada Bejar