CherylH

#20 in Narre Warren North VIC

Reviews by CherylH

This review is for Amazing Grace Beauty Salon, Narre Warren North VIC

verified email - 13 Dec 2007

As a busy full time single working mum I found I needed a bit of TLC and someone/something to put the pieces together so I could keep on keeping on .. and had the good fortune to stumble upon the delightful Samantha. What a treasure she is !! I get the 6 weekly "spoil" .. an hour relaxation massage and 1/2 hr facial .. for the grand total of $70!! 1 1/2 hours of bliss .. Sam has the ability to get all the fractured pieces and put them back together and she sends me back into the world nurtured, cossetted, and renewed .. and I am eternally greatful to her for that. I have tried one or two different people over time, but none better than Sam. She uses natural products, and a deft hand !! I don't know what I would do without her now .. honest!! Sam works out of her home salon. If you need a bit of pampering or good quality "buff and polish" human style .. then Sam is your girl, and she gives gift vouchers which I have used to very good effect. Before you all rush to Sam remember it was me who told you about her and so make sure you leave a time for me .. : - )

Approximate cost: $70 for massage and facial

This review is for Tiara Fitness, Mordialloc VIC

verified email - 13 Dec 2007

Anastasia is a personal trainer with a background as a nurse. She is big on prevention rather than cure, so went and trained to be a personal trainer. Many strings to this womans bow .. she can do individual or group training and she is a specialist in Tai Chi. I met up with Anastasia through a friend who was attending a local gym. My friend (and I!) are rapidly heading toward middle age and want someone who can relate to us, and personalise a program to meet the needs of working mums who want to get a bit fitter and a bit more toned .. no Adonis or gym barbie to make us feel less than glam. but someone who has a "whole person" approach and who can "encourage" us not shame us into better health. Well, Anastasia is all that and more. A warm, wise, wonderful, informative, interested and interesting woman. I am a bit far away for regular sessions with her, but my friend has regular individual sessions, and I was fortunate to be able to join in on one or two sessions with her. No sweat to Anastasia, she is understanding and accommodating .. nothing is too much trouble, and always a great smile and a giggle to be had. I have an allied health background and I can tell you she knows her stuff but does it with charm and good humour so you get fit and healthy without knowing it. So if you are looking for a bit of toning up before Christmas, or know you will need it after Christmas I highly recommend this wonderful woman and her great skills.

Approximate cost: $60p/h, less for group.

This review is for Easily Lead, Olinda VIC

verified email - 13 Dec 2007

Browsing the shops on a warm inviting spring day up Mt Dandenong way .. and popped into this WONDERFUL gem of a place. It has everything .. James is a craftsman/furniture maker/wood designer. He uses recycled timbers .. jarrah, eucalypt, mahogany .. wood reclaimed from older homes throughout the metropolitan area, wood originally milled from the Dandenongs themselves or the forests around James' home area of Warburton/Millgrove. Beautiful, unique (haven't seen similar around), can make it to your individual requirements .. what a find !! Just loooove his work. But there is more .. his amazingly talanted partner Rosemary does leadlighting .. James makes the frames from recycled timber, and Rosemary does leadlight mirrors, lamps, windows or feature pieces .. can replicate leadlight articles you want copied, or can make a piece to your specifications .. but there is more .. she is a wonderful artist/painter in her own right and has her works (for sale) up on the walls .. stunning stuff .. but still more !! .. she makes designer jewellery (some work of a friend too) .. lovely, fabulous bling to delight the eye and adorn the ears/neck/wrist .. luved it and bought several pieces. What really amazes me is how damn inexpensive it all is for the quality you get .. they are starting out so prices are modest to get stock moving .. I emptied my purse then and there and will be going back for more so I can finish off my Christmas shopping wih beautiful, hand crafted, unique (and some quirky) gifts. Really a special little shop. Very unassuming from the outside, but go in and have a look .. well worth the drive (a pub next door for a drink/meal as part of the day out), and certainly well worth the effort to look for gifts for others or a treat for yourself !! Seriously blown away by the place, the ethics (reclaimed wood = no knocking down virgin forests or tropical Indonesian rain forest), the quality and the range (tabels, bowels, frames, paintings, jewellery, leadlight, mirrors, jewellery boxes, hand made cards) etc etc etc

Approximate cost: $Varies but very reasonable in comparison to simila