I have two really important notes on my phone, that I often return to when things feel slightly off kilter. The first is named 'Mental Health shopping list' and it details all the small things I should always allow myself to spend money on. The second is called 'Happy Places' which lists all my favourite headspace places to venture to when I need to breathe out, both physically & metaphorically.
Lifestyle Collective, a nail spa and cafe located on Allerton Road, features on both. It sounds like I'm trying to be sarcastic and funny by saying if you see me there, don't talk to me, but i'm actually not. Despite its popularity, i almost don't want to tell you about it, so i can continue to feel my sense of peace for the whole occasion.
I think it's a combination of things that make it one of my favourite places. I love the general vibe, excellent coffees, the loveliest girls ever and the wonderful owner Rachel. The music is great and the treatments themselves are lovely, and I would always always recommend anyone a luxury lifestyle manicure which aside from a great manicure includes a shoulders and scalp massage.
It's a bit pricier than what you could pay to get your nails done, but a trip here to me is not just that, it's actually my little slice of paradise and is worth every penny. Jess who did my nails yesterday said she reckons I'd live there if I could, and of course, she's right.
So as I said, if you take up my recommendation and we happen to be there at the same time, lets take the approach of completing ignoring each other, and zone out for a heavenly hour, where the biggest question we have to debate is if we want lime or lavender oil for our massage.
You can find out more about lifestyle collective on their website, instagram, or facebook page.