So, Mothers Day isn’t really about Mum at all

This side of the Atlantic we called it Mothering Sunday, originally from when it was common practice for people to return to their “mother church” (where they had been baptised) on the fourth Sunday in Lent. Servants, apprentices and other employees staying away from their homes were also encouraged by their employers to visit their mothers. Mothers Day in US was fi rst suggested by Julia Ward Howe 1872. Julia, who wrote “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” tirelessly championed the cause of offi cial celebration of Mothers Day and declaration of an offi cial holiday on the day. Her idea spread and in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson announced the fi rst Offi cial Mothers Day in the USBoth traditions combined as the American concept of Mothers Day was adopted in the UK and attached to Mothering Sunday.The tradition is of course to give the head of the family a

treat. Now this usually takes the form of a meal out, fl owers and certainly a day off from any chores.

But how about something different – a Yummy Mummy Makeover.

Angela Chouaib, Managing Director of Secret Surgery the cosmetic surgery holiday specialist says: “Like all devoted mummies we dedicate so much of ourselves and our resources to our children

“But sometimes, in all that you do, your own well-being gets a little lost. What if you could take great care of yourself and raise your children too? That’s exactly the philosophy behind the Yummy Mummy Makeover. More than ever, you have exciting surgical options to reverse the unwanted effects of childbearing and age.

“A typical mummy makeover packaged holiday abroad would

involve a fully tummy tuck with muscle tightening and this would cost as little as £4,500 for two adults and two children, 14 night in a luxury apartment and all associated surgery costs. This is a whopping £4,000 less than it would cost in the UK!”

Mind you freedom from chores could shed a few years too! Surveys show that it is still Mum that does most of the housework. Time for that to change. Domestic Solutions a friendly and professional family run business offer a really welcome break. They will do all your domestic chores including light gardening, dog walking, cooking dinner, washing and ironing and your weekly shop for £10 an hour. They add that if there’s something here not mentioned, just ask because they do most things.

That leaves plenty of time for lunch. Three courses at the superb Knockderry House Hotel costs just £19.95 per person. The ambiance is designed to relax you as this 4-star hotel is surrounded by magnifi cent scenery There is a garden terrace

overlooking Loch Long, and a lounge bar with wooden carvings and log fi res.

Or there’s the excellent Cafe at Kilcreggan – simply fresh, fun and on the shore front. The varied and keenly priced menu uses the best of fresh and local produce to be enjoyed looking out over the Clyde estuary. They offer a Mothers Day lunch of two courses at £13.95 accompanied by a harpist and including a small gift.

It goes without saying that these outings should be preceded by a bit of pampering. Hair by Norma offers styling , colouring and cutting by expert staff in one of Helensburgh’s longest established businesses handily situated on East King Street.

And to get that look perfect consult Susan at Suburban Nails. She is a qualifi ed mobile nail technician who offers gift vouchers along with a full service of manicure, shellac. minx and acrylics.

All in all some great suggestions to give Mum a day perfect in every way – right down to her fi ngertips.

Well actually it depends on whether you follow the British or the American tradition, writes Nick Cowie.

16 To advertise call Debbie on 01436 672424 17www.communityadvertiser.co.ukMothers Day Feature Mothers Day Feature

Domestic Solutions

www.domesticsolutions.bizdomesticsolutionsirene@gmail.com

We clean everything but you!

Fully Insured

NO bleaching agents used.NO chemicals, all natural cleaning products used, allergy friendly.Can use customers products on request

We cover everything you would do yourself on a daily/weekly bases for £10 ph!: • light gardening• dog walking• cooking dinner• washing/ ironing (home or away)• daily, weekly or monthly shop inc putting it away

We also have a commercial service for £15 ph including:• conferences• halls• offices • After party clean (home or hall)

Deep Cleans, building works, manual labour- £20 ph.

A friendly and professional family run business that go that extra mile to ensure every job is completed to your total satisfaction, freeing you up for the lighter things in life.

Uniformed Fully disclosed

Police checked

07787838951

Mother’s Day Lunch @ Cafe Kilcreggan

Come and join us at the cafe for a fantastic two course lunch including a small gift for your mother. Lunch will be accompanied by a harpest.

2 Courses £13.95, 1 Course £8.95

Opening hours:Mon-Wed 9:30-4pmThurs-Fri 9.30-9.30pmSun 10-9pm

Open Thursday through to Sunday evenings for both evening meals and take aways.

tel: 01436 842022

MOTHERING SUNDAY LUNCH

S U N D A Y 2 5 T H M A R C H 2 0 1 2

3 C O U R S E L U N C H £ 1 9 . 9 5 P E R P E R S O N

Shore Road, Cove, Argy l l and Bute , G84 ONX Tel : 01436 842283

info@ knockderryhouse. co. uk www.knockderryhouse. co. uk

Scots fi rm Secret Surgery has enjoyed a prolifi c fi rst

year of business. The cosmetic surgery holiday specialists, who turned one in November, have

recently expanded their services north of the border after a fl urry of interest from Scottish women.

Founded by Dumbarton businesswoman Angela Chouaib, Secret Surgery has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months, attracting new clients and earning awards along the way. The fi rm has already helped over 200 women experience surgery abroad in a state-of-the-art Polish Hospital. Many of Secret Surgery’s clients had yearned to have cosmetic procedures for some time, but were unable to, often due to the prohibitive cost.

After being told that she must wait two years for plastic surgery on the NHS, Angela decided to launch Secret Surgery. She spent Nine months researching surgery options in the UK and abroad, before discovering a Hospital in Poland she felt was suitable.

Her initial concerns about foreign surgery, compounded by scant

client reviews and the stigma associated with Eastern European treatment, were soon

assuaged. In April of 2010, she underwent a tummy tuck, and was so satisfi ed with the service

Helps Scotland’s Yummy Mummies

For more information on Secret Surgery,Tel: 0843 289 4982 visit www.SecretSurgery.co.uk or email Nicola Connolly at Nicola@SecretSurgery.co.uk

she returned a month later for a breast reduction and uplift.

One of Secret Surgery’s most popular packages is their mummy makeovers. Angela explains: “A typical mummy makeover package holiday costs £2,810 all inclusive for a tummy tuck, compared to £6,000 in the UK.”

Other popular procedures with Secret Surgery include thigh, arm and face lifts along with breast augmentation. The company regularly hosts meetings and discussion groups across the country, designed to assist women - and men - who are interested in learning more about cosmetic procedures. The fi rm have now expanded their operations in Scotland, with Nicola Connolly becoming the Scottish representative. Based in Dumbarton, Nicola’s role is to offer emotional, moral support as well as advise on all aspects of surgery abroad and to answer questions regarding Secret Surgery.

Angela Chouaib says: “I’m delighted to be welcoming Nicola, a fellow Scotswoman, into the Secret Surgery fold. Nicola and I are both mothers and understand the pressures of raising a family while still wanting to look and feel good. Secret Surgery has helped me achieve that, and we look forward to helping many more women experience Harley Street standards without the price tag!”

Qualified Mobile Nail Technician

SUBURBAN

NAILS•Gift Vouchers•Acrylics•Manicures•Shellac •Minx

HAIRby Norma

Ladies HairstylistCutting Styling

Colouring

39 East King StreetHelensburgh

01436 671495