Brigette's Cottage Beauty

10/07/2026

Feeling the sun on my face this afternoon after a big nap has been good for me. Taking time out to rest and reset is exhausting!

Love this Neil Young cover my son sung and posted in his Daniel Jones feed. I am cow-girling up as best I can today.

Rest, good music, cups of teas, good friends, food and family, cuddles with your dog, and a moment of sunshine is sometimes all a girl needs.

Trusting the process ❤️

Much love to you all as you face this day xx

12/05/2026

Salon update. With love Brig ###

ADVICE OF CHANGE OF SERVICES

(This post is pinned at the top of my page so you can always find it)

This has been updated as of 12 May 2026

As most of you know, I have been away travelling in UK and Victoria with Gary over the last couple of months. As you can imagine it's been an amazing experience and we've truly loved our time away.

With all the travelling we've actually only been home in Charleston just over a week in total since we left mid March! Now, my challenge is to navigate getting back into work mode after embracing the time off.

Let's just say I'm well and truly feeling a combination of shifts after an over indulgence of living it up! To he honest, it's made me rethink my own purpose and intentions for my personal, as well as business life, as I approach being 60 next year. Life is so short as I am constantly reminded lately.

As an aside, we're commencing some renovations in the house within the next week or two, which will directly conflict with salon activity.

With all that being said, I won't be available to take any bookings until I'm "back on track" - whatever that entails. Consider it a pause. Hopefully a reset for myself, in body, mind and spirit and also for some clarity regarding the business - to determine if it is financially viable or not. Basically, providing a time of reflection and insight as I map out my goals for the near future.

All appointments that have been locked in already, remain confirmed and I look forward to treating.

As of the "back on track" date, I'll recommence sound healings and holistic healing treatments such as massage, reiki, reflexology.

I have made a solid decision whilst being away, which I'll share now:

As of SEPTEMBER I will NO longer be offering any services other than those mentioned above. Waxing, tinting, full pedicure, manicure and facial services and retailing of cosmetics & nail products will cease at the end of August. Hand, feet and facial work will still be included in holistic treatments but not as stand alone services.

It's been a pleasure to offer those services for over 25 years but the time has come to close that door in treating. I won't miss the messy wax pots but I will genuinely miss the privileged conversations I've shared within ALL the above treatment settings - all for their own particular reasons. I just know it's time. I'm aware people may be disappointed but I feel that looking at my decision proactively, this will open the doors to increase business to other very capable beauticians. I hope my clients will embrace that chance to trust other skilled professionals and build a relationship with them that is mutually fulfilling. I know having your trust has been pivotal in you choosing my salon, thank you.

This decision has not been made on sentiment, as if so I would never say "no" to those treatments if only based on my heart felt care and affection for my clients.

So, until I have recommenced "play" I pause and thank you for your understanding and patience. Good will come from this.

Bx

15/04/2026

I am feeling so grateful for our UK holiday. and I got to visit Scotland, England and Wales. He got 3rd Place and a world record in Birmingham in bench press at his powerlifting comp; a fantastic effort.

We felt the love of family and friends throughout the whole duration of our stay. We've made new memories and cherished old ones. Honestly, it was brilliant! I can't put into words how my heart feels right now. There have been tears at goodbyes, promises that we kept and more to be honoured.

Until we see each other again beautiful family and friends.

Sending love to you all as we board for Singapore. Can't go back via the US and Fiji as originally planned due to the passport issue, so we're sure Singapore will work some magic for us.

Ps...Paddington was so darned cute sitting on the bench in Chester and I couldn't resist a cuddle.

Bxx

28/03/2026

Well, we've made it to the Arnold Classics for Gary's powerlifting events. He lifts in bench comps today and tomorrow. We supported our fellow Aussie Josh Pywell yesterday with his deadlifts comp and he did really well. Although only 4 of us there yesterday, we made ourselves known and felt really proud to be Aussies.

And what a bonus, we got to see Arnold Schwarzenegger speak and wander through the immense crowd. He is a true inspiration to anyone who wishes to manifest a vision into reality. He said he loves England as in 1967 (the year I was born) he got his first break. He is living proof that you can make a difference to others by achieving your own goals and a remarkable ambassador for fitness and health and lifting others. His life of dedication to his sport has brought an array of fitness modalities together under the umbrella of this event, and for us, it's truly impressive to be amongst it all. You can feel Arnold's genuine joy to see how widely accepted gyms are in 2026. A total champ!

A self confessed Olive Oil, I am proud to be with my own Popeye as he once again represents Australia on a world class stage. British Powerlifting have embraced us being here and it's very welcoming.

Gary is also enjoying all the goodie bags that we are collecting from the array of stall holders. Like a kid in a candy shop! We'll be in the good books with our lads when we get home!

Lift strong today Mr Jones ❤️

20/03/2026

Nothing to blue about!! I've just landed in the UK - Manchester, to be exact! The walkway is lit up and I had to do a sneaky selfie as we walked along to our hotel.

Bxx

20/03/2026

I haven't got enough words to say how much I love Paris.

Feeling super grateful that we got to even stay here last night! Our plan was to have 2 nights with 3 full days here before travelling on to the UK, but having my passport stolen in San Francisco at the Union Square (told later notorious spot for theft) changed things significantly for our itinerary. Now travelling on an emergency passport means I can't get back into America and perhaps other destinations as planned for our return to Aust. Our travel agent has her work cut out to get us home another way now in a few weeks but she managed to get us a flight to Paris straight after my passport was issued at the Australian Embassy in San Francisco.

First world problems that can be worked around, but also genuinely challenging when it happened. Let's just say I was speaking French before I even got there!! By the time we got to enjoy an amazing dining experience at Minim's, I had shed so many happy tears! To be experiencing a dream come true standing on Pont Alexandre 111, an iconic and most beautiful bridge, overlooking this incredible city, is just the best feeling.

6 hours still to go here before we leave for the airport.

X###

14/03/2026

I woke up in Fiji this morning! Flying the long way to the UK does have its perks. Tomorrow, we wake up in San Francisco!

Fiji airlines were excellent for this first short leg of our 5 week journey. This little B is off for another big adventure and embracing each moment. Feeling fortunate in so many ways. Off to get breaky with Mr G ❤️ who once again makes magic happen.

Love to all.

Bx

04/03/2026

Salon vibes from a treatment I did at the start of the Chinese new year (mid February)

Embracing the Fire horse 🐎 🔥 with the nurturing of self love and kindness, whilst letting go of what doesn't serve.

Photo 1: garden flowers sitting on the conversation table. Given to my client to take home after her treatment

Photo 2: the treatment bed, set up with positive themed items and gems. A hand made blanket from my mother in law, which has the most gentle hues about it, reminding my client to wrap herself in compassion, kindness and love.

Photo 3: Firehorse card that I received from my beautiful friend Daniela .in.every.day during a retreat she held in February

Photo 4: Salon set up for my client with one three firey salt lamps I have in my treatment room.

Photo 5: Fire quartz 🧡 used during treatment

Photo 6: Rose quartz 💖 used during treatment

Photo 7: Selenite crystal used during treatment to cleanse all that doesn't serve and recharge one self for the new year ahead.

Photo 8: a vintage kneeling angel statue I was gifted from my parents several years ago. They remind me that I work alongside angels when I'm treating and to ask for their help at anytime.

Photo 9: garden flowers I arranged in a horse themed vase. The sunset behind the draught horses spoke significantly to me, as well as the symbolism of the horses.

Photo 10: my spotify playlist for the treatment was beautiful piano healing music. Highly recommend it.

A lovely session for both myself and my beautiful client.

Bxx

17/02/2026

Firehorse flowers from the garden to celebrate the Chinese new year Brigette's Cottage Plants & Flowers ###

https://www.instagram.com/p/DU15M7iD9A3/?igsh=MWRiZnc5MTBsc2t1MA==

16/02/2026

Hello all ❤️ Just so you know I'm UNAVAILABILE to treat in the salon until May, due to travel commitments.

Gary is competing in the prestigious Arnold Classics - as in Arnold Schwarzenegger - with his powerlifting. This time we are really making a holiday of it and will be discovering some sights around Scotland, but mainly England and Wales, for a good few weeks. It's all very exciting and will be happening before I know it, so I thought I should advise you all now. I'm so excited as I'll get to see where he grew up & meet some rellies ❤️

When we get back we have another trip planned with his mum to Victoria, which will also be super fun, if our last holiday to Tassie is anything to measure it by.

Treating, roadside plants stall, and floral arranging should all get back to normal by May - including sound healings and other holistic healing treatments. Waxing and tinting is now on offer for established clients only. It will be phased out completely as time goes on.

I am determined to make it a good run with my health this year, and I'm looking forward to treating from May through to November before we head away overseas again ... but that's a while off, so I'll fill you in on that when the time arrives. For now, I'm getting excited about seeing some of the UK, sharing Gary's childhood memories with him and connecting to my own heritage as a half English Aussie! Oh and if he gets a medal in his specialty of bench press, in the process, then that's a total bonus as well.

Please check the pinned post on my page for more details.

Sending love bxx