She sells sea shells....

Where I found it: Koh Samet, Thailand

"Lush tropical island...tick

Minimal amounts of Western tourists...tick

Amazing clear water for snorkelling....tick

Great local food...tick


Yes I ran away to an island, escaping Bangkok in a Thai local bus complete with pink frilly curtains that

I'm sure they nicked from my grandmother's house.
Oh and the karaoke, let's not forget the out-of-tune "Tie a yellow ribbon" ...

But we made it to the coastline, boarded a cheerily painted boat and headed out to Koh Samet for the island getaway I had dreamed of.

What I didn't count on was discovering a really unusual style of massage with sea shells...

I'm on holiday right? Not meant to be working ...suuuuuure.....

But I did.

Everyday we would take our motorbikes out to eat the best fresh seafood on this planet.

The restaurant was on wooden pylons in the middle of the sea and we would be pulled out in a dingy attached to a rope.


There we sat on the deck, feet swinging over a hole where you could see the fish feeding below...

and on the glass topped table above you fed on the fish..

and scallops ..

and prawns...

Anyway, on the way back from another gob-smackingly good lunch, I stopped in at a place with a "massage" sign.

And that is where I found the sea shell massage.

Gorgeous cowries that were dug into the knots in my back, huge scarlet clams that were warmed for my hands, and cone shells that unwound those ugly spots in my neck.

Just beautiful energy from the shells and therapist and one of those amazing surprises...

Discover a great new massage....tick"

Alison

Sea Shell Massage Package - Reef shells are heated and coated in aromatherapy oils to soothe and relax muscles .. more..

3 hour Seashell Massage Package - $280 Book Now Purchase gift certificate
2 hour Seashell Massage Package - $185 Book Now Purchase a gift certificate

Call Leigh today to book or for more information on 0438 567 906 email or book now through our secure online server

a mish mash

a mish mash..

do you remember that Paul Kelly song "from little things big things grow?"

one of my favourites...

well this newsletter is a mish mash of a whole lot of little stuff that is happening...

we have teamed up with the really generous Karen at the Quest in Frankston and are doing free seated chair massages at the Mornington Food and Wine Festival this Sunday.

A few people have asked for longer packages! So have just introduced our O...M...G Four hour (yep, count em) massage or beauty package

Two of the nicest people you will ever meet are David and Daniela from Witches Falls Cottages and they have introduced a Babymoon Package with our pregnancy massage

Eeek, I don't like to mention the "C" word (Christmas) in October but people have been asking. So from now until the 24th December if you purchase five gift certificates for any of our packages of 1.5 hours and up we will send you a free voucher for a one hour massage valued at $95.

Know someone looking for a great opportunity? We are hiring Alliance and HR reps in the Sunshine Coast and VIC and also lots of therapists for the silly season. More details here

We are still crazy enough to give away a free massage every Tuesday on twitter and our win an Ultimate Weekend is coming close to being drawn (enter on our website)

And yes, its back, bigger and better than ever...The 12 days of Christmas giveaway! You need to be on our newsletter but each day in the lead up to Chrissy we give away some amazing prizes.

Ripple is still going pink for breast cancer research

If you would like to know more about Ripple, or just feel like a chat, please feel free to call Leigh or Amie on 0438 567 906 or visit http://t.ymlp.com/hjeazaejmadaubmhatae/click.php (you can chat online to us!)

Cheers Alison

Babymoon package on Tamborine Mountain

An exciting new trend in pregnancy is the practice of taking a ‘Babymoon’, a trip that pregnant couples take before giving birth in order to enjoy some rest and relaxation before their baby joins them.

If you, or someone you know, is looking for some quietude and pampering before sleep deprivation and midnight feedings become the norm, then a pre-baby getaway is the perfect answer!

And Witches Falls Cottages (www.witchesfallscottages.com.au) and Ripple massage (www.ripplemassage.com.au) have put together the perfect getaway package, complete with a pregnancy massage for the Mum-to-be.

The term ‘Babymoon’ comes from the more traditional term ‘Honeymoon’ and was first coined in 1996 in a book by childbirth educator Sheila Kitzinger entitled ‘The Year After Childbirth’. "The transition to fatherhood is easier,” Kitzinger wrote, “when a man can take time off to be with his partner and baby in what I call a 'Babymoon'.”

Babymoons are popular because parents-to-be know that the luxury of holidays without sterilisers and diaper bags in tow may be out of reach for a while, so they seize the opportunity for one last romantic getaway.

Tucked away on beautiful Tamborine Mountain in Australia’s Gold Coast Hinterland, the Witches Falls Cottages offer intimate and cosy accommodation for couples and are the ideal location to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect at any time.

The Witches Falls Cottages Babymoon package includes your choice of gourmet or BBQ breakfast in the morning, a cuddly companion for your baby from the local Teddy Bear Shop and the sheer indulgence of a Ripple Massage one and a half hour pamper session in the privacy of your cottage.

Choose a one and a half hour massage by Ripple therapists trained in pregnancy massage, or a one and a half hour Pamper Package that includes a ½-hour facial, a ½-hour manicure and a ½-hour pedicure.

In August this year, Jonathan and Amy wrote in the Witches Falls Cottage’s Visitors Book, “We spent ages gazing up at the stars and making wishes for our unborn bub. Thank you for providing an exquisite Babymoon getaway!"

For more information or to book please call Witches Falls Cottages on 07 5545 4411 or visit www.witchesfallscottages.com.au

More information on Pregnancy massages that come to you are at Ripple Massage on www.ripplemassage.com.au or phone 0438 567 906. Ripple is the day spa that comes to you Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley.

Freestyle Escape

Just booked in for Freestyle escape in a couple of weeks. Can't wait, the most stunning place I have ever been to!

Here's more from our site.

If you are tempted we are giving away an Ultimate Weekend there! enter now at http://www.ripplemassage.com.au

Where we love to stay:
Stunning accommodation at Freestyle Escape (see pics right)

Our favourite place to escape to in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Choose from the luscious Escape or Omaroo houses, or the new Art house.

Owned by the talented Martin Duncan of Freestyle restaurant fame in Brisbane, so you know its going to be gorgeous.

Phone 07 3262 3077 or visit www.freestyleescape.com.au

Like a free massage on Tamborine Mountain or Mornington Peninsula?

Like a free massage?

Ripple will be at the info centre at Doughty Park Mt Tamborine (opposite the Shell servo) Sunday 11th October 10 am to 1 pm - Free seated chair massages

Also free massages 11 am to 5 pm at Mornington Food and Wine Festival on the 18th October

More info contact us on 0438 567 906 or visit

www.ripplemassage.com.au

Don't ruffle a hens feathers, Ripple them!

Don't ruffle the hens feathers, Ripple them!

Champagne? Chilled.

Party games? Organised.

Something naughty? Hot butlers booked.

Something nice? Help!

We have been booking heaps of

hens parties lately .. s'pose its that time of the year.

And its also the big new trend to spend time with girlfriends being pampered.
So Leigh in our office has been busy taking the hassle out of organising a hens party for stressed out head bridemaids.

We organise all the pampering with a

menu that has something for every budget...

....and for the organiser (yes we know you are doing heaps of work and juggling lots of demands) there is a free gift box of goodies from Ripple when you book 10 hours or more with us.

Booking Ripple also means you don't need to organise transport and we can cater for as many girls as you like.

If you would like to know more about Ripple, or just feel like a chat, please feel free to call Leigh on 0438 567 906 or visit

www.ripplemassage.com.au (you can chat online to us!)

Cheers Alison

Create a pink ripple

The pink ripple...splurge on a massage and support breast cancer research at the same time.

I have a good friend, Julie, who is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Charming, positive, and can look at the sky and in wonder say "what an amazing day."

She also calls me gorgeous girl which makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

Julie survived breast cancer 5 years ago and is a big reason why each year we do "Ripple goes pink".

During October. Ripple donates $10 from every three hour massage or beauty package you book to breast cancer research.

It's an easy way to support a great cause and also to get together with girlfriends for a day of pampering or perhaps indulge yourself and your boyfriend/hubby.

The donation also extends to gift certificates.

Like to help support a great cause?

Call Leigh today to book or for more information on 0438 567 906 email or book now through our secure online server.

The 3 hour Massage Package. Looking to spoil yourself or a friend? After the ultimate in relaxation and indulgence? This is the package for you. $280

• Exquisite full body aromatherapy massage in the style of your choice
• Foot reflexology massage to rejuvenate your feet
• Peppermint and lime scented foot soak and foot scrub
• Organic green clay and cucumber cleansing face mask, hot steamed towels, nourishing moisturiser
• Full body exfoliation to smooth and polish your skin with walnut, tangerine and lime scrub
• Collagen anti ageing face mask to smooth wrinkles and nourish skin
• Sublime Indian Head Massage with scented oils
• Beautifully gift wrapped box of Ripple products
• We come to you ...

QLD : Brisbane, Gold Coast, Mt Tamborine, Tweed, Sunshine Coast
NSW: Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore, Kingscliff
VIC: All Melbourne
Three hours of total pampering and luxury - $280. Gift Certificates available.

Twitter Tuesday

Twitter Tuesday

As you may have noticed, we like to give away heaps of stuff at Ripple...

It's a bit of an addiction really.

Ultimate weekends, massages, gift packs...you name it and we have probably given it away.

Though we haven't done an Oprah and given all of our guests a free car yet...but we are working on it.

Anyway another addiction for me is Twitter.
Why?

Possibly because I'm a chick and like to chat.

So I thought, why don't we combine the two!

So every Tuesday, on Twitter only, we will be giving away a free massage.

I'll ask a dead easy question on Twitter, probably give you the answer, and the first one to reply to me on Twitter wins.

If you are keen you can follow me on http://twitter.com/rippleali

Cheers Alison

a lady who knows her stuff

Sometimes you get really lucky

And yesterday was one of them...

Jacque from Stratacore invited me along to hear Michelle Gamble from Marketing Angels talk

now I'm a bit of a marketing junkie, but Michelle is the best speaker I've heard in a long time...

especially about twitter and facebook..

pick the marketing junkie in this pic (yep its me on the left :-)...

like to know more... lots more here http://www.facebook.com/marketingangels

Loving Aruba Surf

So lots of people ask us for accommodation suggestions ... some days we are more like a visitor info centre than a massage business!

We always love to recommend our faves and one place we have been going to massage for years is Aruba Surf at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast http://www.arubasurf.com.au/

Why? well it won't cost an arm and a leg, close to all the great shops and restaurants and just a short stroll from a pristine beach...

Even better there is the lovely new owner Cath who understands what hospitality is all about.

Also love the wicked new website and blog by the web savvy smart Brendon :-) and i love that they tweet..

My favourite music from Muse to get massaged to

Download Can't take my eyes off of you—Muse ringtone at audiko.net.

This is my favourite song to get massaged to :-) have made into a ringtone I love it so much.