Glow State Activated

It’s true! We just returned from the magical island of Ibiza, and we’re glowing inside and out. Many people think Ibiza is just for hardcore all-nighters and wall-to-wall house music. Think again! The island boasts beautiful coves, crystal-clear waters, pine-scented coastal paths, chic hippie markets, and stunning hiking routes. My favorite village was Santa Gertrudis. If it’s good enough for James Blunt, it’s good enough for Gin & Yin. We truly had a fantastic retreat experience.

Reflecting on the Experience

The photo above captures our ‘silence before sunrise hike.’ A big thank you to Jo @resetrebelproductions for being the leader of our adventurous gang. We witnessed both the sunrise and the sunset at a spot called ‘Sunset Ashram.’ This was our closest experience to the Ibiza party scene, embraced in a grown-up way. With a DJ-ed supper counting down the sunset hour, we enjoyed a little shimmying and boogying. It was, in my opinion, the cherry on top of our Ibiza retreat cake.

Now back to normal life, I feel more relaxed. I have plenty of photos to reflect on and amazing memories to enjoy, long after unpacking my bags. I tackled a mountain of ironing last night while listening to Ibiza chillout tunes—definitely the right choice! I hope you have all enjoyed your month too. I feel we’re getting closer to flip-flop weather, outdoor dining, and maybe even keeping the heating off for a while—fingers crossed!

Ibiza Goodie Bags and Self-Care Tips

This month’s download is inspired by the products we received in our Ibiza goodie bags, along with helpful tips and tricks. It’s all about taking the time to slow down and enjoy a bit of self-care in the sunshine, whether at home or abroad. So here we go!

In the Flow Journal

Thanks to Kate Adams, founder of The Inner Work Project, for sending us Henny Flynn’s journaling books. Their themes were very fitting for our ‘Glow with the Flow’ retreat! I loved Henny's prompts and reflective questions. It’s all very true that "we can’t write as fast as we think." Flow journaling is an excellent way to slow our thoughts down and bring order to our minds. There are also links to meditative recordings in the book to explore. If you’re interested, check it out here: Inner Work Project. Gin & Yin-ers can get a 25% discount with the code GINANDYIN. Thank you, Kate!

Skin & Tonic

How fitting is this? During our retreat, each participant received a bottle of Skin & Tonic’s ‘Plump Up’ hydration serum. This serum felt incredibly nourishing, along with a lovely rose-infused ‘Lip Balm.’ These are wonderful products with zero nasties. To check out Jodie Kidd's blog on ‘Little Rituals with a Big Impact,’ click here: Skin & Tonic Blog. If it’s good enough for Jodie, it’s certainly worth a look!

Nuts About Nuts

(And butter, too!) If you know me, you know I love nuts and butter—almost as much as I love gin. You will always find nuts in my goodie bags. This time, it was Mr. Filberts ‘Almonds with Rosemary.’ I also love Michaela’s nuts from @nutmad.activatednuts. Our amazing retreat chef, Amy Forbes, made us delicious food. This included everything from homemade walnut and pistachio croissants to Magnum-inspired nut-filled ice creams. It got me thinking, though: how hard is it to make my own nut butter? Have you ever tried it? It looks easy enough (famous last words).

I found a fantastic recipe on Instagram by Casey from ‘All Types of Bowls.’ Casey is part food blogger, part architect, making ‘healthy-ish’ bowls. She seems perfect for my nut butter adventure. Check out her recipe here: Homemade Nut Butter.

Healthy Habit Stacking

Or “snacking,” as I kept calling it on retreat! In our wellbeing discussions, we talked about what we could stack onto existing habits to create healthy additions. For example, while making morning coffee, listen to a 5-minute meditation. When brushing your teeth, try standing on one leg to improve balance. Or, brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand. Instead of scrolling during lunch breaks (guilty!), pick up a book you’ve wanted to read. For more information about habit stacking, click here: Habit Stacking.

Spice Up Your Gin Game

While exploring Ibiza, my dear friend Caroline Adams joined me on a quest to find the LAW Gin Distillery. It wasn’t easy to locate with no signage (it was facing inward), but the gin was well worth the chase. Most gins are good, but some are truly great. This one falls in the latter category. The makers, four friends, sought to create a gin that captured the island's flavors. One ingredient was Padron pepper, which added that extra kick! Thanks to Wolfgang (the ‘W’ in LAW) for the tour and mini tasting. To learn more, check this out: LAW Gin.

What's Been Happening at Gin & Yin HQ?

Adventures Beyond Ibiza

Have you got the kettle on? After returning from Ibiza, I also traveled to Nicaragua this month. Yes, feel free to stop reading, but this experience was part of my husband’s retirement plan! I was delighted to be his wing-woman—thank you, John. It was incredible, filled with highlights! I stayed on a remote island off the East Coast, accessible only by a 90-minute boat ride. Imagine speeding across the river into the sea in full waterproof gear. Sweaty doesn’t cover it!

I woke up to the sounds of howler monkeys and climbed active volcanoes. I even caught a shark (unintentionally) using a handheld line and a prawn tail as bait. I initially thought the captain was joking when he yelled, “Ruth! It's a shark!”

We also experienced a full-on storm from an eco-lodge on a mountain. The lodge had only mesh between us and the elements, complete with a cute sign for handling any unwanted scorpions or snakes! It was a wild adventure that I would recommend without hesitation.

What's Coming Up Next?

Wild & Free Retreat

5 Nights - Northern Sardinia

Tues 30th Sept - Sun 5th Oct 2025

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If you fancy experiencing a retreat to a 'Blue Zone' Country, then why not join us in Northern Sardinia later this year for some Autumn sunshine?

Our property for this retreat is located right in the heart of the mountains, but close enough to the ocean for a post-hike swim, lunch and a spot of sunbathing, well why not indeed.

In addition to the hike, we'll also enjoy daily yoga, plus a guided kayaking trip down the river, as well as a cooking class to learn more about the local dishes.

Not only that, we're going to try a wine tasting too, thanks to Paola Placido, who will guide us through the local wines, accompanied by pane carasu

(typical Sardinian flatbread) and BIO cheeses, all from local artisanal producers, my mouth is watering at the very thought.

This retreat promises to be fun, relaxing, healthy and delicious. The property also has a padel court on the grounds too for anyone feeling particuarly energetic.

Why not make this your yes year for a retreat? Flights are currently around £300 from London return with Easyjet.

Twin ensuite room - £1,450 pp

Private ensuite room - £1,850 pp  

Wonder & Wellbeing Retreat

7 Nights - Northern Vietnam

Sat 15th Nov - Sun 22nd Nov 2025

(flying overnight Fri 14th Nov)

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Imagine waking up to this view. 1 room has become available on our retreat to Northern Vietnam in November - this can be taken as a twin or a private room.

The retreat starts in the Old Quarter of Hanoi where we'll enjoy a guided walk around the capital, visiting historical sights and iconic landmarks as well as a enjoying a ‘Street Life’ experience, plus a performance of traditional Water Puppetry (an art form unique to northern Vietnam. This is an interesting, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture)

a must-see in our opinion.

We'll then transfer to the second part of our retreat where the above photo was taken in Ninh Binh - located in a nature reserve where we'll enjoy daily yoga thanks to Lisa Dunn Yoga with these views, plus a trip on a bamboo raft and a local excursion to explore local life, food, culture and so much more. Direct flights from London are currently around £1,000 with Vietnam Airlines.

Twin ensuite room - £1,650 pp

Private ensuite room - £1,950 pp

I'm Saying YES to this once in a lifetime retreat

In a world that never stops, a retreat is the perfect tonic

When you can’t fit any more goodies, or gin and tonics, into your already full retreat bag, you make it work! The photo captures that moment perfectly.

Honestly, I think I bought all the Fever-Tree tonics available on both the north and south of the island. Yes, this may sound excessive, but there just weren’t many options! Note to self: I should inform Fever-Tree of this tragedy and have them rectify it promptly. Fortunately, we just had enough!

Whatever you’re doing this weekend, stock up on tonics and add some zest to your playlist. As Elbert Hubbard once said, "Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive."

See you next month when I hopefully have the new event and retreat dates to share.

Until next time—Namaste & salud!

Ruth xxx