FAMILY | EGG-STRA SPECIAL EASTER

Let’s Get Crackin’ with National Trust!

As I was off having ‘me-time’ and ‘we-time’ with my other half this Easter, I handed over The F Words FAMILY reins to my yummy mummy friend Laura who has guest blogged her Egg-citing Easter weekend activities with her five year old son Joshua for us.

Keep up with Laura's journey on social media below!

School’s out for Easter and my five-year-old little bunny was bursting with EGGcitement - quite literally! Family fun, outdoor adventures and the prospect of excessive chocolate beckoned. Eagerly scrolling through my social media feeds to discover Easter events happening nearby, we agreed that Cadbury’s Egg Hunt at Mount Stewart was the coolest family event to kick-start our holiday fun. After all, Mount Stewart and Cadbury’s always guarantees family fun - especially when you’re National Trust member. (If you’re not already - it is definitely worth the investment!)

In true Easter preparation, our first stop was Cancer Research on Holywood’s High Street, where we picked up the sweetest hand-made felt Easter basket. With our new Easter basket on hand, raincoat zipped up, Batman backpack fixed on, we set off on  our foraging expeditions. On arrival, we quickly found the Egg Hunt meeting point in the stunning courtyard. We paid our £1 entrance fee and received our Dragon’s Egg Trail map. At this point, Joshua was giddy with excitement as he watched other families on the Cadbury’s Egg Hunt. With 8 Dragon Eggs hid in secret locations, Joshua was a man on a mission and so - off he went!

On each Dragon Egg was a question to answer in order to crack the secret code needed to collect prize at the end. And so, we muddled in - and met lovely little bunnies along the way! During the hunt, we went off the beaten track a little, to explore the historic buildings at Mount Stewart, collecting conkers and foraging in the woods as we went.  

With only a few Dragon Eggs left to find, Joshua led us back to the Dragon trail. Elated with a mighty sense of achievement, we arrived at the finish line and claimed Joshua’s chocolate prize! Yippee!

We topped off our fun-filled day with local Glastry Farm Ice Cream, face painting and art & crafts. “The best day ever” was Joshua’s final commentary. It was an all-round perfect family day! Despite this tired bunny face, Joshua is looking forward to jumpin’ into Spring/Summer ’17 at National Trust, with a Cadbury’s treat in his Batman backpack!

FOOD | La Cuisine Paris

Learning La Cuisine in Paris with 'La Cuisine Paris'

I'm no stranger to a cookery school it has to be said. I did a one day course at Le Foodist, Paris in 2015 and previous to that, I had had a few private chefs in my home as well as several stints at James Street South's Cookery School courses in Belfast. And, throwing it right back to 1997-98 and '99, I was a one time TV co-presenter on two series of RTE's Pot Luck programme, in which I was the on-screen assistant to various top chefs from across Ireland and beyond. On the show, I learnt knife skills and how to make a good bearnaise, a great stock and a cracking pepper sauce, among other basics - and it left me hungry (excuse the pun) for much more. So when we were booked this month into La Cuisine Paris for a half day course including a market trip, I was excited - and very ready.

Our rendezvous with the school chef was on a drizzly morning at the Marché Maubert, which takes places 3 times per week (most Parisian markets are twice a week). Paris is unique in global cities in that it has over 150 markets inside the city perimeters - and each one full of fresh produce from field, farm, sea, lake and river. We were lucky in this market to have some really great artisan food stores based on the square also - a fantastic butcher's, a wonderful boulangerie/patisserie - 'La Parisenne' - and, my favourite - the cheese shop called after its owner Laurent Dubois; which is, apparently, one of the top three fromagerie stores in all France. The counters and shelves were full to brimming with wonderful creations, some looking more like patisserie goods than cheese - except their delicious odour gave them away.

Our chef was Cyril Denis, a private chef-journalist-educator-TV chef and sake enthusiast all rolled into one. He had lived in the USA for a few years and spoke great English - he said this is almost a prerequisite of teaching at La Cuisine, given its popularity with international guests. We were given brollies and bags and set off among the stalls and shops to assess what was there and what was fresh in order to choose our menu.

Cyril moved fast and, on occasion when I found myself lingering at the back of our group of 10 or stopping for food photos, I missed info - and I wanted to take everything in, so I asked lots of questions, which, thankfully, he didn’t seem to mind.

April is the towards the end of the Brittany and Normandy scallop season, so I was pleased to see that our starter choices included some Coquilles Saint Jacques, but alas, our group didn’t vote for those and instead chose the traditional Provencal mini artichokes, known sentimentally as 'Les Petits Violets' which we would do à la Barigoule - i.e. with carrots, lardons and Paris mushrooms and olives.


For main course, the options from the market were:
i) Cornish Hen - which we'd baste with sage & tarragon butter
ii) Cod fillet (le dos de cabaillaud) - the back fillet, which is chunkier than the front fillet and more filling...
iii) A traditional south-western French maigret de canard - using the vaccum packed duck breast from a foie gras bred duck or, lastly,
iv) Pork fillet - done in rich herbs and a meaty jus.

Pudding was going to be one of the following:
i) Creme Brûlée
ii) Clafoutis a la Poire or,
iii) Creme Caramel

We had a diplomatic vote among the ten of us and, as well as the Barigoule starter, we chose the Cornish Hen main course - then we had to decide what to cook with it, roasted celeriac or a ratatouille, plus a gratin dauphinois or Pommes Boulangères.

The pear clafoutis won hands down for the pudding, and so off we set, on a 10 minute walk back to the school, which is located just behind Notre Dame. En route, we had some further titbits of local food knowledge and we learnt how what is now Chatelet Les Halles shopping centre/metro station, was once the city's mass food market. Rusgis - which is located outside Paris, serves this function these days - and to a foodie like me, hearing this story just meant I had to add a visit there to my bucket list.


Once in the school we got apron'ed up and washed down before taking to our stations and starting to cook. It was fast-paced and fun, with lots to do and so much to learn. Cyril demonstrated only once or twice for each task, then divvied up the roles and we each got to work. He helped out along the way with individual coaching around 'reading' ingredients and using taste, touch and smell to cook, as well as helping to direct students to use knives correctly, or teaching them to fold and stir the desert mix or even showing us how to use a mandoline correctly.

Without going into too much detail on how we prepared and cooked each item, we created a wonderful lunch for ourselves - my favourite part was making the herb butter with handfuls of fresh and fragrant herbs, which we got right under the hen's skin to baste it generously before roasting it. I also liked working on the Pommes de Terre Boulangères - sliced potatoes with lardons, onions and a wine reduction. I am Irish of course, so good old trusty spuds feature regularly on my staples list. Cyril's ratatouille was good - although I have my own recipe picked up in Provence from my French friend's half-Italian 'nonna' (who adds any spare Parmesan crusts she has lying in the larder for extra flavour) which is on the blog elsewhere... And I'm afraid to sound boastful or arrogant but my own handed-down recipe is better - in my opinion.

Cyril also showed us a cool way to make a bouquet garni using a spare leek leaf - and we added this to the ratatouille and to the starter dish.

Once the food was cooked (and the timing was impeccable for all dishes), we moved 'a table' and after inhaling the delicious aromas for 3 hours, we finally got to taste the fruits of our labour. It was worth it! The table chatter was fun and convivial. Cyril talked more about food and we asked lots of questions among us all. Wine helped the lunch slip down well and the company was great.


As a cheese lover, I adored the cheese course, which we had zero input into, of course. Between Cyril and the guys at Laurent Dubois fromagerie we ended up with two amazing cheeses in the form of Saint Nectar and Sainte Maure de Tourren. One a goat's cheese and the other, a cow's milk, harder cheese which were both delicious.  I really felt like singing an old song I'd learnt in France as a 15 year old exchange student 'J'ai bien mange, j'ai bien bu, j'ai la peau du ventre, bien tendue!' - which basically means, I'm stuffed!

All in all, the course was a fantastic way to spend a morning in Paris and I would highly recommend! And, as an aside to the food element of this review, I have to point out here that this is a great thing to do as a couple - 'couples who cook together...' and all that. There were 2 other couples on the course besides us, two Chicago sisters and their respective husbands, then one mum & daughter (who were great fun) from Atlanta, Georgia, and then two single girls travelling in Paris - a lovely Moscovite mamma called Anastasia who extended a business trip to include the course as a bit of 'me time' away from her kids; and lastly, a quiet Jersey girl called Emily.
Like Anastasia and Emily, I'd not be afraid to do this alone either - and would love to do it as a bonding exercise with my daughter when she's older, or even my sister if she ever got time away from her job-kids-house cycle. My point is, I suppose, that whatever your circumstances, this is a great thing to do and, like many things in life, you get out of it what you put in...

Next stop Nevin Maguire's course at McNean's In Blacklion (a stone's throw from where my mother grew up) and maybe a course with Rachel or Darina Allen down at Ballymaloe (if we can ever actually get a place!)...

For more info on courses and tours offered by La Cuisine Paris, log onto their website at:
https://lacuisineparis.com/ Our course costs 160 euro per person.

FOLIO | HARP 'PURE HERE' GRAFFITI IN BELFAST

​‘THE JACKAL’ CHAMPIONS NEW MURAL ILLUSTRATING EVERYTHING THAT’S ‘PURE HERE’ ABOUT BELFAST

HARP commissions local graffiti artist to create street art celebrating the people, sights and humour unique to the city.

Carl ‘The Jackal’ Frampton was back in Belfast this week to unveil a brand new work of art on Hill Street in the city’s bustling Cathedral Quarter. Created by Dean Kane from Visual Waste - AKA ‘The Banksy of Belfast’, as part of HARP’s ‘Pure Here’ campaign, the mural showcases some of the best-loved bits of Belfast including The Balls on the Falls, Titanic Building, The Big Fish, The Albert Clock, the H&W cranes, and some of the city’s legendary characters and local celebrities.

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With the mural featuring a nod to The Jackal’s impact on Belfast, the man himself was only too happy to get behind the campaign. Carl said: “Everybody knows I love Belfast so to be involved with something that’s really positive in the heart of the town, it was a no-brainer for me. HARP’s ‘Pure Here’ is a lot of fun, a really upbeat campaign that’s celebrating lots of great things that are unique to Northern Ireland.”

The Cathedral Quarter mural is the first of its kind by HARP and Brand Manager Jeanette Levis said: “HARP is one of NI’s most-loved lagers and this is our way of celebrating all that is magical about Belfast – the unique sense of humour and the quirks that make it so special.”

The mural was created by Dean Kane from Visual Waste. He said: “Belfast has been famous for murals for a long time. This one is a bit different because it’s very tongue in cheek. I hope it cheers people up when they’re dandering along Hill Street and take a look up at it.”

The ongoing ‘Pure Here’ campaign will see HARP continuing to work with local talent and consumers to champion the best bits of Northern Ireland.

FOLIO | RED AT THE LYRIC THEATRE

​Mark Rothko famously painted massive abstracts. And, to quote The Stage, as a Russian Jewish emigre to America in the early 1900s, he knew what it was to be a social outcast - going so far as to change his own name to hide his Jewish roots - so by painting on this scale, he engaged organically with his work, thereby acquiring a strong sense of belonging.

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In the Lyric’s version of this play, written by John Logan (2009) and directed by Emma Jordan for Prime Cut Productions, we see actor Patrick O’Kane deliver a passionate, insular, serious and, it has to be said, mega-culturally intelligent Rothko. The play is set in 1958, during a period of the artist’s life in which he was commissioned - quite lucratively - to make art for the Four Seasons Restaurant in the Seagram Building in New York - and it bounces around ideas of commercialism in art and integrity in commercially produced art, as well as human perceptions of art, especially as it is framed around the arrival of the pop-art scene with Warhol et al coming to ‘take over’ Rothko’s art world.

Thomas Finnegan plays a blinder as the fiery artist’s nervous but smart assistant Ken - an aspiring artist himself, although we never get to see his work (such is the self-centeredness of Rothko) - and as the play goes on we learn of his traumatic life experiences, which match - if not surpass - his master’s traumatic early life as an immigrant.

Their relationship is a difficult one to say the least - peppered with explosive, visceral and at times cruel, outbursts - but there are some really cracking lines and poignant intellectual insights into life, art, self-awareness and the world at large, for both characters. This is definitely a play that I would like to sit down and read the script of; again and again.

SPOILER ALERT: There’s no real ‘happy ever after’ ending - unless you’re the anti-establishment artist type who champions the poor artist staying poor. But with creative integrity of course. [Insert winky emoji here] And I suppose Rothko, in his own way, encourages (read: chases) his assistant off to discover the world and deliver art which is meaningful - and that in itself shows that some kind of respect, and even affection, had grown while they worked together. As for the questions that the play raises around art itself - well, they always say art should be challenging, and this play certainly challenges the audience to think about how they view art. And this art form was as a fantastic cultural experience. Bravo!

My verdict 9/10

To book: https://lyrictheatre.co.uk/event/red/

BEAUTY BITCH | MUM'S THE WORD

Holywood mums can make everything look so easy, but juggling work, kids and not having a glam squad to prep you 24/7, can throw a major wrench in your once pristine skincare routine… I know, I am one of them! In truth, there are mornings I am just about thrown together and barely washed when I get my daughter to school - never mind a beauty routine. Thankfully I am self-employed, so can run to the gym or back home after school drop off to spruce up before I get to my desk or a meeting. So this month, I tapped into a group of busy mummies who I am friends with (our group chat is a movie waiting to happen) and offered them the opportunityto help me review some fab new products which have just become available on www.Cloud10beauty.com - well, it was Mother’s Day after all!

When you get to your 30s (or 40s!) you can become a real self-confessed skincare addict, and I know many of us spend more than we would like to admit on oils that promise to revitalise skin, masks to keep us blemish free and moisturisers which promise to transform skin instantly. As we get older it is no secret that our skin needs that little bit more TLC and, combined with unpredictable weather, air-conditioning, busy lifestyles and everything else daily life throws our way, you could say we need/deserve it.

First up is PAULA’S CHOICE REDNESS RELIEF MINERAL MOISTURIZER (£28.45) which was reviewed by busy mum and double business owner Demelza.

I was excited when I heard that Paula Begone, the leading skincare expert and author had created her own skincare line. Paula has sold over 2.5 million copies of her skincare books and has appeared on the liked of Oprah and Dr Oz to talk all things skin. Using her years of research on skincare she has created a product line using ingredients that are proven to make your skin look younger and appear more radiant, so I had high hopes for her latest range.

Demelza is now well and truly converted, telling me: “After recently being diagnosed with rosacea, which isn't just for old people or heavy drinking males as I had thought, it’s a skin condition that can include stinging sensations, permanent redness and visible blood vessels, I was delighted to be asked to try Paula's Choice Redness relief mineral moisturizer as for months I have been trying lots (and I mean lots!) of different things to make the redness in my pale Irish skin disappear, but to no avail! 

“I don't actually know how much this mineral moisturiser costs but my initial impression of the packaging was that it looked attractive, expensive and contained natural healing ingredients so I couldn't wait to cover my face in it.”

She continued: “The cream itself is cooling and soothing. It’s creamy and white with no green tinge which I was expecting. Once on, it instantly calmed my redness so much so that I didn’t need concealer as well as foundation.

“It does have a distinct smell that I can't put my finger on. It smells organic and earthy - not unpleasant, but I do have other creams that smell so good I wish they were edible! Haven't thought that about this one to be fair, but if it’s doing its job….

“Finally, a big plus for me is it has a SPF30 rating, making it a one-stop option if you’re on the lazier side of beauty regimes like me. I have been using it for over a week now and I am very impressed! The inflamed redness in my skin has definitely reduced.”

The verdict - will Demelza continue to use it? She said a big YES! Will she be buying it? “Most definitely! It protects, calms & moisturises my skin and has enabled me to do the manic morning school run again makeup free without the thoughts running through my head are the other parents wondering... what is going on with her face?!”

So Paula's Choice Redness Relief Mineral Moisturizer is now Demelza's choice!

Next up was another product from the Paula’s Choice range, THE SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA LIQUID (£27.45). Read Katie’s review below;

“I suffered acne as a teenager and throughout my adult life have been prone to break outs. Now in my thirties these breakouts can appear redder and take longer to heal.  I have been using Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid. I had never heard of the brand before (like most busy mums I guess I just stick to the brands I know and without much thought go back to products that I buy time and time again).

“In just over a week the difference in my skin has been amazing, my pores clearer, skin smoother and any blemishes have cleared up in record time. I would also suffer from blackheads and they are disappearing as never before! It is quick to use – I simply apply the liquid to a cotton pad after cleansing and toning and use it every morning and evening. The BHA (beta hydroxy acid) works by exfoliating your skin and cleaning your pores. 

This product is now part of my daily routine and one of my must-have beauty products.  I would recommend it to anyone with problem skin as the results are really so good!”

Noted on the product : Do not use if you are allergic to aspirin

Alpha-H revolutionised skincare with its innovative products. Judith reviewed the ALPHA-HLIQUID GOLD SMOOTHING AND PERFECTING MASK, (£38.95) a top selling product that is a firm favourite all over the world.

Exfoliators are THE miracle product, they cover everything in one bottle, from making skin more radiant to unclogging pores, preventing breakouts and giving skin an instant boost. Aplha-H Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask contains 15% Glycolic Acid which is great for exfoliation, (Alpha-H pioneered the use of Gylcolic Acids in skincare nearly 20 years ago).

This weekly treatment is designed to give a boost to all skin types, particularly dull looking skin and the fast-acting formula means you see instant results and for busy mums on the go that is something we love to hear!

Judith said: “This is a lovely mask to use as it’s really light on the skin and easy to apply. I left it on for 10 minutes and, unlike other masks I have used, it didn’t harden on my face or feel uncomfortable in any way. It was easy to remove and afterwards my skin felt really smooth and refreshed. There was definitely a glow!

“I am looking forward to using this as part of my weekly skincare routine and hope to see a reduction in redness as a result. I loved the scent of it too and later found out that the luxurious mask is enriched with lavender oil, rose oil, wheatgerm oil, macademia seed oil and pure manuka honey to deeply nourish and hydrate. It works by clarifying, exfoliating and brightening skin, leaving you with a beautiful glowing, refined and balanced texture. This product gets a big thumbs up from me!

“Working deep into the skin, rehydrating it and instantly making skin more radiant, I recommend you get your hands on this product, fast!”  

Last but most definitely not least was PESTLE AND MORTAR PURE HYALURONIC SERUM (£35.95) which was reviewed by Edel;

“As a full-time working mum of a very active 5 year old, the skincare routine of my 20’s has been replaced by a pared down selection of old trusted favourites as I hit my 40’s. With a lack of sleep, central heating, office air conditioning and our current cold weather, I don’t have time for fuss but I do need fast results.

My idea of a hydrating serum is of a silk-like cooling lotion that disappears without a trace leaving my skin feeling comfortable and baby soft; something that banishes in an instant, the tightness, sensitivity and dullness of a hardworking, under-pressure skin. This is what I was promised with the Pestle and Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum so, I was like a child on Christmas morning as I opened the simple but apothecary style packaging to find a clear glass bottle with a tear dropper top.

“I dutifully cleansed and toned my skin and applied 2-3 drops and was initially quite pleasantly surprised. My skin felt cool, comfortable and so ridiculously satiny-soft that I couldn’t stop touching it. In short, it felt like a dream.

“A few minutes in however and I just wasn’t loving it quite so much. It was making my skin feel tight. Not to a great extent but enough for me to notice and start to dislike the sensation. Dehydrated skin isn’t necessarily dry, it just needs a boost to feel comfortable but the last thing dehydrated skin needs is to feel tighter.

“Friends and work colleagues remarked that I looked ‘fresher’ but personally, the tightening effect was just too much for me. But then, I used to work on the Clarins counter and didn’t like the Beauty Flash Balm, which most women don’t even notice the effects of on their skin - ‘tightening’ products just aren’t for me I suppose.

“It says on the packaging and on the Pestle and Mortar website that the serum can also be used as a primer under makeup. I tried that option and was much happier. My skin still had the tight feeling although it wasn’t as uncomfortable as when applied under my moisturiser and for a special occasion or a night out it will keep foundation perfectly in place, which is an excellent bonus!

“Verdict: if you have oily to combination skin in need of a little hydration and a touch of firming or want your makeup to stay flawless, then this is for you. If like me, you have dehydrated skin that feels tight and needs a bit of TLC then you’d probably be better off using it under a rich moisturiser.”

So that’s it - my first guest reviewers - now I am wondering if I can christen them my beauty bitches?

As we wave goodbye to the cold(er) weather and step into spring I know I am certainly ready for some much-needed sunshine! (Ok, I know this is NI weather we are talking about, but can’t a gal dream?!)

Catch up next week!

Cathy

STYLEWATCH | BELFAST FASHIONWEEK

Who better than the director of West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK to pick the best dressed audience members at the shows? The Belfast Times team has handed over the fashion reins to #BossLady Cathy Martin to choose the super stylistas at the shows last month in the latest edition of our #STYLEWATCH… Here goes:

It’s not often I get out to the main lobby to speak to and mingle with our audience members before the show. Usually there is something to deal with backstage, be it a diva drama or a wardrobe malfunction - or even a print error (which actually happened this season, regrettably, rendering our Friday night programmes unusable - we’re sorry!), but this season I made some time to mingle with both our corporate guests and the groups of friends, squads of stylistas and couples who meandered into our events in their droves.  

The style on show was totally incredible - we loved the corset belts, the colour popping galore and some really fab florals - in jumpsuits, dresses and blouses, even some floral embroidered jeans. There were loads of stripes, gingham and fashionista fave - black - in spades, of course. These are my favourite looks from across all shows - did you make the cut? Some people made it twice!

I’ll be style watching again for at the University of Ulster Fashion Graduates show on 19 May in St Anne’s Cathedral - so get your glam on if you’re coming along!

See you next time

Cathy x

BRONZE THERE, DON’T CARE!

It’s supposed to be spring but I am seriously pale right now. And I know pale is supposed to be interesting, and it’s the favourite skin tone of all those super chic peeps in fashion, but I just look and feel better with a bit of colour on my skin. I’m definitely more Donatella than Stella when it comes to skin tone. There, I said it! Does this make me Eurotrash? Or tacky? Or, god forbid, like a Kardashian?! (Side note: I just don’t get the Kardashians - like, who even are they!?)

Well, even if it does, I’m in an IDC kinda mood, so in this in-betweeny stage of still-feels-like-winter-but-its-not-quite-spring, I take a look at a few of my fave ways to bronze up your body – and your face.

Hoola Zero Tanlines – The Believable All Over Body Bronzer, £30.00

No need to settle for the typical wintery pale complexion with this fab product! With Benefit you can now Hoola your way to a sun kissed bikini bod all year around. “Hoola Zero Tanlines” is a zero mess, zero streak, zero worries solution. With the sponge attached, this lotion is easily applied, without the hassle of using a tanning mit and getting your hands messy. The formula also lasts for 12 hours and stays on when you take your clothes off - even better! You can also use this lotion as much as you want to build up for the perfect bronzed look for your skin tone. Also, forget about that typical ‘self-tan smell’, this product has the full Hawaiian Hoola-la scent! Available at counters everywhere or on www.cloud10beauty.com

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Dew The Hoola - Soft-Matte Liquid Bronzer For Face, £28.00

Sticking with Benefit - “Dew the Hoola” is the perfect product for your face. This soft-matte liquid bronzer gives you a natural sun-kissed look for your face. The Benefit gals claim that it’s a “year-round glow, without the gleam”, and I certainly agree. Use this product either with or without foundation for a matte, au natural look. Most importantly, the lightweight texture of this allows your skin to breathe. I’ve been teaming this product along with Hoola bronzing powder for a perfect tanned look.

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Too Faced Sweethearts Bronzer, £25.00

This gorgeous girly heart shaped bronzer gives a shimmering rose gold look – the perfect tone for a spring beauty look. Because of the sheen, I would use this more as a highlighter as it gives that luminous glowing look, perfect for just above your cheek bones. The two shades of the product create a multi-dimensional radiant bronze. Or for that chiselled look, use the two different shades to contour your face.

Ambient Hourglass Lighting Bronzer, £50.00

This Ambient Lighting Bronzer leaves your face naturally GLOWING. The shades of pink and brown tones mixed together give a neutral shimmer which reflects beautifully in the light. This product is so well pigmented that you only have to use a tiny bit each time, meaning it can last AGES! I built this powder for some natural looking contouring.

PUR Glow Together Gradient Matte-Shimmer Powder, £24.00

It’s easy to “glow together” with this PUR gradient matte-shimmer bronzer. With a mix of both matte and shimmering powders, this really fab product gives you an easy to achieve all-over-bronzed look. The bronzing pallet itself is also MASSIVE, meaning you get great value formoney. Plus, you no longer have to buy a separate matte and shimmer powder with this 2-in-1 miracle product, as you switch up between day and night looks. Offering six sun-kissed shades, it is suitable for all skin tones, from a natural tan to a deeper look. And finally, the best part about this “give back, glow forward” product is that a portion ofproceeds from each sale goes to Action Against Hunger, a charity dedicated to ending hunger worldwide. So come on girls, get bronzed up while doing your bit for charity.

Makeup Forever Pro Bronze Fusion, £33.00

Although this brand is usually reputable for its high colour choice, this product gives a sheer finish which can be layered up for a more intense bronzed look. The best part about this product is that it is compatible for all skin types, especially those who may have difficulty with acne-prone skin as it is fragrance free. As this bronzer has gel powder which makes it glide on to both oily and dry skin. This product is also waterproof so it can be worn whatever the weather. 

Diego Dalla Palma Make Up Studio Bronzing Powder, £25.00

Enhance and darken your complexion or create the perfectly contoured look with this soft-focus powder. This bronzer has a deep brown tone so would be suitable for slightly darker complexions or to build up a paler complexion. The perfection effect lightly veils the skin for an airbrushed look. Apply this product generously to cheekbones for a contoured look.

Sisley Phyto-touche Illusion D’ete Sun Glow Bronzing Gel-Powder, £69.50

Last but by no means least… This beautifully sun kissed bronzer has a ‘barely there’ feeling on your skin. Just like a stroke of sun on your cheeks, this bronzing gel powder leaves you with a luminous glow. The powder also has a soft-focus effect which camouflages wrinkles and pores, blending in flawlessly and leaving you with a stunning radiant complexion. I also ADORE the packaging and their products last ages and feel great on the skin… Can you tell I’m a massive Sisley fan…?! 

SO SUE YONKA

IT’S A CLEANSE OFF! CLEANSING ESSENTIALS FROM YON-KA SKINCARE

Recently, in the rush to grab a gift for a friend’s birthday lunch on a Sunday, I ended up in a local salon faced with a whole heap of beauty products and opted for what looked like some pretty staple cleansing options from world-renowned international brand YonKa. But staples these were not - because Yon-ka products are created with plants, fruits, and marine extracts to balance, soothe, revive and rejuvenate. Each ingredient has a specific role to play: fruit acids moisturise and enhance the complexion, vitamins combat free radicals, seaweed re-mineralizes and plant oils nourish and soften.  Of course, I am of the ‘one for you, one for me’ types when it comes to gift buying, so needless to say I picked one for myself too, and the results are fab.

Yon-Ka Gel Nettoyant, £26.50

I’m a suds ‘n’ water kind of girl, so this 2-in-1 azure blue gel for make-up removal and freshness is perfect for me, with its smooth and silky foam.  It gently cleanses and removes make-up from face, eyelids and eyelashes, and purifies and revives the skin. Gentle on the hydrolipid film, it leavesyour skinsupple, fresh and comfortable. You feel clean without feeling ‘stripped’. A delicate balance with a foam cleanser and this one hit the spot for me.

Yon-Ka Lait Nettoyant, £26.50

Silky and delicately scented, this milk is suitable for all skin types. It cleanses and removes make-up from your face, eyelids and eyelashes in a single wipe, and rinses off with water. It respects the hydro-lipid balance.

Yon-Ka Eau Micellaire, £26.50

This micellar water combines expert make-up removing agents and anti-aging prevention elements. In a single wipe, it gently captures impurities and removes make-up perfectly from the face, eyes and lips. No rinsing is required. High tolerance: suitable for sensitive skin and eyes.

Found in over 5000 spas and skin care centres worldwide, Yonka has gained the respect of beauty specialists for its achievements and professionalism over the past 60 years. To find a salon in Ireland, log on to www.yonka.ie

And if you’re anything like me, you look like you have two teeny peep holes for eyes once the make up is removed, so one thing you can plan to add the next day without affecting your skin is a set of Suzanne Jackson’s SoSu lashes, which are available to buy online at Cloud10beauty.com

If you don’t know who Suzanne Jackson is, let me explain, she was one of Ireland’s first beauty bloggers & vloggers with her So Sue Me blog - and, in shopping/fashion, her Primark hauls were once stuff of legend among her followers, spawning shopping sprees across Ireland by her hordes of teen and twenty-something fans.  As is the story for a lot of the early influencers and bloggers, her blog/vlog led to a book, then to appearances at events across Ireland and then to her own ranges of firstly nail products, and more recently, lashes.

On Cloud10Beauty.com you can buy both the Luxury and Premium Lashes from Suzanne’s SoSu by Susanne Jackson ranges. The Luxury Lashes are made with the finest silk and are designed to be worn up to 25 times. They are available in 4 styles – Rosie, Chloe, Kim and Sue. Price €19.95/£16.95.

SoSo by Susanne Jackson Premium Lashes are made with 100% human hair lashes, that will give you the look of naturally full lashes. Available in 8 Styles – Sara, Sophia, Gigi, Ella, Erica, Naomi, Katie and Carla. Price - €5.95/£4.95.

Ella & Erica are personal faves for their slightly more natural look and feel - but there are some really fab party/evening wear styles which will really glam up your look for night time. As always with lashes, the application is a little tricky - but I have found that it is only practice which makes perfect. One tip I learnt from a make up artist friend of mine was to cut the ends off to fit your eyes - this is important as it avoids that obvious, sticky-out bit at the sides. Another tip is to let the glue sit on them for a minute or two to get it properly tacky and sticky. Plus a wee bit of patience and maybe even a squeeze with some special lash tweezers to hold them in place until the glue takes is another good tactic.

Once you have them on, all you need to do is find a handsome man to bat them at - or just a good camera lens for a few pouty selfies with friends of course!

Enjoy! And don’t ‘So Sue Me’ if you get the tweezers in your eyes!

Joanne Hynes | A Rousseau Rendezvous launches exclusively at Dunnes Stores

Renowned Irish fashion designer Joanne Hynes unveiled her second collection for Irish retailer Dunnes Stores this morning. The highly anticipated collection is limited to just three stores (Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street and Cornelscourt) and online at dunnesstores.com It was a virtuoso kaleidoscope of colour, with bright limes and citrus pops mixed with tropical prints and textured beads and furs. One of my favourite pieces was a reversible pink fur coat with a shearling/suede effect on the reverse side, but I also loved the bell sleeved dresses in bold red and navy stripes.

 To launch the collection, Joanne hosted a breakfast followed by a catwalk presentation in the Stephen’s Green store for press and customers. The event took place within the fresh fruit and veg aisles, which were customised with giant inflatables and flowers to tie in with the jungle theme of the collection. We arrived to the sounds of the jungle and enjoyed a tropical breakfast before the show started.

Joanne commented regarding the collaboration ‘This collection is an homage to the adventures of Henry Rousseau who dreamed of a tropical jungle. I was inspired by journeys that I never had into the world of Rousseau; using fashion as a fantasy.’

Dunnes Stores has become a powerful platform for established and upcoming Irish designers. Joanne is in the company of Paul Costelloe, Carolyn Donnelly, Leigh Tucker, Helen James, Brendan Courtney, Sonya Lennon, Paul Galvin and Francis Brennan - all of whom design exclusive collections for the retailer.

I managed to pick myself up a fab beaded collar at the launch and wore it to host FASHIONWEEK just after.

STYLEWATCH | MAXMARA

As I mentioned in a previous blog, one of the biggest events on Ireland’s social calendar in the first half of 2017 was an exclusive fashion show by luxury Italian design house Max Mara, as it brought its full Spring/Summer 2017 collection from the catwalks of Milan to Belfast City Hall in support of leading learning disability charity Positive Futures. I was more than delighted to be part of the management team for this event, producing the show alongside the creative director Andreas Stavrou from BaByliss and Nina Walls, owner of the Max Mara store in Belfast, who put on the show.

Here I take a look at who wore what to this event - and there were definitely some super stylish ladies in the audience. And the best dressed wore Max Mara. Of course!

The event was hosted by kind permission of the Right Hon the Lord Mayor Alderman Brian Kingston, who supports Positive Futures and make up for the show was by Charlotte Tilbury with hair by international session stylist Richard Phillipart for BaByliss. 

All photography courtesy of Brendan Gallagher

MAKE UP FOREVER? HELL YEAH!

Towards the end of last year, multi-award-winning Irish artist Paddy McGurgan celebrated being awarded the UK franchise of iconic French make up brand MAKE UP FOREVER. I was so personally pleased for Paddy, because quite a few years ago, just before he started his Belfast make up studio and retail adventure, I travelled to Paris with him to meet with the MAKE UP FOREVER people at their amazing HQ in the centre of Paris. I was both his translator and guide as well as just a buddy on a #roadtrip and we had some nice times there.  Paddy has come a long way since – with many accolades under his belt as well as, I’m sure, volumes of stories from his make up journey. Having just worked with Paddy again last week under Charlotte Tilbury for Max Mara and again next week as Paddy’s team joins us backstage at FASHIONWEEK for KARAJA, I am delighted to be collaborating with such a talented guy.

But for now, back to the launch, where I was invited into the MAKE UP PRO store to have my make up done with a selection of the MAKE UP FOREVER products, and I finally made it in at the beginning of February, when I had my make up done for a magazine and blog shoot in my office.

Here’s the scoop:

Any good make up artist worth his or her salt will always start with a primer, and Ellen (Belfast - Head Artist at Make Up Pro Store)  gave me THREE!. She kicked off with a Smoothing Primer by MAKE UP FOREVER (£25.50) which can be applied with your fingers but she used Make up Pro Store Duo Fibre Brush No.1 (£15.00) because it optimises the product application and helps to smooth out any open pores, taking away fine lines, and giving the wearer a smooth base. Then Ellen applied Base Eclat by MAKE UP ATELIER (£22.50), which is an amazing product applied under foundation to give a kind of a glow from within; this is ideal for anyone who finds their skin dry and dull and would like to inject some dew and life back into their skin again, without the designer price tag.  Next up was the MAKE UP ATELIER HD Airbrush Blush in the shade Naked (£14.00). It is a more intense primer to what the Base Eclat is, so they are more or less the same but really brighten up certain areas such as the top of the cheekbones giving them a radiant shine. So finally, after 3 layers of primer (am I really that bad?!!) she went in with the MAKE UP FOREVER Lift Concealer in the shade Number One (£19.95)  which is amazing for brightening underneath the eyes. It lifts and brightens underneath, and is especially good for anyone who is conscious of fine lines or wrinkles under the eye , as it is a lightweight liquid product so does not sit any fine lines or porous areas.

The foundation used was natural beige MAKE UP STUDIO in Face it Light (£24.50) which gives a really full coverage, especially if you want something nice and soft. Then the MAKE UP STUDIO Contour Palette (£37.50)  gave some shape before the powders.

To set the make up underneath the eyes, Ellen used the super matte loose powder by MAKE UP FOREVER powder, (£32.50)  because even though we were going for a dewy look, we still needed to make sure that under the eyes don’t crease. This was applied by using a large powder brush and pressing the loose powder to set the foundation, then, very lightly, using the top of the brush buff the powder onto the skin in light circular motions, so to allow the skin to appear flawless.  

For the smoky eye effect  Ellen  started with a transition colour MAKE UP FOREVER Eyeshadow Refill M-720 Apricot £14.50)  just to find out where she wanted to go with my shape. The transition colour is what takes the eye from my natural skin colour into heavier, smokier lid. It’s the base colour; and the colours recommended to me for my eye colour and for the occasion (a blog shoot at my office) were warm brown or cream eyeshadow colours. Then, some dark brown or black was added to the base of the lid to give it that real smoky effect, blending upwards with medium browns, to finally the lighter colours on the lid.  It takes a lot of blending and careful wrist twisting to get the look just right – I was on the make up seat for a good hour on this occasion (she was definitely perfecting her look!!) When I asked Ellen what brushes she recommended or that she used on me, she said her go-to brushes had to be a mixture of Zoeva Eyeshadow Set £75.00 and a few Make up Pro Store No.19 brush (£11.50).   

Finally, for the nude lip, we went with a dark lip liner, MAKE UP FOREVER Aqua Lip Liner in shade 5C (£18.50) which I loved. This is a real handbag must-have as it is waterproof, lasts longer and can withstand an all day wear!  I usually wear dark brown or a dark pink (Oak OR Stone by MAC are among my faves) and follow it up with a nice light gloss. The gloss we used on this occasion was the MAKE UP FOREVER Plexi Gloss (£19.50) because it’s got really strong pigmentation which makes the nude stand out.

FROM ITALY TO IRELAND - MAX MARA BRINGS MILAN SHOW TO BELFAST

One of the biggest events on Ireland’s social calendar in the first half of 2017 was an exclusive fashion show by luxury Italian design house Max Mara, as it brought its full Spring/Summer 2017 collection from the catwalks of Milan to Belfast City Hall in support of leading learning disability charity Positive Futures. I was more than delighted to be part of the management team for this event, producing the show alongside the creative director Andreas Stavrou from BaByliss.

The event was hosted by kind permission of the Right Hon the Lord Mayor Alderman Brian Kingston, who supports Positive Futures and make up for the show was by Charlotte Tilbury with hair by international session stylist Richard Phillipart for BaByliss. 

Nina Walls, owner of the Max Mara store in Belfast, commented: “The fashion show was inspired by architect, designer and intellectual Lina Bo Bardi in a fusion of creative, radical passion. Bo Bardi was a woman with a vision years ahead of her time who embodied Latin America’s compelling take on modernism; at once rational and sensual, sleek and luxuriant, athletic and sultry, hi-tech and artisanal. For modern women with big ideas, the Max Mara Spring Summer 2017 collection proposes a new blend of voluptuous modernity: intelligent, audacious, sexy fashion with a lifespan as long as Bo Bardi’s designs.”

The collection oozed international appeal, with tropical prints and hi-tech fabrics alongside wooden clogs and visors.

Bo Bardi was connected to Tropicalia, the avant-garde cultural movement whose touchstone was the ultimate exotic icon, Carmen Miranda. The eponymous 1968 album “Tropicália: ou Panis et Circensis” by a group of artists including Bardi’s friends, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Gal Costa, was a landmark musical manifesto and makes for a soundtrack that swings to Max Mara’s chica boom beat.

Design is often said to be about pulling order out of chaos but Bo Bardi wasn’t all scared of letting chaos in. Her quasi-brutalist concrete and plate glass structures would be incomplete without the rainforest that grows around (and through them). The profuse flora and fauna that she adored inspire lush prints, sliced into patchworks that echo the precise geometry of her architecture. Torn layers of propaganda posters echo the tumult of design, culture and politics into which Bo Bardi threw herself.

Bo Bardi created some mouth-watering design classics. The ‘Bola de Latao’ chairs she installed in her home, ‘Casa de Vidro’, look as good today as they did in 1951, in wellworn tan leather, with restrained saddle stitching - which appears too on luxe suedes, double faces and the new BoBag.

Like Max Mara, Bo Bardi loved those traditional leather crafts, but she embraced new technology too. Max Mara borrows high performance jerseys and nylons from the sports arena for glamorous bodycon dresses, bodies and combinations with heat sealed construction. A structured mesh gives a hi-tech makeover to Max Mara’s own design icon, the 101801. Shiny new Lina sunglasses and Bardi-esque wooden soled techno-clogs completed the look.

All in all one of the best international collection fashion shows I’ve seen in Ireland.

All photographs courtesy of Stephen Potter

TRUFFLE HUNTING AT LAS PASTRAS, CADENET, (PROVENCE) FRANCE

My partner and I love fine wines and good food. And we are pretty heavy on 'stuff', so for Christmas gifts I always like to treat my better half to an experience - ideally involving some culture, food, physical activity and travel. After previous tasting trips to Champagne and cooking courses in Paris, I decided a truffle hunt was the way to go this past Christmas - and it didn't disappoint. I came across Las Pastras on TripAdvisor and booked, then rebooked and chopped & changed 3 times due to work commitments. Thankfully our hosts were accommodating and flexible (or maybe just used to people like us) and we eventually made it to Provence on the last weekend for truffle hunting towards the end of February. There was a mistral wind blowing despite some sunshine, so thankfully we were well wrapped up.

We knew we were going to someone's home and that the home was in a rural environment, so others making the trip should bear this in mind. It's not luxury, in the full five star sense, but it is truly lovely :-)  Johann met us up his lane after our Google Maps app took us exactly to his almost secret home location. We heard the stories of why it is secret - and I don't want to spoil the visit for anyone else who comes, but think Peter Mayle-like stories of local suspicion and conspiracy around such simple things as food (albeit a very expensive foodstuff in terms of the fruits of this precious 'terre'). We then met the dogs - Madeline the elder female was definitely the boss, and we followed their noses to the roots of the oaks to seek out and find the precious cargo of what was almost 1kg of truffles.

After 3 hours of walking, talking and learning about birds, bees, organic farming and the Provençal way of life, we got down to some eating and Champagne quaffing alongside truffles with cheese, truffles with bread and butter and much more! Thankfully, there are not volumes and tomes of info like a wine trip, so I don’t think we’ll forget the info like we have done after visiting wine regions, because truffle farming is a lot about skill, but even more so about a lucky set of natural circumstances. Plus, Johann really welcomed questions of all types -  and I was full of them! This trip was a pleasure - and we left owning (or adopting) an oak tree with the promise of an annual batch of our own truffles for dinner parties at home! It was a wonderful learning experience and not one we’ll forget quickly.

Later that night we ate in a delicious Michelin star restaurant but the next day we burned a good bit of it all off with a dynamic trek to the summit of Mont Sainte Victoire... This is most definitely a trip for foodies and those willing to learn.

Read about the rest of our French antics here on the blog…

SPRING INTO SPA AT HASTINGS

There’s little haste at Hastings Culloden Spa – and rightly so, it was a total den of zen for me recently as I tried out their new Spring Spa Experience which has been carefully tailored to ease the face and body out of “hibernation” and refresh and revive skin in preparation for summer.

The package, which is also available at Hastings Slieve Donard Spa in Newcastle, includes a grapefruit and cypress ESPA full body scrub using salt and oil, followed by a revitalising ESPA facial, plus an uplifting scalp massage as well as full use of the spa facilities and a light lunch served in the Zest Juice Bar. The total treatment lasts 1 hour 20 minutes and costs £105 or £135 on Saturdays and Sundays. I was super self-indulgent and upgraded my experience to include a full body massage – and boy was it worth it! I almost floated out of the spa and had the most relaxing, deep sleep that night as well as fresh skin the next morning.

Here’s my step by step:

The treatment begins with ESPA’s ‘detoxifing salt scrub’, a stimulating ritual for renewed radiance.  Its refining natural sea salt and oils gently sweeps away dull cells while invigorating grapefruit, cypress and eucalyptus stimulate circulation and help eliminate toxins.

This is the exfoliation of the ancients and it’s the least pleasant part of the treatment, truth be told, but probably the most beneficial, as it removes dead skin cells and really pumps blood to the surface of the skin, boosting circulation and overall bloodflow to give super powered skin texture and tone.

Detoxifying salt scrub- £37

Detoxifying salt scrub- £37

After a refreshing shower to wash away the salt scrub (this is a DIY bit by the way!) Ilay back down for a revitalising ESPA facial using the ESPA skincare range, and mytherapist tailored my facial to my own skin’s needs.  My therapist Nicole used the following ESPA products on my skin during my facial:

While my facemask melted into the skin and worked its magic, I had an uplifting oriental scalp massage using the award-winning ‘pink hair and scalp mud’ containing apricot kernel oil and red clay to nourish, strengthen and promote healthy, manageable hair.

Pink hair and scalp mud £33

Pink hair and scalp mud £33

Then I upgraded my treatment to include a luxurious full body massage using ESPA aromatherapy body oils to either sooth the mind and body.

ESPA aromatherapy body oil- £33

ESPA aromatherapy body oil- £33

To recap: the Spring Awakening Experience includes:

– Grapefruit and Cypress ESPA Full Body Scrub

– Revitalising ESPA Facial

– Uplifting Scalp Massage

– Plus use of robe, slippers and towels, a delicious light lunch in the Juice Bar and full use of the Spa facilities (pool, sauna, jacuzzi)

Total Treatment duration 1 hour 20 minutes

Spa at Culloden..................... £105 Monday–Friday

Spa at Slieve Donard.......... £115 Monday–Friday

Oh, Go On... Spoil Yourself!

Upgrade to include a Full Body Massage (an extra 55 minutes) for only £70 more

OR

Upgrade to include a Back Massage (an extra 25 minutes) for only £35 more

OR

Extend the luxury with an overnight stay...

B&B from £105 pps at Culloden Estate and Spa

B&B from £75 pps at Slieve Donard Resort and Spa

£30 supplement applies for Saturdays & Sundays at both Spas.

For Reservations

The Spa at Culloden on 028 9042 1135

The Spa at Slieve Donard on 028 4372 6166

hastingshotels.com

hastingshotels.com/spa

FAMILY | LITTLE PEOPLE MAKING BIG FASHION STATEMENTS

This article also featured in NI4Kids Magazine & www.NI4kids.co.uk  

The new season is here, and with it, a spring in its fashionable step.  In this week’s blog I talk prepping your littleuns’ wardrobes for some serious summer fun.

I’m sure, like me, many of you are in Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger chats with other parents who share stories as well as parenting tips and life hacks. Mine are quite often hilarious, but also offer some serious tit-bits of info and advice that I have found to be invaluable at certain times.

One thing we’re all talking about at the minute is summer schemes, Easter activities and February half term to-dos. And as it’s my first year of Valentina having a school uniform, I have all of a sudden found that her wardrobe is full of clothes which don’t get worn so much anymore and are getting a wee bit small, so I am longing for occasions to actually wear all her pretty clothes before they just don’t fit anymore. Or just sell those ones on eBay and buy more - which is my usual strategy.

So while I sat last weekend with a whole myriad of leaflets, flyers - and even spreadsheets - planning, let’s face it, a better social life for my daughter than my own, I digressed to a few online shops and created a bit of a best-buy list for SS17 for this blog.  Be it a lunch date with Nana or a week long summer camp full of activities, these top picks should help you cover all bases.

For me, there’s one children’s brand out there that nails all things fashion for kids, and that’s Boden. Season after season they score all the goals with the perfect mix of practical and pretty; and I for one have dressed Valentina in their clothes almost exclusively since she was a tot. 

I’m a big lover of colour for kids, so I’m always delighted to flick through the Boden catalogue and see vibrant colour blocking and bright prints abound alongside frills and florals for little princesses - with rockets, stars and animal appliques that are sure to make the little men in our lives stand out in the crowd too. 

Already in my online basket is the cutest Blue and Yellow Heart Pocket Jersey Dress, £20, with spots, stripes and little contrasting heart pockets, perfect for stashing treats, it’s bang-on-trend and, when paired with the yellow and white Spot Fun Leggings, (£14), it makes for an adorable ensemble.  I also couldn’t go past these canvas high-tops, £35, exactly what I was looking for for Valentina’s boyfriend’s birthday present - yes, she has a boyfriend. At age 5.  In bright white these shoes will go with every outfit in any mini man’s wardrobe and the contrast pop art hues give them a super cool edge. With run-faster stripes and shouty slogans, the kids will love them too.

Canvas High Tops £35 at Boden

Canvas High Tops £35 at Boden

Swimming lessons and beach days are sure to be in the mix come summertime, and I’ve completely fallen in love with the Rainbow Frill Swimsuit from Marks & Spencer, an absolute bargain at £10 and available for ages 0-5, perfect for my little mermaid.  And even though I’ve no boys, I am sure any boy will feel every bit the superhero with this Spiderman Sunsafe suit, £14, a purchase that’s both super cool and super practical, ideal for summer sunshine holidays.

Rainbow Frill Swimsuit £10 at M&S

Rainbow Frill Swimsuit £10 at M&S

Something a little sweeter for a day of picnics and tea parties with the grandparents is this pretty and pink disco sparkle swan dress, £36.  Crafted with a jersey bodice and a twinkly tulle skirt - so it’s not only bang-on-trend, but the embellished neckline and sparkly waistband gives her the gift of girly glitter.  All that’s missing is a tiny tiara! 

Disco Sparkle Swan Dress £36 at Monsoon

Disco Sparkle Swan Dress £36 at Monsoon

If your little dude is too cool for school, let him rock it out in this cute denim shirt from Zara, a bargain at only £12 and easily dressed up or down.  Button it up with a pair of chinos on bottom and some cool booties to boot, or style it out with shorts, open shirt, white tee and Converse; taking him from day to disco. 

Denim Shirt, £13 at Zara

Denim Shirt, £13 at Zara

Discos aren’t the only partying that tiny tots seem to have lined up these days; let’s not forget the utopian idea of a pyjama party - as long as it’s at someone else’s house, thanks to that mummy in your friends’ group who swoops in with the suggestion of an overnight stay.  At last, a BREAK!

Gingham is one of my favourite trends this season, it’s practical and easy to wear for all, so when I spotted these pink gingham pyjamas in Next, £13, 100% cotton and with a cute collar in tow, it was straight into the shopping basket.  A similar offering for the boys comes from Marks & Spencer this season, in a traditional grey and white print, keeping him on trend from only £14.

And on the subject of pyjamas, I think it’s time for bed for me. Goodnight!

FASHION | BODY SHAPE FEATURE

Apple, Pear, Pencil? Which body shape are you? We all come in different shapes and sizes: And, according to stylist and Belfast FASHIONWEEK director Cathy Martin, knowing your shape is the first step in finding out how to make the most of your body. Once you know how what to highlight and what to hide, you can hit the shops with confidence. And best of all, with the right clothing know-how, you’ll even be able to turn an apple into an hour glass or a petite princess into a leggy lovely.

Cathy’s first piece of advice - self love. “Take a long, hard and very honest look at yourself in the mirror. Naked if possible. These days we all have way too much self-loathing for my liking, and we will likely be drawn to things we don’t like first, but as you look over the bits you dislike - be they a wobbly tummy or a big behind - try to focus also on bits that you do like - including facial attributes like eyes and smile. And then remember that fashion can be a tool - a weapon even - in your armoury of the day to give you confidence, add height, strike off inches and much more. It takes practice to know what works for you. For me, I avoid busy prints and stick to solid colours in hues that suit my skin tone. I streamline my (apple) silhouette & add height and length where I can. I hope my tips can help others.” Read on to find out more.

 

YOU’RE A PENCIL BODY SHAPE IF:

•You have similar measurements for your boobs, waste & hips.

•Your legs are longer than your torso.

•Your legs and arms tend to be slender.

AT-A-GLANCE CLOTHING GUIDE

•Bright shift dresses highlight your slender frame. Try necklines that widen your upper half, as this will shrink your hips and bottom.

•Belts transform your pencil into an hour glass.

•Dresses that cling to every curve give great shape. A little cardigan or jacket adds oomph up top.

•Structured jackets, shirts and coats that nip in at the waste are great for you.

•Brightly coloured tops with slim black trousers give you endless legs and a curvy top half.

YOU’RE A PETITE BODY SHAPE IF:

•You’re 5ft 3in or under.

•You have short legs.

•You have a short torso.

•You have a slim waist.

•You have narrow hips

AT-A-GLANCE CLOTHING GUIDE – PETITE

•Dresses in simple shapes and bold colours make you appear taller. Pile your hair up high and get into hats.

•High-waisted flares give you the illusion of longer legs. With denim, go for a snug fit as baggy jeans can drown you.

•Heels are a must. Shoes the same colour as your legs or tights give the illusion of longer legs. Platforms when you’re in trousers or jeans are perfect.

•For a really luxurious look go for a satin blouse and pencil skirt, some heels and fishnets!

YOU’RE AN HOUR GLASS BODY SHAPE IF:

•Your boobs are the same measurement as your hips.

•Your waist is much smaller than your hips.

•You have shapely, broad shoulders.

•You have shapely legs that end with neat little ankles.

AT-A-GLANCE CLOTHING GUIDE – HOURGLASS

•Dark denim will slim your hips and bum. The darker your jeans or trousers the smaller you’ll seem. Big back pockets will make your bum look even smaller.

•A V-neck will elongate your neck, perk up your boobs and show off your cleavage.

•Fitted waistcoats or other waist-cinched tops will emphasise your waist.

•Height will always flatter your figure so heels are great for you.

•Pull your hair into a ponytail and accessorise with big dangly earrings to highlight your shoulders & draw attention upwards

•Belts with every outfit will highlight your tiny waist.

YOU’RE A TALL AND LONG BODY SHAPE IF:

•You’re more than 5ft 8in.

•You have long slender legs and a long upper body.

•Your arms are long and slim.

•Your shoulders are narrow.

AT-A-GLANCE CLOTHING GUIDE – TALL AND LONG

•A maxi dress is the ultimate style for the tall and long girl. Wear a bright colour and flaunt your sexy shoulders.

•A belted funnel-neck coat with a waist cinching belt gives gorgeous curves. A frill-edge coat adds femininity.

•Knee-length boots give shape to the calves.

YOU’RE A PEAR BODY SHAPE IF:

•You have small, pert breasts.

•You have a long waist.

•You have a flattish tummy.

•Your shoulders are narrower than your hips.

•You’re a size larger on the bottom than you are on top.

•You have largish thighs and shortish legs.

AT-A-GLANCE CLOTHING GUIDE – PEAR

•Bootcut jeans and trousers will balance out your hips and thighs.

•Straight leg, high-waisted trousers elongate your bottom half. Look for lengths that hit the floor and team with heels for a sexy, powerful shape.

•Dresses with a belt accentuate your waist. Structured shift dresses highlight your waist whilst gently skimming your hips and bum.

•Hats take attention away from your hips. A beret adds a shot of Parisian chic, whereas a funky trilby is a cheeky ‘look-at-me’ accessory.

YOU’RE AN APPLE BODY SHAPE IF:

•Your hips and bum are slightly smaller in width than your chest and tummy.

•You have a rounded tummy.

•Your arms are slim and long.

•You have well-shaped, slender legs.

•You have large boobs.

AT-A-GLANCE CLOTHING GUIDE – APPLE.

•Leggings and skinny jeans streamline your legs and, teamed with a loose fitting A-line or trapeze dress, trick the eye into thinking your entire body is long and thin.

•High-waisted pencil skirts with big wide belts hold you in and give you an hourglass waist.

•Short loose dresses or tunics show off your legs and arms while concealing your stomach.

•A-line or swing coats are a great way to look shapely and stylish in cold weather.

•Strappy high heels make your lovely legs look even leggier.

This article first appeared in the @BelTel newspaper in February 2017

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FOOD | Storrs Hall Restaurant, Bowness, Lake Windemere

After a dawn start and a cold day in walking boots and sports gear we got dressed for dinner and came down from our bedroom to a lovely dining room (not super stuffy formal, just nice with white table linen and good glassware) and loved our meal from start to finish...

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We opted out of the ten course tasting menu, but between extra amuse-bouches and other inter-course delights we weren’t far off ten courses anyway, and each one was, in its own way, just perfect with excellently paired flavours and food combinations rarely found outside a Michelin-starred restaurant.

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The Scottish Maitre d' (didn’t get his name) deserves a special mention... His service was amazing... The knowledge he imparted was fantastic and he was friendly without being too familiar... I loved how he suggested a glass of Banyuls over a Port for my cheese board (which, by the way, was a choice I will always make from hereon in) and how he talked us through each dish without patrimony nor familiarity and involved himself as much as he thought our interest allowed (we were very interested in most ingredients and cooking techniques it is fair to say!)... He didn't push the tasting menu on us like some fine dining places do - and nor did he push big wines. The food itself was excellent - really Michelin-worthy & a real gourmet treat. This is definitely a place for foodies and gourmands. 

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Aside from the restaurant,  we loved the receptionist and the fire in the hall. Our only negative point would be that the hotel needs a good lick of paint to the exterior, but that didn't affect our stay whatsoever...

FOOD | HOME FARM RESTAURANT, HARROGATE

My partner and I stopped off in Harrogate after a snowy drive from Bowness in the Lake District across the dales and through the mountains. We were en route to York and found this place via a search on Trip Advisor and although it was a teeny bit tricky to locate (it was Sunday and the shop entrance was closed so we found the small entrance beside the phone box on Oxford Street after a phone call to the venue), and it was bloomin' lovely! 

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The staff members were super friendly and welcoming... The décor simple and farmhouse-y (which was the overall theme, in fact there was a lovely back story on the table mats - although I would love to know what became of the owner's mum) and the food, well, it was just awesome. 

I had the roasted whole poussin & my other half, the roast beef with Yorkshire puddings and all the trimmings. We weren't disappointed. The roasted root veg were great, almost honey-like in their sweetness, you could taste the purity in flavour and the provenance was obviously local and organic too. The Yorkshire puddings were massive and perfectly puffed. The wines were all organic and really flavoursome. 

All in all I would give an 8/10; and the 2 points off are only because I like a softer seat when I am eating - so I am being super fussy and maybe unkind as I wasn't uncomfortable at all. And the theme was, as I said, farmhouse kitchen - and most farmhouse kitchen chairs are wooden and hard of course... 

In short - our overall rating was... 

Food = 10/10, staff 10/10, atmosphere the same :-) 

Well done team. A lovely simple and wholesome meal.

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KEY TRENDS AT SS17 FASHIONWEEK

This week I am taking a quick peek at the hottest trends due to hit Ireland’s busiest catwalk this March.  

Back for its twenty-third season, my super stylish event Belfast FASHIONWEEK, kicks off from 23-26 March with a busy four day schedule, including nightly catwalk shows, the return of popular fashion & food fusion events like Sushi Saturday and Style Sunday, as well as the welcome addition of the Lavazza Style Saturday brunch.

As always, the full FASHIONWEEK schedule is available online at www.belfastfashionweek.com. Tickets for the main shows and the Lavazza brunch are priced at £20 (FROW is now SOLD-OUT) while Sushi Saturday (£35) and Style Sunday(£45) bookings – which include 3 courses of delicious food as well as fashion - are all available by calling 028 9042 1509.

Sassy in Stripes

Whether beetle-juice or bumble-bee, stripes are one of the hottest trends for the season.  Rock them super-sized or super-skinny; they’ll be sure to keep your look sassy this season.

Splash of Colour

Bold and bright colours are a staple for any fashionista out there this season.  Stun in full colour-drenching (head to toe in one colour - including tights and shoes!), or use contrasting fabrics to stand out amongst the fash-pack.

Summer Accessories

If you don’t want to block it; POP it!  (Colour, that is, of course). And what better way to add colour to your wardrobe, than with the ultimate SS17 accessory.