ISSUE 74 SEPTEMBER 2018 www.bloommagazine.co.uk
Bloom Magazine Belfast
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CONTENTS Find us
04 Latest News
City East Business Centre, 68-72 Newtownards Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim BT4 1GW
14 Beauty Advice Secret Day Spa
Contact us
15 Big Picture Movie news from Strand Arts Centre
Angela Campbell angela@bloommagazine.co.uk www.bloommagazine.co.uk 07719 104 862
16 Lets talk Menopause Roisin Armstrong
18 Culture Vulture
Be Social Bloom Magazine Belfast @bloommag BloomMagBelfast
20
T&Cs
Lyndsay Malone
Fashion Edit Madame Parici
22 Dekko Bird
Credits Designed by: Nuala McIlroy - nualamcilroydesign@gmail.com Printed by: Xinked - xinked.com
From your area
Interior Styling
Any views expressed within are not necessarily endorsed by Bloom Magazine or WALL Media. Reference to any specific product or service does not constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by Bloom Magazine. Links and contacts are provided for user convenience and do not constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation by Bloom Magazine. Any reproduction without permission is prohibited.
NEWS Hip Hip Hooray Celebrating The Best of East Belfast with the Third Annual Eastside Awards Three cheers for the best of East Belfast as the third annual Eastside Awards launches in association with George Best Belfast City Airport, celebrating the achievements of the businesses and people of East Belfast. Open for entry until 19 October, new categories have been added to this year’s accolades recognising the thriving beauty and foodie industries within East Belfast and members of the public are being encouraged to vote for their Favourite Hair Salon, Favourite Beauty Salon, Favourite Takeaway Outlet and Favourite Eatery. Eastside Awards in association with George Best Belfast City Airport categories open for application or nomination are: Eastside Award for Tourism Experience, Eastside Award for Individual Contribution to Sport, Eastside Award for Contribution to the Arts, Eastside Award for Educator of the Year, Eastside Award for Best Community Project, Eastside Award for Employer of the Year, Titanic Eastside Award for Innovation, Eastside Award for Business Start-Up, Eastside Award for Business Growth, Eastside Award for Volunteer of the Year, Eastside Award for Young Person of the Year. Jonathan McAlpin of East Belfast Enterprise was behind the original Eastside Awards concept and is Chair of the organising committee. Launching this year’s awards Jonathan said: “It’s a real privilege to be launching the third annual Eastside Awards. And it gives me such pleasure to be involved in recognising everything that is the best about East Belfast. From celebrating the achievements of our young people to those who are contributing to the economic impact of the area, to inspirational residents who volunteer their time to helping others and those who entertain or who are committed to our next generation.” Michelle Hatfield, Director of Corporate Services at George Best Belfast City Airport said: “East Belfast is a hotbed of cultural, sporting and economic success made possible by the amazing people that call this great place home, or come to work or play in its surrounds. For that reason Belfast City Airport is once again privileged to be the principal partner of the Eastside Awards, which look to recognise individuals and organisations that make East Belfast proud. Our continued association with the Eastside Awards is one small element of a significant community strategy at Belfast City Airport, which places our community, its education, environment and young people at the core of our business. I would encourage East Belfast to support the Eastside Awards so we can together celebrate our local success.” East Belfast TV presenter Tara Mills will host the awards at an evening of celebration on Friday 25 January 2019 in Hastings Stormont Hotel. To enter Eastside Awards in association with George Best Belfast City Airport by 19 October, log onto www.eastsideawards.org.
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Bloom Magazine Belfast
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A taste of sweet success Aunt Sandra’s invests £300k in production as it eyes ROI market A popular east Belfast sweet-maker and chocolatier has invested significantly to expand its premises and production facilities and increase its workforce, with support from Ulster Bank. Aunt Sandra’s, which has been in business since 1953, has invested over £300,000 in the purchase and renovation of a new purpose-built production facility and shop, occupying five previously derelict business units on the Castlereagh Road in Belfast. The expansion will create a further six jobs adding to the ten already employed by the business. The vacancies include a mix of retail, supervisory and skilled confectionery production roles. Known widely for its traditional methods, Aunt Sandra’s supplies a growing range of sweets, chocolate and other confectionery products for both consumer and trade. The business is part-owned by brothers David and Jim Moore with support from Jim’s son and General Manager, Michael Moore. The expansion, which has been over three years in the making, marks a new chapter for the family-owned business as it prepares to enter the ROI market and increase its production capacity to meet growing demand for its handmade confectionery. To meet such demand, it has purchased four additional boilers and developed a dedicated area earmarked specifically for increasing honeycomb production, a product Jim explains has seen huge resurgence in recent years. “Honeycomb has long accompanied ice cream. Throughout our 60-year history we have manufactured and supplied wholesale honeycomb to the ice cream industry. In recent years the surge in popularity for gin and gin-based drinks has also contributed to huge growth in honeycomb production which is why this is an area of the business we’re focused on developing further. “Our new boilers will allow us to increase output to meet this growing demand. We also hope to begin supplying our product to the ROI market in the near future as we continue to work with a number of producers.” As well as larger production facilities, the new premises also include a modern shop front, coffee house and private hire area for functions, corporate events and shows. Jim added that while Aunt Sandra’s enters a new chapter in its history, it will continue to provide all the charm its customers remember and return for. Aunt Sandra’s growing customer base includes well-known ice cream brands such as Morelli, Glastry Farm, Riada, Draynes and more. It also supplies major tourist attractions across Northern Ireland including Visit Belfast, National Museums Northern Ireland, Queen’s University Belfast, Titanic Belfast, Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede and more.
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NEWS Cinemagic’s Exciting New Feature Film ‘Grace and Goliath’ To Have World Premiere in Belfast • Northern Ireland’s most heart-warming family feel-good movie of 2018! • Described by the film’s director, Tony Mitchell, as a “love letter to Belfast and the people of Northern Ireland.” • GRACE AND GOLIATH showcases the beauty of Northern Ireland, the warmth, humour and spirit of its people, and has already received international acclaim. • Produced by Cinemagic, the awardwinning Belfast-based film and television charity for young people, and aspiring young film trainees from Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Los Angeles as part of a unique Cinemagic training programme. The world premiere of Cinemagic’s new feature film GRACE AND GOLIATH will take place on Tuesday 2 October 2018 at Odyssey Cinemas, Belfast (red carpet 6.30pm, screening 7.30pm). The premiere will mark the official launch of this year’s Cinemagic Film Festival in Belfast (October/November 2018), the largest film and television festival designed for, and by, young people in the UK and Ireland. Both events are in association with Hagan Homes. ABOUT THE FILM GRACE AND GOLIATH (Cert PG) is a family feel-good movie that will make you proud to come from Northern Ireland! The film will scoop you up in its mighty arms and carry you on an emotional but hugely enjoyable roller coaster. A Hollywood big shot (and he knows it!), Josh Jenkins, sweeps into Belfast to make a movie, but before long his world crashes and he loses everything. Lily (the hotel cleaner) invites him to stay with her crazy family and gradually the people of this ‘strange’ city touch his heart, forever. It’s a powerful story of how one man’s GOLIATH ego is brought down by one single blow...of GRACE! With a superb home grown cast and cameos from Ciarán Hinds, Suranne Jones, Sally Lindsay and Bronagh Waugh, GRACE AND GOLIATH is set to be the family film of the year! The film’s main locations were Belfast (inc. The Europa Hotel, National Football Stadium at Windsor Park and Victoria Square) and the north coast of Northern Ireland (inc. Golf Links Hotel and Holiday Homes, Barry’s Amusements and The Harbour Bar, Portrush).
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NEWS Orchardville DFC Kicks Off! Orchardville DFC (Disability Football Club), the first ever football team of local charity Orchardville, will be playing in this year’s 2018/19 IFA Disability league. Sponsored by Diageo NI, the team is made up of Orchardville service users from Belfast, Bangor and Lisburn, who are aged 18 or over. Orchardville charity, which supports people with learning disabilities and/or autism, were encouraged to create a team after a group of service users competed in last year’s George Best Community Cup and came third. Joan McGinn, chief executive, Orchardville discusses: “We are thrilled to be playing in the 2018/19 IFA Disability league. Involvement in the league will bring so many benefits to our service users – increased physical and mental wellbeing, an opportunity to develop team working skills, increased confidence, competitiveness and of course fun! “I would like to thank our staff, especially Michael McShane, our team manager, who is being ably assisted by Graham Rankin and of course those volunteering at training and matches – we couldn’t do this without them. Also, a special word of thanks to our charity partner, Diageo, for sponsoring our team kit and to the IFA for all their support. “Finally, thanks to our team for their dedication and enthusiasm – we wish you every success in the league.” Matches will be held once a month and football training will take place once a week. Michael McShane, Orchardville DFC Team Manager, explains how football is set to enhance service users experiences, “Orchardville DFC is a wonderful opportunity for our service users to get involved in and experience the benefits of football. Our newly formed football programme will complement Orchardville’s other available services in enriching the lives of those involved. “We will be proudly competing in the 2018-19 disability football pathway where we will challenge ourselves against established sports teams from across Northern Ireland.” Explaining the importance of developing football networks for everyone Alan Crooks, IFA Development Manager, Disability Football says: “The Irish Football Association are delighted to support Orchardville in the creation and development of a football programme for their clients. Such programmes are vitally important for those with a learning disability. Football opens up positive avenues for fitness, development, comradery and ultimately enjoyment.” For any football team, their kit is vital and for Orchardville DFC their team kit has been sponsored by Diageo NI. Orchardville is also seeking to recruit volunteers to help with the football training. To find out more about Orchardville or to enquire about becoming a volunteer please check out www.orchardville.com
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NEWS Elave Skincare and TinyLife Join Forces to Boost #Premvember Funding for Premature Baby Charity’s 30th Anniversary Elave Skincare and TinyLife have joined forces to launch the annual #Premvember campaign as part of the premature baby charity’s 30th Anniversary celebrations. Every day in Northern Ireland six babies come into the world too soon, some arriving as early as 24 weeks and weighing as little as 1lb. That is 1,800 premature babies born every year! TinyLife CEO Alison McNulty said: “Thirty years ago, 70% of premature babies didn’t make it – today around 88% survive and TinyLife funds vital research to give these babies the best start in life. “We also provide a range of family support services, including breast pump loan, hospital to home volunteer programme, family activity groups, support for dads, baby massage and baby sensory. “This year, we are partnering with specialist skincare range Elave Baby in a joint effort to encourage the public to get behind TinyLife’s #Premvember campaign & 30th Anniversary celebrations to raise awareness and funding for premature babies. “We are delighted to confer Approved By status on Elave Baby and to recommend the product range, which banishes harsh ingredients that trigger sensitivity such as soap, sulfates, MI, parabens, alcohol, perfumes and colours, for use on baby skin. “The skin of prem babies is extremely sensitive, making it prone to dryness and itchy skin conditions like rashes and eczema, so knowing a clinically proven, completely ‘free from’ product is available can alleviate worry about what to use.” The Gardiner family’s apothecary skincare creams were created in Newry over 80 years ago. Elave Baby, now produced in Co Louth, is available from local pharmacies, online at www.elaveskincare. com or via Amazon. A donation of £1 from every Baby Essentials Pack sold goes to support the work of TinyLife. #Premvember invites people to arrange a Tea Party at their home or workplace, or an event or their choice, anytime during the month of November. Fundraisers can register and request a fundraising pack with downloadable invites, bunting, posters etc at www.buytickets.at/tinylife. Events to celebrate #Premvember include a Family Fun Day at Mossley Mill on World Prematurity Day (17th Nov) and an 80s Tribute Band in David Lloyd Clubs, Belfast (30th Nov). The TinyLife 30th celebrations will conclude next Spring with an Anniversary Pearl Ball sponsored by Kennys, Elave Baby and Malone Lodge Hotel, Belfast.
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NEWS Orangegrove AC Orangegrove AC are gearing up for the club’s 8th annual hosting of the NI & Ulster Road Relay Championships in association with O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors at Victoria Park, Belfast on Saturday 6th October. Hundreds of Ulster’s top club runners are expected to compete for an £1000 prize pot in the Senior and Master’s relay races over a fast 3380m course in the verdant setting of Victoria Park. As well as competing for this year’s championship titles, the fastest teams will be chasing the £200 cash prize up for grabs for any team which sets a new course record. Building on the success of last year, when the Belfast club welcomed over 600 athletes in 168 teams from across the province, the club’s massive volunteer effort is once again being deployed to deliver a fantastic day out for runners and spectators alike. All Senior and Masters Athletes must be registered with an Athletics NI affiliated club to take part. The festival of running will also incorporate individual races for junior races from primary age to U17 category open to all abilities. Over 200 children competed for individual prizes across eight age categories in last year’s event, and next month’s competition is sure to generate similar interest.
ENTER ONLINE AT ORANGEGROVEAC.CO.UK/RELAYS
The 2018 Northern Ireland & Ulster Road Relay Championships incorporating the NI Masters Athletics Association Relay Championships. Only clubs affiliated to Athletics Northern Ireland or Athletics Ireland that are based in Northern Ireland or Ulster (Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal) are eligible for team awards in the Championship. Online entry only, deadline 5pm September 30th. Online payment only. No entries on the day.
Prize of £200 per team for a new course record. See online for more info.
REGISTRATION
RACE TIMES
10 am Primary School Registration Opens
Race 1 11:10 am Primary School Girls
11 am Primary School Registration Closes
Race 3 11:30 am U13 Girls & Boys 1600m
11 am Registration Opens for Seniors, Masters & Juniors
ENTRY
SPONSORED BY
Race 2 11:20 am Primary School Boys Race 4 11:45 am U15 Girls & Boys 1600m Race 5 12 noon
U17 Boys & Girls 3380m
Race 6 12:30 pm Masters Ladies 3x 3380m Race 7 1:30 pm
Masters Men 4x 3380m
Race 8 2:45 pm
Senior Ladies 3 x 3380m
Race 9 3:45 pm
Senior Men 4 x 3389m
IN ASSOCIATION WITH OUR PARTNERS
Darren Houston, chair of the event organising committee is keen remind athletics and running clubs of the entry deadline of 5pm on Saturday 29 September; “In a change to previous editions, this year all entries, including all Senior Teams, Master Teams, and individual Junior and Primary School races must be perregistered online by the deadline. There will be no on the day entries to any event.” Orangegrove is keen for supporters and spectators to come and join in the festival atmosphere at the family-friendly event, and clubs who wish to set up their own team tent or gazebo in the park for the day are encouraged to do so. Further details and online entry forms are available on the event website: orangegroveac.co.uk/relays/
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PT NEW MOVIE PICKS
Highlights below. Check full listings on the Strand Arts Centre website.
The Predator Starts 13th September
From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home in Shane Black’s explosive reinvention of the Predator series. FROM 13TH SEPTEMBER
The Seagull (12a) Starts 14th September
StarringSaoirse Ronan (Ladybird) and Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale), The Seagull explores, with comedy and melancholy, the obsessive nature of love, and the tangled relationships between parents.
FROM 14TH
SEPTEMBER
The House with a Clock in Its Walls (12a) Starts 21st September (Previews 15th & 16th)
Jack Black (School of Rock) and two-time Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett encounter fantastical events in the most unexpected places.
FROM 21ST SEPTEMBER
Johnny English Strikes Again Starts 5th October
The new adventure begins when a cyberattack reveals the identities of all active undercover agents in Britain, leaving Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) as the secret service's last hope.
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE COMING MONTHS. CHECK WEEKLY LISTINGS AT: WWW.STRANDARTSCENTRE.COM FROM 5TH OCTOBER
Tickets for all events at Strand Arts Centre can be booked in person at the Strand, by phoning (028) 9065 5830 or online at www.strandartscentre.com
s e h s Flu Acupunctu rist EFT practiti , Kinesiologist, oner and A uthor The menopause used to be a taboo subject but thankfully it is now gaining mainstream attention, with many employers now offering support to help women through what for many is a truly difficult time. It is a natural part of any woman life, generally occurring anywhere from the age of 40 to the mid 50’s, and is characterised by a raft of symptoms engendered by radical hormonal changes. Experts have identified 34 common menopausal issues ranging from the most common such as night sweats, hot flushes, anxiety and depression, forgetfulness, sleeping problems, joint pain, headaches, loss of libido to the more unusual, itchy skin, palpitations, Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s), gum problems, hair loss, tingling extremities, electric shocks and digestive problems. So are there any natural remedies which can help ease any of these distressing if not debilitating issues? First off, many symptoms can be alleviated simply by changing the diet. Reducing coffee, sugar, fizzy drinks, especially diet drinks and alcohol can reduce hot flushes. Eating foods rich in phytoestrogens like lentils, chickpeas, beans, peas, garlic, wholegrains, apples, plums, cherries, broccoli, carrots, and cinnamon, sage and parsley can help rebalance hormones. Using herbal remedies like sage, red clover and red peony are effective for many, as are using specialist menopause vitamins containing supplements of isoflavones, magnesium to support bone health and B vitamins to support the frazzled nervous system and help balance moods.
For many women, the worst symptoms are hot flushes. These can range from mild annoyance which lasts for a couple of minutes to completely debilitating experiences which last for extended periods or which are very intense with not just a rush of heat but also palpitations and nausea which can leave women drained. Hot flushes which occur at night are called night sweats, and for many these can cause quite severe sleep disturbances. Then lack of sleep can create irritability, anxiety and depression, problems with short-term memory and inability to concentrate. However, you don’t have to suffer in silence, help is available. According to research published by ARRC Base, the Acupuncture Research Resource Centre, several studies have proven that acupuncture can be very helpful in resolving the issue of hot flushes and night sweats as well as helping to restore good sleep and minimise anxiety and depression. As each acupuncture treatment is tailored to the individual many of the symptoms experienced, which vary widely, can also be remedied. Research has also demonstrated acupuncture to have a similar effect on hormone levels as HRT. For appointments, contact www.roisinarmstrong.com
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Madame Parici
Get Your Wardrobe Autumn Winter Ready With Parici Autumn/Winter ‘18 is finally here. That’s right ladies, it’s time to put away those sandals and basket bags and switch to something a little more cosy. If the thought of having to do this fills you with dread, we totally understand. Who needs one more job to add to the endless list of things you have to do, especially if you’re a mummy! That’s why we’ve put together a few simple steps to help you get dressed stylishly every morning in 5 just minutes. Seriously, instead of stressing about what the hell you’re going to wear, we can have you dressed and out the door in no time (and you might even have time for an extra wee coffee).
5 Minute Dressing We are obsessed with wardrobe styling and honestly, autumn/winter is our favourite time of year. In fact, you might even say it’s our speciality. Here’s what we recommend:
1. Create Your Uniform This is our top tip and one rule that we always live by in Parici. Instead of rummaging through all your clothes in the morning and then wearing the same thing you always wear, go back to your wardrobe and reorganise it. We bet you have some fantastic pieces that you can pull out and restyle for this season. Pick the pieces you still really like, top them up with a couple of new bits you’ve fallen in love with and voila! You can use this capsule to create 3 strong looks that all work together and are interchangeable with each other.
A bientot for now. Madame Parici 17
Culture uMraloene t l u V Lyndsay
The August festival calendar was packed full of great events from the East to the West and to forgotten places in between. Thanks to the Eastside Arts Festival I enjoyed a fabulous evening of Swing music from the Swingtime Starlets in the Harland & Wolff Welder’s Club. Their beautiful harmonies took us back in time to the wartime era and Hollywood golden age with classics from Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Prima amongst others. Whilst in the area I dined at Pot Kettle Black in C.S. Lewis Square, innovative use of shipping containers has created a light and airy intimate dining space. The food is top notch with creative flavours fused together in the most delectable dishes and the service is excellent. I can highly recommend the peanut parfait dessert with ginger infused honeycomb – mouth wateringly good. Thanks to Household Belfast and Moving On Music my friends and I enjoyed a fantastic tour of Sailortown, the dockland area on the opposite bank of Lagan to the Titanic Quarter. Stops included Sinclair Seaman’s Church where we heard the beautiful music of uilleann piper Conor Lamb and guitarist Paddy Mckeown; The Dockers Club for experimental drumming and a choral performance at St Joseph’s Church which has had undergone some repair work to help transform it into a future usable space. We passed the boarded up Rotterdam Bar and through the unused Barrow www.LyndsayMalone.com
Square which was a festival venue from 1961 to 2012. It’s such a shame to see such lack of life in these amazing spaces but hopefully through events like the Sailortown Barra we can regenerate interest and social investment in the area. Check out @shipbelfast on Facebook for walking tours and future events. This month sees the return of heritage buildings opening their doors to the public during the European Heritage Open Day Weekend. Over 360 places will be open to visitors for free across Northern Ireland. Being one of my favourite weekends in the year I’ve managed to explore lots of interesting spaces: Riddels Warehouse, Ballywalter House, Helen’s Tower, Scrabo Tower, Friar’s Bush Graveyard and I even availed of a free bus tour around some of Lough Neagh’s heritage sites. You can read about these places on my website in the City Events section.
Coming up in September: European Heritage Open Days Sat 8th & Sun 9th
Autumn Fair in Botanic Gardens Sat 15th & Sun 16th
Culture Night Fri 21st
Wee Binnian’s Walking Festival
facebook.com/Lyndsaymalonedotcom
Fri 21st – Sun 22nd
twitter.com/LyndsayMalone
Register your interest now for our third annual awards
www.eastsideawards.org info@eastsideawards.org
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Explore Ards and North Down
WALKS AND TOURS April - November
Pick up your FREE guide and plan a journey steeped in history, nature and stunning scenery. Explore the borough by boat, bus or on foot with one of our unique tours. You can download the guide from visitardsandnorthdown.com or pickup a copy from a VIC. Bangor Visitor Information Centre: 028 9127 0069 bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk Ards Visitor Information Centre: 028 9182 6846 ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Home Styling & Decor News
Hello Bloom readers, and welcome back to my monthly interiors page. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed a lovely summer and are ready for a return to normal routine. Many of us feel like turning a new leaf in September (quite literally!) as we return to the post-holiday daily grind, so it’s the ideal time of year to rethink how we organise our lives. A well organised home in particular, will help you feel less stressed and better prepared, so take some time this month to try out some of these neat storage ideas… A shelf is the best place to keep those things you need frequently, particularly books, toys and kitchen essentials, but think outside the box and use picture ledges, wall mounted crates or wire baskets to store your stuff. For the keen cook, displaying cookbooks along a picture shelf makes it easy to locate the one you need. Similarly, herbs, spices and other kitchenwares can be set upon open shelving to free up vital kitchen worktop and cupboard space. Old scaffolding board sanded and varnished can give a nice industrial touch to a room, as can wall hung wire baskets filled with books, magazines or potted herbs. Rails and hooks are another clever space-saving storage solution. Magnetic rails are perfect for storing sharp knives out of harm’s way, whilst vintage hooks can be hung in a narrow hallway,
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Dekko Bird
providing ease of access to coats, scarfs, dog leads, schoolbags etc. IKEA has a good selection of fabric baskets for hanging off hooks to hold smaller items, such as toiletries in the bathroom, keys or make up. Hook racks are a great way to store anything from jewellery to handbags, plus they take up very little space and you can choose whether to go for a natural wooden peg rack or a schoolhouse style vintage hook rack, which can be found in your local salvage yard. Glass cabinets are a lovely piece of storage furniture you can use to house more decorative objects or collections. Other ways to use a cabinet would be as a quirky drinks cabinet in the living room, where you can display all those cool cocktail accoutrements and unusual gin bottles to great effect, freeing up space in one of your kitchen cupboards at the same time. A glass cabinet in the bathroom can be a nice place to store your lotions and potions in pretty bottles and wicker baskets, too. Finally, how best to use all those empty jam jars and beauty product pots? Clean them out and spray paint them or decorate with washi tape to hold pens and pencils, make up brushes or small tools and utensils. You’ll have decluttered AND feel super organised in no time! Win win. K xx
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