Northern Woman April 2019 by Helen Wright

Editor’s Letter

i all, Welcome to our April issue. This month I’m feeling particularly proud of our photo shoot which took place in the Ulster Aviation Society’s hangar in Lisburn. It is definitely the first time we have ever photographed a model sitting on top of the wing of a plane and hanging out of a helicopter. One of the perks of my job is getting to meet and work with local creatives, and as always, we had an incredible mix of hair stylists, makeup expertise, and a talented photographer and videographer working together on set. Thanks to the team down at the Ulster Aviation Society for sharing their unique museum with us, and for the cups of tea on the day. For more fashion inspiration, see ‘Folk charm’ (p. 7-9), ‘Suit Your Self’ (p. 10-12), and your guide to working the utilitarian trend into your wardrobe (p. 13-14). There’s a lot happening in April; Easter, National Siblings Day, Pay It Forward Day, and Active Dog Month, which makes for a varied read. Journalist Jade Beecroft chats to local chocolatiers (p. 32-33), Elizabeth Moore meets sisters in business together (p. 3435), Jeff Meredith encourages us to do a good deed in this month’s Northern Man column (p. 86-87), and Eunice Nelson gives dog lovers a laugh in her ‘Paws For Thought’ feature (p. 31). We have a brilliant subscription offer running; get 11 issues of NW delivered for only £15, and the price includes a fantastic free gift worth £24.75; the Paradise Palette from Fuschia Make-Up.

In addition, we also bring you beauty news, readers’ weddings, local events, interior décor ideas, travel reviews, Blogger Corner, and a lot more. Until next month,

Catriona Doherty Editor Northern Woman

Contact me at: c.doherty@independentmagazinesni.co.uk. Follow NW on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/NorthernWomanMagazine, Instagram @northernwomanmagazine, LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/company/northern-woman, and Twitter @NorthernWomanNW

CONTENTS APRIL 2019

STYLE 07 FOLK CHARM Folk vibes rule the runways 10 SUIT YOURSELF Trendy takes on the power suit 13 WORKIN’ IT How to work utilitarian into your wardrobe 15 MODERN UTILITY Neutral tones and workwear-inspired silhouettes FEATURES 26 MEDICI NETFLIX ROLE FOR ANTRIM ACTOR STEPHEN HAGAN 30 FIVE MINUTES WITH ALYSON MAGEE 31 PAWS FOR THOUGHT 32 CELEBRATING OUR LOCAL CHOCOLATIERS 34 SISTER ACT Siblings in business BEAUTY 37 #INSTABEAUTY Trends from our feeds 38 THE BEAUTY EDIT Makeup bag and skincare must-haves 39 INVEST IN YOUR SKIN 40 THE BOB HEALTH AND WELLNESS 43 THE POWER OF EMPATHY To help manage stress 44 MORE THAN WORDS 46 DO YOU SHOUT OR WHISPER When life doesn’t go your way? 47 HOW’S IT REALLY GOING? 48 BABY TALK Does the 12-week pregnancy ‘rule’ still apply? 50 EASTER CAKES AND BAKES 54 VEGGIE SHOTS ESCAPE 56 MINI-MOON NOW, LONG-HAUL LATER

Photo credit: Zara For nomad-inspired looks and folk vibes, see pages 7-9

Cover image Photography Glenn Norwood; hair Damien Johnston and Samantha Irwin, Pure Hair; MUA Shannon Mawk Makeup Artis, Ciara Daly House of Makeup; model Ruta Mineikyte, Distinct Model Management; styling Catriona Doherty, Northern Woman. Shot on location at Ulster Aviation Society, Lisburn. Top from M&S and dress from Warehouse.

For photo credit and more utilitarian style see pages 15-25

60 FLY ON A TUESDAY And other ways to save money on your holiday 61 LEONARDO 500 Take an art-inspired trip to Milan LIVING 71 DOUBLE UP Designer doubles 72 PLANNING THE PERFECT HOME OFFICE 76 THE DREAM TEAM 78 NEW ENGLAND STYLE Inside a reader’s home

IN EVERY ISSUE 62 THE SOCIAL 10 Local events not to miss 65 LET’S DRINK TO… New York City 67 MOVIE ROUNDUP 82 LOCAL WEDDINGS 87 THE ALBUM Social photos 94 HERE & THERE 95 BLOGGER CORNER By Yasmin Robinson from SnazzyYazi 96 NORTHEN MAN Jeff Meredith’s tips for booking a cruise 98 WIN A stay at Clontarf Castle Hotel

Publisher Independent News & Media Ltd Belfast Telegraph House 33 Clarendon Road Clarendon Dock Belfast BT1 3GB T: 028 9026 4264 Production Manager: Irene Fitzsimmons Editor: Catriona Doherty Design: Robert Armstrong Art Editor: Helen Wright Editorial Contributors Claire Craig, Clare Bowie, Elizabeth Moore, Emily Burn, Eunice Nelson, Jade Beecroft, James Oliver, Jeff Meredith, Lucy Norris, Paula Gracey, Sal Hanvey, Róisín Carabine and Yasmin Robinson Independent News & Media © 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means; electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of Independent News & Media.

STYLE

Credit: Hair Like You from Great Lengths

Folk charm Folk vibes rule the runways this season – think printed scarves, patchwork and nomadinspired outfits BY CATRIONA DOHERTY

Paddy patchwork saddle bag from Accessorize £30

Zara

Patchwork

Piece together your new season wardrobe with playful patchwork prints, as contrasting panels are being sliced and sewn together in a kaleidoscope of colour. Daisy patchwork scarf from FatFace £22.50

Relaxed colour block jumper from Warehouse £39 Hair scarf in patchwork print from ASOS £6

Quincy patchwork overalls from Alice McCall £280

White linen blend crochet trim midi skirt from New Look £19.99 Margherita dress from Pinko £280

Carmel broderie top from FatFace £39.50

Coral loose fit lace t-shirt from River Island £30

Dark yellow lace cut out swing dress from River Island £42

It’s all in the detail

Stripe Woven Playsuit by Mantaray from Debenhams £16

This season designers have breathed new life into Seventies-era crochet and you’ll see knitted pieced everywhere come April, in addition to broderie, cut outs and lace detail.

Ivory chenille jumper from Primark £13

Crochet Cardigan from Lipsy £30

Contrasting dress from Zara £25.99

Lace trim top from Oasis £36

Black top from Mango £35.99

Blue vanilla pale blue check mesh skirt from New Look £20

Raffia Mules from Oasis £30

Raffia drop earrings from M&S Collection £9.50 Tansley tassel block heel boots from Fatface £75

Tan resin geo raffia drop earrings from Primark £3

Straw zipped detail shopper bag from M&S Collection £15

Tan wooden circle cross body from Primark £20

Orange satin macramé cross body from Miss Selfridge £22

Fringe leather backless loafers from River Island £50

Macramé & more

Raffia, straw and tassel accessories exude folk charm. Add some arm candy with a casual, lightweight macramé handbag. Harlow handheld macramé bag from Monsoon £35

Tassel earrings from Warehouse £10

Cross body from H&M £17.99

Plain coloured blazer in sapphire from Bonmarche £38

SUIT YOUR SELF

The daily 9 to 5 grind doesn’t have to kill your style. Let your clothes do the talking in the office this season, by ensuring you’re dressed for business in these trendy takes on the infamous power-suit

Mint green blazer £35 and trousers £20 from Dorothy Perkins

Red boyfriend blazer from JD Williams £25 and suit trousers from Bonprix £27.99

SUITY – FRUTTI

Collection blazer from M&S £79

Don’t let workwear wash you out; take the lead with two-piece suits in standout citrus, fuchsia, mimosa orange, or canary yellow. Brighten up the office and your day with a vibrant pop of colour. Take inspiration from designers such as Balenciaga and Escada with a screaming suit guaranteed to get you noticed, and pair it with a dazzling pair of optic white shoes to complete the look.

Autograph trouser from M&S £59

Beige trousers with pockets from New Look £27.99

BY LUCY NORRIS

Trousers from Zara £29.99

EARTHY VIBES

Blazer from H&M £79.99

For those looking for a less abrasive start to the day, seek out earthy muted tones such as stony brown or creamy beige. Wear this trend as a full block of colour in a two-piece suit ,or incorporate it into your look with either tailored trousers or a blazer.

Beige tie waist trousers from M&Co £22

Multi oriental jacquard printed blazer dress from prettylittlething.com £50

Stripe blazer from Next £56

THE TRAIL BLAZER

The blazer is the ultimate capsule item taking you from shabby to chic in one flick of the lapel. Use its versatile nature to your advantage and isolate the suit jacket as a solo piece. Pair it with cycling shorts, denim, or a floaty midi skirt.

Mustard cape blazer from Pretty Little Thing£20

Pale pink patch pocket blazer from Wallis £45

Bell ruffle sleeve blazer dress by Lavish Alice from Littlewoods £92

Multi check relaxed jacket £65 and multi check slim suit trousers £35 from Next

Stripe long line blazer £50 and stripe tie waist peg leg trouser £36 from Lipsy

Co-ord floral printed lined blazer from V by Very £32

PERFECT PRINTS

Full blazer £60 and suit trousers £32 from River Island

Monochrome striped double breasted blazer was £45 now £36 and monochrome striped trousers was£35 now £28 from Wallis

While block colouring is well and truly encouraged this SS19, dare to be different when choosing your office attire and splash out on a bold printed two-piece. Be loud and proud, and show that you mean business with floral matching sets in primary colours, and tartan in breezy pastels. If you’re feeling really brave, clash prints like no one’s watching.

Petite orange boiler suit from Dorothy Perkins £42

NAIL IT IN ONE

Possibly one of spring’s most controversial trends, yes the love it or hate it, boiler suit does count as, well, a suit. We’re not saying gear up in material resembling overalls and strut your stuff down the office kitchen, but do opt for classier takes on the urban culture trend with structured tailoring, clasp belted, lapelled pieces. Say what you want, but the convenience of stepping in and zipping up is second to none.

White denim boiler suit from Miss Selfridge £49

Khaki boilersuit from Wallis £60

Utility jumpsuit from Lipsy £68

GO BIG OR GO HOME

Petite women’s black suit trouser from M&Co £18

We love a bit of the good old 80s, and now the guilty pleasure doesn’t have to be reserved for Saturday night belting Madonna over karaoke after one too many wine spritzers. Don the square shoulders and take the workplace by storm with your oversized androgynous suit destined for comfort and casual professionalism. Check frock coat from Zara £79.99

Mint blazer from George £25

Relaxed satin black blazer from Pure Collection was £199 now £101

Oversized collection blazer from M&S £59

Leather wrapover skirt from H&M £149.99

nction eets fu Form m thing arian clo in utilit ilored cuts, ta – think ilhouettes and e lin d s plain stream ieces. Choose p l ed practica terned, expos d t n a p , r ove ckets a ront po f , s . n o g t in but t stitch contras

Utility dress from Oasis £52 Midi skirt from Zara 49.99 Denim wrap dress from Warehouse £45

Mid rise denim mid skirt from &otherstories £49

WORKIN’ IT The theme of this month’s fashion shoot is utilitarian. If you like the look and are not exactly sure how to work the trend into your own wardrobe, then read on…

Button dress from Zara £33.99

BY CATRIONA DOHERTY The tre nch is t he m obvious choice w ost comes t hen it o a classic utilitarian out w that ne ver reall ear; out of f ashion. y goes Roo and wa terproo my pockets fs get our tyles also vote.

Tonga from Mango £59.99

Blush Mac from Primark £18 Raincoat in Moroccan Twill from Pinko £395

Trenchcoat from H&M £139.99

Matilada mini cross body from Fatface £49

Caviar monogram belt bag in caviar-effect leather from Pinko £195

Eyelet chain tote from Primark £13

e omplet y wise c r , o g s s a e b c elt Ac with a b e, the look r oversized tot o s y g d a o b two cross b up with . le b u o or d of one instead

Gionni Nina shoulder bag, available from Debenhams, Shaws, Menarys and leading retailers nationwide, £45

Comfor choosin t is key when g footw bulky c olourfu ear, opt for l or sno Dad tra w white in Perspe ers, block hee x heels ls and no-f , rills styles.

Sak from Mango £49.99

Dolly from Mango £49.99

Eluminate from Head Over Heels £45

Jaydey from Head Over Heels £45

Modern utility Neutral tones and workwear-inspired silhouettes make for maximum comfort as the utilitarian trend takes flight this season Shot on location at Ulster Aviation Society, Lisburn Ankle grazers £39.50 and gilet £35 from M&S,48 Donegall Place, top from Miss Selfridge, CastleCourt £18; belt bag from Mango, Victoria Square, £19.99

Skirt from Warehouse, Victoria Square, ÂŁ39; shirt from Stradivarius ÂŁ19.99; belt from Mango, Victoria Square, 17.99

Contrast stitch jumpsuit £59.99, top £19.99, slingbacks £35.99 from Mango, Victoria Square

Dress from Warehouse, Victoria Square, ÂŁ52; Top from M&S, 48 Donegall Place, ÂŁ29.50

Boilersuit from Topshop, Victoria Square Â£59

Top from Miss Selfridge, CastleCourt Shopping Centre, £30; headscarf £12 and bag £32 from Warehouse, Victoria Square; denim cycling shorts from Stradivarius £17.99

– PHOTOGRAPHY – Glenn Norwood 07587 658348 www.norwoodphotography.co.uk www.instagram.com/glennnorwood – MAKEUP – Shannon Mawk Makeup Artist 07944 739466 www.facebook.com/MakeupbyMawk www.instagram.com/shannonmawkmcmahon www.facebook.com/ciaradalymakeup1 – HAIR – Damien Johnston and Samantha Irwin @Pure Hair, Lisburn Road 02895 088326 www.salonpure.co.uk www.instagram.com/purebelfast – MODEL – Ruta Mineikyte @ Distinct Model Management (00353) 1 901 5209 www.distinctmodelmanagement.com – STYLIST – Catriona Doherty @ Northern Woman – LOCATION – Ulster Aviation Society ulsteraviationsociety.org www.facebook.com/UlsterAviationSociety

Boilersuit from Topshop, Victoria Square, £59; top from Miss Selfridge, CastleCourt Shopping Centre, £18; earrings £12.99 and belt bag £19.99 from Mango, Victoria Square

Medici Netflix role for Antrim actor

STEPHEN HAGAN

Greenisland actor Stephen Hagan’s latest role sees him portraying Leonardo da Vinci. He speaks to Jade Beecroft about how he balances the demands of his job with family life

or 34-year-old Stephen Hagan, maintaining a work-life balance that allows him to spend quality time with his wife and kids is his number one priority. The actor, originally from Greenisland, has made a name for himself with projects like Stan Lee’s Lucky Man and last year’s movie Zoo, set during the Belfast blitz. He’s just finished the third series of Netflix hit Medici, which meant four months filming in Italy, with a starring role as artist Leonardo da Vinci. Filming wrapped up in December, allowing Stephen to head home to his wife, comedian Wendy Wason, their son Riley, seven, and his stepchildren Isobella, 16 and Max, 14, in time for Christmas. For Stephen, family life in his North London home and “having children” are what keep him grounded. “Whenever I’m at home, I get up and do the school run,” he laughs. “By the time you’ve sorted breakfast and got them to school, you feel like you’ve done a day’s work! “In my industry there are a lot of highs and lows, but there are three people in my life who don’t care about that, it doesn’t matter if I’m on the telly. It gives you perspective. When I’m away on location I try to keep in touch as much as possible. If I’m in LA it can be difficult because of the time difference, but we text constantly and Facetime – although our youngest is often more interested in pulling funny faces at his own reflection! “So when I’m home I try to be as present as possible. We do stuff like escape rooms and crazy golf, but also low-key stuff; our eldest plays piano, so that’s my one-on-one time with her. I used to play a bit as a kid, but I was nowhere near as good as she is now. “The oldest ones take the mickey too. I’ve

Stephen Hagan plays Leonardo Da Vinci in Netflix Medici been recognised and they sit there all polite, with smiles on their faces, but as soon as it’s over they start taking the mickey out of me.” Stephen is modest about his achievements, but since leaving Northern Ireland after his A-levels to pursue a career in acting he’s notched up a host of roles. For his latest project, Medici, which is set to air some time in 2020, he immersed himself in the history of 15th century Italy and France. He’d had a bit of a head-start; one of his first big jobs after drama school was playing Michelangelo’s muse Vito Barratini in a play called The Giant. The commission to create the Statue of David caused conflict between the two great Italian artists of the time – da Vinci and Michelangelo. “For Christmas this year, after I’d finished filming Medici, my sister-in-law bought me a pair of Michelangelo socks. I had to explain it’s a bit like buying a Man United

fan a pair of Man City socks!” he laughs. Stephen was in Rome and Tuscany filming Medici. He knew that the Italians take their heritage very seriously, so he needed more than his GSCE art to win them over. “It was really daunting,” he admits. “The first place I went to was Vinci, where he was born; they’ve turned his birthplace into a museum. Then I saw his works in Florence.” The third series of Medici covers a 10year period of da Vinci’s life, so Stephen became a bit of a history buff. “I learned some fascinating things,” he explains. “Da Vinci spent a lot of time in Milan, he invented some war machines for the Duke of Milan, including one piece of equipment which was pretty much like a tank. He was so ahead of his time.

Continued on 28 ➤

Stephen Hagan plays Leonardo Da Vinci in Netflix Medici

“One of my favourite things he made was this instrument that runs across the wall of a battlement. When an army attacks, you raise this piece of wood and all their ladders fall. It was so simple but effective. And there was a machine that shot multiple arrows. “He also did a lot of town planning. There was a scheme he devised for an underground set of roads and tunnels to keep the streets clear. It was incredible stuff.”

The Apostle Bartholomew (Stephen Hagan) and Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) in Risen

With Medici, Stephen is following in some illustrious footsteps. Dustin Hoffman and Richard Madden starred in the first series, and Sean Bean was in the second one. “It took Richard Madden two years after Medici to win a Golden Globe, so… you know…” he jokes. Stephen’s career highlights have included playing James Nesbitt’s younger brother

Stephen Hagan as Rich Clayton in Stan Lee’s Lucky Man. Photo credit: Steffan Hill (c) 2017 Carnival Films Rich Clayton in Sky1 blockbuster crime drama Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, Jay Templeton in Midsomer Murders, and Jasper in CBS show Identity. He says the rise in popularity of big budget TV series from the likes of Netflix has been exciting for actors. “Don’t get me wrong, I love going to the cinema,” he says. “But for an actor, TV is a chance to get into people’s living rooms. “There’s so much great stuff on telly now, I don’t think I’m ever going to get through everything I have on the box to watch; there’s so much great quality content these days.” Back home in Northern Ireland, you may recognise Stephen as Jake McClune, one of the “bag guy” vets from last year’s movie Zoo. It tells the story of how a couple of schoolchildren managed to hide an elephant in a North Belfast backyard after a decision was made to cull the larger animals at the zoo, to prevent them escaping if Cavehill was bombed. For the actor, it was a welcome chance to get back on home turf.

“I love that it was based on a true story, I learned so much about the Belfast blitz,” he says. “The shipyards and how people rallied together. Were the Government right to kill the larger animals? It’s such a difficult one, I can see both sides of the argument.” The “green fields” of Greenisland are a far cry from the buzz of London, and Stephen tries to get home to visit his family and friends whenever he can, although he laughingly admits he’s not yet been asked for his autograph on a Flybe turboprops into City Airport. “Those things are pretty small, I’d have nowhere to hide,” he jokes. “Did you know Belfast City Airport has one of the shortest runways in Europe? When you come into land over the sea it can get pretty bumpy. “The sea is one of the things I miss the most actually. You don’t realise how much you love it until you move to London. You kind of take it for granted, it’s always just round the corner. “When we bring the kids over, we take them to Short Strand or Portrush and they just love it. They’ve also done all the touristy

things in Belfast; like the Titanic museum. “Northern Ireland is very different to London. People are more willing to stop and chat. You definitely don’t nod and smile at people on the Tube!” With many celebrities turning to plantbased or raw diets, Stephen says he’s so far managed to dodge the pull of kale smoothies, but admits that in London he doesn’t get quite as many opportunities for hearty Irish grub. “I brought my wife over to Northern Ireland for a wedding a few years ago, and she pointed out that the side dishes were mashed potatoes with roast potatoes – potatoes garnished by potatoes. I didn’t realise how bad spuds were for me until I moved to London!” he jokes. “We’ve not gone vegan or anything like that, but we are trying to eat less meat, we try to have a couple of meat-free nights a week.” Stephen’s next acting projects may take him back over to the States, so maintaining that work-life balance will be his top focus once again.

When Northern Woman asks who he most admires, the actor thinks carefully before answering. “You know, I used to look at the Obamas, when Barrack was president,” he says thoughtfully. “We were talking about them this morning over breakfast actually. Even when he was president, you saw from the photos and footage the closeness he had with his wife and kids, he managed to maintain a slice of humanity and family life. “It shows that it’s always possible. I mean… he was a busy man! If he can do it, then anyone can do it.”

• Medici, starring Stephen Hagan, will be on Netflix some time next year. The date will be announced closer to broadcast. • People interested in the works of Leonardo da Vinci can see some of his original drawings at a special exhibition at the Ulster Museum, in Belfast, from now until May 6.

Five minutes with

Alyson Magee

NW caught up with eyewear designer Alyson Magee during a recent trip to Belfast to launch her new collection Tell us about your new range. I have a strong love for acetate and am passionate about designing my own acetates with the best manufacturers in Italy. I always think of this as a textile with layers, texture and colours. My new styles mix deep reds, Alyson Magee blue-greens and browns with textured prints in chic combinations. My metal frames are more architectural, but don’t shy away from the colour palette with a stylish soft metallic finish. My signature ‘open’ frame designs have a more geometric take in the newer additions to the collection. My collection is available from EK Eyewear, Lisburn Road, Belfast. Who would wear your glasses? I love seeing my glasses on lots of different people. I would say the wearer has a strong, vibrant personality, and an appreciation of quality and fashion with their own unique sense of style. They are a lover of travel and enjoy being on the go. What inspires you when creating new frames? Life brings an intuition and flow I think. My travels take me to places where I am constantly learning and being inspired. Somehow an observation or

an idea might turn into a certain curve, or an acetate texture, or completely take over. As a Derry woman living in France – how does life in Paris compare to life in Northern Ireland? When I first arrived in Paris 30 years ago, I found living there so different to back home. The language differed for a start; also the culture, architecture, way of life, food and climate. Now, the differences feel smaller, but only just. Having made Paris home over the years, I do find it is such a beautiful, romantic city to live and work in. I never get tired of it. With Northern Ireland only a short flight away, I return often to get inspired, visit friends, and just for some quiet and reflection. You have worked with some of the world’s greatest couture houses – what are your career highlights? After graduating from the Royal College of Art in London with a masters in Jewellery Design, my first job was with Alain Mikli; the Parisian bad boy of eyewear design. I was so lucky to have started my career designing eyewear with him. He was a person who I believe challenged and reshaped the eyewear world. I learnt so much from him.

With Alain I had my first introduction to the glamorous Parisian fashion world, and was working on the eyewear collections of Claude Montana, Corinne Cobson and Herve Leger. The 80s and 90s spent designing in Paris were such exciting times. I was one of three of the founding members of Face à Face, which we launched in the late 90s. It was a contemporary niche eyewear brand which quickly grew into a multi-million euro company. I started my own eponymous collection 15 years ago under the wing of Alain Mikli. Today I am very proud to release new collections with my name, and also to use my knowledge and experience working on eyewear collections for Parisian and yes, the worlds’ greatest couture houses. I am very honoured.

PAWS FOR THOUGHT For me a house is never really a home until I have a dog, writes Eunice Nelson

hey say that dog owners eventually start to resemble their pets but I like to think that I have developed the same personality as my terrier. She’s small, loud, dealing with middle age spread, and the list of people she can tolerate is getting shorter. April is all about our doggies; it’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month and Active Dog Month. Also did you know that 10th April is National Hug Your Dog Day? I know there are other pets out there, I even know some ‘cat people’, although I fail to see the attraction. I don’t need something laying around my house, ignoring everything I say and looking at me with barely concealed contempt; I have my children for that. Dogs are amazing, they can be trained

to sniff out anything from drugs to a drop in blood sugar. Their vocation in life may be as simple as a loving family pet or as complex as acting as a lifeline to those with a disability. They love us, make us happy, and are proven to keep us healthier. My St Bernard is only one year old and about the size of a Shetland pony. He is excitable and doesn’t know his own strength, but when it comes to my five year old daughter he’s like a teddy bear. She is autistic and non-verbal but they understand each other perfectly. When she goes outside to play, he gives her the space she needs and simply sits a few feet away watching over her. Unfortunately for me when I go outside he stands with his paws on my shoulders and destroys my clothes. If you’re coming to visit my home there are a few things that you should know:

n First of all, I am kind enough to keep the dogs away from you if you and/or your children are actually afraid of them, I might be obsessed but I’m not mean. If however you are allergic to them then you don’t have a hope, there isn’t anywhere in my home that hasn’t been drooled on by the St Bernard. n Unless you’re a close family member or a very good friend, I probably like my terrier more than you. Actually I probably like her more anyway. n I no longer realise what my house really smells like. Deep down I know it smells like dog but I don’t notice it. If you pretend not to notice it either, I’ll pretend not to see the look of horror on your face. n There is dog hair everywhere. This is not an exaggeration; it’s actually all over the place. It gets into every room and every nook and cranny, and it doesn’t bother me one bit. If it bothers you then I’m sorry I will cut you out of my life. See point two, I like her more. n Chances are I will show you pictures of my dogs before pictures of my children. They’re usually more well-groomed than the kids. n There is every chance that you could walk into my house and see me having a full-blown conversation with my dogs. They don’t judge and they always agree with me - what more could you want in a companion? n When I finish my cereal in the morning I let the dog have the leftover milk. I swear I put the bowl straight into a hot wash in the dishwasher, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. There are some people who will read this and get every single word and then there are those who will never want or need a dog in their lives. For me a house is never really a home until I have a dog, they make me ridiculously happy and they were much easier to toilet train than the kids. I don’t care if they’re a Kennel Club registered purebred or a quirky little mongrel, they’re family and their unconditional love make my world a better place.

As Easter draws near, what better time to meet some Northern Ireland ladies who are rocking chocolate. Jade Beecroft reports

estled in the foothills where the Mournes meet the banks of Carlingford Lough, a former farm building near Lisnacree is the last place you’d expect to find sacks of Ecuadorian cocoa beans. But in an old barn off Ballymaderfy Road, something magical is happening. The Neary family were the first people in Northern Ireland to make chocolate straight from bean to bar, and they have just put the finishing touches to their purposebuilt chocolate factory. As well as making chocolate, Dot and Shane Neary are hoping to offer tours and tasting, and even have plans for a coffee shop in the roof space, making the most of the spectacular views. It’s a dream that 44-year-old Dot first envisaged during sleepless nights caring for her daughter August back in 2011. Then aged three, the little girl had been diagnosed with a rare condition called klippel trenaunay weber syndrome (KTWS) and the family were making frequent trips to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. “I’m a great reader,” explains Dot. “But when August was at her poorliest I was so worried I couldn’t even concentrate on a novel. I’d always loved baking, I’m originally from the States and my grandparents made sweets; things like peanut brittle, hard boiled sweets and taffy. “We were up and down a lot with August in the night, so in-between caring for her I spent time in the kitchen. I made chocolate fudge from an old family recipe and we sold jars of it at a local charity fundraiser. A couple of weeks later people were sending me messages, asking if they could get a refill. “I started reading about making chocolate from scratch. People told us we couldn’t do it; and that was enough to spur me on! I’m quite determined like that; if someone tells me I can’t do something then I want to prove them wrong.” The mum-of-12 raised a few eyebrows when she ordered her first sample of cocoa beans, crushing them in the family kitchen using a rolling pin and “sending clouds of chocolate dust everywhere”. But following a steep learning curve and a lot of experimentation, she and Shane, 38, began selling their chocolate at local artisan markets. They soon gained quite a following for their brand NearyNogs. “The story behind our name is quite fun,” smiles Dot. “Shane’s dad Jonny used to tell stories to the kids about these magical people called the NearyNogs – a play on our surname.”

Dot Neary

Celebrating our local chocolatiers The demand for the chocolate grew. Dot and Shane began supplying restaurants, cafes and shops across Northern Ireland, as well as selling their bars online. They rented a kitchen, but soon it became clear they would need to upscale further. When they spotted a former farm for sale just outside Lisnacree, it seemed perfect. They’ve just finished kitting it out with roasters, grinders and tempering machines; everything they need to make quality chocolate. “We use beans from Sao Tome, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic,” explains Dot. “We talk to the farmers directly over Skype. We try to keep our recipes as simple as possible – just cocoa beans and sugar – although we use a small amount of cocoa butter for our cooking chocolate because it makes it creamer; chefs prefer it. “We take inspiration from all sorts of places. For example, I was at a market and

one of the other producers had some dried passionfruit, so I was snacking on that and wondering how it would taste with chocolate; which bean to pair it with.” Thankfully August’s health has now stabilised, giving Dot and Shane time to focus on growing their business. “Life is a funny thing,” says Dot. “If there’s something you want to do, then do it. Where’s there’s a will there’s a way, so find the way. “We didn’t just want to go through life playing it safe. I’d rather my kids say ‘oh my parents are crazy’ than ‘oh my parents are really boring’. “I like that Hunter S Thompson quote about sliding into my grave sideways, thoroughly used up and worn out, shouting ‘wow what a ride!’”

For NearyNogs stockists or to order online, visit www.nearynogs.com.

Catriona Evans

CHOCOLATE TASTING TIPS: • Look before you taste. Good quality chocolate should have a rich, glossy shine; it shouldn’t be dull, marked or mottled. • Clean your palate. Avoid strong tasting foods or drinks, and have a glass of water to hand. • Stop and sniff. Rub the chocolate with your fingers to release the aromas and prepare your taste buds for what’s to come. • Some advise starting with the highest percentage and working your way down, while other experts tell you to start low and work your way up. Whichever way you do it, save any strongly-flavoured chocolate, such as chili or mint, until last. • High percentage dark chocolate, such as 85%, 90% or even 100%, is an acquired taste. But it can be worth acquiring as it’s better for you and a small amount will leave you feeling satisfied without the sugar rush.

nother woman who created a business from chocolate after facing a major life setback is Catriona Evans, from Whitehead. The 46-year-old mum-oftwo founded her company, H’evans Truffles, from her kitchen three years ago, making gorgeous bespoke chocolate treats, gift boxes and wedding favours. Catriona began making truffles after thyroid cancer treatment in 2013 left her feeling lost and shaken to the core. “I was off work from my job as a classroom assistant with special needs children, and waiting for my radioactive iodine treatment to start; I needed something to keep me occupied,’ she explains. “I’d always loved the Great British Bake Off, so I started baking. I spent a whole summer making cakes every day, I was obsessed, it was the summer of baking!” Catriona’s successes included baking a wedding cake for her cousin, and a chocolate cake topped with truffles. The truffles were a particular hit, with people asking her for the recipe, so she began to focus on refining it. H’evens Truffles was launched in 2016,

and Catriona hasn’t looked back. She now specialises in wedding favours, creating a recipe to suit each couple, based on their memories together. “It’s your story in chocolate,” she explains. “I take memories, such as where a couple met, the proposal or special holiday, and use the flavours. “For example, for an Italian wedding, you might have truffles with notes of olive oil and lemons or herbs. One of my favourite parts of the job is meeting people and hearing their stories.” Catriona is self-taught, and uses a 50% dark chocolate for her recipes. She has a couple of basic bases, including a cream base and a vegan base, and then adds the flavours to create her bespoke batches. “Making the truffles has been a real lifesaver,” she concludes thoughtfully. “After the cancer treatment I was in quite a dark place. I saw a counsellor; I had to learn to ‘feel, deal and move on’. That’s my motto now. “Setting up the business gave me the push I needed to get myself out there again, and an opportunity to put my heart and soul into something. It brought me back to myself, H’evan’s Truffles is my silver lining after being ill.”

For more information visit www.hevanstruffles. co.uk or find Catronia’s business on Facebook. H’evans Truffles

SISTER ACT To mark Siblings Day on 10th April, NW caught up with local sisters in business together BY ELIZABETH MOORE MELTING POT FUDGE

Dorothy Bittles, Cathy Johnston and Jenny Lowry are the trio behind the awardwinning Melting Pot Fudge; a family business based in Belfast. The three sisters spent 18 months researching the market and countless hours over the stove, before launching the business in 2004.

How did Melting Pot Fudge come about?

DOROTHY: We made fudge throughout our childhood, and in 2004 we decided to turn our passion into a business and the Melting Pot brand of fudges was launched. Our ethos is less is more. We keep it simple, from the ingredients right through to the packaging. The production process is also very simple, just like it was when we were growing up.

What inspired the name?

DOROTHY: A lot of commercial fudges are made in fudge kettles but we make our fudge in a the traditional way - in open pots. Each small batch is melted and beaten by hand.

What is the best part about working with your sisters?

JENNY: The best part about working with my sisters is having total trust in their decisions. CATHY: I enjoy working with my sisters as it is a very relaxed atmosphere. DOROTHY: I enjoy having the flexibility

to be able to juggle work and family commitments.

What careers did you all have prior to setting up your own business?

DOROTHY: I am a trained teacher, Catherine did a social work degree and Jenny did a business degree at university. We had another business together before this one so we have worked together for nearly 30 years.

Has working with your sisters changed your relationship in any way? JENNY: We all agree that working together

We actually have totally different styles in clothing and I think this works well. If I suggest something which she feels is too out there, she’ll tell me honestly with no fear of repercussions... most of the time!

MY SISTER’S CLOSET

Anita and Donna Ross, the two behind the renowned My Sister’s Closet turned their passion for fashion into a hugely successful business which incorporates a fashion boutique in Dungannon, a blog, and their own-brand line of clothing.

How did My Sister’s Closet come about?

has changed things as we spend so much time in each other’s company. CATHY: We have all developed a thick skin and don’t take anything too personally. If we did our working relationship wouldn’t be so successful.

Where can readers buy your products?

DOROTHY: Our products are sold in delicatessens, farm shops, hamper companies etc. We are listed with the major tourist attractions in Northern Ireland such as Titanic Museums and the Giant’s Causeway.

ANITA: My Sister’s Closet emerged as a blog providing style inspiration from our own boutique The Boudoir at the Linen Green, Dungannon. We shared high street finds as well as lifestyle and beauty posts - that was started five years ago. Donna and I felt that we needed a platform that would let more people know about our boutique, but we also had the realisation that people buy from people they know and by having a blog our personalities and interests would help form relationships with existing and new customers. Our clothing line My Sister’s Closet the label, was born three years ago. We wanted to create a fashion forward brand at affordable prices, and so we set about starting our own clothing range that we would sell not only in our own boutique but also to other outlets.

What inspired the name?

ANITA: The name arose out of the reality that we constantly stole each other’s clothes as many sisters do, and as does our other sister Denise. We thought it was a natural fit and so My Sister’s Closet was created.

What is the best part about working with your sister?

DONNA: I love working with Anita, I think the best part about working with her is that having grown up together we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

What careers did you have prior to setting up your own business?

ANITA: We both had other professions, although from our teens we both wanted to pursue a career in fashion. The reality that this would be a risk, made us pursue other professions so we had something to fall back on if things didn’t work out. I was a solicitor and qualified from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queens’ in September 2011, and Donna qualified as a speech and language therapist from Trinity College, Dublin in 2011. Both of us worked in our chosen professions whilst running The Boudoir Boutique – we are also qualified speech and drama teachers so we taught this as well in the evenings, and I still continue to teach two evenings a week.

Has working with your sister changed your relationship in any way?

DONNA: Anita and I work together and socialise together, we’re a great team but it is hard to switch off from work; she’s a great sounding board so work definitely doesn’t stop at 5pm. We do have our differences and at the beginning this would have strained our relationship. Over the years we came to realise that the both of us are only ever working for the best interest of the brand, and so our relationship as sisters and business partners is stronger than ever

What is your favourite aspect of the business?

ANITA: Our favourite part of our business is the interaction with our customers and sourcing products that we can be excited about. Fashion is ever evolving and retail is a difficult profession as there is so much competition. You must keep your social media updated regularly, which is practically a full time job in itself, and find products that are unique and that your customers will get excited about or feel good wearing.

BEAUTY

Fluffy eyebrows

It’s all about natural looking brows at the minute. Fluffy and face-framing, these unstructured brows give a soft, flattering effect. @chlocobeauty

Works of art

Makeup as art is a growing trend and makeup artist Ryan Kelly has taken it to the next level with his incredible lip looks. Not only has he painted iconic figures such as Rihanna and Freddie Mercury, but he’s also recreated the artwork from movies like A Star is Born and Romeo and Juliet. @ryankellymua

Smokey pink hair

Pastel hair tones are as popular as ever but while lilac may have dominated in 2018, it’s now time to be pretty in pink; smokey pink to be precise. Soft and sooty, this is the grown up version of pastel hair and suits almost all skin tones, particularly when teamed with a cool grey root. @bixiecolour

Metallic makeup

For full impact with minimum effort, add a flash of metallics to either lips or eyes. This look was all over the SS19 catwalks and these foil effect lips were created using the Matte Me Up Metallic Lip Kit from Barry M Cosmetics. @velvet.and.glitter

#INSTABEAUTY The hottest trends and prettiest looks from our newsfeed BY CLAIRE CRAIG

Powder nails

Beauty enthusiasts everywhere are embracing dip powder manicures – where nails are literally dipped into pigmented powder. Longer lasting than gel, and set without the use of a UV lamp they are perfect for those who are pushed for time. @hawaiinails.taylorhills

Blunt Bangs

Glossy skin

Healthy skin is always a good look and for Summer 2019 expect to see cheekbones glowing with a slick of gloss. Ditch the powder and mattifying products, and enhance your skin’s natural sheen in the warmer weather. @miramakeuo

Rashida Jones rocked up to the Oscars with choppy, uneven bangs and it looked amazing. While it might be some people’s idea of a hair nightmare, the style savvy on Instagram have been all over this trend for a while now. Chic and edgy, they might not be for the faint hearted, but blunt bangs will draw attention to your eyes and highlight cheekbones. @darth_bador

H2 Oh

Oxygen-Glow promises #nofilter skin in any type of lighting, with no trickery or cheating. Pioneering ingredients and technologies are combined to treat flaws in real time such as an energising oxygen booster that optimises how oxygen is transported inside the cells to boost their energy production and plumping Hyaluronic Acid to harness water inside the tissues and stimulate the synthesis of collagen in the dermis. A colour-control peptide which regulates the accumulation of dead cells that can tarnish the skin and cause it to appear opaque, leaving skin instantly enhanced. Oxygen-Glow from Filorga £37

BIG HAIR WITH CARE

The Beauty Edit BY CLAIRE CRAIG

The latest makeup, hair and skincare must haves BEAUTY ON THE GO

Made especially for makeup obsessives on-the-go, bareMinerals’ introduces its BAREPRO Longwear Eyeshadow Stick. Delivering bold, saturated pigments as well as good-for-skin soothing ingredients this fool-proof formula is comprised of 40% water and provides a colour payoff that sets for a full eight hours without smudging or fading. BAREPRO Longwear Eyeshadow Stick from bareMinerals £19

NO WALLFLOWER

Love Don’t Be Shy Eau Fraiche is a reimagining of Kilian’s very first perfume. Inspired by the scent of marshmallow, this is a sweet treat with notes of orange blossom, rose, iris and vanilla. Creator Kilian Hennessy remarked: “I wanted a scent that would be so yummy it would make you almost want to take a bite at your partner.” Love Don’t Be Shy Eau Fraiche from Kilian £165

DO THE HOOLA

Benefit’s cult-favourite matte bronzer now comes in two deeper shades. Hoola Caramel & Hoola Toasted have the same naturallooking, matte finish as original Hoola in warm caramel and deep toasted shades for mediumdeep & deep skin tones.

Hoola Caramel from Benefit £26

GET CHEEKY

Diego dalla Palma’s latest blushers are springtime in a compact. Inspired by the colours of Sicily the lightweight, silky powders come in two shades: a classic rose pink and a vibrant orange both in a gorgeous floral case making them more than a little Instagram-able. Frangipane Cheeks from Diego dalla Palma £35.50

The award-winning BaByliss Big Hair has been redesigned to give enhanced hair protection. The styler is still perfect for transforming limp, lifeless and unruly hair into luxe, polished and groomed hair but now also features soft polishing bristles and ionic frizz-control for ultra-smoothness and shine during styling. Sensor Protect technology precisely manages the heat to prevent overheating the hair, whilst giving the optimum temperature for styling with professional Big Hair Care from looking BaByliss £70 results.

EYE SPY

These super pigmented eyeshadows come in three finishes – sparkle, satin and velvet. Ombre Satin and Ombre Velvet have a new gel-cream texture and are enriched with polymers that glide easily onto the eyelid giving a velvet soft touch finish. Ombre Satin has a sheen texture, whilst Ombre Velvet leaves a matte finish. Ombre Sparkle is a soft touch glitter formula. The melting textures of each eyeshadow are quick to apply and blend. Apply with the finger or a brush, layering multiple textures and colours to create your unique look. Ombre Eyeshadows from Clarins £20

CLEAN FINISH

This new mouthwash from teeth whitening brand Polished uses the powerful detoxing power of charcoal as its main ingredient. It help give you minty breath, whilst gradually removing stains and toxins from within your mouth – use daily to help with that quest for the perfect Holywood smile. Charcoal Whitening Mouthwash from Polished £12.99

Invest in your skin

The luxury skincare products we’re lusting over Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream by La Mer available from House of Fraser £120 In the beauty world, there are products that have achieved cult status. Arguably the most well-known face cream in the world, and also one of the priciest, Crème de la Mer is legendary. It is said to ‘deeply sooth, moisturise and nourish, so that skin looks naturally vibrant, restored to its healthiestlooking centre’. Miracle Broth™ – the renewing elixir that flows through all of La Mer – infuses skin with sea-sourced renewing energies. This ingredient comes from fermented sea kelp which is known to be hydrating and anti-inflammatory.

Aqua Reotier Mineral Moisture Mask from L’OCCITANE £32 The Aqua Reotier Mineral Moisture Mask can be used as a night mask or for a moisture shot when your skin needs an instant pick-me-up. The mask is made with ‘mineral-rich Réotier water, hyaluronic acid and water-binding molecules’. This ultra-hydrating product is designed to minimise the appearance of pores, and recharge tired skin for a healthylooking glow.

Restoring Overnight Retinol Masque from IMAGE MD £93.50 Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while your sleep, with IMAGE MD’s Overnight Retinol Masque. Simply apply a thin layer after cleansing, then give your face a rinse with tepid water when you wake. Here’s the technical bit – it is formulated with water bank technology to continually release hydration; corrective peptides to help support collagen synthesis; botanical brighteners to create a more even skin tone; and potent antioxidants for the ultimate beauty sleep.

Restoring Youth Repair Crème from IMAGE MD £82.50 This advanced night time crème was developed by plastic surgeons with extensive knowledge of restorative techniques. Using a condensed mix of retinol, vitamin C and glycolic acid, the formula restores aging skin in a short amount of time. The Advanced Delivery Technology ensures the nutrients are quickly and effectively absorbed, so after a limited number of applications, your skin will feel firmer and healthier.

Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser from Alpha-H £39.99 New from Alpha-H, is the new Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF 15. This 5-in1 skincare staple moisturises, primes, shields against blue light (which is emitted from our phones and computers) and pollution, and filters UV light. So not only does the moisturiser protect against daily damage, it also fortifies the skin and optimises skin health. Dual peptide technology – in the form of UPLEVITY™ and SERILESINE™ – work in synergy to stimulate collagen production, increase skin firmness and diminish wrinkle depth.

Great Lengths

THE

BOB Why the extreme bob is the hairstyle of the season

CAITLIN McBRIDE

f Fashion Month dictates what will trickle down to the high street next season, then the Oscars indicates what beauty looks we’ll be able to replicate almost immediately. While most of our schedules aren’t filled to the brim with black tie events, hair and makeup styles are easy to follow and incorporate into your regime straight away if you so wish. At this year’s Academy Awards, bobs reigned supreme with Irina Shayk, Charlize Theron and Brie Larson each embracing a significantly shorter ‘do, each offering a modern take on the classic hairstyle. With Fashion Month wrapping up in Paris,

influencers and celebrities like Olivia Culpo and Xenia van der Woodsen have been flocking to the front row, each sporting a sleek new bob, which is just the beginning, according to an Irish expert. John Harvey at Peter Mark’s Senior Creative Team said that “short hair is having a real moment again”, adding, “Since last year we’ve seen a real increase in women who are prepared to go short or experiment with short hair.” The rise in popularity isn’t just down to how well a look is photographed, but also how realistic it is to manage. “Add this to the fact that texture in hair has been more structured and controlled in the past few fashion cycles, so this means the upkeep and style recreation of shorter styles is also easier and much more wearable,” he adds. “Shorter hair is always more popular coming into the spring and summer months so you can expect to see lots of women sporting shorter styles in 2019.” With two of the most influential events in fashion and beauty taking place in recent weeks, John says we’re exposed to even more avenues of inspiration to update our aesthetic. “It’s not that red carpets necessarily dictate beauty or hair trends, it’s just that high profile events like the Oscars bring these trends to the mainstream and give clients new inspirations,” he says. “Beauty and hair trends are still in the main dictated by global fashion weeks. That said events like the Oscars can offer interpretations of trends that will inspire clients to try something different whether that is a different parting, hair accessory

Credit: Haircut by Damien Johnston from Pure Hair, Lisburn Road, assisted by Samantha Irwin; hair colour by Emma Burchett; photography by Glenn Norwood; clothing styled by Molly Thompson; makeup by Melissa Elliott or something a little more radical like a change in length/colour or embracing a new texture.” Should you be thinking about a short hairstyle, do your research and make sure you’re realistic in your expectation - you may want Irina Shayk’s hair but have a different face shape, so shop around before visiting the hair salon. “If you don’t have a bob but this is making you think about getting one, a little pro tip to help you narrow down your style choice when looking for bob-spiration is to pay more attention to celebrities and models who have a similar facial structure and shape to your own to see what will work for you,” he said.

NORTHE MA RN WO N

n a m o w

ERN NORTH

THIS MONTH WITH A

APR IL 201 9

PAWSght for thou

sues Get 11 ised to deliver or for your do Y

RATING CELEB atiers ol local choc ACT SISTER business in en wom

VOLUME

£15! 35

NUMBER

ONL

€2.50

9 £2.50/

April 201

it Workin’ RIAN UTILITA

haé &rmm ore lkk,c ram Fotchw or mac Pa

m actor for Antri tflix role edici Ne PLUS: M

n Hagan Stephe

SUBSCRIPTION

FREE

Fuschia Make-Up Paradise Palette

WO £25RTH .75

CALL TODAY

Get 11 issues for only £15 and save £12.50

Northern Woman and Fuschia Make-Up have teamed up to offer new subscribers a free gift of the Paradise Palette. This seven-pan palette is a little slice of paradise. Inspired by the tropics, this palette will remind you of sunsets on the beach in an exotic location. Each shadow is super pigmented and a dream to blend. Dip your toe or dive right in, this palette will make your summer everlasting. Fuschia Make-Up is available to purchase select pharmacies nationwide and online from: www.fuschia.ie

0800 028 1909 Republic of Ireland: 0044 800 028 1909

To sign up call NI (Freephone):

or email and request a call back: subscriptions@belfasttelegraph.co.uk *subject to availability

HEALTH & WELLNESS

f there is one skill that has the power to transform and supercharge all your relationships, whether personal or professional, it is empathy. If there is one skill that will inspire trust from others and enable you to radiate a positive impact all around you, it’s empathy. If there is one skill that will make you a better communicator... empathy again. Empathy is a skill that will transform your life. Bringing empathy into your everyday helps you manage stress more effectively too, because to really be empathetic with others you need to be very aware of your own self-care. Empathy is one of the most important skills you can cultivate. You have to step out of your own little bubble to use it as an actual skill. This requires putting your own ‘stuff’ aside and choosing to see any situation through the other person’s eyes. Developing skills that are uniquely helps you to be immediately more present human such as active listening, caring and focused – both of these are key for and nurturing are key for the world of the great listening. It also encourages a more future as well as in our fast busy world reflective way of interacting and responding right now. These things can’t be outsourced with others. It increases empathy and helps or automated and are still going to be you manage stress instantly. important for any job or life path. Being empathetic can be challenging 2. Active listening for many reasons. Generally, we If you want to be a great listener, do not think, see or perceive simply do these two things: the world as other people Be interested in what the do; instead we spend a other person is saying, lot of our time operating with a readiness and within our own way ability to listen. Now, of thinking, seeing or we may not actually be perceiving the world interested initially but, and expect everyone curiously, by acting else to be operating interested from the same paradigm. we start This is a waste of time. to become Emma-Sue However, practising interested. Prince empathy consistently across a How do you show variety of interpersonal situations interest? By everything in the course of our day requires work and from body language to reflecting a conscious degree of attention, as well as back to the other person what is real effort. being said in what we say or write. There are three daily practices that you Be present. Most of the time, can do which will nurture your ability to be when others are speaking, we are empathetic; with the added bonus of being focused on what we are going to say excellent ways to manage stress: next or on our own thoughts, and are less likely to be anchored in the present. We may have to force ourselves to be present, 1. Mindfulness but when we are it pays dividends. Using mindfulness and deep breathing So, the next time you communicate every single day helps you to be more with anyone, set aside your own need to present, focused and calm. Mindfulness

The power of empathy Ahead of National Stress Awareness month, author and employability expert Emma-Sue Prince examines how empathy can improve our lives and help us to manage stress say the next thing and genuinely seek to understand. Don’t push, be patient, be respectful, understand their emotions, clarify their statements and be discerning, sensitive and aware.

3. Be kind

Make an effort to be kind to yourself, as well as to others. The first step of self-care is to pay attention to yourself and whether you are getting what you need physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Quite simply, you could start with a list – things that contribute to you feeling bad, and things that help you to feel great. This is important, not least because our levels of empathy aren’t fixed for all situations and right across our lives. Your ability to empathise is compromised when you are under stress, tired or not looking after yourself. Then extend that kindness to others – start by saying thank you more, smiling more, giving more. Make it a rule for any situation you are in, to choose kindness. Emma-Sue Prince is an inspirational soft skills and effective behaviours expert, and author of 7 Skills for the Future published by Pearson, available from Amazon for £12.99.

hoever came up with the phrase ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me’ must have been either a well-meaning parent or a complete idiot. As we all know, words can be just as devastating. Giving something a name or a label often makes something seem more real, and as a species we just love to label things. Whether its sexual orientation or food preferences, we like to know where we stand with people. It’s a little bit like buying those clear plastic shoe boxes for your footwear collection. We like everything to be clearly visible, labelled and on display for our convenience. Heaven forbid we wouldn’t be able to put everyone we know into their own neat little box so nothing can take us by surprise. But alas, life is full of surprises and takes us places we never dreamed we would travel. What got me thinking about labels was someone I know having received a diagnosis for their child. It brought back so many memories of having my first child and the litany of labels she has received thus far. At five days old we were told she had “severe brain damage”; not a nice introduction to parenting let me tell you. There were incubators and feeding tubes to contend with, but that label ‘brain damage’ was where the real fear came from. She got home from hospital relatively quickly, and as is wont to happen, the months just flew by. Milestones were missed but life went on. At twenty one months my daughter received a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, her next label, and surprisingly it was a relief. Her delay now had a name and when people asked if she was walking or talking I no longer needed to go through the well-worn script about a traumatic birth and a brain injury. These supermarket discussions became simplified even as our lives became more complicated. My baby girl is now nine years old and has received many labels since those early days. Each new label needs a period of adjustment and acceptance; whether it’s cerebral palsy, learning disability, or demanding diva, as I like to think of her. Each new word is just that, a word, not a definition of who she is. It does not change

More than

WORDS

“My children and all children like them are more than their labels, they have names, they have favourite toys, they have meltdowns, and they have more to deal with in life than most of us can ever imagine” writes Eunice Nelson her personality; it is simply a new facet of it. My next child got all the way to age three before she got labelled. She began speech therapy at two and a half, and I tried so hard not to google it but “not talking at age two” and “not talking at age three” just kept flying from my brain to my search engine. I hoped and prayed that it was just a speech delay – that speech therapy would make everything ok, but it wasn’t to be. At age three my little girl was labelled

as autistic. I’m not sure how to describe the feeling; it’s a paradox, a shock that was expected. It’s a little like when my father was dying, just because I knew it was coming it didn’t make it any easier. It didn’t change the pain or the grief that followed and, like a death, it changed my whole world. As with my first child the label was painful but necessary. If you’re lucky it’s what opens the door to the help you and

your family will require. Without the labels things like occupational therapy, special needs assistants and specialised equipment would be inaccessible. Without a name for a condition and without the help this brings, it would be like floating in a boat without oars. You know what you’re supposed to be doing but without the tools you need you’re adrift and at the mercy of the tide. I follow an amazing page on Facebook called Finding Cooper’s Voice, it’s a heartbreakingly honest account of what it’s like to raise a severely autistic child. Kate, Cooper’s Mum, recently posted an account of an incident she had at work where a colleague – completely unaware

of her situation – started telling a group of people around the lunch table about how her son entertains his family by imitating “the autistic kid” in his class. This lady, this grown woman, thought it was appropriate to tell others how her family all laugh at the imitation of this little boy’s behaviours. She didn’t even go to the trouble to learn this little boy’s name, she simply labelled him as “the autistic kid”. How the hell do we teach children to be tolerant and compassionate if some parents think this is ok? So here’s the thing; my children and all children like them are more than their labels; they have names, they have favourite toys, they have meltdowns, and they have

more to deal with in life than most of us can ever imagine. They need the world to see past their feeding tubes and wheelchairs, and see the human beings behind the equipment. They need us to acknowledge their differences but strive to find the things that we have in common. I can only guess what my children go through but I know that for them, being different can be scary, confusing and extremely frustrating. So my job and the job of every other neurotypical person on the planet, is to look after the more vulnerable in our world. No one wants to be viewed as just a label. We are all more than our skin colour, our sexuality or our beliefs. Disability is no different.

Do you SHOUT or w h i s p e r when life doesn’t go your way?

BY CLARE BOWIE

o, this happens – you’re emptying the kitchen food bin and the bag splits emptying its contents all over the floor; you buy a new coat and then discover it went on sale the next day; or your colleague steals your amazing idea. The question is; how do you react? Do you scream and shout, are you blinded by red mist and fury, or do you feel proportionately annoyed but stay silent? If you are a shouter, ask yourself what does shouting really achieve, after the fact? Obviously, for some, shouting is an almost involuntary release of emotion and is their go-to way of coping with situations. They instinctively ‘lose their rag’ in response to what they consider as a very stressful situation, and holler – it’s the modern day fight or flight response. Others silently seethe, they do not feel the need to externalise their frustration. Of course, people are going to react in different ways based on inherent individual traits, conditioning and upbringing, but it is worth taking a minute to ask yourself, how do you react when life doesn’t go your way? Re-evaluating how we react can help us to manage stress. Shouting is uncomfortable for the

people around you, but sometimes pent up quiet resentment or anger can be just as uncomfortable. If we are really honest with ourselves, we can identify situations that we could have handled better. In society the most vocal people are often perceived as confident and indeed competent, whereas quieter people can be overlooked or considered weaker. It regularly happens in schools, with the teacher saying a child is too quiet, they need to speak up more. Perhaps they do, perhaps it will foster confidence… or perhaps it will make the child feel inadequate for not possessing that ‘gold standard’ personality type, giving them the impression that their ‘quietness’ is somehow wrong. In The Orchid and the Dandelion book, author Dr Tom Boyce says there are two types of children in households; sensitive orchids and tough, resilient dandelions. He suggests to parents that it is crucial to understand which type of child you have, and the way you parent them is linked to their well-being. Dr Boyce says orchids simply cannot roll with the punches, they are unable to slot into new environments in the same way as dandelions. They are typically shy, fearful and hypersensitive to noise and change.

Stress can physically affect them, whereas dandelions can adjust and thrive in most situations. Once the parents of orchids digest all these traits and steer clear of comparisons with others, they can adopt a parenting strategy incorporating routine, structure and compassion, to manage and pre-empt any of the stress triggers which limit their child from thriving. Wouldn’t the workplace and society in general, be a more tolerant place if we all took the orchid and dandelion analogy on board? After all, by acknowledging and understanding other people’s personality types it is possible to help that person fully realise their potential by letting them fulfil tasks in their own way. For example, an ‘orchid’ may not share their ideas in a group meeting, but that doesn’t mean their ideas cannot be shared in a different forum. It’s also worth monitoring our own behaviour; we can’t change our personalities, but we can adjust the volume on how loud or quiet our responses are. It is possible to command respect and convey confidence quietly, or to train ourselves to tone down the vocals to produce a more measured reaction to stresses. Perhaps, if we recognise our responses and try to regulate them, we can begin to deal with ‘the stuff of life’ in an calm manner, endeavour to keep our blood pressure down and accept that, sometimes, shit just happens!

How to manage your (over) reactions in a stressful situation • When you feel a stressful situation arising, take a mental note of how it affects you (getting hot or angry for example) so you can recognise your trigger feelings, and you can then try to create a space between the trigger and your reaction. • Make a decision to control an impulsive response by walking away before you say something damaging. • Communicate – if someone’s actions have made you angry, explain that their behaviour has upset you and try to resolve the issues at a later stage when you are calm. • Identify how you may have contributed to the situation that you are angry about. • Distract yourself, go for a walk, take ten deep breaths or have a bath. Do anything that promotes relaxation and practise self-calming techniques to help you gain perspective.

How’s it really going? Mental health problems and the impact of social media on young people are increasingly in the headlines. Here Northern Woman intern Emily Burn, aged 17, addresses the issue

especially when we are asked the dreaded, he fear of spilling too much ‘Hey, how’s it going?’ about your life problems to We have been sitting back and watching someone else when you’ve helplessly as more and more of our friends been asked the generic, ‘Hey, battle on with mental health issues without how’s it going?’ can become receiving the help they require. This past overwhelming. So after a year, I have watched the devastating effects while, we just start talking to ourselves. of suicide on numerous people After all, no one understands us around me following the death better than that little voice in of a friend. I have watched our own heads, right? families left broken It turns out your hearted, and an isolated problems aren’t listened best friend becoming to when your life is reclusive without only just beginning. their other half. The Each teenager’s story aftermath of a young is complex and consists person’s suicide is one of of life’s euphoric ups the most traumatic things and dramatic downs. to go through, yet still The ups we experience there are limited resources are broadcasted throughout Emily Burn available for those caught up our social media accounts in the debris of suicidal thoughts and we love to highlight them. and actions. Our Instagram feeds are chock-a-block Only 7.8% of Northern Ireland’s mental with neatly edited pictures of bikini-clad health budget is invested into adolescent girls smiling under the illuminating sun mental health services even though of their latest exotic holiday, or pictures of Northern Ireland has the highest rate of a romantic evening with their childhood child and adolescent suicide in the UK. It sweethearts by candlelight. Each picture is estimated that 50% of people who have seems to be sprinkled with love, happiness mental health problems have started to and rose petals. Not a hint of real life to suffer before the age of 14, and 75% of all be seen and it is never to be spoken about,

mental health problems start by age 24 according to RCPCH. We’re losing more innocent minds to mental health each year, so I’m wondering why no one is listening to these alarming facts? CAMHS is the NHS’s leading support service for children’s mental health, and the organisation carries out amazing work to create a positive impact on young lives. How are they expected to help as many young people as possible before it becomes too late, with the available little funding and in some cases - a year long waiting list? Recent studies show that only 30 percent of children waiting for CAMHS were assessed within four weeks of referral, with 4,309 children waiting more than 18 weeks, and 992 waiting for over a year, according to Health Service Journal. A year-long wait while suffering with depression, would be hard to deal with as a fully functioning adult, never mind as a vulnerable young person. I feel that some GPs may try to convince teenagers that the way they feel is perfectly normal; the constant feeling of being sick to your stomach at the thought of having to make it through one more day, is normal. Sure, it’s ‘just hormones’. Often the final diagnosis of anxiety will come years later, and we will wonder why we have to take this medication at the age of 18, instead of having steps being taken to help prevent our illness at a much earlier stage. We don’t want to be taking these pills our entire lives, and we don’t want to have a dependency on them either. Only 0.7% of the NHS budget is spent on young people’s mental health and only 16% of this is spent on early intervention, according to CentreForum. We don’t understand why our prime years are allowed to be taken from us by mental health issues. We don’t understand why there aren’t enough resources to protect us in our formative years, and we certainly don’t understand why we aren’t being listened to. Teenage mental health issues are clearly on the rise, so what will that mean for the next generation of world leaders and great inventors? Perhaps, investing more than 7.8% of a £140 million budget in the protection of our young minds would be a worthwhile benefit to the future of our country. Maybe the generation after today’s teenagers will be able to say how it’s really going.

Baby TALK

Does the 12 week pregnancy ‘rule’ still apply in our social media world?

BY GERALDINE GITTENS

ritish comedian Chris Ramsey sparked a conversation recently, when he told how he and his wife had a miscarriage last year, and should they become pregnant again, they’ll share their news straight away. In an recent interview for the Irish Independent, Chris explained how, for him, the idea of waiting to share news of a pregnancy until after 12 weeks “just in case it goes t**s up” isn’t healthy. It implies that if something goes wrong “you just have to brush it under the carpet and carry on,” he said. “I don’t think it’s healthy to bottle it up, and why should you have to go through that on your own? If and when we get pregnant again, we’re going to announce it from the first pregnancy test.” In Ireland, some 14,000 women suffer a miscarriage every year, according to Irish Health. Around one in six pregnancies end in this way. Women and couples often choose to keep their baby news confidential during the first 12 weeks because this is the period when 80 percent of miscarriages occur. For some, the decision might simply

stem from a desire for privacy, for others it might be another reason, like a fear that they’d tempt fate if they shared their baby news too early. Others might have had personal experience of miscarriage and wish to keep their news to themselves until their first ultrasound. But it’s also now common for people to share deeply personal experiences publicly on their Facebook pages, Insta stories or Snapchat. In the case of pregnancy and miscarriage, Chris Ramsey believes that this is a positive thing, as it helps us to understand the complexities of life and the different experiences people have. But in terms of the professional advice around sharing pregnancy news before 12 weeks, are there any guidelines to bear in mind? Joan Lalor, Professor in Midwifery at Trinity College Dublin, sets out why the unwritten 12-week pregnancy rule has long been a tradition in many cultures. It has “a physiological basis in the sense that the vast majority of miscarriages happen previous to that. Once you pass that point, the miscarriage rate drops very significantly, so it’s not unreasonable to suggest that you’re considerably less likely to lose your baby,”

she says. Liz Halliday, deputy head of midwifery at Private Midwives Ireland, said the “rule” became tradition through a combination of societal factors and personal choice. “As a society, we don’t talk about miscarriage and baby loss very openly and have become uncomfortable with pregnancy loss. As such, many women feel that it is a private event and one that it is not always acceptable to share. “For some women this may be protective, giving them time to adjust to pregnancy or to manage with an early loss.” However, she added: “It can also deprive them of support and reduce their experience in both their eyes and those of their family, friends and colleagues.” Each person experiences pregnancy and loss in their own way, she says. “Some women might appreciate the opportunity to grieve and process a pregnancy loss without having to explain what has happened to them. “For others, it can be challenging to grieve without their wider circle being aware of what has happened, and therefore they might need the same level of social interaction they are used to. Ultimately, women need to make the choice which feels right for them.” A “middle ground approach” can be a good guide, Ms Halliday says. “I recommend that women consider sharing early pregnancy news with people that they feel they might need support from either with ongoing early pregnancy symptoms or in the event of loss. It’s important that women make the choice which is right for them.” While one friend might very naturally offer support to a friend who has miscarried, another friend might not, says Roisin Venables, a specialist fertility counsellor. She says “there’s no one size fits all” when sharing pregnancy news. “You might have someone who is literally texting her friend to say ‘we’re trying tonight and hopefully we’ll be pregnant soon’, and then you might have someone who wants to keep this special joyous exciting piece of news to themselves. “On social media, people will post pictures of a positive test, and early scans, way before the 12 weeks. I have had clients whose other half has posted a six-week scan on social media when the partner hasn’t told the family yet. It’s common, it’s easy to do, but it can be a huge infringement on someone’s confidentiality and safety online. Also, once it’s online, it’s there forever. You can delete it but it’s never gone-gone. I would caution someone to just stop and think, ‘do I really want to post this?’.”

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH

NORTHERN WOMAN THROUGH OUR

SOCIAL MEDIA!

www.facebook.com/ NorthernWomanMagazine

@NorthernWomanNW

northernwomanmagazine

www.linkedin.com/ company/northern-woman/

ROCKY ROAD (serves 25)

Ingredients

125g butter 325g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids) 3 tablespoons golden syrup 125g mini marshmallows 200g rich tea biscuits

Method

• In a heavy based saucepan, melt together the chocolate, butter and golden syrup over a gentle heat and stir well. • Put the biscuits in a plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin into rough pieces. Add this to the chocolate mixture and stir well together. • Add the marshmallows and stir. • Pour the mixture into a 9” square foil container or baking tray that has been buttered and lined. Press it evenly into the tin. • Chill in the fridge until set. Then remove from the tin and cut into squares.

Easter cakes and bakes Make your own delicious sweet treats with these chocolatey recipes

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE (serves 12)

Ingredients

7oz self-raising flour 1oz cocoa powder 8oz very soft butter 8oz caster sugar 4 eggs medium/large 1 tsp vanilla extract

Chocolate ganache buttercream ingredients 8oz very soft butter 5oz good quality dark chocolate (55% minimum) 125ml double cream 8oz icing sugar, sifted

Method

The Rocky Road and Chocolate Layer Cake recipes were supplied by Mary Anne Mackle, owner of Wee Buns purposebuilt cookery school kitchen located just outside Moy, Tyrone. Wee Buns offer a wide range of classes including vegetarian cooking, baking and cake decorating, and kids’ cooking and baking classes. For more information see: www.weebuns. com, @wee_buns on Instagram, and @ weebunscookeryschool on Facebook.

• Preheat oven to 180°C. Line and butter two 9” sandwich tins. • Sift the flour and cocoa powder into a large bowl. • Add the butter, eggs, sugar and vanilla. Using an electric whisk, beat until well combined. • Divide between the two tins and level out. • Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes until cooked (it should feel firm and spring back in the centre). Do not open the oven for at least 20-25 minutes or your cake will collapse. • Remove from oven and after about 5 minutes, remove from the tins and cool on a wire rack. • To make the filling, gently melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water and allow to cool slightly. • Add the cream and mix in. • Meanwhile beat the butter and icing sugar until fluffy and smooth, (this will take at least 5 minutes) then add the chocolate mixture and beat again until smooth. • Slice each cake in half and spread the butter cream between the layers and on top.

BOOZY MINI GIN CHOCOLATE TART WITH ELDERFLOWER JELLY (serves 6)

Ingredients

Boozy Gin Pot by The Chocolate Manor 6 mini sweet pastry cases 1 packet of elderflower Jelly (or lemon jelly and elderflower cordial) A few pieces of honeycomb

Method

• Make your elderflower jelly, or your lemon jelly with elderflower cordial. • Allow to cool completely. Before it begins to set pour into the pastry cases, and chill until set. • Take your Boozy Pot and set in an empty bowl, suitable for warm water. Pour boiling water around the edge – make sure not to cover the pot. The firm contents will become a liquid. • Allow to cool a little, and then spoon on top of the jelly layer in the mini sweet pastry cases. • Put in the fridge for 30 minutes. • Remove from the fridge, top with honeycomb and serve.

BOOZY GIN CHOCOLATE BRANDY BASKET (serves 6)

Ingredients

Boozy Gin Pot by The Chocolate Manor 6 brandy baskets A few pieces of honeycomb

Method

• Take your boozy chocolate pot and set in an empty bowl, suitable for warm water. • Pour boiling water around the edge of the pot – make sure not to cover the pot. The firm contents will become a liquid. • Let this cool for 10 minutes, and then spoon into the mini sweet pastry case • Put in the fridge for 30 minutes. • Remove from the fridge, top with crumbled honeycomb and serve.

This recipe was supplied by The Chocolate Manor, Coleraine. To buy The Boozy Gin Pot (£3) visit: thechocolatemanor.com

CHOCOLATE ORANGE TART WITH ZESTY PASSION FRUIT AND A BROWNIE BISCUIT BASE (vegan & gluten free, serves 8-10)

Base ingredients

100g dates 100g cashews 100g almonds 50ml melted coconut oil 50g cacao powder 1/4 tsp sea salt

Filling ingredients

300g dark chocolate* 2 tbsp unwaxed orange zest (plus extra for topping) 800ml canned coconut milk (full fat) chilled for 4 hours minimum 3 whole passion fruit (plus extra for optional decoration) *If you can find orange flavoured dark chocolate, use that and omit the orange zest

Method

This recipe is an extract from the The Adventurous Vegan by Colleen McIvor. This book costs £20 and is available to buy from Studio Souk, Belfast, The Nutmeg, Belfast, and Etsy. For more vegan inspiration see: www.instagram.com/ theadventurousvegan

• Get a 9 inch fluted tart tin for the base. Soak the dates in a bowl of boiling water for 5 minutes, drain well and squeeze out any excess water. • Pop the cashews, almonds and sea salt in a blender for 20 seconds. • Add the soaked dates and cacao powder, blend for 30 seconds. • Add the melted coconut oil and blend for a further 10 seconds (you might have to scrape down the sides of the blender throughout the process). • Press the blended base ingredients in to the tart tin, pushing the mix firmly up to the edges of the tin evenly. Set in the fridge or freezer while you prepare the filling. • Melt the chocolate in a glass bowl over simmering water. Once melted, take it off the heat. Slice open the passion fruit and remove its flesh. Stir it in to the chocolate, along with the orange zest. • Take the chilled coconut milk, scrape the cream from the top of the can and fold it in to the chocolate mixture, discarding the separated water from the can. • Fold the mixture together slowly and pour it in to the tin, on top of the chilled base. Tap the tin lightly to distribute the mixture evenly and pop in the freezer for at least 1 hour before removing from the tin. • Top with sliced passionfruit (optional) and orange zest. Keep refrigerated. Serve chilled.

Green veggie shots (serves 2)

Ingredients

Photo credit: Connor Tilson

Veggie shots This month Sal Hanvey reflects on vegetarianism and shares her recipe for ‘Green veggie shots’

hen my mum was pregnant with me, she felt sick if she went into a butcher shop or handled meat, and she ate very little meat until after I was born. She didn’t have the same issue when she was pregnant with my brothers and they both grew up to be fully fledged carnivores, whereas I didn’t take to meat at all. People often ask me if I don’t eat meat for religious reasons, or if my parents were vegetarian. That’s not the case at all, I innately rejected meat from my mum’s womb and was destined not to eat it ever since. Four years ago I decided to start eating fish. It was an emotional transition, having never eaten meat for over three decades (my entire life). Trying fish was a brave and courageous move, and to say I was nervous was an understatement. Just to make it clear – this wasn’t me on the road to bacon sandwiches; I simply wanted to eat another source of protein that was lean, dense and easy to digest. I now eat fish twice a week and I choose produce that is wild and/or sustainable. These days, increasingly people are deciding to eliminate meat from their diet for various reasons; some people feel it is

cruel to eat animal products; others don’t like the taste of it; and some people are concerned about the carbon footprint. Whether you decide to eat a meat-free diet on certain days of the week, or want to move to a meat free way of life altogether, my advice is; educate yourself in order to achieve a well-balanced nutritious diet. Ensure you are taking in the correct amount of protein and be mindful not to overload on carbs. Protein should primarily come from plant-based sources such as nuts, seeds, legumes, beans, pulses and avocados. Don’t rely solely on Quorn and soya products as they too are responsible

Photo credit: Connor Tilson

Handful of kale, spinach & watercress 1 green apple Juice of half an unwaxed lemon A thumb sized piece of ginger 1 teaspoon of chia seed

Method • Peel and chop the ginger • Squeeze juice of half a lemon • Grind the chia seeds using a postal and mortar • Wash and chop or tear the vegetables • Chop, deseed and core the apple • Place all the ingredients in a blender. You can add a little filtered or spring water to change the consistency if required.

for contributing to carbon footprint emissions. There are local suppliers offering an array of meat-free produce. Artisan Finnebrogue has just opened its own vegetarian factory in Downpatrick. Managing Director Director Brian McMonagle told me, “We have invested £3 million in a state-of-the-art vegetarian factory. We are developing new methods to eliminate plastic from our packaging and make our entire supply chain more sustainable. Finnebrogue has always prided itself on providing consumers delicious, innovative products – and given the increasing demand for meat free alternatives – this new factory was the obvious next step.” You can make your own veggie meals and drinks. Try my recipe for ‘Green veggie shots’ to get you started. Sal Hanvey specialises in reflexology and acupuncture for fertility and maternity. She is also a nutrition advisor. To contact Sal call: 078 0147 6048, email: sal@naturalhealthni.co.uk, or visit: www.naturalhealthni.co.uk

ESCAPE

Photo credit: Ballyfin

❖ Spring Wedding ❖ The Maldives

Clare now, Peru later

Ballyfin

Laois now, The Maldives later

NOW: Want to start married life in the lap of luxury? It’s hard to argue with Ballyfin. So much more than a hotel, this exquisite country house allows you to step back in time and experience big house living with the finest of modern comforts. Explore the vast Co Laois estate, enjoy delightfully relaxed service – the bedrooms are exquisite, but the Westmeath room, with its four poster bed, silk drapes and decadent golden finishes, is our particular pick. LATER: Few places in the world offer a wow factor quite like the Maldives. White sands, palm-fringed islands, endless horizons and luxe villas straddling turquoise waters teeming with kaleidoscopic fish, make these Indian Ocean islands the perfect choice for a chilled beach honeymoon. DETAILS: B&B from €580 per couple from ballyfin.com. Seven nights B&B at Six Senses Laamu from €4,500pp including flights with Emirates from mahlatini.com

Mini-moon now, longhaul later There’s a best time to visit any honeymoon destination… but what’s a couple to do if it doesn’t coincide with their wedding? Take a mini-moon now, and a long-haul trip later, Jillian Bolger explains how with this seasonal guide

NOW: The Burren is beautiful in spring, and you’ll enjoy it even more tucked away in the magical Gregan’s Castle. This 18th century manor is one of Ireland’s mostloved hideaways, with a relaxed blend of chic interiors, gorgeous bedrooms, warm staff and outstanding food. With beautiful gardens, a unique wilderness at your door and the Cliffs of Moher a short drive away, this luxurious bolthole will deliver a minimoon that’s as active or relaxed as you choose. LATER: Peru offers honeymooners a thrilling opportunity to get off the beaten track and enjoy dramatic mountain terrain and fascinating ancient culture. From colourful Lima to the Colca Canyon, awe-inspiring Machu Picchu to legendary Lake Titicaca, it thrills with beauty and diversity. Finish up with a trip through the Amazon, hiking leafy trails and enjoying the incredible wildlife. DETAILS: B&B from €179 per room from gregans. ie. A 13-night Best of Magical Peru and Amazon tour costs from €2,849pp, including flights, stays and guided tours from tropicalsky.ie The Burren, Clare

Machu Picchu, Peru

❖ Summer Wedding ❖ Dunbrody House

Khwai area in Botswana

Wexford now, Botswana later

NOW: Dunbrody House, Kevin and Catherine Dundon’s luxurious country house hotel, is at the heart of Wexford’s Hook Peninsula, with Kevin’s modern Irish cooking a real draw. Honeymooners will be torn between the glamorous Waterford Suite and their new Cosy Cabin in the woods. LATER: If the idea of a luxury safari in paradise appeals, then pop Botswana at the top of your list. A peaceful and vast country, it offers, arguably, the best game viewing in Africa. With low visitor numbers and large herds of animals, Botswana is home to exquisitely remote luxury camps accessible only by light aircraft. Be sure to include a visit to the Okavango Delta. DETAILS: B&B from €95pps from dunbrodyhouse. com. Seven nights all-inclusive staying in luxury camps and lodges in Botswana from €10,200pp including flights, transfers and scheduled camp activities from mahlatini.com

Donegal now, California later

NOW: Tucked between the Blue Stack Mountains and Lough Eske, Harvey’s Point puts you in the lap of luxury surrounded by nature. TripAdvisor’s No.1 Irish hotel provides a famously warm welcome, attentive service and great food. The allsuite property is a pleasure to return to after a Donegal day trip too, and newlyweds are invited to lock their own padlock on the hotel’s Lover’s Bridge to mark their love.

Harvey’s Point

LATER: An indulgent, sun-kissed honeymoon in Southern California requires a luxurious beachfront address with easy access to the strip. Skip LA and stay six miles north in the fun seaside neighbourhood of Marina del Rey. Its bustling marina is a great spot for boating, swimming and water sports fans. A few kilometres from Venice Beach, sizzling Santa Monica (above) and Malibu are close by too. DETAILS: B&B in an executive suite from €198 from harveyspoint.com. Flights and five nights in the Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey from €1,782.50pp from cassidytravel.ie

Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey Continued on 58 ➤

❖ Autumn Wedding ❖ Connemara now, Bali later

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple in Bali

NOW: Wild, serene, remote – a mini-moon in Connemara is the perfect antidote to wedding madness. Choose Ballynahinch Castle, a sumptuous 18th century pile renowned for its remarkable welcome, excellent food and easy luxury. Book a Riverside Suite with four-poster bed and views of the meandering river. There’s 10 miles of walking trails on the leafy estate and it is a short drive to Clifden, Roundstone and the splendid Dog’s Bay beach.

Connemara

LATER: Fragrant, exotic and beautiful, Bali never disappoints. The idyllic Indonesian island offers a mesmerising mix of local culture, delicious food, tropical scenery, glorious beaches, dazzling sunsets, stunning temples and welcoming people. Balinese hotels are some of the finest in the world, as are their spas. Choose a twin-centre beach and forest honeymoon that allows you to experience the two sides of the island. DETAILS: B&B from €195 per couple from ballynahinch-castle.com. Seven nights at The Laguna, Nusa Dua and three nights at The Ubud Village Resort & Spa, €1,695pp from emiratesholidays.com

Kerry now, Canada later

NOW: A Victorian hunting lodge on the shores of Caragh Lake in Killorglin, Carrig House is a romantic hideaway owned by the charming Slattery family. The cosy country house offers sublime views and perfect sunsets – hire bikes, swim in the lake or hang out on Rossbeigh beach, before returning in the evenings for dinners in the Lakeside Restaurant. The canopied rosewood bed in the Presidential Suite belonged to an Indian Maharaja, making this our favourite room in the house.

Niagra Falls

LATER: Eastern Canada has so much to offer. From Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal to the mighty Niagara Falls and Ottawa’s vineyards, it makes a captivating honeymoon destination. Remove the stress of driving and join an Escorted Tour that allows you both to relax while on the road. An Escorted itinerary will include plenty of free time, while introducing you to Canada’s highlights, colonial heritage and incredible natural beauty. DETAILS: B&B from €150 per couple from carrighouse.com. Best of Eastern Canada, nine days from €1,950pp in four-star hotels, including flights and many meals from sunway.ie/escortedtours Carrig House

❖ Winter Wedding ❖ Merrion Hotel

The Nai Harn Hotel

Armagh now, Australia later

NOW: The perfectly proportioned Newforge House may be Ireland’s best-kept secret. Romantic and cosy, the Blue Book period home was renovated by John Mathers – who grew up here – and his wife, Lou. With just six bedrooms it’s intimate, exclusive and a hot foodie ticket. John’s cooking features the best local artisan produce, and is a serious magnet for food fanatics. Book the romantic Hanna Room, with its four-poster bed and wonderful views of the gardens and prepare to be delightfully spoilt. LATER: Australia is a dream destination for adventurous travellers - from spectacular scenery to lively cities, an amazing food and wine scene, magnificent beaches and fascinating history, it offers a pick-and-mix style honeymoon. The ultimate destination for a serious road trip, you’ll make new memories around every bend. DETAILS: Rooms from €154 from newforgehouse. com. An 11-night self-driving tour of Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road & Kangaroo Island from €1,279pp from australiansky.ie

Dublin now, Thailand later

NOW: A winter mini-moon at Dublin’s Merrion Hotel is one of the most perfect things we can imagine. The incredible Georgian interiors, impeccable service, lavish bedrooms with comfy beds, sinking into fireside sofas for evening drinks, dressing up for dinner in Guilbaud’s next door, feasting in The Garden Room and morning swims in the lovely pool – all make it a five-star city stay to savour. Spoil yourselves with a huge bedroom in the Main House with its original period features, including a fireplace, ornate ceilings and beautiful sash windows. LATER: Thailand is one of the most accessible countries to visit in Southeast Asia. Friendly and affordable, its tropical islands are honeymoon favourites, with flawless beaches, unspoilt scenery, delicious food, wonderful people and plenty of activities. Five-star hotels offer good value and there’s great night life, if you fancy an evening out.

*All prices subject to availability/change.

Kangaroo Island

Newforge House

DETAILS: Rooms from €295 from merrionhotel.com. Seven nights B&B at The Nai Harn Hotel from €1,289pp, including flights and car hire from sunway.ie

Fly on a Tuesday

you snap up those dates, the less you’ll have to stump up.

and seven other ways to save 5 money on your holidays

BY SARAH MARSHALL

ho doesn’t love a bargain, or a holiday, for that matter? With tour operators and airlines vying for your attention, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by discounts and bamboozled by deals. But there are a few things important things to consider. Based on research by holiday comparison site TravelSupermarket, these are the top tips to follow.

Brave the beach in May If you’re planning a short-haul seaside package holiday, it makes sense to go early in the season. Most properties will be open by May, there will be fewer crowds and temperatures can be surprisingly balmy.

Less popular package destinations can be pricey If your destination is a little less mainstream, book early for the best deal. With fewer packages on offer to a destination, prices are likely to only go up, not down, closer to your departure dates.

Fly high on a Tuesday Departing on a holiday package or flight on a Tuesday will often give you the best prices as demand for flights out of the UK and Ireland tend to be lower on this day.

Choose shoulder season for long haul Research suggests May, June and September are the best value months for taking breaks further afield, and there are often some great bargains to be found. According to Travel Supermarket, June is the cheapest time to book a holiday to Orlando, for example.

Move quickly at peak booking times Don’t wait to book for getaways at Easter and the two bank holidays in May. Prices will only go up, so the earlier

Take a chance last minute If you’re willing to risk it and don’t have to travel at certain high-demand dates, you can often snap up last-minute bargains. Just be prepared to accept whatever is left, as there may be less choice. Choose the long route Book longer flights or indirect routes with one or more changes to lower flight and holiday package prices. But be prepared for lengthy journeys to cut into precious holiday time.

It pays to be unsociable Fly at off-peak times during the day to find the best airfares or package holiday prices. The best value fares are often last thing at night at unsociable hours.

Leonardo

500

Why now’s the time for an art-inspired trip to Milan BY DOMHNALL O’DONOGHUE

GET ME THERE Milan Cathedral, Duomo di Milano

his year, all roads lead to Milan as the city celebrates the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death. Italians joke that the statue of Madonna towering above the magnificent Duomo di Milano is the city’s only true Milanese... seeing as outsiders have been flocking here for centuries. That was certainly the case for Leonardo da Vinci, its most famous adopted son, who spent 20 years of his life here. Yes, the Renaissance Man learnt his craft in Florence – but Milan is where he earned his crust. Now, on the 500th-year anniversary of his death, the city is honouring his greatness. International museums are also assisting – for instance, Russia’s Hermitage Museum is loaning Madonna Litta to Museo

Poldi Pezzoli.Make no mistake: Milan’s calendar for 2019 is state-of-the-art.

Guilty Pleasure

There are few hotels in Milan that encapsulate the city’s love of art more than the five-star Baglioni Carlton (the Leonardo package costs from €440). Overlooking famed shopping street Via della Spiga, the property’s funky ground floor contrasts beautifully with the classical bedrooms above. Embracing this year’s landmark anniversary, the hotel offers tours of The Last Supper and the vineyard da Vinci received as payment for creating the masterpiece, as well as admission to Pinacoteca Ambrosiana where Portrait of a Musician, along with drawings from Codex Atlanticus, are on display.

Glass dome of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan

• Domhnall O’Donoghue stayed at the Baglioni Hotel Carlton. • The hotel’s two-night ‘In the Footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci’ package starts from €440 based on two sharing. • Ryanair flies from Belfast and Dublin to Milan Bergamo. Aer Lingus flies from Dublin direct to Milan Linate. • Baglioni is a 10-minute walk from Montenapoleone underground. • An excellent resource for ‘Leonardo at 500’ is: yes.milano.it

Insider Intel

Milan boasts 10,000 restaurants in which to refuel between museum visits. Family-run Trattoria del Nuovo Macello serves world-class fare in a charming, traditional setting. Elsewhere, the effortlessly trendy Un Posto a Milano delights with its eclectic décor and ambitious menu – try the raw beef with mustard icecream, parsley sauce and pistachios, €14.

Top tip

Admire da Vinci through the art he inspired. Located on Via Corso Magenta and christened by locals as Milan’s Sistine Chapel, the church of San Maurizio is a treasure chest of religious frescos by the likes of Bernardino Luini. However, da Vinci’s influence is evident in every stroke (free entry).

Glitches

The Last Supper is housed in Santa Maria delle Grazie convent but efforts to preserve the delicate mural means access is limited – tickets cost €12 and must be booked online well in advance.

THE SOCIAL 10 Emily Burn’s guide to the best of April’s events

The Fashion Academy is hosting a Mum’s Edition Fashion Show on 7th April at the Galgorm Resort and Spa, Ballymena. You will be treated to a complimentary goodie bag, and high tea served in the great hall. Tickets can be purchased from: www.eventbrite.co.uk

The International Guitar Festival takes place in Newtownards from 3-7 April. Look forward to great live music and events taking place across the borough. Special guests include Ariel Posen and Gary Ryan. Tickets vary in price and can be purchased from: www.ticketsource.co.uk

Blush Boutique, Lisburn Road, is presenting a Kevan Jon fashion show on 7th April in Coco Restaurant, Belfast. Tickets cost £39, inclusive of a cocktail on arrival, three course meal, and an exclusive sneak peek at Kevan Jon’s Autumn/Winter 2019 collection. To reserve your place contact Blush: 028 9066 1101. All proceeds will be donated to Autism NI.

The talented Paddy McGurgan is hosting a makeup masterclass on 7th April in the Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan. Guests will be treated to afternoon tea and a glass of bubbly on arrival. There is a mystery prize for best dressed, so get your girls together and put your glad rags on for this perfect ladies day out. Tickets cost €27.55 and are available from: www.eventbrite.ie

Belfast Film Festival returns for its 15th year on 11-20 April and will run across a variety of venues, including Queen’s Film Theatre, and Beanbag Cinema in the Cathedral Quarter. To add to the excitement, Bollywood filmstar Aamir Khan is making a guest appearance. Ticket prices vary and start from £6. For more information visit: www. belfastfilmfestival.org

Antrim Festival Group is hosting a charity Masquerade Spring Ball to raise funds for the Antrim Summer Festival 2019. The glamorous black tie event will be held in the Templeton Hotel, Templepatrick on 13th April. Tickets cost £32.03 and are available from: www.eventbrite.co.uk

Get ready to perfect your makeup skills at The Masterclass Lurgan. Caolánn McCauley and four other makeup artists, are giving demonstrations at the Ashburn Hotel on 14th April. Tickets cost from £20, for details visit: www. eventbrite.co.uk

Belfast Wine School is hosting an ‘Old World V New World Tasting’ event on 25th April at the Bullitt Hotel, Belfast. Attendees will have the opportunity to try a range of wines and learn all about their origins. Nibbles and cheeses are provided, so you just need to bring yourself and maybe a lucky friend. Tickets cost £25 and are available from: www.belfastwineschool.com

The World Tattoo Festival is coming to Northern Ireland. This year’s event will be hosted on 26-28 April in the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn. Over 300 tattoo artists will be giving live performances. With motorbike displays, live music performances and tattoo competitions, it promises to be an action-packed event. Tickets cost £10-£23, for details visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk

The Ulster Orchestra is hosting an evening of rock and nostalgia at the ‘I Love the 80s’ night on the 27th April at Belfast Waterfront Hall. Tickets cost from £20, so dust off your neon, cover yourself in glitter, and take a trip down memory lane with 80s hits such as Radio Ga Ga, Raining Men and Total Eclipse of the Heart. For tickets visit: eticket.waterfront.co.uk

LET’S DRINK TO…

New York City

BY PAULA GRACEY

oing out for drinks in New York City, where do you start? Thanks to a surprise trip to celebrate our 10th anniversary and my birthday, I was lucky enough to find out. It was my first time in the city that never sleeps but does its best to tire you out. After a full day’s walking and taking in the sights (not to mention lots of retail therapy) we loved to head out in the evening for a few drinks and to rest our weary legs. No one goes to NYC expecting to eat and drink on the cheap, but considering most cocktails are around $13-15, pints $8-10, and bottles of wine start at $38, it’s well worth checking out happy hour venues, even for your first drink. We were staying on 42nd Street and found some great ‘locals’ which just happened to be Irish bars with the most fantastic food as well as extensive drinks lists. The Perfect Pint on East 45th Street has three floors and a rooftop bar, but my other half was most impressed by the list of over 40 beers on tap – Sam Adams Seasonal being one of his favourites. The famous Oyster Bar at Grand Central station is a must-visit, and it too has an extended Happy Hour from 4.30-7pm when wines by the glass are $7.25, beers are $6.25 and cocktails cost $9. It’s an experience just walking through Grand Central Station to find it, it’s an architectural masterpiece and home to a myriad of bars and restaurants. McFaddens on 42nd Street is another fab Irish pub with its own signature cocktails at $14 and where we discovered a bottle of very delicious Argentinian Malbec for $38. Friends of ours were in town at the same time so we arranged to meet up, and as they were staying off Times Square it afforded me the chance to take in the hustle and bustle of this iconic New York site (and to go in search of the Naked Cowboy). First of all, you should know, it is not square, more fork-shaped and, stopping for refreshments in a lovely little pub called The Pig & Whistle, we realised there is a definite price hike the closer you get to Times Square – three drinks were $40! Wherever you go, you will love it and there’s nothing quite like sitting in a top floor skyscraper bar, admiring the skyline while sipping a Manhattan where the world’s most famous cocktail was invented.

Wine Recommendation from Rebecca Robb: Pinot Grigio Blush Lamberti

he glorious month of April is with us at last! April heralds the longer days and shorter nights with fantastic fanfare of joy! Your whole being wishes to get back to nature. You yearn to meander in fields dotted with sweet wild primula and primrose, to search for that serene spot by a babbling river where you can repose, close your eyes, listen to the birds and heave a sigh of sheer happiness as you reach into your picnic hamper for your favourite bottle of wine. Granted you may find yourself glancing nervously to the sky as an ominous little black cloud hovers over head but isn’t it so much sweeter when it floats away, and you find yourself thanking Barra Best that his “occasional scattered shower” didn’t rain on your oasis! Our wine of the month is a Pinot Grigio Blush brought to us by the famous Lamberti family. Lamberti, renowned for producing approachable everyday drinking wines, have been looking to promote single varietal IGT wines such as this plucky little number. Hailing from the Veneto region of Italy this beauty is an excellent example of how the pink skinned Pinot Grigio can, when left on contact with the skins, yield a wine of beautiful amber pink in the glass. On the nose soft red berry fruit marries with a hint of aromatic sweetness that is so apparent in its cousin grape the Pinot Gris of Alsace. Following onto the palate delicate strawberry and ripe raspberry are complemented with a wonderful zing of crisp apple tones. Easy drinking and very moreish this rosé is the perfect partner to chef’s delicious Pan Seared Seabass with Primavera Risotto and Sauce Vierge. Buon Appetito! I hope the Easter bunny hops into your garden with lots of chocolatey treats!

RECIPE FOR PAN SEARED SEABASS WITH PRIMAVERA RISOTTO AND SAUCE VIERGE Ingredients: • 2 seabass fillets

• 100 ml extra virgin olive oil • 1 tbsp sherry vinegar

For Risotto: • 2 medium shallots • 1 clove garlic • 50 ml dry white wine • 200 g arborio rice • 650ml vegetable stock • 50 g parmesan cheese • 1 tbsp mascarpone cheese • 70g peas • 125g asparagus • 100g green beans

Method 1. Start by making salsa verde. Chop the herbs and garlic, add all other ingredients and mix well. 2. Move onto making the risotto. Dice onions and garlic. 3. Cook them gently in oil. 4. After 2 minutes add the risotto rice and fry for a further 2 minutes. 5. Add wine and cook out until absorbed into the rice. 6. Gradually add hot stock stirring constantly until rice is cooked but still a little al dente. 7. Add cooked vegetables, parmesan and mascarpone. 8. Season to taste. 9. To serve place the pan sear seabass fillets on top of the risotto. 10. Drizzle with salsa verde.

For salsa verde: • 60 g tarragon • 120g flat leaf parsley • 1 clove garlic • 1 tsp sea salt • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • 20 g small capers

Name: Mollie McGinn Age: 19 From: Carryduff Role in band: Vocals, guitar and bass Interesting fact: I’m addicted to buying records My musical goal is: To make people happy What I’m looking forward to most about Harmony Live: Festival Playing our new original material in front of a big audience

Name: Mamie McGinn Age: 15 From: Carryduff Role in band: Drummer Interesting fact: I like writing short stories My musical goal is: To meet Paul McCartney What I am looking forward to most about Harmony Live Festival: I’m excited to play at such a great event

Up-and-coming girl band, Dea Matrona, are set to support Feeder and The Fun Lovin’ Criminals next month at the Harmony Life Festival, Holywood. Introducing sisters Mamie and Mollie McGinn, and Orlaith Forsythe

Ones to watch

Name: Orlaith Forsythe Age: 18 From: Dundrum Role in band: Vocals, guitar and bass Interesting fact: I’m going to see Fleetwood Mac this summer and I’m so excited, Stevie Nicks is my hero My musical goal is: To always play music What I am looking forward to most about Harmony Live Festival: Supporting the amazing Feeder and The Fun Lovin’ Criminals and busting out some rock and roll

Harmony Live takes place from Friday 31st May to Sunday 2nd June. Dea Matrona will perform on Saturday 1st June, supporting Feeder and The Fun Lovin’ Criminals. Tickets cost £37.50. For information visit: www.facebook.com/HolywoodHarmonyFestival

The Sisters Brothers

Movie roundup James Oliver’s selection of this month’s must-watch movies

Pet Semetary

In this adaption of the classic tale by Stephen King, Pet Semetary sees a family of four relocating to their new home beside a pet cemetery. When tragedy strikes and their cat is killed they decide to bury it

within the graveyard – but all is not as it seems in this ancient Indian burial ground. Release date: 5th April Starring: Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz and John Lithgow

The Sisters Brothers

Based on the novel by Patrick deWitt, this western explores what it really means to be a man. Set in 1851, the main characters, Charlie and Eli Sisters, are brothers and assassins. The double act have blood on their hands, of criminals and innocent men – and as the movie unfolds the men begin to question each other and their life choices. Release date: 5th April Starring: Jake Gyllenhal and Riz Ahmed

The White Crow

Red Joan

In a picturesque village in England, Joan

Stanley’s tranquil existence is shattered when she is arrested by MI5. Her secret life as a spy is exposed and everything around her begins to unravel. Starring: Judi Dench, Sophie Cookson and Stephen Boxer

Eighth Grade

Elsie Fisher stars as shy teenager Kayla in this coming of age flick, which revolves around her last week of middle school. Eight grade has been fairly disastrous for the teen and she turns to YouTube to express herself. She makes advice blogs where she pretends to have it all together. Release date: 26th April Starring: Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton and Emily Robinson

The White Crow

Inspired by the book Rudolf Nureyev: The Life by Julie Kavanaugh, this film charts the dancer’s defection from the Soviet Union to the West in 1961, despite KGB efforts to stop him. Born on a train in Stalin’s Russia, Rudolf Nureyev was ballet’s first pop icon. Release date: 26th April Starring: Adèle Exarchopoulos, Ralph Fiennes and Sergei Polunin For more movie reviews and news from James Oliver see: @jamesoliverfilm92 on Twitter

LIVING

Credit: Cuckooland.com

DOUBLE UP Shop this month’s designer buys and purse-friendly lookalikes BY RÓISÍN CARABINE

SAVE

SPLURGE Brass Flamingo Table Lamp from Audenza.com £125

Flamingo Table Lamp from Very.co.uk £59.99

Hexagonal Wine Rack from Argos £15

Pico 6 Stackable Brass Wine Rack from Redcandy.co.uk £75

Velvet tub chair from Oliver Bonas £445

Bouji green velvet chair PR08 from Made.com £199

Fontana rectangular coffee table with white marble top from Cultfurniture.com £219

Bailey Pendant Lightshade from Very.co.uk £24.99

Bask Large Sofa in mustard velvet from DFS £499

Alice Antique Brass Coffee Table with white marble top from Sweetpeaandwillow.com £598

Ferm Living Collect Pendant Light from Nest.co.uk £174

Anderson 2-Seater sofa in bright mustard velvet from Cultfurniture.com £649

 THE ALCOVE OFFICE

Often overlooked and underutilised, awkward corners and alcoves can easily be transformed into a stylish home office without too much expense or effort. It’s all about maximising the vertical space. Fix shelves all the way up to the ceiling and add a wall-mounted foldable desk, then just pull up a chair when you need to work.

 THE UNDER STAIRS OFFICE

The unloved place under the stairs is the ideal spot for a mini home office, with or without doors – once you’ve cleared out all the junk. If your budget won’t stretch to a custom-designed fit-out, choose furniture on a scale that suits the space and avoid anything that encroaches onto the hall.

Norberg wall-mounted drop-leaf table from Ikea, Belfast, £30

Planning the perfect home office

John Lewis & Partners Airframe Desk in white with oak legs £299; Scoop Armchair Hatton in pink £199; Ananda Rug in ivory £100 from Johnlewis.com

 THE ZONED OFFICE

No corner? No problem. Turn a few inches of wall in your living room into a low key office zone with a simple, slimeline desk and chair and a few office accessories. Pick furniture that’s in sync with the rest of the décor so it blends effortlessly with the overall look.

From a desk in a cupboard to a revamped space under the stairs, be inspired by these stylish home office solutions and create a work-friendly zone in your home you won’t mind putting the extra hours in BY RÓISÍN CARABINE

Lillåsen desk, £120; LangfJäll swivel chair, £110; & Stockholm floor lamp, £60, all from Ikea

Zuiver Dek Ceiling Light in white from Cuckooland.com £189

 THE DUAL PURPOSE OFFICE

When it’s not possible to have a dedicated desk to work at, a dining table can easily double as a productive home office hub. Ok, so you’ll not be able to permanently have your kit on display but you’ll be able to keep it close to hand if you choose a table with drawers. Pull-down overhead pendants will not only make working more pleasant, but also eliminate the need for a desk lamp.

Custom-made home office with concealed desk and television lift featuring matt white lacquer cabinets with American black walnut interiors by Brayerdesign.co.uk

Cult Studio Moda CD7 Office Armchair from Cultfurniture.com £85

 THE DEDICATED OFFICE

If you have the luxury of having a dedicated home office, make the most of it with a generously sized desk, or a side-by-side set up of two desks, if two of you work from home. Ideally, position the desk against a wall to avoid the room looking cluttered, and preferably near a window to benefit from natural light. Consider a mix of shelves, filing cabinets, a bookcase and cupboards, especially if you have lots of files and paperwork to store.

 THE CUPBOARD OFFICE

It can be difficult to merge your home and office, especially if you’re short on space. Consider an office that you can create behind closed doors, like inside a cupboard or wardrobe, that way you can simply close the door when not in use. It’s also the perfect solution for those that hate clutter.

 THE CUSTOM-MADE OFFICE

For a stylish home office solution that makes use of every inch of available space consider something made-to-measure and handcrafted. It might cost extra but the results are worth it. With clever planning you can create a space for every piece of office kit from books and files to accessories, either concealed behind sleek sliding doors or displayed on traditional open shelving and inside drawers, or a mix and match solution.

 THE INSTANT OFFICE

If you have to use a corner of your living room or hallway for your home office but don’t want it to feel obtrusive, consider a writing bureau. It’s the perfect instant office solution cleverly concealed inside a beautiful piece of furniture. Pick one with lots of internal compartments and drawers for easy organisation.

Whether you love the London loft look or a more traditional study, Sliderobes, Belfast can design a home office to suit your taste and needs, see sliderobes.co.uk

Punched Large Aluminium Shelf from Anthologyfive.com £102 Quill Desk from Loaf.com £795

 THE BEDROOM OFFICE

Even a bedside table can double up as a mini desk if space is tight elsewhere in the house. To avoid cluttering up your bedroom with ‘office essentials’ hide stationery, books and any kit inside chests of drawers or built-in cupboards. Consider too, a folding chair that can easily be stowed away under the bed or inside a wardrobe.

Sunnylife Beach Sounds Radio from Amara.com £45

Flip calendar wall table clock from Hurnandhurn.com £125

Willow filing cabinet from Made.com £159

Soft Pad Office Chair with high back from Cultfurniture.com £209

Trellis Wall Grid from Redcandy.co.uk £39.50

Task Lamp in concrete grey from Harvey Norman £75

Home office essentials Hardworking furniture and accessories to help you get the job done Skip Compact Desk from Habitat.co.uk £175

Judy Mint Green Typewriter from Etsy.com £183.74

Retro 746 telephone in brass from Notonthehighstreet.com £79

Vitra O-Tidy Office Accessory from Nest.co.uk £29

Stockholm storage drawers from Argos £22

Aloe Vera plants from £3 at IKEA

BJÖRKSNÄS bed frame from IKEA £300

The DREAM team

Do you regularly get a good night’s sleep? If not, read on…

KEA Belfast recently hosted a ‘sleeping pod’ event to educate people on how to get a better night’s rest. The Northern Woman team went along and this is what we learned about how to get more shuteye…

Temperature is key

According to the sleep experts at IKEA, the ideal room temperature for a good night’s sleep is 16-17°C. They suggested turning off the heating, or opening a window, for at least one hour before you retire for the night.

Double duvets from £8 at IKEA

Stay snug by blocking out draughts with heavyweight curtains, and choose the right duvet i.e. the warmth rating and filling that suits you best. As a guide - opt for summer 4 tog to keep cool, spring and autumn 7.5 tog for this time of year, and autumn and winter 12 tog is best for colder weather. Duck down and feathers are natural insulators and are good at absorbing moisture. Synthetic quilts are easy to care for, can be washed often and dry quickly.

Light matters

We are all sensitive to light and dark, which can impact when we drift off and wake up.

Potted plants from £2.50 at IKEA

Consider dimmable lights and blackout curtains to control the amount of light in your room, and ease yourself awake with a lamp with a timer switch, or a wake-up alarm clock.

Improve air quality

Apparently our bedroom tends to have the worst air quality in the house, because the bedroom door is often closed. The better the air quality, the better you will sleep – improve the air quality by bringing plants into your room, remove TVs and laptops, invest in an air-purifier, and open a window to enable fresh air to circulate.

Table lamps from £2.75 at IKEA

ith an increasing number of people putting their house on the market in 2019, homeowners should be aware of some of the key reasons that could delay the sale of their home, and simple steps they can take to maximise the potential sale price, says a leading interior designer. Siobhan McNeilly, interior designer at Wardens of Newtownards says: “If you’re thinking about selling your home, it’s important to consider which of your property’s features might be attractive or not. House prices on one street can vary hugely and small things, for example its interiors, can change how much viewers perceive your home to be worth. “There are certain decorative trends that can instantly put potential buyers off, for example heavily textured wallpaper, patterned carpets, artex ceilings, brick fireplaces and wardrobes over the bed, so vendors should consider changing these to make their property more appealing to people.” The interior design team at Wardens of Newtownards have put together their top tips for homeowners to consider when selling their home.

Think neutral décor

Good interior design should be based on classic decor, with high-quality products and materials. This spring, there is a resurgence of stone and beige neutrals. We are seeing interiors with greens, navy and blush. Clever use of these colours will make your home more inviting to potential buyers.

Declutter

Ensure your house is organised and clear of clutter. Whether you are selling your house or want to create a better living

SIMPLE steps to increase the value of your home

environment, decluttering brings a sense of calm.

layers and depth to a scheme without going bold with colour.

Make better use of space

Don’t overlook the small details

Look at the rooms in your house. Are you making good use of the space you have? Try moving furniture about, make the most of corner spaces with stylish storage baskets or plants, and add some contemporary shelving with co-ordinating accessories to bring some life to walls.

Pay careful attention to furnishings

Don’t be afraid to mix textured fabrics in neutral schemes. This is a great way to add

Simple touches like statement console tables, modern light fittings, bespoke chairs and stylish duvet covers can be pleasing to the eye and enable potential buyers to envisage themselves living in the property. An eclectic mix of furnishings from different eras such as antiques in a contemporary setting, will bring out the original features of houses and adds warmth to modern spaces.

“We use this living room in the winter, when we spend cosy nights in front of the fire.”

New England STYLE

eah and Philip Matthews moved into their property in June 2009, where they live with their four children; 17-year-old Marc, Lucy who is 15, 12-year-old Rachel, and Poppy who is one. When viewing the house for the first time, the couple were attracted by the spacious back garden, which is “large and south facing, so gets the sun all day long”

Leah says. Since moving in, Leah and Philip have put a lot of time and effort into redecorating. “We added a contemporary white kitchen, and converted the property from a four to a five bedroom house by splitting Marc’s bedroom in two.” Leah says the front living room is her favourite room of the house. “It is elegant but very comfortable at the same time.

The kitchen is another favourite, and it’s a place where we spend a lot of family time together. I designed the kitchen, and I love the contrast between the stark white straight lines with the weathered oak table and cladding. “I love New England décor; preppy, white, beach, and Hamptons-style interiors. I have incorporated a range of New England looks throughout our home.”

Photos by Michael Bradley and Leah Matthews 78

“A new kitchen is one of the major changes we have made to the house. It’s the main hub of our family home.”

“I love a little luxury!”

“We chose a grey and white colour palette for the master bedroom.”

“The hallway is used as another reception room with a large Chesterfield sofa where we can relax and have a chat.”

“Grouping together home decor pieces on a tray is a simple way to style a coffee table.”

“The girls have followed in my love of interiors, when decorating their own bedrooms.”

“I love the complete contrast between the bright white walls and dark panelling painted in Farrow and Ball Railings.”

“A simple white chair adds a little Danish style to the hall.”

“All the children have had so much fun on our rocking horse, with the youngest still riding on it. It is most definitely a family heirloom.”

Mr & Mrs Dowie Photos by Kiss and Chips Photography

ewtownabbey couple Sophie McAuley and Lawrence Dowie first met fifteen years ago at Planet Fun, Belfast. Following an eight-year romance, Lawrence proposed when the couple were on holiday in Santorini, and a date was set for 15th September 2018. “We wanted a relaxed wedding where guests could enjoy a holiday at the same time,” Sophie explains. “We chose Sitges, Barcelona, as it is by the sea, has great nightlife, and is close to the city centre.” Tatch Design, Lisburn, created the wedding stationery, and Pretty Little Bouquets, Craigavon, made the customised brooch bouquet. The wedding entertainment was provided by Cat on Sax and DJ John Jones, who flew in from London specially for the reception. Sophie and Lawrence “opted for Choccy Churros and pink cava” instead of a traditional wedding cake. The bride looked stunning in a fit and flare dress from Perfect Day, Lurgan, accessorised with a veil from LA Bridal House, Carrickfergus, and Kurt Geiger heels from Butterslip Boutique, Kilkenny. The couple had their first dance to club classic You Got The Love by Candi Stanton. Sophie’s favourite memories of her wedding day were of the speeches and first dance. Lawrence says “the saxophone player and everyone jumping in the swimming pool at the end of the night, were the highlights for me”. The newlyweds honeymooned in Dubai, Sri Lanka and Singapore. “They were all amazing but Singapore stands out – such friendly, fantastic people and amazing rooftop bars,” Sophie says.

Venue: Almiral de La Font, Sitges, Barcelona Dress: Perfect Day, Lurgan Groomswear: Moss Bros, Belfast Bridesmaids’ dresses: ASOS Makeup: The bride’s friend MUA Emma Maxwell Hair: Lalemana Salon, Barcelona

Mr & Mrs McKenna

Photos by Jake Samuels

eenage sweethearts Elaine Convery and Ciarán McKenna met on a night out. “Ciarán will claim we met aged 14 at a teenage disco, and I gave him the cold shoulder,” Elaine jokes, “But really we met aged 18 in Walsh’s Hotel on a night out. It certainly wasn’t fairytale love at first sight, but he persevered, bought me a Chinese and walked me home – sold! “Ciarán’s humour is what made me fall for him, he keeps me laughing all the time and never takes life too seriously.” Ciarán says, “How could I not fall for Elaine? Falling for her was easy, the more time me and Elaine spend together, the more I fall in love with her. She has the amazing ability to make me want to be a better husband, friend and person.” Seven years after they first met, Ciarán proposed on Portrush beach and the couple set the date for 2nd April at Lough Erne Resort. Elaine rocked two different looks in a Nicole Sposé wedding dress with detachable tulle skirt from Divinity Bridal, Lisburn, accessorised with a cathedral veil made by Sew Handy in Bandbridge, and bespoke hairpiece by BeAdored in Portglenone. Jake Samuels captured the wedding photos which the couple said were “a true reflection of our day with our family and friends”. Ryan Patrick Design created the wedding stationery, and Truly Scrumptious supplied the four-tier cake in flavours; Maltesers, white chocolate, raspberry and Red Velvet. Mollie McKeever sang at the chapel, Paddy Collins Music played at the drinks reception, band Peach ensured the dance floor never emptied, and DJ Glen Houston Entertainments played a mix of old school classics. Ciarán says: “My most standout memory was seeing Elaine coming down the aisle. But also being on the dance floor all night long with all our family and friends.” Elaine adds: “It was hands down the best and happiest day of my life, and every single aspect of the day was perfect”.

Venue: Lough Erne Resort, Enniskillen Dress: Divinity Bridal, Lisburn Groomswear: Wedding Centre, Randalstown, groom’s waistcoat from Suitor Borthers, Belfast Bridesmaids’ dresses: Wedded Bliss, Portglenone Makeup: Lips“n”Lashes Makeup Studio, Newry Hair: Ursula Madden Hair Studio, Portglenone

In the May issue of Athleisure Dressing for success Ethical beauty buys Celebrating our local nurses

Interiors, health & wellness, travel reviews, local weddings, beauty news, events, competitions and lots more Credit: Vero Moda

THE

ALBUM Janeen McAuley and Hannah Watson pictured at the Top 100 Hospitality Business Awards, photo by Press Eye

Laura Keegan and Niamh Clarke

Hospitality Ulster’s Top 100 Hospitality Business Awards

Will Toland and Rachael Eastwood

Northern Ireland’s Top 100 Hospitality Businesses 2019 were revealed by Hospitality Ulster in a star-studded ceremony in Titanic Belfast recently. The event was hosted by stand-up comedian Colm O’Regan and attended by a number of VIP guests including former Ireland rugby captain, Brian O’Driscoll and sports pundit, Adrian Logan. From Michelin starred restaurants and five-star hotels to buzzing city centre nightclubs, gastropubs, quaint country pubs, restaurants and hotels, Hospitality Ulster’s Top 100 shone the spotlight on Northern Ireland hospitality at its best. Photos by Kelvin Boyes and Darren Kidd, Press Eye

Tori Shaw, Alison Campbell, Martin Breen and Jenevieve Devenny

Joanne Williams and Carol McSeveney

Jamie Stitt and Fionnuala O’Hare

Conor Houston and Richard Willis

Lucy Martin, Andrea Dougal, Karina Rocha and Anna Crawford

Amy Kane and Marian Matthews

Melissa Burns and Sinead Hagan

Niamh Blade and Robert Baloucoune

Alice Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hare and Charlotte Fogarty

Kathryn Millar and John Toner

Kirsty Winter and Steven Orr

The National Relaunch

Popular Cathedral Quarter bar and eatery, The National, has undergone a makeover. A relaunch party marked the opening of the revamped venue, which has been updated with new interiors and outdoor area, and a fresh food and drink offering. The National is now open to the public, seven days a week from 8.30am Monday to Friday and from 9.30am on weekends. Photos by Simon Hutchinson, Studio Kin Yeva Gilroy and Kelly Henning

Sarah Tulloch and Kathryn Stevenson

Conall Wolsey and Marianne Smyth

Barry Smyth, Zara Duffy, Janet Gray, Niall Harkin and Rory Clarke

Gemma Jordan and Sarah Cull

Chartered Accountants Ulster Society Annual Dinner Chartered Accountants Ulster Society held its Annual Dinner at the Titanic Belfast. The theme of the event, sponsored by Danske Bank and MCS Group, was Adapt and Engage. Guest speaker Dr Janet Gray MBE delivered an inspiring speech to 300 members and guests, and a fantastic night was had by all. Lee Campbell, Adam Mackin and Sara Mitchell

Nuala McAdams and Ciara Flannagan

Photo by Kelvin Boyes, Press Eye

Una Warnock, Oonagh Murtagh and Rhona Barbour

Kathryn Bloomer, Ciara Daly and Ernest Wright

Kirsty Smilie and Shannon Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil

Grace Wallace, Joy Suzanne Ellis and Patrice McVeigh

Ciara Daly House of Makeup Launch Night Customers, family and friends joined the team at Ciara Daly House of Makeup for a launch night party to mark the official opening of the beauty business. Ciara Daly recently opened a new premises on 397 Lisburn Road; a four-floor building that has been transformed to cater for all of your beauty and makeup needs. Photos by Glenn Norwood Ciara Daly, Danielle Nolan, Shannon McMahon and Ashley Daly

Binder Tohani and Sandra Kachel

Cate Conway, Ciara Daly and Stephen Clements

Kellie and Keith Burch

Grainne Deeney and Rory McConnell

The Hole in the Ground Award-winning short film director Lee Cronin was in Belfast recently for a special preview screening of his debut feature film, The Hole in the Ground, at Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Film Theatre. The Hole in the Ground had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January to critical acclaim. It tells the story of a mother consumed by mounting paranoia as she comes to suspect her little boy has been transformed by something sinister. Photo by Kelvin Boyes, Press Eye

Lee Cronin

Fergal McPhillips and Alana Hughes

Alan Irwin and Graeme Watson

Send us your photos! Thanks to all who submitted photos for Here & There. To be featured simply take a photo of you with Northern Woman out and about locally or abroad and email it to NW editor Catriona: c.doherty@independentmagazinesni.co.uk. Every month one reader will win a ‘Pic of the Month’ prize, so well done to the girls at La Chance De Danser who have won a Night Cure Super Concentrate from Casmara RRP £59.

Elizabeth Cheery pictured with Northern Woman in Portballintrae

HERE & THERE

La Chance De Danser take a reading break at dance practice

Northern Woman prize-winner Cherith Lyness enjoying a break at the Trinity City Hotel, Dublin

F PIC O E H T TH MON

Northern Woman intern Holly Duff does her homework

Ryan Hughes browsing Northern Woman in Leeds

Have your brand featured here and reach your target audience. To sponsor Here & There contact Senior Advertising Manager Jackie Reid, email: j.reid@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

R E G BLOG CORNER BY YASMIN ROBINSON FROM SNAZZYYAZI

edding season is just around the corner and I’m sure the majority of you have at least one invitation stuck on your fridge, or on its way. Of course the focus of any wedding day is the bride, but that does not mean guests can’t look amazing too. SS 19 trends have focussed on bright colours, pretty prints, and delicate material, all of which all make for the perfect guest outfit. Here are some of my top picks:

Bright and bold

We have seen our fair share of neon this season so far, Edie dress from both green and pink, but Hobbs £299 if that isn’t to your taste, bright shades of purple and yellow are also key for this season. Wear bold hues with patterned accessories, such as animal print shoes or a quirky clutch, to make these dresses really stand out.

Florals

Florals are what you might consider a safe option - but if it’s not broke, don’t fix it! This season is all about big, bold florals in bright colours. Let the dress do the talking, and team it with understated accessories in nude or metallic hues.

Embellished maxi dress from Frock and Frill £209

Satin

Satin is the ideal material for an item that you can dress up or down, depending on the occasion. With the right accessories, these dresses make the perfect wedding guest outfit. To avoid looking like a bridesmaid, go for a relaxed low-key hair do.

Pink satin dress from New Look £27.99

What to wear to a wedding? Power suits and jumpsuits

For those who aren’t a fan of dresses, there are plenty of other options - between jumpsuits, two-pieces and suits, the choice is endless.

Accessories

Of course, no outfit is complete Wrap jumpsuit without from Lavish accessories. Round bag from Alice £110 Accessorize This spring £30 opt for mules, animal print, colour blocking and hair clips and crowns.

Leopard shoe from Dune £99 Beaded bag from Accessorize £39 Rainbow Mule from Kurt Geiger £159

For more outfit inspiration and styling tips, visit: www.snazzyyazi. com, or look up SnazzyYazi on Instagram and Facebook.

NORTHERN MAN What are you doing for Pay it Forward Day?

Adventures at sea on a waterslide

Sunset at sea sailing out from Miami

i folks, Did you know there’s a Pay It Forward Day on 28th April? The idea behind the day is to do something for someone with no expectation of anything in return, but to ask them to pay it forward to three other people. Imagine the ripple effect from that if everyone took part? There would be a lot of very happy people out there. There’s also a Random Acts of Kindness day in February and at my stall in St George’s Market I totally embraced doing random acts of kindness for customers and traders, with money collected from my kindness collection box. I buy in a supply of pens with local words and phrases printed on them. I then sell them at my stall and use that money to treat others; that could be buying a hot drink or lunch for a homeless person for example. On Random Act of Kindness Day I bought ten roses from another stall and handed them out randomly to customers in the market. I also arranged with Jam & Olly’s stall to buy buns for ten traders; if a trader bought a bun then it was already paid for, and I did the same at The Cakery Bakery for their first ten

customers to buy a coffee. Both businesses let me buy the treats at a reduced rate, so they were fully involved in being kind towards others. How fantastic it is to see others join in the generosity and be kind to others. So I’m planning more of the same on Pay It Forward Day on the 28th April. Pay it Forward ideas don’t have to be big things, they might include something as simple as letting a driver out from a busy junction, or stopping so someone can cross the road. Here are a few ideas of what you can do; donate clothing to a charity so they can sell it on; donate blood; do something for a neighbour such as cut their grass or bring their bin in; offer to carry someone’s shopping bags; or give up your seat on a busy bus or train. So get the 28th April in your diary; actually, why not start today? In the meantime, get out, have fun and look after yourself, and if you see some eejit with his phone on the ground taking selfies, that’ll be me taking a photo for this column! Thanks for reading.

Where to next? Key West

10 things you need to know before booking your first cruise BY JEFF MEREDITH

In port at Ibiza town

Stopping off at Portofino

’ve been on quite a few cruises in recent years and travelled the seas with various companies and ship sizes, and I been to many locations. I always describe it as interrailing for adults, and it’s my preferred way to travel. Here are a few things I’ve learnt from going on over 20 cruises:

The Med is always a great destination. It’s easy to get to and has seemingly endless choices of ports.

Every company is different so think about what you want; family friendly, mature co-travellers, a party ship, educational, functional, themed, location based, sun, city visits… you have so many options to choose from, so get in touch with a cruise specialist and ask their advice.

Food choice on board can vary from busy cafés to speciality dining. I would always recommend speciality dining, the food and service is a better standard than what is offered in the main dining restaurants on board. If food is your thing, look out for speciality dining packages – you pay extra for speciality but it’s worth it.

Do you want a large ship packed with fun activities, lots of restaurants, bars and things to do? Royal Caribbean are the best I’ve experienced, with the largest ships in the world offering activities for the whole family.

Yacht Club private deck on an MSC ship

If you fancy something smaller, more exclusive and reserved, Oceania and Azamara are very similar companies with small ships. They offer a more personal experience with only 600-700 passengers, they aren’t as busy and can stop in smaller ports the bigger vessels can’t get to, so you get a more local experience.

The Azamara ship

The Norwegian Fjords are beautiful to sail in to - it’s a stunning area. The Croatian coastline is spectacular too, it’s actually a great place to visit if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, to see filming locations in Split and Dubrovnik. The Baltic cities are awesome to see and experience, with lots of beautiful architecture to admire. Another recommendation is to cruise from Miami to Cuba, that’s something special.

The best place to cruise out of is New York. Sailing out past that skyline while the band plays New York New York, with a cocktail in hand; it doesn’t get any better.

If you enjoy having a drink, look into the drinks packages. Prices vary across different ships. I’ve only ever broken even with these packages, and that was a push, but I know others who saved a fortune.

Staying in a hotel pre and/or post cruise is a great opportunity to see the city you embark or disembark at. It also takes the pressure off if your flight is delayed on the way out, because let’s face it, you don’t want to miss getting on board.

Most importantly, look for bargains. Facebook is a great one for this, or sign up to mailing lists. There are a lot of specialists out there with some amazing offers. I’ve used Six Star Cruises, CruiseClubUK and our local experts Oasis Travel a lot. Happy cruising!

— COMPETITION —

A luxurious stay at Clontarf Castle Hotel

Win

ne lucky reader has the chance to win a break for two at Clontarf Castle Hotel, with an overnight stay in a stylishly designed bedroom, with Artisan Castle breakfast, bicycle hire and dinner in the award-winning Fahrenheit Restaurant. The winner and a guest will discover the wonder of Clontarf Castle; a unique 12th Century castle hotel offering a perfect blend of Irish history and tradition with all of the luxuries of the 21st century. Arrive and go up the enchanting leafy avenue, to the breathtaking castle façade and through the dramatic atrium lobby as you step inside the world of Clontarf Castle, tucked away in leafy Clontarf, just 10 minutes from Dublin city centre and easily accessible from national motorways. This summer discover stunning coastal Clontarf with the ‘Bed, Bike & Beyond’ package; check into the hotel and cycle in to the village, take the cycle path along the promenade, stop at the boutiques, enjoy a coffee break at one of the many cafes and soak up the mellow atmosphere. Park up your bike and stretch your legs with a walk on the pier to Bull Island or Dollymount strand breathing in the salty sea air, before returning to Clontarf Castle to enjoy all that the luxury hotel has to offer. To celebrate the Bed, Bike & Beyond package, Clontarf Castle Hotel are hosting this competition. Visit: www.clontarfcastle.ie for further information on all of the packages available.

TO ENTER Simply complete the sentence. Clontarf Castle Hotel have launched a new packaged, called, ‘Bed … Email your answer and contact details to: competitions@northernwoman.co.uk before 5pm on Friday 26th April. T&Cs: The prize is subject to availability and is non-transferrable. The prize is for one night’s bed & breakfast, with one dinner for two, and bicycle hire midweek for two. INM T&Cs apply.