Northern Woman July 2016

NORTHERN WOMAN

Changing Channels Kate Smith & Alison Flemming on their careers away from TV

JULY 2016

£2.50/€3.95

It's over to Dad

NW chats to Niall McKenna, David Meade & Bryn Cunningham on life with children J U LY 2 0 1 6 - S U M M E R T I M E

A Healthy Glow Advice on tanning safely & we try & test some of the best self tanners

Win...

A 2 night break at the Trinity City Hotel Dublin

VOLUME 32

ISSN 1361-2735

NUMBER 4

9 771361 273013

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FEATURES

Contents

4 It’s Over To Dad

Niall McKenna, David Meade and Bryn Cunningham on life with children and how they will be spending Father’s Day.

38 Changing Channels

Kate Smith & Alison Fleming on their careers away from TV.

FASHION

14 Dressed for The Occasion

Dresses to take you to a wedding or day at the races this summer.

16 Take Me To The Beach

55 Experience the Power of Ice

Cryotherapy is a new non-invasive treatment with many benefits. NW has 1st hand experience of the benefits.

LIFESTYLE

60 Playful & Practical

A stunning Georgian terrace with carefully considered interiors.

72 Recipes

Tasty treats from chef Noel McMeel.

REGULARS

40 My Brilliant Career

Those essential accessories for your summer holiday.

Meet Siobhan Stevenson, Head of Collections Care with National Museum Northern Ireland.

25 Flush vs Frugal

98 A Day in the Life

Designer styles and affordable replicas.

HEALTH & BEAUTY 48 A Healthy Glow

Advice on tanning safely and enjoying the sun without damanging your skin.

PUBLISHER: Independent News & Media Ltd Northern Woman 5b Edgewater Business Park Belfast Harbour Estate, Belfast BT3 9JQ www.northernwoman.com T: 028 9078 3225 MANAGER: Eileen Wilson Doherty Art Editor: Helen Wright PRODUCTION MANAGER: Stuart Gray

This issue NW chats to TV presenter and DJ Joe Lindsay.

COMPETITIONs

76 WIN...A two night stay at the Trinity City Hotel, Dublin.

CONTRIBUTORS: Margaret Connolly, Kate Wilson Cody & Alicia Clarke Accounts: Gerardine Carson Design & Production: Independent News & Media Ltd PRINT: GPS cover credit: Image supplied courtesy of Khara Pringle #northernwomanmagazine

Independent News & Media Ltd © 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 Ltd.

www.facebook.com/ NorthernWomanMagazine @NorthernWomanNW

LIFESTYLEFATHERSDAY NW catches up with three well-known local dads who successfully manage the time they spend working and enjoying every moment they can with their young children.

juggling act to make sure we spend enough time with the children, and luckily both Conrad and Charlotte love eating out.

My time with them can be limited, but we enjoy the same things like cooking, and trying out new recipes and ideas, as well as watching movies which is a big favourite in our house. Like most kids they are pretty adaptable and really embrace new experiences and activities, but they’re also very traditional in that their favourite day out is to the swimming pool.

Are any of your children showing any interest in cooking at this point?

Conrad loves food and came with the Apprentices last year on a foraging trip with Cecelia and David from the Narrows.

We went to Strangford Lough and he had his own knife and was picking his own whelks and seaweed and eating them, it was great fun for him and amazing for me as a father to watch. He’s got a great attitude to food and is prepared to taste and eat

It’s Over To

Dad Niall McKenna

Chef Naill and his wife Joanne have two children, eight-year-old Conrad and five-year-old Charlotte. Working long hours in his restaurants - James Street South Restaurant & Cookery School, The Bar + Grill, Cast & Crew and Hadskis - Niall likes to spend his spare time with his family and is looking forward to a fun-filled Father’s Day this year.

What is the best thing about being a dad?

There’s no doubt that being a father is the

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best job in the world, and I know how blessed we are. The kids are at a lovely age and Joanne and I really enjoy their company. Like most dads, I’m going to say that one of the best things is the laughter – there are always lots of giggles in our house! I am incredibly lucky and have great fun with my kids, they make us laugh a lot with their wee observations and ways. They’re also a huge inspiration and I’m in the process of trying to be a fitter dad so I can run faster than them!

How do you like to spend time with your children?

Like most working parents, it’s always a

anything which is fantastic for a child of his age. Charlotte loves all the basics like potatoes and vegetables, but would sell her soul for chocolate. Conrad’s favourite dish at the minute is the chicken wings at Cast and Crew with the blue cheese sauce, and for such a young man he really does like his food spicy. For Charlotte, however, it would be Ewings smoked salmon at the Bar + Grill with a chocolate pencil in her ice cream – heaven for a little girl!

What would be your ideal Father’s Day and how will you be spending it this year?

This year Father’s Day is on my wedding anniversary so I dare say I will be getting spoilt rotten! As long as I’m with my wee family, I’ll be a happy man.

LIFESTYLEFATHERSDAY

David Meade

How do you feel when you have to be away from them for work?

I don’t feel guilty about travelling for work. It’s one of those things I have to do; I have to go where the work is. My brothers were builders in the 80s and I watched them travel away from home for work and I know plenty of other dads and mums in the same scenario. I can be away four or five nights out of the week, but we do FaceTime a couple of times a day and read remotely. I’m also fortunate to have more time at home over Christmas and the summer when work isn’t as busy.

Have your young children seen you on TV and if yes, what was there reaction?

Tilly is aware of it, but it is quite boring to her now. I was on ‘This Morning’ with Phil and Holly recently and I found a way to drop in the names Tilly and George when I was chatting to them and she really didn’t take that much notice or seem that impressed! George is too young to take any notice of what I do.

Combining his academic knowledge of international business and his passion for mind-reading and mentalism, David has carved out a distinctive, successful career which has led to many TV appearances making him a widely recognised personality. However, he is also just known as d‘ ad’ to his two children Tilly and George.

How has life changed as a father to daughter Tilly and son George?

It was while Elaine was pregnant with Tilly that I actually left my full-time job as a university lecturer to pursue my current career which combines my skills as a mentalist and entertainer. Mad, some might say to leave the security I had at that time, but for me it was a case of ‘if I don’t do it now I never will’. I have to say it is the best thing I ever did. Must is a good master and providing for my family is what still spurs me on today.

What does it mean for you to be a dad?

It might sound clinical, but the first thing for me is to provide for my family. I want to be able to give my children every opportunity in life and know that I have the necessary resources to give them options to do what they want in life. My son, George, has mobility issues and we are currently building a house to be able to cater for his needs to make his life better. I am fortunate to be able to do this and as I say this need to provide for him and Tilly does spur me on everyday.

I also like to think that I am an example to them that you can do anything you want to do. No one believed there was the career for me that I have now and if I listened to them

How do you like to spend time with the children?

When I am at home we do like to do activity based days out as a family. If the weather allows we’ll take a day trip

No one believed there was the career for me that I ❝ have now and if I listened to them I would never have given this a try. I am proof that there are more opportunities out there than people realise and if you have a dream it’s worth following it to see where it leads. I never want my children to be afraid to invest in themselves.

❞

I would never have given this a try. I am proof that there are more opportunities out there than people realise and if you have a dream it’s worth following it to see where it leads. I never want my children to be afraid to invest in themselves.

What have been your proudest moments as a father?

The children are still very young. Tilly is seven and George is three. For George the fact he he has started to wave is a big deal for us. Tilly is really building her confidence and will quietly sit and read on her own, she is also a really great big sister and helps out with George.

with a picnic to the likes of Newcastle or living in Northern Ireland more often than not it tends to be indoors at W5.

Tilly could spend hours in there and never seems to get bored.

What would be your ideal Father's Day and how will you be spending it this year?

Ideally I’d get to lie in bed to 1pm!

But seriously, the day will start with breakfast in bed which is the routine on Mother’s Day too, then we will head out to see my mum and Elaine’s dad and then out for the afternoon just the four of us.

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LIFESTYLEFATHERSDAY Bay Tennis Club. This was my first love and probably still my favourite sport to watch, so he definitely follows in my footsteps at the moment! Tillie is a total tomboy and loves sport too! I’d be very surprised if she doesn’t end up fairly competitive in some sport, she certainly doesn’t like to lose! I’m delighted they love sport but I’m definitely not going to push them, they need to want to do it and enjoy it first and foremost, the rest will follow after that and it will be their choice.

Bryn Cunningham

Bryn played for Ulster between 1997 to 2010 and is currently Ulster Rugby Operations Director. He is dad to two lively children, Blake and Tillie and enjoys spending all the free time he has with them and his wife Veronica.

What lessons do you hope to pass onto your children as they grow up?

Quite simply, treat others as you would want to be treated. The best motto to live your live in my view. Also, to be very grateful for everything you have in life, there are always others much worse off.

Just to always do your best, nobody can question anything you do if you give it your all, which they both seem to do at the moment without any coercion!

How do you spend time with you children?

power to make their upbringing as happy and successful as possible.

What have been your proudest moments as a father to date?

How has life changed as a father of two?

As anyone with children will say, beyond all recognition! It is a learning curve, almost every day, which makes it challenging but also really rewarding. Time is a premium now. With a busy work life and immersing myself in my family I don’t really have any time now for lounging! I can’t remember the last time I watched any TV shows or lay around the house doing little or nothing!

There is always something to do, but that makes you feel more alive, so I wouldn’t change it for the world.

What does it mean for you to be a dad?

Before I had children I dreamt of having a boy and a girl. For so many people, having children is not straightforward, so you can never be sure what hand you will be dealt. I’m incredibly fortunate that my wife, Veronica, has given me two amazing little human beings that I treasure every day. I have a huge responsibility to them and they are now the single most important thing in my life to make sure I do everything in my

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I can honestly say that I feel proud every day with my two kids. I love them to bits and while they have very different personalities, they adore each other too, even after a fight! They are everything I would have hoped for – active, goodnatured, caring, intelligent but above all healthy.

How do you feel when you have to be away from them for work?

I miss them both really badly when away.

Normally, I will do a FaceTime call with them when away overnight. Seeing their faces always makes me happy and puts the pressures of rugby into perspective!

Do either show any signs of following in your footsteps?

There’s no doubt, conscious though I don’t ever want to be one of those bragging parents, that they are both very coordinated little individuals! Blake absolutely loves rugby and wants to play it every day at home. He’s still very shy in a group when playing at Bangor but that’s exactly the same way I was. He also loves tennis and plays down the lane at Helen’s

With a very busy job, basically all my time outside of work I try to spend with my family. It’s mostly centered around sport!

They can’t get enough of it which I never anticipated but clearly from my job it’s obviously rubbed off on them. The nights that I can, I like to read with Blake, it’s so rewarding and he gets so excited when he moves up a book level at school! The three of us go for bike rides around Helen’s Bay as well. It’s changed so much from when they were babies. I’d almost like to freeze this time with them because, although there is always the odd tantrum, they are just so much fun and I wonder can it get any better!

What would be your ideal Father's Day and how will you be spending it this year?

All the players will be off in June so Kingspan will be a bit quieter. I’m not taking my family holiday until August so I’ll still be working away for next season.

My ideal day would start with the kids letting me lie in until at least 8am! Then bombarding me with homemade cards, which they normally do, and breakfast in bed, which Blake takes great pride in preparing with his little helper, Tillie! After that, if it’s a nice day, go to the park/beach for the morning before going for a nice lunch either in Bangor or along the coast towards Donaghadee. I love going to the cinema with the kids now. The Disney movies seem to have as much material for adults as children, so I’d happily take in a movie with them later in the day. All in all, as long as I get to spend it with Veronica and the kids I’ll be a happy dad!

FASHIONMENSTYLE

Small Clipper in Mole Scotchgrain with Cognac Trim, £550, Mulberry

Road Trip

David Beckham Smart Baseball Jacket, £55, M&S

Cliff Aviator-Style Sunglasses, £215, Tom Ford

One for the boys, here, NW pulls together a capsule wardrobe to take you away for the weekend or on a short city break this summer.

Ryan Reynolds

Ant Motif Polo Shirt, £125, Paul Smith

Turtle Neck T-Shirt, £18, Next

Deep Blue Short Sleeve Floral Shirt, £22, M&Co.

V-Neck T-Shirt, £9.99, Zara

Khaki Chino Short, £12, F&F @ Tesco

770 Slim Fit Washed Denim Jeans, £125, J.Crew

REAL Cashmere Jumper, £312, REAL Belfast Navy Slim Fit Linen Wool Jacket, £159, Remus Uomo Suede Espadrilles, £295, Loewe @ mrporter.com

Zac Efron ‘Beatnik’, £90, Dune

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LIFESTYLE&FASHIONNEWS

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS SuperValu, recently revealed Noel McMeel, Executive Head Chef at the prestigious five star Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen, as the brand’s Ambassador Chef.

SuperValu is undertaking a major upgrade of its 35 stores across N.I. over the next 12 months which will see a significant increase in its fresh offering. Noel will share his passion for local produce with customers, promoting the range of fresh, local and quality ingredients and encouraging consumers to shop local.

NEW ARRIVAL

The latest store openings, new season arrivals and brand updates.

The first Oliver Bonas shop opened in Fulham in 1993 and now there are 55 stores, with the newest one just opening on the Lisburn Road in Belfast. Whether women’s clothing and accessories, items for the home or a gift, you are guaranteed to find great designs in store.

LABEL LUST The COS Spring/Summer 2016 collections offer a selection of tactile pieces in honeycomb textures and pebbledash prints; a mixture of green, red and blue hues in styles you can wrap and layer this season. www.cosstores.com.

Brown Thomas Launches the New Lingerie Room Brown Thomas Dublin is delighted to unveil the fabulous new Lingerie Room, an exquisite space on Level 3. The Lingerie Room showcases an unrivalled selection of exclusive and new labels from the world’s best brands in the most sumptuous surroundings. The space is a calming oasis of gold and rich teals and the luxurious fitting rooms offer an unrivalled experience of comfort and privacy where fitting stylists can guide customers through the finest lingerie, hosiery, nightwear and swimwear brands. Customers will enjoy an unrivalled shopping experience, discussing their preferences with the fitting stylist ahead of their appointment and arriving to the Lingerie Room with an impeccable edit of pieces ready to try.

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LIFESTYLE&FASHIONNEWS

NEW SPONSORSHIP Belfast Star Basketball Club are delighted to highlight the sponsorship of it’s League of Ireland Premier League Team for the 2015/16 season by Skechers Performance Footwear. As one of the largest basketball clubs in Ireland and one of the biggest names in footwear fashion worldwide Belfast Star and Skechers Performance can be a force to reckon with for the upcoming 16/17 season.

SITTING COMFORTABLY?

TRAVEL IN STYLE

Carryduff Upholstery, the upholstered furniture and reupholstery specialists, have opened a new purpose-built showroom in response to increasing local demand for luxury, custom-made sofas and chairs. Bespoke Sofa Studio, located at stand-alone premises on Belfast’s Saintfield Road, will offer customers a unique and versatile sofa buying experience where they can choose a piece from the existing collection, which is fully customisable, or avail of its exclusive Made to Order service. For more details visit bespokesofastudio.com.

Helena Christensen has teamed up with Thomson to create and design an exclusive range of boyfriend shirts to celebrate the luxury long-haul Sensatori resorts. Inspired by the exotic Sensatori destinations, and available in a range of prints and colours influenced by native Caribbean flowers, Helena and design partner Camilla Staerk have invested their fashion experience and design knowledge to create the perfect summer item for off duty style and vacation versatility. The shirts will be gifted to guests at Sensatori Resorts in Mexico and Jamaica for a limited time this summer and also available to purchase online. For more information visit www.thomson.co.uk/sensatori-style

NORTHERN LIFE IN WORDS Belfast lady Susan Barker has produced a booklet of magazine articles penned by her late mother in the sixties, seventies and eighties, featuring interviews of diverse and interesting personalities of the day.

Ruth Barnett Baker, a freelance journalist who had trained as a junior reporter on the staff of the News Letter, wrote for Northern Woman, Northern Life, the Tatler, and the Linen Hall Review on local, historical and cultural topics.

ONLINE SAFETY NI’s first interactive safety centre, RADAR - which is on target to reach out to 30,000 young people from across the province in its opening year - has launched a new website with easy-to-access safety advice for children, teenagers, teachers and parents. Log on to radarni.co.uk to learn potentially life-saving skills on topics ranging from road safety to alcohol and drugs misuse.

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Evelin Brandt is Craving Fashion

A

fter the success of our first Craving Fashion event last November, this popular afternoon that brings foodies and fashion lovers together, was back for another fabulous Saturday afternoon in April.

Showcasing our latest looks for Spring/Summer, the clothes were modelled by Maureen Martin Models and served alongside a delicious, seasonal three-course lunch in the stylish tranquility of Deanes at Queens.

EB31 NW.indd 4-5

All of the ladies along on the day had a front row seat to view the various international design houses we have in-store including Evelin Brandt Berlin, Bitte Kai Rand, Cristina Gavioli, Comma, Sarah Pacini, Summum Woman and more.

There were spot prizes throughout the afternoon with hundreds of pounds worth of goodies to be won, as well as a charity raffle which raised £770 for Pretty ‘n’ Pink, the only registered breast cancer charity in Northern Ireland.

On the runway Maureen Martin Models wear this season’s trends for prints and sheer fabrics which can be styled in numerous ways to suit bodyshape and occasion.

5/19/16 4:54 PM

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1 1. Claire Geddis, Wynn Penton & Phyllis Tully; 2. Tara Craig & Louise Close; 3. Laura Robinson & Carol Crean; 4. Niamh Kelly & Anna Corry; 5. Jennifer White, Karen Kelly & Alison White; 6. Louise Vance & Jennie Armstrong; 7. Janice Waring & Michele McMath; 8. Janice Kirkpatrick & Alison Moore

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Stylish linens and casual cottons in muted shades are always a must for the summer.

Add interest with prints and colourful, playful accessories.

5/19/16 4:54 PM

FASHIONDRESSINGFORSUMMER Main Image: Dress, £159.90, Comma @ Evelin Brandt Belfast

Occasion

Floral Print Prom Dress, £70, Lipsy Love Michelle Keegan

Floral Jacquard Whistan Dress, £169, Coast

Dressed for the

If you’re heading to a wedding or a day at the races choose a dress blossoming with summer florals and pair with chic, complementary accessories.

Dresses, from £85, both Miss Selfridge Belted Dress, £60, River Island

Lizzy Floral Dress, £130, Phase Eight

Burnt Orange Floral Prom Dress, £60, Sapphire For Wallis

Amelia Lace Dress, £220, Whistles

Floral Dress, £130, Gerry Weber

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Exquisite Satin Dress, £415, Marc Cain

FASHIONDRESSINGFORSUMMER Monochrome Fit & Flare Dress, £159.90, Cristina Gavioli @ Evein Brandt

Two Tone Dress, £140, Betty Barclay @ House of Fraser Elle Dress, £85, Darling London

Dress from a selection by Ronald Joyce @ Perfect Day. Prices on request.

Rockstud 65 Patent Leather Shoes, £640, Valentino @ Cruise

The Finishing Touches Lurex Detail Satellite Fascinator, £30, Very.co.uk

Fuschia Suede Sandals, £99.99, T.K. Maxx

Kate Floral Foldover Clutch Bag, £35, Accessorize

The Minnie Bow Clutch, £29, Accessorize

Coral Clutch, £59, Colebrooke by Windsmoor

Pink Flower Feather Fascinator, £22, River Island

Rhiannon Coral Suede Sandals, £150, Reiss

Daisy Silk Dress, £85, Topshop Boutique

Elle Sequin Fascinator, £80, Vivien Sheriff for Biba @ House of Fraser

Ivy Fascinator, £45, Phase Eight

Bow Clutch, £35, Coast

Floret Patent Leather Almond Court, £175, L.K. Bennett

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FASHIONSWIMWEAR

Rumer Willis Monochrome Print Swimsuit, £35, Collection @ M&S

Lifestyle Pic: Swimsuit, £13, Primark

Geo Eyelet Swimsuit, £28, Next

Global Plunge Swimsuit, £16, F&F @ Tesco

Take the

Plunge Blue Tie-Dye Fringe Swimsuit, £19.99, New Look

This season the plunge neckline adds a sexy, stylish twist to the more conventional one-piece swimsuit.

Evangelina Red Plunge Swimsuit, £20, prettylittlething.com

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A will deep V d and raw t neck a m out, che eyeline hou ore fe reatin up rgla mini g ss l ne, ook .

Swimsuit, £35, River Island

Animal Luxe Plunge Swimsuit, £20, Matalan

Demi Lovato

Black Swimsuit, £32, Topshop

Sty

Myleene Klass Drape Front Swimsuit, £44, Littlewoods

FASHIONSWIMWEAR Bikini Top, £8 & Brief, £5, both Primark

Style

Tip

rise high- ting for a contras asis k o Lo with a emph m ve he botto tband. T the relati aist wais l be on your w all wil ness of e over s h m l smal er than t he botto rath ess of t ole. n h large as a w

Top, £16 & briefs, £12, Next Cora Bikini, £18, Archive by Alexa @ M&S

Jungle Triangle Bikini, £20, Butterfly by Matthew Williamson @ Debenhams

Swimmer Triangle Top, £19.95 & Brief, £15, both White Stuff

Alessandra Ambrosio Kate Hudson

Bikini Top, £14.99 & Brief, £9.99, both New Look

Anya Twist Bandeau Top, £10 & Brief, £10, both Accessorize

See You in Miami Bikini Top and bottoms, both £3.99 each @ Lidl

Boca Raton Stripe Bikini Top, £28 & Tie Side Brief, £15, both Boux Avenue @ Victoria Square

Two ’ s Better Than One

Anything goes with bikinis, just make sure you feel confident in your chosen two-piece on the beach this summer.

Floral bikini, £99, Seafolly @ Orchid Lingerie

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FASHIONBEACHACCESSORIES

Take Me To The Beach Must-have beach accessories to complement your swimwear this summer.

Arlo Stripe Kaftan, £39, Monsoon

Kaftans

Striped Kaftan, £46 ,River Island

Juliet Dunn Kaftans, from £172-£220 Juliet Dunn @ REAL

Geo Print Kaftan, £26, Next

Navy Zig Zag Silk Kaftan, £29.99, T.K. Maxx Embroidered Kaftan, £15, Primark

Silk Beach Kaftan, £49, East

Hats Festival Trim Trilby Hat, £19, Accessorize

Floppy Hat, £14, Next Summer Tartan Straw £39.95, Barbour

Cowboy Hat, £19.95, White Stuff Hailey Sunhat, £29, Phase Eight

Espadrilles

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Hat, £22, Topshop

‘Dashing’, £42, Office ‘Lenora’, £70, Dune

Pink Suede Espadrille, £46, Topshop

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Sun Visor, £5.99, Lidl

Black Canvas Anke Tie Espadrilles, £9.99, New Look

FASHIONBEACHACCESSORIES

Bags

Monochrome Stripe Beach Bag, £235, Lauren Ralph Lauren @ House of Fraser

Colour Block Jute Bag, £29, East

Savannah Tote In Tropical Border Print, £69, Fiorelli @ asos.com

Raffia Beach Bag, £34, Next

Basket Bag, £7.99, Lidl

Bag from at selection at BHS

Sally Stripe Bag, £39, Phase Eight

Sunglasses, £2.50, Primark

Cream Cateye Sunglasses, £16, River Island

Sunglasses, £15, Next

Sunglasses, £107, Michael Kors @ sunglasses-shop. co.uk

Sunglasses

Sunglasses with Metallic Arms, £15.99, Zara

Diva Sunglasses, £145, Furla

Aviator Sunglasses, £134, Rayban

Striped Espadrille, £79, Mint Velvet

Ghillie Sandal, £45, Faith @ Debenhams

‘Romina’, £69.95, Moda in Pelle @ Panache Shoes

Lorna Tassel Espadrille Slider, £89, Jigsaw

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FASHIONDARETOBARE Kendall Jenner

Olivia Palermo Stripe Off-the-Shoulder Top, £35, River Island

Dress Black & White, £110, Debut @ Debenhams

Pink Laser Cut Detail Top, £28, Miss Selfridge

Dare to Bare

Striped Bardot Top, £10, Matalan

Top, £49, Colebrooke by Windsmoor & Trouser, £79, Jacques Vert, both House of Fraser

Gingham Top, £285, Caroline Constas @ net-a-porter

Off-the-Shoulder Dress, £35, Next

The bardot neckline is flirty, feminine and totally on-trend this spring/summer.

Off-the-Shoulder Silk Dress, £795, Raey @ matchesfashion.com

Printed Bardot Prom Dress, £69, Very.co.uk

Sienna Miller

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borough Hillsborough CastleCastle Event venues fit for a king and queen.

Celebrate your special day at Hillsborough Castle and be treated like royalty. With magnificent State Rooms, other elegant spaces and spectacular gardens, you and your guests will enjoy an unforgettable day.

0844 482 1905 Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

hrp.org.uk/hireavenue

FASHIONCOOLCOVER

Maxi skirts and dresses are a great way to cover up to the ankles, if you want to add a little more sleeve think about adding a lightweight shrug or cardigan.

Elle Trapeze Maxi Dress, £119, Mint Velvet - if you feel that your arms need covered simply add a cropped jacket. If the weather wasn’t too warm a leather jacket would add a bit of edge.

This beige waistcoat and yellow shoes add some summer sunshine to a little black dress.

Cover Do you want to look summery but feel the need to remain covered? Here are some looks which allow you to do just that...

This sheer dress from Miss Selfridge (£65) offers a more summery feel thanks to the sheer fabric and brighter floral embroidery.

Sheer fabrics also feel cooler, even if they are in darker colours.

This season’s culottes are perfect for covering up and we love these white ones from Next (£32).

Pair with softer pastels, tropical prints, darker greys or navy - anything goes!

If you prefer to wear darker colours, for summer perhaps opt for the lighter tone of the colour or use a brighter colour to create contrast.

Make sure that your trousers are in medium to light colours rather than dark colours as this will make it less obvious that you are so covered and ‘hot looking’ to observers.

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Patterns can also make a garment look cooler if they are more floral, swirly or nature based. You may also then use a pattern which has both lighter and deeper colours to create your required contrast level.

Floral trousers are (£59, Phase Eight) a musthave for your summer wardrobe.

P Specialising in Bridesmaids, Mother of the Bride Outfits, Wedding Guests & Occasion Wear

Perfect Night 94 William Street, Lurgan 028 3834 2069

www.facebook.com/perfectnightlurgan

FASHIONNWLOVES

loves

We recommend these fashion finds for your summer wardrobe...

Swimsuit, £35, River Island

Maisi Cardigan, £69, Darling London

Embellished Jeans, £248, Essentiel Antwerp @ Peel, Belfast

Suede Coat, £135, Rino & Pelle @ Rio & Brazil, Belfast

Novaa Metallic Stripe T-shirt, £50, Reiss

So Real Sunglasses, £290, Dior @ Harvey Nichols

Gilded Path Double Wrap Bracelet, £50, Stella & Dot

Rose Gold Slider Sandals, £7.99, Lidl

Clifton in Scarlet Crossboarded Calf, £895, Mulberry

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Pulse Leather Sandals, £255, Isabel Marant Etoile @ matchesfashion.com

FASHIONFLUSHVFRUGAL

FLUSH Star-appliqued Leather Trainers, £395, Saint Laurent @ Selfridges & Co.

Flush Linda Embroidered Stretch Denim Dress, £535, Stella McCartney @ net- a - porter.com

Flush TRAINERS

‘Corey’ Slouchy Slim Boyfriend Jeans, £294, Citizens of Humanity @ Peel

FRUGAL Copenhagen Star Trainers, £26, Topshop

Denim Dress

FRUGAL Allegra Stretch Denim Dress, £110, Iris & Ink @ theoutnet.com

Flush Vinny Embroidered Dress, £220, Isabel Marant Etoile @ matchesfashion.com

Flush Vs Frugal

Boyfriend Jeans FRUGAL Ripped Boyfriend Jeans, £32, Rochelle Humes @ Very.co.uk

NW has sourced some frugal summer finds that have all the look of designer labels.

Embroidered Sundress

FRUGAL

Push Up Bikini, £42, lookagain.co.uk

FRUGAL Embroidered Dress, £45, Miss Selfridge

Flush

Exotic Bikini

Grenada Halterneck Bikini, £195, Melissa Odabash @ Harrods

Flush

Flush

Stiped Knitted Silk Tank, £475, Dolce & Gabbana

Tweed LED Sandals, £1,500, Chanel

FRUGAL Flat Sandals with Crossover Strap, £39.99, Zara

Striped Vest

Summer Sandals FRUGAL Striped Knitted Top, £4.99, Lidl

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FASHIONONTRACK

Top model Alessandra Ambrosio in Replay Hyperfree Jeans Baggy leather joggers are a popular choice and suitable year round.

Sarah Jessica Parker adds her own distinct style to her tracksuit bottoms

Gigi Hadid dresses up her joggers with a sequin jacket

On Track

Sports brands like Adidas have become part of every fashionistas wardrobe

In the run up to Rio 2016, and with the British 2016 Olympic team uniform designed by Stella McCartney for Adidas cementing the mix of high fashion and sport, athleisure styles are out in full force and the jogger as a trouser style for everyday is definitely one of NW’s favourites.

Kendall Jenner looks chic in her track pants.

Jacquard Joggers, £28, Next

Sequined SilkGeorgette Track Pants, £965, Ashish @ net- a-porter.com

Zipped Jogging Trousers, £29.99, Zara Hieta Crepe Track Pants, £175, By Malene Birger

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Palm Tree Joggers, £120, Zoe Karssen @ House of Fraser

Baggy Printed Trousers, £19.99, Zara

Jennifer Lopez opts for a slouchy style at LAX

FASHIONAUTUMN/WINTER

The Future of Fashion We take a quick look at what’s filtering in to stores as we make the transition from Summer to for Autumn/Winter 16...

Coat, £829; Blouse, £125; Trousers, £165; Belt, £55; Pumps, £239 & Satchel Bag, £279, all Marc Cain

From The Big Easy Look by M&S: Dress, £49.50; Shoe, £19.50 & Bag, £49.50, all Collection by M&S

Blazer, £329; Trousers, £209; Scarf, £69 & Pumps, £239, all Marc Cain From The Big Easy Look by M&S: Jacket, £249; Dress, £39.50 & Shoe, £19.50, all Autograph by M&S

From the M&S Big Easy Collection: Shirt, £39.50; Trouser, £199 & Shoe, £19.50, all Autograph @ M&S

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FASHIONHATS

Hats Off

Stangford-based milliner Maire Claire Ferguson is well known amongst those looking for the perfect hat but if you have yet to come across her work, you’ll soon be able to see her designs in the up- and - coming Ab Fab movie!

Marie-Claire adding the finishing touches to her designs

What first attracted you to millinery?

I’ve always had an avid interest in art and design and I’ve been told that from a very early age I was constantly drawing, painting and creating things. My initial career was in archaeology, as an illustrator of academic texts and books, but I first dipped my toe into the world of millinery by taking some evening classes in York.

I became instantly hooked and studied millinery for a further three years, gaining a number of qualifications and learning the many and varied skills required for couture millinery and hat making. I love that the skills involved in millinery encompass both the heavy physicality of the blocking of the forms but also great delicacy when it comes to such things as hand making and painting silk flowers.

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FASHIONHATS While your business is based in N.I., how far afield are your clientele?

After studying and working in England for nearly 20 years I returned to N.I. just before the birth of my second child. My career in archaeology involved a lot of travelling and staying away from home for long periods of time and that wasn’t conducive to having a family. I had, by that stage, started running my millinery business in parallel to archaeology and had built up a client base of loyal customers in the UK. This enabled me to relocate to N.I. and make millinery my sole career. We moved to Strangford where I set up my studio, it is a wonderful village to live and work in and my surroundings are a constant source of inspiration.

My client base would mainly be outside N.I., mostly in England but I am lucky to have a number of loyal customers throughout the world. I post my hats as far afield as the US and Australia. My customers are people from every walk of life but what they all seem to have in common is that they understand style and appreciate the skill needed to create high quality millinery. They are all people with very individual sense of style and I have come to know many of them and their style well over the years. People who wear my hats are confident with their own look they are not scared to break away from the norm and try new things.

I also have a small local market, mainly for bridal pieces and occasion hats, weddings and races. I think people here are still, to some extent, quite reticent about wearing hats and the market here is quite small compared to that in the south of Ireland or in England, so I like to attend some local shows every now and then to exhibit my millinery.

What have been your biggest career highlights to date?

I love my work as it is so varied. I have been commissioned to make hats for a number of high profile personalities, artists, musicians and authors and it’s always rewarding to see your work appear in press coverage. However, the main joy in my work is meeting and getting to know new customers, I feel I am quite good at assessing people's personalities and being able to reflect them in the bespoke designs I make for them. I like to work closely with my customers throughout the whole design process. I am very lucky to have customers who understand and appreciate the amount of thought, time and skill that goes into creating a bespoke hat, from the initial blocking process to the hand trimming, finishing and lining, which I do

Marie-Claire with Gok Wan

all completely by hand. It’s great to see the excitement on their faces when they receive and try on their bespoke piece.

Your hats will be making an appearance in the new Ab Fab movie, how did this come about?

I suppose it was a happy accident that some of my hats came to be playing a part in the Ab Fab movie. A friend of a friend was acting in the film and mentioned me to the studio’s stylists. I think they then took a look at my website and contacted me to ask if they could use some of my pieces during filming. If I recall correctly I got a call on Friday to request pieces for filming on the Monday morning, so it was a bit of a mad dash to get everything boxed up and couriered to London; they arrived just in time. It’s great fun to have some of my pieces playing a part in this iconic production, I can’t wait to see it!

What are your future projects?

At the minute I’m working my way through lots of orders for Ladies Day at Ascot and I’ve just been asked to create headpieces for the official entertainment at the Ascot race

meeting, the Tootsie Rollers. So the next few weeks are going to be pretty hectic! I’m also just about to launch a new collection of hats – Bauhaus. It’s a collection inspired by the iconic art movement and incorporates lots of graphic shapes, architectural curves and elements of industrial metalwork, so I’m excited to see how that’s received! I’m also working on a few pieces to exhibit in the up and coming Cirque show being organised by Cindy McKendry. She’s working really hard to create a show with a difference, featuring local designers but also combining elements of fine art and photography from Northern Irish artists. I’m really looking forward to seeing how that all comes together at the end of the summer.

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LIFESTYLECELEBRITYHOLIDAYS

Wish You Where Here

We asked a few well known local faces to tell us the places they like to travel to and where they’ll be enjoying the sunshine this summer.

I

f the truth be known, I have been mad on travel, from a very early age! Indeed, my first memory is of being gloriously sick all over my father, in turbulence, at the right old age of four. This particular tsunami occurred aboard ‘The Ulster Flyer’ which was a sort of First Class service from Belfast to Heathrow, offering a superb dinner, or breakfast service, with champagne!

As many people will know, until fifteen years ago, as well as my weekend job at UTV, I used to work for Air Canada in Terminal Three at London’s Heathrow airport. So I was well used to ‘Do you fancy coming to a party in Vancouver this weekend?’

As an airline employee, I was well used to staff travel, and flying about all over the globe for twenty pounds return! A wee five day trip to Hong Kong, Singapore, or San Francisco! Or just a wee night stop in New York, Boston, or Toronto, which gives enough time for shopping, dinner, and a show.

Next month I am joining friends on ‘Independence Of The Seas’ the Royal Caribbean Liner, on an eight day cruise. However, no matter where I travel to by boat or plane, I’m always thankful that I’m going home to good ould’ Norn’ Iron’!

Julian Simmons...

M

y favourite place is La Zenia in Spain. We go there every year with the family. If you were looking for a mad few weeks you'd be sorely disappointed but those type of holidays are behind us now!

Perfect beach, loads of activities for Poppy and Robbie and the weather is always fantastic - well nearly always!

Stephen Clements... All of our extended family go too so it’s great for my wife and I because there might be an evening or two that we get to go for dinner without the kids and eat without having to constantly shout ‘don't touch that’!

I

love citybreaks so my ideal holiday is three or four days away with my hubby in Amsterdam.

I love art, culture and architecture and this city has everything! The people are friendly too.

But the perfect holiday will include my daughters Samantha (11) and Elizabeth (7). We stay in a caravan in Portstewart every year and the North Coast has plenty to do.

Beaches, restaurants, Denise Watson...

National Trust properties and long walks. Then as the girls sleep, we sit and watch the world go by with a glass of wine. Northern Ireland is hard to beat - especially when the weather is good. And I’m determined to stride across Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge without screaming this year!

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e

I

allentin Pamela B

love travelling and I do love the sun but usually can only manage to take short breaks. I am lucky enough to have friends who either have holiday homes or live in Spain and I can be there within about four or five hours of leaving home. However, if I can get a bit of a longer break I would love to go back to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Last year I was lucky enough to go to Singapore and loved it, so I would definitely like to go back there.

Stephen

M

Hagan..

.

y favourite summer holiday had to be the trip I did with my wife to Los Angeles when we were first dating. The best thing about it was renting a convertible so we could wing it. After a few days in LA we drove up the coast to Santa Barbara and checked into a motel by the beach. Then we went to a place called The Madonna Inn. The craziest thing I have ever seen!

Grey embroidered blouse £14, peach print trousers £22, multi-bead necklace £12 and multi-bead bracelet £8. All available at next.

Summer Lovin' Next offers plenty of fashion inspiration and style ideas for your summer wardrobe.

Stripe top pinafore dress ÂŁ34 and oversized sunglasses ÂŁ12.50. All available at next.

Floral linen dress £22, blue skinny jeans £28, wide stripe scarf £14, blue cross-body bag £20, beaded bracelets £8.50 (per pack) and stripe block open toe sandals £35. All available at next.

Paisley print maxi dress £32, denim jacket £30, brown skinny belt £14 (per 3 multi buy), blush pink scarf £16 and leather gladiator sandals £28. All available at next.

White fringe t-shirt (comes with separate scarf) £20, deep red relaxed trousers £22, mustard fringe scarf £16, silver earrings £8 and tan gladiator sandals £30. All available at next.

Photographer: Khara Pringle www.kharapringlephotographic.com Styling: Eve Brannon www.evebrannonfashionstyling.com 07817597067 Make-up by Paddy McGurgan @ Make-Up Pro Store, Belfast Hair: Ciaran G @ Toni & Guy 028 90662323 Model: Carrie Ann @ ACA models

Red smock top £16, denim shorts £18, straw trilby hat £14, statement necklace £10 and brown shoulder bag £34. All available at next.

Location: Thanks to Sandra at Hoops Greyabbey, to Mark at Greba Jewellers & antiques, Joy & Alison at the Old Court house Greyabbey

Working 9-5

Image courtesy of Gerry Weber

WORKINGWOMAN

This issue NW addresses the benefits of flexible working and catches up with two well known faces who have stepped away from our TV screens to forge careers elsewhere. We also find out more about being Head of Collections Care with National Museum Northern Ireland and of course, we give our expert opinion on how you should be dressing to impress at work this summer.

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WORKINGWOMAN My son Marco was at Primary School and my husband Michael was heavily involved in the start of the expansion of Deanes restaurant. For the family it was simply getting more and more difficult to juggle everything and we knew something had to give. I decided the time was right for me to leave UTV and that was that!

Kate Smith

Married to restauranteur Michael Deane and mother to Marco, Kate made the choice to leave her TV career behind to spend more time with her son and help with the family business.

Do you ever watch your colleagues on TV and regret your decision?

The short answer is no! I was very definite in my decision to quit, and indeed, at the time I was asked if I would continue to keep my links with UTV on a random basis but I declined because I was clear in my mind that I wanted to move on and explore what else the world had in store for me!

What did you do after you left TV and what are you doing now?

I took a couple of months at home with Marco. Then I applied to do a part-time course in Life and Business Coaching and qualified from that a year later. Since then I have put that training and knowledge to full use in my present role running the ever expanding group of Deanes restaurants, our family business, alongside Michael.

Changing Channels This issue NW talks to Kate Smith and Alison Fleming on their career changes which have seen them move from prime time TV broadcasting to their new roles in hospitality and PR. How long where you working in broadcast journalism?

I worked as a broadcaster for almost 20 years. My career began in Downtown Radio as a Programme Assistant working with the wonderful Candy Devine, who was then hosting a daily programme. Candy involved me as much as she could in researching features and guests for her show. Eventually I was tasked to do some of the interviews. I remember one of my first assignments was to fly to London to interview David Essex.

Needless to say I was bowled over, both by my gorgeous guest and by broadcasting as a career! During that era the newsroom was exceptionally busy given the troubled times in Northern Ireland so at every opportunity

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I helped out in there. This led to me being offered a job in the newsroom as a reporter and as they say the rest is history!

I moved from there to RTE in Dublin, first as a news reporter on Radio and TV and shortly afterwards I was appointed as presenter on the main TV news. Three years later I was head hunted to return north to UTV to work as a news reporter and when Eamonn Holmes left as presenter of the main UTV news programme I was then moved into the hot seat!

What prompted your decision to move away from your media career?

My decision to leave broadcasting was made around my other commitments at that time.

Would you say that you have more job satisfaction now and if yes, why do you think this is?

I loved every single minute of my career as a broadcaster. It was the best job in the world and it gave me amazing opportunities! I definitely believe the adage, ‘if you do something you love you will never work a day in your life’, but I have to say I am extremely lucky to still feel the same as I just love what I do now and get enormous satisfaction seeing Deanes continue to succeed as I continue to learn more every day.

What advice would you give to other women pondering a change of career?

Have no fear - go for it! I have always trusted my gut instinct and especially when it comes to career decisions I knew my time was right for a change and I have never looked back except to reflect on how glad I am I made the move.

Do you have any other career aspirations that you might like to follow up in the future?

One day I may study interior design as that could be my next career! It’s the part of my work I do that I enjoy most at the moment.

I have been entrusted to redesign several of Deanes restaurants over the past couple of years and that has given me enormous pleasure. In fact I wouldn’t call it work!

WORKINGWOMAN What prompted your decision to move from prime time local TV to PR?

I absolutely loved my job in UTV but had been looking at a career in PR for around a year before I left. It seemed to be the natural route to follow with the skills I had, and I was thrilled when the role at LK Communications came up.

After I’d made the decision to leave UTV, the level of support I got from my former colleagues, my new colleagues and people I’d worked with over the course of my TV career was hugely encouraging and went a long way to allaying any nerves I had about making such a big decision.

Do you ever watch your colleagues on UTV and miss your time in the spotlight of broadcast journalism?

I watch the news all the time, and recognise how crucial local broadcasting is in Northern Ireland, which is traditionally a very news-hungry region. I can honestly, hand on heart say I do not miss my time in the spotlight. It’s lovely though that even now, two years on people will stop me on the street and in the shops to ask if I’m alright as they haven’t seen me on TV in a while! That said, watching the election coverage was tough as I LOVED working on them. They’re so dramatic and fast-paced, and the competition to beat your rival broadcasters to a scoop is fierce! I meet up with my former colleagues regularly, and when we get together it’s like I’ve never been away.

Seventeen years is too long a time to work with people and not keep in touch, and it’s always lovely to hear the stories behind the news UTV was a great job which gave me some amazing opportunities, but I’m glad I made the move when I did as the whole media landscape here is evolving and there are some really exciting opportunities to drive change in terms of digital content and really ramping up visibility for clients across all channels and news outlets. There are very few companies, if any, out there with the skills that LK Communications can offer, we have something like 70 years of journalism experience between us, and bringing my broadcasting and visual skills to the team is a great fit.

How long have you been working in PR and do you feel it was the right career move for you?

I’ve been working in PR for two years now, and was mentored through the process of switching careers by a very experienced PR consultant and former journalist who told me that I would always remember the weekend I decided to change direction - and he’s right!

What advice would you give to other women thinking of switching up their careers?

It was a massive choice to make, but I’d advise anyone thinking about an alternative career to research it very carefully, work out how it will impact on your life and if all the boxes are ticked, then go for it. You don’t know what’s out there until you have a look.

Would you say that potential employers are open-minded or wary of those looking to change direction?

I think any reasonable employer should be open-minded about potential employees coming from a different discipline - they’ll bring a new set of skills and talents to a role that others may not. Obviously the skillset has to match the business need but if it’s a related field there’s no reason for it not to work. In my case, there was a very

steep learning curve in terms of how things are done in a professional PR environment like LK Communications, but my contacts and knowledge of the local media landscape were a big help and smoothed the path in a number of ways. The focus has always been to build on the unique skills that I bring to PR, and adapt them to the needs of clients.

One thing I didn’t realise when I started this career was the huge amount of satisfaction I’d get from a really successful campaign it’s a great feeling!

Do you have any other career aspirations that you might like to follow up in the future?

I am so happy with what I’m doing now, I just want to hone my skills and bring as much as I can to LK Communications and our clients, who have helped make one of the biggest decisions of my life into one of the best moves I’ve ever made.

Alison Fleming

UTV news anchor Alison decided that it was time for a change and with her extensive journalistic experience a move into PR was one she had been pondering for some time.

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WORKINGWOMAN

My Brilliant Career This issue NW catches up with Siobhan Stevenson, Head of Collections Care with National Museum Northern Ireland.

I love the privilege ❝ of working behind the scenes especially getting to see collections close up and to feel that we have contributed to their continued preservation.

❞

Did you always want to work in curation/ collections care and how did you work your way to this position?

I became interested in conservation when I was at school and did a placement with the Ulster Museum. Initially I trained as an archaeological conservator at Cardiff University. After several conservation jobs I ended up teaching conservation and collections care at Cardiff. I jumped at the chance to be Head of Collections Care at National Museum Northern Ireland.

How long have you worked at The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum for National Museums and have you ever worked in any other of the other sites?

I started with National Museum Northern Ireland in 2008 and am based at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum but I also have responsibilities for collections across the group which includes the Ulster Museum and Ulster American Folk Park. I manage staff based at the other sites and our off-site collections store.

Describe a typical day.

No two days are the same – and I am lucky enough to get out and about at each of the museums’ sites and collections stores.

Last week we installed some new storage furniture and we welcomed two historic ambulances into the collection including the first ever to have one of Pantridge’s portable defibrillators fitted. This morning we took

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WORKINGWOMAN

delivery of an early lorry chassis that has returned after some conservation work.

This afternoon I was discussing making a video as part of our Take Care project which helps the public understand how to look after the collections when visiting the museums.

What is the best part of your job?

I love the privilege of working behind the scenes especially getting to see collections close up and to feel that we have contributed to their continued preservation.

The transformation of items that have seen better days into specimens that take pride of place in an exhibition is a particular thrill.

❝

At the Cultra Hill Climb last year I got to put on my best 60s garb and drove a beach buggy!

❞

Do you have any memorable moments?

I was particularly lucky to be able to drive one of our restored cars – a 1950’s McCandless Sports Car known as ‘Dorothy’s Car’ at the Cultra Hill Climb a couple of years ago although it must count as one of my most nerve-wracking moments as well. The annual event which will take place this year on 11th June at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum is a fabulous celebration of motorsport and we like to showcase our recent transport restorations and acquisitions. This year we hope to have our ambulances on display and a newly restored Berekley Sports Car, one of the ‘midget gems’ that goes with this year’s theme.

Do you get to travel?

Some of the conservators get to travel with our international loans but I don’t often get to do this. I am currently Chair of Icon which is the Institute of Conservation – the lead voice for the conservation of cultural heritage in the UK. So I get to London frequently to chair meetings, but it is also good to get to meet conservators and other

professionals elsewhere in Britain and Ireland. The Icon Triennial conference takes place this year in Birmingham in June.

Would people be surprised by anything that is part of your job description?

People are frequently surprised by the breadth of my job – one minute I am in the art galleries at the Ulster Museum the next I am in my hard hat and steel toe cap boots when we shunt locomotives in the rail gallery. At the Cultra Hill Climb last year I got to put on my best 60s garb and drove a beach buggy!

What are your future career ambitions?

In many ways Head of Collections Care at National Museums Northern Ireland is my ideal job but I have ambitions for the collections. I would like to see the museum’s reserve collections brought together into a state-of-the-art, collections resource centre, like the new British Museum World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre. Somewhere they can be studied and which also promotes easier public access.

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WORKINGWOMAN

The Flexible Option For employees the potential benefit of flexible working is obvious: a better work-life balance.

However, how willing are management to offer these benefits and do they meet the requirements of their employees looking for increased flexibility?

N

early four-fifths of senior managers report providing some flexible or alternative arrangements, including part-time working. Flexible arrangements are more common in the public sector and all types of flexible arrangements are also more common among larger organisations.

Although flexible working is widely available, 76% of managers believe that it is up to individual employees to balance their work and family responsibilities, an increase from 65% in 2004.

There also appears to be a mismatch between the types of flexible arrangements available and the types popular with employees. The most commonly offered flexible arrangements are part-time working, offered at just over half of all workplaces and variations of set working hours, offered at just under half of all workplaces.

In contrast, a recent work-life balance survey of employees showed that the arrangements most popularly taken up by employees, are flexitime and working from home, yet these are only offered at 34% and 30% of workplaces, respectively.

The Benefits

Employees working in organisations where flexible working arrangements are available are more likely to describe relations between managers and employees as good or very good, and more likely to think that management is sincere in attempting to understand employees’ views, deal with employees honestly and treat employees fairly.

And when it comes to going ‘the extra mile’, it is those who actually work flexibly who are more willing to give more back.

The work-life balance survey shows that those who regularly work from home are more likely to work long hours. Employees working flexibly are also most likely to strongly agree that they use their own initiative to carry out tasks not required of them.

Other research has shown a robust link between job quality and worker wellbeing, with higher wellbeing among employees with greater autonomy over how they do their work and among those with a greater

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❝

Flexible working’ is more than just working from home. It’s about working from wherever you need to be, whether that’s from a café with a client, a customer’s HQ or during your commute.

❞

level of support from their line manager.

Employees who report that they work flexibly or have flexible arrangements available to them are both more likely to report that they are very satisfied with the amount of influence they have over their job and less likely to say that their job makes them feel miserable.

While working from home may not be a suitable option for every employee in every business, there are many different ways of working flexibly which can have considerable business benefits.

‘Flexible working’ is more than just working from home. It’s about working from wherever you need to be, whether that’s from a café with a client, a customer’s HQ or during your commute. By making best use of technology such as videoconferencing, instant messenger and mobile internet this can be achieved while strengthening collaboration and enhancing a sense of community between colleagues – even if employees aren’t physically in the same place.

Having employees who can work from anywhere, at any time and who aren’t tied to their desks means small businesses can be more responsive. Plus, providing a fixed desk for employees is expensive, so small and medium sized businesses should take greater advantage of this money-saving way of working if it works for them and their employees.

WORKINGWOMAN

Working Wardrobe As we all know, what you wear to work says a lot about you, so here are some pieces to consider.

Santrini Flower Watch, £130, Folli Follie

Liberty Hobo Slouchy Bag, £228, All Saints

Follow The Leader Monday Blues These statement accessories will convey your sense of style without causing distraction.

Pastel Collar Necklace, £20, Freedom at Topshop

Feathers Silk Scarf, £85, Rockins @ Selfridges

TOP TIP:

If you work in an environment that is more relaxed with the dress code, do look to your boss for a steer on what to wear. For example, if they stay clear of jeans in favour of a smarter ensemble, then maybe you should rethink yours too. Remember, always dress for the job you want not the one you have!

Three of the Best Looking for a jacket to wear to the edge of the office air conditioning this summer, how about these three options...

wardrobe ur work o y t u o at will Build pieces th l a n o ti a d n with fou . Oxford t of style u o o g never , tailored cil skirts en p , ts ir sh blazers, tlenecks, r tu , s er te trous ctured to d a stru n a s p g m pu endin a worth sp es c ie p ality are all higher qu e on for r o m le litt hold up that will n o ti c u constr e. over tim

Lorno Heeled Sandal, £120, Ted Baker

On Trend Denim: Collette Longline Relaxed Denim Jacket, £65, Oliver Bonas

Structured & Stylish: Belted Jacket, £65, River Island

A Hard Working Brand: Invest in some adult only stationery and accessories from Anya Hindmarch.

Pencil Case, £160 Smiley A4 Journal, £495 Relaxed Elegance; Luella Linen Cardigan, £69, Phase Eight

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LIFESTYLENWASKS

NW Asks...

‘M

eternity’, is basically a concept whereby women without children can enjoy the same time off from work offered to other women with children on maternity leave.

Although as women with children will tell you maternity is not a holiday and depending on the demands of their new babies it certainly doesn’t offer ‘me time’ and time for them to rethink the focus of their lives. While some new mothers launch new businesses born from their maternity, it’s not the case for all as they spend their days feeding, cleaning and changing nappies!

However, research has shown that women in particular would benefit from a period of leave from work after a decade or so. Burnout syndrome is well-documented in both sexes, but recent research suggests that women may experience it at greater rates; researchers postulate that it’s because women (mums and non-mums alike) feel overloaded by the roles they have to take on at work and at home.

Basically, women are bad at putting themselves first’, comments Meghann Foye, the author of the novel ‘Meternity’. ‘But

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Do you see colleagues leaving for maternity leave and wish that you could enjoy some ‘meternity' leave and getting some time to step away from work and focus on another area of your life. when you have a child, you learn how to self-advocate to put the needs of your family first. A well-crafted ‘meternity’ can give you the same skills, and taking one shouldn’t disqualify you from taking maternity leave later,’ she adds.

Meghann’s argument is that women in their 20s and 30s who get time out from their careers to have children are able to put their personal life centre stage and have time and space for self-reflection that may never come to women who don’t have children and in turn maternity leave.

‘I have had two children and have never had maternity leave,’ comments NW contributor Margaret Connolly. 'When I was leaving on maternity with my first child I was busy building up a freelance career to see if this was an option to offer me flexibility going forward that my in-house position couldn’t offer. By the time I had my second child I had a freelance career that meant no work, no pay, plus I was launching a new magazine too, so I was in the hospital with page plans to draft and features to write as well as going home to a toddler!

‘I do get jealous of friends who are in

jobs that allow them to take maternity and solely focus on their children. However, this is the point, they are focusing on their child/children, not themselves! This is where I do find the whole ‘meternity’ argument a bit weak because maternity does offer time out, but it is not a time for doing what you want, whenever you want. As for focusing on your personal life, okay to an extent this is the case, but it’s not always a pleasurable experience as you are exhausted and irritable running around after a new baby and possibly other young children believe me, being a stay at home mum is a lot harder than going out to work. In fact, there’s probably more ‘me time’ and selfreflection at work thanks to an actual lunch break!’

Certainly, if Meaghann argues that taking ‘meternity’ shouldn’t disqualify women from maternity if required at a later stage then can women who have had maternity decide when they too would like ‘meternity’?

Perhaps when their kids are up and requiring less help day-to-day, these working mothers would like to have time out to selfreflect and focus on their personal life at a time when they actually can.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Be fully prepared this summer with all of the latest beauty products & treatments

HEALTH&BEAUTYNEWS

Beauty Box

Artdeco Long Lashes mascara makes your dream of perfectly separated eyelashes that seem to go on forever come true! Thanks to ideal formulation and special brush shape, the mascara envelops each lash in deep black colour. At the same time, the lashes remain supple and flexible - even when a lot of mascara has been applied. £16.

For stockists phone 028 9061 7403.

Essential body care and make-up must-have for summer.

Origins By All Greens Foaming Deep Cleansing Mask is a creamy, selfactivated green clay which transforms into a cooling rich foam to deep clean without drying or stripping skin. Within minutes the clay gently removes makeup, skin-damaging dirt and pollutants from skin and unclogs pores. £32.

Darphin L’Institut Facial Sonic cleansing and massaging device creates a comprehensive two-minute facial experience at home. Sweeping away dead skin cells, traces of make-up, dirt and pollution residue, it tightens the appearance of pores, reduces excess oil and helps to reveal younger-looking skin. Skin is perfectly clean and more receptive to skincare treatments including essential oils, serums and moisturisers. (Available exclusively at Space NK from May and nationwide from July 2016). £125.

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This Works Perfect Legs Sculpt & Shine, is an intelligent roll-on illuminator that fuses precisionsculpting with skincare benefits for better looking limbs. £28 for 60ml.

Clarins skin boosters in Detox, Repair and Energy target specific skin concerns. Add three to five drops to your moisturiser mask or foundation for a custom boost when you need it. £30 each.

HEALTH&BEAUTYNEWS Jo Malone Cologne Intense Body Crème is an indulgent moisturising cream with samphire extract. Giving instant radiance, it moisturises continuously over 24 hours, leaving skin soft, supple and scented.

Available from 1st July. £60.

Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant Skin covers imperfections, smoothes skin appearance, and gives a natural-looking tan that washes off and hydrates for an incredible HD-ready finish. It can also be used on the face, alone or under foundation as the ultimate make-up prep. £29.95 at House of Fraser.

I BEAUTY flawless rejuvenating eye pads (€57). These coconut water-based age-defying pads nourish and revitalize the eye area while gently and effectively removing eye makeup. Hyaluronic acid and plant extracts smooth fine lines and wrinkles, naturally promoting skin's youthful appearance. Both comfrey and chamomile serve to calm irritation and reduce puffiness while guarana energises tired eyes.

Urban Decay Beached Bronzer, £20.

Dolce & Gabbana Passion Duo Gloss Fusion Lipstick in Desirable, £30 @ harrods.com

Bobbi Brown new Nourishing Lip Colour Oil-Infused Shine leaves lips feeling soft and hydrated. Apply on bare lips with a lip brush or directly from the bullet for a brilliant finish.

Available in 16 shades. £21.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Sunset Trip, £18.

Clarins Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow in 01 Golden Peach offers a shimmery long-lasting finish which is perfect for a summery make-up look. £18.

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LIFESTYLEHEALTHYGLOW

A Healthy

The sun can do a lot of good. It regulates sleep cycles, stimulates the body's production of vitamin D, and enhances feelings of well-being, but it can also age your skin and continued exposure can lead to skin cancer writes Margaret Connolly. However, it's never too late to start protecting your skin, so here are a few important skin care tips for sun protection.

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LIFESTYLEHEALTHYGLOW

E

very time the sun strikes your skin, the skin produces pigment that scatters and absorbs the rays. The resulting tan means your skin is defending itself from harmful radiation.

However, while the tan is designed to protect your skin it can only do so much.

Over time, the ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in sunshine can weaken the lower layer of skin, known as the dermis, and promote wrinkles, brown spots, and the development of skin cancer.

The most common (and least aggressive) form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma.

It begins in the top layer of skin, the epidermis, and generally doesn’t spread any further. While another form, squamous cell carcinoma, often remains at its original site, it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. Both basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas can be cured if detected early.

However, melanoma, a cancer that starts in the skin’s pigment cells and readily spreads to other organs, can be deadly. It causes 75% of all deaths from skin cancer.

Anyone can get skin cancer, but some people have a much higher risk than others.

The risk factors include: Fair skin. It doesn’t contain as much of the natural pigment called melanin that scatters the sun's rays.

Multiple moles or ‘beauty marks’.

Melanoma cells are more abundant in moles and freckles. The more beauty marks you have, the greater the risk that cancer cells will be present.

A history of sunburns. Even if you’ve had only one blistering sunburn in your life, you have a higher risk for developing skin cancer.

Signs of trouble include:

Small pearly white bumps, or sores on the skin that bleed and don't heal.

Red, scaly bumps that resemble a scar and have a depression in the middle.

Dark spots that are asymmetrical, have irregular borders, have more than one colour, and are bigger than the size of a pencil eraser. These spots may be flat or elevated.

Wearing sunscreen is essential for your skin care and sun protection. You should use it every day, especially when you’re spending time outdoors. Even if you use skin care with an SPF, it’s a good idea to follow up with an independent SPF50. I can remember speaking to UK make-up artist John Gustafson and he explained that he applied an SPF to his face as well as his children every day in order to keep their skin protected - and the benefits of this were clearly visible.

Always use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and apply it often. Sunscreens

aren’t always as effective as the SPF would indicate, especially if you’re swimming, sweating a lot, or rubbing your skin with a towel. Also opt for sunscreens that block both UVB and UVA rays. UVB light is the primary cause of sunburns, and protecting skin against UVA light plays an important role in preventing wrinkling and signs of aging.

It generally takes about a shot glass full of sunscreen to cover your entire body and once applied allow approximately 20-30 minutes for it to be absorbed into the skin before you go outside.

SUN-FRIENDLY FOODS

Certain foods are known to increase lycopene, the skin’s own SPF. An antioxidant found in tomatoes, and other red and orange fruit and veg, it can boost your sun protection by a whopping 33%.

One of the best sources is tomato paste.

Dark chocolate is packed with flavonoids that can help protect against sunburn, while caffeine is thought to help cut your skin cancer risk and is best taken in an espresso shot right before you hit the beach!

ESSENTIAL EXTRAS

Wearing sunscreen helps to decrease the incidence of wrinkles and prevent the development of skin cancer, but it isn’t enough in itself.

Sunglasses protect the delicate skin around the eyes from wrinkles and should really be worn whenever you go outside, even on hazy days. Look for ones that have labels claiming 100% or total UV protection and wraparound sunglasses and styles that fit close to the eye are especially good because they prevent the sun’s rays from coming in through the sides.

A hat with a brim all the way round helps shade your face, ears, and the back of your neck.

You can protect the rest of your body from the neck down with carefully chosen clothing, especially garments which are designed with inbuilt SPF protection.

YEAR-ROUND PROTECTION

Sun protection shouldn't stop at the end of summer. For example, skiing without protecting your skin can be just as damaging as lying on the beach.

Whenever possible, stay out of the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm, when the rays are strongest. During these hours opt for some shade below a tree or umbrella - and even then, use sunscreen because you can get burned even when you’re in the shade.

Finally, never use sunbeds, opt for one of the many fake tans to get a healthy year round glow!

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LIFESTYLEHEALTHYGLOW

Tried and Tested Lancôme Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Gel for Legs £24.50 for 125ml

r wate old ace c h f s Spla n your before o ody n e ta b and lying thsure p ap make s are to pore r you closed

£19.50 for 147ml

I had heard a lot of good things about this tanning product and I have to say I wasn’t disappointed.

I am always hesitant about trying new products because I am very fair-skinned and no matter what their hype I always seem to get streaks, however, in this instance, the tinted gel was great allowing me to see instantly where the tan was being applied. The colour is also very natural and a golden tone. I loved the iridescent finish and the fact I was bronzed and ready to get my pins on show immediately after application.

It does dry quickly and has a pleasant smell. While this product is advertised for legs, I did try it on the rest of my body too with great results. A lasting self-tan, that I would definitely recommend to others.

Skinny Tan 7-Day Tanner £19.99 for 125ml

Having watched the pitch for this tan on Dragon's Den I was keen to see if it lived up to the hype! I don't know if a couple of weeks is enough to accurately review it on its promises to reduce the appearance of cellulite, but certainly all of the exfoliating, moisturising and tan applications I have been doing can only be doing good.

The colour is certainly natural and for those who like a deeper colour then a couple of applications are a must because it is quick light. In fairness, they do recommend a few applications for a darker colour if this is what suits you naturally as the product doesn't go on dark so as not to look fake. I did like the colour that developed. This tan has a guide colour to help with application, you let this develop overnight and shower in the morning. The smell wasn't so much coconut as biscuity. I did like it but I would be wary of its claim to reduce cellulite.

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Benefit Hoola Zero Tanlines If you are looking for a quick tan fix for a night out then this might just be the product for you!

The only downside would be if you were looking for a full body application. The sponge applicator is great but it’s definitely best when looking to add a quick wash of colour to arms, chest, ankles and feet. The colour is very natural, although when building up colour I did find it streaked slightly, but that could be due to how I applied it. The colour didn’t come off on to my clothes and there is a pleasant smell. I liked the gel formula, didn’t find it sticky and it was dry within minutes. The fact that it offers hands-free application makes this mess-free, fuss-free product one to keep in your handbag or desk drawer for last minute tan top-ups!

Clarins Lait Fondant Auto £20 125ml

This product when applied developed into a nice natural glowing tan within 4-6 hours, you can reapply more tan if you wanted a darker tan.

It has a soft and smooth texture making it easier to apply to the skin.

Left skin feeling soft and moisturised.

It had a fresh scent which is pleasant unlike other tans.

Very easy to apply to skin due to its smooth texture.

Tan lasted two to three days and wore off well with no patches left on skin. Product is good value for money and I would buy the product again as it left my skin feeling hydrated as well as providing a natural bronzed tan for the summer.

Exf all a oliate b W ef out pr ith t bett fort you ep, the an it’s e mor Exfo r yo put e skin liating ur tan win the c s r i e l u l a be a rface tes be. in a pplied for th an even mor onto e tan e un , res iform ultin to colo g ur

LIFESTYLEHEALTHYGLOW r you rise s like u t s Moi y areaands, dr et, h and fe ows elb knees

Yonka Lait Auto Bronzant

Fast Drying Self Tan by Tantastic

£33 150ml

£14.95 150ml

I’m a big fan of Yonka beauty products so couldn’t wait to try this self tanner out. It has a milky texture that spreads evenly, it isn't greasy, and best of all, it smells great. It is made with natural botanicals and fruit extracts so it has a slightly floral, slightly spa essence which I love. It bronzes your skin to a lovely golden hue with-in 3-4 hours.

My skin felt supple, smooth and silky after applying. This product promotes hydration, offers a light sun filtering action and also has an anti oxidant protection. This product can be used on a daily basis as even after using it for a week straight the result was a beautiful sun-kissed bronze. Overall I would say an excellent result all round.

The Tantastic Fast Drying Self does what it says on the box. It has a pleasant very mild smell.

I applied it with the mitt and it was easy to tell where it had been applied as it is tinted. Very quick drying and not sticky it is excellent if you need to apply your tan in a hurry. I have pale skin and I tried the medium colour which was perfect for me as I dont like to look tangoed. It lasted a few day with constant showering and wore off well.

As this is a liquid you really do need to be careful when applying as you could easily spill it onto carpet or clothes if you were not careful.

FakeBake Coconut Serum £29.95 148ml

I used the Fake Bake Flawless Medium Coconut Tanning Serum for Face & Body.

The product was easily dispensed, with gloves provided for its application.

The lotion is coloured, allowing any missed areas to be quickly identified and covered. It was a good consistency and texture for easy application, and had less of a chemical odour than some other tanning products with a nice coconut scent.

The bottle recommends leaving it on for four to six hours. I slept in it overnight and, after washing it off, was left a good even, golden colour which wasn’t overly heavy or dark. The colour was heavier on one heel but perhaps due to my bad application, as the instructions do recommend only gliding the product over feet and hands.

Overall, I would recommend this product as easy to apply, with good results, and additional moisturising qualities due to the coconut oil content. It can also be applied multiple times to build up a stronger tan.

Use prot a mitt to e pa ct you getti lms from r ng ta nned

Image skincare body spa face and body bronzer £32 4oz

This product is definitely more of a bronzer than a tanning product and gives a lovely naturally sun bronzed appearance without any streaks.

Feels lovely silky and smooth and leaves the skin soft and moisturized.

Very easy to apply. If you tend to have very dry skin like me, it actually helps if you use a little ordinary moisturizer after exfoliation, let that absorb in and then apply the crème.

Smells delicious, a mix of coconut, vanilla and summer berries.

Would you buy it again definitely.

time h the Watc he longere as t leave th your ct on thee produ r you’ll b darke

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HEALTH&BEAUTYSUMMERMAKE-UP

The Summer Switch Up The time has come for a make-up bag makeover as you freshen up your products for the summer season. It’s time to swap darker, earthy tones for a glowy look with natural eyes and a pop of colour on lips and nails!

Skin:

For summer, you want products that multitask and won’t make skin feel heavy.

Swap out heavier foundations for a lightweight tinted moisturiser with SPF and you can get hydration, coverage and sun protection all in one application.

If you want to use a separate moisturiser to hydrate your skin look for ones with Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate skin without heavy oils.

Translucent powder can clog pores and get muddy on summer-dewy skin, so opt for blotting paper and prep with oil-free moisturisers to cut down on shine.

If you don’t bronze year-round this is the time to add it to your make-up bag. Invest in a good quality bronzing brush and lightly dust those areas that would naturally get more sun such as cheeks, forehead and nose.

Also invest in a spritzer to refresh your

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skin and set your make-up. Chantecaille Pure Rosewater is an error-proof tool. It’s a facial mist you use to set make-up, soothe your skin in dehydrated conditions, or give your skin a quick boost anytime, anywhere.

Cheeks:

Swap your powder blush for cream blush.

Cream based products can slide but don’t have a ‘cakey’ effect in the heat. Replace deep, dark shades with corals, pinks and bronzes for a fresh, natural summer glow and a product such as Nars The Multiple is the perfect multi-tasker for cheeks, lips and eyes.

Eyes:

Step away from heavy liquid liner and choose voluminous lashes instead. You don’t want a time-consuming beauty routine that needs re-applied on pool or beach days, instead a good waterproof mascara that gives full, fluttery lashes is much more low-key for a fresh, natural summer look.

Invest in a good eyelash curler; it’s one of the easiest ways to make your eyes pop and look bigger. Just give your lashes a good curl, generously coat them with your waterproof mascara, and you’ll have lashes that go on for miles!

Lips:

With more available natural light bouncing off your face at this time of year, heavier matte lipsticks can be replaced with bright lipglosses which offer a subtle colour wash (check out Estée Lauder’s new Color Envy shades!). Swap stronger berry and nude shades for girly pinks and pretty corals. For those who favour red lips all year round, try a gloss instead of a matte lipstick and perhaps a cherry hue against your summer tan.

Nails:

There will be some who prefer a nude nail year round, but if you prefer colour it’s time to have fun with the nail colour on your hands and feet, so don’t shy away from blues, greens, oranges - whatever takes your fancy!

TOP TIP:

ara isn’t ite masc r u o v fa ar If your buy a cle f simply o o r ble p r te D wa rins ou ne or Cla o d f o o r p lashes an water oat your c to a r a a the d y.

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Instantly more radiant younger looking skin River Medical is the leading skin expert in Northern Ireland and offers the widest range of resultsdriven treatments whatever your skin concern.

Just what really works?

20s/30s

30s/40s

The vit-illume skin brightening treatment is a no-nonsense, thoroughly effective treatment that really does instantly illuminate, rejuvenate and revitalise dull and tired skin – of all ages. Think dewy, radiant, glowing skin after this 45 minute treatment.

30s/40s

The fraxel dual is excellent for all skin types as it improves the general quality and tone of the skin and really helps keep the signs of ageing at bay; treating pigmentation/ skin discolouration and sun spots, as well as poor skin quality and fine lines and wrinkles. It’s a super anti-ageing treatment.

30s/40s

The radio-frequency thermage and pelleve skin tightening treatments are superb at both tightening existing collagen and creating new collagen and elastin, the key to younger looking skin. You can expect plumper, tighter, younger-looking skin with both of these treatments.

Anti-wrinkle injections and dermal filler are also highly popular and super-effective in helping to eliminate lines and wrinkles and restore lost volume, delivering a fabulously fresh and younger looking appearance.

50s/60s +

In our 50s and 60s generally the complaint is the loosening of skin and loss of volume. The thermage skin tightening treatment is excellent as is the addition of dermal filler to restore that lost volume.

Fraxel Dual is also excellent as it not only improves the general quality and tone of the skin but it also treats pigmentation and sun spots, as well as poor skin quality and fine lines and wrinkles.

THE BEST ADVICE? Book a free consultation: River Medical, 88 Lisburn Road Phone: 028 9560 7585 email: info@rivermedical.co.uk. www.rivermedical.co.uk

The Perfect Product - for all ages River Medical recommends the PCA Skin product line which is exclusive to the clinic in Northern Ireland. The hero products in the range include the Vitamin C&E anti-oxidant and the Exlinea Peptide Serum proven to reduce wrinkles by 30% over 30 days.

Most important of all is incorporating an SPF into your skincare regime, choose from lightweight or moisturising depending on your skin type.

1

ExLineaÂŽ Peptide Smoothing Serum Proven to reduce wrinkles by 30% over 30 days. This is a miracle in a bottle!

2

C&E Strength Antioxidant strengthens skin and minimises lines and wrinkles. Expect to see results within 2 weeks

3

SPF45 A quickabsorbing, broad spectrum SPF.

HEALTH&BEAUTYHAIRADVICE

Three hair trends for summer/autumn colour is essential for creating that depth.

It’s an effortless look reminiscent of Nico from the Velvet Underground and bringing in elements of the north European Scandi Rock that is so influential at the moment.

Colour is translucent and purist – cool, northern nights where the sun hardly sets.

Key trends: This season hair is all about the haircut and there are three major trends slicing through everything. First up, we are seeing tons of texture coming through.

It’s massive. But not the sort of texture created by a hairdresser fussing around, over-playing the cut; it has to look as if it’s been created with a natural feel and

The next big thing is the new pixie cut, paying homage to the rock ’n’ roll aesthetic of the late 70s. It’s 40 years since Punk burst on to the scene and this reincarnation is absolutely fresh and modern. Don’t get confused with the later manifestations of this style seen in the early to mid-80s when it went trashy – the Bananarama years. This is about Punk made beautiful. It’s for the woman who wants a haircut with balance and softness, but with a contemporary edginess. Again, colour is essential – this dirty, cool blonde of Debbie Harry with ‘I can’t be bothered’ regrowth breaking through was achieved with Alfaparf lightener then toned.

The final look, and one we began working on last year, is bang up to date. Think of actress/singer/model Zendaya dominating

in association with

the headlines with her page boy after last month’s Met Ball. Again, it’s an homage to the 70s, but brought into 2016 with careful crafting and clever colour contrasting. It isn’t just about the shape around the face, although that is crucial, and the line must be followed fastidiously; it also needs an architectural line throughout the sides and back to make it really contemporary.

671 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7GT 028 9066 2554 info@staffordhair.com • staffordhair.com twitter @staffordhair facebook / staffordhairdressing instagram @wearestaffordhair

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HEALTH&BEAUTYLASERTREATMENT

Experience the Power of Ice A

few months ago I thought I had flu but when it didn’t shift after two weeks I thought it was time to do something about it. I was sent to the hospital for some tests and was diagnosed with Pneumonia. I was warned by the doctors that it would be at least 3- 4 months before I would feel like myself again. Tiredness and lack of energy was my biggest issue, everyday chores took so much out of me. I had heard of Cryotherapy so when I was invited to try out the treatment which had just launched in the Dressing Room in Holywood thanks to Bespoke Laser Treatments I was very interested in finding out what cryotherapy could do for me.

Cryotherapy uses the latest freezing technology for natural non-invasive face and body lifts, inch loss and general skin improvements. This pioneering treatment uses liquid nitrogen vapour which cools the treated area down to temperature of -160’C. The idea is that it shocks the nervous system with extreme cold which in turn, stimulates the body into recovery mode, increasing its metabolic rate which starts the healing process. Effectively it’s your own body healing itself.

The treatment was only 3-4 minutes long. The therapist moved the ice cold vapour over my chest area through a funnel. It felt a bit cold but certainly not uncomfortable. It was followed by a nice massage to warm the treated area up again.

The outcome from my first session was that I felt it easier to breathe and more relaxed. I had three treatments overall and I feel that Cryotherapy definitely helped speed up my recovery. A Single treatment is £30, a course of three £80, and six £140.

Treatment available from Bespoke Laser Treatments at the Dressing Room Holywood. www.bespokelasertreatments.com

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HEALTH&BEAUTYADVERTORIAL

shade...

Throwing some serious

Nothing shows a finger on the fashion pulse more than an on-trend pair of sunnies. Key at protecting your eyes from the sun they can equally serve as the ultimate fashion accessory.

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S

o let’s hope sunglasses are a daily necessity this summer. All Specsavers stores now display a full range of 72 prescription sunglasses in the dedicated area known as the Wall of Sun. Starting from £69, and including several designer names, there are styles to suit all face shapes and tastes. While the classics will always serve you well, it's worth knowing which statements are the big ones to make this summer. Think cats’ eyes and oversized round styles for women and chunky frames for men.

As with any fashion trend the key is always to go for the style that suits you – both in terms of your face shape and your personal preference – and beyond that to play with the colours, finishes and details that make the biggest impact.

Sunglasses also have benefits beyond eye protection and fashion. They’re the refuge of eyes suffering late nights and early mornings and the bringer of mystery and intrigue.

HEALTH&BEAUTYADVERTORIAL

MAX & CO SUN 01 - £149

Eye protection

O

ver-exposure to sunlight can cause serious damage to the eyes due to the ultra violet rays. These are heightened by glare, which occurs when light is intensified as it reflects off shiny surfaces such as glass. A sandy beach or calm sea will have the same effect.

While most people know how important it is to keep skin protected from the sun, few realise how damaging UV rays can be to eyes. You can develop a painful form of sunburn called photokeratitis.

To protect eyes it’s important to wear suitable sunglasses with a UV coating.

Top tips: • Ensure lenses in your sunglasses or ski goggles are UV400 effective • Choose tinted lenses with a UV filter to reduce the brightness of the sun to a comfortable level so you don’t have to screw up your eyes • The larger the lens, the more protection your eyes will be given

KARL LAGERFELD SUN RX 06 - £125

• Contact lenses offering UV protection do not cover the whole area of your eye, so should be worn with sunglasses • Make sure your sunglasses fit.

Specsavers Sun RX 175 - £69

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HEALTH&BEAUTYSPAS

Indulge Take time to pamper yourself this summer in one of our two favourite spa retreats...

Galgorm Resort & Spa

T

he Spa at Galgorm Resort is a true haven of relaxation and tranquillity, offering residents and day guests access to some of the most extensive facilities in the country. September 2015 marked the launch of the Thermal Spa Village, unique to the UK & Ireland in terms of sheer size and also diversity including; 9 saunas, 2 pools, a -15C snow cabin, Celtic sauna ritual, riverside yoga space, and eco-friendly private riverside tubs.

The ethos behind the Spa at Galgorm is to create an authentic ‘Irish’ Spa experience where guests can indulge the ultimate in luxury relaxation and wellness.

All facilities are built using natural materials that work to calm, soothe and enhance the surroundings, from Connemara marble to the Galgorm oak. They have also developed a range of bespoke treatments that are unique to the Resort offering guests an exclusive and immersive Spa experience. Prepare to not want to leave!

Call 028 2588 1001 or visit www.galgorm.com

Hastings Culloden & Slieve Donard Spas

T

The Spa @ The Slieve Donard

he Spas at the 5 star Culloden Estate in Belfast and the 4 star Slieve Donard Resort in Newcastle County Down are two of Northern Ireland’s premier Spas. Both Spas are sanctuaries for body and mind, where you can indulge your senses and escape to a place where tension, fatigue and stress all simply melt away.

These luxurious Spas, which use ESPA products and treatments, have spacious treatment rooms, relaxation rooms, dedicated changing suites and Juice bars.

Clients are offered an extensive choice of treatments and day spa packages which our therapists can tailor to each client’s individual needs.

The Spas also offer a wide range of health and leisure facilities where guests can relax and unwind in a choice of swimming pools, hot vitality pools, steam rooms and saunas and fitness suites. Call 028 9047 1066 or visit www.hastingshotels.com

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LIFESTYLE

This issue we bring you ideas for outdoor living, tasty recipes from Noel McMeel & what we'll be eating in 2016

Photography by Bradley Quinn

LIFESTYLEHOUSE

Katie and her husband George along with their three young children Grace, Ella and Bobby, knew that this beautiful Georgian terrace would offer the perfect family home.

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LIFESTYLEHOUSE

L

ooking for a larger home to accommodate their growing family, Katie and George stumbled upon this period property, which had already been converted by its existing owners to offer a modern living space filling the back of the house with light as well as carefully considered storage throughout the home.

‘The layout and composition of the house was perfect, and we had absolutely no structural work to undertake when we purchased the property,’ explains Katie.

‘However, the elderly couple who had been living here had a very different decorative taste to our own, so we enlisted the help of Thompson Clarke Interiors and began putting our own stamp on the house from the front door right throughout every room.’

With four bedrooms and four reception rooms as well as the hallway and stairways covering four floors, it did take a couple of years to get everything completely redecorated.

‘Our previous home didn’t have high ceilings or as many rooms and the proportions were very different, so really all of our furniture, apart from our tan leather sofas, just looked out of place. Therefore, as well as selecting paint and fabric with Sara Thompson and Lindy Clarke from Thompson Clarke Interiors, we spent three days in Paris followed by another in London looking around various interior stores in order that Sara and Lindy could get a feel for what I would like to fill the rooms of our new home.’

As Sara adds, ‘It is really important to get to know your client and Lindy and I were lucky to have a real rapport with Katie.

From our regular meetings we knew exactly the sort of colours and finishes she was after for this home, which had to be family friendly with three children under the age of six living here too.’

>>>

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LIFESTYLEHOUSE

The paint and fabrics were the first things to be decided upon and work began repainting the house. The kitchen wasn’t replaced, so this area of the house was simply brightened with the use of Farrow & Ball Wimborne White and the island was painted in Farrow & Ball Light Blue.

Sara and Lindy commissioned a bespoke French farmhouse table and the Carl Hansen Wishbone chairs surrounding it are mixed and matched to pick up on the colours used within this space.

Throughout there is a palette of blues,

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grey and yellow and Katie’s love of classic contemporary fabrics, such as Ikat prints and damask, add interest and a playful finish, as well as injecting complementary colours.

In the TV room which adjoins the kitchen, Katie’s family friendly, practical tan leather sofas from her previous home have been cleverly combined with the cushions, rug and curtains in different prints, but complementary colourways. The end result is a styled interior that appears effortless and relaxed.

LIFESTYLEHOUSE Also on this floor of the house is the garden room, which is furnished with a herringbone sofa, a rug from Designers Guild, soft Colefax sheers on the windows and taking pride of place, the amazing painting by local Belfast painter Colin Watson hanging above the sofa.

Upstairs the four bedrooms have been divided to allow for one guest bedroom.

‘While Grace and Ella are young and only a year and a half apart, it is nice for them to share a bedroom,’ says Katie. ‘Sara and Lindy recommended a navy, white and soft pink colour scheme for their room and they absolutely love it.

‘In Bobby’s room we have gone with classic prints – stripes and checks and stuck to traditional blue and white colours.’

As well as a main bathroom upstairs, there is also a useful ensuite in the master bedroom. This bedroom boasts a beautiful blue upholstered headboard and like the rest of the house, neutral colours on the walls allow the variety of prints and colours of the decorative furnishings to make a statement.

As Katie herself says, ‘Working alongside Sara and Lindy helped me to pull everything together and ensure that there was a seamless flow in the decorative finish of our entire home. With three young children to keep me busy this may never have been the case had I been left to my own devices.

‘What I love about our home, both in terms of its layout and the decorative interiors, is its ability to change as our family grows. While certain rooms lend themselves to a playroom or TV room at present this is easily adapted as the kids get older and our soft furnishings can be easily and affordable switched up over time,’ adds Katie.

Many of the fabrics and decorative accessories can be purchased on www.thompsonclarke.com

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LIFESTYLEINTERIORS

Let's go

outside...

Summer is finally here, its time to get outdoors and enjoy your garden!

Weber Smokey Joe Premium BBQ £299 from CFC interiors

Gnome Resin Planter £35 Next Moores of Coleraine - Kilner Drinks dispensers from - £15.99

Glass Carafe £12, Medium Glass £6, Bedeck

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VINDALSO Table and 4 reclining chairs £490 IKEA Belfast

LIFESTYLEINTERIORS

Outdoor Wall Clock with Thermometer and Humidity Dials, £65 www.romanathome.com Wire Colorado Chimnea £85, Next

Buddha candle holder £26, Next

Coral Cactus Chair £59, Green Cactus Chair £59, Coral Round Table £65, Mint Geo Planter £20, Large Lanterns £18, Tealight Holders £8.50 (6) Oliver Bonas

Weber Smokey mountain 47cm £449.99, CFC Interiors

SOLVINDEN LED solar light decorations from £12 and SOMMAR 2016 outdoor tablewear IKEA Belfast

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LIFESTYLEINTERIORS Sardinia Sofa Set £1299, Next

Round table £999, The Linenmill Dungannon

Sun Lounger £499 or £800 for 2, The Linenmill Dungannon

Moores of Coleriane Flask from - £17.99 (2)

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Murmur outdoor tableware Bedeck.

Blush Dunne Small mug £10 Grey Puzzle size plate £13 Dark Grey Large Teapot £26 All from Bedeck

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LIFESTYLEOUTDOORLIVING

Easy Outdoor Entertaining inspire the same effect. Try to treat your outdoor space as you would your interiors – continue colours used in your home’s interior through to the outside, and add lighting, seating, and focal points, such as water features or wall art, as you would in your home.

Divide and conquer

Layout is key when it comes to your garden, and creating an intimate and welcoming space, or series of spaces, is vital for successful outdoor entertaining.

Dividing the garden layout into functional areas can transform an awkward shape or add interest to a particularly long or large garden. These doesn’t mean you have to carve up the garden with walls – you can subtly delineate spaces using changes in ground covering, by using varying levels, by providing natural barriers with planting such as low hedges, and creating different seating areas. Consider placing your dining table and chairs on a raised decking section, try built-in cushioned seating for lounging circled around a fire pit, and provide shade and a relaxation area with a pergola or a sleek ‘sail’-style shade. You can play around with movable furniture as well, beanbags are a great throw-together seating area for impromptu guests. Don’t forget the kids either, and incorporate a sandpit, oversized outdoor game equipment or even a sunken in-ground trampoline.

Summer has finally arrived, and with the perfect excuse for some alfresco entertaining, whether that’s a picnic lunch on the grass, happy hour cocktails at sunset, a BBQ dinner party with friends or a cosy evening gathered around the fire as the light fades.

Give your garden a revamp and create the ultimate outdoor entertaining area with some low-maintenance finishes, clever reimagining and all you need to get grilling.

Blur the lines

…between outdoor and indoor. Creating a seamless connection between your indoor living and outdoor area is an infallible way to make the garden feel like an extension of your home, and will mean you are much more likely to use and enjoy the space.

For bigger-budget projects, installing

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external bifold glass doors are a popular option. These offer floor-to-ceiling views of the outdoor space and draw in lots of light, and, thanks to a concertina design, most open fully, allowing a beautiful flow from inside to out. If the layout of your home doesn’t lend itself to such a large opening, a large window in a garden-facing wall can

Fuss-free features

Northern Ireland sadly only offers a tiny window of weather warm and dry enough to make the use of outdoor space, so its normally wise to stick to hardy, low maintenance finishes that will survive the winter. Consider how much you willing to be involved in the upkeep of your garden before you design it. Decking, decorative stones, bark, brick paving and paving slabs are long lasting, and need little upkeep beyond light weeding and occasional cleaning. Modern garden furniture is often available in a rattan-effect made from woven strands of coated plastic or rustresistant metal, both of which need less care than traditional wooden pieces, or you can have seating built out of block or brick, which may simply need a fresh repaint.

In terms of planting, ornamental grasses create a bold visual statement on a budget, add colour and texture, and ask for very minimal care.

LIFESTYLEOUTDOORLIVING

Cook up a Storm

Standalone barbeques have long been the failsafe for dining alfresco, but creating a small but functional kitchen is a great addition to any outdoor space, and means that you can be on hand mingling with your guests rather than running in and out of your home to prepare food. The most basic outdoor kitchen can be a barbeque, preparation area and storage space built into a wall, but increasingly, homeowners are equipping their homes with much more elaborate cooking stations. You can add to your basic barbeque with a hotplate, a stainless steel sink, beautiful work tops and ice-cold drinks fridges. They can even be connected to your main gas line to fire up the grill without hunting for bottled gas.

Alternatively, thanks in part to Jamie Oliver, wood-fired ovens are appearing in gardens across the UK. Wood fired ovens add a delicious smoky flavour to pizzas, but can also be used for meat, seafood, vegetable dishes and even desserts. They are available to buy ready-made, as a build-your-own kit, or you can make one entirely from scratch.

space. The most popular options are gas-powered patio heaters – great for heating a space quickly - and chimineas, which are fuelled using wood or charcoal, and ideal for smaller gardens.

For large gatherings, a fire pit can provide plenty of heat, as well as adding a wow factor to your garden while its not in use – they are available in brightly coloured

enamel, tough industrial finishes and sleek sculptural styles, so work perfectly in a modern garden. If you’d prefer something eco-friendly, try a heating unit powered by bio-ethanol fuel. The clear fuel is poured into a central reservoir and lit with a long match. It benefits from being long-lasting and it produces no odour or smoke, but you will sacrifice some heat.

Turn up the heat

Warm sunny days can soon turn to chilly nights, long before you’re ready to end the party. There are dozens of options for turning up the heat that will can make a gorgeous focal point for your entertainment

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LIFESTYLESUMMERCFC

Summer finally has arrived

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t CFC Interiors Cookstown, Campsie and Newtownabbey we are here to help you get ready for the sunshine with the launch of our 2016 Garden Furniture & BBQ displays. In Cookstown we are open Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 5:30pm and with late night opening on Thursday and Friday we are on hand to help you prepare your garden for the warm weather expected this month.

CFC have introduced the new elegant and very stylish Harrow & Marlborough Ranges to our extensive range of Supremo® Garden Furniture. Supremo® combines style with substance, providing distinctive furniture that blends itself to your pace of life. With long-term durability in mind along with excellent value for money, it will provide elegance in your garden that doesn’t have to cost the earth. We want you to use these unique products to create your own individual outdoor experiences, whether you’re enjoying formal dining, relaxing in your own space or spending time creating memories with the family.

New for this season, is the stunning range of granite sets and bench seats. With impressive designs these will certainly catch your eye and offer unique options to compliment your home.

We have the full extensive range of Weber BBQs available to suit both the first timer and the more seasoned griller. Weber® is not just about barbecuing…. We believe in cooking amazing food outdoors and having fun. The aim is to bring out an array of delicious flavours, with providing the best quality barbecue, which is why they all come with a 5 or 10 years warranty. We have a large stock of both Gas & Charcoal BBQs to take home today and also carry the accessories to complement all of your cooking needs. We want to make sure the barbecues bring our customers years of happiness.

Already have a BBQ,? Feel free to call into our showroom today if you wish to seek some advice on a new cooking challenge by adding to your grill e.g. griddle pan, pizza stone or rib roaster – all delicious from your BBQ. Call in today or contact CFC Interiors on 028867963319 for more information.

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LIFESTYLEFOOD

SuperValu is championing the very best of local with its new Ambassador Chef, Noel McMeel.

SuperValu has always been at the heart of the local community, supporting real food and real people. Its 35 stores across Northern Ireland provide seasonal, fresh, local, quality produce for its customers and the announcement of the new Ambassador Chef comes as part of the celebration of Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink.

Noel is Executive Head Chef at the prestigious Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen, has catered for everyone from celebrities to visiting Heads of State and has won numerous awards, including that of the third best cookery book in the world for his book

‘The Irish Pantry’. He is now on a mission, with SuperValu, to bring the best of fresh, quality food to the kitchen tables of Northern Ireland.

Noel’s challenge to us all is to shop local, buy local produce and get cooking.

Talking about his partnership with SuperValu Northern Ireland, Noel said, “SuperValu, like me, is all about keeping it real – real food for real people, so I am delighted to be able to share my recipes and cooking tips with you to bring the best ingredients and fuss-free meals to homes throughout Northern Ireland.”

Home grown A passionate ambassador for local produce,

Noel provides some food for thought on the changing art of cooking and the growing importance of utilising indigenous ingredients from Ireland. Originally from Toomebridge, living in Tyrone and Executive Head Chef at Lough Erne Resort, Enniskillen, he is always looking for local and seasonal food.

“I have dedicated my entire career to one very simple goal - finding, preparing and serving fresh food in season. For me what we eat has to delight the taste buds, ensnare the senses and nourish the body and soul. I try to get the most out of the very best ingredients and I am not interested in cooking overworked, over seasoned, complicated food. Simplicity is often the key to creating the best cuisine.’’

Noel’s quick and easy supper...

Pork Loin Steaks with Apple & Mustard Gravy Ingredients (Serves 4) 4 pork loin steaks 120ml chicken stock 425ml cider 500g baby potatoes 50g butter 2 cooking or eating apples 2 tbsp oil 1 large onion Salt 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6.

2. Place the baby potatoes in a large pan of salted water and bring to the boil. Simmer on a medium heat for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and strain, then slice the potatoes into quarters and place on a baking tray. Drizzle with some oil and season well. Place in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until golden brown.

3. In the meantime, heat a large pan until smoking hot. Rub the pork steaks with some oil and place on the pan. Cook, turning as necessary, until the meat is cooked through (cooking time will depend on the thickness of the steaks. It will be cooked when the juices run clear when pierced with a sharp knife).

4. Heat 1tbsp olive oil and the butter in a second pan and add the onions, wholegrain mustard and apple. Cook on a medium heat until softened and lightly coloured. Add the cider and stock to the pan. Adjust the seasoning and continue cooking until the apples break down a little and the liquid has reduced by half.

5. Serve the steaks with the sauce and the baby baked potato pieces.

LIFESTYLEFOOD

Beef Roasting Joint Method

1. Preheat the oven to its highest setting.

2. Rub the beef with the oil, season with salt and pepper all over.

3. Put a heavy-based roasting tray on the hob and when hot, add the beef.

4. Sear the beef quickly on all sides to colour and crisp the outside.

5. Transfer the beef immediately to the oven and leave the oven on its highest setting (about 240C/460F/Gas 8) for 20 minutes.

6. Reduce the heat to 190C/375F/Gas 5 and roast for half an hour per kilo for rare, adding another ten minutes per kilo for medium rare, 20 minutes per kilo for medium, and 30 minutes per kilo for well done.

7. Remove the beef from the oven, transfer it to a carving board and cover with foil. Allow it to rest in a warm place for 30 minutes.

8. For the Yorkshire pudding, mix together the eggs, flour and a pinch of salt.

9. Add the milk, stirring constantly, until you have a runny batter.

10. Leave this to rest, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours.

11. Place 1cm/ in of beef dripping in the bottom of each pudding mould, or if you are using a rectangular roasting tray, place 1cm/½ in of beef dripping across the bottom.

12. Heat the dripping in the oven (at 240C/460F/Gas 8) for about ten minutes, until it is piping hot.

13. Remove the roasting tray from the oven, pour in the batter, and immediately return to the oven. Bake for 25 minutes, until golden brown and crispy, making sure not to open the oven door for the first 20 minutes.

14. Serve immediately with the carved roast beef.

Ingredients (Serves 5-6 people) 3 kgs/6 lbs beef roasting joint Rapeseed oil salt cracked black pepper For the Yorkshire pudding: 4 eggs 115g/4oz flour 275ml/½ pint milk beef dripping (if you don’t have any just use a good frying oil) salt

Brilliant with Beef

Pick up a bottle of Sartori Valpolicella Ripasso

A cut above

ith from farmers w beef is sourced d is an nd la Ire All SuperValu n er m across North ts quality herds fro e our beef join ured. We matur ss A d y an ur vo fla Farm Qualit re su of 21 days to en for a minimum tenderness is guaranteed. tore butchers SuperValu in-s the cut of u yo e will serv d give you your choice an ing, to get ok co top tips on ur beef… the best from yo her. tc bu e just ask th

SUPERFOODS

Super trendy, super healthy, Superfoods: what we’ll be eating in 2016

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fibre content (twice as much as quinoa!) means it keeps you feeling full for longer, so it’s a great addition to a diet focused on weight loss.

It is roasted over an open fire, leaving a firm, slightly chewy grain with a distinct flavor that’s nutty and slightly smoky. Use it anywhere you’d use whole grains or rice, as a salad base or sprinkled into soups.

f you’re a follower of health and wellness devotees online, its likely you can’t scroll through any of your social media feeds without seeing a flood of super-trendy, superfood packed green matcha lattes, chia seed puddings and acai smoothie bowls.

Trends move fast in the foodie world, however, and there is a whole host of needto-know next-generation ingredients to get to grips with…check out these insta-worthy foods we predict will be blowing up your screens in 2016.

Teff

Lucuma to work wonders for anyone suffering from a temperamental digestive system.

Kefir packs in high levels of calcium and phosphorous, but is low in lactose, making it a great alternative to yoghurt and other dairy that can cause irritation. The consistency of kefir is somewhere between milk and yoghurt and has quite a tart taste, so works best mixed with sweeter flavours, such as frozen banana, strawberries, cinnamon and honey.

Freekeh Grown in South America, Lucuma is a mango-esque fruit that was once a staple of the Incas. Healthy eating bloggers have been raving about the fruit as it’s a great source of potassium, magnesium, zinc and beta-carotene. It is sweet tasting, and traditionally used as an ice cream flavour in its native Peru, but it has gained popularity as a sweetener as it boasts a low glycemic index score.

The skin of the lucuma is similar to an avocado with bright yellow flesh. So far, it has been tricky to find the fruit in the UK, but it is available in powder form, which is ideal for adding to smoothies, energy balls and sprinkled over porridge.

Kefir

Fermented food is enjoying a bit of a moment with kimchi, kombucha and now kefir all being hailed for their health benefits. Fermented foods are rich in probiotics, the healthy bacteria that keeps the gut in order, and is thought

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Dubbed the new quinoa, freekeh is another ancient grain that has been revived thanks to its incredible nutritional profile. It is derived from wheat, but harvested at such an early stage that it ranks low on the glycemic index, is low fat and retains more protein and fibre than other wheat-based grains left to mature for longer. The high-

If you have eaten Ethopian food, it’s likely you’ve had teff. This super-versatile glutenfree grain is baked into their staple Ijera flatbread, and can also be boiled to eat on its own, added to oats, used in homemade granola, or milled as a flour for baking.

The nutritional credentials of teff are hard to argue with. Its great for energy, helps manage blood sugar levels, is high in iron, calcium, vitamin C and fibre and is packed full of protein - a 50g serving contains roughly the same amount of protein as an extra large egg. It is also considered to have an excellent amino acid composition (including all 8 essential amino acids for humans), so well worth adding to a healthy diet. So far, local bloggers having mostly been using teff as a baking ingredient, with recipes popping up for healthy versions of banana bread, brownies and cookies using teff as a base.

Cactus Water

Coconut water has long been the postworkout drink of choice for healthconscious celebs, but now another plantbased beverage is threatening to steal its

SUPERFOODS Amaranth

rich seaweed has been steadily gaining recognition for its superfood properties.

Popular varieties include wake, kelp and nori, which most commonly found in sushi dishes, but can be used in soups, salads, noodle dishes or is available in cracker form to snack on. Seaweed has more vitamin C than oranges, is packed full of dietary fibre, has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory benefits and contains very high levels of iodine, which helps regulate metabolism.

crown. Cactus water is super-hydrating, is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and has anti-inflammatory properties, which is great for muscle recovery and youthful skin. It is popular with the achingly cool LA crowd – it was spotted everywhere at Coachella – and perhaps its biggest selling point, has much less sugar and half the calories of coconut water.

Seaweed

People of Northern Ireland will be well familiar with bags of salty dulse sold alongside beside bright blocks of yellowman honeycomb at the Auld Lammas Fair – who would have thought it would now by the trendiest item on the menu? Nutrient-

Amaranth Another quinoa or rice alternative is amaranth, again much loved by the ancient Aztecs and Inca people. Grain-like, but

technically a seed, amaranth enjoyed a bit of a revival in the 1970s, when it was recovered in Mexico from wild varieties and is now commercially cultivated.

So far, amaranth have proven pretty versatile when it comes to cooking – it can be simmered in water to give it a porridgelike texture, mixed with other grains to create a savoury base for dishes, or heated dry in a pan until it ‘pops’ like popcorn, to be sprinkled over dishes for a bit of crunch.

Nutritionally, it has cholesterol-lowering properties, is rich in fibre, is gluten-free and a good source of various vitamins and minerals. Amaranth is primarily making waves in the health world, for being a protein powerhouse – at 13% to 14% protein it easily trumps other grains, making it a great option for vegetarians.

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Win... a 2 night stay at the Trinity City Hotel

U

rban, vibrant and smart, the four-star Trinity City Hotel next to Trinity College is an unexpected treasure – central, chic and very cool! We’re giving one lucky reader the chance to rediscover Dublin city from your base at Trinity City Hotel. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Dublin town with a two night stay at Trinity City Hotel including overnight accommodation with breakfast and dinner for two. The 198-bedroom Trinity City Hotel is an elegant amalgamation of a number of different historically interesting buildings on Dublin’s Pearse Street, where the first buildings on the site were constructed in the early 1800s. Some of the hotel’s bedrooms are in the listed Georgian building element of the property, with the elegant proportions of Dublin’s most famous architectural style, high ceilings, and original coving and cornicing. Rediscover Dublin with Trinity City Hotel and enjoy a getaway in the capital!

To find out more about Trinity City Hotel, please visit www.trinitycityhotel.com

QUESTION To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question:

What college is near the Trinity City Hotel?

To enter, email: competitions@greerpublications.com with your answer plus your name, address and daytime number.

Closing date: Friday 29 July 2016 * Terms and conditions apply.

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Discover the true taste of India this Summer

The Jharna, 133 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AG Tel: 028 9038 1299 www.thejharna.com

NOW TAKING SUMMER BOOKINGS

Bengal Brasserie, 322 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 6GH Tel: 028 9068 2999 www.bengalbrasserieuk.com

LIFESTYLETRAVEL

Limbering up for

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ts been four years since the London Olympics took over the summer of 2012, leaving great legacy of health and fitness behind it, and this year it’s Rio’s turn to flex its muscles hosting the world’s most watched event.

The Rio 2016 Olympic Games will take place from 5th – 21st August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and this month Northern Woman will bring you the lowdown on everything you need to know about where to eat, drink and stay for the biggest event on earth!

While some of the most popular events are already sold out, there are still some tickets available on a first come first served basis for the remaining events. Visit www. cosport.com, the authorized ticket reseller for the UK.

What to Expect

When people think of Rio de Janeiro, they think of the Rio Carnival, and while that happened earlier in the year, the city will not disappoint, offering a real party atmosphere all year round. The people are generally friendly and laid back but do read up on travel to Rio as anyone travelling should leave valuables at home and be vigilant and clued up on local crime. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ brazil/safety-and-security

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Sightseeing

If you are a sucker for a good view, which I am, then Sugarloaf Mountain is a must. No need to panic if you are not feeling quite as energetic as the athletes in the Olympic Village, there is a cable car to the top, hurrah!

Like all worthwhile attractions in big cities, it’s best to visit early in the morning to beat the worst of the crowds. From the top there are panoramic views of the city

and Christ the Redeemer statue. There is a café and toilets at the top, perfect before the not too treacherous desent on the return cable car journey. Tickets for the cable car ride: adult £12.50 child £6.40.

Eat & Drink

Cafezinho, or coffee Brazilian style, is almost a ‘welcome!’ term in Brazil. Whether you ask for it or not, you will usually find a strong espresso materialise in your hand.

LIFESTYLETRAVEL

floor, with it’s own lounge and dining room, as the hotel’s main dining room can get very noisy. There is also a very helpful concierge on the floor to help with your plans.

There is a free shuttle to the beach from the airport, be sure to book early to avoid disappointment. However, if the heat of the midday sun becomes too much, return to the hotel and pay a visit to the partly covered rooftop pool with idyllic views where you can watch the small planes land at the nearby airfield.

We’re sure that after all this activity, by the time the Olympic closing ceremony comes round you will have gone the extra mile to enjoy a winning holiday in this spicy South American city.

The culture in Brazil centres around cafés and coffee, be it a birthday party or business meeting. Along with football, the normally laid back Brazilians take their coffee very seriously.

For far more than just great coffee, make a stop at Curto Café. Opened in 2012 the café is a real hit with hipster coffee evangelists. Not only can you get great locally sourced and sustainable beans here with the chalkboard menu breaking down the costs of every raw ingredient making its way into your espresso cup, the staff will also encourage customers to participate in the creative process, learning to make their own barista coffee. A great brag for your friends when you come home!

If you prefer someone else making your food when you go out, L’Etoile restaurant is a great spot. This multi award winning high-end brassiere oozes classic chic with its interior and a menu to match. Think classic French fine dining with a Brazilian twist crafted by chef Jean Paul Bondoux.

The restaurant is situated on the 26th floor of the Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort with breathtaking views over the city’s landmarks.

Stay

The luxurious Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro may be slightly removed from the city centre, but if it’s the Olympics you are interested in, then it’s a short distance from most of the main events which take place in the city’s suburbs.

If you can, opt to stay on the executive

To Make Bookings Olympic Event Ticket Booking www.cosport.com L’Etoile Restaruant www.letoile-rio.com.br/en/ Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/brazil/hilton-barra-rio-dejaneiro-RIOABHH/index.html

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LIFESTYLEWHAT'SON Sarah Millican – Outsider

(9 – 10 June, Belfast Waterfront) www.waterfront.co.uk Visit the newly refurbished Waterfront Hall to see Sarah Millican take to the stage. Have a laugh with the award winning Sarah who was recently listed as one of the 100 most powerful women in the United Kingdom. If you’ve even wondered how to make a homemade treadmill or what to do when you don’t like parties but do like party food then Outsider is for you.

Smiley

(1 June – 2 July, Lyric Theatre) www.lyrictheatre.co.uk A former professional footballer puts together a five-a-side team to win a lucrative competition. Things go awry when ex-paramilitaries force the team to steal the money instead of relying on them to win it. Smiley promises to be a wonderful comedic production.

What's On! June/July 2016 As the weather gets warmer and the nights get longer why not head out to one of these wonderful events across Northern Ireland. June and July see an increase in outdoor events and a celebration of Northern Irish food, drink and culture.

Handbag Positive

(16 June, Millennium Forum) www.millenniumforum.co.uk Attracta and Nora were the best of friends as teenagers. They shared everything from Bay City Rollers trousers to boyfriends. They began to drift apart as people do, until fate reunites them in their middle age. In a local A&E they find themselves back exchanging stories and insults and begin to wonder why they even liked each other.

American Independence Celebrations (2 – 4 July, Ulster American Folk Park) www.nmni.com/uafp

Celebrate the 240th anniversary of the Declaration of the United States of America in the unique setting of the Ulster American Folk Park. Travel back in time to the 1770s as the British Redcoats battle American Militia Sharpshooters in the American War of Independence. Meet the troops but make sure you take cover when the fighting begins! Enjoy live Bluegrass and American Folk music with Punch and Judy Shows and American games.

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LIFESTYLEWHAT'SON Red Sails Festival

(24 – 30 July, Portstewart) www.redsails.co.uk

Other Events

The Red Sails Family Festival is a festival organised by the charitable Portstewart Community Association in conjunction with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. The festival included entertainment and competitions for children which are mostly free to participate in.

The firework finale is one of the most popular in Ireland and is enjoyed by children and adults alike!

Food and Drink

River to Lough Festival 2 July Antrim Castle Gardens www.rivertolough.co.uk

Music GI JIVE

(30 July – 5 Aug, Kilkeel) www.gijivefestival.com Come along on the 30th July to enjoy swing music, vintage fashion shows, war-time re-enactments, original WWII vehicles and memorabilia, a fly-by and a 1940s themed fancy dress competition.

There will be vintage cars, dancing lessons, craft and artisan food stalls, celebrity chefs and much more.

The festival is running in conjunction with the Year of Food and Drink 2016.

Belsonic 9 June – 27 Aug Titanic Belfast www.titanicbelfast.com Fiddler’s Green International Festival 24 – 31 July Rostrevor www.fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk Coast 29 July Limelight www.limelightbelfast.com Van Morrison in Concert 3 – 4 July Slieve Donard Resort and Spa www.hastingshotels.com

Sport Midsummer Concert

(17 – 18 June, Mussenden Temple) www.natationaltrust.org.uk/ downhilldemesne Enjoy an evening of music with Craig Ogden on guitar in the spectacularly unique surroundings of Mussenden Temple. A complimentary buffet supper is even included! Craig is an Australian classic guitarist whose albums have topped UK classical charts. A wonderful night which promises to be extremely special, especially if the rain stays away!

Armoy Motorcycle Road Race 29 – 30 July Armoy www.amrrc.com Foyle Maritime Festival (Clipper) 9 – 17 July Queen’s Quay Londonderry www.derrystrabane.com

Outdoors

County Londonderry Agricultural Show 30 July Limavady www.limavadyshow.co.uk National Meadows Celebrations 2 July Marble Arch Caves www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com

To be included in the NW's What's On please send event details to northernwoman@greerpublications.com NW

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LIFESTYLEBOOKREVIEWS

Books

Fear to Love – an inner journey home

By Belinda Bennetts After losing everything she cared for Belinda hoped that suicide wasn’t the only way out. From the depths of despair she clawed her way out to surface a healthier woman and in touch with her inner self.

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There are so many amazing books due to be released. So whether you are heading away on holiday or simply drifting off to sleep with a book in your hand, be sure to look out for these titles.

We Could Be Beautiful

By Swan Huntley Catherine has spent her entire life surrounded by beautiful things. Despite all this she still feels empty. Then she meets William… But Catherine’s mother only has bad memories of William as a boy.

Rich and Pretty

Ink and Bone

Barkskins

By Rumaan Alam

By Lisa Unger

By Annie Proulx

Sarah and Lauren have been best friends for 20 years, through school, first jobs and first loves.

Each woman envies and is horrified by particular aspects of the other’s life. Can two women who rarely see each other and lead different lives still call themselves friends?

Finley is visited by people whom others cannot see.

She turns to her psychic grandmother Eloise for help.

Merri’s been searching for her missing daughter for 10 months now. Desperate, she turns to Eloise.

In the seventeenth century two Frenchmen arrive in New France and become woodcutters bound to a feudal lord in exchange for land.

One experiences extraordinary hardship, the other runs away and becomes a trader. How will each of their descendants fair out?

LIFESTYLEMOVIEREVIEWS

Movies The BFG

Starring: Rebecca Hall, Mark Rylance and Bill Hader Roald Dahl’s children’s favourite is brought to life as a girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant. Despite his intimidating appearance the BFG turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because unlike his peers, he refuses to eat little boys and girls.

Finding Dory Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks and Idris Elba Six months on from Finding Nemo, the friendly but forgetful blue tang fish, Dory, recalls her loved ones. Cue a mission with Marlin and Nemo to find the jewel of Morro Bay, California. Dory arrives at the Monterey Marine Life institute and meets Bailey, a white beluga whale, Destiny, a whale shark, and Hank an octopus.

As the kids get off for school and you start your annual hunt for fun days out there are a host of new movies released in cinemas.

Most of which are ideal for the kids in your life – big or small!

The Legend of Tarzan

Starring: Margot Robbie, Alexander Skarsgard and Samuel L Jackson Having acclimatised to life in London, John, aka Tarzan, is called back to his former home in the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining encampment.

Accompanied by his beloved wife, Jane Porter, Tarzan has been invited to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary of Parliament.

Central Intelligence

Starring: Dwayne Johnston, Aaron Paul and Kevin Hart A mild mannered accountant reunites with an old pal through Facebook and is lured into the world of international espionage as Bob, a one-timed bullied overweight geek who grew up to be a lethal CIA agent, comes home for his high school reunion. He recruits the help of former big man on campus.

The Secret Life of Pets Starring: Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell and Kevin Hart Max’s life as a favourite pet in a Manhattan apartment building is turned upside down when his owner brings home a sloppy mongrel named Duke. Once they find out that an adorable white bunny named Snowball is building an army of abandoned pets determined to take revenge on all owned pets, Max and Duke must overcome their differences to defeat Snowball.

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MOTORINGNEWS

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azda has added its smooth, frugal and clean 1.5-litre diesel engine to the popular Mazda3.

Designed to appeal to both fleet and private buyers, when matched to the six-speed

By Pat Burns manual transmission, the 105ps emits just 99g/km with a combined economy of 74.3mpg.

Available in hatchback and Fastback body styles, the new 1.5 Skyactiv-D is offered across all trim levels with prices starting at £18,895 on-the-road. The hatchback version of the 1.5D is also available with a six-speed automatic transmission.

With 270Nm of torque and 0-62mph performance of 11.0 seconds, the Mazda3 1.5D delivers the no compromise blend of performance, refinement and efficiency demanded by customers in this sector.

As you’d expect, the engine comes as standard with Mazda’s i-stop idle-stop system, which delivers the world’s fastest restarts on a diesel engine.

New Mazda3 Diesel scores on the economy front

A perfect ten I

’m sure the music system in the new Audi R8 matches the superlative specification of the rest of the car, but I can’t see the point of listening to the radio when you have the most glorious sounding V10 engine roaring, barking and crackling behind your ears. The 5.2 litre, 610bhp R8 is everything you could want in a supercar – phenomenal performance, styling and driving experience, yet it can trundle round town and you could let your granny drive it to the shops. But be warned, press the accelerator and you will have a monster under your right foot – albeit a controllable one thanks to Audi’s excellent four wheel drive quattro system.

As soon as the engine is started, it revs at 2,500 rpm briefly before settling down to a low growl. Under acceleration, the naturally-aspirated ten-cylinder engine develops a very unique sound – a throaty hissing and roaring.

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The fastest production Audi ever catapults from 0 to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and from 0 to 124 mph in 9.9 seconds. It can continue accelerating to a maximum speed of 205 mph.

Two flaps in the exhaust system let the driver choose between a comfort-oriented sound and a sonorous sound. All the sounds are completely authentic – including the babbling sound when the foot is taken off the accelerator pedal and a more roaring sound when shifting gears under full load.

The acceleration of the R8 is like something out of a science fiction film. It probably comes close to warp speed and there is nothing like it to concentrate the mind. Even if you don’t want to extract every last horsepower out of the V10, you’ll be happy to sit in the car park and just listen as you rev it.

The V10 R8 starts at £119,500 and the V10 Plus at £134,500.

The BMW 2 Series GranTourer

The Ultimate Driving Machine

THE SEVEN SEAT BMW 218i SPORT GRAN TOURER

ENGINEERED FOR FAMILY LIFE. THE BMW 2 SERIES GRAN TOURER WITH SEVEN SEATS. BMW Select Representative example: BMW 218i Sport Gran Tourer.

Term of 47 monthly On the road Customer agreement payments cash price* deposit 47 months £289.00

£26,260.00

£3,559.00

Deposit Total contribution deposit £736.71

Total amount of credit

£4,295.71 £21,964.29

Option to Optional Total amount Rate of purchase fee^ final payment^ payable interest £1.00

£10,250.85

£28,130.56

2.9% fixed

Representative 2.9% APR

For more information or to arrange a test drive†, call us on 028 7035 5222 or visit www.jkcbmw.co.uk

SEARCH: JKC SPECIALIST CARS. Official fuel economy figures for the BMW 218i M Sport Gran Tourer: Urban 42.2mpg (6.7l/100km). Extra Urban 58.9mpg (4.8l/100km).

Combined 51.4mpg (5.5l/100km). CO2 emissions 127g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

JKC Specialist Cars is a credit broker and not a lender.

Price shown is for a 36 month Personal Contract Hire agreement for a BMW 218i M Sport Gran Tourer, with a contract mileage of 30,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 7.07p per mile. Applies for new vehicles ordered between 1 April and 30 June 2016 and registered by 30 September 2016 (subject to availability). Retail customers only. At the end of your agreement you must return the vehicle. Excess mileage, vehicle condition and other charges may be payable. Hire available subject to status to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. Hire provided by BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited, Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. J.K.C. Specialist Cars Limited, trading as JKC Specialist Cars, commonly introduce customers to a selected panel of lenders including BMW Financial Services. We may receive commission or other benefits for introducing you to such lenders. This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice. †Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

34207_JKC_2SER_GT_SEL_ad_225x280.indd 1

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MOTORINGNEWS

Sun shines on the new Seat Ibiza T

he ever popular Seat Ibiza has been revised with new styling, engines and in-car technology.

Connectivity is a central factor in today’s world – and a focal point when it comes to developing Seat models. In the new Ibiza, the Spanish brand is using the second generation of its Easy Connect infotainment systems. The new MediaSystem and satellite navigation system can provide seamless smartphone integration into the car infotainment system.

In line with this connectivity, Seat has announced an agreement with Samsung to develop technological solutions across its model range.

The exterior design of the Ibiza five-door, three-door SC (Sport Coupé) and the ST (Sport Tourer) are still up-to-the-minute and extremely well received by customers, so changes for the new model take in new headlights with LED daytime running lights, new 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel designs and two new paint colours, Moonstone Silver and Chilli Red. The new Ibiza range features a completely new generation of petrol and TDI engines. The entry-level petrol engine is a 1.0litre threecylinder which produces 75 PS in naturally aspirated format and 95 PS or 110 PS as Eco TSI turbocharged engines. Among the new threecylinder diesel engines, the 1.4 TDI achieves a fuel consumption of 83.1 mpg. Each of the other TDI powertrains, with 90 PS or 105 PS, achieve 74.3 mpg or more.

More than ever before, the new Ibiza can also be perfectly adapted to personal style and individual preferences, with an extensive array of colours, options and accessories.

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SOCIAL

Photos from the latest events around Northern Ireland

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TIME FOR TEA AT THE MERCHANT

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ashion lovers were treated to a sweet showcase of new season style, as The Merchant Hotel’s Fabulous Fashion Teas recently returned for their tenth year of decadent afternoon teas and fabulous fashion.

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1. Chloe Dougan, Petra Wolsey and Tracey Hall 2. Sarah Woodside, Karen Anderson, Joanne Flynn and Melissa McKee 3. Kristina and Anna Beattie 4. Siobhan Loughman and Ciara Boyle 5. Hannah Faloon, Barry McCahon and Suzi McCahon 6. Linda Stinson and Laura McPolin 7. Ann Haddock, Chloe Haddock and Margaret Murray

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NEW SHANE BENNETT SALON IS A CUT ABOVE THE REST

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ot on the heels of their historical win as the first Northern Irish salon to take home the coveted Artistic Team of the Year award at the British Hairdressing Awards 2015, Shane Bennett Salon recently relocated to Lisburn city centre after almost two decades in Hillsborough.

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1. Colette Fitzpatrick, Julie Cherry, Lynne Morrow, Anne Mulholland and Debbie Best 2. Shirley and Shane Bennett 3. Shane Bennett and Denise Watson 4. Colette Fitzpatrick with Julie Cherry, Northern Ireland Hair Dresser of the Year 5. Pat Fallis, Shane Bennett and Alison Campbell 6.

Suzanne O’Neill, Shane Bennett and Deirdre O’Neill 6

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SOCIALPRÊT-À-PARTY

PEEL GOES DENIMTASTIC

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ashionistas from across Northern Ireland flocked to PEEL in Bloomfield Avenue recently for their Denimtastic event.

Featuring brands such as Citizens of Humanity, AG Jeans, 360cashmere, Skull Cashmere and Essentiel Antwerp amongst many others, the mini fashion showcase highlighted the very best way to wear denim this season – a key trend for SS16.

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1. Joanna Spencer-Boyd 2. Rosanna Smyth 3. Leigh Kennedy, Elaine Peel and Leza Royal 4. Benjamin and Ruta Sidebotham 5. Elaine and Robert Peel 6.

Sara Stewart and Katrina Dowling 7. Beth Robinson

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STORMONT CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS

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o celebrate five decades in business the Stormont Hotel recently hosted a special gourmet wine evening, with an exquisite dinner prepared by Executive Head Chef, Jay Eisenstadt. The cleverly themed menu reflected the varying trends and tastes in food over the last fifty years with dishes that were synonymous with each decade, beautifully presented using delicious local produce.

1. Stephen and Christine McDonnell 2. Judith and Peter Allen & Jonathan Topping 3. Julie-Anne Clarke & Scott Arnold 4. Richard and Kathryn Kirk 5. Fiona Scullion, Valerie McCleary & Caroline Brown 6. Michele Shirlow, David Hampton, Fiona Hampton and Joanne Harvey 7. Martina Kelly, Roisin & Paul Rice & Gerry Kelly 8. Norman McBride, Kellie Sprott, Olive Maybin & Howard Hastings 7

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Mad Hatters Tea Party

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EAL hosted a truly head turning evening with famous Milanese hat designer Krisztina Reisini & her magnificent creations.

1. Felicity Horne with Elaine Montgomery 2. Eleanor O’Neill and Pamela Ruddick 3. Julie Kiss, Mary McVeigh and Maria Watson 4. Krisztina Reisini and Barbara Haughey 5. Clare Watson and Patricia McCullough 6. Krisztina Reisini and Roisin Donnelly 7. Carol Tinsley and Debbie Rolston

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MEGA MAKEOVER FOR METRO

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he Metro, one of Derry City’s most iconic and popular venues, hosted a glittering VIP reception recently to mark the unveiling of a great new look and a great new portfolio of draught drinks brands.

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1. Elaine Buckley (second from right) with Leona, Rachel and Erin Gill 2. Bernard and Cathy O’Kane with John Downey and Danielle Carroll 3.

David Doherty and Louise Da Costa 4.

Michele Downey with Corona promo girls Victoria Withers and Zara Shaw 5.

Fionnuala Conway, Grannia Donaghey and Linda Donnelly 6. Jimmy, Marie and Tom McGee, Carolynn Toland and Terry McGee 7.

Liam Kelly, Brian McGeehan and Alan Logue

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FUNDRAISING AT THE GIANTS

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eninsula Care Services recently held a fundraising evening at the Belfast Giants in aid of Cavan O’Neill, First Steps charity

1. Belfast Giant Brandon Benedict with Cavan O’Neill 2. Brandon Benedict with Cavan O’Neill and UTV’s Pamela Ballantine 3. Brandon Benedict with Cavan O’Neill and his parents Emma and Diarmiud 4. Rowan, Brandon, Leo, Louise and Mark Baine 5. Suzanne, Aaron, Jake, Benjamin and Toby McCarten 6. Pamela Ballantine, Alan Graham and Brandon Benedict 7. Emma O’Neill Deighan, Ann Rogers and Brandon Benedict

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21st ANNIVERSARY FOR JANUS AWARDS

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The 21st annual Janus Awards’ gala awards dinner took place at The Ramada Hotel, Belfast recently, with the crème de la crème of professionals working in the hospitality industry being rewarded for their commitment, skill and passion.

3 1. Barra Best, Siobhan O’Sullivan and Michael McCarthy 2. Gareth McKee and Michelle Dunleavy 3. Harry and Marilyn Crawford 4. Gemma Garrett and Michael McCarthy 5. Ian and Stephanie Manson 6. Eddie and Meena Poole 7. Colin and Alison Donaldson 5

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LIFESTYLEWEDDINGALBUM

A Mexican Fiesta

Lewis and his bride, Tracey, decided to tie the knot amidst the sunshine and tranquility of Cancun in Mexico.

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ewis proposed to Tracey and when it came to organising the wedding the couple decided that Mexico was the perfect setting for them to enjoy their day with close friends and family.

Having viewed several resorts in Cancun, Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort stood out and this provided the stunning backdrop for their Mexican wedding and reception with friends and family who were able to travel with them. For those unable to make the Mexican celebrations, Lewis and Tracey organised an evening reception upon their return from their combined wedding and honeymoon in the beautiful surroundings of Lurgan Golf Club.

The Mexican backdrop dictated a simple, elegance and beach theme to the overall wedding, which was continued on the return home. As Tracey explains, ‘Our wedding reception at Lugan Golf Club was styled by Laura Donnell from Forget Me Not. Her choice of a beach theme fitted in perfectly with our Mexico wedding. We were impressed at how she had transformed the Golf Club into something special. Laura was great to work with and knew exactly what we wanted. Entertainment on this night was provided by local band Back to Black.

‘Our wedding day was just perfect. We had always wanted to go on honeymoon to Mexico and decided to get married there as well, and getting the chance to celebrate with all of our family and friends again when we came home was fantastic. The celebrations at home and abroad were just what we dreamed of,’ adds Tracey.

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LIFESTYLEWEDDINGALBUM

The wedding party: Lewis & Tracey with Hanna Greer, Samantha Cardwell and best man Andrew Greer

Finishing Touches Wedding Theme: Beach theme by Forget Me Not. Bridal Gown & Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Perfect Day, Lurgan.

Engagement & Wedding Rings: Joesph Rea, Belfast.

Hair & Make-up: Bride’s Sister, Samantha-Jo Cardwell.

Flowers & Cake: Moon Palace, Golf and Spa Resort, Cancun,

Mexico.

Photography & Cinematography: Dreamart Photography,

Flowergirl: Leagh Cardwell

Cancun, Mexico.

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ONELASTTHING

A Day in the Life of

Joe Lindsay

This issue we catch up with the charismatic Joe Lindsay who you may know as the presenter of holiday programme ‘Getaways’, his DJing or his weekly newspaper column...

Image courtesy of Waddell Media

which I was way too young to see but I fell in love with film because of it.

What are your current projects?

At the minute I’m doing a lot of writing. I write a weekly column for the Daily Mirror and its sister site Belfast Live and am finishing the first draft of a play about growing up in Belfast in the 70s. It was a subject I avoided for many years because, well, you kind of become removed from it as it’s often too close to home but now I’m at a point where I can look at it and the stories I have and make what I hope is an interesting and funny play. Am getting my exhibition together for later in the year, a joint collaboration with Rory Jeffers, who is a phenomenal painter and graphic designer. I also am about to start another series of ‘Getaways’, which I love doing and in my spare time, DJing my club nights. I hate being bored.

What would you like to do that you haven’t had the chance to yet?

There are a few things I’d like to do and am actually going to do, that I’ve never done.

Writing the play is one of them and also another project that is a bit top secret at the minute but will be happening in November.

Everyone should do the things they want to do, especially if they think they can’t do them. That’s what it’s all about. Life is short and ends without warning. There is no time to wait, get up and out and do it. If it doesn’t work, so what? Better to try than regret not doing it, I reckon. My friend has a brilliant, but pretty dark, attitude to motivate. Simply, ‘You're going to die’. We all do. Make it count while we’re here.

Did you always want work in the worlds of music and media?

I’ve had a love of music and film from an early age, my parents and older sisters played music constantly in our house but I really wanted to be a painter to be honest.

I still do paint and have another exhibition later in the year, my third to date. And thankfully I do two jobs I love, presenting on television and radio and playing records

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as a DJ. My mum loved The Carpenters and 50s music and my dad was a big fan of T-Rex and Bowie etc, mix that in with my sister Margaret’s love of mod music and my elder sister Donna’s love of New Romantic and New Wave stuff that has informed everything I’ve ever loved. They were really cool sisters to have. They used to sneak me into the cinema to see stuff like Grease and Saturday Night Fever,

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I’m not sure if there’s anything that would be terribly surprising, but my abject fear of rats and clowns is pretty surprising. I hate them both. The way rats run, the tails, the horrible screeching noise they make. Grim. And clowns are just plain terrifying. The make-up, the fake smile painted on, good god, that is horrendous. Nightmarish stuff!

NORTHERN WOMAN

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