Northern Woman November 2017 by Helen Wright

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Editor’s Letter

i all, Welcome to the November edition of Northern Woman. This month we catch up with Scissor Sisters frontwoman Ana Matronic ahead of her visit to Northern Ireland for the TEDxStormont Women 2017 event. Belfast photographer and fashion designer Chris Sutton talks to NW about his most memorable moments working with A-listers Lady Gaga, Marilyn Manson and Jerry Hall, to name just a few. Our stunning editorial fashion spread was shot in Victoria Square, Belfast. Personal Stylist Katherin Farries put together office wear and party looks to flatter a variety of body shapes – and I think you’ll agree all of the girls look drop dead gorgeous. Best of all, if you spot an outfit you like, you’ll be able to buy the clothing and accessories locally. Long-suffering journalist Clare Henderson made us laugh out loud with her tale of woe about life with a ‘hypochondriac husband’, and Clare Bowie’s hilarious synopsis of next door neighbour personalities is pretty accurate. Jade Beecroft looks at Meetup as a means of expanding your social circle and making new friends. Beauty writer Claire Craig reveals her top ten bargain beauty buys – all products featured cost less than £10, and Kate Cody reviews Reiki. We also bring you the very latest interior trends, beauty news and advice, travel reviews, local events, and much more besides.

Photographer Brendan Gallagher takes aim

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Catriona Doherty Editor Northern Woman

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Northern Woman

CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2017

STYLE 8 PEARLS Classic, chic, fashion forward embellishment 10 STATEMENT SLEEVES Dramatic bell, puff and flared sleeves 12 MISS MILITARY & SHINE ON Military jackets and more 13 IN THE PICTURE Chris Sutton shares his most memorable pics 18 DAY TO NIGHT From office to glamorous event 28 METALLIC HEELS The heels we’ve taken a shine to FEATURES 29 ANA MATRONIC on the Scissor Sister and ‘returning home’ to Northern Ireland 32 FOSTER FAMILIES Would you consider giving a child a home? 34 MEETUP REVOLUTION Expand your social circle today 36 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH What type of a next door neighbour do you have? 38 ‘HUSBANDLY HYPOCHONDRIA’ Yes, it’s worse than ‘man flu’ 41 THE POINT OF NO RETURN Goodbye my lover BEAUTY 46 TEN UNDER £10 Claire Craig’s bargain beauty buys 48 #INSTABEAUTY Top trends from Instagram 50 THE BEAUTY EDIT The latest makeup and skincare launches HEALTH AND WELLNESS 53 PROFILE: Reiki tried and tested 54 THE GOOD IN FEELING BAD The hidden benefits of all negative emotions 56 KIT OUT Workout wardrobe updates 58 ROLLER DERBY What’s it all about?

Credit: Dunnes Stores

Cover image Olivia Palermo for Coast www.coast-stores.com

Credit: Closet London

ESCAPE 60 TOP 10 Ski tips for beginners 62 CHRISTMAS KRACKER 24 hours in Krackow 64 THE SOCIAL 10 This month’s most happening events 66 MOVIE ROUNDUP LIVING 68 DOUBLE UP Designer doubles 69 A CAREFULLY CO-ORDINATED HOME WITH VIBRANT POPS OF COLOUR Inside a reader’s home

74 78

BEAT THE BLUES Brighten up your life HOME TRUTHS What you need to know before buying your first house

IN EVERY ISSUE 80 LOCAL WEDDINGS 84 THE ALBUM Social pics 96 NORTHEN MAN Jeff Meredith explores autumn shades 98 WIN A stay at Castleknock Hotel

Publisher Independent News & Media Ltd Belfast Telegraph House 33 Clarendon Road Clarendon Dock Belfast BT1 3GB T: 028 9026 4264 Editor: Catriona Doherty Design: Robert Armstrong Manager: Eileen Doherty Art Editor: Helen Wright Editorial Contributors Claire Craig, Jeff Meredith, Emma Deighan, Róisín Carabine, Clare Bowie, Jade Beecroft, Rosalind Jayne, Clare Henderson, Kate Cody, Katie Byrne and Jess Whitley Independent News & Media © 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means; electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of Independent News & Media.

Hillsborough Castle

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Victor Boyko Getty Images

SHOP THE LOOK

Pearls

Classic, chic and fashion forward, pearl embellishment instantly updates your look 04

New York Fashion Week. Albert Urso Getty Image

01 Super High Waist Jeans with Faux Pearls from Stradivarius £29.99. 02 Pearl Front Jumper from Savida at Dunnes Stores £35. 03 Beth Bangle from Chi Chi London £10. 04 Jeans from Matalan £20. 05 Stilettos from Zara £89.99. 06 Pearl Trim Top from River Island £30. 07 Studded Buckle Barely There Sandals from River Island £68. 08 Tee from Stradivarius £12.99. 09 Bertta from Dune London £120. 10 Grey Embellished Jumper from Warehouse £46.

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03 04

Statement sleeves

The statement sleeve goes arm in arm with autumnal dressing. Keep warm and look bang on trend with a dramatic bell, puff or flared sleeve

New York Fashion Week. Frazer Harrison Getty Images

06 Paris Fashion Week. Aurelien Meunier Getty Images

08 07 01 Metallic Slash Neck Long Sleeve Shell Top from M&S £39.50. 02 Black Puff Sleeve Top from Libra Clothing, Belfast £85. 03 Gold Closet Tie Front Blouse from Closet London £45. 04 Print Blouse from Savida at Dunnes Stores £30. 05 Navy Velvet Midi Dress from Wallis £45. 06 Top from Matalan £16. 07 Lilac Puff Sleeve Knit from Oasis £40. 08 Jacket from Zara £49.99. 09 Cameron Cowl Neck Knit Top from Coast £89

Miss Military Atte-ntion! Off-duty military jackets have been marching down autumn/winter catwalks and here are a few of our faves

06 05

01 PAX Double-Breasted Jacket from Reiss £295. 02 Dahlia Military Jacket from Monsoon £129. 03 Jacket from Zara price not released by date of publishing. 04 Jacket by Red Herring from Debenhams £55. 05 Star by Julien MacDonald jacket from Debenhams £70. 06 Pitsford Moleskin from White Stuff £110.

Shine on

Shine bright like a diamond with patent and vinyl clothing and accessories 02

01 Payton Mac from All Saints £630. 02 Denvie from Dune London £65. 03 Studio by Preen Vinyl Skirt from Debenhams £75.

Chris Sutton shares his most memorable photos with Northern Woman

elfast photographer and fashion designer, Chris Sutton, has worked with numerous high profile artists over the years; Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce and Little Mix, to name a few. Chris was Marilyn Manson’s fashion director from 2011-2014, working on bespoke looks for the musician’s international tours and videos. He has also created imagery for Dior, Fendi and Vogue Italia. Here are a few of his favourite snaps. n

IN THE

picture µµThis image is by Terry Richardson, the American fashion and portrait photographer, and it was taken on the opening leg of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Ball Tour. I designed the looks for five songs for the show alongside Versace and Moschino. This picture shows the looks for the song Bad Romance. It was a culmination of a few years’ work collaborating with Gaga and her team.∑∑

µµBackstage with Marilyn Manson in London in 2015 – I just love the guy. He is an impressive artist and his mind is 25 steps ahead of most people. Working with him is always a huge pleasure, and to be honest, very fun! He is incredibly funny and dry. ∑∑

µµDuring my work in Paris with Amanda Harlech I was on set frequently working on editorials. Here Jerry Hall was waiting for Karl Lagerfeld on set, I took one shot on my old 120 film camera and this was it. She is one badass Texan. I remember Karl’s playlist had ‘She’s a Model’ from Kraftwerk playing and I was looking at Jerry laughing and I thought, I can imagine the power of that face in Studio 54. Her charisma was striking. ∑∑

µµThis is Karl Lagerfeld shooting Kendal Jenner in Paris in his studio. I shot this for V Magazine as they wanted to show behind the scenes of this couture shoot. I just wanted to show the sense of Kendal being at the centre. Our jobs are 90% prep and then you step back and all the crew’s work; hair, make up and styling, gets distilled into one moment, which the photographer tries to capture.∑∑

µµThis is a campaign image for Shaun Leane that I created recently. Shaun is a great artist. He was the genius behind Alexander McQueen’s amazing jewellery showpieces. His work shows beauty and danger; two things I’m interested in. For this work, I was flying home and saw the sunlight through my glass, and the light refracted on my napkin was really beautiful; like feathers of light. So I kept that in my mind and when I started work on the Shaun Leane images I simply filled crystal glasses with water and lit each piece, and this is where I ended up.∑∑

Hair by Paul Stafford Colour by Aidan Bradley Make up by DJ Griffin Styling by Sara O Neill Photography by Lee Mitchell

Day to night Victoria Square Personal Stylist Katherin Farries has given her work colleagues a make over. The team are showcasing on-trend workwear and glamorous night-time looks.

All clothing from, and shot on location at Victoria Square, Belfast

Katherin Farries models a Reiss dress £225 and Reiss coat £365; shoes from Kurt Geiger £99; necklace from Swarovski £99

Michelle Greeves models a dress from Karen Millen £190; Gucci shoes £480 and Gucci bag £2,020 – both from Cruise; jewellery Michelle’s own

Rebecca Henderson models a dress from Reiss £175; boots from Kurt Geiger £185; Kenzo bag from Cruise £200

Gemma-Louise Bond models a Victoria Beckham coat from Cruise £850; jumpsuit from Phase Eight £99; shoes from Kurt Geiger £119; bag from LK. Bennett £195; Gant glasses from Specsavers £149

Lauren Campbell models a jumper from Warehouse £46; Victoria Beckham trousers from Cruise £495; shoes from Mango £35.99; YSL bag from Cruise £2,250; rings Lauren’s own

Becky Atkinson models a Joseph shirt from Cruise £255; trousers from Coast £89; bag from Kurt Geiger £119; jewellery Becky’s own

Clockwise - top £89 and skirt £139 from Coast, bracelet £109 and earrings £85 from Swarovski; dress from Monsoon £79 and earrings from H&M £8.99; dress from House of Fraser £180 and necklace from Swarovski £319; dress from House of Fraser £250; skirt from Coast £89, top from Cruise £165, bag from Kurt Geiger £69 and earrings from Swarovski £89

Katherin Farries models a jacket from Mango £59.99; T-shirt from Karen Millen £45; jeans from Guess £60; shoes from Kurt Geiger £119

– PHOTOGRAPHY – Brendan Gallagher 07900 638365 brendangallagher.net – HAIR – Shane Breslin and Emily Scott Paul Stafford Hairdressing staffordhair.com – MAKEUP – Samantha Weightman 07866 315279 www.samanthaweightman.com Shauneen Moynagh 07907 158048 www.makeupbelfast.com – STYLING – Katherin Farries 028 9032 2277 www.victoriasquare.com/personal-stylist – LOCATION – Victoria Square Belfast 028 9032 2277 www.victoriasquare.com

Behind the scenes… with Katherin Farries - Victoria Square Personal Stylist

“I

have a fashion degree and background in retail, specifically visual merchandising, which has given me invaluable experience in putting together both key looks and classic styles,” Katherin begins. The fashionista previously worked in the costume and design departments of Game of Thrones and film Dracula Untold, and on sci-fi and period dramas. Her impressive CV has “definitely perfected my skills in dressing for numerous types of occasion” she explains. For this month’s issue Katherin styled office wear and glamorous event looks, to suit her work colleagues’ body shapes and individual sense of style.

What’s involved in a styling session?

Before every styling session Katherin carefully pre-selects items suitable for each client’s body shape, age, budget and the occasion, so that there’s nothing left to do when they arrive but have a try on and glass of bubbly in the Personal Styling Suite. It’s the ultimate experience in stress-free shopping. A three-hour appointment is only £45 – plus if you shop with Katherin you get exclusive discounts in many of the stores in Victoria Square. ‘Who can benefit from a session with you?’ we ask. “Everyone! Whether you are a busy mum who doesn’t have much time to shop, or a young graduate that needs some suits for their first job,” Katherine replies. “I truly feel everyone should experience the service for themselves.”

Accessible to all

Katherin’s warm and bubble personality immediately puts customers at ease. ‘What would you say to a body-conscious lady who is not sure what to expect from a styling session?’ we ask. “Some clients come in feeling nervous and a little anxious but they soon realise that I am here to support their style needs and encourage them to try a style that they admire but feel too nervous to wear,” Katherin explains. “I offer custom styling which is unique to the individual, I don’t generalise style or try to make clients dress in a certain way, just because it is on trend. Clients always comment on how confident they feel wearing the items chosen during a fun and relaxed personal styling session. I love to focus on the four C’s – colour, cut, comfort and confidence.”

Christmas is coming!

Undoubtedly a styling session with Katherin would make the perfect gift for a loved one. You can also book into the service as a group. “I had a great group of sisters come to visit me recently for a special birthday day out; we had so much fun,” Katherin enthuses, “it’s also a fantastic gift for your partner to give to you”. The Northern Woman team suggest leaving the magazine open at this page to ‘inspire’ your other half!

To book

For more information on Katherin’s service or to book an appointment visit: victoriasquare.com/personal-stylist or call 028 9032 2277.

For this month’s issue Katherin collated office wear and glamorous event looks, to suit her work colleagues’ body shapes and individual sense of style.

Michelle Greeves, Centre Manager “I put Michelle in red because it’s her power colour! It makes her look and feel fabulous. It’s also a wonderful colour to represent leadership. I paired the dress with some Gucci heels to add a little height to her petite frame and of course, I had to team it with the ultimate boss bag!”

Rebecca Henderson, Events Co-ordinator

“Rebecca has a very strong sense of style and loves to invest in items that will last the test of time. This Reiss dress flatters her figure as well as being cosy and comfy for running around the centre. The boots are practical as well as fun.”

Gemma-Louise Bond, Marketing Assistant

“Gemma-Louise suits bright colours with her dark hair and eyes. I put her in this strong coat as she is 5ft10 and can carry off over oversized shapes. She also has very slim legs so can pull out off a jumpsuit with a flat shoe.”

Lauren Campbell, Marketing Manager

“Lauren has a lovely slender figure. She suits wide-legged trousers and the bold patterned pair I chose are on trend and represent her bold, creative decision making as the head of our marketing team.”

Becky Atkinson, Retail Liaison

“Becky suits V-necks to show off her great hourglass figure. She’s the Nigella Lawson of our office! High-waisted items are her signature look and these Coast trousers help to lengthen the legs and make her waist appear even smaller. I added the bag for a little bit of quirky fun to represent her playful personality.”

M&S Collection Shoe from Marks & Spencer £69

Metallic Silver Block Heel Chelsea Boots from River Island £40

Cantrel from Dune London £80

New York Fashion Week. Paul Morigi Getty Images Ankle Boots from Zara £29.99 Silver Boots from ASOS £50

Paris Fashion Week Womenswear. Pascal Le Segretain Getty Images

Metallic heels

The heels we’ve taken a shine to this month Silver ankle boots are having a serious fashion moment. Wear yours with cropped frayed-hem jeans, wide-leg culottes or a jumpsuit. Readers everywhere rejoice – the comfy kitten heel is in and block heels are back. These boots were made for walking. Glitter boots were all over autumn/winter runways back at the start of the year, showcased by big names Chanel, Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta and many more. The trend has now trickled down to the high street and you can pick up a sparkly pair that won’t break the bank from the likes of Topshop, Dolics and Office to name a few. If silver shoes are not your bag, opt for metallic embellishment instead - we are head over heels about the Kurt Geiger pair below.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Alexander Koerner Getty Images

Orellia from Dune London £160

Soar from Kurt Geiger London £220

Freya Zip Ankle Boot Silver Glitter from Dolics £50

New York Fashion Week. Arun Nevader Getty Images for Marcel Ostertag

Credit: Ethan Miller Getty Images

Ana Matronic on the Scissor Sisters, robots and fashion, and ‘returning home’ to Northern Ireland

cissor Sisters frontwoman Ana Matronic is set to speak at the TEDxStormont Women 2017 event this month. We catch up with the artist prior to her visit. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx events bring people together to share ideas; TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark discussion and connection in a small group. ‘What can audiences expect from your talk?’ we begin.

BY CATRIONA DOHERTY “I’m really looking forward to Belfast and I’m really looking forward to speaking,” Ana replies. “The theme of the event is bridges, so I’m going to be taking about how Artificial Intelligence and robots help to build a bridge between so many different things. It’s going to be a really fun talk and I hope to blow some minds in the way that mine has been blown. “I’m also looking forward to listening to a really wide and diverse group of speakers, and learning as much as I can. These events are always so eye-opening

and mind-expanding. I’m looking forward to getting to chat with some of the other speakers, if they really turn me on,” Ana says.

Carbohydrates and cocktails

‘What have you got planned for Belfast?’ NW asks. “Carbohydrates and cocktails – that’s pretty much what I’m interested in,” Ana laughs. “You know I do really love Belfast and it

Continued on 30 ➤

Ethan Miller Getty Images has always been a pleasure to visit. Belfast has really transformed since I first came back in 2003. You can feel the weight of the conflict in Ireland, and in the last decade there’s a whole lot more joy in Belfast – in Northern Ireland in general – and it’s something that I feel very privileged to have witnessed.

“I have Irish heritage - from all over Britain and Ireland, so coming back to Ireland always feels like coming back home. There’s something about it that is fulfilling in my bones.”

Robots, witches and drag queens

TEDxStormont Women event attendees will

learn about Ana’s book: Robot Takeover: 100 Iconic Robots of Myth, Popular Culture and Real Life. “The title kind of tells you what the bones of the book are, but really it’s an attempt to show how pervasive robots are in our culture,” Ana explains. “Robots are something that I’ve always been interested

Credit: Kevin Tachman in. I think, it goes in with an appreciation of, or maybe was the kick-start of, my love of industrial design which I think I inherited it from my father; he really enjoyed industrial design and architecture.” The book also explores the link between robots and fashion. ‘Fashion has always benefited from technology,” the author says, “and now there is a whole movement of wearable technology. There are designers making light up, laser-shooting garments for the likes of Lady Gaga and Bono, and a friend of mine is designing a jacket that will take photos automatically. There’s all sorts of people working in fashion, and in art, creating wearable art that incorporates AI and robots.”

µµyou see the world at the expense of seeing home∑∑ In addition to robots, Ana also loves witches and drag queens. She elaborates on her passion: “We are taught that we live in a world of dualities; black and white, night and day, and so on - but we don’t. We live in a world where there isn’t only night and day – there’s dawn and dusk too. There are spaces in between male and female. There are spaces in between life and death, existence and non-existence. “I wondered ‘what is it about drag queens, witches and butterflies that I love?’ I have had these obsessions throughout my life, and then I realised the aspect of them all is transformation. They are liminal; they exist in two places at once. That’s what I find so interesting, and that’s the space where I find my most delicious life experiences and lessons.”

‘Swerlk’ to honour the one-year anniversary of the Orlando nightclub shooting. ‘Was that a one-off track or will Scissor Sisters return for good?’ we ask. “Hard to say, at this point,” Ana replies. “I have been so busy working fulltime pretty much on my Radio show which is on BBC Radio 2 - every Saturday I do Disco Devotion. It’s difficult for me to fit anything else in other than disco radio shows, which is quite a pleasure I have to say. Disco has been my bread and butter for quite a few years and I could not be happier about that.”

Never stop learning

To young artists just starting out, the artist

µµthere are spaces in between male and female, and life and death∑∑ “Also don’t forget that relaxation is an activity. It’s important in addition to working and doing, to have those moments where you just be, and find that quiet within you.”

The return of Scissor Sisters?

Ana has had many incredible life experiences during her years performing with Scissor Sisters and finds it difficult to pinpoint her most memorable moment from that era. “Scissor Sisters allowed me to see the world, in addition to having a job that allowed me to be creative and be a performer for a living,” she says. “That is an extraordinary gift and an extraordinary privilege; being able to experience a whole lot of cultures, and get paid to travel and do something that I have always wanted to do, definitely encompasses all the really great memorable moments. “It comes with a whole lot of work, and a whole lot of missing home as well, because you see the world at the expense of seeing home and that’s the really difficult part. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, and I got the world, which is really exciting.” Scissor Sisters took a break from an eleven-year career back in 2011. This summer the band teamed up with American electronic singer MNDR to release single

offers the following advice: “Never stop learning and never stop working. It’s a constant grind to do what we do. When you’re not working you’re thinking about what you’re going to work on next. It can be really difficult because it feels like you never stop working, you can’t leave your job at home like you can with so many other jobs, but it’s extraordinarily worthwhile.

What’s next?

“2017 is all about music; disco or DJing at live events. I have live DJ events set up in the UK and Ireland all throughout November. I have just released a song and an EP with my friend Bright Light Bright Light called ‘I Only Want to Please You’ – that was so much fun to do. I’m sure there will be some shows with Bright Light Bright Light organised too. I’ll be releasing some of on my own music - I’ve been working on solo stuff for quite some time as well. And of course, I will be getting ready for Stormont.” n

Credit: Suki Dhanda

TEDx Stormont Women will take place on 2nd November at Parliament Buildings, Belfast. For more information visit www.tedxstormont.com.

Foster FAMILIES Would you consider giving a child a home? Northern Woman finds out more about fostering

very Bowser, children’s services manager at Action for Children, advises those who are considering fostering not to be put off by preconceived ideas. He says: “We know that there are lots of people who have the space in their home to foster but they are often put off by myths about fostering. They think it’s only for certain types of people. We need people from different backgrounds and communities to become foster carers because our children are all so different. “At Action for Children we provide foster placements that have the warmth and stability that enable children to cope with the changes that life brings them. We do that by recruiting ordinary people, from all walks of life, who do something extraordinary – become a foster carer. “All kinds of people can foster. You have to be over 21, have a spare room, the ability

to work with children and have the time in your life to give.” For more information call 028 9046 0500 or email fostercareni@actionforchildren.org.uk.

Who can foster?

As Avery mentioned Action for Children requires foster carers to be over 21 – there is no upper age limit. The carer should have time on their hands; most of their foster carers are there full-time for the children and young people they take care of, but they also require part-time carers to provide respite over the weekends, holiday periods and evenings. A spare bedroom big enough to fit a

single bed, chest of drawers and wardrobe, is also necessary. According to research carried about Action for Children one in three people assume that if you are gay you can’t foster. That is not true – the organisation welcomes applicants from people who can bring different skills, knowledge and life experiences to fostering whether they’re gay, straight or lesbian. A further one in three people believe if you live in rented accommodation you can’t foster – again this is incorrect. As long as each child can have their own bedroom you can foster, and offer a child in need the chance to be a part of your family. n

Spare Room?

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We all use the internet to connect with people, but now a website is helping to bring new friends together face-to-face. Jade Beecroft explains the Meetup revolution

aking friends used to be so easy. In my early 20s all it took was moving into a new shared house, or going for drinks after work, and bam –

friends for life. These days meeting people is harder. For a start, I’m now in my 30s, life is more settled and most of my peers struggle just to keep up with their existing friendships alongside work and family commitments – let alone look for new ones. The internet has rather killed things too. We’re more likely to sit on the sofa of an evening exchanging banter on Twitter, Facebook or WhatsApp than actually connecting in-person.

Expand your social circle

There are loads of sites geared towards creating romantic relationships. Think Tinder, POF or Match. But what about people who just want to make new friends? When I moved to Belfast a year ago, I found myself in exactly that situation. I wanted to find buddies to go out for a cocktail, bite to eat or country walk. I love

Meetup revolution socialising, but as a 30-something living in a new city, where could I turn? The answer, for me, was Meetup, a social networking website that works by connecting you to like-minded people nearby who want to hang out, in an oldschool, face-to-face kind of way. As the site itself explains: “Meetuppers use the internet to get off the internet.” In Belfast alone there are over 100 Meetup groups, many with hundreds of members, including book clubs, social groups, walking and cinema clubs, business networking and language groups. In fact, whatever you’re into, there’s most likely a Meetup for you. Some of the most obscure local groups within a five-mile radius of Belfast include Women Who Code, a Portuguese language Meetup, a dodgeball group and vegan Meetup. Meetup has 20 million members across the world and the premise is simple – each

group is founded by a local organiser, who then arranges meetings for its members.

Meeting like-minded people

Elizabeth McGeown, from Belfast, discovered Meetup “by accident” two years ago. “After a trip up Cavehill I wanted to get more into walking, so I Googled Belfast walking groups,” she explains. “I found one attached to Meetup and began browsing the site. I discovered many other local events and nights out. I’ve tried mini golf, new restaurants, pub quizzes and day trips, as well as hosting my own events. “Of course not everyone will become your best friend but if you’re in an area with a wide membership – which I am – there are so many members that you’ve got a great chance of meeting like-minded people. “I take regular city breaks with a friend I met through Meetup, so I’ve seen Germany and Hungary now, which I would never

have done without them.” Helena McCamphill got involved with Meetup three years ago and is now one of the organisers behind the Belfast Social Meetup group. She explains: “I joined as – like a lot of people – my friends are married or have personal commitments and I was finding myself sitting in on a Friday/Saturday night with the dreaded thoughts of going back to work on Monday having done very little.” Helena now hosts the group alongside eight other volunteers – who put together a schedule of weekend and mid-week events. “These can range from pool nights, dinners, and bar events to cycling,” she says. “The numbers attending range from five to 60, and our members are of all ages – there are no restrictions on age. “It’s a very safe environment for meeting new people and widening your social circle. But it’s important for people to recognise that you only get as much out of these events as you put in – new members need to keep coming back to get the full benefit from Meetup.”

Book lovers

Catherine Johnston formed her own Meetup book club in Belfast last year and hasn’t looked back. She says: “I began to notice my social circle had shrunk, a lot of my friends had either settled down or left the country, and I decided to do something about it.

“I started my own Meetup group to combine my love of reading with meeting new people. Within the first week I think I had 60 people wanting to join. “Our Meetup is quite informal and we usually end up talking about everything under the sun. But I’m so glad I took a chance and started my own group; it’s great meeting new people, talking about my passion and I’ve made some good friends from it too.”

Business networking

As well as boosting your social life, many people use Meetup groups for professional development or business networking. Caroline Crosby is one of the organisers behind the Belfast Startups Hub group, alongside coordinators Phil Vernon and Dermot McElduff. Having previously lived in London and Mallorca before moving to Northern Ireland, she originally joined Meetup to make new friends. “When I arrived in Palma, I didn’t know a soul,” she explains. “I joined a social Meetup group and met so many people at various group lunch events.” After moving to Northern Ireland, Caroline spotted a gap in the market for business networking Meetups. “I decided then to start my own informal networking evening, with the aim to expand my own business network in my homeland, having lived away for almost 10 years,” she explains.

“My concept was to book a bar and host a very casual networking environment open to everyone – not just tech professionals – anyone involved in a startup already or those with an idea but still in employment. “We’ve had four events so far and each time, those attending have given great feedback on the evening, and found value in attending. Possibly in the future, we will host things like pitch nights, and have guest speakers, but for now it remains as a casual, drinks and networking-only evening.”

A global movement

Meetup was actually founded in New York in 2002 with the aim of bringing people together locally, but now it’s a global movement. The ethos is simple, according to its website: “Facebook connects you with close friends. LinkedIn connects you with your professional contacts. Twitter connects you with Ashton Kutcher. Meetup connects you with the people near you who are doing the things you want to do.” As well as the groups in Belfast, there are scores of others across Northern Ireland. Andrea Taylor founded the Donaghadee Social Meetup group in October 2016. She says: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the way this group has grown and also how members with diverse backgrounds, status and personal stories have connected. “I can truly say that friendships have been formed that will last a lifetime.” n

Neighbourhood watch What type of a next door neighbour do you have?

BY CLARE BOWIE

THE OVERLY FRIENDLY ONES When you moved in and they popped over it was pleasant and welcoming, but you thought you’d made it clear that it was acceptable to share a non-committal “bound by postcode proximity alone” friendship rather than a “lets open a bottle and share our hopes, fears and dreams” kind of relationship. Yet, they now seem to always leave their house at the exact moment that you do, make themselves available for all your missed Parcelforce deliveries and want to keep catching up for barbecues every time the clouds clear. Most likely to say: “I loved that new coat you had on last Tuesday at 10am.” Least likely to say: “So sorry, I’ve forgotten your name.”

THE SHOW-OFFS The magpies of the street, they seem to buy shiny new things on a weekly basis. The car is always top of the range and upgraded every year, and the glare from their 55 Inch Series 8 Ultra HD 4K Nano Crystal Smart 3D Flat LED TV is bright enough to illuminate the black-granite-twist-fountainwater-feature that lives in the front garden, and is very Kim-K by the way. They have a hot-tub and a pizza oven, usually holiday at Disneyland and only ever take their children to establishments with Wi-Fi. Most likely to say: “Have you seen my rose gold, diamond encrusted iPhone 8 Red case?” Least likely to say: “We just love pottering around charity shops at the weekend.”

THE TRENDY ONES They’ve ended up in the suburbs but have no intentions of shaking off their hipster beards just yet. Can usually be found working from home in a bespoke garden pod next to their organic home-grown asparagus crowns, or driving their electric car. They don’t own a TV and believe weekends are a time for digital detoxing and meditation. Family time is spent at galleries and farmers’ markets, sipping Fairtrade green tea and facilitating the expression of their children’s creative energy. Most likely to say: “Where is the local artisan bakery?” Least likely to say: “We’re just heading out for a Happy Meal.”

THE TENSE ONES You are on strict “nodding only” terms. They may offer an occasional half smile/grimace but there will be no unsolicited weather chit-chat going on here thank you very much. The wheelie bin is always left languishing outside for a few days and you suspect there may well be passive aggressive “it’s not my turn to bring it in” bin politics afoot. No footballs will ever be retrieved from this garden and the gates are bolted shut at Halloween so everyone knows where they stand. Most likely to say: “Just to be clear, I’ve chalked out my boundary line.” Least likely to say: “I’ve made great bunting for a street party.”

THE WORKAHOLICS Technically, they live on your street, but they are hardly ever there. You sometimes see them leave in a mad frenzy of toast, corporate coats half on, with numerous bags, sports kits and laptops being loaded into the boot of their car/van/bus thingy. In their absence, a small team of modern day Downton Abbey downstairs folk keep the machine well oiled. They have two cleaners, a gardener, a dog walker, a wheelie bin washer (I know!), a shirt ironer, a child minder and usually some builders in for good measure. Most likely to say: “I could definitely meet for a bite in 7 or 8 weeks’ time.” Least likely to say: “Let’s have a 48-hour box-set binge.”

THE ORDERED ONES Their house is pristine and the garden is manicured. They always park their cars outside the house in the same spot at the same time, and if someone else has taken their sweet spot they will not rest until it has been reclaimed.

The Sainsbury’s man comes every Sunday at 4pm, and they go for a couple’s jog on Mondays and date night on Wednesdays. The house is magnolia, the clothing is Boden, and sorting out the recycling is one of life’s pure pleasures. Interests will include PTA and scheduled visits to Brownies, swimming, choir, violin, ballet, judo, fencing and rugby. Most likely to say: “I can’t believe we haven’t jet-washed the driveway all month.” Least likely to say: “I just did the school run in my jammies.”

THE DON’T CARE ONES They really don’t care! They don’t care if they are noisy, if taxis beep at all hours of the day and night, if their burglar alarm goes off loudly and distrups the neighbours, or they have to pop to the shops in their dressing gown. They don’t care if their dogs bark constantly or the man from the takeaway steals the ‘ordered ones’ parking spots. They don’t seem to notice if their Christmas wreath is still up in

March or if the wheelie bin never makes it to the back door. And you just know they’ll never move house. Most likely to say: “Party back at mine.” Least likely to say: “We should organise a neighbourhood watch scheme.”

THE COMPETITIVE ONES They are like the show-offs but classier. They have all the shiny things but crave ‘lifestyle envy’ and love nothing better than inviting you round for espresso (pulse extracted obvs), to tell you about their last minute spa weekend at the K Club, how good the taster menu at Deanes was, or how little Simon is bound to sweep the board at prize giving this year. Their house has been extended and pimped beyond recognition. Lord knows how they coped before they dug down to the cellar! Most likely to say: “Is your daughter still struggling with her reading?” Least likely to say: “We’ve booked a fortnight to Benidorm.” n

‘Husbandly hypochondria’ If illness doesn’t get him, I probably will BY CLARE HENDERSON

e have all heard of ‘man flu’. That awful disease that terrorises our men folk. We see articles in newspapers that blind us with science in order to validate it, and posts on Facebook mercilessly mocking it. Well guess what… I wish there was ‘man flu’ in my house. In fact if ‘man flu’ were to appear on my doorstep I would roll out the red carpet, welcome it with open arms and bake it a carrot cake. “Why?” I hear you ask. Because I live with a hypochondriac husband; a species all of its own that looks at the likes of ‘man flu’ with disdain. For a simple flu is not worthy of his craziness – it wouldn’t even pique the interest of my hubby. This insanity means that I tend to spend large portions of my days rolling my eyes, sighing inwardly and looking at my life partner with a quizzical expression that I’m sure is giving me new wrinkles. In case you don’t believe me here are some of the things that I listen to on a daily basis. DOES MY FACE LOOK RED TODAY? This is a daily occurrence and as regular a part of my day as the sun rising. My darling husband, a grown man in his late thirties, spends time every day looking at himself in case he has turned a new and interesting shade of red. There has been occasion to answer “yes” to this question but my reply was something like: “it’s sunburn you

lunatic”. This question barely raises a glance from me anymore, just a cursory look so he doesn’t think I’m completely dismissing his concerns. Although there was that one day when he asked me if he looked yellow; a change is as good as a rest I suppose. I HAVE A HEADACHE, DO YOU THINK IT COULD BE A BRAIN TUMOUR? An oldie but a goodie, for who among us hasn’t had a mild headache and thought they were about to die from an undiscovered tumour lurking in our grey matter? Oh that’s right, everyone. When I get a headache I might take a painkiller and get on with my day despite the discomfort. Not so my betrothed, he would rather live with the pain, mull over the possibilities and wait for death. I’M REALLY STIFF TODAY, DO YOU THINK IT’S SOMETHING SERIOUS? No you maniac, it’s probably the two football matches you played at the weekend – which let’s face it - you’re just not fit for anymore. I don’t tend to say this out loud unless it’s been a really stressful week, it wouldn’t do to dent his ego. Mostly I just swallow down the annoyance and keep it locked away for when I’m feeling particularly passive aggressive i.e. “Oh my, did I shrink your favourite football shirt? Silly me!” I HAVE A PAIN IN MY ARM, DO YOU THINK I’M HAVING A HEART ATTACK? Yes, yes while you’re calmly standing here

talking to me I’m sure you’re in the middle of a massive heart attack. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the weights you lifted this morning, that would be much too simple an explanation. Feel free to picture me with my head in my hands, trying desperately not to throttle the father of my children.

µµAs far as he is concerned it’s only a matter of time before the Grim Reaper catches up to him∑∑ I HAVEN’T SNEEZED IN A FEW DAYS, DO YOU THINK THERE’S SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME? Yes you’re stark raving mad, and your main concern should be whether or not your long-suffering wife will finally crack and smother you in your sleep. Surely most normal people would take it as a sign of good health that they’re not sneezing every day, because, let’s face it, at the first mention of summer and high pollen counts, for some the sneezes are coming thick and fast and this too would be a reason for concern for my other half. But for some unknown reason this lack of sneezing has now become a major worry that I am forced to listen to. Then again it’s almost worth it just to see the joy in his little face when

he finally does sneeze – it’s like Christmas morning. SURE, WOULDN’T IT BE WORSE IF I WAS DEAD? As far as he is concerned this is the end of any argument that we may be having because, no matter what he has done, things would obviously be worse if he was dead. Not only is this the ultimate ‘get out of jail free card’ for my lover, but it’s also a genuine worry. As far as he is concerned his imminent demise lurks around every corner and it’s only a matter of time before the Grim Reaper catches up to him. So if anyone could give me a counter argument to this lunacy I would be truly grateful because it’s impossible to argue with a crazy person, particularly one who really believes that he’s about to drop any minute. Maybe I’m being too hard on my hubby but there is a little part of me that genuinely believes he is waiting for a disease just so he can say “I told you so”. I’m not exactly the most maternal person in the world so maybe I should work on upping my tolerance levels and controlling my sarcasm. But where would be the fun in that? No, I think the best course of action is to stick to eye rolling, snarky remarks, and copious amounts of wine and gin so I can see the funny side of the madness. I just have one little favour to ask of anyone who reads this, can you all send up a silent prayer to whatever God may be up there that my husband never starts diagnosing himself on Google – there isn’t enough alcohol on earth for that. n

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The point of no return

From the justifiable to the downright petty, Emma Deighan explores why the smallest gesture, action or even fashion mistake can spell doom for a relationship

t’s meeting the man of your dreams and then meeting his psychologically-damaged cat. Or it could be the noise he makes when he laughs, or the top he wore on your eighth date or just the way he breathes… Why do these relatively minor points of focus have the power of a fighter jet when it comes to killing passion? That is the question I wanted answered, and it would seem I’m not alone in being physically turned off by perfectly fine suitors for the teeniest of reasons. For years I’ve put the power of being irreversibly turned off certain men

down to nature’s undeniable strength to repel mismatched couples. I assumed it was genetics saying ‘this just won’t work’. According to the psychological professionals I was wrong and according to the anthropologists I could be on to something.

Commitaphobe?

Nicole McCance, one of Canada’s highest profile psychologists and TV relationship therapist believes that my easily-repelled peers and I are intolerant, judgemental perfectionists with self-confidence issues.

Continued on 42 ➤

“I notice that only particular people are turned off easily,” Nicole begins, “these types of personalities tend to be perfectionistic and have low tolerance for small annoyances. They are usually easily irritable and slightly anxious. I have also noticed that when someone is not ready to commit they will find almost anything that is wrong with the other person and use it as an excuse to end the relationship. The truth usually is that they are afraid of getting hurt, and fearful of giving their heart to someone. So it’s easier to find something wrong with potential mates than to face their fears.”

Compromise is key

As well as tolerance, Nicole says compromise is key to ensuring longevity in relationships. She believes placing more importance on a suitor’s good qualities rather than homing in on that one thing that seems to mark a point of no return is key in moving forward. “If it is something small, like the way their partner eats their food, it’s definitely worth letting go,” Nicole advises. “The best way to do this is to start focusing on other things you like/admire about your partner and try not to focus on the things that annoy you. In order to learn to be more accepting of others a good place to start is with yourself. Those who are judgemental of others tend to be the extremely selfcritical. Start with self-compassion and this will usually translate into your romantic relationships.”

Compatibility v’s chemistry

Mark Manson, a New York best-selling author and man behind hit book, ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck’, believes anyone can find compatibility and build a relationship from it but chemistry is a whole different ball game. If you have neither, then the relationship’s future is void.

µµWhen you’re dating someone you’re not compatible with, it’s obvious — like biting into a piece of spoiled fruit, the discomfort is impossible to ignore∑∑ He wrote in a recent blog: “Most dating advice glosses over the concepts of compatibility and chemistry, assuming most people have an intuitive grasp of what they are and why they’re important. When you have chemistry with someone, you just feel it. When you’re dating someone you’re not compatible with, it’s obvious – like biting into a piece of spoiled fruit, the discomfort is impossible to ignore. “Compatibility is a similarity in lifestyle

choices, morals and goals. Chemistry is different, Call it passion. Call it love. Call it sickness. The basic traits of your/ their personality and your/their slightest behaviours ravage each other’s dopamine receptors in a neurological orgy of starryeyed dreaminess…” For Nicole, reaching a point in a relationship, which can, quite frankly, feel like a deal breaker, doesn’t necessarily mean we should terminate a partnership, however hard that is to grasp. She says: “Once you are turned off, it is possible to go back to the way things were and feel connected again. It takes some work. The best place to start is to focus on what attracted you to that person in the first place. Focus on the good and when you find yourself obsessing about the small things, try to catch yourself and change your focus again to the things you do like about the person.”

Assortative mating

Looking to the medical researchers, it would appear that regardless of our intelligence and ability to understand that minor irritating quirks and actions should be ignored if the positives far outweigh them, we are, against our will, hardwired to select partners based on genetics. They’ve coined the term ‘assortative selection/mating’. This means that consciously or not, we seek partners who resemble us, in terms of appearance, height or IQ. Studies by geneticists at the University of Queensland in Australia found a strong correlation in the genetic markers for height between partners in more than 24,000 married couples. They also found striking similarities within couples for genetic markers that have been linked to the pursuit of education. A further study published by a team at

Sweden’s Karolinska Institute found that individuals with a mental condition such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder were more likely to partner with others who have a mental health condition than would be expected by chance. But there is one anthropologist who believes that we are able to overcome the power of assortive mating, by simply understanding it. She is Helen Fisher, the author of Anatomy of Love and Why Him? Why Her?. She believes that our neural system – the dopamine, serotonin, testosterone and oestrogen/oxytocin systems, are to blame for chemistry. In her research she worked out what

TRUE LIFE TURNING POINTS The kiss of death

“I was young, free and single and still attending university when I met Mark. He was incredibly handsome, popular, funny and I was absolutely delighted when we got together. A week or so later, when we were lying on the couch he kissed me on the forehead. I’m not sure what it was about that (sweet?) gesture; maybe it was too ‘couple-y’ for me, maybe he just wasn’t right for me… who knows! Whatever the reason, that forehead kiss was the kiss of death for our ‘relationship’ and I broke things off very soon afterwards.” Clare Gough, Strabane

Pet hate

“I was raised in a family that never had any animals,

systems dominated each candidate’s personality and reported traits matched expected neural activity patterns. She found that curious adventurous types fell into the ‘dopamine-influenced’ bracket and matched well with fellow dopamine-types. Serotonin types were also attracted to likewise partners. “We all have all four systems and everyone has a different ratio,” Helen said. Knowing your own primary traits, and how they play out with others, could help you choose better, and improve your romantic connections she explains. Helen, a selfdescribed high-dopamine type, recalls negotiating with a serotonin-dominant date who refused to sneak a bottle of water into

a cinema. “Instead of saying, ‘He’s just being a stuffed shirt,’ I said to myself, ‘Oh, it’s the serotonin gap. We’ll just buy some water.’” If only it were that easy for us nonanthropological types. Perhaps we should all listen to psychologist Nicole’s parting words of wisdom. “If you are single and realise you’re the type of person who has a low level of tolerance, catch yourself when it happens next and give the other person a chance. Take a deep breath and try not to judge. Judging another person is only an attempt to protect yourself from being hurt. Be open and see what flows your way. You never know what good things can come from a date unless you give it a try.” n

bar a goldfish. Years earlier, following Mickey’s demise, my mother refused to get any more pets such was the level of grief. She instead responded to our requests for a dog with a simple “no, they’re unhygienic”. One of my former partners was great in every way except he had two dogs, a hamster and a lizard-type creature. It took months for me to allow ‘needy’ dog to stay overnight. All went well on our first sleepover until the next morning when we woke to discover the dog had vomited all over my new sofa. The sheer panic of having to clean not just vomit, but ‘unhygienic dog’ vomit ended the relationship. I knew I could never come to terms with Noah’s ark and felt our levels of hygiene were far too different to allow for a clean future.” Geraldine Espie, Belfast.

mortifying is the fact that, despite the shirt, one thing led to another and let’s just say I had to spend the rest of the holiday avoiding that bar... Sixteen years on and I still feel nauseous thinking about his outfit choice.” Chloe Andrews, Dundonald

Fashion mistake

“It was a girls’ holiday to Greece in 2001 and on our first night out I spotted Mike. He was tall, dark and handsome and he was also the barman. After a week spent flirting at night, and fantasising by day as I lay by the pool, about our future together, I agreed to meet him on his night off. Romantic hopes were quickly dashed when he picked me up wearing what can only be described as a Robin Hood style blouse with a lace-up neck. I felt ill at the sight of it but had no choice other than to go through with the date. What’s even more

Height restriction

“Johnny was a true gent. He had pursued me for months when I was just an inexperienced first year at uni. He had the car, the house, a really well-paid job for his 25 years, and had it all together but he was very short. I tried really hard to overlook his height. When I thought it was no longer an issue, we went out on a date. I remember, before the food had even arrived, I asked him about a recent trip he was on. He re-enacted a conversation he had with someone and over-pronounced the word ‘you’ in a way that curled his lips up. I froze and then asked him to order me a taxi. I should’ve sat the date out but I was so physically turned I couldn’t stay anymore. I envied every other person in that restaurant and wanted to be them – as far away from curly lips as possible. In hindsight I should not have fought the height thing and realised maybe it was just nature’s way. He blocked me from all his social media accounts and five years on he still won’t speak to me.” Christine O’Reilly, Belfast

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BEAUTY

Credit: Vero Moda

The Only 1 Lipstick in Revolution Red from Rimmel, £6.99 I own an embarrassing amount of lipsticks so trust me when I say that this is a good one. Packed full of pigment, it’s long-lasting without being drying and this crimson red works great on blondes expect compliments.

Daylight Curing Nail Paint from Barry M, £4.99 You can’t beat a gel polish to complete your look but if you haven’t the time or funds to get to the salon then this nail polish from Barry M is the business. Simply apply two coats to bare nails then finish with the Sunset Topcoat for a gel-type effect. The colours are fab and the names are great – lyrically-inspired shades included Plum on Baby Light My Fire (pictured) and Do You Pink I’m Sexy.

E D N R

£10

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Superlash mascara from SEVENTEEN, £6.99 I’m a self-confessed mascara snob so when I bought this in a pre-payday emergency my expectations were pretty low. They shouldn’t have been and it turns out it’s completely worthy of its heroic name tag. Micro fibres cling to lashes giving you extended length and its jet black formula is the perfect consistency. The only downside is that it doesn’t last as long as some of its pricier counterparts but at under £7 it’s still less than half the price of my usual favourite.

Budget beauty heroes: beauty writer Claire Craig’s top ten bargain beauty buys Round Pot Blush from Bourjois, £7.99 Not too shimmery, not too matte; this iconic product has been on the market since 1863. I love how easy it is to apply and the dinky little case (complete with mirror) is robust enough to throw into your makeup bag without worrying about breakages (my pet hate). I’m very disloyal when it comes to shades but my current fav is Corail Tentation – a warm peachy tone.

Bio-Oil, £8.99 When I was in my early twenties I burned my leg quite badly with boiling water. When it began to heal someone recommended I use Bio-Oil to try and minimise scarring. I used it religiously and now I’d struggle to tell you which leg I’d hurt – there’s not a mark. I still use it to moisturise my face at night, and on holiday as an after-sun.

The Eraser Eye from Maybelline, £8.99 Beauty bloggers and makeup artists rave about this – and rightly so. It’s so easy to apply and eyes instantly look more alive – I won’t leave the house without it.

Milk & Honey Lip Balm from Cien at Lidl, £0.49 I discovered this on holiday after I’d forgotten my usual lip balm and now I use it all year round. It feels super hydrating but is also light enough to use as a base for lipstick and at that price you’re not worried about losing it. Micellar Cleansing Water from Garner, £4.99 I’m religious about taking my makeup off before bed and this wonder product makes it all the easier. Soak onto a cotton pad or facewipe then watch as even the most stubborn of eye make slips away. It also lasts ages making it even better value for money.

Dry Shampoo, Batiste, £2.99 When I broke my arm a few years ago there was just no way I could keep up with my daily hair washing routine. Luckily I discovered dry shampoo and it was the start of a long and fulfilling love affair. Now I can get away with only washing my hair three times a week, and even when it’s clean I’m inclined to put a puff of dry shampoo in it as I love the volume it gives. I’ve tried more expensive brands but genuinely think Batiste is hard to beat.

Coconut Oil from Superdrug, £2.29 For everything! I love this as a deep conditioning treat for parched hair. Just rub a bit between your hands until it softens then slick through locks – leave it for a couple of hours, then shampoo out. It’s also great for softening hard skin on feet – lather it on before bed, pop on an old pair of socks, in the morning wake up to super soft tootsies.

This bold eighties eye teamed with a nude lip and flawless skin is everything. Sarah Bryant @Sarah_LouWho

Y ONL

£1 In the

Charlotte Falber @cfalbs

We’ve all seen the pics of braided and squiggle brows but this season’s soft, feathery brow is our favourite. Beauty blogger @Sarah_LouWho nails it perfectly.

Proof that glitter doesn’t need to be OTT. Loving this gorgeous, girly winter makeup look. Laura Dempsey @laudempseymua

November issue of

@victoriaehutchinsonhair

#INSTABEAUTY The hottest trends and prettiest looks from our newsfeed

Fabulous footwear Husbandly hypochondria The meetup revolution Be bronzed

BY CLAIRE CRAIG

@leighhb

Interiors, health & wellness, travel reviews, local weddings, beauty news, events, competitions Not just for summer and festival season - our love and lots more for braids is all year long. Smarten up a standard

@NailsbyMarizen Shattered glass, pierced, bejewelled, chromed and glittered - nails are going totally extra on Insta at the minute and we approve. Credit: Stradivarius

@NailsbyMarizen

@braidsandbronzer

pony with a pull through plait or decorate a fishtail braid with hair rings for an on trend look.

WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANCE PIECE OF ADVICE WHEN CONSIDERING COSMETIC SURGERY? Do your research and ask plenty of questions at your consultation. You want to ensure you are in the safest and most experienced of hands.

WHAT ABOUT SIZE, WHAT IS THE AVERAGE INCREASE? The majority of our patients go from an A cup to just a C cup. We’re talking a subtle increase in volume, a more feminine shape and most importantly, natural looking results.

WHAT EXACTLY SHOULD WOULD-BE PATIENTS LOOK OUT FOR? It’s important that your Surgeon is a “Consultant Plastic Surgeon” and qualified to the absolute highest level. I would also ensure that your surgery takes place in a hospital and that you stay overnight.

WHAT ABOUT THE PAIN FACTOR? Naturally it depends on the surgery and everyone recovers differently but for Breast Augmentation surgery for example patients tend to describe the feeling of stiffness and tenderness, that feeling you get when you over do it in the gym. You can expect to take about a week off work.

Aftercare is incredibly important, you want to make sure your provider has medical care available to you 24/7. I take calls in the middle of the night from patients who just want to be reassured about something small, it’s important to be available to patients 24/7.

Again it comes back to making sure your provider is available to you 24/7. Our patients can call me or one of our Nurses day or night. Generally of course they don’t need to and they just pop back in to see us one week and then six weeks post surgery.

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON COSMETIC SURGERY PROCEDURE? Breast Augmentation continues to be the most common, followed by breast reduction, liposuction and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). Facial surgery is also on the increase. Advancements in techniques allow beautifully subtle and sophisticated results. Again, the key is choosing only the most reputable and experienced of providers. The skill of your Surgeon is of paramount importance.

If you are considering any type of cosmetic surgery procedure, the best advice is to speak with the most reputable of providers, do your research so you can make an informed decision.

River Medical is located on the Malone Road in Belfast. To book a consultation contact River Medical on 028 9560 7585 or visit www.rivermedical.co.uk

TROUBLEMAKER

Super fat, super long and sex proof(!) – that’s the claim from Urban Decay’s new, aptly named Troublemaker mascara (£19.50). Infusing two different types of black pigments to give an über dark tint, a combination of hollow silica and ultralight fibres add volume to your lashes without weighing them down, while Vitamin E and panthenol nourish and condition lashes.

KISS KISS

Forget about a perfectly outlined pout this season; models at London Fashion Week walked the catwalks with deliberately smudged lipstick for a just-kissed look. Replicate the trend with Bobbi Brown’s new Crushed Lip Color £24. Effortlessly cool, the formula glides on to leave a stained flush of colour on the lips for a lived-in look that lasts all day.

IT’S A COVER UP

Nude by Nature’s Flawless Concealer (£20) expertly camouflages dark circles and imperfections, and comes in an easy-to-use, on-the-go stick that delivers just the right amount of product. Available in eight shades the formula is best applied with finger tips before being blended with a brush for a seamless finish.

FENTY BEAUTY

The beauty edit BY CLAIRE CRAIG

The latest makeup and skincare launches

Rihanna’s first make-up range is an impressive collection of 15 products and tools. A life-long lover of makeup, the singer was inspired to create her own beauty range after years of working with the best in the business she spotted a void in the market for a truly diverse makeup line. Named after the Barbadian hitmaker’s surname (who knew?), Fenty Beauty has been designed for women everywhere and caters for all skin types and tones - the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longer Foundation (£26) is available in 40 shades. Standout products include the Invisimatte Blotting Paper (£13), Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer (£24) and the Kilowatt Freestyle Highlighter (£26). Commenting on the range Rihanna said: “Makeup is there for you to have fun with. It should never feel like pressure. It should never feel like a uniform. Feel free to take chances, and take risks, and dare to do something new or different.”

BACK TO SCHOOL GET RUBBERED

DIY rubber masks, or ‘modeling masks’ as they’re correctly known, are the latest trend from Korean beauty shores. When mixed with water these powder pots from MasqueBar (£4.99) transform into a thick consistency which hardens into a rubbery, easy-to-remove sheet to stop beneficial, skin harmonising ingredients from evaporating. The range includes a cleansing charcoal mask, a collagen infused mask, a tea-tree mask to minimise breakouts, and a calming lavender mask to calm redness.

Every so often a product comes along that makes us question how we ever coped without it. Clarins’ 4 Colour Pen (£28) is one such product. Inspired by the humble multi-colour biro the retractable pen contains black and blue eye liners, a brown multi-use liner and a flattering nude lip liner to streamline your makeup bag. Genius!

Conroy Celebrates Hair - Colette Skelton Colour - Stephen Aiken Makeup - Stevey Lennox Styling - Jamie Russell Photography - Glenn Norwood

Local hairdresser is awarded one of the highest hairdressing accolades in the UK and Ireland.

he Conroy team are celebrating the news that stylist Stephen Aiken has won the Ireland Colour Vision Gold Award at the Wella Professionals TrendVision Award UK and Ireland Final 2017; one of the highest hairdressing awards in the UK and Ireland. To also win the People’s Choice Award is a credit to Stephen’s success and professional achievements. Stephen saw off competition from hundreds of hairdressers in the UK Regional and Ireland Heats earlier this year, to secure his position in the final. Salon owner Michael Conroy said: “We are proud of the work that the team put into securing this accolade, and the award from Wella recognises the hard work we continually invest in training. Stephen has been with me for ten years and has a third level education in hair – one of three staff at the award-winning salon educated to degree level in the science of hair colour.” The next step for Stephen is to represent Ireland at the International TrendVision Award in London this month. He will also join the Wella Professionals TrendVision mentoring programme learning from industry greats Robert Eaton (Russell Eaton), Akin Konizi (HOB Academy), Bruno Marc (Marc Antoni) and Leonardo Rizzo (Sanrizz).

Health + Wellness 52

Tried & Tested

Reiki

PROFILE:

Kate Cody reviews Reiki

eiki and other holistic therapies are not something I have ever experienced or ever really considered prior to this review. The stressrelieving therapy is said to promote relaxation and healing by tapping into the energy flow of the participant. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words – ‘Rei’ which means ‘God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power’ and ‘Ki’ which is ‘life force energy’. So, Reiki is essentially ‘spiritually guided life force energy’. Whilst I didn’t know exactly what to expect from the session, from my research I found out that bodily temperature changes

can occur as the energy flows between the participant and the practitioner, and some people can feel intense heat from the practitioner’s hands. Generally, people reported feeling in a more relaxed and content state following the treatment. Qualified Reiki practitioner, Kate Morrow of Harmony Holistic Healing, has been a practitioner of Reiki for eight years and offers a range of other treatments which she says can benefit everyone, regardless of age, gender, stresses or pain levels. She says a session will address the needs of both body and mind to enhance wellbeing. I was excited to experience Reiki and went to see Kate with an open mind. n

I arrived at the recently opened Bloomfield Avenue Harmony Holistic Healing practice and felt immediately at ease. The room was lit with candles and filled with a gorgeous aromatherapy scent. Kate recorded some medical details and talked me through the treatment explaining that some Reiki sessions are hands off, but that Kate and most of her clients felt that hands on brought greater benefit. She said there was no ‘normal’ reaction to Reiki, it’s effects differ from person to person. I lay on the massage bed fully clothed, with a blanket over me. The session began with Kate analysing each of my energy points or chakras using an amethyst pendant, to gauge the flow of energy through my body. The only problem area she found was around my digestive area. The treatment consisted of Kate applying gentle pressure to each of my chakras to facilitate the flow of energy between us. Throughout the treatment Kate explained how she was dispelling any negative energy from both of us and willing good energy into its place. During the session, I could certainly feel heat around my shoulders, followed later by a cool sensation around my face. Although I had read about this, it was a totally unexpected sensation, and helped dispel any remaining doubts I had about the treatment. The session lasted about an hour. Once finished, Kate brought me a glass of water and told me about the importance of hydration for the free flow of energy throughout the body. We discussed how we had both found the treatment and what to expect over the next day or so. I had mentioned to Kate at the beginning of the session that I find trouble sleeping, and she explained how she had used the flow of energy to promote better sleep. I left feeling very relaxed and content, still surprised at the temperature sensations I felt during the treatment. I went home, had a light dinner with plenty of water and drifted off to sleep peacefully and easily. Waking up refreshed I would recommend the benefits of the treatment in terms of taking time out to recentre and reflect, and would urge anyone who is feeling stressed or overwhelmed with day-to-day life to consider it as an option. Kate is so knowledgeable and it’s obvious she is passionate about what she does. For more information visit www.harmonyholistichealing.com or call 028 90484752. A session costs £35.

hose who have experience of Alcoholics Anonymous will probably be familiar with the HALT acronym. It stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely Tired, and it’s a reminder that when in these states, we should halt, and not make any sudden movements or rash decisions. Likewise, many of us are aware of the emotional biases that certain feelings engender. We know not to shop when we’re sad, rebound when we’re heartbroken, or dial when we’re drunk. Negative emotions, we are taught, have negative consequences, and we’re best to bide our time until the feeling passes. But what about the positive impact of negative emotions? It’s important to feel our feelings. Becoming comfortable with uncomfortable emotions promotes healing, but it also has a lesser-discussed advantage: when we identify negative emotions, we can harness them to our advantage. This isn’t to be confused with brightsided thinking, which is when we sublimate negative feelings into a positive mental attitude. On the contrary, harnessing our negative emotions requires us to sit into uncomfortable feelings while capitalising on the unique sensations that arise. Think of a songwriter penning a ballad when he’s sad or an activist launching a campaign when she’s angry. There are hidden benefits to all negative emotions. Here are just a few of them...

The GOOD in feeling BAD There are hidden benefits in all negative emotions writes Katie Byrne

When you’re feeling frustrated

Frustration can make us feel like pulling down the shutters and giving up. Yet it can also motivate us to change our approach and try a new tack. Behavioural economist Tim Harford delivered a fascinating TED talk last year in which he used the story behind the best-selling solo piano album of all time to explain how frustration can inspire us to come up with creative solutions. The moral of his story: challenges and limitations can expand our horizons, if we work with them rather than against them.

µµwhen we identify negative emotions, we can harness them to our advantage∑∑ When you’re feeling angry

Anger promotes emotional honesty, which can make us say things that we might later regret. However, if you struggle with speaking up or saying no, this emotional state can be used as the impetus to finally voice your opinion in areas where you have long kept schtum. There is a big difference between destructive and constructive

anger. The latter can be harnessed and transformed into a decisive, level-headed energy that motivates us to effect change. Use the fire in your belly to air grievances, negotiate better conditions or ask for a raise.

When you’re feeling sad

There is evidence to suggest that sadness improves our social judgment. We tend to

shirk out of social situations and isolate ourselves when we’re feeling sad but, paradoxically, this emotional state can be helpful for navigating scenarios in which we have to make choices based on a person’s character – think interviewing for a housemate or an employee.

When you’re feeling impatient

The late poet WH Auden once mused that

µµBecoming comfortable with uncomfortable emotions promotes healing∑∑ reconnect with the people who accept you just as you are.

When you’re feeling anxious

there is “perhaps only one cardinal sin: impatience. Because of impatience we were driven out of Paradise, because of impatience we cannot return.” Impatience breeds impulsiveness and can often lead to rash decisions. However, while we learn to practise patience around the matter of concern, the urgent energy can be used as the impetus to deal with more trivial matters. Think about where ‘functional impulsivity’ could be of benefit in your life, and use the energy to make a phone call you have been dreading or start a project you’ve been putting off.

When you’re feeling bored

Isaac Newton was sitting under an apple tree when he had the epiphany about gravitational force. Archimedes was sitting in the bath when he shouted “Eureka!” We

think of boredom as something that must be overcome at once, yet studies show that the emotional state can be the birthplace of creativity. When we think of boredom as a period of passive reflection, we are more likely to use the emotional state to connect the dots and come up with novel solutions to problems.

When you’re feeling rejected

Rejection, whether romantic, platonic, social or organisational, is rooted in our almost tribal need to belong. Hence when we feel cast off or cast out, we are often too ashamed to reach out to others who may be able to help us rationalise the experience. However, when we share our experiences with others, we open the door to deeper bonding and increased emotional intimacy. Think of rejection as an opportunity to

Nervous energy can feel overwhelming, especially when it doesn’t have a direction. When we’re feeling anxious, we lose focus and tend to switch mindlessly between tasks. The trick, then, to harnessing nervous energy is to choose tasks that we would usually find dull – think ironing, light gardening and general admin. This strategy has a dual effect: it helps us finish tasks that we would normally not have the compulsion to start, while the trance-like repetition has a calming effect.

When you’re feeling lonely

Loneliness can be chronic and persistent, or temporary and situational – such as the first few months in a new country for example, or the first few weeks after a break-up. Conventional wisdom tells us that we ‘gotta keep busy’ but loneliness also provides us with a unique opportunity to build resilience by becoming comfortable in our own company. n

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Belfast Roller Derby

Roller Derby Roller Derby has grown from obscurity to become one of the UK’s fastest growing sports. And, refreshingly, it’s female-led. Jade Beecroft finds out why it’s suddenly so popular

t’s fast and furious, ballsy and bruising, with matches – or bouts – played in a noisy skating rink as DJs pump out party tunes. Players wear helmets, knee and elbow pads, and literally knock each other off their feet. There’s absolutely nothing ladylike about Roller Derby, but perhaps that’s part of its appeal. “Derby”, as it’s affectionately known, is enjoying something of a renaissance. Its roots go back to the 1920s but it was revived some 14 years ago by a team in Texas. Since then, teams and leagues have sprung up across the world, overseen by governing body the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

Local Derby teams

In Northern Ireland, Belfast has two established teams – the competitive Belfast Roller Derby and the more recreational Belfast City Rockets. Meanwhile in Derry, the Maiden City Fliers Roller Derby Club has been founded. Both Belfast teams train at the Valley Leisure Centre, in Newtownabbey, and the players speak of being part of a “huge Derby family”. Oonagh O’Flaherty has been a member

of Belfast Roller Derby for six years. The 32-year-old goes by the name of ‘Mauler Malone’ when she’s playing and is also on the Irish Roller Derby team. “For me, Derby is a safe and nurturing space,” she explains. “You don’t need to be elegant or ladylike. I joined this team on my own six years ago; I didn’t know anyone. Now I have a huge bunch of friends who are so close that I consider them family.”

All inclusive

A team has 20 people on its playing roster and 14 are chosen to compete in each bout, which takes place over two 30-minute halves. These in turn are broken down into twominute jams, with five players from each team on the track during every jam. A lead-jammer is chosen to be the point scorer. Points are scored every time that player passes the hips of anyone on the opposition, but it’s a full-contact sport so blocking can get rough. One of the biggest draws of Derby, according to Oonagh, is that anyone can get involved, regardless of size, shape or ability. Teams play in different UK or international leagues, according to ability, but at the grassroots anyone interested in

getting involved locally can just go along to one of Belfast Roller Derby’s regular intake sessions. “There’s absolutely no experience necessary,” says Oonagh. “You don’t even have to know how to skate. We’ll teach you everything; the skills you need and how to do things safely. “Sometimes people pick it up really quickly and they’re ready to play competitively within six months. Others take up to 18 months. It doesn’t matter – just come along, put on a pair of skates and give it a go. “There are also other roles; Derby is a volunteer-run sport so we need referees and officials too.”

A fun workout

Emma Forzelius, 23, joined Belfast Roller Derby in April as a complete beginner and says she’s already “fallen in love” with the sport. “I’d wanted to do it for years, ever since I saw Drew Barrymore in the movie Whip It, but never had the guts,” she explains. “Finally I pushed myself to go to an intake session, and never looked back. “I’d never skated before, I was a complete beginner, but I’m already improving and hoping to be picked for the team in another year or two. “It’s also a really intense workout but it doesn’t feel like exercise because you’re having so much fun. Derby is such a friendly, accepting community; I’d urge anyone to try it.” n

GET INVOLVED • To find out more about Roller Derby in Northern Ireland, visit belfastrollerderby.net. You can also find the team on Facebook. • The UK Roller Derby Association has information about teams across Britain. Visit ukrda.org.uk • The Roller Derby World Cup is being staged in Manchester in February, and a team will be representing Ireland. Visit www.rollerderbyworldcup.com for details.

ESCAPE

TOP 10 Ski tips for beginners

BY NICOLA BRADY

ki holiday brochures are bulging once again, and it’s never too late to try for the first time. Never been skiing? Psh. With the right tuition, a bit of blind courage and a willingness to spend a lot of time falling over, you’ll likely have a ball. Here are my tips for first-timers…

1. Am I too old to ski?

It’s natural to be anxious about skiing. Watching others zip down the slopes when you can barely walk in the boots is enough to make anyone nervous. But the truth is, if you can walk, you can probably ski. The reason kids take to it so naturally is because they lack the fear. Accept the fact that you’re going to fall over, strap in and give it a go. And who knows? You could have been harbouring an unearthed talent for years.

2. Where are the best resorts for beginners?

There are a few things to look for in a good ‘starter’ resort – friendliness, excellent ski schools and gentle slopes that will inspire confidence, not fear. If you’re booking with a tour operator, it’s always best to mention that you’re a beginner. They’ll have a good feel for the resorts they sell, and which slopes will suit a first-timer. It also makes sense to pick a place that’s reasonably compact, so you’re not trudging for miles, weighed down with hefty gear. Certain ski schools cater particularly well to beginners too.

3. What do I need to wear and bring?

It’s best to pack layers – think fleece tops,

leggings/long johns, good thermal base layers (Merino is perfect), long woolly socks, snow boots and thick gloves. In terms of proper gear, you’ll need a pair of ski pants and a good ski jacket. But don’t rush out and spend a fortune – ask around and borrow stuff from friends, or keep an eye on Lidl and Aldi, which stock gear periodically. You can rent skis, poles and boots in the resorts, although some tour operators include these in the price. If you’re a really cold creature, pick up some disposable footwarmers or handwarmers. You shake a sachet to heat and tuck it into your boots or gloves (Mountain Warehouse have handwarmers for £1.99).

4. What about budgets – isn’t skiing expensive?

If you’re looking for a budget holiday, you’re going to struggle with skiing. Between the package itself, lift passes, equipment hire, après-ski drinks, and a hefty amount of fondue, you’re probably going to spend a pretty penny. That said, if you go off-season (mid-late January and school-term time in February and March are good bets), you’ll save a chunk of money. And while chalet catered meals are a dream, self-catering is a solid option for pinching the pennies – just check the amenities in your resort before booking.

5. Should I go DIY or with a package?

While booking everything independently is entirely possible (and sometimes cheaper), for first-time skiers a package makes life a lot easier. Everything can be taken care of in advance, you don’t have to pay airline

ski carriage fees if you’re renting, and reps are usually on site to deal with any potential issues. Simply put, there are far more moving parts at play with ski than a ‘regular’ holiday – you don’t want to spend your first day trundling between equipment shops and trying to figure out lift passes.

6. Do I have to ski every single day?

Absolutely not. And, in my experience, your thighs will be screaming for a break after day one. If you’re unsure how the skiing will go, pick a resort with lots of activities and make the most of them. Think steaming cups of hot chocolate by the fire, walks through snowy villages and, if you play your cards right, a long soak in an outdoor hot tub. You can also choose resorts near cities, where you can mooch between shops or bars, and there are some amazing spas in the mountains — try Le Grand Bellevue in

former Olympic skier and Race Director at Snoworks, she says: “The younger you take it up, the quicker you’re going to develop, because the fear factor isn’t going to be there. I think a good age is three or four. Three is fine, but at four they’re strong enough and can really start to enjoy it.” For younger kids, Emma recommends choosing warmer months, like March and April. “A little three-year-old out in -10°C is not going to have fun… whereas a three-year-old in 0°C is going to love it.”

Gstaad for example, or the Austrian resorts within a short transfer of Salzburg.

7. How do lessons and ski schools work?

Finding a good ski school is crucial for beginners. It’s best to organise this when you book your trip, and again, this is where tour operators come up trumps. “In general, people book into a group lesson for the week,” says Michelle Anderson of Topflight. “The instructors are great; if they feel you are in a class that is holding you back, they’ll move you up to a higher standard to ensure that you get the best from your lessons.” Classes generally run in the mornings, leaving your afternoons free, though this can vary. And the cost? As an example, a Topflight price for classes in Val Thorens is €173 for six days. You can book private lessons, too.

8. What about the lifts – they look scary?

There’s no escaping it – ski lifts strike terror into the hearts of newbies (this one included). It’s not so much the height, but the fear of jumping on and off. But as soon as you’ve mastered it, you’ll be fine (and you’ll get some killer views along the way). Remember to let the lift come to you, hold both poles in one hand, and move with relative haste and confidence. You’ll likely travel with an instructor the first time, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’ll need a lift pass for the duration of your trip – remember to keep it with you whenever you’re on the slopes.

9. When should kids start to ski?

Make no mistake: little toddlers on skis are adorable. But how young is too young to get started? Emma Carrick-Anderson is a

10. Should I practise before I go?

There’s no doubt about it — skiing is more physical than a typical holiday abroad. “Skiing and snowboarding can be demanding,” says Alan Moynihan, CEO of Highlife Ski & Snowboard. “So the fitter you are, the better you will do and the lower your risk of injury.” This needn’t mean extensive preparation, but a few days of squats, lunges and stretches will help. If you’re nervous about starting from scratch, learn the basics on a dry slope before you go.

PS. Do I need extra insurance?

Almost certainly. Most travel insurance policies require additional cover for winter sports, which will cover you for medical emergencies, ski rentals and avalanche cover, for example. Make 100 percent sure this is organised before you leave for the airport. n

Cut out and keep

Christmas Kracker P Krakow: 24 hours in Poland’s most perfect Christmas city lanning a festive city break? Tom Sweeney maps out 24 hours in Krakow, Poland’s Christmas city full of festive spirit and cheer.

10am: Do your shelf a favour…

Breakfast on banana, apple, cinnamon and honey toasties in charming Cafe Zakatek (2 Grodzka). Drop by Massolit second-hand bookshop (4 Felicjanek), which has 20,000 titles in English and the best coffee and cake in town, but limit your visit or you’ll never leave. Tour Wawel Castle, incorporating the Archcathedral of SS Stanislaus and Wenceslaus where local hero Pope Saint

John Paul II was ordained in 1946. Visit: massolit.com; wawel.krakow.pl

2pm: Lunch that’s hard to beet

Lunch with the locals in always-busy Kuchnia u Doroty (4 Augustianska) in the Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz). Order beetroot soup followed by potato pancakes with goulash and a side of pierogi dumplings. Head for the main square, Rynek Glowny, and visit Rynek Underground, a permanent exhibition telling Krakow’s fascinating history. It’s a must-see, so buy timespecific tickets in advance online to avoid disappointment and long queues. Visit: podziemiarynku.pl

5pm: There’s snowhere better…

Rynek Glowny is Europe’s biggest medieval square and hosts a Christmas market that puts Prague, Vienna and Munich in the cheap seats. Around 100 souvenir and hot food stalls do a roaring trade (top buys are handmade Christmas decorations), and the childrens’ choirs are a joy. The icing – or icicles – on the cake is that it always snows in December, adding that magical ingredient. Visit: inyourpocket.com/krakow is the city’s best and unflinchingly honest visitors’ guide.

8pm: Meat and greet

Dinner in Pod Wawelem (26-29 Gertrudy) – my favourite restaurant – is a vegetarian’s nightmare, but fab Vegab (6 Starowisina) comes to the rescue. Pod Wawelem is a meat-tastic dream you won’t want to end, but wakey-wakey – Bar Singer (1 Izaaka, Kazimierz) awaits. It’s cool and charismatic, and come 3am you can dance on the tables until six, then tip-toe into budget-friendly Globtroter guesthouse (7/15 Szczepanski), where I’ve stayed 26 times. Visit: podwawelem.eu; globtroter-krakow.com n

FOOD SENSITIVITY TESTING CLINIC Feeling tired & unwell? Digestive problems?

Suffering with I.B.S., P.M.T., Migraine, Eczema, Arthritis, Catarrh & Sinusitis?

You Could Be Suffering From A Food Sensitivity! For appointments please contact the Framar Health Clinic reception

Framar Health COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH CLINIC

Wine: VERMENTINO DI SARDEGNA DOC 2016 Here we are once again in November, not quite into winter but feeling the looming dark nights. This is exactly the time of year we need an injection of sunshine for Lisburn Road, our palates so this595 month I’m whisking you oﬀBelfast, to SardiniaBT9 for the7GS ultimate food and wine journey. This month’s wine champions the light skinned Vermentino grape which is thought to have originated in Liguria or perhaps brought from Spain through migration. Regardless of its beginnings, this grape produces a wine clear e: info@framarhealth.com pale straw in colour with a herbaceous and aromatic nose reminiscent of Sardinia’s www.framarhealth.com “macchia”, its abundant w: shrubs and herbs.

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FOOD SENSITIVITY TESTING CLINIC

The Santadi family grow their vines on slopes facing the sea and as the grapes benefit from the extra light reflected of the water, coupled with a hand harvest every September picking only the premium grapes, the resulting ripe exotic fruit is both refreshing and wonderfully lingering on the palate. Our chicken and chorizo risotto on the menu at La Taverna is, I feel, just the dish to partner a white wine with such lovely palate weight. San Gavino Monreave, a grower of saffron crocus in Sardinia happens to be the largest producer of saffron in Italy, so what better marriage than a Sardinian dish with a fantastic Sardinian wine cooked incidentally by a Sardinian chef! Hoping you all enjoyed this little ray of sunshine until next issue.

Feeling tired & unwell? Digestive problems?

Suffering with I.B.S., P.M.T., Migraine, Eczema, Arthritis, Catarrh & Sinusitis?

You Could Be Suffering From A Food Sensitivity!

Chicken and chorizo risotto

Parties, Lunches, Afternoon Teas & Tribute Shows

For appointments please contact the Framar Health Clinic reception

Ingredients • • • • • • •

2 tbsp Olive oil 1 Chorizo, chopped 1 Red pepper, finely sliced 1 Yellow pepper, finely sliced 2 Chicken breasts, chopped 2 Onions, finely chopped 3 Cups of Basmati rice / enough for 4 people 1 and quarter pints vegetable or chicken stock Glug of white wine (optional) Tin of sweetcorn Handful of frozen peas Generous shaving of Parmesan cheese Knob of butter

EAT • DRINK • PARTY Health

the peppers until brown around the edges and soft. Put peppers aside. In the pepper pan, fry the chicken pieces on a high heat until golden brown and cooked through. Place aside and keep warm Add rice to onion. Fry for 2 minutes. Add wine if using and stir till evaporated. Gradually add the stock, ladle by ladle. Once all liquid has been absorbed and rice is soft enough, add Chorizo, cooked chicken, peppers and the sweetcorn and frozen peas. Stir for a further 5 minutes or until heated through. Allow the chorizo juices to seep into the rice. Add the Parmesan and knob of butter. Stir through and season to taste. Serve immediately

Framar Call 028 9047 1066 or visit hastingshotels.com COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH CLINIC

•

| C URoad, L L OBelfast, D E NBT9 7GS 595 Lisburn A L L9068 Y G A 1018 L LY t:B028

e: info@framarhealth.com w: www.framarhealth.com

• • • • •

STORMONT | E U R O PA |

Method

| EVERGLADES S L I E V E D O 5.N A R D

1. Fry the onion in a large pan until soft. In a separate frying pan, fry

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THE SOCIAL 10

Rosalind Jayne’s round up of this month’s most happening events

The Twinkling Twilight Market is set to return to St George’s Market, Belfast on 7th and 8th November. The market hosts live music, chef demonstrations, local food, drink, arts and crafts, and more.

With more songs and big-scale musical production numbers than you could pout a painted lip at, The Lady Boys of Bangkok will be bringing the Sabi Pavillion back to Custom House Square, Belfast from 4-18 November. The brand new production Who Runs the World? promises laughter, beauty, glitz and music, and will have you on your feet singing and dancing in what is guaranteed to be a night to remember.

The Dirty Onion is to host its second Pooch Social on November 5th in aid of local dog charity Lucy’s Trust. The event will see dog lovers and their canines enjoy an evening of live music, entertainment, a BBQ, and a doggy fair selling treats and accessories for your furry friends.

Photo credit Stuart Wilson. Getty Images Much loved comedian, actor and writer Ruby Wax is bringing her show A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled to An Griánan Theatre, Letterkenny on 5th November. Tickets cost €25.

Looking for love? Look no further than the Ardara Matchmaking festival which takes place in The Nesbitt Arms, Donegal on 10-12 November. Jimmy Buckley will pay on the Friday night, and Jim Devine takes to the stage on the Saturday night.

Following its phenomenal success last year, the BBC Good Food Show will return to the Belfast Waterfront from 10-12 November 2017. This year the show will return with more great food, a fantastic range of some of Northern Ireland’s very best producers of food, drink and artisan products, and a new spacious layout. With a line-up of top celebrity chefs and culinary experts, it will be a weekend of cookery demonstrations, tastings, chef interviews, book signings and more.

How’s Your Father? is the latest comedy play from father and son team, Conal and Rory Gallen. Step into the B&B and meet a landlady, a priest and a jockey, and see if you can solve the mystery. The night promises to be full of side-splitting adult comedy. Catch the play at the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh on 11th November.

Join multi-award winning makeup artist Stacey Kilpatrick in her exclusive makeup masterclass at The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh on 18th November. This is the perfect afternoon to get dressed up with the girls and enjoy learning the tricks of the trade. Stacey will guide you through a series of demonstrations on how to achieve the perfect party look.

The Belfast Christmas Market returns to City Hall on Saturday 18th November from 12 noon. With even more variety for all Christmas market lovers you’ll find a fantastic selection of hand-painted pottery, continental food, decorations, and a wide range of festive arts and crafts from across Europe and beyond.

Ballet Ireland presents one the greatest love stories of all time, Romeo and Juliet, at The Ardhowen Theatre, Eniskillen on 24th November. In Ballet Ireland’s production, Shakespeare’s tragic tale is transported from the streets of medieval Verona into the classrooms of a modern-day high school. It becomes a play within a play.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer

Movie roundup New films out this month

A Bad Moms Christmas

A Bad Moms Christmas follows three under-appreciated and over-burdened women as they rebel against the challenges and expectations of Christmas. And if creating a perfect holiday for their families wasn’t hard enough, they have to do all of that while entertaining their mothers. Starring: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Cheryl Hines and Peter Gallagher Release date: 1st November

to solve the puzzle before the ruthless murdered strikes again. Starring: Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penélope Cruz and Judi Dench Release date: 4th November

Daddy’s Home 2

Dusty and Brad have joined forces to provide their kids with the perfect Christmas. Their newfound partnership is put to the test when Dusty’s old-school,

The killing of a Sacred Deer

Steven, a charismatic surgeon, is forced to make an unthinkable sacrifice after his life starts to fall apart when the behaviour of a teenage boy he has taken under his wing turns sinister. As the teen’s behaviour deteriorates, the full scope of his intent becomes clear when he confronts Steven with a long-forgotten transgression that will shatter the family’s domestic bliss irrevocably. Starring: Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell and Alicia Silverstone Release date: 3rd November

Murder on the Orient Express

A lavish train trip through Europe unfold into a mystery. Based on the novel by Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express tells the tale of thirteen strangers stranded on a train, where everyone’s a suspect. One man must race against time

Daddy’s Home 2

macho father and Brad’s ultra-affectionate and emotional dad arrive just in time to throw the holiday into complete chaos. Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Mel Gibson, John Lithgow and John Cena Release date: 10th November

Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

This art house film is a biographical drama in which the American actress Gloria Grahame falls in love with a man from Liverpool. The romance explores how it must have felt for a red-blooded movie buff to make it with a silver-screen sex symbol. Starring: Annette Bening, Stephen Graham and Vanessa Redgrave Release date: 17th November

LIVING

Credit: Frosted Window Film (FB102) from windowfilm.co.uk

DOUBLE UP

Our pick of designer and budget buys will transform any space BY RÓISÍN CARABINE

SPLURGE

SAVE

Vitra Eames ‘Hang It All’ coat rack from Nest.co.uk, £205

Vasco Aged Gold Round Nesting Tray Tables with map print tops from Artisanti.com, £249 Hollywood Floor Lamp by It’s About Romi from Limelace.co.uk, £449

Atomic Crisscross Coat Hanger from Cultfurniture.com, £35

Capri Brass Pair of Side Tables from Frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk, £175

Pluto Floor Lamp from Debenhams, £130 Set of 4 Original Chaise A by Tolix designed by Xavier Pauchard, available in a choice of colours, from Einrichten-design.de, from £989.57

Set of 2 Tolix Style French Café Armchairs from Myfurniture.com, available in a choice of colours, £49.99

Flamingo Lamp from TK Maxx, £16.99 Neon Flamingo Lamp from Debenhams, £50

Hexagonal Copper Wall Mirror from Very.co.uk, £99.99

Hanging Hexagonal Mirror from George Home @ Asda, £10

A carefully co-ordinated home with vibrant pops of colour used throughout

Photography by Michael Bradley

ebbie and Ian Harkness’ Ballymena home is a kaleidoscope of colour; from vibrant pinks and purples, to burnt orange and baby blue. At a time where grey and white shades are so popular, it’s heartwarming to walk in to a home that’s awash with colour. “I love bright accessories and quirky décor,” Debbie begins, “we have kept the walls quite plain and used colourful details to brighten things up”. Debbie sought home décor inspiration on Pinterest and Google Images, and prefers to shop locally for interior furnishing. A quirky feature of the couple’s home is a New England-style wooden sunhouse (pictured). It’s the perfect place for guests to enjoy a drink, or to read in during the summer months. n

“We use the sunhouse a lot more in summer and it’s great for entertaining visitors.”

“The bedding is from Next and the bedside chair originally belonged to a neighbour - we had it recovered and painted white.”

“I love positive sayings and quotes, and you can see them all around our house.”

“I got this in the pound shop, and I painted the heart purple and added the ribbon.”

“The dresser belonged to Ian’s father and late mother. We brightened it up with Annie Sloan paint and waxed it.”

“I love candles and fake flowers; the flowers in this room are so real looking that you would never know they are not the real thing.”

“The chair makes a nice feature under the stairs.”

“The sign, vase and lamp brighten up our second living room.”

“I got this teapot in a second-hand shop and glued the Scrabble letters on.

“The seat and teddy door stopper were both from WYSE BYSE, and the orange throw is from Harry Corry. We got the world boxes in Range.”

“Ian’s late brother made the seat. We painted it and got it covered with Prestigious Textiles fabric to match the curtains. The flowers are from Sainsbury’s – don’t they look real?”

“The colours of this room are very autumnal and are perfect for this time of year.”

In the Pink

There’s such a thing as the ‘pink effect’ and studies have shown that exposure to large amounts of the colour can have a calming effect on the nerves. In interiors, even the smallest amount of pink, picked up in furniture, cushions, rugs or throws, can create a soothing and calming atmosphere. Opera three-seater sofa in a choice of colours from DFS, £1,198

Beat the blues It’s cold and miserable outside and the days are getting darker earlier. Brighten up your home and lift your mood with these top tips to beating the winter blues BY RÓISÍN CARABINE

Let there be light

Well-lit rooms can instantly lift your mood and make you feel happier, especially on dark nights. For maximum effect opt for a mix of lighting – floor lamps and table lamps as well as task lighting – rather than one central pendant. Consider fitting dimmers so the atmosphere can easily be controlled from sunlight bright to cosy and comfortable when required. Peony light fitting, £180, Asso extending dining table, £499 & Luna dining chair, £79 from Harvey Norman

Colour Me Happy

Paint is one of the easiest ways to bring a touch of colour and happiness into your home. As the colour of the sea and sky, blue evokes calmness and tranquillity making it the perfect shade for bedrooms – and research proves it. According to a new study by hotel group Travelodge, blue is the best colour to decorate your bedroom if you want a good night’s sleep, with this colour scheme resulting in an average of seven hours and 52 minutes’ sleep each night. Wardley chalked oak four poster bed from £2,170; Tolsey loop pile rug in Navy £410; Cley stripe throw in Navy £155 & Grace cushions £53. Walls painted in Neptune Teal paint, Neptune Belfast

On Reflection

Mirrored furniture is great for visually opening up small spaces and making them look bigger. Another great thing about mirrored furniture is its ability to reflect light and bounce it around a room – so your interior will never look dull or gloomy. Pax Wardrobe from Ikea, from £592

Plant Power

According to website Thejoyofplants.co.uk, having plants in our home not only adds greenery and interest but they can actually make us feel happier, reduce stress, give us more energy, help us concentrate better and even improve air quality. Boston Ferns and potted Gerbera are ideal air purifiers, while Alocasia, also known as elephantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ear, is a great statement plant thanks to its height and spectacular leaves. For novice gardeners, cactus, Aloe and succulents are perfect green companions and near impossible to kill.

Undressed to Impress

Mirror Mirror

Besides knocking down walls and opening up rooms, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to allow more natural light into dark rooms, is with cleverly positioned mirrors. Hanging a mirror on a wall adjacent to a window can make it seem like you have more windows in the wall. In a living room with a view out to the garden, placing a mirror on the wall opposite the window will not only help to reflect light but also the views outside. Salvage window mirror from Next Home, ÂŁ140

Maximising the amount of natural light in your home will help beat the blues this winter. If your dining or living space is on the dark side, consider ditching the curtains and blinds and embracing the current trend for bare windows. If privacy is an issue why not opt for window film. The Window Film Company offers a huge selection of designs and frosted patterns, allowing you to easily create an eye-catching feature of your glazing, while still letting in natural light. Frosted Window Film (FB102) from windowfilm.co.uk. From ÂŁ30

Art Appeal

Wall art can have an uplifting effect on the mood, especially images of nature or scenes that evoke happy memories. For on-trend ways to create interesting displays of art visit Pinterest and be inspired to create a salon-style gallery, portrait walls or DIY framed art using bulldog clips, shelving and string. Wall art from £7; Cloud Chair, £645 from Oliver Bonas, Belfast

Layer Up

Throws, cushions and rugs not only provide cosy comfort on a cold winter’s night but they’re also perfect for adding a pop of affordable colour and help to brighten up a gloomy interior. High street clothing favourite Primark has just launched a collection of soft home accessories to satisfy your day-long lounging needs. Think sumptuous plush velvet cushions and throws in opulent shades of teal, pink and mustard. Cushions from £5 & large throw from £9, Primark

Weathered Wood

This season wood effect wallpaper is making a big style statement indoors. The new sophisticated designs range from aged grey planks and coastal weathered wood wall murals, to driftwood and even timber textured reclaimed wood papers. They’re a perfect cost-effective method to add a touch of cosy character and ‘natural’ charm, creating a calming atmosphere. FD41959 Loft Wood Walnut/Copper wallpaper by Fine Décor from Noblett’s of North Street, £8.99 a roll

Home truths What you need to know before buying your first home with your partner BY ORRY ROBINSON

aking that first step onto the property ladder is not one that should be taken blindly or without due consideration. This is a decision that will remain with you and your partner for years to come. With that in mind, it’s important to make sure you’re ready; be it to finally live with your partner having dreamed of that day for what may seem like a lifetime, or to financially commit to a property with them. Buying a property is a colossal decision, so think rationally; what is you and your partner’s monthly income? What are your out-going expenses? Have you a strong credit rating? These are all bumps along the road to home ownership, and there’s no problem taking a pitstop between each to work things out before journeying further.

Be budget savvy

First off, know your budget. With CoOwnership Housing for example, you can purchase a property up to the value of £160,000, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Live within your means and know your budget to make an informed decision on a property that is affordable to you and your partner. Co-Ownership can offer lower monthly repayment costs compared to private renting or taking on a full mortgage.

Think long term

Know the location and type of property you

need. Research the area you wish to live in; does it have good infrastructure? Does it have local access to services? If you’re thinking ahead and planning for a little one down the line, what are the schools like in the area? Is there good access to public transport? And just how many rooms you need for your young growing family? When it comes to viewing properties, whether they are new-build or not, don’t rush your viewings. Take your time and explore the local area as well as examining the interior and exterior of the property.

be afraid to delve into every aspect of the property during a viewing. Also consider the presentation of the property, both inside and out. Is the kitchen modern? How does the paint on the walls look? Is the flooring and tiling in good condition? Some people like a ‘fixer-upper’ and the opportunity to channel their inner Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen from BBC’s Changing Rooms, or Alan Titchmarsh when it comes to the garden - but don’t get caught off guard and consider the amount of time and finance you can contribute to fixing and maintaining the property.

Every penny counts

That all-important deposit

Ask to see the Energy Performance Certificate and understand how this would work within your monthly budget. Managing your money and out-going expenses, including heating and electricity, requires significant financial investment so think sensibly. Every penny counts and those occasions where your other half keeps a watchful eye on the thermostat like Heimdall, the guardian of Asgard, and insists it cannot be adjusted – might just work in your favour in the long run. Damp, condensation, mould, broken or cracked fixtures, structural cracks, the list of potential problems goes on. Don’t

The biggest issue you are likely to face is the struggle to raise the funds for a healthy deposit. Couple low incomes with house prices beginning to recover across Northern Ireland, and you have quite a sour cocktail to swallow. Luckily, there is support available for those who find themselves caught in this predicament. As of April 2017, the cap on the value of the property you can purchase through Co-Ownership Housing has increased to £160,000 and in most cases no deposit is required. Co-Ownership offers lower monthly repayment costs compared to private renting or taking on a full mortgage with a down payment. n

Y ONL

ÂŁ1

In the December issue of Chic coats Party dresses Sparkles on everything

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

Credit: Vero Moda

Mr & Mrs Kingsberry Photography by Adam McAteer

own couple Antonia and Jonathan met on a night out at 21 Social, Belfast back in 2012. “He was tall, dark and handsome, and had killer dance moves – what’s not to love?” Antonia begins. “He confidently used a few cheesy chat up lines that won me over. We connected instantly and spent most of the night laughing and joking. “We dated for a few months before we made things official and I think it was important to have a good foundation of friendship first. I don’t know if there was one particular moment that I realised he was ‘the one’, more a collection of little things that made me feel that I couldn’t image my life without him in it.” Jonathan popped the question in Central Park, New York on 1st March 2016. Shortly after the couple set about planning their “rustic, romantic styled” day. They chose photographer Adam McAteer for his “subtle, laid back and non-invasive” style. Antonia sourced the stationery on Etsy, and Just Cake in Ballyhalbert created the showstopping three-tier cake. Antonia wore a classic dress by Sophia Tolli that she “instantly fell in love with”, accessorised with a lace veil and rose gold jewellery. The bridesmaids wore Chic Chi London dresses in dusty blue and gold. The bride’s favourite memory of her day is: “Making it to the top of the aisle without falling,” she jokes. “And our bridal party dancing together in one big group, to the Ed Sheeran’s song Castle on the Hill - it was a really nice moment that made me so thankful for our fantastic friends.” Jonathan adds: “Seeing Toni walk down the aisle was just perfect, better than I could have imagined. I couldn’t wait to marry her.” The newlyweds honeymooned in Mauritius, which they describe as “complete paradise”. Hilights include swimming with turtles and coral reef diving. n

Venue: Temple of the Winds, Mount Stewart Reception: Belfast Castle, Antrim Dress: Reflections Bridal Studio, Lisburn Groomswear: Collar and Tie, Lisburn Bridesmaids’ dresses: www.asos.com Makeup: Emma Scott Beauty, Newtownards Hair: Hair by Catherine, Comber Flowers: Cherished Occasions, Downpatrick

Mr & Mrs Photos by Jay Doherty

onegal groom Darren Burke and Dubliner Gráinne Ward first met a workmate’s leaving drinks. “I was instantly hooked but it wasn’t until the work Christmas party that I plucked up the courage to ask Gra on a date,” Darren begins. “What made me fall for Darren was his sense of humour and always being up for going out and having a laugh. Also his ‘George Clooney’ good looks,” Gráinne says. “What made me fall for Gráinne was the fact that she was gorgeous but very humble about it,” Darren says. “Her playful sense of humour and the fact that she loved to eat cheese pizza for breakfast on a lazy Sunday watching a boxset!” Darren organised a surprise 30th birthday party for Gráinne and proposed that night too. The celebrations went on into the ‘wee hours’. “On our wedding day we wanted to focus on the happy memories we shared with all of our family and friends,” Gráinne explains. “Our table plan had pictures of our parents’ and grandparents’ wedding days. Each place setting had a picture of us with that wedding guest.” They opted for quirky GAA-themed wedding invites made by Eventful, and broke from tradition by having a wedding cake made entirely from cheese. Gráinne wore a Watters Couture lace wedding dress, accessorised with her sister’s veil as ‘something borrowed’, and

Jimmy Choo heels. The pair praise photographer Jay Doherty for being “just so passionate and full of life that he brings the best out of everyone”. The wedding party “had so much fun in the sun” on Culdaff beach, before moving on to McGuinness’ Bar for photos. Gráinne says there were so many amazing moments from her wedding day that it’s difficult to choose just one: “If I was to pick one, it would be the look on Darren’s face as I reached the top of the aisle.” Darren adds: “I’m going to have to say the same; when I saw Gráinne walking up the aisle, I couldn’t stop smiling and staring. I know Gra is beautiful but she looked absolutely out of this world. Another favourite memory was driving in to the hotel grounds - to see everyone enjoying the unusually hot weather just reconfirmed my thought that the day was going to be unforgettable!” The newlyweds honeymooned in Thailand, a highlight of which was relaxing in a private infinity pool overlooking Kata beach. n

Venue: Redcastle Hotel, Donegal Dress: Myrtle Ivory, Dublin Groomswear: The Black Tie Showroom, Derry Bridesmaids’ dresses: Wedding World, Dublin Makeup: Tanya Pepper, Powder Room Girls, Dublin Hair: Sinéad and Ciara Burke, Carndonagh Flowers: Heaven Scent, Carndonagh

THE

ALBUM with

Rebecca McKinney and Stevie Lennox at The Style Edit. Credit: Michael Bradley

OUT&ABOUT

Jessica Givan, Helen Carson and Andrea Lucas

with

SALONS IN ARTHUR ST BELFAST, FORESTSIDE S/C, LISBURN, ABBEYCENTRE, BALLYMENA, NEWRY, PORTADOWN

Jill Maginnis, Karen Bovis, Rachel Wright and Ali Marriott

Florrie & Will Official Opening Florrie & Will children’s clothing and giftware boutique celebrated its official opening recently. Situated in the rural historical town of Dromore, Co. Down, Florrie & Will specialise in children’s clothing from newborn to 12 years, and also stock an array of quirky gifts and accessories. Photos by Press Eye

Amy Shannon, Julie-Anne Robertson and Emma Givan

Natalie Kennedy, Rachel Monteith and Davina Cromie

Gemma Managh, Joan Burney and Joanne Thompson

OUT&ABOUT

with

SALONS IN ARTHUR ST BELFAST, FORESTSIDE S/C, LISBURN, ABBEYCENTRE, BALLYMENA, NEWRY, PORTADOWN

Caoimhe Bradley and Barbara Bradley

Jessica Fok and April Zuong

The Style Edit in association with Shortcross Gin Stylist and presenter Rebecca McKinney and make-up artist Stevey Lennox brought The Style Edit back for the Autumn/Winter edition recently. Guests were treated to a Shortcross Gin reception, makeup masterclass demonstrations, fashion shows and a goodie bag jam-packed with beauty treats. Rebecca Skates and Levi Duncan

Susan Smyth and Liz Tullet

Photography by Michael Bradley

Margo Kennedy, Aisling Neil and Rebekah Hutchinson

Katie Maguire and Janet McCann

OUT&ABOUT

with

SALONS IN ARTHUR ST BELFAST, FORESTSIDE S/C, LISBURN, ABBEYCENTRE, BALLYMENA, NEWRY, PORTADOWN

Julie Scullion and Janette Higgins

Emma Savage

Catherine Black and Heather Buchanan

Nichola McAuley and Lisa Hynes

OUT&ABOUT

with

SALONS IN ARTHUR ST BELFAST, FORESTSIDE S/C, LISBURN, ABBEYCENTRE, BALLYMENA, NEWRY, PORTADOWN

Gallery Café-Bar opening party The Gallery Café-Bar hosted an official opening party to celebrate the best of what the unique Dublin Road venue has to offer. The café brings the industrial chic of New York’s meatpacking district to the streets of Belfast and features an elegant open-plan restaurant, bar and art gallery which has been designed according to the concept of Feng Shui by local expert Master San Wu. Joel Neill and Danielle Neill

Glyn Roberts, Angela McMurtrey and Alyson Magee

Neal McNamee, Liz Smart and George McNamee

Photography by Press Eye

Emma Mooney and Melissa Riddell

Paul McDonald and Michelle McDonald

OUT&ABOUT

with

SALONS IN ARTHUR ST BELFAST, FORESTSIDE S/C, LISBURN, ABBEYCENTRE, BALLYMENA, NEWRY, PORTADOWN

Janet McCollum and Barbara Creed Eleven Graham and Glenda McStravick

Top 100 Gala Dinner

The leaders of Northern Ireland’s biggest companies gathered in The Great Hall at Queen’s University for the Ulster Business Top 100 Gala Dinner in association with A&L Goodbody. Attendees enjoyed an address from Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire MP, followed by a evening of fine wine, fine dining and fine networking. Photos by Press Eye Mark McGivern, Catherine Harrison and Mark Thompson

Jonny Ireland and Tracey Schofield

Heather Williams, Ryan Davis and Sonia Armstrong

OUT&ABOUT

with

SALONS IN ARTHUR ST BELFAST, FORESTSIDE S/C, LISBURN, ABBEYCENTRE, BALLYMENA, NEWRY, PORTADOWN

Ashley and Ciara Daly

The Doyen Opening The Doyen officially opened its doors, revealing a vibrant and inviting new look to the former Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head premises on the Lisburn Road, and marked the occasion with an opening party. The stylish cafĂŠ bar opens from early morning and specialises in crafted coffee and brunch before turning into a Prosecco, gin and cocktail bar in the evening. Upstairs guests will find a family-friendly, Italian style restaurant called Morso that offers a lunch and dinner menu. The new venue boasts a traditional public bar serving a daily gastropub menu and their own Doyenbranded lager.

Ciara De Carteret and Katie Williamson

Photos by Press Eye Jenna and Carl Hill

Ryan Hamill and Emily Hancock

Kathryn McMahon and Chloe Henning

Niall Foster and Rebecca Maguire

OUT&ABOUT

with

SALONS IN ARTHUR ST BELFAST, FORESTSIDE S/C, LISBURN, ABBEYCENTRE, BALLYMENA, NEWRY, PORTADOWN

Marianne Hood and James McGinn

Karen McGarvey, Ali Gordon,Christopher Woodhouse and SarahJayne Miskelly

Brian and Christina O’Kane

Weir Events Launch Weir Events, spearheaded by Sarah Weir, was launched recently at an event in the Penthouse Suite of the Europa Hotel. The celebratory event was attended by over 100 guests from the finance, legal, hospitality, travel and tourism, entertainment and sporting industries. Hosted by Pamela Ballantine, the launch showcased some of Weir Events’ key suppliers including Saville Audio Visual, Colin Parker Design, SBD and Jawbox Gin. Photos by Press Eye

Fiona Brown, Pamela Ballantine, Sarah Weir and Siobhan O’Sullivan

Molly McCluskey, Mike Todd and Sarah Weir

OUT&ABOUT

Stephanie Walker and Michelle Torrens

with

SALONS IN ARTHUR ST BELFAST, FORESTSIDE S/C, LISBURN, ABBEYCENTRE, BALLYMENA, NEWRY, PORTADOWN

Jennifer Bunting and Loren Morrow

Jo Allison and Alanda Patrick

Peter Mark Long Service Awards Peter Mark honoured 43 of its employees, at a special awards ceremony in the Merchant Hotel, for their long-standing service and contribution to the company. The Peter Mark Long Service Awards recognised employees in the Ulster region who have worked at Peter Mark for 10 years or more. Of the 43 honoured, the average length of service was 14 years and many were celebrating several years more. Photos by Leon Farrell â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Photocall Ireland

Sarah Wright and Mellisa Jade Wilgaus

Susan Silo Murray, Geraldine Clarke and Arlene Coffey

OUT&ABOUT

Michelle Beech and Jessica Lynn

with

SALONS IN ARTHUR ST BELFAST, FORESTSIDE S/C, LISBURN, ABBEYCENTRE, BALLYMENA, NEWRY, PORTADOWN

Rosemary O Reilly and Mark Keaveney

Serena Wallace, Martina Reel and Rosemary Reilly

Jodi McSheery and Louise Laurence

Linda Harwood and Simon Ferguson

OUT&ABOUT

with

SALONS IN ARTHUR ST BELFAST, FORESTSIDE S/C, LISBURN, ABBEYCENTRE, BALLYMENA, NEWRY, PORTADOWN

An Evening With The White Gallery The White Gallery showcased their 2018 collections during an evening with boutique owner Rachel Morgan, award-winning stylist and designer Kate Halfpenny, and Northern Ireland stylist and designer Sara Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill. Guests were treated to an evening of stunning dresses, showbiz styling secrets and delicious sweet treats. Helen Doherty and Aoife Doherty

Photos by Press Eye

Elanna Magowan and Patrick Magowan

Sharon Curran and Grainne Maher

Tracy Hall and Rachel Morgan

Aileen Carmichael and Nicole Grace Kelly

Leanne Gannon and Katri Helkela

OUT&ABOUT

with

Caoimhe Gordon and Stephanie Geddis

Katharine McGarry

Chris Pollock and Kelly White

SALONS IN ARTHUR ST BELFAST, FORESTSIDE S/C, LISBURN, ABBEYCENTRE, BALLYMENA, NEWRY, PORTADOWN

Chloe Henning and Niamh Cunningham

Katie Andrew and Aisling Gallagher

Lucy Fretwell and Zoe Buxton

NORTHERN MAN

Jumper from H&M £29.99

Jeff Meredith takes a bite of the Big Apple

Pitcher Notch Neck Knit from The White Stuff £47.50

Rocard Pattern Crew from The White Stuff £59.95

ere we are again! It’s the November issue and autumn is in full swing, it actually seemed to start in August this year – so much for summer! I guess we’ll have to wait for 2018 for more of those long warm(ish) days and summer holidays. I’ve had an unusually busy year of holidays in 2017; some personal, some media trips, and a few one-night stays for reviews. But let’s talk about the most recent holiday – that big 50th birthday one I mentioned last month. Just as hurricane Irma was about to hit Florida, we were on a flight to New York for a pre-cruise three-night break. Yes, a cruise along the east coast just north of said hurricane. Can you imagine the concern of our families, especially since we were cruising down through the Bermuda Triangle. What if the triangle myth actually came true? On dry land The Big Apple (is it still even called that?) was our focus as we walked a lot, visited some cool bars and ate expensive breakfasts. Thanks to that post-Brexit exchange rate, everything is so expensive at the minute. £60 for breakfast for two anyone? The horror! The exchange rate didn’t stop us from window shopping and planning our new autumn/winter

wardrobes. Saks of 5th Avenue, with its autumnal mustards and greys, was the inspiration for my fashion feature on the next page. New York really is the most amazing city with so much to do. One of its biggest tourist attractions is the World Trade Centre; the site of 9/11. It’s an extremely emotional place to visit, and over the space of our three days staying just two minutes’ walk from it, we passed it many times and I always wanted to stop and remember those who didn’t make it. The simple act of celebrating each person’s birthday with a single white rose is a beautiful and touching gesture. After our three days it was time to board Oceania Insignia for the cruise. Up on deck at the Sail Away party with New York New York playing in the background, we sailed past One World Trade Center and a couple asked if I could take their photograph with the building in the background. Of course! It was a special moment for them both. He was emotional because the following day was the 16th anniversary of 9/11, the day he was in the tower when that world-changing event happened. His wife said he doesn’t talk about it much, but 16 years later he’s thankful that he’s not one of the people getting a white rose against his name on the memorial. Thanks for reading, Jeff n

J By Jasper Conran Striped Top from Debenhams £50

M&S Collection Shirt £27.50, M&S Collection Jumper £35, Limited Edition Coat £129, from Marks & Spencer

Jumper from H&M £19.99

Autumn shades

Basic Jacket With Hood from Pull & Bear £19.99

By Jeff Meredith

Blazer from Zara £79.99

It wouldn’t be autumn in the fashion world without some of those classic colours of the season reappearing - mustard and grey. Taking inspiration from a display I spotted in Saks of 5th Avenue here in New York, these are some of my favourite tops from the high street to add a dash of colour and style to your autumn layers. n

Sweater from Next £25

Saks of 5th Avenue Jumper £95 by Diesel, Joggers by Jack & Jones £25, Hat by Howick £12, from House of Fraser

Shearling Gilet £22, Tapered Jeans £16, Leather Chukka boots £35 from Matalan

— COMPETITION —

A stay at Castleknock Hotel Win

orthern Woman has teamed up with Castleknock Hotel, Dublin, to offer readers the chance to win a two-night break at this luxurious venue. Savour autumn at Castleknock Hotel with this fabulous prize. The awardwinning four-star hotel has just undergone a gorgeous ground floor renovation and to celebrate they are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a two-night midweek stay with breakfast on both mornings, and dinner on the evening of your choice in the new Earth & Vine Restaurant. Castleknock Hotel is an award-winning hotel set in beautiful grounds, right on the doorstep of Dublin. It’s the perfect base to discover all the delights of the city with someone special, including Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo and the National Aquatic Centre. Located just outside Castleknock village, Castleknock Hotel is just 15 minutes from Dublin city centre yet feels like a world away from the bustle of the city with its tranquil countryside setting. For more information visit www.castleknockhotel.com or call (00353)353 1 640 6300.

TO ENTER Simply answer this question: Where is the Castleknock Hotel located? Email your answer and contact details to: competitions@northernwoman.co.uk before 5pm on Friday 24th November. T&Cs: The prize is subject to availability, excludes bank holiday weekends, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, and is valid midweek only. INM T&Cs apply.