Northern Woman Sept 2017 by Helen Wright

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CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2017

STYLE 10 FALL FASHION This season’s top five must-haves 15 LUST LIST This month’s most wanted 18 VOGUE DIARY A local fashionista’s Vogue experience 20 BOOT CAMP Slouch boots and cone heels 21 AUTUMN INSPRIATION House of Fraser’s guide to ‘get the look’ FEATURES 30 NATHAN CARTER Is Livin’ the Dream 34 HOMEWORK HELL The 10 agonising stages 36 MUMtiple PERSONALITIES What type of a mother are you? 38 WORKING WONDERS Boost your employment prospects 40 BIRTHDAYS Milestones or millstones? 44 #THE BIGGER PICTURE Dying for a selfie BEAUTY 46 #BEAUTY INSPO Hot off the runway 49 GET CHEEKY Contour your way to killer cheekbones 50 ALL SET Tried & tested 53 THE BEAUTY EDIT The latest makeup bag must-haves HEALTH AND WELLNESS 55 FIGHTING FIT White Collar Boxing enthusiasts 58 AURA SOMA Tried and tested

Credit: Anthropologie

Cover image from Closet London www.closetlondon.com

Credit: Primark

ESCAPE 60 CHAMPAGNE, BEAUTIFUL STRANGERS & HALONG BAY Who says cruising is dull? 62 VENICE: Is not just for lovers 66 THE SOCIAL 10 Ten mustn’t miss events 68 DONNA TAGGART’S track reaches over 100 million views

LIVING 70 DOUBLE UP Designer doubles 72 SOFA SHOPPING A buyer’s guide 80 BOHO-CHIC AT BALLYHOLME Insider a reader’s home 84 LOCAL WEDDINGS 89 THE ALBUM Social pics 96 NORTHEN MAN Jeff Meredith talks autumn layers 98 WIN A hotel stay

Publisher Independent News & Media Ltd Belfast Telegraph House 33 Clarendon Road Clarendon Dock Belfast BT1 3GB T: 028 9026 4264 Editor: Catriona Doherty Designer: Robert Armstrong Manager: Eileen Doherty Art Editor: Helen Wright Editorial Contributors Eunice Nelson, Claire Craig, Jeff Meredith, Róisín Carabine, Clare Bowie, Jade Beecroft, Kate Cody and Alicia Clarke 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.

Editor’s Letter

i all, Welcome to our September edition. I’d like to say a massive ‘Thank You’ to all of Northern Woman’s amazing readers for picking up a copy again this month. I’m absolutely delighted to see NW’s readership increase month-onmonth – thanks to you. We have brilliant new offer available now; sign up for an annual subscription for only £15 and receive a FREE Peter Mark voucher worth £25 and a year’s supply of Northern Woman delivered direct to your door each month – quite the bargain! September signals the start of a brand new fashion season and we bring you this season’s top five trends; from faux fur to leather looks, red hot buys in autumn’s must-have colour, and a lot more besides. We team up with House of Fraser to bring you our Autumn Inspiration spread, and best of all, you’ll find the fashion forward looks pictured both wearable and affordable. Ladies, hold on to your hats because Nathan Carter takes time out from his hectic schedule to talk to Northern Woman. The heartthrob who is attributed with ‘making country music cool’, describes his perfect partner, talks about his new TV show, and his plans for the year ahead.

Deadline day - behind the scenes

We also hear from a range of inspiring local ladies who have a story to tell. Two White Collar Boxing enthusiasts give us the lowdown on the sport, local fashionista and single mum Cathy Martin goes back to school (kind of!) as a Vogue intern, and Jade Beecroft looks at how to boost your employment prospects. Eunice Nelson made us laugh out loud with her musings on how birthday celebrations change as you age, as did Clare Bowie’s piece Homework Hell. In addition to that, we also bring you the very latest in home décor, beauty news hot off the runway, travel reviews, tried and tested features, local events and weddings, and much more besides. Enjoy the issue, don’t forget to tweet or email us your thoughts, and check in on our Facebook page for daily updates. Until next month,

Catriona Doherty Editor Northern Woman

Contact me at: c.doherty@independentmagazinesni.co.uk. Follow NW on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/NorthernWomanMagazine and Insgraram at: www.instagram.com/northernwomanmagazine. Tweet us at: @NorthernWomanNW.

STYLE

Credit: Stradivarius

Trench Coat with Checked Lining from Zara £159

Flavor Trench from Cheap Monday £169

THE TRENCH Synonymous with wet weather, the trench is a key look this season. Donning a trench is the easiest, most stylish way to tackle the tricky transitional period. Keep it classic, or opt for a modern twist with voluminous sleeves, contrasting belt, or an alternative fabric such as wool.

ATIVE TRE N R

NC H

ALT E

Long Trench Coat from Vero Moda £46

FALL FASHION This season’s top five must-haves

Artistry Fit and Flare Wool Camel Trench from Oliver Bonas £195 (out October)

SCARLET LADY Crimson, wine, scarlet, ruby and merlot – if there’s one colour to be seen wearing this autumn, it’s red. The season the fiery shade dominates, from long-sleeved velvet tops and vibrant leather jackets, to head-to-toe red looks.

Leather Biker Jacket from Mango £119.99

Velvet Ruched Sleeve Top from Oasis £28

Longline Lace Puff Sleeve Blouse from ASOS £38

Autograph Dress from Marks & Spencer £55 Burgandy Coat £165, Red Jacket £69 from & Other Stories

Skirt from New Look £24.99

Red Tie Cuff Blazer £60, Red Frill Hem Cropped Straight Leg Trousers £38 from River Island

H! by Henry Holland Skirt from Debenhams £40

Wrap Front Pu Skirt by Biba from House of Fraser, Victoria Square £49 Black Faux Leather Frill Hem Mini Skirt from River Island £28

LEATHER APPEAL From day to night, work to weekend – the super versatile leather skirt fits all occasions. Real or faux, pencil, short, colourful or classic black - here are a few of our top picks for autumn and beyond, because leather never really goes out of fashion.

Red Leather Look Skirt from Dorothy Perkins £22

Faux Leather Skirt by Stella McCartney from mytheresa.com £475

Leather Skirt from Topshop £95

Ruffled Faux Leather Mini Skirt from Bershka £19.99

10 West Street, Portadown, Co. Armagh, BT62 3PD. Tel: 028 3835 4907. Find us on Facebook • www.sitaramorgan.com

INVITE Celebrate the new Autumn Winter 2017 fashion and beauty collections at House of Fraser by joining Catriona Doherty, Editor at Northern Woman magazine, when she will be meeting readers and hosting a fashion trend talk at 7pm. Join Catriona and the fashion and beauty team for a glass of Prosecco and style advice at House of Fraser Victoria Square, Thursday 14th September from 6-9pm. Visit your favourite beauty counters for £10 off when you spend £50 or more on beauty* as well as tips and tricks for the new season, cocktails and music.

See you there! *Terms and conditions apply, please visit www.houseoffraser.co.uk for full terms and conditions

FAUX FUR Thankfully the weather is not cold enough for a furry jacket just yet, but it won’t be long folks and when the colder days arrive snuggle up with faux fur. A brightly coloured faux fur coat is sure to brighten up any gloomy day.

CHASE R PU

Michael Kors Coat from House of Fraser £395

Centre seam jeans offer something a little bit different to the norm. Opt for subtle stitching down the centre of your jeans, or make a statement with two-tone patchworkstyle denim. Loose fitting, high-waited Mom jeans with front seams combine two denim trends in one.

H RT

Pale Blue Seam Trim Denim Mom Skirt from New Look £19.99

MOTO Lace Front Cropped Wide Leg Jeans from Topshop £46

ERN WO

LOVES

FRONT SEAM DENIM

Amelie skinny jeans from River Island £45

Jeans from Vero Moda £38

Faux Fur Coat from H&M £79.99

PAYDA Y

Vipoppy Fake Fur Jacket from Vila £85

Lust List Local buys – this month’s most wanted

Bag from L.K.Bennett from The Outlet, Banbridge was £195 now £130

Limited Edition Top from Marks & Spencer £29.50 Jill Graham Eternal Large Pendant Necklace from Avoca, Belfast £210

Khaki Appliqué Jacket by Marc Cain from Peel, Bloomfield Avenue £355

Organic Ring from Altantic Design Studio, Portrush £140 Kiss Hug Earrings from Northern Ireland Silver Jewellery £60

Vestido Dress from Perfect Day, Lurgan £189

Rose Gold Plate Infinity Bangle from Newbridge Silverware, Belfast £34

Black Aviator Jacket by Label Lab from House of Fraser, Victoria Square, Belfast £99

E U G O V IARY D So what’s life really like at Vogue? Local fashionista, director of Belfast FASHIONWEEK and owner of CMPR and CMPR Talent, Cathy Martin tells all

f you’re a massive Vogue fan like me who had the famous ‘supermodel’ cover on her bedroom wall at 16 years old, then an opportunity to work and learn at the very heart of the nation’s (nay, the world’s) fashion bible is something to jump at; to jump ridiculously high and excitedly at. So when, last December, I got word back from Conde Nast College that, at 43 years old, I had been admitted to their Vogue Intensive summer intake, I was beaming.

The creative single mum

Why did I want to go back to school and be at the bottom end of the chain when I had reached relatively great heights back here at home? To continue formal learning at any age has a disruptor effect. One is forced to rethink how things are done and to use the introspection to discover a better way. I had an overwhelming desire to learn more, to experience new kinds of creativity and to mix with exciting people full of fresh ideas and global influences. For a few reasons, childcare being the most important one, I kept my summer plans quite low key and told only four or five people about them until May – when I had accommodation and travel arrangements all sorted for myself and my five-year-old daughter Valentina, who

I had planned to bring along with me for the ride. Being a single mum is not easy. Being a single mum and having to go home every night to do bathtime and prepacked lunches for camp the next day, then spend the evening on a laptop catching up on the day job when your twentysomething colleagues hit London town is, I found out, really quite hard. I come from a large family and like feeling part of a pack, so I suffered big doses of FOMO.

What’s a girl to wear?

Practicalities out of the way, I then planned my wardrobe. Of course. I needed to streamline packing but choose clothes which were interesting enough yet practical for the summer heatwave and the rain which followed, plus all the walking required in London meant that my usual Jimmy Choo Anouks just weren’t going to cut it over there. I actually kept a photo diary of some things that my colleagues were wearing for the first three weeks and I can’t wait to look back on that in weeks and months ahead to see what we all wore with the benefit of perspective. One colleague, Ari Peralta, wins my fashion award. He dressed en pointe each and every day.

The flames of fashion ignite

On arrival I met with colleagues from over 20 nationalities and we discovered that our

but also working on practical projects and even pitched October edition ideas for critique, which was scary – and that’s saying something considering I’ve been public speaking for almost two decades – doing my TED talk in 2015 was less nerve-wracking!

Styling Manolo Blahnik

common passion ensured that the flames of fashion were well and truly ignited. After a fun initiation day (which included a fashion pub quiz) we got stuck in and learnt about fashion history from Suzanne Lussier, then Fashion Futures from Katie Friedlander, among others - which examined how fashion will be made, worn, sold and marketed in 2050. Among my favourite characters while there

µµthe flames of fashion were well and truly ignited∑∑ were Vogue editor-at-large Fiona Golfar who was funny and fascinating in equal measure, and John the doorman at Vogue House who seems to know the movements of all 750 Conde Nast staff at any given time. In fact, there were quite a few interesting characters it has to be said. I didn’t get to see Edward Enninful; the incoming editor, who hit the news recently with his alleged ‘purge of the posh’ after former editor Alexandra Schulman’s departure, but I did enjoy an insightful carrot juice with one incoming editor from back home who was welcoming and warm in equal measure. Day to day, we were mostly learning,

During my time there I shot a still life for Manolo Blahnik, and although I did a team shoot with a grey fur boot, I had personally fallen in love with a green, egg-shaped clutch bag with a Swarovski handle at the brief. On seeing it, I immediately thought of a greedy magpie, who would steal the sparkle for her nest, so the night before, I set about collecting branches, feathers and twigs in nearby Battersea Park and then built a nest from scratch, twisting and binding the wood and blades of hay together, then spray painting it white to show off the bag’s colour and to give a Christmassy appeal. I was able to use a magpie feather borrowed from milliner and friend Grainne Maher on a trip home, placing it nonchalantly beside the nest when shooting it. Our photographer loved it. I was delighted to get fab feedback afterwards, for both my own extra shot and our team shoot, but the biggest pleasure came when I opened the September edition of Vogue a few weeks later and saw the bag in the Manolo ad campaign, with a magpie silhouette beside it. Not bad, eh? I was on the same track as the brand team. Beaming again!

London adventures

When Valentina wasn’t around (she didn’t stay the full four weeks), I managed to visit the Balenciaga exhibition at the V&A, the Tate Modern, The Saatchi Gallery (Self Expression to Selfie is a fantastic exhibition), the Fashion & Textiles Museum, the amazing Grayson Perry exhibition at the Serpentine and many more artistic experiences. I lounged on the rooftop pool at the Ned, ate in Sushi Samba, J Sheeky’s, Bob Bob Ricard’s, The Ivy, Sketch, Bluebird and quite a few other awesome eateries. I watched Jez Butterworth’s amazing play The Ferryman (and took Valentina to see School of Rock also), then I sank a couple of cosmos at Dean Street Townhouse with my former BBC colleague Ceire Deery. I also caught up with Michaela Weir - now super senior in House of Fraser, as well as many other NI alumni doing great things in London at Little House and Morton’s in Mayfair, and joined the Christmas press launches for Selfridges, Debenhams, and House of Fraser among others. The city is as vibrant and inspiring as ever and, despite a jam-packed schedule, the Vogue experience has left me refreshed, re-energised and ready to tackle the next few months (years) with gusto. My colleagues – young and old – taught me as much as the training team did; I learnt from them in so many ways, and made some nice friendships along the way, in spite of my initial FOMO. n

Fashion classics

As well as the still life shoot, I worked with an American-Swiss-Irish-Australian group of fab ladies on a portfolio fashion classics shoot including a biker jacket and a body suit which was a really fun project. I sourced a red skirt from Belfast designer Gordon Donaldson and picked up a sexy red swimsuit in Topshop to style it up. The team paired the look with my colleague Sofia’s Balenciaga boots and another colleague Scarlett’s Moschino bag as well as some earrings I’d bought but not yet worn. We had so much fun directing our beautiful model Gardelina to run and jump in front of the lens. My least favourite part, was using photoshop and InDesign. Initially I felt really out of my comfort zone as I had previously always outsourced all elements of design, however having identified this as a weakness, I have invested in these programmes now and aim to practice more so I can produce my own artwork or blog content when I want to.

boot camp

Put your best put forward with slouch boots, cone heels, embellished ankle boots, and over the knee styles this season

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Photo by Stefan Gosatti Getty Images

9 Paris Fashion Week Thierry Chesnot Getty Images

Street Style - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Photo by Cole Bennetts Getty Images

1 Aphrodite from Office £80. 2 Embelished Boots from & Other Stories £125. 3 Patent Boot from ASOS £50. 4 Reenie from Dune London £125. 5 Principles by Ben de Lisi from Debenhams £59. 6 Over The Knee Boots from Next £65. 7 Black Patent Triangle Heeled Boots from Dorothy Perkins £35. 8 Embellished Boots from ASOS £50. 9 Slouch Boots from Next £50. 10 Salina from Dune London £170. 11 Red Cone Heeled Boots from New Look £29.99. 12 Boots from & Other Stories £165.

SLOGAN STYLE Get the look Sweatshirt by Biba £49; culottes by Label Lab £55; clutch bag by Issa London £45

Autumn

I N S P I R AT I O N Embrace this season’s newest trends with House of Fraser’s guide to ‘get the look’ Shot on location at Clarendon Dock, Belfast

TOUGH PRETTY Get the look Dress by Issa London £129; jacket by Label Lab £69; ring stylist’s own

TOUGH PRETTY Get the look Dress £129; cape £99; bag £49 – all by Issa London; bracelet stylist’s own

ORIENTAL EMBROIDERY Get the look Dress by Biba £99; bag by Issa London £45; bracelet stylist’s own; shoes model’s own

POWER SUIT UPDATED Get the look Jacket £75 and trousers £55 by Linea

POWER SUIT UPDATED Get the look Shirt by Biba £69; trousers by Linea £55;

PRIM VICTORIANA Get the look Skirt by Linea £59; top by Biba £79; clutch by Issa London £45

PRIM VICTORIANA Get the look Skirt by Linea £59; top by Biba £79

SLOGAN STYLE Get the look Tshirt by Maison de Nimes £25; culottes by Label Lab £55

– PHOTOGRAPHY – Lee Mitchell Photography www.leemitchellphotography.com 075 25 20 9950 – HAIR – Amy Cartwright Paul Stafford Hairdressing staffordhair.com – MAKEUP – Louise Donnelly Makeup & Beauty Studio 028 2076 8118 www.facebook.com/ louisedonnellymakeupandbeauty – MODEL – Victoria @ Maureen Martin Models 028 91 458896 maureenmartinmodels.com maureenmartinmodels@gmail.com – STYLING – Catriona Doherty www.facebook.com/NorthernWomanMagazine – LOCATION – Clarendon Dock, Belfast

Nathan

Carter

HIS PERFECT PARTNER, HIS NEW TV SHOW, AND LIVINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; THE DREAM 30

BY CATRIONA DOHERTY

ot many 27-year-olds have already released ten albums, host their own TV show, and are considered to be a heartthrob by thousands of adoring fans. Country and Irish superstar, Nathan Carter’s new album Livin’ the Dream shot straight to number one, his fourth album in a row to achieve that feat. ‘How does that feel?’ NW begins. “Incredible,” Nathan replies, “very humbling that people are still going out and buying, in my case 80% physical copies, which doesn’t tend to happen these days as its all digital and streaming now. I did a lot of signings and I couldn’t believe how many people turned up to buy the album and get it signed.” ‘What can fans expect from the album?’ we ask. “There are six brand new songs on there that I have co-written over the last year or so, plus a couple of very old country songs, and a couple of traditional folk songs,” Nathan says. “I grew up with influences from country and from traditional music. I grew up playing Irish music, playing the accordion and competing in fleadhs and things like that, and it’s a bit of nod of the hat to my influences – the folk songs and traditional Irish songs on there.”

Rock me momma

Undoubtably Nathan’s most well-known track is of course Wagon Wheel. “I’d say Wagon Wheel was the thing that propelled me into new audiences and new people, and to this day young kids love that song, along with their grannies and grandads. It’s been a great song for me and it introduced me to a lot of people,” Nathan says. “I always knew it would do well, but not to the extent and to the longevity that it has you know. It’s just one of those songs that you come across every once in a while.” Nathan regularly receives requests for the track, made by young and old alike which leads us to our next question. ‘Fans of country music are younger now, whereas it once was favoured by an older age group – what do you think the reason for this is?’

NW asks. “I think because younger people are singing it,” Nathan says. “For a long time it was just the older generation who liked country and sang it, whereas now the likes of myself, Derek Ryan, Lisa McHugh and all these other people have started singing it, over the last six or seven years. We are all below the age of 30 and I think the younger generation can relate to younger people. I’d think it’s down the media as well, with

the likes of RTE and BBC there’s a lot more country on during the day, and it being on the TV is obviously a huge help.”

Looking for love?

Is Nathan Carter looking for love at the moment? “I don’t think I am necessarily, but if it comes along, then great,” Nathan says.

Continued on 32 ➤

“At the moment my focus is obviously my career and on moving that forward all the time, it’s a constant 24 hours of the day, seven days of the week job. I’m concentrating on that, but yeah if it happens it happens, and if not I think I am still young enough to worry about it later on you know.” At 27 the singer certainly has plenty of time to find his perfect partner who preferably should meet the following criteria. “She would have to be very understanding of my career and what I do and what I hope to do, someone who is kind and generous, and someone who can put up with me because it’s a tough task!” Nathan jokes. We imagine the lucky lady would need to have a good sense of humour too, considering the reaction song Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall off has among concertgoers. We ask Nathan to elaborate. “I do a song called Tequila and a song called Skinny Dipping as well, and a good few females at some shows tend to throw up underwear, it normally gets a very good reaction from the crowd - they have a good laugh. Normally the underwear then becomes weapons on stage, and is bow and arrowed across the stage by the musicians,” he laughs.

Livin’ the Dream

The lyrics to Livin’ the Dream seem quite appropriate for the artist considering his successes, but does Nathan feel he is ‘living the dream’? NW asks. “Yeah, at the minute I’m having an absolute ball, between recording new songs and a lot of TV work at the minute as well,” Nathan says. “I have just finished recording a new four-part TV series for RTE which is a music show that’s going to be shown later on in the year in October. We have got a lot of guests on that show including Martine McCutcheon, Shane Filan, and lots of different genres to be honest. Between that, gigging and doing loads of shows, to answer your original question, yes I think I am definitely living the dream; I’m having a ball at the minute.”

µµMeeting Johnny Cash’s son was great; he’s a very talented singer-songwriter in his own right∑∑

The singer recently took part in documentary Nathan goes to Nashville, and has just finished filming the second series of popular TV programme The Nathan Carter Show; the Tyrone Productions programme will air next month (date to be confirmed). Highlights of the Nashville programme include: “Visiting Johnny Cash’s son, getting to sing at the Ryman Auditorium which was originally the Grand Ole Oprey, meeting

µµI am definitely living the dream; I’m having a ball at the minute∑∑

Crystal Gayle, and performing at the Blue Bird Café where Gareth Brooks and Taylor Swift were discovered. “Meeting Johnny Cash’s son was great; he’s a very talented singer-songwriter and producer in his own right. To hear the stories about his mum and dad was incredible. To walk around his estate, see where Johnny lived, and the cabin where he recorded a lot of his stuff was really special,” Nathan adds.

What’s next?

From headlining the Dalriada Festival back in July, and the Harvest Festival with Miranda Lambert this August, and numerous other gigs in between it’s been a busy summer for Nathan. So what’s next for the performer? “The new TV series with loads of special guests will be shown on RTE this October, I have a lot of gigs happening all over, and

we go to America in September. We are going across to England in October and November, and doing a Christmas Tour around Ireland in December.” n

Tickets are out now for the Nathan Cater Christmas Show at the Millennium Forum on 14th December. For more information visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk.

Homework

HELL As back to school beckons, we reflect on the 10 agonising stages of homework time BY CLARE BOWIE

1 2

You start off calmly: “Let’s just get this done as quickly as we can and everyone’s happy”. (That’s the last time you will utter the word happy or even remember that happiness exists).

The stalling begins: Your child has a ‘quick snack’ (consumes their body weight in toast and biscuits) then decides they need to go to the toilet, sharpen all their pencils, watch a quick video and change their clothes before finally sitting down to start their homework, then declares that they are thirsty.

Powers of hypnotism: Your child actually has no memory of the homework tasks they are supposed to do and you find yourself talking them back through the day in your best Paul McKenna voice, “Think carefully, what did the teacher say? Just relax and try and remember”. Your impatience is rising but you resist the urge to shake them and call them Dory. At this stage.

The long haul: Ok, so you’re ten years old and you just have; English, maths, vocabulary, spelling, tables, reading and collective nouns to learn? No problem at all, dinner will be served at midnight tonight, but hey, at least you now know the collective term is a ‘prickle’ of hedgehogs.

The frustration: They get stuck on something and you try your best to calmly help them, and they calmly ignore you and then you get mad and say something that you know may seriously impact on their self-esteem, their confidence and capacity to build future relationships, and then you feel very bad and still no-one knows how to find the area of the unshaded triangle. Give. Me. Strength!

The negotiation: “I’m not doing it”. They throw down their pencil and storm off. This can go one of two ways. You can battle it out with an: “Oh yes you are, get back here right now young lady” approach or you can take the softly, softly, “I feel your pain” approach and throw them another biscuit and maybe pour yourself a wine to make yourself a nicer person. #homeworkhacks

9 7

Defiance: Child asks, “What do we need to know this stuff for anyway?” Answer: just learn it, you never know when the interior angles of quadrilaterals may come in handy. Knowledge is power and all that. What you really think is: I know! *Weeps* You will never, ever, need this shiz again, unless of course you have kids and have to do it with them for homework, ha!

High blood pressure: You’ve just got to grips with the daily homework struggle when they announce they have a project to do. Translation: YOU have a project to do, so buckle up and get that glue stick ready but make sure to do a messy job, maybe after a bottle of wine, so it looks like the kid had some input. #keepingitreal

Teacher torture: Not only do they want the homework signed, sealed, delivered; some of them really put the knife in. They encourage extra reading at night, withhold star stickers and casually mention that teabag-stained, frayed round the edges pieces of history-related homework can guarantee a bump up the reward chart. Whaaatttt??? Come round to my house any afternoon and I’ll give you frayed round the edges!

You look stupid: As if they needed any more reasons to disrespect you. They used to just laugh at your oldfashioned mobile phone but now they know you’re rubbish at percentages too and sometimes it takes you longer to check their work than it took them to do it. Is it July yet? n

MUMtiple personalities What type of mother are you? BY EUNICE NELSON

toddler gibberish. But it’s so fulfilling to watch your little one play and you feel as though you’ve aced this parenting game even though you can no longer talk without a cartoonish affect in your voice, which earns eye-rolls from everyone but your child.

Fun Mammy

You’re now wearing lycra because it’s kind to your new mammy lumps and bumps. This is your way of life. The day you bought your jogging pram was almost as amazing as the day you gave birth and you have now completed every 5k and 10k race within a twenty-mile radius while pushing your little one along at a very acceptable pace. Each and every trip to the shops or park is logged on your fitness tracker and you’re looking forward to the day when your baby starts walking so you can morph from Marathon Mammy into Coach Mammy.

ou’ve finally done it. By one method or another you have managed to produce a tiny human being that you are now responsible for. Welcome to the club. Now it’s time for the big decision – not naming your little bundle, but deciding what type of parent you will become. I’m not talking about helicopter parenting, attachment parenting or anything of the sort. This is the real list. Think of me as your own David Attenborough in the parenting jungle and this is my definitive list of parenting styles...

You love nothing more than getting down to the same level as your little darling and playing until his heart’s content. Never mind that you can barely remember the last time you had an adult conversation, you can recite every episode of Thomas the Tank Engine and by golly that’s enough for you. You spend your days in pretend worlds listening to (mind numbing) elaborate tales of excitement and adventure played out in

Marathon Mammy

Frazzled Mammy

You can count your day as a success if you make it out the door in one piece, and as

a huge accomplishment if you can do this without having cereal in your hair or a dirty nappy stuck to some part of your clothing. You usually have multiple children and have therefore given up on any pretence of organisation. You spend a large portion of day on an emotional rollercoaster, swinging wildly between tears and hysterical laughter. There are never enough hours in the day for the various appointments or extracurricular activities, but thankfully there are always a few minutes of solitude for a much needed glass of wine when all the little darlings have tired themselves out for another day.

Shouty Mammy

Never in all the months of trying or during pregnancy did you ever picture yourself as a Shouty Mammy. You were once one of the onlookers who was outraged, if not horrified, at mammies who dared to discipline their children in public but now you hang your head in shame at the judgement you silently doled out to these poor unfortunates. If you could go back to

at, you would now buy them a bottle of wine give them a hug. For you are now one of them. The trips out start innocently enough but eventually descend into a shouting match because your child cannot go through a supermarket without screaming for doughnuts.

Blissful Mammy

I can’t decide if you’re blissfully happy with motherhood or just blissfully unaware of how much your children annoy everyone else. You go through life with a look of serenity that negates the need for either night cream or alcohol, and your calmness is the envy of everyone that knows you. Rumours abound that you are either heavily medicated or slightly deranged but your happiness remains a mystery. If you ever discover the root of your bliss you could become a self-help guru and a multimillionaire but you’re probably too relaxed to bother.

Techno Mammy

You long for the day when you will be able to microchip your kids the way you can with your dogs. You firmly believe that knowing their whereabouts at all times isn’t stalking but a mother’s right. After all you created these little people and minding them is just another way of expressing your love. You have an app for each child to keep up with their schedule and you have no problems with plugging them into their own tablets on a daily basis. They need to be up to date with the latest technology just in case you sired the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. Their burgeoning tech addiction might just keep you comfortable in your old age.

Socially Conscious Mammy

You really struggled with the decision to have children but eventually the tick tocking of your ovaries became louder than your worry about an overpopulated planet or an increased carbon footprint. While breastfeeding may be good for your baby it didn’t hurt that there were a few less of those nasty plastic bottles cluttering up the environment. Now that your reproductive urges have been sated you can get on with judging the hideous people who decide to have more than one child, they obviously don’t care about our planet.

Organic Mammy

While most mums-to-be spend hours agonising over the perfect car seat, you have spent hours online trying to find the perfect goat. Just three more adult education classes and you will be officially able to churn your own butter from the goat’s milk that will be freshly milked every morning. You spend a large chunk of your day cultivating your vegetable patch and preparing organic, nutritional meals for your special little one. The closest your kid will ever get to a chicken nugget will be a free range egg from the chickens in your backyard. Who needs sleep? The satisfaction of knowing your child is healthy keeps you going more than your organic, Fairtrade coffee ever could. n

QUIZ TIME

If you’re still unsure of your mammy type feel free to take this handy dandy quiz. Question 1 Your little treasure decided to draw on your Orla Kiely wallpaper with your new Dior lipstick, do you: A) Compliment him on his artistic style. B) Find an appropriate emoji to post a picture of it on Instagram. C) Burst into tears because you can’t have nice things anymore. Question 2 Your darling child walks into your bedroom one night while you and your partner are getting reacquainted, do you: A) Take it as a wonderful opportunity to discuss the birds and the bees. B) Immediately update your blog so your followers can share in the hilarity. C) Hide under the covers and pray for a natural disaster that’s worse than this. Question 3 You’re at the school gates and notice that all the other kids have handmade show and tell projects, do you: A) Have your child perform a dramatic monologue that you prepared for just such an occasion. B) Cobble together something from the crafting supplies you always keep on hand. C) Tell your kid to stop crying and send him in with the happy meal toy you found at the bottom of your bag. Question 4 It’s your toddler’s birthday, do you: A) Invite their little friends for organic couscous and celery sticks followed by lifeaffirming party games. B) Hire a huge bouncy castle, invite everyone and post 305 pictures on Facebook. You’ll definitely get more likes than that snobby know-it-all at the end of the street. C) Remember about it the day before and have

‘a family day out’ because it’s too late to do anything else. Besides it’s not like they will remember. Question 5 Your poor child is bitten by a ruffian at preschool, do you: A) Immediately organise trauma counselling and thoughtfully send the child’s parents some tips on raising a civilised human being. B) Name and shame the whole family online in the hope that it goes viral. C) Tell your child to bite them back. Mostly A’s You might have been named most popular at school but now you’re most likely to be bludgeoned to death with your own Prada bag at the school gates. I hope your child is as perfect as you like to think or I see a lot of disappointment and therapy bills in your future. Mostly B’s There may come a time when your family appears on Jeremy Kyle or Nightmare Neighbours Next Door, but who cares you’ll be famous. You love to be noticed and since your children are an extension of you, why not use the little darlings to gain more followers, likes, shares or anything else that comes to mind. Mostly C’s We are now best friends and you can proceed to my house to share a bottle of wine and our misery. You’re my kind of mammy, no pretence, no nonsense, just pure unfiltered honesty about what it’s like to be a parent. Our kids aren’t perfect but we don’t expect them to be so everyone’s a winner. Pat yourself on the back and hold your head high, normal mammy.

Julie McVeigh

Working wonders Whether you’re dreaming of climbing the career ladder in your current role, or ready for a change, there are loads of ways to boost your employment prospects. Jade Beecroft finds out more

ou could argue that as a single mum with five boisterous boys, Julie McVeigh already has her hands full. But the indomitable 39-year-old also has a dream. She wants to fight for the rights of other single parents… by becoming a barrister. Five years ago Julie quit her job as a cardiac nurse at the Royal Victoria Hospital and, after completing an access course, began a three-year Law degree at Queen’s University. This summer she made her boys proud by graduating with a 2.1 and she’s now beginning a Masters Degree in International Business Law. This is one lady who knows how to aim high. “As a child I’d always wanted to be a nurse,” she explains. “But as a single mum with five kids, the long hours and weekend shifts just weren’t working for me anymore.

I also found myself fighting to get the right support and education for two of my sons, Jack and Matthew, who both have autism. I thought studying law might help.” Julie started with a two-year Access to Education course at Lisburn College, fitting her studies around childcare. Her degree was full-time, but her sons were in school, which helped. “I’m the only thing my boys have, so I’m determined to set a good example and build a better life for us,” she explains. “When they moan about doing their homework, I say ‘look, I’m doing mine’. “Of course I have those 3am doubts; we all do. But I’m determined to live life without any regrets. One day I’ll be Judge Julie – you just watch me!” Julie is one of an increasing number of women who are going back to education to boost their prospects – either with their eye on a promotion within their current field or a total career change.

Unleash your potential

Part of the problem, according to Fermanagh life coach Kathy Watters, is that deciding what you want to do with your life when you’re still a teenager doesn’t always work. But the good news is there’s nothing to stop you unleashing your potential – whatever stage of life you’re at. “So many people find themselves in unfulfilling jobs,” explains Kathy. “After all, when we are 16 we’re expected to choose what we want to do with the rest of our lives. It’s no surprise that sometimes we don’t get it right – or our priorities change. We’re taught we need to be busy. We have to get a job; security; a pension. We don’t have time to take stock.” Kathy offers one-to-one life coaching and workshops. She says her clients often want to make a change, but they’re not sure what to do. “People will say to me that they’re unhappy in their work,” she says. “Maybe

learning in class makes me better at my job.” If you know you want to make a change, but you’re still not sure what to do, an informal taster course might help clarify things.

Part time courses

Crescent Arts Centre they want to start their own business or change careers, but they have no idea what they want to do. “What were your dreams? And what happened to those dreams? You’ve got to do what you love.”

There are courses in accountancy, administration, human resources and marketing, hospitality and tourism, events management, recruitment and many more. In fact, there’s so much on offer, sometimes making a choice can be the hardest part.

Considering a career change?

Where to start

Some people might find they’ve become a “Coming along to one of our open days is bit stale, and a promotion or a great place to start,” says Christine. move within their current “Sometimes we meet people who field is enough to get know exactly what they want the juices flowing to do, but others need advice again. and signposting. We have Others might lecturers and our careers be so far off the team on hand to do just mark that what’s that.” really needed Catherine Devine works is a complete at BDO accountants and career change. is training alongside her Pinpointing the full time job. The 21-yeardirection you want old joined the firm at 18 to head in is the first and completed a two-year Kathy Watters step. But how do you apprenticeship through Belfast make it happen? Met. Christine Brown, head of “Some people start work Belfast Metropolitan College’s Business at 18 and then get School, says there are courses available to stuck in the same suit all needs, time constraints and budgets. job,” she says. “Whether you want to study over a “But it’s easier couple of days, gain a qualification within than you 10 weeks, or take a course over a number of think to fit semesters, we have something for you,” she in studying explains. “We also have part-time courses and further starting throughout the year. education “We have learners who are looking to alongside up-skill or re-skill, and people looking for work so a complete career change. Some want a you can keep promotion, others need to pick up a new boosting your skill to boost their own small business. career. You’re Catherine Devine We’ve had learners taking digital courses to not on your own. If improve their business websites or cookery you want to train there courses because they’re opening a B&B. are always mentors and tutors to help. We have a really eclectic mix, but whatever There’s so much support out there.” you choose, learning is great for building Catherine is now studying for her confidence – as well as looking good on chartered accountant qualifications your CV.” – taking classes on Friday nights and The business school constantly liaises Saturdays so she can still fulfill her work with local employers to identify skills gaps; commitments. its philosophy is about leading the city into She admits, “It does take dedication, but work. it’s really rewarding when I find what I’m

The Crescent Arts Centre, in University Road, has a rolling programme of daytime and evening courses, and weekend workshops, in topics as diverse as verbal communication and public speaking, digital photography, book binding, interior design and beginner’s Russian. Director Keith Acheson says signing up to a taster course can be a great way to fire up your creativity– as well as helping you assess whether you’re moving in the right direction or not. “We have a strong community ethic and courses to suit all budgets,” he explains. “Our tutors are highly skilled but the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Whether you just want to dip a toe into something at a weekend workshop, or sign up for a 12-week course, we pride ourselves on being a really welcoming and informal space.” Courses at the Crescent are not accredited, but can still look great on your CV. And if you’re nervous about getting back into education or taking on a new challenge, it could be the ideal first step. “I get so much positive feedback,” smiles Keith. “There’s a real social aspect to our courses; many of our students continue meeting and build friendships outside the centre too. We have former students who’ve gone on to take professional qualifications or launch their own businesses after beginning with a starter course at the Crescent. Most importantly, learning and trying new things is a great boost to your self-esteem.”

A life-changing decision

Vanessa Myers, from Belfast, says going back into education was life-changing for her. “I’d been working in the same customer services job for a decade,” she explains. “Initially I enjoyed it, but over the years the role changed and I found myself stuck in a rut. It was mundane and knocked my confidence. I reached the point where I’d wake up in the morning dreading going into work.” Vanessa, 49, decided to enroll in an evening course at Belfast Met and over the course of a year completed a Private Secretary Diploma. Three months ago she landed a new job working as a PA at S&E Caretrade; which she loves. “I’d not done anything academic since leaving school so taking the course pushed me out of my comfort zone,” she says. “It freshened up my CV and gave me the confidence to start applying for other jobs. It was exactly the stepping stone I needed.” n

Birthdays Milestones or millstones? BY EUNICE NELSON

ext month my birthday is coming up. Not a milestone birthday by any stretch of the imagination (36) but an event nonetheless. If I was a pessimist I might be tempted to say that I am on the downward slide towards forty, but I’m not so I won’t. It has however got me thinking about the differences between celebrating birthdays in my thirties and those in my twenties. It’s like comparing the first series of Big Brother to the latest one; it used to be shocking, exciting and draw a huge audience, now it’s predictable, a little dull and you start to feel sorry for those who are taking part.

I got married at twenty six and had my first child at twenty seven so partying wasn’t too high on my priority list at the best of times but there was always the possibility of a good sesh on the horizon. When you have a fair sized group of friends it’s always someone’s birthday and then there is the chance of an unplanned but fantastic night out - the holy grail of sessions; unexpected, messy and talked about for months to come (you know, like pregnancy).

The Roaring Twenties

I have spent a lot of time giving thanks that most of my twenties were spent without social media or ridiculously good camera phones. Therefore I can recall the birthdays of my twenties through hazy, rose-tinted

glasses because there aren’t any lasting reminders of the carnage that took place. The only pictures were taken at the start of the night and only shown to the public after a careful cull of your digital camera the next day (provided you could find it wherever you happened to wake up). I’m a Halloween baby so most of these nights consisted of grown adults dressing completely inappropriately and feeling totally justified in doing so. As you can imagine very few of these events were in any way dignified, even my 30th birthday – the exception to the rule of the thirties – was spent dressed as a punk, and not even a sexy punk. Think mohawk, safety pins and makeup that made my child cry; a proud moment indeed. I loved the celebrations of my twenties.

Dressed as a school girl or a sexy devil in my pre-pregnancy body – what’s not to love? They also gave me an invaluable gift enough good memories to make it through the more sedate years of my thirties.

The Great Depression

A thirty-something birthday has become like planning a military operation. There must be strategy for synchronising the calendars of everyone involved. Detailed plans for babysitters and a clearing of the schedule for the next week to deal with the inevitable hangover that now lasts for a ridiculous amount of time. Then there is the time spent trying to accommodate all the various personalities and life stages of your friends. The diehard party animal who can’t wait for the birthday meal to end and hit the clubs. The loved-up newlywed who is quietly seething at the other end of the table because she couldn’t bring her hubby (btw no one wants to see you grooming each other like monkeys). Then the mammies can be divided into two very specific groups. The first is the anxious

µµI recall the birthdays of my twenties through hazy, rose-tinted glasses∑∑ mammy who constantly checks her phone for messages or calls regarding whatever imminent terror her little darling might be facing. This friend will probably announce some calamity during dinner that needs her urgent attention at home, either that or she’ll slip out the back of the pub the first chance she gets; we’ve all done it. The second mammy friend is the polar opposite, she’s the one who runs out of her house like the hounds of hell are chasing her. She looks exhausted but deliriously happy to be out in adult company. This particular lady will eventually be seen dancing on the tables of some club before being shoved into

a taxi and sent back to suburbia. She will not be seen again for many months until her children can be shipped out to a relative and the process begins again. All these personalities come together, drink too much wine, relive the glory days and eventually become drunk enough to start showcasing pictures of their kids/pets/Tinder conquests – take your pick. These birthdays are no longer social events, rather feats of organisation that would make any CEO extremely proud.

Not Dead Yet

My 36th birthday will probably come and go without too much fanfare and these days I’m pretty ok with that. I probably won’t be on the piss for the weekend but I don’t really mind that either because I would probably be the first recorded person to have hangover written as cause of death. This year I will count my blessings along with my Facebook birthday wishes, grin over the handmade cards from my kiddies and start planning my 40th. I’m thinking Vegas. n

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03/08/2017 09:04

BY KATE CODY

n 2017, Instagram has recorded over 700 million active monthly users, with #me being its seventh most popular tag. It’s official, we – the social media loving public, are selfpromotion monsters. But, as we vie for each other’s attention, only the most shameless, outrageous and shocking selfportraits will do. A quick snap of yourself with the girls in the nightclub loos just won’t cut it anymore. While some of us are getting more creative with our selfie game, some others are taking the trend too far in a bid to be noticed, but is it really worth taking the risk just to have your five minutes of #instafame?

Balancing on building tops

Recently former EastEnders actor Paul Nicholls made an incredibly lucky escape with his life after an attempted selfie at a waterfall went wrong. He fell from the top of the waterfall from where he was trying to take the snap, breaking his legs and losing his phone on the way down. With no way of making contact, he was trapped for three days before being rescued. Paul is by no means the only person to have run into difficulty, and in fact could be counted as one of the lucky ones. A report published in November 2016 by PhD student *Hemank Lamba and his team, cited a total of 127 selfie casualties have been reported between March 2014 and November 2016. The most likely cause of selfie death was related to users taking pictures from great heights such as on the edge of cliff tops and balancing on the top of high buildings. However, in India, where the 76 of the deaths were recorded, Hemank explained that posing with your pal on the train tracks is a sign of a solid friendship, whilst

#THE BIGGER PICTURE

Dying for a selfie in Russia and the USA, there were a high proportion of selfies taken with weapons.

Tiger selfies

And it’s not just ourselves we are putting in danger in the quest for likes, the animal kingdom is also suffering. Animal charity Care for the Wild International, highlighted the toll the selfie obsession is taking on wildlife through their ‘No Photos, Please!’ campaign. Take the example of the slow loris, which you might be more familiar with from the animated Madagascar movies. These almost impossibly cute creatures, who are naturally nocturnal, are being captured from their natural habitat, their teeth and claws removed before being paraded around neon lit hotels in Thailand for tourists to have photos taken with, in exchange for a small fee. Also in Thailand was the controversial so called Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi. Closed in 2016 after having been found to be hiding 40 dead tiger cubs in a freezer, it was a popular tourist haunt. Doped up tigers would lounge around sedately for people to pet and take pictures with, but

behind the scenes, it was reported there was a vast array of alleged animal cruelty taking place. Even with these animals heavily sedated, they still posed a threat to those wishing to get too close, with up to 60 incidents of varying severity taking place each year at Tiger Temple, and other similar establishments around the world.

µµpeople are dangling off a cliff for that perfect portrait∑∑ A dying trend?

Just like all trends, many would say that the selfie craze is already on its way out and Hemank Lamba in his report is helping us stay safe if we are still partial to a #me post. He and his team developed an app which, based on thousands of other images and using algorithms, determines your location and surroundings, and will alert you if it thinks you are in danger. But chances are, if you’re dangling off a cliff for that perfect portrait, you are most likely well aware of exactly what you are up to. n

* The report Me, Myself and my Killfie: Categorizing and Preventing Selfie, November 2016 is available from https://arxiv.org/ pdf/1611.01911v2.pdf

BEAUTY

Image credit: Rituals

Gigi Hadid. Dimitrios Kambouris Getty Images

New York Fashion Week. Mike Coppola Getty Images

Trending – beauty looks hot off the runway GET LIPPY When it comes to choosing your lippy this season, don’t shy away from colour. Think bold berry, pink, plum and purple. Remember lipstick doesn’t need to be carefully applied; the slightly smudged, not quite perfect look is in.

THE KOB

Only a select few people have hairstyles so notorious they inspire their own name and cult following; ‘The Rachel’ and ‘The Farrah Fawcet Flicks’ to name just two. Kate Middleton recently cut her hair into a long bob and it sparked headlines worldwide and a dramatic increase in the number of people requesting the long bob look, which has been nicknamed the Kob apparently! Kate’s swingy Kate Middleton new length stops just above the rocks the KOB collarbone and features lots of invisible layers to create movement.

Sabrina Persechino Show. Photo by Ernesto Ruscio Getty Images

Paris Fashion Week. Photo by Francois Durand Getty Images

GRAPHIC EYELINER

The runways are chock-full of creative eye makeup looks for those who are bored of the cat eye flick. Graphic lines and headturning liner is aimed at adventurous types who wish to make a fashion statement.

BONJOUR ROLL

We used to be fans of the French roll back in the early noughties until it went out of fashion. Well the style is back. If Gigi Hadid is wearing her hair in a French roll, then it’s cool again – enough said. n

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. Photo by Stefan Knauer Getty Images

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

We take contouring back to basics to help you create killer cheekbones

GET CHEEKY BY CLAIRE CRAIG

STEPS TO CREATING SCULPTED CHEEKBONES BRONZE AND BLEND

1 Hoola bronzing stick from Benefit £23.50. 2 Blush Prodige in Golden Pink from Clarins £27 3 Baked Gelato Illuminator in Ballerina from Laura Geller £21. 4 Bareskin Concealer from Bare Minerals £22. 5 Brushes (pack of 3) from Primark £5 4

culpted cheekbones can make your face look slimmer and more defined, with celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Mollie King championing the power of contouring. While there’s no denying the results of this makeup mastery, most of us don’t have: a) an extra half an hour to devote to our morning beauty ritual, or b) the professional skill required to blend six different shades together and not resemble a patchwork quilt. But fret not, contouring doesn’t need to be complicated; forget those endless YouTube tutorials because we’re taking it back to basics and focusing on blusher. An often overlooked makeup product this little pot of wonder can make even the tiredest of faces look healthier and more youthful, and in just a few simple steps even those of us not blessed with supermodel bone structure can fake killer cheekbones.

Once your base is in place take a cream bronzer and apply to cheekbones using either a foundation brush or your fingertips. Start at the apples of your cheeks and work outwards to directly below the outer corners of your eyes. MAC senior makeup artist, Debbie Finnegan suggests resting a brush from the top of the ear to the corner of the mouth, to find the most ideal direction to blend and sculpt on your cheeks.

THROW SOME SHADE

Take a large fluffy brush and dust it in your blusher pot, tap off any excess then apply the product right on the cheekbone, on top of the bronzer and gently blend. If you’re looking for a more natural, dewy finish opt for a cream blush and apply with fingertips, gradually building the colour up. As a general colour rule soft pinks and peaches work best on fairer skin tones, with brighter pinks and corals flattering darker complexions.

CONCEAL THE DEAL

To further emphasise the defined cheekbones you’ve created apply a little foundation (opt for a couple of shades lighter than you’ve used for your base) or concealer, and using a foundation brush blend it just under the cheekbone.

LIGHT UP

Putting a little highlighter at the highest point on your cheekbone, just below the temples, will create the illusion of a more defined face and will catch the light in a flattering way - think slight sheen rather than tin man glow! n

All set The secret ingredient for makeup that lasts You invest time and effort carefully applying makeup in the morning and leave the house looking like a vision, mid-afternoon you happen to spot your reflection in the bathroom mirror, and horror of horrors – your makeup has all but disappeared! It’s all very well if you have an enviable complexion, but for those of who like (are verging on addicted to) makeup, we’d love it to stay put and this is where setting spray comes in. “Makeup holding spray is the secret to long-lasting make-up,” advises Marie Schmid from Clarins, “a light and refreshing mist sets make-up and gives longer-lasting hold.” Marie’s top tips for application are: “Spray it into the air over the face to let it settle on the skin. Keep the product on your desk for an instant midday pick-me-up to refresh dehydrated skin and make-up. It can also be sprayed directly onto your make-up brushes to turn powder eye shadows into intense, dramatic shades.” n

De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray from Urban Decay £23.50 The spray mist was easy to use, the mist was refreshing and dried in seconds which is ideal for busy mornings. It left a matt finish to my makeup, it took away any shine and gave it a more even look. I couldn’t feel it on my skin all day and as I prefer a lighter make up consistency, it was perfect. Verdict: My makeup definitely stayed more intact using this spray. I would highly recommend it. SA

Fix’ Make-Up from Clarins £24 It does give a healthy glow as a finishing product to use over your make up. As with most Clarins products it has a lovely fragrance and I think it does make your makeup last longer. It would be a particularly good purchase for the summer months and for use on holidays; times when your makeup is most likely to sweat off. Verdict: I would definitely purchase again – another great product from Clarins! SAG

tried & tested

Illuminating Setting Spray from Cover FX £22 This very light mist is fast drying and instantly sets your make-up. I found it easy to use and it had little or no smell to worry about. The mist delivers an even finish and it also doubles up as a highlighter for your face and body. Verdict: My makeup stayed on longer than usual and it didn’t irritate my sensitive skin. ED

Makeup Mist & Set from e.l.f £4.50 A refreshing spray that easily and evenly mists over the face. It has a mild smell and applied effortlessly. It kept my makeup in place and is good value for money. Verdict: I was excited about trying this product as I have sensitive oily skin and my makeup usually starts sliding by afternoon. This product would avoid this. Unfortunately my skin reacted with a mild rash, so anyone with sensitive skin should perhaps do a patch test first. SB

Pump & Glow Hydrating Facial Mist from Emma Hardie £36 I didn’t use a setting spray until I was advised to during a makeup course I took, then I made it part of my daily routine. The scent of this product is divine and my makeup stayed put all day following a spritz. Verdict: I felt it was expensive but I justify buying it again because I’m saving money by not reapplying makeup throughout the day. It looks and feels like a luxury product – I love it! CD

RED HOT FALL 2017 at... HAIR

Hair by Amy Cartwright Colour by Aidan Bradley Make up by DJ Griffin Styling by Sara Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill Photography by Lee Mitchell for Alfaparf and Denman

Eye Eye

A brightener, primer and eyeshadow in one, bareMinerals new 5-in-1 BBAdvanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow (£19) will shave minutes of your morning makeup routine. Infused with light reflective pigments and available in 14 shades, wear it alone for a brightening, barely there look or, for a more intense finish use as a base for your favourite eyeshadow.

Fall Forward

Dior’s 5 Couleurs Paradoxical Light eyeshadow palette in Hypnotize (£45) features warm brown, gold and chocolate tones and combines matte, satiny and glittery finishes perfect for the new season.

Glow Getter

Inspired by the Asian skincare routine, Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Essence from Caudalie (£30) uses Glycolic Acid to eliminate dead skin cells, while extracts of White Peony revitalise the skin to reveal a flawless, healthy glow. Iconic London’s Limited Edition Illuminator (£29.99) available from Beauty Spotlight, House of Fraser, Belfast is a concentrated liquid shimmer that can be added to your foundation, primer or moisturiser, or simply used on its own for a super highlighted glow.

The beauty edit Animal Magic

BY CLAIRE CRAIG

The latest makeup bag must-haves and limited edition launches

Bioré’s Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (£8.99) are a whizz at removing deep-down dirt that can cause blackheads and now the dirt magnets have a new, more bathroom cabinet friendly packaging - striking cheetah and monochrome Zebra.

Think Pink

ghd launched a limited edition Pink Blush range in support of Breast Cancer Now. For every platinum styler and roll bag (£175) sold ghd will donate £10 to the charity.

Health + Wellness

Lucy Davis

FIGHTING FIT “T White Collar Boxing enthusiasts talk fitness

his time last year I would have been out of breath huffing and puffing going up the Cavehill; now I can briskly walk up and run down it,” says White Collar Boxer Lucy Davis. The 28 year old from Carnmoney explains, “My levels of fitness and physique have really changed; I used to be totally unfit with little definition. Since I started the Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) my overall fitness has increased and my body shape has changed; I lost my turkey neck and started discovering muscles I never knew existed. You will never sweat as much in your life as you do in boxing training. My friends and family all noticed the changes in my body shape.” Ready for a new challenge, the Sales and Marketing Manager decided to train in WCB with the aim of raising money for Cancer Research UK. “I did the UWCB fight in April which involved eight weeks training and two sessions per week with Yuri the trainer and Ryan the organiser at Magee Health & Fitness, Belfast,” Lucy says. “I also did two or three training sessions at my own gym. My boyfriend was a great help and we regularly sparred and trained in our house. I did not really have a mega strict diet but I tried to eat clean as much as I could. As I was training so much I was burning a lot of energy, so I needed a cheeky chocolate bar now and then.”

Thanks to first-rate training Lucy didn’t suffer any injuries throughout she says, “When in sparring I got two bloody noses from a few big hits from my amazing mates, but it just taught me to keep my hands up!” To Lucy’s surprise she wasn’t nervous at all before her big fight. “I just saw it as something I had to do,” she recalls, “people fight cancer every day; I had to fight for six minutes to raise money to support their fight. I kept focused and calm. I knew I had to defend myself as my opponent was good and would try and get me under my elbows. I loved my fight; the atmosphere was unreal, and my family and friends all came to support me and made banners. I won by a third round stoppage and it was the best feeling in the world.” Post-fight Lucy continues to train. She says, “I made some friendships for life with the girls I did the UWCB with and we all still train every Friday night. This is run by Ryan and Yuri at another gym and it’s class. You leave absolutely wrecked from a good workout with sore sides from laughing at the banter.” To other woman who are thinking of signing up to UWCB Lucy offers the following advice, “Choose a charity which is close to your heart and it will keep you focused. You will make friendships for life, become fitter, gain more confidence and most importantly help others.”

µµpeople fight cancer every day; I only had to fight for six minutes to raise money to support their fight∑∑

Sarah Eachus

Tertia Molenaar de Vries Tertia with her late father Jan de Vries

The late Jan de Vries held his Northern Ireland Clinic at Framar Health for more than 25 years and we are happy that his daughter Tertia Molenaar de Vries who worked with her father for over 30 years continues to run this very busy clinic each month. Appointments are available once a month when Tertia attends the Framar Health Clinic at 595 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7GS For further details or to check availability of appointments with Tertia please contact the Framar Health Clinic reception

595 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7GS t: 028 9068 1018 e: info@framarhealth.com

Sarah Eachus

Belfast boxer Sarah Eachus considered boxing ‘a male sport’ before she found herself signed up for WCB training. She explains, “I was talking to a friend about new challenges, somehow in conversation WCB was mentioned and things snowballed from there. Whilst the thought of boxing sounded fun, it terrified the life out of me. My friend signed me up, initially I thought she was joking until the welcome emails appeared and people began to sponsor me; it all became very real then!” Despite her initial fears, the 37 year old quickly picked up the skills required to compete. “I trained in Magee Health & Fitness,” Sarah says, “the sessions were twice a week, firstly building fitness and then bringing in boxing skills and technique. I also trained with my own boxing coach two to three times per week, in boxing skills and conditioning.” In the run up to the fight, Sarah dropped a full dress size and gained lean muscle. “I was so calm on the morning of the fight, at the pre-show medical I was asked if I was even taking part by the paramedics as my heart rate clearly showed no panic,” Sarah jokes. “This totally changed when we had our team ring walk. All the ‘reds’ walked into the ring as a team for pictures and seeing the audience cheering us on for the first time was the most frightening, yet exciting, thing ever. I’m sure the paramedics would have had a different view of my heart rate then! I finally got into the ring to fight and just focused on what I needed to do, and to my surprise I won!” When asked about the pain factor involved in boxing Sarah dismisses the concern, “Honestly you don’t feel the punches at the time as you are so focused” she explains. To other women who are considering taking the WCB plunge Sarah advises, “Don’t think about it; just do it, you won’t regret it.” She adds, “A massive thanks to my coach Kurtis Gibson who put up with many meltdowns and believed I could do it from the very beginning, and thanks to every single person who supported and sponsored me.” n

Training for the next UWCB will start on 25th September. To sign up visit www.ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk/belfast.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

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PILATES

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Tried & Tested Photo by Clinton McCabe

PROFILE:

Aura-Soma® Northern Woman reviews Aura-Soma®

is available and actively used in over 50 ery simply put, Aura-Soma® countries worldwide. “You are the colours features a variety of coloured you choose”, is the most important aspect bottles and each bottle of the system. How we relate to colour is a means something different. personal preference; our choice of clothing You pick four bottles that or home décor being the most obvious you are drawn to and then colour choices we make. We are discover what your selection said to be instinctively drawn says about you with the to colours “which reflect help of a qualified Auraand support what we Soma® trained colour are” and our colour consultant. The bottles preferences can contain crystals, reveal “who we are, essential oils, herbal what we are here extracts and natural to do and what we spring water. need for optimal Aura-Soma® wellbeing”. is described as “The purpose of a “a non-intrusive, consultation with a self-selective soul qualified practitioner system. Combining or consultant is to the energies of colour, empower the individual plants and crystals, these to know what their greatest vibrational tools can support Photo by Clinton gifts are presently in this all levels of our being, bringing McCabe moment in time. People are said to harmony and balance within the experience joy, recognition, release and subtle fields promoting wellbeing and a joy clarity from a consultation.” n for life.”* Aura-Soma® is a “system of colour” that *quotes from www.aura-soma.net

I was excited to try out Aura-Soma® with Kerry McCrory from Soulance NI. I’m based in Belfast so Kerry’s practice in the Omagh countryside was a bit of a drive, but some things are definitely worth a little extra effort. As I drive through the meandering country roads soaking up the picturesque scenery of the Sperrins, I wonder what my choice of bottles would reveal about me. On arrival I’m greeted by a smiling Kerry and shown to her treatment room – it’s cosy and welcoming, featuring flickering candles, gorgeous artwork, and an eye-catching display of vibrant rectangular-shaped glass bottles in every colour you can imagine. After a consultation Kerry invites me to choose four bottles that I’m drawn to – there are lots to choose from but surprisingly I find my choices really easy to make. I select four bottles that catch my eye, with various colour combinations; purple and turquoise, gold and purple, clear and pale pink, pale pink and turquoise. Kerry talks me through the meaning of each bottle and we discuss what they could relate to in my life. Although I hadn’t met Kerry before, she is a very warm person and it felt as if I was chatting to an old friend. The bottle that stood out the most was probably ‘Bottle 18 Turning Tide’ – Kerry asked if the name meant anything to me. It did as my life was very much a ‘Turning Tide’ for the past 12 months as I overcame a variety of difficult situations and changes over the past year, to be happy again. This bottle also relates to selfknowledge and the importance of trusting your own initiative or gut feeling. Kerry gave me a form detailing the names of the bottles and notes on each one, which meant I was able to google the bottles when I returned home, recap and reflect. I absolutely would recommend Aura-Soma® at Soulance NI. For more information visit soulanceni.com or call 07585 514417. A oneon-one 1.5 hours consultation costs £45.

ESCAPE 59

Halong Bay

Who says cruising is dull? BY KIRSTY BLAKE-KNOX

mall, luxury cruises mean shorter lines, sumptuous food and spoiltrotten passengers. Ever since I watched Jane McDonald shimmy around a poop deck on 1990’s docu-soap The Cruise, it’s been my dream to high-tail it around the seven seas in the lap of luxury. Cruise liners tend to divide travellers. There are those who love them (people who have been on a cruise) and those who sneer at them (people who have never been on a cruise). The latter ask lots of questions when I tell them I’m going on a seven-day cruise around the coast of Vietnam. Won’t I get seasick? Won’t I get bored? Won’t I miss the ‘real’ Vietnam? And didn’t I know that the only people who go on cruise ships are so old, they remember getting oranges as Christmas presents? I didn’t care – my cabin had a terrace where I could drink cocktails while watching the sun set over the Mekong Delta. How could you get bored of that?

Pig-carrying mopeds

The cruise had set sail in Singapore, but I was hopping aboard in Ho Chi Minh City – formerly Saigon. It’s one of those turbo-charged Asian cities, with swarms of mopeds zooming by – on one, I see a family of four; on another, a man carrying a pig. After ditching my bags, I make a beeline

Champagne, beautiful strangers & Halong Bay for Binh Tay Market in search of some decent pho. The aisles of the indoor market are narrow and the astringent smell of cured fish catches in your throat. Everyone is hustling. “Looking,” I tell one vendor. “I’m just looking”. “Well, I’m just selling,” she replies, nonplussed.

µµI feel like I have walked into the pages of my Jilly Cooper novel∑∑ Sweating profusely but determined to get my pho on, I settle into a stall and am served up the hot, clear broth. Pho is such a messy delight to eat. Afterwards, with soup down my dress and delighted with life, I jump in a cab to see the Jade Emperor Pagoda before heading for the ship. When I see Silversea’s Silver Shadow, I

coo at the size. “It’s humongous!” Except it’s not, really. Silversea specialises in ‘small’ all-suite ships with a firm emphasis on luxury. Just 380 passengers are on board, compared to the 6,000 who can travel on Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships. Not only are the queues for the buffet shorter, but the crew-to-passenger ratio is higher (you get spoilt rotten) and it’s quicker getting on and off board.

Rich pensioners and Russian lesbians I settle in with a glass of Champagne and, the following morning, stepping onto my terrace, I see we have been transported to our next destination Nha Trang. Nha Trang is home to some of the best beaches and dive sites in Vietnam, and tucked in the mountains are the spiralling Po Nagar Cham Towers. However, I decide the best thing for me to do is lie on the beach, swim and read Jilly Cooper’s latest novel, Mount – perfect cruise reading material. As I pour over Rupert CampbellBlack’s latest sexploits, a lady wearing a conical hat wanders by carrying two silver

WHAT TO PACK

Sunglasses and sunscreen as it’s easy to burn while lounging on the decks; a smart suit and/or LBD; there’s usually one formal night on board and passengers really do make an effort; espadrilles because high heels are a disaster on a cruise; and binoculars for peering at the sights on shore.

GETTING THERE

Silversea’s Silver Shadow departs on a 14day voyage from Hong Kong to Singapore on 8th October 2017, calling at Halong Bay, Chan May, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok and Koh Samui. Fares start from £4,550pp based on two sharing the Vista Suite. See silversea.com or call 0844 251 0837 for more information.

CRUISE TIPS

Wi-Fi can be shaky at sea, so bring books and embrace being cut off from reality for a while. Be warned that there can be a real difference in temperature between home ports and ports of call. It’s also a good idea to bring a few jumpers and cardigans, as the sea breeze can be chilly once the sun sets in the evening.

tiffins stuffed with fat, fresh lobster and begins cooking them. Before I can ask how much, I remember the boat is leaving in 30 minutes so I rush back; if you miss boarding, you must make your way to the next destination at your own expense. That afternoon we sail towards the South China Sea, and I spend the day in the hot tub chatting to other passengers. This is one of my favourite things about the cruise – it’s filled with fun stock characters; the newlyweds, the pensioners squandering their children’s inheritance, sisters in their sixties doing a ‘golden gals on tour’ holiday, the second and third wives’ clubs, the glam Russian lesbians, and the ultra-camp air steward. I feel like I have walked into the pages of my Jilly Cooper novel. There are plenty of other Great Gatsbyesque things to do – like playing shuffleboard, or watching the crew talent show, or retiring to the cigar and Cognac room. Last but not least, you can go for a sunset walk with the ship’s resident ‘gentleman host’, Art – who I’m told is definitely not a gigolo.

Binh Tay Market Dolly Parton tribute night; the next you’re slap bang in the middle of the busy port of Chan May – from where we take a jaunt to the pretty town of Hoi An. “Gooood morning, Vietnam,” says our tiny tour guide, Jimmy, who makes adorable dad jokes every two minutes and thanks us individually for laughing. Located on the banks of Thu Bon river, Hoi An is filled with saffron-coloured 18th century merchants’ houses that are now part museums and part shops. You can spend a tonne of money here very quickly – I ended up with an enormous wooden carp and ‘wishing bowl’. Shopping in the sun is hungry work, too, but this is a good thing, as that evening we are eating in La Champagne; the only floating Relais & Châteaux restaurant in the world. The food here is rich; gold-leaf risotto, seafood bisque and lobster thermidor all fly out of the kitchen in a flash. Packing on weight on a cruise is exceptionally easy. It’s always booze and food o’clock.

Sailing into Halong Bay

The following morning, there’s a flurry of excitement as we sail into Halong Bay. Legend has it that the bay was formed when a dragon, sent by the Jade Emperor, descended from heaven into the sea and

sprayed a thousand emeralds and pearls from its mouth. From these jewels, the 3,000 islands were formed. Passengers crowd around the railings as the karst islands emerge on the horizon. This is the real beauty of being on a cruise – there is no better way to see anything for the first time than from the bow of a ship. The Halong Bay vista is incomparable. There are no traffic jams or taxi ranks; the landscape unfolds in a whooshing, panoramic sweep. Afterwards, we putter about on junk boats before setting off on our final leg to Hong Kong. This involves a whole day at sea. It’s a wet and stormy day, too, but I discover that sleeping as the boat rocks is a dream. So is dancing – you career from one side of the floor to the other as water pulls and pushes the hull. The last night is a scream. My new friends and I stay up late, vowing to stay in touch but knowing we won’t. Stepping onto dry land the next day, I realise that none of the things grouches had warned me about were founded. The cruise wasn’t boring, it wasn’t filled with OAPs, and I didn’t get seasick. It had been a total and utter riot. My own little fantasy world filled with beautiful strangers, Champagne, and the Vietnamese landscape unfurling around me. n

A waiter on board Silversea Shadow

Gooood morning, Vietnam

As the cruise unfolds, the days on board seem to melt together and drift apart. One minute you’re storming the stage at the

Venice: Is not just for lovers

BY LIADAN HYNES

an you take a toddler to the Venetian Riviera? Absolutely. Since our daughter, Sarah, was born nearly three years ago, holidays abroad have all consisted of trips to a family apartment in Spain. Apart from the enjoyment of visiting this beachside abode, a mixture of fear and laziness has stopped us from venturing further afield. Fear of travelling into any sort of unknown with a baby - will we be able to black out the windows? How baby-proofed will our accommodation be? Suffice it to say we had become somewhat institutionalised in our approach to sun holidays. I had gone so far as to build the idea of holidaying anywhere else into a feat of terrifying proportions. When it came to booking our trip, I approached the prospect of holidaying in Italy with the apprehension of one about to venture into the deepest of unknown

territories. “What can I absolutely not forget? Not live without?” I implored of a friend in a sort of wild-eyed manner. “You do know you’re holidaying in the First World, right?” was her understandably pragmatic response.

Pizza and ice-cream

Himself and herself meanwhile, took a much more cosmopolitan view of the upcoming holiday, and there was much talk about just how much pizza and ice-cream they would eat. The idea of staying in a family-specific resort had never particularly appealed. Possibly it was a last vestige of that preparenting delusion so many of us fool ourselves with - the child will just have to fit right into my life, I’m not changing a thing. Not for us the family-themed holiday park. As with most things parenting, who were we kidding? In fact, the more you give in to what works best for the children, the easier everything is. In our case, this was to be a campsite on the Venetian Riviera, near the town of Caorle, a fishing village which, while now a popular tourist spot, has

retained its air of authenticity. Giving in has never looked so appealing. As people who are used to the easy trip from Dublin to Malaga, the trip from Dublin to Venice, roughly two and a half hours, measured up well. Obviously getting set up in a rental car and installing a car seat is the stuff upon which marriages founder, but after having failed to install the seat in the first car, changed car, had a meltdown (parents), tantrum (toddler), then reinstalled said car seat in the new car, and we were on our way. Navigating the directions to the main road and on towards our site was relatively straightforward, even with an overtired and increasingly fractious toddler refusing to nap in the car. The journey to our campsite, Pra’ delle Torri, took about an hour. All in all, as travelling with toddlers goes, it was very manageable.

Pra’ delle Torri

The site itself is a large one, with almost 1,500 plots. Accommodation includes a hotel, self-catering houses, mobile homes and tents. Pra’ delle Torri borders on a large sandy

Canal Grande at sunset, Venice

GET THERE

Liadan travelled with Al Fresco Holidays. Fares vary depending on time of year, for example - depart on 10th September, for seven nights in a Vivaldi Lounge threebedroom mobile at Pra’ delle Torri holiday park, from approx. £711 per mobile. Price does not include flights.

UNMISSABLE

Hiring a gondola seems steep; €80, for a roughly 40-minute trip, but it is magical and not to be missed. This was definitely a highlight of our trip. Our gondolier filled us in on his family’s history as well as titbits about the areas we passed, while our daughter had a ball waving at people on bridges.

µµThe spectacle and beauty of Venice overcomes any logistical challenges∑∑ beach, and includes several swimming pools, a shallow children’s pool with a large pirate ship, and a large outdoor swimming complex, which includes waterslides and paddling pools. As large as the site is, the mobile homes are laid out in short laneways leading off multiple roundabouts, creating a sense of cosy neighbourhoods. We visited in late September, the last week of the season, when schools had already started back, so our fellow guests were all also parents of toddlers. Our little cul-de-sac was playing host to a number of other families with young children, so herself could go out on our little street and play with other kids while we sat on the deck watching. The deck area also had a rail guard which meant you could enclose the area if you had smaller children. The mobile homes themselves were well

appointed. Ours had three bedrooms, one double, one twin, one single, a spacious bathroom and a separate toilet, plus a wellkitted out kitchen and large dining room. One of the chief pleasures of this sort of resort is the eating out. It’s not that the food was anything spectacular, although it must be said, Italian cuisine, all pizzas and pasta, makes for particularly toddler-friendly fare. As every parent knows, the pleasure of going out for dinner can go out the window when children are among your party. Much of the stress however is taken out of it in this sort of environment. Someone else’s child is always making a scene, throwing stuff, or just generally crying and making noise. So if yours kicks off, no one notices, and there isn’t that sense of stress that you’re ruining the other diners’ night out. There were several restaurants on site, including a pizzeria, a takeaway, bars and an ice cream parlour. Some were in the central plaza around which the resort was based, others were beachside - the perfect lunch spot if we felt too lazy to move far from the beach. There was a large Spar, more supermarket than newsagent, on site, a pharmacy, and a handful of shops selling beach toys, crocs, and various other touristy paraphernalia. A bigger supermarket was a five-minute drive away.

Winding streets and small squares

Caorle, also just five minutes away, includes a small port and lots of narrow, winding streets and small squares that are populated with cafes and restaurants. The weather was mixed during our trip, and on the duller days we spent many hours wandering around this pretty town, stopping at various cafes for coffee and ice-cream. Just off the main town are the Caorle lagoons which are considered the best preserved in the area. They feature some traditional fishermen’s dwellings made from reeds. Boats leave from the town for a trip through the area that inspired Hemingway’s novel Across The River And Into The Trees. Our days quickly fell into an easy routine of breakfast on the deck, then a stroll to the pool or the beach, lunch by the sea and then

some more waterside time, before dinner in the main square. In terms of holidaying with a toddler, the pièce de résistance of the resort was a large, outdoor park area. Covered in artificial grass to protect any falling wobblers, it was the size of a football pitch, and contained innumerable bouncy castles, Wendy houses, and children’s kitchens. Within the confines of this toddler theme park, small children roamed safely everywhere, exhausted parents trailing in their wake, sitting restfully on a park bench while their little ones exhausted themselves making various imaginary dinners, playing out little territorial battles over who was currently in charge of this particular plastic set of vegetables, before taking yet another turn on the bouncy castle.

A day in Venice

In order to avoid complete institutionalisation, we decided to take a day trip. It would be impossible to visit the Venetian Riviera without visiting Venice. The trip involved driving to the ferry, and then a ferry journey to Venice itself. A twoyear-old is possibly not the ideal companion for a visit to Venice. All those dead-end lanes ending in water, and all those bridges over which to carry a pram. In another city these things could get in the way of enjoyment, but the spectacle and beauty of Venice overcomes any logistical challenges. I would recommend looking up walking routes and maybe investigating one of the longer, buggy-friendly walking routes with fewer bridges to traverse. We stopped at the first square we hit for a lunch - pizza and bolognese, of course, and relaxed in the shade while herself ran around the square chasing pigeons. As with every restaurant we ate at throughout our trip, Italian waiters seemed as delighted to see our daughter as if she was one of their own. I’m not sure just how much of this first, proper family holiday herself will remember, but even now, four months later, playing going on holiday to Italy to stay in her caravan is one of her favourite games. Now there’s a sign of a successful trip if ever one was needed. n

Autumn Offers

This autumn avail of one of the many fantastic offers available from local hotels; the perfect excuse to plan a pampering spa trip, girlie getaway or romantic weekend away

An autumn spa experience

Win

ur friends at Hastings Hotels have given us a fabulous RESTORE and REPAIR Autumn Day Spa experience for one lucky reader and their friend to enjoy at the magnificent Slieve Donard Resort & Spa in Newcastle, County Down. Give your body a real treat and indulge in some post summer skin repair. The experience includes: • Healing Apricot Kernel and Aloe Vera Back Exfoliation • Restorative ESPA Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage • Boutique ESPA Facial with Regenerating Pumpkin Enzymes and Oriental Scalp Massage • Warming Foot and Hand Cocoon • Plus use of robes, slippers and towels, a delicious light lunch in our Juice Bar, and full use of the Spa facilities The treatment duration is 1 hour 20 minutes. The package is available at both the Spa at Culloden and Spa at Slieve Donard from only £105 per person.

TO ENTER Simply answer this question: What is the duration of this the Restore and Repair Autumn Spa Experience? Email your answer and contact details to competitons@northernwoman.co.uk before 5pm on 22nd September.

T&Cs: Prize is non transferable and must be taken by 30th November 2017. For further information visit hastingshotels.com or call the Spa at Slieve Donard on 028 47372 1066 INM T&Cs apply.

RESTORE & REPAIR AUTUMN SPA EXPERIENCE

Luxurious Spa Experiences available from £105 per person

For Reservations The Spa at Culloden on 028 9042 1135 The Spa at Slieve Donard on 028 4372 6166

hastingshotels.com

‘Fitzmas’ TWO THOUSAND AND SEVENTEEN

Christmas Brochure now available Lunch from £26.50 Dinner from £35.00 1-3 GREAT VICTORIA STREET BELFAST T: +44 (0)28 9044 2080 | www.fitzwilliamhotelbelfast.com 65

THE SOCIAL 10 From Culture Night to Titanic Dance, check out our roundup of this month’s most happening events BY ALICIA CLARKE Start your weekend with a bang at the Musgrave Retail Partners Northern Ireland Race Day at Down Royal Racecourse on 1st September. This exciting race evening offers a taste of the hospitality on site. Why not treat yourself to a punters pack which offers a pint of Magners, a £5 matched bet and racecard – all for only £18.

Don your Northern Ireland jersey and warm up your vocal cords for a night cheering on the Green and White Army at Windsor Park as they take on Czech Republic in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier on 4th September. The previous meeting between the two teams in Group C was at the Generali Arena in Prague in 2016 when the sides played out a 0-0 draw.

Gather the girls and head to Fratelli Belfast for Ladies Night Goes to the Movies. Watch the Full Monty in conjunction with the Tuesday Ladies Night promotion, while enjoying Italian cuisine, a glass of wine and dessert before your private screening on 5th September. In the words of Dave and Lomper themselves, “The less I eat, the fatter I get. So, stuff yourself and get thin!”

Come along to the Comber Farmers’ Market between 9am and 1.30pm on 7th September at St Mary’s Parish Church to experience the very best of local produce. The monthly artisan food market sells seasonal produce from local farmers and is run by a group of volunteers. Not the Norn Iron News is the new show from John-Paul Whearty, creator of LAD; the controversial and hilarious Northern Irish social media phenomenon. Make a night of it on 8th September at the MAC and enjoy an evening with John-Paul as he takes to the stage along with Barbara Whearty and David Doherty-Jebb to bring you an irreverent examination of the week’s headlines.

Stylist and presenter Rebecca McKinney is teaming up again with make-up artist Stevey Lennox to bring The Style Edit to life for their Autumn Winter Edition, on Saturday 9th September at Ormeau Baths. The event takes places in association with Shortcross Gin and guests will be treated to a cocktail reception, while indulging in the latest new season fashion, beauty and makeup trends from high street favourites like Reiss and Ted Baker, and local boutiques Cameo and The Walk in Wardrobe. Tickets are available from www.glistrr.com for £20.

The Irish musical dance sensations, Titanic Dance, makes its Belfast Waterfront debut on 13th and 14th September. Telling the story of the Titanic from its beginning in the Belfast shipyard to its tragic end in the Atlantic Ocean, Titanic Dance embarks on an emotional journey of hope, aspiration, love, heartbreak and sadness.

Enjoy some ‘me time’ at Malmaison Belfast on the 16th September where you can enjoy super naughty afternoon tea with a glass of Champagne. That’s not all! Get some makeup tips with a makeup masterclass and demonstration by Benefit Cosmetics. You will also receive a £10 Benefit voucher.

The biggest evening in Belfast’s cultural calendar returns. Culture Night transforms the city centre and beyond on 22nd September with a packed programme of events including tasters, tours, talks, trails, demonstrations, activities and gigs. With over 250 events across 100 locations in 2016 visit www.culturenightbelfast.com for a roundup of the events.

With Belfast Bred, on 30th September, you’ll discover the city’s culinary history with Barney, a cheeky chef from the RMS Titanic. Defrosted after 105 spent years frozen in an iceberg, Barney has 2 ½ hours to search Belfast for the finest ingredients. His mission is to recreate a first-class banquet served on the iconic ship and he needs your help!

Donna Taggart’s

track reaches over 100 million views on social media

magh singer Donna Taggart is an international sensation thanks to the incredible success of track Jealous of the Angels which has just reached over 100 million views on social media. NW talks to the star prior to her Ulster Hall performance on 7th October. ‘What can fans expect from your Ulster Hall gig next month?’ we ask. “A mix of easy listening, laid back, country and folk,” Donna replies, “my influences would very much come from the likes of Mary Black, Eva Cassidy and Alison Krauss. My songs are quite emotive, and certainly my music would draw from those types of artists and have a similar sound. The concert will have something for everyone.” Mum-of-two Donna tells us how her life has changed completely in the last 12 months. “A year ago I was trying to get that break; I was a fulltime mother, as well as working in the health service, as well as trying to develop a musical career,” Donna explains. “Now I have taken a career break from my job with the health service, and the music has really, really taken off. It’s very much on a global scale; Jealous of the Angels has had over 100 million hits, it was number one in eight different countries on the iTunes Easy Listening chart and there’s a huge demand

for the song right across the world. Music has become my full-time career and many opportunities have come my way as a result of the song doing so well.”

The power of honesty

We ask the singer why she think Jealous of the Angels is so popular. “It’s a song which touches people and we can all relate to it at some point in our life,” Donna explains. “Grief is something which will impact everyone at some point, and when it does come knocking at your door I think that song has an ability to

µµ it feels quite surreal that all of this has happened ∑∑ connect and everybody can relate to it. I never imagined that it would reach the numbers and the corners of the globe the way that it has. I suppose it just shows you the power of music and the power of honesty. I think the song is one that was written with great honesty and great integrity, it came from a place that was very real for the writer Jess Bostic who wrote it following the loss of her Daddy. “I feel very privileged and I feel very honoured that I have played a part, a huge part I suppose, in the song’s success. It’s coming up on a year now and it still feels quite surreal that all of this has happened.

This time last year nobody knew who I was, a year has passed and I have sold out a concert tour right across Ireland. There have been a lot of highlights and a lot of opportunities have come from the success of the song, my life has changed dramatically and it’s a great feeling, it really is.”

What’s next?

Donna lists the following as highlights of the year; a sold-out Irish concert tour, performing to a full house in the National Concern Hall, Dublin, touring with Phil Coulter, and performing at the Dalriada Festival along with Nathan Carter. She is looking forward to playing at the Ulster Hall and is heading to American in January with Phil Coulter. “The immediate future looks very, very good,” Donna says, “I can’t plan too far ahead, with a young family at home I’m taking things very much as they come and trying to ensure whatever I do will work with family as well. It’s no mean task juggling everything but I feel very blessed and very privileged that I have my family and I have a career which has taken off.”

So what’s next for the star?

“I am very much looking forward to the Ulster Hall, I would love to do Nashville – I’d love to do the Grand Ole Opry,” Donna adds, “we’ll see what comes and hopefully in the next few years that dream might come true.” n

LIVING

Photo credit: Sahara Fabric Love Seat from Furniture Village

DOUBLE UP

Be inspired to update your home with these on-trend design dupes. BY RÓISÍN CARABINE

SAVE

Cactus Vase from George Home @ Asda, £12

SPLURGE

Hexagonal Wine Rack from Sainsbury’s Home, £15

Copper Hexagon Wine Rack from Oliver Bonas, £35

Cactus Vase from Miafleur.com, £56

Collection Ceres Gold Wire Sphere Pendant Light from Argos, £39.99

Blue Novel Dining Chair with plywood seat from Cultfurniture.com, £39

PS 2014 Multicolour Storage Table from Ikea, £50

Cairn Pink Bedside Table (also available in grey) from Made.com, £199 Brass Gold Scandi Globe Ceiling Pendant Light from Madewithlovedesigns.co.uk, £199.95

Ingrid Side Table from Marks & Spencer, £149

Deco Decadence Glass and Gold Side Table from Frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk, £599

Fritz Hansen Series 7 Chair by Arne Jacobsen from Nest.co.uk, £349

Monteith Interiors 20C Main Street Ballynahinch Tel: 028 92646878 Mob: 07545 243500 www.monteithinteriors.co.uk

Sofa shopping Industry experts share their top tips BY RÓISÍN CARABINE

“Know your limits in relation to the size of the room and consider other items of furniture already in the room. Consider too the purpose of the space and how you want it to feel and how you will use your sofa to achieve this.” Janine Crooks, upholstery sales executive, CFC Interiors.

Large two-seater sofa in herringbone natural from £1,575, two-seater in Como taupe leather from £2,065, chair in speckle dust from £815 from Evolution Collection by Parker Knoll, from CFC Interiors, Cookstown, Derry and Newtownabbey

Cut a template from newspaper in the size of the sofa you’re considering and place it on the floor. Set cardboard boxes on top to give you an idea of the height of the sofa and how it will look in your room before you buy.

Charlotte Grand Sofa in Isla Kingfisher from £1,880; Brompton Brass Reading light £355; Keswick Coffee Table £455, Neptune, Belfast

“Test various sofas out in the showroom in a way you would at home. Take your shoes off and lean back and relax. Better yet, bring the whole family to ensure there’s enough room for everyone. Consider height and depth of the seats too.” Eamonn Harrington, sofa buyer, Harvey Norman.

Elba 4-seater sofa from Harvey Norman, £1,899 3

µµTest various sofas out in the showroom in a way you would at home∑∑ 72

“How long a sofa will last depends largely on the frame. The best frame is made out of kiln-dried hardwood, which all our sofas are made from. The joints are glued, dowelled and screwed to provide a stable and robust foundation.” Trevor Wilson, Interior designer, Beaufort Interiors.

A simple lift test will help you determine the quality of your sofa. “High quality sofas are heavy and normally require two people to lift them. Lift the sofa by the side frame and back frame to check for wobbles or twists.” Trevor Wilson, interior designer, Beaufort Interiors.

Nyon sofa, 201cm W x102cm D x 90cm H, from Beaufort Interiors, Moira, from £2,790

Chavannes sofa with shallow buttons and studs from Beaufort Interiors, Moira, from £3,470

µµFibre provides a soft and forgiving sit and an inviting, comfortable look, how these cushions need to be plumped and turned to prevent collapse over time∑∑ 7

Leather sofa from Uno Modern Living, Belfast

Vilme 3-seater corner sofa in golden yellow with removable and machine-washable covers from Ikea, Belfast, £745. Changeable covers in different colours are available from £235

A leather sofa offers a practical, durable and stylish seating option. The highest quality leather is Italian full grain, it’s also the most expensive and hardest to maintain though can last 30 years-plus if cared for properly and develops a beautiful patina with age.

“Fabric sofas with changeable covers are fantastic value for money allowing you to easily change the colour and style to suit the seasons – and with some covers you can just pop them in the wash if you accidentally spill anything on them.” Eamonn Lynott, department manager, Ikea.

Cushion filling is an important consideration. “Fibre provides a soft and forgiving sit and an inviting, comfortable look - however these cushions need to be plumped and turned to prevent collapse over time. As a compromise, at DFS we tend to use fibre mainly for the seat cushions. Alternatively you can opt for foam innards in varying densities, which provide a high level of support and comfort that’s low maintenance due to the durability of the foam. If you want a really sumptuously soft, luxurious seat consider China duck feathers. These cushions though are high maintenance and require daily plumping to avoid flattening.” Natalie Ferguson, manager designate, DFS.

Ashby 3-seater velvet button-back sofa (available in 26 colours and cover options) from DFS, Belfast, £1,598

Continued on 74 ➤

“Don’t forget about the sofa legs. You don’t often change your entire suite of furniture, so check if the sofa or armchair has an option of changeable legs that might work better with other furnishings already in place in your living room.” Eamonn Lynott, department manager, Ikea.

Norsborg 8-seater U-shaped sofa in Finnsta dark grey, available in a choice of shapes, sizes, styles and leg options from Ikea, £1,425

“In a small space the obvious choice is a small apartment-size sofa and chairs, however too many small items of furniture can make a room look cluttered. Consider just one seating option, like a sectional or corner sofa with low arms, to give the illusion of space. Eamonn Harrington, sofa buyer, Harvey Norman.

Faye corner sofa available in selection of grades and shades of fabric from Harvey Norman, from £1,799

J by Jasper Conran collection from Debenhams: Ellsworth sofa from £1140; pendant £120; cushions £32-36; Floor lamp £180; vase £28; candle holder £20

Branagh 2-seater Chesterfield sofa in velvet electric blue PR08 from Made.com, £899

In high-ceilinged rooms prevent your sofa from being swamped by the space by opting for a statement piece with a high back in a bold colour or fabric pattern. In a standard 8ft tall room, a low sofa will give the impression that the ceiling is actually higher than it is.

Shopping for a sofa online can seem daunting. “If you’re struggling with your sofa dimensions, our Sofasizer tool at www.made.com/sofasizer can help you pick the correct size sofa for your room. The tool allows you to filter your search results according to the size of space you have.” Ruth Wassermann, design director, Made. com.

“Don’t be afraid to be different with patterned fabric. To ensure your sofa’s longevity it’s best to go plain and serviceable on the body of the sofa. You can then go as mad as you want with colourful and patterned scatters and accessories. Scatters are perfect for changing the look and feel of a space instantly and cheaply.” Janine Crooks, upholstery sales executive, CFC Interiors.

Bailey 3-seater sofa from CFC Interiors, Cookstown, Derry and Newtownabbey, starting at £1435 for standard leather

“Modular sectional sofas offer a versatile solution to living room seating, fitting snugly into a corner or making a statement in the middle of the room. Their myriad configurations make them a practical family-friendly alternative to the traditional suite. They can be right arm facing, left arm facing, L-shaped, rounded, three-sided, armless; the options are endless. The right modular sofa shouldn’t overwhelm the room or impede traffic flow.” Eamonn Harrington, sofa buyer, Harvey Norman.

Italian-made Foxtrot corner sofa available in a selection of fabrics and grades of leather from Harvey Norman, £5,799

µµModular sectional sofas offer a versatile solution to living room seating∑∑

Which sofa shape is right for you? An everyday sofa that will be used for relaxing can be deep and cushy for maximum comfort. “Our own brand Lincoln sofa is perfect with its deep seat cushions, chunky frame and chunky square arms. It comes in hundreds of fabric options, including velvets, patterns and plains, and various seating options; two and three-seater, chair, love seat, chaise and corner unit, which can be right arm or left arm facing.” Kirsty Bell, Paul Hampton Home

Lincoln sofa from Paul Hampton Home, Belfast & Hillsborough, from £1,250

“If you are finding it difficult to get your perfect sofa to fit, our ROM sofas could be the solution. They can be custom-designed in any fabric or leather and come in a range of shapes and sizes, available in 20cm increments. There’s also a choice of various arm options, recliners, electric headrests, chargeable ports, heated seats and extending seats. There really are no limits as to what you can do.” Cathy Smyth, Keens Furniture.

Trinidad sofa in Camino Ocean fabric by Rom from Keens Furniture, Belfast, from £2,495 15 17

A sofa with shallow seating and a tight back is ideal for a formal or traditional living room. Our own brand Francesca sofa is the perfect classic sofa for grand spaces or ‘the good room’ with its beautiful roll arms, caster feet and bolster cushions. Its long bench seat offers a more comfortable sit and a touch of modernity. It is available in a range of fabric options and can be customised with piping, ruching and tassels.” Kirsty Bell, Paul Hampton Home.

Francesca sofa from Paul Hampton Home, Belfast & Hillsborough, from £1,550

“Choosing a sofa can take time and multiple showroom visits before you come to a decision. Get to know your sales advisor, build a relationship and ensure they know exactly what you want and don’t want as both are as important. Don’t be afraid to ask and ask again. Show pictures and get as much advice as possible.” Janine Crooks, upholstery sales executive, CFC Interiors, Cookstown, Derry, Newtownabbey.

Sloane two-seater sofa in Camberley coordinate silver by Parker Knoll from CFC Interiors, Cookstown, Derry & Newtownabbey, from £1,809

Monteith Interiors

For innovate interior design, look no further than Monteith Interiors. Whether you want to create a stylish, contemporary design for your home or you prefer a traditional look, the team at Monteith Interiors can help with bespoke décor solutions across Ireland.

Visit the showroom to see the beautiful displays, prepare to be amazed by the attention to detail on the curtains, blinds and cushions. Monteith Interiors combine textures and layers using industry leading brands of fabrics and wall coverings, to add

a distinctive and personalised touch to their designs. Renowned for first-rate customer service and its friendly, knowledgeable team, Monteith Interiors never fails to leave a long lasting impression on its clients. The company can transform the interiors of your entire home, as well as commercial areas with madeto-measure curtains, luxury carpets, Porter’s Paints, Tailor-made window blinds, high-end wall coverings and wallpapers, and more. For more information visit www.monteithinteriors.co.uk or visit the showroom. n Monteith Interiors 20C Main Street, Ballynahinch, Tel: 028 92646878. Mob: 07545 243500 www.monteithinteriors.co.uk

Meet the Interior Designer… Need a little helping hand to revamp or update? Meet Northern Ireland’s leading designers who can fix your décor dilemmas

Roycroft Interiors

Roycroft Interiors is one of Northern Ireland’s leading bespoke Interior Design services. The striking design studio has been based on the Lisburn Road for three years catching the attention of all who pass by. With ever changing window displays and a strong team of enthusiastic and approachable designers it’s no wonder that Roycroft is one of the main influencers of Northern Irish Interiors. Founded by Ruth Coates in 2000 as a soft furnishing manufacturing company, she is delighted with the magnitude in which Roycroft has grown. Now as one of the most reputable design companies with one of the largest fabric and wallpaper libraries in Northern Ireland, Roycroft strongly rivals its competitors both old and new. Another element, which sets Roycroft ahead of its competitors, is their highly skilled and motivated in-house manufacturing team. With the ability to customise soft furnishings and furniture, this ensures Roycroft can

turn your aspirations into reality, easily and affordably. With designers that collectively hold over 35 years experience in the Interior Design Industry, our clients are guaranteed a professional service at Roycroft. Each designer has a wide knowledge of paints and wallpapers, furniture, lighting and flooring. Creative director, Ruth Coates boasts nearly 18 years experience within the Interior Design circle in Northern Ireland. Having managed projects both locally and in Europe she puts her client’s vision at the

forefront of every design process. When building Roycroft’s library she made a conscious decision to include fabric houses which catered for all budgets and she has continued with this ethos as their brands develop. Get in contact with Ruth or any of the Roycroft team by calling into the studio or make an appointment at info@roycroft.co or telephone (028) 90 666088. n Roycroft Interiors 505 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7EZ, Tel: 028 9066 6088. www.roycroft.co

MODERN

1199

999

‘Simba’ 4-Seater Sofa. Tufted buttons, peaked arms and sumptuous cushioning embody contemporary comfort. Choose to add studs for a lavish touch or opt out for a more classic look.

interiors

AUT U MN/ WI NT ER IS SUE CATALOGUE OUT NOW w w w . h a r v e y - n o r m a n . c o . u k Product offer ends 24/09/17.

361026 NNI 361026_NNI

TRANQUILITY

I have kept a restrained palette in order to unify the different pieces, so chartreuse and plum spring off the neutral backdrop. The living room is painted Farrow and Ball Railings (by M and M Services, Bangor) on the wall, ceiling and woodwork. The all-over colour makes the room cosy and cocoon-like. It’s a look I really appreciate because when woodwork is painted in a different colour, your eye can be unintentionally drawn to skirting or doors instead of the pieces you’ve chosen to furnish the room. The dark all over colour creates a dramatic backdrop for the art, faux foliage and chandelier to be the features as they were intended.

hen viewing this Victorian mid-terrace on the Ballyholme seafront, Bangor for the first time Peggy Bell “hadn’t got much further than the front hall” before she “just knew it was the one”. Peggy and partner Phil made the move from Belfast almost two years ago and haven’t looked back since. “The best thing about Ballyholme is that it’s the perfect size,” Peggy explains. “You get to know your neighbours whether on a walk to the crossroads or along the beach. There’s also an excellent park for the children. And the thing that struck me most when I first moved down is that everyone is so friendly; everyone smiles, says hello and people often stop to chat.” Peggy would describe her décor style as “eclectic, glam and boho-chic”. She says, “There’s a mix of old and new, a few investment pieces and some very cheap upcycles in our home. I just buy the things I love and make them work by restricting the colour palette. Buying things that are just okay doesn’t work for me and I only buy things I’m completely in love with now.” The kitchen is Peggy’s favourite room of all. “I love that it’s at the front of the house and I get to enjoy the view while I’m cooking,” Peggy says. “Two rooms have been knocked through so it’s dual aspect; you can view both the south facing garden and the bay. This room works hard - it’s got the dining area at one end, the kitchen in the middle and the snug at the other end.” Next up the homeowners plan to revamp their hall. “I’m going to approach it with the same principles I have the rooms; all over colour and an eclectic collection of art, faux flowers and furniture pieces,” Peggy says. “I want it to feel welcoming and personal – after all, it’s the first space you see on entering the house and you can’t just close a door on it like other rooms, so it might as well be fabulous!” Peggy gives NW a tour of her home sharing more information on the décor throughout, first up is the living room. n

Boho-chic at Ballyholme An eclectic, glam and boho-chic abode on the picturesque Ballyholme seafront BY CATRIONA DOHERTY

Photography by Michael Bradley

This was my parents’ writing bureau. I painted it in Farrow and Ball Pitch Black and updated the handles with simple gold bar pulls. The faux cactus is Abigail Ahern and the lampshade has a William Morris fabric. Many of my cushions are bespoke from local designer Amy Scott. She has a brilliant eye for colour and pattern, and her pieces have a look that is instantly recognisable. Her cushions made each of the rooms become harmonious and just work.

This room has a great view of Ballyholme bay. Each day the view is different: it’s like a moving oil painting. Some days it’s clear blue skies and ripples glittering on the water, other days it’s rolling cloud and tumultuous waves. I placed my Dad’s old writing desk at the window so I can enjoy the view as I write. He was a self taught scholar and spent years studying at this desk. He would have loved this view and I think he’d approve of its new home.

The all over colour allows chosen pieces to pop. I personalised the space with a gallery wall, cushions and faux flowers. Even my daughter’s Ikea kitchen got a little makeover. I love a large coffee table - this one is actually a dining table with the legs cut down.

I love blue and white vases; they are eye catching while working as a neutral. I’m always on the lookout in charity shops to add to my collection. The flowers are faux; good faux flowers are essential to my look. I simply couldn’t afford to buy fresh in the quantities that I like, so when I find a quality faux, I buy in bulk!

Most of the pieces in this room were inherited from my parents. I customised them to suit my tastes; this piece was painted with Farrow and Ball Pelt. I love the pop of metallic of the book ends.

I love William Morris prints and here is a great selection of my favourites on the mugs. His designs marry pattern with colour and provide interest without overwhelming.

I always light a few candles in the evenings for a cosy glow.

Mr & Mrs Cochrane

Photos by Sasha Treanor Photography

riendship turned to love for Armagh couple Alex and Brian when Alex ‘took the plunge’ and asked Brian out. “We had a really good friendship so it was a hard decision to take it any further in case it didn’t work out,” Alex begins, “but here we are almost seven years later, married and couldn’t be happier.” Brian proposed at the Farnham Estate by giving his other half a card that had, ‘To my fiancé at Christmas’ on the front, before saying those four special words. The couple set the date for 4th February 2017. The bride felt like a, “real princess” in her stunning Art Couture wedding dress. “I knew straight away that it was the one,” Alex recalls. “I didn’t want to take it off – I loved it. One of my bridesmaids cried every time she seen me wearing it, so I knew I definitely made the right choice.” The pair described their photographer Sasha as “fantastic to work with” and said she, “captured everything we could have hoped for and more”. Alex and her mother in law created the stationery, and Articakes NI made a three-tier wedding cake. The highlight of Alex’s day was her Dad walking her down the aisle, “he has walking difficulties we didn’t know if this was going to be possible, but he did it and that was a memory I will hold on to forever. To be a wife to the man that I love and who is by my side through everything, is all I could have hoped for; everything in between was a bonus.” Brian adds, “We had a brilliant day celebrated with family and friends – everything went to plan. Getting to marry my best friend at the end of the day was all that mattered. We had the best day.” n

Venue: Hugh McCanns, Newcastle Wedding dress: The Events Boutique, Banbridge Groomswear: Tux and Tails, Dungannon Bridesmaids’ dresses: The Events Boutique, Banbridge Flowers: Vintage Violet, Markethill Makeup: Catherine Fleming Make-up Artist, Moira Hair: Precious Hair & Beauty, Banbridge

Mr & Mrs Rodgers

Photos by Honey and The Moon Photography

hen Lauren enrolled in a floristry course at Greenmount Agricultural College, little did she know she would meet her future husband who was working there at the time. “The same day we also met Prince William and Kate Middleton as they were visiting Greenmount College,” Lauren begins, “it was a memorable day all round and David always jokes that he met his princess that day too!” When asked what made them realise he/she was ‘the one’. Lauren replies, “That smile, and when I couldn’t imagine life without David by my side; he makes me laugh each and every day”. David says, “Her beauty, and when I realised she was beautiful not only on the outside but on the inside too”. David popped the question amidst the lush greenery of Tollymore Forest Park and the pair set the date for 6th May 2017. Seeking a ‘small, intimate’ ceremony venue, they booked Temple of the Winds. Stepfather Mark designed and printed the wedding stationery, and family friend Dawn and her mum made the wedding cake. Lauren and David were “delighted” with the photos captured by the talented Jess from Honey and The Moon Photography, and thanks to band The Diesel Drinkers the dancefloor didn’t clear all night. Home Restaurant, Belfast provided the exquisite catering, and Marie Cafolla supplied the flowers, “we were so happy with the flowers; they were absolutely stunning,” Lauren enthuses. The bride’s favourite memories of her day include, “Walking up the aisle and seeing David looking really handsome with tears rolling down his cheeks, when my Dad helped me squeeze into David’s wee car to go to the Sunken Garden at Mount Stewart, and seeing all of our family and friends there celebrating the day.” David’s favourite moments include watching Lauren walking up the aisle, the ferry trip from Portaferry to Strangford in a friend’s Landrover, and dancing the night away with his new wife. n

Venue: Temple of the Winds, Mount Stewart, Dufferin Coaching Inn and Hall, Killyleagh Wedding dress: The Wedding Box, Newtownards Groomswear: Focus Menswear, Bangor Bridesmaids’ dresses: Debenhams online Flowers: Marie Cafolla Flowers, Newtownards Makeup: Jenna Somerville Makeup, Belfast

In the October issue of

Velvet, suede & satin style The truth behind lying Astrology explored Gender bending

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

Credit: Lavish Alice

THE

ALBUM 89

Lee Johnston and Christie Gee

An Evening With Carl Frampton & Lee Johnston

Jacqueline Hull and Carl Frampton

Approximately ÂŁ10,000 was raised for cancer charity Marie Curie at An Evening With Carl Frampton and Lee Johnston which was held in the Ulster Grand Prix Marquee recently. The fundraising evening, part of the MCE Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week events, was presented by the BBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mark Sidebottom. Photos by John Kelly

Phil Kane, Angela Rooney, Lee Johnston, Louise Maguire and Gareth Bowles

Lee Johnston, Mark Sidebottom and Carl Frampton Neil Dougan, Helen Yorke, Jacqueline Hull and Julie Heaney

Emily Rose Conlon with Miss Pickle

Having a woofley time at the event

The Dirty Onion Pooch Social

Rob Durston and Tim Herron

The Dirty Onion hosted its first Pooch Social in aid of local dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charity, Lucyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trust. Over 200 dogs and their owners turned out for the quirky event, which featured a range of stalls offering doggy treats and canine crafts. Guests enjoyed live music from The Russian Dolls and a barbeque. Pictures by Pete Laverty

Marcus McAllister, Adam Moore and Ryan McElhone with Cooper

Pamela Thomas-Watson with Buddy and Annie

Tracy Manning and Arnie, Lisa McIlwaine and Penny

Sunflower Festival

The family-friendly Sunflower Festival has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and this year’s programme boasted no less than 55 gigging acts over the three days and also included separate DJ and comedy venues, and plenty to keep the kids entertained. Even full-on ‘summer showers’ couldn’t keep the crowds away! Photos by Debbie Deboo Photography

Alice Millar

Edel Halligan

Kate Smeltzer

Karen Ingram

Skye Bompas

Katie Hussey

Hayley Gault and India Reed

Trudy Scrumptious and Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister

Gareth Lavery, Orla Boyd, Tracy Thompson, Jenny Hamilton and Donna Butler

Summer Networking Party Allen & Overy, Barclays, Citi and Santander teamed up to host a summer networking party in aid of The Rainbow Project; NIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost charity for members of the LGBT community. The event, organised as part of Pride Week, brought together leading figures from business, politics and media in the elegant setting of the Ivory restaurant. Photos by Press Eye

Darryl Simms, Megan Kelly, Jonathan Stewart, Shona Mulholland and Aaron Logan

Aidan Rogan, Megan Fearon and John Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Doherty

Luke McKibbin and Elis Devlin

Junior Rose Ciara McColgan, Festival Queen Chantelle McCauley, Rose Bud Cara Grant, and Teen Queen Andrea McLaughlin

The Sock Hanging Competition

Muff Festival, Donegal Over the August Bank Holiday weekend each year, the Donegal village of Muff hosts its annual festival. The event features a variety of fun competitions such Sock Hanging, and the Wife Carrying Championship where locals compete to ‘Win your partner’s weight in beer’. Chantelle McCauley, sponsored by The Border Café, was chosen as this year’s ‘Rose’ in the Muff Festival. Photos by Grainne McCool

The Wife Carrying Championship

Paul, Amy, Cara and Neala Grant

Mayor Niamh McColgan and Festival Queen Chantelle McCauley

Eamon McCourt, Sean Joe Rooney and Darren Selby

James Bell and Dani Buckingham

The Hudson’s got the blues To celebrate the recent Belfast City Blues Festival, The Hudson Entertainment Complex in Gresham Street, Belfast, hosted a press and VIP event in their new state-ofthe-art yard. The Belfast Bullfrogs entertained guests who were treated to The Hudson’s signature homemade burgers and chips, all washed down with craft beer. Photos by Bill Smyth Roisin Smyth, Lisa Ferguson and Cathryn Jones

Ryan McKee and Nadia Mowlood

Liam Stryker, Robin Elliott and Shannon O’Neill

NORTHERN MAN

Grey Vintage Biker Jean from Primark £20

Jeff Meredith goes west to discover County Fermanagh

Distressed jeans from Zara £29.99

Dinosaur T-shirt By Diesel from House Of Fraser £45

i folks, that’ll be summer over then! Let’s hope we get a few nice days in September to finish it off before we swiftly move into autumn and winter weather. This summer I have been ramping up my exercise regime. Firstly, with a summer membership at the Culloden Estate & Spa gym, and with lots of walking and introducing movement into my every day routine. Don’t be surprised if you see me doing lunges or squats behind my stall at St George’s Market. Thanks to that gym membership I’ve got the bug again, not like I did 10 years ago though, but more about balance, mobility and functional training. The Culloden personal trainer has been tortured with me sending videos on Facebook of exercise that inspires me, and he’s been amazing. Thanks Steve! The walking bit is fun, and I’ve managed to revisit places I love and haven’t been to in years, and I’ve also made fantastic use of my National Trust membership this year. Mount Stewart and its extended estate and country walks is always a beautiful afternoon out. But this summer I visited a National Trust property I have never been to before, Florence Court, and completed its six-mile

red walking route. I really wanted to attempt The Cuilcagh Way, that didn’t happen unfortunately but it’s on the list of things to do. In the meantime, the red route at Florence Court was a pleasure, apart from those insect bites, oh how they love my blood – I was eaten alive! I was also in Fermanagh staying in Belle Isle Castle and Private Island. Most famous for the cookery school, Belle Isle has its own castle and a courtyard of beautiful self-catering apartments and coach houses for rent. Life on a private island on Upper Lough Erne is picturesque and quiet. We stayed in the recently refurbished coach houses, but you can hire the castle and stay in either of the two wings, or rent the whole place. It’s not as expensive as you’d expect to stay in your own fairytale castle with stunning views. Worth visiting. Back in Belfast, I tried out the new savoury afternoon tea in Bert’s Jazz Bar at the Merchant. The only traditional sweet option was a few petit fours at the end, otherwise it’s perfect if you don’t have a sweet tooth. With Croque Madame muffins, goat cheese and beetroot macarons washed down with a glass of Prosecco, and live music in the background, this is a treat you’ll want to try out. That’s it for this month. Thanks for reading Jeff

New York Fashion Week. Dia Dipasupil Getty Images

ty Images

Autumn layers

Marks & Spencer Black Heel Zip Hi Top Trainers from River Island £30

BY JEFF MEREDITH Autograph Jacket from Marks & Spencer £79

After last month’s focus on grooming, it’s time to have a look at what will be in the autumn wardrobe. Autumn is that awkward time when it’s not cold enough for the big winter coats and boots, but it’s not warm enough for summer wear anymore. Although, this being the island of Ireland, anything is possible at any time of the year, which I guess is why layers come in handy. I’ve searched my favourite high street retailers and come up with this autumn layers capsule wardrobe for you. Hope you like!

Burton

Chunky Grey Knit Jumper from Burton £30

M&S Collection Hat from Marks & Spencer £12

Hoodie from Bershka £17.99

J By Jasper Conran Grey Shirt from Debenhams £40

— COMPETITION —

A stay at the Ballynahinch Castle Hotel Win

orthern Woman have teamed up with Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, Galway to offer readers the chance to win a break for two at this luxurious retreat. Like a fairy-tale castle in the woods, Ballynahinch Castle Hotel exudes luxury, history and style. Surrounded by 700 acres of pristine wooded grounds and one of Connemara’s oldest landscaped gardens, the striking Victorian country house and estate is known for its excellent service and impeccable attention to detail, as well as the many rewarding experiences to be had. One lucky reader and a guest will enjoy an overnight stay in a luxurious room with breakfast and dinner in the opulent Owenmore Restaurant. With floor to ceiling windows overlooking the river, the menu showcases the most authentic ingredients the area provides. While you’re there take advantage of the acres of walks meandering through the forests or try your hand at fly fishing on the Ballynahinch River. If you are not lucky enough to win on this occasion, or for more information, visit www.ballynahinch-castle.com or call +353 (0)95 31006.

TO ENTER Simply answer this question: In what county is the Ballynahinch Castle Hotel situated? Email your answer and contact details to competitons@northernwoman.co.uk before 5pm on 22nd September. T&Cs: The prize is non-transferrable, is subject to availability, and excludes bank holiday weekends, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. INM T&Cs apply.