Local Women Belfast Magazine Aug 2021

YOUR BESTSELLING LOCAL MAGAZINE ONLY

Younique Aesthetics Newry /youniqueaestheticsclinic /youniqueaesthetics

11a Chichester Street, Belfast, BT1 4JA | Tel: +44 (0) 28 9693 0183

£1

BELFAST,

LARNE, ANTRIM & NEWTOWNARDS

AUGUST 2021 COVER GIRL:

NI PROPERTY GIRL,

EIMEAR GOURLEY PICTURES:

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN FOR THE 24 MISS NORTHERN IRELAND FINALISTS

Featuring the wedding

of Thomas Donnelly from Belfast to MaryKate Arthurs from Warrenpoint

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TRUSTED TRAINING

BY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS Secure your future career by training with the recently relaunched Younique Aesthetics Academy. Their training co-ordinator Rachel Lawless tells us a bit more about the new courses they offer and why you should choose them as your training provider.

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY AT YOUNIQUE AESTHETICS ACADEMY At Younique Aesthetics Academy, our focus has always been on delivering the safest and most up to date training available. Our beauty division, formerly Younique College has been operational since 2000 and is recognised as one of Ireland’s leading training providers. Even Local Women’s own columnist Hollie Campbell completed her beauty training with us!

We have expanded the services we offer, and now under the Younique Aesthetics Academy name we have developed new courses with a focus on students wishing to either develop their aesthetic skills or begin their journey in advanced skin treatments.

The Covid pandemic gave us the opportunity to reassess how we deliver our courses, and we are delighted to announce that we have developed our very own online training platform. This allows our students to complete the theoretical element of their course from the comfort of their very own home, only attending the academy to complete their practical sessions in a safe, clinical environment with limited class numbers. Students also have lifetime access to the course content and online learning, giving them the opportunity to refresh their knowledge at any point.

The Academy is led by the Clinical Director of Younique Aesthetics, Aine Larkin (RGN, INP, ALNP, MSc, PGCert). Aine is an advanced level nurse practitioner who has many years of experience in beauty and education and has spent the last number of years growing the medical aesthetic sector within NI. As well as this, Aine is also a member of several industry regulatory bodies including JCCP, who are currently advising the government on legislation to improve the safety and standards of the cosmetic industry.

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NEW WEBSITE We have been busy bees over what felt like our hundredth lockdown, and have been working on a brand new website.

Keep an eye on

www.

youniqueaestheticsacademy.com which will be launching in the next few weeks. Here you will be able to find the latest information on all the courses we will be offering and will be able to book a place. As a registered learner you will also be able to access your online course content from here.

Our clinical aesthetic courses such as botulinum toxin and dermal filler will also be launching from here in the coming weeks.

VTCT (ITEC) LEVEL 4 DIPLOMA IN ADVANCED SKIN WITH ADDITIONAL LEVEL 4 CERTIFICATES IN SKIN NEEDLING AND SKIN PEELING The first course we are launching is a VTCT (ITEC) Level 4 Diploma in Advanced Skin with additional Level 4 Certificates in Skin Needling and Skin Peeling. This course encompasses both the medical and beauty division of Younique Aesthetics Academy and is open to medical practitioners, and those holding a Level 3 beauty qualification or above.

Our Level 4 diploma covers a wide range of areas including physiology of ageing, chemistry of hair and beauty products and IPL for skin rejuvenation. The course also covers management of health safety and security in the salon and microdermabrasion.

Skin needling and skin peeling are both excellent additions to an aesthetic clinic or beauty salon specialising in advanced treatments. Usually practitioners are trained by the company whose range they carry, and there can be differences between different microneedling devices or skin peels. VTCT (ITEC) have developed a Level 4 Certificate in both Skin Needling and Skin Peeling that will allow students to complete a regulated qualification ensuring they can deliver these treatments safely to their patients.

WHAT IS MICRONEEDLING?

WHEN WILL THESE COURSES START?

We are delighted to announce that these courses will be officially launching on Monday 9th August, and will run on a staggered basis throughout the year. Places can be secured by paying a deposit of 30%.

We only offer OFQUAL regulated qualifications for our non-medical aesthetic therapies.

carry out medium and deep peels due to their higher risk and possible contra-actions.

The VTCT (iTEC) Level 4 Certificate in Skin Needling that we offer will enable practitioners to provide skin needling treatments safely and efficiently in a sterile field, while also equipping them with the knowledge and skills to work effectively as a fully commercial skin needling practitioner.

Like the Skin Needling course, our chemical peel course at Younique Aesthetics Academy, Newry is primarily designed for registered healthcare professionals and experienced level 3 qualified beauty therapists.

WHAT IS SKIN PEELING? Microneedling is method of skin rejuvenation, whereby a needling device containing needles, which range in length according to the area to be treated, is moved over the area creating micro-channels into skin. The needles cause a controlled injury to the skin that triggers the body’s natural healing process by producing collagen and elastin. Products can be better absorbed by the skin through the micro-channels created.

It is advisable to do your research, as not all training providers offer qualifications that are regulated by OFQUAL and are fully insurable.

Skin peels are very popular treatments in the area of skin rejuvenation, and they vary in strength from very superficial, superficial, medium and deep.

The skin needling course at Younique Aesthetics Academy, Newry is primarily designed for registered healthcare professionals and experienced level 3 qualified beauty therapists.

A highly qualified and experienced beauty therapist can carry out superficial peels, while registered healthcare professionals, for example, nurses and doctors are qualified to

DO YOUR RESEARCH Whether you decide to study with us or not, please always research your tutor and training academy fully. Unfortunately, there are a lot of academies out there offering unregulated qualifications, and practitioners can be left in a tricky situation after spending hundreds of pounds on courses which they then cannot receive insurance for. At Younique Aesthetics Academy we only offer OFQUAL regulated qualifications for our non-medical aesthetic therapies. Our courses are also certified by Cosmetic Insure , guaranteeing you will be fully insured on completion of your courses.

If you would like anymore information, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 02830256254!

Rachel xox

5 Monaghan Court, Monaghan Street, Newry, BT35 6BH | Tel: +44 (0) 28 3025 6254 /youniqueaesthetics

/youniqueaestheticsclinic

Younique Aesthetics Newry Local Women Magazine | 3

NORTH DOWN TUESDAY Carnalea Methodist Church West Church, Crawfordsburn Road, Bangor Contact: Gail 07809258027 (morning & evening groups) Green Road Community Centre Green Road, Conlig Contact: Joanne 07742296084 (evening groups)

WEDNESDAY St Mark’s Parish Church Street, Newtownards Contact: Nicola 07715110561 (morning & evening groups) North Down Scout Centre Contact: Roberta 07956000439 (morning & evening groups) The Roundabout (Gourley’s) 2-4 The Square, Ballygowan Contact: Esther 07804095409 (afternoon & evening groups) First Holywood Presbyterian Church (non-subscribing) High Street, Holywood Contact: Gail 07809258027 (evening groups) 4 | Local Women Magazine

Donaghadee Community Centre Parade, Donaghadee BT21 0HF Contact: Jonene 07809366481 (evening groups)

THURSDAY

Comber Rifle Club Contact: Eleanor 07891609161 (morning & evening groups available)

THURSDAY & FRIDAY

British Legion Contact: Julie 07790160519 (morning & evening groups available)

FRIDAY & SATURDAY Ards Bowling Club Newtownards Contact: Janice 07594259766 (morning groups)

SATURDAY Carnalea Methodist Church Rathmore Road, Bangor Contact Phil 07884122407 (morning group)

EAST BELFAST MONDAY Knockbreda Methodist Church Contact: Deborah 07564759645 (morning group)

TUESDAY

McQuiston Memorial Presbyterian Church 83 Castlereagh Road, BT5 5FE Contact: Cheryl 07309746098 (evening groups)

TUESDAY Glenburn Methodist Church 6 Glensharragh Gardens Contact: Adrian 07808532291 (morning & evening groups)

WEDNESDAY Bloomfield Presbyterian Church Beersbridge Road Contact: Deborah 07708373567 (morning & evening groups) Ballynafeigh Methodist Church Ormeau Road Contact: Deborah 07564759645 (morning & evening groups) Gilnahirk Baptist Church 2 Middle Braniel Road Contact: Ashleigh 07731420680 (evening groups) Knockbreda Parish Church Church Road, Newtownbreda, BT8 7AN Contact :Adrian 07808532291 (evening group)

St Brendan’s Church of Ireland Larkfield Road, Sydenham Contact: William 07702253452 (evening groups)

THURSDAY

St Polycarps Parish Church 104 Upper Lisburn Road, Finaghy Contact: Liza 07788146944 (evening groups)

THURSDAY

Braniel Church Woodview Drive Contact: Ashleigh 07731420680 (evening groups)

The Glenpark (function room) 14-16 Ardoyne Avenue Contact: Sinéad 07765298880 (morning & evening groups)

Crosspoint Church 38-40 Comber Road, Dundonald Contact: Jo 07787837355 (morning & evening groups)

St Katharine’s Parish Hall Dunlambert Park, Fortwilliam Contact: William 07702253452 (evening groups)

SATURDAY Church of Ireland Knocknagoney Road Contact Lyndsay 07896913600 (morning groups) Ulster Temple 276 Ravenhill Road Contact: Liza 07788146944 (morning groups)

NORTH & WEST BELFAST TUESDAY & SATURDAY Church Of The Nazarene Skegoneill Avenue Contact: Clare 07719477609 (morning & evening groups)

TUESDAY Church Hall 246 Antrim Road, Belfast Contact: Tracey 07773327898 (evening groups)

WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY

SOUTH BELFAST THURSDAY Ivanhoe Hotel 556 Saintfield Road Contact: Sarah Jane 078 3439 2491 (evening groups)

SATURDAY Cairnshill Methodist Church 2 Ballytenagh Road Contact: Sarah Jane 078 3439 2491 (morning groups)

NEWTOWNABBEY MONDAY Light & Life Church Ballyclare Road Contact: Jemma 07823332411 (evening groups)

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY Slimming World 1-3 Ballyduff Road, Carnmoney Village Contact: Clare 07828407939 (morning & evening groups)

WEDNESDAY

Colin Glen 163 Stewartstown Road, Dunmurry Contact: Louise 07828783491 (evening & morning)

Rathfern Community Centre 39 Knockenagh Avenue Contact: Michelle 07742875635 (evening groups)

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

McCrory Centre Duncairn Gardens Contact: Adrian 07808532291 (morning group)

Nortel Social Club (The Standard) 2a Cloughfern Ave, Newtownabbey Contact: Joanne 07742296084 (morning & evening groups)

SATURDAY St Mary’s Parish Hall Greencastle,824 Shore Road Contact: Martine 07776497093 (morning groups)

LISBURN TUESDAY Mount Zion Transformation Centre 96 Gregg Street, Lisburn Contact: Zara 07709302865 (morning & evening groups)

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY Lisburn City Elim Church 46-48 Belfast Road, Lisburn Contact: Christine 07981745742 (morning & evening groups)

THURSDAY St John’s Parish Main Street, Moira Contact: Jill 07709301686 (morning & evening groups)

THURSDAY & FRIDAY Trinity Community Centre Knockmore Road, Lisburn Contact: Christine 07981745742 (morning & evening groups)

SATURDAY Lisburn City Church Graham Gardens, Lisburn Contact: Jill 07709301686 (morning groups)

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES If you are a past or present member and would like to find out about the Consultant role, please contact Sharon on 07557029899

Local Women Magazine | 5

Welcome!

What a whirlwind this summer has been!

Maybe it’s the novelty of things just opening up, but there has just been so much to do – and everything feels fresh and new because we’ve been cooped up for so long.

with positivity that we will see the end of Covid-19 before long.

But let’s not wish the rest of the summer away.

The last spell of hot weather was just amazing. It’s been years since we had a heatwave like that, and it makes you grateful that we live in a country with I know it’s only August, but I definitely feel like so many beaches where we can enjoy the sunshine. this year is flying by – in fact this month the first Who needs Spain anyway? I hear rumours there mention of Christmas appears in Local Women! will be a second heatwave coming – fingers crossed.

This was swiftly followed by about 10 emails I hope you enjoy this month’s magazine- and that I received promoting Christmas products don’t forget, if you have a story you’d like to see … I can’t cope! in Local Women, just drop me an email editor@ And don’t even get me started on Back to School! localwomensnews.com.

It’s time to start buying the uniforms – and hope Until next month, that the schools will stay open long enough for the kids to get the wear out of them. It’s been such a rollercoaster for our children with two years of interrupted schooling but I’m looking to the future

Delilah’s smells just paw-fect!

Usually, my little French Bulldog Delilah smells far from sweet! Although she looks cute, I think all you dog lovers will know she isn’t as pretty smelling as she looks.I was delighted to receive some great products from Dogue Scents who know how to help you look after your pets. Set up by local businesswomen Racheal Greenfield, Dogue Scents has a range of great chemical free grooming products to keep your pet healthy and sweet smelling.

Congratulations Karla!

Here at Local Women, we have followed the career of Co Antrim ice-skater Karla Quinn for many years. From her early years as an international award-winning ice skater representing GB and NI to setting up her own gym in Ballymoney.

Coalisland beauty salon owner Janice Devlin let me try out some of her amazing beauty products from her very own RBF range.

RBF was created during lockdown and it’s really fabulous.

It’s a great, hardworking range of products with a little bit of sass!

Now, you’ll not see me with no makeup very often but here I am after using the products for a few weeks - check out my review inside.

Delilah now smells like pears – which is a welcome change!

So, we were delighted to see Karla picking up the award for Best PT in Northern Ireland and the Best PT in Co Antrim at the inaugural NIB-FIT Awards.

Karla works so hard and is dedicated to her clients at her gym Karla’s Physical Excellence where she has built up a wonderful community of health and wellbeing for women of all ages.

Well done. Karla!

MANAGING EDITOR: KIM KELLY editor@localwomensnews.com DESIGNER: AIDAN NELIS design@localwomensnews.com SALES: salesmid@localwomensnews.com ACCOUNTS: accounts@localwomensnews.com 6 | Local Women Magazine

Barefaced beauty with RBF

Here come the girls…

So, here they are – the 24 gorgeous contestants who will compete for the Miss NI Crown in September.

All the girls paid a visit to Rosie’s Closet in Newry to try on the amazing array of formal dresses last month. If you’ve never visited Rosie’s Closet – you simply must - It’s a dream! Just look at those frocks.

Local Women is delighted to be sponsoring the competition and it was lovely to meet so many smart and confident young women. Each and every one is a winner in their own right.

There were a couple of ladies missing on the day - but check the full 24 pictured inside the magazine this month.

SALES

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Unit 6, Springrowth House, Derry~ Londonderry, BT48 0GG

www.localwomenmagazine.com The publisher does not guarantee the accuracy of statements by contributors or advertisers, or accept responsibility for any statement that they may express in this publication. The publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of a product, service or promotional event.

‘A TASTE OF HOME’ WITH YELLAMAN HONEYCOMB VODKA LIQUEUR

Inspired by the traditional sweet treat Yellow Man From Ballycastle’s world famous Auld Lammas Fair, newly launched YellaMan Honeycomb Vodka Liqueur is a taste of the North Coast.

Local drinks company Niche Drinks have been manufacturing and exporting their range of Irish Cream Liqueurs for over 35 years and now they are trying to bring a local favourite to a wider audience.

Managing Director Ciaran Mulgrew explains: “When I was a kid, we spent a lot of time up in Ballycastle and I always loved the Auld Lamas Fair and in particular Yellow Man - the hard boiled honeycomb sweet that you find all around the North Coast.

“Over the years I always thought it would be a great flavour to put into a liqueur and that’s where the idea behind ‘YellaMan Honeycomb Vodka Liqueur’ came from – it’s a fantastic honeycomb, and burnt

caramel flavour which really comes through on the nose and on your palate.”

YellaMan has been launched locally by Drinks Inc. and Mulgrew has high SEE OUR REVIEW IN NEXT hopes for it. “When MONTH’S LOCAL people drink a vodka, the alcohol content at WOMEN 37.5% is quite high and all people really get on their palate is the alcohol burn and no flavour. YellaMan is a vodka liqueur which means it is at a lower alcohol level and that makes it easier to taste the flavours in the product, hopefully people will enjoy it.”

YellaMan – it’s honeycomb with a sting.

YellaMan Cocktails YellaMan is as mixable as you can get If you can think of a cocktail, you can YellaMan it.

For a full list of stockists check out our social media at

yellamanhoneycombliqueur @yellamanhoneycombliqueur

Local Women Magazine | 7

ON THE MOVE WITH NI PROPERTY GIRL

NI Property Girl Eimear Gourley tells Local Women how you can make a great return from investing in property – even if you donʼt want to do anything!

Last month you read about me, and my business and I told you a little bit about how I can help those wishing to make money from property.

This month I am going to go into a bit more detail and show you how I have helped recent clients make great returns from investing in property. Some of my clients have had a little bit of input into the projects, while others have had no input at all!

If you follow me on Instagram (@ni_propertygirl) you will see pictures of some of my projects and some great before and after shots of recent refurbishments. Over the years I have worked on a wide variety of projects, from small houses which needed very little work to larger properties that have needed fully re-fitted.

Some are properties that are buy-to-lets, while others were ‘flipped’ on for a profit.

No matter your level of involvement, I am with you every step of the way with my team of dedicated professionals.

This month, I will show you some of my recent and ongoing projects – named after Northern Ireland’s best places to visit. You can continue to follow the journey on Instagram or LinkedIn (eimeargourley).

CASE STUDIES: MY PROJECTS PROJECT CIRCUS This two-bed terraced property was purchased for a client who leads a very busy life. They work extremely long hours and as much as they have always wanted to get into property investing, they simply did not have the time.

I met with them and after a fairly brief meeting, we agreed on what their investment criteria would be. By that I mean, how much they had to spend and how much money they wanted in their account every month after all the bills.

8 | Local Women Magazine

This property was purchased as a buy-tolet and the client wanted between £200 and £250 a month profit after bills.

The house was in pretty bad condition, and it got the full NI Property Girl treatment with a new bathroom, all new flooring, freshly plastered and painted walls, and new kitchen cabinets. I also had the team carry out some work outside with a new shed roof, fascia board and a general tidy up.

The client was extremely happy with the finished property, as were the new tenants who actually paid more than advertised for the rent, just to make sure they got it! Happy client - happy Eimear.

PROJECT CASTLE This is my most recent ‘flip’ - and my client is actually in the construction industry.

They are so busy in their own business that their property investing aspirations were always put on the back burner. Even when they did have a look for houses, they were not able to find anything suitable that met their criteria. They contacted me on social media and after a couple of meetings, they were signed up as a client and I was on the hunt!

This property is a three-bedroom terraced house which was purchased using cash and was in poor condition. The bathroom had PVC panelling which had holes punched in it. The kitchen had cabinets hanging off the walls and the floor had broken and loose-fitting tiles. The walls do have an interest in is making money throughout had holes in them and it was without having to do anything. These in pretty poor condition. clients invest money with my business for This house most definitely got my full a fixed period and they get an agreed treatment, with the kitchen repaired, return on an annual basis. The business new taps, new modern flooring, a new uses this money to invest in property and bathroom suite, fully tiled, new carpets to produce the client’s returns. upstairs and newly plastered walls as DIRECT HOUSE SALES we were met with horrific wallpaper that The other type of customer I take on would not come off without a fight! board are those wanting to sell their I am just about to have this one house to me. I then match these people advertised for my client, and we are with my list of qualified investors. Most of definitely looking at achieving some 50% these investors will be using cash to buy above their minimum investment criteria. the properties which allows for a swift This was another very happy client! and hassle-free selling process.

OTHER SERVICES NI PROPERTY GIRL OFFERS

Their property can be bought with no viewers apart from me and no sales falling through. I have bought several HANDS OFF INVESTMENT houses this year direct from homeowners This is a service I provide for a number who also benefit from no selling fees. of my clients. Some have absolutely no I have bought houses from landlords interest in property whatsoever. What they with sitting tenants, those with inherited

property and from those that just cannot be bothered with a long, drawn-out selling process. I find this a very satisfying part of the business as I love helping people and those that have been my customers have been extremely happy and grateful for the service.

CONTACT ME I hope this has helped you all understand my business a little more and if any of the above situations seem like something you would be interested in, then please reach out. Message me on any of my social media channels, send me an email or just pick up the phone and I will be happy to help. You will be seeing me more often over the next few months, where I will be sharing hints and tips about property investing in your Local Women Magazine.

Contact me today

M: 077 838 79534 E: eimear@keegoinvestments.co.uk @ni_propertygirl

linkedin.com/in/eimeargourley Local Women Magazine | 9

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The final countdown to Miss Northern Ireland 2021

Miss NI Spread.pdf

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The 24 finalists for this year’s beauty pageant enjoyed an afternoon at Rosie’s Closet in Newry where they tried on the stunning dresses.

Pictures by Sean Donegan

FEELING CONFIDENT MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL Meet fabulous Rosie Farrell, owner of Rosie’s Closet in Newry, who is helping the Miss Northern Ireland finalists choose their dream dresses.

The Miss NI Finalists at Rosies Closet.

Abigail Parkinson, 24, Fermanagh

How long have you been involved with Miss Northern Ireland?

We are now in our third year with the fabulous competition.

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What do you enjoy most about the competition?

We love being involved in such a prestigious competition which involves beautiful and intelligent and charming girls from all over Northern Ireland. We do love all the fashion and glamour involved and we also love meeting and networking with all the other sponsors.

Tell us a little about Rosie’s Closet?

Rosie’s Closet are proud to be Ireland’s biggest dress store. We carry a huge stock of amazing dresses for every occasion which are sourced from the best designers worldwide. We are a family run business and it is great to work as a mother and two daughters team. We take great pride in making our customers feel welcome and also feel amazing in their chosen outfits at their events.

What makes the perfect evening dress?

Amy Woodall, 18, Coleraine Anna Leitch, 27, Lisburn The perfect evening dress is actually made perfect by the individual

How to En Bernadette Hagans, 25, Belfast

wearer. Every woman makes her own stamp on her chosen gown by making a statement in your outfit. If you feel confident and amazing her skin tone , hair colour and chosen hair style. Feeling confident in in your clothes, you will look effortlessly stylish. your gown makes you radiant and makes the whole ensemble perfect.

Who do you think is the most stylish woman in the world?

My formal is coming up. How do I start looking for a formal dress?

There are so many amazing and beautiful stylish woman in the world at present. I do love Amal Clooney as she always looks stunning at You must visit us with an open mind. It is good to try on loads of every event. different styles to get the shape that suits you best. You are going Who are you favourite former Miss Northern to step out of your comfort zone wearing a gown and you must feel Irelands style-wise? confident in the colour and style chosen - it is a major decision and we This is a hard question as all former Miss Northern Ireland girls have years of experience in helping the customer choose the gown that have learned so much during their reign and have gained so much suits them the best. experience in dressing for major events. They all look amazing.

Meagan Green in particular stands out as very glamorous and How would you define style?

Style is individual, it is not following latest trends. Style is about confident in her style.

Chloe Simms, 22, Enniskillen

16 | Local Women Magazine

Emily Ward, 22, Newry

Erin Riley, 22, Belfast

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Catherine Mullholland, 18, Magherafelt

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Jane McArdle, 22, Banbridge

Miss NI Spread.pdf

Poppy McAllister, 23, Crumlin

Ruth Armstrong, 24, Crumlin

Miss NI Spread.pdf

Sapphire Duffy, 26, Ballymena

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Sarah Maguire, 26, Armagh

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Chloe Spence, 26, Belfast

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MAKES YOU BEAUT Melissa McDonnell, 22, Magherafelt

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How long have you been involved wit in Newry, who is helping the Miss North Northern Ireland?

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The perfect evening dress is actually made perfe n Ireland Contest, 381 Beersbridge Road, Belfast, BT5 5DT What makes the perfect evening dress?wearer. Every woman makes her own stamp on h will then be selected for direct entry into specific heats. Photographs cannot be ConThereturned. perfect evening dress is actually made perfect by the individual her skin tone , hair colour and chosen hair style. accept that each venue run their heats differently and must accept to bide with theEvery judge's wearer. woman makes her own stamp on her chosen gown by making a statement in your outfit your gown makes you radiant and makes the who her skin tone , hair colour and chosen hair style. Feeling confident in in your clothes, you will look effor h is final.

My formal is coming up.think Howisdo sta Who do you theImos Kathryn Knox, 25,My Broughshane Laura Irvine, Stacey Burns, 22, Lisburn formalfor dress?

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Local Women Magazine | 17

PURE NATURAL BEAUTY Olivia Sherry-O’Reilly has used her passion for nature to create her own brand of 100 per cent natural skincare products Freedom Cosmetics.

Pictures by Alexandra Barfoot

ago, Olivia has big plans to expand her product range and sell her Freedom In the past 18 months health and wellbeing Cosmetics brand across the globe. has never been so important – so, when Olivia Sherry-O’Reilly decided to create her Oliva talks to Local Women about own skincare products, she knew that she launching a business in lockdown and her plans for expansion. wanted them to be completely natural.

As a nature lover and a keen TELL US HOW YOU CAME TO environmentalist, she wanted to harness STARTYOUR BUSINESS? the goodness found in plants and After I attended a StevieJ retreat in essential oils and incorporate them into February 2020 I wanted to follow my her products that would make people long-term passion of producing natural not only look good but feel good too. skin care. Covid lockdown last March It had been Olivia’s dream to start her gave me the time and focus to start my own brand for many years, but last year’s research, which I fully enjoyed. I decided lockdown gave her the push she needed during this time I wanted to produce and sell my 100% natural skin care. to make her dreams a reality.

It gave her time to focus on what she wanted to achieve and research the natural ingredients that she wanted to use in her products - and so during the long months of lockdown Freedom Cosmetics was launched.

With no additives, chemical or colourings, Freedom Cosmetics offers a range of 100 per cent natural skincare.

As well as being kind to your skin, Olivia, 48, from Ballymartin made sure that Freedom Cosmetics is kind to the environment – she runs a plastic free business with all her products contained in either biodegradable or recyclable packaging.

Although she only started trading a year

WHAT IS THE CONCEPT BEHIND YOUR BUSINESS? Freedom Cosmetics was started to give people the option to use 100% natural skin care which had no chemicals, additives, alcohol, artificial scents, or colourings.

Products that would keep your skin in a more natural state, as it is the first line of defence against the environment.

It was designed to be completely natural. I am very passionate about the environment and one of the most important concepts about my business is that I wanted it to be plastic free - so all our products are in either bio-degradable or recyclable containers. There is no plastic in sight.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU FROM INITIAL IDEA FOR YOUR BUSINESS TO ACTUALLY TRADING? It was approximately nine months from the initial concept to the selling of our products. All cosmetics and skin care need to be Cosmetic Product Safety 20 | Local Women Magazine

Assessed prior to selling which takes a while to achieve. We achieved this with a lot of research and development.

WHAT IS YOUR WORK BACKGROUND? I am a nurse by trade, I worked earlier in my nursing carer with dementia clients, I then moved to district nursing, and I decided this year to leave nursing to pursue my passion as a business owner.

HOW DID YOU COPE WITH LOCKDOWN - DID IT AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS? I really enjoyed lockdown, I found I had a lot of time to spend with my family and enjoy the peace and quiet from a busy life to a more balanced one. My business was launched through lockdown and one of the main problems was getting the word out about our 100 per cent natural skin care to the people who understand the importance of caring for their skin and the power behind nature’s natural oils.

CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH YOUR PRODUCT RANGE? We have a large range of items including our moisturising balm bars. These are in bar format instead of liquid and they were designed for different skin types, so we have Gaia (sensitive skin), Oracle (mature skin), Olympian (problematic and combination skin), Oasis (dry skin), Phoenix (rejuvenation), Stardust (relaxation). We also have a range of vegan moisturising balm bars, Airmid (sensitive skin balm) body butter, lip balms, natural deodorant, natural soap, shaving giftsets and moisturising giftsets.

WHAT INSPIRED THE SCENTS? The scents were inspired by nature. We use essential oils to achieve the scents.

Some scents like The Spa were inspired by the scents of the spa and conjure up the vision of relaxation and pampering.

DO YOU MANUFACTURE YOUR OWN PRODUCTS? All our products are artisan made and require a hands-on approach. They are produced in our workshop in the Mournes.

DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO EXPAND YOUR RANGE?

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Use discount code ‘LocalWomen’ at the checkout for an exclusive 50% off your first order.

Order now at www.freedomcosmetics.co.uk day is completely different, I schedule a own workshop to design and make biolot into my diary to ensure all relevant jobs degradable packaging. are finished. During my day I may also WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE spend time in the workshop supervising, making our products, labelling, and TO A FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR packaging. In the evening all orders are STARTING OUT? packaged and posted.

You need to love your business idea and you need to have the passion to fall in WHAT DO YOU MOST LOVE ABOUT love with the idea. During business you YOUR JOB? will have ups and downs, but that passion I love the designing of the products - and love will allow you to continue this is my happy place. I love to see my through it all. ideas come to life. I also find making our products is very calming and therapeutic. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING DURING

WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE Our range is always expanding. We will FUTURE OF THE BUSINESS?

YOUR TIME OFF?

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY?

When I have time off, I love to spend it in nature. I am very lucky to live beside the At present we are expanding into having Mourne Mountains as well as the beach ambassadors to spread the word of our so you will find me in one of these places amazing products. We are very much with my family. aware that when someone becomes an ambassador, they become a part of the IS THERE ANYONE WHO HAS Freedom family and we personally train SUPPORTED YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY all our ambassadors and support them.

TO BECOMING A BUSINESS OWNER?

When I get up in the morning, I turn on all the equipment in the workshop for our staff. I then leave my son to school, on returning I will start check up on the staff to see if they need anything. This can take me up to lunch. I then will get to spend time on new projects and research. Every

We will be expanding into a larger workshop next year and grow our business as our customers keep coming back. We hope to extend into the EU and American markets within the next few years. We also have plans to explore the hemp plastic route and have our

be launching natural beard oils, vegan lip balms, shampoo bars, and the exclusive Olivia X range of skin care as well as a natural sunscreen. Next year we intend to launch 100% natural and plastic free lipsticks and eyeshadows.

My husband Seamus has been an integral part of the business. He works full time supporting and expanding the business. Both Seamus and I have been fortunate to have been and continue to be mentored by Steviej - he has been supportive in all aspects of the business.

You can buy Freedom Cosmetics at

www.freedomcosmetics.co.uk freedomcosmeticsni

freedomcosmeticsni

Local Women Magazine | 21

MEET THE DIABETIC DUO

Banbridge best friends Beth McDaniel and Ellen Watson are entertaining and educating people about diabetes through their TikTok account.

Beth McDaniel and Ellen Watson didn’t expect to take off on TikTok as the Diabetic Duo - but their efforts to educate and entertain have given them a following of over 22,000 people.

Beth McDaniel and Ellen Watson

The two women, both 21 from Banbridge, who have been best friends for over four years now, made a TikTok video in 2019 where their Dexcom G6s, a machine that measures their blood glucose levels, were visible.

The video went viral, with many people praising Beth and Ellen for their confidence and openness around their diagnoses, and the TikTok page @diabeticduo soon became popular.

The two women, who both have Type 1 diabetes, talk about meeting each other, getting diagnosed, and taking off on TikTok, even saying some things at the same time, as they’re so in sync!

Ellen was diagnosed with diabetes at just age 7, and at age 17 she met Beth, and they soon became best friends.

“We’re best friends!” They both say at the same time, and Beth then takes over to tell the rest of the story.

“We met four years ago and became besties because

we’re so similar. Everybody always thought we were sisters.”

The girls had been best friends for two years when Beth was also diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, but it only brought them closer than before.

“We had joked around and called ourselves the Iconic Duo, just for craic, and then when I got diagnosed nearly two years ago, Ellen said, ‘We can be the Diabetic Duo now.’

“We created the Diabetic Duo TikTok account to make funny, relatable TikToks all about living with Type 1 diabetes as a young girl.

“When we made our first TikTok it was fairly new, and anyone who used it was a lot younger. Before a night out we had said to our friends, ‘Let’s make a funny TikTok.’ “They all said they didn’t want to be in it, which was understandable, but Beth and I filmed it anyway. It was a transformation video where we were just dancing around.

“But you could see our Dexcoms in the video, and all of a sudden the video blew up.

“It was just a wee comforting comment, but little did we know it would turn into something so huge.”

“Loads of other diabetics were saying they wore one too but couldn’t believe we were confident enough to wear it on a night out.

Ellen explains how their friendship turned into a TikTok page with thousands of followers.

“There were loads of other people who knew nothing about diabetes and were asking questions about what we were wearing. It opened up so many conversations.”

“We decided to try and make light of it and turn a serious situation into something more positive.

The Dexcom G6 is a device diabetics can wear on their stomachs or arms, which continually measure and monitor their blood glucose levels.

Beth McDaniel and Ellen Watson

They can be worn for 10 days before needing changed, a difference from the days of never-ending needles many diabetics had known before.

The blood sugar levels are then sent to an app on your phone, which can alert the wearer if they need to treat themselves.

Beth and Ellen continued to proudly wear their Dexcoms in almost every photo and video on their TikTok and other social media platforms, such as their Instagram, @ the_diabetic_duo.

“We didn’t know there was such a big online diabetic community, so we thought we would keep going with it and keep making videos that people were enjoying.”

Beth adds that they aim to raise awareness around diabetes, as well as raise the spirits of those who struggle with it.

“From that point onwards, whenever we saw that one video was helping so many people, we thought it would be silly not to continue.

“We don’t make them too serious. We try to make light of situations that happen to all diabetics and put a funny spin on it.”

Ellen says that many of their supporters have shared their own stories or reached out to the duo to say they have got a lot from their TikTok page. diabetes, and a lot of people don’t know the symptoms,” says Ellen.

“Our followers will say they really enjoy some videos, or ask for videos about certain things, or even just say they really related to videos about situations they found themselves in, too.

The two talk about the ‘Four Ts’, which are major symptoms of diabetes: Thirst, becoming very thirsty; Toilet, needing to go often; Thin, becoming very thin; and Tired, becoming very tired.

“That really keeps us going, but we also have so much fun making the videos. It’s a way for us to vent about how we’re feeling about our diabetes on that day, too.”

When Ellen forgets the last one, Beth jumps in to help her out, showing how these two really do work well as a duo.

Beth shares why she thinks their TikTok account became so popular: “I think it’s a combination of things.

Ellen then continues: “We do a lot of work with campaigns. We work with Dexcom, who had a campaign for Diabetes Week which was recently, using the hashtag #DexcomDiabetesStories.

“It’s very relatable, and light-hearted.

You want to go onto TikTok to have a relief from the seriousness of real life and the challenges of diabetes you go through.”

The duo, who are both students at Ulster University, and currently undertaking internships, say they sometimes struggle to have a little laugh.” keep up with all the messages they are sent. While the Diabetic Duo TikTok page is all “We get so many messages from people about letting those with diabetes have a saying we’re really helping them, or just laugh when they need it most, the content asking for advice, or if they’ve had a really creators are serious about spreading information on their platform. bad day and just want to vent.

“I think that shows that we’re starting to become recognised in the community as people who you can reach out to for support or inspiration, or just for a bit of relief and to

“It is to entertain, to educate, to support and to raise awareness. We’re all about raising awareness. Even simple things, like a lot of people don’t realise there’s different types of

“That was a really good campaign, encouraging people to share their stories.

We also worked with Diabetes UK and took part in their campaign to paint your nails blue for World Diabetes Day “We like to take any chance we can get to raise awareness of what life is like for a diabetic.”

When talking about their plans for the future of their TikTok page, the two women again speak in sync: “I think we’re just going with the flow,” with Beth following up with, “Jinx!”

Local Women Magazine | 23

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“WE REALLY CAN CHANGE LIVES” The stakes don’t come any higher for Fermanagh’s Charlene Mullan whose work with Action for Children can make the difference between life and death for young people there.

By Mandi Millar ‘I just can’t believe this is my life now!’ beamed the young woman as she stood on the cusp of a bright new future.

In her 19 years Kelly (not her real name) had been shunted from pillar to post as she chased her childhood through the care system.

By the time she reached Action for Children’s local Supported Living Accommodation she had lost all faith in the process.

“Initially we struggled to engage with Kelly, so I sat down and asked her why,” says Charlene Mullan, participation worker in Action for Children’s Sperrin and Lakeland Floating Support Service.

“She rhymed off the litany of placements she’d experienced in her short life. I asked her to just give us a chance for a couple of weeks and thankfully she agreed.”

At Action for Children they do things differently – with them it’s personal.

“Kelly enjoyed baking and knitting so along with staff she agreed to do those activities with us every week,” explains Charlene.

“She was also sitting her essential skills qualification for a third time but had a real negative mindset with no confidence she’d succeed. I told her she could and what that would look like – we’d work towards it together.

“A couple of months later she not only got her essential skills but her driving test too and has become 26 | Local Women Magazine

such a positive young woman. The change in her has been amazing. “‘I can’t believe this is my life now, ’she told us,” says Charlene, who only has to think about young Kelly’s story to know she too has found her calling.

“Growing up my mother was always involved in the community. Our estate at Carrowshee Park had some issues, like most places, and the Carrosyl Community group was always working to address these and make life better,” recalls Charlene, who sat on Fermanagh’s Youth Council before becoming a youth leader in her community.

A youth work apprenticeship with Youth Action NI followed and from that a youth work degree course at Ulster University.

Following graduation Charlene worked with the Education Authority but her heart was in the voluntary sector where she felt she’d have more opportunities addressing individual needs.

Now she works between Action for Children’s Floating Support Service and its Support Living Accommodation, supporting 16 to 24-year-olds with activities tailored largely by the young people themselves.

“We usually have about 60 young people engaged in services as well as the young people in the 13-bed accommodation site which is almost always at capacity,” says Charlene.

“They can self-refer or be referred from a social worker or the Housing Executive so we’re working with homeless young people, those at risk of homelessness and those coming out of care.

“They struggle about where and how to fit in. They’re stuck on social media, not getting involved with activities because they don’t have the confidence. Basic resilience skills aren’t there or are weakened.

“That sense of community was there for me when I was growing up but these young people lack good solid foundation friendships and think people on social media or people they party with are friends but when they need them they’re not there,” continues Charlene who is also frustrated by the lack of funding for both the statutory and voluntary sectors.

“Other supports, such as mental health, stuck in a cycle of drugs and alcohol,” have a year-long waiting list. Is it any “They’re all coming from differing admits Charlene who addresses those wonder young people lose faith?” stages in life and some have suffered issues through a range of programmes, says Charlene, who knows a timely complex trauma - we’re especially including mental health, self care, intervention can be the difference seeing the impact of child sexual cookery, and life skills. between life and death. exploitation,” says Charlene, though she agrees mental health is an over- “Basic things like budgeting, meal “If they feel they’ve been let down planning, cooking from fresh and simple they don’t always engage with arching issue. self-care remedies like just going for a statutory services yet are more likely “That can originate from a range of walk or mindfulness. We’ve a drawerto engage with voluntary sector grasssources – LGBTQ identity, for instance, full of face masks and hot chocolate roots services. We need more joined up where young people feel it’s more sachets here so young people can just thinking,” says Charlene, who’s driven difficult to be different in a small rural sit back and decompress for 10 minutes by her commitment to the young area where everyone knows everyone while they figure out what’s going on in people she works with. compared to a town – we lose so many their heads! of our young people to Belfast because “When I see the suicide rates here it just “The Wednesday cookery sessions are breaks me. But the right support at the of that. a favourite though. They just love the right time can make all the difference.

“We have intergenerational mental smell of home cooking wafting through health issues and young people selfthe place – it’s a real home comfort,” “Of course, there are tough times but medicating with alcohol or drugs and says Charlene, who believes many of if I ever doubt we are making that that leads to a vicious downward spiral. the issues stem from the lack of a sense difference, I only have to think about Kelly “We have young people who then get of community. to know we really can change lives.”

Contact our friendly fostering team today on 028 9046 0500 or email fostercareni@actionforchildren.org.uk

www.actionforchildren.org.uk/fostering

@AFCNIFostercare Local Women Magazine | 27

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BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AT MIMI BY THE SEA

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the gorgeous craft and homeware store in Newcastle, there’s an exclusive discount of 15 per cent on website purchases with code MIMI15.

Nestled by the Harbour at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in Newcastle, Co Down, you’ll find a treasure trove of art, craft, gift and home items at Mimi by the Sea: Gift - Home – Dream.

The store has now been trading for one year and to celebrate this landmark, Mimi by the Sea is running a monthlong website promotion for their loyal customers, supporters and those who have yet to discover their treasures.

Use code MIMI15 to get a 15% discount on your website purchases at www.mimibythesea.com for delivery.

Alternatively, you can use your discount code with the click and collect option at the online checkout and pick up your purchases instore. It

is now easier to shop for your favourite local crafts, homewares and gift items since the store opened its doors an extra day, on Mondays from 10am to 5pm – so, pay a visit and treat yourself to some treasures.

Customer favourites include: •

Annie Sloan Capri Pink

•

Mist and Moss Candles

•

Figment Ceramics

•

Wanderwall prints

•

Simply Mourne

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Boru Jewellery

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Buttonbyrd

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Brooke & Shoals (available in store only)

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OPENING HOURS: Monday: 10am - 5pm Tuesday: Closed Wednesday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm Sunday: 11.30am - 4.30pm Local Women Magazine | 29

FIGHTING FOR FINN’S RIGHTS A Downpatrick mum is turning the fight for her autistic son’s human rights into a career – and helping hundreds of families in the process.

By Mandi Millar “Mmmmm...” thought the health visitor at the 18-month assessment of little Finn Watt, “I’m not 100% happy.”

It was a short pause, but Finn’s mum Orla Watt could never have guessed what it would start – a journey which has almost cost her son his life and taken a tragic toll on his mental health.

Already then mum to Suzie (17) the registered children’s nurse from Downpatrick hadn’t noticed much amiss with her baby.

“Finn, who’s now 15, was so easy going as a baby, always ready to engage with us,” recalls Orla, now mum to 13-year-old Jude too.

“But thankfully my health visitor spotted something.”

And she was right for before he was three Finn was diagnosed with autism.

Orla assumed the system would swing into action with support. She was wrong. Instead, she’s been fighting constantly simply to secure Finn the support which is his – by right.

but it’s ‘distress behaviour’ because it’s the “His rights are enshrined in the UN Convention only way the child can tell you they’re in on the Rights of the Child, but like most parents distress. Once you know that you can better I’d no idea how to secure them,” says Orla. manage the situation but that wasn’t – and Finn’s early diagnosis though meant he had isn’t – happening.” a ‘statement’ in place for starting school – a Only when Finn refused to go to school did he statutory plan of the support he would need for see an educational psychologist, and only then the education he was lawfully entitled to. because Orla had contacted the Children’s “P1 and P2 were fine as he had 10 hours weekly Commissioner and made Finn’s plight a human of speech and language support. Then that rights issue. stopped,” recalls Orla.

“Thanks to them I discovered how to communicate with my son. By then the damage was done and Finn was diagnosed with chronic anxiety, something he still lives with,” says Orla who, as a lone parent with three children and no job, faced crisis.

“You get tired, but you don’t have the luxury of crawling into a corner. I knew still had to feed my kids, so I had to make my own job. Survival mode kicks in.”

As a result, he moved to another school but by That’s when the seed of Parent Action NI germinated.

“Expecting a child with autism to thrive in a now Orla had been forced to quit work. class without support is like placing an English Ultimately, he ended up in a school for children “I’d gained a lot of experience both as a nurse speaking child in a foreign school. For a child with severe learning disabilities. with 25 years’ experience working with children with autism the world is just as alien.

“But Finn doesn’t have a severe learning with disabilities and fighting my own way “Finn became increasingly anxious. I was being disability, so his anxiety levels went through through the system, so I thought I could maybe phoned daily to take him out and with no-one the roof and his mental health deteriorated,” put this to use for other parents,” says Orla. to look after Finn it was increasingly hard to continues his mum.

“Parent Action NI has been my salvation. juggle work.

“He was lashing out more and I had to hold Suddenly I didn’t feel like I was the only person “The situation only deteriorated and by the him down at times to protect him from himself.” going through this,” she says. end of P3 Finn was throwing chairs round the One ray of hope though was help Orla “Many others were in similar situations, forced class. Without support he just couldn’t cope. received from the Middleton Centre for Autism to abandon careers to become parent carers “The system labels it ‘challenging behaviour’ in Armagh. because the system wasn’t giving their children 30 | Local Women Magazine

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Orla Watt

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That’s where Parent Action steps in. It supports parent carers to advocate for their child’s rights to public services.

“People often didn’t realise the challenges facing children like ours trying to access public services until Covid highlighted the fact that children with disabilities, for instance, were often denied their human right to attend school as well as being denied access to vital healthcare,” says Orla, who had her own battle during the lockdown.

“Finn suffered extreme anxiety, becoming increasingly anxious, threatening suicide. He’s a big boy and difficult to control.

“His progress regressed to P6 level and though he’s doing better now all that hard work was almost lost,” continues Orla who as CEO runs Parent Action NI as a social enterprise with a view to protecting children’s human rights and creating jobs for parents forced to give up their careers.

“The idea is that the organisation will provide advocacy services and advocacy training for parent carers and public bodies like Health Trusts and the Education Authority.”

Once qualified to deliver this training the parent carers will then also have a new career.

The result is that Orla’s creatively entrepreneurial solution to her personal crisis will help hundreds of other families too.

“When my health visitor started all this 15 years ago, she could never have imagined what lay ahead for us. Today Parent Action NI is helping empower carers to secure their children’s human rights.

“What’s more it’s working for, strangely enough, when you start shouting about human rights you generally don’t have to shout too long!” * For more information visit Parent Action NI’s Facebook; @parentactionni, www.parentactionni.com

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SOSOYCANDLES Local Women Magazine | 31

DON’T MISS SUPERCAR SUNDAY

The largest car event of its kind will take place at Bishop’s Court Racing Circuit in aid of the NI Hospice and NI Air Ambulance.

Ronan Cunningham, from Portstewart, is putting on the perfect event for all car lovers – as well as those in need of a fun, family day out. It’s Supercar Sunday - and it’s all for a good cause!

Ronan himself has an interest in cars, and owns his own supercar, which is how this event came about, and with so much for fans of cars, and something for all the family, it isn’t one to be missed.

He shares what exactly the event will bring, what record it is breaking, and what to look forward to before it even begins - as well as whatever else you need to know about Supercar Sunday.

“NI Supercar Sunday will raise funds for the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance and the Northern Ireland Hospice.

“We are bringing hundreds of supercars to Bishop’s Court Racing Circuit in Downpatrick, along with lots of other car clubs from all over Ireland. supercar of your choice”.

“It’s going to be a massive car festival. There That’s not all, though, because after watching will be everything from vintage cars to the very the fast cars, the whole family can enjoy some latest supercars.” food and fun.

This kind of car show isn’t something you see every day. In fact, the event is even record-breaking.

Ronan explains: “It will be the largest gathering of cars that has ever taken place in Ireland.”

While there will be lots of cars to see, there will also be ways to take part in the event, too.

“The supercars will be going around the circuit and, for an extra donation to the charity, you can pay to be taken around the circuit in a

before it, to give people a taster, we’re getting 70 of the supercars to do a convoy all around the North Coast the day before.”

So, if you like what you see on the Saturday, make sure you get going on the Sunday! You “We’re trying to make it a fun day out for anyone don’t need to book a ticket, simply pay upon who’s interested in cars in any way, and there arrival, and all money raised is being donated are also other things there too. to charity, so it’s for a good cause, as well as a There will also be live music, catering, ice good day out. cream, trade stands, and that sort of thing. It’s Ronan explains his reasons for choosing the really a family day out.” charities which the funds from the car show If you’re still not sure that the car show would will go to. be a perfect summer day out, you can get a “The air ambulance saved the life of a friend preview of what’s in store on the Saturday. of mine a couple of years ago. And one of “The event takes place on the Sunday, but my friends lost his wife while she was young, and the hospice looked after her at the end of her life.

“Everybody who comes to the event helps to save somebody’s life or look after somebody’s life. It’s all about trying to raise as much money as we can for the charities.”

So, if you want to give to charity, love cars, or just like the thought of a fun day in the sun, Supercar Sunday is for you and your family.

A fun-filled day for just £10 per person, get yourself down to Downpatrick for Supercar Sunday on 15th August, and don’t forget to check the Facebook page, Air Ambulance NI & NI Hospice Supercar Sunday, or look along the coast on Saturday 14th for a sneak peek.

32 | Local Women Magazine

Meet the Belfast woman who has set up an academy ‘She Built It NI’ to offer training and specialist advice to women who want to develop careers in the construction industry.

Sinead Molloy is passionate about helping women start careers in the construction industry.

attainable training courses for all age groups and abilities. Through my own experience and achievements, I have developed secure networks enabling me to provide a variety of placements with no limitations on progression.

The Belfast woman, who comes from a family who were all involved in construction, began her own career in Australia where she completed three months of regional working, leading her to stay in the industry and work on many major civil and commercial government projects.

WHAT TRAINING DO YOU HAVE?

Sinead, 33, found the work so rewarding that on her return to Northern Ireland she set up her own business She Built It NI which offers training and advice to women considering a career in construction.

WHAT KIND OF SKILLS DO YOU NEED TO WORK IN YOUR INDUSTRY?

The training academy offers specialist qualifications and opportunities to women who want to work in construction.

Sinead tells Local Women about her rewarding career in construction and her aim to get more women into the industry within the next three years.

TELL US HOW YOU CAME TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

I have always been very enthusiastic about joining the construction industry, so while travelling in Australia, I jumped at the chance to start my career. My journey started in Darwin where I completed three months of regional working, in order to extend my visa for a second year. My

Over five heavy plant machinery operations licenses, three high risk licenses and traffic management, road safety licences.

first role was in traffic management, this involved preparing safe work environments on roads for civil work to be carried out. I remained in this role for several years and this enabled me to develop my skills.

My new skillset and experience brought me new commercial opportunities in Sydney.

I progressed my training further and I became a qualified banks person. My main duty was to direct high rise crane operators carrying out lifting operations. In my final position in Sydney, I was employed in the largest underground tunnel project in the Southern Hemisphere.

But, when I returned home to Belfast, I noticed the poor representation of woman in construction, so I decided to use my experience and influence to change this. I have 10 years’ experience overcoming the obstacles often faced by women in this male dominated industry.

This is what passionately drives me to change this.

The skills you need are a positive mind set and attitude to learn, but I also think that goes across all industries.

WHAT DO YOU MOST LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

Every day is different, and I love working outdoors. My advice for any woman considering construction as a possible career path, is just to go for it. When I was younger no one talked to me about the possibility of a career in construction, but now I could not imagine working in any other industry. The sense of accomplishment you feel when a project is complete. It is cool to see something that the team worked hard on. It makes you proud to know you are a part of creating something that people use and everyone sees, as well as improving the infrastructure in our city and across communities.

WHAT IS THE CONCEPT BEHIND YOUR BUSINESS?

The main features of my idea are to inspire and promote women in construction. My main aim is to create opportunities and employment through

WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE BUSINESS?

Within three years I would like to see the percentage of women in construction increase alongside my business. Employing full time tutors and having my own training premises with plant and equipment to be able to cater for the demanding trades and trends within the construction industry.

37 Manor House | Lisburn | BT28 1ES | T: 078 4370 8111 | E: sinead@shebuiltitni.com

www.shebuiltitni.com

@shebuiltitni

she_built_it_ni Local Women Magazine | 33

'TRANSITIONS'

BY ARLENE MARKS

Talented Craigavon artist Arlene Marks is showing a selection of her paintings at an exhibition which demonstrates the evolution of her work.

Having lived through a year of incredible change, it is perhaps more than fitting that local artist Arlene Marks has chosen to name her latest exhibition 'Transitions.'

Transition has been a theme for many of us in the past year, as we try and navigate our way through a new normal in an increasingly unfamiliar world.

And in this period Arlene has seen her paintings change from representational to more abstract in nature.

The Craigavon artist is showcasing her work at Hill of The O'Neill & Ranfurly House, Dungannon during the month of August in an exhibition that will surely resonate with many.

'Transitions' shows how Arlene's work has changed in style over the past year and she says her body of work can now be divided neatly into two styles representational and abstract.

The exhibition's representational paintings are based on photographs of local places. Craigavon-based Arlene, who studied for a degree in Visual Communications at Ulster University, specialising in Illustration, chose places with special meaning to her. Meanwhile the abstract side to her work, she says, shows an evolution in her style as a painter.

Arlene says: "My representational paintings show places such as Belfast City Hall at Christmas. Hillsborough Castle, my hometown of Enniskillen where I grew up, and the farming and lakes there. There is also Brownlow House in Lurgan - a gorgeous building that is four miles from my house.

"By 2021 my artwork had evolved, and I am now painting abstract pieces. These abstract paintings allow me to focus in the moment without having a planned outcome of how it should look. It is very intuitive. There is a strong emphasis on repetition of circles. It is very calming to paint, overlapping, the balance of tones and hues. A composition that is flowing like a dream."

Arlene Marks' exhibition 'Transitions' runs during August from Tuesday 3rd to Monday 30th at Hill of The O'Neill & Ranfurly House, Dungannon. Five of Arlene's abstract paintings can also be seen at the Yard Gallery in Holywood.

34 | Local Women Magazine

"You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy Art. That’s kind of the same thing".

"These paintings lit me up from inside, I want the viewer to feel that too".

"Art can tell the story of who you are".

www.arlenemarks.com Local Women Magazine | 35

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Local Women Magazine | 37

Creating scents and making memories

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OFFERING CARE AND SUPPORT AT HOME

For patients needing care in their own homes, Mandy Lacey from T-GEM Healthcare offers a lifeline. The Co Down woman tells Local Women about the assistance T-GEM’s carers provide to elderly, vulnerable and seriously ill clients.

Going the extra mile to help people get the support and care they need is something Mandy Lacey aims to do every day at work.

As Director of Nursing at T-GEM Healthcare in Dundrum near Newcastle, Mandy works tirelessly to make sure her vulnerable, elderly or seriously ill clients are looked after.

T-GEM provides carers who offer the support clients need in their homes. Their expertise means that people can stay living at home, even when they feared they would have to move into residential care.

Lots of different levels of support are offered – carers can provide help with getting up in the morning, taking medications, making meals, companionship, accompanying clients to activities and light housekeeping, right through to help going to bed and staying overnight.

Mandy’s years of experience of working in nursing homes makes her the perfect person to help her clients find a care package to suit them. She understands that some clients are very worried about going into residential care and want to remain in the homes they love with their families. However, they often have reservations about ‘strangers’ coming into their homes, so Mandy works with families to make sure any worries are addressed, and the client has all his or her needs met.

She explains: “I set up the business to making sure people receive the care they need and are happy with that care – that’s what is important.”

WHAT IS THE CONCEPT BEHIND YOUR BUSINESS? I worked in nursing homes for many years 40 | Local Women Magazine

BEST DOMICILIARY CARE PROVIDER NORTHERN IRELAND 2021 and a lot of residents would come into the homes saying: “I don’t want to be here. I would rather be at home.” A lot of residents would also go into the homes for rehab, following surgery for example, for four to six weeks - but they would end up staying longer because there was no community care available. There are also a lot of vulnerable adults in hospitals that can’t get home because there’s no community care available. That is why I decided to set up the business. A majority of care packages are Trust funded, so if somebody needs care and support, one of the local trusts will try and source a care package. Clients are assessed by their social workers to establish what care they need and then they try to source the care. What a lot of

people don’t know is that there is way of sourcing their own care, putting them in charge of their care. ‘Direct Payments’ are a payment made to people so they can buy their own care, either by sourcing their own carers or by using care providers like us. People think that paying for their own care is going to cost a lot of money but by using direct payments, care can cost from as little as £5 per hour.

WHERE DID THE NAME OF YOUR BUSINESS COME FROM? People often ask me how I came up with the company name T-GEM. I have three children called Tedghan, Grace and Eva and I’m Mandy. My husband is called Kevin and he regularly asks where he fits into things!

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER? We provide four main services:• Home care • Temporary and permanent recruitment in the healthcare sector • Healthcare training • Umbrella body for Access NI

HOW MANY STAFF DO YOU HAVE? We currently have just over 80 staff working throughout the South Down and Belfast areas but if a client contacts us from out of this area, we help them source carers in their area.

We also work with nursing and residential homes and GP practices providing permanent and temporary staff, from nurses and care workers to managers, office staff and housekeeping staff. We also provide a phlebotomy service to GP practices.

We provide training in over 25 health related topics from manual handling, first aid, safeguarding and record keeping. All our trainers are experienced, and all training is accredited.

WHAT IS YOUR WORK BACKGROUND?

of my job is ensuring quality control. Obviously, we are heavily regulated and need to make sure that we are maintaining standards, so I do a lot of auditing. I help the manager sort out any rota issues. I attend a lot of meetings.

I coordinate job advertising, recruitment, and staff retention. I compile payroll reports and invoice reports for the accounts department to process. And in between, I try to get out regularly to see our clients.

On the other side of that is our staff. We have spent the last 12 months building our team, and we now have a fantastic team. Most of them have worked with us throughout the pandemic, worked tirelessly, picked up shifts, and have gone above and beyond - and we appreciate each and every one of them.

I started as a carer and then did a BTEC in Health and Social Care before going on to qualify as a registered nurse. I’ve worked in the community, I’ve worked in palliative care, nursing homes and various wards in hospitals. I have qualifications in wound care, leg ulcers, management and WHAT DO YOU MOST LOVE leadership, end of life care, diabetes, and ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love knowing that I’m helping somebody dementia care, to name just a few. stay living in their own home. We regularly HOW DID YOU COPE WITH get cards and ‘thank yous’ from families LOCKDOWN? saying how grateful they are that we were During lockdown we were very lucky to have able to help their loved ones stay at home. been able to carry on working throughout We recently had a client who was in a hospice and we saw a huge growth in the business. and was desperate to spend his last weeks in Obviously, this hasn’t been without its the home he had lived in nearly all of his life. challenges. We have high standards and trying We liaised with his family, the hospice, the to recruit staff who can meet our standards GPs, and district nurses - one of our carers has been difficult at times. Community care moved in with him and we were able to get isn’t an easy job, and it takes a special kind of him home. He passed away peacefully in his person to be able to do it - you’re either cut own bed 10 days after getting home. out for it, or you aren’t.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY?

WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE BUSINESS?

A typical day for me is arriving at the office at 9am and having a brief meeting with the management team to go over any issues overnight or anything that needs done that day. I then go through emails, answer phone calls, and do general admin duties. A big part

I’m always thinking of ways to expand. I’ve always got my ear to the ground to see what is needed out there. At the moment I’m looking into setting up a day centre for the learning disabled and clients who are over 65. There seems to be a huge need for this

service in the Co Down area. We are so rural, and people can feel isolated and lonely. I’d love to be able to set up this service and provide stimulating activities and go on outings. I’m also looking at setting up a home care branch in the Republic of Ireland which is quite exciting as well. I’d love to eventually have a residential home. Watch this space.

ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE BUSINESS? We are always on the lookout for staff. It’s not that we have a high turnover of staff, it’s that there is such a huge need for our services. We are living in an aging society and things are only going to get worse. The number of people developing dementia is very worrying and they will all need some sort of care and support.

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED TO WORK IN YOUR INDUSTRY? The best carers are those who are genuinely caring and have empathy. You don’t need to have experience - you just need to care and want to be able to help people in your local community.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING DURING YOUR TIME OFF? Time off? Honestly, I very rarely switch off. I don’t achieve a good work life balance. My poor kids wonder who I am sometimes!

Email info@tgemhc.com Telephone 028 4372 4377

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.TGEMHC.COM Local Women Magazine | 41

A gin cabinet is just the tonic!

At The Hidden Treasure Trove in Banbridge, Tracey upcycles and re-imagines old pieces of quality furniture to create gorgeous, bespoke, vintage pieces.

With more emphasis than ever on sustainability, there is a trend for looking past mass-produced furniture when we furnish our homes.

In the past year in particular as we have spent more time at home and had a little bit more time on our hands, we have started to look at ways of re-inventing pieces of our outdated furniture.

And with previously owned, quality furniture out-lasting anything that is built these days, more and more consumers are choosing to buy restored or upcycled furniture.

The Hidden Treasure Trove is the ideal choice for the eco-conscious shopper – it is a marketplace of quality furniture that’s not only kinder to the planet, but each piece of furniture is a unique one-off design.

At her studio in Banbridge, Tracey works on the vintage pieces – she has an eye for colour and design and a passion for one-off styling and interiors.

welcome back visitors to their homes.

This summer, Tracey has been working on a

And she has seen a massive trend for gin bars, both for inside and outside use. A gin cabinet really can be the tonic for your home and creates a focal point for entertaining where you can have lots of fun with your very own gin bar and make those summer cocktails.

number of special commissions as people

She says: “I’ve been honoured to work on some fabulous summer commissions for customers with this gorgeous weather and with the return of having guests in our homes, it’s no surprise that gin cabinets have taken off.

“I find the customer is getting braver and bolder with their choice of colour. I have been busy creating many designs including Art Deco tropical vibes and colour clashes using various techniques and skills.

“We are one of the largest stockists of Frenchic paint and the demand for this paint has taken us by storm. There are a range of stunning colours to choose from and we have seen a huge demand for Dusky Blush, Wise Old Sage, Hornblower, Plum Pudding and Victory Lane, the only limit is your imagination”.

42 | Local Women Magazine

Art work from Mary Doran

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Rosemary Connolly Solicitors Employment | Family and Child Law | House Purchases and Sales | Accident Claims | Wills

GUIDING YOU THROUGH EVERY STEP OF THE LEGAL PROCESS

COVID-19 VACCINATION IN THE WORKPLACE Rosemary Connolly LL.B. L.L.M. rosemaryconnolly@solicitorsni.net Leanne McKeown LL.B., Solicitor leannemckeown@solicitorsni.net

We consider this controversial topic which has been at the forefront of many discussions over the past number of weeks.

Employers have a legal obligation under the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 to make the workplace safe and eliminate or control risks to the health of their employees; this duty gives employers justification for encouraging employees to be vaccinated to not only protect themselves but everyone else in the workplace. However, ultimately, it is a personal choice for

individual employees as to whether or not they wish to take the vaccine.

Employers would be advised to exercise caution when encouraging employees to be vaccinated as they can potentially run the risk of creating a number of legal issues if they were to try and impose mandatory vaccinations on their employees. Such policies could give rise to claims of unfair dismissal if an employee is dismissed for failing to become vaccinated or if they resign in response to an employer’s attempts to vary their contract of employment to include a mandatory vaccination clause. Furthermore, given that certain groups with pre-existing medical conditions have not be yet been fully approved to receive the vaccine, employers could also face potential discrimination claims.

There is also potential to damage employee relations, whereby an employee’s trust in the employer may be affected if they are required to accept a vaccination against their wishes.

LANDLORD PREPARATION FOR RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES Emma Sheppard LL.B, Solicitor emmasheppard@solicitorsni.net

All landlords with properties in Northern Ireland must be registered as a Landlord and hold a Landlord Registration certificate. The certificate is valid for three years and at present costs £70.00.You can register as a landlord at https:// landlordregistration.nidirect.gov.uk/ A landlord can ask a tenant to pay a deposit at the commencement of a private residential tenancy in order to protect their position in regard to possible damage to the property by the tenant or unpaid rent by the tenant. A landlord must protect all tenancy deposits paid to them in an approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme for any tenancies from 1st April 2013. The deposit must be protected in an approved scheme within 14 days of the landlord receiving it and the landlord must provide the tenant with information on the scheme that is protecting the deposit within 28 days.

If there is a mortgage over your residential property, you should obtain the consent from your lender prior to agreeing to rent out your property and comply with any restrictions imposed by the lender for the tenancy. Lenders generally forbid sub-letting and buy to let mortgage offers often prohibit short-term letting so you should always ensure that any tenancy will comply with the requirements of your lender.

There are usually covenants in the legal Title of a property to restrict the owner from using the property other than as a “private dwelling house” and not to use the property as a “business”. You may wish to instruct a Solicitor to check the Title deeds for your property prior to signing a tenancy agreement with a tenant to ensure that you would not be breaching a covenant in the title for the property.

Please contact Emma on 028 4175 3121 or emmasheppard@solicitorsni.net for assistance with any property matters.

DIVORCES IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND HAVE HIT AN ALL-TIME HIGH Rachel Rice LL.B., Solicitor rrice@solicitorsni.net

An article by the Irish Independent has stated that the applications for Divorce in Ireland in 2020 have seen a 29% increase from 2019. This is thought to be due to the restrictions on waiting time being reduced and more significantly, the effect on marriages due to the pandemic. Whilst in Northern Ireland there is no such data available to us just yet we would envisage the trend will not be far off what is occurring across the border.

At Rosemary Connolly Solicitors we work collaboratively with our colleagues across the border on a range of legal issues including divorce and separation. Given our close proximity to the Republic there can often be a cross border element arising out of separation. This can occur when one party lives in NI whilst the other is resident in the Republic.

If you have any queries in relation to separation or would seek any advice please contact our office on 02841753121 or email rachelrice@solicitorsni.net

Rosemary Connolly Solicitors, 2 The Square, Warrenpoint, Co. Down T: +44(0)28 4175 3121 email: rosemaryconnolly@solicitorsni.net Find us online at www.solicitorsni.net

Magical Morning Retreats Nourish your mind, body and soul with an early morning of yoga, positivity, and relaxation, walking through a stunning forest environment with a group of like-minded ladies, led by Sisters By The Sea Enjoy the magic of nature as you reset and

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The retreats are open to women aged 18 and

wonderfully nurturing session.

over and these mornings are really precious and unlike any other in the country. Come on your own, bring

These wonderful group sessions are run by Sister by the Sea - a female led ecoconscious wellness brand created with a heart-centred ethos to inspire wellness. They promote health and wellbeing in women and encourage those who attend in person and via their online hub to ‘refill their cups to the brim’ so that they can give the best of themselves and feel the best within themselves.

All you need to bring is your yoga mat. A moderate level of fitness is required - but contact us and we will try and accommodate your needs.

Relax and recharge at home with Sisters by the Sea If you can’t make it along to one of the retreats, remember that you can treat yourself at home. Purchase one of the luxe, eco-friendly Sisters by the Sea yoga mats and make time for yourself each and every day.

The next available dates for morning retreats are Saturday 28th August 2021, Sunday 29th August 2021 and Saturday 16th October 2021. Spaces fill up very quickly so book today!

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HAPPY SUMMER VIBES AT BLADES & BEAUTY The Blades & Beauty hair and beauty team are busy in the new look salon giving clients a summer glow.

Hello Local Women readers, Welcome to our August column. July was a great month for us, and we have been very busy, both in the salon and on fashion projects.

My Blades & Beauty expert team worked on hair and makeup for covers for Local Women Magazine and an article for a local newspaper. In the salon we are inundated with appointments for clients old and new within both our hair and beauty departments.

I am so happy with my team and so proud of them all as individuals and collectively.

July also brought the sun which has kept a steady flow of clients topping up their tans in the sun beds too. As well as that my salon revamp has finally come together – we have new treatments, new therapists and a new layout. I’m constantly getting positive feedback about the changes and my team is slowly returning to normality in the salon environment.

I’m also working on a new creative design piece for my latest editorial shoot. I’m putting together the final touches so it’s ready for next month’s Local Women back cover - I can’t wait for you to see it.

Model: Katie Channing Images and Styling: Blades and Beauty Assisted by: Niamh and Keeva Goodchild Photographer: Catriona Channing Collection: Fight for Freedom – The Fairy’s Wish

I want to take this opportunity to thank Kim and all at Local Women for their ongoing support and to my loyal clientele and new customers. May we continue to grow in success together.

Happy summer and everyone stay safe.

25 Antrim Business Park, Randalstown Road, Antrim, BT41 4LD T: 028 9446 4434 | E: blades&beauty@gmail.com bladesandbeauty

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www.bladesandbeauty.co.uk Local Women Magazine | 49

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50 | Local Women Magazine

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Local Women Magazine | 51

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PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR AN EVER-CHANGING WORLD With advances in technology, education has changed dramatically over the past decade. Debbie Farrell from Learning Loan Box and Claire Smales from TopicTeach are working together to support parents on their home education journey.

One point which can get lost in the daily grind of lost socks and lunch boxes is the simple fact that education gives your child the skills that they need for their life.

Debbie: And yet, we also keep in mind the idea that individuality is unique to every child, and each child will look at our resources and see a slightly different way to use them. One reason Minecraft fits so easily into academic curriculums is because it’s a sandbox game, with each player using the same blocks and weapons to create very different worlds and ways of playing. The mix of items in the Loan Boxes intertwines hands on, traditional playing with the flexibility of the sandbox gaming approach.

The massive changes in the world since we were at school means that our working lives and our children’s working lives are going to look very different, and it follows that the skills that they need to be successful have also evolved.

The internet means that most of us carry the sum of the world’s knowledge around in our pocket and it is accessible at any time, and the mere retention of information is no longer as important as being able to see a new way of viewing a problem.

Debbie from Learning Loan Box and Claire from TopicTeach explain why their collaboration supports the development of the intrinsic and transferable skills necessary for facing the changing world of the future.

Claire: One of the things that I have found really important throughout my career is learning how to motivate myself. Taking responsibility for my own progress opened up a lot of doors. There are times when it

felt like education was a chore, and in those periods, I wasn’t getting much out of it.

Debbie: The enrichment opportunities offered by the products in the Loan Box have been selected to spark curiosity – it isn’t the educational equivalent of sneakily hiding a few veggies in a pasta sauce because it’s clear that the child is investigating a topic. But we hope to help parents support their child’s learning journey by providing interesting and quirky and fun products.

Claire: For many parents, the idea of their child engaging in selfdirected learning is one that doesn’t fit with their own experience.

However, children can be powerful drivers of their own learning when entrusted with it, and as a parent myself I’m delighted when my children find a new topic of interest. Over the years we’ve become experts in pollen grains, space, hexagons, and the properties of water.

Each time we model the same process: my children find a topic that interests them, and we research it. We learn from books, create displays, watch YouTube, and visit relevant places, all the while, investigating deeply into the subject. We often have the opportunity to find out which of the ‘well known facts’ surrounding the topic aren’t strictly true.

Question, research, discriminate - these are exactly the important transferable skills which we’re hoping to support families in exploring.

The TopicTeach workbooks present quirky but solid facts to support this concept.

www.learningloanbox.co.uk

Facebook and Instagram both @learningloanbox 54 | Local Women Magazine

NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH Debbie and Claire are close to launching their newest products. My Healthy Heart Loan Box is being launched in the autumn as part of our cardiovascular system range. TopicTeach are also launching a TopicPack on the subject along with originally designed posters and games to go with the Activity Books for My Beating Heart Box.

www.topicteach.com.

Facebook ‘TopicTeach’ and Instagram @topicteach

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REVIEW: RBF COSMETICS

Local Women Editor Kim Kelly tries out a home-grown skin brand ‘RBF’ which is fast becoming a cult beauty must-have. three Janice Devlin, a beauty salon owner who has a passion for helping women look their best.

Like many of us, she was tired of not being able to find the perfect range of skincare – so during the long months of lockdown she created her own. She used her time to research and develop products she believes in and created a fivepiece collection, with plans for more product in the not-too-distant future.

And the range has been a runaway success.

First it was women who Janice knew locally who tried out RBF but soon word spread, and it has become a cult beauty brand already. I was delighted to be trying it out to see the products in action – so what did I think? Honestly, I am super impressed.

This is a much more high-end product range than I was expecting. It is far superior to any high street brand and much better than anything you will buy commercially at a beauty counter. All the products smell nice, but they aren’t heavily scented. If I had to make a comparison, I would say it is similar in quality to Image or Environ products – but without the hefty price tag.

The barefaced truth. After using RBF products I can go makeup free

I love skincare – and there’s nothing I love more than finding great new products that really works.

Finding a good skincare routine is vital if you want to keep yourself looking good but finding a brand that actually works is a different matter.

How many of us have expensive products cluttering up our bathroom cabinets that just didn’t do anything for our skin – or even worse brought us out in a reaction?

I am always delighted to try homegrown brands and RBF (yes, that does stand for Resting Bitch Face!) is made right here in Northern Ireland. I actually got a little bit of a buzz seeing ‘Made in Coalisland’ stamped on the packaging!

The lady behind this brand is talented mum of

So, here’s my RBF skincare regime: MUCK OFF CLEANSER I love that this does exactly what it says on the label – it gets the muck off your face!

Cleanser can be hard. If it’s too weak, it doesn’t cleanse properly, if its too strong it can strip oils and leave your skin flaky – or worse spotty! Muck off is a beautifully rich cream in a pump dispenser. Rub it on and rinse it off and it takes all the makeup off your face. I always double cleanse and there is not a scrap of makeup left afterwards – even when I had a heavy professional make up to remove. My skin was left soft and hydrated.

LAYER UP MOISTURISER This is a good hardworking moisturiser. It contains Vitamin-A to help with fine lines and wrinkles as well as Vitamin-C and Vitamin-E. It plumps out the skin nicely and leaves it feeling hydrated. During the day if I felt any dryness, I popped a little bit on, and it didn’t take off my makeup but gave me a nice layer of moisturise.

FORTY FACES VITAMIN KICK This is one of RBF’s wonder products and it contains Vitamin-A, C and E. This serum, which smells beautifully of oranges, brightens, and tightens skin. It really does give a lovely fresh glow on my tired looking skin first thing in the morning. I adore the smell and love the lift that it gives.

Janice really has created an amazing brand with RBF, and I am delighted for her. The packaging and concept very much reflect her fun, down to earth personality and mixes it with her obvious skincare expertise. If you don’t have a skincare regime, now is the time to start. It’s such an easy-to-use, no nonsense range and it actually works.

My skin feels great and is completely clear. I would definitely recommend RBF.

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MODELS: Emma Dougan & Danielle Renaghan PHOTOGRAPHER: Alexandra Barfoot Photography Local Women Magazine | 63

CELEBRATIONS FOR SVP MEMBERS

A Garden party was held for St Vincent de Paul members from Craigavon and Armagh.

Representatives from across St Vincent de Paul Armagh and Craigavon area celebrated those who have devoted more than 20 years volunteering for the Society at a garden party.

The event provided an opportunity for volunteers to meet face to face for the first time in more than a year although, throughout the pandemic, conferences have been hosting area gatherings via Zoom, with regular online meetings taking place across the area.

Speaking at the event, Mary Waide, Regional President of SVP North Region, congratulated those who have emulated the founder of SVP, Frederic Ozanam, in their selfless acts of helping those in need.

Mary said: “It’s a privilege to recognise volunteers who have given a lifetime of service to St Vincent de Paul. Without their support in the heart of our local communities across Armagh and Craigavon, the extent of the work of SVP would not be possible.

Brendan McKernan, SVP Area President for Armagh and Craigavon, Peter McVeigh, SVP Regional board member for Twinning and Prisons and Patrick Friel, SVP Regional Treasurer, with Pauline Browne, SVP Regional Manager, and Mary Waide, Regional President of SVP North Region.

“Undeterred by the pandemic, our volunteers have shown resilience in how they have continued to safely help those in need and how they embraced online meetings to stay connected and committed to society. On behalf of SVP, I would like to take the opportunity to express our gratitude and thank all our volunteers for their faithful and continued service and, in particular, I would like to pay tribute to Annie Jordan who is celebrating 50 years of volunteering with SVP.” Brendan McKernan, SVP Area President for Armagh and Craigavon, added: “I would like to thank all our members who work tirelessly to help others in our Conferences across Armagh and Craigavon. I am especially proud that we have been able to host this event to recognise our long serving volunteers and show them our appreciation of their dedication.”

Mary Waide, Regional President of SVP North Region, congratulates Mary Coleman of Holy Family Conference Seagoe, on 45 years of volunteering for St Vincent de Paul.

Mary Waide, Regional President of SVP North Region, congratulates Jackie McKeown of St Patrick’s Conference Portadown, on 40 years of volunteering for St Vincent de Paul.

Mary Waide, Regional President of SVP North Region, congratulates Annie Jordan of St Patrick’s Conference Portadown, on 50 years of volunteering for St Vincent de Paul.

Mary Waide, Regional President of SVP North Region, congratulates Eileen McKenna of St Patrick’s Conference Portadown, on 45 years of volunteering for St Vincent de Paul.

Those attending received certificates and a memento of their service whilst enjoying afternoon tea in the stunning gardens of Murlan House.

If you would like to become a volunteer or make a donation to SVP, please visit: www.svp.ie.

66 | Local Women Magazine

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“With BeautiEdit I feel healthier, prettier and slimmer” TV presenter Lorraine Keane, Brand Ambassador of new luxury anti-ageing, tanning brand BeautiEdit, shares the secrets of how she gets the perfect glow all year round.

BeautiEdit is giving women across Ireland a perfect tan this summer – without causing any skin damage from the burning rays.

And the new tanning brand also has anti-ageing and hydrating properties that actually improve your skin while giving it a fantastic colour.

Created by Lisa McDermott and Jennifer Cullen, who have over 20 years’ experience in the beauty and pharmaceutical industries, BeautiEdit tan will give us all that warm summer colour that is hard to get in the Irish sunshine – or absence of it!

The two women have worked hard to make sure the high end, luxury, innovative new product has none of the usual problems associated with fake tans.

Anyone who is a frequent fake tan user will be used to the problems that come with most tanning products.

From stained sheets, the strong smell, and endless scrubbing to get it off your skin, the struggle is real even if the glowing colour is fake!

But Lisa and Jennifer have eradicated these problems and BeautiEdit is pleasant smelling, goes on evenly with no streaks and wears off naturally.

Added to that, its anti-ageing ingredients make it a one-of-a-kind product.

The new tanning range is so good that TV presenter Lorraine Keane has become its biggest fan – and she can’t get enough of BeautiEdit.

The Irish TV broadcaster has become an ambassador for the brand and shares all the reasons why she has fallen in love with it.

BeautiEdit is formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, which gives the product its anti-ageing and hydrating properties that Lorraine loves so much. The tan is scented with sandalwood, jasmine, and coconut, so it smells amazing.

Lorraine says: “The most important thing for me is that it is not only a faux tan but it’s also anti-ageing and hydrating, which I think is a first.

“It also smells divine! It doesn’t smell like faux tan. I actually stopped wearing faux tan about 68 | Local Women Magazine

Pictures by @JonathanLaverymedia

10 years ago because I just couldn’t stand the smell of it.

“I would actually joke that I didn’t know how Peter, my husband, could sleep beside me at night because I could hardly sleep with the smell of it myself.

“The smell was awful. It would ruin your bedsheets and everything! But this tan doesn’t. It smells of beautiful things, which is important to me.”

BeautiEdit also has 95% natural ingredients, which only adds to the appeal. “Us women don’t want to damage our skin unnecessarily,” says Lorraine.

Lorraine loves the way the tan looks – it goes on light brown so you can see where you are applying it and it tans you straight away. It then gets gradually darker over the next few hours.

The TV star’s daughters, Emilia, aged 17, and Romy, aged 14 are also fans of the tan which comes in varying shades.

Lorraine’s skin tans easily, so she opts for the lightest shade ‘Medium’. Her eldest daughter, Emilia, has pale skin, so goes for the ‘Ultra Dark’ shade instead, while Romy, whose skin in somewhere in between, uses the shade ‘Dark.’ The tan can also be topped up at any time.

Lorraine says: “I can have it on for a week and still have a tan that is as smooth as when I first applied it.

“I can then put on another layer. For busy working mums like myself, or for busy women everywhere, that is a gamechanger.”

“I have honestly been stopped almost daily

Tan | Treat | Hydrate

TA N | T R E AT | H Y D RAT E

about it. I sea swim in Dublin throughout the tan,” Lorraine laughs. year and have been testing the product for “A tan makes you feel better about showing a few months now. some skin, and maybe getting your legs out. I “People keep asking where I have been, always feel better when I have a little tan on. because until recently we haven’t been I feel healthier, I feel prettier, I feel slimmer.

After the last year, it’s time to celebrate the allowed to go away abroad. things that make us feel good again.”

“It’s because it looks so natural. It doesn’t grab around your hands, feet and ankles like “BeautiEdit is also Irish, which is hugely other faux tans do. That’s probably because important to me, and it is run by two female entrepreneurs which is great, too. They know of its hydrating ingredients.” what we want and what we don’t want. I Even women who might not normally wear don’t want that horrible smell, or for it to wash fake tan have purchased BeautiEdit after off streaky and patchy because that’s just seeing it on Lorraine – including her neighbour embarrassing. This tan doesn’t do that.”

Sadie, who at age 60 tried fake tan for the You can find out more about BeautiEdit on first time after seeing how good looked.

Lorraine’s Instagram, @lorrainekeaneofficial, “Susan is very low-maintenance, unlike BeautiEdit’s Instagram @beautieditcosmetics, myself!” says Lorraine. “But last week she and the website, beautiedit.com, where had a good colour and said to me, ‘Look! you can also purchase the tan and see the I bought your tan. I love it!’ I wish it was my list of stockists.

www.beautiedit.com Local Women Magazine | 69

EXERCISE – THE ULTIMATE SELF CARE

The experts at Benmore Nutrition and Fitness can help you discover the power of movement and introduce exercise to your life for lifelong wellbeing.

HAVE YOU EVER BEGUN A FITNESS REGIME SOLELY TO LOSE WEIGHT?

STEP 5: GIVE

Moving more certainly can contribute to this goal but it is not a requirement. The benefits of exercising stretch way beyond this and offer us many things that enable our bodies, minds, souls, and communities to thrive.

Moving regularly can have a direct and positive impact on our wellbeing. The buzz term self care, which in my mind is all the things we do to achieve our level of wellbeing, often gets diluted to refer to the wine, chocolates, and bubble baths that we might indulge in as part of relaxation. Whilst these are fun and have a place in our leisure time, in reality there is really only so much they can do for our wellbeing in the long term.

I love the quote by Nadia Narain and Katia Narain Phillips in their book, Self Care for the Real World: “Self care means being switched on, fully present and engaged in your life. It's the opposite of switching off and retreating from the world. Ignoring your own needs leaves you depleted, but self care will energise and recharge you.”

Movement is one of many self care activities that can help us achieve great wellbeing. The Public Health Agency (PHA) published its 5 steps to wellbeing and define it as "feeling good and functioning well".

It makes sense, right?! If we feel good and function well both physically and mentally then we probably consider ourselves to have good wellbeing.

Pictures by Oliver Hegarty from Islander Visual Media.

The PHA goes on to list the five steps and they're a great way to demonstrate the power of movement in our lives...

STEP 1: CONNECT

Our choice of exercise can involve the very rewarding actions of giving our time and skills to others e.g., being a member of a sports team, gym community or by taking an elderly relative out for a walk. But, by regularly committing to any exercise (with others or alone) we are giving to ourselves. This is an incredibly important action that can increase our sense of selfworth and allow us to recognise our own value by acknowledging our needs. True self care indeed!

So, find something that you love doing and do it regularly. Perhaps even do it with someone else.

If you're also getting a boost of Vitamin D and out there immersed in the green stuff, then all the better for it too!

Movement in all its forms can enable us to connect with individuals, groups, animals, nature, and our surroundings. Nurturing these relationships is both enriching and supportive to us as human beings. We are social creatures at our very core.

STEP 2: KEEP LEARNING Stimulating the grey matter gives us focus and interests to carry us along. Whether you're learning a new sport, physical skill or about the wildlife on your recent walk the challenge and new material keeps things fresh, and exciting. Every day's a school day!

STEP 3: BE ACTIVE By virtue of moving, we are being active. It really doesn't matter what we do - just find something you love and can commit to doing regularly. Whether it's team sports, hiking, water sports, dancing, yoga... just schedule some time to do it.

STEP 4: TAKE NOTICE When we engage in a physical activity we focus and often without realising it are practising mindfulness.

Speaking from experience, it's hard to think of much else when in the middle of a heavy deadlift or a set of pull-ups! In that moment I truly connect with myself and what I'm doing. It's a great stress-buster and brings a sense of space and accomplishment too.

GET INSPIRED AT AN EXCLUSIVE RETREAT Movement is just one of the spokes in the wellbeing wheel but it's one in everyone's gift, whatever your level of ability and fitness. What matters is that you find a way of moving and frequency that suit you and give your body what it needs. If you're keen for some movement inspiration, get in touch regarding a very exclusive retreat we are co-hosting with Sally Laverty Physiotherapy and Blackrock House B&B on the North Coast in late September!

Benmore CrossFit is situated at 11b Ann Street, Ballycastle.

www.benmorenutritionfitness.com For more about Benmore Nutrition and Fitness:

Email address: hello@benmorenutritionfitness.com @benmorenutritionfitness

benmore_nutritionfitness Local Women Magazine | 73

Signature Dish Struggling for recipe ideas?

Check out these tasty recipes using Scotts Flavoured Crispy Onions

CRISPY ONION AND ROASTED VEGETABLE NOURISH BOWL

PREPARATION TIME: 10 minutes | COOKING TIME: 20 minutes | SERVES: 4 People INGREDIENTS

• 90g Scotts original crispy onions FOR THE ROASTED VEGETABLES

• 1 aubergine, cut in half longways and chopped into large chunks • 2 courgettes, cut in half longways and chopped into large chunks • 1 red pepper, cut in half, seeds removed and chopped • 1 yellow pepper, cut in half, seeds removed and chopped • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • Freshly milled sea salt and pepper FOR THE NOURISH BOWL

• 1 romaine lettuce, washed, trimmed, cut in half and shredded • 200g vine cherry tomatoes • 60g pitted black olives • 1/2 cucumber cut into ribbons or chunks • 50g radishes, trimmed and chopped (optional) • 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds (optional)

METHOD

● Heat the oven 200oC (Fan 200oC) Gas mark 6 ● In a large bowl, mix prepared vegetables, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, gar-lic, salt and pepper together. ● Tip the vegetables onto a large tray and roast in a hot oven for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally until the vegetables are tender.

FOR THE SALAD BOWL

• 4 tablespoons balsamic dressing

● Arrange lettuce into serving bowls with tomatoes, olives, cucumber and radish.

• 2 tablespoons grated pecorino

● Top with warm roasted vegetables and their roasting juices, Scotts original crispy onions. Drizzle with balsamic dressing and sprinkle with grated pecorino and seeds before serving.

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GUT BACTERIA AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

These days we all have a heightened awareness of immunity. The experts at Chemist Connect tell us everything we need to know about probiotics and how they can support our immune system.

We are surrounded by millions of bacteria, viruses and other germs that have the potential to enter our bodies and cause harm. The immune system is the body’s defence against disease-causing microbes (pathogens).

A person with a weak immune system might have difficulty fighting off infections.

The immune system is made up of non-specialised defences such as the skin, which acts as a barrier and strong acid in the stomach, which helps to kill bacteria and viruses. However, it also has some highly specialised defences which provide resistance to particular pathogens via our immunity. Immune defences are provided via our white blood cells, most importantly our lymphocytes.

The lymphatic system is also part of the immune system.

The lymphatic system is made up of a network of tubes (vessels) which carry fluid called lymph. It contains specialised lymph tissue and all of the structures dedicated to the production of lymphocytes.

The immune system is generally divided into two parts.

The first part is the defences you are born with. These form what are known as the innate system.

The innate system is found in many different places around the body. First line of defence is your skin. Skin forms a waterproof barrier that prevents pathogens from entering the body. Your body cavities, such as your nose and mouth, are lined with mucous membranes. Mucous membranes produce sticky mucus which can trap bacteria and other pathogens. Other fluids produced by your body help to protect your internal layers from invasion by pathogens. Gastric juices produced by your stomach have high acidity which helps to kill off any bacteria we may swallow. Saliva and tears help protect against pathogens in the mouth and eyes respectively.

If bacteria or other pathogens manage to get through these first-line defences, they encounter a second line of defence.

Most of these defences are present in your blood, either as specialised white

blood cells or as chemicals released by your cells and tissues. Known as adaptive immunity, this develops as you grow. This type of immunity gives you protection against specific pathogens.

Not only can this system recognise particular pathogens, but it also has a memory of this. This means that if you encounter a certain pathogen twice, your adaptive immune system can recognise it second time around. This usually means your body responds more quickly to fight off the infection.

The adaptive immune response involves the activation of specialised cells in the blood. These are generically categorised as white blood cells.

There are various different types of white cells, and they include neutrophils (polymorphs), lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes, and basophils. Of these Lymphocytes are particularly important in the fight against pathogens and they are found in your blood and also in specialised lymph tissue such as lymph nodes, your spleen and your thymus.

These white blood cells travel in your bloodstream and react to different types of infection caused by bacteria, viruses or other pathogens. Lymphocytes produce antibodies which recognise and neutralise pathogens. Neutrophils engulf bacteria and destroy them with special chemicals. Eosinophils and monocytes also work by swallowing up foreign particles in your body. Basophils help to intensify swelling (inflammation).

Inflammation is part of your body’s immune response. Damage to your tissues causes the release of different chemicals into your blood. These chemicals make blood vessels leaky, helping specialised white blood cells get to where they are needed. They also attract neutrophils

and monocytes to the site of the injury.

This helps to protect against a bacterial infection developing.

Our immune system as a whole is supported by other body systems and their condition. Diet and the condition of our digestive system can play a significant role in ensuring our immune system is functioning properly. Within the digestive system, and particularly the intestine, gut microbiota play a key role in defending the body from pathogens.

The gut microbiota, or flora is the collection of microorganisms that live in the intestines. This forms a collection of ‘good’ bacteria, archaea and fungi and they work in harmony with the body’s systems. Evidence has demonstrated that good maintenance of the microbiota is essential to a strong immune system. A poor diet and repeated courses of antibiotics can disrupt this balance.

Probiotics on the other hand can help support it. Evidence is accumulating for the ability of certain probiotics to help protect against the incidence, severity and/or duration of respiratory viruses, by replenishing essential components of the microbiota.

Alflorex Immune contains the PrecisionBiotics® PBVIR™culture. This unique culture has been specially formulated with extra strength vitamin D to support the normal function of the immune system. PB- VIR™ culture has no known side effects, however vitamin D supplements cannot be taken by people with certain underlying health conditions, therefore please consult your pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure. The PB-VIR™ culture is a naturally occurring and safe bacterial strain, belonging to the Bifidobacterium longum species; these are types of bacteria passed from mother to baby at birth.

Alflorex Immune is available at www.chemistconnect.com and www.chemistconnect.ie Normally priced @ £16.99 (€19.99) it is on offer for the month of July at the special price of £14.99 (€16.99).

www.chemistconnect.com | www.chemistconnect.ie Chemist Connect 76 | Local Women Magazine

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DOWN TO EARTH...

with Joanna Braniff

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE!

Local Women’s gardening column for the mind, body and soul

By Joanna Braniff This quirky canine reference to the period between mid-July and the start of September originates in ancient history as this time coincides with the rising in the night sky of Sirius, otherwise known as the Dog Star. The Greeks and Romans believed the Dog Days to be a time of drought and unrest when dogs and people alike would be driven mad by the extreme heat!

So that should remind you this month, you will need to ensure your plants are getting properly watered and feed to avoid disaster.

Water is vital for the survival of all plants.

It’s essential for the transportation of nutrients and sugars from the soil. It’s best not to let plants get to the wilting stage as they might not recover or suffer from future growth damage. When the weather is hot, be extra vigilant to how your plants are coping with soaring temperatures and lack of rain.

REHYDRATE You should water your plants almost daily at this time of year. But rather than making it a routine regardless of conditions, react to what each individual plant needs. Each one deals with different factors, including its position to wind and sun, soil conditions and root maturity.

Plants are your friends, and you can tell how they are feeling by how they look.

So get in touch with their needs. Take time to observe the colour of their leaves and the shape of the stems and flowers, as these are the first indicators of water or nutrient deficiency and pest attack.

Curled, withered, or dying leaves and stems mean there’s a problem at the roots. Munched or missing leaf pieces mean it’s more likely pests such as slugs and aphids are doing damage.

The good news is that plants are remarkably resilient, even if we neglect them from time to time.

With a bit of tender loving care, predator removal, a good drink of water and a top-up of nutrients from an organic seaweed fertilizer, they can bounce back from the brink of death.

With a bit of care and attention, you can prolong your flowers looking their best if you help them cope with the heat.

Be mindful not to wastewater as it is a precious commodity for everyone. Instead, use water butts to save rainwater (which is actually better for your plants than tap water). Also, recycle water from inside the house, e.g. collect washing up water in a bucket outside for beds and lawns.

Water your garden in the evening after the heat of the day has subsided as this will reduce wastage through evaporation.

Direct water down to the roots and not onto the leaves where it’s not needed. You don’t satisfy your thirst by having a shower, and neither do plants! They take up water and nutrients up through their root systems, so make it easy for them and deliver hydration close to the base at ground level.

Don’t forget to pay special attention to plants in containers and hanging baskets as they are prone to dehydration. Water slowly but thoroughly, filling the container to the rim and allowing it to drain into the compost, then filling it a second time to ensure that the whole of the compost is adequately moistened.

Use a liquid fertilizer diluted in water once a fortnight.

Top up ponds, water features and birdbaths regularly, and water evergreen shrubs like camellias and rhododendrons thoroughly this month to ensure that next year’s buds develop well.

78 | Local Women Magazine

RESHAPE August is also the month to deadhead flowers and prune shrubs and bushes. As well as tidying up the garden, deadheading extends the blooming period by removing the seed source of flowering plants. Simply nip off or cut at the foliage level any flowers that are past their best.

Many herbs originate in the Mediterranean, so they love the baking hot days of August.

So keep trimming them back and use them in your summer salads and BBQ marinades to encourage a second flush of growth. You can also dry or freeze your herb clippings so you can enjoy a welcome taste of summer in the colder months.

REMOVE The weeds are also making the most of their summer holidays. Try to stay on top of them through manual weeding by hand or with a hoe.

Carefully pour boiling water onto any weeds popping up in the cracks in your path rather than reaching for a chemical solution that will harm wildlife and human health. Cultivate the weeds you find attractive or valuable to support insects and other wildlife. For example, nettles might not be the most glamorous plants in the garden, but bees and butterflies love them. Weeds are just plants in the wrong place, so don’t feel you need to go to war to destroy everyone. A natural wildflower patch is relaxed and attractive and will provide a home and feeding ground for birds and insects.

RELAX August is the best month to enjoy your garden. It’s the season of football games and tennis matches on the lawn, BBQs in the backyard and afternoon siestas on the decking. So work with your plants this month and mindfully attend to their simple needs. You will be richly rewarded with inspiring colours, rich scents and a priceless sense of inner wellbeing right to the end of the summer.

For more gardening hints, tips and advice, visit www.downtoearthnorthernireland.com

Put a few sticks that reach out of the water to the edge of the container as an escape route for anything that accidentally falls in.

I added an inexpensive, floating solar-powered fountain to my container pond for the relaxing sound of trickling water – the birds also love it to get a shower!

You will be amazed that your container water garden will attract birds and insects within hours of setting up. Over time you might even be lucky enough to have a frog as a tenant who will enthusiastically eat slugs and insects to pay its rent. A small pond or container water garden is a little oasis of resources and activity that will bring your outdoor space to life in a really interesting and engaging way.

PLANTS FOR YOUR POND

be vestiges of June and July’s intoxicating heat and vibrant colours as blackberries burst from the brambles and tomatoes ripen late in the greenhouse through to October. Fire orange pumpkins, jewelled ruby raspberries, and crisp green leeks still have to make their much anticipated autumnal debuts.

But towards the end of August, you can definitely feel the garden starting to settle down and ready itself for harsher conditions ahead. Seeds have all been scattered, bulbs are swollen underground with stored solar energy ready to winter it out, and leaves are beginning to crisp up and turn nostalgia brown.

As a gardener, this is the time to plan and prep for next year’s display.

Miniature Waterlily – Happy in a shallow pool.

These aquatic plants bloom with pink or white flowers and have only a 30cm spread.

PONDLIFE One of the best wildlife-friendly additions you make to your garden is a water feature. It doesn’t have to be a huge pond or elaborate fountain. Even the smallest offering of water and aquatic plants will bring an abundance of exciting and helpful wildlife, including frogs and dragonflies, to visit your garden.

You don’t have to dig a big hole to make a pond.

Instead, you can create a lovely relaxing water feature in even the smallest spaces in a container like an old sink, metal water tank or even a ceramic pot without drainage holes in the bottom. Just pick a container you like and suits your space, and you are good to go.

Position your container pond on a flat surface in dappled shade if possible and close to a vantage point like a window near the house or a quiet seat so you can watch the abundance of nature it attracts.

Half fill your container with water (rainwater is best), then put a few big stones or bricks in the bottom to create shelves for your aquatic plants.

Your pond plants are an instant habitat and feeding station for birds and insects and a point of interest in the water.

Put a layer of small stones on the top of each aquatic plant pot to stop the soil from washing away and slowly introduce the pots into the water, holding them until they become saturated. You can add a few washed stones and pebbles around the plants to hold them in place and hide the pots.

Get some small oxygenating plants to help keep the water clear and healthy for wildlife. The water might be cloudy initially, but it will clear once everything settles in place.

Miniature Bulrush – Compact and cute, small bulrushes add height to a container pond and offer the perfect perch for dragonflies to land on.

Blue Flag Iris – Add a bit of floral interest with this attractive plant which produces graceful upright narrow levels and pretty blue flowers.

Recharged with summer’s energy, both plants and gardeners alike go to ground and dream about the sun’s return in spring.

The lesson from the garden is to try to go with the flow and take time to assess what you want and need to thrive. Adapt to the conditions and build mental resilience to help you deal with all challenges. Always look ahead and plan for brighter days when the storms inevitably pass. Embrace all of the seasons and cycles of your life because there’s always magic in change.

LOST IN THYME I recently read a lovely phrase - ‘I go into the garden to lose my mind and find my soul’.

That certainly rings true for me. I go outside and potter around in the plants to forget all my daily stresses, and I highly recommend you do the same.

I think the garden is such a relaxing environment because time has no real meaning in the sense we usually understand it. I believe the only clocks allowed in the garden should be the fluffy dandelions seed heads and the passage of the sun overhead.

The garden runs on nature’s clock. It is measured out not in minutes and hours but in weather and seasons. Plants are ruled by external conditions and not pre-planned timetables, so when you are out enjoying your garden, follow their example.

While August is full of bursting blooms and ripe produce ready for plucking, it’s also a transition season when you first start to notice the tinges of decay ahead of autumn.

For me, August always feels like the last hour of a vibrant summer party. While I want it to last forever, I can feel it winding down as my floral guests begin to wilt and ready themselves for departure for another year. Yet, I have to accept it’s just the next stage in the natural life-cycle of the garden.

That doesn’t mean enjoyable times in the garden are over for the year, but the mood really changes when summer ends. Of course, there will still

PLANT OF THE MONTH SUNFLOWER

Is there any plant more joyous than the sunflower! This month sunflowers of all shapes and sizes reach their peak in terms of growth and height. It’s believed they were first cultivated by Native Americans as a food source over 5000 years ago before being introduced to Europe in the 16th century. Each flower is actually a disc made up of tiny flowers to form a larger false flower to better attract pollinators. Easy to grow, they should be planted from midMarch to early May by starting a single seed in a 7cm pot of peat-free compost. When all risk of frost has passed, transplant the seedlings into a sheltered sunny spot in soil rich in organic matter. Stake the taller varieties for support as they grow.

Local Women Magazine | 79

FROM CHAOS HOME TO HAPPY YOGI ZONE, NATURAL GAS OFFERS FLEXIBILITY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY Find your flow this Summer, wave Goodbye to your oil tank and your stresses too!

As we enter the latter half of the Summer holidays, we can often find ourselves a little overwhelmed but don’t worry you’re not alone. Over the Summer months we hear from switchers facing challenges which include “No hot water for the breakfast dishes never mind a shower, the laundry baskets overflowing, the kids are raiding the fridge again, I’ve heard “MUM” at least 100 times and it’s only 11 am.”

We can’t wave a magic wand but please believe us when we say that natural gas is the perfect supplement to ease family life!

Did you know that when you switch to natural gas from oil as well as removing indoor tanks you can also get rid of the oil tank and oil boiler in the garden.

With plenty more space you could create a playing zone for the kids, an exercise haven for yourself, or maybe just a place to escape the house with a coffee or stretch away the pressures of family life. Inside the home you can transform unloved areas such as the hot press into a toy storage cupboard, a wardrobe, or maybe even a laundry room, the options are fully flexible to ensure they measure up for your family’s needs.

What makes natural gas the perfect medicine for any family home isn’t just the additional space that it offers, one of the biggest conveniences is that natural gas offers the freedom of having instant hot water available on tap 24/7.

Seated twist Mountain

Warrior II

Childs pose

Standing forward fold

Butterfly

Downward facing dog

Seated forward fold

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Upward facing dog

Yes, you read that right – instant hot water without having to put the radiators on! You can say goodbye to an overheated home, no more waiting on the immersion heater, and never having the disappointment of the bath or shower running cold ever again!

If you have a hot tub or paddling pool the instant hot water also stretches outside your home and can be used to reduce the wait meaning you can enjoy an impromptu dip to wash away the day’s challenges without any pre-planning.

At firmus energy we pride ourselves on customer service, with a customer satisfaction rating of over 98% we know a thing or two about what makes our customers happy and we have heard of customers up and down the country improving their homes and wellbeing too all thanks to natural gas. Jen in Ballymena’s found her zen transforming her garden into a breathing space, Karen in Portadown’s been practicing Sun Warrior in her yoga quarter, Tommy in Dollingstown’s been hopping straight into his hot tub for post-football recovery and the Jones in Derry/ Londonderry are in full flow with mum working up a sweat in the garden whilst topping up the kids paddling pool with Instant hot water to ensure some heat even on the dullest of days.

With natural gas, the most stressed of homes

can be transformed into happy smiling homes.

If you’re dreaming of a happy harmonious summer then why not invest in your home with the ultimate stress buster for the entire family, right now firmus energy has a number of brilliant offers making it even easier to switch. Choose from 0% finance which means you can spread the cost of installing natural gas over two years or £200 cashback.

To date, over 108,000 customers have connected to natural gas with firmus energy and are enjoying the benefits that natural gas brings every day. You’ll also be doing your bit for the environment by reducing carbon emissions by up to 48%*.

So, what are you waiting for? Find out if you can say Goodbye to your oil tank and create a happy place by heading to firmusenergy. co.uk/morespace or calling the team on 0330 024 9000. *Information based on switching from a nonefficient oil system to an efficient gas boiler, based on average annual consumption.

If you are feeling inspired to find your flow then check out some of our stress-busting yoga poses and let natural gas wash away your stresses.

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‘It’s time to take control’

Business mentor Joanna Denton offers solutions to your work-related problems. This month she tackles the fear of taking on too much.

Dear Joanna, My boss has asked me to take his place on a not-for-profit committee starting in September. It’s a high-profile committee and will help my visibility on the market.

However, I know that I am bound to get sucked in and end up spending a lot of time working on it. I am already exhausted and overworked in my day job, and I need my summer holiday. I just don’t know where I am going to find the time for the committee, and I am getting all up in my head about the prospect, rather than seeing it for the opportunity it is.

Rebecca Dear Rebecca, Thank you for your email and sharing with me what is happening right now. I can hear how tired you are, and I can also sense the worry you have about managing this new role.

Ok, if you were in front of me in my office, I would ask you some questions to talk you through this.

2. ARE THOSE ASSUMPTIONS ACCURATE? It can be easy to latch on to assumptions that we have about a situation and treat them as fact.

What can you do to find out some concrete information about the role, and get clarity on exactly what is expected from you? Getting clarity can help you make some informed choices and decisions.

3. WHAT IS WITHIN YOUR CONTROL TO CHANGE? It can be easy to feel overwhelmed at responsibilities.

4. WHAT WOULD BE A MORE HELPFUL WAY TO APPROACH THE NEW ROLE?

It is important to remember that there is always

Thinking about the assumptions, the elements

the thought of taking on more and more

at something that you have control over, or at the very least be in your zone of influence.

One thing that will always be in your control is how

within your control – is there a more helpful way to go into this new role? Rather than focus on the fears around how much time it might take, how

you think about the situation. For example, you

could you focus on the opportunities?

can choose to think about this situation more as

What could be a strategy to remember the

the opportunity for visibility that it presents you with, than the weight around your neck.

What other things can be in your control?

opportunities instead?

Finally, it sounds like you need a good break from work – and I sincerely hope that you take this time

So, let’s go.

Things that come to mind for me are the

off and really rest and look after yourself. When

1. WHAT ASSUMPTIONS ARE YOU MAKING ABOUT THIS NEW ROLE?

following – and I will be interested to see what

you come back, know that you have all the tools

resonates with you:

required to design your involvement with this

Our reactions to a situation – the worry, the excitement – arise not so much in response to the situation – being asked to go on a committee – rather to the thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions that we might have about the situation.

•

and how much you switch off, so that you can get some real rest.

•

Does that ring true?

What might be some other assumptions that you are making?

84 | Local Women Magazine

You can control how much time you spend on the committee – for example you can

organisation in the way that you want to.

Hope this helps and remember – you got this!

Joanna

choose to take a back seat and observe,

So, what assumptions are you making?

I can already read (i) that you think you will get sucked up into the day to day (ii) end up spending a lot of time working on it and (iii) that you won’t be able to find the time to do everything.

You can control your upcoming holiday

rather than rush in to start volunteering to organise events.

•

You can control how you manage your other client commitments to free up time, for example by delegating more so that you have time for this new role

What are other aspects that you can control or influence?

JD Speaking and Strategy Ltd River House | 48-60 High Street | Belfast | BT1 2BE T: +44 (0)7795085297 |E: joanna@joannadenton.com For further information check out

www.joannadenton.com

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hausofhairhq Local Women Magazine | 85

MONTHLY COLUMN

Women’s Health WITH DR MARK MCCOMISKEY

Dr Mark McComiskey MD MRCOG is a specialist gynaecologist and gynaecological surgeon.

Dr Mark McComiskey is a specialist gynaecologist and gynaecological surgeon who trained at the worldfamous Christie Cancer Hospital in Manchester. His work has been published widely in peer reviewed journals in obstetrics and gynaecology and his work has been presented at international meetings throughout Europe and North America Dr McComiskey takes a holistic and caring approach to managing all general gynaecology conditions with the aim of maximising women’s quality of life.

Each month Dr McComiskey provides Local Women readers with healthcare advice, dispelling some of the many myths surrounding women’s health.

GETTING A SMEAR TEST Each month Dr Mark McComiskey MD MRCOG discusses gynaecological conditions and women’s health issues.

Dr Mark McComiskey is a specialist gynaecologist and gynaecological surgeon who trained at the world-famous Christie Cancer Hospital in Manchester.

His work has been published widely in peer reviewed journals in obstetrics and gynaecology and his work has been presented at international meetings throughout Europe and North America.

Dr McComiskey takes a holistic and caring approach to managing all general gynaecology conditions with the aim of maximising women’s quality of life.

This

month

Dr

McComiskey

discusses

cervical smears.

WHO GETS CERVICAL SMEARS? Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix. It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer.

Did you know you are at risk of cervical cancer if you have a cervix and have ever had any kind of sexual contact with a man or a woman.

You are still at risk irrespective of number of partners or if you have been vaccinated against HPV (Human papillomavirus).

You will be invited for smears three yearly from 25 years old to 49 years old, then every five years from 50 years old to 64 years old.

Cervical screening is not routinely recommended if you are under 25 years old, over 65 years old or have had a total hysterectomy.

KINGSBRIDGE PRIVATE HOSPITAL Tel: 028 9066 7878 www.kingsbridgeprivatehospital.com

than likely be a practice nurse.

It’s best to not book appointment for when you are having your period, if you have a pelvic infection, if you are pregnant or have recently had a pregnancy. You should also avoid using vaginal medications or lubricants for two days before your smear test.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A SMEAR APPOINTMENT? You should see your GP if you have abnormal discharge or if you have bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex or bleeding after the menopause - do not wait for your next smear.

WHAT IS A CERVICAL SMEAR? If you feel worried about going for cervical screening (a smear test), you are not alone so it may help to know as much as possible about what going for cervical screening is like.

The cervix is the opening to your womb in your vagina - a smear checks the health of your cervix.

During the smear a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix. The sample is tested for changes to the cells of your cervix.

Detecting abnormal cells early means that they can be monitored or treated easily

HOW TO BOOK A CERVICAL SMEAR You’ll be sent an invitation letter when it’s time to book your smear appointment. You should contact your local doctor’s surgery to make an appointment – the smear taker will more

The test itself should take less than five minutes. You’ll be asked to undress from the waist down behind a screen and lie back on a bed.

The smear taker will put a smooth, tube shaped instrument called a speculum gently into your vagina and the speculum will be opened to see your cervix.

Using a tiny brush, a small sample of cells will be taken, the speculum will then be removed and you will be left to get dressed.

You can ask for the examination to stop at any time you wish during your appointment.

WHAT ABOUT THE RESULTS? You normally will receive a results letter about your smear within a few weeks. The majority of smear tests are negative and reassuring.

However, if you have any questions about your result – you should speak to your family doctor.

Until next month

Dr Mark McComiskey Dr Mark McComiskey MD MRCOG

HILLSBOROUGH PRIVATE CLINIC Tel: 028 9268 8899 www.hillsboroughprivateclinic.com

SUMMER IN THE CITY As the temperatures soared in Belfast, Local Women food and drink columnist Paula Gracey enjoyed a little Spanish sunshine here and abroad.

A TASTE OF SPAIN

We finally made it to Spain last month! Ole! It was nearly two years since we had been in our beloved casa on the Costa Del Sol, and we couldn’t wait to get there.

Days lazing in the sun by the pool and lots of swimming did us the world of good and we also had the prospect of some fabulous meals in local restaurants to look forward to – the biggest decision I made every day was what to wear that evening to go out.

We were recommended a different restaurant to try this time called La Farola (The Streetlight), situated in a beautiful Spanish courtyard behind the Post Office in nearby Fuengirola. As we walked through the archway and into the courtyard on a balmy summer evening we were met with the sounds and smells of people laughing, eating, drinking and having wonderful time – it did your heart good!

BATH TIME WITH TONIC

Sunday night is normally bath night for me and it has to be filled with luxurious bubbles, either from my beloved Molton Brown collection or a fabulous, fizzing, swirling bathbomb from Lush. A couple of Christmases ago hubby bought me a bathboard – an inspired invention, a board that sits across the bath with slots for a glass, a tea-light candle and a thin cut out strip perfect for setting up your iPad or phone to watch your favourite movies or TV or whatever takes your fancy.

No surprise, we both went for our favourite Prawns Pil-Pil, succulent, fat, juicy prawns bubbling away in a terracotta dish with warm bread to dip into it – absolutely delicious! Then for mains we couldn’t see past the swordfish served with potatoes and seasonal veg – OMG! Worth the journey to Spain for that alone!

It was a sizeable portion of swordfish, cooked perfectly and bursting with flavour (as I am writing this I know I need to go back and revisit the dish). There is always room for dessert and I went for Tiramisu cake and he decided on strawberry cheesecake – a little bit of sweetness to finish off a superb meal and accompany our people watching. If you visit the Costa, you need to try La Farola.

It may be named after the bootleg variety, roughly distilled in home bathtubs during Prohibition (also known as Mother’s Ruin). But this Bathtub is quality, copper pot-distilled and made with juniper, coriander and infused with a further six fresh botanicals. The process takes a whole week to give Bathtub Gin its unique flavour. Serve with a premium tonic and a wedge of tonic, you can find it on most supermarket shelves at £30.

MAGIC LANTERN

pesto. For mains I chose Seafood Linguini (my fave) and this one didn't disappoint with lots of fat, juicy prawns and succulent fish in tomato sauce and you even get a slice of toasted garlic baguette to mop up the sauce.

This is a city centre spot you could pass without noticing, with yet it regularly makes the Belfast top 10 on TripAdvisor! We have been quite a few times but not since everywhere re-opened and we were really impressed by much work they have put into making it ‘Covid secure.’

Mum opted for Cherry Valley Duck served with Cointreau and wild berry sauce, new baby potatoes and veg while hubby couldn’t look past a shoulder of beef which looked amazing, served with savoy cabbage, honey roast veg and buttery champ. There was plenty of choice with fish dishes as well as vegetarian, something for everyone.

Let's whizz back to sunny Belfast now. On the hottest day of the year (or possibly ever at 31 degrees) we were heading into town to The Lantern in Wellington Place.

We brought our own wine which you can do for £3.99 corkage (£4.99 for fizz), but they have a great wine list if you would prefer, ranging from £17.95 for house wines.

We went for a large bread selection to start which came out on a wooden board with delicious slices of warm, homemade breads, accompanied by olive tapenade and a spicy

Of course, we had to order some skinny fries which disappeared quickly as they were really tasty!

Lemon Posset with mixed berry compote and icecream for dessert with a couple of spoons, rounded off a truly tasty meal and back out into the warmest Saturday night in Belfast that I can ever remember.

We could have been back in Spain.

Local Women Magazine | 87

WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP LITTLE OLIVER

Ballymoney mum Vicki Blair tells Local Women about her hopes for the future of her adorable two-year-old son Oliver after he was born with a twisted malrotation of the bowel.

By Maibh Shiels Pictures by Samuel McMullan Laughing, smiling and full of personality, little Oliver Beverland is a typically mischievous little boy.

But the Ballymoney two-year-old has been through a lot in his short life after being born with a twisted malrotation of the bowel.

Despite surgery to sort the issue out, he still has feeding problems, and is still awaiting a diagnosis.

His mum, Vicki Blair, was a youth worker before the birth of her second son, Oliver. But, when Oliver was born, and the complications around his situation became clear, Vicki, 24, gave her job up to become a full-time mum and a carer for her baby boy.

When Oliver was first born, the initial feeding issues he had were believed to be severe reflux, but when the bowel problem was discovered, and then corrected, it seemed like it was all solved.

Soon, though, it was easy to see that the surgery was not the solution it was supposed to be. The feeding difficulties were not over, even if the reason for them wasn’t determined.

Vicki and little Oliver

He has a PEG, which is a sort of button, into his stomach and a jejunostomy, which goes into his bowel.

Currently, the closest thing Oliver has to a “He is also fed intravenously TPN, Total diagnosis is severe gut dismotility and 90 per Parenteral Nutrition, which is artificial food cent intestinal failure. The cause of both of via his central line. these things still has to be found.

“That goes straight to his heart, and is made Vicki says she would love to see her son up of his vitamins and nutrients, and he has a getting a proper diagnosis after two years of separate bag for fat to keep weight on. ups and downs.

“He is fed by TPN for 12 hours overnight, She says: “The twist in Oliver’s bowel was every night. He gets his tube feeding into the surgically corrected when he was nine weeks jejunostomy for 16 hours each day. old in the Royal Hospital, but since then he “Also, into his stomach he gets a blended can’t absorb food properly. diet once a day. That part’s new to us. He’s “There is still something wrong with his wee only been getting that for a few weeks. We’re bowel and he can’t absorb all of the nutrients hoping that gradually we’ll be able to build and vitamins and everything that he needs. the blended diet up and take some of the TPN “Currently, he is tube-fed two different ways. or jejunostomy away.”

88 | Local Women Magazine

All of this sounds complicated, and it is.

Connecting and disconnecting Oliver to his TPN via central line is tricky, as it needs to be completely sterile because it goes straight into his heart.

This alone takes two people, and a lot of this falls to Oliver’s family, especially his mum Vicki. Now, as restrictions relax, they are trying to get more family members trained up to help take care of Oliver.

“That would mean that if his grannies wanted to take him and his brother out for a day, they could do that.”

While for most families, taking children for days out is something simple, taking Oliver away, along with his four-year-old brother, is a lot more difficult.

“When you’re going somewhere , you need to

Vicky Blair along with 2yr old Oliver and his big brother Carson.

take everything with you,” Vicki shares.

When asked if there is any time when her positive attitude has been put to the test, Vicki admits there have been trying times.

“I do try my best not to just sit in the house, because that’s not fair on Oliver either. He needs to live.

“Last year after his daddy went back to work after the first lockdown, he was away almost 13 hours a day. That was difficult, but once I got used to it, it was okay. I think as Oliver grows older the whole thing will get easier.”

“But it is a lot more difficult. It takes more planning and time to get organised. Especially when you have other children, too.”

Things that most families take for granted are a gift to Oliver and those around him. Vicki’s attitude, though, is that Oliver deserves all those things too, even if they aren’t as easy to arrange.

Going on holidays, for example, means all of Oliver’s equipment needs to be moved.

Vicki says the TPN company are very good at “The ward became our second home, and sorting the shipping of the equipment for the we were in lockdown straight after. We were family, which helps. thinking, he has to experience things the They have booked to go to London in same way as any other child would.”

November time, which may come with its own difficulties and stresses, but will be something The mum and carer adds that Covid-19 the family can enjoy together like any other created anxiety for the family given Oliver’s condition. family would.

This determination carried through to Vicki’s charity effort in May of this year, when she walked 100 miles to raise money for ‘Helping Hands’, the Royal Victoria Hospital’s children’s charity.

She successfully completed the challenge, and gathered over £500 in donations for the charity, all to show appreciation for them taking care of her son.

While the hospital has been a great help, Oliver has been referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital in the hopes he will get a diagnosis after an in-depth study.

Vicki shares where this determination to do things comes from: “At the beginning we didn’t know what was wrong with him, and he was getting worse every day.

“Oliver is immunosuppressed, so we were very careful. One of his consultants wasn’t as worried because he has no respiratory issues, but we took more precautions anyway.”

Vicki talks of what this would mean for Oliver’s family, “It would give us an answer as to what life will be like in the future. Right now, we have no idea whether Oliver will be like this forever, or not.

“We didn’t know if we were going to lose him. He was in Causeway Hospital for five weeks and then transferred to RBHSC for nine months.

Oliver’s dad did contract Coronavirus in December last year but thankfully it did not pass onto Oliver. The family are relaxing and enjoying themselves as restrictions now ease.

“A diagnosis would mean we would know what way to go forward. It will determine whether he will be on TPN forever or gradually move off it. Small stuff like that will become clear.”

Local Women Magazine | 89

Summer

Styling

WITH KULAR FASHION

It is what we have all been waiting for – our favourite eateries and bars are open; those postponed weddings are finally happening; hotels are welcoming us back for a stay in the places we have missed. Summer 2021 has well and truly arrived, and we are celebrating in style.

After a year where everything was postponed or cancelled, we have been delighted to the see the arrival of our summer 2021 collection from the most soughtafter brands. From pastel shades to vibrant pops of colour, occasion dresses and shoes to casual denim and trainers, we have a gorgeous range of clothing, footwear and accessories that we know you will love.

For this month’s column we are taking a closer look at our favourite summer pieces from French Connection, GANT, Ruby Shoo and Michael Kors. Whatever your plans are for the rest of the summer, we have chosen a selection of pieces that will look great now but also seamlessly transition you from summer into autumn.

Occasionwear Whether it is a wedding, a christening or brunch with the girls, the Aiden dress from French Connection is a must this season.

Coming in three stunning summer shades – Fiery Red, Summer Daffodil and Utility Blue – this midi-length dress features contrast accents and a cinching belt to define your waist. Accessorising this dress couldn’t be easier. Team the Aiden dress with the Ruby Shoo Clarissa peep toe high heel. These high heels are the occasion shoe of the season and it is obvious why. Featuring a white and silver metallic brocade, the Clarissa peep toe is set on a classic heel and embellished with pearl and diamantes for a truly feminine finish. But, what about the bag?

Well, the Clarissa heel has a matching handbag, Toulouse.

The Toulouse bag features the same shimmering brocade, as well as a detachable shoulder strap so the bag can be worn to suit your personal style. These veganfriendly accessories will team well with your occasion pieces season after season.

94 | Local Women Magazine

PHOTOGRAPHY: Neil McLaughlin Instagram: neilmclaughlinphotography_

City Breaks After months of being couped up at home, many of us are ready for a change of scenery and a city break is just what the doctor ordered.

City breaks are full of different activities and plans so, for us, comfort is key. We enjoy getting the steps up when visiting a new city but we never want to compromise on style – and why should we? The Allie trainer from Michael Kors comes in a gorgeous Champagne shade, which will pair great with denim, joggers and midi length dresses this season. These covetable trainers feature signature MK logo branding and silver-tone hardware for a rich finish.

Summer in Ireland means we have to be prepared come rain or shine.

The GANT mac coat with Tech Prep™ is the perfect jacket to keep you cool and dry. Coming in two classic shades – Putty and Evening Blue – this water-repellent jacket features a classic mac silhouette. Layer it over a sweater and jeans for a preppy, off-duty look.

While on a city break, we tend to spend most of our day out of the hotel and in the city exploring. Therefore, it’s important to have a statement-making bag that will house the essentials. The Sinclair Tote Bag from Michael Kors is a versatile and functional accessory.

Coming in two core shades, Luggage and Vanilla, the Sinclair features a detachable crossbody strap – this way, you can be handsfree and get those Instagram-worthy pictures taken with ease.

A Chilled Annual Leave Finding this year a bit of whirlwind? Us too! Whilst most people are excited about the easing of restrictions, some of us will be happy to unwind and enjoy a relaxed summer. We are thinking trips to the beach, walks along The Quay with a coffee in hand and taking the little ones to the park for some fun in the sun. The two-piece Renya loungewear set from French Connection gives us those chilled vibes. Each piece is crafted from a lightweight fabric and cut to a relaxed fit. Team this set with the breathable Bodie trainer from Michael Kors. The Rhea backpack from Michael Kors is the perfect accessory to complete this look. Featuring Michael Kors’ Signature print, this backpack is completed with gold-tone hardware. With lots of space to store your necessities, the Rhea backpack from Michael Kors is the ideal everyday accessory for those on the go.

Find our ladieswear collection on level 2

Shop online 24/7 at kularfashion.com Ferryquay Street | Derry~Londonderry | 028 7126 1326 kularfashion

kularfashion Local Women Magazine | 95

MAGNETIX: “THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE” Local Women Wellness Columnist and Magnetix Consultant Karen Acheson’s own experiences of suffering from chronic pain inspired her to try magnetic therapy – with some excellent results.

It seems like no time at all since I wrote my first column for Local Woman - it’s hard to believe that it was six months ago.

As this is my final month, I feel it is fitting to do a general summary of how I discovered Magnetix Wellness and how it has worked for me personally.

After a 30-year career in nursing, I had ongoing back problems. Back in the 80s and 90s there were no hoists or slide sheets available. It was all physical manual handling and I’m sure many of you reading this from a caring background will remember the ‘fireman’s lift’ and the ‘Australian lift.’ All hard on the joints, especially the lower back.

I had minor back surgery in 2003 but after a car accident in 2011 where I suffered a broken back, I had immense back pain.

Though recovery was slow I managed to relieve the pain by using morphine, tramadol, and anti-inflammatory medication.

Knowing the damage prolonged use of drugs do to the body’s organs, particularly the liver, I was determined to find an alternative way to ease the aches and pains.

OFFERING BEAR MAKING WORKSHOPS & BEAR MAKING KITS. WE SUPPLY TO INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMERS, NUSERIES & COMMUNITY GROUPS ETC

A close friend introduced me to magnetic therapy in the form of a ‘Powerheart’ and truthfully, I have never looked back. It was the best decision I ever made and after I found that this product undoubtedly took the edge of the pain, I increased therapy by purchasing more products and decreased the prescribed medication.

Over a period of nine months, I was able to stop tablets completely and I now wear a Powerheart, three bracelets, earrings, a necklace and use the insoles, as well as the newest product to the range, the CBD oil.

It’s almost five years since I started magnetic therapy and I now rarely need medication. It never ceases to amaze me how much positive feedback I get from customers, and it genuinely seems to work for approximately 90% of people.

I always encourage new customers to give it a chance to work as it can take up to 21 days to feel the benefits and products need to be worn for a minimum of eight hours daily.

Commitment and stickability is essential.

NB. People with pacemakers, any medical devices with a battery and also pregnant ladies need to check with their medical professional before using Magnetix.

I’ve found that it’s good to listen to people’s individual health issues as this enables me to give the best advice possible.

Conditions that magnetic therapy has helped with range from arthritis, back pain, fibro and polymyalgia, PMT, hot flushes, fatigue and many more.

If you wish to chat, please feel free to ring me any Tuesday or Thursday evening between 7-10pm on the number below.

HOW TO ORDER Please feel free to contact me any Tuesday or Thursday evenings between 7-10pm to discuss best products for individual needs.

Telephone 07872558486 Check out my Facebook page to view live recordings and get more info on “Karen Acheson Magnetix.”

Browse my online shop at www.Karen.magnetix-wellness.com HOW TO PAY By card over the phone, online bank transfer or PayPal. Minimum charge for p+p.

96 | Local Women Magazine

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Local Women Magazine | 97

Positively Annie Local Women columnist Annie Finnegan welcomes her baby son Charlie home after he spent time in Daisy Hill’s Special Care Unit.

Monday 14th June - the second-best day of my life to date, the day we got to take Charlie home.

After two weeks in the Special Care Unit in Daisy Hill our wee man got to come home. For being five weeks early I couldn’t believe that he was out in just two weeks, he’s a strong wee boy.

What was the thing I was most looking forward to? Just the normal, simple, everyday things really! Charlie meeting his grandparents, aunties and uncles. Sitting on my couch in our beautiful home watching TV with Charlie in my arms. Going to sleep beside him every night.

Going on little adventures, walks and family days out. These are all the little things you dream of doing when you have a little baby in the Special Care Unit awaiting their homecoming.

I wouldn’t change any of Charlie’s birth for the world but having a little baby in the unit is so tough. I cried every single day and night leaving him to go home. It truly did feel like I was leaving a limb or a part of my body in that hospital every day, so that’s why it’s so special to have him home here today.

As I write this article Charlie is now seven weeks old and doing great.

He really is the ‘dream’ baby. He is a great sleeper and feeds every four hours, so we couldn’t possibly ask for much more. He is now nearing the seven-pound mark which is also amazing news. Despite being seven weeks old, Charlie is only just into his newborn size clothes after only fitting the ‘tiny baby’ clothes, so that was also another exciting development for us.

On my Instagram account (@anniefinneganxx) I record our daily lifestyle.

Many of my followers – and I know many of you read this article - have been asking how to deal with having a premature baby and where is the best places to get tiny baby clothes.

The most important thing for me with having a premature baby is to have patience. This is definitely a must because you have to understand that they have been brought into the world earlier than expected and they need just that wee bit of extra time to adjust to everything. Patience was the biggest thing I learned, especially in particular when we were trying to develop Charlie’s sucking reflex and get him to take his feeds.

Also, an important thing when having a premature baby is not to be too hard on yourself and to just take every day as it comes. There were days where Charlie took two steps back but then the next day he would take three steps forward - so it’s all about just being present in the moment, not being too hard on yourself, keeping optimistic and giving you and your baby time.

I found the best places for tiny baby clothes were Tesco, Next, Little Dolls Boutique and Matalan. Definitely the thing I would most recommend buying if you are pregnant is a ‘next to me’ crib. It means your baby is beside you throughout the whole night, you can easily see him and hear 98 | Local Women Magazine

him, and you aren’t getting up and down the whole night.

Read next month’s article to hear all about how I am adjusting to becoming a mum. “There’s no way to be a perfect mum but a million ways to be a good one.”

Lots of love,

Annie xo

Make sure to follow me on Instagram @anniefinneganxx for regular updates on my pregnancy journey & lifestyle.

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MEET THE ARTIST WITH GALLERY 1608

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ChristmasGi�t Gi�tGuide Guide Christmas MEET THE ARTIST hristmas Gi�t Guid for ArtLovers Lovers for Art a loved of stunning local thisyear year Give Give a loved one one the the giftgift of stunning local artartthis for Art with Gallery 1608’s Christmas Gift Guide.Love with Gallery 1608’s Christmas Gift Guide.

Local Women learns more about the work of talented local sculptor John F McLaughlin whose work is available at Gallery 1608 in Bushmills

I am a Belfast based full time Irish artist working for many years in a wide range of media but with a particular focus over the past With Christmas just around the corner, this month fifteen years on bronze cast sculpture and wejust have pickedthe ourcorner, favourite Christmas gifts from th Christmas around month landscape painting.

Manythis years have also some of our top Irish artists.

This year, why not have been pickedspent our favourite Christmas gifts from in art education.

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e a loved one the gift of stunning local art this y with Gallery 1608’s Christmas Gift Guide.

Local Art…

A study usually starts with loose sketches and photographs as inspiration and recording, leading to experimental modelling in clay, wood, wax, foam or other materials working towards a final bronze cast avoid the homogenous high street presents and buy me of our top Irish artists. This year, why not My something sculptural work which is both unique and collectable for outcome. The craftsmanship and rigour oid the homogenous high street presents and buy celebrates the complexity of all stages after studio your loved ones.

A bit of extra thought will provide a mething is both unique and the collectable for of which the human form and prep work leading to the gift which keeps on giving. ur loved ones. bitthe of extra thought provide a as justinfiaround corner, thiswill month nite Apossibilities derived from foundry casting and finishing Toponofgiving. ourworld list thisaround year are limited edition prints by t whichthe natural The stages, be that sand casting ed our keeps favourite Christmas giftsus.from two of Ireland’soften most well-known artists. Belfast bronze pieces evolve from or the lost wax processes are p ofIrish our listartists. this year areBradley’s limitedwhy editionnot prints by op This year, Terry of dock the artist, realistic into the depiction abstract andworkers and fascinating and absorbing, as all o of Ireland’s most well-known artists.

Belfast burlesque type women are always popular Maguire, Robert Spotten, NUA,appeal JG, NI Silver, Ghost,is expressive, with apresents range inand scale from and we stages have an which mogenous high street buy ist, Terry Bradley’s depiction ofrecent dock workers and have all of his most prints into stock.

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Keith Drury’s limited edition work is also very es.allAofexhibited bit extra provide in thought local and acan Bonesetter be ve hisof most recent printsgalleries inwill stock. and Spirit Jewellery.

The joy of making and being very much collectable and popular with our clients. His work is Ceramics are also a very popular gift and again we ps on giving. involved in all parts of the creative both quirky and contemporary, depicting diff erent th Drury’s limited edition work is also very can accommodate all budgets. Pieces range from process from sketching and refining of local scenes seamlessly brought together in one piece. lectable and popular with our clients. His work is functional pottery to bespoke sculptural pieces.

Ceramics are also a ideas very popular gift and we this year are limited edition prints by through to again making and The artwork has appeared on television’s The Fall and th quirky and contemporary, depicting different Represented are household names such as Sharon can accommodate all budgets.

Pieces range from producing the fi nal realised is even in the collection of Princess Anne.

Prints from ’s scenes most seamlessly well-known artists.

Belfast al brought together in one piece.

Ian Carty, Rory Shearer, Leona Devine and piece is very fulfilling. functional Reagan, pottery to bespoke sculptural pieces. both artists can be bought framed or unframed. eradley’s artwork has appeared of on dock television’s The Falland and Patrick Colhoun.Influences include sculptors depiction workers Represented are household names such as Sharon even in the collection of Princess Anne. Prints like Breon e women are always popular and from we Maguire, Spotten, NUA, JG, NI Silver, Ghost, Reagan, IanRobert Carty, Rory Shearer, LeonaO’Casey, Devine andRonan th artists can be bought framed or unframed.

Gillespie, John Behan, Eilis O’ Patrick Colhoun. most recent prints in stock.

Bonesetter Jewellery.

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mited edition work is also very d popular with our clients. His work is d contemporary, depicting different eamlessly brought together in one piece. as appeared on television’s The Fall and Local Jewellery… collection of Princess Anne.

Prints If jewellery is more your idea offrom a giftframed why not or support our local n be bought unframed.

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years of also experience, with an gift emphasis on we Ceramics are a very popular and again have perhaps the largest selection of Irish Art Books Irish Paintings… sketch book work recording, alongside been Pieces working underaccommodate one Finally, roof in our the painters whole ofhave Northern Ireland. tirelessly can all budgets. range from photography and close observational and to ensure we have new works available for the studies of the Irishsculptural landscapepieces. using functional pottery to bespoke Christmas season and the range and quality of our Irish analytical Paintings… a range of media including charcoal, ink, Represented are household names such as Sharon current show is amazing.

Finally, watercolour our painters have beenThese workingannotated tirelessly small wash. to ensure we works for the Reagan, Ianhave Carty, Shearer, Leona Devine studies arenew often up later to more and Remember, weRory canworked offavailable er 10 months interest free Christmas season and the range and quality of our fi nished outcomes on canvas.

The work credit on all pieces over £100 and you can Patrick Colhoun.

intake scale intimate studies to currentmay showrange is amazing. the from work away immediately. jewellery available at many different bigger more Aexpressive uences ewellery is more your idea of great way topieces. spread theInfl cost of 10 MONTHS INTEREST Remember, we can er 10 months interest free price points, ranging from costume include T P off Flanagan gift why not support our local Christmas.and Basil Blackshaw.

FREE LOANS NOW AVAILABLE jewellery to more bespoke pieces. credit on all pieces over £100 and you can akers? We have a wide range of The gift of a book never fails and at Gallery 1608 we PLUS YOU TAKE HOME We would like to wish all our We have sourced many of Ireland’s take the work away immediately. wellery available at many different THE PIECE TODAY have perhaps the largest selection of Irish Art Books customers a very happy Christmas finest jewellers and have work availableMain 83-85 Street, Bushmills, Co. Antrim, BT57 8QD A great way to spread the cost of 10 MONTHS INTEREST ce points, ranging from costume and a peaceful New Year! from well-known names such as Louise Christmas. under one roof in the whole of Northern Ireland.

FREE LOANS NOW AVAILABLE T: bespoke 028 pieces.

2073 1324 | E: info@gallery1608.co.uk | W: www.gallery1608.co.uk wellery to more PLUS YOU TAKE HOME We would like to wish all our e have sourced many of Ireland’s THE PIECE TODAY customers a very happy Christmas est jewellers and have work available

Local Books…

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CELEBRATE ‘DOGUST’ AT PET & COUNTRY

Choose to rehome a pet and this month you can celebrate their unofficial birthday.

Why not pop into Pet & Country and buy your pet a special treat for ‘Dogust?’

Dogust is an unofficial birthday celebration for all

their dog or select a day at random but for those who

use the Tropiclean Oral Care foam too. We do use a spray of cologne every other week – we love the Groom Professional range, expecially Winter Walks – the scent lasts for ages.”

don’t, having Dogust celebrated on 1st August is a

Follow Skye on instagram @Skye_withtheears

shelter and rescue dogs whose real birthdays are unknown. Some people celebrate the day they adopted

perfect choice.

MID ANTRIM ANIMAL SANCTUARY

WHY ADOPT A DOG? 1.

As part of our Dogust celebration, we wanted to shine a spotlight on a local sanctuary we are supporting in 2021 – Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary.

You’ll save two lives – The RSPCA took 10,564 dogs into their facilities in 2019. Shelters are massively overburdened. By adopting a shelter or rescue dog you will help dramatically reduce the number of dogs that need to be euthanised plus you will create a space at the shelter for another dog in need.

2.

Costs less than buying a dog – When you adopt a pet often costs such as spaying/neutering, first vaccinations, and sometimes even microchipping are included in the small adoption fee.

3.

Help fight against puppy farms – These horrible factory-style

breeding

facilities

have

poor

conditions and little to no medical care. The mother dogs are kept in cages and bred repeatedly without any companionship or love until they are no longer useful and then they are disposed of.

Gorgeous Collie cross Skye found her fur-ever home in August 2018. We chatted with owner Jordan about his dog adoption journey with the Dog’s Trust and why it was important to him to rehome a rescue dog.

“We met Skye at Dogs Trust, Ballymena in August 2018 - She had just arrived at the centre the day before. We always knew we wanted a dog and I had been following a few different rehoming centres for a while on social media. For me personally adopting a dog from a rescue centre was so important – you are literally saving a life and creating more space in a shelter for another dog who needs care. It helps to fight against puppy farms where wealth is put before health.

It genuinely shocks me when I hear of people paying hundreds of pounds for pups. We weren’t really looking for a particular breed. We knew that we wanted a younger dog so that we could easily train him as we have young nieces. The process of adopting Skye was super simple and the staff are honestly brilliant – they offer lifetime support and have a team ready to help if we should have any behaviour issues.

The Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary is a not-for-profit, independent registered charity close to our store. It has been in existence since 1996, and concentrates its works on animal re-homing, education, and relieving the distress and suffering of unwanted animals. The charity operates a strict ‘No Kill’ policy and in 2019 found forever homes for 334 dogs and 314 cats, which have been saved from possible destruction. Prior to re-homing, and on the successful completion of a home check, all animals are vaccinated, neutered, and micro-chipped.

Measures are also put in place to ensure that all animals may be returned to the haven of the Sanctuary should they encounter any difficulties in their new home.

This year they are fundraising to develop an additional piece of land for which they have just received planning permission. This development will allow for external and large runs, with agility, for the dogs and also a dedicated puppy unit, meet and greet area, and living room, which gives the dogs an opportunity to experience life in a home.

We are looking forward to raising funds to help with their 2021 projects.

“When it comes to grooming, Skye isn’t a massive fan of the bath, but she also does everything in her power to avoid muddy puddles and getting dirty so she would visit the groomers every three months. At home, she gets brushed every other day and we apply Tropiclean Teeth Gel to her teeth every night to keep them looking great - we occasionally

38 - 44 Main Street | Ballymoney | T: 028 2766 3513 | Monday – Saturday 9.00am - 5:30pm 102 | Local Women Magazine

SUMMER SALE

Offers available 9th August - 4th September, while stocks last.

#SHOPLOCAL Local Women Magazine | 103

r o f t o h s What’

1 2 n Autum Sleek, chic, and ready for Autumn weather!

Give your look a polished finish with this sophisticated little piece. Pearls are the finishing touch we didn’t even know our outerwear pieces were missing till we saw this beauty! If you’re a fan of classic styles with timeless appeal, then prepare to fall in love!

‘Wow’ doesn’t even come close to describing this statement outerwear style! With the hooded detail and faux fur cuffs, this piece is brimming with comfy, cozy elegance!

Warning: you may never want to wear another jacket ever again.

104 | Local Women Magazine

Good quality knitwear is the foundation of the Autumn/Winter wardrobe so why not choose this wonderful new take on a classic style. Design and practicality work handinhand in this piece to create a style that is as comfortable as it is chic.

You could pair the houndstooth top with a pair of sleek black trousers for a refined and elegant aesthetic, or, take your look to the next level with these fabulous knitted trousers!

Your Autumn/Winter wardrobe has never looked so on trend.

Soft pink and grey tones are a great way to introduce a little colour to your look and faux fur accents are the perfect way to add some cozy texture! This cover-up is an uber elegant alternative to a classic jacket style and is guaranteed to give every look a style upgrade. Wear it day to day, or, dress it up, the choice is yours!

Chunky patterns are all the rage for this season and houndstooth never fails to make headlines trendwise for Autumn/Winter. This fabulous polo neck style is ‘Relaxed Chic’ at it’s finest, need we say more?

Local Women Magazine | 105

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PRICE INCLUDES: Return ferry crossing Belfast to Cairnryan Car plus 2 adults 2 kids 4* Leonardo Royal Edinburgh Haymarket Standard family room only basis Disney's Beauty & the Beast Musical Stall tickets - 14.30 Sunday 24th Oct

DISNEYLAND PARIS MAGICAL OFFERS

KILLARNEY, DINGLE & RING OF KERRY

from £389pp

25th October 2021 from £349pp

3 Nights, 4 days Park Tickets, Flights & transfers 13th December 2021 from £429pp 9th March 2022 from £389pp 15th May 2022 from £475pp

3 Nights at the 4* Gleneagles Hotel Breakfast and Evening Meals Visits to Killarney, Dingle, Ring of Kerry Free Lively Entertainment Various pick up locations.

START PLANNING

SUMMER 2023 BOOK NOW FOR JUST £60pp* T&C’s apply

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN GLASGOW & EDINBURH 3rd December 2021 2 Nights at Mercure Hotel with breakfast and evening meals included.

Only £219pp

ORLANDO SUMMER 2023 4th July 2023 x 14 nights 2 adults sharing - £1359pp 3 adults sharing - £1199pp 4 adults sharing - £1129pp 2 adults, 1 child - £3469 2 adults, 2 children - £4229 *child 11 & under

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Finalist for the Drapers Womenswear Brand of the Year Available at the finest independent boutiques in Northern Ireland!

www.franklyman.com

FORGET HAIR LOSS SCALP MICROPIGMENTATION AN EFFECTIVE AND IMMEDIATE HAIR LOSS SOLUTION

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A NEW CAREER IN MAKE UP ARTISTRY At the Make Up Pro Store, you can train with expert make up artist Paddy McGurgan and his team for an exciting new career.

Hey PROreaders!

your foundation, like a pair of shoes. You want to make sure, that the foundation is supporting you, and giving you what you need.

Whether it be a light/ medium or full coverage or if it is best for dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, mature skin etc.

The more informed you are about your skin and what you want from your foundation, the better your final choice will be.

If you have managed to still wear make up through July’s heatwave, I firmly salute you! So, as we launch into August, we will discuss how to be more Beach Babe than Sweaty Betty.

PRIMERS Please trust me, when I tell you, that primers are not a ploy for make up counters to upsell to you. They really do work. Not only can they add to the skin, such as add hydration for dry skin, mattify oily skin or illuminate dull skin, but it will create a base for the remainder of your make up to stay onto.

So, as I said, this is NOT a definitive l i s t however it will give you some ideas of what brand and product usually suits.

Medium Coverage - Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation

NEW ACADEMY JUST RELEASED

Full Coverage - Make Up Studio Face It Light Cream Foundation

BEGINNING: SUNDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER

Light Coverage - Make Up For Ever Watertone Foundation

Yes, I know there are particular foundations that ‘don’t move’ when you put them on, yes, I see the appeal, but the same could also be said for cement. (Please do not try this at home!)

Dry Skin - Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation & Make Up Studio Face It Light Cream Foundation

Primers allow make up lovers to use their foundation and create a natural finish, which means that you do not need to apply heavy layers to ensure longevity.

Oily/Combination Skin - Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation or Make Up Atelier Waterproof Foundation

RECOMMENDATIONS

Mature Skin - Make Up For Ever Reboot Foundation or Make Up Studio Face It Light Cream Foundation

Dry Skin - Step 1 Make Up For Ever Hydra Boost £30.50 Oily/Combination Skin - Base Antishine (Make Up Atelier) £18.50

FOUNDATION Foundation is tough one, I do not believe there is a one size fits all analogy, so it is important to think of

If you would like any help with choosing your colours, or help with foundations please drop in store, or get in touch via our social media channels and one of the team will be happy to help!

SEPTEMBER 2021

TIME: STARTING AT 10AM FINISHING AT 5PM WITH TIME FOR LUNCH. DISCOUNT: 15% OFF ALL PRODUCTS ON THE ITEC COURSE: £1550 This is a fast paced and intensive Make Up Artistry Academy with Paddy McGurgan and his senior team. Turn your love and passion for make up and beauty into a career with the help of award winning Make Up Trainer Paddy McGurgan. This course will encompass all areas and aspects of make up artistry to ensure you are not only industry ready, but ready to excel in your chosen field. Whether it be soft glam make up, night-time make up, mature make up, bridal make up or editorial, Paddy and his team will allow and nurture your artistry to ensure you finish your course feeling motivated, confident and ready to begin a new and exciting career.

108-112 Royal Avenue, Belfast, Co Antrim, BT1 1DL

www.makeupprostore.co.uk

Start your Wedding adventure now! & Spa Weddings at the 4* Ballyliffin Lodge

-DRIVEN CHAUFFEUR DING CARS D E W Y R A T COMPLIMEN OVER & RANGE R ROLLS ROYCE y

*T’s & C’s appl

L WONDERFU ARDEN WEDDING G APTURING

RC LOCATION FO A STUNNING D T AY YOUR PERFEC

ODGE

THE GATE L

OUR NEW NY VENUE CIVIL CEREMO

To make an enquiry please contact our Wedding Team on sales@ballyliffinlodge.com or +353 74 93 78200

www.ballyliffinlodge.com

114 | Local Women Magazine

LW WEDDINGS

Laura & David BRIDE: Laura O'Donnell from Derry

GROOM: David Redden from Derry BRIDE'S PARENTS: Ann and Frankie O'Donnell GROOM'S PARENTS: Tina and Don Redden WEDDING DATE: 31/05/2021 CEREMONY: Longtower chapel RECEPTION: Drenagh House BRIDESMAIDS: Rachel O'Donnell, Karen Doherty and Sophia O'Donnell BEST MAN: Ciaran Redden GROOMSMEN: Keith Moran, Lewis Moran PHOTOGRAPHER: Gerard Gormley HAIR: Lux - Demi Gillespie MAKE-UP: Blush & Glow - Dani O'Donnell DRESS: The Bridal Showroom FLOWERS: Ailish Mc Cafferty

Local Women Magazine | 115

116 | Local Women Magazine

LW WEDDINGS

Grainne & Keith BRIDE: Grainne Keogh HOMETOWN: Derry GROOM: Keith Hardy HOMETOWN: Inch Island, Donegal BRIDE'S PARENTS: Kevin & Christine Keogh, Derry GROOM'S PARENTS: Stephen & Anne Hardy, Inch Island WEDDING DATE: 16/06/2021 CEREMONY: Our Lady of Lourdes, Inch Island RECEPTION: Beech Hill Country house MAID OF HONOUR: Rachael Power BRIDESMAIDS: Alanna Hardy, Eve Keogh BEST MAN: John Toner GROOMSMEN: Dwayne Hardy, Kevin Keogh WEDDING CARS: Classy Wedding Cars PHOTOGRAPHER: James Aiken Photography HAIR: Colleen Doherty @ Salvage Hair MAKE-UP: Orla Kelly DRESS & SUITS: Bridal Showroom, Black Tie Showroom FLOWERS: Flowers by Pamela CAKE: Nuala Doherty Ah Crumbs JEWELLERY: D Cooleys Jewellers DRESS ALTERATIONS: Cora Simms WEDDING MUSIC: Laura Keogh, Lailah Keogh, Paul Cutliffe and Lawrence Quigg RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: Gerard Dillon Entertainments CARICATURE: Mick @ ink well cartoon & caricature DECORATIONS: Ultimate touches

jamesaikenphotography_

@jamesaikenphotography.ni

Local Women Magazine | 117

jamesaikenphotography_

118 | Local Women Magazine

@jamesaikenphotography.ni

LW WEDDINGS

Hannah & Jason BRIDE: Hannah Mitchell

HOMETOWN: Londonderry GROOM: Jason Donnell HOMETOWN: Londonderry BRIDES PARENTS: Helen Mitchell, Londonderry Ronald Mitchell, (Uncle of the bride) Strabane GROOMS PARENTS: Audrey Hunter, Ballymagorry, David Donnell, Omagh WEDDING DATE: 25th June 2021 CEREMONY: Beech-hill Country House Hotel RECEPTION: Beech-hill Country House Hotel MAID OF HONOUR: Victoria Mitchell CHIEF BRIDESMAID: Helena Livingstone BRIDESMAIDS: Nadine Callen, Naomi Callen, Natalie Hunter and Hannah Adair FLOWER GIRLS: Leah Donnell and Hannah Muir BEST MAN: Christopher Donnell GROOMSMEN: Johnny Warnock, Robert Mitchell, Christopher Boyd and Ryan Rutherford

Local Women Magazine | 119

120 | Local Women Magazine

LW WEDDINGS

Mary-Kate

& Thomas

BRIDE: Mary-Kate Arthurs from Warrenpoint GROOM: Thomas Donnelly from Belfast BRIDE'S PARENTS: Eileen and Leo Arthurs

GROOM'S PARENTS: Elizabeth (Jay) Donnelly and the late Michael Donnelly WEDDING DATE: 8/5/2021 CEREMONY: St Catherine's Dominican Church, Newry RECEPTION: Darver Castle BRIDESMAIDS: Amy O'Hagan, Aine Donnelly and Susan Ingram BEST MAN: Chris Reynolds GROOMSMEN: Chris and Des Donnelly PHOTOGRAPHER: Simon O'Neill, Ciarán O'Neill Photography HAIR: Conor Lynch, Honeycomb Hair MAKEUP: Kerri McArdle, Armagh DRESS: Milla Nova from Verona Bridal FLOWERS: House of Elliot Flowers

Our lockdown wedding story: We celebrated our wedding on 8th of May 2021. We went with our original date as this is what we wanted and had always imagined. It was however very hard to plan our wedding as I was in lockdown living and working in Liverpool, while Thomas was working and living in Dublin. We are both doctors and worked during the pandemic, so we really didn’t want to delay the day because we had been so excited since our engagement in December 2019.

We were allowed a maximum of 60 people at our ceremony at St Catherine's Dominican Church, Newry. This included my three beautiful bridesmaids Amy, Aine and Susan and Thomas' three groomsmen Chris, Des and Chris Donnelly.

We then had the most fabulous and intimate reception at Darver Castle in Co Louth with six of our nearest and dearest (a big change from our original guest list of 220!) My mum, dad and brother James were there. My brother Michael watched our ceremony from Darwin, Australia and we had with us the memory of my late brother Ciarán Arthurs. Thomas had his mother Jay, sister Kelly and husband Roy, and again the memory of Thomas’ late father Michael Donnelly.

It was a special day that we will never forget filled with so much joy and of course some tears of sadness. If we had to do it over again, we certainly would.

Father Ralph celebrated the most beautiful wedding mass and put us both at ease. Darver Castle couldn’t have been more accommodating to us, and our beautiful photos were taken by Simon O'Neill from Ciaran O'Neill Photography.

Local Women Magazine | 121

122 | Local Women Magazine

LW WEDDINGS

Shauna

& Connor

BRIDE: Shauna Wilson, Derry

GROOM: Connor Gallagher, Derry BRIDE'S PARENTS: Jim and Maria Wilson, Derry GROOM'S PARENTS: John and Sylvia Gallagher, Donegal WEDDING DATE: 6th April 2021 CEREMONY: St Columb’s Church, Chapel Road CHIEF BRIDESMAID: Colleen Wilson BRIDESMAIDS: Lauren Doherty and Shauneen Gallagher BEST MAN: Barry Gallagher GROOMSMEN: Martin Wilson and Owen McGlinchey PHOTOGRAPHER: Donal Doherty MAKEUP: StudioC, Derry (Bride’s sister) DRESS: McElhinney’s, Ballybofey FLOWERS: John Paul Florist, Derry

Our lockdown wedding story:

Our original wedding date was 26th June 2020. We had been engaged two and a half years and were all set. Our honeymoon was booked to cruise around the Caribbean on board ‘Symphony of the Seas’. We were so organised that we even had our wedding rings engraved with our original wedding date, well before there was any mention of Covid!

Needless to say, with lockdown, we were forced to put everything on hold. With a complete ban on weddings in June 2020, we re-arranged for 6th April 2021.

We both work for the NHS and have had a very busy and stressful year. Looking back on this, it served as a reminder of what is most important and put everything into perspective. So, we decided that if we were allowed come April, we would go ahead and get married regardless of numbers allowed or restrictions on receptions.

On 6th April, we were allowed a ceremony with 25 people present (which included the celebrant and all the vendors). We had the most beautiful intimate wedding with our immediate families and had the most memorable day we could have asked for.

With both of us now vaccinated, we are hopeful we will be able to get a holiday somewhere in September. We have re-arranged our wedding reception in Harvey’s Point for next April and can’t wait for a big party with our family and friends!

If anyone is unsure about going ahead with a small wedding, we would definitely say go for it! It will always be the best day of your life if you’re marrying your best friend.

Local Women Magazine | 123

124 | Local Women Magazine

LW WEDDINGS

Emma

& Cathal

BRIDE: Emma McAleer from Ballymena

GROOM: Cathal McLaughlin from Killyman, Co Tyrone DATE: 2nd January 2021 CEREMONY: All Saints Church, Ballymena RECEPTION: An Grianan Hotel DRESS: Suzanne Neville (Castle Couture Galgorm) FLOWERS: GMK Creations PHOTOGRAPHS: Angela Cunning

Local Women Magazine | 125

126 | Local Women Magazine

LW WEDDINGS

Jessica

& Matthew

BRIDE: Jessica McCombe from Ballymena GROOM: Matthew Ringland from Antrim WEDDING DATE: 28th August, 2020

CEREMONY AND PHOTOS: Glenariffe Forest Park DRESS: Ivory Grace Bridal Boutique HAIR: Atlanta Surgenor Hair MAKE UP: Alice's Beauty Clinic BESTMAN: Wilson Snoddy FLOWERS: S & Co Flowers PHOTOGRAPHY: Angela Cunning Photography

Local Women Magazine | 127

128 | Local Women Magazine

LW WEDDINGS

Sarah

& Emmett

BRIDE: Sarah McKinney GROOM: Emmet Ryan DATE OF WEDDING: 01/06/21 DERRY EVENT FLOWERS AND DOG COLLARS: Aoife Doherty from Sass & Halo DRESS: The White Gallery, Warrenpoint HAIR: Clodagh at Atelier Hair PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Love Photography BANGOR EVENT FLOWERS: Janet Brown Flower Room, Belfast HAIR: Aoife Ferguson Bridal Hair MAKE UP: Maid By Sinead Bridal Makeup PHOTOGRAPHER: Meghan Doherty Photography MAKEUP: Maid By Sinead Bridal Makeup

Our wedding story:

Emmet and Sarah met in Derry in 2015. They travelled all over the globe ending up in Queenstown, New Zealand.

They decided to return to Derry after their foreign ventures.

At home their love burgeoned, culminating in their decision to marry. On 29th May their wedding took place at St Mary's Chapel, Creggan, followed by a family dinner at the Bishop's Gate Hotel, Derry.

Two days later they had a civil ceremony at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel in Bangor where 20 friends and family gathered to celebrate. It was quite challenging organising two events during lockdown but a big 'thank you' must go to the great teams on board whose professionalism and expertise made the two events so memorable - even down to the dog groomers and kennel providers!

Local Women Magazine | 129

Fountain of Youth with added tan remover

RELAX AND BATHE AWAY YOUR STRESSES WITH MERMAID COVE’S NEW RANGE OF BATH BOMBS CREATED FOR YOUR WELLBEING. A new luxurious bath bomb range has been created by Mermaid Cove in Derry, inspired by nature and packed full of natural ingredients.

reduce swelling of the skin, fight blackheads and eliminate blemishes. Contains essential oils of Clary Sage , Lavender, Rose Geranium and Tea Tree.

Named ‘The Fountain of Youth’ range each bath bomb contains minerals and vitamins as well as a fake tan removing formula.

OCEAN BALNEOTHERAPY BATH BOMB

Working with their cosmetic chemist Mermaid Cove created the bath bombs which mimic a hot spring experience in your bath, moving around under the water stopping occasionally and releasing micro mineral bubbles on the surface.

ruby grapefruit, geranium, jasmine, and tangerine.

The bath bombs were inspired by the Fountain of Youth - a mythical spring that restores the youth of anyone who bathes in its waters.

These are intended for adults only and are a luxury high-end product for anyone serious about skin care and giving their skin a spa treatment of moisture and active anti-ageing ingredients.

The range contains anti-ageing properties as well as vitamins and minerals which promote health and wellbeing.

They may look simple but the results are anything but.

come in a range of fragrances each with their own unique properties.

Embrace and love your skin but fight ageing every step of the way with this skin-loving blend of exotic oils, vitamins, sea minerals, and marine collagen.

Stunningly beautiful and luxurious bath bombs packed with ocean minerals, Celtic seaweed, essential oils, exotic tropical butters, and magnesium.

This formula leaves the skin feeling silky, refreshed, and relaxed. The concept behind this bomb is to mimic the popular Euro-spa balneotherapy soaks that have been in use for centuries. This is a slowrelease formula that fizzes away gently with a light foaming action.

Not your average bath bomb formulae, this one has added Marine Collagen, Magnesium, Vitamins A, C, E, oils of almond, argan, coconut, and sea buckthorn with essential oils of sandalwood,

Embrace and love your skin but fight ageing every step of the way with this skin-loving blend of sandalwood, grapefruit, geranium, tangerine and ylang.

ANTI-AGEING SKIN LOVE The high-end luxury bath bombs are vegan and BALNEOTHERAPY BATH BOMB

These products are an excellent fake tan remover

COLLAGEN KISS - ANTI-AGEING SKIN LOVE BALNEOTHERAPY BATH BOMB

CLEAR SKIN BALNEOTHERAPY BOMB

BATH

Stunningly beautiful and luxurious bath bombs packed with ocean minerals, Celtic seaweed, essential oils, exotic tropical butters, and magnesium.

This formula leaves the skin feeling silky, refreshed, and relaxed. The concept behind this bomb is to mimic the popular Euro-spa balneotherapy soaks that have been in use for centuries. This is a slowrelease formula that fizzes away gently with a light foaming action.

The essential oils found in this blend are known to aid acne-ridden skin. This blend contains an abundance of anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties, which can help

Stunningly beautiful and luxurious bath bombs packed with ocean minerals, Celtic seaweed, essential oils, exotic tropical butters, and magnesium.

This formula leaves the skin feeling silky, refreshed, and relaxed. The concept behind this bomb is to mimic the popular Euro-spa balneotherapy soaks that have been in use for centuries. This is a slowrelease formula that fizzes away gently with a light foaming action.

The scent on this variety is a fresh ocean marine scent with shades of briny seaweed.

RELAX BALNEOTHERAPY BATH BOMB Stunningly beautiful and luxurious bath bombs packed with ocean minerals, Celtic seaweed, essential oils, exotic tropical butters, and magnesium.

This formula leaves the skin feeling silky, refreshed, and relaxed. The concept behind this bomb is to mimic the popular Euro-spa balneotherapy soaks that have been in use for centuries. This is a slowrelease formula that fizzes away gently with a light foaming action.

In such a busy world it is important to take time out to relax, but it is rare that we actually get to really relax and unwind. Sit comfortably, play music softly, shut your eyes and relax with this blissful blend. Contains essential oils of lavender, patchouli, mandarin, marjoram, geranium, and chamomile.

SLEEP BALNEOTHERAPY BATH BOMB Stunningly beautiful and luxurious bath bombs packed with ocean minerals, Celtic seaweed, essential oils, exotic tropical butters, and magnesium. This formula leaves the skin feeling silky, refreshed, and relaxed.

The concept behind this bomb is to mimic the popular Euro-spa balneotherapy soaks that have been in use for centuries. This is a slow-release formula that fizzes away gently with a light foaming action.

A sweet and fragrant blend that will wrap you up in cotton wool for a sleep like no other. A diffusive fresh herbal blend of the highest grade of lavender, supported by marjoram, lemon, and chamomile to help prevent those restless nights. Dreams have never been so sweet.

MERMAID COVE | LEVEL 3 | RICHMOND CENTRE | DERRY CITY

www. mermaid-cove.com Follow us on Facebook/@MermaidCoveDerryCity

BALANCE BACK VOUCHERS GET YOUR BALANCE BACK WITH OUR VOUCHER SALE SAVE UP TO 50%

1 Night ‘ Balance Back ’ Voucher

2 Night ‘ Balance Back ’ Voucher

Normally €320.00

Normally €520

YOU PAY €160.00

YOU PAY €260.00

1 night seaview B&B 1 hour luxury thermal spa session Afternoon Tea with a view Full use of Leisure Centre

2 nights seaview B&B 1 hour luxury thermal spa session Afternoon Tea with a view Full use of Leisure Centre

Packages valid for two adults sharing one room.

Children 4 years and under B&B with sharing adults, free of charge. 5 years to 12 years €25 B&B per night. Children can be added at the time of booking your stay.

Book now at www.shandonhotelspa.com #TakeMeToS handon

VOUCHERS AVAILABLE INSTANTLY ONLINE Gift Voucher

Book our flexible B&B rates with confidence, flexibility and no pre-payment required

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ALL THE LATEST OFFERS Shandon Spa & Hotel, Marble Hill Strand, Portnablagh, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal Tel: +353 74 91 36137 www.shandonhotelspa.com | info@shandonhotelspa.com | facebook.com/ShandonSpaHotel

1C FRANCIS STREET | NEWRY | BT35 8BQ WWW.SHANNONSBOUTIQUE.COM shannons_boutique1

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