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VOLUME 32

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Christmas Gift Guide

ISSN 1361-2735

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 - G E T R E A D Y T O PA R T Y W I T H N W !

Hair: Leisa Stafford for Denman; Colour: Leisa Stafford; Styling: Sara O'Neill; Make-up: Pamela Smyth; Photography: Lee Michell

for the Party Season

NW would like to wish all our readers a Very Merry Christmas & a Fashionable 2016!

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Contents 69 Christmas Gift Guide

FEATURES

For him, for her and for the kids!

4 New Beginnings

80s icon Marilyn tells us about his time in the music industry, and his plans to get back in the recording studio.

FASHION

14 Party On

Show-stopper party wear for Christmas and New Year.

18 Close Knit

Knitwear to keep you warm this winter.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

REGULARS

12 Fashion & Lifestyle News

Keeping you up-to-date with events, new stories and Christmas inspiration.

39 Working 9-5

We meet four women forging a career within the health and beauty industry.

45 My Brilliant Career

50 Armed & Fabulous

Staff nurse Jemma Watson gives us an insight into nursing and her job within Coronary Care.

56 All that Glitters

COMPETITION

NW offers advice to improve the appearance of your arms. Be a little more daring with your make-up with our festive beauty looks.

38 Win... An Electronic Sheep

LIFESTYLE

60 Win... enough coffee for the

This Co. Antrim house was originally a shop and post office and now transformed to a period style haven.

68 Win... A Midweek break to the

Designer scarf from Gráinne Maher: VAULT

Festive Season

64 Then and Now

Radisson Blu Hotel in Galway

PUBLISHER: Gladys Greer MANAGER: Eileen Wilson Doherty CONTRIBUTORS: Margaret Connolly, Kate Cody & Emma Deighan O’Neill Art Editor: Karen Donnelly PRODUCTION MANAGER: Stuart Gray Accounts: Gerardine Carson Design & Production: Greer Publications Design Tel: 028 9078 3200 DISTRIBUTION: WNS Newspread, Belfast PRINT: GPS

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Greer Publications Ltd, 5B Edgewater Business Park, Belfast Harbour Estate, Belfast, BT3 9JQ Tel: 028 9078 3200 www.northernwoman.co.uk

INTERVIEWMARILYN

New Beginnings Margaret Connolly caught up with 80s icon, Marilyn, while he was in Belfast recently to support the Action Cancer Symphonic Fashion Show at Crumlin Road Gaol.

can remember heading to fancy dress discos championing the style of Marilyn’s close friend Boy George and admiring Adam Ant’s chiseled features. So, I’ve always appreciated the adyronous male, whether it’s because of my love of fashion and how they pushed the boundaries back then, or simply the drama and the beauty of it all, who knows. However, one of the most beautiful males in the 80s was

Marilyn (born Peter Robinson - which will raise a giggle here in N.I.) and as I had the pleasure of finding out this iconic 53-year-old is still a charismatic and extremely handsome character, when I was introduced to him by his friend and organiser of the Action Cancer Symphonic Fashion Show, Cindy McKendry. Although he only ever had one huge hit in 1983 with ‘Calling Your Name’,

which can be found on any self-respecting 80s album compilation, Jamaican-born Marilyn (he moved to London with his mother when his parents separated when he was five) was a huge part of the 80s street culture/pop scene. From his days in London club, The Blitz (the 80s equivalent to The Cavern in Liverpool in the 60s), to his much publicised friendship with Boy George, appearances in The Euthrymics Video, ‘Who’s That Girl?’, walking the catwalk for Westwood London, Gaultier Paris and Marc Jacobs N.Y., and being part of the original Band Aid line-up in his yellow tracksuit and long, bleached blonde mane of hair, Marilyn is very much part of 80s history. Ironically, as he told me, during his fame while his beautiful, adrogynous image was much celebrated and adorned the covers of teen magaines, he never thought he was attractive and was always doubting his talent. This lack of selfconfidence saw Marilyn self-destruct after a series of incidents. ‘Basically, I got to a point in life when it wasn’t just one thing that went wrong, but five or six incidents all one after the other in quick succession (this started with his arrest at Boy George’s flat in 1986 for possession of heroin; he was found not

INTERVIEWMARILYN

Creative Direction/shoot styling. Cindy McKendry. Photography Catherine MacKenzie. Make-up Rosie Prichard. All clothing by Michael Moffatt of Moores Coleraine.

❛❛I like that sharp, tailored look or a leather jacket and pair of jeans, but I can’t afford to dress myself in designer brands at present! I loved my Paul Costelloe suit last night and was presented with one of Sara O’Neill’s beautiful silk scarves - I love the stories behind her pieces ❜❜ guilty), and after a nervous breakdown I just wanted to get away from it all. So penniless, I arrived at my mother’s front door in Hertfordshire and basically never left her front room for 20 years taking a cocktail of heroin and prescription drugs! On a few occasions I did feel like ending it all, but while I am not a practising Roman Catholic I was brought up in that faith and all I could think about was going to Purgatory if I took my own life. The thought of spending the rest of my days in this grey limbo was what stopped me. Who knows what is out there after we die, but I knew I didn’t want what Purgatory was offering!’

In many ways it’s quite apt that Marilyn was at Crumlin Road Gaol because he too is stepping out of the past and enjoying a new lease of life since entering rehab in 2010. ‘It’s not like I set out for my life to turn out like it did, but nearly six years on I am so thankful to be out, living life again and feeling happy. So I suppose it is quite apt that I am here supporting this charitable event in a venue which is experiencing a new lease of life in this thriving city.’ Marilyn has also shown his support for Stand Up To Cancer appearing on Celebrity Googlebox as part of Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer charity evening, alongside long-

time friend Boy George (or Gina as Marilyn calls him) and Spice Girl Geri Halliwell. He is also back in the recording studio. ‘I only ever put out one album in 1985, ‘Despite Straight Lines’ and it was all about my relationship with Gavin (Gavin Rossdale) and what I was going through with him, I don’t want this to be the only thing I am remembered for, I have more to give and the positivity and renewed selfworth that I now have comes across in my new material, all of which I write myself and it has been such a huge compliment to have those that I worked with in the past wanting to come back onboard and support me again. ‘I turned so many people away during

INTERVIEWMARILYN those 20 years when I was living like a recluse, however, so many of my friends are there for me now; it’s humbling,’ he adds. ‘I should also add here that my mother is one in a million. What I have put her through and for any mother to have to see their child on the path I was on for two decades can’t have been easy, but she stood by me and continues to be there for me. I know she could have turned round and told me to leave but she didn’t.’ While not ready to release any of his new material just yet, Marilyn did let me listen to one of his tracks, ‘Just Be’ and not knowing what to expect, I have to say, in my humble opinion, it sounded fantastic. Very upbeat and anthemic, it is certainly reflective of where he is at within himself. I’ve briefly alluded to his welldocumented relationship with Gavin Rossdale, who has now separated from his wife Gwen Stefani because of his affair with the nanny. Gavin initally denied the relationship when he was outed by Boy George in his 1995 autobiography ‘Take it Like a Man’, but has since admitted that it was an experimental fling. ‘We were in a relationship for five years. To this day I will talk about it when I am asked because I am not ashamed that it happened. I loved him, I don’t love him now, but I really did love him and I was hurt when it was over.’ As we are chatting, Marilyn also lets slip about his brief dalliance with Paul Weller. Again this has previously been documented in the press and apparently when Paul was asked about this in NME he said, ‘If Marilyn said it happened, it must have

❛❛I am recording new material and writing my autobiography. I have a real riches to rags story and after decades of drug abuse and low self-esteem, I am now trying to rebuild my life. It’s all about being myself and who I want to be.❜❜

done.’ So, what about his love life today? ‘Let’s just say I was celibate for 20 years and now I’m not! I am a different person to the one I was in my past relationships. I would have invested in their life and put my own on the back-burner. Now I value myself more and the ideal would be to meet someone who has their life and I have mine and we can both be together supporting each other.’ Famously known for his androgynous image, Marilyn still has a very distinctve style with relaxed look of red creepers and parka when we meet, but as he tells me he loves Saint Laurent. ‘I like that sharp, tailored look or a leather jacket and pair of jeans, but I can’t afford to dress myself in designer brands at present! I loved my Paul Costelloe suit last night and was presented with one of Sara O’Neill’s beautiful silk scarves - I love the stories behind her pieces.’ Having reached the Top Five in the UK and Australia at the time with ‘Calling Your Name’ (it was Number One in Japan), when he flew to Australia for a ten day promotional tour in 1984, Marilyn was besieged by fans who were waiting to greet him at Melbourne Airport, so the fact that he has been approached to take part in the Mardi Gras as he revives his career is not surprising. ‘At the minute I’m living on very little money, but I’m getting to be here in Belfast, hopefully going to Australia, I am recording new material and writing my autobiography. I have a real riches to rags story and after decades of drug abuse and low self-esteem, I am now trying to rebuild my life. It’s all about being myself and who I want to be.’

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UPFRONTFEATURE

What Christmas means to me! NW asks some well known local faces about their Christmas traditions... Conleth Kane, Actor

I love Christmas! This Christmas I am very lucky because I get to combine work and family which is brilliant. I am playing the role of ‘Skipper’ in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Belfast Grand Opera House starring May McFettridge and Chico, so I only get Christmas Day and I fully intend to not leave my Christmas-themed onesie and watch movies and eat all day. My nieces and nephews are at a really fun age too so Santa will definitely be coming this year which is exciting. I’m also releasing my debut single River which is exciting! I recorded it with some of Van Morrison’s musicians and it has a very cool-christmassy vibe so I’m excited to see how that does after it’s release on iTunes on December 1st!

Maureen Martin, Maureen Martin Models

Christmas to me has always been a truly magical season. One of my earliest memories was my Dad taking me to City Hall to visit his work colleagues and visit the traditional Christmas tree. I still miss my mum and dad at this time of year because they made it so magical. However, now a mother and grandmother myself, I love having all of my family at home together and passing on this magic, from choosing the tree, decorating, enjoying Carols by Candelight at the Chapel of Unity at Methodist College, Christmas Eve drinks with friends and sharing all the gifts from under the tree on Christmas Day.

Pete Snodden, Cool FM Breakfast Show Presenter

I love Christmas and the build up to it. Julia and I always like to take a day to go into Belfast and soak up the atmosphere of the Christmas Market and have a fun, relaxing time amidst the madness of getting all the presents for our two young daughters! I tend to take a week off between Christmas and New Year, but I always like doing the Christmas Eve show and capture the festive excitement and last minute panic as listeners get ready for the next day! Plus, it’s the one time of year when I get to catch up with friends who live away and also enjoy the company of our whole family.

Thérapie Miss Northern Ireland Leanne McDowell

In the weeks leading up to Christmas I always check out the Belfast Christmas Market and treat myself to delicious Dutch pancakes with chocolate sauce! Then there is no evening quite as magical as Christmas Eve! I open what I call my ‘goodie box’, put on a brand new pair of cosy Christmas pyjamas, then enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows and snuggle in front of a festive DVD – my old favourite The Polar Express is in mind for this year!

Pamela Ballentine, TV & Radio Broadcaster

I don’t really have Christmas traditions as such but I do like putting on the Christmas Movie Channel or playing Christmas songs on my iPod while writing my Christmas cards, wrapping pressies and decorating the tree and the house. Christmas Day is spent with the family usually at my sister’s. Susie does the cooking and Mum provides the Christmas pudding with lashings of brandy butter. My role on Christmas Day is to bring the wine. Happy Christmas!

Sara O'Neill, Fashion Designer, Illustrator & Stylist

We have quite a few Christmas traditions in our family. My sis and I try to out-do each other with silly onesies and our childhood santa sacks with our initials on them still get brought out every year. Beach walks are great every day, but I really love them on Christmas Day. Movies are a big thing after dinner and the board games come out and things tend to get pretty competitive and noisy!

Dame Mary Peters CH, DBE

For me, Christmas is about spending time with my family and friends wherever in the world that may be (I spent Christmas in Byron Bay, Australia last year!) – and enjoying Christmas dinner of turkey with all the trimmings!

Clothing from a selection @ Peel, Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast

FASHION

This issue we bring you lots of festive and New Year fashion essentials to see you through the season in style.

FASHION&LIFESTYLENEWS Congratulations!

Thirty-one year old J.W. Anderson has put Magherafelt - and NI - on the high fashion map! Seeing off strong competition from Victoria Beckham and Christopher Kane for womenswear and E Tautz and Tom Ford for menswear, this Northern Irish high flying trendsetter has been named both the menswear and womenswear designer of 2015 at the prestigious British fashion awards.

Fashion & LifestyleNews Events, new stores and lots of Christmas inspiration!

#GetGifted

Warehouse’s Christmas campaign can be enjoyed in the Belfast Victoria Square and online. Customers receive a complimentary branded chocolate coin which reveals a prize, ranging from 20% off your Warehouse shop to a £250 shopping spree in-store, as well as annual magazine subscriptions and label m goodie bags. Customers can also enjoy a Warehouse branded Gin & Tonic to get them into the festive spirit!

Green Onyx X Cuff by Leah Alexandra, £100.

Log On

Now Open

The Marvel Room at Brown Thomas features exclusive gifts and installations from the world’s most covetable fashion brands including Hermès, Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Céline, Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin. Brown Thomas will continue the tradition of supporting Irish design by showcasing Create designers Lucy Nagle, Davina Lynch, Sphere One by Lucy Downes and Maria Dorai Raj.

www.sixforgoldboutique.com is a new online jewellery and accessories boutique which has been set up by local business woman, Brenda Robb. Brenda has curated the collection, which is made up of her favourite pieces gathered from her years travelling the world with work and she has now decided to set up an online shop so others can enjoy them too!

FASHION&LIFESTYLENEWS

Store Opening

Harvey Norman has opened a new concept Home Centre in the former Fultons building in Balmoral Plaza, Boucher Road, Belfast. Boasting an impressive 61,000 sq ft of split level retail space, the Boucher Road store is the largest store in the Harvey Norman brand portfolio in Ireland. The store also features a highend 140 seated restaurant from Belfast favourite Synge & Byrne.

Fabulous fashion showcase at Fashion Fest

Derry fashionistas recently strutted their stuff on the catwalk showcasing the best of local design talent, as part of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s successful Fashion Fest 2015. This three-day festival is the perfect platform for local designers, retailers and beauty specialists to showcase their talents at a range of quality events, from classic catwalk glamour to creative workshops.

Label Alert

Double Take Save:

Stocked in Saretta, Moy, Wolf & Whistle is a quirky, stylish, fresh and fashionable brand aimed at 25 to 45 year old women. All of the pieces are unique and easy-to-wear to work, special occasions or for a casual lunch at the weekend.

£59.99, Zara

Spend:

£1,450, Isabel Marant @ net- a-porter

FASHIONPARTYWEAR

Party On! Be a show-stopper in these party dresses this Christmas and New Year.

Clarice Shirt, £99; Amari Skirt, £249; Helena Earring, £25 and Taylor Long Boot,££289, Hobbs

FASHIONPARTYWEAR

NATURALLY GLAMOROUS Simply Be

Gold Metallic Maxi Dress, £110, Long Tall Sally

Embellished Dress from a selection at Sitara Morgan, Portadown

6 7

1. Tina Rose Maxi Dress, £395, Coast 2. Gigi Jacquard Dress, £99, Monsoon 3. Black & Gold Jacquard Dress, £55, Wallis 4. Bronze Roxanne Dress, £99, Darling London @ Saretta, Moy 5. Embellished bodycon dress from a selection by Adrianna Papell 6. Melanie Rose Gold Bow Detail Dress, £225, Reiss 7. High Neck Dress, £29.99, New Look

Statement Jewellery

Diamond Essentials 18ct Rose Gold Vermeil & Champagne Pave Star Ring, £180, Links of London

Cuff, £16, Next

Dragonfly Brooch, £25, Marc Cain

Rose Gold Spike Necklace, £16.50, Diva @ Miss Selfridge

Black Pendant Necklace, £79.90, Evelin Brandt Belfast

Cristina Sabatini Earrings €265 @ Brown Thomas

FASHIONPARTYWEAR

STANDOUT SHADES

Beatrix Dress, £149.95, In Wear

Fleur East Halter Neck Chain Mini Dress, £65, Lipsy

Mini Maxi Dress, £89, Coast

1. Velvet Floral Appliqué Maxi Dress, £350, Karen Millen 2. Teal Velvet Gown, £299, Jacques Vert 3. Instaglam by Red Herring at Debenhams, £45 4. Printed Fold Dress, £205, Sportmax Code @ House of Fraser 5. Lianora Embellished Dress, £295, Reiss 6. Purple & Teal Dress, £165, Ariana @ Storey Womenswear 7. Freya Dress Khaki, £85, Darling London 8. Evening Dress, £290, Vera Mont @ McElhinneys

COVER UP

Cranberry Faux Fur Scarf, £59, Jigsaw

Premium Cape with Faux Fur Trim, £30, Very Feather Bolero, £50, No.1 Jenny Packham @ Debenhams

Poncho, £55, Betty Barclay @ Magowans Fashions

Olive Faux Fur Stole, £20, F&F @ Tesco

FASHIONPARTYWEAR Top, £125.90; Skirt, £169.90 & Bow Belt, £59.90, @ Kasu, Portadown

AFTER DARK Embellished Jacket, £189.90, Summum Woman @ Evelin Brandt Belfast

Skirt @ Posh, Newry

Dress, £40; Clutch Bag, £10 & Ring, £4, BHS

Blix Dress, £129.95, Part Two @ Saretta, Moy

1. Lace Detail Maxi Dress, £85, Next 2. Lace Placement Dress, £65, Lipsy 3. Anouk Floral Embroidered Dress, £160, Phase Eight 4. Annie Dress, £109.95, In Wear 5. Embroidered Dress, £130, Topshop

BAGS & SHOES

Tunic Dress, £94.95, Cristina Gavioli @ Rebecca Jane, Crossgar

Darcy Heel Sandal, £179, Jigsaw

Shoes, £46, Topshop

Bag, £195, Marc Cain Gold Star Bag, £19.99, New Look Studded T-Bar Shoe, £129, Sitara Morgan

Siren Embellished Clutch, £45, Monsoon

FASHIONKNITWEAR

Close Knit Don't let your style unravel while you keep warm in your winter knitwear.

The Stripe Sleeve Aran Knit, ÂŁ245, &Daughter @ Envoy, Belfast

FASHIONKNITWEAR Cardigan, £110, Betty Barclay @ S.D. Kells

Knitted Dress, £69, Monsoon

Taylor Swift strides out in her winter knit.

Luisa Cerano A/W15

Cardigan, £149.90, Summum Woman @ Evelin Brandt

Alexa Chung opts for a knitted dress.

Printed Cardigan, £345, Marc Cain @ Peel, Belfast

Olivia Palermo looks chic in her sweater. Boiled Wool Knitted Coat, £350, Jaeger

Rita Turtle Neck Dress, £85, Phase Eight

Rosie HuntingtonWhiteley covers up in a long, open-cardigan.

Cashmere Jumper, £45, F&F @ Tesco

Cocoon Jumper, €292, Manoush

Knitted Split Side Camel Skirt £30, Wallis

FASHIONCOATS

All the Trimmings

From parkas to tailored overcoats, fur will add a luxe vibe to your seasonal winter coat.

Jacket, ÂŁ200, Betty Barclay

FASHIONCOATS

Olivia Palermo

Abbey Clancey

Burgundy Felt Beret, £9.99, New Look

Hat, £45.95, Moda in Pelle

Blake Lively

Chloe Sevigny

ESSENTIAL WINTER EXTRAS

Max Mara A/W15

Fingerless Gloves, £39, Cocoa Cashmere

Ralph Lauren A/W15

Jennifer Lopez

Taffeta Rose Print Scarf, £59, Jigsaw Kaliko Faux Fur Trim Coat, £249, Jacques Vert @ Menarys

Reversible Coat, £729.90, Bitte Kai Rand @ Evelin Brandt, Belfast

Libby, £29, Dune

Wool Coat with Faux Fur Shawl Collar, £75, Dorothy Perkins Keyes, £239, Dubarry of Ireland Women’s Cilla Daisy 3/4 Coat, £54.99, Vero Moda

Sheepskin Mittens, £27, Accessorize

FASHIONBOOTS

Striding Out

It's time to step out in winter's knee high boots.

BROWN

BLACK

Rockford Boot, £120, Lotus

Make your boots the main attraction! Silvana, £169.95, Moda in Pelle @ Panache Shoes

Luckie, £130, Aldo

Knee High Boots, £120, Next

Patricia Taupe/ Brown Boot, £164.95, José Saenz @ Moda Shoes

Sienna, £139, Dune Emmet Boot, £120, Office

Stephanie, £240, Tommy Hilfiger Vancouver, £169.95, Moda in Pelle @ Donaghys Shoes, Banbridge

Wallace, £210, Carvela Kurt Geiger

Stetson, £169, Dune

Storey Womenswear 17 Linen Green, Moygashel T: 028 8772 9770 www.storeywomenswear.co.uk www.facebook.com/storeywomenswear

FRENCHDESIGN

Et Viola!

There is no magic formula for achieving that effortlessly chic French look - but buying clothes from the same brands as the Parisian IT-girls is a good place to start.

Gerard Darel

This fringed Indie bag is a bestseller!

Comptoir des Cotonniers Comptoir des Cotonniers is a go-to French brand for timelessly chic wardrobe staples in quality fabrics. Trenches are its bestseller.

The Kooples You know the concept - good-looking, stylish couples dressed in rocky, androgynous French styling. Founded in 2008, the Paris-based brand has successfully infiltrated the UK high street. Their signature silk tees with zip detailing are often copied but never equalled.

A.P.C.

A.P.C. (which stands for Atelier de Production et de Création) began in 1987 as an early pioneer of premium-yet- accessible, timeless French fashion. It offers a minimal, or as founder Jean Touitou describes it, ‘hysterically normal’ aesthetic.

These pom-pom totes are a current favourite of Olivia Palermo.

FRENCHDESIGN

IRO

Le Petit Bateau

Think of IRO as the slightly cooler, slightly more polished sister to Sandro. Embellished tweed jackets and cool leather bombers are their signature.

The iconic label is known for their classic cotton tees, but the rest of the ready to wear line is mighty chic too.

Isabel Marant Étoile Trend-making Isabel Marant launched her purse-friendlier little sister line in 2000 and it has graduated into an A-lister’s must-have label, with the likes of Rihanna, Cameron Diaz and Rosie HuntingdonWhiteley sporting its laid-back designs.

Vanessa Bruno Athé This diffusion line from Parisian designer Vanessa Bruno was launched in 1999 to complement her mainline collections. Breezy dresses, elegant parkas and intricately cut coats form the backbone of this sleek, accessible range.

FRENCHDESIGN

Carven A French fashion house with serious clout, Carven began in 1945 and quickly had royals and film stars clamouring to wear its designs. Under Guillaume Henry it continues to thrive, creating feminine silhouettes and signature prints that we could wear day-to-night.

Maje Embodying a bohemian Parisian spirit, Maje is all about tactile materials and daring prints. Created by Judith Milgrom, sister of the creator of Sandro, Alexa Chung has previously fronted campaigns for the brand.

Sandro

Zadig et Voltaire Pure Parisian cool. Created by Thierry Gillier and now under the helm of Cecilia Bonstrom, the label offers a mix of preppy and rock chic - think wearable cashmere, tailored Teddy Boy blazers, staple leathers and bad girl boots.

Launched in 1984, Sandro is an upmarket ready-to-wear fashion brand for men and women. If you are looking for an outfit to wear in the daytime or evening, Sandroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collections are very versatile and they offer accessories, shoes and bags as well as its clothing ranges.

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

Perfect Night 94 William Street, Lurgan 028 3834 2069

www.facebook.com/perfectnightlurgan

FASHIONTREND

Add a fun, playful twist to your winter wardrobe.. Pom poms were worn on the wrist at Burberry Prorsum

Jerry, £19, Dune

Fashionable Hat with Contrasting Pom Pom, £55, Marc Cain @ Peel, Belfast

Iceland Pom Pom Glove, £39, Dune

Adorn yourself in fashionable pom poms this winter.

Faux Fur Keyring, £27, Helen Moore @ amara.com Fur Pom Pom Scarf, £35, Accessorize

Navy Luxe Double Faux Fur Hat, £18, Oliver Bonas

Pom Pom Scarf, £59, Jigsaw

Black Fur Bobble Hat, £7, Primark

Delicate Pom Pom Clasp Bracelet, £8, Accessorize

Pom Pom Shoes, £36, Next

en Moore tch, £55, Hel Pom Pom CluFraser @ House of

Faux Fur Trapper Hat, £10, George @ Asda

Fur, bows and embellishment will give your winter wardrobe a fun, fashionable finish.

Winter Wonderland Cristina Gavioli Leopard Print Dress, £132.90; Maroon & Black Fur Cape, £64.90; Obi Navy Leather Belt, £29.90; Brooch, £19.90

Bitte Kai Rand Fur Poncho, £179.90; Skirt, £169.90; Summum Woman Top, £74.90; Bow Belt, £59.90

Pink/Navy/Taupe Check Wool Dress, £129.90; Polo, £41.90; Fur Trim Knit Wrap, £41.90

Clothes: Evelin Brandt Belfast; Models: Maureen Martin Models; Photography: Brian Thompson

Summum Woman Oyster Tone Trouser Suit Coat, £189.90; Chiffon Top with Gold/Silver Beading, £104.90; Trousers, £124.90

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FASHIONSKIWEAR

Let it Snow

Prepare for the slopes with this fantastic range of ski wear. Gwen Stefani brings her distinctive style to the ski slopes

Ellie Macpherson looks sporty in her ski ensemble.

Jacket, £95, Topshop Sno Collection

Perfect Moment Intarsia Merino Wool Sweater, £245, Net- a-porter.com

Fusalp Sisteron Matelassé Trimmed Stretch-Scuba Pants, £330, Net- a-porter.com

Kate Hudson on the slopes at Aspen. Bolle Ski Googles, £52, Sunglasses Shop

All-In-One, £160, Topshop Sno Collection

Faux Fur Ski Band, £10, Very.co.uk

Ergonomic Sport Sock, £30, Falke

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12/11/2015 16:20

Win... a designer scarf from Grรกinne Maher :VAULT

elfast milliner and award winning accessories designer Grรกinne Maher early this year opened the doors of her first permanent retail outlet in the Spires Mall Belfast. This vibrant and unique boutique is home to many independent labels from Ireland and the UK. The store main focus is on womenswear, bags, millinery, jewellery and accessories as well as housing art exhibitions and installations.

A perfect gift for someone special, or yourself, a year's subscription to Northern Woman.

QUESTION To celebrate Christmas Grรกinne Maher: VAULT is offering one lucky winner a scarf by Dublin Designers Electronic Sheep:

In what Mall is Grรกinne Maher :VAULT situated? To enter, email: competitions@greerpublications.com with your answer plus your name, address and daytime number.

Closing date: Friday 23rd January 2016 * Terms and conditions apply.

All Wrapped Up...

One year's subscription to Northern Woman Magazine from only ยฃ15. To subscribe call 028 9078 3200 Lines open weekdays 9am-5pm

Working 9-5

Image courtesy of Soaked in Luxury

WORKINGWOMAN

From interviews to motivational, financial and fashionable advice NW helps you to work to your full potential from this year and in to the next... NW

WORKINGWOMAN

Women Doing It 4 Themselves This issue we meet four women forging their career within the health and beauty industry in Northern Ireland. Aine Lavery A Haven at Hartys, Hillsborough

How did your beauty career begin and then evolve over the years? Beauty, or more specifically for me, skin! is actually my second career. I worked as a chartered surveyor for many years. Circumstances changed and an opportunity presented itself that allowed me to reassess my working life and I decided that a total change of direction was what I wanted. I had always been interested in beauty and skincare, reading books in my spare time, so I decided to retrain in beauty and body therapy. Initially when I opened my clinic I offered a wide range of treatments but gradually over-time I phased these out and now I exclusively offer skincare and facial treatments. In addition to skincare I also stock a skin specific supplementation programme and Jane Iredale mineral makeup. These products allow me a multifaceted approach to healthy skin. Taking this a step further, this year I have started a three year diploma in naturopathic nutrition as I am a firm believer that feeding the dermal cells with great nutrition plays a major part in great skin.

Many will think that working in the beauty sector is glamorous. Is this the case?

Mmm, glamorous? I don’t know that many people actually believe that anymore. My clients are savvy clued in women and recognise that working within the beauty industry, while interesting and exciting, is also hard work that involves long hours. When working in this industry there is no such thing as a 9-5, you work hours that suit your clients and quite often that involves evenings, weekends and bank holidays - the secret is to do work you love!

What have been your greatest achievements to date?

For me, my greatest achievement has been to specialise my clinic and do work that I totally love! I have worked tirelessly over the last few years to build up my knowledge, skills and treatments that allow me to offer my clients the very best in skincare. I have learnt so much but you never know it all, it is a constant learning curve, and I love that! Aside from that, this year I won the FHT Excellence in Beauty Award. It is a national award based across all of the UK. It was lovely to win it as it endorses what I am doing and reassures me that I’m on the right track!

What is the best thing about your job? Oh that’s easy! Making skin better! I just love when I get that text, email or Facebook message from a client saying that they loved their treatment and that their skin is looking and feeling better. Just makes my day! I meet people all the time that feel their skin affects their lives and their confidence; when your skin is good, you feel good!

What advice would you offer to other women looking to forge a career in beauty? If it’s what you really love, do it! It can be hard work and long hours but if you are passionate about what you do then it never feels like work. The beauty industry is very diverse and there are so many avenues to explore. The world is such a small place today what with social media and the internet. Have a look at what your contemporaries around the world are doing - there are some amazing inspirational women (and men) out there achieving great things within the beauty industry, but thinking outside the box! Whatever career you want within the industry, just strive to be the very best you can be!

WORKINGWOMAN Dr Gabriela Mercik Dr Gabriela Clinics How did your career in this industry begin and how has it evolved over the years?

with PDO Threads, GloTox™the injectable face lift and MoonlightDust the molecular water facial. I am constantly researching and on the lookout for the next big thing in anti aging medicine.

Martine Broggy Natural Hair Company & Natural Beauty, Lisburn

What would be your signature treatment?

My signature treatment would be BeautyLift with PDO Threads. I brought this treatment to the UK in 2013 and since then have seen some truly amazing results and I also see how happy it can make my patients. PDO Threads have been used in surgery for 20 years and are completely safe. What is so great about them as they aren’t only used as a facelift but also can be used to treat the body too. It is one of the fastest growing treatments in the UK and I am proud to have brought it to my patients and the UK market. I am extremely passionate about all my treatments and love how they make people happy.

What has been your greatest achievement to date?

My career began 17 years ago in cardiology and internal medicine. I worked at the hospital for the transplantation of hearts and lungs for 10 years and rose swiftly to become one of Poland’s leading cardiologists. My career then took me to Northern Ireland, where I worked in cardiology and palliative care. During my time in Northern Ireland I became interested in aesthetic medicine and the hugely positive effect it can have on a person’s self-esteem. I then began sourcing new and exciting treatments for the UK market - including PDO Threads, Nanopeptide Mesotherapy and molecular water skincare - developing bespoke protocols and training doctors and nurses in their application. I recently joined the Aesthetics Lab in Primrose Hill as Medical Director. I am also the Medical Director of the Dr Gabriela Clinic in Omagh Northern Ireland.

Do you feel like you are constantly learning in order to keep clients up-to-date with the latest, cutting edge treatments?

I feel like I am never done with learning in order to keep my patients happy and up to date with the best treatments that are available. I feel I am a pioneer in the world of anti-ageing medicine and am responsible for introducing some of the most exciting new non-invasive treatments to the UK including the award-winning BeautyLift

My greatest achievement to date has to be building my Dr Gabriela brand which is a high quality brand with a well recognised name. My brand has just been awarded highly commended in MyFaceMyBody 2015 Awards and I am thrilled to have built new standards in aesthetic medicine. I have introduced a breakthrough in the world of non surgical treatments with the ingredient molecular water which delivers an immediate and progressive reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and enlarged pores without the downtime associated with laser treatments, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. I have provided the molecular facial for many celebs who adore the treatment, Millie Mackintosh, Jess Wright and Kierston Wareing to name a few. Other achievements would be introducing the PDO Beauty Lift treatment in the UK which is a widely recognised treatment, one which has became so popular in the world of non surgical treatments. Most importantly making my patients happy is obviously up there with my greatest achievements!

What is the best thing about your job?

Making people happy is the best thing about my job! From meeting people at their first consultation and finding out why they come to see me, to being able to deliver the results they want and seeing them smile and feel confident. This is by far the best thing about my job, it is all about my patients.

How did your beauty career begin and then evolve over the years?

I started hairdressing part-time at the age of 15. It’s all I ever wanted to do. I went and worked for seven years in Peter Mark, as a stylist, assistant manager, then manager for four years before I opened Natural Hair Company, which celebrates its 21st birthday in September. We opened Faith Hair ten years ago and our beauty salon eight years ago.

Many will think that working in the beauty sector is glamorous. Is this the case?

Yes, it’s a very glamorous world we work in, however, there’s a lot of hard work, dedication and a lot of passion that goes into creating a relaxed, professional environment to make it enjoyable.

What have been your greatest achievements to date?

First is bring a mum to my three kids, then it’s being able to achieve awards for the salon and the team. In the last two years we have won the title of Ulster Salon of the Year, which is a business award honouring who we are as a salon and what we do together, it not about one person, it’s about a team, so I guess it’s about still being strong in business and enjoying what you do every day.

What is the best thing about your job?

I love my job and I enjoy all the ups and downs that come with it. That’s what it’s about. I love working with people and I love watching the new members come in and seeing how they change and grow - learning how to be not just a hairdresser, but to be an artist >>

WORKINGWOMAN one who has confidence and loves all aspects of it. I also just enjoy making my clients feel and look good about themselves.

Kay McLorn Blackstone Physiotherapy

What advice would you offer to other women looking to forge a career in beauty?

You have to have a passion for the job and you have to be able to communicate really well-you will be part of the service industry. Then you need to get into a salon that has a really good training programme set up, because the better training you have will make you the best hairdresser you want to be. Hairdressing is an amazing job to be in now and it has so much to offer anyone who has a passion for it.

How did your career in physiotherapy begin and then evolve over the years to where you are now?

My physiotherapy career began over 30 years ago when I qualified as a newly graduated physiotherapist in 1985 and immediately began working within the NHS. After 14 years of gaining wide and varied experience working in Lagan Valley Hospital, Lisburn; Fleming Fulton School, Belfast and Musgrave Park Hospital Belfast, I moved into private practice in 1999 opening Blackstone Physiotherapy Moira. From that time the clinic has grown to be one of the largest private physiotherapy clinics in Northern Ireland. In 1998 I attended my first Pilates course. Following this I knew that Pilates would become a major part of my professional career. Pilates is a wonderful form of exercise and rehabilitation retraining. It gives our bodies stability, control, strength, flexibility and balance and enables us to move well, minimising pain. In 2007 I became a certified APPI (Australian physiotherapy and Pilates Institute) Pilates instructor. In 2010 I became a presenter for APPI, teaching courses throughout the UK and Ireland. In 2011 I had the fantastic opportunity to teach in America, one of the highlights of my career. In February 2015 I became a Master trainer in Pilates and Blackstone Physiotherapy is now the regional training centre for APPI Pilates in Ireland.

Do you often have to learn and introduce new treatments etc for clients?

Physiotherapy is a science based profession and so we are constantly updating all of our treatments to ensure that we can offer an effective service. I spend a lot of time reading the most recent research and

applying this to our treatments. We hold regular staff training in the clinics.As we often say in work - ‘every day’s a school day’!

What have been your greatest achievements to date?

I have had many wonderful years as a physiotherapist and many highlights. In business my vision is to have a centre of excellence for Physiotherapy, Pilates and Podiatry. In 2009 I took the opportunity to create my own bespoke premises designed specifically to suit our needs. With individual treatment rooms, a separate foot clinic, a rehabilitation gym and fully equipped Pilates studio I was able to expand our highly skilled professional team and deliver a first class service for our clients. In this year I also opened a second clinic in Carrickfergus based on the same design. In 2012 I achieved the prestigious Investors in People award at bronze level and was the first Physiotherapy clinic in the UK to achieve the award at this level. I have also written a course on Pilates for Children and Young people and am presenting this across the UK.

What is the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is meeting different people every day both as patients and business colleagues. Every patient’s problem is individual and they have different and varied issues. As a physiotherapist I have had the privilege of helping a lot of those people learn to move freely again without pain. Having had my own business has also given me variety in my career, learning about business and developing my company.

What advice would you offer to other women looking to forge a career in physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a wonderful career if you like to be active and enjoy meeting people. Physiotherapists help people who are affected by injury, illness or disability and assist their recovery through manual therapy, exercise, education and advice. There is a huge diversity of areas where physiotherapists can work. Every day is different and has its challenges. There is always so much to learn that you could never get bored as a physiotherapist.

WORKINGWOMAN

Refresh Your Finances

Make your finances top of your New Year’s Resolution list advises Jill Smyth, Community Programme Manager, Ulster Bank.

ith Christmas preparations well underway, planning your finances for the New Year is probably the last thing that you want to think about, but realistically it is the best time to start and may actually prevent you from overspending during the festive season. Many of us overstretch ourselves at Christmas and are left with credit card bills and loan repayments to contend with come January, and this along with day-to-day living expenses can be stressful. So this year, why not get organised early and make a New Year’s resolution to set aside an hour each month to review your finances, revise your budget, shop around for the best value deals and generally take control of your money. I did this last December and it worked so well I have started it again for next year. Here are some of the things that I did. Make a list of all your regular monthly outgoings – you can get this information from your bank statement. It may sound obvious but check that you know what all of your regular payments relate to and if you aren’t sure find out - you could be paying for something twice or for something you no longer need. If you have a credit card check if it offers any additional benefits such as mobile phone insurance or holiday insurance as this could also save you money. Find out when your insurance

policies are up for renewal and set aside time to shop around – I saved £250 last year by doing this. Regular bills for gas, electricity, telephone, television and internet can be a big strain on your budget so why not consider getting prices from other suppliers. If you tend to overspend on food and drink a weekly or monthly menu planner can really help reduce costs and will also help you to be more organised. I also tried out some of the cheaper supermarkets and have discovered some great deals and some even tastier alternatives. Once you’ve done this, make a list of any ad hoc payments or financial commitments that you have throughout the year – include things like school fees, birthdays, club subscriptions, holidays and large purchases that you need to make. Last year I made a list of all the people who I bought birthday presents for and I got them all in the January sales – I saved a fortune. Remember to set aside extra money for food, entertainment and utilities like electricity and gas during holiday periods, and having an emergency savings account for unexpected bills is a must.

If you plan to make any major purchases in 2015, it pays to do a little bit of advance research to decide when it is the best time to buy. Retailers adjust their prices throughout the year to cope with seasonal demand and if you can plan your purchases to coincide with these fluctuations you could save money. If you have oil heating the best time to top up is towards the start of the summer when demand isn’t as high, so factor this into your budget planner; alternatively some oil companies offer ‘top up’ cards which you can add money to as and when you like and makes for easier budgeting. Once you have done all of this, add up your monthly commitments and set aside funds to cover these and then add up the adhoc expenses and work out how much you need to save each month to cover these – you can do this on a simple spreadsheet or record it in a notebook or use an online budget planner like the one from the Money Advice Service on www.moneyadviceservice. org.uk/en/tools/budget-planner. Getting on top of your finances early can really help your budget, save you money and help you be more organised.

WORKINGWOMAN

Working Wardrobe Look the part in and after work over Christmas and the New Year Dress with zip detail (keep fully zipped during the working day!), £140, Betty Barclay @ S.D. Kells

Sydney Wrap Dress, £190, Reiss @ Victoria Square, Belfast

Jacket, £139.90 & Dress, £149.90, Comma @ Evelin Brandt, Belfast

Dress for work day and night...

Native Union - Clic Marble iPhone 6 Case, £70, Native Union @ Amara.com

Leather Clutch Purse with Built-In Phone Charger in Lizard Grey, £79.95, Cuckooland.co.uk iPhone 6 Case, £45, Lanvin @ Net-aporter.com

Python-effect leather iPhone 6 Plus case, £80, The Case Factory

Personalise Your Work Phone....

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Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater, £175, Jaeger Cream Gemma Shirt, £59, Darling London @ Willow & Thread, Comber Melange Check Trouser, £110, Jaeger Double-Breasted Trench Coat, £250, Jaeger Seven-inch Leather Satchel, £55, Dr. Martens Roja & Black Robyn Court, £119, Mint Velvet

WORKINGWOMAN

My Brilliant Career Staff Nurse Jemma Watson gives us a greater insight into nursing and her job within Coronary Care. monitors, administer medication and intravenous therapy, discharge planning. The day may also involve looking after someone at the end of life. Our nurses also hold the cardiac arrest (or crash) team bleep, where we run with the team to attend a resuscitation anywhere in the hospital. This involves working as part of the arrest team in attempting to resuscitate an individual who has experienced a cardiac arrest.

What are the highs and lows of your job?

It really can be an emotional rollercoaster! Highs would definitely be saving lives, and making a difference. It is an absolute privilege to be trusted in helping people at their most vulnerable. Nursing is also a profession that you need to experience in order to truly understand, and I believe you make true, lifelong friends in your nursing colleagues. Lows are that it can be physically exhausting and very stressful

How long have you been nursing and what is your current position?

I began my training six years ago, and my current position is a Staff Nurse in Coronary Care Unit at the Mater Hospital.

Describe a typical day?

I work from 7.30am to 8.30pm, three days a week, involving weekends and night duty rotation. Every day is different and often ends very differently from how it began! I’m responsible for anything from three to eight patients, who may change throughout the day due to discharges and admissions. My patients require cardiac monitoring, and typically my day would involve their general nursing care; detecting and preventing any deterioration and brain injury. We are expected to inform patients and their relatives on their condition, prepare them for cardiac procedures, such as stenting, pacemaker insertion, or monitor them while waiting cardiac surgery. Patients are admitted following heart attacks or experiencing cardiac problems. However we also receive patients with many other medical problems. We assist in certain procedures, wound dressings, review cardiac

❛❛Nursing continually challenges and you are always learning and developing your skills. I’m very happy where I am, and hope to continue my career there, but if I had to branch out I’d like intensive care.❜❜ at times. Working under pressure and experiencing verbal and physical abuse can be both frustrating and distressing, when all nurses want is to provide the best possible care for all patients. The NHS is a fantastic healthcare system that should make us proud and grateful!

Have you worked in other fields of nursing and are there any that you still might like to try?

I’ve nursed in trauma and orthopaedic surgery, and various areas throughout my training, such as oncology, surgical, intensive care, and the community. Nursing continually challenges and you are always learning and developing your skills. I’m very happy where I am, and hope to continue my career there, but if I had to branch out I’d like intensive care.

What advice would you give to others wanting a nursing career? If its definitely what you want to do, follow your heart! At 18, I didn’t achieve the grades needed for nursing, so I studied fashion management and worked as a stylist and personal shopper. Whilst it was a fantastic experience, I still had a desire to become a nurse. After completing an access course, I finally got accepted into Queen’s Nursing and achieved a first class honours degree! The moral of the story is don’t let anyone put you off or tell you it’s not for you, anything is achievable if you focus on it! Gain as much experience as you can. I did some voluntary work with people with learning difficulties and at brain injury unit. Working as a health care assistant also gave me an insight into nursing, gaining experience in varied areas. First aid courses, and perhaps joining St John Ambulance service would also be beneficial, particularly for cardiology. Talk to other nurses, find an area that suits you. Personally, I prefer acute environments, but many are more suited to community settings, or specific age groups. Nursing is so varied that you can find an area which is suited to you.

Is it easy to balance your career and home life? Working weekends can be tough but shift work definitely has its advantages. Working Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm would seem mundane to me! Times like Christmas can be hard, but we’re lucky to be able to help someone at Christmas when they can’t leave hospital, something we should all be grateful for! There are many areas which have different working patterns, so it provides options to find somewhere that suits you. Shift work definitely works for me, the flexibility of taking a long weekend without using any leave is definitely a perk! Nursing really makes you appreciate how precious your home life is, and its important to relax and unwind after stressful days. I’ve recently taken up meditation and I find going to the gym helps. Whilst nursing may be intense, it will never get boring!

WORKINGWOMAN

All for a Good Cause

Many businesses, small and large, take the opportunity to get involved in their local or wider community and give back. Non-profits and charities are constantly looking for funding to help accomplish their goals, and giving can be really beneficial for your business. Employee Benefits

Tax Deductions

Your business can claim your volunteer hours and contributions on your income taxes. By itemising your deductions, you can write off any time your business spent volunteering and you can add monetary value to any donations given as well and claim them, too. The only way to get the most out of these deductions is to have a record with the charity’s name and the donation amount or amount of time you worked. The types of donations that are tax deductible include volunteered services, sponsorships of charities or events, donations of inventory or services, and cash donations. In general, you can get deductions of up to 50 percent on your adjusted gross income when you follow the tax code closely and incorporate charitable giving into your business model. Companies like LUSH Cosmetics have always made giving back to their community a core part of their mission by selling products where a certain percent of the sale goes to one of over 400 grassroots charities they support. It not only gets the company involved with giving back to their community on a large scale but they also offer the opportunity to their consumers to help.

Getting your company involved with your community is a great way to boost morale and keep your employees happy. Giving your employees time to participate in events during work hours is fun for the whole business. Not only does it give everyone the opportunity to interact outside of the office space but it also allows them to feel like they are giving back to the community that has supported your business. Recently, Moira Saunders, Interior Designer at IKEA Belfast was one of four UK co-workers to be selected to go on an ‘I-Witness’ trip to visit Myanmar (Burma), to see first-hand how money raised by the UK & Ireland stores is educating children there. Moira was chosen to travel to Myanmar on the I-Witness trip with Save the Children and three other co-workers from the Edinburgh, Doncaster and London Wembley stores after an in-depth selection process. The team will be visiting education projects that are helping local children, established through IKEA’s Soft Toys for Education Campaign. Moira said: ‘I was delighted to be selected for the trip after hundreds from across the UK and Ireland applied. It was an opportunity to meet some of the most inspiring people I have ever met in those children who we are helping, and who are helping each other gain an education, and basic human rights, which are pretty non-existent over there, particularly for children. They have an incredible attitude amongst some terrible circumstances. ‘The experience has fuelled even more of a passion in me to make our Soft Toys Campaign an even bigger success this year; for every soft toy, card game, book

or dressing up costume purchased in store, the IKEA Foundation will donate 1 Euro to Save the Children and UNICEF, contributing to their educational work around the world. Closer to home, if you purchase an extra toy, you can donate it at check out and it will be donated to The Simon Community in Northern Ireland. I’m really proud of the great charitable work IKEA does both here in Northern Ireland and further afield, and I’m so happy to be part of it.’

Free Publicity

Sponsoring a programme and volunteering your business’s time are great ways to not only raise awareness about a specific cause but also promote your business in partnership with an organisation or event. You can get the word out about the event by posting on your social media platforms and your website. Taking pictures of your charitable endeavours is a great way to generate press for your business and the cause you are volunteering for. Chances are the nonprofit you are working with will also promote your business on their website and event signs by posting your logo. Lending your brand to a specific cause is a great way to convey your company culture and values to your community.

Gain Customer Support

Giving back to your community will help you gain massive traction with your consumers. Using some portion of your profit for good is a great way to rally the support of your consumer base.

Giving Back is Good For You

The best benefit of having your business support a non-profit charity is the feeling you should get from giving back to others. So, meet with your employees and find out their interest. Join your community and fight a cause that means something to them. Choosing the right charity that will truly give you the full benefits of working with a non-profit, so get involved, get your employees and customers involved, and really try to make a difference in your community.

HEALTH & BEAUTY 'Tis the season to be gorgeous...

HEALTH&BEAUTYNEWS

Clarins has launched a palette with the beauty of 10 wearable eyeshadows to create any make-up look from classic chic to festive fancy this Christmas. This palette also offers a range of matte and satin finishes to take you from day to night! £35.

Beauty Box

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm Chubby, Chubbier Chubbiest Gift Set, £17.

From lipsticks for those mistletoe moments or a glamorous stocking filler - we bring you the latest beauty must-haves for Christmas and the New Year...

Tom Ford Lips & Boys collection returns with 25 new boys. From Ansel and Joaquin to Drake and Rocco, the luxurious new shades debut in a pearlescent, metallised finish. Priced at £27 each they would make the perfect gift for yourself or a friend this Christmas!

Urban Decay Vice 4 is a limited-edition palette with 20 addictively gorgeous, never-before-seen shades of their iconic eyeshadow. Deep brights, smoky neutrals and gorgeous matte all for £43. Any make-up maven would love to find this gift at Christmas!

HEALTH&BEAUTYNEWS

Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir is one of their mostloved fragrances and for Christmas it comes encased in a festive limited edition bottle; each one striped with shiny mistletoe green and finished with a bow. Pomegranate Noir Limited Edition 100ml Cologne is £89 and exclusive to Selfridges, Brown Thomas, www.Selfridges.com and www.jomalone.co.uk

Jane Iredale In the Blink of a Smoky Eye eyeshadow palette, £45, is inspired by busy women everywhere who want to look their best during the hectic festive season, but achieve glamour with effortless ease! This limited edition smoky eye kit is a modern eye shadow palette developed to create quick and easy looks for every event of the season. With eight versatile shades, the possibilities are endless. M.A.C. Irresistibly Charming Pigments and Glitter/Blue, €35. This limited edition set is exclusive to Brown Thomas, BT2 and www.brownthomas.com

Bare Minerals A Tale of Two Palettes, £45, is ideal for perfecting those party looks!

Yon-Ka Paris has launched the highly anticipated Nutri Defense Crème, £45, which helps skin that is often neglected during the cold winter months. This is the perfect skin SOS for the New Year!

Armed & Fabulous!

LIFESTYLEFITNESSARMS

With the Christmas and New Year party season in full swing, our arms tend to be one of those areas that we lament when it’s time to put on those sleeveless dresses and tops! NW sympathises and offers advice on how to improve their appearance. Tone

Just like your hips, thighs and stomach, the overall size and shape of your arms is linked to a good diet and exercise programme. Granted there are exceptions to every rule and while some women are relatively slim they can still suffer from bingo wings, in the same way that some with excess weight can be genetically blessed to have lean, toned arms. So, just because your waistline is the desired size and you are relatively fit, this is not a prerequisite for toned arms! In most instances sticking to a healthy diet (eating less sugar in the main) and drinking plenty of water to reduce the fat

To Show or Not to Show? The grand dame of fashion Anna Wintour doesn’t shy away from revealing her arms, which although lean and toned, are started to looked aged as her skin loses its elasticity. So, this raises the question does there just come a time when you should simply cover them up? and toxins in your body, is the first step in helping to reduce the circumference of your arms, but let’s face it, our shoulders, triceps and biceps can be one of the most tedious areas to tone, especially as we get older and exercise is essential to reduce those excess inches! According to data from a national

survey, the average woman over age 18 has an upper-arm circumference (typically measured around the biggest part of the biceps) of just less than 12¼ inches. But that girth doesn't take into account firmness versus flab. And the truth is, studies of upper-body strength showed that women tend to neglect doing the toning that would add muscle to that mix. So, get in full push-up position, then reach over with your left hand and grasp the back of your right upper arm midway between the top of the shoulder and elbow. If you can grab more than an inch of flesh, it’s time to start melting the fat. How do you do this? Well, while a lot of women are wary of lifting heavy weights because they believe that it will make them bigger rather than smaller, in fact, when women train their arms with heavy resistance, they see a reduction in fat and an increase in lean muscle tissue, which results in a smaller arm, but one with more definition. While you won’t see results overnight, your arms are one of the first muscles to show toning results after starting a weight training routine, therefore go online, head to your local gym or enlist the services of a personal trainer, but don’t waste any more

time in getting an arm workout programme that you do at least five days a week. If you really want to target a muscle to make it look firmer and more defined, you have to work it frequently and consistently. One day a week will not get you crazy-tight triceps or the seriously sculpted rear delts that make your shoulders look killer in a strapless dress! However, if you do fear it is too late for a total overhaul, it’s good to know that when you do an arm workout right before you go out, you increase blood flow to the muscles, giving them a more defined look.

Texture

The overall appearance of your arms will also be improved if your skin is looking its best. Some women suffer from keratosis pilaris on the backs of their upper arms, otherwise referred to as ‘chicken skin’. Keratosis pilaris is a common and harmless condition where the skin becomes rough like sandpaper and bumpy, as if covered in permanent goose pimples. While there is no cure, sufferers may be able to improve the rash by using soapfree cleansers, moisturising and gently

LIFESTYLEFITNESSARMS 1

Homework!

If you are exercising at home you will need:

• A yoga mat • Two dumbbells (5-10 pounds) • A kettlebell (15- 20 pounds) The routine:

exfoliating. It usually improves as you get older and sometimes disappears completely. If you do suffer from this condition, you might be able to improve it by: Use non-soap cleansers rather than soap. Ordinary soap may dry your skin out and make the condition worse. Moisturise your skin when it’s dry – creams containing salicylic acid, lactic acid or urea are thought to be the most effective. Coconut oil is also recommended. Gently rub the skin with an exfoliating foam pad or pumice stone to exfoliate the rough skin – be careful not to scrub too hard and rub off layers of skin. Take lukewarm showers rather than hot baths.

Whose arms do you covet? Here are some celebrities whose arms we admire... 1. Cameron Diaz 2. Jennifer Aniston 3. Sarah Jessica Parker 4. Jessica Biel

Tan

Rather than your usual bronzing, if you have booked a spray tan, ask for a contoured look. Similar to highlighting and lowlighting with make-up, if you’re heading to a special occasion you could actually leave the peaks of the muscles lighter than the indentations to achieve toned, defined arms.

Perform 3 rounds, 12 reps per move, 2-3 times per week. Try not to rest in between moves or rounds, to keep up your heart rate and those calories burning! 1. Push-Ups: Start out parallel to the floor in a plank position then lower your body, bending your elbows until your chest touches the floor. Return to starting position and repeat. 2. Kettlebell Swings: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, holding the kettlebell with both hands in front of your body, arms loose. Bend your knees slightly, keeping your weight in your heels. Slightly swing the kettlebell through your legs toward your rear then explode with your hips forward sending the kettlebell up to chestheight. Be sure to keep your arms straight and extended throughout the entire exercise. Bring the kettlebell back to the start position between your legs and repeat. 3. Triceps Kickbacks: Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand at your side. Bend your upper body at your waist slightly to make a 45-degree angle. Push the dumbbells back until they are parallel with your lower back. Return them to the start position, bending your elbows, bringing the dumbbells in line with your chest. 4. Dumbbell Shoulder Presses: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, bring the dumbbells (one in each hand) up to your shoulders. With a slight bend in your knees, thrust the dumbbells up overhead to meet at the top. Return to the starting position with dumbbells at your shoulders and repeat. 5. Floor Bench Presses: Lie on the floor, knees bent with a flat back. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, press them toward the ceiling then lower the weights until your triceps touch the floor. Repeat. 6. Plank Rows: Start in a plank position, holding a dumbbell in each hand on the floor. Row one dumbbell up until it reaches your waist. Return to floor and repeat on other side.

HEALTH&BEAUTYQUICKBEAUTYFIXES

Festive Beauty Secrets NW highlights some essential beauty fixes to keep you looking your best throughout the Christmas and New Year party season. These treatments incur no downtime but offer instant results. Face First

A ‘ s any of my clients will know, I’m not really into quick fixes,’ explains Aine Lavery from A Haven at Hartys in Hillsborough. ‘I believe that beautiful skin requires a commitment, not a miracle, but there are times when a boost can make all the difference, and the Christmas party season is one of those times! ‘Therefore, I would recommend indulging your skin with a treatment designed to smooth, hydrate and brighten. A fruit enzyme masque will dissolve and digest all the dry surface cells leaving the skin smooth and refined. Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E deeply hydrate while Vitamin C lightens and brightens. All of these nutrients are delivered deep into the skin with ultrasound technology, leaving skin light reflective and revealing a newly refined glow!’ Another skin saviour all year round, but particularly during the festive season is Dr Gabriel’s MoonlightDust skincare range. This ground-breaking skincare range is the only one to utilise the intense moisturising properties of Nobel Prize winning molecular water. This unique ingredient is able to penetrate each skin cell to deeply hydrate and rejuvenate skin from the inside out, providing moisturisation for up to 72 hours after application! This skincare range is perfect for achieving that movie star look for over the festive season. The MoonlightDust is also available in a seven-step facial which delivers an

HEALTH&BEAUTYQUICKBEAUTYFIXES techniques with fruit seeds, followed by a back massage and gentle effleurage with creamy body milk, it is perfect for keeping your skin in tip-top condition! As proud winners of Decléor Salon of the Year 2009, 2010 and 2011 and current holders of Decléor Salon of Excellence (All Ireland), where better to experience this treatment.

The Perfect Finish

immediate and progressive reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and enlarged pores without the downtime associated with laser treatments, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. Adored by celebs such as Millie Mackintosh, Jess Wright and Kierston Wareing it’s the perfect fix for you!

Nail It!

As well as addressing tired, dull skin over the party season, it’s important to look groomed and nothing says this better than perfectly painted nails on your hands and feet! So, why not treat your hands and feet with a trip to The Merchant Hotel Spa’s new Moët & Chandon champagne nail bar and enjoy their luxurious O.P.I Infinite Shine Express manicure and pedicure. Infinite Shine is an innovative new service option for manicures, pedicures, and enhancements with an innovative threestep system, including a primer base coat for staying power and stain-free removal; lacquer with ultra-rich vivid colour; and gloss that cures to a mirror-like shine, no light required! It removes as easily as regular nail lacquer to make colour changes a breeze, perfect for switching between party looks this Christmas!

the Minimi is a non-invasive body wrap treatment, designed to offer you a more sculpted body with lasting results. It is one of the leading body wraps in the industry, as seen on TV3’s ‘Xpose’, and is highly favoured among celebrities such as Vogue Williams. The advanced technology in the Minimi solution targets those difficult areas often found on the body (such as hips, buttocks, waist and arms) and you can drop a dress size in a single treatment. Along with inch loss, Minimi is a great treatment for your skin and you may see a noticeable improvement in appearance of cellulite, and skin may appear more toned. Results are visible immediately and will continue for up to three days after the treatment. To achieve maximum and lasting results, a course of six treatments is recommended and should be combined with healthy eating and exercise. Another body treatment worth investing in at Jeanette Kidd Beauty & Day Spa is the Aromatic Exfoliation Ritual. A wonderfully sensory-stimulating ritual that chases away all signs of fatigue: enveloping and exfoliating

For those who want to add some colour to their face and body, there are a number of salon and home tanning treatments that we could recommend. From local heroes Vita Liberata and Bellamianta to Saint Tropez and Fake Bake to name just four, whether an in-salon application or a DIY job, it’s important to find the tan that is right for you both in terms of colour and it’s finish on your skin - by this we refer to if it streaks and how it wears off. If you’ve yet to try them, a set of 3D lashes is a great investment - and you may find them hard to resist once the party season is over. For those who can’t master the art of those temporary fake lashes, these offer a more permanent and fuss-free solution! Once you have the initial set applied you will only need maintenance every two to three weeks and the end result is natural, but totally luscious lashes. Le Studio Bronze on Belfast’s Lisburn Road offers 3D eyelashes that will last up to two months. These lashes will usually require maintenance every three or four weeks, but they are resistant to water, shower, sweat, exercise, tears, swimming and even sleeping. They give longer fuller totally natural looking lashes that are weightless and very comfortable. These lashes can also be applied as part of their pamper packages which also include everything from tanning, manicures and pedicures! Last but not least, for those special nights out enlist the help of a professional make-up artist. In Northern Ireland we are blessed with a number of excellent make-up artisits who will wave their magic wands and have you flawlessly made-up and ready to party in no time! So, what are you waiting for - get those appointments made now!

Body Blitz

So, with face and nails sorted, it’s time to turn your attentions to your waistline! If you’re feeling you’re not as toned as you might have liked for your Christmas dress or with all of the festive eating and drinking you are worried about squeezing into your New Year attire, then there is still hope! Natural Beauty in Lisburn recommend

BEAUTYNAILS

Dascha Polanco chooses a navy blue base with gold foil design.

Chrissy Teigen keeps it black.

Sarah Hyland goes matt!

Looking to update your manicure? Here’s a quick look at some of the celebrity red carpet talons...

Nicki Minaj is pictured with a studded, nude nail.

Demi Lovato’s nails are designed to match her dress.

Poppy Delevingne keeps it classic with a crimson red.

Rihanna’s nails boast an ombré effect.

Katie Holmes matches her silver dress with grey nail varnish.

Iggy Azalea’s simple white manicure stands out against her cobalt blue dress.

Camilla Alves finishes her red carpet look with a rose-gold and white tip manicure.

Heidi Klum opts for a chic nearly nude manicure.

Nail It!

DIY Designs...

1. Choose your favouite shade of red and liven it up with a stripe of gold. This effect is easily achieved with nail stickers – or a very steady hand!

Three inspirational nail art designs you could try at home...

2. Add interest to your metallic base colour with the additon of another colour to make this simple bow design.

3. Choose two complementary colours to update the classic French manicure and then add a simple metallic dot to the middle of each tip.

PAGEHEADER THE

FITZWILLIAM CLINIC – CELEBRATING 10 YEARS THE CLINIC YOU CAN TRUST.

DON’T WAIT MONTHS FOR AN NHS APPOINTMENT Range of surgical and non-surgical procedures including: Surgical procedures Facelifts Breast augmentation Liposuction Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) Scar revision Non-surgical procedures Anti-wrinkle treatment & fillers Cosmeceuticals and beauty therapy Vein clinic/Dermatology clinic Mole removal

70-72 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 6AF Tel: 028 9032 3888 info@fitzwilliamclinic.com www.fitzwilliamclinic.com facebook.com/FitzwilliamClinic

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILBLE REAL NOTICEABLE RESULTS, NO SURGERY AND NO RECOVERY TIME. CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO ARRANGE A CONSULTATION.

BEAUTYFEATURE

All that

glitters

The festive season is fast approaching, and with it the chance throw caution to our usual looks to don sequins, jewels and (faux) fur, plus the perfect excuse to be a little more daring with our festive beauty looks – we have everything you need to be the belle of the ball this Christmas. Get the glow

The art of contouring has dominated the beauty scene for quite a while, offering Kim K sculpted cheeks, but not only is it difficult to master, away from Instagram filters it can look obvious and unnatural. Instead of heavy structuring, the focus should be on beautiful highlighting – sometimes called strobing – which lifts and defines your bone structure without looking harsh. With strobing or Ania’s guide to where to apply your product highlighting, the aim is to apply product on the high parts of the face where you would normally catch light. Australian make-up artist Ania Milczarczyk explains exactly where to apply your product for a gorgeous lit-from-within skin – along the cheekbone, above and below the brow, inner eye, nose and cupids bow. She says the key is not to go overboard: “Highlighting your chin, forehead and anywhere near the nose (except for the actual tip of the nose itself) will make you look sweaty and oily.”

Another of Ania’s gorgeous looks

MAC's Strobe Cream, £24.50

MAC’s Strobe Cream (£24.50) was one of the first products to surface, and is perfect for a subtle take on the look, as you can mix it directly into your preferred foundation or BB cream, as seen on British model Jordan Dunn. Keep in mind that different highlighters have different undertones, so choose a colour that will work with your skin tone. Fair skin suits a pale champagne colour; for olive skin, opt for a deeper gold, or for pink undertones, try a rose gold such as Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured (£30), which can be dabbed on lightly with a finger or pressed on with a foundation brush.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured, £30

Jordan Dunn

BEAUTYFEATURE Unleash your inner Vamp

The creeping in of cold weather months seems to inspire a gothic beauty trend every year, and this season is no different, with catwalks showing a clean, glowing complexion with a deep lip. To keep the look on trend, opt for a blackberry, plum or wine shade rather than red.

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, £18

Camilla Belle

Dior’s Contour Lipliner Pencil, £19

Smoky Sultry Eyes

Step by step guide to the perfect vamp lip • To give your lip staying power, you will need a lip pencil to keep this look sharp without any colour bleed. Sharpen the pencil to a fine point and carefully trace around your lips you give a precise shape. • Next, fill in your lip with your lip pencil – this prevents the obvious liner so popular in the 90s! • Apply your colour. Using a lip brush will give you more control and allow you to gradually build colour until you achieve the depth you like. • Clean up any smudges with concealer to Topshop Lipstick give you a super sharp outline. in Beguiled, £8

For the rest of your make up, your look should be pared back. Stay away from very warm bronzers, as these will add too much of a contrast. Instead, try tawny or natural peachy blusher to keep colour in the cheeks without appearing overpowering like actress Camilla Belle. Jennifer Lopez This look is best with a really simple eye, but if you can’t resist wearing eye make-up, take inspiration from Jennifer Lopez and keep it neutral and golden.

If a dark lip isn’t your style, you can’t go wrong with a deep, seductive smoky eye. A statement eye look doesn’t have to be intimidating – to make it easy, treat yourself to a smoky eye palette, which are designed so that all the colours complement each other and come in a super-blendable formula so you are left with no harsh lines. To apply, start with a neutral dark colour and blend, blend, blend to slightly above your eye crease, then take the same colour to about two-thirds of the way along the lower lash line. Don’t worry about being too precious; you can wipe away any excess with a cotton bud later! Then take a lighter colour with a little bit

of shimmer and press it to the centre of the eyelid, and to the inner eye, just at your tear duct. Add lashings of mascara and eyeliner, and you’re done. To find the most flattering shade, your hair and eye colour can help you get started. Brown eyes and olive skin types like Jessica Alba look gorgeously sultry with the deepest browns and warm gold, while red heads can add drama with colour – cool greens, blue and purple look in fantastic, as seen on Julianne Moore. Blue eyed beauties like Blake Lively can play around with most colours, but soft greys and deep coppers act as a pretty contrast.

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette (£38) is one of the most sought after palettes, and is a great take on dark neutrals with brilliant colour payoff. For those looking to branch out from neutrals but still create a Smashbox Double really wearable smoky Exposure Palette, £38 effect, the Smashbox Double Exposure Palette (£38) contains some beautiful purple- and navy-based shades, which is ideal for framing brown eyes, plus you can add water to each shade to get a darker version of each shadow.

Jessica Alba

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette, £38

BEAUTYGREYHAIR

Fade to

Grey By Paul Stafford, Stafford Hairdressing, Belfast

BEAUTYGREYHAIR

ur fascination with grey hair shows no sign of going away, instead we are seeing increasingly deliberate efforts to get the authentic ‘granny grey’ shade. And they are stunning. It’s difficult to say just where the trend came from. Shade innovations by colour houses like AlfaParf certainly opened up the opportunity, but why and who took it into the stratosphere isn’t clear, but it’s now crossing all spectrums of fashion and hairstyles. Like most ‘cult’ looks, it probably started on the fringes of fashion – most likely East London. Certainly, it was more than five years ago that the bright young things of Shoreditch, Hoxton and Dalston were first seen sporting super-bleached hairstyles that had been toned flat matt shades of metallic silver and ash. It wasn’t long before various shades of grey, powder blue and steely silver were seen all over the catwalks and cool fashion mags. The granny grey movement, like all trends, has blurred the line between what is ‘real’ and what is ‘artificial’, bringing an awareness of natural grey hair and leading many ‘real’ grey-haired men and women to ditch the colour and celebrate the freedom of their true colours. Usually, the fashion police would be calling foul play and trying to halt the grey obsession, but, weirdly, not this time. It seems an appreciation of the grey head – false or otherwise – will make the silver fox look the hair statement of the decade, with fashion campaigns, musicians, actors and sports stars collectively bringing a ‘cool factor’ to the ageing hair look.

In a world obsessed with age preservation, it seems ironic that grey hair is becoming a must-have, though when you consider the pain people go through with cosmetic facial or bodily surgery to achieve their dream look, getting the perfect granny grey hue seems like small change. The process itself can be as simple as a temporary toner or it can involve full bleaching and stripping. If not undertaken by a professional and experienced colourist, it can lead not only to an unwanted shade but also to very damaged, over-processed hair. Achieving the perfect tone rests on making the colouring process slow and gentle. Of course, the final result will

ultimately be based on the client’s natural base colour, but with hair regenerative treatments like Olaplex and colour specific shampoos now widely available, it’s easier to maintain the integrity of the hair and ensure the desired finished effect. As there are no signs that this phenomenon is ending any time soon, hairstylists, colourists and art directors are constantly searching for new variations on the grey theme. Look out next season for heavy metal greys – steel, iron, platinum, white gold, cobalt and, the ultimate, stainless steel silver. This is the most transparent of all greys, with high shine and an almost waterlike ripple through the colour. Fade to grey!

Hair salon makes history at British Hairdressing Awards

Co Down hair salon has made history by becoming the first in Northern Ireland to win Artistic Team of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards 2015. Shane Bennett Salon in Hillsborough beat five London-based rivals to scoop the prestigious award. And there were double celebrations for Shane’s team as stylists Julie Cherry and Colette Fitzpatrick were crowned joint winners of the Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year award for their innovative, punk-inspired ‘Urban Fusion’ collection. “But to actually win this category and make history is just fantastic. We have an exceptionally talented team of stylists and colourists, headed up by art directors Julie Cherry and Colette Fitzpatrick, and I am delighted for them to be recognised by their peers and named Northern Ireland Hairdressers of the Year. “To win both awards is testament to the hard work and creativity of the two girls

and their team, but also to hairdressing in Northern Ireland as a whole.” Shane, who was the youngest member to be admitted to the Hairdressers’ Hall of

Fame, said the Urban Fusion collection was inspired by the punk movement and urban chic. “The collection is punk with a couture twist, but at the same time, it’s very youthful and all about beautiful hair as an enhancement,” he said. “The girls created eight pictures, using two models in every picture, which is another first for the salon.

WIN... enough coffee for the festive season!!!

ohnsons Coffee have been roasting coffee locally since 1913 sourcing the finest high grown Arabica coffees from around the globe. Their award winning coffees are blended and slow batch hand roasted in Lisburn....a world of coffee, locally roasted.

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

Where is Johnsons Coffee Roasted? To enter, email: competitions@greerpublications.com with your answer plus your name, address and daytime number.

Closing date: Friday 23rd January 2016 * Terms and conditions apply.

LIFESTYLE

From Christmas gift ideas to seasonal treats - we have it covered...

Christmas Countdown Nutcracker, £20, Matalan

Goodwill 'Angel with Gifts', €17 each, Brown Thomas Goodwill 'Butterfly Elf', €25 each, Brown Thomas

Deck the Halls

Confetti Rockets, £22, The Little Picture Company

Get into the festive spirit with these Christmas decorations.

Santa Belt Trug, £12, John Lewis

Personalised Christmas Bauble, £15, Emma Bridgewater

Christmas Joy Robin Plate, £17.95, Emma Bridgewater

Door Mat, £6, Ikea

LIFESTYLEINTERIORS Forest Side Yankee Candles, £8.99, CFC Interiors

Reindeer Wine Rack, £23, NOTHS

Murmur Seagrass basket (large) red, £37.00; Murmur bud throw red,££120.00; Murmur Podd Red Cushion, £35.00 Original Felt Ball Wreath, £54, The Original Pop Up Shop

Starry Skies, £19.95, Emma Bridgewater Sequins Reindeer Cushion, £5, Primark

Kaeming UK Red throw with hearts double sided, £35.99, CFC Interiors

LIFESTYLEHOUSE

Then and now...

After

Originally a shop and post office, this rural village dwelling has been developed into a period style haven with all modern amenities. Before

LIFESTYLEHOUSE

riginally from the Glens of Antrim, Johanne Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill is a property stylist and interior designer who has lived worked in London for 12 years. Four years ago, after becoming freelance Johanne moved back home. Recently Johanne bought an old shop and post office which had been turned into residential property to take on as a renovation project. Johanne has always loved the countryside and property and saw this house as an excellent opportunity to renovate and resell. However, after working on the house and falling in love with it Johanne has decided to move in herself. The house is situated in the Glens of Antrim and is designed around pieces of antiques which Johanne has acquired over the years. She was determined to reinstate the history of the building and reinstalled the original fireplace. The entire renovation took a year from purchasing the house in November 2014, to completion in November 2015. The location is ideal for Johanne as her siblings all live nearby. The three bedrooms are furnished with items which hold sentimental value including Johanneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grandmotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old iron bed. One room is themed on a French Boudoir with neutral and relaxing colours. The woollen carpet and neutral wall colour is consistent throughout the house. Johanne choose a paint which tied in with the mood and space of the building and also matched the style of her own personal >>

LIFESTYLEHOUSE

belongings. The off-shade added warmth to the rooms in daylight and artificial light. The reinstated chimney breast is the centrepiece of the reception room and furnishing the room are multiple antique pieces which Johanne has collected over the years. For Johanne it was important that throughout the house the modern aspects of everyday living were incorporated into the building seamlessly alongside the antique furniture. The main aim of the project was to design and create a house which fitted around items which Johanne already owned and what was already in place in the house.

special gifts for Christmas With Christmas a matter of weeks away, REAL on the Lisburn Road is the perfect store to find the most unique and special gift for a loved one, or a luxurious treat for yourself! REAL provides a beautiful, eclectic range of products, many of which are exclusive to Ireland and have been hand chosen from across the world by Roisin Donnelly and Maria Watson, previous owners of Panache. Treat someone special to the exclusive and organic range of luxury bath and body products from Bamford.

With fashion for both men and women, accessories for the home and garden and beautiful

items of jewellery, there really is a gift for everyone. From stunning monogrammed cashmere for that personal touch, to exclusive jewellery available in the store just in time for the holiday season. Find your loved ones something special to open this Christmas, with beautiful packaging to match the gorgeous products in store.

Haute Couture Cuffs by Catherine Osti are the perfect fashion accessory for any winter outfit.

For more information about all of the brands available at REAL, visit the store at 713a Lisburn Road, Belfast or go online www.shop-real.com

From hats to stoles and collars, the beautiful faux fur accessories from British designer, Helen Moore, will add that timeless sense of glamour.

Stunning collars from Toi et Moi. These exclusive statement pieces are sure to add drama and sparkle to your winter wardrobe.

Elegant and luxurious velvet coats and tweed jackets from T.Ba are perfectly stylish for winter.

Find the perfect gift at

MEN / WoMEN / GIFTs / HoMEWArE / Accessories /

713a road Lisburn road 713a Lisburn Belfast Belfast BT9 7Gu BT9 7Gu Telephone: Telephone: 028 9068 028 39399068 3939 www.shop-real.com www.shop-real.com

Win... A break to the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway

reat yourself to a day of Christmas shopping and festive fun in the fabulously stylish Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway. Situated by the gorgeous waterfront of Lough Atalia and overlooking Galway Bay, the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa is the perfect base for a Christmas shopping trip this festive season. Ideally located just steps away from the bus and train station and minutes from the bustling streets of Galway’s city centre, Christmas shopping couldn’t be easier! From the high street, to Shop Street and all the cobbled lanes of antiques and hidden treasures, Galway city is filled with gifts for all the family. Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Galway’s famous Eyre Square’s traditional Christmas market, enjoy a warming festive drink as you enjoy the array of festive foodie delights, handmade jewellery and crafts on offer. After a day of shopping and with arms full of Christmas gifts and fashionable finds, arrive to the sound of Christmas carols as you relax inside the elegant surroundings of the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway and warm up with a hot drink or celebrate the season with a glass of bubbly in the Atrium Bar & Lounge. To celebrate all things festive at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway, they are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a midweek break for two. You’ll experience the lap of luxury with an overnight stay, dinner in Restaurant Marinas or RAW Sushi in the Sky, a Super Buffet Breakfast the following morning and complimentary access to the Thermal Suite and Leisure Centre during your stay. www.radissonhotelgalway.com

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

Which well known square is the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway located near? To enter, email: competitions@greerpublications.com with your answer plus your name, address and daytime number. Closing date: Friday 23rd January 2016 * Terms and conditions apply.

CHRISTMASGIFTGUIDE

Christ mas

Northern Woman takes a look at this years seasonal gifts for him, for her and for the kids...

GIFT GUIDE >>> NW

For

Ted Baker Plain Scarf £48 Red @ Tom Morrow, Dungannon

Him

Whiskey Wedge £15 John Lewis

Christmas Jumper £9.99 at Lidl Northern Ireland

Barbour Tartan Handkerchief £22 Boxed Gift Set Warnocks Lisburn Road Belfast

BULLDOG Skincare Kit For Men £15 Boots

GoPro Hero4 Black Edition Action £327 Tesco Polo Ralph Lauren Stripe Rugby Sock Giftbox £35 www.asos.com

Calvin Klein Trifold Golf Towel Blue £8 House of Fraser

Rugby Ball Bottle Stop: £22.50 Beaufort Interiors Moira Man and Ball Book, £15 Easons

Rugby Ball Bookends: £79.95 Beaufort Interiors Moira Archerr Brouges £120 Ted Baker, Tom Morrow - Dungannon

Hublot Watches, £15,000 Mercers Jewellers Enniskillen

CHRISTMASGIFTGUIDE

Mens Braces £10, Next Suave leather 2ME Style phone covers £219 to umbrellas designed by London Undercover, £63. Available at REAL on Lisburn Road, Belfast. www.shop-real.com Barts Touch Screen Powerstretch Gloves £29.99 www.amazon.co.uk Clarins Face Collection £39 Medicare Pharmacies

Apple Sport Watch from £299, Apple stores Jo Malone London Bath & Body Collection £48

Harvys Bifold Leather Wallet £42 ted Baker McCalls Lisburn Lyle and Scott Coffee Flask £45 www.lylenadscott.com

A range of luxury coffee table books available at REAL on the Lisburn Road, Belfast, with prices starting at £16. www.shop-real.com

AEG Coffee Machine £59 CFC Interiors cookstown

Horse Bit ice bucket: £45 Beaufort Interiors Moira

Aramis Blockbuster Set £90 Debenhams

Chester Barrie Change Coat £695 www.chesterbarrie.co.uk

12 inch City Lights Globe £99.95 Bedeck @ Linen Green

For

The perfect Glow Party Set £29.50 www.vitaliberata.com

Her

Pink Wrap £49 Evelin Brandt Belfast

Skinician Ageless Gift Set £36.70 www.euro-products.co.uk

ImPRESS nails £5.99 from selected pharmacies

Tom Ford Beauty Eye Colour Quad �72 Brown Thomas Dublin Personalised monogrammed Cashmere travel set by Sofia Cashmere £289 REAL Lisburn Road Belfast www.shop-real.com

Chanel Coco mademoiselle £68 Boots

UGG Scuff Sheepskin Mule Slippers Espresso £70 Schuh Belfast

English Pear & Fresia bath salts £30 Jo Malone Nurtibullet £89 Argos

£195 Limited Edition Arctic Gold GHD Gift Set www.ghdhair.com

Vivienne Westwood Blue Envelope Clutch Bag £125 Cruise Victoria Square Belfast

CHRISTMASGIFTGUIDE

10-Piece marvelous moxie lipstick collection £39.00 available at Debenhams and Brown Thomas

Meli Melo handbag £325 REAL Lisburn Road Belfast

Yonka massage candle £36.90 available from Yonka beauty salons

Panache Black Aria Moulded Plunge Bra £42.00, Lingerie Rooms Linen Green or Orchid Lingerie Belfast -

Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Skin Cleansing Brush System Grey £125, House of Fraser

DKNY Be Desired 50ml Eau De Parfum Gift Set £50 available from Boots

Monica Vinader Esencia 18ct GoldPlated Chain Bracelet, £175, www.selfridges.co.uk In the Blink of a Smoky Eye – eye shadow palette - £45 rrp – www.janeiredale.co.uk

Box of 15 French Macaroons £27. www.notonthehighstreet.com

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray £18.90, Debenhams

s d i rk

Roberts Radio Revival Mini £129 www.amazon.co.uk

Nerf N-Strike Elite Demolisher 2-In-1 Blaster £44.99 Toys R Us

Baby Annabell Learns to Walk Doll £39.99 Tesco

Anya Hindmarch sticker notebook £18 www.selfridges.com

Marie Chantal babywear Starting at £49, at REAL Lisburn Road, Belfast. www.shop-real.com

Barbie Glam Convertible Car £25 House of Fraser Soft Reindeer Slippers £14 Clarks Flirting glitter slippers £190 www.Selfridges.com

Soft snuggly Doundou et Compagne rabbit range is available at Real from £20 www.shop-real.com

Mini Satchel £115 www.cambridgesatchel.com CUDDLEDRY Toddler Towels £34 www.picandmiximages.co.uk

Pie Face Game Image £20 Very

Nike Roshe One £40 JD Sports

Pamela Barsky Pouch £11.18 www.etsy.com

CHRISTMASGIFTGUIDE

Santa Novelty Socks Five Pack £6 Next

Pie Face Game Image £20 Very

Get Weird £7.99 HMV Star Wars Bladebuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber £49.99 Toys R Us Star Wars The Force Awakens Battle Action Millennium Falcon £119.95 Disney Store

Solo2 on-ear headphones £169.99, www.uk.beatsbydre.com

Dr Martens £55

Scratch Off The World Map £24.95 www.notonthehighstreet.com

Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 Camera £115 Urban Outfitters

Nick Grimshaw x Topman paint splatter shirt £40 www.topman.com

Minons £10 Tesco

WowWee Robosapien Interactive Robot £69.99 Smyths

Kenso Sweatshirt £180 www.harveynichols.com

Lynx faux fur slipper boots £48 www.helenmoore.com

Discover the true taste of India this CHRISTMAS

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

NOW TAKING CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS

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

NWADVERTORIAL

Under £20

St.Tropez The Instant Tan Cracker, £5

Calvin Klein Mocha Sock Set, £16

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm Mighty Mimosa £17

Howick Junior Boys Fairisle Tank Top, £20

Tweed Notebook, £10

Under £30

Wowzr! Boombox Speakers, £20

BareMinerals Eyes Everlasting Liner Set, £30 Fraser Bear, £25

Helen Moore Red Faux Fur Heart Pom Pom, £26

Little Dickins & Jones Girls Reindeer Jumper, £22

Biba Black Pom Pom Hat, £25

Under £50

Michael Kors Gold Stripe iPhone 6 Cover, £35

Laura MercierLa Petite Souffles - Souffle Body Cream Collection, £45

Little Dickins & Jones Girls Sequin Dress, £50

Heidi Klum Intimates Sofia Contour Bra and Briefs, £38

Wowzr! XDREAM XS Portable Power Bank, £35

Under £100 Calvin Klein Blue Cross Body Bag, £85

Vila Embellished Batwing Jacket, £60

Over £100

Mulberry Metallic Leather Mini Lily Bag, £375

Nutribullet, £99.99

Lulu Guinness Exclusive ‘A Little Lipstick Never Hurts’ Clutch, £65

Sisley Soir d'Orient 100ml, £165

Marion Ayonote Couture Black Kid Leather Rand Sheep Hair Avalon Boots, £1,200

Tom Ford Noir Extreme, £70

KRUPS Pixie Clips & Aeroccino Machine, £179.99

Gray & Willow Shearling Coat, £969

NWADVERTORIAL

Edinburgh Preserves Hot Sauce Set, £15

Ted Baker Gold Hip Flask, £20

Baylis and Harding Fuzzy Duck Black Pepper & Sage Hand Wash and Lotion, £15

Linea Wooden Candle Sticks £16

Esdevium Games 8/10 Cats Game, £19.99 Casa Couture Copper Cocktail Shaker, £30 and Tool Set, £30 Living by Christiane Lemieux Singapore Reed Diffuser, £30

Harris Tweed Shoe Care Kit, £25 Barbour Navy Tartan Scarf, £44

Dents Quilted Suede Gloves, £46

Linea Margarita (set of 4) £35 Broste Copenhagen Felix Metal Vases, £33

Mayhem Magnetic Induction Speaker & Stand, £30

Lyle & Scott Pen Gift Set, £22

Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Eau De Toilette Spray, £43 Linea whiskey Set, £100

Howick Grey Cashmere Jumper, £95

Paul Smith London Classic Stripe Scarf, £65

Gray & Willow Marble Cheese Board with Dome, £55

Lexington Flag Throw, £139

Magimix 5200XL Premium Satin Chrome Food Processor, £419.99

Smart Turnout The British Watch White Black Leather Edition, £129

Howick Chestnut Business Satchel, £125 Howick Herringbone Blazer, £155

LIFESTYLEFOOD

Seasonal Treats Simple, delicious & nutritious

Scallion and potato pancakes with grilled scallions, crispy bacon and creamy parsley dressing Scallion and potato pancakes Ingredients

• 250g mashed potatoes • 100g self raising flour • sliced green part of 4 scallions • ½ teaspoon salt • 1 egg • 25g melted butter • rapeseed oil for cooking

Method

• Mix the potatoes, flour, scallions and salt in a bowl. • Whisk the milk, egg and butter in a separate bowl and then mix into the potato mxture. • Set aside for 10 minutes • Wipe a medium hot frying pan with rapeseed oil and drop tablespoons of the batter into the pan - don't overcrowd. • When bubbles appear on the surface of the pancakes, flip them over and cook for a minute on the other side. • Cool on a wire rack.

Grilled Scallions Ingredients

• White part of 4 scallions • ½ tablespoon rapeseed oil

Method

• Heat a griddle pan until hot. • Split the scallions lengthwise through the root. • Brush with oil and cook on the pan until marked and wilted • Set aside.

Crispy Bacon Ingredients

• 8 rashers smoked dry cure streaky bacon

Method

• Cook gently on a dry pan until crisp. • Pat on kitchen paper. • Keep the fat for roasties.

Creamy Parsley Dressing Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard • 50ml crème fraîche • 50ml local rapeseed oil • handful chopped parsley • salt and pepper to taste

Method

• Put all the ingredients in a jam jar and shake until they come together.

To finish...

• Place the pancakes on a big platter. • Chop the grilled scallions and scatter on top. • Chop the bacon and add to each. • Top with the dressing.

LIFESTYLEFOOD

Glenarm Salmon tarator with roast and pickled carrot salad Salmon tarator Ingredients

• 4 x 175g skinless, pinboned salmon escalopes • 1 tablespoon rapeseed oil • 1 teaspoon lemon salt • 75g walnuts • 1 white onion • 2 tablespoons mint leaves • 2 teaspoons sumac • 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses

Method

• Set the oven to 180˚C and lightly oil a baking tray. • Place the salmon onto the tray, brush half the oil over the top and scatter over the lemon salt. • Bake for 15 minutes or until firm but with a little 'give'. • Cool. • Meanwhile, peel and finely slice the onion, place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and brush with the remaining tablespoon of oil. • Roast for 15 minutes. • Toast the walnuts on a baking tray for 5 minutes. • When the onions and walnuts are cool, chop them with the mint leaves to a fine crumb. • Add the sumac and pomegranate molasses.

Yoghurt Layer Ingredients

• 75ml local Greek style yoghurt • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds • zest 1 lemon • salt and pepper to taste

Method

• Mix all the ingredients together and salt and pepper. • Spoon the mixture onto the cooked cool salmon and scatter over the walnut crumb. • Slice the lemon from the zest into wedges, place around the salmon and scatter with some fresh herbs.

Method

Roast and Pickled carrot salad Ingredients

• 6 medium carrots, scrubbed • 2 tablespoons rapeseed oil • few sprigs fresh thyme • 1 red onion, peeled and finely sliced • 4 scallions, finely sliced • 1 clove garlic • 2 teaspoons honey • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard • 50ml cider vinegar • juice 1 lemon • fresh coriander to garnish

• Set the oven to 200ºC. • Cut 4 of the carrots in half lengthwise and toss in the oil. • Season with seasalt and add the thyme sprigs. • Place on a baking tray and roast, turning occasionally, for about 30 minutes, until soft. • Peel the remaining carrots, coarsely grate and place in a bowl with the onions and scallions. Season with salt and pepper to taste. • Crush the garlic with a little salt and place in a bowl. • Whisk in the honey, mustard, vinegar and lemon juice. • Toss half into the raw carrot mixture, mix well and place on a platter. • When the carrots are roasted, toss them into the remaining half of the vinegar mixture. • Scatter them over the raw carrot mixture and garnish with fresh coriander.

LIFESTYLEFOOD

Chocolate truffles Ingredients • 1 tablespoon liquid glucose • 1 tablespoon honey • 100ml double cream • 25ml liqueur • 250g good quality, dark chocolate, chopped • 75g soft butter, chopped

Method

• Place the glucose, honey, cream and liqueur in a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. • Place the chocolate and butter in a heat proof bowl, and add the hot cream mixture. • Stir until the chocolate is melted. • At this stage either pour the mixture into a cling film lined tray (so you can cut out cubes) or just chill the bowl so you can make the balls later. • Dip a melon baller into boiling water and scoop out balls. • Roll in cocoa, toasted coconut or crushed honeycomb. • Serve with coffee or after dinner liqueur.

Whin bush hibiscus Champagne Ingredients • 750g castor sugar • 4 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers • 2 pint glasses full of whin bush flowers • zest and juice of 2 lemons • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar • 4 litres water • pinch brewers yeast

Method

• Mix 4 litres of water and the sugar in a clean fermenting bucket and stir until the sugar dissolves. • Add the hibiscus and whin flowers • Add the lemon zest, juice and vinegar. • Cover with a teatowel and leave for 2 days. • Add a pinch of yeast, cover and leave for 5 days. • Strain through muslin and place in plastic bottles or beer bottles with a ceramic seal top. • Leave for a week, opening them up now and again so there isn't a gas build up. • Chill and serve.

2J'S OF LURGAN 3a Robert Street, Lurgan T: 028 3832 6911

Homeware - Original Art - Gifts 29 Raceview Road Raceview Mill Broughshane BT42 4JJ T: 028 2586 3066 M: 07803 194279

LIFESTYLEHOUSEAPPLICATIONS

Home SMART Home

ver found yourself on the commute home wishing you could remotely take a peek in the fridge to see if you are out of milk? Or spent a trip to the airport for a nice, relaxing holiday thinking it would be great if you could just double-double check the front door was locked? Soon you’ll be able to do all of this and more, as the concept of a truly intelligent, connected home becomes a reality: industry experts predict that the typical home could contain more that 500 smart devices by 2022. While we might not be at the Jetson’s level just yet, technology giants Samsung, Apple, Nest and LG have led the way with affordable devices and appliances which hook up to your smartphone to be controlled remotely and make your daily life flow a little more seamlessly.

Best for... Music Streaming Sonos from £165

The award-winning Sonos system lets you use your smartphone to stream music to any room in your home, allowing multiple people to listen to different things in different rooms with ease, or just filling your whole house with music. It works by connecting one single device to your home Wifi to play music from either online or your digital music library, such as Spotify or iTunes. You can keep to just one or two devices, (and with a gorgeously stylish design and incredible sound quality, you won’t regret it) or build on your collection as your needs change and add a device wherever you would like to hear your music. As it works completely wirelessly, you can switch up your location and bring a device outside for a summer’s evening entertaining, or into the study while you curl up with a book, with no need for extra cables or connections.

Best for... Laundry Day Samsung F900 Washing Machine with ecobubble £1,099 Perfect for those that dread the laundry pile. Using a smartphone, you can remotely control and monitor your washing from anywhere, start or pause a cycle, see how much time you have remaining and get an alert when the cycle is finished. As well as a massive 12kg drum capacity, meaning you can get loads of washing done at once, the machine has a smart ‘Sensing Load’ function, which automatically analyses the weight of smaller loads, so it only uses exactly the right energy and water, saving you money over time. Plus, Samsung’s machine uses what they call ‘Ecobubble’ technology to ‘froth’ detergent and penetrate fabrics faster, which should make your clothes cleaner, especially on a cooler wash, further reducing your cost per cycle. If that wasn’t quite enough high-spec technology for one washing machine, the F900 has an automatic error-monitoring system, Smart Check, which detects and diagnoses any problems and provides easy troubleshooting solutions.

Best for... Peace of Mind Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock ($199, coming soon to the UK) The Kwikset lock works via your phone’s Bluetooth. Once it’s set up, simply approach the door and your phone wirelessly unlocks it for you, without you even having to take your phone out of your pocket – great if your hands are full of groceries, or if you are juggling small children. Once enabled, users can send eKeys to friends and family, allowing them to gain access to premises on either a permanent or temporary basis. To prevent unauthorised access, the app can detect whether a user is already inside, and you can receive notifications to let you know whenever someone enters or exits your home. The locks also come with a back up physical key so users can gain access if your phone battery runs flat.

LIFESTYLEHOUSEAPPLICATIONS Best for... Keeping Cosy Nest Learning Thermostat £179 - £249 Nest have been ahead of the smart home curve for a while, but their real hero product is the Nest Thermostat. The device is a sleek-looking round disk with a beautiful digital display that mounts to the wall. You can change the temperature manually on the digital display, but the real value of the Nest is its ‘Smart Learning’. You use the Nest for a week, and it will learn your schedule and set your heat preferences for you. It also connects to your smartphone, so if you are late home, you can easily tap in and delay the heat for a couple of hours. Even if you forget, the nest has you covered – if the built in motion sensors don’t detect any movement for two hours, it will switch to ‘autoaway’. So far, users have reported an average saving of savings of 20-30% of their heating bill using the clever Nest system.

Best for... Dinner Time Crock-Pot Smart WeMo Slow Cooker around £80 Slow cookers have enjoyed a huge amount of popularity in recent years, with the ability to toss raw ingredients into the pot before work, and coming home to a perfectly cooked dinner in the evening. This smart enabled version gives you much more control – if your meeting runs over time, or you have a last minute errand to do before you get home, you can tap in and change the temperature on your cooker so its not overdone by the time you get home. It uses your home’s Wifi channel, and is incredibly easy to set up. As well as adjusting temperature, you can set and modify timers and receive alerts when the timer is done.

Best for... Setting the Mood Philips Hue Starter kit £149 Admittedly, smartphone-enabled lightbulbs don’t sound like a musthave gadget, but the Philips Hue are a great way to change the atmosphere in your home. The starter kit comes with three bulbs and a base station. The hub connects to your router via Ethernet, and the bulbs can be controlled via your Apple device. From there, you can change the brightness of each bulb individually, and change the colour – there is a spectrum of 16 million colours available – or you can choose from a number of light recipes such as ‘Energize’ and ‘Reading’ that set the optimum colour and brightness for you. You can control your lights from anywhere, or using geofencing technology (which figures out if you are near your house using your phone’s location), your lights can welcome you home, switch off automatically when you leave, or set to come on while you’re away for security.

A recent survey by Barclays found that more than a quarter of property buyers would find a home more appealing if it was equipped with integrated technology. NW

NWADVERTORIAL

Home for

It is not a coincidence that most Christmas movies focus on the mayhem of families reuniting for Christmas, but it doesn’t have to be stressful and unmanageable. With a little simple organisation and some festive finishing touches, you can have your home guest-ready in no time with these handy tips and products from IKEA Belfast.

Christ mas VINTER 2015 Table Setting

Make Room at the Table Don’t splurge on expensive extra chairs to fit everybody around the dining table, pick up a few fold out chairs from IKEA, which can also be easily stored away when not in use.

TERJE Folding Chair, £11

From Bored to Board IKEA has produced a new collection of toys that all the family will enjoy. On those no school days, curb the kids’ boredom with some of the games from the LATTJO collection and incorporate a bit of fun for all the family into your festive days. LATTJO Pairs Card Game, £7

LATTJO Dart Game, £13

LATTJO Puzzle Collection

Christmas Party Pro Who wants to be left with a pile of washing up the morning after the night before? This VINTER 2015 serve-ware will look perfect for the party then can be thrown away – the paper plates, napkins and cups will be lifesavers!

A Cosy Home is a Happy Home Having guests to stay doesn’t mean you have to be doing things all the time, Christmas is also about some rest and relaxation! Stock up on cosy throws, light some candles and gather around the living room to enjoy a movie or some quality catch up time.

VINTER 2015 Paper Napkins £2/30 pack VINTER 2015 Disposable Cups £1/10 pack

VINTER 2015 Blanket £10

VINTER 2015 Bedding £10

VINTER 2015 Unscented Block Candles from £3

A Place to Rest your Head If you don’t have a room for every guest, make the most of your furniture by investing in sofa beds and day beds, that can be used all year round and not just occasionally.

HEMNES Day Bed, £229

VINTER 2015 guest towel £3 for 2 pack

For more tips and festive product ideas to get your home winter holiday ready, visit www.ikea.co.uk NW

LIFESTYLEFEATURE

Take REFUGE Traditionally, there is an upsurge in people seeking to leave abusive relationships over the holiday period. NW speaks to Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland who are on hand to help.

inancial pressures, increased time spent with family and alcohol consumption all play a role in the higher than usual number of cases of domestic violence over Christmas and the New Year. For those embroiled in on-going domestic violence, who are pushed into action at this time of year it is good to know that organisations such as Women’s Aid can help.

The Facts & Figures

Figures are not yet available for 2014/15, but statistics provided by Women’s Aid for the year 2013/14 show that in Northern Ireland 999 women and 747 children stayed in their refuges, including 59 pregnant women. Fifteen babies were born in refuge in 2013/14 and in this same year, 5,220 women used their outreach service and some 50,335 calls from women and men were received by the 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline, which is open to all women and men affected by domestic or sexual violence. Annie Campbell, WAFNI CEO said: ‘It is heartbreaking that when so many people are enjoying the closeness and love of family life over the Christmas season that many women and children are enduring the terror and degradation of violence and abuse within the home. Over this period

excessive alcohol can exacerbate the problem but is not the cause of it. There is never any excuse for domestic or sexual abuse. Calls to our 24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline always rise during this period. We are here 24 hours, seven days a week, including on Christmas Day, to listen and support all women and men who are victims of domestic and sexual abuse.’

Real Life Stories

Emma moved from England to Northern Ireland to escape the violence and abuse she had suffered for many years from her husband. She felt frightened and alone.

When I look back ❝ at the person I was I see someone empty and scared but I look at myself now and I have the confidence to go outside.

❞

Emma then picked up the courage to phone the 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline who put her in touch with the Women’s Aid floating support service in her area. Emma’s life changed through the support she received. ‘My Journey to Freedom started the first time I picked up the phone and rang Women’s Aid. Every day we all see the leaflets in doctors, hospitals etc, but do we ever take any notice of them? I have always been a private person but there comes a time in your life when you have to put that aside. ‘I thought no one could help me, you know that feeling? You’re all alone and no one to talk to? I was desperate and vulnerable. I was in a black hole. I knew after the first meeting with Women’s Aid that I wasn’t alone. They were so easy to talk to which was great for me because I was from England and didn’t really know anyone. I had so much going on in my life, health problems, finance problems and going through an abusive marriage. ‘Women’s Aid put me in touch with a family law solicitor in England who sorted my court dealings. They also put me in touch with Women’s Aid in England who came and gave me support at court. ‘My floating support worker then started on my finances. She put me in touch with the Housing Executive who sorted out my rent. Because of my depression and health issues I had a big problem leaving the house. My floating support worker helped me to sort out disability living allowance and she accompanied me and gave me great support. I couldn’t have done all this by myself.

LIFESTYLEFEATURE ‘Between all this going on, I was getting weekly one to one visits which took the pressure off me. My floating support worker helped me to cope better with my depression which gave me the strength to leave the house, she supported me through it all. When I look back at the person I was I see someone empty and scared but I look at myself now and I have the confidence to go outside. I’m a lot stronger and I feel ready to get back to work. I got through those dark days with the help of Women’s Aid, to me they were always by my side. ‘I am no longer in that dark hole, there is a bright light shining down on me.’ While Emma was on her own, Helen had three children to think of when she decided to leave her abusive husband and was referred to a Women’s Aid refuge by her outreach worker. Helen and the children were given time to settle in to the refuge. Their needs were then assessed and a support plan drawn up with a family worker. She was supported with all her practical needs: applying for income support, child tax credits and child benefit, registering with the GP, enrolling her son in school and her daughter in nursery. Helen was accompanied to meetings with social services and supported in all her dealings with her social worker, solicitor and other agencies. During her time in refuge, Helen had the opportunity to talk regularly on a one to one basis. After three months she decided to

cope with the emotional and financial abuse. Her needs were assessed, a tailored support plan was drawn up and after about seven months living in refuge, Collette was allocated a one bedroom bungalow close to her daughters. Collette now lives independently and comes back to the refuge on a weekly basis for group support via aftercare. She has regained control of her life and plans to volunteer with Women’s Aid in the future.

Help Is at Hand

move into a private rental but continues to receive support through aftercare, attending the group on a weekly basis and confident in her ability to survive without her partner. While Emma and Helen were younger women, at 62-years-old, after 42 years of marriage and six grown up children later, Collette was unable to go on ‘coping’ with her abusive husband. When Collette arrived at the refuge she was at the point of ending her life as she could see no way out of her situation. She felt she was too old to start again and that she did not have the strength to do what she needed to do; she was exhausted trying to

For anyone suffering within an abusive relationship here in Northern Ireland, the 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline is a free phone service (0808 802 1414) which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. You can also email 24hrsupport@ dvhelpline.org or text support to 07797 805 839. It provides a listening ear service to those affected by domestic violence. You can anonymously discuss your feelings with a helpline worker who will offer non-judgemental, caring and empathetic support. No one is saying it is easy to take that first step and leave an abusive relationship, but should you be in need of help from someone at the other end of the phone or refuge this Christmas or at any time of the year log on to www.womensaidni.org to find out more about the support and care that is available to you.

LIFESTYLECAVANO'NEILL

Stepping up to the

challenge 90

LIFESTYLECAVANO'NEILL Journalist Emma Deighan O’Neill opens up about coming to terms with the news that her child has cerebral palsy and how she has embarked on a fundraising campaign to change two year old Cavan’s life forever.

“D

uring my pregnancy I was worried sick, always worried that something was going to go wrong; that I’d lose the baby mostly. Cavan is my only child and I wanted him more than anything in the world, so much that I worried probably unduly about his welfare in the womb. He arrived six weeks early. He was perfect, weighing 4lbs13 with brown hair that soon turned blonde. For the first year of Cavan’s life I was very protective, a little OCD and if I’m honest, a bit overwhelmed by the love I had for him but throughout that whole year, while I treasure the gorgeous memories we have, I had a gut feeling that something was not quite right. I didn’t know if that was mother’s instinct or misbehaving hormones but I was right to worry. Cavan was completely normal in every way bar his gross motor skills. He didn’t master sitting unaided until after he was one year old. At around 15 months (when the majority of toddlers are walking), Cavan was only army crawling across the floor. Doctors would try to dispel my worries by saying things like, ‘he’ll catch up’ or ‘not all babies are the same’ but my instinct and experience with other children told me otherwise. At 18 months old Cavan had an MRI scan which revealed that he had damage on the brain known as Periventricular Leukomalacia which was in keeping with Cerebral Palsy. Cavan has Spastic Diplegia, a specific kind of CP that affects his legs meaning he may never walk. It hurts to do physio, his muscles are tight and getting worse with age and growth. Doctors don’t know why or how this happened. They can’t give me answers to questions like ‘will he walk?’, ‘will he be intellectually impaired?’, ‘will he go to mainstream school?’ or the other ten thousand questions I had that moment he was diagnosed. It was a day by day learning curve they told me before sending me on my way with some pamphlets. As Cavan’s mother, on hearing that diagnosis, first came a sense of relief that we had a reason for the delayed gross motor development but it was followed quickly by utter devastation. I wasn’t devastated because my perfect boy had been diagnosed with a disability because I can deal with that but I was heartbroken for him and the future that would face him. My biggest and most painful concern was (and still is) the thought of Cavan

spending his life on the sidelines watching his more ‘typical’ peers participate in games that he could only dream of playing. Even today at the age of two and a half, a day out provides a heart-rending insight into his future. Cavan can’t freely roam a park. He can’t position himself on a slide never mind getting up the steps. He is unable to get himself onto a chair and out of it and relies heavily on being lifted and spends too much time in a buggy when he would love nothing more than to explore. Was my baby going to spend his life in a wheelchair and miss out on the physical freedom that most other children enjoy and that many of us take for granted? This is a question that goes through my mind every day. I also know how cruel this world is. I know that we live in a society that is imageinfluenced and flaw intolerant. I know that importance is often placed on, well, the wrong things. Was the most beautiful boy I ever knew going to struggle through the already awkward teenage years? Would he find a life partner or would his disability get in the way? These are questions that run through my head every day but my overriding concern is getting him on his feet; getting him in the position to explore the beautiful aspects of this world. You see, the thing about Cavan is, he’s perfect. He’s now two and a half and we have some lovely conversations. He loves Peppa Pig, he’s gorgeously well mannered, has a thing for functional appliances and has ordered a lawn mower from Santa. He draws, he plays with cars and he asks Siri on the iPhone to ‘play Taylor Sift’. In the words of one physiotherapist ‘the only thing getting in his way is his legs’. When I researched his condition after the diagnosis one thing that kept appearing on my search page; ‘Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy’ (SDR). This is no ‘clutching at straws’ procedure I discovered after weeks of research and contacting over eleven mothers of children who had it. It was a no brainer. It’s a surgery that in the words of the US pioneering Dr Parks would allow my son ‘to walk unaided in all environments’ - possibly the most positive post operative prognosis that he will give. To me, SDR is an operation that should be routinely offered to suitable children living

with CP. It should be a given not a procedure that is solely accessible to those who have £80,000 to spare. I don’t have that amount of money unfortunately but I don’t want that to get in the way of changing my son’s life. After consideration, I decided to appeal to the generosity of people I know and love and those who I’ve never even met to lend their support in generating the £80,000 that would cover not just the operation in St Louis, Missouri but the intensive post operative therapy too. It took many weeks of anguish to conclude that putting my son and my family in the public limelight was a drop in the ocean in comparison to what this operation could do for Cavan. On week three of our campaign which we named Cavan’s First Steps we were sitting at £10,000, a formidable figure that has stunned us. We are working tirelessly to organise events to gather the rest but we can’t do this alone. We know that there are many events out there that lend themselves to fundraising efforts and we are appealing to those who may not have an allocated charity to bear us in mind or simply just support our campaign. To me, every little helps towards getting Cavan on his feet and allowing him to live as typical a life as possible and I know that goal will resonate with every mother and father out there. And I hope it does.

For more information on Cavan O’Neill’s campaign visit http://www.treeofhope.org. uk/cavans-first-steps/and to donate visit justgiving.com/cavansfirststeps or visit on facebook.com/cavansfirststeps NW

FASHIONSHOW

Jail House Frock

rumlin Road Gaol Belfast recently hosted its first ever fashion show “Symphonic”, bringing together local artists and designers for a one day exhibition in aid of Action Cancer. Symphonic was the brainchild of Action Cancer’s Katherine Young and organiser and Director of the show Cindy McKendry. Many of the designers who took part on the day showcased their Autumn/Winter 15 collections. Models: CMPR Make-up: Leanne Godfrey, Julia Cameron, Rebecca Bryson, Rosie Pritchard Hair: Stafford Hair Belfast Photos: Colin Mulcahy Photography Dublin

SHAUNA FRY

GRÁINNE MAHER

GORDON DONALDSON

FASHIONSHOW LEWIS CAMERON

JAMIE RUSSELL

MARIE-CLAIRE FERGUSON

ACTION CANCER COLLECTION

MOHAWK BY BYNSEY McGARRIGLE

SOCIALPRĂ&#x160;T-Ă&#x20AC;-PARTY

WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2015 AWARDS

t was another sell out event for the Women in Business Awards at the Culloden & Spa with almost 400 women from the business community attending the annual awards, now in their fifth year. For more information on the awards and details on how to join Women in Business, please visit www.womeninbusinessni.com

3 1. Women In Business winners with Roseann Kelly, Chief Executive, Women In Business and Kate Marshall, Chair, Women In Business 2. Kate Marshall, Avril McCammon and Roseann Kelly 3. Roseann Kelly, Tracy Hamilton (centre) and Kate Marshall 4. Minister Stephen Farry, Shauna Burns (centre) with Roseann Kelly 5. Irene Martin, Kate Marshall, Sinead Dillon and Madam Justice McBride 6. From left; Mandy Patrick, Gary McDonald and Katrina Martin

SOCIALPRÊT-À-PARTY 1

A CRAVING FOR FASHION

raving Fashion brought foodies and fashion lovers together recently to enjoy the latest looks for autumn/winter from Evelin Brandt Belfast modelled by Maureen Martin Models and served up alongside a seasonal three-course lunch in Deanes at Queens. With spot prizes throughout the afternoon as well as a charity raffle which raised £1,010 for local cancer charity Pretty ‘n’ Pink, a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon was had by all.

1. Louise Meharg and Margaret Cromey 2. Shirley Irwin, Ashleigh Evans and Heather Deane 3. Maureen Martin, Kate Smith, Michele McMath and Uel McMath 4. Maureen Murphy and Patricia Mannon 5. Paula Reilly and Jenni Armstrong 6. Yvonne Danker, Geraldine Sayee, Debbie Blackburne and Janice Waring 7. Wendy Newell, Claire Loane and Catherine Callaghan

SOCIALPRÊT-À-PARTY 1

SHARING A LIDL BIT OF MAGIC

hristmas came early to Belfast this month as Lidl Northern Ireland staged a magical Christmas market for a group of special guests to celebrate the launch of the retailer’s Deluxe Christmas range for 2015. The secret city centre venue was transformed into an authentic Christmas market with stalls filled to the brim with delicious treats from Lidl’s festive food collection. Guests were serenaded by the harmonious tones of the Bugle Babes while enjoying mulled wine at the gathering.

6 1. Ali Gordon, Mark McCormick, Martin Breen and Emma Fitzpatrick 2. Denise Watson 3. Suzie Colledge, Hannah Colledge and Alice Green 4. The Bugle Babes 5. Ian McGrath, Karen Gribben, Rosanna Smyth and Rebecca Maguire 6. Claire Moran and Susan O’Connor

SOCIALPRÊT-À-PARTY 2

AN EVENING OF STYLE

eel Fashion Bloomfield Ave recently hosted an evening of fashion in store. The evening commenced with ‘bubbles and nibbles’ followed by an introduction to Riani Winter 2015 and a short fashion show. Guests were able to browse the new A/W collections while the Riani UK agents Chantelle and Germain were on hand to give expert advice on how best to maximise the use of these pieces in your wardrobe! 4

1. Elaine Peel with Avril Barker and Beth Robinson 2. Brenda Connolly and Germain Prado of Riani 3. Olivia Danielli, Thelma Cross and Jane Jennings 4. Rosie-Anne Berryman, Robert Peel and Nancy Bond 5. Charlotte Wilkinson of Riani and Maria Mulally

SOCIALPRÊT-À-PARTY 1

NEST OPENS

V personality Jenny Bristow recently officially opened ‘The Nest’ at Raceview Mill, Broughshane. Owner, Linda Hogg, showcased an amazing selection of art, crafts and gifts which she has carefully selected.

1. Shauna Mooney, Linda Hogg and Jenny Bristow 2. Deirdre Hughes and Linda Hogg 3. Orna McCollam and Susan Ewer 4. Anna Hogg and Gemma Malthouse

AN EVENING OF TWILIGHT TASTES

ocal award-winning restaurant, George’s of the Market, recently hosted a decadent evening of ‘Twilight Tastes’. Guests were treated to a sparkling drinks reception before enjoying a tasty five course menu from inside the newly refurbished restaurant. 1. Chris Telford, Lisa Haycock, Sylvie Brando and Rebecca Kincade 2. Amy Black, Neil Jamie and Laura McPolin 3. Letitia Alvarez and Ashleigh Addis

SOCIALPRÊT-À-PARTY

THE GOING’S GOOD FOR DOWN ROYAL STYLE

orthern Ireland’s most fashionable day out was celebrated in style recently with the Victoria Square Best Dressed Lady competition at Down Royal’s Northern Ireland Festival of Racing, bringing together fashionistas from across Ireland. 21 year old Sarah McEvoy from Jonesboro, who was crowned winner, will be jetting off to New York for the ultimate Christmas shopping experience.

1. Victoria Square Best Dressed Lady Finalists 2. Carly Robinson, Sharon Cousins and Sian Cousins 3. David Smyth, Sarah Smyrh, Karen Smyth and Marshall Watson 4. Elaine Waterworth 5. Nicola and Fiona Gallagher

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SOCIALPRÊT-À-PARTY 1

FASHIONWEEK SETS A STYLISH STANDARD FOR AUTUMN/WINTER 15

est Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK held a series of fabulous events this season including a new Menswear show along with fashion from Designer and Designer Boutiques and High Street. These shows were complemented with a Fashion Souk, To Be Beautiful Body Image Symposium and of course the sell-out events Sushi Saturday and Style Sunday. 1. Helen Sugan, Taylor McIntosh, Chisha Banda and Jessica Quinn 2. Anousha Blach, Samantha Reynolds and Rebecca Gowdy 3. Kathryn Robertson and Jenna Sommerville 4. Grainne Kennedy 5. Thandi Dube 6. Jason, Will and Brenda Shankey 2

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SOCIALPRÊT-À-PARTY 2

HEAVENLY TASTES

elfast’s latest heavenly creation “The Vestry” café and Pâtisserie recently opened on the Lisburn Road, Belfast. This is the latest venture from the renowned interior designer and restaurateur Kris Turnbull, the man behind the fine dining Saphyre Restaurant. 1. Nicola McLarnon and Kris Turnball 2. Kathryn Wells, Claire White and Gemma White 3. Sophie Hynds, Nicola Branagh and Emma Miller 4. Claire Heron, Josh Hamiton and Zeinab Ashraf 5. Russell Lennon, Rosie Taylor, Marcus Bob Taylor, Claire McClelland and Kathleen McGovern 6. Vincent McDonnell and Maayan Estarjch 7. Lynne Lamour and Katie Lamour 7

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SOCIALPRĂ&#x160;T-Ă&#x20AC;-PARTY

COMPANY GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS

reat Lengths Hair Extensions recently hosted a private screening of the new James Bond movie SPECTRE at the Odeon Cinemas Belfast for their top clients and Belfast fashion and beauty media. Guests were treated to a glass of bubbly before the movie and popcorn and treats were waiting on the seats to ensure guests had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

5 1. Trina-Marie Mooney and Geraldine Watters 2. Donna and Damian Brennan 3. Derbhile, Joe, Maureen and Gerard McKearney 4. Chris King, Carol Lea and Nicole Eaton 5. Martin Breen and Gemma Garrett 6. Leah Gordon, Alanna Loughran and Katherine Donnelly 7. Ann-Marie and Paul Baxter

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MOTORINGNEWS

Along came a Spider

lmost 50 years since the original was introduced, the Fiat 124 Spider is back! True to its celebrated nameplate, the all-new Fiat 124 Spider brings classic Italian styling and pure driving pleasure to a new generation, with its powerful turbo-charged petrol engine, sophisticated suspension and traditional rear-wheel drive layout. Designed at Centro Stile in Turin, Italy,

the new Fiat 124 Spider takes its inspiration from the 1966 original, not only in terms of its proportions and stance but also in terms of its detailing. A horizontal line emerges from the front wing, kicking up over the rear haunch and flowing toward the tail lamp, aping the distinctive bodywork of the original car, while the style and position of the LED headlamps, and the hexagonal upper grille, both draw heavily from the

details of the classic roadster. This attention to detail extends even as far as the operation of the soft top, with spring-assisted opening and closing – eliminating the need for a power assist system – and automatic window lowering and raising when the header-rail lock levers are operated. Even the seat structure is designed with the roof operation in mind – the narrow shoulder bolster allows the upper body to move freely, facilitating rapid and unrestricted roof operation from the driver’s seat. Of course, the FIAT 124 Spider is more than an exercise in nostalgic roofdown style – under the bonnet lies FIAT’s venerable 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo engine producing 140hp and 240Nm of torque, driving the rear wheels for the first time via a lightweight, quick-shifting six-speed manual transmission, specially optimised for this high torque output. The MultiAir induction system ensures responsive characteristics across the rev range while lowering fuel consumption under low or medium load, while the position of the engine nearer the centre of the car reduces yaw inertia and improves handling agility. The FIAT 124 Spider will go on sale in the UK during the second half of 2016 with pricing and final specifications announced at a later date.

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MOTORINGNEWS

Special Edition Collezione Alfas T

he Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta ranges have both been enhanced by new trim levels. A new Collezione specification is available in both the MiTo and Giulietta models, while a new Sprint Speciale version joins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta range. The Collezione versions are the new luxury flagships of their respective ranges, offering a more luxurious and elegant specification than the sporty QV Line models. In the case of the Alfa Romeo MiTo Collezione, standard equipment includes 17-inch ‘Collezione Bronze’ alloy wheels with matching bronze-effect door mirrors and satin-effect headlight and tail light surrounds. The interior is trimmed in special Collezione cloth and eco-leather upholstery, with brown stitching on the flat-bottom steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake gaiter. A split-folding, three-seat rear bench, sports dials, special Collezione vintage floor mats and a Uconnect NAV infotainment system with TomTom satellite navigation and DAB radio round out the extremely high specification.

Offered with a choice of a 0.9-litre TwinAir Turbo 105hp or 1.4-litre Turbo Petrol 140hp engines (the latter with Alfa Romeo’s six-speed ALFA TCT twin-clutch transmission and uprated Brembo brakes as standard) the Alfa Romeo MiTo Collezione is priced at £17,660 OTR and £19,210 OTR respectively. Prices for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Nobody does it better...

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Collezione start at £24,820 for the 1.4 MultiAir Turbo Petrol 170hp six-speed manual, or £26,245 with the six-speed Alfa TCT twin-clutch transmission. The diesel Alfa Romeo Giulietta Collezione range starts at £25,680 for the 2.0 JTDM-2 150hp manual, with the 2.0 JTDM-2 175hp ALFA TCT version completing the new Collezione range at £27,840.

recently had the chance to drive the Aston Martin DB9 GT and it was a real pleasure. Charles Hurst had the Aston Martin DB9 sitting gleaming on a Friday afternoon and what a great start to the weekend. The sound of the car is just amazing and I could listen to it all day long. For me the shape of this car ticks all the boxes and it is truly a luxury sports car. Since their debut in the early 1950’s the ’DB’ models offered by Aston Martin have been synonymous with sophisticated grand touring and thrilling sport car performance. Only about 5% of these cars are owned by women. Fuel consumption would be in the teens but if you can afford to buy this car you will not be worried about the fuel. The Aston Martin DB9 GT in now available to order from £140,000. Contact Charles Hurst Boucher Road for a test drive.

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The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Renault KADJAR Dynamique Nav TCe 130 are: urban 41.5 (6.8); extra-urban 57.7 (4.9); combined 50.4 (5.6). The official CO2 emissions are 126g/km. EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary according to driving styles, road conditions and other factors. Finance provided by Renault Finance, PO Box 149, Watford WD17 1FJ. Subject to status. Indemnities may be required. UK resident (excludes Channel Islands). Over 18s. Terms and conditions apply. Our dealership introduces customers to a limited number of finance providers including Renault Finance. Offer based on 6,000 miles per annum, excess mileage 8p per mile inc VAT. Offers cannot be used with other schemes or finance offers and are available on featured new vehicle shown when ordered by 31 December 2015 and registered by 31 March 2016. Kadjar shown has optional Flame Red Renault i.d. metallic paint, available at an additional £625. REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLE KADJAR Dynamique Nav TCe 130

48 MONTHLY PAYMENTS

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CHARLES HURST BELFAST 62 Boucher Road, Belfast BT12 6LR Tel 028 9038 1721

NEWTOWNARDS 10 Comber Road Newtownards BT23 4QP Tel 028 9181 5277

NEWTOWNABBEY 547 Antrim Road, Mallusk Newtownabbey BT36 4RF Tel 028 9084 3816

Book a test-drive

The Burj Kalifa dominates the Dubai skyline.

Dazzled by

Dubai

NW's Kate Cody explores Dubai, a city known for luxury shopping, ultra modern architecture and a lively nightlife scene.

Dubai Mall of the Emirates

he year 2014 saw Dubai crowned as the world’s busiest airport, with over 70 million passengers passing through each year. Although many of these visitors are passing through, it may be worth your while to see what this modern concrete jungle has to offer. The pace of progress here has been phenomenal and it takes some believing to imagine that just 50 years ago Dubai was little more than a fishing village beside the Dubai Creek.

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It is here that the Bani Yas tribe and the forefathers of the Maktoum dynasty settled back in 1800. Even in the 1950’s when the rest of the world was exploring space and New York’s Times Square had been illuminated for a good 50 years, Dubai still sat in darkness without electricity. But it was also here that the vision was set. The seeds of ambition were sowed and that small fishing village blossomed into the modern, multicultural metropolis we see today.

Dubai is a marmite city, some love it and some vow never to return, but whatever your feelings, you won’t have seen anything quite like it before. Travelling from the airport to the city you will find yourself engulfed by skyscrapers and surrounded by hotels. Travelling on the overnight flight from Dublin, we arrived in Dubai at 9.00am to searing heat and empty streets. With so many hotels and such vast visitor numbers, it was eerily quiet on the streets and after checking into the hotel and going out to explore, it’s easy to see why the streets are so deserted. No amount of Mediterranean summer holidays will prepare you for the suffocating Dubai heat, and five minutes outdoors in the midday sun was more than enough.

Stepping into the air-conditioned mall is as good as taking an ice bath, and also solves the mystery of where everyone went. The malls in Dubai are the most literal manifestation of East meeting West, as you could just as easily be in America. The malls here are almost incomprehensibly large and

LIFESTYLETRAVEL are divided into miniature villages for each department and contain as many shops as any shopaholic can bear to fathom. The malls aren’t only a shopper’s paradise, but visitor attractions in their own right. The Dubai Mall, next to the landmark Burj Kalifa is home to a world famous aquarium where it is possible to walk through a tunnel surrounded by all manner of marine life, an ice rink and a cinema. The Mall of the Emirates even houses a ski slope complete with real snow and penguins. For me this really sums up Dubai, as here nothing is ridiculous or unthinkable. Dubai is keen to market itself as a prime destination for families and if you have deep enough pockets, it will provide the holiday of a lifetime. The waterparks here are built and themed to perfection. We visited the Wild Wadi waterpark, operated by the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Although all pools and rides are outdoors, they are quick to remind you that their water is kept cool as even a dip in the warm sea here won’t provide any respite from the scorching sunshine. The rides are great and will suit anyone from bobbing along a lazy river in a rubber ring to freefalling 180 metres at 80kmph. Then there’s the food…

Eat

Only staying in the city for three nights meant we probably should have done our homework, and the first night we arrived was our most successful dining experience. We stayed in the Marina area of the city, which seemed to be popular with young

UK professionals who had moved here to work. Pier 7 Dubai is a purpose built stylish construction towering over the marina and playing host to seven restaurants including The Scene, by UK chef Simon Rimmer. We chose Fumé, a laid back restaurant with an ethos for sharing. We ordered some small plates between the two of us and enjoyed a few drinks overlooking the marina and bright lights of Dubai. Even on a Tuesday evening it was busy with lots of young professionals. Leaving the hotels however can be variable. There is a massive fast food culture

Shopping for Spice Souk

Burj Al Arab

and unless attending a hotel restaurant, the notion of a three-course meal is rare. People here seemed to prefer to walk along the main street stopping for a burger then some ice cream, and of course as it’s a Muslim country, alcohol is only available in the hotels and a few select restaurants.

Authenticity

Get away from the sharp angles of the skyscrapers and make your way to the Gold Souk for a more authentic experience. Although bartering doesn’t exactly come naturally to most, give it a go and you may be surprised what cheeky offer you are able to get away with. The souk is lined with shimmering gold, diamonds and other precious stones and metals, a feast for the eyes! Dubai may not be to everyone’s taste, and whatever your view of this mega city, you will certainly remember it. A city where your only limit is your imagination, and perhaps your purse strings!

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LIFESTYLEBOOKREVIEWS

A Violation Against Women By Kathleen Ward Kathleen went into Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda to give birth in 1995. At the hands of Dr Michael Neary she underwent an unplanned and unnecessary hysterectomy. She was not the only one. Dr Neary performed 188 peripartum hysterectomies over a 25 year period. This is her story.

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Books Grab one of these new novels, a glass of mulled wine and your blanket and snuggle up in front of the fire for a perfect Christmas evening.

You Belong To Me By Samantha Hayes Fleeing the terrors of her former life, Isabel has left England and at last is beginning to feel safe. Then a letter shatters her world and she returns home determined not to let fear rule her life. But she’s unable to shake off the feeling that someone who knows her better than herself may be following her.

Misconduct

First Touch

Thicker Than Water

By Penelope Douglas

By Laurelin Paige

By Brigid Kemmerer

Easton is trying to be the best teacher she can be and trying to forget her past. But one parent teacher meeting may be her undoing. Meeting Tyler for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school.

Emily receives a voicemail from her former best friend Amber. Amber uses a safe word that Emily recognises from their wild days. And more chilling than the voicemail is the fact that Amber has gone missing. Emily follows a chain of clues.

Thomas hasn’t been in town long. Just long enough for his newly wed mother to be murdered, and for his new stepdad’s cop colleagues to decide that Thomas is the primary suspect. The only person who believes Thomas is, little sister to three cops.

LIFESTYLEMOVIEREVIEWS

Joy

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro A story of a family across four generations, centered on the girl who becomes the woman who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right. Facing betrayal, treachery, the loss of innocence and the scars of love, Joy becomes a true boss of family and enterprise in a world of unforgiving commerce.

The Choice

Starring: Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer and Tom Wilkingson Travis and Gabby meet first as neighbours in a small coastal town and end up pursuing a relationship that neither could have foreseen. The film will span their love affair over decades as their relationship is ultimately tested by life’s most defining events.

Movies Be it with the kids when they are off on holidays, a girls night out, or a romantic date night, there is plenty to choose from in the cinema this festive season.

Star Wars Episode VII – The Force Awakens

Starring: Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Adam Driver The Force Awakens is the first film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Storm troopers.

Dirty Grandpa Starring: Zac Efron and Robert De Niro Jason Kelly is one week away from marrying his boss’s uber-controlling daughter, putting him on the fast track for a partnership at the law firm. However, when the straightlaced Jason is tricked into driving his foulmouthed grandfather, Dick to Daytona for spring break, his pending nuptials are suddenly in jeopardy. Between riotous frat parties, bar fights, and an epic night of karaoke, Dick is on a quest to live his life to the fullest and bring Jason along for the ride.

London has Fallen

Starring: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart and Morgan Freeman In London the British Prime Minister has died under mysterious circumstances and his funeral is a must-attend event for leaders of the Western world. What starts out as the most protected event on Earth turns into a deadly plot to kill the world’s most powerful leaders and unleash a terrifying vision of the future.

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LIFESTYLEWHAT'SON My Big Fat Belfast Christmas

(1 Dec – 2 Jan, Theatre at the Mill) www.theatreatthemill.com Wee Mary is travelling home for Christmas to introduce her new boyfriend, Youcef, to the family. Back in Belfast, Mum Mary is up to her eyes stuffing the turkey, with Dad Joe, who has enlisted the help of a cheeky bottle of Baileys, under strict orders to dress the tree. Meanwhile, Mary’s younger sister, Mags, really couldn’t care if the Queen of Sheba herself was flying home. Will Mum Mary manage to stuff the turkey and preserve her secret and her sanity? Will Dad Joe ever learn how to pronounce Youcef correctly? Will Mags ever stop flirting with yummy Youcef? And will Youcef suppress his desire to perform Abba classics around the Christmas table?

BBC Sports Personality of the Year (20 Dec, SSE Arena) www.ssearenabelfast.com

This prestigious event will round off another year of sport in style; celebrating the biggest sporting achievements, success stories, personalities and memorable moments. This will be the first time Northern Ireland has hosted the event. The programme will reflect on a packed year which includes a Rugby World Cup, Women’s Football World Cup and an Ashes series all on UK soil. Join Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan and Clare Balding for an unmissable night!

What's On! Dec 2015/Jan 2016 There is so much to do this festive season from concerts to plays. So grab your mate, family or anyone that will come and head out to one of these unmissable events.

Mrs Brown’s Boys

(8 – 12 Dec, SSE Arena) www.ssearenabelfast.com Join Agnes Brown and the rest of the family in their live performance at the SSE Arena. There promises to be many laughs at this fifth and final play in the Mrs Brown series. If you haven’t experienced Mrs Brown’s Boys live, this new tour is set to be one of the hottest tickets for 2015 and is not to be missed.

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Take That Tribute Show

(5 Feb 2016, Europa Hotel) www.hastingshotels.com Never Forget – You’ll Be Up all Night enjoying this Take That Tribute Show, plus special guests Olly Murs and Robbie Williams.

LIFESTYLEWHAT'SON The Whistlin Donkeys Christmas Craic

(27 Dec, Strule Arts Centre) www.struleartscentre.co.uk Following their sold out shows in December 2014 and March 2015 and their recent tours of Ireland, America and a few dates in Germany, The Whistlin Donkeys are back to enjoy some Christmas Craic!

Other Events Music

The Corrs (29 Jan, SSE Arena) www.ssearenabelfast.com

Theatre

David Meade Mindreader – Fake Believe (22 Jan, Ardhowen Theatre) www.ardhowen.com

Sport

Ulster v Toulouse (11 Dec, Kingspan Stadium) www.ulsterrugby.com

Derek Ryan in Concert (8 Jan, Slieve Donard Resort & Spa) www.hastingshotels.com

Comedy

Christmas Eve Can Kill You (24 Nov – 10 Jan, Lyric Theatre) www.lyrictheatre.co.uk

Ireland’s most exciting country artist, singer, songwriter Derek Ryan will be appearing live in the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa on Friday 8th January 2016 singing all his hits including Pick a Bale of Cotton. Come along and enjoy a night of country music with one of Ireland’s most exciting country singers.

Jake O’Kane (23 Jan, Millennium Theatre) www.millenniumforum.co.uk

Family

Aladdin Panto (4 Dec – 3 Jan,The Millennium Forum) www.millenniumforum.com

Burns Night with the Ulster Orchestra and Friends

(23 Jan, Ulster Hall) www.ulsterorchestra.com Join the Orchestra and conductor John Logan along with friends to celebrate Burn’s Night with toe-tapping traditional tunes, poetry and song set to music and a visual spectacle! This annual concert presented in association with the Ulster Scots Agency celebrates the rich cultural links between Scotland and Northern Ireland and is sure to be a great night out!

Frozen Sing-A-Long (12 Dec, Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre) www.roevalleyarts.com Holly Jolly Sing Along 19 – 14 Dec, The Factory www.themaclive.com

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

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WEDDINGALBUM

Northern Woman Congratulates… Kate Wilson & Ed Cody

d and Kate met at university in Dundee through their mutual love of sailing. After five and a half years together Ed proposed while he and Kate were out walking their dog Murphy in Crawfordsburn where the couple live. The ceremony was held at Holy Trinity Glencraig Church where Kate had attended growing up and the reception was held at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club in a marquee with show-stopping views over Belfast Lough. Kate choose to stay neutral with peach and mint as she felt they looked fresh together and perfect for a summer wedding. The most important thing for the couple was that all their guests were comfortable and had a good time. The atmosphere was relaxed and laid back which reflected Ed and Kate’s personalities. Royal North Yacht Club surprised everyone by organising a sail past in the couple’s honour. Ed and Kate honeymooned in Dubai and the Maldives in order to recharge the batteries after the big day.

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WEDDINGALBUM

The Bride’s dress – Holywood Brides, Holywood The Bridesmaids’ dresses – www.forhimandforher.com The Groom’s suit – Focus Menswear, Bangor The Groomsmens’ suits – focus menswear, Bangor The rings – Mercers, Enniskillen (where Ed is from) Flowers – Hannah’s Florist, Holywood Hair – Tricia Monroe Occasion Hair Make up – Jenna Sommerville Photography – Alexander Photographic Cake – The Lavender Room, Enniskillen Entertainment – The Allstars

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ONELASTTHING

A Day in the Life of

Chris Sutton

This issue we catch up with creative director, photographer and designer Chris Sutton who has worked with the likes of Lady Gaga, Marilyn Manson, Karl Lagerfield and Fendi. Did you always want work in a fashion based, creative capacity?

I was always painting and creating things as a kid, and I guess I did love fashion in the sense the costumes in music videos and concerts always excited me, but I fell into fashion very unexpectedly. In fact, I was acting in London when Lady Gaga saw my first collection and bought it all. From then on there was a demand and I just enjoyed the work.

What are your current projects?

Right now I’m in Shropshire with Lady Amanda Harlech, I’m working on an installation room she is creating for a Halloween event for Veuve Cliquot and Nick Knight, so we are filming a very Wiccan piece to be part of that. Ongoing, I’m starting to shoot more myself and I’m prepping a shoot for Wonderland magazine with some great models.

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What are the most memorable moments of your career to date?

I think professionally, it has to be working on Karl Lagerfield’s first ever retrospective exhibition of all his work to date, I spent months in the archives of Chanel, Fendi and Chloé going through every little detail.

On a personal level, I think being flown to LA and being with Marilyn Manson and Johnny Depp in his apartment and getting drunk watching movies on my last night.

Is there anything you would like to turn your hand to in the future that you haven’t had the opportunity to do so yet? Yes, I want to work with Arianne Phillips and do costume for feature films.

What advice would you have to other wanting to follow a similar career path?

What sets apart good work and great work is not giving up and getting too pleased with your results too soon. You can push and achieve magic if you don’t give up. Follow Chris on Instagram @thechrissutton

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