Tú Magazine Issue 2 (June 2020)

June 2020

no. 2

TĂş The 'No Frills' Women's Magazine

Women in Business | Wellness | Food & Drink | Fashion | Creative | Education | Technology | Culture | Home & Garden

Editor's Note

Thank you EDITOR

ELKE

O'MAHONY

We were blown away by the positive feedback we received for the first issue of Tú - it gave us the confidence to continue.

This month, Judy is looking at Kolsch beers for a summer BBQ and we added some tasty recipes to go nicely with it. Bethan shares how behaviour is a type of communication while Pat discovered that a tailored lawn doesn't attract bees. Jaqui was busy creating beautiful mandalas and Mel B. went through her summer wardrobe.

With more and more businesses struggling with imposed restrictions, our guest writer Maite Lopez from Space2Change Buisness Consultancy shares how to access funding and we were delighted when creative business woman Deborah Maguire agreed to be our June business profile.

You will see that this edition is larger and that is due to the feedback we received, adding some more features.

We hope you enjoy reading through Tú. As always, your feedback is welcome.

Elke & the team 02

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Editor's Note

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The Team

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Business

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Wellness

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Food & Drink

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Creative

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Culture

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TechEd

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Fashion

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Home & Garden

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Travel

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Tú Time

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The Last Page

Our Team Elke is a food writer, event manager, business consultant for the food & tourism industry, recipe developer and trainer for Social Media for Business, Time Managment, Microsoft Office, PR & Marketing amongst others. She has worked with corporates as well as artisan producers and start up companies. When she doesn't write or talk about food she can be seen in her attic craft room creating gifts for friends. www.biasasta.ie

Bethan is the Counsellor & Psychotherapist at the Blarney Wellness Centre and has over 15 years experience working closely with people to make and sustain changes in their lives. Bethan also facilitates Understanding Children Courses and offers Parenting Support - a safe place to work through how best to support children, their emotions and behaviours. http://blarneywellnesscentre.ie/

Judy Wilkins is the General Manager of the award-winning Rising Sons Brewery. She has over 30 years experience in the hospitality industry and has a particular interest in beer - from its history to its production. Judy has hosted many successful food & beer pairing events. Her motto: If you dont like beer, you just haven't found the right one yet. www.risingsonsbrewery.com

Hi, I’m Jacqui. I’m originally from Wexford and living in Cork for the past six years. The move from my home county to the rebel county was exciting, stressful, expensive but very much worth it. I turned my hand to upcycling to ease stress initially, then discovered it is a very economical and fun way to really make your home your own. I am now an avid upcycler and would love to share my experiences with you.

Imelda loves fashion but doesn't follow trends, creating her own unique style. She is known to be always dressed for the occasion as her credit card bill can attest to. In her fashion column she shares her style with, creating outfits for today's women from leisure to gala as well as wardrobe staples to create your unique look.

Pat is a clinical reflexologist, yoga & meditation teacher at Blarney Wellness Centre. She has over 22 years experience working with all ages from babies to the elderly, utilizing proven therapies and techniques to help with anything from stress to sleep issues, fertility, pregnancy and so much more. She’s passionate about the power of the mind/body connection and our ability to heal ourselves. http://blarneywellnesscentre.ie/

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Business E L I Bu F O R sin P S es S h E N bora re I sN S BU e ui e

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BUSINESS NEWS Ireland, the government has ruled out reduction in VAT for any sector Phase 1 of easing restrictions went ahead Phase 2 starts 8th June Enterprise Ireland is offering up to €5,000 Business Financial Planning Grant.

RyanAir to fight state aid packages for Lufthansa & Air France according to CEO Michael O'Leary Irish Hairdressers are asking for permission to re-open earlier than 20th July

TO DO LIST Make yourself familiar with with government guidelines on reopening businesses Check out LEO's website for support options Is your website up-to-date?

If not, now, is the time to upgrade.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH 'A BIG BUSINESS STARTS SMALL' RICHARD BRANSON

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MEET: DEBORAH MAGUIRE Your Name: Deborah Maguire Your Business: IrishMadeGifts, corporate gifts made by Irish based artists and craftspeople. We are always on the lookout for quality Irish designers-especially for awards.

Tell us about you: I’m originally a Fashion Designer with my own ‘Yellow House’ label. I live with John in a yellow house called Yellow House - we like repetition, and to state the obvious! We have 5 children; Arann, Meghan, Jack, Callan & Fiadh the youngest, who did or did not complete her #Covid19 Leaving Cert this year depending on how you look at it…her siblings say she didn’t!

How long have you been in business: since 2012 Was it a start-up: Yes-with CIT Genesis/New Frontiers Your ideal client/customer: Any group that organise BESPOKE AWARDS & COMPANY GIFTS & support the Irish made ethos.

Biggest challenge for you: Promoting the need to switch to gifting even one Irish made product. It puts food on the table for Irish based designers and makes the Irish economy go around.

Biggest Reward for you: Seeing our awards featured in the media and looking amazing - and the recipients looking so delighted-and amazing too of course!

Best Tip: Don’t always have an angle - the best networking happens when you don’t plan it.

Best habit to have: The odd bad ones…

How do you relax: With my family & friends or reading a good book or writing…or pretending I’m a gardener while out killing half the plants in the garden…or indulging in a few bad habits.

Future Plans: We are currently re-designing our IrishMade-Gifts website to cater for the corporate market- that’s exciting.

Any advice for fellow Women in Business: It’s never all about you…

What would you be if not this: A writer- I scribble away anyway so that still counts. www.irishmadegifts.com - FB & Twitter:@irishmadegifts PH: 0871961454 - Email:deborah@irishmadegifts.com

Business Supports for SMEs during Covid-19 Maite Lopez If you run a micro or small business you might be

The regular grants from the Local Enterprise Offices are

struggling to keep your head above water during this

still available. Be aware that they are only for commercial

pandemic. But there is a range of supports out there to

businesses engaged in manufacturing which have export

help you. Sign up to your Local Enterprise Office

potential. Microfinance Ireland’s regular loans are also still

newsletter to keep up-to-date as there are new ones

available, but at a higher interest rate than their Covid-19

added regularly during this pandemic.

Business Loan.

Apart from grants for the various stages of a business

First decide how much money you need and what you

(pre-start-up, start-up, expansion), LEOs offer a wide

need it for (Working Capital or Capital Expenditure). Most

variety of training, programmes and mentoring that are

Covid-19 specific grants and loans are for working capital

available online through their websites. Organisations like

only as they have been put in place to provide cash flow

the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI), Bord Bia

during the pandemic. This also means they are not for

or Plato Dublin also offer free webinars on a range of

start-ups but designed to help existing businesses. Also

topics.

consider if you are able to invest any of your own funds from savings or other income to help your business survive.

Your main ports of call for financial supports are: Your bank or the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) Microfinance Ireland

Sign up to LEO's Newsletter to keep up-todate The Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) and Microfinance Ireland recommend getting in touch with your bank first.

Talk to your bank manager or a business advisor to see if you can change loan terms if you can’t make repayments or see what loans are available to you if you need funding.

When looking at bank loans, check the interest rate and the loan term and compare them to Microfinance Ireland’s loans to decide which suits you better.

The Local Enterprise Offices have changed the terms and conditions for their Trading Online Voucher during the

Maite López is an author, entrepreneur and life & business coach at Space2change. She mentors budding entrepreneurs at the Entrepreneurs Academy and helps businesses with writing business plans and filling out loan & grant application forms. www.space2change.com, Facebook: @Space2ChangeCoaching, maite@space2change.com

Covid-19 pandemic. Under the new terms only 10% cofunding is needed, you can apply for a second voucher and the draw-down time has been extended to 9 months. You can sign up for the obligatory introductory online workshop with any LEO in the country, but you have to send in the application to your local LEO where your

A list of Local Enterprise Offices is available www.localenterprise.ie

business is registered.

The second Covid-19 specific financial support from LEO in collaboration with Microfinance Ireland (MFI) is the Covid19 Business Loan for businesses who cannot secure

www.microfinanceireland.ie info@microfinanceireland.ie phone: 01 2601007

bank loans or have experienced a loss in income of at least 15%. It makes up to €50,000 available for working capital with a 6-months interest and repayment-free moratorium and a loan term of 3-5 years. Apply through your Local Enterprise Office and a reduced interest rate of 4.5% applies.

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The information in this article has been verified and is correct at time of writing. Please check with the aforementioned institutions before making a decision.

Bord Bia publishes foodservice industry White Paper to equip Irish food and drink industry with forecast data and possible scenarios as they plan for the remainder of 2020

In response to the impact of COVID-19 on the

Maureen Gahan, Foodservice Specialist, Bord

foodservice industry and the knock-on effect on food

Bia said, “While acknowledging the clear and ongoing

and drink producers and suppliers in Ireland, Bord Bia

damage to the Irish foodservice market, it is also

has published a White Paper charting three possible

important to begin thinking about how the industry re-

scenarios for the remainder of 2020 as the industry

starts and what permanent changes may ultimately

moves to a phased re-opening in a transformed

“stick” into the future.We understand from listening to

operating environment. The White Paper, developed

food and drink suppliers servicing this market that

to equip the industry and Irish food and drink suppliers

access to timely data and insights is crucial for them

servicing this key market with data and insights as

as they look to revise their plans and activities for the

they plan for the second half of 2020, will outline

2nd half of 2020. The out-of-home channel was one

‘best’ to ‘worst case scenarios’, key trends and

of the most severely impacted by COVID-19, not just

recommendations and supports available for

in Ireland, but world-wide, experiencing a near total

businesses across the sector.

collapse due to the temporary shutdown of the

Taking market values as published by Bord Bia to end

hospitality sector. However, we also know that it is a

2019, the White Paper, co-authored by global

hugely resilient industry and we have already seen a

foodservice research specialists Technomic, outlines

number of outlets transitioning their businesses to

three possible scenarios. Forecasts are based on

Take-Away and Home Delivery. Similarly, we have

current industry reporting and research; recent

seen examples from our food and beverage

announcements and interviews with restaurants,

producers that are pivoting their businesses to meet

distributors and other associations; along with

the new needs of their foodservice customers”.

economic forecasts for the remainder of 2020. Based

White Paper Co-author, David Henkes, Technomic

on a ‘best case scenario’ and taking into account the

said “Foodservice will certainly see contractions in

impact of falling tourism figures, the out of home

2020, erasing years of growth and share gain from

market in Ireland is predicted to fall in value from

the retail sector. However, we remain bullish on the

€8.5BN at the beginning of 2020 to €4.7BN by the

longer-term viability and resurgence of the industry,

end of this year. Against a forecast ‘worst case

as the economy recovers and as consumers grow

scenario’, the market could fall by as much as almost

more confident living in the age of Covid-19. Our

60% or

€5BN in value.

White Paper includes recommendations for food and

In the face of this outlook, Bord Bia’s White Paper will

drink suppliers, foodservice distributors and end

outline recommendations and supports available to

foodservice operators on how they can best position

business as they forward plan and adapt their

their own companies to ensure they are “open for

positioning, products and services.

business”. Maureen Gahan, Bord Bia, concluded; “Our main message to producers at this stage is to take a flexible and adaptable approach, identifying products and solutions that are relevant to industry operators as they re-open their businesses. We encourage food and drink businesses to avail of the range of supports and services available to companies via our Navigating Change programme.

Bord Bia will continue to monitor developments and will present a more in-depth analysis at the end of the year as the situation evolves”.

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Wellness

r u o s i What iour behav us? telling

Liv e W ell EV

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WHAT IS OUR BEHAVIOUR TELLING US?

by Bethan O'Riordan

Do you ever flip your lid? I know I do. Do you ever say or do things that you don’t mean? I know I do. Is this my personal therapy? No, I’ll get to the point then.

"I TRAVEL NOT TO GO ANYWHERE, BUT TO GO. I TRAVEL FOR TRAVEL’S SAKE"

I am not saying that it’s ok to do and say things to others that we regret; infact it would be very destructive if we continued. It’s important to remember that these responses are not your fault.

They are learnt behaviours along your path in life. But they are your responsibility to do something about.

So let’s look at the therapeutic perspective and how this can help. In therapy we talk about the human experience of having emotions.

As humans we have really wonderful emotions such as joy and happiness but the reality is that we all have a dark side. And it’s within this dark side that all our difficult emotions are bourne from – shame, rage, guilt, anger, fear (add your own). And with difficult emotions often comes behaviour that we deeply regret – shouting, throwing, punishing, over/under eating (add your own).

Robert Louis Stevenson

All behaviour is communication. Emotions are our body's way of letting us know how we are. When difficult emotions occur within us it is our internal system of regulation letting us know that things are not ok. We have reached our limit. Learning how to practice kindness towards yourself and not internally beat yourself up really helps. A way to understand this is to think “what would I say to a friend if they were experiencing this difficulty?”, and trying saying those kind and supportive words to yourself.

Being aware of what is happening to us is helpful (step 1), but this is not enough. We must then cultivate the courage, wisdom and strength to do something about it (step 2). Take time to work out what really pushes your buttons. What are the parts of being a people and life that you find most difficult? Then, when armed with this knowledge take time to notice what goes on in you when these buttons are pushed. Do you also suffer with bursts of self-righteous thoughts, foggy thinking and a feeling of overwhelm? Crucially, what can you do to not react, but rather respond. Can you take a moment to engage what we call your helpful brain? A great time for reflection is in the shower as our senses are toned down. I find teeth cleaning a very productive time too! Most of all what we all need is to mind ourselves.

Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret AMBROSE BIERCE

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We can offer nothing to ourselves or anyone else if we have nothing to give. Our immune system is also a sensory organ so it’s even more important at this time to tune in to ourselves. A phrase I often remind myself of is ‘behind every behaviour there is a feeling, and behind the feeling is a need’. And I take time to ask the question “what do I need? And how/who can I ask to help me with achieve this?”.

If you’re interested in learning more about your internal world, here are some resources: Follow Malie Coyne (Psychologist) @MalieCoyne on Twitter and the book Selfhood – Dr. Terry Lynch.

Biodiversity AND NATURE’S LESSON IN PERFECTION 27

by Patricia Murphy As I type, we are at the latter end of Biodiversity Week here in Ireland and I’m reminded of a conversation I had recently with a friend and neighbour from India, Hyderabad to be exact.

He asked me about Irish people’s propensity to plant lawns, if they’re lucky enough to have a garden and indeed he’s deeply puzzled by those who fill the garden with concrete or other hard surfaces.

He explained that in his province every available piece of ground, no matter how small is used to grow food. “Grass is not a commodity unless you own animals”.

So after receiving a lengthy explanation about our culture and history and indeed our ties with land he left none the wiser. He’s probably still scratching his head at the obsession with perfectly manicured lawns .

And since that conversation I’ve realised that I too yearn for something other than a flat green lawn, I must explain that we do actually grow veg and fruit but they’re out of sight and my husband is beyond proud of our fourth child, the lawn! Men and their lawns!

So a plan is afoot to turn an area of our garden into a bee and butterfly haven by planting wild native flowers and allowing nature to do as she wishes. After all, she knows best.

My companion will be the wonderful Collins Wild Flowers of Britain & Europe which I bring with me on my daily walks so that I can relearn the names of these beautiful and at present abundant plants.

Avid gardeners will understand the concept of “companion planting” where certain flowers are planted beside veg to control pests and I shall use this technique as nature does also.

My vision is to enjoy swathes of daisies, dog violet, bluebells, speedwell, clover, dandelion, celandine, buttercup, trefoil and so many more as each plant comes into season.

And as my heart belongs to energy therapies, I look forward to the soothing sights and scents as they bloom in their own time, as nature intended not to mention the fact that I plan to use nature as part of my future meditation classes.

Which brings me to my point, nature is a wonderful healer and when life is as stressful as it is now why not look towards something that’s been here far longer than we have.

If you can’t walk in nature than why not watch a nature programme?

Choose wisely.

I must go now because I hear the lawnmower!

Don’t forget to breathe in….and breathe out.

Ref: Wild Flowers of Britain & Europe, Collins Nature Guides ISBN: 0-00-219996-3 Pat Murphy is partner in Blarney Wellness Centre where she offers yoga classes, guided mediation, reflexology, Indian head massage and more Contact: Blarney Wellness Centre Units 9 & 14, Ashdale House, Shean Lower, Blarney. reflexologyathome@icloud.com

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Food Food & & Drink Drink

Drink of the Month

Q BB Tea Iced il kta Coc

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Irish Farmhouse Cheese BY

ELKE

Crisis like the Covid 19 shutdown is hard on small businesses, especially so when the majority of your business is based on food service like restaurants, cafes and delis. This happens to be true for most Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers.

O'MAHONY

Facts & Figures

Innovative as always, some of the cheesemakers are now selling directly to the public via their local supermarkets and have started their very own online shop. A complete list can be found at www.irishcheese.ie.

A comprehensive map of cheesemakers has also

Cheesemakers in operation over 300 jobs created each cheese is unique

been launched. Created by Matthew O'Callaghan,

handcrafted with care

an Irish man in Melton Mowbray who is the

family businesses, many in

organiser behind the Artisan Cheese Fair in the UK, the interactive map includes contact details, types of cheese & milk.

Supporting small local businesses is important at any time but never so essential as in times like these. Irish Farmhouse cheese is available in local supermarkets, independent cheesemongers, NeighbourFood and directly from some cheesemakers. More details on irishcheese.ie

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2nd generation part of the unique Irish food landscape

for It's time

Text, Recipes & Photos by Elke O'Mahony

BBQ

Nothing says Summer Time more than the first BBQ. Dust off the old grill, get your charcoal and put your special apron on - we got some great ideas for the perfect BBQ. Marinated Haloumi

The humble haloumi (sliced) can be tranformed with a marinade of rapeseed oil, chopped fresh mint & red chilli with a tingle of lime zest. Leave to marinade for about one hour before placing the slices on the grill. Cook for a few minutes before turning the slices carefully over.

Skewered Mushrooms

Using medium /large sized button mushrooms, leave the stem on (makes it easier to skewer them) and place in a bow.l.

Prepare a marinade of olive oil, balsamic vinegar (we used Wildwood Blackberry Balsamic), lemon thyme (you can also use common thyme), pinch of salt & brown sugar (omit the sugar if using the blackberry vinegar as it would be sweet enough). Leave to marinade for 1 hour, prick a skewer (we used metal ones) through 4-5 (depending on the length of the skewers) and place on the grill. Turn regularly to ensure that the mushrooms are browned all over - they cook quite quickly on a hot grill. .

Chicken Thighs

No BBQ is complete without chicken thighs. We recommend to precook them before placing on the BBQ to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked. And of course, we marinated the thighs (we do love our marinades). Here we took the easy way out and used Chef Sham One for all Sauce. We are in awe of this very versatile sauce which can be used as a dipping sauce, added to stews etc. and as a marinade. The result was beautiful, leaving the chicken at least 1 hour in the marinade ensures a delicious flavour that compliments the chicken perfectly.

Everything looks better smaller

Creating a nice setting for your BBQ is easier than most people think. Using mix & matched plates, cut flowers from the garden in jars (decorate the jars with ribbons or lace) and of course fairy lights (you can't go wrong with fairy lights). Garden Centres and DIY stores have a selection of outdoor fairy lights.

Children hardly ever eat a full sized burger - why not create smaller versions. Using a mix of beef & pork mince, add grated onions (avoids burning), chopped parsley, cumin, salt & pepper, form mini burgers and proceed as usual. We saw mini burger buns at Aldi last year.

With meat overload, a light summer salad of leaves, herbs and a simple vinaigrette is just perfect to settle the tummy again. Adding edible flowers lifts the simple salad to new heights.

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WHICH BBQ? CHARCOAL: THE REAL MCCOY GAS: NEXT BEST THING ELECTRIC: CLEAN BUT CHEATING Do your own thing

COCKTAIL BAR RECI PES, TEXT & PHOTOS BY BI A SASTA Banana Cocktail Inspired by the Cocktail Garden by Adriana Picker, this cocktail adds the tropical feel to your BBQ Per Glass: 1 shot glass of Banana Liquor (or more if you like it boozy) 50ml coconut milk 100ml pineapple juice A spritzer of lime juice (optional - it tastes delicious without) Mix everything together in a shaker, strain (if the coconut milk is lumpy) - or pour everything into an electric mixer and pulse it until smooth and combined. Pour into pretty glasses and decorate with slices of banana (why not caramelise them first)

Peach Iced Tea Ok, this is not really a cocktail (unless you add a shot of gin to the mix) but it is refreshing and ideal for kids.

For a jug: 3 tbsp loose peach tea (available in tea shops) 1l hot water Honey or sugar syrup to taste Lemon juice of 1 lemon Place the loose tea into a pot and pour the hot water over, stir. Leave to steep for a few moments (time depends on how strong you like your tea to be). Strain and add the lemon juice, honey or syrup, taste and add more if you like it sweeter. Leave to cool, pour into jugs, add ice cubes, slices of lemons (optional) and serve

It's Kolsch Time BY

JUDY

WILKINS

We’re a month into summertime already and the month of May gave us some gloriously warm and sunny days. Perfect time to be in the garden (albeit a night in the pub is sorely missed) sipping on easy drinking and summer-friendly beers. On a hot day, a cold crisp lager will certainly appeal to many, if not most beer drinkers. Refreshing and thirst quenching; it delivers! There are those of us however, while enjoying some of lager’s qualities, find it rather bland, and prefer more fruity, flavoursome beers.

Kolsch beers are the perfect bridge between crisp lagers and fruity ales Kolsch is indigenous to Cologne in Germany. Its origins can be dated back to the 9thC, but modern Kolsch as we know it, arose in the late 1800’s. In response to the rapid spread of Pilsner (lager), imported from Bohemia and making in-roads into their beer market, the brewers of Cologne united to produce a pale beer of their own. While sticking resolutely to the traditional ale styles of brewing, the beer was cold conditioned, a process more common with lager. Features of both lager and ale, perfectly balanced, halted pilsner at the gates, and modern day Kolsch was born.

The word Kolsch is a title. The Kolsch Convention of 1986 ruled that only breweries located in Cologne and its surrounding region, may legally call their beers Kolsch. Despite this, both other German breweries, and mainly craft breweries world-wide have produced Kolsch-style beers.

Kolschs are pale in colour, bright, clear with a golden hue.They are a delicious hybrid of soft fruity flavours from the yeast, with the clean crisp delicacy of a lager. German hops contribute to the orchard fruit character without being too bitter. A soft breadiness leads to a smooth and refreshing finish suited to summertime drinking. A mid-range ABV 4.5%-5.3% makes Kolsch an accessible, easy drinking summer beer. Traditionally served in a 0.2 litre glass (stange) you’ll be forgiven for wanting your serving in pints! A perfect quaff for the ale drinkers, but capable of also sneaking into lager drinkers favourites.

For the foodies, pair Kolsch with cured meats, and in particular pork. The light acidity will balance fats in the meat, and the fruity flavours will counter the salt. Chicken, salmon and summer salads are other great alternatives.

3 to try Fruh Kolsch (Germany) 4.8% Pours crystal clear golden colour with a frothy white head. Dry malts and bakery bread on the nose. Hints of honey. Malty flavours with doughy bread. Finishes crisp Gaffel Kolsch (Germany) 4.8% Crystal clear with a dense white head. Malty aroma with light floral hoppy notes. Bready with hints of honey and lemon. Finishes crispand refreshing Stag Kolsch (Ireland, 9 White Deer Brewery) 4.2% Pale in colour with a gentle malt and hop character. A high carbonation level makes this beer incredibly crisp and refreshing Happy tasting

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Perfect with Pork!

Creative as l da n a M th i w i u q c a J

Make It

P in at as

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Pic 1

Pic 2

Mandala with Jacqui

I was first introduced to mandalas while studying social care in college, and I have been fascinated with them ever since.In celtic times, the celts would draw a three point symbol in a circle. It is believed that this predated christianity and represented cycles in nature such as the full moon which normally lasts three days. In buddhism they are a spiritual symbol and buddist monks make beautiful mandalas out of sand, and then blow them away to show nothing in life is permanent, do not get attached to objects, learn to let things go. Carl jung the famous psychologist argued mandalas were a representation of the subconscious or the inner self.

Either ways drawing your own mandala is a very unique experience and very rewarding. I have always struggled with meditation but I can sit and work on a mandala for hours just watching patterns and shapes unfold.

Mandalas are not about being arty, let go of any preconceived ideas that this is not for you because you can't draw, it really isn't an issue . Let your inner doodler free, we all have one.

The shapes created are all around us, a dandelion gone to seed has perfect geometry held within the delicate seed head, it is truly amazing. .

Pic 3

Pic 4

Pic 5

Pic 6

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So where to start? You will need a hb pencil, ruler, protractor, eraser (although it is said not to use the eraser that any mistake you make is meant to be…..I use an eraser….sorry not sure buddhist monk is my calling!), a compass, then any art medium you like crayons, pencils, paint, pens or pastels. You will need paper or card anything you choose; it could even be the back of an old wallpaper roll.

Find the centre of your page or paper or card and mark it with a cross (Pic 1) Get your protractor and place the bottom grid line on the horizontal line of your cross. Make sure that you have two right angles at your cross then very lightly make a mark at the 90 degree point at the top of your protractor (Pic 2) Take away your protractor and get your compass, place the needle end in the centre of the cross and your pencil at the 90 degree mark. You are about to draw your first circle so set an intention if you like at this point for the rest of your mandala. (Pic 3) Place the point of the compass at the 90 degree mark at the top of your circle, being careful not to alter the width of the compass that you have previously measured and draw a second circle (Pic 4) Start your third circle where the first and second circle meet and keep drawing around your first circle until you have six circles. (Pic 5) Now you have the base of your mandala, this pattern is called the seed of life. Inside this shape you will see further shapes so just sit with it for a while. You can leave your mandala as is or you can get your ruler and mark triangles or hexagons. (Pic 6) So just get your colours and get colouring, doodling, seeing different shapes. Pick the colours you are drawn to, let go of trying to match different colours. The sky really is the limit, draw more circles outside your original pattern . When I started this mandala, it had a night time nature feel from it so I just went with that and then discovered there was a full moon that night which was pretty special.

Mini Pinatas

With garden parties a must this summer, these mini pinatas are a great way of entertaining the smallies. Fill them with sweets or other treats, hang from branches and let your kids go wild.

You'll need empty toilet paper rolls, tissue paper in different colours, glue, scissors

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Cut the tissue paper into 3cm strips, long enough to go once around the paper roll. Repeat with all the colours

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Using your scissors, cut a fringe into each strip (we used a fringe scissor - we are posh you know).

03

If you like to add sweets to the pinata, cover the bottom of the roll with cardbord and cut to size.

04

Starting from the bottom, glue the strips around the toilet roll so that the fringe overlaps slightly.

05

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06

Repeat with the other colours, overlapping each previous strip to create the fringe effect.

07

Punch a whole on either side of the paper roll and attach a string to hang the pinatas up

CREATIVE

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JUNE

2020

Culture

c i us M

The atre

Fi lm

Books

Eve nts

Book of the Month

The Keeper of Lost Things A charming debut novel by Ruth Hogan about the promises we make and break, losing and finding ourselves, the objects that hold magic and meaning for our lives, and the surprising connections that bind us.

Available from eason's

Film of the Month

Radioactive

Radioactive is a journey through Marie Curie’s enduring legacies – her passionate relationships, scientific breakthroughs, and the consequences that followed for her and for the world. A bold, visionary depiction of the transformative effects and ensuing fallout of Curie’s work and how this shaped the defining moments of the 20th Century.

Music of the Month

We were delighted to learn that Anna Mitchell is recording new work since in Lockdown. We can't wait to hear the results. Anna is also running the YoungStar Music School and will take part in this year's Cruinniú na nÓg on Saturday 13th June with the Cork Opera House.

Check out her Facebook Page for more details.

Details taken from eason's, Entertainment.ie and Anna Mitchell Facebook page Please email elke@biasasta.ie for submissions for future editions of Tu

App of the Month Fans of the language learning website Rosetta Stone will be delighted to know that it is now available as an App . The interface is connected to the online platform so that you can pick up where you left your lessons on the website. The app is free with in-store purchases needed in some cases.

The app got a 4.7 star rating on the AppStore.

You can choose from 24 languages incl. Filipino, Vietnamese and Mandatrin (Chinese).

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TECH/ED

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JUNE

2020

UCD Professional Academy is offering online courses incl. Diploma in Digital Marketing, Event Management, eCommerce and more. Learn from the comfort of your home.

Courses start from â‚Ź400. ucd.ie/professionalacademy

Check out your Local Enterprise Office for online courses and webinars. www.localenterprise.ie

Technology & Education

TechEd TechEd

Fashion Fashion with Mel B

Cailin Deas FASHION 23|

FASHION

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JUNE

2020

FOR

NICE

GIRLS

GÚNA'S GALORE

BY MEL B

Greetings Cáiliní, hope you are all well and

Summer dresses - lets discuss: feminine, flowing

enjoying the gorgeous weather we are having.

& elegant for daytime, evening, weekend or

Well Summer has arrived and it's time for the

occasional times really creates the entrance every

summer wardrobe of lighter colours and fabrics

woman wants. I notice this Spring/Summer the

for the sunny days and longer nights. I always like

Midi dress is very much in Vogue. It is a fabulous

to see what I have in my wardrobe from last

look and works well for all women which is great.

Summer before investing in any new bits.Is easy to

This dress is ideal for Irish summers when our

do these times with limited access to the clothes

climate may be chilly at times and the flowing

shops but when you are a fashionista like me there

material with the pussy bow tie, collar effect or

is always a way. Online clothes shopping is great

belt detail gives fantastic structure and definition

and so easy maybe even a little too easy. I have

to the overall look. Of course no outfit is

never been one for trying on clothes but I have

complete without shoes and this look can be

made mistakes with sizes and quality of purchases

casual with ankle boots or dressy with wedge

on occasion when I have shopped online but no

sandals or heels depending on the event.

major dramas thankfully. I think when you like or

Comfort and style is really combined well with this

follow a certain label it makes it easier to know

style and Villa//Lennon & Courtney & Dorothy

what you can expect from previous purchases but

Perkins certainly have created a keeper in this

I like to shop lots of labels so mistakes will occur.

dress. So, start shopping Cáilíni and feeling amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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2020

Home Home & & Garden Garden

r e p a p k l c l a a b e W m o C

T T H H E E

G G A A R R D D E E N N

in June

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HOME

&

GARDEN

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JUNE

2020

WALLPAPER COMEBACK

by Elke O'Mahony

Wallpaper has gotten out of fashion for a couple of years in favour of painted walls.

Looking at new trends, wallpaper is making a comeback with a more delicate approach than we were used to from the bold patterns of the 70s. Soft tones and gentle pattern are now used to create a feature wall in living and bedrooms across the country.

Wallpaper has been around since before the 1700s, handprinted with wood carved blocks, it was a skill and hard work to create the elaborate patterns we can still see in preserved country houses. You can still find small amounts in antiques shops and artists have started to revive the art of wallpaper printing.

A room can be transformed by creating a feature wall with wallpaper, rather then

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HOME

&

GARDEN

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JUNE

2020

using it for all four walls.

When deciding on a wallpaper, the pattern is important if you want to match each row which can be very difficult with elaborate patterns but will look stunning when done right. Commercial wallpaper is made from paper-backed vinyl and should be easy to hang, depending how tall your walls are.

Why not have some fun with the pattern by cutting out some of the pattern from the leftovers and create a 3-D effect on the wall. Don't go too mad on it but set some delicate accents. This would also work in children's rooms with their favourite childhood heroes like Thomas the Tank etc.

Wallpaper is widely available in DIY stores but if you like better quality, you might want to consult with an interior designer on what would work best in your room.

Strawberries

Strawberries and Summer go together like a pair of matching socks. As the nights are still quite cold and the weather a bit erratic, you might only see the delicate flowers on your strawberry plants. Don't worry too much about how late they might be, the plants are tougher than they look.

Just ensure that they don't dry out and that the slugs are not getting their feast. If you see already berries, make sure that they don't have contact with the soil as they easily rot otherwise. Adding mulch between the plants will help with that while also keeping weeds at bay.

Things to do in June Sow out runner beans, support with canes or strong netting Cover your strawberries with netting to deter birds from eating them Plant out courgettes once risk of night frost has passed As garden centres are opening again, you can still plant broccoli, leeks, tomatoes etc. from established plants.

Sow beetroot and winter cabbage

Gardening is the art that uses flowers & Plants as paint, and the sky and the soil as canvas ELIZABETH MURRAY

Woodruff

Woodruff is in full bloom now, you might come across it in damp woodlands. We have it in our herb garden and it looks just so delicate & pretty. The blossoms are fragrant and the leaves have a haylike aroma when dried.

Foraging chefs love woodruff and in Germany it is used as a cordial to flavour sour beer (although the cordial is mostly chemical).

When dried, it is perfect in teas although excessive consumption can lead to an upset tummy.

If you like to grow woodruff, but have limied space, it might be best to do so in pots as it spreads generously.

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GARDEN

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2020

Travel Travel

DISCOVER IRELAND'S

G A R D E N S 28|

TRAVEL

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JUNE

2020

DISCOVER IRELAND'S GARDENS

BY ELKE O'MAHONY

Whoever makes a

With lockdown restrictions easing from 8th June to a radius of 20km, private gardens are planning to reopen in accordance with health & safety regulations. At time of going public, not many gardens have reopened yet or updated their websites, so it might be neccessary to check your nearest gardens. A list can be found on www.ireland.com

BLARNEY CASTLE

garden Has never worked alone; the rain has always found it, The sun has always known

Douglas Malloch

Blarney Castle opened their gardens recently with the castle itself still closed. Head gardener Adam Whitbourn and his team kept busy doing lockdown, ensuring that visitors experience the gardens in all its beauty. Different walks give you different views leading from one to the next. You can see ferns, cottage flowers, rare trees and the most beautiful collection of flowers.

GARDEN TRAILS We had planned to follow the West Cork Garden Trail this year but at time of publishing, the website has not been updated with opening information. Glenview Gardens is a paradise for children with their Hobbit House that is built right through a birch mound.

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2020

EVENTS Most Garden Events have been cancelled but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying the gardens that are open to the public during June.

A lot of the open gardens will have plants on sale (Blarney Castle's shop is open with a limited selection) so that you an re-create some of the stunning displays at home.

West Cork, Co Carlow, Dublin, Galway and other counties have created beautiful garden trails - a lot of them within a 20km radius and you can have a wonderful day out visiting exotic gardens, cottage style ones and the wildflower meadows that so many gardens feature.

Websites: www.westcorkgarden.com www.carlowgardentrail.com www.dublingardengroup.com www.garden.ie www.ireland.com http://www.wexfordgardentrail.com

STOP & SMELL THE FLOWERS

TÚ TIME

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO

JUDY

BETHAN

PAT

MEL B

Bethan decided on a radical makeover by shaving her head. We love it as it brings her beautiful eyes out and as she said, it feels lighter now. Not sure if any of us would ever be so brave but we salut Bethan.

Not content with tending to her garden and children, Pat was also busy sewing masks and donating them to care workers in her community. With many requests, she is now selling masks directly. Check out her Facebook Page Blarney Artsy Craftsy and look out for her Yoga & Sewing Camps coming soon

Judy discovered her love for upcycling and spends time with her cat.

Created a little oasis for herself in her garden. We love the colours

ELKE Elke loves her tea... and she drinks loads while working on the magazine

JACQUI If she is not creating beautiful mandalas, you can find Jacqui in her garden.

Love from the Tú team

ELKE AND HER CUP

BETHAN AND HER NEW LOOK - WE LOVE IT

MEL B'S GARDEN TAKING SHAPE

MASKS BY PAT

The Last Page Thank you Tú would not have been possible without the support of some amazing women who have contributed their expertise and feedback.

Thank you to all these amazing women

Next issue out 1st July 2020

with more wellness, gardening, recipes, business, crafts & more

Love Elke

Disclaimer

The magazine has been created by a team of volunteering writers. All pieces have been researched thoroughly but we can't guarantee accuracy. All articles are opinion pieces.

Contact us We welcome submissions but don't guarantee inclusions.

Please email your submission to elke@biasasta.ie We are open to advertising but reserve the right on final decisions. Please contact the editor elke@biasasta.ie

Tú (You) is a monthly online magazine for women by women, published by Bia Sásta Editor: Elke O'Mahony elke@biasasta.ie Photos by: Judy Wilkins, Jacqui Murphy, Imelda Barrett, Elke O'Mahony, Maite Lopez, Stockphotos by GraphicStock.

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