GIRL ABOUT TOWN UT’s columnist Nuala Meenehan

EDITED BY

NUALA MEENEHAN

WHEN LOCKDOWN ENDS

It’s the small things, the simple pleasures I’m dreaming of doing when lockdown ends. Just thinking about weekends, having breakfast with my husband at General Merchants or Freight Belfast makes me start to tear up. I’m pining for those quick catch-ups with my family and friends that turn into impromptu sessions, the ones that start with lunch then slowly slip into the evening! Heaven! Having my hair cut and coloured, devine! Dressing up to go out (the excitement!) and after reading dozens of history books about Belfast during lockdown, I can’t wait to explore the city again with fresh new eyes and a much greater appreciation of our incredible heritage… oh the anticipation, the joy... the simple pleasures I’ll never take for granted again!

UNMASKED

Of course I’m not suggesting we all go mad and forget our social responsibility but I am dreaming and longing for the time that we don’t have to wear face masks, just the thought of seeing an unmasked smiling face fills me with joy.

In the meantime here are some fabulous fashion pieces, with matching masks from sustainable clothing brand, OMNES. Who says masks can’t be fashionable?

www.omnes.com

HUGGING

Remember hugging? I’m planning to have the ultimate hug-athon with my family and friends, thereafter with everyone I meet in the street! Watch out! I’m coming for ya!

GARDEN PARTIES

Fingers crossed by Easter will be spending time in our gardens again with our family and friends.

I’m counting the days and planning the party. Everything bought from our local independent businesses. We’ll be relaxing around some chic garden furniture from www.eurogardenandhome.com Boucher Road, Belfast.

We’ll be eating a feast from Indie Fude, the awardwinning independent deli and online store in Comber and Belfast. They sell the most devine wholly Irish smallbatch artisanal food and drink and deliver to your door, yum! www.indiefudea .com

We’ll be toasting and cheering with the finest artisan wines from locally based wineswithstories.com. Husband and wife team Thomas Soliman and his wife Sherril Soliman will guide you through their collection of incredible artisan wines and they deliver locally to your door. Cheers! www.wineswithstories.com

PICNICS IN THE PARK

I can’t wait to have a picnic in the park when this blows over. I’ll be picking up lunch at Bread and Banjo, artisan bakery, Ormeau Road then heading to Ormeau Park, Stormont Estate, or Botanic Gardens to wile away an afternoon.

Images from Cathy Martin’s Pick Me Up Picnic, which took place last summer.

Kiera, Philip, Andrew, Debbie and Maria McLorinan.

Hilary, Holly, Ian and Matthew Mullen.

HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE GARDENS

Northern Ireland’s royal residence at Hillsborough Castle has 100 acres of stunning gardens with ornamental lawns, woodlands, glens and peaceful waterways maintained by the team of expert gardeners. The gardens are open every weekend with an award winning cafe. Book online for tickets.

Mandy Shields and Lorraine Campbell.

. Pam Crichton and Louise Kirk.

Caroline and Stephen Neill with children Charlotte and Isla. Mark and Nikki Sands with Erin and Joel. Matthew and Make Dring from Essential wellbeing, Dromore.

Patrick, Padraig, Eva and Cillian Fitzsimmons. Judith, Daniel, Nathan and Connor.

zzzzzzzzzzzzz Nicole and Andrew Forrest with children Isaiah and Elsie.

Liz Milligan and David Bell. Elaine, Annie and William Wen.

.Joan Lyons and Raymond Wilson.

Dad and daughter, Desmond Wright and Carol Wilson. Ted and Joan Parks. Philip and Helen Croft.

Emily, Tom and Jonathan from Buchanan’s family farm shop. Twins Tina and Tasha Rainey.

Sam and Rosie Heaney with Freya. Maeve Tohill and Aisling O’Reilly-Smyth.

INNS CROSS FARMERS’ MARKET

The monthly farmers’ market at Inns Cross on Saintfi eld road continues to run on the fi rst Saturday of every month, from 10am-2pm. Featuring some of Northern Ireland’s best artisan and primary producers, many of the products sold are suitable for gluten free, vegan and dairy free diets, whether you’re eating for well-being or on a treat day!

Louise, Ruby, Jamie and Luca Cunningham.

Nick and Suzanne Moore and daughters Olivia and Caroline. Eilis and Damien Hegarty and Tyzer.

Eimear, Aoibhe and Patricia Gilmore.

. . Kirsty, Aoife, Meryn and Joe Trewellard from Bara Bakehouse, Comber.