Supper By The Sea

 My family and I recently headed along to Eithna's By The Sea in Mullaghmore to have a late lunch. We don't have family meals out very often so it was a lovely treat as we had a voucher to use. It was a beautiful crisp day down by the beach so we were glad to warm up inside Eithna's. I absolutely love the paintwork on the exterior of the restaurant, it's gorgeous and so appropriate for a seaside eatery.

When we walked in we were greeted by the lovely wait staff and shown to our table upstairs by the window. We had a lovely view of Mullaghmore. Eithna herself greeted us and we had a chat. She explained all the seafood is sourced from just across the road in Mullaghmore - you can't get much more local than that!

The menu is quite extensive and includes non-seafood dishes as well as vegetarian choices - there's something for everyone. I chose the steak sandwich with chunky homemade wedges, my brother Jono went for the fish & chips, and mum and dad shared a seafood platter with some chicken on the side. 

Our food came promptly and we tucked in. My steak sandwich was cooked to perfection and the wedges were crispy and fluffy. I tried some of the crabmeat from the seafood platter which was also tasty. Everyone enjoyed their food immensely - clean plates all around!

I didn't have a dessert as I was stuffed but mum had a meringue which looked beautiful, adorned with edible flowers. Dad went for apple pie with cream. The presentation of all the dishes was so colourful and fun. I love the decor of Eithna's. Everything is seaside themed and I loved the little lighthouses dotted around.

We were all well and truly stuffed by the end of our meal. I'd definitely go back there again, the food was so tasty and fresh and the portion sizes were very generous! Thanks to Eithna for being a good hostess. Find her on Facebook here.

Relax & Rewind @ The Radisson Blu

Recently mum and I got invited to spend a night away in the 4* Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Rosses Point. As we live in Sligo Rosses Point isn't much of a drive from us - so it was like a holiday at home! 

After getting our hair dyed and blowdried (making the most of it), we checked in and met with Berni from the Radisson, who arranged our stay. We had a coffee and a chat and Berni welcomed us to the hotel and told us what our stay would consist of. As well as the overnight stay, we were also being treated to aqua aerobics, dinner at the award winning Classiebawn Restaurant, breakfast, and 2 mini treatments at the spa. A generous package indeed!

As we checked in at 3 and our aqua aerobics class wasn't until 7, we decided to take a spin down to Rosses Point beach and take a few photos. It was such a beautiful sunny day it would've been a shame to waste it! I tried to do some dramatic look-at-me-I'm-moodily-looking-at-the-sea poses but I probably looked demented. 

Our room was Business Class and was lovely and spacious. We were pleasantly surprised by the petit fours left for us - and the Nespresso machine! We had a drink looking over the balcony at the stunning view of the sea and Knocknarea mountain before donning our swimming costumes and heading to the pool for a quick soak in the jacuzzi. Of course the bubbles only started where I was sitting so it looked very dodgy for a minute or so - mum found this hilarious, natch. The pool was quite cold after the warm jacuzzi so we plunged in. I've never tried aqua aerobics before so I was quite apprehensive. The YouTube video I'd watched of it seemed gentle so I thought it'd  be easy - oh how wrong I was! Our instructor, Gillian, was so energetic and fit, I was nearly dying after just the warmup. I never knew you could sweat under water! It was great fun, mum and I were having such a laugh. I swear I have co-ordination issues because there was one move I just could not get the hang of. It was like the water version of pat your head rub your stomach!

My legs were quite jelly-like, and after the 45 minute long workout I'd definitely worked up an appetite for our dinner. We headed down at 8.30 and were promptly served by the friendly wait staff. I don't eat dairy anymore and was happy to see the menu had options, as well as gluten free options if you're a coeliac. 

We were served some bread with a bulb of roasted garlic (and I had an orthodontist appointment the next day - sorry David McConville) to whet our appetites. We were served an amuse bouche of Coopershill venison, beetroot jelly, pistachio dust and chopped walnuts with pea sprouts to prepare us for our meal. I'm used to having soup as an amuse bouche so this was an interesting change. I will assume the venison was cooked blue as it had the texture of raw meat. I wasn't a huge fan of the meat but the rest was delicious - not for the faint hearted though!

I ordered the trio of melon to start and mum had a tian of chicken with mango, coriander and guacamole. Both were absolutely delicious - who knew melon could be a fulfilling starter?! Next was the mains. I chose duck breast with quinoa, broccoli and a mixed berry & orange jus. I've never enjoyed quinoa very much but this was gorgeous, I could've eaten a whole bowl of just the quinoa. The duck was cooked to perfection and so juicy - a quacking dish. Sorry, I had to. 

Dessert is always tricky when you're dairy free so I enquired with the waiter who advised me the salted caramel popcorn panna cotta was made with coconut milk. I was absolutely delighted with this as it's what I would have ordered anyway! Again, it was just perfect. The presentation was beautifully simplistic on all the dishes and the staff were very attentive and friendly.

We were well and truly stuffed after our meal and practically waddled back to our room to nurse our food babies. I had a quick bath, properly making the most of the hotel, and we were off to sleep in no time at all. I had probably the best sleep I've ever had in a hotel - usually I wake up boiling hot and thirsty, but not this time! The beds were so comfortable and the room was very quiet.

In the morning we rushed down to breakfast, as if we hadn't eaten enough the night before. The hotel offers both a fried and continental breakfast. The continental breakfast selection was fab: fruit, cereal, pastries, cold meats, cheese, yoghurt, nuts and seeds...they even had gluten free granola and soya milk, which was a huge plus for me! The fried breakfast had your standard breakfast fare: black & white pudding, eggs, mushrooms, beans, bacon, sausage, etc. I was a bit disappointed there were no hash browns because hash browns make a breakfast in my opinion.

After breakfast it was time to head to the spa. We threw on our robes and slippers and spent around an hour in the thermal suite, enjoying a foot soak and scrub in the foot baths, before chilling in the relaxation room. I actually fell asleep for a few minutes! I've decided I want a relaxation pod in my future house (ha). We were then called in for our treatments. Funny enough, my therapist was also called Lucy! I got a mini manicure and facial. I haven't had a facial in ages and my skin has been acting up a bit lately. My facial was absolutely lovely and my skin has felt great all day - I'd love to have a facial every week! I went for a cool shimmery purple shade for my manicure. The polish used was a Vinylux by CND which I was told would last about a week. Sadly, not even an hour after having them done the polish started to 'shrink' and smudge off, which is a shame. 

Unfortunately it was then time for us to snap back to reality and go home. We were so relaxed it was sad to have to leave. Getting the opportunity to do this more often would be heavenly. A girl can dream!

Thanks again to Berni and all at the Radisson Blu Rosses Point for making us feel so welcome and treating us to a relaxing stay. Check them out here.

Food, Glorious Food: Knox & The Draft House

Do you ever have those days where you feel like all you've done is eat? I had this on Friday. After work I headed along to the newly opened Knox café/restaurant in Sligo to meet my friend AJ for lunch. Usually we go to the Swagman but recently we've decided to switch things up and try different places, which I have to say I enjoy! Change is good.

When we first arrived at Knox we immediately noticed how busy it was and expected to wait for a table. Luckily we managed to nab a seat just as 2 people were leaving. After an awkward moment of having to get AJ to squeeze past the table to sit in at the wall because my booty was not about to attempt to do that, we were quickly brought some menus by the lovely staff. I will admit I got a little bit too excited upon seeing sweet potato fries on the menu - I don't know of anywhere else in Sligo that offers these and they're a favourite of mine.

It didn't take long for AJ and I to decide what we wanted. We both went for the chicken burger, served on a bun with homemade ketchup and guacamole, with sweet potato fries, homemade coleslaw and lettuce on the side. I opted for mine without the ketchup as I'm not about that life but I did try a teeny bit of AJ's and for ketchup it was pretty nice!

After a lengthy discussion about first world problems and everything else under the sun we were pleasantly full from our lunch. The food was absolutely delicious - tasty, fresh and not stodgy like other burgers and chips. I loved how this was a healthier option while still feeling like a treat and I didn't feel uncomfortably full after. 

We took a stroll to Lidl to get dessert (aka a cookie from the bakery) then headed up to the Model for the free food - I mean, to support my mum after her drama play. Tea, coffee, sandwiches, wraps and mini cakes were being served and we all sat together for a chat and (another) bite to eat. It was free, it would've been rude not to.

We said goodbye to AJ and then headed off to Strandhill. My brother and I went to The Draft House while mum had a meal in Trá Bán. I'm delighted I got to try The Draft House after missing it the last time I went to Strandhill (read about that). As I was still full from grazing all day I just chose the soup and Jono went for the chicken wings, a favourite of his. The portions were plentiful and the staff were very pleasant. I also enjoyed the décor and ambience of the place, I bet it's a great place for a few pints. Jono enjoyed his chicken wings and said they were tasty. My soup wasn't the most flavourful if I'm being honest but as it was only soup and the place is new I won't hold it against them! I saw some of the other items on the menu coming out and they looked superb.

After our food it was back into town to pop into Iníon Veigh for their opening. There was a delicious looking array of food and wine on offer but I was beginning to waddle from everything I'd eaten so I politely declined. Iníon Veigh is a craft and jewellery shop in Sligo and they have the most unusual beautiful things. I was so tempted by a leaf ear cuff and an awesome dragon ring with sapphire eyes but I managed to resist!

After a long day we were so happy to get home and relax a bit. Eating all day really takes it out of you!

P.S make sure to check out my friend AJ's great new blog here. How cool is the name?

Hope you enjoyed this blog. Have you eaten anywhere new lately? 

Life's Sweet @ Sweet Beat

If you live in Sligo you may know that an exciting new café has entered the scene. Sweet Beat is a vegan café serving healthy, fresh food. It's refreshing to see something like this in Sligo - although there isn't a massive vegan crowd in Sligo the café thrives and already has quite the following. I'm not a vegan or a vegetarian myself so from this review you'll see you don't need to be to enjoy what Sweet Beat has to offer.

I was greeted by Carolanne, the owner of Sweet Beat, and her sister Denise who was more than happy to show me around and explain the menu. If you frequent Strandhill People's Market you may know Carolanne under her pseudonym Green Warrior.

After a quick tour of the café and a study of the menu it wasn't hard to decide what I wanted to get. I did plan to get one of the super salads as the weather has been nice lately but when I went in yesterday it was a dull day so I went for the vegan lasagne, their Daily Warmer. They also do brunch - avocado toast (which has caused quite the stir, I hear), hummus toast and their own homemade beans on toast. I treated mum to lunch and she chose the hummus toast which she enjoyed but said it was a little too spicy for her taste, which I did agree with. 

As well as all those yummy offerings they also serve raw vegan brownies, chocolate and homemade smoothies and juices. I went for a Rocket Cow smoothie (I assume this is a play on 'raw cacao' - I like it!) made with almond milk, nut butter, banana and cacao powder. 

The service was very quick considering it was the lunchtime rush and they were rushed off their feet. Mine looked and smelled great so after taking a few snaps I dug in. I'm not gonna lie, I wasn't sure how a vegan lasagne was gonna work but it was delicious - so full of flavour. It did taste like a normal lasagne but 'cleaner' and obviously without the mince. It was served with 2 super salads - chickpea and green bean salad and carrot salad, both yummy.

The Rocket Cow smoothie also didn't disappoint - I make this kind of smoothie quite a lot at home anyway so I knew what to expect. It's like a healthy chocolate-peanut-butter smoothie and it was surprisingly filling. So smooth and creamy considering it's totally dairy free. Among the other smoothie offerings was a turmeric smoothie (not sure how I'd feel about that), iced coffee, wheatgrass shot, ginger shot and a beetroot, sweet potato and ginger juice - as well as the usual tea and coffee. 

I was extremely tempted by the tempting brownies on the counter but I decided to be good and I was extremely full up - my lunch kept me going for the whole day.

You can find Sweet Beat on Bridge Street (where Chapters used to be, sob) or check them out on Facebook here. I give it my (non-vegan) approval!

Thanks a million to Carolanne for inviting me along and for the yummy lunch.

Donkeys & Getting Dolled Up

Random title with 2 main subjects that are miles away from each other, I know, but you never know what you'll get with me! You'll be pleased to know no donkeys were dolled up in the making of this blog post.

In February, for her birthday, my mum got invited by the lovely people at Cromleach Lodge to try out their spa for a pamper afternoon. They also told me I could come along so I was delighted I could feature it in my blog. I've never been to Cromleach Lodge before but I've only heard good things about it so I was eagerly anticipating the afternoon. As I didn't have the best end to the week it came at an opportune time - there's nothing like a spa day to take your mind off things!

We had a little bit of time to kill before our appointments so we headed to the Sathya Sai donkey sanctuary, bags of carrots and gingernuts in tow. Sue, the lady who runs the sanctuary, told us all about the donkeys. It's a bit like a retirement home for donkeys who have been abused, injured or who are just getting on a bit. She has 53 donkeys in total - I don't know how she remembers all their names, I can barely even remember mine some days! We gave the donkeys plenty of carrots and gingernuts and then headed on our way to Cromleach Lodge, a short drive from the sanctuary. 

This Shetland pony has better hair than I do.

As we drove up I was in awe. We could see the hotel from the road (as well as some stunning scenery) and it looked absolutely beautiful, especially as the sun came out in full force that day. After a quick snoop around the hotel we headed to the Ciunas (which means 'quiet' in Irish) spa to robe up. We were led to a gorgeous relaxation room to have a quick bite to eat before our treatments as we were starving and the half a KitKat each we'd had on the drive over didn't suffice. We admired the mountain views as we sipped our teas (I've become quite partial to green tea, even though it does taste a bit like the ground) and nibbled at homemade biscuits. I chose a tomato and mozzarella ciabatta and mum went for a ham, cheese and onion toastie. The sandwiches were very tasty and came with a small side salad that had the most delicious dressing - I must find out what it was! 

When we were fed and watered we were shown the steam room, sauna, and - the most exciting bit - the outdoor hot tub. Of course we headed straight for the hot tub! It was so relaxing sitting outside savouring the amazing scenery and soaking up the sunshine. The only thing was because of the breeze I did get quite chilly but I am a naturally cold person! There was also no step inside the hot tub so I nearly went flying in, graceful as ever. Apologies to the other people in the hot tub, they probably got an eyeful and were probably blinded by my milk bottle legs glinting in the sunshine.

After sampling the steam room (with added colour changing fairy lights) and sauna it was time for our treatments. I chose the mini makeover (not the facial for once!) and mum decided on the hydrotherapy bath as she loves that sort of thing. We parted ways and my lovely makeup artist started to work her magic. I believe her name was Natasha (I could be wrong, you know how bad I am with names) and she was lovely and friendly. Kudos to her for putting up with me squirming when she did my eyeliner - you don't know fear until someone else is poking at your eye! I was also delighted with how natural the makeup looked, I was a bit worried they wouldn't be able to match a foundation to me but she was very thorough and talented and I actually looked half human at the end ;-)

The finished look! P.S my best friend Bethany did the ombré in my hair. She's a trainee hairdresser and she's brilliant! If you live in Sligo check out the MSLETB training centre in Ballytivnan, where she trains, and you can get your hair done there without the hefty salon prices.

I was so relaxed by the time we'd finished I nearly fell asleep on the way home! Unfortunately then it was back to reality and dinner needed to be cooked but I was so relaxed I didn't mind so much. Next time I go I'll have to try a seaweed bath. They overlook all the views you can see from the hot tub.

If you're after a pampering day, a weekend away or just a bite to eat - I hear their restaurant is incredible - definitely pay a visit to Cromleach Lodge. Just don't drive afterwards or you may fall asleep!

Thanks a million to all at Cromleach Lodge for a fabulous day. Have a look at their website here for more information.

Too Much Wisdom Is A Dangerous Thing

I should get a slap on the wrist for being a bad blogger. In my defense though, I was couped up in bed with tonsillitis (just before Easter break, natch). To add insult to injury - and to explain the title - I have an impacted wisdom tooth that is making my life a misery. Because our healthcare system in Ireland is so wonderful (!) I'm being refused help for the time being and am having to put up with the usual 'Ah sure we'll prescribe you painkillers, be grand'. I'm tempted to give someone a bread knife and a pliers and do the job DIY style. I may end up looking like the Joker but at least I wouldn't be in agony anymore!

In more exciting news, if you live in Sligo you may have seen me on the front page of the Sligo Weekender (no, I didn't kill anyone). I always thought my media debut would be headlined 'Face Transplants: Before & After' or something like that, but thankfully this was for something exciting. I absolutely love cooking - if you followed my Instagram before I revamped it you may have seen my foodie posts. I was so excited when a talented chef, Liam, gave me the opportunity to feature some of my recipes on his up-and-coming food website, BiaMaith. The website is great if you want to find out how to cook quick, easy meals on a budget so definitely check it out!

I hope you all had a lovely Easter and didn't feel too guilty about inhaling Easter eggs (if you had them). Personally, I never want to see chocolate again for as long as I live. (This is a lie, I literally just ate some chocolate mini eggs and they were amazing). Over the Easter break I  mainly relaxed, got my hair balayaged (ooh get me) by my best friend Bethany - blog to follow, probably - and went to Strandhill a couple of times as the weather was actually pretty nice. Of course, it has now gone back to being baltic, but that's okay because I'm back to work. Thanks, weather gods. 

We also adopted another rescue dog so now we have 2 smelly dogs in the house. He appears to be a cross between a pug and a terrier and he's so ugly it's adorable. I loves him. Even when he does fart and it smells so bad it could knock you out.

So that was just a quick update to redeem myself after not posting for so long. I have a few exciting things coming up so expect more regular posting from now on! *slap on the wrist*

Did you do anything exciting over Easter? Let me know!

Eye of The Tiger

If you live in Sligo you may know that Danish store Tiger recently joined the (small) posse of shops around the town. If you aren't familiar with the store, they stock unusual decorative goods, toys, craft supplies...everything really. I love Tiger because unlike your typical 'Euro store' the products are quality and very stylish. The most expensive thing in store at the moment is €30 so everything is really cheap.

Mum got invited to the opening (because she is a Sligo A-lister) and managed to sneak me a goodie bag too which I was delighted with. I now have giant paperclips and bunting for those decorative emergencies. Joking aside, it was a lovely goodie bag!

Going into Tiger makes you realise you really do need decorative fluffy sheep, gorilla shaped erasers and rabbit shaped watering cans. Because...just because! I've already seen about 20 things I need (want) for no particular reason. I was also very excited to see Tiger stock a range of jewellery (really nice jewellery!) and makeup, which I'm eager to try out. They had an eyeshadow palette for something like €3 which is just amazeballs.

Tiger also sell food items such as really nice pretzels, spices and sweets for a fraction of the usual prices. I can't wait to give their spice range a go for my cooking! P.S in case you missed it I'm now writing some recipes for BiaMaith, a new and exciting food website by a very talented chef for people on a budget. Give it a wee gawk!

I'm looking forward to trying out some of their office supplies as I'm an office intern, I definitely need one of their really unique notebooks. Definitely.

So in conclusion, Tiger has graced Sligo with its presence. And it's grrrrreat. I'm sorry, I had to. Thanks to mum for letting me steal her photos!

Still Smiling

If you've read my blog before or even know me in person, you'll know I have an extreme phobia of going to the dentist. Everything about it - from the smell to the sounds to the waiting area - gives me the chills thinking about it and I'm not sure I'll ever fully get out of that mentality.

So, when I made an appointment to visit David and the crew at David McConville Orthodontics in Quayside, Sligo, I spent most of the day unable to concentrate at work. Of course, David McConville is an extremely popular orthodontist and I'd heard rave reviews about them, but I still couldn't quite relax. Until I went there.

The first thing I noticed (after realising how unfit I am from walking up the stairs) was the fact it didn't look like a dentist. By the front door, a wall was covered in pictures of photogenic people with perfectly straight smiles - all patients of David McConville. The waiting area had the appearance of a beauty salon or a posh hotel reception. It was bright and airy with glossy black tiles and velvety grey sofas. Now, I may be shallow, but I do base businesses on their appearances first off, and this definitely didn't disappoint. I actually feel more relaxed if I walk into a place and it has nice décor. I sank into the plush sofa while I waited and read a leaflet about Invisalign to weigh my options up.

No real teeth were harmed in the making of these models.

Ever since I can remember, I've had a fixation on how my teeth look. I sucked my thumb excessively as a child and this led to bad overcrowding and misalignment of my teeth. I never smile with my teeth, if I laugh or yawn I cover my mouth, and I feel self conscious about them in general. I envy all my friends who have nice straight teeth and can smile without giving it a second thought and it was getting me down - so I decided now was the time to do something about it.

Although my stomach lurched when my name was called, I took a deep breath and walked into the treatment room. I was immediately greeted by David and he invited me to sit on the black leather dentist chair. I was pleasantly surprised when I did - not only was it the comfiest dentist chair I've ever sat in, it also massaged my back. Dentistry had never felt this comfortable before! Bonus points for the fact Ellie Goulding was playing in the background - basically my dream dentist experience (all that was missing was Jamie Dornan feeding me strawberries but I'll let them off for that one). I know those may be little things to most of you, but if you have dental fear you'll know it's so important to feel comfortable and I think the right setting is vital for this.

By this point I'd relaxed considerably and David started to examine my teeth. He got me to bite and open my mouth a few times to determine how my teeth were aligned. He gave me a mirror so I could see what he was doing which I appreciated a lot as I felt more in control with the whole experience - usually when you're in the dentist chair you feel a loss of control, this was not the case here. After a quick look he told me my teeth were misaligned - the bottom ones jut out under the top when I bite down, which isn't right. Apparently this is a problem with how my jaw is shaped and would have to be corrected with surgery if I needed it done (thankfully he said it wouldn't be too big of a problem). I knew something was wrong with my face all this time, thanks mum.

He explained that because of the overcrowding on top I'd need to have 2 teeth taken out, which I was surprisingly ok with. He showed me the three choices I had - steel brackets, ceramic brackets or Invisalign. As is the same with everything, there are pros and cons to each. The brackets are quicker but cosmetically they don't look as good as the Invisalign which is barely noticeable. Invisalign takes slightly longer to work but you can take them on and off to eat and brush your teeth, which is a big plus as I was worried about having difficulty brushing with braces. To be perfectly honest, cosmetically it wouldn't make a huge difference to me if I got train tracks or Invisalign as either way my teeth would be hugely improved.

Having a poke around!

We talked a bit more about the differences between the choices and how I'd need to have any dental work done before I get the braces - otherwise, as he said, it'd be like putting the cart before the donkey, and as I said, it'd be like putting the roof on before building the house! So that's the next step before I can continue on my journey to being able to smile and think nothing of it.

I entered the orthodontist wondering if I could just make a homemade brace myself out of a rubber band and some superglue and left feeling relaxed and optimistic. And for me to be comfortable with something like this is a big achievement.

I'll be sure to keep you updated on the whole braces progress and fingers (and teeth) crossed it goes well - but with David McConville on the case I have no doubt it will.

David McConville are on Facebook here.

Face Masks & Festivities | GlamGlow Review

On Friday, the most recent addition to our village - The Mill Pharmacy in Coolaney - had its official opening day. The Mill is a newly opened pharmacy. Hilary, its proprietor, has worked hard to stock her chemist with popular makeup and skincare brands that can be hard to find in other bigger chemists, so I was really excited to head along to the open day and have a proper browse.

As well as the usual pharmacy items, The Mill stocks makeup brands Catrice and MeMeMe (which is actually quite hard to find here in the West of Ireland), Ciaté nail polish (again, hard to find in pharmacies), Cocoa Brown tan - my favourite tan - Avené, MooGoo, Crabtree & Evelyn and Caudalié skincare and the most recent and most exciting addition - GlamGlow.

After hanging around the tantalising food table for longer than is socially acceptable I purchased a few bits and enjoyed the live music. Mum had far too many glasses of wine and was falling about the place and I just ate nearly all the grapes from the cheese boards (which I'm pretty sure were just meant to be a garnish but I don't live by the rules!) and managed to spit one halfway across the room like the classy, articulate lady I am.

There was a great crowd for the opening and not too much complaining when we went out in the baltic weather to watch the cutting of the ribbon! I wish Hilary and all the staff the best of luck and sorry for eating all the grapes.

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I managed to bag a sample of each GlamGlow mask and also the undereye treatment, so I thought I'd tie a review of each into this blog.

I tried out each mask seperately. I applied them to a clean, dry face just before getting into the shower and left them on for 5 minutes each before washing them off in the shower.

I'm gonna be honest, I had very high expecations as the face masks are very pricey and I've heard rave reviews about them. Here's my honest review on each one.

1. Supermud 

This mask claims to fight common skin concerns - spots, blackheads, discoloration and uneven skin. It's a mud mask that draws out dirt and gets all the gunk out of your pores leaving it clear and smooth.

This was my favourite of the bunch. As soon as I washed it off my skin felt (to quote my mum) 'like a baby's arse' and I also noticed my pores were cleaner. I had a few blackheads on my nose that I noticed were gone after using this. There's nothing more satisfying than feeling like all the gunk has been sucked out of your pores. Mmm.

 The smell of the masks are quite pleasant - mostly earthy and minty. Because of this I think the masks would suit those with sensitive skin - apart from Thirstymud, which I'll get to in a bit.

2. Youthmud

This one claims to be full of tingly goodness. While the first mask claimed to clear out pores this one seems to mostly just smooth out skin and make it softer and brighter. I did find this one made my skin look healthier but it also made my skin feel a bit tight. I'd imagine this would be good for those with mature or oily skin, but for my very dry skin it wasn't quite perfect. I did enjoy how it made my skin look - just not how it made it feel.

The tingling sensation is a bit strange and for the first minute or so you start wondering if it's meant to tingle quite so much, but this is normal. I do wonder if the tingling addition is a bit gimmicky, however.

3. Thirstymud 

This was the most disappointing of the bunch. I'm sorry to say this did not agree with my skin. This one smelt lovely, like apples, but whatever different ingredients were in it didn't like my face. Thirstymud claims to boost and lock in moisture to give a healthy, dewy appearance.

Shortly after applying this, I felt my skin itching and burning - not tingling, burning. I knew straight away this was not the intended reaction so I quickly rinsed it off. My skin looked red and blotchy and felt very hot and tight after using this.

By all means, try this out - it might have just been my skin that didn't agree with it, but for me this one was a no-go. It is a shame as it's a lovely consistency and smells gorgeous. 

4. Powermud

This was my second favourite mask. This mask is fun to apply as it goes from mud to oil. I didn't see much difference between this one and the first one, purpose wise. In terms of how my skin looked and felt after, the first one won, but this is still a lovely mask for that lovely clean feeling after a long week.

Most of the masks contain little black specks which I think are eucalyptus leaves or tea leaves to detoxify. These are really fun to smear around your face and pretend you have a weird skin condition. Or, you know. Because they're good for your pores.

Overall if I had the money or as a present I'd love to fully try out Powermud or Supermud. They are steep at €56 considering you're meant to use them a few times a week. Still, I guess I'll have to keep dreaming!

Bonus - Brightmud Eye Treatment

This was amazing. I suffer from a bad case of the puffies and darkness under my eyes which I hate. I patted this on before getting ready to go out, left it for a few minutes and then wiped it off. Instantly my undereyes felt refreshed and rejuvinated. Even in pictures I noticed a difference - the puffiness was definitely reduced and my eyes didn't look so tired. I'd definitely buy this but I read on the box you only get 12 in a box for €51 and I just can't bring myself to pay that much for that little! Still, if you have the money I definitely recommend going for this one - it's lovely before a night out or special event. A true Hollywood glam treat!

Thanks to The Mill Pharmacy for the GlamGlow samples. 

Have you joined the GlamGlow craze yet?

Check out The Mill Pharmacy here!

Luxurious Locks | The Blow Dry Bar, Sligo

There's nothing better than getting your hair done after a long week. Even better when it's not for a particular event other than feeling like treating yourself and getting a bit of a pampering. 

Today after work I headed along to the recently opened Blow Dry Bar in the Wine Street car park, Sligo. The lovely Elaine invited me along so I could see what I thought and take a few photos in the process. I also got a chance to see their new beauty salon which is opening upstairs with a tanning room, massage room, and nail bar - so you can get your hair and beauty done all in the same place.

The Blow Dry Bar is a unique addition to Sligo. We have lots of great hairdressers, but none that specifically offer blowdrying and styles only. I was also very impressed to see they advertised braids as I haven't seen anywhere else in town do this and braids are really in lately.

The 'menu' offers anything from 12 week blowdries to fishtail braids. There's something for everyone - from the trendsetter to the girl on the go.

Anyone who sees me on a daily basis knows I usually just have my hair styled naturally as I'm too lazy and clueless to style it, thus meaning it mostly just lies flat and lifeless especially now I'm growing it out. 

I was greeted by Elaine and my stylist, Aoife, and I told them my hair woes. They suggested a curly blowdry with pin curls to give my hair a bit of life and volume which I happily agreed to. 

After a lovely relaxing shampoo and scalp massage at the padded (!) basin - no achey necks here, my friends - I was led over to the 'bar' and seated in one of the chic white leather seats. I love the décor in the salon - black and white - and the Kilner jars used to hold hair accessories and fairy lights as a unique touch. 

Aoife got started with my blowdry and we had a lovely chat. It's actually rare for me to feel that comfortable getting my hair done, I usually feel a bit intimidated like I'm going to the dentist or something - anyone else get this?! It was nice to have a truly relaxing hair experience. I also didn't have to ask her once to turn down the temperature on the hairdryer. Usually I find it far too hot and the head would be burnt off you by the end, but at the Blow Dry Bar there was none of this.

In no time my hair was transformed. I entered the salon Katie Hopkins and when I left I was more Katie Price. There's nothing like a glamorous blowdry to make you feel fabulous all day! When the clips were taken out I could immediately feel the bounce and spring in my hair. After copious amounts of hairspray and a lot of hair-swishing I was ready to set off and proceed to swan about flicking my hair for the rest of the day to the tune of 'Glamorous' by Fergie in my head. Apologies to anyone who had to witness this.

Voila! Look at that swishiness in all its glory.

The curl lasted surprisingly well considering it was windy outside and my hair loses a curl at the slightest movement. When I got home I got my personal photographer (my mum) to take a few pictures of me so you could see my hair from the front. So here we have it, my face. Sorry if I frighten any small children.

So there's my Blow Dry Bar experience. If you're around Sligo definitely pop in for a bit of pampering. The Blow Dry Bar also cater to weddings, nights out, parties, the lot. I'd definitely go back if I wanted my hair done for an event - next time I'll try out the braids!

Find the Blow Dry Bar on Facebook or give them a call on 071 917 0629 - you won't be disappointed. They are also hosting a hair and beauty tutorial event on the 9th March, check it out here if you want to learn how to salon style your hair at home and apply your makeup like the professionals.

Thanks a million to Elaine and Aoife at The Blow Dry Bar.

Check out my mum's blog on her experience too for a great before and after!