No More Ordinary: The Draft House Strandhill Review

I'm really late doing this blog *slaps wrist* because I recently started college and turned 20 (I'm officially an adult now, I'm scared). A couple of weeks ago my mum and I were invited along to The Draft House pub in Strandhill for a bite to eat. It was the day before my birthday so I treated it as a pre-birthday lunch.

We arrived on a blustery Strandhill afternoon and scoped out the exterior of the place. The building is painted a fitting blue and adorned with quotes (their trademark 'Draft. Craft. Munch' and 'We don't do ordinary' above the door, most notably) and a bicycle that spelled out the word 'food'. When we went round the back of the pub we realised there were dog kennels - yes, you read that right - if you want to drop your pooch off for some downtime while you eat. Walking your dog on the beach is hungry work, after all! If this wasn't enough, The Draft House are also installing showers - in case you've come out of the sea and feel a bit grimy - both really nice touches, I have to say.

When we walked into The Draft House we were quickly seen to by Maya who seated us in a booth and took our drinks order. I requested a Desperados, which they didn't have, but Maya was quick to suggest an alternative and gave me a small taster. She told me all the craft beers were available to be sampled - great for someone indecisive like me.

It was then time for the fun part - to decide what we would get to eat. I was torn between the chicken special - polenta crusted chicken - or the vegetarian special - veggie curry with a toasted tortilla - but in the end went for the veggie option. Curry can be quite difficult to master so I was keen to see how this would turn out! Mum chose the fish and chips, a seaside classic.

Our food came very promptly - thumbs up for that because we were both starving - and after going upstairs to take some photographs (I could only get phone photos so apologies) we started to tuck in to our food. Everything was plentiful, hot and fresh. My veg curry was so big I could only eat half of it - it came with a massive bowl of rice and toasted tortillas dusted with spices. It was absolutely delicious - I'm not usually a curry fan but this was one of the best curries I've ever had. The rice was also cooked beautifully - no boring plain rice at The Draft House! The curry wasn't just your standard fare of vegetarian curry. Rather than the usual unimaginative carrots and mushrooms, this included courgette, cauliflower, sweet potato and an array of other vegetables. I would definitely get this if I went back to visit The Draft House. I'm a bit sad it's only a special and not on the usual lunch menu which has recently been updated for Autumn 2015. It's good to have seasonal fresh food rather than eating the same thing all year round!

Mum said her fish was beautifully crispy and flaky and the chips were just as good. We were well and truly stuffed by the end of our meal but decided we'd have to sample the desserts too to give an honest account. I chose the chocolate and orange mousse which was actually dairy free (woop!) and mum chose the meringue. I scoffed my mousse down in about 0.5 seconds, it was heaven in a bowl - well, jar.

I'm a huge fan of The Draft House's unique touch. In this day and age it can be hard to find a place that isn't the same been there, done that foodie fare - let alone a pub. We're lucky in Sligo that we have some stellar dining options! 

We waddled out with full tummies and smiling faces after a delicious meal. If you find yourself in Strandhill be sure to pop into The Draft House for lunch, dinner or a drink at sunset - you won't be disappointed. Thanks to Maya for being so helpful and friendly and to The Draft House for accommodating us. Check them out here. Read my mum's account of our meal here - her photos are fantastic and so much better than my quick snaps!

P.S I've majorly lost my blogging mojo so most of my latest posts are food reviews - if there's anything you'd like to see on the blog please let me know!

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.

Swept Away: Snorkelling With Wave Sweeper

I wasn't literally swept away at sea, don't worry. I recently received a message to my blog's Facebook page from Mark at Wave Sweeper inviting me to come on an adventure. I could choose from snorkelling, kayaking or coasteering. The choice was an obvious one for me - it had to be snorkelling!

Me and mum headed up to Mullaghmore on a rainy, dreary Friday to dive straight in (excuse the pun). Mark met us down by the water and complimented my clever idea of wearing eye makeup to go snorkelling - I'd forgotten my makeup wipes, alright - before setting us up with wetsuits and snorkelling gear. Initially I was more afraid of the thoughts of attempting to get into a wetsuit than I was of the various creatures in the sea but after lepping around in the trailer (changing room) like a deranged kangaroo I eventually got the damn thing on. I felt like a pork sausage trying to wiggle into it. Word of advice, don't wear a wetsuit if you're having a fat day. EVERY. SINGLE. BUMP.

I snapped on my uber sexy gloves, hood and wetsuit socks and we headed down to the water (after going flying on some slippery seaweed-y rocks - not even in the water yet and I nearly die, typical). Mark explained the process, a few signals we had to do and how to work the snorkel. He made me try to breathe with it in my mouth and then shove my head under the water to test it out. When we decided we were good to go we popped on our flippers and had a little swim to get us started. I kept forgetting to stand up you have to roll onto your back and not literally stand because the flippers won't allow you to do that, but I sussed it in the end.

We swam together while mum took some pics on an underwater camera (no one looks attractive in snorkelling garb, alright), looking out for fish and other sealife. I will admit for the first 10 minutes I started feeling extremely panicky and breathing very quickly and heavily and I wasn't sure if I could do it. I don't like feeling a loss of control and it was a bit claustrophobic with all the gear on and it did take a while to adjust to this, so bear this in mind if you're anxious.

After a while I relaxed and concentrated on admiring the seaweed, starfish and shoals of fish we swum amongst. It was like something out of the Little Mermaid - absolutely magical - apart from when I got seaweed all up in my face. Mark dived down to pick up sea urchins, starfish and a sea cucumber (yes, that's a thing) to show us. I got well excited when I picked up a whelk! We also saw various types of fish and even some crabs, one of which Mark put on mum's head causing her to freak out. Too funny.

Mark and I embracing (ha!)

We swam a kilometre in total and we were out at sea for around an hour and a half. Everything was going swimmingly (heh) until I suddenly got leg cramp and Mark had to swoop in and literally scoop me up so I could get rid of it. Proper damsel in distress, me.

It's funny swimming with low visibility. I kept accidentally grabbing someone's arse or face or nearly getting knocked out by a flipper. At one point we sat up against some rocks and waves kept flinging us off which me and mum thought was the funniest thing ever. Mark swore we were high off seaweed or something.

We eventually got washed up ashore and after waddling up the ladder to the pier it was time for a sit down and to inspect the various beasts that had clung onto Mark's sleeve. It was time to head back to the trailer and try and peel our wetsuits off and put our clothes back on, during which time I nearly fell over and mum yelled 'I CAN'T FIND ME KNICKERS'. So eloquent.

After the struggle of getting dressed again we decided to head for a drink to warm the cockles. We sat and chatted for a while about the other activities run by Wave Sweeper and I've decided I might bite the bullet and try coasteering sometime. Next up though is surfing and I can't wait to blog about that!

Thanks a million to Mark for inviting us along. It was truly one of the best experiences of my life and I loved every second of it that I wasn't having a panic attack. I'll tell you what though, my jaws are aching and I can barely walk today. Get your minds out of the gutter! Check Mark out on Facebook here - and go snorkelling, it's incredible! 

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? 

Seaweed Baths, Sand & Shells

I'm a bit (2 weeks) delayed in writing this blog but better late than never as they say.

For my best friend Bethany's birthday we decided to head to Strandhill for a relaxing night away. Last year for her 21st we went to Spain so this was a bit of a contrast but still involved the beach! I see a theme here...

Recently I was lucky enough to win a brilliant prize from Rude Health magazine consisting of an overnight stay in the 4* Strandhill Lodge & Suites, dinner in Trá Bán, a soak in Voya seaweed baths and lunch in Shells for 2 people. It came at such an opportune moment what with Bethany's birthday coming up.

After a brief bit of panic when the bus from town to Strandhill was 20 minutes late we arrived with about 20 minutes to spare as we booked our dinner for 6.30. We sat at the beachfront looking out onto the sea and then headed up to Trá Bán for our meal. I've eaten at Trá Bán before (read my previous blog here) but it was Bethany's first time doing any of the things in the Strandhill package so she was excited to see what all the fuss was about.

She chose the lamb pie, beef medallions and then apple crumble for dessert whilst I chose the fishcakes, cod and chips and chocolate chilli brownie. The food was amazing, all cooked to perfection and couldn't be faulted, as usual. Bethany said hers was cooked to perfection (and if she says that you know it's good) and went down well with a lovely glass of rosé each. Unfortunately the little compact camera I brought with me isn't great in low light so I didn't get any photos of our food but I can assure you it looked great! Trá Bán is such a gem, we don't know how lucky we are having places like this in Sligo. 

After a few minutes to let our food babies develop a bit we trekked up the hill to the suites. Let me tell you, it felt like walking the Camino Trail after having such a feast, but we made it in the end after a bit of groaning and complaining. I had been up earlier to drop my bag off and scatter a few balloons around to surprise Bethany so I knew how gorgeous the place was. The reception is so inviting and warm - not to mention how friendly the staff are. David, the owner, was so obliging and even found me some candles and matches to stick in a birthday muffin I got for Bethany! I lit the candle and set out a bottle of wine before Bethany came into the room so it would be a bit of a surprise for her.

We got a suite - the Atlantic Suite - which was incredible. The bedroom looked out onto the sea and Strandhill golf club and the views were beautiful. I don't know how many times I said to Bethany 'I want this bedroom' but it was probably way too many. The whole suite was so bright and airy. Huge velux skylights in the bedroom, a bright shiny bathroom, an impressive kitchenette with a Nespresso machine, a Bose sound system and 2 big wall mounted TVs with built-in DVD players.

After gawking at the room for a bit we pondered whether to check out The Draft House or just relax with some wine and a movie. The wine and movie option won because we were both already in our robes and pyjamas! I headed down to the lounge to pick a DVD from the extensive collection and also picked up a couple of hot chocolates from the free hot drinks machine, just about managing to resist the pain au chocolat. Little touches like these make a stay so much nicer!

After an amazing sleep (the place was so quiet and comfortable) it was time for breakfast. I didn't know breakfast was included in the stay until I booked so it was a pleasant surprise. For a continental breakfast the selection was great - cold cuts, cheeses, yoghurt, fruit, pancakes, eggs, cereals, loads of different teas, not to mention a huge range of gluten free cereals and bread. You really couldn't fault the breakfast.

After a massive breakfast we walked down to the main street for our seaweed baths. I've been to Voya before but again, Bethany hadn't, so I was excited to see her reaction. I know some people feel a bit funny about lying in a bath full of slimy seaweed but she found it so relaxing. I'm sure it would've been even more relaxing if we weren't being eejits and pretending to be mermaids shoving piles of seaweed on our heads. Regardless, when we left we were so chilled we nearly fell asleep.

 As we were still a bit full from breakfast we were debating skipping the lunch at Shells but decided we would take it on. As Shells is so popular we had to wait 15 minutes to get a table so we had a dander about the Little Shop. When we eventually got seated and had a look at the menu Bethany decided on a burger and I got a chicken salad as I wasn't that hungry. I also decided to try a matcha latte for the first time to see what the hype was about. It tasted a bit like the seaweed from that morning's seaweed bath mixed with some milk but it was surprisingly nice! 10/10 for Shells food as always.

Sadly it was then time to go home. After such a lovely relaxing holiday we truly felt like we'd had a holiday and didn't really want to go back home! If you're after a similar experience check out the Thrill of Strandhill package which offers all this and more - it's perfect for a weekend getaway.

Dodgy Dating

What is it with 'dating' (or as the kids are at nowadays, shifting/meeting)? It seems in this day and age, in Sligo, or just among my age group, it just doesn't exist. 

I seem to be stuck at that awkward age where anyone my age or just below/above is too young (mentally) and anyone 23+ is 'too old' and seems to think I'm a child. I also think where I live is a big problem - I've been informed by my mother there's 1 male to every 4 females in Sligo town. Oh, to have been born a lesbian or have an interest in joining the Convent! ;-)

A combination of being one of the only singletons among my friends, boredom and curiosity led me to download Tinder. For about a month or so it lay unopened on my app list, the red flame a glaring reminder of my single status. 

One fateful day I decided to have a peek at Tinder and see what all the fuss was about. I mostly swiped left because I was too shy/afraid to talk to an actual human but after a while I dipped my toes in and actually swiped right to a few people. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some nice lads on Tinder (who mostly haven't replied to me so maybe I just need a face/personality transplant) but there are also some odd characters. As follows, here are some of my main gripes about Tinder:

1. Group profile pictures.

But which one are you? I wouldn't consider myself a very shallow person but I do like to put a face to a name. For all I know you could be the 80 year old man in the picture. Or the baby. 

2. Boring descriptions.

'Snapchat imjohnnysligo add me'. I can barely contain my excitement. 

3. Accidentally swiping past someone attractive and/or interesting.
Then imagining everything that could've been. Ain't nobody gonna pay €7.38 per month to go back.

4. Attractive and/or interesting guys who live 105040 miles away.
CRY.

Saying all this, I will still continue to swipe away. Curiousity won't kill the cat in this instance, but the cat may end up screaming at its phone and wishing it swiped right.

Have you ever had any dodgy Tinder experiences?

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!

Sunny Days & Seaside Markets

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but I love markets. They're such a nice day out and a wonderful way to find unusual trinkets and gifts - not to mention the great atmosphere.

I've been to Strandhill People's Market quite a few times in the past but haven't been in a while. As I've spent all weekend bumming around the house in my pyjamas (standard) my mum dragged me out of the house and took me along with her. I didn't plan on buying anything but ended up buying too much...oops.

As well as the usual suspects (we had great banter with the ladies from Trimilawn Farm and Talentui Organics - they reassured me I wouldn't have to send off an application for a nunnery just yet) there were some faces I hadn't seen before such as Clo's Chocolates from Le Fournil bakery in Sligo and The Blue Room, who sell quirky signs and home décor - very seaside chic.

After I stole my mum's camera (sorry mum) and snapped away we got down to the nitty gritty and had a proper look. If I had a hefty bank balance and no self restraint you can bet I'd buy something from every stall! I managed to control myself quite well. I was very pleased I found a birthday present for my best friend Bethany - her birthday isn't until May but I'd like to think I'm well prepared now. 

I've heard a lot of good things about bee pollen as a superfood so I was delighted to see a stall selling jars of it, as well as every type of honey you could think of. I also stopped by the Trimilawn Farm stall and asked Ellie what she would recommend to make a chickpea curry. She suggested their Rogan Josh spice mix so I'm looking forward to giving that a go. I love Trimilawn Farm because not only do they have a huge selection of herbs and spices, they are also more than happy to recommend seasonings based on your needs. Mum got some potatoes to plant as she has a bit of a green finger (when she feels like it and doesn't forget plants need nurturing) so we'll see how that goes. Last time we tried to grow potatoes they came out the size of peas.

I also bought a cookie the size of my head from Clo's Chocolates stand which is very naughty of me but I gave half to my brother so I think it's justifiable. I was tempted by all the cakes, paella and the yummy sushi from the Sushi Sisters but I managed to resist!

That was just about everything I bought - as I said, I behaved myself for once. I was extremely tempted by these beautiful cake stands (below) and the elephant mug - elephants are my favourite animal, in case you didn't know this supah interesting fact.

The market has such a buzz about it every time - the sun was shining, the conversation was flowing, stalls were wafting delicious food smells all around and local singers were there to set the mood for the day.

When (if!) I ever get married I want to get one of these lovely wedding prints by Dreaming on a Star. Also, how cute are those badges?! I love their range of personalised prints and kitsch stationery. The unusual necklaces also caught my eye, I love the idea of the key necklace. Very Zoey 101 (remember that show? It was my childhood. I had a key necklace just like hers and I thought I was the bomb).

After inhaling a nacho tray from Streetcart - I smelled very onion-y and sexy all day after that - we headed home and said goodbye to the beauty and the buzz of the market.

If you haven't been to Strandhill People's Market yet - what are you waiting for?!

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!