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.

Theatres & Travels

I know, I've been quiet lately. There are a couple of reasons (excuses) for this. Number one: I've been sick. Someone has given me their lurgy. To kind of quote Liam Neeson, "I will find you, and I will...not be happy with you".

Number two: I've been travelling about the place. On Tuesday I headed up to Dublin with my mum and brother. Last year I begrudgingly went along to Sligo Fun Company's version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage show, Jesus Christ Superstar, and thought it was fantastic. With this in mind I got a ticket for the Dublin show, the 'real deal' so to speak.

Before the show we checked out the apartment we booked for the night. I'm not joking when I say I got emotionally attached to it. It was my dream place - I now aspire to decorate my future home like it. If anyone wants to donate to that fund hit me up ;-)

After a long night (I was in bed by 9:30) we went for brunch at Bóbó's Burgers - simply for the fact I won some vouchers for there and they'd expire soon. I've also heard good things about it so I had high hopes. Unfortunately it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. For €9 - €13 you can get a burger that sits looking a bit miserably on a plate with no chips or salad included. Quite a hefty price considering the quality of the burgers. I got a chicken burger with pesto, buffalo mozzarella and rocket. Sounded lovely on the menu, in reality it was an unflavourful chicken fillet on a soggy bun with a whole garden full of rocket on top. Shocking as it is, a McDonald's would have been more flavourful! Sometimes you don't get what you pay for.

Now on to the show. Considering some of the actors had been on Broadway I found it very underwhelming. I did think a few of the cast were a credit - Judas, Rhydian as Puncheous Pilot and a few others - but dare I say it, Sligo Fun Company stole the show! The sound was also very quiet and the audience was full of people who didn't know what the show was about. There were several giggles from twelve year olds when Judas kissed Jesus (not in a Brokeback Mountain way). If you're not easily offended I highly recommend you check out the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage show on DVD. I'd imagine the previous tours with Mel C et al were far better. I was nearly tempted to get up and sing a bit but I don't think I could pull off nipple tassels as well as one of the cast members. Don't ask...

Alas, before this post goes too negative, I'll end it by telling you as I type this I'm on the train up to Dublin (yes, again) - but to the airport this time! I'm off to Eindhoven in the Netherlands for a few days. In a way it's an early celebration for mum's birthday but really it's just nice to get away for a bit. Stereotypical as it is I imagine Holland to have people in clogs cycling down cobblestone streets while sniffing tulips. Although now I say it it doesn't sound very feasible...

I'll be sure to try and take a few snaps on my holiday and of course you can expect a blog post - and maybe I'll even buy some clogs ;-)

Getting To Know You

I now have that shite song stuck in my head. Thanks, brain.

While uuhming and aahing about what blog post to do next - and while browsing other blogs for inspiration - I thought to myself, 'Hey, I am quite strange. Surely I have a few facts about me other people may find interesting?'

So voila. A list of 11 facts about me. Hopefully some of you read this list without yawning once or going 'Dis bitch boring' and clicking out of it.

P.S. I know I'm strange.

P.P.S Please don't judge me.

1. Technically, I've had plastic surgery. No, not a nose job or a boob job or anything scandalous like that (though God knows I could do with them) but when I was around 14 I had my ears pinned back. For as long as I can remember, I got bullied in school for having slightly large super sticky-out ears. The nickname of choice was 'Dumbo' which was horrific at the time but now I think of it, Dumbo is awesome and really cute. So are sticky-out ears. 

2. I pushed my brother onto our marble fireplace when I was 2. He cracked his head open, I got put to bed in my slippers (the ultimate punishment when your brother is bleeding all over the place, apparently) and my mum nearly got arrested for child abuse. 17 years later all is forgiven (though I still get blackmailed with this sometimes) and I seem to actually recall doing it.

3. I dropped a glass on my big toe and I have a scar that looks slightly lightning bolt shaped. I guess you could call me Harry Pottoe. (That was bad I'm sorry).

4. I bit my bottom lip so hard my tooth went through it. Also have a scar under my lip. Why are so many of these facts about injuries? Weird.

5. My teeth are probably one of my biggest insecurities. They're extremely overcrowded and crooked so I avoid laughing/smiling/anything to do with my mouth - leave it - as much as possible. I also have very weak enamel and dental phobia so that's fun!

6. I left school when I was 16, just after I finished my Junior Cert. And I don't regret it one tiny bit - in fact I'd say it was a great decision. Now I'm not saying it'll be the same for everyone, but for me this was pivotal in bringing out my self confidence. I did a course at Sligo Community Training Centre, went on to do a course in Sligo College of Further Education and I'm now doing an internship - who knows what's next. I may not have a Leaving Cert but I am happy.

7. I used to have a snail collection when I was about 7. I hoarded all these random snails from the garden and kept them in a lunchbox. My two favourites were called Major and Champ and I used to race them against each other. Yes, it was possible. They also lived in my dolls' house and I drove them around in my Barbie car.

8. I also had pet stick insects. I was a stick insect breeder. They bred like rabbits so I gave some away to people at school and sold them to my teacher for a fiver each. #entrepreneur

9. My first words were 'Spice Girls'. I really loved the Spice Girls.

10. I make up little dances spur of the moment and perform them in the kitchen. Saying that, I haven't done one in ages. I've always thought to myself, 'I wonder if I'll ever find anyone who will dance in the kitchen with me?'

11. I used to have 2 pet chickens called Paxo and Stuffing (horrible I know) and I used to put them down the slide and dance with them. Pretty sure I have a video somewhere of me doing that. Those poor chickens. I always thought the fox caught them but now that I think of what I put them through they probably ran to the fox and begged him to take them away from it all.

I hope some of these facts were interesting. Do feel free to share or comment - it makes my day! If you have any weird facts I'd love to hear them.

Beauty & Blogging

Apologies for the totally boring title, I've been sitting here for ages trying to think of something clever and my mind has gone blank, possibly from brainfreeze as it's so cold lately in Ireland. Apparently this country didn't get the memo it's meant to get warmer as the month goes on, not colder!

Yesterday I was contacted on my blog Facebook page by makeup artist Muireann from Make Up By Muireann asking would I like to attend a teens beauty and style group in The Hair Lounge in Sligo. I'm mad into all things beauty and fashion so of course I said yes. I love attending events like this as not only is it a great day out but it also gives me something interesting to blog about which is always a plus.

The group was held in The Hair Lounge, Caltragh, Sligo. I've never actually been here so I was excited to check it out. The salon itself is fabulous; bright and airy, stylish and simple. I'll definitely have to get my hair done there sometime - God knows I need it! 

Upon arrival the style consultant Kirsty Cawley and Muireann herself greeted me and chatted away - I immediately felt comfortable. I really appreciated this as usually I feel a bit intimidated going to salons or beauty events - I feel a bit like a spare part! However I didn't get any of that today, I felt totally included even though I was the oldest there as it was for teens. Most of the girls attending were doing their Junior Cert so they were a fair bit younger than me but they were lovely and chatted away.

We were led into a small side room which I assume is where the makeup/nail magic is done. The room was fabulously pink and girly and decorated with little signs, photographs and candles. We each got a clipboard, pen and sheets with various information and a style questionnaire to fill out. I found out that I'm mostly romantic/girly and also creative with my style which I'd agree with, I'm a fiend for charity shops! Our group had mixed style types which was interesting. We also talked about different skin tones such as warm, cool, clear, deep etc. I'd say I'm either a cool type or a clear type - the different skin tones are based on your natural hair, eye and skin colour. This information helps you find out which colours suit you best. I'm going to try on some of the colours suggested and see which ones suit me - I wear far too much black and white!

Next we talked about skincare and personal hygiene. I must admit I'm a devil for not having a proper skincare routine - too many times I've crashed into bed after a night out and not taken all my makeup off which is very naughty. One of my resolutions for this year is to get a proper structured skincare routine though and Kirsty gave us some good cheap options for skincare. She recommended the cucumber cleanser, toner and moisturiser from Boots - I think she said it cost her about €3.99! It just goes to show you good skincare doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. She also told us how you easy it is to make your own face/lip/hand scrub and hair masks - I'll definitely give some of these a go. Here's one from the sheet she gave us to make your own hair mask:

• Olive oil and egg mask for dry hair: Mix three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with two eggs and apply the mixture to your hair. Leave it to sit for 20 minutes before rinsing out. This mask hydrates and the protein in the eggs will help your hair to grow.

Next we talked a bit about different body shapes which I thought was very interesting. I told her how I have small boobs and big hips/bum and asked what I could do to give the illusion of more boobage and not make me look like I have the bottom half of Nicki Minaj and the top half of a 13 year old boy. She gave me a few tips for being pear shaped which I found very handy and I'll be sure to use them next time I'm choosing an outfit.

Lastly Kirsty asked if we had any questions and gave advice if we wanted it. She was so easygoing and funny and focused on us all individually which I thought was great. A lot of the time when you go to things like this if there's a big group you don't feel like you get enough individual attention but here the girls made sure we all felt included and joined in. 

Kirsty deals with consultations, colour, style, talks on looking good and feeling good and personal shopping. She also said she helps people sort out their wardrobes which I think is a fantastic idea. When I get her details I'll put them here - in the meantime she's listed here under the 'Sligo' section. Be sure to check her out.

After a short break it was on to the makeup part of the morning. Muireann works in The Hair Lounge herself. She had such an envious collection of makeup and brushes - I was nearly drooling! She showed us how to do an everyday look on her beautiful model, Chloe. The look consisted of a neutral eye, lip and cheek, contour and brows and she also gave us lots of tips along the way. 

She started with eyes as she told us it's better to start with your eye makeup so if you get any eyeshadow fallout or make a hames of it you can just wipe it off without having to re-do your foundation. Muireann gave us mostly cheap alternatives to some of the higher end makeup she used which I thought was great - I now have a list of products I want to try! She recommended mostly Nyx, Sleek and Catrice which are 3 of my favourite bargain beauty brands. She also showed us how to choose the most complimentary eyeshadow colours for our eyes using a colour wheel from an art shop. Again, she told us about different skin tones and how to match your perfect foundation shade. Something I found interesting was when she told us if your foundation contains SPF or zinc and you wear it while getting your photo taken your face will look ghost white because these ingredients reflect the light off your face and bounce back, thus making you look Caspar like.

As she showed us how to do the makeup she invited us to ask questions. I told her I find it impossible to find foundation to match my almost translucent skin and she actually recommended me a brand and said she'll help me find something which I was delighted about - hopefully no more blending my too-dark foundation down my neck and still ending up with the dreaded orange line! Muireann was also more than happy to show one of the girls how to do a structured brow which was interesting. It's great to have someone show you how to do something on yourself so you can see how it'll really look.

Muireann is a really talented makeup artist and I liked how she made Chloe look naturally enhanced and brought out her features. I think that's what makeup is all about - less is more. You want to accentuate your beautiful features, not drown them!

All in all it was a fantastic morning, I was amazed to find out it was Muireann and Kirsty's first time doing a group like this. I hope they'll have more for older girls/women as I think it's a great idea for a special day out or just to pick up some tips.

You can find Muireann on Facebook here or catch her on 087 9022219. She also has a website here. I highly recommend her for weddings, special occasions or just to treat yo' self! 

Thanks so much to Muireann and Kirsty for a wonderful day, it was such good fun and I now have about 4 sheets full of beauty tips that I'll be sure to put to good use.

Find The Hair Lounge on Facebook here.

All Good Things Come To An End...

As the Eminem song goes, snap back to reality. And as the Nelly Furtado song goes, why do all good things come to an end? Before I start to sound like a whimsical reading of the UK Top 40, I'll get into the meaning behind this title...

As you all know, the Christmas holidays are well and truly over at this point. I have tried to use the excuse 'Christmas is only just over!' to validate still eating 40 chocolates for breakfast but everyone sees past this façade now. I returned to work on the 5th of January, partly dismayed and partly relieved. I get bored so easily and I was beginning to get cabin fever so I was thankful to get back to some sense of normality and routine. Somehow I think the 3am bedtimes and 2pm breakfasts weren't doing me an awful lot of good! 

Whenever I'd go back to work/college/school after the holidays it would always take me a while to get settled. The things I find the hardest to adjust to are:

Getting up early in the mornings. I value my sleep a lot, as anyone who has tried to wake me up early knows. I live for those extra 5 minutes in bed, so much so that recently I've decided to sacrifice looking socially acceptable for extra sleep. I may resemble a baked potato going into work now, but at least I'm slightly more refreshed!

Eating at weird times. I say weird; they're actually perfectly normal times to eat. Whereas before I'd have breakfast any time from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. now I have to actually eat my breakfast IN THE MORNING. The indecency of it all. If I'm going to work I get up at 8:30 a.m. and have something quick like a piece of fruit or a smoothie before I head out the door and then have something more substantial at our 10 a.m. tea break, but I find myself getting starving soon after as I'm used to eating whenever, wherever (who am I, Shakira?) and I now have to adjust to having lunch at 12:30 p.m. During the holidays I would've barely been awake then. Oops.

Writing and using the phone. Bit of a random one but you know when you were in school and after the summer holidays you'd come back and forget to write? Yeah, this is me. In fact, I forget to function in society like a normal human being. On my first day back it took every ounce of willpower to avoid answering the phone with 'What up?!' and I can't even explain the amount of times I wrote words in some mumbo jumbo backward kind of way.

Writing 2015 instead of 2014. We all have this problem. I don't even know what day it is anymore to be honest. I judge the days by how motivated people seem. If it's a Monday, everyone seems a little less enthusiastic and if it's a Friday there's a spring in everyone's step and you can practically smell the weekend in the air (the sweet smell of vodka and regret, mainly).

My heart is this cold.

Another thing I quickly wanted to address, mainly because my blog is like my diary and I like to get things off my chest, is that unfortunately the romance is no more. I did a blog in October-ish about my new relationship and I've had a few people ask how it's going so I just thought I'd briefly clear things up on here. I'm not looking for sympathy or attention - it was a clean break and it was simply because of distance, timing and some other issues that seemed unfixable. Thankfully there's no hard feelings (I hope) so I'm thankful it ended on a somewhat okay-ish note and I'm certain it's for the best. 

I do wonder sometimes if I'll ever be capable of maintaining a relationship but I have to remind myself I'm only 19. I'm so young and I have at least another 15 or so years before I'll lose hope and reside to a life of 40 cats and watching The Late Late Show in my dressing gown. Mind you, doesn't sound all that different to what I'm doing now...

An Afternoon at Lough Erne Resort

Yesterday after work I headed up t'North to pay a visit to Lough Erne Resort. Lough Erne is a 5* hotel situated beside the beautiful Lough Erne (imagine that) renowned for its golf course. However, as I wouldn't know how to play golf if Rory McIlroy gave me a personal lesson, I went to try their Afternoon Tea and check out the spa (starting to think Afternoon Tea and a facial is my trademark 'thing').

As we perused the Afternoon Tea menu, mulling over the Pink Afternoon Tea (includes a glass of champagne and strawberries), Christmas Afternoon Tea and Chocolate Afternoon Tea, our waitress, Nuala, passed around tea leaf samples so we could test the aromas of each tea. All the tea samples were locked away in a little case - it was like the Pandora's Box of tea. Shortly after, we were brought our chosen tea and a funky hourglass to tell us when our tea was brewed. I chose a chai tea which tasted like Christmas in a mug and it was so comforting sipping my tea in front of the warm fire.

 Shortly after, our cake stands arrived. As there were three of us we got choose one Pink version, one Christmas version and one Chocolate version. Of course, me being me, I sampled bits and pieces from each version (and regretted not getting the chocolate one for myself!)

Each cake stand included 4 sandwiches, a scone and a variety of different petit fours and sweet treats. The chocolate desserts were delicious and I enjoyed most from the Christmas variation too - although I gave the mince pie and fruit cake a miss. My cake stand included a delicious clove butter shortbread, a salted caramal macaron, a white chocolate eggnog soup in a delicate marbled chocolate cup and a chocolate cherry yule log. As I don't like salmon I asked for different sandwiches and the staff were happy to oblige. The sandwiches included cucumber and cream cheese, baked glazed ham and coronation chicken. I do have to be honest and say some of the bread was a little stale which was a bit disappointing. I also would've liked a few more sandwiches and petit fours but the selection was quite filling regardless - although I did end up stealing mum's glass of champagne and some chocolate covered strawberries.

After our feast we headed to the Thai Spa - an authentic Thai experience with Thai spa workers and massage techniques. I had a facial (of course) and my skin still looks and feels beautiful, the woman who tended to me was very gentle and made me feel very relaxed. 

After the facial my food had gone down so we decided to head to the bar and have a bite to eat. I chose 'glamburgers' - two miniature burgers - so cute and dainty. I also shared chocolate fondue with my mum as I couldn't resist. However, weirdly, the strawberries tasted a bit like garlic - I'm assuming a knife that was used to crush garlic was also used on the strawberries! Bit of added flavour I suppose.

So that's how my day at Lough Erne Resort went - check them out on Facebook here. If you're going for the Afternoon Tea I recommend the chocolate version (they also have a coeliac version for those with dietary requirements and a kids' version) and you should also check out the spa - the staff are so accommodating and friendly.

Thanks to all at Lough Erne for a lovely afternoon.

Festive Fun at Strandhill People's Market

In an attempt to be organised and get into the Christmas spirit, last week I went to Dublin for the Stephen's Green Christmas markets. However, I was sorely disappointed - it felt like a mass exodus and was poorly organised. Imagine crowds and crowds of pushy, miserable looking people mowing shoppers down with pushchairs, add to that a lack of atmosphere and about 40 overpriced hot dog/burger stalls. Not very Christmassy.

I absolutely love Strandhill People's Market and today I got to visit it for the first time since it's moved indoors to Sligo Airport. I think the indoor venue is a fantastic idea especially as we're now well and truly into winter. 

Because buying local is so important I did a bit of shopping (for myself). I was drooling over all the goodies at Marshall Made It as usual but decided I'd be good. I did, however, buy a jar of Christmas craft supplies from them for a blog post idea so watch this space.

Fabulous gift ideas from Marshall Made It.

As well as some lovely gift ideas there were also some divine food stalls: Green Warrior offered some delicious vegan and natural food choices - the vegan chili looked amazing. I chose a bag of healthy granola and a cacao cashew nut chocolate milk (yes, guilt free chocolate milk!) and I'm looking forward to trying them both. I also got a slice of Rocky Road and an adorable snowman cake pop - how amazing are the Christmassy cake pops?! After shopping I was quite peckish so I decided to mix it up and sample some sushi. The Sushi Sisters had a stall and they were so accommodating - I'm picky and don't like salmon so they endeavoured to make me a sushi selection without salmon. The sushi was so fresh and tasty and the noodles were amazing, I could eat like that every day.

The atmosphere was just delightful and the service as always was brilliant. It really goes to show buying local is the way forward. All the stallholders have such unique products and ideas at reasonable prices and they're so friendly and accommodating. By the end of the market I felt really Christmassy - I was actually sad to leave! If you're looking to get a bit of Christmas spirit definitely head to Strandhill People's Market in Strandhill Airport (runs Saturdays and Sundays leading up to Christmas). Check them out on Facebook here and go for a browse - you won't be disappointed.

Scrumptious Seaside Dining at Trá Bán

I've mentioned Strandhill before in my blog - whether it's for a coffee and a cake at Shells quirky café, watching the sunset with a pint from The Strand or just for a stroll along the beach, Strandhill never disappoints. For fine dining, however, it has to be Trá Bán.

Last week me and my mum decided to head along to Trá Bán for a midweek meal. We'd never been before but had heard great things about it - not to mention all the impressive awards the restaurant (and its sister restaurant in Sligo, Eala Bhán) has won. I was initially a bit worried it would be all seafood - I'm not a fish fan - but I was thrilled to see the menu offered extensive choice for seafood lovers, meat eaters and vegetarians alike. All of the ingredients, meat and seafood are locally sourced so you really know what you're eating. As well as the usual foodie fare, Trá Bán also offers a range of wines and craft ales to compliment your meal. 

When we first went up to the restaurant (situated above The Strand bar in Strandhill) we were impressed by the décor - soft lighting was offset by sheer curtains and projected onto the wall was a light effect to look like waves. It was a very intimate and romantic setting - I can imagine this would be perfect for a romantic meal or something special. 

To start we were served a slate of bread with a seaweed and sweet chilli pesto - it may sound a little bizarre but it was divine and really whet our appetities. For the main course, as I rarely eat steak at home as I find it a treat to get when I go out for a meal, I ordered the sirloin steak. I'm not lying when I say it was the best steak I've ever had. It was cooked to perfection (I like mine bloody but the chef will endeavour to fulfill your request however you like your steak cooked), beautifully seasoned and juicy and served with pesto mash, mushrooms and onions. I don't like mushrooms so mum ate those but she said they were perfect also. Everything on the plate was so tasty and fresh - it made shop-bought steak taste like a McDonald's hamburger! Mum ordered the chicken linguini which I also had to sample of course. It was beautifully rich and creamy and again, fresh and cooked to perfection.

As I had a starter (the chefs in Eala Bhán and Trá Bán make some of the nicest soup ever in my opinion) I couldn't eat another thing until we noticed the chocolate fondue on the dessert menu. Chocolate fondue is one of my absolute favourite things in the world so me and mum decided to share one. The Belgian chocolate fondue is served in a mini saucepan and was absolutely incredible. It was rich, sweet and creamy without being too cloying or sickly - by the end I was tempted to just eat the chocolate with a spoon. The fondue came with diced fruit and marshmallows for dipping - there's nothing like soft fluffy marshmallows and sweet strawberries dipped in warm melted chocolate to finish off a perfect meal. Mmm...

If you're looking for somewhere to enjoy a nice meal for a special occasion look no further than Trá Bán. Beautiful food followed by a leisurely stroll along the shore - what more could you want?!

Trá Bán also offer Early Bird and Christmas menus for the upcoming Holiday season (it's creeping up on us!) here or you can enjoy a meal as part of the Thrill Of Strandhill package - be sure to check out the Facebook page to keep up to date on offers.

Thanks to Anthony and all at Trá Bán for a wonderful evening.

My Day In Photos: Rathcormac Market

I do love a good market, they're one of my favourite things (I know, I sound like an elderly woman) so I perused Rathcormac market for the first time on Saturday. Much like the Strandhill People's Market, Rathcormac mainly sells homemade crafts and local produce.

There were a couple of vendors selling all organic homegrown fruit and vegetables (shown above). There was such a wide variety - stuff you couldn't just pick up at Aldi! I was also really tempted by the selection of cakes and breads available but I managed to control myself. I thought the taster plate of jams and relishes above looked very appetising. I've had homemade jam before from Beltra market and it definitely trumps shopbought jam. 

There was lots of homeware for sale including some excellent wood carvings and abstract/Irish paintings by Ciaran Kavanagh of Annies He-Art Studio. Also at the market was a favourite of mine, Marshall Made It. They sell the most adorable kitsch homeware and trinkets - I want all the things. I thought the Christmas themed tins, above left, were beautiful and a great present idea (for myself of course). I also love the little chalkboards - I think they're such a good idea for writing notes or meal plans for the week. Marshall Made It also offers new Christmas wrapping supplies such as ribbons and bows - great if you're a perfectionist when it comes to wrapping presents, like me.

Again from Marshall Made it: Russian doll salt and pepper shakers (so cute), owl brooches and my favourite thing of the lot: PET ROCKS. I have to admit I got 2. They're adorable and they even have a Minion one! There was a tantalising stall full of (literally) sweet gifts - if I was a kid (and even now still) I'd be thrilled to get one of those treats for a present.  I also loved the marriage plaques above - they're so Pinterest and a really sweet idea.

Another gift idea if you have kids were these precious knitted characters - I love the Snowman and the monster-thing hat. I thought they were so unique and anyone crafty would be delighted with them. Also for sale were handcrafted colourful bead earrings and tiny birdcage tealight holders - I'm definitely going to get one for my bottom drawer collection. 

After a while I started to get chilly so I headed into the Vintage Lane Café to warm up a bit. If I had a café, it would be this café. The colour scheme and quirky decorations were perfect for the setting - I loved the idea of colanders for lightshades and the bunting by the window. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to eat there (it was quite busy at the time) but hopefully some day I will, I've heard great things about it. 

All in all I was very impressed with Rathcormac Market and I can't wait to go back and visit it closer to Christmas - the atmosphere was just wonderful and there's something there to cater to everyone.

Seasides & Spas

Over the weekend I was delighted to get the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Yeats Country Hotel in Rosses Point. I'd heard positive reviews about it but had never stayed there so I was excited to experience it for myself.

The hotel is in a great location, a stone's throw from the beach and only a 10 minute drive from Sligo town - so we didn't have too far to travel. First on our schedule - after we dumped our stuff in the room which was spacious (we didn't have to share a bed much to my mother's delight because I'm a nightmare to sleep with apparently) and had a beautiful sea view  - was an afternoon of pampering at the spa. 

The first thing that struck me about Eros Spa was the inviting decor and the wonderful aroma that accompanied it. The spa is all warm lighting and rich red walls. We were promptly greeted by the delightful staff and given fluffy bathrobes and slippers to wear. First on the agenda was a clay mask application. The lovely ladies set about with the arduous task of taking off my makeup and smoothing our faces with a gloriously cooling clay mask to detoxify our skin while we bathed.

As I haven't had a seaweed bath in years, mum let me try the seaweed bath while she chose the botanical bath. Our baths were in a double bath room which held a shower and the baths - perfect for a couple or mother/daughter pampering. Thankfully we were allowed to keep our swimsuits on - no one needs to see that ;-)

I was a bit tentative stepping into the bath; if you've never had a seaweed bath before they don't look very appealing - the water is brown and you step onto slimy slippery seaweed - but they feel incredible. Beside our baths was a jug full of water and a glass of juice which I thought was a lovely touch as seaweed baths can be dehydrating because of their duration. I relaxed and let my worries melt away for 45 minutes and made sure to rub the seaweed over my body (oo-er) so that the goodness of the oils really got into my skin.

When our time was up (and at this point mum had fallen asleep in her bath, it was that relaxing!) we were led to another treatment room where we both had a facial. I absolutely love getting facials and this one was the best I've ever had. There's nothing like getting a lavender scented hot towel placed over your face while getting your arms and hands massaged - bliss. 

Straight after our facial we were turned over (and I managed not to flash anyone like last time...) for our back massage. I've never had a proper back massage before so I was a bit apprehensive - I felt a bit vulnerable lying on my front butt naked - but my masseuse, Denise, was more than happy to explain it to me and made sure the pressure she was using was okay so I really felt at ease. When we were finished I was so relaxed I was struggling not to fall asleep - especially when we got to the relaxation suite (again, with a sea and mountain view!) and were presented with tea, fruit and melted chocolate! The service was second to none. It was definitely the best spa I've been to so far, usually I feel intimidated at spas but I felt relaxed and comfortable at this one - exactly how a spa trip should be. Thanks again to Denise and all the lovely staff at Eros Spa - it's a gem and I'll definitely be going back.

After all that hard work getting pampered we headed back up to the room to chill out for a bit before heading for dinner in the hotel's Elsinore Restaurant. We got a four course meal which I struggled with, as someone who usually only eats one course when I go out for dinner. To start I chose soup and mum got the chicken wings which were delicious. For my main I got steak which was one of the best steaks I've ever had - the staff again were lovely and endeavoured to any of our requests (I showed mum up by asking for chips). For dessert I chose a banana split and mum got the chef's sweet plate - both were very nicely presented. Overall I thought the food was tasty and portions were plentiful.

We headed into town for a few drinks after our dinner and the staff were helpful and ordered us a taxi - a nice touch. We heard music coming from the bar so I assume the hotel also offers evening entertainment for guests. When we got back we fell almost instantly to sleep. The hotel was quiet and the beds were very comfortable - both things are essential to me for a good night's sleep. 

Breakfast the next morning was extremely busy. We did have to wait about 15 minutes for a table which was a bit disappointing but it's a good sign to see plenty of people enjoying the breakfast. There were the usual cereals, fruit, yoghurt and bread as well as a self-service buffet for full Irish breakfast items. Again, food was fresh and plentiful. The only thing I would say is there's not a huge selection of breakfast items if you don't like cooked breakfasts.

Overall it was a lovely getaway and we were sad to leave - we truly felt like we'd been on a mini holiday. If you're looking for a nice relaxing short break I'd recommend the hotel especially for families and elderly couples. Thanks again to Tara for a great weekend and to all the staff at Yeats Country Hotel.

Fireworks & Firsts (Lucy's Life)

I know I'm all over the place with my tags but hey, I never said I was the most organised girl ever! Lucy's Life is basically a little update on what's been happening in my life. These past few months or so have actually been pretty eventful for me.

First off, I'm now (sort of) working! I'm doing an office internship - which I know causes a lot of controversy but we won't go into that, I see it positively as a way to gain experience and hopefully employment down the line - as a receptionist and I'm really enjoying it so far. So if it seems like I'm neglecting my blog it's because I'm just that bit busier lately - but I will still find time to post! 

Second, after many years of sitting on my bed in my cat onesie (yes, I really do own a onesie covered in cats) shovelling Doritos into my mouth wailing 'WHY DON'T I HAVE A BOYFRIEND' (that's only semi-true...) I can now say I am in a relationship. Of course, because the Universe is a bitch he happens to reside in the UK which is a bit unfortunate but I'm all about positivity and so far we're making it work. Last weekend I travelled to London - on my own for the first time, wouldjabelieveit - to spend the weekend with him and we had a lovely time. We went to Greenwich for our first date - he planned it perfectly for me; we ate Mexican, visited Greenwich market and got Starbucks *swoon* - and I saw the Cutty Sark, in case you're wondering what that random ship is. I'm a bit raging I didn't get any nice photos of the two of us (you probably think he's made up now) but I'm hoping I can convince him to take a few selfies when he comes over this month. 

Lastly, for Halloween I went up t'North to watch the fireworks display in Enniskillen. It's my second year seeing them and again, I thoroughly enjoyed it - and I didn't wake up the next day with a hangover, even better. I'm such a scaredy cat I jumped every time one went off (the fireworks, that is) and I hid behind people as a sort of human shield but apart from that I love watching fireworks, there's something so magical about standing around with a bunch of strangers watching the air getting polluted. I kid, I kid - it was beautiful.

So those are a few exciting things that have happened recently, hope some of you maybe found this little update interesting and I'll be sure to do another soon.

Carving & Crying

Don't worry, this blog isn't gonna be as gory as the title sounds!

On Wednesday night I got the opportunity to go along to Shells pumpkin carving event. I'd never heard of it before but apparently this was their 4th and it's a very successful night every year. It was my first time having a go at properly carving a pumpkin (I'm more of a Christmas girl) but I'm the most competitive person ever so I marched in there, knives at the ready, one step away from yelling a war cry.

Upon arrival we were offered a drink - I chose a hot apple brandy and it was just perfect for the chilly Autumn night. We were also served a taster of Shells pumpkin broth. I've never been a huge pumpkin fan because it's one of those nondescript vegetables that you don't really know what to do with and it smells a bit like farts but I have to say, Shells pumpkin treats totally changed my mind. 

The café was beautifully decorated as usual: paper bats were scattered across the wall and witch hats and candles set the mood for the evening. Two tables were set out laden with pumpkins and craft supplies to use for your creation. I was very impressed with how organised it was. 

After some mingling it was time for the real fun to start. We got 45 minutes (and I spent half of that time fecking the innards out of the pumpkin and removing bits from my hair/mouth/underwear) to carve our pumpkins. Throughout the carving we were served plates of pumpkin goodies - pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin risotto balls which were unbelievably tasty, pumpkin fritter, pumpkin samosa and finally, pumpkin pie and pumpkin brownies. I was getting so into my carving I couldn't eat much! 

When we were all finished carving all our pumpkins were lined up and the lights were switched off so we could see our glowing creations in all their glory. Some people's pumpkins were amazing so I knew I wouldn't win but I was still disappointed when I didn't - I'm a bit of a sore loser! I was expecting to go in and somehow magically carve the Mona Lisa into mine but it didn't happen. Here's my attempt (attempt being the operative word) below on the bottom right - it's an owl. Sorta.

When we left I picked a chunk off my pumpkin and fecked it across the carpark because it let me down. You know that scene in The Inbetweeners where Simon gets dumped and he puts on a happy face until he gets into his room and starts wailing? That was basically me.

All in all it was a great evening, so much fun and something a bit different for Halloween! I highly recommend it if you're looking for a group activity. Participation fee is €25 but considering you get fed and watered it's very reasonable in my opinion - plus you get to keep the pumpkin!

Thanks to Shells for a wonderful evening. Let me know how you're spending your Halloween!

Afternoon Tea at Eala Bhan

I was delighted to be given the opportunity to sample Eala Bhan's delightful Afternoon Tea today along with my mum. The award-winning Eala Bhan is one of my favourite restaurants in Sligo town, situated beside the Garavogue river. I've eaten here a few times before for lunch and have never been disappointed but as their Afternoon Tea is relatively new to the menu I was excited to try it - I do love a good Afternoon Tea. 

Immediately upon arrival a lovely waitress was quick to hold the door open for us and show us to our table, perfectly situated in front of the window and overlooking the river. One of my favourite things about the restaurant is the decor - it's beautiful in its simplicity and would impress anyone visiting with the selection of W.B. Yeats poem extracts on the wall and the soft lighting woven through the dividing curtains - making it ideal for a quiet, romantic dinner or lunch.

When we were seated we were offered tea or coffee (served in the most adorable china) and a complimentary glass of Prosecco to start us off. We were then presented with the most delicious amuse-bouche of courgette and butternut squash soup - I could've eaten a whole pot. Soon after our waitress and Anthony Gray, the owner of Eala Bhan, carried over three 3-tiered stands piled high with sandwiches, cakes and confectionery. Everything was so beautifully presented and lovingly made I almost felt bad eating it - almost. We didn't know where to start so we decided to sample the sandwiches first. There was a generous selection of fillings including salmon and cream cheese, smoked ham and cheddar, goat's cheese and pepper and a scrumptious chicken and pesto. The sandwiches were served on a selection of different breads; soda bread, bagels and wholemeal bread. 

I started getting full very quickly but of course I had to try some of the sweets on offer: cookies, macaroons, chocolates, cheesecake, marshmallows and scones were among the selection, all locally sold at Le Fournil in Tobergal Lane, Sligo. I had a bit of everything and they were all absolutely decadent. The cookies and the macaroons were my favourites. 

We were so full we couldn't eat half of it but the lovely waitress was happy to package up our leftovers so we could enjoy them at home, a nice touch considering I didn't want to waste a bite of the delicious food.

It was genuinely one of the most impressive things I've had the pleasure of eating and I'd highly recommend the Afternoon Tea for anyone celebrating a birthday, special event or just if you want to treat yourself with something different - why not!

A big thank you to Anthony and all at Eala Bhan for being so accommodating and letting me come along. Check out Eala Bhan on Facebook and their website.