Porto

Porto with Travel Department

Porto is the perfect city for a short break. We travelled with Travel Department in mid-May and it proved to be the perfect time to visit. I was delighted to accept Travel Department’s offer of a press trip. And, of course, GG (Gorgeous Graham) had to come too. Travel Department Regular readers know that I
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 Joining The Beauty Spotlight Team

When ‘The Beauty Spotlight Team’ asked me to join them in contributing to their weekly group posts, I initially declined. But then I read some of their posts and was impressed. We are so far behind the U.S.A. in both beauty and aesthetics. It would be lovely to learn about products and treatments before they
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Rain coat

This Old Thing and ‘Style Not Age’

‘What, this old thing? Oh, I have that for years’. I know that I, for one, have used that phrase on many an occasion. Sometimes it is used to hide a new purchase. Other times it just rolls off my tongue if I receive a compliment. Gail chose this month’s ‘Style Not Age’ theme and
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The Taj Mahal

A New Grandchild and Planning Holidays Make Me Happy

Hello, my friends. I am feeling positive as we enjoy the holiday weekend. And I hope you are too. I have lots of happy news to share with you. We need to celebrate when we can, don’t we? And count our blessings. GRANDDAUGHTER As many of you know, we have three wonderful grandsons – Logan
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‘Style Not Age’ takes Inspiration from Centenarian Iris Apfel

The colourful Iris Apfel, who reached a milestone 100 years last August, is our inspiration for this month’s ‘Style Not Age’. It was my turn to choose and her collaboration with H&M launches today. So I thought it would be fun to take our inspiration from this style icon. WHO IS IRIS APFEL? Even if
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Scarlet Skin Tightening treatment

The Skin Nurse Clinic and My Scarlet RF Treatment

I recently visited Nicola O’Byrne at The Skin Nurse Clinic for a Scarlet RF Treatment. Nicola is passionate about the work she does and has worked within Dermatology medical clinics since 2001, latterly at The Beacon. A founding member and former chairperson of DANAI ​ (Dermatology Aesthetics Nurses Association Ireland – www.danai.ie ) she acts as
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PhiBrows

New PhiBrows at The Dublin Make-Up Academy

The Brows are back in town.  Got my new PhiBrows at The Dublin Makeup Academy. And I am HAPPY OUT. My eyebrows were (until I had my Phibrows done) a total disaster. Years of overplucking (why, oh why, did I do it?), menopause, ageing, stress, you name it all played havoc with my brows. I
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Peelo Handbag

If I was a Handbag is February’s ‘Style Not Age’

Choosing your favourite handbag is like saying you have a favourite child. So, there will be no ‘handbags at dawn’ here! I love them all! I love a crossbody if I am shopping. I like a clutch for a dressier event, though I do have a clutch with a strap which I also use for
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The Hardiman

The Hardiman Hotel 4-Star Luxury in the Heart of Galway

The Hardiman Hotel is the perfect place to stay if you are visiting Galway. LOCATION Dominating the southern end of the city’s Eyre Square, The Hardiman Hotel is right beside the train station and bus depot. We travelled down by train and had a most pleasant journey. How trains have changed in recent years.  There
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3 Must Visit Attractions in Seville Spain

Visiting Seville, while we were staying in The Algarve in Portugal, was surprisingly easy…just a two and a half hour drive from Faro and we didn’t even use the motorway. We arrived in time to check into our hotel and grab a quick lunch before we met our guide for the afternoon. As you can
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Tiger print bag Marc Cain

‘Style Not Age’ Celebrate the Chinese New Year with Tiger Print

Tomorrow, the 1st of February 2022, is the beginning of the Chinese New Year and will usher in the Year of the Tiger. So, Emma chose ‘The Eye of the Tiger’ as her theme for our ‘Style Not Age’ group. THE YEAR OF THE TIGER The Year of the Tiger is the third of 12
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Sea walk

Most Read Post of 2021 was Transient Global Amnesia

Happy New Year. I have been so lacking in energy, mojo, initiative (call it what you like..) to actually get up off my butt and write a post. Well, I suppose I would have to sit down to write it. But you know what I mean. Anyway, I think I have got my act together.
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The Perfect LBD for NYE with ‘Style Not Age’

What will you be wearing on New Year’s Eve? Well my ‘Style Not Age’ friends are here to help. The theme set by Jacqui this month is the perfect LBD.  Will you be partying the night away or having a quiet dinner with friends? In the current climate, it is more likely that you will
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skinician

Skincare and Beauty Products and Experiences in 2021

Skincare is personal…yes, but I want to share with you some of my favourites over the past few years. FACIALS BESPOKE BEAUTY, DONNYBROOK When I can, I love having an in-salon facial or treatment.  For those of you in Dublin, I can highly recommend Elaine Butler Doolin of Bespoke Beauty in Donnybrook. I have regular
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Green velvet jacket

‘Style Not Age’ Showcases Festive Finery

Normally at this stage of the year I would have had plenty of opportunities to wear my festive finery. Christmas season would be in full swing. But unfortunately, with Covid numbers being so high in Ireland, all of my Christmas lunches, dinners and afternoon teas have been cancelled. And that was before the latest variant
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Portugal sunset

Quinta Do Lago in November is Wonderful

A few weeks ago, at the beginning of November, we spent a lovely week with friends in Quinta Do Lago in the Portuguese Algarve.  Lisbon is the only other part of Portugal that we have visited and we absolutely loved the city. This time we were staying in the Fairways Four Seasons Resort just twenty
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World Osteoporosis Day

Looking After Bone Health is Important at Every Age

Bone Health has been in the news recently because of World Osteoporosis Day. I am aware of it for many reasons: 1 Following a diagnosis of osteopenia in 2016, I decided to do some research and educate myself. 2 I followed that up by writing a blog post about how to look after our bone
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Spain boats

Skin Cancer, Spain and Fake Tan

Skin Cancer, Spain and Fake Tan sound like odd bedfellows. Well, you are right. I just threw them together in a post. But there is a tenuous connection. Because I was going to Spain, I tried yet another false tan. And a few days after I returned, I was having my cancerous lesion removed. SPAIN
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Cosy Coats overthehilda

Cosy Coats with ‘Style Not Age’

Well, the days are darker and temperatures have fallen, so it is time to get our cosy coats out. When socialising changed with the start of Covid, my friends and I met for coffee outside. We have continued to do that, so a warm puffa/padded coat is a necessity. Coats are my one weakness! Do
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Songbirds

Books Can Take You To Other Worlds

‘BOOKS GIVE A SOUL TO THE UNIVERSE, WINGS TO THE MIND, FLIGHT TO THE IMAGINATION AND LIFE TO EVERYTHING’ – PLATO Books have the power to take you to other worlds, other times.  Recently, I have been to the court of King Henry VIII, to Poland during World War 2 and to The Russian Court
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Over The Hilda

Pretty In Pink with ‘Style Not Age’

Anna chose ‘Pretty in Pink’ as our Style Not Age theme this month and I struggled a little as I have very little pink in my wardrobe. I do love this pink coat that I have had for years. Is it powder pink or blush pink, or insipid pink? The label is Bastyan and I
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Center Parcs

All Kinds Of Everything

I decided to do a more general chat this week, an ‘All Kinds of Everything’ kind of post. I tend to post on the blog once a week, but am more active on Instagram stories. So, I want to fill in my readers who are not on social media. Well, what have I been up
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Helen McAlinden and Hilda Smith

Helen McAlinden Autumn/Winter 2021 Fashion Show

Some feeling of normality returned last week when I attended my first fashion show in nearly two years. Helen McAlinden’s collection was showcased beautifully in Harvey’s the restaurant in Harvey Nichols in Dundrum Town Centre. I had some photos on my Instagram stories last week. But one of my followers (whom I bumped into recently
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Holistic Treatments in Baltinglass County Wicklow with Jean Kelly

Graham and I had a very pleasant visit to Baltinglass last month. Why go to Baltinglass you may well ask? What has Baltinglass to offer? Well, Jean Kelly Massage and Holistic Therapist offered Graham and me some complimentary treatments. Jean has joined other members of her family in offering holistic treatments. Her father and her
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