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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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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Statement Sleeves with my ‘Style Not Age’ Friends

Hello everyone. It is all about statement sleeves with my friends at ‘Style Not Age’. I searched my wardrobe and found nothing of interest there. There were no statement sleeves that impressed me. So, I had to go shopping. And I found this lovely shirt from ‘Studio 124‘ in Malahide with fabulous full sleeves and
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Reading

Book Reviews- 6 Books I Loved

It is time to share some of the books I have read and loved recently.  In the last year I have become addicted to audible books. A really good narrator can make such a difference. Sometimes I listen when I am walking, other times when I am tidying up or cooking; tasks that do not
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Menopause Speakers

Menopause Success Summit in September Will Inform and Educate

Hello everyone. In my post this week, I am delighted to be able to share with you that The Menopause Success Summit, in partnership with Cleanmarine will be taking place virtually on Saturday September 25th 2021. I first wrote about THE MENOPAUSE in the early days of the blog way back in 2016. It was
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Nicky Halliday A practical Guide to Healthy Eating

‘A Practical Guide to Cooking for Health’ by Nicky Halliday

Nutrition therapist and  natural chef Nicky Halliday’s first book ‘A Practical Guide to Cooking for Health’ is more than a book full of delicious recipes. Yes, the recipes are delicious. And easy too. But let me start by telling you a little about the author. NICKY HALLIDAY Nicky has explored different careers. But her interest
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July Jacket

‘Style Not Age’ Showcase July Jackets

July Jackets, chosen by Jacqui, makes for a good alliterative opening to this month’s ‘Style Not Age’ prompt. Is it because I am in my mid-sixties that I feel that time is flying by? Or is it because it feels we are stuck on PAUSE at the moment, waiting for life to get back to 
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EYES WITH LUMI LIFT

Yumi Lash Lift at Bespoke Beauty makes my Eyes Pop

When Elaine at Bespoke Beauty offered me a complimentary Yumi  Lash Lift, I was a little unsure. I do not have great eyelashes I told her. They are not in great condition. In fact, I have some bald patches sometimes. Why do eyelashes fall from the same area at the same time? But I was
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The Grand Canal

Exploring Dublin and Meeting some of its Literary Giants

While staying at Dublin’s Merrion Hotel (by the way that special offer I mentioned in my post is now finished….sorry) Graham and I pretended we were tourists and enjoyed exploring Dublin. So here is a little snapshot of where we went and who we met. JAMES JOYCE It was Bloomsday when we were there and
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The Merrion Hotel Courtyard

The Merrion Hotel Dublin A Review

GG and I spent a night in The Merrion a few weeks ago and it was heaven. We were actually supposed to go after Christmas, but then we had another lockdown! We have been starved of pampering because of Covid and at this stage of our lives we do enjoy a bit of luxury now
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Malahide Castle

‘Style Not Age’ Shares Picnic Outfits

Hello, my friends. ‘Style Not Age’ is back with a picnic theme this month. What would you wear to a picnic? This prompt came from Gail of ‘Is this Mutton’. Do you go on picnics? I used to as a child. I would gather my sisters and take them off to a nearby field that
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Raised Cholesterol, Statins and Other Reasons I am Pissed Off

I have given in. Finally, I am taking Statins to help lower my cholesterol. Since menopause, my cholesterol has been elevated. But now it has gone through the roof! Fifteen years ago, my then doctor tried to put me on statins. I resisted. But since giving up tennis (because of back-related problems), it has risen
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Blue Kimono

The Sky and the Sea Inspire ‘Style Not Age’

HOW THE SKY AND SEA INSPIRE ME When I think of the sky, I picture the colour blue. Some fluffy white clouds float by. Another favourite would be sunset or sunrise with yellow, red and orange colours dominating. Similarly with the sea, I prefer the blues of sunny days rather than the greys of stormy
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Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

3 of My Favourite Kiehl’s Skincare Products

Of course, I was aware of Kiehl’s Skincare products, but I never used any of them until a few months ago. I was sent some as part of a press drop.  And YES, I am impressed. HISTORY OF KIEHL’S SKINCARE Kiehl’s is an American skincare company which was created by an apothecary/pharmacist in 1851 in
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TGA and the brain

Transient Global Amnesia What I Learned

I promised a follow-up post on my experience of having an episode of Transient Global Amnesia. Thank you to all those people who commented on the post and to the other twelve who sent me personal  emails. One of my readers also told me of a support group on Facebook so of course I asked
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Spring Sweaters

Spring Sweaters with ‘Style Not Age’

Another month nearly over. And we have the perfect prompt of ‘Spring Sweaters’ from Anna for our ‘Style Not Age’ feature this month. There may have been a lot of sunshine but there is still a chilly wind most days. While I have ditched the heavy winter coats, I still need to keep warm. No
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Maybelline Mascaras

Maybelline Mascaras Make Bigger Lashes

A press drop of iconic Maybelline mascaras brightened up a blustery day in March. It is 50 years since the launch of Maybelline’s iconic Great Lash mascara. I am always on the hunt for an incredible mascara.  This is particularly difficult the older I get as the lashes become more brittle. Well everything does, I
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Online Shopping with Charisma Fashions is Still Personal

I am a big fan of shopping in boutiques because I love the personal service you get there. Department Stores are great but they do lack the personal touch. Nothing beats a boutique, where the owner has personally chosen her stock. I shop a lot in Malahide and have written before about some of my
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Borrowed from the Boys with ‘Style Not Age’

‘Borrowed from The Boys’ is Emma’s prompt for this month’s ‘Style Not Age’ group. It is true that we have adopted many items of men’s clothing as our own, over the years. Trousers are the most obvious item, I suppose. POTTED HISTORY OF PANTS When you look back at women’s fashion through the centuries it
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Call My Agent

3 Series on Netflix we loved in February 2021

Thank goodness for the telly and particularly Netflix. We watched three wonderful series recently which will keep you entertained during the time that we still have to spend in LOCKDOWN. And you know there is only so much walking, yoga and reading that a person can do. And I am not into baking! So here
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Drink Lemon, Water and Ginger to stay Healthy

This post was one of my early posts  7 years ago, so I thought I would republish it, as I had some additional information. I still drink this every morning. But, now I use a straw to drink it on the advice of my dentist Dr Sarah Flannery at Seapoint Clinic. I had some wonderful
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Ambulance Emergency

My Emergency Hospital Visit With Transient Global Amnesia

Have you heard of Transient Global Amnesia? Well, last Friday I had an episode of Transient Global Amnesia, or TGA as it is more commonly known. It lasted  approximately two hours. And it obviously terrified me and frightened my family. But I do not remember any of it. WHAT HAPPENED? Graham tells the story… Friday
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