Bewley’s Cafe Tour – a trip down Memory Lane

Bewley’s was the place where I spent quite a lot of time in my student days back in the ’70s. I studied English in TCD, which meant only a few hours of lectures and lots of time for reading. Of course, I could have studied in the College Library, but my friends and I preferred
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Flaming June Fashion with ‘Style not Age’

‘Flaming June’ may be something of a misnomer as it is very likely that June 2019 might be our wettest June on record.  I can tell you that the two most used items in my wardrobe this June are my raincoat and my umbrella. But I am ever the optimist and hope that there is
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Ageism is Never in Style and Brands should Take Note

Within the next two years, for the first time in human history, there will be more people worldwide over 65 than under five.  That should be a wake-up-call to BRANDS that they should be more inclusive when it comes to promoting their products. Older people can be more discerning (in many instances) and have a
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Health Checks for Women Over 50

Most of us tend to avoid doctors and health checks in our younger years unless there is some specific reason to book an appointment. But when we reach 50 or so (and have been lucky enough to stay healthy) it is definitely time to schedule some health checks. Much as we hate to admit it
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Stylish Mondays Summer Whites Collaboration

Stylish Mondays feature Summer Whites this month. I actually do not have a lot of white in my wardrobe and the whites I have tend to be soft not bright. In fact, I am not even sure that these jeans, which I have for years, are even white. They are more off-white or even cream,
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recycled fashion

Recycled fashion challenge with Style-Not-Age

  The word ‘recycled’ has become very fashionable again in today’s more environmentally conscious climate and Anna (Annasislandstyle) chose it as the theme for this month’s Style-Not-Age challenge. The idea is that we put together an outfit by borrowing or buying second-hand and shopping our own wardrobe. I used to be an avid second-hand shopper.
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‘How to Live Better for Longer’

Tonight I will be making my television debut on ‘How to Live Better for Longer’ on RTE1 at 9.35pm! Having told everyone who listened that I probably would end up on the cutting room floor, I saw and heard myself on the preview, so I know I will feature, however briefly. Below you can see
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 Fried Halloumi in The Cairn Bay Lodge Starfish Cafe

When in Bangor, County Down recently, GG and I stayed in The Cairn Bay Lodge, the most amazing B&B or guest house we’ve ever experienced. Friends of ours were putting on a play in a local theatre, so we hopped up the road, merely a two-hour drive from Dublin. A dormitory town for Belfast, Bangor
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Serious Readers’ Alex Light Review

I can see clearly now…. I am actually talking about my vision, but it is also a bit of a ‘light-bulb’ moment. You see, I took delivery a few weeks ago of my Serious Readers’ lamp. And wow has it changed how I see things. Let me explain. MY EYESIGHT HISTORY 30 years ago, I
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Pastel dress

Pastels as worn by our ‘Style Not Age’ group

Wearing Pastels is our ‘Style not Age’ challenge this month and that is, indeed, a challenge for me, because regular readers know that I do not have many pastels in my wardrobe. However, I do like pastel colours when I think of decor and houses. I normally associate pastels with babies (think baby blue and
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Top Tips to help improve your Memory

There has been a lot written about memory recently and what we can do to help prevent dementia and maybe even Alzheimer’s so I thought I would re-post this. I waited until after Easter to post because it has been suggested that high sugar diets (as well as being detrimental to overall health) can also
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view of Lisbon

Top Tips for Visiting Lisbon

Lisbon is one European city we have been eager to visit and we were not disappointed. 1. CLEANLINESS Graham and I were astounded, because Lisbon was so clean and we hardly ever saw litter on the streets and there was absolutely no dog dirt fouling the pavements, unlike one particular European city. Yes, Paris, I
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Review of ‘The Middle Place’ by Kealan Ryan

What an incredible first novel. No, what a brilliant novel. Full Stop.   I was an English teacher in a former life and I know the narrator of The Middle Place. I taught him. I taught plenty like him and they were great ‘craic’. Cheeky, chirpy, funny, confident. You had to like them. But you
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Hilda and instagram husband

Beside the Hilda – confessions of an Instagram Husband!

This post – confessions of an Instagram Husband – first appeared two years ago and I thought it time to give it a second airing. I asked Graham if he had any changes to make to the original. You can read his answer at the end of this post.   My husband Graham (a.k.a. GG)
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crannog in National Heritage Park

Irish National Heritage Park is highlight of Wexford visit

A visit to the Irish National Heritage Park, less than a mile from The Ferrycarrig Hotel, was one of the highlights of our brief stay in Wexford. I had heard great reports of the park from hordes of pupils and teachers who had visited it, so was delighted to finally see it for myself. We
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March Madness Murder Mystery Party

It is ‘March Madness’ with The Style Not Age Collective and I decided that there is nothing ‘MADDER’ than a theme party. I did mention in my Sunshine Blogger post that there is nothing I like more than a fancy-dress party and we have had some fun over the years throwing and attending them. MURDER
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wexford harbour

What to see, what to do and where to eat in Wexford

Wexford, a Viking town in the south-east of Ireland, has always been a favourite of ours and we spent a pleasant few days there recently. We stayed at The Ferrycarraig Hotel about four kilometres outside the  town centre. The Ferrycarraig Hotel We booked our hotel through a discount online  site and it seemed to be
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Nomination for The Sunshine Blogger Award

I am honoured to be nominated for a Sunshine Blogger Award by two of my lovely blogger friends: Gail from IsThisMutton and Jacqui from Mummabstylish Thank you so much for the nomination, Gail and Jacqui. I got to know these two ladies through our ‘Style Not Age’ challenge and even met Gail at The Bias
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How to Look after your Skin at Any Age

Those of you who are regular readers know that I am always careful in recommending beauty treatments and products, because I believe that we all have different skin and concerns. I can only explain to you what my skin is like and tell you my results and thoughts. But I have come to realise that
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Spring Greens with ‘Style Not Age’

‘Nothing is so beautiful as Spring When weeds in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush’ You may be familiar with Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem which captures the vibrant fertility of the season perfectly. And if you are a gardener (unlike me), you are probably all too well aware of the weeds which are already
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How to look Younger and Slimmer by wearing the Right Colours

I recently spent a very pleasant few hours having my colours ‘done’ or analysed by House of Colour consultant Maria Macklin in her County Monaghan studio (below). The process is fascinating. The basis of colour analysis is working out whether your skin colour is warm or cool. You might have an idea already. Check out
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‘Wherever I lay my hat, that’s my home’ 

Home is where the heart is, they say, and I’m certainly very happy with the home I’ve shared with GG for over 30 years. But I’m also fascinated by what other people have done with their homes. So I am always drawn to television programmes on houses, home make-overs and properties under the hammer. Homes on
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Checking my Fit Factor at Genofit

Our genetic material (a.k.a genomes), fitness levels and lifestyle choices all affect our overall health so I jumped at the chance of being checked out (for free) in the Genofit Research Study at the UCD Institute of Sport & Health. Organised by Genomics Medicine Ireland, the study aims to identify genomic changes in the Irish
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8 things you should know about India before you go

Our trip to India with TDactive was an adventure, an incredible experience; it was not a holiday, if you expect a holiday to be relaxing. We covered a lot of ground and were constantly on the go. Early starts (a few at five o’clock) were the norm and a lie-in until 8.00 a.m. was a
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