Perfect scents

Thu, Apr 19, 2012

Remember Opium, that warm oriental Yves Saint Laurent fragrance first marketed in 1977? Its top notes were a mixture of fruit and spices and underlined by a sweet woody base note.

Hats off to style

Thu, Apr 19, 2012

Corofin milliner Caithriona King is turning a lot of heads with her stylish hats and head pieces.

Dress for success

Thu, Apr 19, 2012

Steilmann is ushering in a fiesta of colour for spring. Crayola-hued dresses are sure winners this season. The bold colours are enhanced by the easy-wear jersey shapes and textures. The perfect pairing of fit and colour.

On the wine shelf

Thu, Apr 19, 2012

Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc 2010
(Tesco, €5.49)

Blazers Bar and Bistro at The Ardilaun – the perfect stop with lunch for less

Thu, Apr 19, 2012

Blazers Bar and Bistro offers good value in a casual dining setting with personalised service by the team at The Ardilaun, with free parking. Lunches and dinners are now in full swing for the busy tourist season ahead with popular hot dishes of the day available for lunch from just €9.75 seven days a week, along with two and three course value menus from €24 in the evenings. The Ardilaun Bistro is also very child friendly with children’s menus attracting many families.

Value all day at Cafe Zealous

Thu, Apr 19, 2012

Cafe Zealous offers homecooked meals at affordable prices, with breakfast starting at €3.95 and ranging to €7.50 for an all day full Irish breakfast including free tea or coffee. Other breakfast choices include scrambled, poached, or boiled eggs, French toast, and omelettes with your choice of fillings.

The menu also provides daily lunch specials such as the homemade burger, lasagne, chicken curry, and many more, all served with side salad and a choice of baked potato, chips, or homemade wedges for an incredible €7.50. Also on offer is an extensive salad menu at just €7.95 including Caesar, Moroccan chicken, and warm goat’s cheese salads. The homemade soups, which are dairy and gluten free, come served with a selection of bread at €4.50.

Peppino’s Italian restaurant, Spiddal

Thu, Apr 19, 2012

I mentioned in a previous article that it I am amazed that during such recessionary times we see so many new restaurants opening, and fair play to all who do so. Peppino’s is one such venture, and it has risen from the ashes of the very well known Bol Uisce in Spiddal’s main street. The new owners are experienced in the business of providing Italian food at Il Foletta in Quay Street. Now they have two restaurants to run and while both are Italian the new Peppino’s offers a more varied menu. Maybe it is because better rents can be negotiated, but whatever the reason you have to admire and congratulate all who open a new restaurant. It brings money to an area in all manner of ways, jobs for chefs, kitchen porters, waiting staff, someone will get paid to do a website, painters, electricians, plumbers, gas engineers, waste companies, oil, etc, etc. So when you see a new venture in your area be sure to support it.

Eugene Daly, survivor of the Titanic

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

Eugene Daly was a 29-year-old weaver in Athlone Woollen Mills who decided to leave his job and go to America. He paid £6-19 for a third class ticket and boarded the Titanic at Queenstown. He was a piper and played native airs on board the tender on the way out to the liner. One of the survivors later sourly noted, “Looking astern from the boat deck, I often noticed how the third-class passengers were enjoying every minute of the time, a most uproarious skipping game of the mixed double was the great favourite whilst “in and out and roundabout” went a man with his bagpipes playing something that ‘faintly’ resembled an air.”

White Star chairman J Bruce Ismay finds peace in the west

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

On that terrible cold night of April 14 1912, in the North Atlantic, the Titanic was sinking head first into a freezing, calm sea. It had struck an iceberg 400 miles south of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. And was fatally wounded. The incessant bip bip bip SOS call for help from the wireless telegraphist Jack Phillips and his assistant Harold Bride was interspersed with more dramatic calls for help: “We are putting passengers off in small boats. Women and children in boats, cannot last much longer”.

The Lobster Pot at Galway Bay Hotel

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

There was a time when it would be normal to eat dinner at the local hotel or if staying there, to eat-in each night. In fact for many towns in Ireland the only place to eat was the local hotel. All that changed in the seventies and eighties with the growth of cafes, restaurants and the new kid on the block - bar food. The change in attitude to hotel food is something that hotel owners must struggle with daily as they try to get the seats filled in the dining room. There are of course many exceptions to this and one I really recommend that you try at the earliest opportunity is The Lobster Pot restaurant in the Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill.

Happy products for happy people

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

Home Gallery has recently announced the arrival of Pip Studio to its Dundrum, Galway and Ennis stores. The brand, famous for its happy products for happy people tagline, has become extremely popular throughout the UK, Europe and more recently Australia. To celebrate the arrival of Pip Studio, Home Gallery is offering a free Pip Studio carrier bag for everyone who spends €30 or more on the Pip Studio range. This could mean the perfect gift for someone special or a special treat just for you.

Triple celebration with Furniture Connexions, King Koil and Odearest

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

Furniture Connexions Galway has an additional reason to celebrate as 2012 commemorates the 30 year anniversary of Ireland’s premier bed brand - King Koil. It is fair to say that bed buyers over the years have recognised and trusted the comfort, quality, and reliability that is synonymous with the King Koil name. To mark the 30th anniversary milestone, two brand new models across the premium King Koil and Odearest bedding ranges are being launched by Furniture Connexions Galway.

The luxurious King Koil Pearl, features individual pocket sprung support combined with a fine cashmere wool filling, a natural product which will keep you cool in the summer and warm and cosy in the winter. The luscious velvet knit mattress fabric is super soft to touch and provides de luxe surface comfort. The flex top divan base includes a special offer for a limited time only of four free drawers. It is finished in a stylish chenille chocolate fabric, supported by contemporary wooden feet in mahogany finish.

Make your windows efficient with Energy Glass from Greaney Glass

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

Are your windows energy efficient? This is a question that many homeowners may fail to ask themselves while insulating their home. A lot of people may be unaware that almost 25 per cent of all domestic heat escapes through windows and doors.

A one stop shop for fashion accessories

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

The Finishing Touch opened its doors in November 2010 selling a wide range of accessories. The family-run store has recently relocated to Cross Street Lower, beside Klassy Kids.

Galway style writer launches on-line magazine and blog

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

Goddess MECA is only three weeks old yet it is fast gaining popularity as a place to log on.

It is the brainchild of well-known Galway style and lifestyle writer Mary E Coen, . A little like an on-line magazine cum website and blog, it is stylish in design yet relaxed and laid back. Ms Coen insists that every woman is a Goddess.

Traditional Indian cooking at Kashmir

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

Kashmir restaurant is Galway’s oldest Indian restaurant. It was established in 1994 by the Bhan family who named in after their homeland, the beautiful Valley of Kashmir, described by one of the mogul emperors as “paradise on earth”.

Quick recipes from Mary E Coen

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

When the aroma of fresh baking hits you at the door, there’s nothing like a fruit scone straight from the oven piping hot. They’re delicious served for afternoon tea with fresh butter and jam.

Getting the best price for your home

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

Thinking about selling your house? If so, you will be eager to attract as many viewers as possible and get the highest price, especially in these uncertain economic times.

Fantastic Easter savings at the Kilkenny store

Thu, Apr 05, 2012

Enjoy fantastic savings this Easter at your local Kilkenny store, home to Ireland’s largest collection of Irish designers. With 10 stores located nationwide along with a convenient online store, www.kilkennyshop.com, Kilkenny customers can avail of up to 50 per cent off items across fashion, homeware, jewellery, and accessories. Housing the very best in Irish and international design, the Kilkenny sale is one not to be missed.

Dum dum dee dum

Thu, Apr 05, 2012

It is April, there are some minor improvements weather-wise and the season of love is nearly upon us. Yes, wedding season is just about here. I am a wedding guest veteran at this stage, I know all the words to Ave Maria and I have wedding etiquette down. Through my experiences, I have picked up some great tips to bear in mind when looking for your glad rags. The trick is to be sensible; you don’t need a different dress for each one (even if the guests are the same!) Every look can be totally transformed with a little magic!

E-paper

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