Style Isle

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

Fashion DIY
Whether we want to admit it or not, we are not as cash rich as we once were. The word of the moment is “economising” and the twitter hash tags reinforce topics like recession, downturn and a whole load of other words implying descent of some sort. I would like to think in terms of fashion we can ignore these circumstances, use what we have and try to reinvent them..Aka fashion DIY.

Il Vicolo

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

I noticed another new sign over the door at the corner of Buttermilk Walk and decided to see what brave soul has started a new venture in the foodie world. Once inside I recognised Gerry McMahon, who worked for many years with his brother JP in Cava. As the name suggests Il Vicolo is mainly Italian; the chef, I discovered, is a native of Naples and a third generation keeping up this tradition in his family. The feeling you get is of a small New York café and it has been redecorated very carefully to create a nice atmosphere. This is one very difficult part of designing a new interior and he seems to have pulled it off. The background music was nice jazz which helps to create a comfy feeling when you enter.

Whatever kind of girl you are

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

The week before last I had the great pleasure of viewing the launch of Brown Thomas’ spring summer 2012 collections in Dublin. Shelly Corkery, head of fashion direction, talked us through what looks like one of the most exciting seasons to come along in a while.

Twelve ways to style yourself thinner in 2012

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

Wear high heels
Heels will always make legs looking long, lean, and sexy. Whether it is a kitten heel or a four inch heel, go for a height you can walk comfortably in. Thin heels with a peep toe or pointy toe will lengthen the legs. Avoid a chunky heel as this shorten the legs.

Award-winning chefs to star at GMIT national foodie forum

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

An impressive line up of award-winning chefs is set to present a series of culinary masterclasses at the first national Foodie Forum, to be hosted by the Hotel School in GMIT, on February 2. Visitors to the event can expect food demonstrations from Bridgestone Chef of the Year 2011 Enda McEvoy of Aniar restaurant, RAI Chef of the Year Mickael Vilijanen of Gregans Castle, Stefan Matz of Ashford Castle, and many more high profile chefs.

Success again for Oscars Seafood Bistro

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

Oscars Seafood Bistro has made the Bridgestone Guide Top 100 Restaurants in Ireland for the sixth year running in addition to joining the prestigious BIM seafood circle.

This makes Oscars the only Galway top 100 restaurant that is also a BIM seafood circle member. Also, Oscars has been listed in the top 10 Him’N’Her places and possibly most importantly is the only Connacht restaurant to be in the places ‘To Best The Recession’.

On the cookery book shelf...

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

Balancing the glory of a great dessert against the January need to possibly cut back on the December excesses, Bee has come up with a conceptual selection that does not necessarily take the quality and enjoyment out of a good fruitcake, gateau, or muffin. What you do get, however, is such offerings as pistachio and low-fat yogurt cake; mint, caraway, and lemon roulade with half the fat; a butter-free almond and hazelnut gateau; a health conscious beetroot and chocolate cake; fat-free strawberry sponge; and low-fat almond macaroons.

In the kitchen...

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

An Italian staple, vibrantly rich on the eye and wholesome to boot, with crusty bread to mop up.

Inviting men and women to self-reflect

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

Men and women interested in pursuing a path towards enhancing their own emotional health and wellbeing are invited to apply to join an AnamAire therapeutic awareness group.

The real weight loss miracle — fixing your metabolism

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

Metabolism faults can severely limit or stop weight loss no matter how much dieting or exercise you do. To achieve real weight loss and to keep the weight off you need to address your metabolism weak spots. This is not just about getting the best and fastest weight loss but more importantly this is the only way to get real weight loss and avoid the false weight loss (mostly just water loss) that you get from nearly all plans.

Ten ways to extend the life of your clothes

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

“Help, I’ve nothing to wear” is a very common complaint from women, especially.

When you open your wardrobe does your heart sink at the poor choice and state of the garments facing you?

Baby power

Thu, Jan 19, 2012

Daniel O’Brien was so tiny when he was born that his father’s wedding ring could fit all the way up to his arm.

Interesting projects at Young Scientist Exhibition

Thu, Jan 19, 2012

I visited the 2012 Young Scientist Exhibition last week and came across a couple of interesting projects which demonstrate that there are teenagers out there putting their brains to work in the food sector. It is only when you see that many enthusiastic kids under one roof you think, yes, perhaps we can create a bright future, but not if we lose them to foreign climes permanently.

Connacht folk are obsessed with the weather

Thu, Jan 19, 2012

A recent survey by Yakult has revealed that almost two thirds of Connacht people are absorbed with the weather, a subject on most people’s minds and lips, ahead of food, fashion, social media, and all-important health. Yakult’s survey found that while 75 per cent of those living in Connacht regard health as their number one priority in terms of happiness, ahead of friends, money and careers, overall wellbeing is not something they give much thought to on a daily basis. Yakult conducted its mindfulness survey to find out what was consuming Irish minds on a daily basis and to show how focusing on the important things in life can help us realise our New Year wishes of health and happiness in 2012.

Mindfulness can be applied to all areas of our lives, from the way we experience, right down to the way we eat, adds Olena Polyakova, nutritionist and fitness expert. According to Polyakova, it is the little, mindful steps that can make a big difference. “Set aside time to eat and eat at the table. Spend time over your meal and be aware of what you are eating. Meals in front of the TV lead to us gobbling down more than we need or want without allowing food to digest properly. Overeating and overindulging puts a strain on our digestive systems as well as our waistbands, which in turn affects our overall health and immune system.”

CHI brings East to West for Chinese New Year

Thu, Jan 19, 2012

The Chinese New Year takes place next Monday January 23 with the long awaited arrival of the Year of the Dragon. Coinciding with the Dragon’s arrival Catherine O’Brien of Galway’s Da Tang Noodle House will launch a sister-company CHI Asian Take-Away to offer the delights of the East to the west side of the city.

Winter dresses to suit your age

Thu, Jan 19, 2012

The style you wear changes as your age changes, but trends are for every woman. So what should you be wearing right now? Here are the best dresses for your age.

Winter slowly moves aside for spring

Thu, Jan 19, 2012

Winter, so far, has treated us very kindly and the mild weather means that the idea of ‘spring is coming’ is ever so close, and this year it is sooner than we may have expected.

Style Isle

Thu, Jan 19, 2012

A little bit of luxury…
The catwalk likes to tease us. Yes, tease us and our wallets. But there is something to be said about an investment in designer clothing every once in a while, that is why they invented piggy banks! Eye spy with my stylish eye, I see a bag by Tom Ford that has my name written all over it. So I am putting away a little of my earnings every month until there comes a time when I can rejoice in buying the bag that I will have forever. And it’ll probably form part of my children’s inheritance. Designer clobber is at the upper end of the price scale; but it can command a higher price for several reasons which we, as consumers, don’t always understand. The design, the labour intensive craftsmanship, the highest quality fabrics and finishings all contribute to the final piece that we see the likes of Karly Kloss or Jordan Dunn strut down the catwalk each season. So why not explore what they have to offer? For inspiration, if nothing else.

Four weeks to a healthier lifestyle

Thu, Jan 19, 2012

Do you feel tired all the time? Are you experiencing low mood and not enough stamina to get things done? If so, your body needs detoxing, superfoods, and balanced nutrition.

A four-week programme is offered by Yvonne Duffy O’Shaughnessy at Health and Herbs, Sea Road, Galway, including juice therapy, correcting your diet, and detoxing your bowel, liver, and kidneys in order to get back the boundless energy you once had. Juice therapy, superfoods like wheatgrass and spirulina, and a healthy low GI programme for weight loss and vitality, are not only a delicious solution to assist you in your weight loss goals, it is also an incredible way to increase your stamina and vitality as well as fight disease and recover from illness faster as you cleanse your body, rebuild blood cells, increase your immunity, alkalise your system, reduce allergies, improve the cardiovascular system and heart health, and increase your overall wellbeing.

Socialising leads most Connacht smokers to increase smoking

Thu, Jan 19, 2012

New research carried out on behalf of Aviva Health Insurance has revealed that 61 per cent of Connacht and Ulster smokers (including those living in Galway) claim an increase in socialising as the reason for smoking more during the Christmas period.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.