Get ready for Pancake Tuesday

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Twenty five per cent more Tesco Ireland customers choose to buy milk, flour, and eggs to make their own pancakes rather than buy convenience pancake products, a survey by the supermarket chain has revealed.

It’s no wonder, given that any number of delicious home-made pancakes can be made using these three ingredients, and the result is far tastier than the just-add-water variety available in supermarkets.

Home expressions

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Consumers’ increasing interior design confidence and personal tastes make any style fashionable for 2009. From sleek, glamorous, leather suites and corner units to fabulous floral and print fabric suites, home décor is now geared more towards self expression and glamorous living experiences.

Trendy neutral colours

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Neutral usually means without colour. Neutral colours such as beige, ivory, taupe, black, grey, and white appear to be without colour, yet they often have undertones of colour. Be aware of these undertones as you match colours or choose paint. For example, beige might have an undertone of pink, tan, or gold. White might be slightly ivory, yellow, bluish, or peachy.

Style Counsel

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Q: I am finding it difficult to find trousers to suit me. I am not very bottom heavy, but I have put on some weight on my stomach and find it hard to disguise this. Have you any suggestions for some trousers I could wear to work?

Enjoy the ultimate hair salon experience

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Everyone must cut back on non-essential treats during a recession, but come boom or bust hair will need cutting and styling, and hairdressing is holdings its own despite the downturn. What’s more, a visit to a salon now offers the perfect chance to treat yourself without feeling overindulgent.

Let some brightness into your home

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

From its world of mirrors Collection by Panfili is now running a free delivery and professional hanging service with every mirror purchased, offering a great opportunity to brighten up your home.

Hair removal doesn’t have to be the pits

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

I have to admit that the thoughts of going for potentially painful/stingy laser treatment on my underarms on a Saturday didn’t have me jumping for joy, however, for the prize of being hair-free I’d walk to the moon and back if I had to.

Style Counsel

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

Q: I would like to treat my girlfriend to some sexy lingerie for Valentine’s Day. What do you suggest I get her?

Conlon’s Oyster Bar and fresh fish in Ballybane

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

During the summer of 2008, Conlon’s Seafood Restaurant moved to its new premises, a few doors away in Eglinton Street. As you enter the new restaurant, there is a gorgeous art deco feel and the off white decor and furnishings add to a sense of openness. They have several different menus, a great value lunch menu offering a choice of five or six main courses for €9.90, eg, seafood risotto with salad and garlic bread, grilled fresh plaice with creamed potato and vegetable, and good old fashioned fish and chips.

Quality Irish lamb from farm foods direct

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

Everyone is looking for value for money at the moment. Farm Foods Direct in Tuam can offer exactly that. Dedicated to producing and supplying quality free range lamb and beef direct from the farm, Farm Foods Direct lamb and beef is excellent value compared to supermarket prices. Buy direct from the farm — not only do you save money but you get quality Irish food products produced locally fresh from our farm and help support local farmers.

Farm Fresh Foods is now taking orders for spring lamb. You can buy a half lamb or a whole lamb. A half lamb weighs approximately 10kg and a full lamb weighs approximately 20kg and contains four half legs, two shanks, lamb stew, and approximately 70 lamb chops/cutlets from rack, shoulder, and loin.

A natural, glam, and ethnic 2009

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

If we believe the weather forecasts, this summer will be one the hottest in the century so this year’s trends are bang on with weather predictions — the colours and patterns in fabrics and wallpapers will be bright, bold, and floral. The second set of trends will be a return to classicism and period looks.

Get a natural night’s sleep with Coco-Mat

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

Galwegian Eric Brennan has returned to his hometown with his wife Sabien and baby daughter Orla to bring 100% natural and hypoallergenic sleep and furniture products to Galway. It was while living in Amsterdam for the last seven years that Eric first came into contact with Coco-Mat. Gripped by the company’s philosophy towards nature, the environment, and sustainability, he decided to acquire the licence for Ireland.

A forgotten night at Galway Docks

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

When Christy Moore sings his well known song, “Viva la Quinta Brigada”, in honour of those who fought against Franco in the Spanish Civil War one of his sardonic verses includes the lines:

Perfectly groomed

Thu, Feb 05, 2009

Ever imagined how amazing you could look if you had a professional hair and make-up team working on you around the clock?

Style Counsel

Thu, Feb 05, 2009

Q: I have a dress that is now too short for me. It was an expensive buy and I really like it, apart from the length. Have you any suggestions on what should I do with it?

Brides are doing it for themselves at Marian’s

Thu, Feb 05, 2009

Marian’s of Boyle and Galway —established in 1954, the Marian year — is an Irish owned family business with a gilt-edged reputation and a tradition of excellence.

Love leather jackets?

Thu, Feb 05, 2009

A leather jacket is probably the most comfortable, practical, and flattering item of clothing anyone could have in their wardrobe; especially in this country where we have nine months of cold weather!

Leather lovers are in for a treat next Saturday at the Oranmore Lodge Hotel, with a suede and leather jacket one day only factory clearance sale taking place from 11am to 6pm.

Ready to go dinners and tips for dining out on a budget

Thu, Feb 05, 2009

Goya’s in Kirwan’s Lane has expanded its range of foods to include dinners to go. All the meals are cooked on site with the same attention to raw ingredients as if cooking at home. There is also an interesting range of salads that you can purchase by weight and when I asked Emer, the proprietor, why they are any different from their competitors, she said that it is the attention to small details like boiling the potatoes with their skins on before chopping into potato salad, or shredding all the cabbage by hand. Some of the dishes are: chicken in coconut, chilli, and lime, buttered squash and chorizo risotto, pork in cider sauce with roast vegetables, and Moroccan spiced lamb. The dinners are €8.50 each and if you are fairly local they will also deliver. As the selection varies it is a good idea to phone first on (091) 567010. They have a special offer of two free desserts if you purchase two dinners, which means you have dinner for two for €17 — not bad. The dinners are also available in Alan and Susan’s pantry in Oranmore and McCambridge’s in Shop Street.

A spoonful of Manuka honey is the best medicine

Thu, Feb 05, 2009

Most of us have heard of the new miracle remedy called Manuka honey. Manuka honey is made by bees that collect nectar from the manuka bush which grows wild in New Zealand. Manuka honey has traditionally been used for its health benefits and is renowned for warding off infections, and promoting natural healing and general wellbeing. The honey has been researched for decades, but only recently has a team of researchers from Germany identified its active ingredient, called methylglyoxal.

How to redecorate your home without breaking the bank

Thu, Feb 05, 2009

Ever flip through home design magazines and catalogues and dog-eared pages with the looks you like? Do you wish you could achieve that look in your own home without breaking the bank? If you are looking to redecorate your home without spending a fortune, here are some smart tips on how to get the look you want for less.

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