WW4 2023

FAMILY, HOME & WELLNESS DREAMY BEDROOMS OUR DARE TO DREAM SPECIAL ISSUE STYLE STEALS MOODBOARD Derrane BEYOND COMFORT WORTH IT? SUPPLEMENTS THE QUEEN OF TALK TV MADE IN IRELAND MIAMI MANIFESTING MOJO Injectable Moisturisers Lowdown WIN €2000 + FAB PRIZES Vibes EMBRACING FEAR Derrane Maura EAT WELL HEALTHY DIET HACKS Trending CARGO PANTS 52 Issue 4 February 13th 2023 €3.50 (NI stg £3) WW4 Cover Maura KOTAMNOR.indd 2 09/02/2023 11:05

FASHION & BEAUTY CONTENTS ON THE COVER Online... womansway.ie Subscribe... 01 4569872 Email... [email protected] Facebook... facebook.com/womansway Twi er... Womans_way Instagram... Womans_way WIN WIN WIN HOME & GARDEN FOOD & DRINK TRAVEL FASHION & BEAUTY Twi er... Womans_way Instagram... Womans_way 38 Miami Vibes: Norah Casey survives three days among the rich and famous. 54 8 Plant Based Food Tips: How to switch to a vegan diet. 59 Chef Tips for Healthy Eating: Making wholesome meals delicious. 34 The Magic of Modern Rustic: 12 ways to weave the style into your home. 36 Spring Prep: Getting the house ready for the big clean. 62 Orchid Care: How not to kill them. 64 Green Therapy: Wellbeing boosting plants. 66 Bird Watch: Keeping your feeders clean to prevent disease. 86 10 Hacks for House Moves: Tips for a stress-free relocation. 20 Max Factor: Win one of two hampers worth €250 each. 70 Higher Education Skincare: Win one of fi ve hampers worth €100 each. 72 Natasha Rocca Devine: Bag one of eight sets featuring a book and candle. 90 Dermalogica: Get your hands on a €500 skincare hamper. 4 Maura Derrane: The queen of talk TV on why women need to be the authors of their own destiny. 21 Beauty Faves: What the WW crew use on repeat. 22 Natural Skin: The best natural ingredients for your pores. 24 Injectable Moisturisers: How they work. 28 Heat Hacks: Bundle up with these fashion tips. 26 Cargo Chic: How to style cargo pants. Maura Derrane Page 4 Max Factor Page 20 The Magic of Modern Rustic Page 34 Plant Based Food Tips Page 54 Miami Vibes Page 38 Green Therapy Page 64 2-3 WW4 Contents KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 2 09/02/2023 10:54

Contact us: Subscriptions, email [email protected]; telephone hotline, 01 465 9872. Woman’s Way queries, email [email protected]; website womansway.ie. Published by Harmonia Limited, printed by Boylan Print Group, distributed by Newspread. Woman’s Way is now a fortnightly magazine. Subscription rates for the Island of Ireland are: Annual €91.00,; Six Months: €45.50; Monthly Payments: €7.58. Woman’s Way Subscriptions Dept, Units 2&3 M50 Business Park, Ballymount Avenue, D12 HP11. © 2022 Harmonia Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publishers. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors in advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations. All information is correct at time of going to press. SUBSCRIBE TO WOMAN’S WAY & DON’T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE To subscribe online log on to womansway.ie or call the Subscription Hotline on 01 465 9872 FEATURES REGULARS HEALTH & WELLBEING THE WW TEAM Cari a x Hello, Welcome to our Dare to Dream special, in which we each decided to do something outside our comfort zone. As a heatloving creature, I thought I was being exceptionally brave by going for a sea swim at the coldest time of year. But Astrid defi nitely wins the WW Medal of Honour for volunteering to eat crickets (and then actually eating them). What was most interesting was how different our discomfort zones were. For Niamh, eating a meal out solo and visiting the cinema on her own were challenges she wanted to overcome. Rachel couldn’t bear the idea of sitting still and meditating but she found her own way to become more mindful. Dreams, big or small, are so personal, as are the myriad ways we make them real for ourselves. There are days when fi nally getting to the sofa in the evening with my knitting and something half decent on TV feels like heaven on earth. On a slightly grander scale, with spring around the corner, I’m starting to dream about the fabulous fl owerful allotment I’ll have created come summer, with a new pond teeming with life and all the warm content evenings I’ll spend there pottering about while the fella faffs over the barbeque. I’m fi ne if other people fi nd these dreams mundane or even boring. They’re my dreams; I don’t expect others to like or want them for themselves. I hope this issue gives you the inspiration to make your own dreams a reality. Happy dreaming. Editor in Chief: Norah Casey Editor: Carissa Casey Staff Writer: Niamh O’Reilly Copy Editor: Astrid Madsen Art Director: Karl O’Toole Designers: Áine Duffy and Susan Conley Subscriptions: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Woman’s Way, February 27, 2023 Vol.61 Issue 4 14 A Dream Come True? How to fulfi l your ambitions with manifestation. 16 Beyond Fear: The WW crew step outside their comfort zone. 32 Shape Shift Your Dreams: Deam big yet be fl exible. 44 The Iron Lady: Karina Molloy on being a woman in the Irish army. 74 Your Dream: Finding what works for you. 88 Bublé on Family: The entertainer on why he prioritises home life. 89 Kirsty on Ageing: Kirstie Allsopp on being a woman in showbiz. 76 Taking it Easy: TV presenter Lorraine Kelly talks self-care. 78 Short Workouts: Making the most of the time you have. 80 6 Mood Boosters: Counteracting unpleasant moods. 82 Staving Off Dementia: Six healthy behaviours to keep Alzheimer’s at bay. 84 Dodging Diabetes: Lowering your risk of getting type 2. 9 We Love: The WW team share what they’re loving - and what they’re not. 10 MoodBoard: Dreamy Bedrooms. 30 We Ask: Are supplements worth it? 46 The Hot List: Check out our top entertainment picks. 50 You Said It: Reader’s letters and pictures. 52 Timeout: Take a break, try our quiz and Prize Crossword. 68 Knitting: Crochet blanket. 71 Horoscopes: What’s in the stars for you? 73 Ask Fiona: Our columnist answers reader dilemmas. 91 Lend a Hand: Ways to give back. 92 Quick Fire: Aisling Cullen of Thanks Plants. 93 We Tried: Neuro-Facial Refl exology. 94 Why Is This a Thing: Talking at Concerts. MoodBoard Page 10 A Dream Come True? Page 14 Taking it Easy Page 76 We Ask Page 30 2-3 WW4 Contents KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 3 09/02/2023 12:40

4 WOMANSWAY.IE Change Derrane Maura Maker Maura Derrane tells Niamh O’Reilly, why women in their 40s and 50s need to be the authors of their own destiny and why staying healthy is the key to happiness. admits. “But when I am in my perfect mode, I’m as capable as anyone in the world. I can do anything. I’m a superhero.” Self-belief is a key tenet for the 52-year-old Inis Mór native. “I’d say to women who are in their 40s or 50s or 60s, you can do whatever you want. You can change career now. Don’t think that you can’t. It’s not too late,” she insists, “I refuse to believe that. I go crazy if people say those sorts of things to me. I’d tell them to shut up.” While she may come across as calm and confident on screen, Maura’s the first to admit things didn’t start out that way. Maura Derrane is busy prepping for The Afternoon Show when we chat. “It’s like Grand Central Station here,” she laughs as someone comes in to ask her something. The bubbly presenter seamlessly moves from one conversation to the next without ever skipping a beat. It’s what she calls “organised chaos”, and she loves it. “I’m the most disorganised person in the history of everything. I lose everything. The only place I’m really organised is when I’m on air.” Live TV might be most people’s worst nightmare but, to Maura, it’s her natural habitat. “Perception can be an illusion, when people meet me, they think I’m this or that, but in real life I’m all over the shop,” she “When it was my turn to read in school, my hands would start sweating, I used to get a stammer, even though I don’t have a stammer. I was always shy.” However the young Maura decided to do something about it. “When I started out in this business in my early 20s, I nearly puked at the thoughts of it. So I joined a theatre group and began acting in the evenings to get over my fear of public speaking.” It worked and she grafted her way up through crime and news beats on TG4, TV3 and now co-hosts The Afternoon Show on RTÉ. “I joined a theatre group and began acting in the evenings to get over my fear of public speaking” 4-7 WW4 Maura KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 2 09/02/2023 10:56

IN PERSON WOMANSWAY.IE 5 continues overleaf >> 4-7 WW4 Maura KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 3 09/02/2023 10:58

6 WOMANSWAY.IE 4-7 WW4 Maura KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 4 09/02/2023 10:58

IN PERSON WOMANSWAY.IE 7 Feeling the Fear Maura’s a fi rm believer in pushing herself out of her comfort zone and never accepting the status quo. “If you don’t like something about your life, change it. People might think it’s easy for me to say that because I’m on TV. No. Everyone has decisions to make, and you must be the author of your own destiny.” Maura tackled things head on all her life. Heights used to be a big fear for her. “My dad would try and make me walk up a ladder if he was doing something in the attic, but I was too scared. So, later I decided that I would do lots of things to overcome it.” That included hang gliding off a cliff over the Alps. The stunt, which was for a presenting piece she did for Ireland AM involved her taking the lead in a tandem ski jump off the side of the mountain and then hang gliding. “The camera was beside me and I couldn’t back out,” she recalls. “I closed my eyes and just went off the side of the cliff. One of the best experiences of my life,” she gasps. For Maura, it’s all or nothing. “Facing your fears is very important. It doesn’t have to be dramatic like me. But do something small. There’s never been a better time to do more in your life. Do a night course, do things online. Find a way.” Motherhood was a big change for Maura. She had her baby boy Cal in her early 40s and admitted to fi nding it a big adjustment. “I lost myself a bit at the beginning,” she admits. “It’s important to get yourself back.” As tough as it can be at times, she thoroughly adores motherhood. “You become so unselfi sh, I mean the minute Cal was born I just parked myself and it wasn’t about me anymore,” she said. “It’s important to keep your own individuality too,” she says. “You’re not just a mother, you’re a person too. I like to think of myself as a multi-faced woman and I want to keep it like that.” Evolving Career Having made the decision to reduce her days on The Afternoon Show from fi ve to three, Maura has managed to fi nd the perfect balance that works for her and her family. “You’ve got to cut your cloth on the time of life that you’re in. It wouldn’t be possible for me to run around being a crime correspondent now,” she says. And as much as she adores The Afternoon Show, she still misses the newsbeat from time to time. “When there’s a breaking story and I’m on air I’d love to go right in,” she smiles. “But I love where I am now. I love the variety. I’m live every day and meet so many people.” Maura also feels lucky to be able to spend so much time with her son. “He’s eight now and he just adores me. I’ll tell you one thing I would need no therapy with him, because he just looks at me and goes ‘You’re so beautiful and amazing. I love you so much.’” Maura is very much enjoying this innocent stage. “He’s so sweet, but I do also think, how are you going to be in ten years?” She laughs. Still, even at eight years of age, he keeps her honest. “He’s so funny, the other day he said ‘Oh you’ve got some holes on your chin mum!’” Apart from Cal and her husband, former Fine Gael TD John Deasy, Maura’s focus is functional health and embracing the good parts of ageing. “Getting older should be a positive and not a negative. The knowledge we acquire every decade in our lives means that we can do so much more. I want to avoid things happening to me down the road. Women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s, we’ve never looked so good. So, let’s try and be healthier for longer. I really think health is everything. “I had Cal in my 40s. I want to be around for a long time. I’m not going to be climbing mountains with him in my 80s, or maybe I will,” she giggles. With her energy and love of life, we wouldn’t be surprised if she is not just climbing mountains with Cal when she’s 80, she’ll be hang gliding off them too. WW “I closed my eyes and just went off the side of the cliff. One of the best experiences of my life” 4-7 WW4 Maura KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 5 09/02/2023 11:00

MADE IN IRELAND TERMS & CONDITIONS: Price includes P&P and is correct at time of going to press. Your subscription contract will be fulfilled by Harmonia Limited ([email protected]) together with its agents. See www.harmonia.ie for full terms and conditions. Prices quoted are for postal delivery to Irish addresses only. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery of first subscription issue via An Post. Buy online at: womansway.ie Or phone our Hotline on: 01 465 9872 Tired of reading from a tiny screen? Take time out from your busy life and rediscover the joy of fl icking through a beautifully designed magazine. Woman’s Way is the leading Irish women’s magazine, one of the few left on the market. We are a voice for Irish women and support Irish brands, large and small. Packed full of fabulous beauty, fashion, interiors, gardening, recipes and more, along with great stories and interviews with our favourite celebrities. You’ll see euro prices for all our product recommendations and they are all available here in Ireland. We support Irish women, support us. Stop scrolling, start flicking Take time out, Take Woman’s Way Our six monthly subscription is ONLY €45.50 or, even better, pay monthly for JUST €7.58 Subs Ad NEW 2023 KOT2CCRS.indd 2 09/02/2023 11:10

We Love PASSION • CRAVES • MOOD PASSION WE LOVE WOMANSWAY.IE 9 CRAVES MOOD Cari a l es Baby knits. I’ve two mammies-to-be in my circle and really enjoying knitting little booties and (my next project) a tiny dress. It’s so much more satisfying than the long haul of an adult jumper and I’ve even mastered some fancy pattern work. Bird song. They’re coming back if activity at my bird feeder is anything to go by. The resident robins still hold sway but a blackbird has been showing up and a few tits too. Nothing heralds spring like cooing and twittering. Astrid l es Soba noodles. These buckwheat marvels are not only delicious, they're quick and easy to add to a stir fry of leftovers, or eat in a salad. Perfect for a quick lunch. Collected Stories by Raymond Chandler. This compilation of short stories by the master of hardboiled noir is at my bedside year-round. If a new book fails to excite, all I have to do is pick a random caper from the 1,299-page collection. Then it's time to start cruising the backstreets of LA in the 1930s... Niamh l es Digging beach trenches. Myself and the boys love the beach in winter time. It’s less busy and the possibilities for trench digging and tunnels are endless. The Last of Us. Episode three of HBO’s latest big budget show was one of the fi nest pieces of television writing I’ve seen in years. The fl esheating zombies are almost an afterthought to the human drama. So Into... Planning a holiday for this summer. Anything to get us over the hump. THAT Happy Valley ending. But also, how are we supposed to live without the amazing Catherine Cawood in our lives anymore? Staying in. It’s the new going out, only far more comfortable and the dress code is way more relaxed. Politics. Is it just us or do other people fi nd there are far more important things in life than the sound or people arguing endlessly and nothing actually changing? Cropped pyjama tops. Seriously, why? Pyjamas are about being comfortable and letting it all hang out. Paying €65 for a GP visit. Worst part is we’re none the wiser after the consultation. So Over... 9 WW04 We Love SCKOTCCAM.indd 3 08/02/2023 14:26

10 WOMANSWAY.IE MOODBOARD CREATE • CURATE • INSPIRE DREAMY BEDROOMS Our dare to dream issue inspires you to believe anything is possible if you dream big. So the best place to start is the space where you do all of your dreaming. We spend more time in our bedrooms than almost any other space in our homes so investing in where you lie down to rest really pays dividends. After a good night's sleep you can rule the world. The best bedroom hues to soothe tired minds and bodies are blue, yellow, green, silver, orange, pink, and white. Calming neutrals and pastels are lovely relaxation shades but maybe add a pop of colour to nudge that refresh, reset mind mode. We ask a great deal of our bedrooms, a sanctuary for comfort to enhance relaxation, a pampering place for body rejuvenation and a little bit of oomph to get us up and going for a brand new day. The good news is that with a little creativity you can do this on a budget. Raid pieces from the rest of your home, spruce up the walls with a fresh lick of paint, add art and fresh fl owers, scatter some colourful cushions or nurturing textures and keep it neat and clean for a stress-free sensory space. Here are our favourite pieces to create that mellow ambiance. 8 1.M&S X FIRED EARTH Washed Cotton Duvet Cover €16 - €88, visit marksandspencer.ie 2.MICHAEL MURPHY Cloudy Navy Bed Frame €725, visit michael murphy.ie 3.CLASHMORE CHAIRS Hedge Armchair €220, visit iamofi reland.ie 4.TRIONA DESIGN Blue Wild Atlantic Way Aran Blanket €69, visit trionadesign.com 5.PRETTY HOMESTYLE Sky Blue Cushion Cover White Ribbon Trim €45.03, visit prettyhomestyle.com.au 6.JANE DARCY Luxury Silk Pillowcases (Champagne or Ivory) Standard Pillowcase (51cm x 66cm) €60, visit janedarcy.ie 7.WALTON & CO Empress bed throw petrol 260x240cm €147.55, visit waltonshop.co.uk 8.CHALK PINK LINEN COMPANY Blue Stripe Linen Quilted Throw €198.64, visit chalkpinklinencompany.co.uk 9.XVSTRIPES Signature Bedding €147.56, visit xvstripes.com 10.LIME LACE Rana Velvet Cushion - Bivain €119.19, visit limelace.co.uk 11.HOMESENSE White Owl Lamp €33.93, visit Homesense 12.FRENCH BEDROOM Chartreuse Yellow Velvet Throw - Lifestyle €272.42, visit frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 13.WOODENDOT Alba Shelf Woodendot Oak Moon €199, visit woodendot. com 14.ELLA JAMES Roma Bedside Table €221.34, visit ellajames.co.uk 15.MELODY MAISON Beige Linen & Gold Cross Leg Bedside/Side Table €226.96, visit MelodyMaison.co.uk 16.LIVE LAUGH LOVE French Grey Large Ornate Mirror €271.10, visit livelaughlove. co.uk 17.BLINDS 2GO Wave Nice Warm Grey Curtains from €63, visit blinds-2go.co.uk 18.Mountain & Molehill Owl & Pussycat Lampshade €79.43, visit mountainandmolehill.com 19.MARKS & SPENCER Hanton Bed from €739, visit marksandspencer.ie 20.FIONA HOWARD Waterlily wallpaper border in Taupe €30.65, visit fi onahoward.com 21.HOMESENSE Fluffy Cream Bedding €50, visit Homesense For more dreamy bedroom style see overleaf 10 WOMANSWAY.IE 11 14 21 19 7 10-11 WW AD CHECK Mood Board Interiors_AD3CCNCAMNOR.indd 2 01/02/2023 14:24

MOODBOARD 16 MOODBOARD 21 WOMANSWAY.IE 11 17 4 1 2 3 6 13 10 18 9 12 20 3 5 15 10-11 WW AD CHECK Mood Board Interiors_AD3CCNCAMNOR.indd 3 01/02/2023 14:28

12 WOMANSWAY.IE 6 14 1.JIM JAMS STORE Lilac Hydrangea Pyjamas €120, visit jimjams.ie 2.THE ETHICAL SILK CO Mulberry Silk Eye Mask (Varanasi Navy) €35; Pyjamas €245, visit theethicalsilkco.com 3.MOON & MELLOW The Long Set (Tribal Flower Pink) €190, visit moonandmellow.com 4.PRIMARK 3 Wick Wooden Lid Candle €6, visit Penneys 5.IRISH BOTANICALS Chamomile & Wild Burren Thyme Candle €14.95, visit irishbotanicals.com 6.HOMESENSE Bedroom Zen Book €9.99, visit Homesense 7.GREEN ANGEL Wellness Box €35 (online offer, worth €67), visit greenangel.com 8.YOUNG LIVING Stress Away Bombs €36.71, visit youngliving.com 9.CHI FIT TEA Sleep Tea Blend €19.95, visit chifi ttea.com 10.SOPHIE ALLPORT Hare Cashmere Socks €45.54, visit sophieallport.com 11.ONE HUNDRED STARS Wave Gown €96.77, visit onehundredstars.co.uk 12.ANTIPODREAM Kip & Co Abundance Linen Robe €101.33, visit antipodream. co.uk 13.MYRTLE & MARY Cherry Love Bomb Silk Pyjamas €449.71, visit myrtleandmary.com 14.MIMI'S EDIT Oriental Kimono €47.82, visit mimisedit. co.uk 15.THE FINE COTTON COMPANY Tivoli Light Cotton Dressing Gown €85.39, visit thefi necottoncompany.com 16.ARAN WOOLLEN MILLS Meadow Supersoft Aran Blanket €92, visit trionadesign.com WW 7 9 11 13 12-13 WW4 AD CHECK Mood Board Style_AD3CCNCAM NOR.indd 2 02/02/2023 15:42

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14 WOMANSWAY.IE By Niamh O’Reilly Actress Megan Fox claims to have manifested her fi ancé Machine Gun Kelly. Model Cara Delevingne recently said she was manifesting a baby, buying clothes for the, as yet, nonexistent infant. Actor Jim Carrey famously tells a story of being a struggling standup and writing himself a cheque for $10 million, which he was later able to cash after achieving mega stardom. But is this just pie in the sky celebrity hogwash? Or is there really something behind the idea of manifesting dreams into life? Manifestation has its roots in the law of attraction, whereby putting out good energy will attract good energy into one’s life. It’s a school of thought that gained ground in the United States in the early 19th century. However the origins go back to ancient civilisations like the Greeks. It became popular once again after the publication of The Secret in 2006. Rhonda Byrne’s book became a phenomenon. It was based on the ideas of “ask, believe, and receive”. Essentially, you put your dreams out into the universe and have them manifest in your life. It all sounds great in theory. However, there’s a difference between just wishful thinking and taking action. Indeed, if it were all as simple as asking and receiving, we’d all be millionaires, living long, healthy lives. Still, manifestation and visualisation are now big business spawning books, seminars, vision boards, journals, courses, documentaries and sessions with personal gurus. Niamh Ennis, a change and transformation consultant and author of Get Unstuck, is a little dubious when it comes to using the concept of manifestation. “It feels to me like nothing more than a fad, a marketing ploy, that at its core is an oldfashioned practice that combines belief, trust and action.” A Dream Come True? Visualising a dream is one thing. Making it a reality is quite another. Niamh O’Reilly fi nds out if the practice of manifestation can really will our dreams into existence. She raises a good point. Celebrities manifesting partners and yachts is one thing, but using it to bring about positive change in everyday life is another. To make the practice of manifestation more accessible and tangible then, it should start with stating intentions and visualising dreams. But it also must involve changing our mindset to affect our actions. Megan Fox and MGK Cara Delevingne 14-15 WW4 Visualisation_AD2CC2AMNOR.indd 2 08/02/2023 11:07

WOMANSWAY.IE 15 By Niamh O’Reilly Niamh Ennis’ tips for ge ing to a goal, as opposed to manifesting 1 Get very clear on what it is you want and why you want it. Make sure it’s not what other people want for you or what is expected of you, but that it comes from deep inside you. Focus on how you will feel when you have it. Picture it, visualise it in as much detail as possible. 2 With your end goal in mind, reverse engineer all the steps you need to take to get you there. Keep a realistic timeline in mind for the entire process which will help reduce any overwhelm. 3 Take action. Small baby steps every day, week and month. Track and monitor your progress, asking for help along the way, but always moving forward. Vicky O’Callaghan is the co-creator of Babyboo.ie and is a big believer in manifesting goals. Through manifestation, she hit her 'vision board' target of selling one million bibs by 2022. VICKY’S TIPS 1 Positive thinking and manifesting really can help your mindset and help you to focus on your goals. Immerse yourself in vision boards and your ‘why’. There is no point in having a dream or a goal without understanding why you want it. 2 Start a vision board and have it somewhere where you’ll look at it everyday. It could be your phone screensaver, on the wall of your offi ce or inside your diary. That constant reminder will be to your benefi t and not let you lose sight of your goals. Be creative for your fi rst one and cover a few different headings, such as your career, your personal life, travel, home improvements. You can have a variety of goals and work on them all at once. 3 Start thinking about those goals when you're out walking, when you're dozing off to sleep, when you wake up in the morning. Daydream about that holiday or that car or how content you'll feel when you don't have that credit card debt hanging over your head. Then put timelines on those dreams and start breaking them down chunk by chunk. Be realistic; you're never going to achieve everything at once but do dare to dream. Laura Guickian is an accredited life coach. At Mind Mommy Coaching, she draws on the power of manifestation and visualisation to help her clients overcome the challenges of modern-day parenting to achieve personal and professional wellbeing goals. LAURA’S TIPS 1 I believe real meaningful change cannot be achieved by just manifesting. I use it as a tool to help my clients clarify what their goal is and to imagine what life would feel like if they achieved that goal. I encourage them to use that clarity to infl uence their thoughts and actions. If we don’t change our thoughts or actions, it is unlikely that change will be achieved 2 Visualise it fi rst. Create a clear image in your mind of what your goal is. Consider each and every little detail of it. Manifestation is about reminding yourself of what that goal is. Talking about it and reminding yourself of it. Write it down. Then ask yourself, what small step can I take today to help make this a reality? 3 Repeat this daily and keep reminding yourself of what it will feel like when you achieve this goal. What most of my clients usually fi nd is after a few days, they have started to take really small steps to help achieve the goal that they manifested. Overtime, this helps them achieve the change that they want. WW Positive thinking and manifesting really focus on your goals. Immerse yourself in vision boards and your ‘why’. There is no point in having a dream or a goal without “Actor Jim Carrey famously tells a story of being a struggling standup and writing himself a cheque for $10 million, which he was later able to cash after achieving mega stardom.” Jim Carrey Niamh Ennis Vicky O'Callaghan Laura Guckian MINDSET 14-15 WW4 Visualisation_AD2CC2AMNOR.indd 3 08/02/2023 11:08

16 WOMANSWAY.IE At Woman’s Way, we practise what we preach. In this issue, we each step outside our comfort zone and try something new. NORAH GOES TO DAVOS So I fi nally got to Davos last month. After a plane from Dublin to Zurich and three trains, I was happily trudging through the snow in -16 degrees Celsius in the Swiss alps. It was all I hoped for and more. The fi rst morning on the train, I looked up from my phone to see this stunning picture postcard scene of snowy peaks and forests. It is a magical place and I will defi nitely come back to visit when it’s quieter. Davos was the best brain and body boot camp to kickstart the year and it fi lled my mind with new possibilities. Better still, somedays I was ratcheting up 20k steps on snowy and icy paths and regularly going up or down steep slopes to get to sessions. I met incredible people, not always at offi cial events. I have at least fi ve new women friends I met in the toilets and a host of others I sat with on the train. It was exhausting and exhilarating and I loved every minute. It was pretty daunting as a newbie at fi rst but I soon discovered that even world leaders and A-list celebrities were as anxious as I was. I thought I would only go once to see what it was all about but now I can't wait to get back there next year. Davos was the most nerveracking and brilliant experience for me for some time and I am so glad I quelled all those inner voices telling me to stay safely home and ventured to this corner of the alps to reignite my brain, which is now so full of stuff it might take a month or two for me to process it. all. EMBRACING DISCOMFORT Norah on the train into Davos 16 19 WW04 We Share SCCCSC2AMNOR.indd 2 08/02/2023 11:20

WE SHARE WOMANSWAY.IE 17 Continued overleaf >> To boldly go.... CARISSA GOES SEA SWIMMING Hands up, I’m a coward. There’s no way I was getting into the Irish sea in January without as much protection as I could get. The full wetsuit, hat, gloves, socks, changing robe and fl eece gear to put on afterwards, involved a sizeable outlay but since I live only a few minutes from the sea, I fi gured I’d put it all to good use. Eventually I ran out of things to buy and headed for the beach, with regular swimmer Niamh to rescue me in case I died or something. And… it really wasn’t that bad. Except for my neck, the only exposed part of my body. I hadn’t realised quite how painful cold water can be. It stings. But I didn’t die. I managed about fi ve minutes and, afterwards, I certainly felt more awake than I usually do on a cold January morning. I’ve been back three times, staying in longer each time. It’s a bit of a palaver getting in and out of the wetsuit. It’s also a touch embarassing when I’m surrounded by much older women strolling in and out of the sea in swimsuits. But everyone’s really friendly and I don’t feel remotely judged for my cowardice. I’m not sure I’d describe it as enjoyable but I do feel really energised afterwards. I plan to keep it up. Who knows? I might even try it with just a swimsuit when the weather gets warmer. EMBRACING DISCOMFORT 16 19 WW04 We Share SCCCSC2AMNOR.indd 3 08/02/2023 11:21

18 WOMANSWAY.IE NIAMH GOES IT ALONE I’ve battled with crippling shyness for a lot of my life. However, becoming a mother did something to my brain because in the last few years shyness has been replaced by a sense of fearlessness. But one thing I still had to face was feeling self-conscious when out by myself. I don’t mean going grocery shopping or even to a café for a coffee in the daytime. I mean having the self-confi dence to go out and do things alone in the evening. Things you’re normally expected to do with others. So last week I made a date with myself. I booked a ticket for the movies and decided to go the whole hog and even catch a meal beforehand, in an actual restaurant. ‘Table for one please,’ I beamed, looking cool and calm on the outside, but feeling very self-conscious on the inside. The waitress never batted an eyelid. I sat and ate and enjoyed my food. I tried not to hide in my phone or a book. Instead, I made eye contact with people, watched the world go by and felt at ease. It was bliss. I headed for the cinema next and as I sat in my seat a pang of self-conscious doubt hit me. For a split second, I felt like the whole auditorium was looking at me, thinking ‘who’s that weirdo, in here by herself?’ Thankfully it passed, because I realised something. No one cares. The waitress didn’t care, the other moviegoers didn’t care. And for once, I didn’t care either. I settled in and enjoyed the fi lm in total peace, had all the snacks to myself and didn’t have to explain the plot to anyone. I think this will be the fi rst of many solo dates with myself. 16 19 WW04 We Share SCCCSC2AMNOR.indd 4 08/02/2023 11:22

WE SHARE WOMANSWAY.IE 19 RACHEL GETS MINDFUL I’m not great at sitting still and letting my mind go blank. I will do anything to avoid being alone with my own thoughts - reading, television, building Ikea furniture - whatever I can get my hands on. So what better way to step outside my comfort zone, I thought, than embrace stillness? I decided that sitting down aimlessly with my eyes closed was a different type of torture altogether and so I made sure to use any pockets of peace in my day to listen to guided meditations. I was sent a link to trial a meditation app called Ten Percent and dubiously registered. I really didn’t think I’d enjoy it, at all. And for the fi rst few meditations, I didn’t. I was counting down the minutes until the timer buzzed and I was free. One morning I was walking the dogs and couldn’t face playing any of the songs from my '80s hits Spotify playlist, so I decided to pop on a quick guided meditation. It was brilliant. I ended up listening to two back-toback and found my spirits had lifted greatly after the walk. I was listening to what was being said, taking deep breaths when prompted and taking in the loveliness of nature around me. It’s now been two weeks since I started and I have no intention of stopping. I’m calmer, more aware of my surroundings and getting much better at sitting still - the main reason I started in the fi rst place. ASTRID MUNCHES ON CRITTERS Insects are high in protein and full of good stuff, from omega-3 to manganese. Farming them does less damage to the environment than cows or nuts. And, apparently, they’ve got bags of fl avour. As taco toppings, in Korean soup, in Japanese tsukudani. They’re even used to make fl our. Not exactly appetising but certainly intriguing. So why not give them a try? But oh boy, was it hard to source the little critters. Apart from references to a Rentokil pestaurant, the internet was telling me bugs were bird food. After a more thorough search I did fi nd one Irish supplier. It sold an American brand of cricket snacks suitable for human consumption. Once I received my mole-fl avoured orthoptera in the post, I was instantly put off. I didn’t think I’d bat an eyelid. Yet it took me a week to come around to trying them. When I fi nally did, my fi rst impression was what I’d expected. Tasteless, freeze-dried, and full of seasoning powder. But after a few chews, the crunch of the legs reminded me of brown shrimp, which was somewhat pleasant. The bottom line is, next time I try these it will be in an authentic ethnic dish. Not in an overpriced snack vial. WW 16 19 WW04 We Share SCCCSC2AMNOR.indd 5 08/02/2023 11:22

20 WOMANSWAY.IE WIN ONE OF TWO MAX FACTOR HAMPERS WORTH €250 EACH To enter, please answer the following question: WHAT IS MAX FACTOR’S NEW COLLECTION CALLED? HOW TO ENTER Email your answer by February 27, 2023 to: womansway@ harmonia.ie including your name, address and telephone number and labelling your mail ‘The Max Factor Competition’. This Woman's Way competition is open to anyone resident in NI and the Republic of Ireland, aged 18 and over, except employees and their families of Harmonia Publishing, its printers and anyone else connected with the competition. No purchase is necessary. We will only accept one competition entry per reader. Prizes are awarded by drawing entries after the closing date. Winners will be notified by email. The editor’s decision is final. Max Factor is giving away two hampers worth €250 to celebrate the launch of its Miracle Pure collection. Inspired by skincare and mastered by Max Factor, the new Miracle Pure collection is the most natural and caring range released by Max Factor to date. Miracle Pure is vegan and eco-conscious without losing out on quality. Not only do the products provide a radiant glow and natural coverage but they hydrate your skin. Packed full of beneficial ingredients such as vitamin C, hyalauronic acid and alfalfa complex, the products in the Miracle Pure collection will help you get the perfect base along with that perfect, hydrated glow. For more information, visit maxfactor.com COMPETITION 20 WW04 Max Factor Comp SCCCSC2AMNOR.indd 2 08/02/2023 11:27

WOMANSWAY.IE 21 BEAUTY What are the products the Woman’s Way crew use on repeat? In this issue, Niamh O’Reilly shares a few of her new favourites that have found a forever place on her bathroom shelf. Beauty Faves Good Gruaig My hair has gone a bit feral recently. There’s lots of reasons why; chlorine is a biggie, but I feel as though my post-swimming ‘quick hair drying’ session is to blame. So, in an effort to protect the locks I’ve started using the new OGX Shine+ Argan Oil of Morocco Heat Protect Spray €9.89. It’s worth it for the lush scent alone, and my hair looks less frizzy and feels silkier after drying. Home Spa Anything that smells like a high-end spa is always a winner in my book. One sniff of Seabody’s new Pentabrite Eye Serum €86 and you may well forget you’re standing in your own bathroom. This stuff is the bioactive biz. Featuring kojic acid, vitamins C, E and niacinamide, it’s making my eye area super soft. You also only need a small amount so, while pricey it will last ages. Nails are another tricky one for me these days. I have about 60 seconds before both children and the dog leap on me to see what I’m doing. That usually means doing my nails is a nonstarter as they end up getting smudged. But a bit of colour brightens my mood so I’m lashing on some Sally Hansen Insta-Dri €6.99 and so far, it’s winning the race between quick drying and quick children. WW This is 40 The big 4-0 bell tolled for me recently and while I’m quite happy with that number, I’ve got to accept that my skin is changing. Perimenopause is on the horizon if not here already - hello brain fog. With that in mind I tried out the new No7 Menopause Skincare Instant Radiance Serum €44.95 and it’s a cracker. It’s got plenty of skincare goodies like hyaluronic acid and collagen to hydrate skin and tackle lines. However, what I love most about this is the roller applicator. My top tip is to put it in the fridge for the ultimate cooling effect on the skin. So Skin On the moisturising front, I was brushing the cheek of my three-year-old the other day and couldn’t get over how soft his skin is. Mine is a bit like old sandpaper in comparison and I thought I could do with something to soften it up.The new Sculpted by Aimee Cloud Cream Nourishing Ceramide Moisturiser €35 is dreamy and I fi nd it the perfect base for my makeup. While age is catching up on me, my skin can still have challenging days with breakouts and redness. When things go off a cliff, I’ve been using a few drops of Trilogy’s Very Gentle Microbiome Oil €35.95, which calms things down no end. It’s full of soothing ingredients like rosehip and macadamia oil. What are the products the Woman’s Way crew use on repeat? In this issue, Niamh O’Reilly shares a few of her new favourites that have found a forever place on her bathroom shelf. The big 4-0 bell tolled for me recently and while I’m quite happy with that number, I’ve got to accept that my skin is changing. Perimenopause is on the horizon if not here already - hello brain fog. With that in mind I tried out the No7 Menopause Skincare Instant Radiance Serum €44.95 It’s got plenty of skincare goodies like hyaluronic acid and collagen to hydrate skin and tackle lines. However, what I love most about this is the roller Good Gruaig My hair has gone a bit feral recently. There’s lots of reasons why; chlorine is a biggie, but I feel as though my post-swimming ‘quick hair drying’ session is to blame. So, in an effort to protect the locks I’ve started using the new Argan Oil of Morocco Heat Protect Spray t’s worth it for the lush scent alone, and my hair looks less frizzy and feels silkier after drying. Anything that smells like a high-end spa is always a winner in my Seabody’s new Pentabrite Eye Serum t you’re standing in your own bathroom. stuff is the bioactive biz. Featuring kojic acid, vitamins C, E and niacinamide, it’s making my eye area super soft. You also only need a Cream Nourishing Ceramide Moisturiser dreamy and I fi nd it the perfect base for my makeup. While age is catching up on me, my skin can still have challenging days with breakouts and redness. When things go off a cliff, I’ve been using a few drops Trilogy’s Very Gentle Microbiome Oil €35.95 which calms things down no end. It’s full of soothing ingredients like rosehip and macadamia oil. BEAUTY So Skin On the moisturising front, I was brushing the cheek of my three-year-old the other day and couldn’t get over how soft his skin is. Mine is a bit like old sandpaper in comparison and I thought I could do with something to soften it up.The new Sculpted by Aimee Cloud Cream Nourishing Ceramide Moisturiser €35 is On the moisturising front, I was brushing the cheek of my three-year-old the other day and couldn’t get over how soft his skin is. Mine is a bit like old sandpaper in comparison and I thought I could do with something to soften it up.The new Cream Nourishing Ceramide Moisturiser Good My hair has gone a bit feral recently. There’s lots of reasons why; chlorine is a biggie, but I feel as though my post-swimming ‘quick hair drying’ session is to blame. So, in an effort to protect the locks I’ve started using the new Argan Oil of Morocco Heat Protect Spray Cream Nourishing Ceramide Moisturiser dreamy and I fi nd it the perfect base for my makeup. While age is catching up on me, my skin can still have challenging days with breakouts and redness. When things go off a cliff, I’ve been using a few drops of Trilogy’s Very Gentle Microbiome Oil €35.95 which calms things down no end. It’s full of soothing ingredients like rosehip and macadamia oil. how soft his skin is. Mine is a bit like old sandpaper in comparison and I thought I could do with something to soften it up.The new Cream Nourishing Ceramide Moisturiser applicator. My top tip is to put it in the fridge for the ultimate cooling effect on the skin. niacinamide, it’s making my eye area super soft. You also only need a small amount so, while pricey it will last ages. Nails are another tricky one for me these days. I have about 60 seconds before both children and the dog leap on me to see what I’m doing. That usually means doing my nails is a nonstarter as they end up getting smudged. But a bit of colour brightens my mood so I’m lashing on some winning the race between quick drying and quick children. t’s worth it for the lush scent alone, and my hair looks less frizzy and feels silkier after drying. Home Spa Anything that smells like a high-end spa is always a winner in my book. One sniff of Seabody’s new Pentabrite Eye Serum you may well forget you’re standing in your own bathroom. stuff is the bioactive biz. Featuring kojic acid, vitamins C, E and niacinamide, it’s making my eye area super soft. You also only need a applicator. My top tip is to put it in It’s worth it for the lush scent alone, and my hair looks less frizzy and feels silkier after drying. the fridge for the ultimate cooling 21 WW4 Beauty Faves_AD2CCAMNOR.indd 2 08/02/2023 11:41

22 WOMANSWAY.IE By Prudence Wade, PA NATURAL SKIN From honey to aloe vera, pick out the best natural ingredients for your skin 22-23 WW4 Natural Skin_AD2CCAMNOR.indd 2 01/02/2023 12:27

WOMANSWAY.IE 23 By Prudence Wade, PA 1 BEAUTY I f you’re in the process of cleaning up your diet, it could be time to do the same with your skincare routine. There’s a rising beauty trend for products including either more or all-natural ingredients in them – with the hashtag #naturalskincare clocking up more than nine million hits on Instagram and 549.3m views on TikTok. While we’re defi nitely in favour of making a mask from ingredients in your kitchen (we particularly like recipes that include honey, banana and oats), it’s easy enough to fi nd products packed full of benefi cial natural ingredients. HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GROWING TREND… What are the potential benefi ts? Dr Ross Perry, of skin clinics chain Cosmedics, says natural ingredients mean “there is the potential for less irritation and less allergic responses”. He continues: “You are less likely to get these types of reactions, due to them being natural, versus man-made substances [with] added impurities and chemicals.” And there could potentially be a benefi t for your overall skin health – not just if you’re prone to sensitivity. “Using natural skincare products can improve the functioning of our skin and overall wellbeing,” suggests Cigdem Kemal Yilmaz, skincare formulator and founder of Skin Masterclass. “Natural ingredients, such as oils and natural extracts, can improve moisture retention, encourage cell regeneration and reduce oxidative stress.” If you’re considering your environmental footprint, looking to more natural ingredients could be the way forward, notes Yilmaz: “The ingredients found in natural skin products are extracted directly from nature, therefore, they are easily biodegradable. These products also produce less waste, thus easing the disposal process.” What do people need to know? When using any new products, “It is important to apply according to the instructions,” advises Perry. And try not to be too impatient when waiting for results, with Perry suggesting natural skincare products “can sometimes take longer for you to feel or notice the effects, but it is important to stick with it for a period of time, rather than chop and change too frequently”. When choosing products, Yilmaz warns against those with natural fragrances and essential oils if you have sensitive or easily sensitised skin. “They may be an allergen,” she says. “Natural preservatives can also react with the skin, as higher concentrations are needed compared to synthetic preservatives. Therefore, if you have sensitive skin, ensure you use products that are especially formulated and created for hypersensitive or sensitive skin.” HOW TO INCORPORATE NATURAL INGREDIENTS INTO YOUR ROUTINE For Perry, the most important thing is “fi nding the products that suit your skin type”, he says. “This can often be a case of trial and error – once you have found a cream that works for you, it is worth staying with it.” That means you might end up with products that are all natural, or a combination of both – depending on what suits your skin type. If you’re struggling to fi gure out what’s right for you, Yilmaz says: “I suggest investing in a consultation with a skincare expert.” 5 natural ingredients to look out for… 1. ALOE VERA “This is an extremely helpful natural product, as it helps with minor injuries, cuts and burns,” notes Perry. “It acts as a natural healer for the skin, and it also helps moisturise and protect the skin.” Skin Proud Frozen Over €17.95 2. HYALURONIC ACID Hyaluronic acid “is naturally found in the human body. It acts as a moisturiser and keeps the skin well hydrated”, says Perry. “Not only does this help plump out the skin for fi ne lines and wrinkles, but it also has an anti-infl ammatory affect as well.” MAC Hyper Real Serumizer Skin Balancing Hydration Serum €67.45 3. VITAMIN C “Vitamin C is a very good antioxidant, and will often help protect the skin against free radicals in the environment, as well as minor sun damage,” explains Perry. “It also has a mild exfoliating effect, which can help remove dead skin cells.” Biossance Lunar New Year Edition Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil €59 4. PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS OIL Yilmaz suggests prickly pear cactus oil “is going to be the trending oil in 2023” and, she that are especially formulated and created for hypersensitive or sensitive skin.” HOW TO INCORPORATE NATURAL INGREDIENTS INTO YOUR ROUTINE For Perry, the most important thing is “fi nding the products that suit your skin type”, he says. “This can often be a case of trial and error – once you have found a cream that works for you, it is worth staying That means you might end up with products that are all natural, or a combination of both – depending on what If you’re struggling to fi gure out what’s right for you, Yilmaz says: “I suggest investing in a consultation with a skincare 5 natural ingredients to look out for… 1 and essential oils if you have sensitive or allergen,” she says. “Natural preservatives synthetic preservatives. Therefore, if you have sensitive skin, ensure you use products that are especially formulated and created INGREDIENTS INTO YOUR ROUTINE “fi nding the products that suit your skin of trial and error – once you have found a cream that works for you, it is worth staying combination of both – depending on what If you’re struggling to fi gure out what’s investing in a consultation with a skincare “This is an extremely helpful natural product, as it helps with minor injuries, cuts and burns,” notes Perry. “It acts as a natural healer for the skin, and it also helps moisturise and protect the skin.” Skin Proud Frozen Over €17.95 Hyaluronic acid “is naturally found in the human body. It acts as a moisturiser and 5 natural ingredients to look out for… says: “It reduces infl ammation and deeply hydrates skin, as well as preventing skin damage and acne, due to it being so rich in antioxidants, vitamins and fatty acids. “It is benefi cial to all skin types, including sensitive and sensitised skin.” Weleda 24hr Hydrating Facial Cream 30ml €17.95 5. HONEY Yilmaz predicts 2023 will also see a rise in skincare products tailored towards sensitive skin – and natural ingredients could be the answer. “Soothing ingredients, such as fl ax, colloidal oatmeal and honey, will be able to relieve symptoms associated with conditions such as eczema and psoriasis,” she says. Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer 50ml €48 WW 2 3 4 5 22-23 WW4 Natural Skin_AD2CCAMNOR.indd 3 01/02/2023 12:29

24 WOMANSWAY.IE Injectable Moisturisers Botox and fi llers have their benefi ts but an increasing number of women are looking to injectable mosturisers to regain fi rm, smooth, naturally glowing skin. Carissa Casey fi nds out how they work and tries the treatment. I ’m fi ne with getting older. After a bout with cancer and the loss of two beloved family members at far too young an age, I’m grateful for every extra year I have on this planet. I’m happier, healthier and way more chilled than I’ve ever been and have no wish to turn back the clock. I’m also fi ne with anti-ageing procedures. Women have always used artifi ce as a way to look and, perhaps more importantly, feel good. We colour our hair, paint our nails, pluck our eyebrows (and in my case have them microbladed back on), apply makeup, get lash extensions and hair extensions, spend a small fortune on face creams, wear spanx and other tightly fi tting bodyshapers… I could go on but I think I’ve made my point. These days botox and fi llers are just an extension of what women have always done. They’re pretty commonplace; just ask the nearest fresh-faced 20-something about her ‘baby botox’. 24-25 WW4 Injectables_AD2CCAMNOR.indd 2 08/02/2023 11:48

BEAUTY WOMANSWAY.IE 25 Anna Gunning Injectable Moisturisers What is an injectable moisturiser? Injectable moisturisers are the new kid on the block in skin procedures. Prophilo is perhaps the best known (or at least it was the fi rst one I heard of) but there are many more now available. It’s a treatment beloved by celebrities and A-list stars because it’s rejuvenating in a very natural looking way. How does it diff er from botox or fi llers? Instead of freezing a muscle (botox) or creating volume (fi llers), these procedures involve injecting a moisturiser which spreads evenly beneath the skin. Aside from drastically improving hydration, injectable moisturisers remodel the skin, boosting collagen and elastin, both of which we lose with age. Afterwards, your face still has all its natural movement but the skin is smoother, fi rmer and much of the sun damage has been reversed. What is the moisturiser made of? The moisturiser used will be familiar to anyone with even a passing knowledge of skincare. Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient in a host of serums and creams. It can draw up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it ideal for binding water molecules into the skin. We have it naturally in our skin but as we get older it starts to peter out. Hyaluronic acid is also a key ingredient in fi llers. The formulation in injectable moisturisers is more viscous, which allows it to be distributed evenly across the treatment area. There’s an overall plumping effect rather than obvious volume in a specifi c area such as the cheeks or lips. Why inject hyaluronic acid if it can be applied in a serum or face cream? The hyaluronic acid in the products we use daily can only do so much. Our skin barrier prevents them from sinking too deep, which is a good thing because that same skin barrier prevents a whole lot of other stuff we don’t want from sinking into our skin. With targeted injections we can get this key ingredient right into the skin where it can work its rejuvenating magic. What’s the diff erence between the diff erent treatments? While all injectable moisturisers involve hyaluronic acid, the formulation differs from treatment to treatment. Other ingredients may also be included such as key vitamins and minerals to target a specifi c skin concern. A good therapist should be able to guide you as to which will work best depending on the area and issue you want treated. I put myself in the very capable hands of Anna Gunning of Laser Skin (laserandskin.ie), a guru of skin procedures and I had Belotero Revive. This is a mix of hyaluronic and glycerol which is particularly good at targeting sun damage in the skin. What’s the procedure like? Since I was going to be getting several injections across my face, Anna fi rst applied a skin numbing cream. This is pretty standard for most face treatments that involve multiple needles and takes about 20 minutes to take effect. Then Anna got to work. I wasn’t counting but I’d say I had about fi fteen or so tiny injections on each cheek and around the jawline. They certainly weren’t pain free but I’ve had worse. Once the injections were done, Anna began massaging my face to ensure an even spread of the hyaluronic acid. Then she applied sunscreen and I was on my way. The entire procedure was over in about twenty minutes (although bear in mind there’s a wait time of 20 minutes for the numbing cream to work). What a ercare is required? My face did resemble a pin cushion for the next day or so. It wasn’t sore but there were plenty of little bumps where the needle went in. Anna advised me to use a gentle cleanser for the next few days and avoid any ‘actives’ like retinol. The following day I could use makeup which I needed because one or two of those little bumps had developed slight bruise marks. What were the results like? Anna had warned me that it can take up to two weeks for the effects of the treatment to be noticeable. I thought even the next day my skin looked fi rmer. A week later, those little bumps and bruising had diminished, and there was a marked improvement in skin texture.My skin was smoother, healthier looking and, joy of joys, those telltale brown patches caused by sun exposure had either disappeared or were far less noticeable.What I liked best of all was that I still looked exactly like me and my facial muscles still moved when I smiled or frowned. I was just a less tired looking me, with remarkably good skin. Would I recommend an injectable moisturiser treatment? Most defi nitely. I think it’s a great option if botox or fi llers just aren’t your thing but you still want some form of skin rejuvenation. There’s little or no downtime and the results for a twenty minute procedure are excellent and, best of all, very natural looking. WW To fi nd out more about the treatment I had or indeed other injectable moisturiser treatments visit laserandskin.ie 24-25 WW4 Injectables_AD2CCAMNOR.indd 3 08/02/2023 11:49

26 WOMANSWAY.IE Zara Cargo Trousers Limited Edition €49.95 Next Black Cargo Parachute Trousers €49.50 By Niamh O'Reilly CargoChic These versatile trousers show no signs of disappearing this year, so if you want to jump on board the cargo train here’s everything you need to know. F ashion is cyclical and if cargo trousers look familiar that’s because they had their fi rst big fl ourish in the 2000s. Back then, they were the uniform of the day for groups like All Saints and Girls Aloud and were the mainstay of dressed down red carpet vibes. Now they’re back and if you haven’t felt confi dent enough to dive in, it’s high time to embrace this versatile style. Cargo trousers are highly adaptable. Large pockets used to defi ne the trend, but many recent incarnations have torn up the rulebook on that front, meaning you can still channel the cargo style with less chunky pocket detailing. Small details like cuffs or tapering can elevate them to ideal going out wear - just add heels. The right pair of cargo trousers will literally take you anywhere and will fl atter most shapes and sizes. Easily styled up or down with the addition of a few small bits and bobs probably already in your wardrobe, they are a savvy wardrobe investment that will pay off. WW HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVOURITES ON THE RAILS AT THE MOMENT... 26 WOMANSWAY.IE Zara Cargo Trousers Limited Edition €49.95 Nylon Cargo Parachute Pants €45, visit boohoo.com Golden Parachutes The term parachute pants might give you the shivers and visions of MC Hammer, but have no fear. Modern interpretations are baggy in just the right places and can be styled with boots or heels for two completely different looks. New Look Khaki Parachute Cargo Trouser €44.99 NAYA Cargo Trousers €120 26-27 WW4 Cargo_AD3CCAM2NOR.indd 4 08/02/2023 11:55

Going Out Going out glam has never been so comfortable with the right pair of cargos. Plus, the extra pockets are handy if you’ve got a tiny night time bag on your arm. Look for details like cuffed hems and style the look up with a smart top and heels. Club L London Electric Blue High Waist Straight Leg Cargo Trousers €97.95 Club L London Black Buckle Detail Cargo Trousers €82.95 Going out glam has never been so comfortable with the right pair of cargos. Plus, the extra pockets are handy if you’ve got a tiny night time bag on your arm. Look for River Island Khaki Satin Wide Leg Cargo Trousers €52 smart top and heels. time bag on your arm. Look for details like cuffed hems and style the look up with a smart top and heels. New Look Black Wide Leg Cargo Trousers €33.99 Slim Cargos Cargo pants generally evoke images of something baggy, but it’s not always the case. Right now, you’ll fi nd some slim, straight and even skinny styles that will still bring the cargo aesthetic to your wardrobe. Again, these are a great option for styling up for evening wear and can look great with a loosefi tting top half to balance out the lower half. FatFace Hythe Cargo Trouser Green €72.50 Next Khaki Cotton Cargo Combat Trousers €43.50 H&M Skinny Cargo Trousers €34.99 New Look Grey Tapered Cargo Trousers €39.99 The All-Rounders Wardrobe all-rounders like these are the holy grail of style. You can be prepared for wherever the day takes you with this selection of comfortable and stylish cargo style trousers. Pair with trainers or boots during the day and swap out for heels for the night-time. Avoid teaming them with an overly baggy top and instead look for some structure so you don’t swamp your frame. WOMANSWAY.IE 27 The All-Rounders Wardrobe all-rounders like these are the holy grail of style. You Stradivarius Straight Fit Cargo Trousers €30 Club L London Electric Blue High Waist Straight Leg Cargo Trousers Club L London Black Buckle Detail Cargo Trousers €82.95 H&M Straight Cargo Trousers €27.99 M&S Rich Cargo Tea Dyed Trousers €47 Curds & Whey Cargo Trousers €50, visit lovecherish.com Vila Petra Cargo Pants €50, visit lovecherish.com New Look Denim Cargo €39.99 STYLE Manley Blair Leather Pants €350 By Niamh O'Reilly 26-27 WW4 Cargo_AD3CCAM2NOR.indd 5 08/02/2023 11:56

28 WOMANSWAY.IE By Katie Wright, PA Fashion and Beauty Editor HEAT Bundle up with these winter fashion tips. Hacks 28-29 WW4 Warm_AD2CCAMNOR.indd 2 08/02/2023 12:20

STYLE WOMANSWAY.IE 29 By Katie Wright, PA Fashion and Beauty Editor 1. ADD THERMAL LAYERS Layering is key when you want to stop body heat from escaping. As the basis for any winter outfi t, start with thermal fabrics designed for maximum warmth without the bulk – think leggings and long-sleeved tops – add a loose middle layer such as a fl annel shirt and top with the thickest jumper you can fi nd. Monsoon Hooded Borg Gilet with Pockets Tan €75 maximum warmth without the bulk – think leggings and long-sleeved tops fl annel shirt and top with the thickest 5. SLIP ON A SLANKET A slanket – aka a blanket with sleeves (and a hood) – takes loungewear to the next level. Ideal for snuggling up on the sofa in the evening or donning when you’re working from home (you might want to take it off for Zoom meetings though). 7. ROCK A GILET Make a wool coat a whole lot warmer by wearing a lightweight gilet underneath. Filled with real or synthetic down, these deceptively thin bodywarmers make a huge difference – and Uniqlo (uniqlo.com) has a great selection for men and women. You can also get heated gilets fi tted with rechargable warming pads from brands such as Regatta (regatta.com), which are handy if you’re going to be out in the cold for a while. WW FatFace Hascombe Quilted Gilet €85.50 6. HEATED HAND WARMERS Somtimes even keeping your hands fi rmly in your pockets isn’t enough to keep your fi ngertips from freezing, particularly when you’re venturing outside. Turn up the heat by popping a couple of hand warmers in your pockets – reusable gel packs or rechargable electric warmers are the most eco-friendly. Choose from a wide selection on sites such as Amazon or eBay. 3. DOUBLE UP ON SOCKS Our extremities often suffer the most when temperatures drop because the body prioritises keeping our core and vital organs warm. To counteract the effect, pop on two pairs of socks and make sure there’s no gap at the ankle for cold air to creep in. WOMANSWAY.IE 29 ROCK A GILET Make a wool coat a whole lot warmer by wearing a lightweight gilet underneath. Filled with real or synthetic down, these deceptively thin bodywarmers make a huge difference – and Uniqlo (uniqlo.com) has a great selection for men and women. You can also get heated gilets fi tted with rechargable warming pads from brands such as Regatta (regatta.com), which are handy if you’re going to be out in the cold for a while. WW FatFace Hascombe Quilted Gilet €85.50 4. FINGERLESS GLOVES If you’ve constantly got cold hands but need your fi ngers free for typing or other activities then fi ngerless gloves are the way to go. Extra long sleeves or sporty sweatshirts with thumb loops will also help. Accessorize Stripe Fingerless Gloves Set of Two €15, visit very.ie SLIP ON A SLANKET 2. CHOOSE THE FLUFFIEST FABRICS The warmest fabrics work by creating tiny air pockets that provide extra insulation. That’s why fl eece, sheepskin, shearling and faux fur are your friends when the mercury plummets. Try fl eece-lined joggers, sheepskin slippers or a faux fur-lined hat for maximum heattrapping capability. Rega… a Voltera Waterproof Heated Jacket Slate Blue reduced to €139.95 Cold weather can make getting dressed more a matter of function over fashion as we battle the elements and try to keep our heating bills from soaring. Instead of turning up the thermostat, here are some clothing hacks to keep you toasty from head to toe… 28-29 WW4 Warm_AD2CCAMNOR.indd 3 08/02/2023 12:22

30 WOMANSWAY.IE Ironically, the new crop of delicious Spanish oranges arrive on these shores in January, just as sales of vitamin C capsules start to rocket. Far better to track down a fruit and veg shop selling these oranges (they can be hard to fi nd in the main supermarkets) and enjoy one of the few treats January has to offer, than fork out for a fi zzy tablet. Opting for pills to solve our dietary needs could well make us less healthy. We might get a high dose of one nutrient but miss out on a host of other important nutrients. Nutritional therapist Janet McNab (who has done an amazing job of getting me on a healthy eating track) says that people may feel a shortterm boost when starting a supplement. “If their body has been starved of a particular nutrient, they’ll feel better at fi rst but that will soon wear off. I think if your diet is really bad maybe there’s a not regulate the supplement market and it has been found that some products sold there have little or even none of the ingredients on the label. (If you are buying supplements in the US, pick the ones with USP Verifi ed on the label, since these will meet the standards of the testing organisation US Pharmacopeia). Having established that we are getting what we’re paying for, the question remains: do we need all these extra nutrients? HEALTHY DIET There’s very little scientifi c evidence proving that supplements have any signifi cant health benefi t. That’s not to say they don’t; just that the science isn’t there yet. There is lots of evidence to show that our bodies are far better at recognising and absorbing naturally occuring nutrients in the food we eat than manufactured nutrients we take in tablet form. By relying on a healthy diet for key vitamins and minerals, we also get a host of other important nutrients. For example, eating an orange will not only give you a dose of vitamin C but also beta carotene, calcium and fi bre, all of which contribute to the healthy functioning of the human body. Over the course of one week last year, I was told that probiotics were essential and that they were pointless. My advisors on each occasion were both respected nutritional gurus. One was even a doctor. They couldn’t be both right. How was I, a non-medical, non-scientist, non-nutritionist, magazine editor supposed to decide? That’s the thing with dietary supplements. All sorts of people make all sorts of claims and the rest of us haven’t a clue. Supplements are big business. The global market for dietary supplements is forecast to be worth €280 billion by next year. My inbox is generally full of press releases from established supplement brands and new ones, never more so than at the start of the year. I’m constantly being sent supplies, most of which I give away. But in looking at which supplements are worth our hard-earned cash, let’s start with a positive. The EU classifi es most dietary supplements as foodstuffs so they come under the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This means that the products we buy are more likely to contain the ingredients on the label and, as importantly, not contain any contaminants. In America, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does ARE SUPPLEMENTS WORTH IT? Long a supplement sceptic, Carissa Casey has come round to the idea of taking some nutrients in tablet form. Janet McNab “Probiotics can help restore equilibrium in the gut. However, they're only as effective as the client's diet” 30-31 WW4 Supplements KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 2 08/02/2023 12:23

WOMANSWAY.IE 31 WE ASK ARE SUPPLEMENTS WORTH IT? says Janet. “So an omega-3 supplement is a practical way of ensuring that we get the fi sh oils we need to keep us healthy.” She also points to certain components that deplete naturally as we age, for example collagen which supports bones, cartilage, heart vessels, skin and hair. Taking certain medications can also deplete the production of some components. For example, cholesterol lowering medication (statins) can deplete CoQ 10. This coenzyme is crucial for energy production. “However, again it could be argued that both collagen and CoQ10 can be sourced in a nutritious, varied diet,” she says. On a personal note, I’ve been taking doctorprescribed vitamin D and calcium for about two years now because, for various reasons, I’m at increased risk of developing osteoporosis. I’m getting plenty of calcium in my diet but, outside the summer months, I probably am defi cient in vitamin D. Stress also depletes nutrients in our bodies. “To produce the cortisol (stress) hormone the body uses up zinc, B vitamins, magnesium and lots more,” explains Janet. “When the body's available nutrient supply is used up, cortisol will literally use the body's tissue. Hence the ageing effect of stress.” One more reason, if it were needed, to manage stress in our lives. As for the question of probiotics, Janet is a fan to kick-start a healthy eating plan or after a course of antibiotics or a period of ill health. “We’re learning more and more about how important it is to maintain a healthy gut microbiome so that’s something I recommend to clients from time to time.” “Probiotics can help restore equilibrium in the gut. However, they're only as effective as the client's diet. It is essential to maintain a healthy gut microbiome by feeding them a variety of fi brous foods and, if possible, fermented foods. Again hydration is important. Overconsumption of sugary, processed foods can fuel the potentially harmful bacteria which can cause all sorts of health issues. So basically take all the probiotics you like but it's like buying a plant ...the healthy bacteria are only going to survive if you look after them.” PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY So supplements can be useful at certain times and in certain situations but they won’t do much for people with an unhealthy lifestyle. “People go looking for a silver bullet when it comes to health, but ignore the low-hanging fruit like staying hydrated, prioritising sleep, managing stress and, most importantly, eating an unprocessed, wholefood diet,” says Janet. In short, there’s no replacement for taking good care of yourself. WW case but you’d be far better putting your time and energy into eating healthily,” she says. USEFUL SUPPLEMENTS But are there specifi c nutrients, or times in our lives when supplements are useful? Janet says yes. “There’s an argument that foods don’t contain the nutrient density they used to because of modern farming methods and a decrease in soil quality. That said, it’s important to choose wisely.” Fish oils which contain omega-3 fatty acids are hugely benefi cial for heart, brain and eye health as well as reducing infl ammation in the body. Our bodies don’t produce omega-3 so we have to ingest it somehow. “To get the amount of omega-3 we need, we’d have to eat oily fi sh nearly every day,” 30-31 WW4 Supplements KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 3 08/02/2023 12:23

32 WOMANSWAY.IE explains that despite her youth, her daughter is becoming increasingly aware of the vagaries of a career in the arts. She’s now left wondering whether she possesses the physical and mental strength to endure the profession’s demands, on and off the stage. I listen keenly, impressed that the youngster is already asking the pertinent question: do I dare to dream and, if so, will it be worth it? and galleries, we discuss the many risks of pursuing creative careers. “For years, my daughter wanted to be a dancer,” one journalist reveals, adding that the talented teenager has been accepted into a prestigious conservatory. “But now that she has been offered the opportunity, she’s having second thoughts.” When I probe further, the journalist I ’m writing this column from the airport, preparing to exchange the chilly winter weather for the golden beaches of St Lucia. My company for the trip is an eclectic group of journalists who’ve written for some of the world’s leading titles. While waiting to board our transatlantic fl ight, the conversation between us is forthcoming and varied. We share tales and insights about the various industries connected to journalism. Namely, the world of arts. After debating favourite fi lms, albums SHAPE SHIFT YOUR DREAMS Dream big, but be fl exible, writes Domhnall O’Donoghue. Domhnall O’Donoghue 32-33 WW4 Domhnall KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 2 08/02/2023 12:24

WOMANSWAY.IE 33 INSPO regular get-togethers. It’s hard to believe that it’s 20 years since we graduated, and looking at my former classmates that day, I realised that the dreams we dared to pursue back then had, for some, remained the same. For others, they’d changed completely. For me, at least, they’d simply evolved. Many of us have enjoyed being involved in exciting acting projects on stage or in front of the camera and, let me assure you, endured a salvo of setbacks and heartbreak along the way. But we all, without fail, continue to implement the many skills we acquired during those heady years of actor training. In addition to equipping budding storytellers with techniques to engage an audience, being immersed in the arts, whether at third level, in amateur societies or in Speech and Drama classes, offers us diverse life tools. Artists must be able to listen, observe, analyse and communicate. Artists need to be creative and think on the spot. We must be able to work in a team and be empathetic and supportive. Where else can we apply these skills so common in the rehearsal room or on a fi lm set? The answer is everywhere. FLEXIBLE WORKING Unsurprisingly, some of my former classmates have since carved out complementary careers as psychologists, teachers, life coaches and recruiters. When we age, it’s natural to refl ect on our life choices. And turning 40 last autumn, I probably wondered about my path in life more frequently than usual, questioning whether I was right to pursue my dream of being an actor, even though, for now, my primary focuses are writing and travelling. FINDING MEANING My most rewarding moments in life are related to my acting work, although so, too, are my most challenging ones. But without those rollercoaster experiences, along with the lessons I’ve learned along the way, I wouldn’t be the writer, or person, I am today. Moreover, I wouldn’t receive extraordinary opportunities to visit far-fl ung destinations like St Lucia. I return to the conversation with the journalist, whose teenage child is uncertain about pursuing her dreams of becoming a dancer. Suppose her daughter decides the profession is ultimately too challenging – the uncertainty, the rejection, the poverty — the skills she acquires and the discipline she inherits during her training will last a lifetime. Just as they have done with me. Whatever your goal, it’s important to remember that dreams shape shift as we progress in life. But no experience – no matter how positive or negative — is ever wasted. Often in our pursuit of one thing, we discover something else — something even more rewarding. However, we must be fl exible along the way. WW I’m well positioned to share insights on the topic with the group, as I left Navan at 17 to train as an actor at Trinity College. I’ll never forget sashaying through Front Arch, full of vim, vigour and pride, given the competitiveness of the audition process. For me, however, I had no alternative but to dare to dream and pursue my lofty ambitions. By coincidence, my class had a minireunion recently when we attended the funeral of a classmate’s father. While I’ve remained in contact with many of them, some of whom I’d consider more than friends but family, this gathering was the fi rst time so many of us were together at once. Hardly surprising given our diverse schedules and personal commitments, compounded by the pandemic, which wreaked havoc with our social lives and “Artists need to be creative and think on the spot. We must be able to work in a team and be empathetic and supportive” 32-33 WW4 Domhnall KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 3 08/02/2023 12:24

By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA 34 WOMANSWAY.IE you forever. These are hand-carved and all individual so please note the designs will vary slightly. 4>> Marely Vase – Large €63, visit thewhitecompany.com A contemporary ceramic vase with matte fi nish feels fresh – and it only takes a couple of stems to make a stylish statement. 5>> Primark Home Scalloped Side Plate €4; Scalloped 3 Pack Pinch Bowls €4, visit Penneys This attractive scalloped tableware adds visual interest, and will make anything you plate up look like it’s straight from the farmer’s market or allotment. T his look is all about being stylish and relaxed – and the country aesthetic can be tweaked to suit your space, from casual to chic. Indeed, the beauty of bringing home woven textiles, earthy pottery, ceramics and natural woods is that it’s easy on the eye and conjures pared-back bliss. Here are 12 ways to work rustic style into your home… 1>> Personalised Pheasants on Country Gate (print only) €17.39, visit fl orenceandlavender.co.uk Looking to set a welcoming country scene? These pleasing pheasants will add character and charm to any home. 2>> Emma Bridgewater Dig The Garden Large Tray currently €42.06 (was €51.16), visit annabeljames.co.uk Naturally, you’ll want a whimsy carry tray for toing and froing from your vegetable garden – or for sitting pretty on the countertop. 3>> Teakroot Irregular Shaped Bowl €199.22, visit nataliawillmo€ .co.uk Fabulous sturdy bowls that will be with 6>> Rustic Linen Runner in Natural €72; Rustic Linen Napkins Set of 4 €59 (other items from a selection),visit thewhitecompany.com A rustic runner in natural linen provides the perfect building block for all your homely tablescaping – think wooden accents, cream plates, evergreen foliage and fi ller fl owers such as baby’s breath. 7>> TruGlow Dark Grey Distressed LED Pillar Candle Trio €30.60, visit lights4fun. co.uk When you want to strip back the lighting and This is a look that channels character and charm so if you’re looking for fresh design ideas that ooze homely comfort and charm, rustic style living could hold the key. Here are 12 ways to weave rustic style pieces into your home. The magicof Modern Rustic 1 3 2 34-35 WW4 Rustic KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 2 08/02/2023 12:26

By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA INTERIORS WOMANSWAY.IE 35 enjoy a more atmospheric fl icker, let these grey pillar candles take centre stage. 8>> Leah White Planter on Wooden Stand €13.99, visit very.ie This stylish planter will blend beautifully with modern and rustic, and with an easy to grow rubber plant or palm will add a touch of biophilia to bring the outdoors in. 9>> Dutchbone Mathison Side Table €282.34, visit cuckooland.com This cleverly confi gured side table is super versatile and can be used to display vases in various shapes and sizes; not to mention your favourite collection of books. Finished in walnut veneer, it looks like the real deal. 10>> Abel Wooden Ra an Accent Chair €305, visit next.ie Described as a modern rustic mix of wood, rattan and upholstery, with a curved backrest and wide, plush seat, this accent chair will blend beautifully into Scandi and country living settings. 11>> Homesense Garden Pots €19.99, visit Homesense These rustic garden pots will add character to your window sills or perched on the steps of a terrace or garden. Fill them with petunia or verbena in the springtime. 12>> Sisters’ Tea Cosy €9.34, visit sostrenegrene.com Enjoy a moment of calm and hygge with a lovely cup of tea. This lovely retro tea cosy from Søstrene Grene’s new Room to Dream collection ticks all the boxes. WW 6 4 5 7 8 10 9 11 12 34-35 WW4 Rustic KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 3 08/02/2023 12:28

36 WOMANSWAY.IE SPRING PREP By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA It’s time to take your home out of hibernation. As the winter draws to a close, here are our tips on how to dust off the cobwebs. “Doing this now means you won’t procrastinate and put off the clean itself. I always get my children involved and ask them to choose three tasks from the list.” Planning ahead and getting them onboard early will make it feel more of an event when you start, she says. “Just don’t forget to let them know what treats are in store for everyone when the jobs are done.” DECLUTTER “For an effective declutter ahead of the main spring clean, take everything out of cupboards and drawers, and sort through methodically,” suggests Harnett. “My simple hack is to put things back where they belong in the home. It’s amazing how many things are spread across the house over a year – books by the bed, kids’ toys in every room, and the cupboard under the sink ends up cluttered with all sorts. I t can’t have escaped your notice that it’s a little lighter in the mornings and the days are getting longer. Slowly but surely, spring is on the way, which means it’s time to switch up your cleaning routine. To help put the fun into housework, we’ve called in the pros to share their top tips on how to get started… PLAN YOUR CLEAN “I love a list!” enthuses Laura Harnett, founder of Seep eco-cleaning products. She recommends planning your prespring clean per room, including small tasks on your list – as well as big ones – as they are extra satisfying to tick off. “Make a playlist of your favourite, upbeat songs, or research podcasts to listen to, to help you fl y through tasks when you come to clean,” she says. “When everything’s in its right place, you can see exactly what you have.” Harnett continues. “Then, decide what to keep or donate.” ORGANISE KITCHEN CUPBOARDS AND THE FRIDGE A well-organised cupboard and a clean fridge will free up a load of space. Laura Mountford, AKA Laura Cleanaholic, says: “Empty each cupboard one by one – tackle one a day, to keep it manageable. Get rid of any out-of-date items and give cupboards a wipe down.” She recommends investing in jars, containers, baskets, dividers or hooks to help make the space work for you and keep it tidier for longer. USE DISINFECTANT SPRAYS “Disinfectant sprays are a cupboard staple Laura Harnett Laura Mountford 36-37 WW4 Spring Clean KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 2 03/02/2023 14:04

WOMANSWAY.IE 37 INTERIORS By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA when it comes to adding that fi nal touch of freshness to your pre-spring cleaning routine, especially in your bathroom or kitchen,” says Olivia Young, Astonish’s cleaning chemist. “However, there are more uses for them than you’d think.” For example, Young says cleaning your radiators with a disinfectant spray will fi ll the house with a fresh and pleasant scent when you turn them on. She also recommends cleaning your welcome mat with disinfectant to ensure your house smells amazing as soon as people walk through the door. “Disinfectant is also useful for removing unpleasant odours from bins, which can otherwise be hard to get rid of,” suggests Young. “Simply spray concentrated disinfectant onto a cotton wool pad and place in the bottom of your bin.” Concentrated sprays have a stronger scent and will eliminate nasty odours and kill harmful bacteria. GIFT YOUR GREENERY “Give houseplants some love and a new lease of life by repotting any that have outgrown their old containers, and trim off any old stems,” says Mountford. “Plant pots are a great way to inject some newness into your home décor – and you don’t need to spend a fortune. “You can always fi nd gorgeous pots online or in charity shops, then paint to your own style.” While you’re at it, pop plants in the bath and give them a gentle shower, which will also remove dust. INVEST IN PRACTICAL STORAGE SOLUTIONS To make your wardrobe space work more effi ciently, switch out bulky hangers for slimline, add hooks to the inside of cupboard doors and use drawer dividers to organise items, says Mountford. “Buy vacuum bags for storing bulky items, such as winter duvets, blankets and coats – and free up more space.” WW Olivia Young “ Plan your pre-spring clean per room, including small tasks on your list – as well as big ones” Repot house plants Use storage jars for loose food items 36-37 WW4 Spring Clean KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 3 03/02/2023 14:05

38 WOMANSWAY.IE My late husband’s view of Miami was heavily infl uenced by the 1983 movie Scarface where Al Pacino plays a vicious murdering Cuban drug lord. So on our fi rst visit together he wasn’t keen on venturing anywhere near the city and we opted for the more gentrifi ed locale of South Beach instead – a whole world away from downtown Miami. And we both fell in love with it. At that time it was undergoing a transformation. In the 1980s South Beach became a haven for bohemian retirees where the crumbling art deco buildings commanded low rents and the beach was right on the doorstep. By the time we visited in the 1990s the area was on the turn but still magical. We stayed in small hotels all beautiful but in disrepair. You could still glimpse the faded glory of better years in the dilapidated furnishings and peeling wallpaper. There was a real neighbourhood feel to South Beach then, a place for shorts and fl ip fl ops and hanging out from morning to sundown. Now it’s transformed yet again. Some areas of South Beach have worked hard to rise above the touristy over-priced strip that is now Ocean Drive, creating a destination that is a luxurious urban mecca for celebrities even if they hardly ever venture into the heartland of South Beach. From its early origins South Beach was always a world apart from the city. It was more a remote sand bar than anything else when an investor, John Lum, bought it all for just 35 cents an acre – he thought he could create a coconut plantation there but fi nally gave up in 1890. Until 1910 it was more swamp and mangroves than From the candy-coloured art deco hotels to the coolest nightclubs on the planet South Beach Miami is a magnet for the rich, the famous and those lucky enough to delve beneath the veneer and uncover its hidden gems. Norah Casey survives three days and tells all. to Dream Dare MIAMI VIBES 38-43 WW4 Miami KOT2CCAM.indd 2 09/02/2023 12:41

TRAVEL WOMANSWAY.IE 39 pristine sand. Then another investor stepped up in the early 1900s, John Collins, and he wanted to grow avocados. Out of necessity he started building a canal and a bridge to connect South Beach to the mainland. He went broke before it was fi nished but two brothers arrived on the scene in 1912 (John and James Lummus) and they had a whole new plan for South Beach. They wanted to build a bathhouse to attract tourists and create a destination out of this small strip of sand. RESTORATION Other entrepreneurs were attracted to South Beach and so the bridge and canal were fi nished, the mangroves were cleared and the bay was dredged. The fi rst luxury hotel arrived soon after and expensive stores opened up on Lincoln Road. The yachts began to arrive as wealthy tourists came to stay and shop. Mansions and more luxury hotels in the 1920s paved the way for the art deco era of the 1930s when South Beach’s landmark pastel-coloured hotels and buildings were fi nished, including the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc – both still the granddames of South Beach. As the years rolled by the facades began to crumble and the investment dried up. Then ironically television shows like Miami Vice, with scenes often shot against the majesty of South Beach’s fading facades, created renewed interest in this little piece of history. The mid-1980s saw a renaissance in South Beach with restoration projects to preserve these beautiful art deco buildings. Artists, fashion designers and celebrities created a new vibe in South Beach – Gloria and Emilio Estefan invested in hotels and the fi ght back against the prevailing view, namely that the buildings should be torn down, began in earnest. Property developers and architects collaborated to renovate the hotels of Ocean Drive. ART DECO STYLE We stayed at one such hotel. The National Hotel Miami Beach is an art deco landmark designed by Roy France, a noted architect of the time. It was one of the grandest hotels on the beachfront when it opened in 1940. It was renovated in 1997 when it was reopened under new ownership. Many of the original features were lovingly restored and art deco art and antique pieces replaced those fi ttings that couldn’t Continued overleaf >> Classic American car on South Beach “The mid-1980s saw a renaissance in South Beach with projects to preserve these beautiful art deco buildings” Night view at Ocean Drive National Hotel Art deco building 38-43 WW4 Miami KOT2CCAM.indd 3 08/02/2023 12:32

40 WOMANSWAY.IE Frank Sinatra and I had already read everything there was to know about it - its history, the menu, who owns it, who runs it, in short I had overdone the homework and was in danger of over-hyping it for everyone else. The place is none other than Joe’s Stone Crab which began in the early 1900s when Joe and his wife Jennie discovered this little-known delicacy, stone crabs, which were teeming in the waters around Miami. Since then it’s been frequented by famous actors, sports stars and politicians and even featured in Goldfi nger, the Ian Fleming novel (under the nom de plume of ‘Bill's on the Beach’) where James Bond ate the best meal he had ever eaten in his life. Now there’s a recommendation. And to give you a sense of its popularity Joe’s is also the highestgrossing independent restaurant in the U.S., grossing $38.4 million in 2019. Joe and Jennie opened the restaurant in 1913 in the front room of their bungalow and their son Jesse Weiss who took on the mantle is widely credited as having created the enormous celebrity following. “Anyone well known who came to Miami Beach, from anywhere in the world, would stop in at Joe's,” the maître’d told us later that night. Jessie knew them all. Amelia Earhart was a regular and according to Jessie: “She was down to earth. You knew where you stood with her. If you'll pardon the expression, there was no bullshit to her.” Other regulars included The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Gloria Swanson, J. Edgar Hoover, Mohammad Ali. Joe’s uses its own boats which is fortunate because during the stone crab season (October to May) it uses up to a thousand pounds of crab a day. During the season Joe’s can serve up to 2,000 diners a night on a fi rst-come-fi rst-served basis and that’s after 1,000 for lunch. The fi rst stop on arrival is the maître’d be renovated. But the upholstered barrel chairs in the lounge, the chrome light fi xtures and the terrazzo fl ooring in the Martini Room are all original. The oak bar still stands in the hotel’s main bar and the carpeting and chandelier are all originals in the Ballroom and Oval Room. The guest rooms of the National’s 14-storey historic tower and cupola were renovated in 2012 with new dark wood furnishings and modernised bathrooms maintaining the art deco feel. The Terrace Rooms and suites are more generously sized with terraces that overlook the iconic 205-foot infi nity pool - the longest in Miami Beach (and perfect for laps). A second pool allows for sun-bathing and more leisurely swims while a few steps away you can access the beach directly and avail of the National Beach Club’s own chaise lounges and umbrellas. If you’re going to stay in South Beach my advice would be to stay in an art deco hotel. Remember however that they are old, most are sympathetically renovated but that comes at a price in terms of mod cons so expect some problems with plumbing and electricity that you might expect from a beach-fronted 80+ year-old building (and the wifi rarely works). Also they will inevitably be more expensive and the room sizes in South Beach are small by average standards and even smaller in the historic hotels. But all I can say is that it is worth it because the ambiance and décor transports you to a different era and adds to the magic of the holiday. You will never experience a truly authentic art deco historic district like this and it is far better to immerse yourself in it than to watch from the sidelines. Visit nationalhotel.com DAY 1 We had only three days in Miami and we made the most of it. We arrived late in the day – Delta had lost our luggage and kept it for a day or two – so it took some time to get organised with something to wear (but we saved time on unpacking!). JAMES BOND’S BEST MEAL We had already planned to go to one of the hottest restaurants in Miami but only one problem - it takes no reservations. The rich and famous have to stand in line with the rest of us and I’d been warned that the queues were sometimes hours long. But I have wanted to go to this place for years. It was a favourite haunt of Al Capone and “ Joe’s lived up to the hype and then some and is firmly on the list for a return visit when the stone crabs are in season” Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami Beach LIV night club Joe’s Stone Crab 38-43 WW4 Miami KOT2CCAM.indd 4 08/02/2023 12:32

TRAVEL WOMANSWAY.IE 41 stand. We arrived out of season in the summer months so the good news was the queue wasn’t too long but the bad news was we didn’t get to try the stone crabs. Despite our wonderful maître’d’s attempts to explain the texture and taste of the sweet succulent meat dipped in Joe’s famous mustard sauce we felt a little hard done by that we didn’t actually get to taste them ourselves. We had a drink in the huge oversized bar while waiting and were soon ushered to our table. There were fi ve of us and we ate in the main high ceilinged dining room. This is an old-school restaurant with tuxedoed waiters and formal service. However it also manages to have that casual Miami feel so that diners were as likely to be wearing shorts as suits. The staff here are veterans, many have been with Joe’s a long time and see it more as a family. Our waiter regaled us with stories from his many years there and talked fondly of the camaraderie between the staff. He had an incredible memory, not a notepad in sight and steered us gently in menu choices with that old-fashioned charm that’s all but lost in the restaurant industry. We might have missed the stone crab season but we feasted on seafood and had a fantastic evening in the bustling dining room at Joe’s. It lived up to the hype and then some and is fi rmly on the bucket list for a return visit when the stone crabs are in season. We rolled home content that we had just enjoyed a special evening in one of America’s great institutions. Visit joesstonecrab.com DAY 2 We enjoyed time on the beach and by the pool at the National Hotel – partly because we were all a bit tired and still digesting the enormous feast at Joe’s the night before but mostly because Delta still had our luggage and we were constantly back and forth to reception in the hope that they might arrive. By late afternoon our luggage had earned more air miles than we had and we washed the clothes we had worn the night before and hoped they would dry in time for the big excursion that night. ICONIC DESTINATION One of the highlights of our stay on South Beach was an evening at Hakkasan, the haute cuisine of Asian food and a sister restaurant to the Michelin-star Hakkasan in London which opened in 2001. There are now 10 Hakkasan in the US and across the world. We had booked weeks prior to the trip as a special treat. The evening would be even more special as this Hakkasan is based in one of the coolest hotels in Miami Beach, the Fontainebleau. The hotel has several restaurants but Hakkasan was our destination of choice. The Fontainebleau opened in the 1950s and quickly built a reputation for being the biggest and the most opulent. It was renovated in 2008 and is now fi rmly back on top. It is also home to LIV - one of the hottest clubs in South Beach. There are some magic ingredients at work at Hakkasan which is why a visit is such a treat. It’s more the whole experience, a sum of the parts, rather than one offering over another. The food is not Chinese per se, there are lots of Asian infl uences at work and even then that’s not what makes it different. The menu Continued overleaf >> Frank Sinatra at Fontainebleau Hakkasan Yum Cha 38-43 WW4 Miami KOT2CCAM.indd 5 08/02/2023 12:33

42 WOMANSWAY.IE cleverly marries traditional dishes with a contemporary twist often serving classic food with gourmet garnishes that add that glossy fi nish that sets one meal apart from another. Hakkasan’s menu is tried-andtested, Michelin-starred and expertly executed. From the moment we arrived we were transported into that distinctive oriental ambiance that could as easily be Shanghai as Miami. The Fontainebleau Hakkasan took some elements of South Beach and cleverly combined traditional dark teak screens and furnishings with hints of blues and turquoise reminiscent of the ocean on its doorstep. The low-level lighting and discrete dining areas add to the feeling of grandeur and privacy. The restaurant was full and the staff were busy but within our own dining cocoon you just got a sense of moving shadows beyond the screens. Just at the right moment the waiting staff would appear with various courses before quietly leaving the space to us again. We had the signature Hakka cocktail to start – Grey Goose vodka with sake, coconut, passion fruit and lychee juice. It was a little sweet for my liking but it hit the right note in terms of setting the tone for the evening. This is a “blowout” dining experience and it doesn’t come cheap. But the food lived up to our expectations. I have certainly had my share of overpriced meals that didn’t feel that special despite the cost. So all I can say is if you are planning one beautiful meal during your visit then Hakkasan can certainly offer you that. A word about the menu – we took a lot of advice from our waiter who was more than helpful in terms of portion sizes and fl avours that worked well together. There were fi ve in our group and we shared all of the dishes so got to try lots of things. We didn’t go for the Peking Duck with Petrossian Caviar at $198. We thought our palettes might not appreciate the expense. However we did have the wonderful grilled Silver Cod served with Champagne and Chinese Honey which is a Hakkasan signature dish ($48) and more Japanese (think Nobu). All of the dishes are beautifully presented and a feast for the eyes as much as the palate. Just perfect. As was the whole evening. Visit hakkasan.com. LIVING THE DREAM Before leaving the Fontainebleau we stepped into the ultra-cool Bleau bar in the lobby where it appeared the whole of Miami had congregated for drinks before descending on LIV, the world-famous nightclub. I had only seen pictures of LIV before – frequented by the Kardashians, Justin Timberlake, Jay Z, Joaquin Phoenix and the like. David Guetta had played recently and the VIPs act as a magnet to tourists and the local crowd. We chatted away to some of the party-goers to get the lowdown and although there was tremendous excitement among the ultraglam crowd no one seemed to know who was in that night… but they were fairly certain there were some big-rollers in the club. Many of our new cool friends however were nursing one drink for an inordinate length of time and didn’t appear to be in any hurry to get inside the actual doors of the club. We discovered why when the bouncer told us that the pre-tickets at €300 (only available prior to midnight) were sold out, but I could still get a table for 15 on the dance fl oor for $30,000. And what does that get me, I asked? Two bottles of vodka, two bottles of champagne, all the water and red bull we wanted but service and tax was not included! We declined the offer and as we made our way out front to try to catch a taxi every available space was taken up with Ferraris, Porches, Bentleys, Lamborghinis – all lined up on the kerbside. Visit fontainebleau.com. DAY 3 As our fi nal day in Miami dawned we had high hopes of being reunited with the suitcases and kept up a steady fl ow of South Beach, Miami, Florida 38-43 WW4 Miami KOT2CCAM.indd 6 08/02/2023 12:34

TRAVEL WOMANSWAY.IE 43 calls to Delta – even though there was no human being available to talk to us. The online tracker (a great invention if it worked) was showing little action and the hotel had joined forces with us to try to locate a real live person who worked for Delta and actually knew about lost luggage. We took turns sitting in reception as we had been told that unless we personally signed for it the driver would take the luggage away. So in-between times we took a long walk of the historic art deco neighbourhood and dipped in and out of shops to pick up some souvenirs of our short stay. In the early evening we headed to the only place we hadn’t explored – the thumping, beating heart of South Beach. OCEAN DRIVE Much of the tourist action is on Ocean Drive (from Biscayne Street to 15th Street). It’s changed beyond belief since I last visited but you will still want to spend some time there. Ocean Drive used to be a really cool night-time mecca for great cocktails and casual dining. You won’t get very far on the sidewalk before being accosted by restaurant managers waving menus and pulling out chairs for you, such is the competition on the strip. And sadly there isn’t much difference between the dining options. The waitress in the place where we ended up eating told us most of the restaurants were owned by the same company. Everywhere you go on Ocean Drive tables are adorned with super-sized goldfi sh bowls fi lled with luminous cocktail concoctions. I hadn’t seen them before and asked the waitress what the idea was. She said some celebrity arrived in the area and was served an oversized glass of something in one of the bars and she tweeted it and so the rest of the bars and restaurants realised that they could get a social media buzz going just by serving these gigantic cocktails (she claimed that they subsidised the cocktail cost as a PR stunt but I expect they were diluted to the price point asked for!). But they are on to a good thing because myself and my friend ordered two exotically sounding cocktails and even the young adults had mocktails and then what did we do? They looked so ridiculously large we took endless photographs at every angle and sent Instagram posts, reels and tweets to make everyone jealous. In truth we couldn’t even fi nish them and the food was dreadful. But that said it was one of the best nights we had on the trip and the young people declared it was their favourite place ever. The sidewalk features a constant stream of people while stretch limos, open-topped Mustangs and Cadillacs cruise the street blaring music. We met an eclectic bunch of people that night - one guy rapped for us in the hope that we’d buy his record (which we did because he earned it), we had touts selling bags, jewellery and at one point a group of sailors (or maybe they were only dressed up in uniform) sang a song out of tune for us. Then a troop of stiletto-clad girls click clacked past us and the sailors lost interest in the impromptu performance and left us in peace. A man with a monkey created quite a stir (and not an animal rights campaigner in sight) and there was much craning of necks to see who was about to get out of a Bentley with darkened windows – even the waiting staff were throwing names about (apparently local celebrities but we didn’t know who they were) then eventually a child of about 12 got out of the back and bought an ice cream and got back in again as the car slid away from the kerb. Also on Ocean Drive you will fi nd the Pearl and Nikki Beach night spots and I was reliably informed that the best places to eat on Ocean Drive was News Café (which I ate in a million years ago when it was just a café) and Mango's but we couldn’t get into either of them on the night and hadn’t reserved. Gianni Versace's former oceanfront mansion is also on Ocean Drive. So after our three days in Miami we woke early the next day, packed the cases (well mine had only just arrived so I didn’t need to pack) and headed south for Key West. The verdict. A fantastic exhilarating and hectic few days experiencing all the shades of South Beach – from the celebrityobsessed party-goers at the Fontainebleau to the street sellers and buskers on the beach front; the touristy fried fast food on Ocean Drive to the sublime Joe’s Stone Crab and the glamour of fi ne dining at Hakkasan. Miami Beach is not for the fainthearted or those looking for a well-earned rest. It’s high-evergy and a high octane adventure and three days was just right. WW South Beach Miami art deco hotel Ocean Drive “The sidewalk features a constant stream of people, stretch limos, opentopped Mustangs and Cadillacs" 38-43 WW4 Miami KOT2CCAM.indd 7 08/02/2023 12:34

44 WOMANSWAY.IE Main image by Christina Irwin were given tennis skirts and frilly knickers to do physical training. Women were still in Magdalene Laundries. Divorce was illegal and females were something of a pebble in the shoe of the boy’s club. “They just weren’t ready for us. I wanted the full-blown Metal Jacket treatment; that’s what I was expecting. But the Army didn’t know how far they could push a female.” Crucially the women entered under non-combatant status and were ‘othered’ from the off. This was rectifi ed in 1992, but up until then, Karina and her colleagues had it tough. “The army left us very vulnerable. We didn’t do duties, so the men were resentful. They thought we were With a dream to be a PE instructor, she ended up joining the fi rst platoon of women to enter the Irish Army. “I went in with my eyes wide shut,” she admits. Full of enthusiasm, Karina assumed she’d be welcomed as an equal. “It never dawned on me that the men would see us as females fi rst and not recruits. The misogyny, the bullying, the gender discrimination. I never encountered that before in my sheltered life in Donegal. My father treated me robustly and as equally as his sons.” It was 1981 when Karina and the other 37 female recruits entered the Curragh Camp for training. It was a different Ireland. They T here were only four years in Karina Molloy’s 31-year career in the Irish Defence Forces when she didn't experience sexual assault, attempted rape or bullying. Her experience was not unique. After her retirement, Karina joined other female veterans who had all experienced similar levels of abuse. They formed the group Women of Honour, to demand accountability and action. Together they have become whistle-blowers on the sexual assault, bullying and systemic misogyny experienced by some women in the Irish Army. Karina’s new book A Woman in Defence opens with a blistering recollection of a group of aggressive male instructions pounding on the bathroom door as she tried to put in a tampon during the rigorous Army Ranger Wing training. Pushed to her physical limits and at times left feeling vulnerable and isolated, why did she decide to join in the fi rst place? “The military was in our family,” says Karina, who never wanted an offi ce job. Karina was the fi rst woman to complete the NCO course for the Eastern Command Karina Molloy tells Niamh O’Reilly about her explosive new book, which lifts the lid on her experience of the toxic culture at the heart of the Irish Defence Forces. 44-45 WW4 Karina Molloy KOT2AMNOR.indd 2 09/02/2023 12:41

WOMANSWAY.IE 45 BOOKS Main image by Christina Irwin Travel was a chance to meet other women in the service. “We were so isolated in the Irish defence forces. For the fi rst 12 years there were only 38 of us.” Karina enjoyed her time overseas, however, the environment often became hellish. One senior offi cer in particular was relentless in his constant sexual advances and inappropriate behaviour. Karina even awoke one night to fi nd him drunkenly burst into her room and attempt to rape her. It wouldn't be the last time a male broke into her room in the middle of the night or she woke to hear drunk soldiers banging on the door. There was always a threat in the air. “Our billets should have felt like coming home and closing your front door. You should feel comfortable and safe, but all the time we were on tenterhooks,” she recalls. Questions were met with an attitude of, “you volunteered to go overseas, so you put up, shut up or you get back on the plane,” says Karina. Karina got a reputation for being ‘diffi cult’ because she stood up and asked questions. She cemented her dogged reputation by being the fi rst woman to attempt the Army Ranger Wing selection course, the equivalent of the SAS. Why did she put herself through it? “They weren’t allowing me to even go in through the gates because I was a woman. That really infuriated me,” she says, full of grit. “I had applied three times, whereas a man had to apply once, and he got it.” Today Karina is still fi ghting the misogyny within the Army, from the outside. Despite improvements and advancements for females in the forces, she still feels more needs to be done. Why is abuse still happening? “One word,” she says – “accountability.” Karina would like to see that change. “Abusers are being handled within the army system, shuffl ed around where they could reoffend and not being dishonourably discharged and put on the sex offenders register.” Karina wants action and accountability, but mainly she wants the Irish Defence Forces to be a safe and equitable place for all. Over the years she’s put herself under huge mental pressure to be a trailblazer. “My attitude was if I fail at this, every other young girl coming up behind me would think, 'well if she couldn’t do it, what makes me think I can?'” Despite it all, Karina has no regrets about joining the army. Today, she and the Women of Honour Group are awaiting the fi ndings of a government report into the allegations and hope for a recommendation for a statutory enquiry to bring about full accountability for victims. WW almost pretending to be soldiers and didn’t treat us the same, because the army made us different. Through no fault of our own, we weren’t equals.” SEXUAL ASSAULT Despite the diffi culties and inequalities, Karina continued her training and had her eyes set on overseas service. During her fi rst important training course, she was the victim of a shocking sexual assault carried out in plain view of her colleagues in a swimming pool. Karina raised the matter with her superiors, but was fobbed off and knew further questioning could derail her career. To advance, she had to swallow it and recoiled when she heard her attacker brag about it in the mess hall. Karina had an iron will to succeed, however. “I was like a nun. They marry god, I married the army,” she laughs. “I never had a husband. I never had children. The army was my career.” She powered through, dodging routine toxic behaviour and in total did 11 overseas tours of duty. She was the fi rst female to get promoted to Senior NonCommissioned Offi cer (NCO) rank. Karina in 1981 with her mum and dad at her passing out parade, Curragh Camp Receiving her fi rst overseas medal with the 57th Battalion A Woman in Defence: A Soldier's Story of the Enemy Within the Irish Army by Karina Molloy is published by Hachette Books Ireland €18.79. “Abusers are not dishonourably discharged. They are handled within the army, shuffled around the system” Karina's fi rst trip to Lebanon summer 1985 with Irish Battalion 57 Bosnia, 2002, on a Stabilisation Force mission 44-45 WW4 Karina Molloy KOT2AMNOR.indd 3 01/02/2023 12:31

46 WOMANSWAY.IE Check out our review of The Fablemans, the latest movies, shows and podcasts and, as always, our picks of the best new books. Hot List The 5 NEW BOOKS TO READ THIS WEEK READ • WATCH • LISTEN By Niamh O’Reilly and Prudence Wade, PA FICTION The Mysterious Case Of The Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett is published in hardback by Viper, priced €12.21 Janice Hallett’s latest offering, The Mysterious Case Of The Alperton Angels, tells the tale of true crime writer Amanda Bailey. She’s attempting to track down a baby who narrowly escaped the clutches of the sinister Alperton Angels cult almost two decades ago, and is now about to turn 18. But Amanda is not the only one on the trail. Once again, Hallett eschews traditional chapters to tell the story via other means – this time mainly through emails, messages and transcriptions. For those not familiar with this style, it could make the story feel confusing at the start, but it’s well worth sticking with. It’s a gripping read, which keeps the reader guessing what really happened to the baby – and the cult – until the last page. The Home Scar by Kathleen MacMahon is published by Sandycove, priced €16.24 With her usual effortless writing style and ability to make characters pop off the page, Kathleen MacMahon’s fourth novel is a moving read. Making peace with the past is rarely easy and for half-siblings Cassie and Christo it’s complicated. Neither want to retread old ground. Having a fractious relationship with their troubled mother, the half-sisters now live on opposite sides of the world. Cassie is a sculptor living in Mexico City and Christo is a Cambridge mathematician. When a dramatic storm in Galway hits the headlines, they're drawn back to the south Galway coast where they spent a last happy summer with their mother. But was it really the happy memory they remember? Parental love and neglect and how it shapes us is something that many can relate to. And many will fi nd something to enjoy in The Home Scar. Cold People by Tom Rob Smith is published in hardback by Simon & Schuster UK, priced €21.25 An armada of alien ships fi lls the sky before a broadcast orders the world’s population to reach Antarctica within 30 days, or face merciless annihilation. Tom Rob Smith, best known for his Child 44 thriller series, effectively makes those reading Cold People imagine what they would do when faced with the frostiest of dilemmas. But the epic exodus of millions is just the start – how do we survive and thrive as a refugee species on a continent not fi t for humans? Which moral codes would we twist or break in pursuit of rebuilding civilisation on an unforgiving desert of ice? Petrifying action sequences and passages of pure psychosociological terror make for a gripping page-turner that will certainly give you the chills. NON FICTION The Year Of The Cat by Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett is published in hardback by Tinder Press, priced €23.75 Guardian journalist and novelist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett weaves stories of other writers and artists through history who’ve adored their felines, with her own tale of adopting a kitten called Mackerel during lockdown. But this is also an exploration of trauma, as Cosslett recounts her experiences with PTSD after surviving a life-threatening attack in her twenties, of growing up a young carer with a severely autistic brother, of a woman fi nding her way in the world and – through it all – grappling with both the longing and fear of becoming a mother. It is an ode to love, healing, feminism, and above all else a stunning portrait of the web of experiences and confl icting emotions that steer us. CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK The Time Tider by Sinéad O’Hart is published Little Tiger Press, priced €9 With a thrilling, pacy plot and likable heroine, The Time Tider is an ideal book for the eight to 12 years bracket. Mara and her dad have lived in their van for as long as she can remember. They live an associated life. She doesn’t know what he does for a living, only that it keeps them on the road. She’s never questioned it, until she uncovers a collection of notes addressed to ‘the Tider’, an individual responsible for harvesting lost time from people whose lives were cut short. Before she can ask her father what it all means, he’s kidnapped. Mara will need to learn his secrets in order to fi nd him. Oh and as if that wasn’t enough, time and the fate of the world depend on her success. WW associated life. She doesn’t know what he does for a living, only that it keeps them on the road. She’s never questioned it, until she uncovers a by Kathleen MacMahon is 46 WW4 HOTLIST Books KOT2CCAM.indd 2 08/02/2023 12:34

WOMANSWAY.IE 47 HOT LIST By Niamh O’Reilly Steven Spielberg has spent his career telling incredible stories, from extraterrestrials to brutal stories of war, from rip-roaring adventures to thrilling monsters, and more. He’s never shied away from tackling tough subjects as in Schindler’s List or Saving Private Ryan. However, it seems that the toughest story for him to tell was his own. The Fablemans is his attempt to do so. Well, in his own Spelbergian way that is. The fi lm stars Michelle Williams as the matriarch Mitzi and Paul Dano as her husband Burt. Mitzi was a classical concert pianist, who gave it up to raise her family. Husband Burt is a computer engineer. They are both different people. Mitzi is a free spirit, a lover of the arts and creativity, while Burt is more grounded and believes in science. The family take their young son Sammy to see The Greatest Show on Earth at the movies and he is mesmerised. It’s amazing to see Spielberg’s version of his young self and how he became completely entranced with the art of fi lm-making from such a young age. He borrows an 8mm camera and recreates the train crash scene in the attic with it. We see how fi lm becomes a way for him to escape from the bubbling issues in his family and later, the bullying and antisemitism he encounters in secondary school. When the fi lm opens the Fablemans are a happy, normal Jewish family living in New Jersey in 1952. Things change though when the family has to make multiple moves for Burt’s work. This, along with Mitzi’s restlessness, opens up fi ssures in the relationship and painful truths come to the surface for young Sammy. His use of the camera allows him to see what others might not, along with those they might not want to see. Divorce is never simple and not least on children. It could have been easy or even understandable for Spielberg to channel a fair bit of anger or score-settling in a fi lm like this. Especially as he uses the assumed name The Fablemans, rather than The Spielbergs. And yet, the biggest takeaway from the fi lm is empathy and a sense of understanding. Perhaps that’s why he waited so long to make it. Perhaps he had to make the journey to that place himself before telling it to the world. The whole thing has that Spielberg magic to it and the score from John Williams is terririfc. Things shimmer off the screen and Michelle Williams in particular is dazzling as the director’s version of his mother. She’s a free spirit who drives into a tornado and who, out of the blue, comes home one day with a monkey. Beautiful, sad and uplifting in equal parts, it’s a fascinating look at how the master of fi lm-making came to be who he is. WW The Fablemans is in cinemas now. Steven Spielberg pulls back the curtain on his complicated childhood and shows us how he came to be the master of fi lmmaking. Meet The Family Michelle Williams Mateo Zoryan Paul Dano, Gabriel LaBelle and Michelle Willams in The Fablemans 47 WW4 Hotlist Review KOT2CCAM.indd 3 08/02/2023 12:35

48 WOMANSWAY.IE Hot Right Now… Max plays the disgraced offspring angle in order to work the mark too. Of course, no one is who they seem. Lust, ambition, greed are all at play. The audience is brought along the web of lies and by the end we don’t know who to trust. Things get even more complicated when MOVIES Magic Mike's Last Dance Magic Mike, aka Channing Tatum is back for his last hurrah as the now infamous exotic dancer. This time around Mike Lane is broke and working in a bar in Florida after losing everything on a dodgy deal. He then meets wealthy socialite Maxandra Mendoza, played by Salma Hayek Pinault, who offers him the chance to come to London to put on a show. Fans of the original Magic Mike will know it was loosely based on Tatum's own experience working as a stripper in Tampa, Florida. Real life has provided inspiration once more, as this film’s storyline is inspired by how the first film spawned a live show, Magic Mike Live in 2018. Director Steven Soderbergh has admitted the idea gave the film a chance to move out of the strip club and onto the stage. Expect lots of incredible, highly choreographed dance action, plenty of laughs and one or two steamy moments to boot. In cinemas now. Sharper If you’re looking for something a bit more taxing on your grey matter, then this neo-noir thriller could be just the thing. The grift is very much on in Sharper, which sees Oscarwinner Julianne Moore and Sebastian Stan play a mother and son duo who have wealthy businessman Richard Hobbes (John Lithgow) in their sights. Hobbes is a billionaire who is seduced by Moore’s Madeline, while her son Featuring an eclectic mix of highbrow opera, exotic male dancers and some top class adult humour, Niamh O’Reilly’s got plenty to entertain you this coming fortnight. Julianne Moore and Justice Smith in Sharper Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek Pinault in Magic Mike's Last Dance 48-49 WW4 HOTLIST Hot Right Now KOT2CCAM.indd 2 08/02/2023 12:36

WOMANSWAY.IE 49 HOT LIST Hobbes' estranged son Tom (Justice Smith) and Max’s girlfriend (Briana Middleton) enter the puzzle. Streaming on Apple TV+ February 17 TV PICKS You Our favourite anti-hero Joe Goldberg is back for a fourth series. Played again by Penn Badgley, this time we see the murderous Joe head to London. To recap for those who have not seen the psychological thriller, Joe started out as a bookstore manager in New York. He became obsessed with student Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail) and ended up murdering her. Season two saw him move to LA and fall in love with the aptly named Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti). She turned out to be as bonkers as him and the body count got higher. In the third series the pair tried suburban life and parenthood, but as you may have guessed, more murder ensued. Can a new life and new identity as Professor Jonathan Moore in London turn out any less ‘murdery’ for Joe? We have serious doubts about that one. Part one of series four is streaming on Netflix now. Part two streams March 9. Extraordinary The Irish are continuing to bat it out of the park in the entertainment world and this debut from Fermanagh woman Emma Moran is a right cracker. Fresh, modern, and utterly hilarious it features 25-year-old Cork actress Máiréad Tyers in the lead role. The story is relatively simple, but inventive. Ten years ago, everyone over the age of 18 got a superpower. But if you think this is just another superhero fest, you’re wrong. The show follows 25-year-old Jen (Tyers), who is still waiting for her power to show up. Full of painful self-awareness and desperation, she will try literally anything to bring her power out. Aided by flatmates Carrie (Sofia Oxenham), Kash (Bilal Hasna) and a mysterious stray cat called Jizzlord (Luke Rollason), Jen searches for her superpower. However, she discovers maybe it’s okay just to be herself too. Really worth checking out, think Encanto but with utterly filthy jokes. And did we mention, Derry Girls star Siobhán McSweeney plays Jen’s mum? ON STAGE Der Rosenkavalier Three of Ireland’s best-known operatic singers will take to the stage together for the first time in this opulent showing of Richard Strauss’ opera Der Rosenkavalier. The production, which is known for championing female voices, will bring together sopranos Celine Byrne as Marschallin, Claudia Boyle as Sophie and mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy as Octavian. Promising a full immersion in the opulence of 18th-century Vienna, the story which was written as a comic opera, also features plenty of meaty action. Expect love and lust, as well as deceit and disguise, as a complicated love triangle plays out during the three act opera. Running at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on selected dates between March 5-11. CLASSIC MOVIE Gone Girl (2014) Based on the novel by Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl is a top-class psychological thriller. Deploying the trick of the unreliable narrator, the film follows the seemingly perfect relationship between Nick (Ben Affleck) and Amy (Rosamund Pike). After a move to the sticks and the ravages of the recession wreak havoc on their relationship, Amy mysteriously goes missing one day. The prime suspect is of course Nick, but as it turns out, there’s a lot more going on than both he and the police are led to believe. Full of twists and turns, Rosamund Pike is superb as the very chilling icy blonde with a skewed view of love. WW Máiréad Tyers in Extraordinary Penn Badgley in You Ben Affleck in Gone Girl 48-49 WW4 HOTLIST Hot Right Now KOT2CCAM.indd 3 08/02/2023 12:36

50 WOMANSWAY.IE Online... womansway.ie Subscribe... 01 240 5363 Email... [email protected] Facebook... facebook.com/womansway Twitter... twitter.com/Womans_way LETTERS LETTER EMAIL DETAILS For the moment, we are asking you to send us all your letters and pictures to [email protected]. We love to hear from you so please stay in touch. LETTERS WORTH €34 STAR LETTERPRIZE Our lucky Star Letter writer will receive the IsaDora Sculpting Palette and 10 Second High Impact Mascara. Born in Sweden over 30 years ago, IsaDora is a brand that believes in empowering everyone to embrace their unique beauty. IsaDora believes that makeup should be fun, never a complicated compromise and always a personal choice that expresses more of you. have Galentine’s? Sounds just as crazy. But then again, there is something nice about celebrating friendship. Because even with a romantic partner, what makes the relationship last really is friendship. Romance is all well and good but it’s high time we made more time for what really matters. Spending quality time with the people we care for, as often as we possibly can. Fiona Hartley, Co Sligo Kathleen Lynn Great to see Woman’s Way supporting the campaign to name the children’s hospital in honour of Kathleen Lynn, the founder of the fi rst children’s hospital. Your piece reminded me of how true it is that victors write history. The men in charge had it very cushy and didn’t want to give any of that up. Nothing has changed in that respect. Anyone in a position of power will advocate for the status quo. It’s a bit scary how easy it is for them to create a narrative that makes them look like the ‘good guys’. As if such a thing existed. Reading about the bishop saying his utmost priority was for children to be raised in the Catholic faith, never mind their health, is shocking today but back then Catholic meant everything holy and good. You couldn’t argue with that. What’s encouraging about the way we live today is that our schools are advocating free thought. Children are encouraged to question their teachers. May it long last. Sinead Smith, Co Dublin Woolly Wonders Really interesting feature about using wool in the garden. I never thought that was even possible but it makes total sense. I have been guilty of washing woolly jumpers and see them shrink to a doll’s size. I’ve never had the heart to throw them out. Now at last I know what to do with them for next winter. Protect the plants. Thanks for the tips. Susan Andrews, Co Limerick Galentine’s To be honest I always thought Valentine’s Day was a load of nonsense. It’s not just because everything is overpriced. My gripe is, if you can’t tell your loved ones how much they mean to you throughout the year, a gesture on Valentine’s Day won’t carry much weight. I’m defi nitely taking the side of the Grumpy Old Woman in Why Is This A Thing? And now we New Habits I'm trying to go some way towards saving the planet with a sustainable wardrobe idea. I’ve written a poems/ditty to help me out: Enough of the silly dresses And the shoes that I can't walk in Enough of all this dashing about town And the prices that just make me frown Let me now enjoy what I have in my collection Take my time with each interesting and exciting selection Celebrate each colour Regard each style And congratulate myself on such good taste Team up those four-year old jeans with last year’s top Jazz up that coat with the hat you thought was such a fl op Search to the back of your wardrobe for the treasures you are sure to fi nd there Get them all out and give them another fab n' fun wear Okay so the shops are full of style But why not try this for a while We can be resourceful And still have our wardrobes full. Claire O’Reilly with the people we care for, as often as we possibly can. Fiona Hartley, Co Sligo the children’s hospital in honour of Kathleen Lynn, the founder of the fi rst children’s Loved your Dervla cover guys. It really caught my eye. I always think she’s a bit overlooked in terms of Irish actresses, but she’s brilliant. I think we all remember her from her Ballykissangel days, but I think she’s a very talented actress who’s so much more than that show. If you've ever seen her performance in Ondine as the alcoholic ex of Colin Farrell’s character, you’ll see she’s got a great range. I’d no idea her husband was also an actor. It’s refreshing how they both tried to balance raising the kids while keeping both careers going. It can’t have been easy. I hope now her kids are that bit older, we’ll see even more of her on our screens. Sarah Ryan, Co Wexford 50 WW4 Letters KOT2CCAMNOR.indd 2 05/02/2023 17:43