Chicken salad with cucumber, avocados, apples and grapes


The richness of avocado combined with the sweet crispness of apples in this delicious, filling salad. It's perfect for lunch.

2 cups cooked chicken (preferably boiled) or turkey breast
1 cup diced apple
1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 fully ripened avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and diced
4 cups mixed baby salad greens
Handful of grapes

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, apple, celery, cucumber, lemon juice, and oil; stir. Add the avocado; toss gently until all the ingredients are combined, leaving some diced avocado visible while mashing some. Serve over the mixed greens.


Per serving: 200 calories

Did you get a NutriBullet for Christmas? This recipe is a great detox , to detox the body you need to feed it foods that help it purge itself, while at the same time provide it with the vitamins and minerals it needs to function at its best.

I add pineapple to every smoothie and juice to add sweetness. This smoothie is amazing and so nutritious!

 

• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 cup pineapple, cubed
• 1 banana
• 1 pear
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 teaspoon honey

Add all ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth.

Behold, the only pancake recipe you'll ever need after the Christmas bloat.... Delicious & healthy 

• 1 1/2 cup milk ( cows / almond / coconut ) 
• 2 cups Gluten-Free flour  (available at Tesco / Health Food Stores)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 Free-Range eggs
• 4 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)
• Mixed Berries & agave syrup to serve

 

Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, In a smaller bowl, whisk the milk, eggs and melted coconut oil .Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently blend until flour is just incorporated.

Let the batter sit, undisturbed for about 10 minutes. Do not stir it at all.

Melt 2 tbs coconut oil onto a pan set to medium high. Gently pour a ¼ cup of batter onto your frying pan or griddle.  Cook until bubbles appear on the surface of the pancake and then flip with a spatula and brown the other side.

Serve as above with lashings of agave syrup, a bunch of chopped mint & some berries.

The Clarins Essential Palette is filled with a range of matte, shimmer and full on glitter shades, with that stunning golden glitter standing out right in the centre. The pigmentation is not quite as powerful as Urban Decay or MAC, which is why it is suited to someone who prefers a lighter hand with her makeup. To oomph the pigmentation, these shades can be used wet. Used dry, It is a much more sophisticated product with a range of more mature shades, obviously aiming for the key Clarins consumer. As a Christmas gift for your Mum, Aunt, or sister, this is a great, wearable palette. Priced at €43.



Available at Boots.ie/Clarins

New Years Eve Ready //

 

ASOS short dress
asos.com

Topshop petite cocktail dress
topshop.com

Topshop sequin dress
$115 - topshop.com

Zara sequin top
zara.com

Topshop sweatshirt
topshop.com

Topshop brown cropped jacket
topshop.com

Topshop skirt
topshop.com

Black slingback
fwrd.com

Mulberry mini purse
net-a-porter.com

Irene Neuwirth rose gold jewelry
barneys.com

With New Year’s Eve only days away, I’ve been trying to narrow down my selection of sequin / sparkly outfits to choose from! NYE is the time to go all out and wear something extra special!


 

The bigger the better with scarves this Season, the blanket scarves are having a moment. This Zara blanket scarf is huge and amazing quality for €29,99, It can be styled as below or worn Burberry-esque as a full cape. It is now back in stock online, just in time for Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coat ZARA // Blanket Scarf ZARA // Jeans Topshop // Booties Ash Jalouse Distressed Black // Bag Mulberry Bayswater Tote Grey Mole // Cable Hat & Gloves Savida //

 

Because I love Christmas, I'm also obsessed with Christmas jumpers! I love the fact that this grey pearly H&M offering doesn't strike you as the typical Christmas jumper- It has already sold out online but there is limited availability in store.  It is warmer than I expected and the phrase is just the BEST....

 

Jumper H&M

Jeans Topshop Moto Washed Black Baxter Jean

Denim Shirt Topshop Moto Fitted Denim Shirt

Cable PomPom Hat & Gloves Savida,

Bag Mulberry Bayswater Mole Grey

I'm loving faux fur this Winter- It's just one of those trends that's super comfortable and so stylish. It really brings a look together and adds a glamorous touch instantly. I have a few faux fur gilets, and faux fur stole's- two items in my closet that I wear over and over again in the colder months with simple outfits and evening outfits.












SHOP THE LOOK //

ASOS Faux Fur coats LINK! // Topshop Chunky Faux Fur Coat LINK! // Oasis Faux Fur LINK!

If you’re not going to wear sequined pants for a NYE / Christmas party, when are you? It’s the best occasion. And they look incredibly hot! Paired with a more sophisticated top, like a silky blouse, shirt or a tank top they can look better than a dress. Paired with a less extravagant top, like this 'Crème De La Crème' grey tee, they ooze that glamorous effortlessness.







I have found the perfect pair at the perfect price - H&M Gold Sequin Pants LINK!

Marc By Marc Jacobs The Slim Watch €197 LINK! Logo letters mark the bright dial of this rose gold-tone Marc by Marc Jacobs watch. A petite date window details one side. Link band. Hinged-snap clasp.




Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac Bag €154 LINK! A petite Rebecca Minkoff bag in buttery soft leather. Studded metal feet and polished hardware add classic shine, and a zip secures the top. Optional cross-body chain strap. Lined interior with 2 pockets. Silver-tone hardware. Dust bag included.

Also love this version LINK!


GlamGlow Holiday Gift Set €58 (worth €113) LINK!
GIFT SEXY™ contains 3 Award Winning GLAMGLOW® mud treatments, including a full size 50g THIRSTYMUD™ HYDRATING TREATMENT, delivering instant, extreme hydration, a 15g YOUTHMUD® TINGLEXFOLIATE TREATMENT, providing super anti-aging antioxidants for tightening and exfoliating, as well as a 15g SUPERMUD® CLEARING TREATMENT, designed to fight all common skin concerns for mind-blowing results, leaving you with seemingly pore-less skin in minutes.


Essie Holiday Gift Set €15 LINK!

Looking for the perfect gift for the fashionista in your life.... whether it's your best friend, mom, sister or even yourself? The limited edition essie 2013 holiday gift set is your answer. This set of five mini essie polishes is the ultimate must-have gift for any occasion - use them at home take them to the salon. The essie 2013 holiday gift set includes five of Essie's iconic shades - ballet slippers, chinchilly, turquoise & caicos, forever yummy, wicked - each one works with any fabulous outfit and looks great all year long.


GHD Curve Classic Tong €143 LINK!

This has already sold out once- GHD are the best, long-lasting hair tools. GHD curve® has been developed to tackle the issue of curl-drop, allowing you to easily create gorgeous, shiny, healthier-looking curls that last around the clock. The secret to this is all down to the patented tri-zone technology® in the barrel. Six quick-thinking sensors heat up to, and maintain, a consistent temperature of 185°C – the optimal temperature for styling hair, so you can be confident of long-lasting results without damaging your hair.


Kate Spade Mini Bow Ring, Rose Gold $48 LINK!

Molecule 01 Eccentric Molecule 100ML  £65  LINK!
Molecule 01 is one of my favourite fragrances. It is completely unique and smells different on everyone. I am always asked which scent I am wearing and people always comment on how gorgeous is it. It's addictive, long wearing and seductive.


Soap & Glory Perfect Ten €20 LINK!

Soap & Glory's most fabulous collection of wearable colours ever assembled, in a must-have, limited edition ten-shade shadow palette. Just close your eyes, dust on, and dazzle ’em! A perfect dupe for Urban Decays Naked Palette.


Alpha H Liquid Gold €32-50 LINK!

Alpha-H Liquid Gold is a powerful resurfacing and firming treatment for diminishing wrinkles, pigmentation and sun damage. This multi action formula is enriched with silk proteins, liquorice extract and Glycolic Acid. It works to jump start the skin’s metabolism, tightening enlarged pores and giving a brighter, clearer complexion.

Charlotte Tilbury Sculpt & Highlight Set €223 LINK!

Legendary makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury has put together six of her signature face and body products to create the ultimate sculpting and highlighting set. These beauty wonders are designed to enhance your natural radiance and come with a canvas makeup bag to use when on the go.

 

Black is the new black and it will always be the new black.  This statement stands true for multiple reasons:

Black is the most flattering of all colours.  It is slimming and luxurious and gives off an overall polished look.

Black pieces can be paired with anything.  For example, a black top can be styled with any colour bottom.  Vice versa, a black bottom  – jeans, for instance — can be paired with any colour top.

Black looks good on everyone and can be dressed up or down yet still hold a quietly seductive look.

Black is always in style.  It can be worn with any trend at any time of year.

Black is simple and sophisticated. Wearing black makes people look more sophisticated and definitely lets your accessories stand out more.




Add a red lip a la Miranda , Try MAC Lady Danger





SHOP THE LOOK


Topshop High Waisted Leather Look Trousers LINK!
Topshop Leather Bag LINK!
Monki Tulle Black Skirt LINK!
River Island Leather Gilet LINK!
Dune 'Roxie' Black Ankle Bootie LINK!

Flared denims can exude stylish chic, as shown by the denim queen herself, Ms Palermo. A well-fitted pair that flare from the knee look wonderful when teamed with a classic blouse or a woolly jumper.

Always emphasise your height with stiletto heels, unless you can get away with some converse! Add a large tote bag for the finishing touch.











MOTO Clean-Cut Flared Jeans LINK!

Ashford Castle is a medieval castle that has been expanded over the centuries and is still expanding! (It closes in January 2015 for 3 months for renovations) and turned into a five star luxury hotel near Cong on the Mayo-Galway border, on the shore of Lough Corrib in Ireland. Ashford Castle is set in 350 acres of parkland,  It is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World organisation and was previously owned by the Guinness family.

                                                        The largest lake in Ireland, Lough Corrib

                                                     Secret gardens adorn the grounds of Ashford Castle

 

                                                                                           A rare clear blue sky in Mid-November

Ashford Castle's luxury accommodations are hugely spacious and all individually designed, with elegant period furnishings, sumptuous marble bathrooms and all the comforts of gracious living. Each bedroom has fantastic views either across the gardens, the river or of Lough Corrib.







Dining at Ashford Castle is an amazing experience, with Michelin Star head chef, Stefan Matz overseeing the The George V Room, Cullen's at the Cottage and the Connaught Room.

Afternoon Tea is a work of art and worth the €60 price. It includes the sumptuous desserts below and also scones, served with homemade lemon curd and a selection of jams, finger sandwiches of smoked salmon and chicken salad with a toasted almond crust.




Ashford Castle offers a huge range of activities, from walks within the 350 acre estate, golfing on Ashford's 9-hole course, to fishing for trout and salmon on Lough Corrib and lake cruises. We went on the cruise and it's a fabulous way to see the vast Lough Corrib and also learn some of the Castle's interesting history- Ashford Castle also has one of the most advanced Equestrian Centres in the country and has Ireland's first Falconry School offering the rare opportunity to handle birds of prey.

 

For rainy days, Ashford has a health and beauty centre equipped with whirlpool, steam-room and sauna and a full range of beauty treatments using exclusive Yonka products. The only downside is there is no swimming pool, which is unusual for a 5 star hotel.

Spectacular in every way.



Prices start from €88pppn B&B Midweek LINK!
Weekend rates €155pppn


-Visit LINK! for details -