They say travel broadens the mind - but it's playing havoc with my body clock! I'm just back from a trip to Korea and am still on Asian time - that means eating breakfast at tea-time and going to bed at 8pm!
I wouldn’t have missed the trip for the world though, because I discovered a beautiful country with a fascinating history and welcoming, friendly people. I even took part in a 'home stay' programme and stayed with a Korean family overnight, and was treated to their hospitality and delicious home-cooked food, all while I got a real insight into their lifestyle.
My trip to the DMZ - the demilitarised zone - near the capital Seoul, was particularly fascinating. It's the area between South and North Korea and you can only get to it on a pre-organised tour, as it's heavily guarded with soldiers from both sides, but it was a day I'll never forget.
Seoul is a lively, bustling, fast-paced city but there are pockets of serenity in the Buddhist temples and lush green parks you'll find all over the city. I also travelled out of Seoul to the bustling southern port of Busan, Korea's second biggest city, as well as Andong with its traditional folk village and Gyeongju with its impressive national museum. Korea is one of Asia's best-kept secrets but hopefully it won't be that way for much longer - I loved it and I'll definitely make plans to go back.
In the meantime, when I'm not trying to catch up on my sleep, I'm making the most of being back in Belfast.
I'm a bit of an art buff, so I was happy to discover homegrown talent in the form of Holywood-based artist Dawn Whalley. Her work is filled with imaginative and enchanting imagery and she unveiled her latest works in Holywood's Whalley Gallery recently to great acclaim. Check it out if you're in that part of the province and you could find yourself going home with a brand new painting for your wall.
With Belfast Fashionweek week taking place all thoughts are currently on style this month, and another local name to watch out for is fashion designer Zoë Boomer, who was born and brought up in Belfast but now lives in London.
She caused a stir at Dublin fashion Week recently with her fluid, floaty creations in sumptuous chiffon and silk.
She also counts Madonna and singer Natasha Bedingfield as fans of her work, which is pretty amazing when you consider that Madonna, in particular, has the worlds top designers at her beck and call. So the fact she rates a local gal shows just how special 25-year-old Zoe's designs are.
Of course the biggest fashion parade of all could be seen at the recent Ulster Tatler People of the Year Awards - everyone looked fabulous! All the men looked dapper in suits while the women were stunning in every type of ball gown and formal dress. I got loads of compliments about my long black and gold dress from Beverly Hills on Bloomfield Avenue, and I felt like quite the starlet! In terms of dressing-up, it was definitely Northern Ireland's answer to the Oscars! It was a real occasion to get the glad rags on and a great time was had by all. It really was the social event of the year - roll on next year's awards!
Thursday 20 November 2008
Thursday 2 October 2008
Swapping is the new shopping by Andrea McVeigh
Swapping is the new shopping! Even Hollywood A-listers are at it! Lindsay Lohan was the guest of honour at a clothes swapping event held by Visa, the credit card people, in London this summer. But us Northern Irish gals have got in on the act too.
The Blick folk, who work out of a shared space for creative types on Belfast's Malone Road, held a skills swapping party recently, and a few weeks back I held my own book and clothes swap party at home.
The idea is to get a group of mates together and bring all your old books and clothes along - anything that still has some life left in it, but that you no longer need or want. Then put all the items down and let everyone be free to take their pick. It's also known as 'swishing' and it's all the rage in London these days. Try it yourself - me and my friends had a great girly night, a few drinks and a lot of laughs. You'll have a fab night and could even bag a new wardrobe without spending any money - how's that for credit crunch shopping!
You could even get everyone to donate some money and then give it to charity - and with Breast Cancer Awareness Month taking place this October, what better excuse do you need to get swapping!
Talking of books, a big event in the local publishing calendar takes place mid-month with the launch of Gerry Kelly's autobiography. The talented UTV talk show veteran hosted The Kelly Show, live on Friday nights on UTV, for no less than 17 years - so he's got some great stories to tell!
Known both locally and nationally as Northern Ireland's own 'Mr Chat', he's had a fascinating life - I had the pleasure of working for him on the Kelly Show a few years back and I know what a great man he is. And boy, he can tell a great story too! This is one book I can't wait to get my hands on. I'm not even going to wait until Christmas (or for a book swap party!) - I'll rush out to buy it as soon as it comes out!
October is certainly shaping up to be a busy month as Belfast Fashionweek also takes place mid-month. I love seeing the latest styles on local models and I know that I'm not alone - ticket sales keep rising every year that it runs and tickets for most of the shows usually sell out soon after they go on sale. I love the 1970s-style boho fashion looks that are filling the rails this season so I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for some hot style tips during Fashionweek too.
Besides all the fab launches and social occasions taking place over the coming weeks there's another reason to celebrate autumn too - great telly! I'm currently glued to Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday evenings and have shouted myself hoarse cheering on local girl Christine Bleakley, the talented and extremely glamorous co-presenter of BBC1's flagship The One Show. As cheerful and friendly in real life as she is on TV, our girl Christine deserves to win - so get voting!
With Ugly Betty on Fridays, the airing of Little Britain USA, also on Fridays, and Strictly on Saturdays, that's my weekend viewing sorted. I'm also a big movie fan too, and I was lucky enough to catch a preview of How To Lose Friends And Alienate People, recently. Starring Simon Pegg as an inept British journalist who lands a job at a fashionable New York-based magazine, it's based around the real-life experiences of gaffe-prone British writer, Toby Young. It's also one of those British movies you wish they'd make more of - funny, clever and fast-paced with lots of laughs, snappy dialogue and great acting.
The Blick folk, who work out of a shared space for creative types on Belfast's Malone Road, held a skills swapping party recently, and a few weeks back I held my own book and clothes swap party at home.
The idea is to get a group of mates together and bring all your old books and clothes along - anything that still has some life left in it, but that you no longer need or want. Then put all the items down and let everyone be free to take their pick. It's also known as 'swishing' and it's all the rage in London these days. Try it yourself - me and my friends had a great girly night, a few drinks and a lot of laughs. You'll have a fab night and could even bag a new wardrobe without spending any money - how's that for credit crunch shopping!
You could even get everyone to donate some money and then give it to charity - and with Breast Cancer Awareness Month taking place this October, what better excuse do you need to get swapping!
Talking of books, a big event in the local publishing calendar takes place mid-month with the launch of Gerry Kelly's autobiography. The talented UTV talk show veteran hosted The Kelly Show, live on Friday nights on UTV, for no less than 17 years - so he's got some great stories to tell!
Known both locally and nationally as Northern Ireland's own 'Mr Chat', he's had a fascinating life - I had the pleasure of working for him on the Kelly Show a few years back and I know what a great man he is. And boy, he can tell a great story too! This is one book I can't wait to get my hands on. I'm not even going to wait until Christmas (or for a book swap party!) - I'll rush out to buy it as soon as it comes out!
October is certainly shaping up to be a busy month as Belfast Fashionweek also takes place mid-month. I love seeing the latest styles on local models and I know that I'm not alone - ticket sales keep rising every year that it runs and tickets for most of the shows usually sell out soon after they go on sale. I love the 1970s-style boho fashion looks that are filling the rails this season so I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for some hot style tips during Fashionweek too.
Besides all the fab launches and social occasions taking place over the coming weeks there's another reason to celebrate autumn too - great telly! I'm currently glued to Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday evenings and have shouted myself hoarse cheering on local girl Christine Bleakley, the talented and extremely glamorous co-presenter of BBC1's flagship The One Show. As cheerful and friendly in real life as she is on TV, our girl Christine deserves to win - so get voting!
With Ugly Betty on Fridays, the airing of Little Britain USA, also on Fridays, and Strictly on Saturdays, that's my weekend viewing sorted. I'm also a big movie fan too, and I was lucky enough to catch a preview of How To Lose Friends And Alienate People, recently. Starring Simon Pegg as an inept British journalist who lands a job at a fashionable New York-based magazine, it's based around the real-life experiences of gaffe-prone British writer, Toby Young. It's also one of those British movies you wish they'd make more of - funny, clever and fast-paced with lots of laughs, snappy dialogue and great acting.
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