The Top 5 Perfumes I'm Loving At The Moment!

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Hello! Hope you're all keeping well on this peculiar Wednesday evening. As I write, the snow is falling fast outside. I'm thankful to be inside with the fire on keeping me cosy and the kettle boiling on repeat! Tea any one?!

I usually like to write on a Wednesday evening. We're over the hump of the working week, the end is in sight and people tend to be in better form. Of course I could be wrong but that's the way I like to look at it.

I wanted to keep this Wednesday's post light and breezy, and what better way to do that than talking about perfume?!

I think with perfume it's either a feast or a famine. You're either down to your last precious drop of your favourite scent, or else you've been gifted a few bottles around the same time and have nearly too many to choose from! Of course we all would prefer the latter situation. That's kind of the situation I'm in at the minute. Don't get me wrong I have three on the go, hardly swimming in a big tub of perfume but I actually can't remember the last time I was in this situation. Sur lookit, I'm not complaining. Here are three of the perfumes I'm using at the minute and also a few of my favourites, you know - those ones you always give yourself a quick squirt of in the airport.

1. Jo Malone Earl Grey and Cucumber
Of course Jo Malone had to feature on this list. This beauty came into my life last November when I casually mentioned to my mother as we were strolling down Shop Street (Galway) that I had run out of perfume. I said I wanted to get a Jo Malone one but wasn't sure which scent. She kindly insisted on buying it for me. In to Brown Thomas we marched and straight over to the Jo Malone Counter. The girl was like, 'So are you looking for a fresh, citrus, or fruity smell?' I had no idea. I just smelled them all. We left with a citrus scent - Earl Grey and Cucumber in a 30 ml bottle for €54.00.

2. Jenny Glow Pomegranate Noir
I got this as a Secret Santa present from one of the girls at Christmas. I use it as my work perfume and I love it! It really is difficult to distinguish the difference between this and Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir. There is a huge difference in price though. Jenny Glow's version retails at just €7.45 for an 80 ml bottle.

3. Daisy Dream by Marc Jacobs
This is the most recent addition to the collection. I received this as a gift recently. A 50 ml bottle costs €54.00 in duty free. It's a fresh and light perfume and I just love the bottle!

4. Gucci Flora by Gucci Gorgeous
This is my duty free quick squirt and run! I really don't know why I've never bought it. Perhaps I will when the above three run out. It has a beautiful floral scent and is plain and simply just divine.

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5. Victor and Rolf Flower Bomb
I had this perfume before but alas, all good things come to an end. It's a floral scent as suggested by it's title. It's one of those scents that everyone loves! A 50 ml bottle will set you back €90.00

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So there you have it. My favourite perfumes at the moment. Stay safe on the roads over the next few days!

M
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Travel: Croatia - Korcula

Hope you all had a good weekend. Earlier on in the week I said I'd come back to my Croatia trip and do a post on Korcula so here it is. When we booked the trip we were looking for somewhere relaxed and chilled and we certainly found that in Korcula. We got a ferry from Dubrovnik to Korcula and the journey took 3 hours.

The Hotel:
We stayed in Hotel Marco Polo. It was a gorgeous hotel with a beautiful spa and outdoor pool. The room was nice I just didn't find the bed very comfortable. Other than that I couldn't fault it.

View from the hotel room

The Island:
Korcula is a beautiful island. Perfect for anyone looking for peace and quiet. We enjoyed strolling along in the 32 degree heat taking it all in. We didn't know this but Croatian's are mad into water polo. One evening, when we were walking along the sea front we heard some shouting and roaring from a swimming pool. We walked over towards the swimming pool to find a water polo match taking place. Korcula were playing Dubrovnik. I can only describe the atmosphere as similar to Mayo playing Galway in the Connaught championship. Water polo is their G.A.A.

The Old Town

Things to do:
Fish and Fun: A local man runs a business called 'Fish and Fun'. He takes 6 people out on the boat at a time. He brings you to a spot where you can go swimming or if you're not in to swimming (like me) you can lie out on the boat deck and sun bathe. I did go in swimming after a while after a French lady convinced me to put on a life jacket and jump in! The boat owner dived in and caught a fish and prepared a meal in front of us on the boat. It was delicious.

Cooking our fab meal.

Day trip to Badji: This is a small island about 20 minutes from Korcula. You're dropped off on the island for about 3 hours then the boat comes back to collect you. On this island there is a monastery, a restaurant and a souvenir shop. That's basically it. There's lovely walks around this island and it's a nice way to spend a few hours.

Moreska Sword Dance: If you happen to be there in July or August on a Thursday night you need to see the Moreska Sword Dance performance. It's on every Thursday night during these months at 9pm. How there are no accidents in this I will never understand!

Food and Drink:
Massimo Cocktail bar: This was my favourite bar on the island. It is set in the Zakerjan Tower. It's a bit of hike. There's stairs to climb, then a ladder. Not very suitable if you're wearing a skirt! The waiter takes your order and rings it down stairs. Your drink is delivered up to the tower by pulley as you take in the view of the glistening lights on the sea. It was a nice experience, something that I'd never seen before, just be careful on the way down.

Konoba Mareta: We found this recommendation on Trip Advisor and delighted we did. Your meal is served outside down a stone street. We both ordered the steak as advised and it didn't disappoint. Service was top class. This place is a must to dine in for anyone visiting Korcula,

I loved Korcula. It's kind of like a mini Dubrovnik. It too has an Old Town, albeit much smaller. Any questions just give me a shout and I'd be more than happy to help. Hope you all have a good week and the 'Sunday Fear' isn't too bad. Take care.

M
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Travel: Croatia - Dubrovnik

I always try to have something booked a few months in advance, just to have something to look forward to. It keeps you sane at work too as you count down the weeks til you're off on another little adventure. As I mentioned in my first post I travelled for 7 months in 2014 throughout South East Asia, New Zealand and Australia. I documented this in my 'Rustic Roamer' blog. If anyone is travelling to any of these areas you can read about my experience here and who knows you may pick up some tips for your trip.

Last July, myself and Kev headed off to Croatia after hearing lots of positive feedback about the country. We decided to go to Dubrovnik as you can fly there direct from Dublin with Aer Lingus.
The Monday morning flight goes at 07:40 and we arrived in Dubrovik at 12:05. We decided that a week was probably too long to stay in Dubrovnik so we opted to divide up the trip by staying 2 nights in Dubrovnik, 3 nights in Korcula and back to Dubrovnik for another 2 nights. In hindsight we probably should have stayed 4 nights together in Dubrovnik as it would have saved some hotel hopping.

Hotels:
The first hotel we stayed in was called 'Hotel Vis', located about 10 minutes on a bus from the Old Town of Dubrovnik. The room itself was fairly basic but the hotel was clean and tidy. What I liked about this hotel was that the beach was right on it's door step and the bus went from outside the front door into town. One small thing that bugged me about the beaches in Dubrovnik is that they are all stoney. If you are going swimming you need to buy these special shoes (unless you don't mind walking on rocks). They are only about €5 to buy and they sell them everywhere in Dubrovnik so fret not.

Hotel Vis

The second hotel we stayed in Dubrovnik was 'Hotel Adria'. This is again located about 10 minutes outside the Old Town however there was no bus stops outside this hotel. You're best shout is probably getting a taxi in and out. This was a lovely hotel which had a spa and an outdoor and indoor pool. The restaurant offered breathtaking views over looking the Adriatic Sea.

Hotel Adria

Things to do: 
The Old Town: We spent most of our time in the Old Town. You could just spend hours getting lost within the walls and back streets of this beautiful part of the city. It's like a maze and you really don't know what kind of bar, restaurant, or quirky shop you will find as you turn each corner. Be careful though because the stone is really slippy to walk on. On every street you will see musicians and people sitting outside enjoying the sun. The night life is pretty mellow there. It mainly seemed to consist of couples and friends sitting out enjoying a few civilized cocktails.

Kev being a tourist in the Old Town

The Cable Cars: This is a must do for anyone visiting Dubrovnik. The best views of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area are seen from up here. It's about a 10 minute walk from the old town to the cable car lower station. The tickets are €19 return. It takes about 10 minutes in the cable car to get to the upper car station. While you're up there definitely eat in The Panorama Restaurant. It's steak is to die for and the strawberry dacquiris are divine! You will need to book this restaurant especially at peek times as it is usually booked out.

Enjoying a cocktail in The Panorama Restaurant

The Blue Eye: This is a 45 minute boat trip departing from the old port of Dubrovnik. It takes in fantastic views of the medieval walls of the Old Town and surrounding areas as well as been able to take a peek through the glass (at the bottom of the boat) at the underwater world of the Adriatic Sea. We did this on the first day and it was a lovely way to get a feel for the place.

All aboard The Blue Eye!

Eat: Dubrovnik is known for it's fabulous food, particularly it's fish. I would reccommend Nautika restaurant for a seafood lunch. It's located on the very edge of the sea at Pile, alongside the western entrance to the Old Town. The food and views are magnificent. Nautika is a sister restaurant of The Panorama Restaurant which I have mentioned previously. If you fancy a bit of fine dining then look no further than Proto. It's located in the heart of the Old town, at the corner of Siroka Street and Vara. It is renowned for the sea food but offers plenty of meat dishes as well. When on holiday one must treat themselves.

That's my little round up of Dubrovnik. It is an expensive city but it is definitely worth the visit. Any questions give me a shout because I'm sure I've left something out. As I mentioned we visited Korcula too so I will do a piece on that later on in the week! That's enough excitement for one day!!

M
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Braces: 8 Months In- The Low Down!

I always thought I'd fairly okay teeth. They were white, healthy and slightly crooked on the top front however nothing I ever thought would warrant orthodontic treatment. I barely paid any heed to them in college or when I was abroad. I thought they were, like you know, grand! It was only maybe this time last year that they started to bother me. I started to notice that my smile was wonkier and a bit more lob sided than usual in photos! Heaven forbid!
Anyway, I went for my consultation in Keenan Orthodontics, Castlebar in April last year. They also have a practice in Forster Street, Galway. He told me I needed 4 teeth out to make room to straighten my top front and bottom front teeth. I got those 4 teeth out with my own dentist. I found this the most traumatic part of my braces journey so far. It wasn't my dentist's fault but the act of it was just sheer barbaric!
I made an appointment for June 13th in the Castlebar practice. I opted for clear on top and the ordinary 'train tracks' on the bottom. The dental nurse actually puts on the braces and the wires and the orthodontist sticks his head in to double check their work. All he said was “See ya in 12 weeks' and sent me on my way complete with a folder on what not to eat with braces, and advised to take regular pain relief for the first 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Are they sore?
They weren't sore at all the day they were put on. I had a small bit of pain on the second and third day but I was expecting it to be a lot worse. Maybe that's why I didn't find it too bad. It's the teeth moving that causes the pain.

Are they annoying?
Yes, they sure are annoying. I constantly have to check my teeth to make sure there is nothing lurking. I can't go anywhere without my intra-dental brushes. You definitely get used to having them though. After a few weeks adjusting to your braces, checking your teeth after meals will be part of your routine.

Are they expensive?
All dental work is expensive, that's just the way it is. I had to pay €730 deposit up front and have to pay €175 a month for 20 months so all in all that comes to €4230. So yes, they are pretty expensive.

How long do you need to wear them?
My orthodontist expects me to have them on for 2 years in total therefore I've another 16 months to go. Every case is different though, it could be longer or shorter than 2 years.

How often do you need to have your wires changed?
Again every case is different. I started off as 12 weeks, before reducing to 8 weeks, then 6 weeks and 6 weeks again so God knows what he's going to say to me the next time I go in.

Are they worth it?
I have mine on for 8 months and already I have noticed a difference. The gaps are beginning to close where I had the teeth removed and my top teeth have slightly straightened out. I have definitely seen progress.

Wednesday, 13th June 2017

Friday, 16th Feb 2018

My product of the year!

M
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Holistic Care: One Hour Of Reiki

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I've always had a huge interest in the holistic approach to health. As a nurse I know the importance of conventional medicine in treating patients however believe that the holistic approach has its part to play too. In essence holistic care entails of treating the mind, body and spirit. There are many holistic treatments out there such as reflexology, acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage therapy. I'm all about self care and can't place enough emphasis on the importance of 'me time'. I usually would go for a facial or get a blow dry (the odd time) when I feel like treating myself! This week I felt like trying something a little different.

I had heard the word 'reiki' mentioned a few times over the years. I barely gave it a second thought until I heard about it again recently. I decided to book myself in for a reiki session to see what all the fuss was about. So, what is reiki? It's a spiritual, vibration healing practice used to promote balance throughout the body. It's commonly used for reducing stress, anxiety, pain, fatigue, reducing side effects of medication and treatment.

I was brought into a lovely warm room, not too hot, just cosy. The therapist asked me to take off my shoes, lie up on the table and make myself comfortable. She then placed a blanket over me and asked me to close my eyes. The therapist uses healing intention and placing of hands in specific positions, either directly on or just above the body. During the session the therapist's hands remain in each position for 1 to 5 minutes and rotate around the entire body. If there is a part of the body they feel needs more treatment they will spend more time in that area.

During the session I felt a lot of heat and buzzing off her hands when she was treating my head and shoulders. After the hour was up she asked me if I had any problems with my shoulders because she felt a huge amount of heat from them, particularly my right side. I told her I did and I recently needed physio on my right shoulder. She then asked if I was a nurse. I laughed and said I was. She replied, 'it's like you are literally carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.' She suggested a neck and back massage at a later date to get some of the knots out. 

Overall my experience was peaceful and relaxing. A thought barely crossed my mind for the full hour which is very unusual for me. The therapist said it can take a few days to feel the benefits, however if anyone is looking for an hour of peace from the outside world with no interruptions I would say try reiki.

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M

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My Top 5 Scented Candles

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There is nothing I love more than when the house is tidy, the fire is on and the room is lit up with candles. I don't know if it's just me but I find candles have such a calming effect. I have been prone to a little anxiety over the years and I find consciously choosing to live in the moment to be a huge help. I actually sometimes just say the word 'reality' to myself as a little reminder to be present when I feel my mind going off on a tangent. I love just staring into the little flickering flame and not being distracted by anything else. Not only do they have a calming effect, but let's face it they are pretty to look at. They give any room a cosy vibe and are an ideal, mainly affordable gift for birthdays, Christmas, engagements, I could go on.

I have candles all over the house. They just brighten up every room and the scented candles leave a lovely fresh airy smell throughout our home. Here are a few of my favourites at the moment.

1. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir
This is probably up there with most peoples favourite scented candle. It has such an iconic signature smell that you would pick it out from the crowd anywhere. Indeed they are quite pricey at €52 a pop. Having said that, I got mine as a present and I love it. I've also given it as a gift to friends for their engagements and they've loved it too. Burning time for this candle is 45 hours, taking the price into consideration, I try to use it sparingly.

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2. Yankee Candle Cranberry Ice
I adore Yankee Candles in general, but I am particularly a fan of this one. I usually sit this one on top of the fire place and let it work its magic. I have the medium and its burning time is 65 hours. This one is more affordable, usually around €24 but I sometimes see them reduced, depending on the retailer.

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3. Paul Costelloe Living Dark Pomegranate 
Again I'm back to pomegranate, but I just couldn't compile a list and leave this one out. I am a huge fan of Paul Costelloe in general and love the range he has at Dunnes Stores. This candle retails at just €12 and to be honest with you if I was blindfolded, and asked to tell the difference between this one and Jo Malone's same scent, I'm not sure if I'd know the difference. Burning time is 50 hours and considering you can buy 4 of these candles for the price of Jo Malone, it's probably a no brainer. You're welcome!

4. Dunnes Home Watermelon and Hibiscus
This affordable candle has a subtle fruity smell. It's by no means over powering and doesn't come with a burning time. However it retails at around €8 so it can be forgiven for leaving out that info. I also have the Dunnes Home candle in Golden Ember and Lemon Balm & Driftwood. With their colourful outer glass they are an uplifting edition to any room.

5. Cashel Living Glitter and Snow
I got this candle in early October in Home Store and More, and it's still burning brightly most evenings in my kitchen. Burning time on this one is 40 hours and it was €8 at the time. It's about the size of a big Yankee Candle. I know the name sounds a bit Christmasy but this candle has a fresh cotton smell and it's just light and breezy in any kitchen.

Going strong since October

M
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Welcome!

Hey! My name is Maria, and I'm a nurse working in Galway, Ireland. After graduating in November 2011, I moved to London where I worked in community nursing, Wandsworth prison (western Europe's largest male prison), and did a year long cardiovascular programme in St George's hospital in Tooting. After my 2 years in London, I went travelling with some of the girls I lived with there. I headed off for 7 months and visited Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. While I was away I wrote a travel blog called Rustic Roamer Blog. (www.rusticroamer.blogspot.com) Click on the link if you have any interest, no pressure! It was like a little diary of the 7 months and even now I like to look back on it from time to time when I'm feeling a bit nostalgic!

I'm back in Ireland since August 2014, where I worked in Dublin for 2 years, before moving back to the best side of the Shannon in 2016. I'm working as a surgical day care nurse at present therefore that means - no nights, two magical words to most nurses ears.

I've always loved writing, so I've now decided to create my own small space, just for me, where I can share all my interests (even if there's no one reading). Travel, fashion, books, music, health and well-being are mainly where my interests lie and are most likely what you will see here. 2018 is a busy year. With a few hens, lots of weddings, and at least 2 trips abroad, I'm excited for what's to come and hopefully a few of you might tag along on the way!