Menarys Mega Beauty Event- 20% off Benefit*, Free Clarins Gifts, 25% off Lancôme & 30% off YSL

20% off Benefit with a Bob & Berts' hot drink purchase  

Menarys is a complete beauty lover's dream right now. We called down for some coffee & cake in Bob & Bert's & spied a fantastic offer for one of my favourite beauty brands, Benefit.

When you buy a medium hot drink, you will get a voucher for 20% off a Benefit purchase over £20. The voucher lasts until 31st August, and the girls at the counter told me there are new lip kits with lip liner & lipsticks in one hitting stores around the 25th.  

What to buy: any of the new wave of Benefit expert brow products that launched last month. The girls will help you select the right colour & products for splendid brows every time. I have the Goof Proof pencil, and it's my new go-to brow product. 

There are also a selection of Benefit gifts. I love these and have a couple. They have small versions of the post popular products & allow you to try them without having to buy full size, and double up as travel makeup kits. I bought the 'Do the Hoola' kit in Gatwick Airport & highly recommend it. Bangor have it in stock. 

The next fab offer to share with you is the Menarys' Clarins'  gift event. It begins this Thursday and lasts two weeks. When you buy two Clarins products, one being skincare, you will receive a gorgeous beauty bag (not the one shown, the one on the leaflet) and you can choose four free mini-products to take home.

while stocks last

Choose from One Step Cleansing Water, HydraQuench Cream, Extra-firming Night Cream, Gentle Refiner, Beauty Flash Balm (I love it), Eau Dynamisante, Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch and finally Wonder Perfect Mascara. 

Plus, if you buy an extra skin care product on top of that, there's an extra gift for you worth £22. 

What to buy: Clarins Double Serum. It's won a tonne of awards and even out sold Boots' very popular serum last year.

Now this is a biggy. The YSL concession in Menarys' beauty hall has 30% off. That's 30% off EVERYTHING. If you are a YSL beauty addict you'd be worth your while popping down and buying your whole year's worth of products and get a third off it all. Stick it on the credit card (just don't blame me later, I'm such an enabler!) 

What to buy: If you are new to YSL & want to try something, why not go for their super product, Touche Eclat? Hailed as a wonder product when it launched, it's spawned a dozen copycats & an entire range of its own. But it's the original under-eye brightener that still wows, and with 30% off its a great time to try it.

Finally the Lancôme counter has a similar offer with 25% off EVERYTHING. 

What to buy: the new Grandiose Liner. A clever, new product with a swivel tip for easy eye lining. I reckon even I could do a cat eye flick with this magic wand and at 25% off.

All the Details for Saturday's Grand Opening of NI's First 'The Entertainer' Store- The Toy Shop With a Heart

Location of The Entertainer- Castlecourt, just at the top of the escalators inside the front door, opposite Debenhams, beside Starbucks

This Saturday (13th August),  The Entertainer Toy shop add to their 130 strong, UK-wide stores by opening their first NI branch, in Castlecourt in Belfast. The Grand Opening on Saturday morning at 9am, is sure to be an exciting day, with costumed characters in attendance for photographs between 10am and 3pm. Lego's ninja pair Lloyd & Kai will be welcoming kids through the doors, as well as Star Wars favourites Chewbacca & Darth Vader, I'm sure there will be more than one parent wanting a snap with them too!

There will be balloons, demos and a free Lego gift with Lego purchases (while stocks last). If you fancy getting there early, then you might be one of the lucky 35 first in line. They will all receive a surprise voucher each, ranging from £5 right up to one lucky person winning £100. 

Ok, so who is 'The Entertainer'? Why do I call them the toy shop with a heart? And what makes them different to any other toy shop? 

The chain is family owned, with the first store opening just outside London in Amersham 35 years ago. One thing very different about the stores is they don't open on Sundays- they want their staff to have that day for family, and they have stuck to their guns on this even when it meant certain shopping centres were less reluctant to let them open there. But it's admirable that they've not budged on what they believe, and with expansion ongoing it proves you don't have to always bend on what you think is right just to please others. 

They also have a very clear social conscience. 10% of ALL their profit goes to charities, specifically children's charities. That totalled just under a million pounds last year, donated by the chain. They are the very first high street store to enable you to 'round up' your payment to a pound, with the difference being given to charity, when you pay by card. You may have come across this when paying on eBay or Dominos before, so if your total is £13.45, the card machine will give you the option to round up to £14 and the 55p goes to charity.  Here in NI that charity will be the NI Hospice, so it's local money for local kids- a big plus.

Also on Saturday morning at 830am there will be a trolley dash for Autism NI (I have always wanted to watch a trolley dash but the thought of doing one myself terrifies me!) 

What about the store itself? What makes going to The Entertainer better than going to Smyths, or Toys R Us? Well from our sneak peek tour round the shop, it has to be one thing most obviously- price.  

As Rebecca from Head Office showed us round the bright, colourful store I kept stopping at the unbelievable prices of some of the stock. Of course your Lego, Playmobil etc is similarly priced to other stores, but for example there were little boxes of craft games for a couple of pounds or even £1, bigger than Poundland toys and perfect for party bags or stocking fillers. 

Glitter activity bucket only £4, other games £1

Braiding games £1

In fact Rebecca told me The Entertainer specialise in pocket money toys, and trying to keep things under £25. They locate branches in towns and cities, rather than the trend of out of town shopping, and like to see the store as a treat to take your kids to when you've dragged them round shopping where you wanted to! Smix will certainly be more keen next time I want to visit Debenhams anyway.

Kids will love The Entertainer more than other toy shops as they like to have lots of the toys out of their packaging so you can test them out, or have a play. Anyone of a certain age will remember the pleading at our parents to please take us to the Early Learning Centre, to get in the one Cosy Coupe, little red & yellow car they would have out on display. That would be the highlight of the shopping trip, wheeling yourself around ELC with your little feet flying. Well The Entertainer is going to be like that- but for our kids!

Wubble Bubble demo- it's now on Smix' birthday list (p.s. It's £2 cheaper in The Entertainer than on Amazon) 

They cater from newborns up

They also pride themselves on trying to be very quick to pick up the latest trends. They tend to be first to the market with crazes like Loom Bands, Moshi Monsters & more currently Shopkins, Pom Pom Wow and Bunchems. 

There has been a big trend of making Pie Face videos for YouTube, the game where a spring loaded hand with whipped cream on it is passed around in a messy version of Russian roulette. Rebecca told me the game has actually been out for 11 years, but thanks to YouTube it's outselling brand new to market games. The Entertainer have the real thing, but also some similar alternatives, like 'Splat!' for half the price at just £10. You can even buy the cream in store- I found that really amusing for some reason! I think I'll be getting one of these for Christmas 2016 in the Spence household.

You can see from my photographs there's a very clear pink & blue divide to the in store decoration. I subscribe to the notion that toys are toys and for all, so I had planned on asking them why they have a 'girls' section' and a 'boy's section'- then I noticed that absolutely NOWHERE does it say 'girls' toys' or 'boys' toys'- so it was actually my own brain jumping to conclusions, when in reality there is no gender labelling in store, and boys can shop in pink if they want and vice versa, without being labelled the opposite. 

£10 Ever After dolls

The store itself is designed to be easily navigated by pram, with slightly lower than usual stands so you can keep an eye on your child if they are excitedly running around. Another plus for busy mums and dads, is their 30 min click and collect service. Go on The Entertainer Toy Shop website, find the item you want to buy. Check it's in stock and reserve the item to pick up in store. 

This is a godsend at Christmas time and saves traipsing round half a dozen stores trying to locate that one most-wanted item on Santa's list. Reserve it, pick it up- easy. 

Now this touch I absolutely adore. The till points in The Entertainer have little wooden steps so your child can climb up and pay for their own item should they wish to do so. How cool is that? 

Finally I couldn't finish this blog without a word from Smix. What did he make of the new toy store chain? 

He liked how bright the store was, and that he could play with the Wubble Bubble. He said the labelling of the departments was good because he could easily read which section was which, and where to go to find certain toys. He noticed if you were in one section and didn't like anything, there was always something in another section you did like. He loved the choice from the pocket money stands, but he would like to see more Playmobil in store.

Sadly we can't make the grand opening by the mayor of Belfast on Saturday morning, but do tweet me if you go and let me see what's going on (@rudedoodle) With the Belfast store creating even more local jobs hiring for Christmas this Autumn, and plans to expand throughout NI, let's give The Entertainer a warm welcome this weekend.

Llamas, Space Cats, Hot Air Balloons & Cacti- Asda's Duvets Do It Again

Asda has been my go-to online store for  fun, quirky duvet sets for almost a year now. I have a funky navy double duvet with 'Purrmaids' printed all over it, half cat, half fish, cat-mermaids.

This season it's Space Cats! All duvets start at £10 or £12 and come in single, double, King etc

It's a bit early for Christmas, but they always have a lovely range for spreading Christmas cheer to the bedroom also. 

Green, my favourite colour! 

Cacti! 

Very Autumn. 

Romantic, pastel pinks

Rio inspired flavelas. 

Llamas! 

Hot air balloon fitted sheet starts at £6.50

Quick! The Sun Is Out! 10 Exotic Alternatives to Just Sausages & Burgers For Your Blazing BBQ This Weekend, from M&S

£4 or mix and match with other BBQ packs 3 for £10

I've been waiting all spring and summer for good weather to do an M&S BBQ themed blog post, but as every week passed, the drizzle and rain continued. Last night I was organising today's visit to my local Bangor, Bloomfields Marks and Spencer with my PR contact, the lovely Stephanie, and I suggested in lieu of the needed weather, how about I went ahead and shared the amazing BBQ range with you guys anyway? I could highlight that the meats & accompaniments are glazed and infused with great flavour already, so that grilling or oven cooking indoors will give you meals with that delicious BBQ flavour, without having to stand outside over the grill with a brolly up, for that smokehouse taste we love this season.

So that was the plan, but I woke this morning to blue skies! Now the food hasn't been BBQed yet, so maybe I'm jinxing it, but I'm going ahead with a post to show you whats in store on offer straight out of the bag, in case you want to rush to your local M&S right now to catch this rare sun with a BBQ of your own tonight. I will add cooked food photos in due time. (Now added!)

The good news is that all the meats, fish & veggie options are part of the 3 for £10 mix and match offer. Most packs on their own to buy are £4.00-£6.00, so you are saving a couple of pounds, especially if you like the exotic seafood options, like I do. 

Now my title says I've picked the interesting, non-burger and non-sausage BBQ foods, but I have taken pics of the burgers and sausages M&S have available too, as you need those for the less adventurous palettes. Of course as its Marks and Spencer's the burgers are the just plain burgers, but more later. 

First, some seafood. There was also a pair of sea bass that came wrapped in corn husking to cook on the grill that I liked the look of.

3 for £10 or : Shrimp Sliders £5 : Salmon Skewers £5 : Prawn Skewers £5

Vegetable Kebabs £3.50 : Mexican Coleslaw £1.80

Peri Peri Sauce £1.75 : Mexican Wedges with Nacho Cheese dip £4 : Beef Skewers £4

BBQ Tear & Share bread £2.60 : Mango Coconut Chicken Flatties £4.50 (or mix and match 3 for £10)

Now the hot dogs! M&S are known for their summer 'Posh Dogs', delicious, plump bangers with accompanying brioche style posh dog buns. 

I found these mini posh dog skewers with pineapple & jalapeño and garlic & herb sausages to try, in the 3 for £10 mix, or £4.00. The posh dog mustard is £1.50

Cornish Cove (cheese) and bacon Posh Dogs next, £4.50 and Fried Onion rolls to stack them in for £1.80. The sunny yellow sauce is part of a range of refrigerated sauces I think you add to meat while you are cooking for an extra kick. They are £1 each.

So finally, burgers. M&S have a good range of different types, Aberdeen Angus, Steak & Cheese, Venison, Peppered Beef, and my choice, Chorizo burgers, all in the 3 for £10 offer. Watch out for the cheese toppers in several flavours for £2, and the Ultimate Burger Buns in the bakery and bread department.

So fingers crossed the weather holds the next few days, and we all get in a long awaited back garden BBQ! 

* Its just been dinner time, so here's how some of the goodies look once they are bbqed! *

Prawn skewer : Salmon skewer : Mexican coleslaw side

Garlic & herb sausage with Posh Dog mustard : Jalepeno & Pineapple sausage with Piri Piri mayo

Vegetable kebab : Beef Skewer (I have to be honest, none of us liked the taste of this, sorry M&S!) 

Smix getting his BBQ on, with his one, big, 'can-opener' tooth left after losing another this week! 

IKEA's Crayfish Party Evening- Thurs 4th August, Plus a Summer Filled with Free Kids' Activites

​It’s about that time of year again when IKEA Belfast holds the hugely popular Swedish Crayfish Party in the customer restaurant, which has just undergone a refurb of its own.

Kicking off at 5.30pm, you’ll be treated to a bumper Swedish buffet, including the Crayfish guests of honour, and complimentary cocktails. Then you can dance the indulgence away with ABBA tribute act, The Bjorn Identity.

The store is also hosting workshops and activities for kids all summer long. 

 Details here of when, what and where. They are all globally themed and best of all FREE!

Crazy Cat Lady Cushions Galore

All on AliExpress for under £10. To find any of these simply search 'cat cushions'.

Starting with creepy, photorealistic puss.

Now some bright and colourful, 60s & 70s designs. 

Cats who think they are people. 

Cutie cats. 

Squishy meme cats. 

Subtle floral cats. 

And finally, rude cats. 

Giant Doughnut, Pizza & Burger Scarves, For Less Than a Fiver

God bless you, AliExpress. These junk food scarves are £4.35

http://s.aliexpress.com/Br6FBrim

Dining in the Dome with Yo Sushi - One For Your Bucket List & Runs with Other Restaurants All This Week

Last night Smix & I had a very special once in a lifetime opportunity to eat our favourite food at the top of the world. Well, the top of Belfast at least.

Our friends Yo Sushi Belfast had taken over the dome in the Victoria Centre for two nights of deluxe dining  with unreal views over the Northern Irish capital.

It's a long way down

It was an intimate affair with less than 30 of us sat at little tables dotted around the viewing deck at the peak of the Victoria Centre. 

You could see from Cave Hill to the City Hall, from the Odyssey to the Castlereagh Hills, it was a breath taking view, and without the usual bustle of guests up there with you like during a normal day. 

Head chef Andrew

The evening started with a ninja sushi school. We were guided by head chef Andrew through the history of Yo Sushi, the rolls and the rest, and those who wanted to roll their own had a chance to get hands on. 

Yo Sushi Belfast run sushi classes regularly. It's something we've always wanted to do, but sadly the time we were booked to come along, Smix got sick! It's definitely on the cards though, as Smix says my home made sushi is 'disgusting' and won't eat it! 

Pikachu from Build a Bear instore £21 but selling out quick- only available dressed online for £45!

Then it was time to eat. The first course was sashimi, which is raw meat & fish. It's my favourite part of any sushi experience.

The beef tataki (under the limes) is my favourite Yo Sushi dish of all time, and I always order at least two on every visit. It's lightly seared beef which just melts in your mouth.

I also had raw tuna & salmon, and Andrew kindly included cucumber maki rolls for Smix, as that's one of the two dishes he loves. 

Heaven

The second course was salmon nigiri for me, prawn nigiri for Smix. That's the rectangular blocks of sticky rice topped with fish. More cucumber maki for Smix, which pleased him no end, and for me two classic rolls. I loved the little ones with the hot sauce, my kind of sushi roll. 

The heat started going out of the sun around 730pm and the shifting and changing of the sun was just magical to watch outside the dome. 

Next was the hot food course. Now when I go to Yo Sushi I rarely order any hot food, despite their full and bountiful menu of it. So it was nice to try some other dishes. I do order salt chilli squid sometimes.

Okonomiyaki

Above is okonomiyaki, a traditional Japanese street food. It's a pancake made from cabbage and spring onion, and it actually has quite a Northern Irish tatse to it, sort of like a potato cake.

Below are chicken gyoza dumplings with a soy dipping sauce. 

For this course Andrew improvised on Smix's dishes and deep fried the seaweed wrapped cucumber maki!  

The final hot dish was a sweet and sour style chicken and sticky rice. At this point I was struggling a bit as I was eating for two, which these dishes made to be shared within the couple at the table, where my partner had his own dishes being made for him. But I didn't let that stop me. Oh no! 

Finally dessert! I love the Matcha green tea cake, and a sweet apple dumpling accompanied it, with chocolate and banana sticks as decoration. I also bought some chocolate mochi on my way home, ganache filled balls of joy that I can't resist on every visit. 

I have to thank the staff of Yo Sushi Belfast tremendously. They gave Smix & I an experience we will always remember. It was so special. 

The good news is if you want to do this yourself, the Dining in the Dome events run until the 23rd of July. It's not just Yo Sushi in on the act either. You've missed their evenings, but  click here to browse the other centre's restaurants who are taking over the dome, and book a table with them. It's a tremendously romantic gesture, and something very special. 

Handy hint, until 730pm the dome is very warm due to the glass, so wear something light, and bring cash for paying for drinks. 

Let me know if you dine in the dome, on Twitter @rudedoodle, and if you want more photos and videos then add my username on snapchat 'rudedoodle'.