Modern Day Ulster Travel Posters- Show Your N.I. Pride Or Visitors, Remember Your Game of Thrones Location Tour With a Beautiful Print

JS Kelly Belfast print

I love vintage travel posters. I have two in my home at the moment, purchased from Travel Posters Online, a Bangor one in my living room and a Portrush golfing print in my bedroom.

The traditional travel poster style  

Artist  JS Kelly is keeping the tradition alive with simple yet beautiful designs of local landmarks and towns. There are designs of places all over Ireland, but it's the Northern Irish prints that I'm sharing with you today.

Pickie Swans

There are illustrations of well loved destinations, home towns & tourist attractions. 

You can search for a design of your home town, but if you aren't from NI you still might like these prints. There are several artworks of Game of Thrones filming locations, including the Dark Hedges and Ballintoy harbour. 

If you've taken the Game of Thrones location tour, you may recognise some of the other Antrim coast and north coast locations. 

I'm definitely planning on buying one or more of JS Kelly's prints, it's just a matter of trying to decide which ones!  

They would also make great Christmas gifts, and if you buy now there is an offer to get 20% off when you buy two or more, so you can get two 50x40 prints for £40. 

If you follow me on Snapchat you might recognise the station house at Helen's Bay from my walks. 

Daring Double Denim Launches West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK

Yesterday the well-heeled of Belfast & beyond gathered for the launch of the schedule of Belfast Fashion Week, March 10th - 13th 2016. 

We will see the return of nightly catwalk shows featuring collections from both the high street as well as from independently owned boutiques plus local designers’ work and the popular Sushi Saturday and Style Sunday events to round off the long weekend of fashion.

 THURSDAY 10 March, ALL DAY ‘Cutting It’ Workshops & Seminars. An all-day event geared towards those seeking careers advice or inspiration/information on careers in the fashion, film & costume industry locally. For more information, contact BFW on 02890421509

THURSDAY 10 March, 8.00PM - DESIGNER BOUTIQUES AND LOCALDESIGNERS. Tickets priced at £20 or £30 for FROW available from 028 9024 6609 or via www.belfastfashionweek.com

FRIDAY 11 March, 8.00PM - HIGH STREET. Tickets priced at £20 or £30 for FROW available from 028 9024 6609 or via links on www.belfastfashionweek.com

SATURDAY 12 March, 2.00-4.00pm - SUSHI SATURDAY “The Director’s Cut” at ZEN. To book, call 02890421509price £30pp.

SATURDAY 12 March, 8.00pm –FASHION AWARDS.  Tickets priced at £20 or £30 for FROW available from 028 9024 6609 or via links on www.belfastfashionweek.com

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER, 2.00-5.00pm - STYLE SUNDAY in support of Action Cancer at Deane’s at Queen’s. To book call 02890381555

Fashion Week director, Cathy Martin (in the above video in gold sequins) usually enforces a 'no jeans rule' on fashion week catwalks, but she's bending her own rules this year for the 'daring in denim' trend. It's easy to do: wear as much denim as possible in one go! I loved the outfits for this look. Denim pinafores, huge flared trousers, and a sequin badge adorned jacket from Diamond Dolls in Banbridge. 

Check out the sequins jeans on the model on the left, in mermaid colours of blue & green. 

Former Miss NI absolutely rocking local designer Nor Lisa striped dress

The second highlighted trnd was pretty, girly ruffles. Lots of wedding guest wear, but I love the cheeky edge of the Topshop silk bomber jacket on the model far left.

The final look on the models combined acid brights and sequins, both going to be huge this spring.  I love brights, especially wearing neon orange. See you at Fashion Week!

Dr. Martens: Do You Remember Your First Time?

Last week, Dr. Martens got in touch and wanted to offer Michael his first ever pair of DMs. They currently have an  Adventure Time themed collection, in kids' and adult sizes.

Fans of the quirky cartoon will love these, and you can even wear your Adventure Time fandom subtlety with the Marceline design in black & white. 

So as it was half term, Michael and I took a trip up to the Belfast Doc Shop so he could choose a pair, and of course pop into Yo Sushi, it would have been rude not to. 

The Cornmarket sited store is packed with designs for all the family, right down to newborn sized booties. 

Belfast Dr. Martens store downstairs.

Belfast Dr. Martens store upstairs

Also blue patent on the top shelf out of shot

So Michael had a lot to choose from, but after looking at the designs online when we got inside, he just threw a bit of a strop and wouldn't even try them on. I think he was dying to get to Yo Sushi, so instead the staff suggested I pick myself a pair. I know, blogging is tough sometimes ;-)

 I was pretty peeved off that Michael wouldn't choose a pair, as it's a really great quality boot to have, and go only has trainers really. But what can you do? I wasn't going to force a pair on him. Although when he found out later his best friend Connie has a shiny black pair, I think he wished he hadn't thrown a strop?

I actually am 'well stocked' in Dr. Marten's boots myself. I have mid-calf high zip up boots in black, which still are as new despite being worn for three winters of icy school runs and coastal path danders. Before them I owned the same design in brown.

My newest pair I wore along to the store visit. I got them last October and chose a design with a little more height, ox blood, matt, knee-heigh zip ups. That's them below.

The leather used in these casual, daily wear style boots, is a lot softer than the classic Dr. Marten eyelet boot. There's no 'breaking them in' process, and they keep their shape and don't slouch, even on matchstick legs like I have (spindly legs yet still have a double chin in this photo!) 

In the store's flash sale they had this ankle boot, Gayle, down from £95 to £65. I think for the quality and longevity of a pair of Doc Martens, that's a very decent price. You could look at it this way; they last so well that in 7 years time when you are still using them for Autumn and winter, you'll have paid less than £10 a year. It's simple, shopping mall mathematics, or rather any excuse to buy some lovely boots.

The tweed print is what drew me to this pair, which is also available in black. The buckles are adjustable, but with my tiny ankles I don't need to undo them to put them on. I'm not a huge fan of ankle boots, but these I like.

Detail on the Gayle boot in brown

And to keep them looking new every autumn, they included this water & stain spray, which I can use to liven up my existing pairs, and even leather handbags, or suede, or nubuck.

So I was disappointed that Michael didn't want to play along and receive his first ever Dr. Martens, but it made me remember MY first pair. I was about 13 or 14, so it must have been the early 90s.

EVERYONE had Dr. Marten boots. I remember one non-uniform day at Sullivan Upper, my schoo, and at least half the class proudly sporting the cherry red, ox blood red, or black boots. I really, REALLY wanted a pair. 

It wasn't the price that was the problem, my Mum didn't mind paying that sort of price for winter boots, but my parents really didn't want their little 13 year old girl, stomping around in big boots that they were used to seeing punks wearing. 

My first Dr. Marten's, bought around 1993 when I was 13

Finally they gave in, but I couldn't get leather, or black, or loads of height. My first pair were suede, green, six eyelet boots and I LOVED them. 

So, thinking Michael was supposed to get his first ever pair, and thinking about my green, suede wonders, I decided to ask Twitter did they remember their first pair of Dr. Martens.

So many people replied, with fond stories about them at that age, or what they got up to in their first pair. Many, like me, had to convince their middle class, church-going, Northern Irish parents, that Dr. Martens weren't just for punks or naughty boys & girls. Now we would think nothing of getting a child a pair, there's even newborn baby size!

So it's clear Dr. Martens as a brand means more than just fashion, when people have such clear memories of their first pair. Signing off, here's a selection of the replies. 

I Took My Mini-Fashionista to the West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK Launch Event

Thursday was a glam day for us. As school is still off, Michael came in tow with me to the launch of the West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK. Held in a very cool little venue in Belfast City centre, the launch was jam packed with glamorous, groomed fashionistas; and that was just the men!  

Little Michael has accompanied me to events like this before, and I assumed he would be the only child there, or at least the youngest, but another lady had her little baby with her in its stylish pram.

Busy networking on his iPhone ;-) 

Michael was very excited by the fact there was a frozen yoghurt stand where he got yoghurt and fresh strawberries; he loves a good freebie, just like his mum! 

The launch event ran through the time table of FASHIONWEEK, which begins on the 15th October, and you can get all the info about shows and events on the Belfast Fashion Week website.

We got to see some of the key looks that will be showcased at this, the 20th year of our capital hosting a fashion week. I loved the acid brights, but I am also partial to a good tweed. Suede was another of the themes for this coming autumn and winter. Looking forward to October to catch some shows & be inspired to revamp my wardrobe. 

Swishy, Disney Princess chic

My kind of winter jacket

These trousers were my favourite piece in the whole show

Very 70s

Suede in all colours will be big this autumn

Fratelli nibbles were amazing

Little take home gift

Purple Sauce, Flamingo Croquet, Sneaky Sushi & Climbing Walls

We've had a mega busy day and it's only 2pm as I start writing this. Our first stop this morning was Belfast's Premier Inn. Today sees the launch of their exclusive purple breakfast sauce, so we popped along for a bacon butty & a cuppa.  

The sauce is available in all Premier Inns throughout the UK, and non-overnight-stay-guests are welcome to call in for breakfast to try it any day, and grab a Costa blend coffee too. It's really tasty, but I can't put my finger on what it reminds me of.  The base is blackberries, but it goes really well with savoury flavours. It isn't obnoxiously purple, like the green ketchup of the 1990s, but you can see the violet hue off it in real life.

Our next stop was Victoria Square, which is all dolled up with an Alice in Wonderland theme for the summer. There's a hedge maze and flamingo croquet to play. 

We then hit Yo Sushi at 11.02am, two minutes after opening, to try to get some takeaway sushi to bring home with us for later. Sadly nothing was ready, but they made some boxes up while we waited. Of course we got too tempted by the treats going round on the sushi train and ended up eating a few dishes while we waited too. 

Our afternoon plan for today was to drive down to Castlewellan. My brother & his wife are down at the Methodist Holiday Week and today is the open day. It's been raining all morning though, and the thought of trudging round in the drizzle wasn't too appealing, so we stopped off at Ikea in Holywood and decided against the long drive to Castlewellan. 

They have a free climbing wall today, which Michael scaled up whilst I held my breath. He's a lot braver than I! 

So that's been our busy morning. Michael is now building a Premier Inn in Minecraft, and I'm about to tuck into my takeaway Yo Sushi, with maybe a little splash of purple sauce! 

Targaryen Farmed Dragon Eggs on Sale In Belfast

Northern Ireland is home to a good proportion of the filming of Game of Thrones. When filming is in town, you often will find the actors at St. George's Market on a Sunday morning. They love the local cheeses, fresh fish and beautiful cupcakes. 

But it seems they've left a prop behind, with these rare Targaryen Farmed Dragon Eggs popping up for sale at the world famous market. I wonder if they are tasty? 

The Day Yo Sushi! Ran Out of Fish....

My son had been staying with his dad the past two nights and I had been fretting badly. We hadn't spent two nights apart in so, so long, but I felt it was good that Smix got to spend holiday break time with his father, as well as me. But oh was I glad to get him home this morning at 8am!  

So glad, I think I went a bit overboard and spoiled him rotten today. He almost squeald the car down when I suggested, "seeing as I didn't get you an Easter egg, how would you fancy going to Belfast to get a Build-a-Bear instead?" stressing the entire journey JUST the bear, no add on extras!

He chose one of the brand new Promise Pets, which interact with an app you can download from the iTunes App Store. 

We then hit the usual haunts, the Disney Store, H&M for some cool tiny man sunglasses and new threads, and waited until the Belfast Yo Sushi! opening time at 11am.

We were greated by a very apologetic staff member who said they had a problem with their fridge overnight and there was absolutely no raw fish available. I thought of maybe going on to Sakura, but Michael just loves the atmosphere of Yo Sushi! so much more, and I had promised. So I had two rawish beef sushi plates, and he had his usual small cucumber square ones. As always, delicious, but a bit of a disappointment. The staff were so polite, but the experience was a little deflated.

We were done in Belfast by noon, so we went home to build a greenhouse! This is the fourth year we've grown seeds, and the second time I've ever bought one of these £9.99 plastic greenhouse from B&M Bargains. They build like a Wendyhouse and are quite sturdy enough, although I weigh mine down with two bricks at the bottom just in case.  

We planted two types of peas, beans, radish, tomatoes, plum tomatoes and carrots. I wonder which will be a success? My to-be-ex-husband used to call me grey fingered, in that I killed any plant I owned or tried to grow, which sadly is true. But I always enjoy trying each year. We did succeed with courgettes one year, and I had a huge and beautiful flowering watermelon plant another year.... that never had any fruit.

Gardening finished we popped to M&S for some sushi and bargains. And boy did I get a bargain. We will be eating at my parents' house tonight so everyone can have cake. M&S cake, if you've never had it, is absolutely beautiful. 

Yet more sushi for tea time and a big, blue candy floss Slushies from the cafe round in BallyHolme which serves them this size for just £1.35!

A great day with my great boy. 

Cycling, Sushi & Star Wars with Smix

Big Sunday for us two. Smix (that's my nickname for my son, as he shares a name with my brother so it can get confusing) and I have had a lovely, busy day. After seven and a half years, he can finally ride a bike unassisted!  

He practiced lots in the garden, then we took to the park. After all that cycling and all that chasing after the bike, we were both dying to get to the new Belfast branch of Yo Sushi! where we had both agreed on having dinner before we went to the Ulster Hall. 

We've been to Sakura in Belfast before, but I've been to Yo Sushi! any time I've been in London, and I knew the bright branding & video walls would be right up Smix's street. His eyes were popping out of his head. He got the kid's bento box for £7, which we shared, as he of course had to pick something off the sushi train also. Yo Sushi! is totally a beginner's sushi restaurant. There's even a 'help' button on your table to 'summon' your server for assistance. It lights up a little bubble lamp on your table, much to Smix's joy. 

I was very tempted by the £20 takeaway kits to make sushi at home, maybe next time. 

So, on to the main event! Light sabres and Ewoks greeted us at the Ulster Hall for the Ulster Orchestra's Sci-fi Weekender. Playing the score from Star Wars, the packed out show had fans of all ages.  

Smix's bed time is 7pm, and with the concert kicking off at 745pm we were fighting a losing battle. I plied him with Coca Cola, but we only caught a few pieces before he got too sleepy. Still, an excellent experience to hear those songs played live, and with such gusto. Maybe an afternoon concert next time!