Bliss filled weekend in Monart

So I am so fortunate to have amazing friends, some of them I've known for 25 years, the others for 18 years. We all hit the big 30 (or will be) this year and so my friend Nicki came up with the fabulous idea for a big joint gift. As we are all scattered all over the world the greatest gift we could have is spending time together. And so for each person's birthday over the last year we all chipped in and bought vouchers for Monart Spa in Co. Wicklow. Check out their amazing website here.

This means we all got a 'free' weekend and just had to pay for our food, drinks and any treatments we got. My sister generously sent me a voucher also so I was really spoiled! 

I could talk for days about how amazing the staff were, how wonderful the surrounds are and how amazing the food was. But the highlight of the whole weekend was getting to spend some quality time with the people who I have grown up with, shared life experiences with, have had the biggest laughs and the longest cries. The people who are always there when I need them and know me better than I know myself. 

It's always good to take time out of your crazy schedule and just realise what's important and have some time to relax and let the mind switch off and body chill out. A truly bliss-filled weekend and one I'll remember for a long time.

Thanks to all my girls for making it so special. What will we do for the 40th? I heard it's the new 30 ;)

What does Christmas mean to you?

What does Christmas mean to you? Please feel free to add to my list and comment below! I'd love to hear from you all!

For me Christmas means so many things. Some of them I've listed here:

Spending time with family

Sausage meat stuffing

Reliving memories and reflecting on time gone by

Showing loved ones you care

Bubbly for breakfast

Smells from the kitchen

Chocolate in your PJs

New PJs

Eating a box of celebrations except the Bountys (my sister is the only one I know who eats them!)

Family fights over the dinner

Rosy cheeks and smiles

Rubbish bins full to capacity

Fridge bursting

The buzz

Sparkly tights

All piled into the car

The 'fashion show' at mass...I mean communion!

Dozing in front of the TV watching movies

School friends

Bad cracker jokes

Meat sweats

Frosty windows

Hot Whiskey

Children's awe

Board games

Have a wonderful and positive Christmas everyone. It's a time for honouring old traditions and starting new ones. 

It's a time for reflection on your year gone by and planning the year ahead. It's a time to think of those you hold dear and new people you have yet to meet.

But always remembering to be full present this season of presents! Soak it all up and Just Be.

A Drop in the Ocean

It's Kinsale Arts week and I decided to check out one of their installations by the water called 'The Sweat Oratory'. It's the most beautiful temporary Sauna, heated with hot stones and steamed with water.  

I went for a dip in the ocean, sauna, dip in the ocean, sauna, repeat. What a way to boost your metabolism and detox! It was so relaxing to sit in the heat listening to the waves lapping outside. Sheer Bliss! 

You can find more details here and it's open until Sunday. It was such a beautiful evening and I enjoyed watching the sun set as I dried off.

The water in Ireland is warmer than you think this time of year, especially after the wonderful Indian Summer we have had. Top Tip: just jump in, head and all, get the whole body wet and you'll soon start to warm up. Don't mind your wet suits!

 I'm a big fan of swimming in the sea and I am so fortunate I've never lived more than 30 minutes from the ocean. It's one or Ireland's greatest resources and in most locations the water is pollution free and fresh as can be. The salt and sea weed is amazing for your skin (people pay top dollar for these treatments in spas!) and it just makes you feel so good. It makes you feel alive!

 In fact I love the ocean so much myself and my husband decided to go for a swim with all our friends on the morning of our wedding. We got married in Dingle on 29th of December, just after one of the worst storms the town had in a century. Now that was refreshing! 

When I came home from the Sauna last night I cooked some fresh salmon (I always leave the skin on, it's where all the goodness is, sear it in some Grassfed Butter like Kerrygold full fat and it tastes delicious). Season with some freshly ground black pepper. I had this with white rice cooked with organic courgette and spring onions. Tasty! 

I cooked enough for two so I have a quick and easy lunch today. It's all about the preparation!