Maranatha Country House

Hey everyone so you would have all seen on Snapchat I was away last night in a beautiful B&B. I stumbled across this gem when I was googling for somewhere to stay after we got married here in Cork. I wanted a room with a Jacuzzi bath and something a little different. I fell in love with the pictures on the site and book it straight way. This week is our 1 year wedding anniversary I know where has the time gone it just flew so we decided to head back to the Maranatha House for a mid week stay I tried to book for the weekend but this guest house is in high demand therefore hard to secure a booking. This B&B guest house is in a lovely wooded private garden with stunning flowers surrounding the house it is so peaceful and quiet which makes it the perfect break away for you to relax. Built for Sir Richard Barter in 1887 this beautiful Victorian country manor rests atop the Hydro Hill and is only 2km from the center of Blarney village. Each bedroom is designed in a different theme which I loved the whole house had a real vintage style to it. When we arrived we were greeted by Olwen she was very welcoming and nothing was to much trouble gifting us with a lovely box of chocolates for our anniversary so sweet. Our room was just as amazing as the first time I saw it big Four poster bed with beautiful bright colors a tea selection to die for a big plasma Tv and that Jacuzzi bath I couldn't wait to sink into it.

The Regal Suite 

The Regal Suite features a four poster king sized canopy bed and a luxury ‘sunken’ bathroom with a double jet whirlpool. So enjoy a long and relaxing bubbly ‘soak’ in the whirlpool, then stretch out with a cup of coffee or tea while being entertained by your favorite program on the large flat screen TV.

I also got a tour of the other rooms available each one as stunning as the other the all have such a unique style.

The Top Hat Room

Based on the bedroom scene in the 1935 movie ‘Top Hat’ starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the peach and cream décor features the extra king sized round bed set against a backdrop of sheer curtains and chandeliers – and, just in case more bed space is needed there is a second double bed opposite the featured round bed as well.

The Lavender Room 

A lovely double bedroom decorated in hues of lavender and lilac.

The Champagne Room

Decorated in pale gold, the Champagne room features an extra-long, ‘Half Tester’ king sized bed, as well as a single bed for a third person.

The Rose Room 

If you are a fan of, ‘Empire’ décor, or happen to just plain like lots of pink then The Rose Room is the bedroom for you.  With two double four poster beds decorated principally in pinks and cream and mint green, the Rose room provides plenty of space to spread out and enjoy your stay at Maranatha guest house. 

The Ardcaien Room  

A large deluxe double bedroom

With its two king sized beds this large room will easily accommodate up to four adults with no problem.The lavish swathes of the velvet pelmets, drapes and bedspreads give the feeling of rich luxury one would expect in expensive hotel suites.   There is a full ensuite bathroom with bathtub / shower as well as tea and coffee making facilities and of course, free Wi-Fi.

 Breakfast 

The Breakfast here is amazing I love the sunroom so bright and inviting with classical music playing perfect accompany to your morning.  Sit back and enjoy a breakfast buffet of:

• Orange juice
• Lemon water
• Variety of Cereals
• Cheeses
• Yogurts
• Hot Scones and Croissants( Best scones ever)
• Hot loaf of Brown Bread
• Toasted brown bread – sliced – topped off with real butter and various jams and marmalades
• Strawberries Fresh whipped Cream and Fresh Fruit

In addition, enjoy a Hot Irish Breakfast with your choice of:

• World renowned Irish back Bacon – often referred to as ‘Canadian’ bacon by our North American Guests.
• Irish Sausages
• Poached Eggs, or
• Scrambled Eggs, or
• Fried Eggs
• Warmed fresh tomatoes
• Baked beans
• Mushrooms
• White or black pudding
• Hot Irish Porridge

All topped off with an enjoyable freshly brewed cup of real coffee or Irish tea (Barry,s Tea ) – or if you have a sweet tooth, hot chocolate.

The Gardens

The house is surrounded by gorgeous gardens to take a stroll around.

If your looking for something a little different check out the Maranatha House its a hidden gem. If you enjoyed this post please give it a thumbs up. Thank you Olwen and Doug for having us we cant wait to return.

http://www.maranathacountryhouse.com/

Sunday Strolls

Hey everyone thought I would do a little post of some fun things to do on a sunday now I love a lazy Sunday as much as the next person but sometimes its nice to get out and be active especially if the weather is nice. I put together some ideas for you what to do on Sunday or whatever day you are off take a trip.

1. Fitzgeralds Park
I was only here for the first time a few weeks ago and love it it has a lovely walk and fountain in the centre of the park there is also a playground and cafe in the park but what I loved what the crepe van outside of the park it had a wide range of crepes to suit all taste we went for the snickers one and it did not disappoint so why not grab a crepe and take a stroll.

2. Fota Island Resort (Afternoon tea)

Start you Sunday with an afternoon tea at Fota theres nothing quite like a warm scone with real butter and jam. I am a big afternoon tea fan I love everything about it and fota offer a beautiful menu for afternoon tea which is also reasonably priced. If you want to really treat yourself book in for a spa treatment beforehand. After enjoy a wander around the stunning gardens or sip a mocktail by the fountain.

3.Doneraile park

I love this park there are lots of different routes you can take and some wildlife animals and lovely little lakes around the park grab a tea in the cafe and sit and watch the world go by.

4. The Workshop
This is a really cool cafe you will need google maps to find it as it is tucked away but it really is a cool quirky cafe with a vintage style they even sell lots of little bits in the cafe and have some chickens outside. The cakes are divine and the tea is served in old style teapots and lovely china cups they also do a breakfast/ lunch menu serving everything from french toast  to soup and sandwhiches I would recommend the caramel square.

5.Carrigaline to Crosshaven walk

This is another lovely walk way there a little catering van with seating to grab a coffee and something sweat before you head off.

6.Lismore Towers 

This magical woodland trail known as the Towers is located 3 miles outside of Lismore town. Take a stroll through the woodland and view the gate lodge and bridge that were constructed by the landlord Arthur Kiely Ussher to impress is demanding wife who wanted to live in a large house.The cost of the building proved so great the house was never built.It has a lovely waterfall and some cool towers through the walk.

7.Ballycotton Cliff Walk

A lovely walk with stunning view pack a picnic or head into The Bayview hotel for some lunch its a lovely spot.

So there you have it few Ideas on what to do this Sunday if you liked this post please give it a thumbs up bye for now.

My new favourite tan & Tanning tips

Hey everyone I have been on the look out for a new tan for my holidays I wanted something that would give my skin a natural glow and had durability to last a week in the pool and sun also something that didn't wear off giving me that cracked snake skin look. I called into the Medical Hall in Fermoy I love this chemist the staff always greet you with a smile and are very helpful. Eleanor suggested Bperfect 10 second tan I had heard good reviews so I decided to give it a go I picked up the dark watermelon shade. I have always used mousse style tan so I was excited to try a new style Bperfect is a spray on tan.

So these are my top tanning tips

1.Preparing the skin you will want a smooth surface to work with no dry patches Exfoliating is a very important step it removes any dead skin cells. If you apply tan over dead skin,the surface is un-even . As a result, your skin can appear flakey and patchy. By Gently Exfoliating dry skin cells, the skin will appear to look and feel much smoother giving you the perfect base to apply your tan. Make sure to give your hands,knees,ankles and feet a extra good scrub. You will need a good exfoliator that contains sugar or salt I would recommend  Sanctuary Salt Scrub it has a sumptuous blend of skin polishing dead sea salts wrapped in moisturising coconut,jojoba and sweet almond oils to refine and resurface the texture of your skin and leaves it super smooth you will also need exfoliating gloves.

2. Shaving You will want to shave your legs at least 12 - 24 hours before applying tan this allows your pores to close. Waxing or shaving after tan application could cause tan to come of in this areas and give an in-even tan.

3. Moisturising after you have shaved wait a few hours and then apply moisturiser the night before to get your skin as silky as possible again give your hands,knees,ankles and feet extra attention. I would recommend Sanctuary Spa Air Whipped Creme Souffle it contains a smoothing red seaweed extract and vitamin E which have been whipped together with nourishing jojoba oil and mango extract for satin soft skin.

4.Apply a clear nail polish on nails hands and feet to avoid the nail plate staining.

5. Applying the tan you need to have good lighting to avoid patches. You can spray the tan directly onto the skin but you will have to work fast as it will run or you can spray the tan onto the tanning glove and apply it that way. I sprayed the tan directly onto to my skin and in circler motions rubbed it into my skin for your hands, feet and knees don't spray any tan on just glide the glove over these areas there will be enough product on the glove to cover these areas so you wont get orange hands and feet make sure to get inbetween fingers. Wear loose fitting clothes after I like to put tan just before I go to bed and wash it off the next morning. After you apply tan avoid sweating, swimming, getting wet or exercising until your first shower. Doing so may cause streaks. 

6. Wash it off the next day do not use shower creams. Pat dry after your shower.  Vigorous rubbing will exfoliate your skin and your tan will not last as long.

7. Tinted Moisturiser I love the dove tinted moisturiser I find it really helps extend the life of your tan. Use a sweeping circular movements to rub in your lotion and try to give it some time to dry wear lose fitting clothes un-till it has dried in it gives a lovely sun kissed glow. Its perfect to bring on holidays to top up your tan during the week. I use the fair to medium skin shade.

8. Shimmer Lastly when Im going out I like to add a little glitter to sparkle Cocoa brown do a nice range of shimmers I usually use the golden goddess. 

* I didn't find the Bperfect tanning mitt great I would recommend the Cocoa brown double sided mitt one side for tan and other side for shimmer.

Before

After

And thats my current tanning routine if you liked this blog give it a thumbs up please.

All products can be found at http://www.fermoymedicalhall.ie/.

The Bayview Hotel

Hey Everyone as some of you seen over on Snapchat I was down in East Cork Tuesday in Ballycotton I stayed at The Bayview Hotel. I have to say this hotel is a true gem I happened to stumble across it one day as we headed down to do the cliff walk and we stopped in the Bayview for lunch. As you can see from the photos the views are stunning down here and you also have the choice to dine alfresco and soak up some sun. The staff are so friendly and welcoming they made us feel right at home and there is something to be said for service with a smile. They really go the extra mile we were greeted in our room with chocolate,strawberries and bottle water. The bathroom had a lovely selection of toiletries which are handmade at the hotel. We dined out on the terrace that evening our waitress brought us over blankets to keep us warm as it got a little breezy in the evening which was a really nice touch. So if your looking for somewhere to go switch of relax and unwind why not take a trip down to Ballycotton and enjoy all it has to offer.

Reception

Reception area was bright clean I loved the unique decor which also had seating area to enjoy a coffee.

Bedroom 
Our Bedroom was on the second floor it was clean and spacious which offered

• Sea view
• Crisp cotton bed linen and towels
• Room Service
• Direct dial telephone
• Tea and Coffee making facilities
• En suite Bathroom
• Hair Dryer
• Satellite TV

 

Handmade Toiletries

View from our room

Dining
As I said we decided to dine outside as it was such a beautiful evening we said we would make the most of it we don't get much sun here in Ireland.The menu had great variety some lovely selections of fresh fish. We both decided to go for the Steak and It didn't disappoint it was cooked to perfection paired with green beans light and fluffy melt in your mouth mashed potatoes and topped with a creamy pepper sauce. It was delicious we were both full so we gave the dessert a skip but the menu had some lovely options including Flat Apple and Frangipane Tart with Butterscotch Sauce I love butterscotch sauce and Dark Chocolate Fondant with Pistachio Sauce I will have to try them next time.

Dining with a view

Breakfast was simply amazing I love the menu and it had a charming little quote from winnie the pooh at the top there was a great selection with a cold buffet and the menu offered a wide range gourmet breakfasts

Buffett
• Fresh Orange Juice
• Poached Rhubarb
• Prunes Flavoured with Darjeeling Tea
• Spiced Plums
• Cinnamon Apples
• Natural Yoghurt
• Fresh Fruit Salad
• Home-made Muesli and Cereals
• Cheese Board
• Cooked Meats
• Freshly Cooked Breads and Scones

I went for 2 mini scones which were still warm they were so soft and tasty and from the menu I had Toasted Soda Farl with Grilled Bacon, Poached Egg and Hollandaise Sauce It was presented so well and looked very appetizing it tasted as good as it looked They were very accommodating for my husband who is a fussy eater. We also got Three Cuinneog Buttermilk Pancakes which are cooked on the Griddle and served with Maple Syrup They were so light and fluffy 10 out of 10 from me. Our waiter again was very attentive and polite nothing was to much trouble. I would come down here again for the breakfast alone it was excellent.

Winne the Pooh Quote<3

Min scones and loafs to cute

Things to do

• The Cliff walk is a great way to spend the day pack a picnic and head off The walk extends over 5 miles on a foot worn track along the cliff face with stunning views and passes Ballytrasna beach. The views from the cliff are beautiful truly breathtaking.

• Garryvoe is just a stone throw away buy car why not head down to the beach and take a stroll enjoy an ice cream while you are down there.

• Festival sThere is an annual Festival June bank holiday weekend Seafood and Shanty weekend follow the link below for more info. http://www.ballycotton.ie/events.html
• Light House tour experience the fresh Ballycotton sea air, be mesmerised by the natural beauty and stunning views that Ballycotton has to offer. Ballycotton Island Lighthouse Tours is a truly magical memory-making excursion. Travel in an open topped boat, hike to the Ballycotton lighthouse summit & explore the lighthouse. http://www.ballycottonislandlighthousetours.com/

  
  

  
  

  We had a  great time down in Ballycotton I want to say a massive thank you to Maria and the staff at The Bayview hotel for having us down we are already planning our next Visit thank you all for reading if you enjoyed this blog please give it a thumbs up. Bye for now.

  http://www.thebayviewhotel.com/index.html