Stand For Something: Belfast Doc Marten's Store Opening Night

The Belfast Doc Marten's Store had it's official launch last night, with music by The Groundlings and a DJ set from Terri Hooley. The iconic building has two storeys of shop floor and features huge artwork by local artist Visual Waste on the winding staircase. 

I've never seen so many DMs in one place, both on sale and on feet, as everyone at the opening party had styled their boots or shoes to their own personal taste. I wore my cherry red Mayen Docs, which are incredibly comfy for a high boot. I've been wearing Docs since I was eleven (in 1991!), they are a brand very close to my heart, so it was a great pleasure to be part of the launch of the store.

Drinks were sourced from local brewers Farmageddon, and the food from Love & Death Inc. The fish and chips in cups were amazing.

The store is definitely worth popping into if you're in Belfast this weekend, as there will be discounts and offers running to celebrate the opening. The range includes women's boots and shoes, men's and also children's and even babies' Docs which are terribly cute. The clothing range also tempted me, lots of vintage vibe punk wear and smart mod styles. Make sure you call in and check it out.

Is Your Little One the Next Tiger or Rory?

Jessica Martin aged 16 from Greenisland launches the Irish Golf Expo’s ‘Cash back to Clubs’ initiative. Organisers of the Expo, which takes place on 20th and 21September st at the Kings Hall Complex, will donate £1 from every ticket purchased by a golf club member in Northern Ireland to the corresponding club’s Juvenile section.

Ireland’s only interactive golf experience, Irish Golf Expo will feature a variety of exhibitors showcasing the latest in golf equipment, fashion and gadgets from the leading global brands in the game including Taylormade and Bridgestone Golf. The family-friendly event will also have demonstrations and free golf lessons from PGA professionals as well as an indoor driving range with custom fitting and club testing, on-site golf superstore and much more.

For tickets visit www.irishgolfexpo.com and follow the Irish Golf Expo on Facebook at facebook.com/IrishGolfExpo or twitter @IrishGolfExpo #loveirishgolf.

Tidy Freaks are Monsters Who Live in Your Car & Eat Your Rubbish. (I need one)

Check out this cool new product currently launching on Kickstarter. The Tidy Freaks are 3 really adorable characters that “eat” the rubbish in your car.

The Tidy Freaks have been designed to excite the imagination of children so that they feed their rubbish into the characters mouths. The rubbish is then held in a wipe clean liner until it is ready to be emptied.

To find out how you can help launch this brilliant project and be one of the first to receive a Tidy Freak of your very own, visit the Tidy Freak Kickstarter Page.

or simply search for “Tidy Freaks” on www.kickstarter.com

Ikea Is Having a Sleepover Spa Event, Will I See You There?

Swedish home furnishing retailer IKEA has announced the opening of its first overnight spa experience – the IKEA Retreat – a pop-up sanctuary designed to make people think twice about the healing power of the bedroom and the bathroom.

On Sunday 7th September, 30 local IKEA FAMILY members will spend the night in the Belfast store indulging in an array of spa treatments and holistic therapies that will show them just how easy it is to have a wonderful start and end to everyday.

Myriam Ruffo, head of bedroom and bathroom at IKEA, explained: “Our recent Life at Home study revealed the toll that our busy lives are taking on us, with Northern Ireland residents experiencing 13 bouts of stress a day. What’s more worrying is that two thirds of us feel stressed before we even get out of bed.

“It’s vital that people create a space where they can completely escape and find ways to organise their lives to combat stress before it has even begun. Luckily, just a few small changes can make a big difference. This event will show people that you really don’t have to go to a retreat to have a treat; there are lots of simple ways to unlock the healing power of the bedroom and the bathroom so you can start and end each day better.”

The IKEA Retreat is just one in a series of in-store events at IKEA. On the 13th and 14thSeptember, the Ideas Festival will provide customers with even more inspiration with interactive workshops, fun activities and fantastic IKEA FAMILY offers – all demonstrating how one small change in the bedroom and bathroom can make a big difference.

The IKEA Retreat is open to IKEA FAMILY members and will take place at IKEA Glasgow, IKEA Belfast, IKEA Warrington, IKEA Lakeside and IKEA Manchester. To apply to attend, or for more information on the Ideas Festival, simply visit the participating store’s website https://events.myikeafamily.com/

Find 26 tips to help you start and end your day better at http://www.ikea.co.uk/wonderfuleveryday

Car Lifting at the Belfast Motor Show

Ultimate Strongman Jonathan Kelly from Newtownabbey holds the title of 2 x Ireland’s Strongest Man and is the current record holder for the ‘Irish Deadlift Hold Record’ which saw him lift a 1 tonne car, engine side, for 41.07 seconds. 

Jonathan will be hoping to hold on to this record as he challenges two other strongmen to take the title ahead of the Belfast Ultimate Strongman Giant Weekend.

Both Sean O’Hagan, Ulster’s Strongest man and Clarke Beck, Ireland’s Strongest man 2014 will attempt to beat this at the Belfast Motor Show which takes place this weekend at the King’s Hall. Visitors on Saturday will be able to watch the competition between these two men at 1pm.

Pictured are Glenn Ross, 5 times UK Strongest Man and organiser of the Belfast Ultimate Strongman Giant Weekend 2014, with current ‘Irish deadlift hold’ record holder and 2 x Ireland’s Strongest Man Jonathan Kelly from Newtownabbey along with Kerrie Mann, organiser of the Belfast Motor Show.

For further information on the Belfast Motor Show please visit www.belfastmotorshow.co.uk, to find out more about the Belfast Ultimate Strongman Giant weekend which comes to Belfast on the 21st - 25th August please visit www.ultimatestrongestman.com

Summer at The MAC, Belfast

​Al Fresco dining, Chilean wine tasting, afternoon tea with strawberries and cream and a tapas menu that the Spanish themselves would be proud of.

Set the MAC, Belfast’s award-winning  arts venue in the heart of Saint Anne’s Square in the Cathedral Quarter, Canteen at the MAC offers  Belfast’s premiere, must-visit café culture experience. 

The popular outdoor areas, which spill onto Saint Anne’s Square, will once again invite diners and drinkers to enjoy the sights and sounds of summer time in Belfast.

Sharon Wright, director of Canteen at the MAC said: “We are very excited about the months ahead and are gearing up for a real café-culture vibe in our outdoor dining areas. 

“Not only has the MAC got a brilliant summer line-up scheduled, including the rock and dance summer schools for little ones, there’s also live World Cup  streaming which sees key matches shown in the new indoor garden on large plasma screens, but St Anne’s Square is also playing host to some very exciting outdoor events, including the Taste of Summer Food Festival which will include street food, arts and craft stalls, Canteen’s wine tasting and our famous coffee masterclass.  

“In addition, we have developed a bespoke Canteen Tapas menu and a fantastic range of drinks promotions which will complement the sporting schedule perfectly.  

“We have our limited edition Bud beer buckets, as well as our Lanson Champagne offer where customers will receive a free Wimbledon Neoprene with each purchase, and our special Bella View Rocks cocktails – perfect for those wanting soak up the buzz of Belfast.

“Whether it’s a special occasion such as graduation celebrations or simply a leisurely afternoon or evening out, we look forward to welcoming visitors new and old to our new outdoor areas and are ever hopeful that the weather will remain kind to us.”

For further information on Canteen at the MAC, including menus and photo gallery please visit themaclive.com or call 028 9023 5053 to make a booking or enquiry.

"Big Yellow Cranes Hold Up the Clouds"

One of the landmarks of Belfast, Northern Ireland are Samson & Goliath. The two huge cranes used for ship building dominate the sky line.

Today on Twitter I spotted a RT of this comical planting box, found for sale on the Newtownards Road, in East Belfast. 

There also exists a Tee & Toast, Belfast Heavy Metal tshirt based on the cranes.

And then there's this funky pop art print from Belfast Times.

Free Fireman Sam Fun for your Little, Future Firewoman or man this Saturday in Ards.

Ards Shopping Centre is gearing up for a big Pontypandy welcome this Saturday with the arrival of the highly anticipated Fireman Sam show, which will run on the hour from 1pm to 4pm. The Hero Next Door will be joined by some real-life hero’s in the form of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service  (NIFRS) who will be staging a fire safety information day, aimed at driving awareness about important fire safety issues during the summer months. Three-year-old Jude Robinson from Bangor is pictured getting into character ahead of the event.

For further information visit www.ardshoppingcentre.com or visit the Centre’s Facebook page.