It’s that in-between time. Here’s how we’re getting through the dog days of December …
We don’t mean to be grumpy. For some, this is the full-tilt “party season”. But we don’t all have the stamina. And sometimes, the incessant socialising and alcohol fog just becomes too much. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea (we’d rather have a cup of tea). Should you too be hitting the stage when you want to hide from your entire family, or just leave home entirely, here are some ideas …
Retreat
At a recent retreat at Powerscourt Springs in Co Wicklow, yoga teacher Emilia Krysztofiak (@howhumanofme) encouraged the group to “let go of what no longer serves you”, which sounds like excellent advice. We all need a mental spring-clean at this time of year. Step back, step outside.
We love the idea of a day retreat in the care of a Ballmaloe-trained chef and a yoga teacher – sounds like a perfect combination. Retreats take place around Co Clare and the Burren. www.retreatyourself.ie
Write
Take the time to write proper thank-you letters. It can be a quiet and thoughtful way to spend an hour or two, and is a far more personal and meaningful way to thank someone than a casual text. Good cards and an ink pen make it a pleasure. These notecards are by Achara www.acharastationery.com. Stock up on coloured inks from the Montblanc boutique on South Anne Street, Dublin 2, or The Pen Place, the excellent pen specialists upstairs in Dun Laoghaire. www.thepenplace.ie
Restore
Adopting two basic principles can help on all fronts: move more, and eat well. Should the eating thing seem hard to nail – so much conflicting advice and, you know, oat milk – book in with a nutritionist to get on top of what your body really needs, properly and scientifically. Book in with nutritional therapist Edelle O’Doherty Nickels for consultations covering diet, exercise, sleep and more. www.nualawoulfe.ie
A balanced diet is obviously the best approach. But for a bit of an immune boost at this time of year, we rate Altrient Vitamin C (€59.95, 30 sachets). It is expensive, and not that easy to actually drink – it doesn’t dissolve in water, so you just have to down it. But it’s a liposomal form of vitamin C, so highly absorbable. I also like the delicious Somega liposomal liquid vitamin C (€38.95, www.gosomega.com), which is vegan-friendly and alcohol-free.
Sleep
So important, so good for us. Block out the light (should there be any, since it’s December) with a silk sleep mask, €50, by Jane Darcy (www.janedarcy.ie). Leave your phone downstairs. Upgrade your bedding in the sales – even a few pillowcases – to improve your night’s sleep.
Lounge
This is definitely the time of year for a good dressing gown and elegant pyjamas. In a dream world, we’d be wafting around in a vintage kimono from A Store is Born, Clarendon Street, Dublin 2, or Olivia von Halle’s supremely elegant silk sets or velvet gowns (pictured below).
Toast’s stripe double cotton pyjamas are cosy and will last a lifetime; keep an eye out for the sales (€195; www.eu.toa.st). At the Charlotte Tilbury press event in Dublin in December, overnighters at the Westbury arrived to find their bathroom filled with Tilbury skincare, along with a customised John Lewis fluffy white bathrobe and these Fable & Eve Piccadilly burgundy cotton pyjamas, personalised with initials. The dream.
Book in
We’re booking in for TCM at Escapada health clinic in Dun Laoghaire; www.escapada.ie. Also, see co-founder Maeve O’Sullivan’s tips for how to drink wisely this winter here.
The Kobido massage at Pembroke Aesthetics sounds intriguing. It’s said to be very energising and is a traditional Japanese method of facial massage used to boost circulation, with both aesthetic and health benefits. www.pembrokeaesthetics.ie
Warm up
EdenOne has the biggest sauna we’ve ever seen (go there for a treatment and spa – the food is great, read more here). Or treat yourself to a seaside sauna to get your circulation going and generally make you feel warm and well (sea swim optional), see our list of the best spots around Ireland.
Scent-sorial
We’re pretty shopped-out right now. But we do have some Christmas vouchers burning a hole in our pocket. And a new scent can perk up the dullest day, and help to start the year in style. Hunt out quirkier scents, such as Stockholm brand Stora Skuggan scents at the brilliant DOPL (one of the friendliest shops in Dublin, and stockists of great footwear from Birkenstocks to Blundstone boots; it’s on Wicklow Street, Dublin 2; www.dopl.ie). Spotting Vyrao scents on the top floor of Brown Thomas – don’t miss their discovery sets at €40. The best one is The Sixth, created by Irish perfumer Meabh McCurtin, a stunning and unique creation in a striking silver bottle. That’s where my vouchers are going …
Look ahead
We’re booking shows and exhibitions for next year, to give us something to look forward to throughout January. We’re bagging tickets to see the brilliant Brian Cox star in Long Day’s Journey into Night at Wyndham’s Theatre London (alongside Ireland’s own Daryl McCormack), and Sive here at the Gaiety from January to March.
When in doubt …
Eat cheese. We got sent a big chunk of Cashel Blue as a gift, and it was one of the best things about December. Made by a family business in Co Tipperary for more than 30 years, it’s a creamy, delicious delight. It goes wonderfully well with everything (melted with homemade burgers in particular). That’s our advice – stay at home and eat cheese. www.cashelblue.com