Is it too early to celebrate Halloween?
Here at VIP Magazine HQ we certainly don’t think so! Although not all of our picks are spooky…but some of them are.
Here’s what we’ve been loving this week…
Weekend editor Sláine is loving…The Loneliest Time by Carly Rae Jepsen
Typically music is all about that soundtrack of the summer, but Carly Rae Jepsen is proving you can love a good pop ballad any time of year…and that’s exactly what I’m doing.
She made waves with her smash hit Call Me Maybe back in 2012, but her catalogue expands well beyond that one track. Since then she’s experimented with plenty of different pop sounds and even some indie influences.
But her next era seems to be all about eighties synth pop and I’m already in love. The Loneliest Time is a single off her upcoming album of the same, and despite only being released on Wednesday, I’ve already listened about a thousand times.
Needless to say, it’s my new, and I cannot wait for the album!
Digital Editor Bronwyn is loving…Halloween goodies
Halloween is just around the corner and we’ve already decorated our whole house with all things spooktastic. I’m loving all the spooky bits from Lidl from Halloween costumes to lights to make sure that your little one can see through those dark trick-or-treating nights to home decorations. My eight-year-old sister is very fond of the very spooky window stickers.
And of course, there’s plenty of Halloween telly to watch…although I’m a big scaredy cat! I’ve become addicted to The Midnight Club on Netflix with Irish star Ruth Cobb. Although I can only watch it during the day!
Oh, I couldn’t mention Halloween without talking about all the goodies that we can tuck into. I’ve been obsessed recently with the limited edition KitKat Chunky Caramel. I’ve taken to squirrelling these away! So it’s safe to say these won’t be popped into anyone’s Halloween bags this year!
Staff Writer Anja is loving…Forest Bathing in Wicklow!
This week I was delighted to take part in a relaxing day of Eco Therapy thanks to The Great Outdoors and Columbia, who provided me with fabulous gear to keep me nice and cosy while off adventuring! As part of our beautiful day out, we headed down to Knocksink woods, Enniskerry to meet our Forest Bathing Guide, Cathelijne de Witt (Cat) of Forest Bathing Wicklow. And before you ask, no, it doesnt involve bathing in water. Mad right?
Basically, forest bathing encourages people to spend more time in nature by simply bathing themselves in the forest atmosphere through all of their senses, focusing on what they can see, hear, smell, touch and taste.
Cat took us on a beautiful walk which allowed us to slow down and connect with nature. The best part about it is that scientific studies show that forest bathing has many health benefits like reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and boosting your immune system, along with improving your mood.
To finish the day off we then enjoyed a hearty meal in Jonny foxes to satisfy the hunger that we had built up after our long walk – the most perfect end to a wonderful day!
You can check out The Great Outdoors Columbia collection here.
Deputy Editor Niamh can’t wait for…Púca Festival in Meath
When my email pinged with an invite to the launch of Púca Festival in Trim, I let out a little “whoop”. Media events usually take place in Dublin, so to hear one was being held in my adopted hometown was a thrill. We joke in the office that I’ve become ‘The Trimfluencer’, but…it deserves to be shouted about!
I’m hoping that lots of people come to visit the town, and nearby Athboy, where this impressive Halloween festival is taking place very soon. The launch began with Candlelit Tales regaling spooky stories at The Hill of Ward, or Tlachtga, where the feast of Halloween is said to have been born. Originally the Celtic feast of Samhain, which marked the end of harvest, a huge bonfire would be lit to mark the occasion on October 31 at this mystical site.
We moved on to a walking tour around the historic Trim Castle, hosted by Cynthia Simonet, where we heard all kinds of eerie anecdotes from haunted times gone by. Next was dinner in Trim Castle Hotel, which was decorated with carved turnips, the traditional jack-o-lantern. We were treated to a performance by local band N.O.A.H, who will support Gavin James at the festival, and finished the evening with an awe-inspiring fire show by Broken Theatre, with creepy Púca characters in tow. You can expect this kind of experience during the festival, which has a brilliant, varied line-up: from Imelda May and The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow to Blindboy and King Kong Company.
There are also countless events to choose from, such as Banshee Bingo, Sorcas Na Samhain and Púca Treasure Hunts, as well as Jack O’Lantern’s Harvest Market and the Déise Medieval Traditional Living Village. Don’t miss out – click pucafestival.com to nab your tickets.