Issies Blog

Cork Digital Marketing Awards 2016

Posted on Monday November 07, 2016

Cork Digital Marketing Awards is an annual event organized by the Cork Chamber of Commerce. These awards celebrate digital marketing and are a gr...

National Women's Enterprise Day

Posted on Tuesday October 25, 2016

On Wednesday 19th of October, I went to the Brehon Hotel in Killarney for National Women's Enterprise Day. This event was organized by the Local ...

On Wednesday 19th of October, I went to the Brehon Hotel in Killarney for National Women's Enterprise Day. This event was organized by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) of Kerry and Cork and similar events took place throughout Ireland that day. It is a fantastic networking day and the idea is to bring female entrepreneur's together to mingle and motivate one another.

At the National Women's Enterprise Day in The Brehon Hotel, Killarney.

Upon arrival at 9:30am, I registered and then everyone was treated to tea, coffee and delicious refreshments. There was an electric atmosphere and all of the attendees were friendly and bubbling with excitement. Once everyone was seated, the welcome and conference open was very professionally done by Moira Murrell, Chief Executive of Kerry County Council.

The first keynote speaker was Barbara Moynihan of On Your Feet. She presented a "Masterclass on Mastering Your Elevator Pitch". This was a fun and interactive educational tool full of tips and tools for perfecting your introductory pitch, and it included facilitated networking opportunities. I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop. It focused my mind and we all worked very hard on our pitch.

At 12 noon, there was a Workshop Series and you could choose one topic from a choice of four. I decided to attend "Power Tips for Twitter" delivered by Greg Canty of Fuzion Communications. Greg Canty is a marketing and PR expert whom I know since 2010 and it was a pleasure to listen to his top twitter tips. It was informative and relevant and once again, it was genuinely applicable to your own business.

With Greg Canty of Fuzion Communications.

It was now lunchtime and the morning had flown by! We were treated to a fabulous 2 course lunch in a private dining area. This was another great networking opportunity. The lunchtime keynote speaker was Clodagh McCarthy of Bright Sparks Coaching and her topic was "Mindfulness: Balance and Wellbeing". We all participated in mindfulness meditation and it was a relaxing, wonderful experience.

The afternoon focused on an Panel Discussion with LEO clients facilitated by Liz Maher of Kerry Businesswomen's Network. It was extremely interesting hearing the business stories of the panel. Each had their own unique pathway to success and it was truly inspiring to listen to their business journey. There was a questions and answers session and it was super to see and hear so many enterprising women interact.

With Christine Heffernan of the Local Enterprise Office Cork North & West.

The final item on the agenda was "Steel A Heel", a facilitated networking opportunity. This involved taking one shoe off, placing it in a bag and putting the bag in the centre of the floor. Over one hundred women took part! And you had to pick a shoe and find it's owner. It was great fun and provided another invaluable networking opportunity. The exciting day drew to a close at 4pm.

For me personally, it was brilliant to spend a day with like minded, driven, focused, enterprising women who all have their own businesses. The face to face networking opportunities were endless and the atmosphere was very open and friendly. It was professionally run and I was delighted to be a part of such a business focused event.

Here is my video documentary of the whole day.

See you soon, Issie xxx

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Spa Visit and Afternoon Tea at The Brehon Hotel Killarney

Posted on Tuesday October 18, 2016

As the busy Summer season winds down, I decided to treat myself to a day of pampering at The Brehon Hotel. This a wonderful 4 star hotel nestled ...

As the busy Summer season winds down, I decided to treat myself to a day of pampering at The Brehon Hotel. This a wonderful 4 star hotel nestled on the outskirts of Killarney, surrounded by luscious green grass and the stunning Lakes of Killarney.

The Brehon is is owned and run by the O'Donoghue family and it certainly has the vibe of a family run hotel. Upon arrival, I was greeted by courteous, friendly and professional staff at the stunning reception. I made my way to the Angsana Spa and Vitality Suite and as I entered the aromas and the atmosphere were intoxicating. Even the very gentle background music was intended to relax and nurture the soul.

The Vitality Suite is a series of rooms designed to take your body on a magical journey from wet and dry, to warm and cold. It consists of a 12 metre Vitality Pool, Hot Spa and Cold Spa, Tropical Rain Showers, Herb Sauna, Crystal Steam Room, Caldarium, An Ice Fountain and a Kubeldusche. There is no precise journey in the Vitality Suite and the aim is to relax and detoxify yourself. I tried every area and I leisurely moved around the whole suite from treatment to treatment. I have never felt so chilled out and it gave my body a chance to re-energize.

The robes and slippers were cosy and comfy and I wore them in the Relaxation room where I felt like a Queen as I was served divine Jasmine tea and a platter of fresh fruit. Honestly, it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

After all of this relaxation and detoxification, I was ravenous. I made my way to a private mezzanine area located beside a cosy fire and luxurious soft furnishings. This first floor, indoor balcony area overlooked the main reception lobby and the architecture and decor was stunning.

I was served the most wonderful Afternoon Tea accompanied by freshly brewed tea. The sandwiches were dainty, the scones were baked to perfection, and the desserts and petit fours were delectable. The whole dining experience was superb and the attention to detail was meticulous.

I simply cannot express how reinvigorated I felt after my day at The Brehon Hotel. It truly is a world class hotel. And yet one of the things that I loved about it was how welcome I felt there. It had the atmosphere of a stately home of a bygone era where visitors were welcomed into the home by the Lord and Lady of the Manor. I genuinely felt as if I was a guest in a friends home. It had a cosiness about it, and a genuine heartbeat that was palpable the minute you walked in the door. I will forever have beautiful memories of my day at The Brehon in Killarney.

See exactly how my day went by watching the video below.

See you soon,

Issie

xxx

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Launch of The Irish Blogger Agency

Posted on Tuesday October 11, 2016

In September, I travelled to Dublin for the launch of the Irish Blogger Agency. I was super excited about the event! I did not really know ...

In September, I travelled to Dublin for the launch of the Irish Blogger Agency. I was super excited about the event! I did not really know what to expect but I was delighted to be a part of such an exciting launch.

Dublin is a 5 hour drive from my home, so I headed off very early that morning. It was a beautiful day and the journey flew by. Before I knew it I was parking my car at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel. When I arrived at the launch, Sinead Carroll, the CEO of the Irish Blogger Agency greeted me with a hug! Sure where would you get it! I felt very welcome and relaxed.

There was an electric atmosphere as everybody arrived and mingled. There was a great mix of bloggers, and digital influencers from different categories and age groups. The place was buzzing as we all chatted and exchanged our details with one another. I sponsored chocolate truffles from Issie's Handmade Chocolate Shop and there was also delicious tea sponsored by Solaris Tea.

The conference room was beautifully laid out and there was a gorgeous goodie bag from Blank Canvas. As the opening speeches began, it became clear that we all had the same goal, to professionalize blogging. It was amazing to be in a room full of like minded people and the energy was so positive and motivating.

We had a tea break in the afternoon and enjoyed entering great selfie competitions sponsored by Sundial Watches and David McConville Orthodontics. It really was great fun. The remainder of the afternoon flew by with inspiring and motivating speakers.

Before I knew it, it was time to head home again. I was on a high after such a wonderful day. I felt focused and inspired. I learnt so much from the day and I met brilliant people that I have kept in touch with across all social media platforms. The concept that Sinead Carroll has is excellent, and it is to connect brands and influencers. As a networking opportunity, it does not get better than this. We even got #irishbloggeragency trending on the day! I am very proud to be a member of the Irish Blogger Agency.

Issie

xxx

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Bantry House And Gardens

Posted on Sunday October 02, 2016

I recently decided to treat myself to a day in Bantry House and Gardens in West Cork, Ireland. I have always loved it there and I have fond memor...

Triple Positive

Posted on Saturday October 01, 2016

When my cancer results came back, my particular cancer was triple positive. ...

What Happened Next

Posted on Friday June 17, 2016

It has been a while since I have posted a blog. So I decided that I better give you all an update on where my life is at. ...

You Know Your Body Better Than Anyone Else

Posted on Sunday February 08, 2015

This is a blog that I wrote for www.ihadcancer.com where it has now been published. It was edited by Emily who works for ihadcancer. In this piece I go right back to June and July of 2011 ...

This is a blog that I wrote for www.ihadcancer.com where it has now been published. It was edited by Emily who works for ihadcancer. In this piece I go right back to June and July of 2011 when I was diagnosed. Enjoy reading it.

I found a lump in my right breast on the night of June 15th, 2011. My breasts are relatively small and as I lay there alone, lying on my back, I felt a tiny lump on the bottom left side of my breast. It was so small that when I stood up, I could not feel it. I wondered if it was my imagination, but as I lay back down and felt again, it was definitely there. And I started to panic. Could it possibly be breast cancer? Surely not. It was such a tiny lump. I had no other symptoms, in fact I felt great. I was 34 years old, fit, strong, healthy and most definitely not sick. There was no history of it in the family and realistically, was I not too young to have breast cancer? Yet, I still could not sleep. I just had this bad feeling that would not go away. I keep feeling the lump. Was it really breast cancer? Was I sick? Was I going to die?

I tried to think of other women with breast cancer and I could only think of older women whom I had known who had died from it. I tried to think positive and convince myself that it was nothing. It was so small; surely it could not be serious. But I could not sleep that night. I did not cry but I was worried. I was not scared but I was frightened. I wanted everything to stay as it was. I did not want my life to change. Yet, somehow, I felt that it already had. When I woke up in the morning, I knew the lump was most definitely there. I went to the doctor that same day. He immediately examined my breast and after a few minutes, he assured me that it was nothing at all to be worried about. He believed that it was a fibroid or a cyst. He said that it was very common and not serious at all. He said that I was young and fit and healthy and that I had nothing to be concerned about. He said that if I was still worried about it or that if it was still there in 3 to 6 months that I could come back to him again and maybe get a mammogram. Yet he gave me the impression that it would be gone by then and that a mammogram was really an over-reaction at this stage. And I was delighted. He was a doctor and if said it was nothing, then it was nothing. I would not panic over this harmless lump.

I continued on as normal with my life. On a daily basis, I got the children to school, I went to work, and everything seemed just fine. Except for one major problem. The lump was still there. Doing nothing, but there none the less. I became obsessed with checking it. I often wondered if it would disappear, but it did not. Neither did it seem to be growing. Yet it was hard and small and ever present. One day my friend Suzanne told me that I should get a second opinion and to not just go with what one doctor said. She was adamant that I should not accept his answer.

I decided to ring my local doctor and I insisted that I wanted a mammogram as soon as possible. I do think that they felt that I was over-reacting and perhaps being a bit of a drama queen but I made no apologies. When I went for the mammogram, I remember thinking "what am I doing here, sure I am grand". I could feel the tension and worry of the other people in the waiting room. I could see it in their faces. I felt sorry for them....those people that had cancer. I wanted to cry because I did not want to be one of those people. After the mammogram, I truly believed that I would now be able to put it all behind me. I thought when the results came back clear I would be able to relax and get back to normal life. How wrong I was...

Things never went back to normal. I knew that sunny Friday morning in July that I had breast cancer. And I was right.

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Why I Write My Blog

Posted on Saturday January 31, 2015

It sometimes crosses my mind if people wonder why I write my blog. It is a very personal blog and I do not hold back on the gory details. I have never rec...

It sometimes crosses my mind if people wonder why I write my blog. It is a very personal blog and I do not hold back on the gory details. I have never received any negative feedback and I often get lovely genuine messages from random strangers who thank me for sharing my story and inspiring them in their own lives.

The main reason that I write this blog is to help other people who may be experiencing cancer. That is all that I want to do. If I could hold the hand of every person that may be suffering or in pain, I would. I know what it is like to go through a cancer diagnosis and treatment. I have experienced the highs and lows of this awful disease. And I want to tell people that they are not alone. There is plenty of genuine help and support out there and no one has to suffer in silence.

Cancer is not the worst disease in the world to get. I can think of many illnesses that are much worse than cancer. Also, having a mastectomy is not the end of the world either. If you had a choice to live with a mastectomy or to die with two breasts, I am sure that you would pick a mastectomy too.

Positivity is the key. You have to believe that you will get well again, and you will. I never for one second doubted that I would beat cancer, and I have beaten it. Every day you have to get up and tell yourself that "I can do this". Daily positive reinforcement is critical. Believe and you will achieve your dreams. There will be tough days and days when you may feel defeated, but get up and face the day head on and force yourself to be a winner.

Healthy eating is critical for your overall well being. You are what you eat. We all know what is good for us and what is bad for us. It is not difficult to eat a healthydiet, but you have to be super organised and plan ahead. The food pyramid is a great place to start. Try to eat a variety of foods. And my motto is "Little and often". I eat 3 main meals and 2 snacks a day. If I an hungry, I eat. I always have a huge supply of fruit and vegetables in the house. Also, if you do not have chocolate, biscuits, and sweets in the house, you cannot eat them. I really cannot re-iterate how important healthy eating is.

Exercise is vital for a long, happy and a healthy life. Try to get 30 minutes of physical activity a day. Do something fun that you enjoy. I love walking so even on those long, dark winter nights I wrap up, I put on my high visibility top and off I go with a torch. No excuses. Whatever exercise you decide to do, do it regularly and you will rep the rewards. Also, a great way to exercise is with friends. Perhaps you could take part in a fitness class or organise to go for a walk with a group of friends. If you commit to an activity with a group, you may be more likely to continue with it long term.

A balanced, happy lifestyle is a critical ingredient for your long term success. How are your stress levels? Do you love what you do? Are you passionate about your life? Any negativity can have a detrimental effect on you health. If you do work, do you absolutely love what you do? I believe that you have to be happy in your workplace. I work full time, but I completlyadore what I do so I look forward to going to work every day. Equally though, on Saturday and Sunday I completely relax and recharge my batteries. I need 2 days of family time and me time every week. I also have a small circle of very close friends and we meet up regularly for a girlie gossip. My favourite hobby is shopping so I ensure that I escape to a shopping centre regularly to get my fix of retail therapy.

I know that I am very lucky to be getting a second chance at life. I am grateful for every new day that God gives me. My core believes and philosophy's are very simple. You must have a positive attitude, you must eat a healthy, varied diet, and finally, you must strive to have a happy, balanced lifestyle. Remember that too much of anything is bad for you and always treat others as you would like them to treat you. :-) xxx