Hello Everyone

Hope You are all well. Thank You all for Your kind wishes on My tenth year is business. To say the past decade has been an emotional rollercoaster would be an understatement but it has been great fun all the same.

I set up Platinum in 2007 at Mill lane Castlebar ( now The Hair Gallery) In 2010 I relocated up to Market Sq My current location.

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Hello Everyone

Hope You are all well. I’m reporting today on a divine treatment I was lucky enough to experience last week. I was invited by Anne Tobin to review her signature treatment Lymphatic drainage massage at her quaint little clinic in New Line Castlebar.

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Hello Folks 

How are You all? 

I will be taking a break from Blogging during December like I did last year. The salon needs my full attention throughout the silly season. It leaves little time for anything else. Fitting in my workouts and food prep will be challenge in itself. Not to worry though I will manage it. If there’s not much Social media banter Over the next few weeks don’t be surprised. However I will be back in 2017. 

Anyway just to give a little update on my fitness. As most of You know I’ve been working with Georgiasfitlife.com for a lot of 2016. I’m now 4 weeks into my second twelve week nutrition and training programme. I did one from July 1st to September 30th. I took a break for a month and Started a new plan on November 1st. 

I was in two minds about signing up again in November. I knew I wanted to continue to work with Georgia and to keep progressing. I had thought about leaving it until January because there’s so much going on this time of year. I’m so glad now I decided to go for it and work towards my goals for these few weeks in the run up to Christmas. 

I decided not to drink alcohol for the first six weeks of this plan. It was my decision to abstain temporarily so I could make some progress. I felt in the past that my progress had been stalled by nights out, occasions involving alcohol. In my personal experience boozy weekends lead to unproductive demotivated weeks. Poor decision making followed by guilty feelings and negative thoughts were the after effects of nights out for Me. I felt that taking a temporary break from alcohol would really help me to stay focused and reach my goals by the end of the year. Not everyone will agree or understand my reasons but I am so glad I finally took control and done this for Myself. 

Going out sober is not too bad at all. I’ve had great fun and really haven’t found it difficult. It’s been well worth it. My results and measurements are all very pleasing. I’ve made slow & steady progress over the last four weeks. I’m very happy with myself. The combination of sheer determination, a great supportive coach, good nutrition and training have all come togeather. The booze ban is making things much easier. I have enjoyed a few meals out too and haven’t felt deprived at all. I love my food plan I’ve been getting creative in the kitchen. Will tasty filling foods there’s never a need to be bored or hungry. 

So to conclude Im very happy on this plan. I do intend to have a few drinks over Christmas and relax and enjoy the food for a couple of days. If anyone was thinking of taking up online coaching in January You can email hello@georgiasfitlife.com for information. 

Also I want to thank each and every one of You for following my progress so far. You are all too good. 

Chat soon

Love Maria 

Xx

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Hi Everyone

Last week I was invited to Breaffy Spa for an Elemis Biotech Facial. Of course I was delighted to try out this new facial as I had seen it advertised. If You have read my blog for a while You will know I suffer with dehydrated skin and breakouts. Although I have my own skincare routine that I am making progress with I’m always willing to try new things.

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Hello Everyone 

I’m a little late with this post, I meant to write it ages ago. Seeing as it is now full steam ahead for my next event in Breaffy House Resort. I thought it was high time I wrote a post on the last one. Well it’s mainly photographs really. Thanks to the talented Johnmeephotography for these beautiful moments from the day. 

There are also a few of the ladies snaps from Instagram. It was such a fun day with serious efforts going into the selfie competition. 

All in all a great day of fun was had. We heard from two fabulous speakers Thatssoshellyfitness and Dolores Andrew Gavin Both ladies spoke passionately about physical and emotional wellbeing. We had a fabulous indulgent afternoon tea and We were spoilt by Breaffy house Resort. 

Some of Our very kind sponsors on the day were Alfaparf Ireland and Ultrapure laboratories Foxford 

We had two beautiful jewellery stands Tomorrow’s heilooms and Sparkle like a jewel. We also had the fabulous Fiona from The reiki rooms Ballinrobe with us on the day. Talented Make up artist Ann Marie Hughes done a beautiful make up demo on our lovely model Andrea. 

My next event is on November 20th. This time it will be a festive theme. I have some new content this time for variety. Tickets will be on sale Thursday October 20th. Make sure You get Yours. All details will be on the event Facebook page Click here

My September event Raised €1522 for the Breast Cancer Research lab at NUIG in Galway. Proceeds from the raffle on November 20th will be donated again to Breast Cancer Research as it is a cause I am passionate about. If You are a business who would like to get involved by sponsoring a raffle prize or contributing to the goodybags. Or if you would like to hire a stand for a pop up shop on the day please contact me maria@mrsdillonsdiary.ie 

Thank You so much for all Your generosity and kindness 

Love Maria 

Xx

Hi Everyone

The past twelve months have been the most difficult in my life to date. Anyone who has followed me for a while knows We lost our Mum in August. To say this was the most challenging year yet is an understatement. Mums Illness and the harrowing time We had in her final weeks Were awful, and of course the funeral and all that goes along with it was difficult but We got through it. It has taken me a while to be able to write this post I’ve started and abandoned it many times. I wanted to share my struggle with You all as it is part of me and has shaped who I’ve become. I’m always honest with all my blog posts and when I write it comes straight from the heart.

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Hi Everyone

Happy Christmas to you all. I want to say a big massive thanks to You all for reading my blog and following me on my social media all year. My lovely ladies who come to Platinum are just the most amazing thoughtful people in the world. A huge thanks to you all and of course to Sarah my wing woman who keeps the show on the road when I’m not around. 2015 was an emotional roller coaster for myself and my family. We had extreme highs and extreme lows. From the laughs on my hen in January and the fabulous run up to our wedding in March. To the terrible loss of our Mum in August and the arrival of my nephew in September.  It’s been a busy year. 

Enjoy,

Love Maria xx

 
  
   
  
 

   

  

   

    
We lost our beloved Mum in August. It was the worst ordeal of our lives, a very tough time for us all. 

 

  

   

 

     
  

Hi Everyone

Happy Tuesday. As my snap chatters will know I went to Sligo A few weeks ago to get the Impressions done for my Invisalign braces. In layman a terms an impression is like a mould. It’s basically to take an exact copy of the shape of my mouth and teeth. It needs to be so precise so they can make the brace to fit me perfectly. I was very nervous and anxious getting into the chair, there was no need at all. It was totally pain free. I guess I just didn’t really know what to expect.

 

So to explain what actually happens. Well basically a piece of equipment which resembles Lee’s gum sheild for Gaelic, is filled with a soft squidgy material. This was placed inside  my mouth and held firm for a minute or so, top and bottom. It was all over very quickly & I was wondering what I had been nervous about.

Next step was to get my teeth photographed. This has to be so exact for the Invisalign to be accurate. I felt a bit awkward as I had never done this before. Again it was over in two minutes and the girls showed me exactly what to do. Then I had an X-ray of my mouth. Just like the usual ones I’ve had before in the Dentists.
So that was it, very simple and all I have to do now is wait six weeks or so for my Invisalign to arrive.

 

So as always Thank You for reading. If you are unhappy with Your smile I would advise booking in for a Free consultation. If you decide to go with Invisalign you can avail of a discount simply by mentioning MrsDillonsDiary when you call 071 9150860 to book.

Click here for the Facebook page
Sligoanddonegalorthodontics.ie 

Bye for now,

Love Maria xx

Hi Everyone 

Today I have a recipe for you all. A good hearty warming Autumnal soup. I was hoping to make pumpkin soup but I can’t seem to find any pumpkins in the shops. Maybe I’m too early and they will appear closer to Halloween. Anyway today was a gorgeous Autumn day, sunny but cool and crisp. Such fresh weather I love it. I got out for a walk around lough lannagh this morning it was fabulous up there. 

 

 
So on Friday I picked up some fresh vegetables from the stall on Market Square. It’s there every Friday and always has really fresh homegrown veg. The flavour is unbelievable I’m always raving about it to my clients in the salon. I bought some fresh tomatoes to use in a soup. They are Romano Tomatoes and perfect for cooking. I used half to make a Spagbol sauce and the other half in this soup.

  
Anyway here’s what you need.

1. 3 Carrots
2. 1 Onion
3. 1 Parsnip
4. 3 Cloves of Garlic 
5. 2 Beef Oxo cubes
6. Pinch of basil,oregano, cumin & black pepper. 

Method:

Chop all the veg and make 3 pints of beef stock.

Sautée the onion & garlic in a large saucepan with a little water until soft.

Add in the basil, oregano and cumin.

Add the chopped carrots and parsnip with the beef stock & bring to the boil until the carrots and parsnip begin to soften.

Add the chopped tomatoes and simmer on a low heat for 30 minutes.

Turn off heat and leave to cool. Using a blender blitz until smooth. You can add more stock if you prefer a thin soup.

Heat up as you wish and enjoy. I love this on cold evenings. It’s so filling and warm. Just perfect for a pre dinner snack or great to take to work for lunch. The fresh tomatoes add a delicious flavour to the soup & it’s so easy to make. Soup will keep in the fridge for a few days and can also be frozen.

  

  

That’s all from me for today. Hope you like this recipe. It’s a simple but delicious healthy meal perfect for Autumn. As always thanks for reading and don’t forget to hit share.

Love Maria xx

Good Morning Everybody,

Another new week, We are trying to adjust to a different world without our Mum. It’s a very strange feeling because everything has changed and yet everything is still the same. Work, school, shopping, exercise, life in general just goes along like it always did. I have to keep reminding myself of what has happened to us.

  
However,the show must go on, and it is going on. I started back on my Unislim plan on Saturday & so far it’s been going good. I feel much better when I’m eating properly and exercising. It’s great weather for walking too as it’s been dry & fresh. Walking is great for the mind and it helps with any stress or anxious feelings. It also helps me to sleep a bit better. Just getting out in the fresh air for an hour is good for the soul.

 

 
We are lucky here in the West because our air is so fresh and clean. We have fabulous places to walk too. The Tourlough greenway is a great asset to Castlebar. My personal favourite is Lough Lannagh, I love the place. I also have a few walking trails that I use in Ballyheane where I live with my husband, son & father in law. There are also some nice walking spots out near Snugboro too near my home place. The Booster station trail is a great one. It’s a very steep hill. Killer on the booty has anyone done it???

 

 
Eating Well, staying hydrated, and making time to go for a walk is a great help to me through these dark times. Grieving is difficult enough without making it harder on myself. I’m taking the self care route to help me through. I’m talking to my family and friends about how I’m feeling. Looking after myself and indulging in a little pampering. Epsom salt baths, face masks, treatments in the hair etc. All these little things make me feel better and that’s what I’m going to concentrate on for now.

  

 

   
We are going on our Honeymoon next week. We booked it last April when Mum was on treatment. She had been doing well at the time and We never expected things to change so dramatically in a few short months. We were going to postpone our trip but decided to go ahead with it. If anything some rest and relaxation in the sunshine will do us good.  We are flying to New York first and then Cancun. I will keep you guys posted of what we are getting up to. Keep an eye on my here where I will be posting photos of all the fabulous places we see.

Thanks For reading this post,

Love Maria xxx