Introducing the new member of our Méid Denim family.
We created Solas jeans to be worn dresses up or worn casually all year round. The word Solas is the Irish word for ‘Light’ which describes the lightweight fabric and light denim wash perfectly. We wanted to continue our sustainable journey by using recycled cotton with this style.
Solas jeans are very comfortable and so soft as the fabric is made of 100% cotton so you wont feel like a chore throwing an outfit together with these jeans.
Solas jeans are now availble to buy in sizes UK8-Uk22 and in 28″ & 30″ leg lenghts.
We love our Méid Denim community and we love to see you wearing our jeans. Tag us on social media with all your favourite ways to style Solas.
I think we can all agree that Fathers are the hardest people to buy for! Although your dad may say he doesn’t want anything for Father’s Day this year, you know that showing up at his door without a present isn’t really a possibility. Finding the perfect gift can be difficult because you want to get something meaningful and unique but also you want to get something your dad will actually use. So here at Méid we have come up with some ideas for every kind of father figure in your life, including, Step-dad, father-in-law, or granddad.
1 – Tool Set
This present is for all the ‘handy man’ Dads. These are the Dads who express their love by taking care of the day to day tasks and who don’t say much but his actions speak volumes.
2 – BBQ tool set
Is your Dad king of the BBQ? Why not treat him to a new grilling set this summer! You can even get a personalised box with his name and Happy Father’s Day wishes.
3 – Air Fryer Cookbook
Has your Dad joined the party and finally bought an air fryer? You could help him become the next Gordan Ramsay by buying him a cookbook where he can learn all the amazing dishes that can be cooked with an air fryer!
4 – Wireless Headphones
Is your Dad constantly in zoom meetings for work? Wireless headphones are the perfect gift because it’s something every dad wants, but just can’t get himself to spend the money on. With remote working being the new normal these are the perfect gift for your Dad this year.
5 – Wireless Charger
I think we can all agree that most Dad ‘s have upgraded to a smart phone. They may also have a smart watch, wireless headphones etc. Why not treat your dad to a wireless charger which can charge all compatible devices, making his life that little bit easier.
6 – Bluetooth Shower Speaker
For all the Dad’s who think they are the next best artist in the music charts, you need to buy him a Bluetooth Shower Speaker. He will be singing along to his favourite karaoke songs while getting clean.
With summer approaching and outdoor gatherings going ahead you will no doubt be invited to some gatherings in the coming months. Why not treat your friends to some homemade treats! These Chocolate hazelnut truffles are so simple to make and taste delicious you will be the talk of the party.
Place 225g of chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Microwave in four fifteen second increments, stirring after each, for a total of 60 seconds. Stir until almost completely melted.
Step 2
Pour cream into a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisking occasionally, heat until it just begins to boil. Remove from the heat, then slowly pour over the chocolate. Stir gently. Once the chocolate and cream are smooth, stir in the Nutella and butter until combined and smooth, mix in 70g of the hazelnuts. Cover with cling film pressed on the top of the mixture then leave to sit at room temperature for up t0 30 minutes. After 30 minutes place in the fridge until it reaches “scoopable” consistency, about 4 hours.
Step 3
Place baking parchment on a tray.
Step 4
Take the chocolate mix out of the fridge. Measure 1 teaspoon, roll mixture in your hands into a ball as best as you can, then place on the baking sheet. The mixture will be a little sticky. Coat your palms with a little cocoa powder, which I find helps you handle the mixture. Repeat rolling the rest of the mixture.
Step 5
You can melt the remaining 225g of chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave. If using the microwave: place the chocolate in a measuring jug or heat safe small bowl. Melt in 15 second increments in the microwave, stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth.
Step 6
Dip each truffle completely into the chocolate using a skewer or a fork. Place balls back onto the baking sheet after you dip each one. Drizzle with any leftover chocolate. Sprinkle with remaining hazelnuts. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until chocolate has completely set before serving.
Tag us in your Méid Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle creations!
Ireland has some of the best walking and hiking trails in the world and with lockdown and the easing of restrictions it’s the perfect time to get on the hiking boots and spend some time in nature! With a backdrop of stunning landscapes, you can choose your adventure from a range of challenging adventures and majestic mountain ranges to leisurely strolls through historical trails.
1 – The Hellfire Club, Dublin
To kick off this list let’s start with something short and snappy! It has a variety of short forest trails and provides wonderful views of the city from the south-west and is perfect for beginner hikers or someone who just wants an easy Sunday walk. On the weekend you’ll find tonnes of dog and there is even a lovely coffee shop beside the carpark…perfect for a weekend catch up with the girlies.
The best-known Hellfire club story is the one in which the Devil himself appears. A stranger had joined the members at a game of cards. At some point one of the card players dropped a card on the floor. As he bent down to retrieve it he noticed that the stranger had cloven hooves instead of feet…and well…the rest is history!
2 – Erris Head Loop Walk, Mayo
This off-the-beaten path is a beautiful coastal walk with views of the sea and cliffs. Hikers will also see the ruined watchtower and EIRE 64 sign. There are markers along the route to indicate the trail. Keep in mind doggies aren’t allowed on this walk as it’s reserved for grazing sheep! The loop is about 5 kilometers lightly trafficked loop trail located near Béal an Mhuirthead, County Mayo, Ireland that offers the chance to see all walks of wildlife, this is an amazing walk for all types of hikers. Plus it’s possibly one of the most Instagram-able places I’ve ever been!
3 – Lough Ouler aka The Heart Shaped Lake, Wicklow
One of my favourite things to do in Wicklow is to take a hike up Tonelagee to see Lough Ouler – Ireland’s heart-shaped lake! I’m sure you have seen all the pictures posted throughout the Summer months and have been dying to go. Now, this hike is not beginner-friendly and I would recommend wearing waterproof boots (trust me, I’ve learned the hard way!) it can be super boggy so runners can take a miss on this one. The hike can take about four hours depending on how many snack breaks you take…I always end up taking a couple! You can park at Glenmacnass Waterfall, which is amazing in itself but get down their early it can get really busy throughout the day.
4 – Croagh Patrick, Mayo
Croagh Patrick is steeped in Irish history, religion, and mythology. At 764m high and offering breathtaking views across Clew Bay it’s also a rite of passage for hiking enthusiasts! Now I must admit this is a complete day job (I couldn’t walk after!) and a difficult climb at times (I think I was on my hands and knees crawling up rocks at one stage) but the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean make it all worth it. It’s also great for people who tend to get lost easily as it’s really straightforward. There is also amazing comradery between hikers cheering each other on the climb up and down. A must is a visit to one of the nearby pubs when you’re finished for some grub and pint it makes it all worth it.
5 – Carrauntoohil Mountain, Kerry
This a gorgeous hike to the top of the tallest mountain in Ireland. Though there are several different routes up Carrauntoohil, the Devil’s Ladder is the most common route and a killer on the legs, you’ll have buns of steel by the end of it! Keep in mind most of the “ladder” itself has become eroded and loose rock makes the scramble up and down… let’s say….exciting, but very rewarding! The hike itself is best done through April till September and I’d only recommend experienced hikers to take up this adventure but don’t worry build-up from the hikes mentioned in the list above and you’ll be Bear Grills in no time!
Mental Health Awareness Week runs from Monday 10 May to Sunday 16 May 2021. This year’s theme is ‘Nature’. The theme was chosen because being in nature is known to be an effective way of tackling mental health problems and of protecting our wellbeing. We all know first hand that spending time outdoors has been one of the key elements in enabling people to deal with the stress of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nature is an important need for many and vital in keeping us emotionally, psychologically and physically healthy.
Nature can be widely defined when associated with mental health benefits. It can mean green spaces such as parks, woodland or forests as well as blue spaces like rivers, wetlands, beaches or canals. It also includes trees on an urban street, private gardens, verges and even indoor plants or window boxes.
One of our main goals here at Méid Denim is to protect and promote our environment and what is has to offer. We want to encourage our followers to explore your outdoor surroundings this week and try to maintain some outdoor activities in your busy schedules moving forward!
Here are some tips to try and connect with nature going forward;
Find nature wherever you are
Nature is all around us. It could be a public green area or park, a beach or the open countryside. Even in our bigger towns and cities you can utilise public outdoors areas and explore what your local community has to offer.
Connect with nature using all of your senses
It is important to have some quiet time to reflect in natural surroundings using all your senses and can be a real boost to your mental health. This can be anything from sitting out in your back garden, or while going for a walk just noticing the sounds and sights of nature around you which can help you to find a sense of calm and joy.
Get out into nature
If you can, try to spend time visiting natural places – green spaces like parks, gardens or forests – or blue spaces like the beach, rivers and wetlands. This can help you reduce your risk of mental health problems, lift your mood and help you feel better about things.
Bring nature to you
Sometimes it can be difficult to access natural places because of where you live, how busy you are, how safe you feel or your health. An alternative is to incorporate nature in your home! Adding house plants, pots of herbs, a small vegetable patch or getting a bird feeder are all great ways to enjoy nature from the comfort of your home.
Exercise in nature
If you can participate in physical exercise try to do it outside. Walking or running outdoors in nature may help to prevent or reduce feelings of anger, tiredness and sadness. Why not try leaving your earphones at home this time and listen to the sounds around you.
Combine nature with creativity
Try combining creativity with your natural environment. This could involve taking part in creative activities outside, like dance, music, or art. All of these things can help reduce stress and improve your mood. Noticing the beauty of nature and expressing this creatively can help you find meaning and an emotional connection to nature that will stay with you for a lifetime.
For the month of May we have decided to help fundraise for an amazing organisation Pieta House. We will be donating €5 for every pair of Méid Denim jeans bought for the month of May and you can also donate directly to our fundraiser page here. Pieta first began in Lucan, County Dublin in 2006. Since then they have seen and helped over 58,000 people in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm. They now operate fifteen centres and five outreach service across Ireland.
The main fundraiser associated with Pieta House that takes placed annually is Darkness Into Light which is a flagship fundraiser. We will be joining hundreds of thousands of people wake in the small hours of the morning this Saturday the 8th of May 2021 to take part in Darkness Into Light which touches the lives of many more in venues across the world.
Over 80% of Pieta funding comes from the public. The funding is then used for the following resources; Counselling, Pieta Centres, SBLO Service, Freephone helpline, Resilience Academy, Suicide Bereavement Therapy, LGBTI+ Outreach service and Amber Flag which is raising awareness of mental health issues and stigma for school age children.
It is important that if we are worried that a friend or loved one is suffering or thinking of suicide that we could recognise suicide warning signs– here are some of the key warning signs to watch out for:
What to listen for:
Talking or writing about hurting themselves, dying or saying that they want to die
Talking about ways to die or having a suicide plan
Saying that they are ‘trapped’ or have no options in their life
Saying they have no purpose in their lives, that they feel hopeless
What to look for:
Engaging in self-harm or reckless, risk taking behaviour
Giving items away or saying goodbye to people
Becoming more inward looking and withdrawing from family and friends
Changes in their sleep patterns – too much or too little sleep
Extreme emotions or dramatic changes in mood
Increasing their use of drugs or alcohol
If you recognise one or more of these warning signs in a loved one’s behaviour, don’t wait for someone else to do something contact Pieta! Pieta operate a 24 hour freephone helpline with qualified counsellors.
Pieta also provide a free counselling to children, adolescents, and individuals who have been bereaved by suicide. Their model is based on an integrative approach. providing a person centred, flexible bereavement service which meets the needs of the clients. There are two services for those bereaved by suicide; SBL Service and Suicide Bereavement Therapy.
With BBQ season starting in full swing, we thought we would share one of our favourite bread recipes – Focaccia!!! Focaccia is packed full of flavour and is the perfect complement to every meal. Give this recipe a try and tag us on social media with your creation.
Add the flour into a large mixing bowl. Mix the yeast into one side of the flour, and the fine salt into the other side. Then mix everything together
STEP 2
Make a well in the middle of the flour and add 4 tbsp oil and 300ml lukewarm water, adding it gradually until you have a slightly sticky dough (you may not need all the water). Sprinkle the work surface with flour and tip the dough onto it, scraping around the sides of the bowl. Knead for 5-10 mins until your dough is soft and less sticky or 4-5 mins if using a mixer with a dough hook. Put the dough into an oiled bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave to prove for 1 hr until doubled in size.
STEP 3
Oil a rectangle, shallow tin (25 x 35cm). Tip the dough onto the work surface and knead for a few mins then roll it to fill the tin. Cover with a tea towel and leave to prove for another 40 mins.
STEP 4
Heat the oven to 210C/200C fan/gas 7. Press your fingers into the dough to make dimples. Drizzle olive oil all over the bread and sprinkle sea salt and rosemary over the dimples.
STEP 5
Bake for 20 mins until golden. Whilst the bread is still hot, drizzle over 1-2 tbsp olive oil. Cut into squares and serve warm or cold with extra olive oil if you like.
This recipe will give you the bread addiction you did not know you had! Happy baking!!!
As April 2021 is stress awareness month we wanted to dedicate this weeks blog to stress management and how stress is affecting everyone.
Stress is a normal human reaction that happens to everyone. In fact, the human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. When you experience changes or challenges (stressors), your body produces physical and mental responses. That’s stress.
Stress responses help your body adjust to new situations. Stress can be positive, keeping us alert, motivated and ready to avoid danger. Here are some small tips you can use to help cope with stress.
Take care of yourself:
Eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and give yourself a break if you feel stressed out
Talk to others:
Share your problems and how you are feeling and coping with a parent, friends, counsellor, doctor or pastor.
Take a break:
If news events are causing you stress, take a break from listening or watching the news.
Have some ‘me’ time:
We recommend setting aside a couple of nights a week for some quality ‘me time’ away from work.
Try to be positive:
Look for the positives in life and things for which you are grateful. Try writing down 3 things that went well, or for which you are grateful, at the end of each day.
Manage your time:
At times, we all feel overburdened by our ‘To do list’ and this is a common cause of stress. Accept that you cannot do everything at once and start to prioritise your tasks and set aside time for each one.
Laugh:
The act of laughing helps your body fight stress in a number of ways.
Meditate:
Take up a relaxation practice. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing activate the body’s relaxation response, a state of restfulness that is the opposite of the fight or flight or mobilization stress response.
With that in mind enjoy all your favourite things and spend as much time outdoors as possible as fresh air and sunshine will give you instant relief from stress!
Whether you’ve chosen to go green to help the environment, to save money, or just see how easy it is, every step you take towards a greener life is one that helps the world.
If you’re just starting out and want some sustainable living ideas then here are a couple to get you started:
Step 1: Switch it off
Energy conservation is very important to reduce your carbon footprint. Leaving your electricals on standby will use up energy. Try to remember to switch off your appliances and you could see huge improvements, most noticeably in your energy bills!
Step 2: Recycle everything
Most of us already recycle daily but there is always room for improvement. You can recycle almost everything, from batteries to paper to cars. Before you throw it away, take a minute to find out if you could recycle it instead.
Step 3: Cut back on plastic
Plastic seems to have found its way into every single aspect of our lives. However, we can do our little bit to change this. Try using a reusable bag when doing the food shop, buy your fruit and veg loose and instead of buying bottled water use a reusable flask.
Step 4: Use LED light bulbs
Not only do LED light bulbs last longer than conventional bulbs, they’re far more efficient too! This means that you’ll be using less power and having to replace your light bulbs less frequently.
Step 5: Buy local
From clothes to food, the closer to home these products are made and bought, the less carbon is created with their transportation. You will also be supporting the local economy which will encourage more local businesses to open and you will have more local items to choose from.
Step 6: Compost
Make sure to compost foods that are out of date rather than putting it in the bin. Not only will this help create a natural fertiliser and keep your garden green, it’ll also reduce the amount of waste going to landfill which will decrease the build-up of methane gas.
Step 7: Grow your own
Growing your own veg can help you save money and cut down on your carbon footprint. Maybe you don’t have much garden space? Windowsill boxes are a great way to brighten up your view, filter the air coming into your home and offer plenty of space for herbs and small vegetable patches.
Step 8: Plant some trees
Ecological sustainability is very important when it comes to living a greener life. Without a stable ecosystem, things start to fall apart. Making sure that we’re planting more native trees to replace those that have been cut to make room for developments is something that more people and businesses need to do to protect the environment and improve air quality. Here at Méid Denim we are planting trees as part of our initiative so for every pair of jeans bought at Méid Denim we plant a tree.
Whether you’ve chosen to go green to help the environment, to save money, or just see how easy it is, every step you take towards a greener life is one that helps the world.
If you’re just starting out and want some sustainable living ideas then here are a couple to get you started:
Let’s be honest with the weather changing and still being stuck indoors it’s the perfect time to declutter your wardrobe and create your perfect capsulate wardrobe!
We have pulled together our top tips to help you declutter and transform your wardrobe so it’s Méid for you. ????✨
Step #1: TAKE IT ALL OUT. Take everything out of your wardrobe and throw it in a pile on your bed or floor. Yes, everything! Look at all the space you have in your wardrobe and in the words of Marie Kondo “Let’s spark some joy”!
Step #2: FIND THE REST. We all leave clothing around our homes (like jackets, shoes, and jumpers…well we do, exposing ourselves here!????), let’s dig all this out and add it to your clothing pile, this can include;
Out-of-season clothing
Coats/ jackets
Clothing in drawers or presses
Underwear, socks, bras
Scarves/ hats
Pj’s, activewear, loungewear
Shoes
Step #3: GO THROUGH THE PILE. How much of that do you actually wear?! Hold up each piece. Do you currently wear and love it or will you wear it at least 20 more times? While doing this, any piece of clothing where you think ‘yes, I love it!’ goes back in the wardrobe. Anything that you hesitated about or are unsure of goes into a maybe pile. You can put your obvious no’s into a donation bag.
TOP TIP: Don’t hold onto something because you once loved it or it used to fit your lifestyle. Work in the here and now – what do you love NOW? What works for you NOW?
Be strict with your socks, underwear, and bras, they have a shelf life (socks, underwear and bras generally have a lifespan of six months to a year, but with bras they can last 180 wears). Use this as an excuse to treat yourself to ones that make you look and feel amazing!
Step #4: TRY EVERYTHING ON IN YOUR ‘MAYBE’ PILE. Instead of asking ‘how does this look on me?’ more importantly ask yourself ‘how does this make me feel?’
Step #5: FINALISE YOUR CLOTHING. Your favourites should be back in your wardrobe and your ‘no’s’ ready to go out the door. If anything jumps out to you that doesn’t go with your new decluttered wardrobe add it into the no pile. Try and look at your maybe pile and see does it with any of your new wardrobe ask yourself “could I team this piece with other pieces from my wardrobe?” if it’s a yes keep it, but if if not it goes in the no pile.
Step #6: HANDBAGS. Now do this with your handbags, bag packs, and clutches. Remember, what do you really use? Which ones do you love? Keep those.
TOP TIP: Get rid of handbags you no longer use. Make a little money by selling them online and put that towards one you really love.
Step #7: SHOES. Now it’s time to tackle your shoes. Be brutal. As you hold up each pair, ask yourself:
Do you still wear them?
Do they work with your new wardrobe?
Are they in great condition? If not they go in the no pile.
TOP TIP: Once you have organised your new wardrobe, try out outfits or put outfits together on your bed and take photos. You can save these photos in an album on your phone so getting ready will be so much quicker and your outfits will always be chic! Plus any piece you can’t fit into an outfit can go into the no pile.
Step #8: DISCARD. Anything that ended up in your no pile you can donate or resell.
Step #9: ENJOY. Take a step back and enjoy your new wardrobe!
