My Weekend: I love to get out for a walk in the woods to clear my head...

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work:

I live in Innishannon with my husband Steven, three teenage children and puppy Ozzy.

I am so lucky to have my parents and my sister Deirdre living close by with her husband and little boy. My other sister Avril lives in Singapore with her husband and little girl, we miss them so much but they are very good to come home.

My business Sharon Huggard The Style Coach helps women in business create a look and wardrobe that reflects their style and brand, taking them to the next level in business with confidence. I also work with corporate business delivering Dress with Impact workshops for all employees.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

My social life tends to revolve around bringing my kids to theirs!!! I love to catch up with friends locally in Rohu’s Country Market, we are totally spoilt with their delicious charcuterie boards, pizza and wine. It is so lovely to catch up. We are all so busy so our get togethers are not as often as we would like so they are precious.

Lie ins or up with the lark.. which is it for you?

We are normally up for matches or training so lie ins are rare but with all the recent storms, the upside is a lot of matches have been cancelled so we have had a few sneaky lie ins.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Absolutely. As I am self-employed and building my business, there are no official office hours, but I am currently working on creating boundaries!

Sunday morning is a great time to meet clients for a personal shopping consult as they are working during the week and the shops are quieter, so there’s a more relaxed vibe.

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

New York with my daughter Lydia, she’s nearly 13. When we watched the new Annie movie together (the ariel shots were spectacular of New York), I said we’ll go there together someday. but we might try London first.. She’s great company and a great age as she’s so independent. We had the most gorgeous weekend in London last year, so I guess NYC here we come!

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

Hands down the Lake Hotel in Killarney. It is a little bit of heaven on earth. I just totally feel relaxed there, time stands still and we just chill out reading in the lounge, eating, have a drink looking out at the lake and mountain. It is like a moving picture and I never get tired of it.

We love bike rides in the National Park, which is on its door step. There is a very special feeling at the Lake Hotel as it’s family run and there are a lot of returning guests and you get a warm welcome.

Steven is from Killarney so we all get to catch up with family too, so it’s win win.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

Weekends are usually very busy with three very active kids and we could have up to six matches over the weekend (before sports were cancelled due to the coronavirus) from Milltown to Beara but we are very lucky, we have great friends and carpool if possible. It is nice to have somebody watching you on the side line but the logistics are not always possible.

We love having family over when we can, especially my nephew Odhran as I love seeing him with his big cousins.

It is always a chilled affair with casual dining in our house as it is so busy but the older you get you realise it’s about spending time together.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

I love to get out for a walk to clear my head and the woods in Courtmacsherry is my favourite spot as it has the wood and the sea.

My Mom is from Courtmac so I have very happy memories and associations with the place. The carpet of bluebells is the most beautiful sight in early May. I am so fortunate that my Mom gifted me a beautiful painting of the woods in full bloom that was my late uncles so I get to see it everyday and it’s very special to me.

Entertain or be entertained? If it’s the latter do you have a signature dish?

I would have to say be entertained. As a mom of three busy kids I’m not a chef, it’s more the catering business, feeding the masses. I find it more of a chore than beautiful experience….what you need to be fed again!

We have so many places to eat out in Cork - where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?

We are so lucky that we are based in Innishannon with Cork city and Kinsale only 20 minutes away and the gateway to West Cork. We have had lovely family occasions at the stunning Montenotte Hotel, the most special being my niece Livia’s naming ceremony that they came home from Singapore for. It was a very emotional day and lots of wonderful family memories created. That’s what it’s all about at the end of the day. My family are very important to me so when we all get to spend time together it’s special.

Steven and I recently stayed at the Fota Island Resort to celebrate my birthday so that was a gorgeous treat.

Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?

Watching Dancing with the Stars with Lydia in front of the fire after our traditional Sunday roast, which is non-negotiable family time.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

7am. As the mornings are getting brighter I plan to get into a routine of getting up earlier to do some exercise, journaling, meditation etc to be less reactive and set myself up for the day. First step is going to bed earlier so I can implement this Miracle Morning ethos.....as Steven says it would be a miracle all right!

For more about Sharon’s work see her Facebook page Sharon Huggard The Style Coach. Check out www.sharonhuggard or contact her at style@sharonhuggard.com.