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Yearly Archives: 2014

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We’re not the only ones already inundated with Secret Santa groups, right?

Between work, school friends, college friends, life friends and family, it’s almost too easy to clock up several gift-giving circles during the festive season. And that’s not even considering the big presents required for BFFs and BFs!

Thankfully, in most cases, budgets are kept low for Secret Santa, so we’ve dug up some great wallet-friendly solutions from Heatons.

Buying clothes for friends is always a little dodgy, but if you have a fashion-loving acquaintance, accessories are a good way to go. These festive Bow Gloves (€10) would be perfect!

If you don’t know the person you’ve been assigned that well, something simple and elegant for the home, like this Berry Red Chenille Throw (€10.98), is a great solution.

Another no-fail option when it comes to Christmas gift giving is a fun festive item like these Novelty Elf Slippers (€8), this Christmas Penguin Jumper (€15) or these beautiful Satin Pyjamas (€10), which are perfect for Christmas morning.

For those who love their beauty products, Heatons also has some great options in this department. Grab something festive like the Cracker Bath Set (€6) or something cute like this Sugar&Spice Double Sided Nail Varnish (€6).

Perfume can also make a nice gift and Intimately Beckham Woman is only €13 in Heatons.

Last but not least, if your Secret Santa assignee is like most Irish girls and loves her fake tan, you can’t go wrong with a few cans of Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs (€6).

The best part about these items is that you can buy them online from the comfort of your couch (or bed), which means no trudging through large crowds of angry shoppers. Heatons’ new site allows you to check out the latest offers from desktop, tablet or mobile this festive season. Delivery from the new online store has also been improved and customers who order before 2pm each day can expect their purchase next day. You can also ‘click and collect’ from any of Heatons’ 54 stores around the country for free.

Don’t forget to keep on top of their online exclusive offers in the run up to Christmas by registering at heatonsstores.com for newsletters.

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Every couple – married or otherwise – fights from time to time. It’s totally normal – unless you’re famous and it gets caught on a long lens, that is!

Which is exactly what happened to Brad and Angelina, after they were snapped having what is being called: “The final fight.”

While we’re not so convinced about that particular part, the discussion they are having certainly looks heated, and Brad looks to be quite frustrated about the whole thing.

We’re sure the couple, who are known to be dedicated parents to their six children, will be just fine, so let’s not panic just yet!

In fact, it was only today that a video was released showing Angelina opening up about her marriage, saying: "I'm gonna be a better wife. I'm gonna cook!" 

Watch out for the moment Angelina gets SUPER awkward when the reporter mentions we first met the couple on Mr & Mrs. Smith, which is when they are alleged to have begun a relationship, despite Brad still being married to Jennifer. Eek! Catch it at 2.02! 

 

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We LOVE us some Taylor Swift. Her videos are great, her songs are catchy and most importantly, she doesn't care what anyone thinks!

Which is why audience cams just keep catching her out dancing like no one is watching. You go girl!

1. We can't stop looking at the girl in the blue dress throwing shapes like there's no tomorrow

2. Bet Lorde is regretting she didn't side with Katy Perry after these dance moves…

 3. Taylor, everyone knows you keep your dance moves to Jay-Z songs for the car. They're private. This is why:

4. Don't lie, Lorde – you are MORTIFIED. 

5.The time that she and Selena Gomez weren't taking no sh** from no one

6. "Psst, Taylor. Here, we're not being bad but can you STOP dancing? Thanks."

7. That time she made Ed Sheeran and Yoko Ono very uncomfortable

8. Shimmy shimmy

9. How big was the box, Taylor?

10. God bless the audience cam

Ah, Taylor, how we love your dodgy dance moves. We're pretty convinced she does it for us at this point. Thanks, Taylor!

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Our beauty blogger of the week is the stunning Laura Finnegan of the fantastic beauty and lifestyle blog, Life, Laughs and Laura.

22-year-old Laura, who is a self-confessed beauty, fashion and fitness fanatic, eagerly shares her tips, advice and experiences with us, and we love her for it!

Life, Laughs and Laura is the perfect go-to guide for students or girls-on-a-budget as Laura knows all too well how important it is to be able to glam-up without breaking the bank.

The lovely Laura gave us a sneak peek into her make-up bag and revealed her personal faves and top tips.            

1. What is your best budget beauty buy?

The new Essence Hello Autumn Eyeshadow Palette's. I have really oily eyelids and these are the only budget eyeshadows that will last all day on me. The colours are amazing too!

 2. What is your top make-up tip?

Less is more! We all get those days when you wake up with the biggest of all spots on your face, but the less concealer you use, the better coverage you get. It sounds unbelievable, but it is true! If you layer on the concealer it makes it more obvious that you are trying to hide something. 

3. Most girls have a much-loved lipstick – what's yours?

My favourite is from Seventeen in the shade "Just a Fling". I always hated nude lipsticks as they drain me out, but this is just the perfect nude. It gives some much needed moisture to my lips too and it lasts really well.

4. What was your very first perfume and what are you currently wearing? 

My first Perfume was from So.., a brand I've actually rediscovered recently and am loving, but at the moment my favourite perfume is between the Ted Baker "Mia" and the Suddenly "Diamonds" from Lidl – a dead dupe for Hugo Boss.

5. You're only allowed to use three make-up products for the rest of your life… what are they?

Tough!! OK…

Revlon ColourStay Foundation as it covers everything!

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder as I'm an oily skin gal.

L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara as I have the worst lashes in the world!

To hear more from Laura, be sure to check out her fantastic blog now!

 

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Jennifer Aniston wins again!

The Horrible Bosses 2 actress was asked to help Scott Mills prank fellow Radio One presenter Chris Stark, and she did not disappoint.

The young reporter, who gained fame when his interview with Mila Kunis went viral last year, gets very flustered as Jen begins to take on the role of ‘the worst interviewee’ ever, and nails it perfectly.

Poor Chris is so relieved when the prank is revealed and it is just so cute. 

Here is Chris' famous interview with Mila, which gained over 12 million views!

 

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Wes Chatham, star of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2, has welcomed a baby boy with his wife, Jenn Brown.

The couple welcomed their baby boy, John Nash, into the world yesterday, and have told US Weekly they are over the moon: “We are absolutely in love with our little boy, and feel very blessed!”

Baby John was actually born a little bit early, and his mum, TV personality Jenn Brown, is lucky she didn’t go into labour whilst supporting her husband at the LA premier of the new Hunger Games film last week!

Wes is playing the role of Castor in the hit movies, opposite Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth. 

 

The wife and I ready for the #Mockingjay premiere tonight!

A photo posted by Wes Chatham (@officialweschatham) on

The couple have been married since April 2012. 

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Gemma Collins left the I’m a Celebrity Jungle after only three days, and it seems it wasn’t only the public that were disappointed by her exit.

Now, her TOWIE co-star Lauren Goodger has blasted her choice to quit the show in her new! column, calling it a wasted opportunity: “I think it’s such a shame that Gemma quit the I’m a Celeb jungle so early … I’m not being mean because I love Gem, but what a wasted opportunity … I admit I couldn’t do the jungle, but you know what you’re signing up for with shows like this! It’s such a shame.”

Somehow, we can't imagine Lauren in the jungle – but we also wouldn't be surprised if she signed up to replace poor Gemma!

Lauren's harsh words come only a day after it was reported that Gemma's dad said he knew his daughter would be unable to complete her time in the jungle: "I could see the way Gemma was the moment I saw her on screen. As a parent I just knew."

Gemma's decision to leave the jungle is thought to have come from stress she was under before leaving England, when her ex-boyfriend was arrested at her home following a disturbance. 

We're sure something like that is something you need time to get over, rather than entering a reality TV show known for its harsh living conditions!

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Anyone who wears lenses, even the most casual of users, will know the horror you can sometimes encounter when you decide to ditch your specs for the day.

Yes, contacts are fab because walking in the rain while wearing glasses is probably the hardest activity known to man (Mini-windscreen wipers anyone?), but hell, those damn lenses know how to play with your emotions too.

Here are just ten stages we go through when we decide it’s time to lens-up.

Paranoia

1) You can check which lens is which until you’re blue in the face, but we all know that the second you’ve put them in, you’ll be convinced you mixed them up.

My world will be backwards!

Pain

2) The horrific pain in your left eye and the burning sensation in your nose signals the fact that your lens has decided to slide to the back of your eyeball and implant itself in your brain.

I am a walking Sci-Fi film.

Frustration

3) Applying your lens to your eyeball, watching your lens fold in half and slide out under your eyelashes. Reapplying your lens, watching your lens fold in half…and so on and so forth is standard procedure.

This is a fun way to spend precious eating-time before work.

Embarrassment
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4) Lens begins tap dancing inside your eye socket while you’re in conversation with someone, leading you to blink wildly and twitch frantically, all the while refusing to explain what’s happening.

Why am I acting like it’s all a-OK?

Panic

5) You have a big night out planned and glasses aren’t an option, but you’re down to your last couple of lenses which you must then guard WITH YOUR LIFE.

Glasses are my only friend this week.

Judgement

6) Removing your lenses, breathing an audible sigh of relief and flicking them across the room at the end of the day is only appropriate if you’re in private.

God, what’s with all these uptights? It’s only a piece of plastic that’s been inside my face for half a day. Chill out.

More pain

7) Waking up after falling asleep with your lenses in is like trying to remove a really small, really fiddly limb, from inside your own head.

Well, this is a fun way to spend twenty minutes. Yawn.

Even more pain

8) On the very odd occasion you forget to wash your hands before application, you WILL have been slicing lemons or cutting onions and that’s just the way it is.

Burning. Forever burning.

Sympathy

9) When someone actually admits their lenses are bothering them that day, you feel a surge of empathy that almost knocks you off your feet.

You’re in a safe place now, friend.

Gratitude

10) When you look back at photos of your fourteen-year-old self in glasses, you realise you will go through anything to ensure you never look like Meg from Family Guy again.

Come to me, lenses! All is forgiven.

 

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Ooh, you don’t slam Kim Kardashian and get away with it, do you Katie Price?!

The former glamour model slammed Kim’s Paper photos last week, saying: “When I saw these pictures my reaction was like everyone else, shocked. It wasn’t just that she’s got a bit of flesh out, it’s like she’s got it all out. I thought she could have saved it for like American Playboy or something.”

Somehow, Katie’s words made their way back to the queen of reality TV, and according to Heat, she was not best pleased: “Kim heard that someone called Katie Price had been criticising her on Australian TV and, even thought she had no idea who she was, she asked her team to look her up and find out what this woman’s deal was.”

The source for the magazine also said Kim had a bit of a Nikki Graham reaction to Katie’s words: “She was like, ‘who is she? What? Why is she talking about me? I don’t get it, I’ve never heard of her.’ When they found a picture of her, Kim was asking, ‘Is she a porn star?’”

Ooh, ouch. Your move, Katie! Though we’re not sure Kim is going to care all that much…

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Expectation: I am going to make a list of everything I need in October, and buy it all by the end of November

Reality: I will run around the local shopping centre at 8pm on Christmas Eve frantically searching for anything that could be considered a gift. You swiftly discover that everybody does this. 

Expectation: I will put aside money every week from April onwards to ensure I have a nice budget for my Christmas shopping.

Reality: Baked goods, anyone?

Expectation: I am so mature now, I do not need my parents to get me a gift. I will give THEM lots of gifts.

Reality: HOW could they have gotten me the wrong perfume?! Fools! *sob*

Expectation: I am going to decorate my apartment beautifully for Christmas, with a tree and fairy lights and even wrapped presents.

Reality: I will drape tinsel over the TV and it will stay there all year round.

Expectation: I won’t go crazy on the Christmas food this year, I will be sensible and not need to lose a stone when January arrives.

Reality: Oh, the box of Roses are gone already? It wasn’t me…I swear.

Expectation: I will bake the grandest Christmas pudding you ever did see and I shall light it on fire like they do in the adverts.

Reality: The fire alarm goes off and your family are forced to eat your black, burnt mess while watching the Downton Abbey Christmas Special.

Expectation: I will have one little glass of Bailey’s at the local on Christmas Eve before going home to my family.

Reality: I will fall in the door at 4am and interrupt Santa putting out the presents. Oh, don’t mind me…

 

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Oh don't get us wrong, we love being girls. It’s fun, it’s glamorous and…OK, fine…sometimes we’d like to be our boyfriends for a day. There, we said it.

Just look at the ease with which they glide through life while we suffer through car-to-bar shoes and monthly mini breakdowns.

Here are just ten reasons those lads of ours have it easy!

1) We wake up and mentally put aside at least half an hour to wash, do our hair and put on our make-up; this is before we even get to breakfast.

They wake up and mentally put aside eleven minutes to eat, wash, dress, scuffle with their flatmate over COD and still manage to leave the house before we’ve even located the damn eyeliner.

2) We alternate between three different outfits in one hour when deciding on an ensemble for a night out.

 They alternate between three different shirts in one year and no one seems to notice.

3) We suffer through an existential crisis once a month.

They suffer through an existential crisis when the off- licence is out of craft beer.

4) We must tend to our nails, eyebrows, hair and waxing appointments while also maintaining a normal work/life balance.

They must go to the barbers once every six weeks for approximately fifteen minutes.

5) We are always cold. If our pumps aren’t keeping our feet warm, then our bangin’ leather jacket is doing nothing to keep the breeze out.

They are always comfortable. If their snug trainers aren’t keeping them warm, you can be damn sure their fleece-lined jackets are.

6) We panic over every little quibble among our friends.

They panic over every little piece of food that goes missing from the fridge.

7) We wash our teeth, remove our make-up, brush our hair and apply our moisturiser before we can even THINK about getting into bed.

They wash their teeth, drop their trousers, tumble into bed and start snoring before we’ve even located the cotton balls.

8) We constantly have sore feet.

They NEVER have sore feet.

9) We wake up and look like a different person to the goddess that got into bed.

They wake up and look the same as they did when they got into bed, if not cuter. Dammit!

10) We get to date someone who considers Call of Duty a suitable dinner topic.

They get to date US!

We demand some changes.

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Lucy Mecklenburgh has confirmed to new! magazine that her brief romance with TV presenter Gethin Jones is over after three months of dating.

The former TOWIE star was spotted with Gethin back in August on a romantic cinema date, but it sounds as if things just didn’t work out for the pair, as she says: “We’re not dating. We went out a few times a while ago but it was bad timing for both of us. I was so busy after Tumble and he travels a lot, so it wasn’t the best time.”

Lucy says she is happy being a single lady for the moment: “I’ve been single for two years and I have so much I want to do. I’m enjoying my life the way it is.”

The Essex lady's last serious relationship was with co-star Mario Falcone, which ended very badly, so perhaps it's no surprise that Lucy wants to take a long break from dating for a while!

Although we did think her and Gethin were very sweet together!

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