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Monthly Archives: January 2017

We're all used to seeing snaps of people before and after considerable weight loss.

Whether they're pulling their (now extra large) waistband away from their stomach or using their (now oversized T-shirt) as a bed sheet, when it comes to social media weight loss is always in… until now.

Deciding to turn the trend on its head, body positive social media star, Arianna Dantone, initiated a brand new trend at the start of the year, and Twitter is officially loving it.

The #GainingWeightIsCool hashtag is Arianna's attempt to highlight the importance of weight gain when it comes to countless people's personal journeys.

Whether it's as a result of muscle development through exercise or during the recovery process of an eating disorder, #GainingWeightIsCool seeks to highlight that in many cases relating to physical and mental health, weight gain is just as worthy of celebration as weight loss.

And we're going to let Twitter take it from here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Living with strangers is tricky.

And unless you're exceptionally fortunate, you will, at some point, find yourself sharing a fridge, a bathroom and a remote control with people you don't know from Adam.

Friends and New Girl would have you believe that this period in your life is something to celebrate, but that's not always the case.

While firm friendships have, indeed, been forged while bitching about a landlord, there's no denying that shacking up with strangers isn't for the fainthearted.

And here are just ten signs you're officially done with the people you live with.

1. The sound of their key in the lock gives you the same sense of dread as the Sunday Night Blues.

Deciding that you'd rather sit in your room (with very, very spotty Wi-Fi access) instead of asking about their day is a sign you need to heave-ho.

"Jesus Christ, it's them. I'm going to have to go to bed at 5pm."

2. Their name flashing up on your phone immediately sparks butterflies (and not in a good way).

Assuming you've done wrong by your flatmate every time they text you is enough to send anyone over the edge.

"It's her! It's probably about the electricity bill! Or the internet bill! Someone get me a gin."

3. Their food touching your food in the fridge makes you irrationally angry.

When the way they store their food begins to impact on your mental wellbeing, you may want to start scouting out new places to live.

"His manky bolognaise is practically molesting my Tupperware. I literally can't live like this."

4. You no longer feel you can have a normal conversation with them.

The sound of their voice in the hall makes you want to abseil out the top window than bump into them.

"If I don't move a muscle, she'll never know I'm up here."

5. Hearing that they're planning a weekend away from the house is your new Christmas morning.

From the moment they drop the news, you begin planning how you'll spend those blissful 48 hours of freedom.

"And what time will you be back, precisely? You know, just curious."

6. You find any opportunity to spend time anywhere other than the place you pay rent.

When staying late at work becomes preferable to a night on your own sofa, you need to start asking yourself some questions.

"I know the office cleaner better than my own roommate, and I'm OK with that."

7. You begin to think they're robbing from you, and the feeling is mutual.

When a level of mistrust develops between you and another person under the same roof, it's only a matter of time before someone bails.

"She thinks I robbed her conditioner, but I KNOW she robbed my dry shampoo."

8. You have to gird yourself before turning the lock in your front door.

You allow yourself a fleeting fantasy where you might find a note from them on the hall table telling you that they've moved out.

"Please don't be home. Please don't be home. Please don't be home."

9. You manage to prepare and cook your dinner in record time these days, just so you can avoid conversation.

Frantically dashing between your bedroom and the kitchen is the only way you move around your house anymore.

"Pretty sure this chicken isn't cooked, but I heard the garden gate swing open."

10. You broach the topic of moving back home a bit too often.

Chats with your mam on the phone have you longing for the days you could live a life devoid of heated exchanges about loud sex, unpaid bills and shampoo theft.

"Have you been missing me because I was thinking…."

 

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Many of us have travelled over to Somerset in the UK to attend the Glastonbury Festival – or 'Glasto' as most of us call it.

Through the years it has been renowned for having legendary acts and star-studded line-ups.

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According to Somerset Live, the music festival is changing its name when it moves to a new venue after it's 2018 gigs.

The owner and creator of the festival, Michael Eavis, shared the news during a radio interview today, and acknowledged that he's taking a "massive risk" changing the name and the location.

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So, when it moves away from Somerset, it'll be re-named The Variety Bazaar.

However, now Emily Eavis, the daughter of Michael has announced that The Variety Bazaar will be a completely different festival – separate from Glastonbury, which will resume in Somerset in 2020.

Lads, they're just making things awkward for us…

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Hughie Maughan caused quite a reaction when his faux glow went a step too far on Dancing With the Stars.

The Ballymun man has been a lover of fake tan for years, but showcased a distinctly mahogany brown shade on the show's most recent episode.

After laughing off the accidental tanning escapade, Hughie has been forced to respond to accusations of racism after some saw his perma-tanned visage as black face. 

"Can't believe Ive been receiving death threats this week because of the tan .. my God how am I racist for a tan mistake," the Big Brother star Tweeter earlier today.

“What idiots are people to accuse me of racism get a grip.. the tan turned out darker than planned but at least it’s funny and people spoke."

The 21-year-old set tongues wagging with his bronzed appearance, but most viewers seemed to find the tan funny rather than offensive.

"It was hilarious Hughie, made everyone smile and sure isn't that what we all need," said one fake tan fan. 

"Is Hughie dancing the Tango tonight?" joked another.

The show will continue this weekend, where viewers will watch the show’s first live elimination as the 11 competing celebrities all vie for a place to stay in the hit RTE programme.

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Upcoming Irish band, Davis are super busy at the moment.

Not only are they preparing for their gig at Whelan's, but the band has also just released a new music video – and their fans are going to love it.

The video for their track Eager, centres around the pressures of society and how everyone is expected to act a certain way or do a certain thing.

In the beginning, we see Kevin in an abandoned house with a plastic bag around his head. He wakes up confused about where he is and how he got there.

It follows on to bring him through the motions of trying to find enlightenment and being lost – which we're sure many people can relate to these days.

Davis are a folkrock band, made up of two cousins, Kevin and Gavin, and will play live in Whelan's on January 19 (Thursday), with tickets priced at €6.

For a cool night out in Dublin, this is definitely the place to go.

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If you’re anything like us, you spend the majority of your weekend binging on a TV series or searching for a new one to start.

Well, we found ourselves experiencing the latter last weekend and turned to our Netflix recommendations for a little help.

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After a bit of scepticism, we decided to try Netflix’s latest sci-fi series, The OA.

Unimpressed with the trailer and the lame bio, we thought The OA would be forever relegated to our “Continue Watching” list but boy, were we wrong.

Eight glorious episodes later and we’re hooked.

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If you’re still feeling the withdrawals from Stranger Things, this could be the perfect choice to fill that void.

Here’s five reasons to give The OA a chance.

The story telling

The OA centres on Prairie Johnson and her return to civilisation after being missing for seven years.

Throughout the series Prairie, otherwise known as The OA, chronicles her life over those seven years all the while coping with returning to the family and town she once knew.

Revealing details of her past only as she is ready, the plot unfolds slowly, pulling you in with every passing episode.

Before you know if, you’re invested in this character and her story and feel the weight of what she is trying to achieve.

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The relationships

When you boil it down, this show is essentially about human connection.

When Prairie returns to her home town, she forms friendships with five unlikely locals.

From the deeply troubled teen to the sweet-hearted sceptic, the group’s bond grows over the series with them eventually becoming dependant on each other.

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The characters

With the titles creator, executive producer and star to her name, it’s hard not to be impressed by Brit Marling.

Playing the title character, Brit perfectly captures both the intensity and the delicate nature of Prairie.

In what is an unrealistic world, the strength of the actors in this show will have you believing in the alternate reality it presents.

While the show maybe centred on The OA, stand-out performances from Brooklyn star Emory Cohen, The Office’s Phyllis Smith and Irish actor Patrick Gibson make you want to know more about each of their stories too.

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The dance

Out of context, this probably sounds pretty random but the dance is an incredible moment in the show and should get a mention.

Meeting nightly in an abandoned house, Prairie teaches the group a series of five moves she learned in seven years she was missing.

When the group eventually performs the dance, it goes from being a bizarre plot line to an incredibly moving scene.

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The aftermath

If you’re looking for a show to leisurely binge on while scrolling through your Instagram feed then this definitely isn’t the show for you.

The OA makes you think, and not just for the hour or so that you’re watching an episode.

After eight episodes you will be frantically googling when you can get your hands on more.

While there is yet to be confirmation of a second season, it’s incredibly rare that Netflix doesn’t renew an original series so it is highly likely.

And with the way they left season one, we think we’ll have a complete meltdown if we don’t get some answers and soon.

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Still not convinced? Check out the trailer below and don't look back.

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Look, there are very few people who don't feel nervous at the prospect of a job interview.

Even if you're confident in your knowledge, experience and skillset, you're still attempting to sell yourself in a pressurised enviroment, and Lord knows that's not always easy.

They say a good CV will get you in the door, but a good interview will get you on the payroll, so preparing for that all-important meeting is absolutely paramount.

If you've recently been called to interview, it's now time to check out our top five tips to overcome nerves and show that interviewer what you're made of.

1. Research the company

Never, ever, ever go into an interview without a clear understanding of the company's goals and objectives.

Trying to bluff your way out of a question about the organisation's history or winging a response on their general aims will be a massive red flag for any interviewer.

You can't be guaranteed they'll always ask, but being able to slip your knowledge in during the conversation will rack up serious Brownie points.

2. Research the interviewer

If you have been given the name of your interviewer, the next step is to check them out on LinkedIn.

Not only will it help you put a face to a name, but it will give you an insight into the values and qualities they rate as both an employee and employer.

And hey, you may have something in common which you can mention if the opportunity arises in the interview.

3. Know your job spec inside out

An interview is your opportunity to show a potential employer that you, put simply, are the solution to their problem.

And the easiest way to do this is by addressing the various aspects of the job spec, and highlighting the various ways you can fulfil them.

Attending an interview without having a clear idea of the role required of you will make for a pretty short interview. ( And not in a good way)

4. Prepare typical responses

Thankfully, most interviews follow a pretty typical pattern which means you can calm your nerves by preparing a list of questions they're likely to ask you.

Do not, however, learn any responses off by heart because – given the pressure of the moment – you may lose track and end up confusing both yourself and your potential employer.

Make some key points around standard questions, and go from there,

Prepare real-life examples

It's become more and more common for employers to ask you to draw on real-life examples in order to bolster and support your claims.

Being asked to provide examples when you don't have any prepared is a nightmare in anyone's language, so make sure you're sorted on this front.

Consider times you solved a problem for a employer or client, or recall incidents where your skillset remedied an issue, and communicate them clearly while allowing your interviewer to ask questions about it.

And finally….

Remember that your interviewer will expect nerves, and will give you time to relax before you get properly started.

Your interviewer wants you to be good because it makes their life easier, so keep that in mind throughout.

Take your time when answering the questions. There is no rush, so don't rap your answers!

Accept a glass of water – you will need it!

Wear an outfit you  feel confident and comfortable in – it matters more than you might think!

Only do what feels natural. Yes, you may have heard that being more animated with your hands makes you look more enthusiastic, but if it distracts you from answering the questions properly then really, what was the point?!

Don’t let changes in the interview set-up throw you. Your knowledge and skills remain the same!

Now, go get 'em, girl.

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Congratulations are in order for Claire Byrne – she's expecting her third child!

The presenter confirmed the news this morning that she and her husband Gerry Scollen will be adding to their brood.

She told the Irish Independent: "I feel really lucky that this is the way my life has worked out.

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"I look at my children and am constantly surprised that I have them, because I had reached a point where I thought that I really wouldn't have children in my life."

She continued: "If this baby had not come along I would still have been very happy, but we thought it would be lovely if we had number three."

And when it comes to finding out the baby's gender. Claire wants to wait for a big reveal at the end.

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“We didn’t find out if it was a boy or a girl on the other two so probably won’t find out on this one. I enjoyed the surprise element of the birth.

“When you are in the midst of it all, just having a healthy baby is the most important thing."

Claire already has two children with Gerry; Partick, 3 and Jane, 2.

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There are many things we look for in a pair of high heels, but totally see through usually isn't the most desirable of aspects. 

That being said, perspex heels are taking Instagram by storm, and whether you want to showcase your perfect pedicure or your fishnet tights, these heels are the way to do it. 

 

A photo posted by Lenaxx (@lenalenaxx) on

 Kim Kardashian and her clear Yeezus boots officially started the trend for transparent footwear, when she stepped out with her legs clad thigh high in plastic. 

The rest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan followed suit, sitting front row at Yeezus shows and gallivanting around Calabasas in the translucent threads. 

Unfortunately, the Kardashian's clobber costs about €800, and with broke January being in full swing (along with broke life) we simply don't have the cash to splash.

 

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Luckily where the Kardashians go, the high street follows, and perspex heels are hitting the high street and online stores hard. 

Despite the potential for what has to be a tsunami of sweatiness, the boots are proving uber popular on Instagram, with fashion bloggers and regular girls alike sporting the futuristic trend. 

 

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We managed to find a complete dupe of the perspex creations for an affordable €30 at Quanticlo

However not everyone is jumping on the plastic fantastic bandwagon, with haters decreeing the shoes to be "ugly" and a sure fire way to make your feet stink. 

While we cannot confirm or deny the rumours about podiatry odours, we think these shoes look pretty damn amazing teamed with some socks for spring and bare legs for summer.

Just be sure to book in for a pedicure before you don these show-everything shoes. 

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When it comes to our beauty regime, brows are top priority.

As we continue our quest to achieve the Cara look, we are always on the lookout for ways to achieve a fuller brow.

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Ever since that dark day when we first picked up our mother's tweezers, we've been trying to undo the damage.

From serums to supplements, we’ve tried the lot but we’re not sure we’ll be giving this latest method a try.

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This beauty YouTuber decided to try filling out her brows with some false eyelashes.

“How to achieve natural, full and bushy eyebrows,” reads the caption of the video that has been viewed over 215,000 times.

Snipping away at a set of strip lashes, Y.Elagoz uses individual lash adhesive to add volume to her brows but not everyone is convinced.

 

Eyebrow exstensions???! Kaş exstensions ••••••••••••••••••• How to natural, full and bushy eyebrows using false eyelashes and @ardell_lashes LashLite glue ( this is a special glue for individual lashes ) and you do need ardell's Lashfree adhesive remover if you want to remove it again. Don't take this video tooo serieus please. I know that there aren't a lot of people out there who are actually going to try this but I just wanted to share this with you guys because it actually works and looks pretty good! Inspired by: @Amberscholl #makeup #eotd #eyemakeup #motd #tutorial #video #makeuptutorial #makeupvideo #makegirlz #makeupvideoss #videosfashions #fashion #beauty #lashes #brian_champagne #beautyblogger #wakeupandmakeup #vegas_nay #hudabeauty #anastasiabrows #howtomakeup #1minutemakeup #hairmakeupdiary #allmodernmakeup #anastasiabeverlyhills #greeneyes #thebalmeu #turkish #makyaj

A video posted by Ysemin (@y.elagoz) on

“I’m dying, why is this something you would do?” wrote one follower.

While another called the idea “ridiculous”.

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While we’re pretty sure we won’t be trying this out, the girl behind the video attached a disclaimer to reveal it was more of an experiment than a part of her daily routine.

“Don’t take this video too serious please. I know that there aren’t a lot of people out there who are actually going to try this but I just wanted to share this with you guys because it actually works and looks pretty good.”

You got to give it to her for trying.

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Our go-to girl for laughs and giggles, Holly Carpenter, was sent home from the Irish Celebrity Masterchef kitchen last night.

While the judges didn't fancy her Malteser cheesecake dessert (we, on the other hand, would have gobbled it down), Holly kept her head up high.

While speaking to Shemazing! last week, the model admitted that it would have been worse if it was a competition for something she actually did as a living.

"It's totally different from when I was on Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model. Like, modelling is what I do for a living, so if I messed up on that competition, I would have felt really bad about it.

"But I really chose to do Masterchef to have a bit of fun, learn a bit more about cooking and really challenge myself."

Moving on from all things food, it's safe to say that Holly has made herself into something of a Snapchat star in recent years, and with Kris Jenner and Ashton Kutcher fans of her work, we'll take any tips on how to become a star of the snaps.

So, how does Holly have such a huge fan base? Well…

She knows her target

"You have to figure out who you want to appeal to on Snapchat. What age group or what demographic? Are they into make-up, dogs, health or fitness? Who do you really want to appeal to and who do you actually want as a follower," says Holly.

 

She's selective

"At the stage I'm at now, I have brands contacting me, asking to collaborate. But sometimes you have to say no if they don't appeal to your audience. So, don't just put something up for the sake of it. You have to be really selective in the subjects you cover – especially starting off."

 

She talks

"I know this might sound silly, but I actually talk to my followers. It's 90 percent about what you say, and only 10 percent about the picture. I find if you talk to them and talk them through what you're doing, you'll see a big reward."

 

And for anyone who is only beginning their Snapchat career, Holly believes taking on board these seven tips will get you off to a great start:

  • Put your idea and what you want to do (to make you stand out from the crowd) down on paper
  • Write down what excites you first, and then what you think will excite your audience
  • Follow who you aspire to be like
  • Plan ahead – write down an outline of what you want to cover in the next week/month
  • Have a backlog – in case you're busy one week, you'll have something to go back to so your Snapchat doesn't run dry
  • Don't compare to others – everyone is at a different place in their life
  • Believe you can do it

Holly thinks it's all about longevity and hopefully with these little tips, you'll be soaring before you know it.

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Regardless of the season, the event, or the blind-panic, A|wear always had our backs for last-minute shopping.

Whether you were looking for a new pair of jeans, a dress for the weekend, or a load of accessories, the Irish budget outlet had us covered.

So understandably, since – lament! – it closed in 2014, we've missed A|wear dearly.

So in honour of our most beloved shop of yesteryear, here's a roundup of the seven things we miss the most…

 

1. The last minute shopping trips

Just because…

2. The perfect jeans

They were just SO comfortable!

3. The sales

So much stuff – almost everything was a fiver or a tenner too. 

4. Accessories

No matter what you were looking for you could be sure to find the perfect necklace or earrings to go with the leopard print coat you just bought in the sale or the red dress you got for Saturday night.

5. The variety of styles

From jumpers and cargo jeans, to tea dresses and a sexy pencil skirt, A|wear was always ahead of the curve.

6. The bags

You would always find the perfect one.

7. The dresses

SUCH a huge selection.

8. The coats

Every October we'd flock to A|wear to get our stash of winter coats.

Ah, the memories!

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