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Yearly Archives: 2017

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U2 took to the Croke Park stage last night for a pretty impressive concert.

And while lovers and hates tweeted about them all day, there's nothing like the tweets from inside the venue.

From the classic songs, to the tri-colour jets, it seems like everyone had a damn good night.

Here are the best tweets from U2's gig last night:

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The actor who played Peter McCallister in Home Alone and its sequel has been found dead at the age of 72.

John Heard, who was perhaps best known for his role in the iconic Christmas movies, was discovered by staff at a hotel in Palo Alto, California just yesterday.

The actor, who also enjoyed major success on The Sopranos, underwent minor back surgery just two days before his body was discovered, however the County of Santa Clara coroner has yet to confirm the cause of death.

According to the actor's representative who spoke to TMZ, John had chosen to stay at a hotel while he recovered from the surgery.

John was pronounced dead at the scene.

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For anyone who may not have gotten the memo, Bono and the lads are taking to the stage in Croke Park tonight.

With some tickets going for as much as €11,000 online, there's no denying that when it come to Ireland's most famous exports, people would bend over backwards to see themselves reflected in Bono's shades.

And with just hours to go until the world-famous foursome take to the stage, Twitter is absolutely hopping, but the thing is, because it's Ireland and it's U2, it's quite a mixed bag.

From elation to pure scorn, Twitter isn't holding back on this one.

1. There was this.

2. But then there was this.

 3. But at least this guy is happy.

4. Unlike these guys.

5. Thankfully, Bono and the lads have this gal on side.

6. But not this guy.

7. Unlike this guy…

8. Ouch.

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Earlier this month we reported on the disappearance of Linda Christian, a 29-year-old woman who went missing in the Blanchardstown area of west Dublin.

Tragically, Linda's remains were found in Coolmines Woods on Monday of this week after the Divisional Search Team conducted a planned search.

It is understood that the discovery was made in an area of undergrowth between Clonsilla Road and Snugborough Road shortly after 2pm.

Gardaí are currently in the process of carrying out inquiries in relation to Linda's disappearance and subsequent death, and are appealing to the public, particularly to anyone who drives through Snugborough Road, to come forward with any information they may have pertaining to the case.

Today marks one month since the 29-year-old, who was described by her family as 'vulnerable', disappeared.

Following the discovery of Linda's remains at the beginning of the week, her sister Nikki paid tribute to her online, writing, "Linda, you came to us with only a crawl, a small bundle of joy to all."

"You filled our lives with happiness & laughter mixed with heartache and anger. We used to joke and talk, about how you would throw a wobbler and have everyone in wonder."

"Through thick and thin I was always there to show you how I care. But life has not been fair to you dear sis. Born with a predestined illness that took hold and made you act out so bold."

"You drifted in and out but we're always welcome. But today your in heaven with our dad watching down on us watching over mam."

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"I didn’t tell anybody," said Charlize Theron when reflecting on the night her mother killed her father in self-defence on their family farm in Johannesburg.

Speaking recently to radio DJ, Howard Stern, the Oscar-winning actress explained that the incident, which took place in August 1991, was an extremely difficult situation to accept, let alone explain to others.

“I just pretended like it didn’t happen.  I didn’t want to tell anybody," she said.

"Whenever anybody asked me, I said my dad died in a car accident. Who wants to tell that story? Nobody wants to tell that story.”

Charlize was 16-years-old when her father, who was an alcoholic, physically attacked her mother and threatened Charlize's safety.

Responding to the threat, Charlize's mother shot and killed her husband in a move which was later ruled to have been self-defence, and did not result in any legal charges.

"I have an incredible mother," the Monster star told Howard. "She’s a huge inspiration in my life."

"She’s never really had therapy," Charlize continued. "Her philosophy was ‘This is horrible. Acknowledge that this is horrible. Now make a choice. Will this define you? Are you going to sink or are you going to swim?’ That was it."

Charlize, now 41-years-old, explained that her childhood was marred hugely by the uncertainty which often accompanies life with an alcoholic parent.

Recalling her formative years, she remembered: "Not knowing how my day was going to go and all of it dependent on somebody else and whether he was not going to drink or drink.”

Honing in on that night in August 1991, Charlize insisted that neither she nor her mother would allow the horror to define them.

"I think both of us have dealt with that night really well. I think both of us still have to deal with the life that we had –  and that’s what people don’t really realise. It’s not just about what happened one night."

 

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We've all been there; you've a big day ahead and yet word is quickly spreading in your favourite WhatsApp group that a session is on the agenda.

After telling yourself you'll take it easy, you head out for drinks certain that you'll manage to tear yourself away from the banter at a reasonable hour while still steady on your pins.

Then the craic really gets going.

And with next to no effort you manage to massively reduce the importance of the following day, and opt instead to launch yourself into the session with all the enthusiasm of Frank the Tank.

This apparent inability to limit alcohol intake has been recognised by VicHealth, which has spent $300,000 on a trial project which seeks to guide university students and ultimately reduce the number of individuals binge-drinking on a  regular basis.

The medical research organisation at the Burnet Institute have created an app which essentially acts as a 'cyber parent' and requires the individual to consider the implications of their drinking habits.

The idea of the app is that it is interactive," said designer and developer Dr Megan Lim. "You register with the app and then [set it] saying which night you might be going out."

"On that particular night, at 6:00pm, you will get a message asking you to take a survey," she continued. "The survey will ask students questions like: "Do you have work tomorrow?", or "What time do you intend on going home?"

After recording the answers to these questions, the app will send helpful suggestions and reminders throughout the evening including "You have spent more than you wanted to tonight" or "Don't forget you have an exam at 8:00am tomorrow."

"Reducing the social acceptability of risky drinking is key to changing young people's behaviour – we want uni students to understand you don't have to get drunk to have a good time," opined Jerril Rechter, VicHealth's CEO,.

The app is not yet available to the public, and while we applaud the initiative we wonder how many people will properly engage with the process.

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10 Tips That Will Help You Have a Successful Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures women seek. There are many reasons why a woman may want breast augmentation. She may have breast asymmetry, be unhappy with the size of her breasts, or want to feel more feminine. Additionally, women may want to correct any changes or loss of volume caused by breastfeeding, weight loss, natural aging, or pregnancy. It is necessary to know what steps you need to take before you seek this operation. Here are some tips that will help you have a successful breast augmentation.

Research your plastic surgeon.

With any surgical procedure, you want to make sure you find a qualified surgeon to perform the procedure. Any surgeon that you consider should have board certification from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The reason this is important is that board-certified plastic surgeons undergo a long comprehensive education. They are also subjected to stricter standards when it comes to safety, aesthetics, and patient care.

If you can’t find information about board certification on the surgeon’s website, you can contact their office to ask if they are certified. The next thing you should consider in a plastic surgeon is experience. Learn about how many years they’ve performed this surgery and how satisfied their patients have been. You can look into reviews and testimonials that may be found online.

Be sure you want the procedure.

At times, some women think about getting breast augmentation not because they really want it, but because they want to please someone else. If you’re doing this surgery to please someone else, you’ll be more likely to be unsatisfied with the results. Take time to think about your real reasons for why you want to have breast augmentation. Be open and honest with your plastic surgeon about your reasons, so they can give you proper guidance.

Seek a consultation.

When you’ve done all of your research on the plastic surgeons in your area, you can schedule a consultation with some of your top picks. A consultation will give you a chance to see if a plastic surgery practice is the best fit for you. Your plastic surgeon will guide you on all of your options and what kind of results you should expect. It’s a good idea to have a list of questions ready, so you can have all of your concerns addressed by the doctor. Your candidacy will also be a part of the discussion with your plastic surgeon.

You’ll be given a physical examination and also be asked questions about your medical history, your lifestyle, and your aesthetic goals. After the doctor has reviewed all of these factors, they’ll be able to decide if you’re a good candidate for surgery. Additionally, an experienced surgeon will likely have a portfolio of their previous augmentation patients you can review. In the before and after pictures, look for people who have a similar body proportion to yours to get an idea of how the augmentation might look on you. You should also ask about what kind of implants were used, and if any other procedures had been combined with the breast augmentation.

Stop smoking.

As you’re planning and preparing for your breast augmentation, it’s important to stop smoking during this time. Your plastic surgeon will likely tell you to stop smoking for at least 45 days before your procedure. If you’re still smoking, the nicotine can cause your blood vessels to constrict during surgery, which places you at a higher risk for surgical complications. After you’ve had your procedure, you’ll have to continue to stay away from smoking. Starting smoking again will hinder your body’s ability to properly heal from surgery. Additionally, smoking causes premature aging and changes in skin texture, which wouldn’t be helpful with maintaining your body’s overall appearance in the long run.

Don’t assume bigger equals better.

The size of implants is usually the first thing that most patients have questions about. One common misconception you should be aware of is that implants aren’t measured by cup size. You won’t be able to ask for a set of C cups or D cups. Breast implants are measured by cubic centimeters, and the numbers of cubic centimeters don’t necessarily equal a specific cup size. Furthermore, you want to avoid getting a size that might be too big. Getting implants that are too big can potentially cause breast implant rippling and other results you might be unsatisfied with.

It’s best to choose an implant size that fits your body based on your height, weight, chest shape, and other physical factors. Your surgeon should have enough experience to know what to recommend based on previous patients of your size they’ve worked on. In addition, your lifestyle should be a factor in deciding the right size as well. Implants that are very large wouldn’t be suitable if you consistently engage in vigorous athletic activities.

Understand your options.

There are other options to consider with breast implants beyond just size. One thing you’ll have to consider is whether to choose saline or silicone. While both options are safe and provide good results, there are different advantages between the two. Saline implants can be inserted before they’re filled up, which allows your plastic surgeon to adjust the size during the procedure. Silicone implants tend to be preferred by most women because they usually feel and look more like natural breasts.

Another option you’ll consider is round or teardrop implants. In the past, all implants were round. Today, women sometimes choose anatomical implants to look more closely like the shape of natural breasts. You’ll also have the option of either choosing smooth or texture implants. This choice will usually be based on the shape of the implant. Most often, anatomical implants are textured, which prevents the implants from turning upside down or sideways in your chest.

Since round implants don’t look different if they rotate in the chest, they’re usually smooth instead of textured. Lastly, there are two options for implant placement you can choose from. Submuscular placement is when the implants are inserted under the pectoral muscle, and subglandular placement is when the implants are inserted under the breast glands and over the pectoral muscles. Your surgeon will guide you on each of the options that may be best for the results that you desire.

Follow your doctor’s recovery plan.

Your surgeon will provide you a recovery timeline for when you can return to certain activities. Be sure to follow these activity restrictions carefully. Doing too much too soon can risk not only injuring your body, but also causing your results to be altered. In addition to avoiding strenuous activity, you’ll have to avoid wearing underwire bras while recovering. Instead, you’ll likely have to wear a surgical bra to help reduce the swelling and give your breasts gentle support. You can ask your surgeon when the best time will be to transition back into wearing underwire bras. Additionally, you’ll be advised to avoid lying on your stomach while you’re healing. Your surgeon will give you instructions on how to sleep comfortably while not putting your implants at risk of alteration.

Don’t expect to see results overnight.

It’s important to remember that it will take time until you can see the final results of your surgery. It’s likely that your breasts won’t look the way you expected at first. It’s not unusual for new breast implants to sit high on the chest and look unnatural initially. It will take three to six months before your implants will settle into a more natural position.

Know when to get breast implant replacement.

It has been recommended that your implants have to be replaced after ten years. This may be based on breast implant manufacturers offering a warranty that lasts ten years. Nonetheless, in some cases, women can have their breast implants kept in after ten years if there are no issues. One issue that can require you to get your implants replaced is if they’ve ruptured. If you get saline breast implants, they have a saltwater solution that will leak out if the implant is torn or punctured.

It’s generally easy to tell when a saline implant has ruptured. A silicone implant has a gel that keeps it in place, making it very difficult to know if it’s ruptured. Women with silicone implants need to have periodic MRI exams to be sure everything is intact. Another reason for getting implant replacements is you’re not satisfied with the results. You might not like how big or small they are and want to adjust the size again. You can consult with your surgeon about getting breast augmentation revision surgery to fix the issue.

Choosing to get breast augmentation requires a lot of preparation and research. All patients need to be sure they want the surgery, research a qualified surgeon, and be prepared to take the necessary steps of recovery. Keeping these tips in mind will help ensure you have successful results with your surgery. You can learn more about breast augmentation at this link: https://lexingtonps.com/breast-augmentation/.

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If Kate Middleton's wedding dress set your heart racing back in 2011, you're most certainly not alone.

But while many of us would lust after the now iconic Alexander McQueen design from afar, less of us feel certain we'd be able to pull off a long-sleeved wedding dress, and opt instead for strapless, cap-sleeved or halter-neck style.

If, however, your heart is set on a long-sleeved design, but you're in need of a little more inspiration, why not make use of the investigating we've conducted on your behalf.

And yes, you're right, long-sleeved gown are the epitome of old-school elegance.

1. We have no words
 

2. The detail is exquisite

 

Illusion back, #longsleevedweddingdress #offtheshoulderweddingdress

A post shared by Holmes & Co. Bridal Boutique (@tickhillbridal) on

3. Beyond beautiful

 

Beyond Beautiful! @maggiesotterodesigns #maggiesottero #lace #longsleevedweddingdress #gorgeous #bohowedding #lacombe #alberta

A post shared by EliteBridal & Fashion Boutique (@elitebridallacombe) on

 

4. Look at teh detail in the cuffs.

5. Fishtail and long sleeve perfection

6. Illusion sleevs for teh bride who can't decide.

7. Minimalist at its best.

 

Did you see the new @pronovias collection on Love My Dress yesterday #pronovias

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8. Be still our beating hearts.

9. We adore the blush tones. 

10. There's nothing we don't love.

11. That embelishment, though.

 

Embellished gowns and long sleeves by @needleandthreadlondon

A post shared by Rock My Wedding (@rockmywedding) on

 

 

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In October 2014, Ger Cunningham was named the new Dublin hurling manager, and now less than three years later, the Corkman has confirmed his time with the team has come to an end.

In a statement which was posted on Dublin GAA.ie, the 55-year-old confirmed rumours which circulated in recent weeks regarding the liklihood he would continue as manager for the Dublin senior team.

"Following on from recent discussions with the Dublin County Board, I wish to confirm that we have agreed by mutual consent not to extend my role as manager of the Dublin senior hurling team beyond 2017," began the statement.

"It has been an honour and indeed a privilege to manage the team and as I leave I have nothing but admiration for the squad of players who have represented Dublin with pride and passion. I want to thank them for their commitment both on and off the field."

"I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of my backroom teams over the last three years for their time and dedication to Dublin hurling. Their professionalism and counsel throughout our time together has been invaluable."

"I would like to thank the wider Dublin County Board, in particular Seán Shanley and John Costello, for giving me the opportunity. It's also important to acknowledge the role of the late Andy Kettle, who was Chairman when I was appointed."

Hoping to clarify his position amid recent dicussion, he continued: "There has been a lot of speculation about different aspects of Dublin hurling over the last few months. For the record every decision that my backroom team and I made was always in the best interests of Dublin senior hurling."

"Furthermore, Dublin hurling supporters should be in no doubt that this group of players have massive desire to represent Dublin and possess huge dedication and commitment to their county."

With a nod to the future of the team and his replacement, he finished by writing: "As I leave the position I would like to wish my successor the very best for the future."

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Back in February, Nick Lutz enjoyed 15 minutes of fame when he made the decision to upload a letter his ex-girlfriend had written him in the aftermath of their break-up.

Not only did Nick essentially share the content of the letter, but he highlighted the fact he had gone to considerable trouble correcting and grading the woman's correspondence.

But if Nick, who is a student at the University of Central Florida, thought the prank would result in little more than a few thousands likes and retweets, he was sorely mistaken.

According to The Independent, Nick's ex-girlfriend filed a charge of cyber-bullying against him, and while authorities didn't see fit to pursue it, his university certainly did.

After being suspended for two months in addition to being put on probation, Nick appealed the decision and commented on the fall-out from the initial Twitter post.

"Looking back at it now, it’s probably the craziest thing that will ever happen in my life," he said. "My main goal was never to expose her. It was to show the emphasis on the letter."

Taking to Twitter this week, Nick shared yet another letter he received and announced that the University of Central Florida had officially dismissed the case.

"It was a great sigh of relief that I report that the case has officially been dismissed by UCF! Thank you everyone, especially @JacobVStuart," he wrote in a post on Thursday.

Twitter was divided over both the university's decision to dismiss the case and Nick's initial decision to share his ex-girlfriend's letter online.

 

Celebrating my freedom at the beach with the boys! #victory #freedom #shellcity

A post shared by Nick Lutz (@nicklutz12) on

"Bullying can lead to suicide. Even not saying her name, anyone who knew you were dating would make fun of her," wrote one.

"I'm glad UCF backed down, cuz it's a bad precedent. But you, Nick, are vile. You took a young woman's heartfelt apology and sh*t all over it," wrote another.

"Shouldn't have been suspended in the first place. You should explore legal action against the ex and the school," countered yet another.

What are your thoughts on it?

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Yesterday, news broke that White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, had announced his intention to resign from his high-profile position just six months after taking up the post.

During his time serving POTUS Donald Trump, Spicer became the butt of countless jokes as his propensity for spin and tendency to sidestep questions irked and bemused the press and public in equal measure.

His attitude to the media and his approach to the role was immortalised on Saturday Night Live when Melissa McCarthy channelled her inner Spicer, and regularly played what could be considered her funniest role to date.

And with Sarah Huckabee Sanders set to fill the position next month, Twitter has decided to 'pay tribute' to the man who unwittingly became a parody of himself.

We'll let Twitter take it from here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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It's been five years since Ashleigh Butler and her incredibly talented (and ridiculously cute) dog, Pudsey, made their way onto the stage for the sixth year of auditions on Britain's Got Talent.

As the weeks progressed, Pudsey, who was a Border Collie, Bichon Frise and Chinese Crested powderpuff cross, delighted viewers more and more, and ultimately went on to win the title.

While Pudsey's talent and Ashleigh's skill certainly set them on course for a big win at the time, the bond they shared is what kept members of the public captivated years later.

So it's no surprise that news of Pudsey's passing has hit Ashleigh's fans and followers hard this week.

Taking to Instagram to share the news, Ashleigh uploaded a touching photo of herself and her pet, before paying tribute to the gorgeous Pudsey.

"I can't honestly believe I am writing these words. My handsome man has gone, and I don't know what to do without him," she began in a post which has been liked almost 4,000 times so far.

"My heart is broken, and I don't know how I'm going to get through this. It hurts so much, that my handsome, incredible Pudsey Bear will never be by my side, where he belongs, again."

"We only had 11 years together, but they were the best years ever. He was my one in a billion dog that will never be replaced," she continued.

Finishing the post with one final nod to her beloved pet, Ashleigh wrote: "I don't need to write all of his endless accomplishments on here to prove how incredible he was for me. Sleep tight my handsome man, I love you lots."

Unsurprisingly, members of the public have replied to Ashleigh's post in their droves, with many recalling the animal's time on Britain's Got Talent.

 

Me and my boys

A post shared by ashleigh butler (@ashleighbutler7) on

"Pudsey was an amazing talented dog & his talent will be remembered by everyone who watched your audition of the flintstones & the people who watched you win with your mission impossible routine," wrote one.

"Pudsey will always be in everyone's hearts, he was an amazing dog," added another.

We're with them on that one.

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