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Yearly Archives: 2017

If you watched the One Love Manchester concert then you'll know that Justin did an amazing job.

His heartwarming songs and words of goodwill made us fall back in love with him, so it's no wonder that Twitter went a tad crazy when he announced he's releasing new music last night.

JB wrote: "New music. This Friday. Me and @davidguetta."

And of course, everyone lost it:

Already this year, Justin has performed with DJ Khaled on I'm The One, as well as lending his voice to the absolute tune, Despacito.

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Up and down the country today, more than 120,000 students will begin their State exams.

English is on the cards for students at 9.30am, with Leaving Cert students sitting English Paper 1, and Junior Cert students will face English and CSPE.

Twitter is alight with students and past students alike, sharing their experiences and thoughts about the big day. 

10. THE FEAR

9. Yes Sophie, yes it is. 

8. We'd pay good money to see this

7. No pressure

6. No chill

5. Fact

4. We needed as many candles as we could get

3. There's always repeating

2. What a beauty

1. Harsh

 

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Three American school girls have made it their mission to provide people with an easy and effective way to tell if their drink has been spiked.

Susana Cappello, Carolina Biagorri and Victoria Roca, who all attend the same Miami high-school, have just invented a straw which can test your drink on the spot.

The 'Smart Straws' will be able to detect the presence of GBH and ketamine, two of the most commonly used date rape drugs.

Speaking to A Plus, Susana revealed the inspiration behind the project:

"Rapes assisted by drugs or alcohol are all too common. We just want to give any gender a simple tool to protect themselves."

As part of their research, the students carried out a survey at Northwestern University.

The results revealed that around 50 per cent of the participants said they knew someone who had been drugged at a party, and 85 per cent said they would be interested in using the drug-detection product.

The trio are currently in talks with a testing kit manufacturer, and plan to begin a crowd-funding campaign to raise the funds needed to start the project.

Of course, this is not the first project of its kind. Previously, a drug-testing nail polish was deemed to be the next big thing, but unfortunately developers have not been able to get it off the ground.

Although the straws will only be able to test for the presence of two drugs, these girls are definitely heading in the right direction.

If they are capable of developing such a sophisticated product in high-school, just imagine what developments could be made in the future.  

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It's easy for us to think that people in great physical shape have no reason to be insecure about their bodies, but as we know, this is not necessarily true.

We all have our insecurities, but whether or not we choose to admit that is a different story.

Victoria D'Ariano, a bodybuilder and mental health advocate, knows this struggle all too well.

There's no doubt that Victoria is in top physical condition, but just like everyone else, there are parts of her body she wishes she could change.

She has cellulite, or “butt dimples” as she likes to call it, and recently took to Instagram to pen a hilarious open letter to her biggest insecurity.

 

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“Dear Butt Dimple,

I remember the first day you appeared. I was 15 years old. Since then you have had a hugely negative impact on my life. Since then you have made me feel less about myself. You not only made me feel fat, but also unworthy. You have always had an impact on what I chose to wear. I would avoid certain bikinis, and even some of my favorite leggings. I would never feel confident in a bikini because I thought everyone was staring at you. I would never wear my favorite leggings because again I always thought people were starting at you. Long shirts were my go-to as it was a way I could cover you up and have a moment of peace within my mind as no one would be judging you.

I remember endless hours of looking at you in the mirror, squeezing you and wondering why I had you. I remember crying of embarrassment as other girls I was friends with didn’t have you. I would exercise extra hard in hopes you would go away. I would eat better also in hopes you would go away. I even considered cellulite treatments so you would finally just go away. You never did, you still haven’t. You took a lot of joy away from me, you caused a lot of stress for me, you made me insecure and took away my confidence. I could never feel in shape as you were always there.

I am writing you today to tell you I have finally stopped letting you win. You will no longer make me feel unworthy, not good enough or not in shape because of you. I will no longer be afraid to wear certain bathing suits or leggings because of you. I will no longer hide you. You are what you are and I have finally come to peace with that. I have finally accepted you.

When I reflect back on this I realize how stupid it is to have let something this superficial have an impact on my life but it did. I am happy that I have been able to overcome this and I hope if you have a similar struggle you can realize that you too can and will. Don’t let things of such insignificance ever take away your happiness.”

 

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The post has since gone viral with many of Victoria's 283,000 followers thanking her for her honesty.  

One user wrote: "Omg I have the same thing and I've hated it for years. I still hate it sooo thank you for posting this."

This isn't the first time Victoria has adressed the topic. Just last month the bodybuilder shared this photo with her followers:  

 

Dis my butt, dis also my butt. The difference? One is posed with a good angle and in good lighting, the other isn't posed and in different lighting. On the left you'd think I have smooth skin and no cellulite. The right you can see that I have some bumps and in fact do have cellulite. . I'm posting this because the other day someone messaged me and said they were having a bad body-image day. She was trying on bikinis and all she could see was cellulite and a muffin-top. Well let me make a few things clear. Almost everyone I know, myself included has some kind of cellulite… change room lighting makes EVERYTHING show on my butt… like the most cellulite. AND if I wear low-rise bikini bottoms I also have a muffin-top! Want to know what all of this makes me? And makes you? A WOMAN. That's is, that's all. Whatever idea you have for yourself and this "image" you think you need to look like. Throw that shit out. Own those curves, own that cellulite, embrace that beautiful and simply womanly body!

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Victoria is living proof that not matter how other people see us, our insecurities will continue to exist – we've just got to learn to embrace them. 

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George and Amal Clooney have welcomed their twins, according to reports from the Associated Press.

The twins were born this morning, according to George Clooney’s publicist Stan Rosenfield.

The couple have had one boy and one girl, named Ella and Alexander.

 

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He told AP that the pair are both 'happy, healthy and doing fine.'

'George is sedated and should recover in a few days,' he joked.

The couple themselves have not commented on the birth, but hopefully we get a peek at the new twis very soon.

Congratulations to the couple!

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Get your prettiest eating pants ready, because Taste of Dublin is bringing us a host of international flavour experiences and it's just around the corner.

Today, the foodie-fest released the line-up for the 12th year of Ireland’s leading gourmet gala.

Guests to this year’s festival will be greeted by a veritable feast with a strong international dimension, with all chefs and restaurants incorporating this year’s theme of Flavours of the World into their menus.

 

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Returning from Thursday June 15 to Sunday June 18, the festival boasts a stellar line-up of world renowned International and Irish chefs, including Jean Christophe Novelli, Anna Haugh, Darina Allen, Gill Meller and Neven Maguire taking to the various stages and participating in new exciting features over the four days.

Taste of Dublin 2017 is set in the divine Iveagh Gardens, which is set to be bathed in sunshine next week when the traditional Irish Leaving Cert weather finally arrives, so make sure you team some sunglasses with those eating pants. 

 

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An exciting new feature of the festival is Food for Thought with Regina Wish, hosting more than 30 talks, Q&A’s and interviews from some of Ireland’s favourite chefs and industry experts.

The guests will cover ingredients and topics they love including Darina Allen on Slow Food, Robin Gill on getting Farm to Table eating 'right', Clodagh McKenna on 'Table Scaping' and Simon Lamont on the Sustainable Oyster. 

Throw in whiskey masterclasses from Teelings(lit), cooking with Flavours of the World from Anna Haugh, Sherry, the Food Lover’s Wine (more lit) from drinks enthusiast Lynne Coyle from O’Brien’s Wines, not to mention the Big Fat Taste Quiz panel experience, it’s set to be an amazing weekend stuffed with gourmet food, divine drinks and an eatery education for all.

 

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Electrolux's Make Life Delicious theatre is also returning from last year by overwhelming demand. 

French celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli, Kwanghi Chan and Kevin Dundon are just some of the names demonstrating over the four days

True foodies will also feel be right at home in the ‘Taste Theatre’ where a further line up of leading chefs and TV personalities like Darina Allen and Neven Maguire will be showcasing their professional skills and techniques, hosting up to five live cooking demos per session, plus a few new surprises that are guaranteed to keep crowds entertained. Sounds delish!

One of the most exciting additions to the line-up is the Barry's Tea cocktails. Yes, you read that right.

 

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Barry’s Tea will, for the first time, be showcasing an innovative way of enjoying tea, serving a range of exclusive cocktails; a refreshing twist on the classic Gold Blend, a tantalising Very Berry cocktail or a comforting Green Tea cocktail. Yes please.

Pippa O'Connor will also be on board on Saturday to host the Style Afternoon for any fashionistas out there.

Entertainment will be on the main stage from noon on Thursday to close on Sunday evening will keep the buzz alive including bands such Spring Break and Smash Hits.

Somehow, there are still tickets left for Taste of Dublin 2017, but we're sure they'll be snapped up ASAP.

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So, it's been almost 10 years since Gwyneth Paltrow launched her health and lifestyle website, Goop, and only now has she admitted that even she doesn't know what exactly the blog posts are about.

The actress appeared on Jimmy Kimmel's talk show on Monday night and the host used the the opportunity to ask about the business Gwyneth now calls her “full-time job”.

Goop is known for its bizarre 'wellness' articles and it seems there was one particular subject that Jimmy just couldn't wrap his head around – Earthing.

It's the practice of walking barefoot in order to reconnect with the earth, apparently.

But as it turns out, not even Gwyneth can has am explanation for this one. In response to the host's curiosity, she said “So one of the things we like to do on Goop is find what the alternative world says about feeling good in the modern-day world. So, earthing—I don’t actually know that much about earthing, and it came out of me not knowing anything about earthing but hearing about it.''

Hmm, isn't this your “full-time job” Gwen?

She continued, “They say that we lost touch with sort of being barefoot in the earth, and there’s some sort of electromagnetic thing that we’re missing. It’s good to take your shoes off in the grass.”

Eventually she breaks, admitting “I don’t know what the f*ck we talk about!”

Not content with basically outing Gwyneth as a poor business manager, Jimmy then asked the star about one of the most unusual products for sale on the website – Jade eggs.

“So, the Jade Egg is an ancient Chinese practice where women insert the Jade Egg in their lady parts to help tone the pelvic floor,” Gwyneth says.

“It acts as a small weight, so I suppose it tones the pelvic floor, and there are women who are really good at practising this, and they say it’s good for balancing hormones and all kinds of amazing benefits.”

We'll take your word for it.  

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Mischa Barton has claimed victory over an ex boyfriend who attempted to release illicit footage of the actress.

It's reported that The OC star reached a deal in court preventing Jon Zacharias from releasing any explicit videos or images made during their relationship, which according to Mischa, were taken without her consent. 

Speaking outside the court, Mischa said,  "Today was major not just for me, but for women everywhere who get to decide what images of their body are shown and hopefully stand up to bullying by men in situations like this."Jon Zacharias must now hand over all offending materials. 

Earlier this year, Mischa took out two temporary restraining orders against him and another ex boyfriend, Adam Shaw, who is believed to be a friend of Jon's.

The actress claims the pair had been trying to sell a sex tape of her to online porn websites for up to $500,000.

Following the victory, Mischa's lawyer, Lisa Bloom, tweeted in celebration. 

“Distribution of the explicit images banned, ex stays 100 yards away forever,” she wrote.  

In a statement, Ms Bloom said: “I am proud to declare victory for Mischa. She did this not just for herself, but for all women and girls. Mischa wants everyone to know that we have the right to control our own bodies and decide whether or not to have explicit photos out there for the world to see.

"If a woman wants to do that, fine. If she doesn’t, fine. The choice is hers and hers alone.”  

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French police have reportedly shot a man outside the Notre Dame in Paris after he tried to attack them with a hammer.

Paris police say they are attending an incident at Notre Dame and are warning the public to stay away, according to Reuters.

Eyewitness accounts claim that gunshots were heard in the area before the crowd scattered. 

Reports claim that tourists and religious worshippers are trapped within the Cathedral. 

Those inside are believed to be safe.

More to follow.

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The Irish festival season is officially upon us, with Foirbidden Fruit just passed.

Now, Castlepalooza is gearing up for their massive three-day music sesh, and the indie festival have added a whole host of new acts to their already stellar line-up. 

Joining the already amazing list of acts is Le Galaxie, Denney, Hiva Oa, Liza Flume, Oddsocks, RSAG, Bitch Falcon, Daithí, Dublin Ukulele Collective, Floor Staff, Hot Cops, Ivy Nations, Prymary Colours, Dip Djs, Third Smoke, Tiz McNamara, Wastefellow, Elaine Mai and Chasing Abbey. 

Also taking to the stage at Charleville Castel, Tullamore will be Le Boom, Thumper, Participant, Rosa Nutty, Phare, Cinema, Frankenstein Bolts, Wolff, and Video Blue.

Show Fur, Damola, Apella, Nimino, Tu-Ki, Lumigraph, Apres Ski, Barry Redsetta, Aik J, Oh Boland, Let’s Sail and Robocobra Quartet are also scheduled to entertain the masses at the fest. 

The musical line-up is pretty epic, but that's not all the festival has to offer.

 

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Colm O’Regan, Deirdre O’Kane, Fred Cooke, Kevin Mc Gahern, PJ Gallagher and Shane Clifford will all be sharing their comedic talent at the festivals Vodafone Laughter Lounge

The festival runs from Friday August 4 to Sunday August 6, with tickets priced at €119.00, and there are still more acts to be announced.

Feature image: Instagram/evadonlon

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So, there are many reasons why people stray when they're in committed relationships.

Perhaps they feel unloved by their partner, maybe they're just bored – either way, there is no justifiable reason to cheat on a significant other.

However, it now seems there might be some external factors making us more likely to do so.

A new study has revealed that people with tattoos are more likely to have a passionate affair (apparently). 

What's more, it seems women are the biggest offenders with many baring secret tattoos that are only revealed during an intimate encounter.

Now, this information should be taken with a pinch of salt, as the study was conducted by a dating website devoted to married people looking for a fling on the side.

VictoriaMilan surveyed more that 3 million of its members across 16 countries about their body art, and the result were quite interesting.

Scandinavian women were found to be the most likely to have tattoos, with Denmark coming in first place (42.3 per cent), followed closely by Finland (41.1 per cent) and Sweden (40.8 per cent)

Falling just short of a top three spot, Ireland came in at number four with 40 per cent of female users saying they have tattoos. 

Founder and CEO of VictoriaMilan, Sigurd Vedal, said the results show just how much a tattoo can reveal about a person's personality.

“Tattoos are a sign of personality, creativity and rebellion, and now we know they are a sign that the person probably has a great sex life.” 

“This may spark a worldwide hunt to discover the craze for sexy intimate tattoos, as men like to discover things that are seemingly just for them.”

Hmm. We're pretty sceptical about this one to be honest. 

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Let us all admit this: we hate breaking the seal.

You're having a laugh with your besties at happy hour and the last thing you want to do is queue up for 20 minutes in the ladies' loos.

But, unfortunately it has to be done. And done again, and again, and again, until you basically spend the whole night in the womens' toilets.

However, now an urology physician assistant, Aleece Fosnight, has revealed what actually happens when it's go time, and why it's super important to go to the loo while drinking alcohol.

So, first of all, Aleece says that there's actually no seal to break – but we definitely have to pee more when we drink booze.

Alcohol suppresses vasopressin, which is an anti-diuretic hormone in our brains.

On a regular day, this hormone helps our bodies absorb water so we're not going to the toilet constantly. But when we drink alcohol, our kidneys don't know that to do, so they just end up dumping water rather than reabsorbing it.

"This produces a lot more water-diluted urine, which, in turn, fills up the bladder faster, making you urinate more often," the urologist explains.

Alcohol can take up to 20 minutes to block vasopressin, so by the time you feel like you ned to break the seal, "the alcohol is in full swing and blocking a significant amount of that hormone."

And therefore, "more alcohol, more blockage, more pee."

Aleece recommends going to the loo the minute you have the urge, because if you don't, it'll just make you really uncomfortable.

And always drink water at the end of the night, so your kidneys will know what to do in the morning and it will *hopefully* prevent a hangover.

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