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Yearly Archives: 2017

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Many of us have quite a collection of Apple products at this stage, from the infamous beginnings of the iPod to our coverable iPhone 7s, you'd think we'd be sick of them by now.

But alas, every year we're lured into their shiny exterior and might as well be a magpie in search for diamonds.

We're so interested in fact that we can't help but read all of the rumours leading up to the new releases, and the latest one; the iPhone 8.

Apple expert, Benjamin Geskin, regularly tweets about the expected new features of the products and this week shared a leaked idea of what the next iPhone will look like.

As you can see above, there will be no home button and instead a touch ID scanner will be embedded into its display.

The phone will also reportedly have a stretched OLED screen, meaning it will reach across the whole display.

According to Tech Stuff, it will have the ability to float on water (whut?), as well as have shock absorbers to prevent broken and cracked screens.

Another report from Bloomberg claims that it will have wireless charging capabilities too.

Apple traditionally release its devices around the first two weeks of September, however Trader Insider notes that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the original iPhone, which debuted on June 29, so bets are on for the iPhone 8 to be released on the same date this year (even though that's very close).

We'll just have to wait and see if all the rumours are true!

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Alexa Chung has always been a style goddess.

And after sell-out collabs with Marks & Spencer and Mulberry, the fashion maven decided to create her very own clothing line.

After much anticipation, ALEXACHUNG Collection is here, and it's totally divine.

Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung

However, what's not divine is the price point with garments ranging from €85 to €1,315.

To be honest, we all knew the items wouldn't come cheap, and when you set your eyes on some of the gorgeous dresses and trench coats, we bet you'll be willing to pay a month's worth of rent for them.

Alexa Chung

 

Alexa Chung

 

Alexa Chung

From tiered floral dresses, to retro denims and chunky platforms, the line oozes Alexa's cool-girl exterior style.

She debuted the collection in London last night with a stunning catwalk show, and we have to say we're very impressed.

Images: Getty

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Calling all Harry Potter fans!

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (but of course all you die-hard fans knew that already).

To celebrate the milestone, Bloomsbury is releasing the first book of the series in the four Hogwarts house colours.

The limited editions feature a gorgeous new design complete with a house crest and it's corresponding signature colour.

But that's not all. The books will also include loads of extra content including character profiles and illustrations specific to each house.

You can read a synopsis for the meaning behind the design for each house at Pottermore, and if you're not sure which house to call home, you can let the sorting hat guide you through the process.

The special editions are available to order from bloomsbury.com from tomorrow and they're surprisingly good value.

The paperbacks are going for €8.23 while the hardback version will set you back €15.45.  

So, whether you're a Gryffindor, Slytherin (holla), Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, you'll be able to indulge your inner nerd with a custom themed copy of the book that started it all.  

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Being unhappy in work can be very difficult.

You wake up every weekday morning with dread, and sometimes your issues can spiral into a knotted web if they don't become resolved.

So much so, you think the best thing for you is to quit.

But, hold your horses. Don't do anything rash and have a long sit-down with yourself before you make any major life decisions.

businessman, client, coaching

We totally get that it can feel like you're falling into a deep hole, but rather than trying to escape, ask yourself this question (while you have a bag of chocolate in one hand and a glass of vino in the other):

'What exactly is making me miserable?'

New York Times bestselling author and happiness guru, Gretchen Rubin, says that this question might seem quite obvious, but it can often be overlooked.

"This sounds so obvious," she told Business Insider. "But I've found over and over, it really helps people."

According to the guru, you need to go through every aspect of your job with a fine tooth comb until you hit the exact thing that's making you unhappy.

"You're walking in the door in the morning and you're thinking, 'Oh, you know what? I don't like this anymore. This is a drag. I don't want to be here,” explains Gretchen.

"But there are a lot of reasons that that could be true. And the solutions that you would try in order to fix the situation would be really different depending on what the problem is."

So whether it's your working hours, a tricky co-worker or your salary, try to tackle the problem on a step-by-step basis.

adult, business, chair

“Once you actually pinpoint the precise nature of what's driving you crazy, it's often a lot easier to fix it than you think."

Talk to that disgruntled colleague; see if you can work flexible hours or talk to your boss about bumping up your salary.

You never know what a simple chat can do for you.

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The star-studded line-up for Ariana Grande's Manchester benefit concert was announced yesterday and now ITV have confirmed they will move the Britain's Got Talent final.

A clash of schedules meant that the benefit concert, which will raise funds for the victims of last week's devastating attack, would air on Sunday night on BBC at the same time the ITV were due to broadcast the BGT finale.

Finalists will now battle it out live on Saturday, June 3 at 7:30pm.

The British Soap Awards have also been rescheduled and will now air on Tuesday, June 6 at 8:00pm.

An ITV spokesperson said: “Ariana Grande’s One Love Manchester benefit concert is bringing artists and the public together, and will raise funds for the Red Cross’s Manchester Emergency Fund.

ITV and Britain’s Got Talent have no desire to distract from this important cause, so we have taken the decision to move the Britain’s Got Talent final from Sunday night."

The massive concert will be held at Manchester's Old Trafford cricket ground almost two weeks after the attack at the Manchester Arena took place.

Coldplay, Take That, Niall Horan, Usher, Kety Perry, Miley Cyrus and Pharell William will all join Ariana on stage in an effort to to raise much needed proceeds and pay tribute to victims and their families.

It was originally thought that Justin Bieber would appear on stage, but according to The Sun Online, the Despacito singer will not be performing on the night.

However, the line-up is still an ongoing process so we could be in for a few surprises on the night.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday June 1 at 10am, with proceeds from the event going towards the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.

For those of us not lucky enough to be there, the three-hour long show will air on BBC on Sunday night from 7:15pm, and donations can be mage through the We Love Manchester JustGiving page.  

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Three top tips for enjoying a beach holiday

Photo credit: Pixabay

When we think of a beach holiday, the first things that come to mind are soft, sandy beaches and warm turquoise waters, a place where you can relax and get away from it all for a while. However, sometimes a beach holiday can be stressful, rather than relaxing, especially if you have not planned your trip well. Here is a guide to enjoying a beach holiday, so you come home feeling rested and ready for action.

Skin Care

There is no excuse for not putting on the high factor sun cream, yet every year there are many tourists that become sunburned and even ill as a result of not being careful in the sun. A bad case of sunburn is sure to spoil the rest of your trip, so slather it on in the morning and reapply frequently throughout the day. Seek out shade or cover your skin with loose fabric if you feel as if you are beginning to burn.

After you have been in the sun, apply a good moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated and supple.

The Destination

Do your research before you book your holiday abroad to make sure you know exactly what the beaches are like before you arrive. For example, if you have been looking forward to a fine sandy beach, you are likely to be disappointed if you end up of a stony, rocky coast. Choose a destination that is known for fabulous beaches, look up holidays in Menorca.

Are you happy with a beach full of people, or would you prefer a quieter beach destination/ Do you want to relax in gentle waves, or do you like some choppier waters where you can enjoy wind and surf sports? Research makes sure you get the most out of your beach holiday.

Hydrate

When you are relaxing on a beach, it is important to keep drinking plenty of water. This will make sure that you stay feeling well in hot weather, and keep your skin looking good too. A holiday is often a time when we indulge in a glass or three of the local tipple, so hydrating well throughout the day is key to not getting a hangover the next morning. 

Laying on the beach and watching the world go by might be enough for some, but after a while you might become a little bored. That is why it is a good idea to bring some entertainment with you. Pick up some books that you have never read before, make sure your phone is well stocked with music, or bring some sports equipment like a tennis set, or beach ball to have some fun with. If you have children with you, then buckets and spades are a must.

Going on a beach holiday should be fun and relaxing, and is something that can help us recharge. Follow these tips to make sure you have an enjoyable time and return feeling rejuvenated.

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When you think of the perfect summer day, it usually consists of booze and a fancy place to drink it in.

Well, we have answered your prayers.

Actually, scratch that; The Exchequer Wine Bar has answered your prayers.

The Ranelagh eatery's 'Open Air Terrace' is super slick and offers you a spacious, chilled place to sip on your Chardonnay.

Its nibbles also look divine, with cheese and meat platters being served up by the plenty.

With bottle of the week offers and mystery wines featured each weekend, it's definitely on our list for summer.

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There is nothing better than free food, and with our love for doughnuts, this latest news had our excitement levels rising. 

Quality doughnut shop Offbeat Donuts is giving away free doughnuts today for a very special reason. 

The store is celebrating its first birthday, and are feeling generous for the occasion. 

'To celebrate we are giving away a FREE OFFBEAT BIRTHDAY DONUT to anyone who comes in and wishes us "HAPPY BIRTHDAY,' read posts across their social media pages. 

 

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The store is renowned for their fresh, delicious and innovative sweet treats, so this freebie event is sure to attract a crowd. 

We know exactly where we'll be heading this lunchtime…

Feature image: Offbeat / Instagram

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Body & Soul is just around the corner, and for the third year running the creative festival will play host to the Absolut Midsommar stage, where a series of amazing acts are set to perform in a uniquely edgy space.

The stage will blend together the cultural experiences of music and theatre performances to capture the magic of Swedish Midsommar.

A whole host of brand new acts added to the line-up include Johnny Moy, Billy Scurry, Stevie G, Deadbots, Eddie Kay, Colm Motherway, Vinyl Below and Ruth Kavanagh amongst others, and now the entire line-up, including stage times, is available. 

Friday:

01.30 – Close – Fish Go Deep

00.00 – 01.30 – Stevie G

23.20 – 12.00 – Arveene & Friends

23.00 – 23.20 – Loosysmokes

21.30 – 23.00 – Colm Motherway

19.30 – 21.30 – Vinyl Below

18.00 – 19.30 – Rob Le Nan

16.30 – 18.00 – Aoife O’Neill

15.00 – 16.30 – Ciara Brady

 

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Saturday:

01.00 – Close – Billy Scurry followed by Lumo DJ’s

00.00 – 01.00 – Timmy Stewart

23.20 – 00.00 – Bon Voyage Live

23.00 – 23.20 – Loosysmokes

22.00 – 23.00 – Johnny Moy

21.00 – 22.00 – Cyril Briscoe

20.00 – 21.00 – Black Bones (Dj set)

19.00 – 20.00 – Dj Deece

18.00 – 19.00 – Bazza Ranks & Mc Quassi

17.00 – 18.00 – Aoife Nic Anna

16.00 – 17.00 – Joma aka John Mahon

15.00 – 16.00 – Colin Devine

14.00 – 15.00 – Jon Pierce

13.00 – 14.00 – Baz Hickey

12.00 – 13.00 – Jack Thompson

 

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Sunday:

00.20 – Close – JonJo Jury & Joshua James (Savage)

23.20 – 00.20 – Shit Robot (Dfa)

23.00 – 23.20 – Loosysmokes

21.30 – 23.00 – Get Down Edits

20.00 – 21.00 – Kelly-Anne Byrne

19.00 – 20.00 – Ruth Kavanagh

18.00 – 19.00 – Eddie Kay

17.00 – 18.00 – Arveene x Shamon Cassette

16.00 – 17.00 – Deadbots

15.00 – 16.00 – Mix & Fairbanks

14.00 – 15.00 – Donal Dineen

13.00 – 14.00 – Jimmy Rouge

12.00 – 13.00 – Ivan Varian

 

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The area will also have some of the finest Absolut cocktails on offer, and the drinks lineup is almost as good as the musical offerings.

'Midsommar in Sweden is the ultimate celebration of summer, on the longest day of the year when the sun never seems to set,' said award winning Stockholm mixologist, Jakob Sundin.

'At Midsommar celebrations Swede’s wear flowers crowns in their hair a symbol of rebirth and fertility. Gathering flowers to weave into crowns was considered a way to harness nature’s magic and ensure good health throughout the year.'

'I wanted to capture a taste of that magic that makes Midsommar so special as part of Absolut’s bar line-up at Body and Soul.'

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"What if Snow White was no longer beautiful?" reads the new advertisement for Red Snows and the 7 Dwarfs.

If the above statement wasn't bad enough, what is irking most people is that the picture beside the words is of a much curvier version of the Disney character.

The spin-off movie is being called out for fat shaming, and positivity advocate Tess Holiday has shared her views about the ad on social media.

In the billboard, Snow White is seen on two sides; on the left she is strikingly thin and tall, where as on the right she is shorter and curvier.

Tess wrote in a tweet last night, "How did this get approved by an entire marketing team? Why is it okay to tell young kids being fat = ugly?"

The entrepreneur also tagged the film's star, Chloe Moretz, who will voice the character of Snow White.

Chloe has yet to comment.

However, looking at the trailer for the flick, it doesn't seem much better.

We're trying to think of a reason as to why a story would be based around weight, and all we can think of is maybe Snow White ends up happier when she stops trying to ive up to unrealistic standards?

We're just so confused by the entire premise.

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There has been a contouring craze sweeping Instagram since Kim Kardashian introduced the technique to the world, but now the tools used to apply the look are getting out of hand. 

We thought we'd seen it all when one MUA used the heel of a Louboutin shoe to get that sharp AF cheekbone shadow, and when that girl used her boyfriends' testicles to blend her foundation, we knew we'd had enough internet for one day. 

Now, Instagram famous MUA James Charles has introduced another unique tool for creating the perfect contour. 

 

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The world is obsessed with fidget spinners at the moment, and there isn't a primary school-aged kid in the land who doesn't have one of these nifty little toys stashed in their pencil case at this very moment. 

As well as being a distracting toy for the under-12 set, the contraption is apparently ace when it comes to blending a contour and highlight, as demonstrated by James. 

 

A post shared by James Charles (@jamescharles) on

The MUA used the swiftly spinning sides to meld his under eye highlight, contour his nose and create sculpted cheekbones. 

We're kind of tempted to try the tool for ourselves… 

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Cork city was left traumatised this week when a bird attacked more than 20 people.

After numerous disturbances in Cork IT, where two people needed medical treatment, the Cork Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals decided to call out to investigate the matter.

And it turns out that the culprit wasn't even a crow; it was a jackdaw.

Image may contain: bird and outdoor

The CSPCA said: "Jack the jackdaw. Apologies for the name but what else would you call the bandit of CIT.

"This little guy and its parents have been causing quite a stir over the past day or so with reports of people being buzzed overhead on the campus of CIT.

"So to prevent panic and a mass evacuation of the city, we headed over to see what all the fuss was about.

"Jack had fallen from its nest by either being too adventurous or got pushed by fellow siblings, when on the ground its parents were continuing to feed but also defend and protect it from anything that gets too close including humans, they were doing exactly what any other parent, human or animal would do in the same circumstances.

"As the nest could not be located, jack will now be fostered and will do quite well for itself and we are glad to report that calm has now been restored to our fair city."

Peace has been restored!

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