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Yearly Archives: 2017

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Now that it's the summer holiday season, it's time to start planning your next vacay.

And while booking a hotel for your summer getaway isn't the most important aspect of your trip, there's a pretty simple way to get a swanky upgrade.

Just think; a big room with a view beats out the box room that you have to travel five flights of stairs to get to, right?

adult, architecture, beautiful

According to experts, the best way to get an upgrade is to book your hotel directly through the hotel's website.

Many of us opt to use external booking sites, but it turns out that hotels actually reserve their best rooms for their own website.

Why? Because many third-party sites charge a 10-30 per cent commission to hotels which use their services.

A former hotel manager told The Sun: "A lot of hotels punish people for booking through third-party sites. They don’t like paying the commission and would rather you booked with the hotel directly.

bedroom, door, entrance

"The consequence is that you get the worst room within the room category you book a lot of the time," he added.

Many experts also noted that hotels will be more likely to give you "perks" if you book through their own website too, like free Wi-Fi or free breakfast.

Our advice? Check out the price-comparison websites beforehand to see which hotels fit in your budget, and then book through the hotel directly.

Now, you're sorted.

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At this stage, the world and his wife knows the Irish could generate banter in practically any setting.

We're professional craic-creators (yes, we coined that one), and we generally need little more than a few pints and good company to get the party started.

And yet, there are certain things which will always help us along our way when it comes to a big night out in our capital city.

Let's take a look at the top five, shall we?

Warm weather

There's nowhere quite like Dublin city on a warm, sunny evening.

They say what's rare is wonderful, and you're unlikely to find anyone without a whopper smile on their face in a Dublin beer garden on a day that brought nothing but sunshine, sunburn and hastily-applied self-tan.

Live entertainment

If you want to see a group of Irish people in their absolute element, stick them in front of some live entertainment. We're all for our pre-drinks playlist and we love a good DJ, but there's nothing better than watching a group of people perform live in front of a rapt audience.

Tapping into this, Dublin's Number Twenty Two provides the public with a setting which showcases some incredible talent. Between its Theatre Club and Dinner and Show offer, this South Anne Street venue knows exactly what appeals to Dubliners.

Food

We're a nation of total foodies, and this trait truly reveals itself on a big night out in the capital

Whether you''re the type that incorporates a civilised dinner into a night of cocktails or wishes the night away in order to get your hands on the post-bar takeaway, our morning after the night before analysis weighs heavily on how well we were fed.

Air of mystique

OK, so we all know the Irish love to be in the thick of it, but we also relish the idea we may have found the next big thing the capital has to offer.

The best nights are often the ones where you find yourself pushing open the door of a discrete venue while everyone else jostles for space in the same old spots, right?

Drinks

We'd be lying if we said that a few fancy drinks didn't propel a bog-standard night into an Instagram-worthy shindig.

Yes, we're a fan of a few cans, and God knows we often opt for the cheaper bottle of vino, so a night of cocktails may be total notions, but hey, who are we to judge?!

 

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A house in Austin, Texas, is bringing everyone’s ultimate childhood dream to life.

The home features some pretty slick interior design throughout, but the slide leading down into the utility room is the real showstopper.

The slide was designed by architect Tim Brown, who originally thought the homeowner was joking when they suggested the unusual feature.

Despite having never taken on such a task, Tim agreed to design the slide and ordered the custom structure from an Indian company that makes custom slides for fire stations

When the slide finally arrived in Texas, a number of adjustments were needed but after some hard work the slide is said to ‘just blend right in’.

CountryLiving.com asked Tim if he tested his creation, to which he answered:

‘’Yes’’ (obviously).

‘’It was a bit tight for a 6' 2" tall guy. It was fun however."

The idea has proved pretty popular amongst Tim's customers, who is currently in the process of construction two more.

So, if you're looking for a practical way to making doing your washing 10 times more fun – you know what do to. 

(And as if you weren't jealous enough, the rest of the house is absolutely beautiful too. Check out the photos below.)

*Drools*

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We'll be honest here and admit that we panic once the warm weather starts setting in. Oh, we love the idea of longer evenings and trips away, but having to tend to certain beauty routines which we neglected over the winter doesn't exactly thrill us.

From round-the-clock leg shaving to regular self-tan application, summer time upkeep can be difficult (and damn pricey) but thankfully Lidl has us covered.

And Lord, they've outdone themselves this time.

From the price points to the fruity fragrances, Lidl's Limited Edition Cien Tropical Summer Range is our our absolute go-to for summertime pampering this year.

1. After Sun Hair Treatment

While summer is filled with sun, sea and sand, these elements can often leave hair feeling dry and brittle and the hair cuticles can easily be damaged, leaving your locks looking dull and lacklustre.

Tackle it head on with this After Sun Hair Treatment.

After Sun Hair Protection Spray, €1.99

 

2. Mango Body Butter

The golden rule of long lasting tan is to moisturise, moisturise, moisturise, so after you shower be sure to treat your skin to Cien Tropical Summer Body Butter.

Cien Tropical Summer BodyButter, €3.99.

 

3. Smoothing Shower Exfoliant

This Shower Scrub will help to visibly improve and smooth the appearance of your skin.

These products works with an active ingredient complex of caffeine and microalgae, stimulating fat oxidation in the cells.

Smoothing Shower Exfoliating Scrub, €1.99

 

4. Facial Cleansing Wipes

After a long day in the summer sun, Cien Tropical Summer Facial Wipes are the perfect product to have on standby.

The wipes come in three invigorating, dermatologically tested formulas and are developed to cleanse the skin and remove make-up and impurities as well as waterproof mascara.

Cien Tropical Summer Facial Wipes, €0.69

5. Self-tanning spray

The Cien Tropical Summer Self-Tanning range is priced from €1.99 and offers everything from self-tanning creams and milks, to easy-to-use mousses and sprays and is available in several shades suitable for different skin types.

Cien Tropical Summer Self-Tanning range from €1.99

 

Hitting the shelves in Lidl stores across Ireland from today April 24, this range is available while stocks last!

We were lucky enough to get a sneak preview, and can confirm the products are as gorgeous as they look.

Ladies, it's go-time.

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'Ashamed', 'exhausted' and 'resentful'. These are all words used by millennial women who earn more money than their male partners.

According to a new report, more women than ever are taking on the role of breadwinner in their relationships, but instead of it being an exciting time, it's turning out to be quite the opposite.

A new report by Refinery29 found that a woman making more money can be seen as a disadvantage.

In 2015, 38 per cent of wives made more money than their husbands in the US, and with that number continuing to grow, it's leading to problems in relationships.

couple, friendship, hands

And to further problems in a relationship, the study also found that these women are still expected to do the majority of household work and childcare.

The author of the study wrote about her own experience, saying that people think it's strange that she earns more moola than her boyfriend.

But, in this day and age why is it so strange for a woman to be on top of her game when it comes to work? It should be celebrated.

Instead, Ashley received comments like, "I just feel like it's a man's job to take care of his woman," and "Do you ever think you might be selling yourself short?"

100 Euro

While being the breadwinner comes with immense responsibility, the women surveyed in the study all said the same thing: They'd rather be breadwinners than live with a partner who was unhappy at their job.

As you read through the findings however, a similar conclusion derives from the narrative; women will stick to their higher-earning job, once they are happy in that job.

Since they love the work they're doing, it's not as much about money as it is about fulfilment.

2 Person Holding Hands Besides Blue Painted Wall

So, while it may be difficult for some men to come to terms with their partners earning more, and some women may feel resentful for doing the majority of the work, it boils down to the inner workings of your relationship.

Once you and your partner talk openly and honestly about your aspirations, you'll find out what works best for you.

And for anyone who thinks it's a "man's job to take care of his woman," welcome to the 21st century. Millennial women are killing it in the business world and that's not about to change.

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He’s back!

Bernie Sanders, the political activist and longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history, will make his first ever visit to Ireland this June.

The politician was invited by organisers of The Dalkey Book Festival which will be hosting ‘An Evening with Bernie Sanders’ at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on Sunday June 4.

He will be joined by Irish economist, writer and broadcaster, David McWilliams, who will be discussing Bernie’s alternative vision for America as outlined in his best-selling book, Our Revolution.

The conversation will be somewhat of a warm-up event for the Dalkey Book festival which takes place from June 15 -18.

Festival director Sian Smyth said: “It is an extraordinary privilege for The Dalkey Book Festival to host Bernie Sanders, we are truly delighted to bring him to Ireland for the first time.

“He is an iconic political figure of our time, a stunning orator and with such turmoil in the US and globally we are very much looking forward to hearing his thoughts and insights.”

Tickets for this once-off event are €15, and you’ll even get a free copy of Bernie’s book Our Revolution: a future to believe in which normally retails for €11.99.

Tickets are available from The Dalkey Book Festival or the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. 

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It's no secret that our look (thankfully) evolves as we get older.

They say your twenties are divided into two distinct phases; early and late, and this most certainly applies to style as much as anything else.

The wardrobe of your teens is undoubtedly a distant memory now, but we also go through our fair share of wardrobe revolutions and evolutions during our twenties as well.

And yet there are some golden rules which apply to all ages, and should be memorised and internalised before you reach your 30th birthday.

1. Only buy clothes that fit

It sounds obvious, but we're all guilty of buying something a size too small in the hopes we'll soon fit into it, and invariably we end up feeling frustrated, disappointed, and out of pocket.

Avoid getting fixated on clothes size, and instead assess your potential purchase purely by how it looks and feels on your body. At the end of the day, how often are you asked what size you're actually wearing?

Use the changing room as a measure of how you'll feel on the outside world. If you're unable to sit down in your new jeans, or only like the ensemble if you stand a certain way and suck in, it's not for you.

2. Do a clear-out twice a year

In order to make room for new purchases, it's advised you do a bi-annual clear-out which will ensure you go into your next shopping trip with a clearer idea of what you need.

Ask yourself if you would buy each garment if you were presented with it that day, and let that be your guide as to whether it gets tucked away or tossed.

Don't be too hasty though; some discarded items may only need a little mending or a quick spruce in order to seem appealing again.

3. Store your clothes properly

OK, so while we would all love a walk-in wardrobe and endless storage, that's not possible for most of us, but it doesn't mean we can't care for our clothes in the same manner as those with oodles of personal space.

Establish a system within your wardrobe (no matter how small it might be) invest in the right hangers, and make use of storage boxes if needs be.

Not only will proper storage ensure the longevity of your clothes, it will making styling on a day to day basis so much easier.

4. Invest in staple pieces

There's a reason this piece of advice has been doing the rounds for generations, and it's because its importance cannot be overestimated.

No matter what your personal style, there are some pieces which will always be needed, and it's always worth investing in them once you come across a style you like.

A winter coat, a blazer, a well-fitting pair of jeans, an LBD and a good quality pair of ballet pumps will be used time and time again, and are five items which can be built on in order to showcase your own personal style.

5. Pay attention to care labels

If you're the type of person to bung everything you own into the machine machine along with teatowels and beach towels, you're doing your wardrobe a major disservice.

The care labels are there for a reason, and it's important you pay heed and follow the instructions if you want each garment to retain the shape and size it was when you left the store with it.

And if the symbols mean next to nothing to you, a quick search on Google will have you sorted.

6. Get measured on the regular

The benefit of well-fitting underwear cannot be overestimated. Not only does a proper fitting bra give you the support you need, but it instantly transforms your look depending on your outfit.

While technically speaking your bra isn't generally seen, its shape, fit and texture often determine how well your top sits against your body.

It's what's on the inside that counts after all…

7. If a garment makes you uncomfortable, ditch it

Whether it's a low-ride pair of jeans, a skirt that constantly rides up or shoes that have been giving you blisters long after the 'break-in' period, you need to know when it's time to heave-ho.

Put simply, you need to be able to move in your clothes without wincing, hobbling or constantly checking yourself, and convincing yourself otherwise is a fool's game.

Chances are if you feel uncomfortable, you likely look uncomfortable, and the key to seamless style is confidence, ease and self-possession.

8. Understand the importance of accessories

There's no doubt that accessories can make or break an outfit, but there's a lot to be said for working them properly.

If your budget is limited and you rarely splash out on new clothes, style up old ensembles with a new accessory.

From belts and bangles to scarves and shades, the power of a perfectly-placed accessory is a force to be reckoned with.

 

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Extroverts are typically viewed as being outgoing and socially confident, while an introvert is considered shy and reticent.

And while many believe being a gregarious person will give you a boost up in the business world, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Over the past ten years, scientists have been studying CEOs and through careful observation found that introverts make the most successful business people.

businessman, client, coaching

The CEO Genome Project analysed 2,000 CEOs and studied their career history, business results and behavioural patterns.

Researchers found that while being an extrovert is seen as a good thing in business, it was the introverts that came out on top.

“We’ve been struck by how few of the successful leaders we’ve encountered fit [the] profile,” said CEO Genome Project founder, Elena Lytkina Botelho, to the Harvard Business Review.

Woman in Gray Shirt Seating in Between Woman in Blue Black and White Plaid Long Sleeve Shirt and Man in Blue White and Black Plaid Long Sleeve Shirt Having Conversation

“Our analysis revealed that while boards often gravitate toward charismatic extroverts, introverts are slightly more likely to surpass the expectations of their boards and investors.”

While having a lot of confidence and an out-going personality may double your chances of getting to the top, researchers found that an extroverted personality “provides no advantage in performance on the job”.

So, to break it all down, the most successful leaders have one (or more) of these four behavioural characteristics:

  • The ability to make decisions quickly and with conviction
  • Being insightful and focused on delivering business results
  • Being highly adaptable and open to change
  • Delivering steady and reliable results, as opposed to irregular peaks of success

Woman in White Long Sleeved Shirt Holding a Pen Writing on a Paper

Introverts rely on their traits (their inner reserve, composure, calmness, awareness of others, cautiousness, sensitivity and good listening skills) to get work done carefully and successfully.

However, Elena noted that there's certainly no "one size fits all," and these introverted skills can be easily learned.

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Over 800 women in the UK are to take legal action against the NHS and the makers of the vaginal mesh implants used by the health service. 

Transvaginal tape is a plastic mesh used by the NHS to treat women who suffer from stress incontinence (unintentional loss of urine) and pelvic organ prolapses, symptoms often suffered by women post child birth.

The mesh strip is cut to size and placed through the vagina or abdomen during a supposedly simple 20-minute procedure. 92,000 women underwent the surgery in the UK between April 2007 and March 2015.

For a lot of women the experience is positive and the insert works to alleviate those taboo symptoms with no adverse side effects.

However, the same can’t be said for every woman. According to the BBC, 800 women in the UK are suing the NHS and the manufactures of the inserts after they experienced chronic pain following the procedure.

Struggling to urinate, plastic cutting through the virginal wall and an inability to have sex or use tampons were just some of the symptoms reported by these women.

One of these women, Kath Sansom, spoke to the-pool.com about her experience saying, “If this hadn’t happened to me, and someone told me about it, I’m not sure I would have believed them. It’s like a bizarre horror story.”

Before having the surgery, Kath was and extremely active diver and cyclist.

However, the intense pain that Kath has suffered as a result, left her unable to run or even kneel down for any extended period of time.

Despite having the device removed, she is still unable to live the active lifestyle she was so fond of before entering the operating theatre that day.

According to Kath, the problem with the mesh insert is that it shrinks and erodes once inside the body.

“It should remain the same until the patient dies. But there are studies which show this fabric can shrink, and twist and the edges can fold, it can degrade and have fragments drop off, and it can go brittle or really hard.”

She also claimed that women are often ill-informed about the potential risks of the procedure, and believes no one will take the issue seriously.

“Still surgeons are purporting that the surgery is more beneficial than risky. But what we should be doing, instead of rushing women into procedures like this, which are obviously not working well enough, is looking towards preventative measures. ‘’

Of course, Kath’s story is just one of many.

The scandal involves over 800 effected women who will take legal action against the NHS in an effort to have the mesh tape banned for good. 

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The act of body piercing is far from a modern custom, in fact, ancient civilizations who lived as far back as 3,300 B.C. were known to pierce their bodies for various religious and social reasons.

Today, the jewellery is mostly worn in the name of fashion and used as a form of self-expression. 

But, it now seems that the daith piercing, one the latest trend amongst the style conscious, may come with a surprising health benefit.

Haven’t a clue what we’re talking about? Don’t worry, here’s a photo to clear things up.

Well, not only is the daith piercing a fashion trend loved by the likes of Kylie Jenner and Zoe Kravitz, it’s also fast becoming one of the most talked about cures for migraines.

Much like acupuncture, many have claimed the piercing acts on a specific pressure point said to relieve even the most painful headaches.

However, it seem this magical cure might not work for everyone. Dr Fayyaz Ahmed, a neurologist and trustee of The Migraine Trust said, ‘There is no evidence that daith piercing work to help migraine.’

But hey, it looks cute, and if it just so happens to cure your migraine, even better!

 

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For a city of its relatively diminutive size, Dublin has one fairly well-known and highly-publicised divide, and it comes in the form of the great Northside / Southside division.

Oh, this capital city is divided by more than just the river Liffey; it's divided by accent, the use of certain terms, and the wearing of certain clothes.

Using the classic morning-after-the-night-before postmortem as a platform, Emma Doran and Jen Hatton tapped into this divide, and Facebook is all over it.

We'll let the ladies themselves take it from here…

 

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Most of us are lucky if we have a cúpla focal, but one American teacher has put us all to shame by becoming a fully fledged Gaeilgeoir.

Shannon O’Neill was a final year Music Education student in Los Angeles when she was diagnosed with viral meningitis.

The condition affected her cognitive ability and both her short-term and long-term memory.  

Shannon described her diagnosis to TheJournal.ie: ‘’It’s like the flu, it can hit you at any time.”

‘’Being diagnosed with an illness, I sometimes explain it as, ‘I had to greet myself as a new friend’ because there are changes that you have to accept, and you need something to centre yourself around.’’

The condition inspired Shannon to reevaluate her life and she became determined to make something positive out of it.

So, in order to focus her mind and improve her memory, she stared learning Irish.

“I became really interested in the culture that I had no idea about. I started getting books out of the library on Irish culture, politics, literature and music.’’

Having fully completed DuoLingo’s Irish course Shannon now describes herself as an advanced beginner/intermediary speaker of Irish.

Shannon now plans to travel to Ireland and visit the Gealtacht regions in an attempt to improve her Irish.

‘’This summer, I’ll be using the rest of the money I’ve saved up for college to travel for three months around the different Gaeltachts and speak as much as possible.’’

After her trip, Shannon plans to return to her job as a substitute teacher and is hoping to incorporate the Irish language in to her lesson plans.

Shannon is a fifth generation Irish-American and admits she never felt entitled to claim her ancestry because she was so far removed, but we’ll welcome anyone who tackles the native language with open arms. 

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