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Monthly Archives: May 2018

As if lounging on a pool float under the blazing sun wasn't fab enough, you can now soak up those rays with your four-legged friend by your side. 

That's right. Thanks to the good folk over at Fun Boy and Bark, you and your doggo can now enjoy some quality pool time together while chilling on snazzy matching inflatables. 

The popular brands have collaborated to bring us dog-sized pool floats just in time for summer! 

There are two different designs to choose from – a bright pink, convertible race car, and an elegant white yacht. 

Both come in human and dog sizes and the bundle will set you back $169 (approx. €143) – or you can just buy the pooch version for $59 (approx. €50). 

While the price tag might seem a little excessive, it'll comfort you to know that these dog-friendly floaties are made from thick, puncture resistant material so you won't have to worry about any accidental breakages. 

These groovy inflatable also come with drink and snack holders just waiting to be filled with delicious (human and doggy) treats. 

Fun Boy have tonnes of other inflatables including a floating bar which has space to to chill multiple bottles of wine, as well as four cup holders. 

Summer here we come! 

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With the mid-week slump hitting us right in the face, it can be tempting to get on your phone and order dinner from your favourite takeaway. 

While we have nothing against a cheeky food delivery, making your own takeaway would probably be a cheaper and healthier option. 

So why not try one of the tasty recipes below? They won't take you long to make and will certainly please your family! 

1. Crispy orange chicken

2. Chinese dan dan style noodles

3. Korean fried dumplings

4. Chinese Szechwan supper

5. Pork chow mein with vegetables

6. Singapore rice

7. Asian noodle soup with prawns

8. Classic sweet and sour chicken

9. Pork with black bean and noodles

 

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Let’s face it: we’re all busy living our best lives, and it can be a little bit overwhelming at times (but also class).

However, as busy millennials, we want to work hard and also make a difference where possible.

And that, my fine friends, is where the concept of micro-volunteering comes into play.

Micro-volunteering is when a person completes small tasks that make up a larger project.

Take this quiz to find out how you should spend your next minute.

 

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Khloé Kardashian captured the feelings of many parents the other day when she shared a post on her app saying:

Picking a name for your child is really so tough!”

Between wanting to honour tradition and wanting to give our child a name that will make them stand out, the whole process can prove quite difficult. Especially when you're doing it all in the public eye!

In the lead-up to her baby girl's birth, there was much speculation as to what moniker the 33-year-old would choose for her first child. In the end, she decided to call her daughter True Thompson, and we have to say, we adore how unique and lovely the name is.

Now, Khloé has revealed why she named her and Tristan Thompson's little girl True – and it all has to do with one very special member of her family.

 

Happy One Month True 

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“I knew I wanted my baby to have a ‘T’ initial, so one night while we were all at dinner, thinking of some names, my grandma MJ [Kris Jenner's mum] suggested True," the reality star shared.

Not only is the name cute in its own right, but it also holds familial significance.

"She told me it was my great-grandfather's first name and my grandfather's middle name," the new mum wrote.

Knowing the special history the name True has in her family, Khloé couldn't shake the feeling that this was the right name for her baby girl:

 

DAY 20 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

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"It stuck with me for my entire pregnancy and was the only one I couldn't get out of my head."

And so, when the precious bundle of joy arrived on April 12, Khloé knew what to call her.

The mum-of-one has been in Cleveland ever since welcoming her first child, as Tristan plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but she says she's excited to return to California so True can meet the woman who helped come up with her name,

"I can't wait to get back to LA so True can finally meet MJ in person," Khloé wrote.

How sweet! We love how close they are as a family, and we're sure when True is older she'll appreciate knowing the sentiment behind her name.

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New figures from Daft.ie show Dublin's rental market favours tourists and those looking for short-term accommodation. 

According to the research, 53 per cent of the capital's rental properties are listed as short-term lets, with many landlords choosing to rent their homes via Airbnb. 

As of yesterday, there were 1,259 long-term rental properties available in Dublin, though that figure is expected to fall below 1,000 by the end of this year. 

The co-founder of Daft.ie, Eamonn Fallon, said: “Action urgently needs to be taken to increase supply, both in Dublin and nationwide. The country needs close to 50,000 homes a year to cater to underlying housing demand, both market and social. Of the 50,000 homes, 15,000 are needed for the rental market with 10,000 of those in the capital.

Meanwhile, despite the the introduction of rent pressure zones, rent in and around the Dublin area have continued to rise steadily. 

Martin Clancy of Daft.ie said: “Rents have been rising as supply continues to bottom out nationwide. Despite a cap of 4% on sitting tenants, rental inflation has been above 10% nationwide and shows no sign of abating without a sharp increase in supply.”

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The idea of being famous, living their lavish lifestyle, being adored by fans and being paid an eye-watering amount for posting a picture, is for many, THE DREAM.

However, before you take a shot at the limelight, you might want to consider that the reality of being a celebrity and the image we are sold of the life of the rich and famous doesn't live up to the real world. 

The former One Direction band member, Liam Payne reveals that fame hasn’t been smooth-sailing and about his life post-hiatus, in a very honest chat for Mental Health Awareness Week.

The dad-of-one to baby Bear, has opened up about the darker side of his success with KISS FM for their ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ campaign.

“When the band started our break I struggled with the idea of becoming famous again, it scared the living daylights out of me. Because the last time it nearly killed me, frankly,” said Liam very honestly. 

Speaking of how he managed the challenging situation, Liam added:

“So I had to figure out a way to make it work for me – rather than me work for it.”

 

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The conversation soon turned to how the boy band member deals with his life being splashed all over media and it seems his sense of humour has become his coping mechanism.

“Laugh it off and remember it will become a story one day. And will seem funny.”

 

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The 24-year-old dad has been a public figure for over a decade, after auditioning for the X-Factor at just 14-years-old, opening up about the ten years in the spotlight, Liam said:

“I love my life, it’s been fantastic but there have been a lot of struggles to get to this point. It’s about having good people around you. They don’t have to be a psychologist – just people who are friendly, someone to talk to.”

For more information on Mental Health Awareness Week, click here

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From childhood sweethearts courting to finding ‘the one’ online later in life, marriages vary greatly from couple to couple and from decade to decade.

New research from One4all unearths the wedding trends that have changed and triumphed throughout the years and also reveals Ireland’s desire for an ‘I do-over’.

According to the research, 4 in 5 adults in Ireland rate their marriage happiness levels as at least an 8 out 10, with one third giving it top marks – 10/10 for happiness!

When quizzed on the secret to marital bliss, respondents said that communication (56%), trust (39%) and honesty (36%) hold the key.

That said, rows are inevitable and financial pressures are the root cause (26%) for most, while finding the balance between work and family life is an issue for many (15%) and 1 in 10 (11%) struggle to agree on the division of household chores.

Despite our happy disposition, 51% of respondents who are, or have been, married say they would change elements of their wedding day if given the chance to do it all over again.

Keeping a more intimate guest list and inviting less people was the top thing that people would change, followed closely by choosing a different photographer to capture their special memories. Looking back, over 1 in 10 respondents say they would now choose to have a non-religious ceremony.

The concept of soulmates isn’t for everyone, but it certainly looks like we’re a nation of old fashioned romantics. Over 3 in 4 One4all research respondents (78%) admit they believe in ‘The One’, and a loved-up 81% say they have already been lucky enough to find them!

For those who married in the 1970s disco days, a night out on the town seems to be where romance most often blossomed whereas those who married in the 2000s were more likely to have met their sweetheart in school.

Venue waiting lists and increasing costs can often impact the date of the big day and according to the research, engagements are definitely getting longer!

The majority of those who got married between the 1990s and today, say their engagement lasted 12 to 18 months, with 6 to 12 month engagements being the norm for those who married in the 1950s to 1980s. 

When it comes to wedding presents, furniture was most commonly gifted to those wedded in the 1950s, followed by bed linen in the 60s, tableware or glassware in the 70s and cash from the 80s right up to today.

It’s not just our own weddings we’re obsessed with, over half of the Irish public say they will tune in to see Meghan Markle walk down the aisle to marry her Prince Charming on May 19th.

The Suits star will have a lot to live up to as, to date , Kate Middleton’s Alexander McQueen wedding dress has been voted top in the royal fashion ranks by the Irish public followed by Grace Kelly and Princess Diana’s gowns.

Commenting on the survey findings Aoife Davey, Group Marketing Manager at One4all Ireland, said: “It was really interesting to see the things that people would change about their weddings today and the pearls of wisdom we can all learn from, particularly being more choosy with the guest list! It’s clear from the research that marriage in Ireland has changed greatly through the ages, particularly when it comes to gifts, courtship and length of engagement, but what unites us all is our overall positivity and belief that ‘the one’ is out there waiting for us which is really heartening.”

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If you're anything like us, a huge chunk of your hard earned cash goes towards filling you wardrobe with clothes you probably (definitely) don't need. 

You might be living off beans on toast for the last week of the month, but hey, at least you've got a killer collection of designer heels, right?

Well, staying on top of the latest trends is nice, but have you ever stopped to think about what percentage of your wages is actually spent on clothing and accessories? 

According to Cosmopolitan, financial expert Peter Dunn reckons he's found the magic formula that allows you to strike the balance between stylish trendsetter and fully fledged adult. 

And it's all in the number five, apparently. 

He recommends that you should only spend about 5 per cent of your take home salary every month – which, when you break it down, isn't an awful lot. 

For example, if your €25k a year, your shopping budget is capped at €1250 annually which equates to roughly €100 per month.

Now, on first thought that doesn't seem so bad, but it only takes one flash ASOS sale to spoil your finances for the month. 

Our advice? Save the splurging for special events and experiment with new ways to style the clothes you already have.  

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After a long winter, we are FINALLY seeing some summer sunshine.

However, the change in weather can leave our skin looking a little bit dull.

Fear not! Your summer skin boost is here and we LOVE it.

Perfect for mature and sensitive skin, it will have you smiling all summer long without worrying about those smile lines.

This new product, No7 Laboratories Line Correcting Booster Serum, aims to enhance your natural beauty, which includes those all-important facial expressions.

According to research by the No7 labs, you’re more likely to be considered more beautiful by more people, regardless of your age or background by having a naturally expressive face.

Half of the 1,000 women who were studied found that you’re perceived as sexier when you get au naturel with your expressions.

To give you even more excuses to smile, the study showed faces that were smiling were perceived to be three times more vibrant than those showing a neutral or unhappy look.

This special serum is uniquely designed to target those stubborn lines areas, such as around the lip area and forehead. The product works in coordination with your natural beauty, so you don’t have to compromise on your expressions, frown away ladies!!

The reason why we and other women are so obsessed with the Line Correcting Booster Serum it gets the results without the pain of an injection.

Interestingly, researchers found a small sample size of women who were considering Botox, after trialling the product for two months, more than three-quarters of them said the serum gave them better results than they thought possible from skincare. Another 73 percent said they were less likely to consider Botox in the future.

Of those that had already had Botox, a whopping 80 percent of women said the serum gave them better results than they thought possible from skincare and 73 percent said they would delay their next treatment.

 You can pick up the serum here, Boots currently have 3 for 2 offer on selected skincare, with the cheapest free. 

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With the royal wedding happening this weekend (we will be glued to our screen, how about you?), we are getting quite excited about all the details and while Meghan's dress reveal is certainly going to be peak excitement, we are also eager to find out the look of the wedding cake.   

It is Claire Ptak, an east London pastry chef, who is in charge of baking the organic lemon and elderflower wedding cake incorporating "the bright flavours of spring", according to Kensington Palace. The tasty creation will be covered with buttercream and adorned with fresh flowers, which is probably the biggest decorating trend of the moment.

If you are getting married this year (or if you just love staring at gorgeous cakes, like we do), you might enjoy some fresh inspiration. We have scrolled instagram to find out about the emerging wedding cake trends which might be the next "buttercream and fresh flowers". 

1. The luxury gold  

 

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2. The chocolate chip cookie cake

3. The geometric cake

4. The all-black

5. The pure white

 

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6. The art lover cake

7. The French "pièce montée"

 

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8. The marble effect

9. The geode cake

10. The cactus cake

BONUS: The CHEESE wedding cake!

 

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Summer is just around the corner and as temperatures rise our thoughts quickly turn to exotic holiday destinations.

Whether you're planning a holiday with the girls or a relaxing week with your other half, it's time to start thinking about the all-important swimwear.

Even the idea of a 'two-piece' can fill many of us with dread, but with so many styles on offer, there really is something for everyone this season.

From monochrome bikinis to gorgeous beach cover-ups, here's our pick of some of the best beachwear on the high street. 

Red Mix & Match High Waisted High Leg Bikini
Top // €18.00
Bottoms // €15.00
ASOS Mix and Match High Waist High Leg Bikini 
Top // €13.83
Bottoms // €19.36

 

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As a staunch supporter of Down Syndrome Ireland for years, Rachel Allen recently launched the 2018 HB Fundays Campaign, which calls on the public to raise much needed funds for Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) by hosting a party with HB Hazelbrook Farm ice cream.

We got to sit down with the celebrity chef to talk to her about her experience at The Restaurant on TV3, ask her about her eating and fitness habits and of course, her engagement in this important fundraising campaign*.  

 

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Rachel, why is the Down Syndrome cause particularly close to you heart?

Like anyone who has either children themselves or having friends and neighbours who have children with Down Syndrome, it’s something that we are all aware of. It is such a struggle that I feel it’s important to get funding for those who are in need. At the moment they are not getting enough from the gouvernement so it’s really down to the families and the friends and people willing to help out with fundraising.

What are exactly HB Fundays and how can people get involved?

It’s a really good and fun way to fundraise. If you register online, HB will send you out a party pack with free vouchers. You go to the shop, pick up your block of HB Hazelbrook Farm ice cream, you organise a little party and you charge your guests something like €2, so they will enjoy some lovely ice cream in exchange for a small amount of money. That money then goes straight to Down Syndrome Ireland.   

What is the money used for?

It is used in lots of different areas. It helps provide extra help in school, but also with the preparation for the transition from primary to senior school,, which is a very important time. While children who don’t have Down Syndrome might be more able for this transition, it is something that children with Down Syndrome can struggle with, going to a bigger school, with older children.What everyone wants it to have children with Down Syndrome integrated into schools with children who don't have it rather than being segmented off, either into a separate school or a separate classroom. 

Can you tell us about your experience in The Restaurant? 

It was really great. The cooks did a really great job, some of them were stronger for starters, or for mains. I enjoyed trying to guess who they might be or what gender they might be. I really loved filming for The Restaurant!

Will you be there again next year?

If they ask me, I would probably be very interested, yes.

What was the worst dish you had on the show?

To tell the truth, there wasn’t one awful dish, everything was edible. There maybe were some combination which were slightly odd and I didn’t quite get them. But there really wasn’t one disaster.

 

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As a chef who is surrounded with food all day, how do you manage to stay healthy?

I think I eat very healthily. I am definitely aware of what I put in body. I eat a lot of local seasonal food, most of which we produce on the farm where I live. Heavily processed food just doesn't’t feature in my diet because I know how I feel after eating it. Having said that, of course I will have fish and chips from a great chipper if I am out or a bag of jellies, but that is really in moderation. It's all about balance. 

With your busy schedule, do you have time for regular physical activity?

Time can definitely be a problem with the kind of fitness that I want to fit in! Early this morning I went for a walk on the beach with friends and a dog, sometimes it’s a run, sometimes pilates; it tends to be whatever I can fit in. The beach is just at the end of our road so I take advantage of it and I feel so much better if I get some fresh air.
I need some sort of physical activity everyday, even if it’s just a 20 minute walk on the beach with a dog. 

What do you do when you feel the need to detox for a few days?

No, I don’t really! If I can get a good night sleep, then I am less inclined to reach for too many sugary things the next day. A good night sleep, lots of water and back to good food works for me, I don’t do diets or detox as such.

 

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What do you answer to people who think good food is expensive?

Well, it is not if you know how to prepare it, how to shop properly and if you are slightly organised. Avoid shopping for strawberries and tomatoes in December, wait until the summer and go for carrots and roots vegetables in the winter. Thinking in seasons is definitely very important.

Is there a chef you particularly look up to or whose restaurant you’d really want to visit?

David Thompson is an Australian chef who had a restaurant in Bangkok serving thai food. I have been to a couple of food shows where he cooked absolutely amazing dishes and I happen to love this food when I am in this part of the world.

*Down Syndrome Ireland have just launched their 2018 HB Fundays Campaign to raise much needed funds for members aged four – 18 years old in education. To host your own HB Fundays Ice Cream Party this May or June, simply call 1890 37 37 37 or register online at www.downsyndrome.ie to receive your party pack and to find out more information on Down Syndrome Ireland. Join the conversation online using the hashtag #HBFundays.

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