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Yearly Archives: 2019

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With Mother’s Day just around the corner, AppliancesDelivered.ie, Ireland’s highest rated electrical retailer, carried out a nationwide survey to find out what exactly makes Irish Mammies the best in the world. The survey found that Irish men will spend more than their female counterparts when it comes to spoiling their Mammy with gifts this week. And Cork people came out on top for generosity compared to the rest of the country, with nearly one in three planning to spend between €60 and €80 on a Mother’s Day gift.

Don’t tell Mam:

No matter how hard we try, there’s not much that can get past the ‘all-knowing’ Irish mammy. She’s got eyes and ears all over the place and you’re only fooling yourself if you think you can pull a fast one on her.

So, it comes as no surprise that 40 percent of respondents revealed that their mothers know absolutely everything about them – whether they like it or not.

However, there are a few of us out there who managed to keep the odd secret or two. The most common responses included hidden body piercings, smoking, and teenage antics.

“Mam, please. You’re embarrassing me”:

While they may be the queens of world, it’s not all tea, chats and cuddles, with over 70 percent of respondents admitting their mothers could get on their nerves from time to time. The most common offences include telling her friends about their personal lives (31.76 percent), criticising their appearance (25.88 percent), and cleaning up whenever she comes to visit (10.59 percent).

A nation of Mammy’s boys:

It’s no secret that Irish mammies are guilty of mollycoddling their sons, but it seems the affection works both ways, with 32 percent of men surveyed revealing they call their mothers at least once a day, and a further 10 percent admitting to calling multiple times per day.

Results also revealed that 26 percent of men still call on their mothers to iron their shirts, while 8 percent of men aged between 35-44 admitted they still rely on their mothers to make their doctor’s appointments.

What’s more, Irish men will also spend more on Mother’s Day gifts this year, with 28 percent saying they plan to spend between €40 and €60, compared to just 27 percent of women.

Just for you, Mam:

Speaking of gifts, it’s Cork mothers who are in for the biggest treat this Sunday, with almost one third of respondents in the Rebel County (29 percent) revealing they’ll spend between €60 and €80, compared to the national average of €20 – €40.

But of course, you can’t put a price on quality time – and there’ll be plenty of that had across Irish households this Sunday, with 83 percent of men and women surveyed saying they’ll make special effort to visit their mothers on the day.

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Don your leopards, single ladies, because a Beyoncé fitness class has come to town once again.

The class is by Fearless Moves, a Dublin fitness initiative that combines epic tunes with an energetic work out. 

Hosted in Salad Box, by the 3 Arena, the events are followed by a delicious brunch right after the workout. 

The next session, scheduled for March 30th, is themed after some huge divas in the music scene – from Bey to Lady Gaga.

 The circuit class promises to make you sweat, but beginners are welcome. 

'SESSION NEWS! We haven’t hosted a brunch in a while so here goes! We’re bringin’ back the DIVA Choons for a very special brunch and workout on 30th March,' Fearless Moves posted to Facebook. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Fearless Moves (@fearless.moves) on

'It's going to be fun (slightly sweat-tastic!) HIIT class with easy dance moves throughout. The session will feature tons of mega DIVA choons.'

'Think Beyonce, Lady Gaga and loads more! No need to be a fitness freak to come along, it's about the chooons and chats (and eating afterwards, obviously!)'

A live DJ plays the tracks while an instructor takes you through the high impact moves – and it looks absolutely deadly. 

The class is then followed by a hearty brunch, with a set menu of three choices along with some tasty healthy beverages served by the lovely folks at Salad Box.

Tickets for the Diva Choons Brunch event are €34.96 and available NOW.

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Tying the knot this year?

Don't want to spend a load of cash on the big day?

Then Penneys is here to save the day. 

They have everything a bride-to-be could want – from gorgeous lace underwear to cute sleep masks to stunning pyjamas.

And everything is under twenty quid. 

But don't wait around, as the range is only available in stores and is sure to sell out as wedding season approaches. 

Embellished Body, €18

 

'Bride-to-be' Perfume, €2.50

 

Ivory Rose Gold Pad Slip, €18

 

Comes with  top in Babydoll set, €13
Champagne Foil Lace Body, €16

 

White Lace Up Bra, €12
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Meghan Markle hasn't had her baby yet but she is planning ahead for when they are here.

The Duchess of Sussex is set to welcome her first child soon and is already asking some talented names to teach her little one some skills.

And one of them is Sir Elton John.

The iconic singer, who performed at Harry and Meghan's wedding, has been asked to teach their baby piano. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on

 A royal source said, ''Meghan and Harry adore Elton and loved him singing at their wedding.''

They continued, ''Meghan has been saying he’s the perfect person to teach their child the piano.''

They added, ''He’s apparently said he’d love to. Music is hugely important to both Meghan and Elton, so who better?!”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn) on

Sir Elton played four songs at Harry and Meghan’s reception in May 2018 after which the prince joked, ''Does anyone here know how to play the piano?”

The 72-year-old was a close friend of Harry's mum Princess Diana and performed a tribute version of Candle in the Wind at her funeral in 1997.

He has also worked with Harry for numerous charities, particularly on HIV.

We can't wait to see how baby Sussex will take to the piano but with a teacher like Elton, they have the greatest teacher of all.

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Show your Mum how much you care by showering her with gorgeous gifts from SuperValu. Treat her to some of SuperValu’s gorgeous Rose and Lily Bouquets; let her sit back and relax with the perfect bottle of wine or stray from the norm a little bit and treat her to a glass of Irish Pink Gin from one of our favourite TV hosts (PS Yes, we’re talking about Graham Norton’s New Pink Gin)

Show your mum how much you appreciate her with all her favourites available instore and online now.

Graham Norton’s Pink Gin RRP €39

This Mother’s Day why not WOW your Mum with a rose petal infused bottle of Graham Norton’s Own Pink Gin.

Following on from the success of Graham’s Own Irish Gin available exclusively in SuperValu stores nationwide, Graham Norton has once again joined forces with SuperValu to launch Graham Norton’s Own Pink Gin, available just in time for Mother’s Day.

Graham Norton’s Own Pink Gin celebrates the beauty and unique flavours of West Cork. Distilled and produced using 100 percent Irish grain the Pink Gin draws its flavour from a combination of 12 botanicals including rose petals, angelica, fuchsia flowers, orris roots, rose hip, basil and liquorice root.

Wines

Offers valid from Thursday, March 21 – Wednesday, April 3 2019.

CHAMPAGNE PIERRE DARCYS BRUT 75cl €20

Was €45.99 Save €25.99

This is a special treat from this award-winning Champagne delivering a quality glass of bubbly well below the market price. A crisp bite of green apple with a gorgeous biscuit note and creamy lushness and an elegant finish.

GRIFÒN PROSECCO FRIZZANTE 75cl €9

Was €11.99 Save €2.99

NUGAN ESTATE ALFREDO DRIED GRAPE SHIRAZ 75cl, €13

Was €19.99 Save €6.99

Aromas of dried cherry & poached blood plum entwined with a hint of dried herb, dark chocolate, cedar & earth.

Palate: A warm, rich & savoury palate layered with black cherry, smoke & cedar. Finishes with long velvety tannins.

NUGAN ESTATE ALFREDO 2ND PASS SHIRAZ 75cl, €12

Was €15.99 Save €3.99

A brilliant technique of drying the grapes is used to concentrate flavours. Great with cured meats and big steaks.

Fresh Flowers

Available In-store from Friday, March 29

Mother’s Day Spring Gift Box 1pce

€15

Mum Bouquet 1pce

€20

Mother’s Day Classic Rose & Lily Bouquet 1pce

€20

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Tributes have been pouring in for Marie Downey and her newborn son Darragh who both tragically passed away at Cork University Hospital this week.

The harrowing deaths of the new mum and her baby boy have stunned the public. The family of Marie are now experiencing the heaviest heartache at what was meant to be a joyous time for them.

Marie leaves behind her beloved husband Kieran and her darling boys and baby Darragh’s big brothers James and Sean, as well as her parents, extended family and friends.

Parish Priest Fr. Eamon Kelleher has led the tributes since the untimely passing of both Marie and Darragh.

Zara King reported that he said that this tragedy is felt by the whole parish of Kildorrery. “I want to acknowledge that the whole community is gathered in prayer. Kieran and the boys are surrounded in Knockanevin with great affection and spiritual empathy.”

Douglas Camogie Club also paid tribute to Marie who played for the club for many years.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the tragic passing of our former player Marie Downey and her baby Darragh. Our thoughts and sympathies are with their family and friends at this deeply distressing time.”

One friend told the Irish Independent: “It's unbelievable, she was a gorgeous girl. She had a heart of gold, she was very caring."

Marie and her baby boy will be laid to rest on Saturday, March 30. Our thoughts are with their family and friends during this tragic time.

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Good news for fans of Coppers.

The fantastic Copper Face Jacks The Musical has added another couple of dates due to popular demand.
So if you didn't see it the first time round, you're  in luck.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Copper Face Jacks The Musical (@coppersmusical) on

It's a musical that just got us – because it's so relatable and sure who hasn't been to Coppers?

It toured around Ireland in the summer of 2018, and was met with rave reviews.

And now it's hitting the stage again.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Copper Face Jacks The Musical (@coppersmusical) on

In a press release announcing the comeback, it said, ''Packed full of craic, huge laughs, culchies, Dubs, lots of shifting and a stellar cast, COPPER FACE JACKS: THE MUSICAL is set to be the smash hit of the summer all over again as extra dates have just been added due to phenomenal public demand."

The show will be in  the Olympia Theatre from July 10 and will run until 10 August 2019.

Tickets are going from €26 (plus booking fee and €1 restoration levy) for the extra dates and they are on sale NOW.

Nab a ticket at Ticketmaster outlets nationwide or here

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It's the curse of Strictly striking again.

The 2018 champion Stacey Dooley has parted ways from her boyfriend Sam Tucknott.

The pair, who were together for three years, reportedly split because their relationship was under strain by Stacey's touring commitments with the BBC show.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Stacey Dooley (@sjdooley) on

Stacey won the Glitterball in December and then headed across the UK ro perform for fans.

According to The Sun, ''Stacey confided in her friends that she was struggling to hold down her romance with Sam because her life has been a whirlwind after Strictly.''

They continued, ''She barely saw him during the month-long tour and has gone straight back into filming documentaries and has been travelling all over the world.''

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Stacey Dooley (@sjdooley) on

Sam has reportedly moved out of the couple’s Brighton home and Stacey said that she had ''nothing to say'' when asked by the paper about it. 

Her close relationship with her pro dancer partner Kevin Clifton was said to have made Sam ''insanely jealous'', however they did put on a united front throughout the show and on social media.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kevin Clifton (@keviclifton) on

Has the curse struck again and will Stacey dance into the sunset with Kevin?

Watch this space. 

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Channing Tatum and Jessie J have kept their relationship under wraps since they started dating five months ago but the Step Up actor has taken to Instagram to gush about his new love in honour of her birthday.

Channing shared a stunning black and white photo of Jessie to his account alongside the most romantic birthday message.

“Wishing you the happiest day filled with all the love and all the light. You came into this world on this day and lit it on fire,” he wrote.

The Magic Mike star continued: “You have blessed our eyes, our ears, our hearts and our lives. So thank you for just being you. You are so very special. Happy birthday Baby.”

The touching post comes after reports claimed the pair were considering taking a major step in their relationship.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Channing Tatum (@channingtatum) on

A source told new! magazine that they’re thinking about getting married. “Jessie and Channing’s relationship has been going from strength to strength lately, which has really taken their friends by surprise.”

They added: “In fact, things have got so serious they’ve even discussed getting hitched, which isn’t too surprising when you consider that Channing is a really mature guy who knows exactly what he wants.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Everything Channing Tatum (@everything_channing_tatum) on

“He’s been married before so it’s not a scary topic for him and he’s certainly not afraid of commitment, while Jessie has been desperate to find The One for some time now after a few failed relationships, and she thinks Channing could be him. She’s pinching herself she’s so happy,” they shared.

Feature Image: E! News

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That famous first day of college is so unbearably nerve-wracking. Many of us can agree that walking into the giant lecture hall of your new college is quite possibly one of the most intimidating experiences of the college experience. You hesitate as you open the door, stomach full of nerves and a head full of worries.

You’re surrounded by hundreds of new faces, new voices and new personalities, yet despite the huge crowds, you can be left feeling incredibly alone.

You try your best to make awkward chit-chat with the girl sitting next to you about where you’re from and how stressful public transport is (the 46a at 8 am is a true nightmare.) You laugh at your lecturer’s jokes that they no doubt repeat at the beginning of every college year. And breathe a sigh of relief after making it through that overwhelming first class.

As the weeks go by, you start to settle in. You make friends, you get into a groove with your coursework and revel in the entire college experience. However, this isn’t the case for everyone.

College can be an intense and isolating time for many people, especially when you’re attending somewhere like Trinity or UCD which feel like their own little towns themselves.

Some may find it hard to socialise, others may feel too nervous to get involved in clubs and meeting new people may just be too daunting for other people.

I felt so disheartened when I read a tweet by UCD student Niamh Murphy about something that happened in the Dublin college this week.

Niamh revealed that she had overheard a few girls mocking a guy for sitting alone eating lunch in the college.

“I don't know him or them but UCD can be a very lonely, isolating and anxiety-inducing place for many and a smile would go a whole lot further than mockery and shaming okay thanks,” she tweeted.

What that group of girls did angered so many people. We all know just how terrifying college can be and to have people sneer at you is the last thing you need.

Their secondary school mindset should have been left behind when they started college. The desire to be popular is something that we all need to give up on. Isn’t being valued and loved far more important than being surrounded by dozens of people as you eat an overpriced sandwich from the campus coffee shop?

Spending time on your own is an empowering and mature thing to do. There is no shame in simply wanting to be by yourself.

Embracing your own company is one of the greatest things you can do for your self-confidence. It takes a lot of courage and strength to do it, especially in a place like UCD that can be awfully alienating.

It’s 2019, it is about time we let go of that childish notion that being popular is the be all and end all of life.

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Skin peels come with somewhat of a bad reputation – shows like Sex & The City have portrayed them as painful and socially embarrassing (see Samantha in that huge, face-hiding hat for Carrie’s book launch party) and celebrities like Bella Thorne have shared snaps on social media of their flaking faces following a chemical facial.

However, peeling properties in skincare have had a face lift of their own in recent years – with skin friendly ingredients taking precedence in the resurfacing products, rather than harsh abrasive ones.

With the less is more makeup movement gaining traction, there is an emphasis on beautiful skin coming to the forefront, and while some may be lucky enough not to struggle with acne or dry patches, sometimes the skin’s texture holds us back from feeling like we can put our best face forward.

Affordable peel products have recently made their way into the market, but this has led to many men and women applying acids to their faces without really understanding what their skin needs – from glycolic acid to lactic acid, and AHA to hyaluronic, there are so many ingredients being hailed as the holy grail, and very little information on what they do to the skin.

One of the world’s most renowned peel specialists has just arrived in Ireland and they clearly deserve their rep for knowing their stuff when it comes to skincare.

The much sought-after Spanish skincare brand Skeyndor has a range of professional grade skincare that targets specific skin issues that can be treated with the right acids.  Hailed as the fastest route to more youthful skin, peels are a one stop shop for rejuvenation.   We had a peep at what the brand has to offer, and if you’re interested in utilising acids or peels in your regular skincare routine, we have three hero products to recommend.

If you feel like your skin is looking bumpy or uneven, and you’re longing for some regeneration in the epidermis area, the Skeyndor Resurfacing Peel Cleansing Cream could be of assistance.

The exfoliating cream has a-hydroxy acids and biological peptides to stimulate the generation of a new skin for a smoother and brighter look – winning. It also contains SPF 20, which is essential as newly generated skin is more susceptible to sun damage.

While many brands take a one size fits all approach to skin care, this product comes in two versions, one for normal skin, and one for dry and sensitive skin.

Next up, we have the Resurfacing Peel Cleansing Gel – which is as intensely targeted as it sounds.

The gel cleans the skin deeply, while the active enzymes rejuvenate the skin cells. It’s recommended to use it only once or twice a week as it’s super efficient, so this one will last you ages.

Last, but certainly not least, we need to discuss the Skeyndor Resurfacing Peel Concentrate.

The clue is in the name with this one – it’s an intensive exfoliating concentrate that combines the power of acids and biological peptides.

With 15% active acids – including gluconolactone, lactic, mandelic and phytic acid, this product earns its keep by working hard to give instant results, without the regular down time of a professional facial.

However, if you are looking for something a touch more heavy duty, the Derma Peel Pro is available as a professional treatment at Edvard & Pink, Dundrum Town Centre and Natural Touch Beauty, Belfast.   We were very fortunate to try the new Derma Peel Pro with Skeyndor facial this week at the hands of talented therapist Jean Milne in Edvard & Pink and can confirm that it’s now our go-to facial of choice. Not only was it incredibly relaxing experience but the immediate skin glow was obvious with a noticeable reduction of fine lines and pores too.

It’s the next generation of cosmeceutical peels with immediate results for skin imperfections without downtime.  Derma Peel Pro has been developed by multilayer sequential technology combining 5 peeling techniques with high acid concentrations in order to eliminate external skin layers, with a goal to achieve optimum results for perfect skin.

There are two unique Skeyndor professional treatments to treat wrinkles and pigmentation:

1. WRINKLE DIMINISHING TREATMENT; TIMELESS PEEL
Combines the action of glycolic, lactic and mandelic acids with a rejuvenating action to treat wrinkles and minimise pores.

2. PIGMENTATION TREATMENT; BRIGHTENING PEEL
Combines the action of glycolic acid for deep renewing, with citric and phytic acids to help reduce pigmentation.

This is a new must-try brand – it’s now available in Ireland at Edvard & Pink Dundrum, Dublin 14 and Natural Touch Beauty, Belfast with more stockists to be announced soon.  For further product information, visit www.skeyndor.ie.

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The professional dancers of Strictly Come Dancing are reportedly putting their foot down when it comes to what kind of celebrities will be  on the show.

After the success of vlogger and YouTube star Joe Sugg in the 2018 series, the pros are saying that his millions of followers online are an unfair advantage.

Joe might not have been the strongest dancer, but he did have eight million YouTube subscribers and more than five million Instagram and Twitter followers to help him get to the final.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Joe (@joe_sugg) on

So the pros have gone to the BBC producers to get social media stars banned from the lineup due to these numbers of people voting for them.

The producers had hoped that Joe would attract a younger audience but his landslide vote in his favour week-after-week left the pros unimpressed.

According to The Sun, ''Joe’s huge popularity caused some tension last year after he was being voted to stay in the show each week.''

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared ye BBC Strictl e(@bbcstrictly) on

They continued, ''He wasn’t the best dancer, so his place on the show was purely based on his fan base.''

They added, ''Now the pros are going to unite and ask for no social media personalities for a year, to give everyone a level playing field. The professionals talk regularly discuss on different points relating to the show and this has been a hot topic.”

It seems that shows like Strictly are like most reality shows – mostly about popularity, rather than talent. 

People vote for the dancer that is the most likeable, and not the one who is actually the best.

So is this banning of social media stars a good idea?

Or will the same thing happen as it does most years, the couple who has connected the most with the public taking the Gitterball?

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