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Yearly Archives: 2017

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According to emerging reports, the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment has voted in favour of its repeal.

The Irish Times reports that of the 21-member committee, 14 voted in favour, 6 voted against, and the chairperson abstained.

Members of the public took to Twitter to celebrate the decision, with many dubbing it a major milestone in the pro-choice journey.

"An important step forward as #8Committee votes overwhelmingly for a repeal of the Eighth Amendment," wrote one.

"So emotional! I can't thank @freesafelegal @repealeight and all the long time activists for all the hard work for many years that has led to this milestone," added another.

Committee member, Brid Smith, took to Twitter to share her delight in the aftermath of the decision, writing: “REPEAL!! We did it; 14 to 6; now to win the referendum."

"Congrats to all those women who fought and campaigned for 34 years to end this barbaric law! And in memory of those who suffered so cruelly”.

The final report on Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution will be published on December 20.

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Everyone wants to share a picture-perfect version of their lives online, and we all take inspiration from others – but how far is too far when it comes to copying the perfect picture?

We've discussed the phenomenon of bloggers copying other bloggers before here at SHEmazing HQ, but this latest instance out of the US has captured the imaginations of the masses. 

Chicago-based blogger Jenn Lake took to her blog to accuse a fellow Instgrammer of using her social media like a 'template.'

 

A post shared by Jenn Lake (@jenniferlake) on

Taking to her blog at Style Charade, Lake posted a lengthy article on what do do when you're being copied on Instagram. 

In the piece, the blogger doesn't name names, but highlights that a number of her followers have brought a particular unnamed account to her attention over the years. 

'Beyond being fed up (and copying being straight-up wrong), Instagram is a business,' she wrote.

'I wholeheartedly believe that there’s room for everyone to have success in the industry, but the challenge comes when an individual does so by replicating another person’s content.'

'By doing so, they dilute the other person’s brand, and, in the end, it hurts their business.'

Lake alleges that this type of imitation robs her brand financially, as sponsorships may go to the copy-cat, or companies may want them to work together on a sponsored campaign due to the similarities in their content. 

 

A post shared by Jenn Lake (@jenniferlake) on

While she specifically does not name anyone in the post, it is widely speculated that she is referring to fellow Chicago-based influencer Rosie Clayton, according to Chicago Mag

Clayton vehemently denies the allegations, telling Chicago Mag that 'because I have less followers it looks like I’m the one copying.'

Clayton pointed out to the publication that her clothing and locations are not uniquely accessible to Lake, and that many women have a similar style. 

 

A post shared by r o s i e c l a y t o n (@rclayton) on

The pair are two of Chicago's top influencers, with Lake boasting over 150,000 Instagram followers, and Clayton having over 119,000 followers. 

After scouring their feeds, it's clear that the pair share a passion for feminine fashion and punchy backgrounds. 

Could it be coincidence or a case of a copycat?

Feature image: Instagram / jenniferlake / rclayton

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Twitter has wasted no time condemning Tipperary TD, Mattie McGrath, in the wake of remarks he made in reference to Senator Catherine Noone as chairperson of the abortion committee.

While addressing the media with regards the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment earlier today, McGrath alluded to Senator Noone's physical appearance.

"The fat lady hasn't sang here yet and I'm not talking about the chairperson of the committee or anybody like that," he said in a move which has disgusted members of the public.

Anticipating potential backlash, Mc Grath immediately added: "Best not to say it like that. I'm just saying that as an old saying."

Unfortunately for McGrath, the public didn't accept his hasty explanation, and were quick to use the remark as indicative of a wider problem.

 

According to reports, McGrath has since apologised to Senator Noone, with the latter telling the press: "I won't be dignifying those comments with a response."

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is keen to see a referendum on the 8th Amendment next year, confirming: "It's my intention that we should have a referendum in May 2018."

However, he has reminded the public of potential obstacles, adding: "As I do not have a majority in this House, unfortunately, and as the guillotine no longer exists I can't promise you that – because we don't control the House. However it will be in the House's hands, obviously a number of things need to be done."

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Whether it is for home decor, fashion or food, Pinterest is the place to go when looking for stylish inspiration.

So, when the image sharing website tells us what we will be eating and drinking next year, we listen. 

In their Pinterest 100, a report about the top trends to try in 2018 published yesterday, they predict that next year, healthy will meet tasty – which is pretty good to hear. 

Based on the most researched items on their pages recently, here are the foods Pinterest think we will put on our plates in the next 12 months. 

Souping > juicing

 

A post shared by Danae (@reciperunner) on

Soups will replace juices as the go-to detox food, and this will make our month of January warm and comforting.

Easy to make at home, cheap and tasty, soups have been a staple for the winter months for centuries and we are happy to see it back on trend.

If you need inspiration, we got you covered

Super coffee

 

A post shared by Abbie Whiddett (@abbiewhidd) on

We are just getting our heads around Bulletproof coffee, but our morning brew will be getting even more of an upgrade next year. 

Protein powder or superfoods like maca will be mixed into it, and we can only see ourselves getting totally addicted. 

Flavours from Morocco

 

A post shared by Baresca Nottingham (@barescanotts) on

While Thai and Indian food are among Irish people's favourite foreign food, it seems like we will get into Moroccan-inspired food next year. 

Using North African spices such as cumin, coriander and cardamom will make our dinners full of exciting flavours.

Plant protein

 

A post shared by Therese Elgquist (@thereseelgquist) on

We all know at that stage that meat isn't the only way to get our daily dose of protein. 

Figures show a growing interest in alternatives such as lentils, hemp and quinoa which pack a nutritional punch and taste delicious. 

Vegan desserts

Another example that people are getting more and more into plant-based diets is the interest for vegan desserts, using coconut oil instead of butter and flax seeds to replace eggs.

Eliminating animal by-products from your diet doesn't mean depriving yourself and we can satisfy our sweet tooth thanks to the myriad inspiration for plant-based desserts on the internet. 

Edamame and snap peas

We love edamame in our poke bowls and snap peas on our stir-fries, but these two greens are set to become big snacking options in 2018.

Not sure we are 100% ready to swap our crisps and chocolate bars for them though…

Cooking with ghee

This clarified butter originating from India has been used to cook in South Asia and Africa for centuries.

Lactose-free and with a long shelf-life, ghee has a higher burning point than butter and is said to lower bad cholesterol. No wonder why is should find its way into our kitchen in the next few month. 

Mocktail magic

 

A post shared by Crisel (@criselgarcia) on

While most of us would have a hard time dropping the G&Ts, virgin cocktails are taking centre stage in recent Pinterest searches. 

With more people jumping into the Dry January bandwagon, they could be a way to keep meeting friends for a drink without feeling guilty! 

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Earlier today, much-loved British comedian, Peter Kay, regretfully informed his fans that he is no longer in a position to honour his upcoming gigs, and has decided to cancel his tour.

"Due to unforeseen family circumstances I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects," he said of his Live Arena Tour and Dance for Life shows.

"My sincerest apologies," Peter continued. "This decision has not been taken lightly and I'm sure you'll understand my family must always come first."

Customers have been assured they will be refunded on their purchases, and while the vast majority of disappointed fans have taken to Twitter to wish Peter well, not everyone has been as sympathetic.

As opposed to focussing on Peter's family situation, some fans have taken a swipe at the star while others have lamented the inconvenience his announcement has caused.

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Even up in the North Pole, sisters appear to be doing it for themselves. 

When we think of the story of Christmas, Santa Clause and all his little helpers, someone who springs to mind as Santa's faithful sidekick is Rudolph.

The reindeer did, after all, save Christmas back in 1939 when fog was thick on the ground. 

There's even a classic Christmas tune dedicated to the noble deed, in which Rudolph is referred to as a male. 

However, a recent viral Twitter post is here to debunk the general assumption that Rudolph, and the other eight stags of the sky, are male.

Twitter user Cat Reynolds points out that male reindeer lose their antlers in winter, while female deer maintain their's until summer. 

As Santa is always depicted with his entourage of antler wearing reindeer, this could mean that Rudolph and co are actually a squad of fierce females. 

Scientists have even previously backed up this theory. 

Physiologist Perry Barboza of the Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska at Fairbanks, who studies reindeer and caribou, told Live Science that it appears that Santa's reindeer would be female. 

 

A post shared by Elaine Karlsdatter (@ekarlsdatter) on

He told the science mag that female reindeer would also have an advantage over their male counterparts when being headhunted for the task.

This is because female reindeer have higher body fat percentage than males in winter, meaning that they would be better equip to maintain energy levels on a long journey and stay warm.

So that settles it – Rudoph is a badass chick trailblazing in the niche transport industry.  

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Veganism is on the rise, as consumers eschew eggs, dairy and meat in favour of ethical dietary substitutes. 

The lifestyle has been named on many of the food trend lists for 2018 and has seen a sharp uptick in those transitioning to it this year. 

As a result, hundreds, if not thousands, of new vegans will be sitting down to Christmas dinner at dining tables all over Ireland come December 25. 

For many, the concept of sitting down with a table full of non-vegans who are about to consume a turkey may be daunting, but there are a number of small changes to the menu that can be made to ensure that everything but the main meat dish is suitable to eat. 

If you cook the dinner yourself, happy days, you can make these changes yourself, but luckily they are so simple that perhaps your host, pal or parent will glady adapt the recipe if you ask nicely. 

First up, lets look at the roasties. Most people use goose fat to coat their roast potatoes to get that divine crispiness, but vegetable oil, coconut oil, or olive oil will do the job just as well. 

Soya or sunflower butter is just as creamy and flavourful as dairy butter, so whack a dollop of that into the mash or over the vegetables. 

If milk is added to bread sauce, white sauce or mash, a non-dairy version like coconut or soya does the job just as well. 

Turkey gravy can be swapped for veggie gravy, and many condiments like cranberry sauce and mustard are already vegan if you check the label. 

If soup is your starter of choice, you're in luck, all the best soups can be made vegan by swapping out dairy milk for soya.

Opt for cream of vegetable (with Alpro cream) or butternut squash for a hearty starter. 

The one thing that cannot be made vegan is the meat dish, obviously, so here's where all those alternative brands come in. 

There are loads of faux turkey roasts on the market from the likes of Tofurkey and Quorn Meatless Turk'y Roast, so if you don't want to miss out, these are great options. 

If you're not into replacement fake meats, Holland & Barrett have a delicious stuffed butternut squash recipe

Another tip is to bring or bake a vegan dessert for the entire table to enjoy. 

That way, if someone else is cooking your meal for you, you're not relying on them to source or cook a vegan dessert as well.

You also get to witness people's curiosity about a vegan cake or Christmas cookie turn to delight when they realise that cruelty-free tastes just as good if not better than butter or milk based desserts. 

Navigating the festive season has frankly never been easier thanks to the plethora of new vegan alternatives on the market, and who knows, maybe next year there will be even more vegans around your Christmas table. 

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Members of the public, who have purchased tickets for Peter Kay’s Live Arena Tour and Dance for Life shows, have been assured they will be offered a refund following the news that the British comedian has had to cancel all of his upcoming appearances.

In a statement released today, Peter said: "Due to unforeseen family circumstances I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects."

"This unfortunately includes my upcoming stand-up tour, Dance For Life shows and any outstanding live work commitments."

"My sincerest apologies," he continued. "This decision has not been taken lightly and I'm sure you'll understand my family must always come first."

The stand-up, who was set to play Dublin's 3Arena across six dates in February 2019, expressed his regret over the circumstances, but asked the public to respect his decision.

"I've always endeavoured to protect my family’s privacy from the media. I hope that the media and the public will continue to respect our privacy at this time. Once again I'm very sorry," he finished.

For Ticketmaster customers who purchased online or by telephone using debit or credit card, no action is required as your account will automatically be refunded within the next few days.

For customers who purchased in person from a Ticketmaster agent outlet or venue full refunds available from your point of purchase from tomorrow December 14 at 10am.

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If your bank balance has taken a serious hit in the run up to Christmas, the newest branch of Zambrero is here to help.

To celebrate the opening of the Mexican restaurant's fifth restaurant in just 20 months, the good folk behind the chain are offering free burritos to its first 100 customers, with 2 for 1 offers available right through to 8pm tonight.

Spearheaded by former Leinster rugby pro, Darragh Fanning, the launch of the Parnell Street branch swiftly follows the opening of Zambrero Beacon South Quarter in Sandyford.

Speaking ahead of the opening, Darragh said; “This year has been a huge success for Zambrero along with many enquiries for franchise opportunities after the successful opening of Beacon South Quarter."

"We are thrilled to be welcoming customers inside our new home from tomorrow. Our team has worked incredibly hard to provide a first-class, unrivalled Mexican food experience and the reaction from our customers has been incredible.”

Coinciding with the opening of its Parnell Street branch, Zambrero, which offers gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options, is also exclusively launching its second in-house Mexican barista and chocolatier offering, Coco Mexico.

So, from tomorrow, lucky northside locals can kick-start their morning by sipping on delicately roasted coffee or satisfy their sweet tooth with an enticing chocolatey drink.

And the best part of the Zambrero mission?

For each meal purchased in a Zambrero restaurant, Zambrero donates a plate of nutritious food to the developing world through its ‘Plate 4 Plate’ initiative. To date, over 19 million meals have been donated by Zambrero.

Ladies, it's go-time.

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As far as we’re concerned at SHEmazing HQ, every year is a year for celebrating women.

While we seek to do it at every opportunity, one company have decided to use the festive season as a platform to celebrate the wondrous women we aspire towards.

And hell, have they nailed it.

U.K-based not-for-profit organisation, Women To Look Up To, have created Christmas tree toppers of women who lead the way in the world of entertainment, culture, politics and business.

3-D sculpted and printed in a range of sizes, these tree toppers pay tribute to Hillary Clinton, Beyoncé and Serena Williams, among many others.

“The Christmas Angel, Fairy, Tree Topper, by whatever name you call her, is a woman from a bygone era; a woman made of no more than plastic and glitter,” reads the website. “No wonder, when the Victorians invented her!”

“The old dame was due a modern makeover, so we thought why not venerate the real women inspiring us in 2017.”

“Women leading politics, culture, business, who are worthy of wings – the likes of Serena Williams, Beyoncé, and a woman voted for by you. “

The proceeds are all reinvested in projects to further female equality, so if you're all about supporting women, this is one way to go about it!

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Congratulations are in order this morning as James Corden took to Twitter to celebrate the arrival of his third child with wife Julia Carey.

The British star, who is dad to six-year-old Max and three-year-old Carey, sounded utterly overwhelmed as he announced the family's newest addition to his legions of fans and followers.

"Today we welcomed a beautiful baby daughter into the world," he wrote in a post which has been liked more than 96,000 times in mere hours. 

"Both she and her mother are doing great. We can’t stop smiling. Thank you Harry for stepping in to host the show at 2 and a half hours notice!"

Interestingly, many of James' followers seemed more interested in which 'Harry' the chat show host was referring to, with many crossing their fingers for a certain Mr Styles.

"James, you can’t just tweet this without specifying which harry you’re talking about (it better be styles)," wrote one while another added: "It better be Mr.Harry Styles or I’m never talking to you again."

Thankfully, some Twitter users knew to focus on James' bigger announcement, with one writing: "Congrats James!!! I’m glad she’s healthy and everything went well."

"I’ve been basically crying all day, finally pulled myself together," James said in response to the family's latest arrival.

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Let's be honest, there's little as wonderful as the gift of an experience, and there's nothing as wonderful as the gift of an experience you can enjoy alongside the recipient.

So, if you're struggling with your Christmas present list and also feel like treating yourself, you'll need to bring your A-game this Friday morning when tickets for Scala and Kolacny Brothers go on sale.

They came to international attention with their cover of Radiohead’s Creep in The Social Network, and their spine tingling take on Damien Rice The Blower's Daughter brought this unique Belgian combo a legion of faithful fans in Ireland.

Now boasting up to 150 members, the Scala Girls Choir continue to garner rave reviews for their interpretations of classic songs from U2 to Nirvana, Radiohead, The Police, and Metllica as well as the original compositions of the The Kolacny Brothers.

If you want to gift a loved one (and yourself) with an incredible music experience, then this is exactly what you're looking for.

We'll be seeing you there, ladies.

 

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