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January 6th, also known as Little Women’s Christmas or Nollaig na mBan, was once considered the only day of the year when women were given an official break from the monotony of housework to meet with female friends and relatives in an effort to celebrate their own little Christmas.

Put simply, on the Feast of the Epiphany, men were left to deal with the gaf while the women folk deserted the house to eat, drink and sing like good things. They were, in other words, officially down for the sesh on January 6.

Nowadays, we use Nollaig na mBan as an opportunity to recognise the countless achievements of women, both past and present, in Irish society, and see January 6 as the perfect time to celebrate women's contribution to the history and culture of the State.

So, with that in mind, here are just 13 reasons why us women are pretty damn amazing.

1. We endure periods and childbirth – nuff said.

"Mother Nature is no mother of mine."

2. We understand, accept and embrace the healing power of a good cry.

"I can feel it building up inside me so I'm just going to go watch a few homecoming clips on YouTube."

3. We will always let a sister know when she's trailing toilet roll from her shoe or rocking a random price tag… whether we know her or not.

"Do not walk a step further. I got you."

4. We instinctively know when a friend is feeling low… even if she hasn't confided in us yet.

"Call me crazy, but are you OK? You've only tagged me in three memes this week,"

5. We endure stirrups and speculums at least once a year all in the name of our health.

"I just had my smear test, so excuse me while I question my wide-set vagina and heavy flow."

6. We deal with retailers' blatant inconsistencies when it comes to our dress size.

"That crowd would have you think I was the size of a shed, so no, I won't be going in there."

7. We instinctively know when we're being lied to.

"His left nostril flared. Busted."

8. We have the ability to text, talk, eavesdrop and slug a gin all at the same time.

"Would you listen to your man next to us? Oh,and have a read of this before I send it."

9. We know the value of a sentimental message on a friend's birthday.

"Where do I start? It was Junior Infants and you walked in…"

10. We have higher pain thresholds than our male counterparts.

"Ah, I'm grand! Sure, I didn't need that lung anyway."

11. Our seratonin levels are higher and more sensitive than mens' which mean we get much, much more pleasure out of chocolate than they do.

"Give me that family-size! It's wasted on you."

12. We know the horror when a hair wash day coincides with a gym session day.

"You're joking, babes? Listen, if I were you I'd go for the shampoo and feck the work-out."

13. We understand the joy when a friend connects with a hairdresser on an emotional level.

"And she gave you EXACTLY what you asked for, you say?!"

 

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It's tipped as the biggest night of the year, but for many of us, New Year's Eve is often one giant anticlimax.

Every year we tell ourselves it's going to be different, and every year we find ourselves in the exact same situation… but with just a little more seething rage.

If December 31 leaves you feeling cold, but expressing this to friends and family means you're labelled a buzzkill, don't worry 'cos you have friends right here.

THIS, ladies, is why hating New Year's Eve is legit… if not compulsory.

1. Your 'holiday weight' means finding a new dress is a pain worse than death.

"Do the sparkles cover my love handles?"

2. No one can ever agree on a venue or event.

"If you don't decide by the 20th, I'm sleeping through it."

3. Your mam looks at you like a wounded pup when you confirm you won't be sitting in with her and dad.

"Frankly, I'd rather sit in the shed than engage at all."

4. Every bar is so crowded you find yourself becoming acquainted with the various fragrances emanating from other people's bodies.

"Ah Lynx Africa is just ahead! He'll shove over for me!"

5. The countdown inexplicably embarrasses you unless you're off your trolley drunk.

"Nothing's going to change in 11 seconds, but I'll be thrown out if I don't chant."

6. The queue for the ladies' toilets means you spend more time with a group of women you don't know than your own actual friends.

"No, you honestly can't see any love handles under those sparkles."

7. The price you have to pay for crossing the treshold of some venues is frankly insulting.

"You know they once played the National Anthem at the end of the night here – that's what we're actually dealing with, girls."

8. Your kitchen is still heaving with food and drink from Christmas, and yet you're being forced to go out and spend €7 on a pint you'll only spill down Lynx Africa's back.

"Seriously, is a fort appealing to NO ONE, right now?!"

 

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Christmas shopping is stressful, but Christmas shopping just days before December 25 is a different experience entirely.

Unlike more organised festive shoppers, your desire to buy all around you has little to do with love for friends and family, and more to do with an all-encompassing need to tackle your entire list in one shop.

You may have pictured grabbing a coffee while enjoying the festive hustle and bustle, but in the lead-up to Christmas Day, you're more likely to grab a collar and fling an assuming randomer out of the way in order to get your hands on that final 3 for 2 offer.

And the following list is why next year is going to be different… very, very different.

1. Forgetting every single thing about your friends and family members which makes them unique.

"Will I get Dad a book? Does Dad like reading books? Wait, can Dad read?"

2.  Feeling like you're about to pass out from the sheer heat of an overcrowded, overheated cosmetic hall.

"Can I get this blush in a… sorry… I'm about to… you'll have to excuse me…"

3. Assuming that the deep crevices embedded in the palms of your hands from multiple shopping bags are officially here to stay.

"Well, nothing a good hand cream and Shellac job won't help disguise, right?"

4. Finding five gifts that would suit one friend, and no gifts that would suit the rest of the squad.

"Why can't Siobhan, Aisling and Ruth be more like Claire? Rude."

5. Reminding yourself that Christmas has become nothing more than an overblown commercial fest, and there's more to life than 3 for 2 offers.

"I can't believe they're putting me through this. I hate them all."

6. Wishing your other half could be more like you because you've found 100 things that you'd love.

"He's pushing his luck, I'm serious."

Look, we know we got ourselves into this situation, but that doesn't help when we're stumbling into equally stressed and overloaded shoppers who, frankly, hate us just as much we hate them at that moment.

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Look, we'll lay it on the line here  – Vienna has a reputation for being a bit… well… uptight.

As European destinations go, it's not quite up there with the likes of Berlin, Madrid or Prague, and yet as cities go, it is easily one of the most captivating and breathtaking on the continent.

Chock-full of stunning parks, awe-inspiring architecture and some of the most decadent dining experiences you can imagine, Vienna is a cultural dream.

Austria's capital city straddles the traditional and the modern with an ease not seen in every major city, and can ultimately provide any tourist with both a glimpse into the past and a glance into the future.

And here are 5 hidden gems if the capital city is next on your to-do list.

Beach in the City

It's not often you get to experience beach life in a landlocked country, but Austria manages it.

Along the Danube Canal, tourists visiting Vienna can get their chill on in a deckchair on the sandy beaches which run along the city's canal.

Most people just happen upon the area, but those in the know are a little more savvy.

Kolar

If flatbreads float your boat, you have got to check out Kolar while exploring the city.

Famed for their delicious (and inexpensive) fladenbrote, excellent service, and chill atmosphere, this restaurant is an absolute must.

(Oh, and be sure to check out their Nutella version!)

Kleeblattgasse 5, 1010 Wien, Austria

Downstairs Cocktail Bar

Located just off Mariahilferstrasse – one of the city's main shopping thoroughfares – Downstairs is a cosy bar which sells some of the best cocktails in the city.

Unlike other cocktail bars where a smart dress code is a given, Downstairs is super chill, and the perfect place to grab a few cocktails and kick back, or get competitive over a few games of pool.

And with some cocktails coming in at just €4.70, it's definitely one to keep in mind.

Theobaldgasse 15, 1060 Vienna, Austria

Sigmund Freud Museum

Unlike other museums in the capital, a trip through the Freud's home and place of work makes for a particular intimate experience.

Considered the father of psychoanalysis, the small apartment allows the visitor more than a passing peek into the environment where the famous physician lived and worked.

From personal effects to official plaques, this museum combines the various aspects of Freud's life, and will definitely make an impact.

 

Прикоснуться к источнику #psychologyst #freud #sigmundfreudmuseum

A post shared by Retro Mania (@retromaniaartproject) on

Berggasse 19, Vienna 1090, Austria

Vienna State Opera

OK, the opera is hardly a hidden gem of Vienna, but the uber-reasonable price at which you can get tickets for some of the world's best-known operas definitely is!

While many tourists might assume they'd have to pay an arm and a leg for a night at the Vienna State Opera in the heart of the city, you can actually get tickets for some shows for as little as… wait for it… €10.

Definitely something to look into when tapping into the cultural side of things!

 

#viennaopera vs #bolshoitheatre впечатляющая #травиата

A post shared by Кать Михалыч (@kate_mihalych) on

Opernring 2, 1010 Wien, Austria

 

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Seeing someone you love go through a difficult time is one of the worst things in the world. We all know that life isn’t easy but we can’t help but feel betrayed, angry and devastated when bad things happen to the people closest to us.

Watching your little sister go through a breakup or seeing your best friend come to terms with the loss of their parent is harrowing. We tell them we are there, no matter what, but how else can we help when the person we love so deeply is experiencing one of their darkest moments?

I wish we could just wave a magic wand and make all of the bad things disappear but we can’t, it’s harsh but being honest is the only way to be. However, all is not lost. There are little things you can do that can brighten those dark days, even if it’s just for a moment.

These little acts can bring a glimmer of happiness and hope into your loved one’s life.

1: Call them

People can struggle to ask for help, even when they’re going through difficult times, like a breakup or unemployment. Random phone calls can help them feel like they’re not entirely alone and that someone is always there to listen to their troubles. Reach out to them and show them you’re there. If they don’t want to talk then let the call ring out.

2: Flowers

Material things like flowers are not going to make their worries vanish, but they can help ease anxiety and pain. A recent study found that flowers should be 'complementary medicine' for recovering patients. 

3: Embrace The Bad Feelings

Crying can be good for the soul. Sometimes letting it all out can be the best thing for you. Remind your friend or family member that bottling it all in is no good. Let them cry on your shoulder when times are tough. 

4: Be There

The world can feel like the loneliest place when something bad happens to you. A lot of people tend to isolate themselves and avoid socialising during times like these, which is understandable, but it’s important to make sure they’re not shutting themselves out. Visit them in the evening and simply be there. You don’t have to do anything lavish or exciting. Sometimes just having someone to sit with can help.

5: Be Honest

Don’t sugarcoat the situation or make them feel like a victim. They’ll be inundated with the ‘hope you’re okay’ texts, which may not mean as much as a real message from their best friend or sister. Tell them you understand how horrible they feel and how that feeling isn’t going to change overnight, but they will start to feel better one day. 

6: Help at Home

Help them with tasks that need to be done like going to the supermarket, topping up the electricity meter, washing dishes, walking the dog and cooking dinner. There will be days when they don't want to get out of bed so having an extra set of hands around the house will be a true saviour.

7: Listen

It’s the most simple but helpful thing you can do. Sometimes all we need to do is vent and word vomit so be the person who will listen in their time of need. You don’t have to offer advice or solutions to their problems. All you have to do is let them pour their heart out.

8: Continue the Support

You can’t just flip a switch and move past the grief, heartache and turmoil. Losing a loved one, going through a serious illness, having your heart broken and all those other dreaded life experiences stay with us. It’s important to remember that people don’t just get over these things. They will shape them and change their lives forever. They may be smiling and laughing again but that doesn’t mean you have to stop supporting them. It’s important to remember that even those who seem as merry as ever can be hurting so check in often and be there always.

Obviously these things aren’t going to make all their fears, worries and heartache vanish. I’d sooner make the cancer vanish but we don’t have that power, but we do have the power of friendship and we must make the most of it during these devastating times.

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No matter how much we may have complained about it at the time and how often we hear our kids moan about homework, the first few days of September generally have us harking back to our school days.

Perfectly ironed uniforms, brand-new stationary and the dogged belief that this year would be different has us longing for days gone by, so we can't get enough of these Airbnb listings which have come up trumps for anyone missing their schooldays.

Known for homes with a twist, Airbnb are giving their guests the chance to stay in a number of stunning former schoolhouses around Ireland, and it's hard not to be enchanted.

From Waterford to Donegal, these houses are spot-on if you find yourself feeling a little jealous of the kids this month.

1. Headfort House, 60 bed school

Located in Kells, Co Meath, this is the school we wish we had gone to!
 

 

2. Luxurious 18th Century Schoolhouse

Located in Gort, Co Galway, this is the quaint little schoolhouse our grandparents told us about.
 

 

3. Schoolhouse Cottage at Lisnavagh

Located on the border of Wicklow and Carlow, this 19th century schoolhouse has stunning views of the Wicklow mountain, and we're officially sold.
 

 

4. Old School House, Glencolmcille

Located in the wild and breathtaking landscape of Donegal, the Old School House Meenacross is the perfect place when you want to get away from it all.
 

 

5. Wing of Old School House

Located on the coast, this stunning Waterford schoolhouse was built in 1745, and is the perfect base for day trips to some of Ireland's most scenic spots.
 

 

Ladies. it's time to clear your diaries – these houses await.

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It's Monday, it's cold and very few of us relished the idea of going to work this morning.

But struggling with Monday Morning Blues has nothing on the feeling of despair which descends upon many when their alarm goes off to signal another day in a job they hate.

And while we've all been trained to appreciate a regular income, a recent study has suggested that a lack of job satisfaction has a more negative impact on your mental health than being unemployed.

Reflecting on trends seen since the recession, the study, which was published in the journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, explores the correlation between psychosocial factors and the job in which an individual is employed.

The study, which analysed the experience of more than 7,000 respondents, sought to prove that psychosocial characteristics –  such as unfair pay, control levels and job complexity – can have as detrimental an effect on an individual's psyche as a period of unemployment.

Commenting on the study, lead author, Peter Butterworth, explained: "Those who moved into optimal jobs showed significant improvement in mental health compared to those who remained unemployed."

"Those respondents who moved into poor-quality jobs showed a significant worsening in their mental health compared to those who remained unemployed."

"The health benefits of becoming employed were dependent on the quality of the job," the study explained.

"Moving from unemployment into a high quality job led to improved mental health however the transition from unemployment to a poor quality job was more detrimental to mental health than remaining unemployed."

We know there's rent to make, bills to pay and loans to cover, but it's something worth keeping in mind, right?

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Even though the world gets busy celebrating us, we get a day off work and are basically encouraged to sip up from sun up, St Patrick's Day isn't actually all it's cracked up to be.

Like New Year's Eve, the day of our Patron Saint invariably involves sidestepping pools of vomit, losing your friends and judging those who have taken to the holiday with gusto.

There's not an Irish person among us who wouldn't fear being labelled a buzzkill, but when it comes to March 17, more and more of us are admitting that we're actually grand with that label if it means we can avoid wearing a plastic arse and having someone puke on our shoes in public.

Here are 8 reasons why St Patrick's Day is… well… urgh whatever.

1. All major towns and cities are basically brought to a standstill with the help of a parade.

Yes, we envied those cheerleaders back in the day, but right now these gals from Georgia are the only things standing between us and our sanity.

2. You will see something that actually makes you question your fellow countrymen.

Blokes wearing nothing but tricolour mankinis in the middle of our capital's street is not something we need in our lives.

3. Society makes you feel the need to mark the day in some way, so you can't even enjoy your day off on the couch without feeling guilty.

Surely playing the National Anthem before your Netflix binge is enough?

4. You will see something that reminds you that alcohol and bodily functions don't mix.

"Don't look now, but that girl is puking into her own handbag."

5. You will hear the term St Patty's Day used at least one… unironically, we might add.

And it will make your teeth feel itchy and your toes feel curly.

6. You will see something that will make you want to cry a little despite your best efforts.

A dignified-looking elderly man with a shamrock pinned to his lapel is enough to make you weep.

7. The fiddly-diddly music belting out of every establishment loses its appeal very quickly.

"They're bloody murdering Raglan Road."

8. You will be forced to watch your fellow citizens confirm the archaic stereotypical perception once held of us.

"Ah yeah, vomit on yourself there before starting a row with that lamppost, good man."

Can we sit this one out?!

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Adele revealed that losing weight has had a positive impact on her life. During a trip to Anguilla, the Rolling In The Deep singer told fans that she has lost something like 100lbs and it has been a “crazy positive experience” for her, People reports.

The singer has always been stunning, but if losing weight has made her feel happier and healthier then power to her.

The Rumour Has It singer has reportedly been following the Sirtfood diet, but what does it entail?

We understand that dieting isn’t for everyone and many diets can be extremely dangerous, but the sirtfood diet actually sounds quite healthy.

It basically involves eating food that is high in sirtuin activator. Food includes apples, blueberries, green tea, strawberries, red onion, rocket, walnuts, capers, parsley, green tea, soy, citrus fruits and kale.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Adele (@adele) on

Red wine, chocolate and coffee are also classed as sirtfoods but solely indulging on these certainly won’t help.

During the first week of this diet you need to cut your daily intake of calories to 1000, eat one sirtfood rich meal and drink three green juices.

The week after you boost your calories to 1500 per day and eat two sirtfood meals and two green juices.

After that it is up to the individual to set out a plan that works best for them, as long as your diet is rich in sirtfoods.

The sirtfood diet certainly doesn’t sound half as bad or as harmful as most diets out there. We may have to follow in Adele’s footsteps and give it a go.

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Leaving your warm and cosy bed on a dreary morning is one of the worst feelings ever. We'd honestly kill to curl up for an extra ten minutes but work beckons.

If the thought of pulling a sickie is the only thing getting you through right now, it's probably best you draw on the results of a study which established the best time to do it.

According to a market research study, if you want to be in with a good chance of convincing your boss that a day in the scratcher is the only thing for you, then you better send that mail at 06.38 on a Tuesday morning.

The study, which harnessed the experience of 1,000 employees, established that this particular day is more likely to elicit sympathy from your boss, unlike a last-minute Monday or Friday sickie.

Oh, and if you're wondering what your excuse should be, wonder no more.

The bog-standard 'upset stomach' is your go-to guy in this case because, really, who wants any further details on that one?!

Make of that information what you will, ladies.

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As an adult, Halloween is a pretty good excuse to make a holy show of yourself and get away with it, but as a kid, Halloween was life's saving grace between summer and Christmas.

Just when you thought you were going to burst with the boredom of the new school year, Halloween reared its head, and suddenly life was worth living again.

Black bin liners were unrolled, spiders with pipe cleaner legs were hung up, and your mam began ranting about the dangers of bangers for the guts of a month.

And once the big night rolled around, we all went through the same nine stages with military precision.

1. The parents' rules

Your parents will have laid a few ground rules when it came to sticking with your siblings while roaming the estate, but God love them if they thought you were listening.

"I'll keep an eye… but I can't promise anything, Mam."

2. The real rules

Once far enough from your driveway, you and your siblings immediately split up for fear of being seen with each other.

"Go on! You'll be grand, just don't go near that house with the broken gate. I heard your man hasn't left it in 54 years."

3. The costume

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but wandering the estate in nothing more than a bin liner over your vest and pants was your mother's biggest parenting fail.

"Can you see my knickers? They've puppies on them."

4. The explanation for your costume

No matter how much effort your mother put into that bad boy, you were still forced to tell every neighbour what you were.

"I'm a mutant from Outer… oh whatever, I'm a binliner."

5. The estates you weren’t allowed to visit

If the sibling rule was important, the 'not going further than your own estate' was an absolute deal breaker.

"If I hear you went further than the front green, there'll be absolute war, do you hear me?"

6. The neighbours who gave good stuff

Every year you made a beeline for the house that gave out full size chocolate bars, cans of Coke and share-size crisps.

"Ring again. She's only pretending she can't hear us."

7. The neighbours who gave apples

Every year you knocked in because you thought they might have come to their senses this time around.

"Ah Jaysus, seven monkey nuts?! I'm putting them back through her letterbox."

8. The bold kids

If you thought you were pretty schlick for going past the green, you had nothing on these kids who didn't even bother to dress up and waited for eejits like you to show up so they could banger the bejaysus out of you.

"Pretend you haven't seen them, but don't turn your back. That's right, let's all reverse up the road,"

9. The triumphant return for the second bag

The years you have to return to your own home for a second carrier bag such was the extent of your haul is one for the memory books.

"Only the first two roads, Mam. Better give me a few if this keeps up… no, I'm not done!"

 

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Most Irish Mammies are utterly devoted to St Anthony, so chances are you've been advised to speak to the man himself when you're tearing the house apart in search of a missing earring or set of keys.

However, it looks like we may be giving good ol' Anthony a break if we're to follow the advice of researchers at the University of Aberdeen.

According to recent research, the vast majority of us spend too much time searching for missing items in uncluttered areas of our homes when logic would suggest we should hone in on the messier areas of any room.

Conducting a study into the theory, researchers used an eye tracking device when asking participants to find targets in two different visual scenarios.

The findings established that instead of using our peripheral vision to sweep over 'easy' areas, we actually devote all our attention to the tidier areas and tend to avoid areas of clutter… which makes little to no sense in reality, but that's humanoids for you.

"If you're looking for your keys, you should focus on the areas with the most clutter because if they were somewhat more obvious, you would have found them by now," said the study's author Anna Maria Nowakowska.

So, basically we make the whole process harder for ourselves. Good to know.
 

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