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It's hard to believe, but there was once a time when we didn't dedicate every waking moment to our phones.

When they eventually ran out of battery, we dusted off our charger and plugged them in. When they were topped up, we sent texts. And when they rang, we actually, you know, answered them.

Then the smartphone made its grand entrance, and everything changed.

Relegated to the annals of time, old reliables like the Nokia 3310 were pushed aside in favour of their jazzier alternatives which could take pictures and actually connect you to the world wide web.

But if you long for the days of yore, you'll be pretty pleased to hear that Nokia is relaunching its 3310 model.

Originally released in 2000, the sturdy old model will be revealed at the Mobile World Congress later this month, and can be yours for just £59.

And while the model has still been available through Amazon, this announcement means it will now be available directly from the company itself.

So, if you're somewhat of a retro enthusiast with more than a passing appreciation for a solid battery life, now's the time to celebrate.

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We've all found ourselves justifying a 'sick day' because our bodies need to rest and recuperate, right?

And considering the public's annual desire to hide away from the world on the first Monday in February, it's no real surprise that today has been dubbed National Sickie Day.

We might tell ourselves we'll only spend a couple of hours under the blankets in front of the box before getting to grips with those things that we just don't get a chance to look at when we're in work all week, but unfortunately, it doesn't really work that way.

And here are just ten incidents which remind us why.

Expectation: I will take the day off and become a better person as a result.

Reality: I will eat Honey Loops from the box and wipe my sticky hands on the couch.

Expectation: I will pamper myself and return to work revived and refreshed.

Reality: I will be lucky if I brush my teeth.

Expectation: I will NOT sleep all day and wreck my sleeping pattern.

Reality: I will sleep all day and suffer insomnia all night.

Expectation: I will glance over some work documents from the comfort of my own home thereby putting myself AHEAD of the game.

Reality: I will binge watch Keeping Up with the Kardashians and judge them from my duvet kingdom.

Expectation: I will tell no one I am taking the day off as this is a private endeavour.

Reality: I will message everyone in my contacts and use the word 'suckers' more than once.

Expectation: I will spring clean the house because I am not unwell, but simply taking some down-time.

Reality: I will spill Honey Loops down the side of the couch and refuse to pick them up because I am taking some down-time.

Expectation: I will meditate and collect my thoughts because it's damn hard getting time to do it during the week.

Reality: I will obsess and worry about insignificant things which I don't even THINK about during the week.

Expectation: I will do some online research into local evening classes.

Reality: I will spend two to three hours reading about ostriches on Wikipedia.

Expectation: I will go for a swift walk around the block as fresh air is a daily requirement.

Reality: I will cower beneath the blankets when the doorbells goes.

Expectation: I will not ruin my day by feeling guilty.

Reality: I will ruin every waking moment by feeling guilty.

Ugh, pass us the lip gloss, we're rejoining the human race tomorrow.

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If you lived it up in the States on a J1 visa over the last four years, you may be in for a bit of a windfall.

According to tax specialists, Taxback, up to 2,000 students across Ireland are entitled to tax refunds which amount to approximately $800 or €740.

Not too shabby, right?!

Commenting on the claims, spokesperson for the company, Eileen Devereux, said: “Many students struggle with the financial burden of loans, rent and tuition fees.”

“A three-figure sum like this can often go a long way to easing some of this burden,” she added.

“We process thousands of J1 tax refunds for Irish students every year and the feedback we invariably receive is that this windfall, while often unexpected, is very much needed.”

Despite the financial pressure on students nowadays, the company claims that a large proportion fail to reclaim their tax after a summer spent in the States.

“We are urging these students to take action before it’s too late – the right to claim becomes null and void after four years.”

“It’s not a difficult process and can be wrapped up in a matter of weeks,” she advised.

It has been estimated that approximately 10,000 Irish people are expected to take part in the 2017 programme.
 

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Since 2012, thousands of us have been availing of the contactless payment service provided by Allied Irish Bank.

And in recent weeks rumours have been swirling that the bank intends to impose a fee of 0.20c per payment later this month – something which they denied this week.

Reflecting on the five years which have passed since its introduction, AIB reiterated their intentions to continue waiving the transaction fees for contactless exchanges.

Speaking to Newstalk, a spokesperson for the bank said: "We don’t currently charge a transaction fee for contactless as it’s waived."

"We have no immediate plans to charge," they added.

So, you can rest easy, ladies. We're in the clear for now.

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Look, when it comes to Twitter put-downs, J.K Rowling is a master of her craft.

From rejecting racist ideology with cutting one-liners to calling people out on their blatant hypocrisy, the Harry Potter author takes no prisoners (from Azkaban or otherwise) on Twitter.

Reminding the Twitosphere of her quick wit earlier this week, the author appeared to encourage a disgruntled Twitter user to burn her DVDs after he took exception to her stance on Trump's executive order.

Hitting out at the author, the Twitter user wrote: "Glad I caught this article on yahoo. I will now burn your books and movies too."

Ripping it out of her critic, J.K hit back with an invitation to go right ahead as he may be doing society a favour.

"Well, the fumes from the DVDS might be toxic and I've still got your money, so by all means borrow my lighter," she invited in a response which amassed a staggering 375,000 likes in one day.

And it didn't end there.

Responding to a tweet from a girl who said she burned her entire Harry Potter collection, J.K suggested that some people were beyond help.

"Guess it's true what they say, you can lead a girl to books about the rise and fall of an autocrat, but you still can't make her think."

Never change J.K, never change.

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While people have been blogging since the birth of the internet, the advent of social media means their level of exposure has increased dramatically.

With the aid of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, bloggers can direct members of the public to their personal website, and – if lucky – acquire an overnight fan base.

And one quick scroll through any social media feed would have you believe that the life of a blogger is one long and glamorous launch, right?

But, is it really as simple as that?

Rachel Martin of The Insider Daily decided to address the myths head-on in a move which has helped shed light on the so-called 'ugly side' of the blogging world.

We'll let Rachel take it from here…

"Until now, I hadn’t realised that I only show the “pretty side” of being a blogger, without showing what it really takes. I post an airbrushed, glossier version of reality and more people need to understand the darker side of blogging. The profession of blogging and all the things that happen behind the scenes that readers never see or hear about," Rachel writes.

The title ‘blogger’ has become so unappealing. More often than not, people are speculating how much money bloggers are earning and their ‘dishonesty’ to their followers.

When I tell people I’m a beauty blogger, there’s a fairly good chance they’ll either question how I make money from it, or say something along the lines of, “You get free makeup? How do I sign up for that?”

Bloggers have received their fair share of backlash with a lot of negative connotations surrounding their ethics.

So, if a blogger is paid to promote a product, is it an honest review? I can only speak for myself but it’s very hard to say whether you’re opinion changes if you’re paid to promote a product. After all, if I’m being paid to review a product, I’m probably looking at it through rose-tinted glasses.

On the other hand, I’ve been spending my hard earned pocket-money on makeup for as long as I can remember. I have a standard that I maintain for all my beauty products, whether they have been sent to me or I’ve bought them, they have to meet my stamp of approval!

Now don’t get me wrong, I understand it’s big business for some people. I understand you have to do whatever it takes to do well but personally, I genuinely believe that you should always care about the honesty of the content you’re providing for your readers most of all.

 

There's a little bit of devil in her angel eyes Brows @anastasiabeverlyhills Dipbrow in Dark Brown

A photo posted by Rachel Martin (@itsrachmartin) on

Like in most industries, there’s definitely cliques within the blogging world.

A very fun, yet hugely intimidating part of blogging is attending events for brands. If you’re looking at these events on a blogger’s Snapchat, it’s easy to forget that the blogger attending has usually arrived solo. You arrive to the event and you don’t know a single person. Not one.

There are definitely bloggers, especially in the fashion and beauty categories, who are really friendly with one another. You might be welcomed with open arms or you might not, I’ve experienced both!

It can be so intimidating meeting these bloggers in this type of setting. The chances are you will meet absolutely lovely people but my social anxiety always seems to give me a mild heart-attack – despite knowing this.

 

Self esteem starts inside and radiates outward, not the other way around

A photo posted by Rachel Martin (@itsrachmartin) on


Blogging and social media go hand-in-hand. If you’re a blogger reading this, you’ll know what I mean. I’m always on the pursuit of certain activities with the end-goal of cropping it into a square and filtering my memories into perfection.

I’ll spend hours scrolling through Instagram but when you’re constantly hit with carefully curated and staged shots that show only happy moments in peoples’ lives, it’s easy to think yours isn’t good enough.

I’ve been thinking more and more about this. I realise that the problem isn’t only in what I post but why I post. I was so ‘connected’ through social media that I never had to be alone. 

 

Gone over to the dark side|| fresh set of @platinumhairextensions the lovely Stacey gave me the perfect balayage blend

A photo posted by Rachel Martin (@itsrachmartin) on


There wasn’t a moment where I had to look at myself long and hard in the mirror and say “This is it. This is who I really am,” and decide for myself whether or not I like the person I see. There’s no need for that any more; A handy device in our pocket can quantify just how loved and wanted and valued we are, one like at a time.

Not that long ago, I realised that all of this superficial gratification wasn’t benefiting me in the slightest and chose to start improving myself instead.

I’m not letting the number of likes or comments on a photo decide whether or not I’m good enough. Now I am happy with who I am, I can go on social media and not wish I was someone else.

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If you attended primary school in Ireland during your formative years, chances are you have particularly vivid memories of the tasks which coincided with February 1.

And if you happened to be a pupil at one of the many St Brigid's or Scoil Bhride's dotted across the country, it's highly likely you experience regular flashbacks featuring tangled straws and knotted fingers.

St Brigid's Day is not something you ignore if you attend school in Ireland, and it's not something you forget if you've ever spent an afternoon desperately crafting a St Brigid's Day Cross in honour of the gal herself.

And here, ladies, are just 7 reasons why St Brigid's Day is engrained in the mind of anyone who received an education in this country.

1. It was vital you knew the history of the cross before you were allowed get busy with your own.

"It was something to do with her dad? And he was mad sick? And she thought making the crosses would help?"

2. You got seriously envious of kids who used soft reeds to make their crosses because you were forced to use plastic straws.

"Miss? Mine have snapped… AGAIN."

3. Girls who owned a Brigid's Cross pendant wore theirs with a smug face, and never forgot to remind the teacher of their devotion on February 1.

"If she fiddles with that yoke one more time, I'll snap it off her."

4. A quick trip to the local church was the order of the day on February 1, and you lived in fear the priest would quiz you on ol' Bridge.

"Where was she from again? Dundalk? No, Drogheda?!"

5. If your secondary school was named after St Brigid, chances are your Home Ec class devoted February 1 to baking a special oat bread.

"I only brought an onion and a slab of cooking chocolate. Will that do?"

6. If your neighbouring school was St Brigid's, you watched their day-long celebration with envy, not realising everyone was dying inside.

"Would you look?! They're being RATED on their crosses in front of everyone, I'd say that's great craic."


7. Debate over whether February 1 marked the first day of spring raged back and forth all day.

"Let's use the window for help. Yep. it's pissing down. Still winter."

 

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Ladies, there's no easy way to say this, but Family Guy turned 18-years-old yesterday.

We know, it hit us really hard too. 

The anniversary, unsurprisingly, had us all reminiscing about the year that brought us Peter Griffin and the gang, and general consensus suggests that 1999 was definitely one to remember.

From the songs that hit the top of the charts, the films that scared the bejaysus out of us and the outfits which made their debut on the red carpet, 1999 has a lot to answer for.

We mean, remember when…

1. Hayley Joel Osment could see dead people?

"My mam says I can only watch it if my older brother watches it with me."

2. Britney Spears and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch joined forces for Brit's Crazy video?

"Oh my God, I wish I could crimp my hair and be their BFF."

3. The world descended into Y2K chaos before realising it may have overreacted?

"Bunker down, lads."

4. Eminem unleashed his debut single on an unsuspecting music industry?

"It has a 'Parental Advisory' sticker. I'm getting it."

5. The Irish public were forced to say goodbye to Uncle Gaybo as he presented his very last Late Late Show?

"Mam, are you ACTUALLY crying?"

6. The world could not get enough of Latin pop?

"Ricky's lyrics speak to my soul, girls."

7. Dublin held the MTV Europe Music Awards, and we could barely cope with the honour?

"But why did Ronan have to wear that red suit? Making a holy show of us."

8. We heard Mambo No. 5 once, and have been unable to get it out our heads ever since?

"You be Monica, I'll be Erica and she can be Rita. And no switching."

9. The Blair Witch Project was released, and suddenly your local woods was full of snottery teens?

"I heard one cinema had to be evacuated cos people were throwing up in the aisles."

10. Destiny' Child got their first US No. 1 with Bills, Bills, Bills?

"Beyoncé is wearing a body top, but it's like she forgot to do it up…and it's hanging down the front?"

11. Gwyneth Paltrow won Best Actress for Shakespeare in Love, and bawled like she'd ploughed through three bottles of vino?

"Is it me or does the audience actually look uncomfortable?"

12. TLC wore letters across their chest on the red carpet?

"Ah Jaysus, it's like they're their own biggest fans."

13. The Sopranos debuted, and all of a sudden the life of a mobster looked pretty appealing.

"They know how to have a good time, I'll give them that."

14. Everyone wanted a Furbie… until they actually got a Furbie?

"Shut it up. Set it on fire. I don't care!"

15. Questions started being asked after The Matrix hit the silver screen?

"Seriously lads, how do we truly know what's real and what's not?"

 

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While Khloé Kardashian has definitely taken centre-stage with her body overhaul in recent years, there's no denying that her older sister, Kourtney, is looking better than ever.

And as she's only dying to share her top tips for staying trim, we're more than happy to listen, especially since she's not advocating a booze-free, clean-living lifestyle which, frankly, we don't know if we could maintain.

 

Team try too hard. #2017

A photo posted by Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) on

Taking to her website this week, the mum-of-three reminds us that while alcohol is chock-full of empty calories, that doesn't mean you need to abstain completely.

Unless, of course, you want to.

 

Travel Diary: The Bahamas. On my app.Photo credit: @larsapippen

A photo posted by Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) on

"Cocktails are often mixed with juice or soda – not only high in calories, but sugar too," she writes. "Aside from drinking too much, the sugar content in drinks is often what accounts for bad hangovers."

"When I do drink, I go for either tequila on the rocks, beer or wine. If you’re cutting down on sugar, it’s good to know that rosé wine usually has less sugar than red or white," she tells her followers.

 

Styling diaries: Angel Ball. On my app.

A photo posted by Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) on

And while the eldest Kardashian may refuse to give up tequila, the same can't be said for fizzy drinks which she happily waved goodbye to at the beginning of her health and fitness journey.

"I don’t drink soda – ever!” she explains. “I drink a ton of water during the day and I also drink a glass of water mixed with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar twice a day (in the morning and at night)."

Now, we're on board with the rosé, but vinegar water is a different story.

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There's no denying that the transition from secondary school to third-level education takes some getting used to.

And while some students thrive in their new environment, countless others struggle to adjust, and ultimately berate themselves for being unable to adapt to their new surroundings.

But according to a recent study, this default response to an apparent failing only serves to perpetuate the feelings of distress many students experience during their first year at university.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia have concluded that students who exhibit higher levels of self-compassion feel more energetic, alive and optimistic during their first year of university.

"Our study suggests the psychological stress students may experience during the transition between high school and university can be mitigated with self-compassion because it enhances the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which in turn, enriches well-being," explained the study's lead author, Katie Gunnell.

Researchers conclude that for a student to prosper during their first year, it is vital that they avoid negative self-judgement and feelings of inadequacy.

Research shows first-year university is stressful," said co-author and UBC kinesiology professor Peter Crocker.

"Students who are used to getting high grades may be shocked to not do as well in university, feel challenged living away from home, and are often missing important social support they had in high school."

"Self-compassion appears to be an effective strategy or resource to cope with these types of issues," he explained.

By initiating self-compassion exercises which promote self-kindness, students were less likely to be self-critical, and ultimately perform better over the course of their first year in third-level education.

Something to think about…

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Having found its way onto the market back in 2014, a delightfully small property in Cork city has waited three long years for someone to lay claim to it, and it looks like that day has finally come.

Originally on the market for €75,000, 24 Vicar Street failed to secure a sale during its initial listing, but according to recent reports, the tiny home has been snapped up for just over the new asking price of €60,000.

Located off Barrack Street on the south side of Cork city, the property, which has been dubbed the 'smallest in Ireland', spans just 25.2 square meters of single-storey floor space and boasts – wait for it – two whole rooms.

We know, ladies, we know.

Commenting on the quirky property during its time on the market, estate agents, Sherry Fitzgerald, said: "This narrow site offers huge potential to someone with vision and imagination."

"The location, behind St Finbarr’s Cathedral, is very central and has all essential amenities in close proximity, namely, schools, shops, bars and restaurants."

"This is a development opportunity that should not be missed," they added.

Oh, indeed,

 

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We might have fallen head over heels for digital cameras and smart phones when they made their debut in the late 90s and early noughties, but that doesn't mean we don't miss the good ol' days when waiting for our photos to develop was par for the course.

Being able to instantly delete an unflattering snap from your phone or filter the life out of your latest selfie on Instagram definitely has its merits, but it seems people are yearning for simpler times.

And apparently, Kodak has been listening.

According to emerging reports, the tech company have made the decision to reintroduce sales of traditional photo film after the public began demanding its return to the shelves.

Five years ago, the production and sale of the company's high-end film, Ektachrome, came to an end, but it'll be back with a bang later this year.

Commenting on the trend which sees a renewed interest in 'retro' products, Kodak’s Steven Overman expressed delight over the reintroduction.

"We are seeing a broad resurgence of excitement about capturing images on film," he began.

"Kodak is committed to continuing to manufacture film as an irreplaceable medium for image creators to capture their artistic vision. We are proud to help bring back this classic," he added.

But if you're only dying to get your hands on it, you'll need to sit tight for much of 2017 as it won't be hitting the shelves until autumn.

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