The ways travelling develops you as a person

Lifestyle

Apr 13, 2015

Travelling is such an amazing experience for everybody to have at least once in their lifetime. Even though the prospect of it may seem scary, there is a huge world out there yet to discover. Have you ever wondered about the ways travelling can develop you as a person? After all, you cannot discover new oceans until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

New Cultures
Experiencing new cultures can really help to broaden your mind. Whether you’re meeting new people or trying new food, you will become more open to other ways of life.

Facing your fears
This is such an important part of life. It seems terrifying at first to take a step out of your comfort zone, but once you do it you’ll never look back and you will be strong enough to face anything that comes your way.

Stories for the future
Whether you’re travelling at 18 or 80, the memories you make will stay with you forever. Besides, a life of “oh wells” is better than a life of “what if’s”. Gather stories to tell your grandchildren and take hundreds of photos!

Meeting new people
How do you know your soul mate or best friend isn’t out there if you haven’t even looked? There are billions of people in the world, try to meet as many as possible. Even if you don’t get along, you will learn some sort of lesson from your relationship with them

Five top tips on how to start running!

Jan 1, 2015

by Amber Saunders

Ah January, we meet again. This, ladies, is the time where we all bow our heads and vow to be the best possible versions of ourselves that we can be, right?

In addition to being kinder to old people and looking after our money, we also use January to focus on our health and well-being.

In other words, we nervously tie up our brand new runners, stagger out into the January cold and attempt a few half-hearted laps of the estate and then, let’s be honest here, give up after three days.

Well, no more! If you’re serious about running (or even if you’re not serious, but willing it to give it a go for the laugh) here’s how to do it!

1. Firstly, you will need the right gear because your college hoody just isn’t going to cut it.

Use the sales to pick up some good running shoes, a sports bra and a running top that will keep you warm, but won’t overheat you.

2. Choose a safe route that suits your goals.

Don’t hare off into the middle of a woods which leaves you frightened, deflated, staggering home and vowing never to look at your runners again.

3. Begin with the walk-run method.

Walk for four minutes and run for one minute, then gradually increase your running time so that you’re running more than you’re walking.

4. Move your body in a way that feels natural and focus on your breathing.

While running may feel completely alien to you, it’s important to relax your upper body because being rigid only slows you down and try to land softly so you don’t damage your joints!

5. Stick with it, girls!

Choose your running days and don’t flake on them. The longer you stick with it, the sooner your walk- run method will be a thing of the past and you’ll be officially known as a 'runner'. How cool is that?

It will be difficult at first, but you will improve the more you practise.

Remember, running is a fantastic way to keep fit, stay healthy and hey, with all the spending we did over Christmas our funds just don’t stretch to a gym membership, so get out there and hit those streets!

Life-changing resolutions we know you can keep!

Lifestyle

Jan 1, 2015

by Amber Saunders

It’s universally known that New Year’s resolutions are notoriously difficult to keep and for the most part, it’s true. Maybe our ideas are too grand or our expectations are too high, which is why so many of us give up half way through January.

Why not make this the year you resolve to stick to your resolutions (See what we did there?) by making small resolutions that will have a big effect! The most important reason to think small is because these are the ones that will ultimately change your life.

They say it only takes 21 days of doing something for it to become a habit, so if you’ve made it to February and you’ve stuck to your resolutions then pat yourself on the back; you’re well on the way to changing your life for the better.

Wondering what a small, but life-changing resolution might be?

1. Be kind to yourself every day

Treat yourself like you would treat your best friend. The next time you’re about to launch into a tirade about your hair, your weight or your ‘disastrous’ love life, pause and talk to yourself the way you would to a pal. You’d be surprised how rare these thoughts become when they’re not given time to grow.

2. Save a small amount every week

Take the task out of your own hands and set up a direct debit with your bank so you don’t even see the money leave your account. If you save as little as €10 a week, the cost of just one cocktail ladies, then by this time next year you’ll have accumulated a whopping €500 without even noticing! Jackpot.

3. Challenge yourself once a fortnight

In the spirit of avoiding those hard-to-keep resolutions, we’re not suggesting you master Portuguese in six months, but how about doing something that you would normally shy away from every two weeks? It can be as little as going for a coffee on your own or making that phone call you’ve been dreading. Forcing yourself out of your comfort zone is the quickest way to change your life.

4. Do something for the ‘future you’ once a month

Whether that’s scrapbooking your adventures every month so you can look back on them in years to come or if it’s attending an event that you think will benefit your future plans, don’t think about it, just do it!

Girls, resolutions that result in a marked difference in your happiness and self-worth are the ones worth sticking to!

Today you should ask yourself if you want to look back on 2015 and be able to say that you’ve changed for the better; if the answer is yes, then these small tweaks to your lifestyle will help you reach that goal!

Life detox: What does it mean and how do we do it?

Lifestyle

Dec 30, 2014

by Amber Saunders

When people talk about detoxing, they’re normally referring to food and drink, right?

They’re hoping to rid their bodies of the toxins that may have accumulated as a result of a dodgy diet or a binge drinking session, but a detox isn't just confined to food or drink!

However, when you think of a life detox, you need to look at it in the same simple terms you would apply to those other detoxes.

Use the new year to rid your life of toxic relationships, damaging habits and harmful behaviour so you’ll spend 2015 a happier, healthier and more content individual.

Here are just five ways to detox your lifestyle.

1. Find the good in every single day by keeping a diary

Some days it may seem like the universe conspired against you, but you need to find something to be thankful for every day.

When you crawl into bed at night, reflect on your day and you will undoubtedly find something that made you smile or lifted your spirits which you can jot down in your notebook.

2. Assess your relationship

Are you truly happy in your relationship or are you stuck in a rut? Don’t move into the new year with doubt in your mind about your other half.

Decide to remedy the issues that bothered you in 2014 or move on, if that’s the only option. The future you will thank you either way.

3. Are you friends or frenemies?

Did you spend more time than you thought possible last year obsessing over a friendship with someone you struggled to understand? Friendship shouldn’t be a difficulty or a burden, girls.

Frankly, ladies, if you have to question whether someone is your friend, then chances are they’re not. Move on from the ‘friendship’ and leave your worries behind you.

4. Fine tune your finances

Did you spend much of last year in a panic the week before payday wondering how you’re ever going to make ends meet?

Sure, have a blow-out once in a while and live on noodles for a week so you can afford that to-die-for jacket, but don’t make it a regular thing. Rid yourself of money woes by drawing up a realistic budget and sticking to it.

5. Clear out your clobber

You know those jeans with the hole in the crotch that you promised yourself you’d mend? You haven’t, have you? Girls, holding on to clothes that are too small, past their best days or don’t suit your new style is head-melting.

Spend a couple of hours going through your wardrobe and part with clothes that you haven’t worn in the last 3 to 6 months. Donate to charity or pawn off on a mate, but do get sorting. And hey, if nothing else, it’s an excuse to go shopping for that to die-for jacket and 12 pack of noodles, right?

Detoxing is way more fun than you'd thought it would be, right?

Here’s how to have a sugar-free diet in 2015!

Dec 27, 2014

by Amber Saunders

We all get to a point over Christmas where we cram the final chocolate caramel in our mouths and vow that that will be the last grain of sugar that will ever pass our lips. Ooooh, warm mince pies? Eh, yes please.

Resolving to embrace a healthy, sugar-free diet is as standard a December resolution as resolving to be the best possible person you can be in January, but it’s not a simple task.

It takes dedication and perseverance, but it might be exactly what you and your body are looking for!

If you’re serious about trying a sugar-free diet in the new year, then here are some handy tips to get you started on this life-changing path.

1. Remember it’s not going to be easy.

Like any big change in your life, it takes some getting used to so don’t expect to embrace the sugar-free life with open arms in your first week!

2. Do NOT go from eating sugar every day to banning it from your life entirely.

This is a recipe for disaster, so be sure to gradually reduce your sugar intake day-by day by no longer taking sugar in your tea or coffee, for example.

3. Do NOT replace sugar with sugar substitutes and sweeteners

You’re only going to have to start weaning yourself off those too, so don’t put yourself through it!

4. Familiarise yourself with labels.

You will be shocked by the sheer amount of sugar in the food we eat, so things that you may have deemed healthy in the past will need to be left on the shelf from now on!

5. Include as much protein in your diet as possible.

The protein you obtain from eggs, fish and nuts is extremely satisfying, so filling up on these will reduce your chances of being hit with a sugar craving.

If you truly want to cut down on your sugar intake or exclude it from your diet completely, it’s important to educate yourself on sugary foods, from fruit to fudge cake, be realistic with your goals and remember that a sugar-free life is possible!

And one more thing; if you slip one day and eat an entire chocolate cake, so what? Tomorrow’s a new day!

A comprehensive guide to life’s little pleasures

Lifestyle

Dec 11, 2014

by Amber Saunders

While this time of year is meant to be filled with joy and cheer, it’s also easy to get bogged down in the less-than-perfect aspects of the season: the weather, the over-spending, the intense family-time, the brussel sprouts and did we mention the weather?

With this in mind, we thought a list of life’s little pleasures may be just the remedy if you’re feeling a little more Scrooge-like than you expected at the moment.

Feast your eyes on some of the non-festive treats life throws at us on a daily basis and get yourself back on track pronto!

1. The feeling of wearing new socks or underwear.
Oh man, that’s so soft.

2. The joy of having the exact right change for the bus.
And not a cent more for you, Dublin Bus!

3. The feeling of triumph when you slide through the doors of the train in the NICK of time.
Nailed it.

4. Climbing into a freshly-made bed after a long, hot shower.
Ohhhh, sensory overload.

5. Not having to set your alarm to get up the next morning.
I win this round, snooze button.

6. Inhaling your favourite scent and immediately being transported to a happy time in your life.
It’s like magic.

7. Getting a haircut that accurately reflects exactly what you asked for.
Who knew this could happen?!

8. Being inundated with likes and comments for your latest Facebook status.
Everybody loves you!

9. Doing an impression that makes everybody burst out laughing.
Next stop; Broadway!

10. Checking your bank account and realising the damage isn't anywhere near as bad as you anticipated!
I am the queen of my own finances right now.

8 things that happen when you go to ‘the local’ at Christmas

Lifestyle

Dec 9, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Thanks to Micky Flanagan, we all know the difference between going ‘out’ and going ‘out-out’, right?

Those evenings that you intend to stay in with a plate of andwiches, but find yourself dragged to the local ‘for one’ before eventually winding up on the dance floor of your local disco in a state of utter confusion has nothing on the Christmas version of this saga.

Agreeing to go for ‘a few down the local’ any time between the 20^th of December and the 3^rd of January is a clear indication you are MORE than happy to sing Fairytale of New York on a pub table or shift the bloke from the town chipper in full view of his entire GAA team.

We ALL know what a few down the local means at Christmas, but we plead ignorance and then pretend to act confused the next morning when we wake up with a phone number scrawled on a batter burger wrapper.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without these nights of local mayhem, and secretly we love it.

Here’s what happens when you fall into the trap of ‘going local’ at Christmas.

1. You meet girls you never liked from school, but who you MUST catch up with in the new year.

Yeah, right.

2. You remember why you used get so drunk when you first started going out; accurate measurements are more a 'guesstimation' than anything around here.

Does this taste like a single to you? Your man’s after given me a triple…again.

3. You fall into conversation with the school stud and embarrassingly still get butterflies.

I know I’m engaged, but he actually laughed at my joke, girls.

4. You take forty minutes to get from your table to the bar because you’re accosted by a friend of the family with every step.

Ah, she’s grand. She’s at home with the dog and a tin of Roses.

5. You pretend you don't want to hit the disco before staggering to the toilets to drunkenly re-do your make up.

Will they be cool about my Converse, Christmas jumper, pyjama pants and drunk head? Obviously.

6. After staggering from the disco, you set up camp in the local chipper until you're forcibly removed.

Wait! I wanted FOUR batter burgers. Four!

7. Someone yells 'gaf party!' and one lad's poor, unsuspecting parents are treated to the entire town's rendition of Do They Know It's Christmas? in the conservatory at 5am.

C'mere and join in, Eileen sure! There's Martin! C'mere, you!

8. The party is broken up when someone tries to get the dog drunk and someone else pukes under the Christmas tree.

Fun is fun, but that tree is Eileen's pride and joy, for Jaysus sake.

God, we love it!

Christmas Shopping: The horror of forgetting your checklist

Lifestyle

Dec 8, 2014

by Amber Saunders

As we all know, people normally fall into one of two camps during the festive season.

There are those that just can’t wait to get started and will spend hours choosing the perfect present for their loved ones and those that leave their purchasing until Christmas week and can’t decide if they like someone enough to fork out thirty euro on a gift set.

Regardless of the camp you fall into, whether you start splurging on the 3^rd or the 23^rd, Christmas shopping never, ever, EVER goes as smoothly as you might hope and if you’re of a forgetful nature, then Christmas shopping is a living hell.

Here is just one of the ways we fall short every single year.

Expectation: My handy checklist will be my armour against the chaotic Christmas crowds who, unlike me, will have been too disorganised to write a list.

Reality: My handy checklist is at home on the kitchen counter and now I can’t even remember my mum’s name, let alone her favourite perfume.

Expectation: I will be the calm voice of reason in every store because I have my trusty list and I don’t need anything else.

Reality: I will be the manic voice of insanity because I think the woman who lives at home might want that clothes horse.

Expectation: After checking three people off my list, I will relax over a hot chocolate and smugly admire my thoughtful purchases.

Reality: After checking I still have the will to live, I will slug desperately from a can of diet Coke in a crowded shopping centre while clutching a clothes horse like a cray-cray loon.

Expectation: I will remember what I got everyone last year because I will bring last year's list with me too so there will be no embarrassing double purchases.

Reality: I will struggle to remember what I had for dinner last night, so people can just deal with getting the same book three years in a row.

Expectation: I will not overspend because that is not conducive to good financial organisation.

Reality: I will demand that someone take all my money and get me out of this list-less hell of my own making.

Expectation: I will arrive home, put my list aside for next year, tune into Christmas FM and begin wrapping my gifts.

Reality: I will trail home, growl at the forgotten list on the kitchen counter, sorrowfully watch Hostel and try to wrap a clothes horse.

Happy shopping, ladies!

Devastating moments in the lives of retail workers

Lifestyle

Dec 5, 2014

by Amber Saunders

If you’ve ever worked in retail, you will know only too well the frustration, irritation and seething anger you endure on a daily basis.

Whether it’s fellow workers that do your head in or those damn customers getting on your last nerve, earning a living on the shop floor is not easy and requires more patience than any of us were ever born with.

Here are just some of the issues faced by shop workers on a daily basis.

1. The moment you encounter a customer who thinks the price of a garment is determined by you, and you alone.

Ah, just take it! They weren’t selling at €70 anyway. Sure, go mad and take a few!

2. The moment a customer skids under the shutters at closing time and proceeds to browse aimlessly.

What did I ever do to you, ma’am?

3. The moment you realise you're working with someone who thinks till roll changes itself, hangers find their way into the hanger bins on their own and accessory stands tidy themselves.

No, seriously you’re sound. Really, really sound.

4. The moment you pull back a fitting room curtain to reveal 17 crumpled garments in a pile against the mirror.

I’m a good person. I don't deserve this.

5. The moment you're faced with a customer who insists they haven’t worn a garment that smells of dog biscuits and vodka.

I believe you, but let me go get the manager.

6. The moment a customer acts like it's your fault that a particular garment isn't in stock.

Just give me two minutes and I'll whip one up on the sewing machine we keep in the back.

7. The moment a manager guilt trips you into staying late.

Hell is filled with people like you, madam.

8. The moment you check the floor plan and see that you're on 'standards' for the day.

There goes my will to live.

9. The moment your buddy finishes their shift for the day, but you have five more hours to go.

Promise you'll never forget me.

10. The moment your manager hands you your hours for the Christmas sale.

One day I will be dead and none of this will matter.

Bra shopping: The 10 stages we know all too well

Lifestyle

Dec 3, 2014

by Amber Saunders

‘Bra shopping’ should never be mistaken for ‘bra browsing'. ‘Bra browsing’ involves pretty straps, pastel colours and pearl detailing while 'bra shopping' involves stress rashes, support cups and sobbing in cubicles.

Ladies, these two activities should never be confused unless you want your day on the high street totally ruined.

Let us be really. really clear here, 'bra shopping’ is a completely different thing and these, girls, are the stages.

1. Acceptance

The phrase ‘function over fashion’ is enough to bring most of us out in a cold sweat, but then we stand tall and acknowledge that sometimes evil just prevails.

We throw our shoulders back, push out our ill-supported chests and march off to the nearest department store.

2. Suspicion

We encounter Margaret, 4 foot 11 and sporting a measuring tape around her neck, who sizes us up immediately.

You do some sizing up of your own. Yeah, two can play at this game, Marge.

3. Tentative Enthusiasm

Ok, credit where credit’s due, Margaret looks like she’s got this and guides you into a fitting room.

“Oh, I’m in safe hands here with this one”, you tell yourself.

4. The Sweats

Minutes later, you’re hot and clammy, your fringe is frizzing and the bra you arrived in suddenly looks oddly alluring, despite it’s visible under wire and fraying straps.

What is happening here?

5. Panic

“Do you need a hand?"

“Don’t come in Margaret!” you think in alarm. You’ll see that I still need to fasten it around my waist before hauling it into place. That can’t happen.

6. Hysteria

The bigger the bra, the more beige they become. The smaller the bra, the more tween-like they appear.

‘Who gets sexy, but functional bras?!’ you think in mild hysteria.

7. Joy

And then suddenly you’re a woman in a perfectly fitting bra! You have done the impossible.

Look at me. I am a woman.

8. Pride

You stand back to let Margaret admire you and you can’t hide the proud smile that’s creeping across your lips.

Margaret doesn’t smile. She knew. Margaret always knows.

9. Confusion

So, now what?

You have one bra that fits; do you continue to harm yourself, your bosoms and your back by wearing your other ill-fitting bras?

10. Indignation

€56 for one bra?

Bad back, it is. I'm going home.

‘Yes, we can hear you up here’ 10 things all tall girls know to be true

Dec 2, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It’s a universal truth that if you happen to be a tall woman you will spend more time than you ever thought possible explaining your height to people.

It becomes such a normal part of your routine you actually have stock answers for the myriad of remarks made to you on a daily basis.

You could have the ‘Yeah, I’m fairly tall, alright’ conversation in your sleep, but why would you? Sleep is where we don’t talk about height.

If you’re a taller-than-average gal, then chances are more than one of these may ring true.

1. The introduction of skinny jeans revolutionised your wardrobe because they were actually meant to stop around your ankles.

Remember in our teens when bootcut were the only option? Tough times.

2. You are told on a daily basis that you are tall. It’s like people are scared you might not know.

Take it from us, we’re aware.

3. You are constantly asked to get stuff from the top shelf because you are essentially a human ladder, so deal with it.

Nah, I've nothing better to do.

4. Your boyfriend’s height will be brought into question after your own height has been sufficiently addressed.

He’s over six foot and yes, being able to wear heels is the sole reason I’m dating him. Isn’t that all every girl wants?

5. Your father’s height will be addressed once they’ve decided you weren’t spawned by mutant giraffes.

My father is a human.

6. Your mother’s appearance will then be brought in to question.

My mother is also a human.

7. You rarely get to flaunt your bangin’ outfit in a group photo because you’re always at the back of the shot like some kind of patriarchal Mafioso.

Tell them my dress was to-die-for, promise?

8. Playsuits are out of the question because the body is always too short and basically designed to cut a tall girl in half.

Woah, this is not comfortable.

9. You tend to have larger-than-average feet which makes shoe shopping very awkward.

“Can I get these in a five…and a nine if you’ve any going spare. Actually, forget the five. Just the nine.”

10. You will be told on a daily basis that your height is something to be so, so proud of.

We’d believe you – no really we would – if you hadn’t spent the last five minutes making us account for why we look like we do.

Now, let’s really get down to business here.

You’ve a pot belly. Does your wife have a pot belly too? I bet your father had some pot belly, did he?

Making friends as adults: The stages and struggles

Lifestyle

Dec 1, 2014

by Amber Saunders

We’ve all heard of holiday romances that fizzle out the minute the couple return to normal life and J1 friendships that couldn’t stand the test of time back in rainy Ireland, haven’t we?

But have we thought about the friendships we attempt to forge with people we meet at parties or have we completely blocked out that horror?

We’ve all been there. Your friend promises to stay by your side at some alcohol-based gathering, but as you predicted, she ends up ditching you and creepin' on that guy like a cray-cray loon.

So what do you do?

You vow firstly to never forgive her and secondly to set your sights on the nearest other loser. (The first one being you, obviously)

In your happiness at actually having someone to talk to, you mistakenly conjure up a connection which should never have been initiated in the first place.

Here are the seven stages we experience when making friends as an adult.

The introduction
You’re standing alone, holding your coat.