There are few among us that don't rely on certain things to make our busy lives that little bit easier, right?
With that in mind, we put a call out for the gadget, gizmo, app or establishment that makes your day-to-day simpler in an effort to pay tribute at the inaugural SHEmazing HP Awards on May 4.
And as nation of foodies, it's no real surprise that food-focussed delivery app, Just Eat, took the crown at our gala in the Mansion House.
Up against stiff competition in the form of My Taxi, Chopped, Clarisonic Facial Cleanser and Water Wipes Cleansing Wipes, Just Eat reigned supreme.
Launched in April 2008, ordering on the go became so much easier and then these guys decided to grace our iPhone and Android devices.
Taking to social media on the night of the event, the Just Eat folk couldn't resist a food-related celebratory tweet, writing: "Winner winner chicken dinner! Thanks to everyone who voted for us in the Makes Life Easy Award!"
When it comes to down-time, you guys refuse to settle for less (and rightly so).
So when it came to crowning the winner of the best spa in Ireland for our inaugural SHEmazing HP Awards, we knew we needed your help.
With your fingers on the pulse when it comes to treatments, pamper packages and spa sessions, you ultimately decided that Seafield Hotel and Spa deserved to take home the Pamper Me award on May 4 at our Mansion House gala.
Located in Co Wexford, the destination allowed visitors to luxuriate in serene surrounds before sampling some of the spa's wholly indulgent treatment packages – an idyllic spot for a much-needed getaway.
Along with her sister, Fiona, Rebecca Jeffery, 32, is the owner of Fi & Becs Design And Marketing.
The business provides branding, design, copywriting and websites for businesses and has worked with the likes of Mothercare, Matalan and the Lake District hotel chain.
Last year, Rebecca starred in series 12 of BBC’s The Apprentice – making it through to week six of the reality TV show. It’s an experience she describes as “whirlwind”.
A native of Manchester and a mother-of-one, she is passionate about her business, but insists that women don’t have to sacrifice their domestic lives in order to succeed.
“I was always told that if you’re nice in business you won’t get very far – and I’m happy to disprove that," Rebecca tells SHEmazing when she sits down for an exclusive chat.
"I did the whole corporate world thing before I was a mum – I had the long commute and the office hours. But starting my own business with my sister allowed me to step away from all that."
"And just because I have a young child doesn’t mean I’m not still really ambitious – we’re passionate about what we do."
Giving an insight into her working day, Rebecca explains: "I work from 9am to 3pm and then I take time off to play with my son and we have something to eat and do the bedtime routine. Then from around 7pm or 8pm I hop back on the laptop and work for a couple of hours."
Acknowledging the work / life balance familiar to most working mothers, Rebecca explains: "It’s about juggling and swapping things around. My own business allows me to do that."
"Even as the workload has increased and the client-base has grown, that is still the way that I work. Now Fiona and I have around 120 clients and some of that business – like Mothercare and Matalan – came to us specifically because we understand their target market.”
"I would never apologise for being a mum; I’d never sacrifice the time that I have with my son," she adds.
Reflecting on the weeks she spent in the boardroom in front of Lord Sugar last year, Rebecca explains: "I’ve always been a massive fan of the show but I don’t think I thought I’d be the stereotypical contestant. I’m not mouthy, I don’t like to shout, I’m not angry.”
“But I knew I had a unique business model that was working really well. I thought ‘well, that’s what I can bring to the show’. And I knew it would bring some publicity to my business also."
With a nod to the production team who saw Rebecca's USP, she says: "I like that the producers picked me because I’m a bit different to the standard."
"But then, the working world is changing too. There are more mumtrepreneurs, more people – not just mums and not just parents – want that flexible approach to working-life. There is a stronger desire for work-life balance.”
Perhaps in keeping with her attitude to work and motherhood, Rebecca's little boy was by her side when she got the call inviting her on the show.
"I was there desperately trying to give him a pack of crisps and an apple and stick on the TV to keep him quiet while I acted professional. I was flabbergasted and very excited," she remembers.
Vehemently dismissing the notion that you have to be cut-throat to succeed in business as a woman, Rebecca insists the idea is an archaic one.
“The one thing I would say to other women – and I’ve learned this from having my own business and from being on the show – is that you have to be yourself."
"There is no point in me trying to be some hard-nosed combater because that’s just not who I am. I’m warm and I’m friendly and I’m nice to people; that doesn’t make me a weak businesswoman.”
Rebecca accepts that her appearance on the show conflicted with her desire to spend time with her son, and admits her performance at points did reflect this.
“I had set my whole life up around my son I’m not used to being away from him and it was difficult. I hated thinking of Ollie being unhappy and knowing that my absence was the cause of that was heartbreaking. Even sometimes doing the tasks, I felt a little bit like a lead balloon; just distracted."
"I’ve travelled for work before – but this was different and harder. So being back with my son now and immersed in the business is definitely a very bright silver lining and I’m proud at what I’ve done both professionally and personally.”
Carla McQuillan is a hairdresser and a native of Dublin.
Last year, she founded The.Space salon in Drumcondra alongside her business partner and best friend, Nadine Quinn. Also a former model, Carla collected numerous trade accolades before kickstarting her own business.
Still just 28, she wants to evolve the hairdressing industry – drawing on time spent in the likes of Paris and New York to in order to bring added extras to the average salon experience.
"I finished my Junior Cert in 2003 and that summer I was desperate to earn my own money. At the time, Transition Year wasn’t compulsory in my school, so I seized the opportunity to get out and work," Carla tells SHEmazing as she reflects on her professional journey.
“The best part of a year and a half later when it came to returning to school for my Leaving Cert I just couldn’t face it – I felt immersed in all things hairdressing by then and didn’t fancy diving into homework, classes, and study," she explains.
“My dad, Patrick, had different views, however. He knew I was smart, a hard worker and good at what I did – but he also felt that getting my Leaving Cert and progressing on to college and all that was the best road to take.”
Determined to make it in the world of hairdressing, Carla found herself confronted with conflicting advice, but insisted on paving her own way.
"I thought I knew everything back then!" she laughs. "And no one, not even my lovely dad, could tell me otherwise. In the end – of course! – I got my own way.”
Hired by House of Colour, Carla recalls: “I was trained in everything and anything; that all still stands to me to this day and at the time it made me a really good all-round hairdresser who could become passionate about all aspects of the trade."
"While there, we were encouraged to take part in competitions and exhibitions; it was something that pushes you outside your comfort zone and truthfully it was invaluable.”
“On one level, competition work is pretty ugly, but it’s also technically brilliant. You hone your skills rapidly because you have to. I soon started picking up awards, and eventually settled on my winning formula."
Carla credits her early days on the salon floor with her ability to navigate potential pitfalls within the industry.
“It was an insanely busy time between working in the salon and all the competition stuff, but being manic even now doesn’t faze me," she tells us.
"It’s something I say to junior staff today; don’t get overwhelmed – just focus on you and the client you have in front of you. And that was me for ten years – during that time I set myself very clear professional goals and made sure I achieved them.”
Having proven herself over the course of a decade, Carla decided she needed to spread her wings, saying “Eventually you do get to the end of the road, and I decided to take the plunge."
"I went freelance, spending time in the likes of New York, and a couple of Australian cities, as well as working with celebrities, on weddings, and fashion shoots."
"I suppose because I was so busy, people kept on telling me that I needed to open my own place – clients were telling me to do it, but so were people I really respect in business circles.”
Recalling the advice she received at the time, Carla remembers: “Johanna Mc Aleese, who owns and founded Starla dresses, told me I was mad not to."
"A couple of years ago she gave me the whole pep talk. She gave me contacts to meet, and reiterated that as rents were so low then, that it was perfect timing.”
“But I did need a business partner – someone to carry the load with me and to complement what I bring to the table. Truthfully, Nadine Quinn was the first and only person I considered," Carla reveals.
"She was working in a freelance capacity at the time too, but I approached her asked if she’d be interested in coming on board – thankfully, she jumped at the chance.”
Embarking on the venture wasn't free of concerns as Carla fended off well-meaning advice against mixing business with friendship.
"Enough people tried to put us off setting up a business with a friend. We’re completely confident in each other, but everyone from our solicitor, to our accountant, to family – all with the very best intentions – tried to say: “Are you sure? Partnerships can go very wrong in this industry.”
“Of course it was scary, but it all also felt right. Actually, initially we kept things very much in check."
"We thought we’d pool our resources, get maybe one more person on board; we just didn’t want to get too overwhelmed. We wanted to build from the ground up and test the waters before taking the plunge.”
“Both Nadine and I are absolute perfectionists too, but we’re savvy enough to celebrate each other’s strengths and talents, as well as our weaknesses."
The turning point in Carla and Nadine's journey came when they found the spot which would soon become The. Space.
“A big milestone for us was finding our salon in Drumcondra. Moving that bit out of the city centre made it more affordable, but – more importantly – we were filling a massive gap in the market."
"There is a really young, hip, vibrant population around there and we quickly realised a modern salon was what they were crying out for.”
“We opened last spring, but a year ago we started getting the show on the road. Not every plan we’ve had, or every concept we’ve explored has panned out, and yes, it is high-pressure stuff, but we’re learning as we grow.”
Giving an insight into the dynamic which exists between the pair, Carla explains: “For our business, we role play and try to think ahead as much as we can – and that’s how we end up with our very best decisions."
Carla maintains that drawing on time spent abroad has done much to strengthen the appeal of the business.
“We try to be as creative as possible in everything we do – we both draw on our experiences travelling and working abroad too so that our clients have something completely fresh when they come into us.”
"That’s actually my mantra: forgot about what everyone is doing in Ireland and let’s kick-off a fresh perspective. So we hold yoga in our salon on Sundays. We hold events too. And everything in The. Space is gorgeous!”
There is little doubt that The. Space has far exceeded the 28-year-old's expectations – a fact she happily celebrates.
“We now offer services we didn’t at the beginning: makeup, and nails, for example. We started with three people and already we’re up to a dozen."
"Truthfully, ambitious as I am, that’s not something I anticipated. We’re open until 9pm a couple of nights a week to deal with demand. On Saturdays we’re out the door.”
And like any astute businesswoman, Carla is reluctant to move too swiftly until she's properly 'perfected' The. Space.
“Of course, we also definitely want to expand but I believe that it’s important not to move onto your second project before you’ve perfected your first."
"And that’s where Nadine and I are at now. I really feel so at home at The. Space – which is just as well as I spend more time there than I do in my house!“
Amanda Thomson is the founder and CEO of Skinny Prosecco and Skinny Champagne, a range of reduced sugar bubbly.
Based in Winchester, a little outside London, she is a former television and radio broadcaster with the BBC.
Amanda was inspired to develop her brand after spending time at numerous media events, where plenty of junk food and lashings of sweet wines were rife.
And so, eight years ago she packed up everything – moving to Paris with her husband, Ian, and two young children in order to hone her new-found trade.
Skinny Prosecco and Skinny Champagne arrived in Ireland last year and is now available in Brown Thomas and online via the Wines Of The World website.
“When I announced that I was packing up and moving to France to learn how to source and develop a range of low-sugar sparkling wines – most people thought I was pretty crazy," she tells SHEmazing! when she sits down for an exclusive chat.
"Firstly, I had a good job as an arts journalist in the BBC – not to mention two small kids and a husband to consider. But I was passionate about making it all work," she explains.
"That and I didn’t have a choice," Amanda laughs. "I’m not from a mega-wealthy background and I didn’t have an unlimited cash-pile to draw on."
"For me, Skinny Prosecco and Skinny Champagne was always very much a business decision, albeit one with lots of passion behind it and one that I feel was destined somewhat: my mother, who raised me by herself, was a trailblazing health food entrepreneur."
"Long before it became fashionable, she was singing about the benefits of healthy fats and the dangers of excess sugar," Amanda tells us.
Reflecting on the concerns raised by those close to her at the time of her career change, Amanda insists she knew their fears had little grounding in reality.
“I have a real galvanized spirit too; it sounds like something you’d hear on The Apprentice, but failure wasn’t an option for me when it came to the Thomson & Scott Skinny wines."
"And certainly, I put a lot of pressure on myself to get it all right from the very beginning. I was fearless too; I went into plenty of meetings and was the person asking stupid questions. But you learn and you keep going.”
Like any entrepreneur, however, Amanda came up against her fair share of obstacles before hitting it big.
“It's not always been easy. Because the Champagne region, for example, is so strict about what is and isn’t classified as a Champagne, we had to get numerous elements signed off on before releasing our Skinny version."
"Little things can really hold-up a business. We initially did a soft launch in London; it’s an incredibly tough market – but if you can make your product work there, you’re probably on to a winner."
With numerous teething problems behind her, Amanda eventually saw the fruit of her labour when her brand made it into two of the best-known department stores in the UK and Ireland last year.
"The turning point came in April when Skinny Champagne and Skinny Prosecco landed in Selfridges and it quickly sold out. We haven’t looked back since. We’ve now officially launched in Ireland and have arrived in Brown Thomas too."
There is a juxtaposition at work in Amanda's business – an element of her journey which she ultimately considers a strength.
"A big part of our success is definitely our start-up mentality that we’ve transferred into a very traditional arena; we listen to our customers and respond fast to their demands."
A photo posted by Skinny Prosecco (@skinnyprosecco) on
"The wine-industry is very time-honoured and prestigious. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s full of older men in suits, but it can certainly have that appearance when you’re trying to break into it.”
Walking the line between wine aficionada and everyday consumer, Amanda adds: “I know the industry now – and at the end of the day, I also really love wine and appreciate it. But I know what it’s like to feel totally overwhelmed by the choices on offer in a supermarket, or to be confused by a long wine list in a restaurant.”
“On one hand, you acknowledge that sommeliers are incredibly talented people, but on the other, they don’t necessarily seem like they’re going to get the party started when they pop over to your table at a fancy restaurant," she laughs.
Honing in on a failing in the traditional market, Amanda sought to fill the gap, saying: “It’s not difficult to see that much of the wine businesses has lost touch – it’s not appealing to younger people for one."
"Ironically, however, Thomson & Scott discovered that that traditional approach really helped our brand and the concept of a lower-sugar wine. Because we are being really upfront about our produce – stating clearly that it’s low-sugar, vegan and organic. There is no cloak-and-daggers approach with Skinny wines.”
“And that approach is all backed up by what it fundamentally a great, delicious, product that we’ve wriggled into a great price-bracket. That gets word-of-mouth recommendations going and keeps people who try it coming back for more.”
Turning her attention to the future, Amanda plans to bring Skinny Prosecco and Skinny Wine to an international audience.
“From now on, we’re going to be spending a lot more time in Dublin and Ireland in general. Otherwise, going forward, we do have some deals internationally in the offing – the US being one area in particular we’re looking at closely.”
It’s that time of year again; everyone’s jetting off to the States for a J1 or flying off to Bali.
And with all of the fab places around the world to see, it’s easy to overlook the holiday destinations right on your doorstep.
But if you’re a bit short on money or only have a day or two to spare so can’t head abroad, Ireland has plenty to offer.
Have a look at these…
Galway
A personal favourite is Galway city; you still get the city vibe but it has a more chilled feel than Dublin.
With the typical tourist spots like the Cathedral, Galway City Museum or Shop Street, as well as its famed nightlife, there is a lot to do and see here.
A tip for a sunny afternoon in Galway: walk or cycle, you can easily register online to use one of the numerous Coke Zero bicycles and it doesn’t cost much, through the city and its outskirts.
There are so many little places that you won’t read about in the typical “Top Ten Things to See in Galway”, that are just waiting to be discovered.
Wicklow
This gorgeous seaside town has a lot to offer in the summer.
Arguably one of the most valuable assets Wicklow has is its many scenic gardens. It isn’t called the Garden of Ireland for nothing! And you won’t pay more than about €7 entry… if you have to pay at all, that is!
Everyone knows about Glendalough and Powerscourt, but some lesser known ones are Mount Usher Gardens in Ashford, a small village close to Wicklow town, and Kilmacurragh Botanical Gardens just east of Wicklow town. Strolling through these on a lovely summer’s day you’ll forget you’re still in Ireland!
Wexford
Wexford is a popular holiday destinations for families, with places like Courtown and Wexford Heritage Centre, but there’s more to it than that.
It’s the perfect place for a girly weekend away, with its numerous hotels that often do great afternoon tea and spa deals. Relax in luxury with a glass of Prosecco and forget that you’re just an hour or so from Dublin.
Clare
We know, we know; Clare is often associated with the family camping holidays of your childhood.
And sleeping in a cold tent and getting dirty might not sound appealing unless you’re promised some good music as well, right?
Well, glamping in Doolin is far from those childhood memories where you took your life in your hands eating chicken cooked over the campfire. It has a bit more luxury, a few more facilities and a lot less mud!
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Waterford
Again Waterford has the feel of a city without all the hustle and bustle you find in Dublin; perfect for a relaxing few days away.
It has enough shops and pubs that you won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything that you’d get in Dublin either.
Take the ten minute bus trip up to Tramore and check out its fabulous sandy beaches and clear seas. If you get a good summers day, you’ll wonder why you were ever upset you couldn’t go to Spain.
Our one saving grace after a heavy night on the sesh is being able to tell ourselves that the carry-on we exhibited the night before has absolutely no connection to the person we are the following morning.
But if blaming questionable behaviour on 'drunk you' is your go-to response, findings from a study conducted by researchers at the Missouri Institute of Mental Health may leave you feeling a little cold this afternoon.
According to those in the know, alcohol doesn't impact that heavily on an individual's personality.
While we have home footage which seriously begs to differ, findings, which were published in the journal of Clinical Psychological Science, have concluded that the individual will identify internal changes to their personalities when intoxicated which aren't actually evident to an observer.
So, how did they go about studying this theory?
Researchers surveyed 156 people, and focussed their attention on alcohol consumption as well as the participants' perception of their own typical sober and drunk personalities.
15 minutes after giving half the group a soft drink and the other half vodka, which brought their blood alcohol level to .09, researchers then provided both groups with a range of activities which involved social interaction.
Following this, outside observers and those who had consumed alcohol were asked to watch footage of the exchanges in order to identify shifts in personality, and interestingly, the supposed changes were barely recognisable.
The study suggests that the intoxicated person believes their personality to be different following the consumption of alcohol when the changes are actually only very minor
"The participants experienced internal changes that were real to them but imperceptible to observers," asserted the study’s lead scientist Rachel Winograd
Far be it from us to question science, but 15 minutes? We imagine the findings would be very different after a good two hours on the lash.
The foodie scene in Ireland has never been bigger.
And with chefs keen to impress, influencers eager to educate and restaurants only dying to inspire, there’s never been a better time to embark on a foodie bucket list around our green isle.
But if that particular adventure remains a mere pipe dream right now, you can rest easy as RTÉ have harnessed the expertise of Chef Adrian for an incredible six-part online series where he shows you how to create the nation’s most popular restaurant dishes at home!
With the Cavan-native front and centre, Chef Adrian Eats Ireland pays tribute to Ireland's gastronomy scene, and we cannot wait to get involved!
Following an online poll to find the best food in Ireland, the show visits the winning restaurants in Cork, Galway, Wicklow, Sligo and Dublin to uncover the secrets behind their famous dishes; all nominated by the Irish public.
And it doesn’t stop there!
Chef Adrian brings his knowledge and ideas back to his outdoor kitchen where he cooks his own unique version of the dish, together with special celebrity guests including Samantha Mumba, Jenny Dixon and comedian PJ Gallagher.
Commenting on the series, Chef Adrian said: ”Working on ‘Chef Adrian Eats Ireland’ has been so rewarding and brings together my three great loves – food, fun and Ireland.”
“I wanted to share my passion for quality food and show viewers that cooking, even your favourite restaurant dishes, can be made simple." he added reflecting on the Because Taste Matters hashtag.
So if you’re only dying to sample the delights our country has to offer, be sure to tune in and take a trip around Ireland with the man himself before recreating it yourself!
You can watch Chef Adrian Eats Ireland here and for more recipe inspiration visit www.carrs.ie
And that's not all! You can become a Carr's fan on Facebook here!
If you're anything like us, there's a high chance you regularly have a mountain of clothes, shoes and accessories waiting in a virtual basket for the moment your monthly salary drops.
The joys of online shopping means you can browse to your heart's content, send screenshots to the squad for feedback, and even check reviews of the items before making the plunge.
Oh, and you can do it from the comfort of your own couch with a glass of vino in one hand and a credit card in the other.
And as online shopping devotees, we can confirm that no matter how adept we've become at the activity, we generally tend to have the same seven thoughts at various stages of the process.
1. Am I a 10 on this site or are these the guys that bumped me up to a 12 without my permission?
"Ah, there are no tens left, sure. Looks like I'm a 12 here, so."
2. What was I looking for in the first place?
"Christ, it was for someone's birthday present, wasn't it? And yet here I am on my own favourited list again."
3. I wish I was the type that could wear fringing.
"Imagine how different my life would be if I could pull off fringing. They'd call me the girl with the fringing."
4. I know I only wanted the skirt, but the whole outfit is calling to me.
"They put this look together for a reason, and if I ignore it, it'll be one of those things I'll regret forever."
5. Filtering has got to be one of the greatest inventions ever.
It's like having my own personal shopper, but I don't have to open my mouth or make eye contact.
6. A sale! They're having a sale! AND I have a discount code. That's it. This is how I'll go. Retail euphoria.
"iClothing, I love you. You guys are the real MVPs."
7. One day I'm going to earn a bigger wage and actually get everything on my wishlist.
One jammy little so-and-so in your primary school who managed to score a trip to Lapland just in time for Christmas.
While your teacher (the traitor) encouraged them to share their excitement with everyone, you watched from a dark corner of the classroom and silently plotted their downfall.
And here are just eight thoughts that ran through your head while your so-called friend ruined your Christmas.
1. “Why are her parents bringing her to Lapland, and my parents are bringing me to mass?”
“I swear I was born into the wrong family.”
2. “There should be a pay-off for this.”
“If she gets to go to Lapland, she shouldn’t get any presents.”
3. “Why is the teacher making us listen to this?”
“She must enjoy our misery. She must relish our envy.”
4. “Did she actually say she’ll get to make presents with Santa?”
“That one is living on another planet.”
5. “Why is she still talking?”
“We get it. Reindeers, snow, Santa; change the record.”
6. “When I’m an adult, I’m going to Lapland every Christmas.”
“And then who’ll be laughing?”
7. “Are these knots in my stomach jealousy or pure rage?”
“I swear, she”ll pay for making me feel like this.”
8. “When she gets back, I’m not asking her one damn thing about it.”
“And I’ll shred her photos if she comes anywhere near me.”
If you’re still not over it, why not get your own back by planning your trip this year?
Sunway are currently offering one and two night trips to Lapland this December with flights from Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Knock and Kerry.
Ladies, you know what to do.
Sunway Holidays have a fantastic choice of 1, 2, 3 or 4 night trips to Lapland for Winter 2017.
With flights direct from Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Knock and Kerry to Finland, Sunway will look after everything so that all you need to do is sit back and enjoy this once in a lifetime, magical experience with your family.
If you would like to learn more about the Sunway Lapland programme log on towww.sunway.ie/lapland or call 01- 231 1800 where a Sunway representative will be happy to take your call.
Look, we all know life can be hard, and there are occasions when you deserve some serious TLC.
And then there are other times when life is totally going according to plan, but you still crave some major pampering and me-time.
Hey, we get that – it's calling treating yo'self.
Whether life is running on rails or careering off them completely, here are 8 situations which always require you treat yo'self pronto!
1. Someone eats the food you've been looking forward to all day.
Situation: The feeling of utter despair that envelopes you when you realise you live with a thieving so-and-so, who would happily chomp their way through your food, is oh so real.
Remedy: Take a deep breath, make a mental note of their deception, plot their downfall, order a takeaway and have a long bath while you're waiting for it to be delivered.
2. There's no hot water for a much-needed post-gym shower.
Situation: Peeling off your work-out gear only to find yourself shivering with one outstretched hand beneath a freezing cold torrent of water is worthy of multiple meltdowns.
Remedy: Jump straight into your fluffiest dressing gown, and while you're waiting for the water to heat up, give yourself some pre-shower prep with a little body brushing. Not only will it keep you warm, but it will do wonders for your stress levels.
3. You realise you've been rocking a funky foundation tidemark all day.
Situation: After a relatively good day with the other humans, you arrive home to find that your neck and face look like they belong to two different people… and not ONE person thought to tell you.
Remedy: There's really nothing for this other than a few hours of alone time with a DVD boxset and McVities Nibbles.
4. The clothes you ordered online make you look like a potato.
Situation: You (willingly) maxxed out your credit card and now you're surrounded by a mountain of garments which only belong on a bonfire.
Remedy: Grab your phone and immediately Google 'Celebrity Worst Dressed Lists'. It may not be kind, but hey it will make you feel better.
5. Your gin buddy cancels at the last minute… and you're ready and waiting to cut loose.
Situation: You've been looking forward to a night on the tiles for over a week, and your so-called mate cancels on you due to a cold you're certain could be fixed with a few gins.
Remedy: Do NOT instantly grab a facewipe and remove every smidgen of makeup you've just applied. Instead, hijack someone else's night out, and make the most of that lipstick.
6. You lose your Leap Card mere hours after topping up by €50.
Situation: You top up your Leap Card BEFORE you find yourelf in the red, and lose the damn thing just hours after filling it with money.
Remedy: Like your funky tidemark situation, some scenarios require alone time. Take to the couch in your cosiest pyjamas, fill a bowl with your favourite chocolate, and eat your way through those feelings of frustration and irritation.
7. You wake up in foul humour, trudge through your day in foul humour and come home in foul humour.
Situation: You woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
Remedy: You treat yo'self old-school by lighting candles, pouring wine, eating chocolate and pampering yourself like the queen that you are.
8. You spend days on a project for your boss only for it to be shelved at the last minute.
Situation: Your boss reminds you why you hate him by dropping the ball on a project you worked your arse off on.
Remedy: Chocolate. And gin, ladies. Chocolate and gin.
You don't need us to tell you that exercise is good for you.
At this stage we all know that in addition to improving your physical health, breaking a sweat on the regular also does wonders for your mental and emotional wellbeing.
But did you know that regular exercise can also impact on your cognitive ability? In other words, your work-out sessions can actually positively impact the ol' noodle.
According to a review of studies published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, getting active for just 45 minutes a day can help to boost your brain health and improve your cognition.
Researchers from the University of Canberra established that regardless of the form of exercise the individual chooses to partake in, exercise of moderate intensity was linked to improved cognition.
But there's more!
Different exercises were linked to different areas of the mind, with aerobic impacting positively on thinking, reading and learning while resistance training helped with memory, planning, and organising.
And, perhaps unsurprisingly, the more often the individual works out, the greater the cognitive effects!
And we thought our lunges were only working our thighs…
