The 11 types of friends on your sun holiday

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Sep 7, 2014

Going on holidays with your mates is an exciting and formative part of every young adults summer time. From Majorca to Mayo, summer is the time when countless students book a week off their awful part time jobs to blow what little cash they’ve saved on cocktails and surfing lessons.

No matter how diverse your friend group is, no matter whether you’re chilling on a city break or skulling cans at a festival; these eleven stereotypes always rear their tanned head.

1. The Organizer
This person seems to have recently graduated from the school of planning, with timing everything from breakfast to pre-drinks down to the minute with military precision. Has probably been the main controller from the very start.

2. The Laid Back One
Complete and utter opposite to “The Organizer”. Is perfectly happy to go wherever the day takes them. These people are so laid back you constantly wonder how they aren’t completely horizontal. Usually found still in their hotel rooms at 4pm still mustering up the energy to go do something.

3. The Mammy
Comes complete with mini-pharmacy, Lyons tea bags and an insane ability to mind everyone around them despite how drunk/sun burnt they are themselves.

4. The Big Child
An out and out Mammy’s boy or Daddy’s little princess who’s never learned to look after themselves. Arrives at the airport or bus terminus with a bag full of labeled underwear and a sandwich Mammy packed for them for the journey. Has to be reminded to go to the toilet before long journeys despite the fact that they’re in their twenties. Usually attaches themselves to the groups Mammy as a temporary substitute for their own.

5. The Alcoholic
The kind of person that starts drinking in the airport and survives on a steady flow of cheap shots and strange beer. Never gets hangovers. How? Keep drinking!

6. The Sex Maniac
Has one objective and one objective only for the entire holiday: get laid.

7. The Nationalist
They couldn't care less about Irish culture at home but the minute they step on a plane they’re suddenly the reincarnation of Michael Collins.

8. The Wanderer
Could rival Houdini with their magical disappearing skills. Are strolling alongside you one minute just to vanish into thin air.

9. The Photo Queen
That on person who always seems to have their camera out just in time to catch your best pool belly flop or that “interesting” festival outfit. A danger to be around for the drunken selfies and you will fear those photos ever seeing the light of day.

10. The Peacemaker
No matter what drama occurs there’ll always be the one peacemaker who sits everyone down over the cups of tea that the Mammy snuck through customs to smooth things over and blame it all on too much sun.

11. The Broke One
No matter how much they’ve worked over the summer or how much their parents/mates lend them this person constantly seems short on cash. Seems to think it’s perfectly acceptable to survive a whole holiday on a tenner and a handful of loose change.

via our content partner CT

16 reasons autumn is better than summer

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Aug 21, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Summer is almost, if not already, over. You know what that means: woolly jumpers and hot water bottles are back baby! You may act sad, but deep, deep down, you are looking forward to clearer air and counting down the days till Christmas (125 days). Here are the 16 best things about autumn:

1. Less Sweat, More Success

Summer equals sweat. Simple as. Despite the fact that we live in a country where the highest temperature for the entire summer period is 20 degrees, there are some days when it gets a little muggy, also known as being ‘shockingly close’. Autumn brings with it cool breezes and less of a need for lashings of deodorant.

2. A Better Night's Sleep

Trying to sleep in sticky, warm weather isn’t that easy. Too warm with a duvet, too cold without it. Cool nights mean warm blankets, spooning and restful shut eye all round.

3. No More Hayfever

Hayfever, the very bane of many a persons summer. Which is why, come Autumn, noses all around the country clear up, along with the dampened spirits. Goodbye nasal spray, farewell and feck off.

4. Halloween

Halloween is the best. The costumes, the shameless inhalation of sugar, watching Hocus Pocus – it's magical.

5. Blankets Everywhere

Goodbye sheet for a duvet and HELLO thick blankets, how we’ve missed you. Welcome back.

6. Less Grooming

In comes the temperature drop and with it, hair. Goodbye smooth legs, hello a warm layer of hairy insulation. That goes for the men too. Stubble and autumn go hand in hand.

7. Extra Weight Equals Insulation

The beach body is out and the inch to pinch is in. Cuddly is the height of sexy and practical. Hey, there’s only so many layers a person can wear externally, after all.

8. Decent TV Is Back

If you are sick to the back teeth of the same Friends re-runs (LOL, as if), then fear not, we have autumn scheduling to look forward to. The best of the best usually begins in and around September/October. Many nights in to look forward to.

9. The New Fashion Season

Tights, coats, jumpers, scarves, joy. Layering is caring, the more the merrier, nothing is too much, no layer too many. Pile them on and glow with warmth.

10. Oktoberfest

A festival renowned for and based around beer. Could there be anything better we ask you? Not unless you actually go to Germany for it, now there’s the dream.

11. Early Nights Are More Acceptable

When it’s bright until ten at night, going to bed early is a difficult task and by difficult. When, however, the depths of winter set in and it’s dark outside at 5pm, getting into your onesie and hitting the bed at 8pm is totally acceptable. Yes.

12. Comfort Food

Soups, stews, anything that’s hot and warming hits the spot. Farewell salads, see you next May.

13. Hot Drinks

Is there anything better than coming in from the cold and straight into a steaming cup of tea/coffee/hot chocolate/hot whiskey? No, there isn't.

14. Thick Socks

Following a summer of baring our ugly feet (everyone has ugly feet, it’s a scientific fact), letting them retreat to the fluffy depths of some woolly socks is a great moment in itself.

15. Tanning Is Out

16. Everything Is An Instagram Moment

From the leaves on the ground, to the shadows that appear everywhere, to the rich sunsets, everything around you looks ten times more beautiful in autumn. The autumn colour palette itself is enough to warrant those many Kodak moments.

via our content partner CT

Irish woman’s epic dance moves go viral

Aug 1, 2014

by Amber Saunders

This video of an Irish girl dancing at the recent Longitude festival has gone viral for all of the right (and oh so wrong) reasons!

She has got some serious moves, we're impressed!

Are you ready for the weekend, ladies?!

Post by Cheryl Mc Quillan.

Frozen thin mint cheesecake recipe!

Jul 25, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Met Éireann says this heatwave is set to continue – so what better way to make the most of the sun than by munching on these delicious frozen treats!

What you’ll need:

1 packet of oreos
1 package cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp peppermint extract
Green food colouring
1 carton of whipped cream

What you’ll need to do:

Lightly butter a pan or use a non-stick pan. Set aside.
In a blender pulse the entire package of oreos until fine crumbs.
Press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan and spread them evenly along the bottom. Press them down with the back of a spatula.
Use the same bowl to mix the cream cheese. Using hand mixers, mix the cream cheese for about three-four minutes until very creamy. Slowly add in the sweetened condensed milk and continue to mix with the hand mixers for another two-three minutes.
Using a spatula scrape down the sides and continue to mix for another minute.
Mix in the peppermint extract and food colouring. Do as much food colouring as you want until you reach the desired colour you want your cheesecake to be.
With the spatula, fold in the whipped cream. Be careful to not over mix with the rest of the ingredients.
Freeze overnight or for at least eight hours.
Serve directly from the freezer and return to the freezer as soon as you are finished serving.

Image via Pinterest

6 annoying things everyone does when the sun comes out

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Jul 23, 2014

by Amber Saunders

There are certain things that everyone does when the sun comes out – but that doesn't make them any less annoying.

1. Instagram
Lads, we all know how that yellow yoke in the sky looks, we’ve seen it on TV. And you can relax with the lens flares – your life is not a Sofia Coppola movie.

2. iPhone Screenshots
Wow, you have an iPhone. We get it. It has a cool weather app.

3. Opening Every Door and Window
This is one the mammies are guilty of. All the windows and doors are flung open with aplomb to ‘air out the house’. Excuse me, but how else do you think we survive? Air circulates. Air does not stop at a door and say: ‘Whooops! Can’t go in there!’ and go about its air-y business.

In addition, she wants to wash all of your clothes, duvets, pillows, blankets and shoes while ‘we have the weather for it.’ Your whole life is on the washing line, visible for all to see. The shame!

4. Not Wearing Deodorant
While we know it’s such a chore to douse yourself in deodorant on a normal day, when it’s sunny you need it more than ever. You mightn’t be able to smell you, but we do. And it’s a bit icky. (Advice: when it’s warm, offer a can of deodorant around like you would a packet of chewing gum. If the smelly perpetrator fobs your offer, commence obligatory ‘Ah go on, go on, go on … 'repeat as necessary.)

5. Not Wearing Suncream
You know you’re going to get sunburnt if you even look at the sun on TV, so why would you step outside without smothering yourself in sun-cream? ‘Ah, it’s not that warm, be grand.’ Well, you don’t look very ‘grand.’

6. Wearing sunglasses indoors
‘I’m sorry, I don’t usually do this, but can I have your autograph?’

via our content partner CT

S! TV MUSIC: SHEmazing! TV hits Longitude

Jul 21, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Last weekend saw thousands of festival goers flock to Marlay Park where Longitude was held. Niamh Geaney got chatting to one of the main stage acts Josh Record right after his killer performance.

Apart from being an incredibly talented musician, Josh has also led one heck of a life. We learn of near death experiences, belly dancing in Oman and living room sessions. Check it out.

Win a hamper of Ambre Solaire Goodies

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Jul 9, 2014

by Karen Bell

If your summer consists of escaping to a beach or having fun in the garden with the family, be sure to stay protected with Garnier’s new Dry Touch Protective Mist. The first weightless bare skin feel sun protection from Ambre Solaire.

To celebrate the fabulous weather, our lovely friends in Garnier Ambre Solaire have given us a gorgeous goody bag of products to ensure you keep safe in the sun.

To be in with a chance to win, simply fill in your details below x

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The 15 most irritating people you’ll encounter on roadtrips

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Jul 8, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It’s summer and you know what that means – roadtrips! To the beach, to the coast, to the shops, in a taxi to the club, you know, wherever!

However, roadtrips can often bring out the worst in people. Here are the worst characters you will encounter on your roadtrip.

1. The “DJ”
They can’t help but change the radio station every minute, never listening to a song the whole way through even if they like it. They’re the same kind of people who change the music all the time at house parties, and seem to have the attention span of a 6 year old.

2. Social media addicts
In their eyes, all of their friends and followers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat must know about the car journey, where a drive to the shop becomes a “road trip with my bestie xoxo.”

3. Drunk people
Loud and annoying, made all the worse by the fact that you’re incredibly jealous that you’re not one of them.

4. Sh*t navigators
Even if they have Google Maps on their phone, they still can’t work out where the car is or where we’re going. This category also includes the people that give directions like “it’s over there,” when they’re in the back seat and you can’t see where they’re pointing.

5. Talkers
Especially annoying if you’re going somewhere new and are trying to concentrate on road signs and lane positions, while they’re telling you about how drunk they were on their last night out, or recounting every detail of whatever TV show they’re watching at the moment.

6. Critics
Even though the person in the test centre deemed you a good enough driver to give you a licence, this doesn’t stop them finding fault with everything you do. The worst kinds of people are critics who don’t even have a licence, but have been driving for a while and claim they just: “haven’t got a chance to book it yet.”

7. Farters
They seem to wait until all of the doors are closed and the car is moving before letting rip, giving absolutely no warning so as to give people a chance to maybe open a window or cover their nose or something. They’re always the smelliest farts as well.

8. Scabby people
Full of empty promises of petrol money and paying back the favour of giving you a lift when they learn to drive, you have long since lost hope of ever seeing either of these things.

9. Smokers
That stale smoke smell can ruin a car, so be careful not to let anyone light up in your car, especially if it’s actually your parents’ car. Drunk people are the worst for this.

10. Messy people
This is a car, not a bin. Please take your empty bottles, cans and wrappers with you. Drunk people are the worst for this as well actually. Bet you really regret not drinking now don’t you?

11. “Passenger Wankers”
Yes, when it was first shown, The Inbetweeners’ “bus wankers” joke was hilarious. But that was 5 years ago, and actually doing it yourself stopped being funny about 4 years and 11 months ago. Please roll the window back up.

12. Awkwardly tall people
They can’t help that their elbows and knees get in the way of the gear stick and the handbrake when they’re in the passenger seat, or jamming their knees into your seat if they’re sitting in the back. But you can’t help thinking that if their legs are that long, they would’ve been quicker walking.

13. Fidgeters
Messing with the heating, the volume on the radio, the electric window, the sun visor; it probably takes every bit of self-control that they have not to reach over and start messing with any buttons that might be on the steering wheel.

14. Nervous people
They get so nervous when you’re approaching roundabouts and other junctions that it almost rubs off on you, and you start to doubt your own ability to drive, especially considering the fact that they’ve left a dent in the dashboard from gripping it so tightly.

15. Your Parent(s)
A combination of critics and nervous people rolled into one.

via our content partner CT

20 memories every Irish person who went on a J1 will have

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Jul 4, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Every person who has gone a J1 will have these fond (and some not so fond) memories of their time across the pond.

1. Spending a night passed out in a random place
Whether on a beach, your boss’s couch, a kitchen floor or outside your front door because you forgot your keys again, this is something that we’ve all fallen victim too.

2. Started a chant while riding on the public transport
This is mostly one for the lads.

3. Had to explain to at least one American that leprechauns aren’t real.
Sadly, the majority of us have actually had to explain this unfortunate fact to some disappointed Americans. And feel a little guilty for shattering their existence, looking into their sad eyes as they discover that the ginger, dwarf-like mythical creatures actually don’t exist.

4. Forgetting to call your parents to tell them you’re still alive
Having your parents tear the head off you because you haven’t called in 5 days. Answering the phone either still drunk or hungover to shreds because of the time difference and trying to calm your worrying mother down is a mammoth task at the time.

5. Travelling over 3,000 miles only to shift someone in the same college class as you
Hopes are high when you fly out from The Emerald Isle, dying to taste some of the American cuisine. However it all goes south when you come home only after shifting some of the same people you share a lecture hall with back at college. Ah well…

6. Growing a sudden allegiance to an American sports team
We all like to participate in our local teams, however awful they may be. But hey, at least we bring a bit of atmosphere to the stadiums!

7. Receiving desperate care packages from your mammy at home
Having your mammy send over a care package full of Lyons Tea, Cadbury’s Dairy Milk bars, and a family pack of glorious Tayto crisps because you’ve cleaned your bank account out after just 3 weeks in the US!

8. Having sunburn for 3 whole months
It doesn’t take us Irish long to get a nice even burn – 2 hours ought to do it for most! Then we immediately regret our poor decision while we beg our roommates to lube us up at night with some aloe vera to ease the pain. But we never learn our lesson do we? Still, it’s worth it after all that dead skin peels off and you arrive home with a glorious rich mahogany tan, showing off in front of your friends and family like the Greek goddess that you are. Boom!

9. Either totally tarnishing or massively boosting the Irish reputation abroad
It’s one or the other. We Irish are an infectious bunch and let’s face it, the Americans do already love us! However, every summer, we flee the American cities like a murderer away from the scene of a crime. Like human wrecking balls, we came, we saw, we conquered, then left. 90% of the time we do leave a great impression among the Americans, but there are a few who are left with a sour taste in their mouths. And to those, the sincerest of apologies!

10. Putting on at least 2 stone in weight
Remember checking yourself out in the mirror and wondering where those love handles came from? Probably from all those 7/11 hot dogs, McDonald’s burgers and late night Taco Bell Burritos!

12. Totally resonating with the lyrics of The Corona’s San Diego Song
Yep, sure give it a listen now. The Coronas wrote this song while on their J1 in California’s beautiful San Diego. Don’t lie, you can TOTALLY identify with it, can’t you?

13. Having the super-human strength to drink 92 days in a row
It wasn’t easy, but you did it. It was no easy road but getting there in the end is ALMOST worth the several night’s spewing up into a bin, frequent blackouts, ultimate fear and near-liver failure. Almost. Although we can’t even fathom going through all that hell again!

14. Spoken more Irish than you ever have in your life
All those years learning Irish. You think you’ll never use it again and that you’ve completely forgotten it all, but you’re wrong. Stateside is where it all regurgitates out. It’s frequently used as a subtle reminder that you’re Irish and a great weapon for pulling members of the opposite sex. The beauty of As Gaeilge. “Tá é an-mhaith!” See? Still got it!

15. Getting reprimanded by law enforcement
Whether doing something as ridiculous as walking through the street with a can in your hand or something more extreme like hopping over the counter in McDonald’s at 3am and starting to serve your friends, there’s been a few Irish who have been reprimanded by the police. Never a good idea.

16. Shared a house with 30 people
Good Lord, cramped is not the word. “Ah sure look, it’s only 3 months.” Going to sleep in a space the size of a medium mattress is not comfortable in the slightest, especially when you’re sharing it with someone else on those drunken nights. But you’ll never appreciate your own bed more than the day you arrive home from your J1.

17. Took the piss out of some gullible Americans
“You guys are lucky – electricity is a privilege we don’t have at home,” “the legal age of drinking for us is 12 years-old” or even “we don’t have Wednesdays in Ireland.”

18. Being technically “homeless” for a short period of time
That time you spent drifting from apartment to apartment with no summer house in sight. It was only a couple of days but it felt like a never-ending nightmare at the time!

19. Had to explain where Ireland is to an American
No it’s not in the UK, no it’s not beside Australia and NO it’s not “somewhere over at the west coast.” Without a map, you’ll be knackered trying to explain to an American where Ireland is actually located.

20. Adapted a slight American accent
Sometimes you just can’t help it.

via our content partner CT

How every Irish person’s holiday goes

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Jul 2, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It’s summer! You know what that means…we all try to leave this island of ours for at least 5 days to actually experience the season – yay! Here’s how the Irish person’s holiday generally tends to go:

1. The alarm has gone off at a disgusting hour, rudely awakening you from your slumber. ‘What the hell.. Oh! HOLIDAY TIME!!’

2. You leg it down stairs to have the breakfast of champions (tay and toast of course) that will fuel you for your journey ahead. You and your siblings have already started to become giddy, causing your Mammy to curse your ‘tomfoolery!’

3. You finally get to the airport but all the excitement has abated. Who are all these other people that are hell bent on slowing down your escape? Why are they wearing uniforms? Some even have their OWN suitcases. How inconsiderate!

4. After what seems like YEARS, you’ve finally boarded the plane. You all run down the aisle like a pack of wild dogs, eager to bag the window seat. After you’re ‘all settled in now’, Mammy dishes out the chewy sweets and makes sure you’re all buckled in, while shooing away any and all air hostesses. She’s ‘got this’.

5. It seems like your Dad has had too many Rock Shandy’s because as soon as the plane lands, he’s standing up leading the round of applause. You shrink into your chair with embarrassment, while your Mammy urges him to ‘SIT DOWN YE GOBSHITE!’

6. You’ve made it off the plane, out of the airport and to your hotel without a hitch. After Mammy has made you unpack you’re all decked out in your togs and sun cream. Next stop: POOL!

7. Your shenanigans in the pool are regularly interrupted by Mammy waving the bottle of sun cream at you, forever reminding you that your: ‘delicate Irish skin will be toast.’ And every time you re-apply more sun cream you have to sit out and wait for it to dry.

8. After you’ve had your fill of the sun you march back to the room to get showered and ready for dinner. With the lack of space, scorching heat and only one shower, World War III ensues.

9. Sixteen hours later you all exit the hotel, single file, miraculously unscathed from all the ructions beforehand. (‘Stop using the fucking cold tap I AM IN THE SHOWER!’)

10. Next stop: Irish pub

11. Where you meet people like this:

12. And at first you’re like… ‘IRISH PEOPLE!!!’

13. But then you’re like:

14. Except no Irish person on holidays is ever normal. They are always a shinier, redder, more fun version of themselves, wanting to forget about the recession, debt and the fact that we ever allowed these two eejits to represent our country

15. The next morning Mammy makes you rise early, despite your wretched hangover, so that you can ‘save’ your sunbeds’. You repeat the same thing every day, for two weeks. And you love it – except for this

16. After all, it won’t be long until you’re reunited with your one true love. Absence has only made the heart grow fonder

Same time next year eh lads? Savage.

via our content partner CT

How to treat sunburn

Jun 24, 2014

by Amber Saunders

So you got a little too much sun yesterday? Seeing as we’re pretty sure your mother already gave out to you, we won’t do the whole ‘well you should have been wearing suncream’ lecture.

But we will offer advice on how to cool the pretty painful burn:

Aloe vera
Summer is definitely the right time to invest in an aloe vera plant. The sap from the plant is great at easing pain and soothing the skin.

Ice cubes
If it is really hot, put a handful of ice cubes in a bag, wrap it in a towel and press it onto the sun burnt area – don’t put the ice directly onto your skin you will burn it.

Yoghurt
It you have some yoghurt in your fridge, apply it to the brunt area, leave to soothe the skin for about 30 minutes then rinse off in the shower.

Teabags
Teabags are just good for dark circles. Simply apply cold used tea bags to the affected area to ease the pain.

Moisturise
Make sure you apply lots and lots of moisturiser. You have really hurt your skin and it is crying out for some moisture right now.

Now remember, the next time you go outside, make sure you are adequately protected from the sun – a red lobster is not an attractive look.

How to make your own homemade sushi

Jun 23, 2014

by Amber Saunders

This sushi recipe is really easy to make and is the perfect dish to serve at any summer party.

What you’ll need:

300g sushi rice
2 tbsp. white wine vinegar
1 tsp. caster sugar
1 large avocado
juice ½ lemon
4 seaweed sheets
4 large slices of smoked salmon
1 bunch chives
1 tsp. of sweet soy sauce

What you’ll need to do:

Put the rice in a small pan with 600ml water. Bring to the boil and cook for 10 minutes until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Stir through the vinegar and sugar, cover and cool.
Skin, stone and slice the avocado. Put in a bowl and squeeze over the lemon juice, turning the avocado to ensure the pieces are covered.
Divide the rice between the seaweed sheets and spread it out evenly, leaving a 1cm border at the top and bottom. Lay the salmon over the rice, followed by the chives and finally position the avocado across the centre.
Fold the bottom edge of the seaweed over the filling, then roll it up firmly. Dampen the top border with a little water to help it seal the roll. Repeat to make 4 rolls. At this stage, the rolls can be wrapped individually in cling film and chilled until ready to serve.
Cut each roll into 8 rounds. Serve with sweet soy sauce for dipping.