14 things every Irish person does when the sun comes out

Uncategorized

Jun 20, 2014

Look, we’re not used to it ok? Cut us some slack and understand that when the sun comes out, we will lose our minds. Here are some things Irish people are known to do in those odd moments of sunshine:

1. Say things like “I’m going to get a great colour”
Yes, two choices: burgundy or scarlet. Which one are you?

2. Build terrible homemade pools
Leaks, leaks everywhere…

3. Apply no sunscreen whatsoever so you get a ‘tan’
Please put away the baby oil. Please!

4. Apply loads of tan afterwards so people think you got a lovely colour
Wow, that doesn’t look fake at all…

5. Chase the ice-cream man whose prices have risen with every degree
Remember when a 99 cone used to cost 99c and not €2? Them were the days…

6. Guys wearing their GAA shorts as swimming trunks
Yes, they do go see-through.

7. Complain about the heat constantly
Jesus though, it’s too warm isn’t it? Heh?

8. Jump off piers and bridges
Ahh pier jumping – nothing says summer like hurling yourself into a dodgy harbour.

9. Huff and puff loudly every 5-6 minutes and repeat the words: “it’s soooo hot” over and over
It’s not even 20 degrees…

10. Ice-cream suddenly becoming a staple part of your diet
Suddenly eating four ice-creams a day becomes a totally okay thing to do.

11. Updating your Facebook status to let everyone know that it’s hot outside
Like you’re some kind of social media meteorologist.

12. Laying in bed smothered in after-sun at 6pm.

13. Build a potentially lethal water slide out of materials you found out back

14. Spend a week looking like this
Ah, there really is nothing like the Irish summer is there? Thank God it’s only one week a year!

via our content partner CT

The top five picnic spots in Ireland

Lifestyle

Jun 20, 2014

by Amber Saunders

We’re really hoping this gorgeous weather keeps up, so we can finally make some use of that super cute picnic basket we bought last February. If you’re not sure where to go for you picnic though, just take a look at our top five picks!

The Phoenix Park, Dublin City
This is the biggest urban park in Europe so even on the sunniest of days your bound to find an empty spot to spread your blanket. Bring some carrots to feed the deer, and don’t forget to stop into the zoo for some summer fun!

Glendalough, Co. Wicklow
Glendalough’s beautiful landscape and rich history makes it the perfect spot for a picnic day out with your friends.

Lough Boora Parklands, Co Offaly
Between walking or hiking, cycling, coarse angling, game fishing and birdwatching, there are plenty of activities to do in Lough Boora Parklands, so you’ll be sure to work up an appetite!

GurteenBay in Roundstone, Galway
This is one of Ireland’s most picturesque spots, offering breathtaking views of Inish Laken Island and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic outdoor lunch.

Clare Glens Wood, Co. Tipperary
Venture into the woods with your basket and enjoy the beautiful scenery and crystal clear river water. It’ll feel just like a fairytale (Well, if it doesn’t lash rain that is!).

The 10 types of people you will run into this festival season

Uncategorized

Jun 18, 2014

by Amber Saunders

1. The post Leaving Cert posse
You’ll know the ones, they are usually either puking or passed out, overwhelmed by their new found sense of freedom.

2. The girly weekend
These groups of girls always stick together no matter what. Apart from the one who wanders of a lot that is…

3. The drug crowd
This gang will be easy to spot. They will be very sweaty and pulling some seriously scary faces.

4. It’s all about the music guys
These guys don’t even drink at festivals, for fear it would take away from the music experience. They look disapprovingly at you as you scream towards the Prodigy stage. Whatevs.

5. The drunken festival goer
They latch on to your crowd and it takes a whole night to shake them off.

6. Parent trap
Parents seem to getting more and more adventurous when it comes to festivals.

7. The loner
They came on their own for some bizarre reason no one can work out.

8. The miserable one
No amount of fun can help this sad cookie!

9. The cigarette burner
People who spark up fags in a crowd should be banned.

10. The unnatural
Those girls that emerge from their tents looking like damn Miranda Kerr just rocked up. How the hell do they do it?!

via our content partner CT

The 13 worst things about summer in Ireland

Uncategorized

Jun 17, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It’s not all sun, sea and sand people! There are some serious struggles related to summer and as we so rarely get one, it can be hard to adapt. Here are the 13 worst things about the summer months (especially when the weather is actually good!)

1. Flesh, flesh everywhere

Seriously, people think this is the best excuse to go around dressed in next to nothing…!

2. Sticky conditions

We love it for about a half hour, then we go inside saying how it is “fierce close” outside.

3. Sweaty Betty

Horses sweat, men perspire and ladies glow. So our mothers tell us. This is not what happens and many tank top colours are now off-limits due to sweat marks – we’re looking at you, grey!

4. Sunburned Sally

PUT DOWN THE BABY OIL! Seriously ladies, let’s look after our skin, SPF 50 all the way!

5. Pollen problems

Ireland is the perfect breeding ground for hayfever. Too perfect, in fact. Going abroad for a week offers your poor, pollen infested body a chance to recover, only to land one week later back in Dublin to resume your fight against pollen. Excuse us please.

6. Wacky weather

You know when you leave your house in hot pants, a tank top and an umbrella (just in case, like) that Ireland has some seriously wacky weather.

7. Infestation issues

Flies, flies everywhere. Those gross sticky things your mum hung from the ceiling is really putting you off your lunch.

8. Bad BBQs

It’s all great until you wake up the next day smelling like a camp-fire and are violently sick from sausages that definitely needed more time on the grill.

9. So many children

It’s a Monday, it’s July and the clock has just gone seven. Why parents, why do you let your little darlings outside before we have had our morning bucket of tea? Put a few cartoons on for them. That always worked for us. Failing that, summer school?

10. Crappy summer jobs

Summer jobs are a special brand of fun. Whether you’re spending your sunny days in a shop dishing out chicken fillet rolls to hungover people that you wish you were or are pulling pints for tourists, you can be pretty much guaranteed that you’ll envy all of your customers. It is an unwritten rule that the customers will be having a great time and that you, well, won’t. But hey, at least you’re making €8.65 for every hour of fun you endure. WOO WOO.

11. Cans all over the shop

Teenagers off school for the summer hide in the bushes as piles of druids cans slowly build up.

12. Summer lovin’

Seriously, who do they think they are? Noah and Allie? Jeez…

13. Sleepless nights

Getting a decent nights sleep during the summer can be tricky. This is usually due to a number of factors: the fact that it’s still bright outside at ten o’clock, the screaming of little children and that damn humidity!

via our content partner CT

Get the bikini out! Temperatures set to soar tomorrow

Lifestyle

Jun 17, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It’s the news we’ve all been waiting for – Ireland’s week of summer is finally here! Apparently, we are experiencing something of a ‘heatwave’ this week.

If you think that today is hot, hot, hot, just wait until tomorrow with temperatures expected to soar up to 25 degrees.

Danielle Lowe, meteorologist with Met Eireann, spoke about tomorrow’s glorious weather expectations, saying: “Wednesday will probably be the warmest day. I predict the hottest temperatures will be around 25 degrees and it will probably be hottest in the west and mid-west.”

Time to dig the Sun Shimmer out, ladies, you’re going to need it tomorrow by the sounds of it!

Make sure to wear the SPF to protect yourself against sunburn and harmful UV rays.

Easy and refreshing raspberry sorbet

Jun 6, 2014

by Amber Saunders

This refreshing and tasty raspberry sorbet takes minutes to put together and is a real crowd pleaser.

What you’ll need:

500g fresh raspberries
100g caster sugar
200ml water
Juice of half a lemon

What you’ll need to do:

In a pan, make a syrup with the sugar and water. Allow to cool.
Add the raspberries, syrup and lemon juice to a food processor and blend smooth.
Run the mixture through a piece of cheesecloth to get rid of the seeds.
Freeze the mixture in a lunchbox.
When it is frozen, add it to a food processor and blend until smooth. This will ensure any frozen pieces you may have will disappear.
You could also ensure you mix the sorbet every half an hour and break up any ice crystals that may be forming, rather than returning it to the processor before serving.
Serve.

5 things you need to know before picking out that bikini

Uncategorized

Jun 5, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Picking out the perfect bikini is no easy task. Here are some things you should take into consideration when choosing yours:

1. Skin tone
If you have paler skin, remember that colour such as white may not look as striking on you as they would on someone with a tan. Go for a cream or ivory colour to give yourself a lift.

2. Shape
Highlight your best assets. If you have larger breasts, you may want more support and so an underwire bikini top may benefit you more than a flimsy string top. Likewise, if you do not like your bottom half, you can always find a cute bikini with a little skirt to give yourself more beach confidence.

3. Too late
Don’t leave it too late in the season to buy your bikini as all of the good ones may be gone. Get in there early and have your pick from all the lovely new arrivals.

4. Don’t spend a fortune
There is absolutely no need to go crazy and drop lots of money on a bikini. Think about it. We live in Ireland, this will be worn 1-2 weeks a year MAX. There are plenty of stunning bikini choices out there without having to break the bank.

5. Accessorise!
It’s not all just about the bikini y’know! You can jazz up a plain coloured bikini with a cute hat, sunglasses and even some elegant body jewellery.

The 5 foods you should be eating this summer

Jun 4, 2014

by Amber Saunders

While the summer weather may have come and gone, there are some foods that are at their best during the summer months. Here are five foods that you should be eating this summer:

Watermelon
This fruit is not only 90% water but it’s also loaded with vitamin C. Plus, to make it even more perfect for those hot summer days, watermelon pieces can be frozen into fun healthy ice treats.

Berries
While some berries are not ripe until autumn, most supermarkets will start to stock delicious mixed berry packets in the coming months ahead. Berries are not only packed with antioxidants but can be great for your skin as well.

Cucumbers
Not the most delicious snack but definitely the most refreshing. Cucumbers are great for your skin and like watermelons are a great source of water.

Salmon
Smoked, poached or grilled salmon is not only a delicious summer dish, but a healthy one too. Thanks to omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is not only great for your skin but can also help with your skin cells in regulating their oil production.

Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the essential ingredient for any summer salad, but also have great benefits to skin protection too. The lycopene in tomatoes not only promote collagen production but also help fight off any wrinkles.

The 13 worst summer jobs we’ve all had

Uncategorized

Jun 3, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Summer time is when many college students use their free time to take on full-time jobs to save, save, save.

That doesn’t mean it’s fun, in fact, it’s downright terrible most of the time.

Here are the worst jobs we’ve all had to do:

1. Fast food restaurants
It’s constantly jammers, you constantly smell like chips, but hey, at least they taste good!

2. Sales rep
It is paid by commission and you would be lucky if you even make one sale. You have to dress nice too, which is a pain.

3. Fund-raising
If you’re easily embarrassed this is definitely not the one for you. Even though your doing this for a good cause as well as money, everyone hates you.

4. Waiting tables
Having to put up with annoying customers all day? Clean up after them and have them be SO rude? You earn those tips, girl.

5. Bar work
Working till 3 in the morning, cleaning up drunk people’s puke and constantly having sticky arms from jager? Bluegh.

6. Promotional work
You need high energy for this and it wears on you after a while. It’s not much fun promoting a product that no one will try because it tastes like crap.

7. Busking
It’s not a summer job, but you can make a few bob if you’re in the right place and play the right tunes.

8. Working on the farm
You have an uncle that owns a farm and needs a spare hand to help out. It is physically demanding and you’re covered in cow manure by the end of the day.

9. Shop assistant
If it’s your local shop it can be handy that it’s so near to you. You also have to put up with the locals.

10. Hotel staff
Working in a hotel for the summer means you have to do every odd job there is. Taking the bags, cleaning the rooms and of course dealing with the snotty guests.

11. Telemarketing
There is a reason people don’t have house phones anymore, because of telemarketers. This is another one paid on commission and that requires the ability to be able to sell useless crap to people who don’t need it.

12. Crèche
What is the best way to nurse a hangover? Working with screaming children all day long and having to organise activities for them. Woo…

13. Office work
When you’re working in an office over the summer you’re basically the officer caddy. You do all the little jobs like getting lunches, shredding useless paper and filing. The worst part is that your boss asks you to work over the weekend when you do absolutely nothing of note anyway during the week.

via our content partner CT

Perfectly spicy lamb koftas

Jun 3, 2014

by Amber Saunders

These lamb koftas would be perfect for a summer BBQ served with some pitas and tzatziki.

What you’ll need:

120g lamb mince
1 red chilli, finely chopped
1 garlic clove. finely chopped
1 tbsp finely chopped mint
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Juice of half a lime

What you’ll need to do:

Place all of the ingredients into a bowl and combine. This is easiest with your hands but if you are squeamish you can always wear some plastic gloves!
If using, place the wooden skewers into a bowl of cold water for about 15-20 mins. This will ensure they won’t burn or split.
Add the meat around the skewer evenly.
If grilling, place under the grill until the meat is cooked through.
If barbecuing, place on the barbecue until the meat is cooked through.
Serve with pita, salad and tzatziki.

White chocolate and strawberry mousse

May 30, 2014

by Amber Saunders

There’s lots of lovely sunshine forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend, so who wants to be stuck in a stuffy kitchen all day!

This yummy white chocolate and strawberry mousse is the perfect sunny day dessert to share….or not…with your favourite people!

What you’ll need:

750g strawberries
2 tbsp lemon juice
225g white chocolate, grated
7g powdered gelatine
450ml double cream
30g ice sugar

What you’ll need to do:

Place half of the strawberries into a blender and purée until smooth, then add the lemon juice to the bowl.
Slice the remaining strawberries and add to the purée.
Melt the grated chocolate slowly in a bowl over simmering water.
In a small bowl, add the gelatine to about 50ml oz of water and leave to rest for five minutes.
Place a quarter of the cream along with all the icing sugar into a pan and simmer until warm. Add the gelatine water and stir for five minutes over a low heat until dissolved.
Pour the cream and gelatine mix into the melted chocolate and stir until smooth. Add the strawberry purée.
Place the remaining cream into a bowl. Whip the cream until soft peaks form when the whisk is removed from the bowl. Gradually fold the cream into the chocolate and strawberry mix.
Chill in fridge for three hours and serve.

The must-have styles for this year’s festivals

Uncategorized

May 28, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Here are some of the fashion must haves that you will need for the summer festivals ahead:

Crop top and skater skirt

A lot of famous faces were spotted at Coachella sporting this trend and the Jenner sisters are definitely fans. If you’re afraid to show off your tum though, a high-waisted skirt can help in this department.

Rainmac

Doesn’t sound like the most stylish item on the list, but with Ireland’s unpredictable weather, a raincoat is a must-have. But don’t worry, many of your favourite stores are now selling cool raincoats, so you’ll have no excuse for not staying stylish while staying dry.

Prints

While not everyone is a big fan of leopard patterns or loud prints, they’re a trend that always manages to make a comeback for vmusic festivals. So, for a few nights embrace the print trend and buy yourself something loud for the occasion.

Quirky sunglasses

A must – no festival is complete without some fun, quirky sunglasses.

Slogan t-shirts

Whether you want to show support for your favourite band or just want to make a fashion statement, slogan t-shirts are fun and a great way to keep cool in the crowd.