HomeTagsPosts tagged with "Valentine’s Day"

Valentine’s Day

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With the vast majority of us needing a stiff drink to get through the latest episode of The Late Late Show, you can't say the good folk behind the long-running RTÉ show don't know how to provoke a reaction from viewers.

Unfortunately for Ryan and the crew, not everyone was impressed with the show's Valentine's Day content, with hundreds of people wasting no time complaining to the national broadcaster.

According to reports this morning, the programme received 176 calls and 120 emails – all of which 'offered negative feedback about the programme.'

In addition to this, the national broadcaster received 10 formal complaints regarding Friday night's episode which featured Al Porter, Linda Martin, and a particularly excitable studio audience.

Commenting on the negative reaction, a spokesperson for the station acknowledged the situation and assured the public that the complaints would be formally addressed.

"RTÉ will respond to these complaints within 20 days, in keeping with RTÉ Complaints procedure established under the Broadcasting Act 2009," they said.

Over half a million viewers tuned into see nation's singletons celebrate Valentine's Day last Friday.

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The only thing that can ruin Valentine's Day for everyone involved is those smug sappy couples who post hundreds of pictures of their Valentine's date, which usually involves heinous acts like riding tandem bicycles and feeding each other while talking in baby voices.

This kind of behaviour is cringey AF, and we've spotted the ultimate ensemble that we think those loved-up saps would die to don.

Boohoo, €18.00

This jumper is literally as cringey as it gets.

First off, jumpers with arrows pointing to each other saying bae and boo are bad enough on their own, but to make it a conjoined jumper?

There is literally no escaping the cringe.

Boohoo €18.00

For couples who aren't a fan of red but still lust after a tandem straightjacket of love, there is a pink version which might actually be sappier than the first.

Complete with a smattering of V-Day hearts, the pink version reads "Bae My Valentine."

Why world, why?

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Last night's Valentine's Day special edition of the Late Late Show was definitely memorable to say the least.

The show opened with Al Porter and Linda Martin performing a rockstar rendition, and the entire Late Late audience was on their feet on stage performing a dance routine with them.

Some of the audience members were a lot more enthusiastic than others, but the synchronised routine was just the first of many cheesy surprises.

While the show was borderline cringe, that's what happens when you try to get a bunch of Irish people involved in romance, and we kind of loved it. 

One of the best things about watching a special like this is the Twitter chat, and some of the commentary on last night's show was priceless. 

1. He could be right you know.

2. Amazing isn't the word.

3. We can't imagine the heads on them today.

4. The marraige announcement though!

5. Some were left hankering for the old days.

6. So being perpetually single is ok now?

7. The aftermath.

8. Avert your eyes Nan!

9. We've recieved worse d*** pics tbh.

10. The realest thing on Twitter right now.

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Look, when it comes to the grand gestures, us Irish fall a little short.

It's far from public declarations of love we were reared, so it's no real surprise that when it comes to Valentine's Day, we tend to feel the pressure.

While we might happily slur sweet nothings into our other half's ear after a night on the tiles, choosing a card, picking a restaurant and going hell for leather in the bedroom simply because we're midway through February is just a little too much for many of us.

And here, ladies, are just five reasons why the great Irish public and Valentine's Day don't always mix.

1. We refuse to play by the rules

When it comes to love, us Irish definitely don't colour within the lines, and we'll be damned if a nappy-clad angel is going to tell us how and when we should get down and dirty with our other half.

In fact, a survey conducted by the good folk at Durex established that 23% of couples say they prefer to engage in spontaneous acts of romance rather than abiding by the tradition, and 18% admit that their partner generally doesn’t want to embrace the day.

Sounds about right to us.

2. We can spot a swizz a mile off

There are few women at SHEmazing! HQ who would thank their partner for a seven-foot teddy-bear clutching a satin heart because… well… we know a money-making scheme when we spot one.

And it turns we're not the only ones, with 70% of Irish people admitting they think Valentine’s Day has become too commercial.

We hear ya, friends.

3. We're a contrary bunch

For such a small nation, we're known the word over for our creativity (and sporadic contrariness).

Railing against lazy stereotypes and tedious cliches is our thing (when we feel like it), so it's no real surprise that 58 per cent of us refuse to join the masses and celebrate our relationships just because we've reached February 14, is it?

We'll get romantic on our own count, and nobody else's.

4. We do things in our own good time (thank you very much)

36 per cent of Irish couples surveyed admit that they shun Valentine's Day celebrations simply because there's just too much damn pressure.

And if you've ever spent time in a stuffy, over-crowded card shop on February 13, you'll know exactly what they're talking about.

Taxi!

5. We can't make up our damn minds

Despite insisting it's a money-making, pressure-filled day created to instil angst in couples the length and breadth of the country, more than half of us admit we'd still be disappointed if our partner didn't mark the day. Typical.

Do we want a dinner out? Yep. A weekend away, perhaps? Oh, you know it. And more than a little rough and tumble in the sack? Obviously.

Our advice in this case? Stock up on vino, eats and Durex treats, and have yourself a night to remember…

 

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So realistically, all we ever really want on Valentine's Day is chocolates. Maybe flowers, but definitely chocolates. 

If you're still totally clueless about what to get your other half, best friend or beloved family member this V-Day, then one inexpensive option is a big old box of personalised Malteasers.

The confectionery company is helping us all with our dating game by creating this unique concept, which allows you to write a message to the object of your affection on the box. 

Pic: Malteasers

Suggested messages include "will you be me mot?" and "you're only stunnin'" but we'll leave the creative penmanship up to you. Just keep it clean, kids. 

If you're wondering how to get your hands on these romantic treats, all you have to do is visit a Malteasers Personalisation Station in any participating Dunnes Stores.

Knowing that we'd leave buying Valentine's gifts until the last minute, the stations are being set up over the weekend. 

On Friday February 9 there will be a station in Dunnes Stores Cornelscourt.

On Saturday February 11 Ashleaf Crumlin, Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, Parkway, Dungarven and Maynooth Dunnes Stores are all participating.

And for the major procrastinators, on Sunday February 12 the stations will be popping up in Bishopstown Court and Blanchardstown. 

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Whether you're going to celebrate Valentine's day or Galentine's day, why not get the night started with a few fancy cocktails?

Created by world-class bartenders for Diageo Reserve, we have some exclusive recipes to impress your bae on February 14.

They're super simple and amazingly tasty, so if making these drinks is all you do on V-Day, we'll take that as a day well spent:

 

Ciroc Pink Diamond 

Ingredients

• 35ml Cîroc vodka

• 45ml cranberry juice

• 35ml champagne

• 10ml fresh lime juice (around half a lime)

• 1 lemon for the twist

 

Method

1. Add Cîroc vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice and ice to a shaker and shake for 8-10 seconds.

2. Strain through a fine mesh strainer or sieve into a chilled champagne flute.

3. Top with the champagne.

4. Garnish with an orange twist. To do this, use a vegetable peeler or sharp knife to remove a 1cm-wide strip of peel from the orange (try to get as little pith as possible), twist in opposite directions over the glass to release the oils.

 

 

Tanqueray Rose  

Ingredients

•    35ml Tanqueray No. Ten gin

•    5ml raspberry liqueur

•    10ml fresh lemon juice 

•    5ml light Agave nectar

•    2 fresh raspberries

•    Soda Water

 

Method

1. Gently muddle the lemon juice, agave nectar & raspberries in the bottom of your glass.

2. Add Tanqueray No. Ten & raspberry liqueur.

3. Stir ingredients with ice.

4. Top with soda/sparkling water.

5. Garnish with an orange wheel and any red berry.

 

 

Ketel One Valentines Blush

Ingredients

•    35ml Ketel One vodka

•    10ml elderflower liqueur

•    20ml cranberry juice

•    10ml fresh lemon juice 

•    10ml light Agave nectar

•    Mint leaves

•    Frozen cranberries

•    Soda water

 

Method

1. Gently muddle the lemon juice, agave nectar & mint leaves in the bottom of your glass.

2. Add Ketel One vodka & elderflower liqueur.

3. ¾ fill a glass with crushed ice.

4. Add frozen cranberries.

5. Stir ingredients.

6. Pack with crushed ice.

7. Top with soda/sparkling water.

8. Garnish with sprig of fresh mint & frozen cranberry.

 

 

Don Julio Romance

Ingredients

•    35ml Don Julio Blanco

•    15ml orange liqueur

•    40ml fresh orange juice

•    40ml hibiscus tea

•    5ml hibiscus syrup

•    Fresh ginger pieces

 

Method

1.    Make hibiscus syrup by dissolving ½ cup of cane sugar into ½ cup hot hibiscus tea. Leave to cool.

2.    Muddle some fresh ginger pieces into bottom of a mixing glass.

3.    Add all of the remaining ingredients and half fill the mixing glass with ice.

4.    Stir the ingredients until the mixing glass chills to a frost.

5.    Strain into a Champagne coupe glass.

6. Garnish with some ginger strips wrapped in orange zest.

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Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and while we're happy for the loved up couples (really, we are) the forever-alone-feels are hitting hard.

However, fellow singletons have taken to Twitter to complain about the realities of being single on the big day.

14. Just be grateful this isn't you.

13. A little bit a lot…

12. Back in the day, when these holidays really mattered.

11.  Every cloud has a silver lining.

10. TRUTH.

 9. So real it hurts. 

8. Nothing if not consistent. 

7. Not planning on leaving the house.

6. At least the hint dropping and present swapping isn't a problem.

5. Even Tesco is slagging the singletons.

4. What a cruel world.

3. Get a grip girl, you don;t need no man!

2. Pizza never leaves you for another.

1. Maybe we will leave the house, but just to do this

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With Valentine's Day just around the corner, the rush to get all the last minute bits together for the big night is on.

Luckily, you can now shop your lingerie look while your grabbing the weekly shop.

Lidl has just launched its Valentine's Day lingerie collection and, much like its bargain groceries, the underwear is amazingly affordable. 

Bras €7.99 each,  Briefs €4.99 each

The Esmara lingerie collection is monochrome, keeping the look chic.

There are also intricate Parisian-inspired details like pearl accents and lace overlays. 

Chemise top  €8.99, Briefs  €5.99

While top Irish model Nadia Forde is going to look good in absolutely anything, this chemise baby doll top is exceptionally flattering.

All of the briefs come in packs of two, so for €4.99 you're definitely getting your money's worth. 

Garters, €5.99

Lidl doesn't just have the basics covered, the discount grocery store is also carrying gorgeous garters and silky kimonos, which wouldn't look out of place backstage at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. 

The garters come in two hues, black or white, to match every other item in the Esmara collection. 

Kimono, €12.99

While supermarket lingerie might not seem special, these luxurious sateen wraps would fool even the finest of high-end lingerie connoisseurs.

And really, who's going to care that your new lacy undergarments are from a supermarket?

Bra  €7.99, Thong €4.99, Sateen Wrap €12.99

Whether you're treating yourself or gearing up to treat someone else, getting some cute underwear while doing the weekly shop is arguably much handier than trekking to the specialist shops.

Avocados? Check. Wine? Check. Unbelievable unmentionables? Check, check, check.

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Having a movie night with your besties is the perfect way to ring in Galentine's Day with your single pals.

Galentine's Day is all about celebrating female friendship,but a nod to romance is allowed in small measures.

So grab your nearest and dearest gal pals and settle in with some of these deliciously nostalgic and female friendship-filled flicks on February 14. And don't forget the wine. 

1. Bridesmaids

Image result for bridesmaids

Bridesmaids is a classic girly movie with a literal laugh a minute. While it may get catty at times, the girl power in this movie is fierce. 

If you're a fan of Pitch Perfect, this one is for you. 

2. Eat Pray Love

Image result for eat pray love

Eat Pray Love follows the true story of a woman recovering from a tumultuous divorce as she discovers the wider world through her taste buds and her prayer beads.

If eschewing all men until "the one" makes an appearance is your game, this wanderlust of a movie will be right up your alley. 

3. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants

Image result for the sisterhood of the travelling pants

This movie is a complete classic, and is as iconic for it's place on the totum pole of female friendship as the Spice Girls are.

The feel-good flick proves that the bonds of true friendship are unbreakable, so this film deserves a re-watch. 

4. Mean Girls

Image result for mean girls

Another teenage classic, the clue is in the name with this one.

Watching Lindsay Lohan in her hey-day was a prerequisite for our secondary school sleepovers, so dusting off this DVD for Galentine's Day is a must. 

5. The Craft

Image result for the craft

A freaky, spooky flick, The Craft is all the 90s grunge fashion inspiration any girl could need.

A Hollywood high school movie with a twist, this is an oldie but a goodie.

6. He's Just Not That Into You

Image result for he's just not that into you

The ultimate single girls guide, He's Just Not That Into You divulges some classic secrets of the male mind. 

7. Never Been Kissed

Image result for never been kissed

This nostalgic film highlights the importance of your first ever kiss.

Perfect for slagging your friends over their first kiss over a bottle of wine. 

8. Obsessed

Image result for obsessed beyonce

Obsessed stars Beyonce as the ultimate kick-ass woman defending her family from a psycho stalker who's out to destroy her life and steal her husband.

This film might actually be enough to put you of relationships forever, if that's what you're going for. 

9. Clueless

Image result for clueless

As classic as Mean Girls, Clueless was always a feature at our teenage sleepovers.

The hilarious quotes alone are enough reason to re-watch this 90s flick, but the complex friendships and relationships keep us hooked every time. 

10. The Bling Ring

Image result for the bling ring

Finally, one of Emma Watson's more grown up roles since Harry Potter, The Bling Ring follows the true story of a group of friends obsessed with the ult of Hollywood, who turn to theft to fuel their luxury obsessions.

While the crew eventually turn on one another, the dramatic film highlights the importance of sticking together, be it through a break up or, in this case, a serious crime.

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The day of love is upon us, and Starbucks has us really excited about it. 

They recently launched a special Valentine's Day collection of flasks, mugs and other wonderful coffee trinkets.

We didn't think we could love Starbucks more than we do at Christmas time, but this heart-filled range is really fantastic.

The collection includes gorgeous mugs that have hearts all over them, and a number of travel mugs that are beyond gorgeous. 

The crown jewel of this entire loved-up range is the pink, quilted travel tumbler, which is giving us serious Chanel vibes.

Listen, if flowers and chocolates are not your thing, we suggest you start dropping some Starbucks hints. 

 

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Sometimes, going out for Valentine's Day seems like way too much bother, especially with the big night falling on a Tuesday this year. 

Cooking a great meal for your partner and retiring to the couch (or the boudoir) for the night is just as romantic an option.

However, the stress of putting together the perfect romantic menu can put a lot of people off, so we asked George Casey, an esteemed chef and owner of elite catering company George Casey Catering, to walk us through the perfect couple's menu. 

Obviously, we need a bit of bubbly to get us started, and the chef recommends pomegranate Prosecco: "It sets the mood off on the right note, and it's tasty!"

Once the Champagne flute is in hand, we'll be feeling a bit more confident to tackle the first course: a simple dish of tempura oyster with wasabi mayo and pickled cucumber. No big deal.

However, oysters are essential.

"It's the food of love," says George. "I find it's a great way for people who are squeamish about oysters to try them. Let's be honest; we should all try something new."

Moving on to the mains, George recommends some delightfully indulgent dishes that we'd be seriously impressed with, come Valentine's Day. 

Linguine al frutti di mare all’ arrabbiata is George's first recommendation, or 'spicy pasta', to us mere mortals.

"It's very simple but, done right, it’s fantastic. Everyone needs a bit of spice in their lives. You could easily replace seafood with chorizo sausage, if you like."

 

A photo posted by  (@hungry.md) on

A côte de bœuf with béarnaise sauce, triple-cooked chips, and tender stem broccoli with smoked almond dressing is the chef's second recommendation for a main, which sounds mouth-wateringly delicious.

"It's a sharing dish for you and your love. It's got to be quality beef, nothing over medium-rare, killer chips with a great sauce, and a bit of green to make you both feel like you're getting your five-a-day(plus 10million calories)," advises George.

And finally, for dessert, it's got to be chocolate.

 

A photo posted by Mathilde  (@mathilde_kpns) on

Chocolate fondant with peanut ice cream is the way to go: "It's the ultimate luxurious, luscious and naughty dessert."

And if you and your bae can manage another treat, it's all about the cheese board and red wine because, as George says: "January is well and truly over!"

We're starving just reading this menu!

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While we may stock up on all our normal under garments at Penneys (those fluffy socks though) they aren't always the sexiest.

However, lots of lovely, lacy lingerie has just hit the high street bargain store with the release of their Valentine's Day collection. 

 Bralette €10.00, Thong €4.00, Bodysuit €13.00, Bra €10.00, Bottoms €4.00

The collection is pretty racy, so if you're planning on getting up to some boudoir business come February 14, Penneys is the place to get your amorous ensembles.

The red lace pieces scream Agent Provocateur, so getting a top-of-the-range look for an affordable price is well within reach. 

Bra, €8.00, Thong, €4.00 (each)

These tattoo bras, worn by the likes of Kendall Jenner at Coachella, are perfectly on the border between sweet and sexy.

Whether you're planning on entertaining or just want something pretty to wear for yourself, this affordable set is perfect. 

Bodysuit €13.00, Sheer robe €15.00, Bra €9.00, Bottoms €5.00

Bodysuits are super sexy, so adding this lacy piece to a pair of high-waisted jeans for a night out or date night a la Khloe Kardashian will definitely turn heads.

This sheer robe wont do much to keep out the January and February chill, but we bet it looks amazing draped over a matching lingerie set, for that bit of extra coverage. 

Cami sleep set €8.00, Shirt sleep set €7.00

Not planning on seeing any other halves or just can't be arsed with the whole lingerie thing?

Never fear, a cute pyjama set is perfect for couples having a cuddle on the couch or for singletons avoiding the night all together.

Now we have the outfits sorted, it's time to plan the actual night itself, single or taken. 

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