How to have the most perfect weekend

Lifestyle

Nov 20, 2014

Some weekends are ALL about the sleep, while other weekends are ALL about the session, but some can be well-balanced and just…well, perfect!

It’s all about dividing your time wisely and making the most of the things you choose to do. Why not make this weekend one of those stand-out classics?

Pamper yourself!
Whether that means an all-over-body beautification on Friday night or an hour nursing a hot chocolate with your latest read on Sunday afternoon, devote time to YOU, and only you.

Sweat!
Whether you choose to hit the gym for a forty minute cardio session, take to the streets for a jog or fall around the living room to Davina’s DVD, just get those endorphins flowing and that sweat pumping. Remember; if you still look cute at the end of your work-out, you didn’t work hard enough!

Socialise!
See a group of friends, meet that one mate you haven’t caught up with in a while or enjoy a romantic date night with your other half. Unwind, laugh and enjoy the company of the people who see you through the monotony of the working week with cute texts and funny snap chats!

Eat!
Well, obviously! But what we really mean is eat WELL and no we’re not suggesting a carb- free weekend or anything! Far from it, actually. Eat at least one thing you truly LOVE at the weekend, whether that’s a massive salad or a pecan slice, treat yourself, you earned it!

Look to the future!
It could be as little as buying new tights and underwear for the week ahead (nothing better than the comfort of new socks on a miserable Monday morning!) or as big as enrolling in a language course; just do something the future you will thank you for.

At the end of a long week, the thought of trying to incorporate all of the above into two days seems like a serious challenge, but give it a shot.

By Sunday night, you’ll find you’ve packed so much more into your weekend than you thought possible and will feel all the more fabulous for it too! Just don’t boast about it too much in the office on Monday, don’t be THAT girl.

The key stages of every Friday in work

Uncategorized

Oct 31, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It's the same every week. As soon as Wednesday rolls around, you're begging for the sweet embrace of the weekend. By Thursday, Friday and those weekend lie-ins are so close you can almost taste them.

Finally, Friday dawns, and all of a sudden you realise you still have a whole day of work to go through before you can finally make a bolt for freedom.

Here are the key stages we all go through on the last day of the working week…

1. Enduring one final early morning
The thought that tonight you won't even NEED to set an alarm is the only thing that gets you out of bed. Just get up, get to work and get through the day.

2. Spending the first hour of work chatting about weekend plans
"Up to much tonight?" is the question of the moment in the office kitchen. Secretly you don't really care what anyone's doing because all you're thinking about is the fact that it's nearly the WEEKEND!

3. Eating all the treats, because… Friday.
Monday to Thursday you're the salad queen but today is your Cupcake Day and nobody is taking that away from you. And if you want a Spar hot chicken roll for lunch, who's gonna stop you?

4. Rushing through your work in the morning
You're flying through those emails, driven on by the fact that you'll be free in a few short hours

5. Running out of steam and pushing everything til Monday
ALL of these annoying spreadsheets can be dealt with on Monday. Your brain is in Friday mode now which mainly consists of boredom and Saturday night outfit planning. WHEN WILL IT BE HOME TIME?

6. The seemingly endless three hours after lunch
How is it only 2.30pm? Three whole hours until you can clock out? This is cruelty.

7. Being ready to go from 4pm
Right, it's practically the weekend, time to reward yourself for a hard week's work by catching up on some Kardashian gossip and Facebook stalking.

8. Bolting out the door at the first acceptable second
4.58pm… 4.59pm… Run! Freedom, sweet freedom!

On the box: our top telly picks for the weekend

Uncategorized

Sep 5, 2014

by Amber Saunders

The X Factor – UTV, Saturday at 8pm
Despite Simon Cowell insisting there were to be no more sob stories we were still left in bits last week as ex-Girl Band member Linzi Martin sang her heart out but failed to get through to the next round. Clearly he just couldn’t resist! Expect more of the same tonight.

Peter Kay: Live & Back on Nights! – Channel 4, Saturday at 9.00pm
The comic genius that is Peter Kay is back to give viewers a look behind the scenes of his Guinness World Record-breaking tour where he performed in front of over 1.2 million people.

The Ides of March – BBC 2, Saturday at 9.15pm
Political drama with Ryan Gosling as an idealistic press officer working for presidential hopeful George Clooney. Yes that’s Ryan AND George in the one go, be still our beating hearts…

Strictly Come Dancing – BBC 1, Sunday at 9pm
This year’s favourites include Pixie Lott, TOWIE’s Mark Wright, Frankie from The Saturdays and ex-Xtra Factor presenter Caroline Flack. Let the battle of the X Factor/Strictly remote control commence…

The Imelda May Show – RTÉ One, Sunday at 9.30pm
The popular Dublin singer has finally got her own show, we’re delighted for her! Over the next few weeks Imelda will chat to guests including Paolo Nutini, The Script, The Riptide Movement and Damien Dempsey.

Five things to do at home over the weekend

Lifestyle

Jun 17, 2014

by Amber Saunders

So what if all your friends are off having the time of their lives without you? Having a weekend to yourself is actually something to look forward to. A little down time never did anyone any harm, and there are PLENTY of things that need doing in the house….

Organise your bits and pieces
If you’ve got a busy lifestyle and aren’t meticulously tide 24 hours a day, chances are things have gotten a little bit messy. Now is the perfect time to file away your receipts, tidy your wardrobe, change your bed sheets, clean out your make up bag – all those things you always say you’re going to do but never seem to get the chance.

Catch up on your reading
Nothing beats curling up in a pair of clean pyjamas with a good book and a mug of tea. If you find you’re too tired after work to concentrate on a book, a weekend to yourself is the perfect opportunity to give your library card a work out.

Practice your cooking
It can be risky trying a new dish on a week night – you don’t have time for mistakes and probably just want something without too much fuss. At the weekend though you can try your hand at just about anything, and if it doesn’t work out? Well, that’s a lesson learned. Call the Chinese instead. Win, win.

Watch a film by yourself
Contrary to popular belief, watching a film by yourself does not make you a loser. If you don’t like crying in front of people but want to flush out those emotions, it’s the perfect time to watch Marley and Me, or if you’re not really a dog person, The Notebook should do the trick.

Get crafty
Remember that tea cosy you made in primary school? That was pretty good, right? Pick up those knitting needles, sewing kit or set of paints you have hidden at the back of the closet and let the creativity flow! Make personalized creations for home decor or customized gift for any occasion. And don’t forget to add printed labels for that final and unique touch.

Getting over the bank holiday blues in once piece

Uncategorized

Jun 3, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It’s been a great weekend – but now you need damage control.

It’s time to treat your purse, and body the way it deserves after the weekend. Here’s how to survive the bank holiday crisis:

1. Plan out your finances
You spent a lot of money this weekend. Plan your meals, hit up Aldi and DO NOT attempt to stop off at the shop for Revels after work.

2. Leave your bank card at home!
You know exactly how much cash you need for college or work. Bring that and just that.

3. Carry a litre bottle of water with you
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and you’ll be back to your old self in no time!

4. Fight off the fear!
Be mindful of your actions and you won’t have anything to fear! Simples!

2. “Spirits before beer or you’ll be on your ear.”
You’ll remember that next time, won’t you…

1. Down a pint of milk
If your weekend STILL isn’t over, drink some milk. ‘Twill do you the world of good.

via our content partner CT

BEAR puts a delicious twist on brunch with new weekend menu

May 29, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Dublin restaurant BEAR has revealed an exciting new menu – just in time for that lovely Bank Holiday weekend!

The South William Street eatery will launch its new weekend menu this Saturday (May 31st), showcasing a fresh and delicious new twist on brunch.

There’s no need to sacrifice your lazy weekend lie-in, as the menu is available from 10am to 5pm!

The restaurant will showcase over 20 new dishes across four menu sections – The Early Riser, Weekenders, Grill and Salads.

You can make it personal with a choice of sauces and sides, or add eggs, bacon, sausage – pretty much anything within reason!

There’s a choice of fresh juices or toast the weekend with drinks from the bar.

Get your weekend off to healthy start with Grilled Pink Grapefruit with ginger sugar at €4.75 or Spelt Granola topped with caramel apple, highbank orchard syrup and yoghurt for €5.25.

Stand out weekenders dishes include the Spuntino Egg – a duck egg yolk resting on serrano ham and emmenthal in a nest of crusty bread, drizzled with truffle oil at €8.95, the Red Flannel Hash with steak, beets and potato topped with two fried eggs, served with hot sauce on the side for €11.95, and the Pineapple and Cream Cheese stuffed French Toast, €8.95.

The high heat grills at BEAR will give you a mouth-watering Minute Steak & fries at €10, an 8oz Rump at €14.95 or a 9oz Strip Loin, €19.95.

The sauce selection at two each or three for €5 includes tarragon red wine garlic butter, smoked garlic aioli, roast chili, watercress & horseradish butter, chimichurri, chipotle mayonnaise or pink peppercorn whiskey thyme butter.

BEAR is a collaboration between Jamie Heaslip and Jo’Burger – and buys only from Irish owned companies.

Follow BEAR on Twitter.

French toast with bananas and maple syrup

May 22, 2014

by Amber Saunders

We know this is a bit naughty, but how tasty would this French toast recipe be for brunch this weekend?!

What you’ll need:

50ml whole milk
2 free-range eggs
2 thick slices slightly stale brioche
2 knobs unsalted butter
1 tbsp caster sugar
pinch – ½ tsp ground cinnamon, to taste
1 ripe banana, peeled and sliced
Maple syrup, to taste

What you’ll need to do:

Whisk together the milk and eggs in a wide shallow bowl.
Dip the brioche slices into the egg and milk mixture for one minute, making sure the liquid soaks into the brioche on both sides.
Heat a knob of butter in a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted, fry the brioche slices for two minutes on each side until golden-brown and crisp. Remove from the pan and place onto a serving plate.
Combine the caster sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
Add another knob of butter to the pan over a high heat. Once melted, add the sliced banana to the pan, toss in the melted butter and fry for two minutes, or until caramelised lightly on the outside.
Serve the French toast with the caramelised banana, a sprinkle of the cinnamon sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup. Yum!

Cheesy broccoli fritters

Mar 7, 2014

by Amber Saunders

These tasty fritters will give you that comfort food satisfaction while still being full of green goodness.

What you’ll need:

1 medium head of broccoli, chopped and steamed
1 clove garlic, grated
70g plain flour
1 large egg
40g Parmesan cheese, grated
Handful of basil
Salt and pepper

What you’ll need to do:

Beat the egg, flour, cheese and seasoning together.
Add the broccoli, basil and garlic, mixing well to combine. Season.
Shape the mixture into fritters one by one.
Heat up some rapeseed oil in a frying pan and when hot add the fritters.
Fry until golden on each side and place on some kitchen paper to drain any extra oil.
Serve with a green salad.

You can make this dish gluten-free by replacing the plain flour with cooked quinoa.