EX - pectations.... What are yours?

Friends with an ex - fact or fable? Is it possible?

Mutual respect, civility, loyalty, a sense of friendship... these things are qualities of a good pet! Also..... they are a recipe for getting along post break- up -  but here's the problem - during a break up a lot of the time neither party has their best face on. Due to a lack of good behaviour the idea of a former couple being friends is sadly out of reach. As the famous author Elizabeth Gilbert has assessed : “Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be.” When I'm talking break-ups I'm not just talking about your romantic unions - the loss of a platonic relationship or serious fall out with a family member can be just as distressing - If not more so.

You can't be BFF's with everybody! Sometimes this is for the best but everyone has a duty to themselves to respect what they had and call it a day. People change. Grow up. Evolve - whatever. Every relationship or friendship ends for a reason but decency shouldn't. Being courteous and polite is important as hostility is not a pleasant lane to saunter down. A lot of exes from a romantic context maintain contact and a friendship but it extends to a series of factors - a mutual break-up or the fizzling out of a relationship makes it easier for both parties to move onwards. It's very easy to glorify something through rose tinted glasses. Similar principles apply to friendship - but usually the air of awkwardness if something has gone pear shaped is hard to overcome but sensitivity is important. At least with men a few punches are thrown and then it can be out of their system - a generalization I'm aware - but whatever. But, with girls - sometimes there can be a more cunning prerogative. Elizabeth Gilbert explores the concept of love, soulmates and relationships in her book 'Eat, Pray, Love'. This book is complex in my opinion but explains how the best and most fulfilling relationship you will have in your entire existence is with yourself. The whole concept is liberating and meaningful. I like to think I am an optimist. I truly believe that friendship is the key to happiness.  To me, my sisters and closest friends aswell as my boyfriend feel like my soul mates. 

“People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master...” 

― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

But the most important thing to do is open your eyes. Appreciate who appreciates you in every kind of relationship that you have. And to put a new spin on the cliche but there is plenty more fish in the sea... So go swimming;) In the long run focus on your happiness, petty hear'say is awkward after a fall out but being the bigger person is not just the honorable route - it's the best one. Everyone will have their opinions and notions but leave them to it. Have no regrets, because you are officially toughened up. Any break up is tough but regardless of whether it was you or your then partner or friend that closed the curtains it prepares you for something bigger and better. The former relationship was the test run for the real thing.
 As John Lennon said :"I get by with a little help from my friends." 


Love is just around the corner. No matter what form it may take.
I'd bet my last rolo on it.

xo L

Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

Every pathway is your catwalk. Confidence is a look that suits everyone. This winter you don't have to empty your pockets to exude winter chic. There are several trends you can prise from your wardrobe and recycle. Didn't anyone tell you - If its good enough for K Middy its good enough for us!

'' Fashion fades, only style remains the same.”


- Coco Chanel


Winter wonderland - faux fur wooly scarves and layering items tactfully to keep the cold at bay but keep you looking seriously hot! When I'm rifling through my wardrobe I am always suprised to find i prefer winter wear to summer wear it's cosy and can look very feminine even though you aren't showing a lot of skin! Combine feminine blouses with tapered trousers. Accessorise with  a chunky necklace, belt or shoes that make a statement. Play around with denim - have fun with your style.

 A little black dress with a shapely blazer can look becoming for the biting weather but when worn with attitude can ooze sexiness. The perfect LBD should work both with a belted cardigan or blazer in the day or  on it's own at night. It has to be able to work regardless of whether you are donning  flats or skyscraper heels. It's that versatile LBD  that you can throw on 24-7 and always makes you feel shapely and gorgeous. 

In my opinion a best- buy for casual wear would have to be Vivienne Westwood wellies. The melissa range is cute, quirky and versatile. They are available to pick up in BT2's and Brown Thomas in Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork.Regardless if you are heading to a festival with bare legs or teaming your wellies with funky tights these ankle- skimmers are a must!

Faux- fur is a winter staple regardless of age, skin tone - Faux - fur coats are cosy, glam and can double as a blanket!!! (or not...)

Real fur on the other hand is just a bit nasty. It's like wearing your pet around your neck... I'm sure Ace Ventura would agree......

xo L

Extra, Extra... Read all about it!

Studenty.me is the easiest way for you to stay connected to what’s happening around you; both on and off campus.....

The 'L' word

It's a BIG word. Huge in fact but is thrown around in many ways. 'Love' is a word that is dished out without meaning. Some people say it to their significant other because they feel obligated or as though they are 'supposed to' or some can say it with more malicious intentions...

You hear the horror stories of women or men with bunny- boiling spouses or even a much more sombre example would be the young Irish girl who refused a marriage proposal to her Turkish boyfriend - her family didn't approve - In the end the rejection resulted in the deaths of Marion Elizabeth Graham, 54, and her friend Kay Dinsmore, 50, both from County Down. Local reports said the teenager claimed he decided to kill the women because Graham was standing in the way of his marriage to her daughter. 


These stories of death and sorrow can quash the optimism of a Summer romance. I went to Kusadasi this Summer for a week of fun and frolics with friends  and what scares me is how no matter where you go, getting your heart broken isn't your biggest concern. Unrequited love can be not just the end of a relationship, but the end of lives - and not in the Romeo and Juliet 'star -crossed lovers' sense of the word.

As William Shakespeare once said :“Love is the most beautiful of dreams and the worst of nightmares.” 

In Dublins Fair City......

A few excuses for a night on the tiles in Dublin City... Dublin Festival Season is fast approaching... Dublin is one of the best cities in the world as far as I'm concerned but maybe I'm a little bit biased ;)

There is a great buzz around in the Autumn Winter months, there are tourists, college students and Dublin locals all having a great time in the top pubs, street fairs, restaurants, cafe bars and night clubs.




-8th-11th September: Dublin Festival of Fashion
'The city is a catwalk for four fashion-tastic days of special offers, new collections, beauty demonstrations and lots of posing!'

-10th – 25th September: Absolut Fringe
'Taking over more than 40 city venues and celebrating the new and the next, The Fringe Festival introduces us to a ‘Brave New World’'

-22nd September: Arthur’s Day



My personal favourite.... 'One of Dublin’s most loved citizens, Arthur Guinness gives us an excuse to enjoy big concerts or intimate gigs in some of Dublin’s cosiest pubs. All washed down with a pint of the black stuff of course!'

-22nd September- 9th October: Oktoberfest
'Dublin’s Docklands area is transformed into a traditional German Oktoberfest for 18 days of traditional Bavarian drinks, foods and sounds'

-23rd September: Culture Night

'A night of discovery as galleries, museums and cultural venues open their doors for free – and keep them open well into the night…'

-29th September – 16th October: Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival
'Dublin loves drama. Enjoy an amazing array of Irish and international theatre productions at Europe’s oldest specialist theatre festival.'

-6th-9th October: Open House
'As Dublin bids for the coveted title of World Design Capital 2014, Open House allows us to explore the city in all its dimensions with guided tours of Dublin’s most interesting buildings and quarters with architects and designers.'

-6th-8th October: Hard Working Class Heroes
'A 100 band, 3 Day marathon of up and coming Irish indie talent'

For More Information: www.dublinfestivalseason.com

Be there or be square because these events will be brilliant.







This information is courtesy of: http://www.visitdublin.com/event/Dublin_Festival_Season

Harry Potter star Radcliffe finally pictured with girlfriend!

Daniel Radcliffe and his girlfriend Rosanne Coker were photographed strolling hand in hand on the streets of New York City. This is the first time the two have been pictured together and the identity of his squeeze had been kept under wraps for almost a year! As far as Hollywood relationships go it wouldn't be suprising if they were married b now and he had bought her a minature furry dog to celebrate their union.

Radcliffe exclaimed his admiration on Larry King Live : "I've got a girlfriend at the moment, who I am very much in love with. So you know, we'll see where that goes," 

 She worked as a production assistant on the set of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" where the Potter star had what has been described as an instaneous chemistry with her. Rosanne Coker then worked on the last three "Potter" films and even "The Woman in Black," starring Radcliffe which set for release in late 2012.

Click below to see the teaser trailer for 'The Woman in Black' :

A lot of Daniel Radcliffe fans will be unanimously disappointed that their idol is no longer on the market.
The Harry Potter franchise has earned him a vast female fan base.

Summer in the City - A snippet of an 18-year old Carrie Bradshaw.

Candace Bushnell gives us an insight into how our beloved Carrie Bradshaw made it in the Big Apple in her latest addition to the Carrie Diaries - 'Summer and the City'. We find out about how a seventeen year old naive wannabe writer bravely moved to New York City alone. She befriends young siren Samantha and young activist Miranda and ultimately meets social princess Charlotte. Together these four unique young women strive make their mark in 1980's Manhattan. The Ultimate Summer holiday read - A prequel that finally hits the nail on the head. 

★★★☆☆

What is truly is making headlines at the moment is the rumours about who will star in the film adaption of the prequel. Sex and the City is an institution! Women everywhere idolise the four ladies - not just the characters but the actresses who played the roles with such charisma and sassiness.  Sarah Jessica Parker has become a fashion icon. I would give anything to saunter through the closet of Carrie Bradshaw! I would even give up a limb! Fashion is supposed to be fun and experimental...

 Kim Cattrall was the combination of sexiness, comedic genius and pure joie de vivre. Also the styling for the hit HBO was always inspiring to me and millions of other young girls out there. Patricia Field was a coveted asset as the premier stylist for the series and the film adaptions of SATC.

http://www.patriciafield.com/

The eccentric stylist Patricia Field

Supposedly, younger sister of the infamous Olsen twins- Elizabeth Olsen is a choice for Carrie for the movie prequel as is Miley Cyrus, Blake Lively of Gossip Girl fame could be portraying our beloved Samantha, Miranda may be played by Julia Roberts famed niece - Emma Roberts. And our elegant social princess Charlotte may be brought to life by Disney star Selena Gomez. The press is awash with speculation as to who will be confirmed for the coveted roles, but so far the deal is all up in the air. 

I don't know about you guys but those young ladies have some serious shoes to fill or the backlash could murder their futures in Hollywood. 

Sarah Jessica Parker & Elizabeth Olsen

''When it comes to relationships, maybe we're all in glass houses, and shouldn't throw stones. Because you can never really know. Some people are settling down, some are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than Butterflies...''

- Carrie Bradshaw

Carrie Bradshaw: ''Damn! Why is that girl still bothering me?''

Samantha Jones: ''Honey, you have to let it go. If I worried what every bitch in New York was saying about me, I'd never leave the house.''

Even after six seasons, two films we are still craving more... I loved the first film... It has to be said - The Vogue photoshoot was spectacular. Here is one of the best bridal scenes that brings many of our cobwebbed wedding fantasies to the surface