Sorry, for the late post. Between eating the leftovers from Christmas and tackling different things i.e., post-Christmas shopping.... Maybe.... I just never got around to doing it! So sorry about that, but here, enjoy! I was inspired to write this from my recent excursion to Dublin's city streets, lined with the fabulous shops that usually accompany a the country's capital.
No, this isn't a blog about Shane Dawson (youtuber who made a video called that) and it isn't what inspired me to write this blog either. Although, I must say, it correctly depicts the chemical attraction I (and most likely, my fellow teen girls) feel towards shoes. It's inexplainable and much to man's demise -irrepressible. However, I must point out that centuries of breeding have turned us into creatures who at least hunt for a good bargain what with the recession here with us in Ireland.
So, in the pre-Christmas hype, I was pulled in by the huge sale signs in Barratts shoes. I took a gander at its wares and came across many a fabulous reduced shoe that would go perfectly with absolutely anything. But, the one pair that struck a chord with me were the practical winter booties with a folded over leather collar, little heel and suede exterior. On the inside, they were fur-lined with a slightly padded sole -Barratts own branded shoe. The bright luminescent price tag caught my eye in what was already a bargain at seventy euros (although, I wouldn't have bought them at that price, to be honest) was reduced to forty-seven with a further reduction to twenty-nine euros. It was just shy off thirty and at that price, I couldn't just leave them there with no one to fight or them.
Faster than you could sayJjack-and-Jill-went-up-the-hill-to-fetch-a-pair-of-shoes, my phone was out and I was ringing my good mother for her counsel. She encouraged me in my plight and I bought it along with a can of protectant to look after that suede.
My ramble on about shoes does have a point to it, I'm afraid to say and despite my pre-Christmas splurge, I'm here to tell you to stop in your tracks and heed some advice I have to give you when dealing with the temptation we all have to shop until we drop. Post-Christmas is undoubtedly one your favourite times of the year as well as being one of mine. All the family are down and we have presents to play with but of course, there's the sales to deal with, if you even bother. At this point, some of you might not care, and right to -in most cases, you only get the unwanted stuff. But if you do end up going on a little shopping spree, take heed because there are some things I learned from last year's outing and the year before.
First rule is to restrain yourself -everything's dirt cheap so there is that choice to buy the shop out and go home broke -I beg you not to and tighten the purse strings since the money-well is probably running a little bit dry as of now. Secondly, flick through the sales for discounted items that will help stock up your wardrobe for the coming year, so when summer arrives and you need to go out you'll have a party frock at the ready. Another idea is to collect presents for next year or even people's birthday's because although it seems scabby, what they don't know won't hurt them and you'll save yourself a lot of hassle, time and money in the long-run. But be warned, stay away from spending money on unnecessary bits and bobs you honestly don't need and will never use.
Another thing to take stock of are the high-street stores like River Island, Awear, New Look, Tally Wjeil, Exhibit and my favourite -H&M. They're the best places to bag a bargain because they have all the stuff you want that you might find either pretty, useful, inter-changeable, or all three. So pass by Penney's, please, for your own sake because although the prices will be below ground-zero, there's no point buying things just for the sake of it. Although, all rules have exceptions, I will admit, so unless it’s something that will serve you well, don't bother even checking the price.
The Christmas sales is also one of the best times to take a day trip to your equivalent of Dublin city with the girls and just have fun trying on the worst possible outfits you can find. Trust me, it makes the memories...... Especially when you have your camera phone handy.
Enjoy the season everyone and a happy new year to all!
Arma.
Thursday 29 December 2011
Thursday 22 December 2011
I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals-it's 'cause I hate vegetables
Taz here.
In today's society, it's more than likely you're going to encounter a few vegetarians as you go through life. It's possible you're going to ask them questions about their lifestyle. It's understandable that you're curious-but as a veg-head myself, I'm here to tell you we get the same questions all the time.
I first decided to become a vegetarian when I was eleven. My reasons were moral ones-I didn't feel comfortable eating something that had a life, when I could easily live off other food. From that day, the questions came flooding in. Constantly. In retrospect, it was to be expected-Of course my fellow sixth classers would be curious. (We didn't exactly study Home Ec. at that age.) Honestly, I generally avoid telling people I'm a vegetarian, to evade the questions. But it can’t be avoided at mealtime, where I most often receive the odd, and often insulting questions about my diet.
To help you avoid annoying your veg-head friend, I've compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions:
You're a vegetarian? Oh! Do you eat fish?
I get asked this one a surprising amount of times-it's funny more than anything else. Vegetarians don't eat living creatures. Yes, a fish is a living creature. It's amazing how people don't automatically include fish when they consider a vegetarian diet. Think of it this way-if it has a face, I'm not going to eat it. For the record though, a vegetarian that eats fish is called a pescetarian.
If you don’t eat meat, where do you get your protein?
I like to think this question is coming from a good place-as in the asker is genuinely concerned for your health, and not looking to find a flaw in veg-head's lifestyle. However, most of the time that isn't true. Some of you omnivores may want to sit down, as the following message may shock you-meat is not the only source of protein. *le gasp* Beans, legumes, nuts, peanut butter, soy, and a lot of vegetables are rich in protein. Don't fret-I'm getting my nutrients.
No meat... but what do you eat?
When explaining what I eat to people, I like to compare myself to a really picky eater. We all know one-we have that friend who won't eat certain foods, or this brand of that, etc., etc. They still eat, don't they? In these modern times it's never been easier to be a picky eat-I mean, a vegetarian. As well as what's listed in question 2., there are tons of different meat alternatives.I, myself like Quorn-it's all freezer food, so it's quick but still tasty. Sausages, chicken, lasagne, mince... there's a faux meat version of everything! And, of course there's salads-if you're into that sorta thing.
You really don't eat meat?
Yes, they're still asking that one at this point
Why are you a vegetarian? It's the circle of life!
I'll try to avoid getting preachy-instead, I'll just state my views. I honestly believe, that in this day and age, that nothing needs to die to feed me or keep me alive. Maybe in the caveman era, but not anymore. To me, all the living things in the world have a right to live. Just because we have a higher thinking capacity than animals, does not give us the right to take their lives. Taking a life of another is murder. Plain and simple, whether it be an animal or human. Personally, I tend to think murder's wrong. I'm sure if you were raised on a farm, you became accustomed to this practice, but does that make it right?
Well if you don't believe in taking lives, what about the vegetables, you carrot-murderer! They're living things. Why is it okay to eat plants but not animals?
I get a good laugh when people ask me that question. It’s something I had to sit down a figure out after learning about plants being alive in biology. It's not just because celery isn't really that cute.
The most basic reason is that plants have no central nervous system and cannot feel pain. Animals can, and while I won't go all PETA on you, I will say that placing bets on animals being killed humanely in any mass producing company would be a bad idea. It's also worth noting that very few plants are actually killed by being eaten. (Carrots are one of them, actually. So maybe I am a carrot-murderer) The majority of plants depend on us and other animals to eat them and spread their seed.
What about the insects you step on each day? Don’t they deserve a life?
Vegetarianism isn't about being perfect, it's about doing less harm. There is no perefectly-cruelty free diet, but being a vegetarian brings you closer to one than being a meat-eater will.
No wonder you're so skinny.
MYTH. Most vegetarians aren't aware of all the options out there or are lazy like me, and end up eating a lot of carbohydrates. And we all know how fattening that tends to be. As well as that, cookies, chocolate, icecream-all veggie friendly.
If we didn't eat animals, there would eventually be too many and they would take over or starve out due to lack of food.
Take cows for example. There are not naturally that amount in the world-we breed them to be eaten. Supply and demand. If no one ate meat, we would not have to breed more meat, thus cutting out unnecessary births. Though I wouldn't worry about that one. The chances of everyone waking up tomorrow and deciding to go veg? Slim.
And my personal favourite:
Do you eat animal crackers?
No, of course not. I find it exetremely offensive that they are shaped like animals-as if making a mockery of the animal lives lost everyday. And feeding them to children-what brain washing!
Of course I do. They're delicious. I especially like the giraffe one.
Any questions I didn't cover? Feel free to ask! ^^
In today's society, it's more than likely you're going to encounter a few vegetarians as you go through life. It's possible you're going to ask them questions about their lifestyle. It's understandable that you're curious-but as a veg-head myself, I'm here to tell you we get the same questions all the time.
I first decided to become a vegetarian when I was eleven. My reasons were moral ones-I didn't feel comfortable eating something that had a life, when I could easily live off other food. From that day, the questions came flooding in. Constantly. In retrospect, it was to be expected-Of course my fellow sixth classers would be curious. (We didn't exactly study Home Ec. at that age.) Honestly, I generally avoid telling people I'm a vegetarian, to evade the questions. But it can’t be avoided at mealtime, where I most often receive the odd, and often insulting questions about my diet.
To help you avoid annoying your veg-head friend, I've compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions:
You're a vegetarian? Oh! Do you eat fish?
I get asked this one a surprising amount of times-it's funny more than anything else. Vegetarians don't eat living creatures. Yes, a fish is a living creature. It's amazing how people don't automatically include fish when they consider a vegetarian diet. Think of it this way-if it has a face, I'm not going to eat it. For the record though, a vegetarian that eats fish is called a pescetarian.
If you don’t eat meat, where do you get your protein?
I like to think this question is coming from a good place-as in the asker is genuinely concerned for your health, and not looking to find a flaw in veg-head's lifestyle. However, most of the time that isn't true. Some of you omnivores may want to sit down, as the following message may shock you-meat is not the only source of protein. *le gasp* Beans, legumes, nuts, peanut butter, soy, and a lot of vegetables are rich in protein. Don't fret-I'm getting my nutrients.
No meat... but what do you eat?
When explaining what I eat to people, I like to compare myself to a really picky eater. We all know one-we have that friend who won't eat certain foods, or this brand of that, etc., etc. They still eat, don't they? In these modern times it's never been easier to be a picky eat-I mean, a vegetarian. As well as what's listed in question 2., there are tons of different meat alternatives.I, myself like Quorn-it's all freezer food, so it's quick but still tasty. Sausages, chicken, lasagne, mince... there's a faux meat version of everything! And, of course there's salads-if you're into that sorta thing.
You really don't eat meat?
Yes, they're still asking that one at this point
Why are you a vegetarian? It's the circle of life!
I'll try to avoid getting preachy-instead, I'll just state my views. I honestly believe, that in this day and age, that nothing needs to die to feed me or keep me alive. Maybe in the caveman era, but not anymore. To me, all the living things in the world have a right to live. Just because we have a higher thinking capacity than animals, does not give us the right to take their lives. Taking a life of another is murder. Plain and simple, whether it be an animal or human. Personally, I tend to think murder's wrong. I'm sure if you were raised on a farm, you became accustomed to this practice, but does that make it right?
Well if you don't believe in taking lives, what about the vegetables, you carrot-murderer! They're living things. Why is it okay to eat plants but not animals?
I get a good laugh when people ask me that question. It’s something I had to sit down a figure out after learning about plants being alive in biology. It's not just because celery isn't really that cute.
The most basic reason is that plants have no central nervous system and cannot feel pain. Animals can, and while I won't go all PETA on you, I will say that placing bets on animals being killed humanely in any mass producing company would be a bad idea. It's also worth noting that very few plants are actually killed by being eaten. (Carrots are one of them, actually. So maybe I am a carrot-murderer) The majority of plants depend on us and other animals to eat them and spread their seed.
What about the insects you step on each day? Don’t they deserve a life?
Vegetarianism isn't about being perfect, it's about doing less harm. There is no perefectly-cruelty free diet, but being a vegetarian brings you closer to one than being a meat-eater will.
No wonder you're so skinny.
MYTH. Most vegetarians aren't aware of all the options out there or are lazy like me, and end up eating a lot of carbohydrates. And we all know how fattening that tends to be. As well as that, cookies, chocolate, icecream-all veggie friendly.
If we didn't eat animals, there would eventually be too many and they would take over or starve out due to lack of food.
Take cows for example. There are not naturally that amount in the world-we breed them to be eaten. Supply and demand. If no one ate meat, we would not have to breed more meat, thus cutting out unnecessary births. Though I wouldn't worry about that one. The chances of everyone waking up tomorrow and deciding to go veg? Slim.
And my personal favourite:
Do you eat animal crackers?
No, of course not. I find it exetremely offensive that they are shaped like animals-as if making a mockery of the animal lives lost everyday. And feeding them to children-what brain washing!
Of course I do. They're delicious. I especially like the giraffe one.
Any questions I didn't cover? Feel free to ask! ^^
Wednesday 14 December 2011
children: a brief guild on how to handle them.
So last week I was doing my work experience at my old primary school. And of course everything changed, why are the teachers so nice to me? yada yada all the usual stuff, but that’s not what I wanted to talk about. What I want to talk about those allusive critters called ‘children’. Many studies have been done, experiments of trial and error to find out what goes on in their premature brains, but little conclusions have been made. That’s why I’ve decided to share my limited information gathered from last week and babysitting about the little darlings.
1. Children are easily distracted: if they know they’re doing something wrong they’ll probably keep doing it. However, if you just change the subject it’s unlikely they’ll notice. For example; last week the little Dinkins enjoyed pulling out of me in every form. So one time I turned it into a game of ‘ring around a rosie’. Problem solved.
2. Children are naïve: if you’re still having trouble getting them to stop, just go with the classic and mention you’ve Santa’s number of speed dial. Or if you’re not in a festive mode, use your imagination and tell them about a mysterious figure called Dave who takes naughty boys and girl’s toys away from them when they are bold. Slightly cruel, but hell, it works.
3. Children are stupid: have patience! Even if you have to show them how to write a fecking ‘e’ 200 times at least they’ll know it. Also, they have minds like sponges. Be careful what you say around them, because they won’t forget it.
4. Children are smart: they have more morals than your average 20 year old. They actually listen to the safe cross code and ‘don’t throw your litter in the bin.’ Not to mention ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all’. Not to mention 'say sorry' fixes everything. Some will keep these morals for life, some don’t. It still helps if they learn them anyway.
5. Children are young: they are gullible, they are head wreckers, but they’re only young once. Let them have that time to believe boys have cooties, or that Santa’s real (which he is). Even if it does involve killing the magic for them later on, at least they have those memories to know that they were once kids and that’s what made them who they are today.
Later peeps,
-teri
1. Children are easily distracted: if they know they’re doing something wrong they’ll probably keep doing it. However, if you just change the subject it’s unlikely they’ll notice. For example; last week the little Dinkins enjoyed pulling out of me in every form. So one time I turned it into a game of ‘ring around a rosie’. Problem solved.
2. Children are naïve: if you’re still having trouble getting them to stop, just go with the classic and mention you’ve Santa’s number of speed dial. Or if you’re not in a festive mode, use your imagination and tell them about a mysterious figure called Dave who takes naughty boys and girl’s toys away from them when they are bold. Slightly cruel, but hell, it works.
3. Children are stupid: have patience! Even if you have to show them how to write a fecking ‘e’ 200 times at least they’ll know it. Also, they have minds like sponges. Be careful what you say around them, because they won’t forget it.
4. Children are smart: they have more morals than your average 20 year old. They actually listen to the safe cross code and ‘don’t throw your litter in the bin.’ Not to mention ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all’. Not to mention 'say sorry' fixes everything. Some will keep these morals for life, some don’t. It still helps if they learn them anyway.
5. Children are young: they are gullible, they are head wreckers, but they’re only young once. Let them have that time to believe boys have cooties, or that Santa’s real (which he is). Even if it does involve killing the magic for them later on, at least they have those memories to know that they were once kids and that’s what made them who they are today.
Later peeps,
-teri
Wednesday 7 December 2011
favorite things about christmas !!!!
Hello,
So since we are in the festive season im going to tell you some of my favorite things about CHRISTMAS
So the first has to be of course pressies, but not just getting them by the way giveing them to. The way someones face lights up when you give them a present its just gives you that warm fuzzy feeling.
The second is family there's nothing more fun then spending time with your family.having a laugh with your cousins and aunties and uncles and even the older ones.
Then theres the big christmas dinner that we wait for all year. There's nothing nicer then turkey and ham on a cold christmas evening. and of course the PUDDING its not christmas with out a good serving of pudding.
So theres some of my favorite things about christmas.
Penny (Penguin)X
So since we are in the festive season im going to tell you some of my favorite things about CHRISTMAS
So the first has to be of course pressies, but not just getting them by the way giveing them to. The way someones face lights up when you give them a present its just gives you that warm fuzzy feeling.
The second is family there's nothing more fun then spending time with your family.having a laugh with your cousins and aunties and uncles and even the older ones.
Then theres the big christmas dinner that we wait for all year. There's nothing nicer then turkey and ham on a cold christmas evening. and of course the PUDDING its not christmas with out a good serving of pudding.
So theres some of my favorite things about christmas.
Penny (Penguin)X
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