To Blue Steel or not to Blue Steel, that is the question.

So many of you may already know that I took part in this years UCC's Next Top Model. Sadly I did not win but I did learn a lot and more importantly I laughed a lot during my time as a contestant.

All of us at the final!

First off before anyone asks no it was nothing like the reality show America's Next Top Model. We did not get cooped up under one roof or have extreme "edgy" hair cuts inflicted upon us, there was no intense weekly rounds where one of us was sent packing for smiling with our eyes like this and not like this. (After watching 12 variations of seasons I still do not know what our girl Tyra means!) My experience in the competition, organised by Lockdown Models and the UCC Fashion Society , was to sum up in a word: fun.

I mean what's not to like?! Not only was everyone involved extremely nice, some down right hilarious, but also within every photo-shoot I was transformed into a completely different character.  Upstyle Junkie beautifully transformed my face and the crew at Origin Hair Design  gave me some of the most amazing and creative hairstyles I never would have imagined having. As a girl with hair straighter and flatter than a...well lets say ruler, the Afro they created for the punk rock shoot was by far my favourite! I have never had so much volume in my life!

Punk Rock shoot in the Pavillion

The photographer Miki Barlok created some truly amazing themes for our photo shoots and the settings were fantastic. He was a great teacher and really set the scene for the moments we were to portray during the shoots. The only problem was getting out of the mindset and returning back to college and the dreary library after each time! Adding in the acting and catwalk workshops the whole experience was a very bright and cheery break from the never ending mountain of final year projects!

Vintage shoot with Miss Daisy Blue

Now onto the amazing clothes. Throughout the photo-shoots we had some great exposure to many beautiful clothing labels, such as Miss Daisy Blue, and some truly brilliant stylists. However, nothing could have prepared me for the mind blowingly exquisite outfits that were provided for us at the final on Thursday night. They were really out of this world and what was such a lovely surprise was that they were all from local clothes shops here in Cork. I have always been a massive fan of many of those involved, having spent many hours wandering around Amity, Turquoise Flamingo and Miss Daisy Blue. I now look forward to adding Vanilla Boutique and Elsa& Gogo Boutique to my list of shopping haunts!

One of the many amazing dresses from Turquoise Flamingo

The final for the competition flew by in a haze of excitement and nerves. The nerves mainly caused by a certain lovely person asking "But Sandra are you not afraid you'll be the girl that trips and falls on the catwalk that everyone pities?!"  Images of me becoming  like Carrie Bradshaw a.k.a. catwalk roadkill (but without the witty or intelligent hindsight) and my bigger fear not being able to get back up in one go upon falling, kept flashing across my mind. Thankfully my visions did not come true!

I still cannot believe it's all over and I run the risk of people running away from me should I keep repeating my stories over and over again. So I guess this is what this post is: A goodbye to a fantastic experience with many brilliant and amazing people who made the whole competition better than I could have ever imagined. The competition may be over, but hopefully I will have the opportunity  to work (and of course socialize) with the amazing winner Aishling Kearney; the gang that entered with me; and the organizers in the future.

P.S.: I didn't pull the blue steel.

I'm going to write all of this in one go, first just let me log into *insert online distraction here*

This  is my fifth attempt at writing this post, so I think it is only fitting that I dedicate it to the art of procrastination. Even at this final attempt I have managed to delay  amuse myself for a solid forty minutes checking all my email accounts; signing into Facebook  and having a good look about; signing into Twitter to find out undoubtably important updates from my friends/ celebrities who have not one clue who I am; signing into Tumblr and reblogging a few photos while day dreaming about actually going to some of those amazing places/ having the guts to dye my hair the same colour as * insert tumblr idol of the minute* ; going on stumble upon then stumbling upon a giant clock which has lead me back to the actual reason I went online- my post!

Dogs diving under water by Casteel found this beaut on Tumblr!

Now if like myself you feel that before have you even started any sort of dreary college work that you have already earned a good long break but also want to feel like you're doing something never fear follow these steps and you can put off doing whatever thing that is about as appealing as eating a raw onion until at least tomorrow!

Firstly, check all your emails, I mean read all of them. Every single one, even the very impersonal ones from random companies that manage to misspell your  name. After this, make sure to log into Facebook. Go through your news feed for updates and then keep scrolling back into parts you already looked at, make sure you didn't miss anything no matter how mundane. Completing this and a bit of cyber creeping, a fantastic idea is to go through an old album or two, now make sure they are really good ones like say that time you lived in New York so you can torture yourself  for a solid 20 to 30 minutes!

Another tip:Make sure to block people you do not want to talk to, ever.

When you tire of crying over your life that you no longer have since final year I suggest the next thing you do is to sign into Twitter and keep your followers updated on your lack of motivation and successful procrastination skills, they will no doubt be very impressed! Now you may start to panic over the lack of work you have completed regarding college, don't worry! If you multi-task by signing into Tumblr and start creating a mood board you will genuinely feel like you are achieving something! On top of this you can learn random and fun (really cute) facts such as below.

If you started your super productive day early in the morning this will have at least taken you up until 11am so you will definitely have earned one of many tea breaks. Ensure that you make an elaborate snack for yourself. After all if you don't eat properly you won't have the energy to be productive later.

 Once you've filled yourself to the point of a food coma and caught up on a few day time TV reruns get straight to work and try get inspiration by reading everyone you know's Blog. Motivational pieces are always great at making you feel better about tomorrow. Tomorrow you will certainly get things done.

Check out 60's Spiderman memes! Thank you Mike McLaughlin

Once you have grown tired from all that heavy reading, lighten up your day by Googling some Memes, this could lead you back onto Facebook, in the form of UCC Memes, or Tumblr which has an abundance of hilarious pictures that "totally get you".

After you have become sufficiently self assured, why not do something a little more active? Something that if you were asked to do you would revert back to the start of this clearly organised list. I choose washing my dog! Let me assure you that it is like trying to convince a gorilla to willingly get inside a bird cage- Near impossible. However, should you successfully attempt to complete a difficult task such as this I guarantee you will have pride in your proactive nature. Make sure, if you are as proud as me over your difficult task, that you take a photo and share it on your Blog or Twitter!

A good hours work right here!

I expect you will be quite tired by now, why not take a well deserved lunch/nap break? Again,  make sure to put plenty of time and effort into making your lunch. Once you have finished, take a well earned nap on the couch. There's no point trying to start work when you are tired. You will really just be wasting your day and we can't have that can we!

After your nap, read everything in the house. I mean everything! Books are fantastic, if they are lying around make sure to read them cover to cover. Especially if you have read them before, at least you know you will like them AND try find hidden meanings while your at it. Once you've read all the books you have at your disposal commence reading everything else- the old classic cereal box, shampoo bottles, milk bottles, chocolate bars- you are only being a responsible consumer by doing so and also becoming well informed and enlightened. 

I have realized I may have lost you at the book stage as you are probably still trying to decide which book to read. Good job, you have probably occupied at least 20 minutes of your time. I suggest if you have never read Ross O' Carroll Kelly's books, read them. I mean ALL of 13 of them. If you have, you must have done this before so well done you are on your way to becoming pro at procrastinating. Make sure to keep updated on all his tweets. Also, he writes a column for the Irish Times so be a good fan and catch up on any articles you may have missed out on.

Ross:  At least 3 forms of distraction from only one character

By now it is most likely after 8 at night and well lets face it, you're not going to get anything  else worthwhile done! In fairness you have had a really busy and productive day, you've earned a night lazing in front of the television. 

Exams aside, where to next?!

RAG week has rolled around once again and like every year it's a great chance for everyone to go into denial about up coming deadlines and the ever dreaded final exams in May. So I've decided to get into the spirit of things and focus my attention on what I'm going to do for the summer!  I'm not too sure whether I will end up going away travelling for a month or so but one thing that is definitely for sure is that I'm going to a festival of some sort!

EP mainstage

Without fail festivals are the best fun. On top of seeing some unbelievable performances, the most random of things can happen and the best friends that you will never remember will be made. Constantly tripping over guide ropes; drinking ridiculous amounts of alcohol (and that's just for breakfast); almost transforming myself into a human glow stick;  and  dancing it up at raves in the woods helped me say a big goodbye to my summer of work last year. When the final day came I nearly threw a strop, it never feels like there's enough time!

Raves in the woods!

My only issue is I'm at a loss as to which one to go to! Especially with flights around Europe being relatively cheap. So here are some of the options, feedback on what some of them are like or which one to go to would be much appreciated!

Electric Picnic - Last year was ridiculous and I wish I could live in the land of Electric picnic! I mean pirate ships for stages and a reggae town for "down time". Plenty of chill out spaces to cure a hangover in the body and soul area and some amazing steak sandwiches to be had on double decker buses. Definitely worth a return trip or several. Line up pending.

Body&Soul stage at EP.

Body & Soul - It is a celebration of the summer Solstice. It continues the tradition of thousands of years whereby people light fires and stay up all night to greet the sun on the longest day of the year.While there is great music, it's not just a music festival - there is amazing art, inspiring speakers and roaming performers. It's about the overall experience and transports people into a completely different world. Culturally it's the anti-Oxegen.

Camping fun

Sziget Festival- Situated on Obudai Island off Budapest. It lasts roughly for a week and apparently has a water park nearby (?!) This festival already has the likes of Stone Roses, Placebo,Crystal Fighters and Noah & the Wale on board. Has anyone actually been??!

The crowd at Sziget last year.

Benicassim - Went here as part of a 6th year holiday way back when. It made Oxegen look like miserable in comparison, though that could be said about any outdoors activity in Ireland versus sunny Spain! It's near a beach...(depending on which campsite you are in-the longest walk in the world if you stay in the one we were.) and also a water park to cool off and avoid sitting in the sauna like tents!  Amazing fun and not too far a trip to Barcelona. The line up is usually pretty cool as there's usually something for everyone and the nocturnal music schedule is always a bonus if you're  pasty and Irish, of which I am both!

Tomorrowland- 3 day long music festival in Belgium. The lineup has big names such as Fatboy Slim, Calvin Harris, David Guetta and Skrillex  so far... oh and a really pretty website! Anyone know much about it?!

Tomorrowland

So that's only a few that are in consideration, anyone have ideas on which one would be the best one to go to? Or is there any even better ones that I have not mentioned?! 

One minute, just let me put on my face...

Make- Up means something to almost all females. Some cannot leave the house without it, others save it for special occasions, most use it to cover up lack of sleep and the mother of all hangovers. One thing is for sure no one can deny the transformation that it can give us. It helps hide our least favourite parts and highlight our best. It's a girl's best friends (most of the time) and I'm pretty sure if guyliner and all other male make-up products were widely accepted the majority of men would jump on board and use it just as much too, if not more.

Bye bye hangover!

Many misconceptions have been formed by many judgmental individuals about females who wear make up on a regular basis. Murmurs of low self-esteem and references to them not being comfortable in their own skin have been made time and time again. However, couldn't that be said about anything? Why not judge someone's self esteem and confidence by the way one dresses; whether they have tattoos or piercings; if they use hair dye or their style haircut as well?  Really though these are all ways that we define ourselves, how we express who we are to the outside world and make that first impression we want to make.
It seems we cannot win because even by not doing these things we are saying something. Like it or not we are making a statement by projecting this image to the world. Women with no make-up are showing that they are naturally fresh faced and actually don't need it, maybe screaming to the world: Look at my really great genes (or maybe they bought a new pair of really great jeans and want all the focus on that, who knows!). Maybe subconsciously some want to portray to everyone that they are too busy (Exam face anyone?) or too serious to have time to put on makeup.

Serious case of exam face!

In first and second year of college we learnt about the human race's quest to achieve their aspirational self. We were taught that they try to bridge the gap between their actual self and their aspirational self through their hobbies, maybe they paint or play instruments; the sports they play, are you a strong rugby manly man or a graceful swimmer? The course they attend; the job they work; their career, or lack of; the place they live in or they car the drive; the people they hang out with or avoid and mock; or the charity work they do- the list is long. All of these things are seen as acceptable and standard ways that we all define ourselves by. Yet young women are criticised, mostly by the elders and sometimes their peers, for wearing make-up. They are told they look like a slapper, a clown or a Goth. That they look much nicer without that "awful stuff caked on their face" and that "people will know that they are lacking in self-confidence." Because being told that you look rubbish is going to do wonders for your self-belief.

A Girl's Best friend?

Is this not another form of self-expression, a way of finding yourself by experimenting with looks? Granted NOBODYS make up when they begin is perfect but that is how we learn. We make mistakes, we practice and 90% of the time we improve...maybe after several years. Also don't worry, the shameful photographs of the past that lurk in the darkness of our sock drawer will remind us if we are to forget!

Yup, pretty much sums it up...

Sure it is said that we have to love ourselves if we are to expect anyone to love us. I do believe that this is true. However, in my experience I find that make-up allows a lot of people to be more themself than when they go shiny barefaced. Some might call it wearing a mask, that those that do this are just hiding their true self from the world. That's fine, you're entitled to your opinion I actually find it allows me to match my inside self to my outside self and in fact I am a lot more forthright when I "have my face on" as some say. It's more about accepting yourself on the inside and then expressing this wonderful person you are on the outside. Does anyone else feel like this? Or am I just a little crazy.


I think Make-up is fantastic. It's great to be able to have a creative outlet every day. Ever since I picked up an eyeliner pencil age 11 and drew those fantastically grungy panda circles, that stayed with me until age 16 , I knew I had found a new canvas that I could take with me everywhere -how fun!(Embarrassing photos remain on Bebo...) I'm sure I'm not alone in this, great satisfaction can be had trying out or perfecting new looks or teaming up with your friends to transform your surprisingly willing male flatmate into a drag queen. (Note: Photos of said incident are available on Facebook for those interested!) Endless opportunities are to be had!

I'm of the opinion that once you are happy with yourself on the inside and have the self-confidence to be the best you that you can be then it does not matter what you look like on the outside. Okay I'm aware that this may sound a little like an "after school special" but it has been playing on my mind ever since I witnessed a mother chastise and almost sneer at her very impressionable young teenage daughter for wearing make-up saying she'll "NEVER get a man looking like that with all that crap on her face!" Ironically the mother had make-up on. So I guess in conclusion what I am saying is maybe the answer is to guide people and not put them down or failing that actually leave them to their own devices because like opinions, bodies and lives it's theirs and so it's that persons choice and only theirs.

Failing that or for some light relief, take some tips from this girl on how to trick people into thinking you're really good looking!

What kind of Social Network are you?

How many of you sign into facebook automatically as soon as you go online, sometimes without realising it?
Some of you will admit it; some of you will deny it, which we both know is a down right lie; and the rest of you have unbelievable self restraint and will probably rule the world while the rest of us while away the hours procrastinating online trying to choose a new profile picture or write an amusing comment.

With the advent of Smartphones FB seems to be part of everyday life.

A lot of changes have occured with Social Media in recent years with many big main Social Networking players biting the dust (R.I.P. BEBO) and others such as MySpace having to re-emphasise their niche of being a platform for emerging talent to have any chance in surviving. More and more people are going online or feel the pressure to have some sort of presence on these "Online Communities" as the view that there's something wrong or dodgy about a person if there's no profile of them whatsoever on any site (not that we were searching that much or anything!) has infiltrated our brains.

Pressure to join...incase people might talk about us and we can't see because their page is private!

Midway through 2011 Google challenged the current "Ruler" of Social Media, Facebook, by introducing their Google + site and continues to challenge it by the introduction of Google Plus Your World at the beginning of his year.Still relatively unaffected by new kids on the scene Facebook seems to have become the standard platform where people let their voices be heard on the Internet. Even with the much talked about new layout that has been introduced with coverphotos for people profiles that makes it look "more like BEBO's hot older sister" and its "stalker friendly " timelines, Facebook's grip on us appears to be holding strong. We use it to connect,share, make plans, RSVP, shop, complain, praise, with or about everybody and everything.

So if Facebook is for everybody and their dog Im going to talk about a small few of the rest of the Social Network sites, the ones where we join to really "express who we are" that I have had some experience with.

There's  Twitter which allows us to update everything we do as we do it and is brilliant for people who are always on the go, doing something, promoting something or want to know what their favourite celeb is doing right.at.that.moment. I've recently blown the cobwebs off my account and started tweeting again only to realise that just like last summer I still do not do a lot of extremely interesting things during my day. I'm still as much of a broke student as I was then! #ifonlythedolepaidustogotocollege

Tumblr is great for sharing beautiful pictures you have taken or more often than not that other people have taken, doing a spot of writing if you don't want the pressure of a regular blog and after time it almost sets a mood board of the persons over all personality or funnily enough their mood for that day. It's dare I say it a little artsy,alternative and maybe a smidge hipster or very "Landan" chic, great for expressing the aul' creativity without actually having to do a whole lot. In fact one can spend a whole day reblogging without meaning to, even  especially when there's an assignment deadline the next day. (Before I get any backlash for the hipster comment I have an account myself and reblog the s...ugar out of other peoples pictures also.)

So many pretty pictures to brighten up an otherwise dull day!

LinkedIn is everybody's best foot forward Online and the site we pray will come up first when our future employers google our names. It's great for networking and connecting with former bosses and people in industry. Also, it's a way of repenting for all those shameful BEBO photo's that refuse to disappear from google search long after our accounts are deleted.

Blogs. This is where we rant, use personal stories to make a point or ramble about everything and nothing in general. It's a great way to express yourself whether you want to be a writer or not. It's an online space that can expose you the most to the most amount of people, which can be a very good or very bad thing depending on what you have written or who you have ticked off by it.

As for Myspace holding the title for the place to be found or newtork for music talent, I fear it seems to be struggling, especially with three music sites that are growing on the scene that have come to my attention: One is Bandhappy which while it is not quite a social networking site it has the potential to expand into this, I mean come on it allows people to get one-on-one live lessons from their idols through skype(or a system similar) and also Lastfm or more Apple's Ping which is on track to become the two main places for serious musicians to network.

It's amazing to think that by being on each of these sites it almost defines us to everyone else. So what are all of your predictions for the next Skynet...I mean market leader? Will Facebook remain up on top with their Facebook music due out in the next few months or will Google+  and Twitter's increasing popularity completely swipe the rug from under its feet?  Or will it be a complete underdog to capture our laptops, smartphones and ipads hearts?

This year a smart resolution perhaps!

Happy New Year everyone!

Well I cannot lie and pretend that the cliche is not true because last year flew by too quickly! I can't believe that on top of being in my final year, I am already in the second half of the college calendar!

2012 arrived in the blink of an eye!

It is safe to say that the majority of my very vague yet ambitious resolutions made last year were far from achieved. Ambiguous aspirations that I would "get better" at the piano, become "more"  healthy and draw "regularly" (I even looked up the price of a sketch diary on amazon for this one, oh the enthusiasm!) were vowed. Unfortunately,apart from random bursts of gusto dotted throughout the year none of my goals appeared to take shape or come close to being successful. I did, however, manage to improve my procrastination skills and ability to be a lazy bones to no end.

Me, a picture of motivation and zeal.

"A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other."

 While this is a rather terrible pun I have to agree that it pretty much sums up my previous New Yearly attempts at self improvement! Even the few goals I have managed to maintain for a while are pretty much forgotten about by the next year regardless of whether or not they are accomplished. This year is going to be different though! Yes, I have said this every other year as well but now I have a plan. 

From now on I am just going to have to be smart about my resolutions!

Each of them will have to be:

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Realistic

Timely

Yes, this is from a management book but who better to listen to when trying to organize myself! If this framework is a proven success within a business then it will definitely enable me to succeed in my personal goals!

The key to success?

Hopefully this will be the key to actually getting me motivated enough to go through with all my plans. I might even go all out and nerd it up by keeping a journal on my progress... Stay tuned!

The Ghosts of un-Christmas past

So today I finally received my much anticipated reimbursement letter from a certain Irish airline. I can honestly say it was quite the let down. I don't even know why I was even surprised by this as this was not the first time, or the worst thing, that they had failed to deliver as promised. Two words: Last Christmas.

Just about sums me up last year...

I nearly shudder at the thought of what an utter let down and disappointment it was. There I was unbelievably excited, actually excited couldn't even cover it, at the thought of coming home from New York to Cork for Christmas. And before you even think it: No, I am not being sarcastic. I was genuinely ecstatic to see my loved ones...and do Christmassy things with everyone- like making mince pies, eating tins of roses while sharing stories on Christmas eve about our hilarious tall tales made up when we were children about spotting Santa and of course naturally go to the pub. So anyway, on the 23rd of December I packed my bags, gave back my dorm room key and set off ridiculously early to JFK Airport. Like six hours early.

Away I went!

So I arrive up to the check in desk only to be referred to another queue. That's when they tell me our flight was cancelled due to "unfavourable" conditions. Stunned, I rang my friend due to fly on the same flight to deliver the news. After hanging around for what seemed like forever we were all packed off to an airport hotel with the promise that we would be flying out the same time the next day and arrive in Christmas morning. I held onto that hope that we would make it home in time.

The thought of Christmas at home made even this view seem almost redundant by the 23rd!

So the next day we hauled our bedraggled selves to the airport once more and queued  for a good hour with the only agreed acceptable reason for leaving it again was by getting on a plane. The staff were about as useful as a chocolate teapot with regards any sort of updates or basic information on our flight. Some were downright rude and ridiculous to us, one member of staff even claimed to the more hotheaded of our group that he didn't care, could take them all on. Not exactly the Christmas cheer or empathy we were looking for in an airport on Christmas Eve. Among-st all the confusion and raised voices the screen above us flashed: Flight Cancelled.That was it. Game over. The Grinch stole Christmas.

No Christmas for Sandra last year!

 I'd like to add before anyone thinks I'm being unreasonable and a complete brat, as there was a lot of snow in Ireland at that time, that two of my friends flew out from New York on the 23rd into Ireland without much hassle. It's safe to say I handled the disappointment extremely well. I bought myself a bottle of rum as a miserable consolation present and headed to the hotel bar with a large motley crew of Irish expats.

Stranded...but not even in the wonderful city!

So that's the story of last Christmas, the non-event that still haunts me the Christmas enthusiast or nut if you will. This year, it's safe to say that I am making up for it. I made the family traipse around after me for five  freezing hours to look for the perfect tree. I, almost to a point of obsession, make sure that Christmas songs and movies are played at least once throughout the days on the lead up. I think at this stage I may know all the words to both Home Alone movies...I even let my boyfriend convince me to go ice skating to get as much Christmas Cheer as I could . (Along with spiders it is one of the few things that truly instills fear into me, ice skating that is!)

Pretty much perfect portrayal of my ice skating ability.

Even better, on top of this there are plenty more batches of Christmas cookies to devour; a chocolate Rice Krispie Tree to build; 12 pubs of Christmas; lots of mulled wine sessions; and Christmas eve still to come.

This year is full of Christmas cheer!

Anyway, have a great Christmas everybody! I know I will! :)