Hot on the heels of that fantastic deal in Dylan Bradshaw, Another great deal from the guys and gals over at www.BoardsDeals.ie – Thankfully I did not spend too much over the Bank Holiday weekend, as this one is right up my street!  Their current offer is €35 for €100 worth of treatments at the French Beauty Day Spa in Dublin city.  Looks like I am not the only one who thinks this is a great deal with over 100 bought already.

More details on www.boardsdeals.ie

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Right ladies, all you need to do is put aside 20 minutes for your at-home cardio circuit.  I’ve done it myself and believe me if you keep it up you will notice a difference, you may also want to have a resuscitation machine near-by…

Before you begin, I’m presuming you all know how to do jumping jacks… you may know them better as star jumps.  Squat-thrusts are pretty tough but my god will you see a difference in your bum, legs and thighs if you keep this up: from standing, crouch down, place palms on floor, jump legs back into full push-up position, then jump legs back to crouch pose and stand up. Repeat again. When marching really swing your arms and lift your knees up high, the quicker you get your heart rate going the better.

* March in place for 3 minutes (360 steps)

* 60 Jumping Jacks

* March 1 minute (120 steps)

* 60 Jumping Jacks

* March 1 minute

* 30 Squat-Thrusts

* March 1 minute

* 30 Squat-Thrusts

* March 1 minute

* 30 Squat-Thrusts

* March 1 minute

* 30 Squat-Thrusts

* March 1 minute

* 60 Jumping Jacks

* March 1 minute

* 60 Jumping Jacks

* March in place 2 minutes to cool down

I’m sure most of you have heard of spinning classes, the equivalent to Chinese torture on bikes, well this exercise has the same calorie burn and yet you can do it in the comfort of your own living room… what’s comfortable about it I don’t know.  Gotta get me one of these machines!

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Alex Curran sported a stunning grey dress by french designer Alexandre Vauthier, with his obligatory big shoulder pads for this season.  His combination of strong shoulders, cinched waists and mix of dramatic details with rich fabrics are what makes his designs glamorous and sexy.

Alex’s figure most definitely can carry the figure hugging dress so well.  If however we had to nit pick, perhaps a better choice of bra with more lift?  The dress does have a lot going on with its bat wing arms and shoulder pads so Alex took the right option and went for minimalist jewellery, sporting just simple diamond studded earrings.  Her hair was simply tied back in a ‘messy’ bun and she had smoky black eye make-up that finished off her sexy look.

We’ve all given her a double thumbs up here at wow.ie, all agreeing she is certainly rocking this sexy look.  Alex has taken care of every detail with studded clutch to matching nail varnish.

We found this similar clutch bag on the high street at Karen Millen priced at €325 – a versatile bag which will work for dress wear and casually on a night out with jeans perhaps, a tee and fitted jacket.  You’ll find a great pair of nude patent high heeled pumps at Dunnes Stores for only €15!!

Check out fashion from Alexandre Vauthier‘s runway below.

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Well ladies I have to say I had been looking forward to Ladies Day at Aintree.   I had the 9th of April penciled into my diary to remind myself to check out the style of the day… I only wish I had used a magic marker that would make the reminder disappear, as this may have saved my poor eyes from the merciless and oppressive photos I had to endure.   I mean seriously, how hard can it be to look elegant and stylish?  Instead, women (and I use that term very loosely) strive to look tarty… and trampish – I’m taking no prisoners, it is a Monday morning after all!  Now, I don’t mean to ruin your day and put you through the same misery I had to go through, but I have put together a collage of ‘ladies’ photos… so view at your own discretion… and put down your breakfast : )

No, bruised legs are not a new fashion accessory!  I’m going to bite my tongue, but… Mutton… and lamb spring to mind!

One lady… ahem… showing her multi-tasking skills!  As for below, I bet these ladies wish there was a chance of changing that pane of glass for a brick wall!

Coleen arrived in a peach, sheer dress that I have to say was a little disappointing.  However, after seeing some of the creations above it was nice to see something a little more sophisticated and ladylike.  Ordinarily I would prefer something a more unusual and risky but seeing as my eyes have been scorned I’m going to say I love it!

Coleen was also on-hand to judge the Ladies’ Day Best Dressed competition, she awarded it to Sophie Farclough who in fairness was the best of a very bad bunch.  She walked away with a £12,000 Kia Venga car and a 10-day holiday in Barbados… my advice ladies is get over to Aintree next year and show them how it’s done… and bag yourself those winning prizes.  Even in the winning photo Sophie is clinging onto a Matalan bag… hardly the equivilant to a designer bag… eh once again…classy ladies!  This is only my opinion, I’m open to being corrected should any of you disagree?

Images courtesy of the daily mail.

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When you think of addictions you would be inclined to think of cigarettes, coffee, soaps, eating or drinking.  Or, if you are anything like us girls here at wow you think of your cosmetics bag (suitcase for me!).  We were having a ‘what’s your desert island must have’ banter (we are all allowed a little coffee break you know!), and it’s funny to hear the different hang ups we have.  I also realised that MAC are well propped up by my insecurities!

Anyway, I’ve listed my top 5 saves from a burning building…

1) MAC – Mineralize SkinFinish Natural €26 – it’s great as you can reapply it during the day as often as you like without it looking caked!

2) MAC – Powder Blush – Harmony – stays put all day.

3) MAC – Fix Fluid Foundation NW15 – I swear by this foundation, it has great coverage and lasts all day.

4) Jessica Nail Polish – Unleashed – It’s a dark deep wine/purple varnish (above) that stays put for up to a week.

5) I get very dry lips so I make sure to apply the aloe vera vaseline several times a day as I find this really helps.

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I’ve been testing the La Roche-Posay – Physiological Ultra-Fine Scrub for the last few weeks and here is how it went.

I have very sensitive skin and have always found it near to impossible to get a facial exfoliator that doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight and quite red and aggravated.  I therefore gave up on trying to find one as I felt I was doing more harm to my skin than good by “assaulting” it with these products.

That is until recently I tried the La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Scrub and to my utter surprise and delight I found it absolutely brilliant.  It has tiny little granules that you can really feel cleaning your skin whilst you rub it in, it foams slightly but is easy to spread around your face.  After washing it off, my skin was honestly “glowing” and felt really fresh and soft.  I had no hint of any redness… which I swear is a first for me and finished off by applying my moisturiser.

I now use my scrub about 2/3 times a week and find it has really helped to get rid of the blackheads on my nose.  I’m just happy I can stop torturing my poor face now and let it get old in the more than capable hands of the La Roche-Posay ultra-fine scrub!  5 out 5 from me…. give it a go ladies and let me know what you think!  You will find La Roche-Posay products in most chemists or on-line and this scrub is a steal at only €14.00.  Pour moi, a small price to pay for not looking like the victim of a terrible accident, as I usually did from other scrubs!

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Well we are just getting over the Grammy Awards and right on the back of them comes the 2010 Oscars! Yes, Anne Hathaway and Tom Sherak announced the eagerly awaited nominees. The 82nd Annual Academy Awards will take place on March 7 at Hollywood’s Kodak Theater, hosted by Steve Martin and that ahem.. ‘slimeball’ sorry.. I mean Alec Baldwin!

Here at wow.ie, we’re pretty excited because where there’s a big event such as this we expect a flurry of celebrities donning exciting, beautiful gowns. I have listed the nominees for best actress below and best supporting actress, lets take a look at who we can look forward to seeing on March 7th:

BEST ACTRESS

Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side

Carey Mulligan, An Education

Helen Mirren, The Last Station

Gabourey Sidibe, Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air

Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air

Mo’Nique, Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

Penelope Cruz, Nine

Maggie Gyllenhaal, Crazy Heart

I don’t know about you but I’m looking forward to seeing Sandra Bullock and Penelope Cruz especially. It’s nice that there is a mix up in regards to the nominnes ages as they will each have a style of their own I’m sure. I can’t wait to see Helen Mirren either, she is such a lady.

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Britney thankfully ditched the losers and ‘hangers on’ from the last year or so which is just as well considering her mental state over the last couple of years.  The only person she obviously forgot to get rid of was her dire stylist! She attended the Grammys in little more than a black swimsuit covered by black net… sorry lace! The designer description for this atrocity is as follows: “a black long sleeve lace dress with a black body suit (I’m sticking with my swimsuit description) by Dolce & Gabbana”.

Now I’m trying to put this in a nice way but how could Britney‘s thighs have been comfortable and not red raw from rubbing against the lace?!  In all fairness any friend/mother/sister/brother/boyfriend blah blah… should have told her that the outfit was not exactly slimming or suitable for her figure. With all her personal aides at her side someone should have stepped in and suggested trying a different stylist. Let me know what you think?

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BE WARNED - Gross Grammy Pics Lay Ahead!

I hope you are not about to eat your lunch before looking at these pictures, my apologies if you are!

Below I have put together some pictures from the Grammy Awards that will make you wince with embarrassment and pain! Lady Gaga was doing her impression of some sort of animal, which one I will leave to your imagination!

…..well, well, well or as I was thinking ouch, ouch, ouch. I just don’t get why ‘it’ had to be out there waving at everybody! All I can say is her beautican must have been busy before the show with her waxpot! We all know that she loves to shock with her fashion statements but that doesn’t mean she has to throw her ‘bits’ around so unashamedly. My sympathies are with the fans in the front row! I’m all for her excentric dress sense and I love that she tries really quirky things, but let’s not lower the tone too much or she might have to have the ‘Lady’ extracted and ‘Dirty’ put in. After seeing these pics you’ll probably be glad to see the ‘back’ of Lady Gaga…. oops that’s not much better.

Another celebrity that couldn’t keep her ‘mini mouse’ under wraps was Pink…

Again, I just think some areas are better off not on show! Is it me? Am I getting old? Or do I just have a sense of morality?? Surely if you have access to top designers they can come up with something great to wear that can also still leave you with some dignity? This is actually the same skintight suit that Pink wore during her tour so it’s actually not even specifically designed for the Grammys! Well in my opinion there’s only one way to describe the sparkly ‘mini’ and glittery boobs …ooh what is it again, oh yeah……..TRASHY!

That’s it ladies, feel free to skip your next meal after looking at this post!

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There were copious amounts of plain, ‘artless’ dresses on show at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards last night, although there were a few standing out from the crowd in something different. Some played it safe whilst others were brave and donned edgy pieces and then you had the usual people who just try too hard and look ridiculous! I’ve selected a few from each of my above categories so see what you think…

Carrie Underwood – Absolutely stunning! This is one of my favourites, it’s slightly edgy and yet not over the top, although you would have to have a very slim figure to pull it off. This dress is by George Chakra and it’s got unusual leather strap detailing across the bust and shoulders which add that something special to the dress.

Beyonce – Personally I am not mad about Beyonce‘s curve enhancing cream dress by Stephane Rolland, I don’t think it did her figure any favours and was pretty unexciting and drab, but hey – who am I to judge Ms. Knowles! I think she looked great on stage whilst preforming though in her little black dress and shoeboots, she most certainly had cause to celebrate as she scooped SIX awards, which is a record for a female artist.

Lea Michele – For those of you that don’t know, Lea Michele she is an American actress and singer. I had to add her to the list as I thought her dress was fab, and she looked absolutely stunning on the red carpet. Her navy blue cocktail dress was by Romona Keveza and her faultless figure carried the dress beautifully.

Miley Cyrus – Miley sported a green Herve Leger mini-dress with long sleeves that enhanced her young trim body. It really worked well on Miley and kept her youthful rather than dressed in something too old for her.

Katy Perry - Oh dear, I don’t know about you but this just reminds me of something Katie Price wore a few years ago! The flesh-coloured dress by Zac Posen had gold metal flower-shaped embroidery….to eh.. add to its bling! Hmmm..

Taylor Swift – Taylor wore a topaz blue Kaufman Franco dress, it was a stunning dress but I think it was a little old for her. It’s a pity she didn’t go all out and find something quirky and more suitable for her age. Mind you, after winning four awards I’m sure she won’t be bothered about what people think of her dress!

Pink - Oh sweet lord, check out this onesie! I’m just hoping all the right areas were covered up and she was also surrounded by dancers in gold bikinis and body paint. Pink is one of those artists that can look really well or…. how do I put it…. a little on the ‘manly’ side, so adding those two factors together and putting yourself in a skin coloured, skin-tight catsuit might not look so good! In saying this Pinks preformance on stage was aparantly amazing as she sang whilst suspended in mid-air by a white sling.  I’m exhausted just thinking about that!

Lady Gaga - Need I say anything?! I think it’s pretty cool actually! Created by Giorgio Armani the Prive interplanetary dress only confirms that Lady Gaga has a fashion sense all of her own. I have no idea how she managed to walk in those platform shoes, but her crystal-covered stockings completed her outfit.

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