Yes, you read that right.  The new series of Sky1′s hit show Got To Dance hosted by Davina McCall is gearing up to hit Dublin for auditions.  The Dublin auditions will be taking place on August 14th so you have plenty of time to root out your dancing shoes and polish up on some new moves!  Someone tell Brendan Kilkenny to start warming up for his scissor kicks!

There’s no age limit so young or old can give it a go, street or salsa and go soloist or as a group…. anything goes basically, all competing for the healthy sum of  £250,000 in prize money.

Dublin dance act Raw Edge, made it to the semi-finals last year, maybe we’ll go all the way this year!

If you would like to give it a shot then follow this link: www.sky.com/dance

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Picture it. You’re browsing the ‘net, checking out different stores- and you pick out a few things and click to checkout. And the lovely internet tells you that this site only delivers within the United States. No purchasing, then. No matter how good the deal was.

This entire scenario bugs the pants off of me. I mean, there are times when I really, really (I mean more than I usually do) want to buy clothes in the US just to make life easier.

Which is where Bundle Box comes in. It’s a godsend, and the premise is a really simple one. Sign up, get your own registered PO Box in the US, and order whatever you like to be delivered to that box. For a small fee, Bundle Box will deliver those goods right to your door.

It’s a dream scenario. Most of the goods you can buy from the US can be gotten at cut prices to what you would regularly pay in Ireland (if whatever it is is even available in Ireland); hence the Bundle Box delivery fee is usually worth considering.

One caveat is here necessary though- The Revenue in Ireland can be a bitch, and anything over €22 in value will be slapped with a €14 customs and excise charge. This is the absolute pits, and trust me, I’ve moaned a lot about it. So my best advice is to buy a lot, and let the €14 get sort of forgotten about!

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Alex Fay from Ballsbridge is pictured at the Curragh Racecourse after winning Sunday’s, (27th June) Kildare Village Most Stylish Lady Competition at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. Alex wins a shopping spree at Kildare Village worth a massive €3,000 (oooh… I can hardly type through my green eyes!!) as well as a specially commissioned portrait by celebrity judge Mary McCartney (daughter of a certain Beatle!). Alex made her hat the night before the Derby, her dress by All Saints at Kildare Village and her bag was by Anya Hindmarch, also at Kildare Village (how apt).

Alex was chosen as the winner after Mary McCartney (also world-renowned photographer), jetted in to help shortlist the six finalists, alongside Maureen Bergin of Kildare Village outlet shopping. The overall winner was then, for the first time ever, selected by the Irish public via SMS public vote and online at www.derby.kildarevillage.com.

The two runners up Arlene Hopkins from Dublin and Aine Bergin also from Dublin received Kildare Village gift cards to the value of €1,000 – not bad for a days drinking and gambling!  Our very own Beatrice Whelan had made the finalists too so well done to her

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Awear.ie started their Summer sale today and there are some great bargains to be had with up to 50% off.  We’ve selected a couple of pieces to give you a taste of what’s on offer.

To start we fell in love with this Holly lace shift dress which was priced at €50 and now selling at €35!  Team this with the Slouchy Chain Mail Bag reduced from €28 to €18 and a versatile bag that will go with anything in your wardrobe.  On the subject of accessories how about our favourite the Chain Detail Cuff to add some attitude – it has been reduced to an amazing €6!!  This would work well with the Embellished Tunic which will only cost you €18 – change left for a round!

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Have you a holiday coming up and a suitcase to fill with a plethora of goodies to keep you looking stylish while you sweat like a beast in the sun?  Fear not ladies, today Coast begin their Summer sale and we’ve trawled through the offerings to bring you nineteen of the best they have to offer any self respecting fashionista on a budget!

After much debate leading to a couple of heated discussions the wow.ie favourite amongst the girlies was the Chanel inspired Vivi handbag at an amazing €29!  Check out the reductions below and if you see something that will ‘enhance’ your sun burnt glow don’t waste time picking it up…

1. Anetta Dress was €160 now €110

2. Begonia Print Dress was €110 now €85

3. Blackcurrant Corsage was €32 now €19

4. Bonita Jacket was €180 now €129

5. Charlie Chain Earrings was €19 now €12

6. Charlie Chain Necklace was €45 now €22

7. Clara Mae Jacket was €180 now €129

8. Edith Bracelet was €38 now €22

9. Edith Necklace was €52 now €25

10. Florence Skirt was €105 now €72

11. Laura Cami was €58 now €38

12. Laurel Dress was €148 now €98

13. Luxe Print Dress was €175 now €110

14. Patis Frill Top €98 now €45

15. Raya A line Skirt was €85 now €55

16. Ri Rae Top was €85 now €45

17. Samba Dress was €195 now €98

18. Thalia Clutch was €52 now €25

19. Vivi Handbag was €58 now €29

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Tomorrow is the last day to view  the “masterpiece” paintings by children from St Enda’s National School in Whitefriar Street.  The children enjoyed a class trip to Brown Thomas a couple of weeks ago to see their creations up for the nation to view and vote on (on Level 2 until tomorrow, 14th June).  Some of the thirty four five and six year olds can be seen proudly showing off their work outside BT’s.

Go along and you can vote for your favourite painting. The winning picture will be stylized into an adult t-shirt by EDUN and sold in Brown Thomas this November. EDUN is an ethical fashion label launched by Ali Hewson and Bono. All proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts will go to St Enda’s. Feel good factor with this one, sorry for not informing you sooner!

On the subject of EDUN, their new Spring Summer Collection, is exclusively available at Brown Thomas Dublin and they have partnered with Made Africa to produce a series of unique Kenya Kids Tees that bring to life hand drawings made by children from the Bidii School in Kibera, Kenya which is one of the largest slums in Africa. The Bidii School was started as a single classroom for 120 children, run by volunteer teachers. With Made Africa’s support, the school has doubled in size and helped provide hot meals, vaccinations as well as school supplies and financial assistance. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sales of these tees will go back to the Bidii School.

EDUN is a socially conscious fashion brand, which was launched in 2005 by Ali Hewson and Bono and was founded on the premise of trade for aid as a means to create jobs and alleviate poverty. EDUN’s mission is to help build trade with Africa by supporting community-based projects. Fantastic work carried out by Ali, one we here at wow.ie champion.

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Over the weekend Dublin was awash with soap stars and home grown celebs as the fifth Walkers TV Now Awards took place on Saturday night at Dublin’s Mansion House.  The plethora of Irish and International stars weren’t hindered in making it by volcano ash – thankfully!

The favourite soap award went to Coronation Street with Fair City’s Tony Tormey winning Favourite Male Soap Star and Katherine Kelly of Corrie winning Favourite Female Soap Star.  Emmerdale fared better with Irish viewers (considering they won n’out at the British Soap Awards) with the Dingles winning The Walkers Favourite Soap Family award (scary!).  Yawn.. Ken Barlow (Bill Roache) was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for 50 years on the show.

No surprises that our Favourite TV Show Ever was Fr. Ted.  The penultimate award on the night was the Inaugural Hall of Fame award which was collected by Rex and Lottie Ryan on behalf of their late father, much loved radio DJ Gerry Ryan.

More importantly… the fashion – well it didn’t disappoint, with the red carpet awash with stunning creations.  Corrie stole the show with a mix of high street and couture.  Shobna Gulati wore Philip Armstrong Couture, Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntrye) looked stunning in a dress by Vicky Martin with Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster) wearing high street favourite Lipsy (not so sure about the hair though!).

Reality TV Star (!!) Michelle Heaton dressed for the heat-wave in a burnt orange gown from a Marbella boutique.  Stylist Lisa Fitzpatrick dressed to impress, in a navy and white silk dress with vintage lace by Marion Murphy Cooney.  Model Pippa O’Connor wore a fabulous dress from one of her favourite boutiques – Soho in Naas.  Newsreader Elaine Crowley of TV3 wore a fabulous dress from Coco Boutique in Clarendon Street, flown in especially from LA for Elaine to wear on the night – go diva!  Rosanna Davidson was simply stunning as always in an Ashish dress and Louboutin shoes.  TV3 weather girl Anna Daly matched her fair complextion with a full-length powder pink dress.  Former Rose of Tralee Aoibhinn Ni Shulleabhain sported a silver Catherine Malandrino dress.  Glamorous Sile Seoige was resplendent in a leopard print dress by American label ‘Stop Staring’ and slightly dwarfed her equally glamorous sister Grainne.  Lorraine Keane looked stunning in a full length white dress however not so sure about the knuckle duster!  Louboutins (or loobs as we call them) were most definitely the shoe of choice on the night, with a host of stars slipping their feet into the skyscraping heels!

After the official ceremony ended everyone headed to Krystle nightclub where owner Rangan Aruchelvan pulled out all the stops to show every guest we Irish know how to party!

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Brown Thomas Dublin is hosting its first Tailor Made Thursday workshop in the store this evening.  You’ll get advice from the experts on dressing for work during the Summer months and how to adapt the look if you are attending events or parties after work!  On hand stylist Michelle Curtain will present perfect pieces for your Summer workwear wardrobe.

Featuring looks that are stylish and sophisticated yet still appropriate for work (how so!), Michelle will showcase pieces from DKNY, Theory, Tory Burch and Elie Tahari, alongside the hottest shoes and accessories.  Beware you don’t overspend as a result of being plied with champagne!

Workshops will be held this evening on Level 2 at 5.30pm, 6.30pm and 7.30pm – enjoy

Images left to right, DKNY Jacket €625, DKNY Jumpsuit €260, Tory Burch Dress €655

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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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HOW FANTASTIC ARE THESE SHOES???  We are having palpitations of excitement at every glance!  As the release went “Shoe aficionados have been perusing them on the Vogue and Style.com websites for months and they have graced the pages of many glossy fashion magazines around the world”.

As we mentioned on twitter yesterday, the gorgeous Sarah Morrissey modeled these beauties in Brown Thomas‘ Shoe Rooms yesterday afternoon.  Fear not if you missed out, these Alice in Wonderland inspired shoes, or works of art as they have been described here, will be on display this Saturday afternoon, March 27th, between 12 – 4pm.  Not only that but the godly creator himself, Nicholas Kirkwood will be on hand to meet us shoe crazy folk of Ireland and get many a pat on the back no doubt – go easy ladies!  His Spring Summer 2010 collection will also be showcased, isn’t there always something behind great designers hanging out?  I wonder if his celebrity fans such as SJP, Kirsten Dunst, Sienna Miller, Beyonce, Kylie Minogue, Cheryl Cole and too many more to fit in have to ‘view a collection’ every time they meet with designers!

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