The Top 5 Acts Hitting Ireland This Summer

May 23, 2015 ~ theinkladies ~ Leave a comment

by Emily Crowley

As mentioned in Shirley Donlon’s article published previously this week, festivals and concerts are a must-do on your summer bucket list. With such a wide variety of musical genres hitting Ireland’s main stages and biggest venues, I took a look at the top five acts to watch out for this summer. Ideal for those who want to take a trip within Ireland, why not plan a stay around this beautiful isle during one of these five dates?

Foo Fighters – Slane Castle, May 30^th

This year, Foo Fighters have the honour of being Slane Castle’s only announced headline act this year. The multi-Grammy award winning rock band has returned to Ireland for the first time since performing at Oxegen music festival in 2008. Supporting acts include Kaiser Chiefs and Hozier, making this a concert not to be missed. Tickets are still available, as far as I know, and can be bought on ticketmaster.ie for €79.50.

2. Ed Sheeran – Croke Park, July 24^th

With four sell-out nights in Dublin’s Three Arena last October, Ed Sheeran is back, and this time he’s taking to the main stage in Croker to perform what can be predicted as an incredible performance. With a distinctive live music style, Ed performed alone in his October concerts, only being accompanied by his guitar on stage. This summer, he is to be supported by Irish indie rock band Bell X1 and English singer-songwriter Jamie Lawson. Ticket price began at €69.45 – seize them while you can folks!

Florence and the Machine – Electric Picnic, Stradbally, Co. Laois, September 4^th – 6^th

Florence and the Machine were announced as Electric Picnic’s headline act of 2015. When last performing in Ireland, the famous soul and indie rock band played alongside our own Snow Patrol in Phoenix Park in the summer of 2012. With other major names in the industry also listed in the line-up including Blur, Sam Smith, Jessie Ware and MK, as well as the growing popularity of the festival, could this be one of the greatest years Electric Picnic has seen?

Avicii – Marlay Park, July 3^rd

For house music fanatics much like myself, we know that Ireland has a lacks seriously in major DJs playing in Ireland’s main venues. With only Hardwell performing in the Three Arena (then the O2) in February 2014 and Swedish House Mafia playing in Phoenix Park in 2012, it was literally music to our ears to hear that Avicii would headline a Marlay Park concert this year. Also playing the same day, Rudimental will be making an appearance as support for the “Levels” DJ. A sold-out arena of 38,000 – this shall be a concert that will definitely go down in Marlay Park history. Much like Ed’s concert, if you source tickets, go for them, they will be like gold dust come July.

Example and DJ Wire – Sea Sessions, Bundoran, Co. Donegal, June 19^th – 21^st

Another year, and another fantastic line-up for Sea Sessions. Example is taking a quick break from fatherhood and will be accompanied by DJ Wire to make a stellar performance on one of the most picturesque music venues in the country. However, Example is not the only act to be followed in this festival, also performing are Maverick Sabre, Klingande, Sigma and The Riptide Movement. So for all you who want the festival experience with a bit more chillaxed vibes, head on up to Bundoran where you definitely will not be disappointed.

The Sea Sessions campsite on beautiful Bundoran Beach

Soundtrack to Summer

May 17, 2015 ~ theinkladies ~ Leave a comment

by Bronwyn O’Neill

Summer is almost here, so it’s time to get in the summer mood. Here are some great songs, both old and new, to do just that.

Miami 82 – Syn Cole (Kygo Remix)

No summer mix is complete without Kygo, so to start us off here is (in my opinion) the best song to get into that summer feeling.

Where Are U Now – Skrillex& Diplo ft Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber is back and better than ever. With this new song produced by Diplo and Skrillex, it will definitely be a hit this summer.

Cheerleader – OMI (Felix Jaehn Remix)

This song is already all over the radio and it has those chill summer vibes that will make it stand the test of the summer charts.

Summertime Sadness – Lana Del Ray (Cedric Jervais Remix)

Old but gold, we hope you don’t have any sadness this summer. However, this song will probably make a comeback in nightclubs during the summer months. If not, it’s still a great way to get ready for summer.

I Really Like You – Carly Rae Jepsen

Carly is back with another catchy song that will have us mouthing the words in the car. It may have a different vibe from the rest of the songs on this list but it’ll get me through the summer.

Firestone – Kygo

Kygo makes a second appearance on the list with his first original song. Another song that has already hit the charts, seeming like it’ll bring us into the sunny weather.

Summer – Calvin Harris

It’s called summer, so you might as well use it to concrete the summer feeling in your mind. Anyway, it will definitely bring back summer memories of last year.

Don’t You Worry Child – Swedish House Mafia

I honestly don’t care how old this song is, it is always going to be an undeniable summer tune. As will this next one.

Wake Me Up – Avicii

This song will always bring back fond summer memories.

Don’t Look Down – Martin Garrixft Usher

Martin Garrix’s new song will have you up and ready to feel the summer sun. Be prepared to hear this song a lot.

Sun is Shining – Axwell ^ Ingrosso

Two thirds of Swedish House Mafia bring out this amazing summer song. Although it’s of yet unreleased, it does feature in the H&M advertisement.

Stronger – Arty ft Ray Dalton

A song to get you pumped for the summer and all the adventures you’re going to have.

Hold You – Basto

This song has serious summer vibes, even the vocal will bring sun to mind. This will surely get you through the summer.

If it wasn’t for You – Alesso

Cool is everywhere but Alesso’s newest song which he premiered at Ultra seems like a song better suited for summer. I’m sure we’ll hear it a lot in the coming months.

The Only Way is Up – Martin Garrix&Tiesto

This collab was released last week and has all the makings to becoming a summer hit. With Tiesto and Garrix behind it, there is no doubt it’ll be blaring all through the summer.

Forbidden Voices – Martin Garrix (JakobLiedholm Remix)

Forbidden Voices is one of Martin Garrix’s big songs. However this remix will bring it into the summer and give you some serious summer vibes.

Heartbeat– Magnificence(Nicky Romero Edit)

This song will make you long for summer nights and going out. Summer nights out are always unforgettable, so this song is a perfect one to get you in that mood. Or perhaps a summer evening drive with the gang.

Peanut Butter Jelly – Galantis

Galantis’ first single “Runaway” is high on the charts, their third single seems like it will get you into those chill summer vibes.

Better Off Alone– Alice Deejay (Zaxx Remix)

This remix of a classic will get you in the mood for more summer outings.

Have a great summer guys.

Your Summer Bucket List

May 16, 2015 ~ theinkladies ~ Leave a comment

by Shirley Donlon

For most of us, the college year has come to an end which means one thing – summer has arrived! After weeks of stressing, studying and cramming I’m sure that everyone is now looking forward to a well deserved break but with so much spare time it can be hard to know what to do first. With the help of this ready-made summer bucket list you can prepare to have an unforgettable summer.

Travel

Travelling is by far one of the best ways to spend your summer. I mean, how often are we going to have over three months completely free from responsibility? We need to make the most of our summers as students by travelling. Whether you wish to enjoy a relaxing two week break in the sun with a couple of your best friends or go crazy and enjoy a holiday of partying there are many choices of different places to go.
Another amazing option for getting the travelling bug out of your system is to have the experience of a lifetime and go on a three month J1 working trip. This is a great way to experience a different culture, become more independent and also get some work experience on your CV.
If flying isn’t your thing, don’t worry, our own little island has so many hidden treasures and wonderful places to explore during the summer. From a surfing trip on the West coast to a hike up the mountains of Glendalough, Ireland will certainly keep you busy during the summer months.

Summer Barbecue

A summer barbecue is a great way to catch up with friends who you don’t see as often as you’d like and with the expense of student life it’s safe to say money can be a bit tight after a year of paying for campus accommodation and going on endless nights out to Diceys. Save your money by whipping up some home-made burgers and catching up with friends in the evening instead of going to a restaurant.

Festival

The summertime is the perfect time to go to a music festival and with so many to choose from you’re sure to find one that will appeal to you. Festivals have become increasingly popular in recent years and some of the world’s best singers, DJ’s and musicians are getting more and more involved each year. All we’ve been seeing for the past couple of weeks is photos of Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Vanessa Hudgens, Cara Delevingne and lots more celebs as they enjoyed the renowned music festival that is Coachella. And while most of us will never be so lucky to make it to Coachella (sigh) it’s okay because Ireland hosts many of the best Summer music festivals around – Longtitude, Electric Picnic, Forbidden Fruit. Tickets can be pricey and sell out really fast so make sure to grab yours before it is too late!

Exercise Outside

Okay, I know this isn’t as exciting as the others mentioned above but summer is the perfect opportunity to swap the gym for a nice long run on the beach or through the park. It isn’t often that we get nice weather so exercise outside this summer and make the most of the sunshine! Plus, exercising outside will help you get that summer glow J

Camping

Whether it’s in the woods, on the beach or in your own back garden, camping is such a fun thing to do in the summer. All you need is a tent, some warm pyjamas, a group of friends and obviously some marshmallows for toasting. Just remember, it is always a good idea to use the toilet BEFORE getting set up for camping – there is nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night, in a tent, needing to go to the toilet!

Cocktail Party

What better way to celebrate the end of exams and the stress of the college year than with a cocktail party? Whether you’re getting ready to go out afterwards or simply having a chill night in with the girls, a cocktail party is the perfect chance to catch up, have fun and relax with friends. Here are two simple recipes for your own home-made cocktails. Enjoy! (Feel free to leave out the alcohol for a yummy non-alcoholic drink.)

Sea Breeze Cocktail
1 Part Vodka
1 Part Grapefruit/Pineapple Juice
3 Parts Cranberry Juice

Woo Woo
1 Part Vodka
1 Part Peach Schnapps
4 Parts Cranberry Juice
Ice

Spice up your look!

It is always tempting to change up your look during the year but sometimes the fear of it turning out badly and having to go into work or college to showcase your new look can be enough to stop you doing it. The summer is the perfect time to be adventurous and try out that style that you’ve always wanted to. Use the three months to experiment with different looks and have fun with it. Whether you feel like dying your hair a new colour, wearing something you’ve never worn before or doing something you have always wanted to there is no better time to do so than during the summer months. If hair is your thing, follow in the footsteps of Kylie Jenner by adding a pop of colour to the tips of your hair using hair chalk or hair dye. If you’re not feeling that daring, try spicing up your style by buying something you’ve always wanted to wear.

Go on an Adventure

Ireland has so many great attractions. For those of us who are staying home for the summer this is a great opportunity to explore the great hidden treasures that Ireland has to offer. Go on a group surfing trip in Lahinch, Co.Clare or take a visit to Carlingford Adventure Centre in Co. Louth for a weekend filled with activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, zip-lining and more. If you and your friends are the spontaneous type (and are lucky enough to own a car) go on a road trip and see where it takes you!

Charity Work

During the summer there are lots of options to get involved in raising some money for a great cause. In Ireland there are many different organisations that encourage students to get involved and volunteer to do some charity work. There is a variety of marathons and races that raise money for charity running through the summer months. Gather a group of friends and take part in the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon on June 1^st and run, walk or jog for a great cause.

Relax

Finally, if you’re feeling exhausted after a year of doing assignments and exams it is important to relax and enjoy your well deserved break from college. Don’t feel like you have to keep busy every single day. Sometimes all you need is a good rest.

Enjoy your summer!

Everything you need for festival fun

May 13, 2015 ~ theinkladies ~ Leave a comment

by Bronwyn O’Neill

With summer fast approaching, everyone is excited to finish exams and enjoy the freedom. With the he scramble to buy summer clothes, book holidays and finalise those summer plans, eyes turn to music festivals.

Here in Ireland, festivals such as Electric Picnic and Longitude draw in crowds by the thousands. With the festival season already kicking off overseas with Ultra and Coachella, here is a quick guide to some essentials to pack, as well as some cute outfit ideas to make sure you’re fashion forward on the days.

Dry Shampoo

Realistically, you’re not going to have much time to use on-site showers. Especially not to give your hair the TLC it deserves. Dry shampoo is a godsend; any female can vouch for this. So, pack a bottle in your bag to make sure your hair looks fresh over the weekend.

2. Portable Phone Charger

You’re going to be taking lots and lots of pictures and videos at the event (as well as receiving phone calls from mammy wondering if you’re okay). Make sure you bring a portable phone charger. It will save you a lot of hassle and you’ll have use of your mobile device the entire time.

3. Water/Hydration packs

And lots of it. You’re going to be dancing and pushed into a crowd for hours at a time. If you can get your hands on a hydration packs this is even better. You can fill this up with 1 or 2 litres of water, and carry it on your back. Water is a safe choice to prevent dehydration. Always be safe kids.

4. Raincoat

Let’s be realistic, this isn’t Coachella, we’re not in sunny California. It’s Ireland, it’ll probably rain. So a raincoat is always a good shout. Even if it’s really light, it’s better than nothing.

Wellies

Obviously, you’ll have to pack wellies. It’s great to see that we’ve moved on from green farmer willies to pattered wellies for the fashionista. It’s a festival. It’s going to be mucky. Don’t wear sandals.

Travel size toiletries

It’s just the easiest way to bring deodorant, sun cream, spray etc. The smaller the better.

Baby wipes

You’ll be sweaty and sticky by the end of the day. You probably won’t want to wait in a queue to have a shower, so baby or wet wipes are your best bet. They’re also handy for taking off makeup and cleaning up small messes quickly.

8. Earplugs

What?! Yes, bring earplugs. You’re at a festival. It’s going to be super loud. What if you want to go to sleep early (an act you don’t like is performing) or your camp site is just too loud? It’s also helpful if you’re up at the front with extremely loud speakers. Just a thought.

Aside these, of course bring spare clothes, a tent, sleeping bags and food!!!

Now onto the fun part! The clothes.

Everyone is always inspired by the celebrity festival goers at Coachella. Vanessa Hudgens in particular always seems to look flawless each year.

Shorts

Cut-off and high waisted shorts are still a huge trend. Try something with a cool print or just go for plain denim.

Crop tops and florals

This year crop tops are really popular.Especially those with a light flowing material and funky patterns. However if you don’t feel comfortable showing your midriff, a flowing floral top always looks great.

Layers

Bandeau bras and tank tops are always popular as layers. Kimono jackets are also a huge style trend this year. They are really easy to wear if you want to spice up an otherwise boring top.

Flower crowns

Flower crowns don’t seem to be going away anytime soon.

Snapbacks

If you can’t get behind the flower crown trend but still want to wear headgear, snapbacks are always popular on the festival scene. Cara Delevingne is often seen wearing them, during and outside festivals.

Bowler hats

I am personally obsessed with bowler hats and any excuse to wear one is great. So why not try out the look at a festival? You definitely won’t be alone.

Paint dots

A tamer version of rave paint, paint dots are a huge festival trend. You can’t go anywhere without seeing a famous face with dots on them when looking at Coachella fashion.

Rave Kandi

Every teenage girl has gone through a “bracelet phase”. If you haven’t, I’m sure you’ve seen one of your friends with a pile of bracelets up to their elbows. How about bring that trend back with some rave kandi bracelets. People make masks and even bras out of this stuff. Trust me it’s cool.

And if all else fails and you’re still looking for festival outfit ideas, look no further than Vanessa Hudgens, queen of Coachella.

The Perfect Chill Summer Playlist

May 12, 2015May 12, 2015 ~ theinkladies ~ Leave a comment

by Emily Crowley

With exams just around the corner, a lot of students can just taste the freedom of the months ahead. Here at The Ink Ladies we try to keep things as calm and collected as possible, and so, we have listed 20 of the essential chill-out tunes you need for summer 2015. Whether you’re relaxing after a long day of study, unwinding once the tedious exams are completed, or if you’re jetting off to the sun because you’re already finished, these are the songs you need on your summer playlist. So sit back, crack open a drink of your choice – or a nice cold 99 cone, and just chillax.

Big City Life (LEEX Remix) – Mattafix

Something New (Robin Schulz Remix) – Axwell /\ Ingrosso

Wicked Games – Parra for Cuva feat. Anna Naklab

Stolen Dance (DIMMI Club Edit) – Milky Chance

Flume (Kulkid Remix) – Bon Iver

When The Beat Drops Out (Don Diablo Remix) – Marlon Roudette

Unendliches Fliegen – Tinush

Treasured Soul – Michael Calfan

New Orleans – Naxxos

No Woman No Cry (Jason Nova Remix) – London DJs

Parov Stelar (LCAW Remix) – The Sun feat. Graham Candy

July Flame (Gamper & Dadoni Remix) – Laura Veirs

Sunday (Klangtherapeuten Remix) – Max Manie

Ella – Sascha Braemer

Coming Over (Filous Remix) – James Hersey

What Is Love (Lost Frequencies Bootleg) Jaymes Young

Sun Goes Down – Robin Schulz feat. Jasmine Thompson

Down Under (David B Edit) – Colin Hay

19. Riptide (Flic Flac Edit) – Vance Joy

What a Day – Lette

Your Ultimate Pre-drinks Playlist

March 27, 2015March 27, 2015 ~ theinkladies ~ Leave a comment

by Emily Crowley

We all know the struggle to find the bounciest tunes as your friends are coming over before a night out, or the awkward silence in the room after they’ve arrived while you try and search the perfect continuous mix on iTube, or the angry “Who’s God damn phone is that plugged into the speaker?!” when someone is playing a bit too much One Direction and not enough Swedish House Mafia. To ensure this doesn’t occur again I have compiled the Ultimate Pre-Drinking Playlist, to set the mood for the club and to get those rusty dance moves going before you set foot outside the door.

Tiesto & MOTi – Blow Your Mind

A brand new banging tune right from two of the biggest and hottest names in the industry! Released just this January, Tiesto and MOTi will not only kick off your playlist, they will kick off the entire night!

3LAU & Nom De Strip (feat. Estelle) – The Night

Corona did it, Bastille did it, Ellie Goulding did it – why can’t 3LAU and Nom De Strip? The two teamed up with Estelle back in the latter of 2014 to produce this head bopper. Released back in January, this single has already stormed the internet with over 375,000 views on YouTube alone.

Benny Benassi & Chris Nasty – Aphrodisiac (Original Mix)

Benny Benassi managed to stay quiet the past couple of months, however the Cinema star got together with fellow a DJ, Chris Nasty, and made a pretty awesome track. This future house is sure to get you in the mood to go out, maybe even to Coppers.

Blasterjaxx (feat. Rosette) – No Place Like Home

…Because no pre-drinking playlist is complete without Blasterjaxx.

Marshall Jefferson – Move Your Body (Tchami Tribute)

After winning the hearts of all deep house fans with his remix of Janet Jackson’s Go Deep last year, Tchami assures us he is going nowhere for a while.

Vicetone (feat. J. Hart) – Follow Me

Another brand new song from the duo, released just three weeks ago, Vicetone collaborated with upcoming artist J. Hart. This song is sure to get you up and dancing, and will make you angry when you realise how bad you are at shuffling.

Joey Dale – Zodiac

Joey Dale is the dark horse of Revealed Records. With Zodiac released just one month ago, the 21 year-old has taken the world by surprise with his astonishing talent. Definitely one to watch.

Headhunterz – Once Again

Headhunterz also added to the 2015 market with their new single Once Again. Another Revealed artist, the Dutch DJ has come out with some strong songs already including Dragonborn and Doomed, and he’s not done yet.

FTampa & Wao – Troy

Because tune.

Deorro – Yee

We all know that euphoric feeling when you hear the drop of a decent house music tune. If you haven’t had that feeling, listen here at 0:53.

Charli XCX – Break The Rules (Tiesto Remix)

Originally released as the second single from Charli XCX’s third studio album, Tiesto couldn’t help but spruce up the stereotypical pop song – and God are we glad he did.

Calvin Harris & Alesso (feat. Hurts) – Under Control (Oliver Heldens Bootleg)

The Calvin Harris and Alesso track was already a major tune in the genre, however with Oliver Heldens’ magic touch, it’s safe to say we won’t get tired of this song.

Garmiani – Zaza

Get those dancing shoes on folks.

Hardwell (feat. Harrison) – Sally

With the announcement of his latest album United We Are, Hardwell led the album by releasing Sally as a single. Safe to say, this is another house banger by Hardwell. Beware kids: contains strong language.

DVBBS – We Were Young

Great lyrics, cool vibes and an unbelievable drop. What more could you want in a song?

LuvBug (feat. Mark Asari) – Revive [Say Something]

Unlike the other song on this playlist, LuvBug’s latest single Revive has a different element to it. It’s a much slower song but you can’t deny that the bass in this song is incredible.

Fedde Le Grand – Don’t Give Up

Don’t Give Up was the lucky hit to be crowned “The Sound of Ultra” (Ultra Music Festival, Miami) last year – and if that’s not reason enough to have it on the playlist, I don’t know what is.

PS – go watch the video, it’ll make you cry that you weren’t at Ultra Miami in 2014.

Shift K3y – Not Into It

Like Revive, Not into It is another slow-moving song to begin, but don’t forget to crank that volume button and wait for that bassline.

DVBBS vs Jay Hardway – Voodoo

Don’t let the borderline-creepy opening vocals put you off, this song is a definite must have for your pre-drinking playlist.

Zombie Nation – Kernkraft 400 (Basshunter Remix)

Yes, you read that correctly. It is Basshunter. This song is a small bit of a throwback in every sense of the word. Let’s face it Basshunter and Zombie Nation are and will always be our guilty pleasure and there’s no denying that this version of Kernkraft 400 is extremely addictive.

Enjoy your pre-drinks!

Always drink responsibly.

8 Unmissable Youtube Web Series

March 15, 2015March 18, 2015 ~ theinkladies ~ Leave a comment

by Zainab Boladale

Many people are unaware that youtube is not just for watching music video and cute cats doing cute things. Youtube also has many web series created by aspiring writers and directors who use the platform to showcase their talents to a wider audience.

Here is my list of the top 8 web series on youtube.

1.Adult Wednesday Addams:

If you were a huge fan of the Addams Family Values, you’ll love this short web series of Wednesday Addams, all grown up and bringing back the dark humour we all loved so much. Actor, Comedian and Writer Melissa Hunters flawlessly imitates the fictional character and I can’t help but giggle at every twisted joke she makes.

2.Carmilla:

Based on a gothic book series about vampires, the web series is another addition to the many vampire tales out there but thankfully this one is quirky,very modern and actually funny. If you were ever suspicious of evil vampire activities being linked to disappearing girls on your campus, then this is the webseries for you.

3.Riley Rewind:

Riley Rewind is really a movie that has been released in parts by then couple, Ray William Johnson and Anna Akana (Also famous youtubers). It follows the journey of Riley Brown who can go back in time and change things but it causes a decline in her health.

4.Out with Dad:

This series follows a teenage girl on a journey of self discovery, she struggles with coming to terms with her sexuality, coming out of the closet, falling in love and being heartbroken. This show displays the struggles LGBT+ teens go through and contrast the difference between coming out and having supportive parents and coming out and having non-supportive parents.

Most Popular Girls in School:

Ever wondered what an all barbie doll cast would look like if they were in high school? Well, you’re in luck. This incredibly popular web series displays barbie dolls acting Mean Girls but only these girls are meaner. The cheerleading squad are set on remaining on top of their school’s social hierarchy and they will do anything to stay on top!

6.Bertie Gilbert Short films:

Although he doesn’t make webseries, I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t throw his work into this list. Bertie Gilbert is a 17-year-old talented filmmaker who creates beautiful short films that are meant to be watched not just for their brilliant storylines but also for the amazing cinematography. Each story is very different and told in a well presented manner.

7.The Misadventures of AWKWARD black girl:

This is one of the best web series i’ve come across and I always find myself re-watching it.

It it is relatable, witty and funny. The main character “J” is a normal black woman who has to deal with issues every woman has to deal with. She finds a hilarious way to juggle embarrassing and awkward moments in her relationships, friendships and work life.

You’ll find yourself being able to identify with her problems.

8.Backseat Bitches:

Ever wondered what it was like to be an L.A girl? Well wonder no more, these backseat bitches show us how L.A girls “Turn up” even if they don’t have a car. Being a flawless young adult in hollywood is hard and these two girls are here to show you the struggles they face. They show us that its hard being a party girl in L.A!

10 Signs You’re A Disney Princess At Heart

March 13, 2015 ~ theinkladies ~ 1 Comment

by Bronwyn O’Neill

As a little girl, I always wanted to be a princess (after my brief Barbie phase). Of course, most of my desire to be a princess was fuelled by my love for Disney films. This obsession has not left me yet. I am the girl who you will find singing “Let it Go” while I hold a glass of vodka and coke and dreaming of balls in my spare time.

With that, let’s dish out the Disney diagnosis and look at the ten sure fire signs that you’re a princess at heart.

You randomly burst into song.

Any chance you get, you are singing. Any moment is an opportunity to express yourself through music.

You sleep. A lot.

Napping is always on the cards. Also you look amazing doing it.

Your hair is always on point

Obviously, all Disney princesses have perfect hair. This is your secret power. #IWokeUpLikeThis

You dream of adventure and faraway lands.

Of course you’ve looked out the window at the drizzly weather and dreamed about getting out of here. All Disney princesses want adventure and change.

Your friends are seriously awesome.

Every princess always has the most amazing friends. They’ll always be there for you. They’ll tell you when your outfit is amazing and even on the messiest nights they’ll remind you not to lose your shoes!

You are brave as hell.

You can handle yourself. You face your challenges and are strong and amazing. Girl power!

You dream of finding your prince charming.

Even if he is a little rough around the edges, he’ll always be your prince charming.

You won’t let anyone else rule your life.

You decide your destiny. No one else. All Disney princesses are strong willed.

You’re a feminist

Hell yes, you can do everything a man can do. You’re not a damsel in distress.

You dream of your happily ever after

*sigh* Yes.

Five Famous Feminists

March 12, 2015 ~ theinkladies ~ Leave a comment

by Bronwyn O’Neill

At the Ink Ladies, we love being feminists. Even though International Women’s day was on Sunday, is there any reason we can’t have any more girl love. So, I thought about some famous ladies who are really paving the way for women everywhere (even if you don’t think they are the stereotypical feminists).

Beyoncé

Of course, Beyoncé makes the list. We had a whole article about her and why she is an amazing feminist. Not only does she donate to charity and stand up for equality, she also shows us that feminism can be sexy.

Emma Watson

Miss Watson has been an inspiration for me since I first saw her in Harry Potter back in 2001. Therefore, she has always been a role model for me. When she stood up at the UN and spoke about feminism I was in awe. Finally someone that everyone will listen to. No one would call her stupid or a slut. However, she was soon a victim of hate. Why? Simply because people have no idea what feminism is. Emma is an amazing role model and face of feminism for young girls.

Taylor Swift

Although, a newly fledged feminist, Taylor deserves to make this list. She realised she was wrong in her views of what a feminist is and is now out there spreading the word. Taylor suffers a lot of injustice due to the fact she sings about heartbreak. A pure example of this was during an acceptance speech where she thanked her exes that made her album a possibility. She, of course, received hate for this. However when Sam Smith said the same thing at the Grammys, he received a positive reaction. Taylor has also stopped dating so the media cannot make anything out of her “relationships.” This highlights why we need feminism.

Nicki Minaj

Yes! Nicki Minaj makes this list. The amount of wisdom that comes out of this woman’s mouth is astounding. She may not be your “average feminist”. However if she wants equal rights, if she supports young girls and respects herself then hell yes she’s a feminist. Although, she may flaunt her sexuality in videos, that doesn’t mean she’s any less of a feminist. If a man did it then no one would bat an eyelash.

“I’m fighting for the girls who never thought they could win.” – Nicki Minaj.

Mindy Kaling

An incredibly successful woman, with her own show “The Mindy Project”, she reminds everyone that successful women aren’t always cookie cutter shapes. She is honestly such an inspiration to all girls who don’t feel like people will respect them. Who cares if you’re not a tiny stick figure girl? Her sitcom was the first to have the focus on an Indian-American female and her self deprecating jokes and coffee- fuelled charm have made it a major success. She also wrote for The US Office.

So there you have it, five women who set great societal examples in their individual ways.

10 Cute, Smart and Funny Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day

March 12, 2015March 12, 2015 ~ theinkladies ~ Leave a comment

by Lucy Mangan

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to start saving and scrimping for that perfect gift. But it doesn’t have to be as hard as it was last year with all the cute DIY gifts and cheap shops that have been popping up all over the place. If you’re as lucky as I feel to have a mom who is pretty similar in age (and taste) to you then shopping for her will be a breeze, but if you’re struggling to find a gift for your mom, I’ve made a list of 10 cute, smart and funny presents that all moms will appreciate.

Sharpie Mugs

These are an absolute personal favourite of mine. You can put anything you want on them and it doesn’t matter if you’re artsy or not. I’ve seen some funny quotes done on mugs for mother’s day, like ‘World’s okayest mom’ and things like that but you can also personalise them and make more heartfelt and sentimental if you want, which is why they’re a perfect mother’s day gift! They’re also cheap and all you need is a mug, a sharpie and an oven!

2. A Drawing

This one may be a little harder to perfect, but it’s still an amazing idea if you can get it just right! A drawing sounds pretty sad but I found that when you draw pictures of people with people they love and give it to them, they really appreciate it, as shitty as the drawing may be. Even if it is awful, your mom will love it because of all the time and effort you put into it and plus you can both laugh at how pathetically bad at art you are!

Old recreated pictures

I’ve seen this one around the internet a lot and I personally think it really shows your mom that you care. Siblings and fathers may be included in these pictures so it’s a good idea to get your whole family involved and make a scrapbook for your mom out of it. From what I’ve seen and heard these old memories always go down a treat with parents.

A video of why love your mom

Okay, a little cringe I know, but I can guarantee that your mom will appreciate it. There’s nothing more a mother loves than getting told she’s loved and appreciated by her children and that’s all you need to do. Another good one to include the siblings in, if you have any! Completely free and definitely worth it.. Unless less your mom is like mine and will laugh at how cringe the whole situation is!

Chocolates

Don’t diss the classics. It may be a bit overdone and cliché, but a bit of a ‘background check’ for this one will never go astray. Find out from your dad, aunts, family friends, anyone who may know, what your mom’s favourite chocolates are. This will earn you a lot of favours. I know that you can’t get my mum’s favourite chocolates where she lives, but you can where I live. Not a hard trip to go in and get them and she will definitely appreciate it!

6. A cheeky picture of you

This is another one of the funny little gifts that put a smile on my mum’s face when I did it for her. All you need to do is find a cute or funny photo frame to put yourself in and voila! The best part is you can put on your best angel face and she’ll have a good laugh at that! This is also another place where a sharpie could come in handy because with a few cute designs or phrases it becomes personalised and unique!

7. Candles

Again, don’t disregard the classics. Every time you talk to someone about gifts for mothers, candles always comes up tops! Just look around your house for the type of smells she likes and MAKE SURE you find out the smells she doesn’t like. Yankee Candles are by far the best but can be quite pricey, so a cheap substitute isn’t hard to find. If you’re willing to splash the cash though, I’d recommend Yankee!

Bath bombs/body wash

One trip into LUSH will completely sort you out for this one. LUSH can be a bit on the pricey side but if you’re only buying one or two things it’s quite manageable. What you buy depends mostly on your mom and what she does. If you mom is a bath person, get her a cool bath bomb, if your mom is busy and doesn’t have time for a bath, get her a nice body wash! Again, be careful with the smells you chose for these things!

A good old-fashioned clean up

This one will get you a million brownie points with mom! I recommend waiting until she goes to bed/ goes out to start this master plan. It’s pretty simple, just clean up as much as you can! Do all the horrible jobs that your mom does every day and I promise she will be positively glowing when she sees what you’ve done for her!

Just show her you care

Really, our parents know that half the time we’re completely skint (they also know we all spend every penny of our money on going out) and they understand that big extravagant presents may not be on the cards, but just doing little things around the house like making tea and feeding cats or dogs, or even just telling her that you love her will genuinely be all that your mom needs on mother’s day!