Tonight off I went to one more event, part of the "Dublin Food Porn" theme. It was a 1h or so quick…read moreset up in the basement of the trendy Platform 61 in D2. The crew had their masks and leathers on and there were leaflets of lube of different flavours and tingling things... The place itself is very small and there were many people so got a bit overcrowded and warm. There was a queue of at least 20 girls waiting for a bit of make-up so I preferred to look at the products, chat and try the cocktails and nibbles. My stars go to the delicious mint and vodka drinks and to the absolutely delish creme brûlée! The event itself didn't have much interaction though. The goodie bag had a discount voucher, 2 condoms and a few small samples of lube.

Finally, I feel connected to the world and my own nationality. I don't drink alcohol, never had a…read moretaste for it, probably because I've a maaaaaajor sweet tooth hehe! Good food is my only buzz. I was on a Youth Exchange with Italian folk and swore I was meant to be Italian because of their love of fine foods. I am a food enthusiast and am always eating in the City Centre. I look up reviews like these ones sussing out new little places. I really love to hear independent cafes/restaurants opening up because they take their own way on serving up a dish, with unique recipes and a different approach to the same old, same old that you'd get in the likes of Starbucks, Costa etc. I've chosen to share a few photos here that when I look at, still make my mouth water. Pitt Bros is a must-try for anyone who likes MEAT. And, if you like authentic American style BBQ! The meat is cooked low 'n' slow with some of the tastiest sides such as Mac 'n' Cheese. N.B. This is the only Mac 'n' Cheese I've found that I like! Sweet Republic is a must-try for sweet lovers. It's in the name, it's a republic for sweet things! They've got surreal combinations, such as overloaded milkshakes with muffin tops! Thinking of the nutella milkshake with the donut top is giving me a head rush.. Aungier Danger is a little hub for creatively filled donuts. It's got all sorts of donuts such as a red velvet and banana and carmel. They stay open until all the fresh donuts have been sold! I popped in late one evening, and as expected all the lovely donuts were gone. However, the lad on the counter prompted me with a donut style ice cream cone filled with vanilla ice cream. I was hesitant at first, but after my first bite of that doughy cone I was very pleased with my choice! The dough was so tasty and the ice cream complemented the sweetness!

I'm so impressed with Robert Chambers. What a great way to be pampered. A glass of prosecco, with a…read morefresh raspberry, (great little touch), and a FREE goodie bag, jam packed with little gems .. I feel utterly spoilt! Tamar was fantastic. I always go to a salon wanting some style, but with curly hair it's so hard to find. I always leave with the same style, not much input and still a little confused, which in turn has left me a little lazy with my hair. With Tamar, I've found a new love for my hair, a new product to try, a completely different approach, and advice on how to look after it and style it properly, I love it! (Thank you so much!) The Salon is so comfortable, with reclining massage chairs while you get your hair washed, followed by a head massage, which was delightful! My hair feels super soft and nourished with the treatment, and with the way Tamar styled it, I keep having to glance at myself in the mirror just to see how good it looks and feels..it'd be rude not to! Thank you so much for organising this event, I look forward to going back and being pampered and styled again!

Walked in feeling pretty unglamorous after a day in the office. Walked out feeling like a 40s…read moreDisney princess. Result! On arrival we were greeted with bubbly to start the post work pampering. I started with a consultation and my stylist was very helpful in suggesting a new style for me. I'll be back very soon to take him up on his suggestions! When it was time to get my hair done I sat down as I normally would. The footrest started to automatically rise up and it turned out the chairs were massage chairs! I was not expecting that at all but it was very relaxing. The products used were fab and my hair looked so healthy and smooth after. I got a great 40s style blow dry which I will have to come back to recreate for a work do we have coming up. Can't wait to try out the products in the goodie bag and return for a hair cut!

This first floor Pilates studio on Camden Row has big windows along two walls so it is lovely,…read morebright and airy. The reception area has cubby holes for putting bags/shoes/jackets/etc. and two changing spaces. It opens into the studio which has seven reformers and space for a mat class of no more than twelve people. It's on the small side but this means the classes have to be quite personal. A plus as far as I'm concerned. I used to do a lot of Reformer Pilates but it's been a while and so I was looking forward to trying out this studio as it's closer to where I live now than my previous studio. From the moment I walked in I felt very welcome as Steph greeted each of us as we entered. Steph walked us through the movements very clearly and in a very relaxed manner, while walking around and adjusting us if and when necessarily. I was very impressed with her knowledge and explanations. She gave advice where needed and offered suggestions if some of the movements aggravated injuries. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and will definitely be back.

As a bit of a pilates rookie, I must say I was semi-apprehensive about going for the double combo…read moreof matwork AND reformer classes yesterday. How-and-ever, I can confirm that I have lived to tell the tale, and what's more I do so with two thumbs firmly up and two super-toned thighs!.. Steph could not have been more helpful and reassuring throughout both classes as she offered tips and advice whenever asked for or required. She set a really relaxed atmosphere from her supportive and encouraging manner, and I think everyone felt confident in the knowledge that she clearly knows what she is doing. The gym space itself is also worth noting, as it must be one of the nicest I've ever been in; so spacious with lots of natural light and what looked like brand new, top-of-the-range equipment. I will definitely be recommending Live & Breathe to my many pilates-obsessed friends in the future!..

I went for an introduction to tribal bellydancing class with Jasmin last week, and holey smokes…read morethat girl has moves! Jasmin was brilliant at explaining the whole history behind bellydancing first, and then gradually introducing the different moves to us, although it took us Irish folk a fair bit more time to stray away from our old, rigid-arms, nothing-moves-above-the-waist roots!.. I think it's safe to say that her continuous encouragement made everyone feel increasingly at ease as the class went on, and even I started to feel my inner belly dancing guru come out when she introduced funky music to the scenario!.. All-in-all it was a really enjoyable class, and a nice gentle muscle-workout (not too strenuous, but still satisfying to know you worked muscles that you never even realised you had before!). I'd definitely recommend it as a fun hen-party activity to try. A big thanks to Jasmin Victoria for doing it!

I cannot believe it took me so long to try out belly dancing!…read more Being from a family of dancers and being myself a sport addict, I usually have very high expectations, but it was clear from the warm-up that Jasmin is not only a great teacher, she's also a very complete dancer. The class was challenging and interesting, and it was a perfect introduction to the genre, giving us an insight into its complexity, beauty, variety and benefits. I came out of it so happy and invigorated with only one simple question: "Where do I sign up?"

On Tuesday 22nd July all the positive forces of the universe gathered, as well as the planets, to…read moregive me the best day ever ! 1 star for the BADGE : Yes I know it has nothing to do, but it does actually have to do indirectly. On Tuesday I received a confirmation email that I was joining the Yelp ELITE SQUAD :D OMG OMG OMG I was jumping everywhere and my colleague (I was supposed to be at work... working :) she asked me what was happening. And then she had me promise to take her as my +1 when possible. That was the best start of the day one can have on a Tuesday !!!!! 1 star for the HOSTESS : I arrived at 4 Dame Lane with my buddy and I saw her. Emily, the one, the only ! Wearing a gold disco ball like dress and flowers in her hair... A vision ! And on top of that she is the sweetest... What can you do, some people have it, some don't... and she does :) 1 star for the SHOWMAN : He was reading the numbers like no one, warming up the room like a fire in a boys scout camp and generously distributing gifts - even for those who were lost in the game ;) - like Santa on Xmas day ! 1 star for the FOOD : To be brutally honest with you, I am not a big fan of chicken wings because they are usually very spicy. There I said it, now throw me the first fluffy pillow I don't care ! What happened is I was super hungry, like starving, and I had a chicken wing... And I loved it ! It was not too spicy and it was actually really tasty with the white sauce dip. So I approve and will probably go back because - why not ? :D 1 star for the OVERALL EXPERIENCE : From start to finish the evening was just amazing ! Oh and I had a line at some point in the game and shouted LIIINE !! I think everybody heard me. I don't mind losing but I really wanted some bling here :) In France usually only seniors play Bingo on a Sunday afternoon... But if French people started to go to 4 Dame Lane, eat awesome chicken wings, drink the best mojitos, and play BLINGO with a great crowd - I bet more people would join the game ! Cannot wait for the next Yelp event :D

Probably my favourite Yelp event to date!…read more I convinced a bunch of girls from work to sign up and get bingo-ing and it was a fantastic night. I have never been to 4 Dame Lane before, so I was really keen to give it a whirl. A great location with inviting flame sconces outside, how could one not like it. Inside is laid out really well, with fantastic floor spaces and the bar is easily accessible from all areas. Bingo is awesome. Wings are awesome. Put them together and you have a recipe for success, no matter the age group. Add in some bling and you've got me hook line and sinker. The night was thrilling, three numbers, two numbers.. ONE NUMBER TO GO! Unfortunately for me, I never got to shout blingo, but I very much enjoyed the experience. If I was to give some criticism it would be the following: 1. We found it very difficult to hear the numbers being called out. We sat right down the back as there were no other seats. I know there was a light up sign with the numbers, but I would highly recommend this be put up higher for all to see. 2. No non-alcoholic beers?! I don't really drink, so i would usually grab a non-alcoholic beer. I figured there wouldn't be an issue seeing as I had two tickets and would happily trade both for one. However as they weren't part of the deal, I opted for a soft drink which wasn't exactly ideal. 3. The wings could be a wee bit better. Maybe I'm spoiled from spending so much time at Blue Bar, but the wings were just okay to me. From speaking with my table, we all agreed. These minor issues aside, yes I would probably attend another blingo night at 4 dame lane, price depending.

Brought along some friends to the Dublin Design Night & we really enjoyed it! It was a fantastic…read moreway to promote these lovely eclectic shops, and for them to highlight and showcase the best of what they do! We were given a warm welcome and loads of lovely freebies at each stop. Cocktails (The Industry ones were particularly good), flower bulbs, Yelp goodies and a just-made screen print! My personal favourite was Article, which I'm sorry to say I left til last and was nearly closing when I arrived! The staff were still super bubbly and friendly when we arrived in (fair play, surely they must have been wrecked!) and offered us the chance to do our own screen prints to take home, making sure every visitor left with something. Overall I really enjoyed the night & would definitely attend an event like this in future!

I had a nice evening! It was lots of fun to make my own terrarium and I got to take home a little…read moreplant after making him a cute little home in a mason jar. Over at Article they were showing people how to screenprint, and you got to give it a try! I loved the random guys in red shirts scattered about the city, they were full of energy and really made an effort to get attention from passerby. It may have felt a bit rushed though due to the queues (and things filled up FAST). So I never did get anything drinkable/edible...but I'm not complaining! Thanks for organizing this HUGE event Emily - anything that involves arts and crafts (and being able to do it myself) is always GREAT fun.

I loved every minute of this. There was a continuous smile on my face for the duration of the…read morelesson. What i really enjoyed about the class is that you rotate partners ever 5 minutes or so. Quite like speed dating but with dancing. It is a great way to meet new people and sure if you are stuck with someone you aren't too keen. Well it means you won't be dancing with them for the duration of the class. Happy days. And the teachers, Ray and Paola, have a great banterous rapport with each other with helped me and my two left feet feel at ease during the class. The only con that I had was the class was quite a full for the size of the space. There was still room to dance but it did result in a few collisions. Since it was my first time there I'm not sure if this is usually the case but it won't be stopping me from attending next week.

Do you like to dance? Do you have zero dancing skills? Do you wanna throw it all out and not have…read morepeople laugh at you? Then you really missed out if you missed the beginners Swing night! There was a really positive vibe and a complete lack of judgement. And Naoimh is spot on, it was a bit like speed-date dancing, and it was great to see that everyone was so nice to each other. I'm looking forward to busting some of those moves sometime in the future, Just one thing........everyone was sharply dressed, but who the devil was that odd bloke dancing in dry fit gym cloths and a black hat sweating his head off?

'You could make a blockbuster about Tea' a preposterous claim perhaps but this is what Richard is…read morepitching. Oolong's owner has produced a world where tea is medicine, tea is an aphrodisiac and tea is beyond delicious. This guy, and the rest of his staff know all there is to know about tea, cha, smoking cups of restoration, whatever you want to call it! Dublin as a tea destination is a concept just waiting for an upbeat discover Ireland video and I know Oolong is the cafe from where it shall spring. Their Teazza -tea infused pizza, for the uninitiated -was a definite highlight but there's also an unusual atmosphere in their shop that has a little to do with its elegance and a lot to do with blissed out clientele. Definitely going back to try some of their outrageous teacoctions!

So I'm going to lay my cards out here; I was never one for the "Tea Makes Everything Better"…read moremind-frame. Sure I enjoy the odd dunken'digestive in a milky brew of Barrys as much as the next patriot, but getting into the nittygritty of the world of exact temperatures, leaf strainers and health benefits? "Nah you're grand there, thanks very mooch" (said as I reach for another digestive to dunk) WELL HOLD THE PHONE AND CALL ME CHARMICHAEL: I AM A CONVERT!! Richard was so passionate about all things tea that it was hard not to get sucked in. During the evening we were treated to an extensive selection of teas, tea-infused pizza ("Teazza"), an authentic matcha latte aaaand some tea-infused chocolates. I was not expecting that the tea tasting would include so much, but I thoroughly enjoyed every last sip/morsel of it! Huge thanks to Richard and his lovely staff for treating us to such an enjoyable evening, and for their generosity in showing us everything that is wonderful about tea!