March’s Banter session at The Twisted Pepper, ‘Rip It Up & Start Again’ gathers together a panel of journalism practitioners to look at the current state of the trade, where it goes from here, the rise of content aggregators and curators and what this means for established publications and titles.

Banter Present: ‘Rip It Up & Start Again’

Featuring Frank Fitzgibbon, Brian Fallon, Gavin Sheridan and Paul Mallon and  hosted by Jim Carroll (On The Record / The Irish Times)

THE LOWDOWN

‘Rip It Up & Start Again’ gathers together a panel of journalism practitioners to look at the current state of the trade, where it goes from here, the rise of content aggregators and curators and what this means for established publications and titles.

It’s a topic they’ve been meaning to return to since an infamous panel discussion back in November 2010 about Publishing 2020 which got a lot of attention for what was said and argued about on the night. It’s also a theme which is very much in the ether at the moment thanks to a bunch of articles, public discussions and radio show debates. While there’s a lot of new media vs old media huffing and puffing going on at the moment in this debate, Rip It Up & Start Again hopes to take a much different approach to see where we go from here.

The panelists: Frank Fitzgibbon (Editor, The Sunday Times Ireland), Brian Fallon (co-founder Distilled Media – The Journal, Boards.ie, Daft.ie), Gavin Sheridan (The Story.ie,Storyful) and Paul Mallon (ex-deputy editor The Star On Sunday and assistant editor The Star, currently editorial manager at Paddy Power).

Thursday 1 March @ The Twisted Pepper (Stage Room)
Doors 7.30pm || Talk starts 8pm Sharp
Adm: €5 || Adv Tickets from Bodytonic Store or pay on the door.
Limited spots also available on the guestlist list here until Friday 24 Feb only.

http://thisisbanter.com/ | www.thetwistedpepper.com

Joanna for stylesiren.ie

Available exclusively to Arnotts from today, the darling of prints, Mary Katrantzou, has teamed up with iconic French brand Longchamp for this amazing bag collection with two special-edition tote bags and an exclusive print for Longchamp’s legendary Le Pliage® line.

For Spring 2012, Longchamp unveils a creative collaboration with one of fashion’s hottest new names. Mary Katrantzou, the Greek-born, London-based designer, has been an insider icon ever since her dazzling digital prints opened the Central Saint Martins graduate show in 2008. We fell in love with these bags when we saw them at the Arnotts SS12 Press Day. So bright and colourful, there may even have been squeals of delight when our eyes fell on them, and with Longchamp being such a symbol of classic elegant French design, this is a match made in fashion heaven.

For the two totes, Mary Katrantzou created her own inspired and individual interpretation of the theme “When East meets West”, drawing on an extraordinary array of references, from Asian temples and flower parades, through dragons and lanterns, to the architecture of Carnegie Hall.

For Le Pliage®, Mary Katrantzou created a poetic print of orchids and lanterns floating like balloons against a backdrop of blue sky. “What I love about Le Pliage®,” says Mary, “beyond the fact that it is so simple and so practical, is that it provides the perfect canvas for a print designer.”

Mary Katrantzou for Longchamp Collection is now available exclusively at Arnotts.

Prices range from €61 to €365.

Joanna for stylesiren.ie

So bright and fun, this collection from Forever 21 is perfect for little pieces to add to your spring wardrobe, letting you take a little dip in this season’s colour pallets and prints.

This mini collection encapsulates everything that is fun about a tropical fling with Spring. Colourful cotton dresses featuring pleats, stripes and polka dots on soft jersey tops to inject fun and frolics to any warm, breezy day.

Prices start at €9.90 for 1980’s cut tops to €23.90 for asymmetrical maxi skirts. This collection will suit anyone’s Spring budget.

Check in store at Forever 21, Jervis Street Shopping Centre, Dublin 1 and online at www.forever21.co.uk for more from the collection.

Joanna for stylesiren.ie

It’s a been a busy few months for Benefit with lots of new products and promotions to get excited about. There’s the great Benefit & Diet Coke Get Glam promotion, our new favourite, Hervana, a nifty new highlighting pencil, High Brow Glow and the adorably sleek new make up kit, Cabana Glama.

Benefit & Diet Coke Get Glam

Designed to add a little sparkle to the New Year, Benefit have teamed up with Diet Coke to launch the Diet Coke limited edition collection combining three hot looks of the season. Each look features a female face in silhouette with a hot lip colour palette inspired by Benefit’s famous Benetint, Posietint and Cha Cha Tint.

By grabbing yourself any one of the three Diet Coke design you’ll have a chance to win a make up kit worth €99 every 30 minutes. The kit contains 4 of Benefit’s gorgeous products including Velvet Eyeshadow, Bad Gal Lash, Sugarbomb and Ultra Shine Lip Gloss, with an RRP of €99.

To enter just pick up a Diet Coke promotional pack in store, check for your promotional code and either text the code to 53705 or go online to cokezone.ie and enter it there. You then go into a draw for the Benefit Get Glam Make-Up kit, and with a draw every 30 mins from February 20th to April 1st you’re in with a very good chance.

Hervana Face Powder €33.50

Going straight to our Top 10 Beauty Loves for 2011 (even if it was a little premature), Benefit’s newest face powder Hervana is a delicious combination of four shades, lucky shell, divine peach, heavenly rose and berry delight, that blend together perfectly to give the most adorable natural blush to your face. Never over done, it’s such a natural finish to your look you’ll see quickly why we love it. (Available February 2012)

High Brow Glow €21.50

A new companion for the original High Brow pencil for when you want to add that extra bit of sparkle. The High Brow Glow is Benefit’s new champagne-pink highlighting brow pencil that instantly lifts and illuminates. In one quick stroke the soft sheen under your arches adds luminous definition, instant eye-opening! (Available March 2012)

Cabana Glama €39.50

Benefit really know how to package their products to bring a smile to your face and the fab fab box that contains their latest make up kit Cabana Glama is no different. In sunny shades of yellow and blue it instantly transforms you poolside with a cocktail in your hand.

It’s your perfect holiday kit with everything you need to take you from pool to party without any fuss. The kit includes Hoola bronzing powder with brush, Posietint poppy-pink lip & cheek stain, Some kind-a gorgeous foundation faker, an Eyeshadow palette and applicator. Ditch the big make up bags for this holiday, it’s all you’ll need. (Available March 2012)

Be sure to keep up with all the latest Benefit news and promotions at www.facebook.com/BenefitCosmeticsUK and www.twitter.com/Benefit_UK_IRE.

Joanna for stylesiren.ie

It’s official, we’re now allowed to get excited for summer! Recently awarded ‘Best New Festival’ at the Irish Festival Awards, Forbidden Fruit, have today announced their lineup for 2012…

A Dublin City Centre Multi-Stage Music & Arts Festival held in the grounds of The Royal Hospital Kilmainha, the festival takes place from Saturday 2nd-Monday 4th June, June Bank Holiday Weekend.

With admittedly some teething problems last year, something that was rectified after day 1 and can easily be forgiven, Forbidden Fruit is shaping up to be a cracker this time round. Now extended to three days with five stages, the non-camping festival also has a comedy stage this year. Early Bird tickets go on sale tomorrow morning. Here’s the lineup:

Forbidden Fruit Line Up 2012

Saturday 2nd
Leftfield; Bloody Beetroots DJ Set; Booka Shade; The Field; Factory Floor; Bear In Heaven; Le Galaxie & Toby Kaar.

Sunday 3rd
New Order; Death Cab For Cutie; The Rapture; Death in Vegas; Modeselektor; Atlas Sound; Austra; Grimes; Rarely Seen Above Ground & Kool Thing.

Monday 4th
Wilco; James Vincent Mc Morrow; Beirut; The Field; Mazzy Star; Andrew Bird; Field Music; Julia Holter & Windings

With plenty more acts still to be announced, Forbidden Fruit Festival 2012 is on Saturday 2nd-Monday 4th June, June Bank Holiday Weekend at The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham.

Early Bird tickets go on sale 9am tomorrow, Wednesday 22nd February 2012.
Limited Early Birds: €45/€85/€110
General tickets will be priced at:
Day tickets: €49:50/Two Day tickets: €89.50/Weekend tickets: €115
Ticket prices include booking fees, available from usual outlets nationwide.
Ticket Hotline: Ph 0818 719300/www.ticketmaster.ie

Michelle for stylesiren.ie

If there’s one thing we noticed when putting together this week’s Hot Tea Tuesday, it’s that UK Actor Alex Pettyfer really really likes to take his shirt off. In fact we were hard pushed trying to find images of him with his clothes on… such a hard life being a Hot Tea Tuesday compiler.

Alex Pettyfer made his big break in 2006 when he was chosen from a pool of 500 to play the part of Alex Rider in the movie adaption of Andy Horowitz’s book ‘Stormbreaker’. Recently appearing in movies, I Am Number Four, Beastly and In Time, Pettyfer’s next role is in the Steven Soderbergh movie ‘Magic Mike’ where he plays a young male stripper alongside Channing Tatum and Matt Bomer. More taking clothes off then.

So here’s some useless facts to pretend to read while you’re eyes are elsewhere diverted. Alex has five tattoos including the initials ER on his wrist, a fated tattoo for ex-girlfriend, actress Emma Roberts. Ooops.

He’s modeled in campaigns for Burberry, Gap and Ralph Lauren and is one of those rare breed of men who still look good with a beard. Also, he has three dogs, Waggles, Tyson and Bo.

Did we mention he takes his shirt off? A lot.

He’s besties with ‘Magic Mike’ co-star and fellow male stripper in the movie, Channing Tatum, their mums went to boarding school together and the two families are so close they spend every major holiday together.

He said ‘Parties don’t thrill me. I like sitting at home with a tub of Chunky Monkey ice cream watching Big Brother and Friends.’

Even with scarred face and weirded out make up for the character Kyle’s ‘Ugly’ alter ego, in ‘Beastly‘, a modern day take on fairy tale classic ‘Beauty and the Beast’, he still manages to look hot!

Until next week Sirens, If there’s anyone you think worthy of Hot Tea notoriety, let us know at editor@stylesiren.ie.

Joanna for stylesiren.ie

You don’t have to know your Bach from your Beethoven to enjoy a night at the National Concert Hall, and this month they have a special treat for film fans.

You’d be hard pushed to find someone who has gone through life without ever hearing any of Danny Elfman’s music. The award-winning composer has scored many a cult classic, including most of Tim Burton’s biggest hits, and it’s one of his ditties we hear as the Simpsons rush home at the beginning of every episode.

This month, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra will celebrate Elfman’s instantly recognisable film music performing scores from Batman, Sleepy Hollow, Spider-Man, Beetlejuice and more. The concert will also feature music by composers who influenced Elfman.

Coming as part of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, hardcore Elfman (or Burton) fans can also check out a screening of Batman on February 23rd in the Light House Cinema.

Batman: Danny Elfman Film Music takes place in the National Concert Hall on Saturday, February 25th. Tickets cost from €25 to €35 and are available from www.nch.ie.

Elaine Burke for stylesiren.ie

Citizens! (the exclamation mark is important) are Martyn, Thom, Mike, Lawrence and Tom and hail from London, they’ve been on our watchlist radar since the YouTube release of the infectious 80′s inspired ‘True Romance’ in November.

Since then everything the band releases gets us more excited and we’re really hoping for a Dublin gig soon or even, the holy grail, a festival outing this summer.

Citizens! sound has a distinctly early eighties feel to it, think David Bowie or the likes of Steve Harley and David Sylvian. Pop with an edge, says band member Mike on their statement that they are reclaiming pop “Pop is not a dirty word. It’s a holy one.” 

The band signed to French electronic/indie label Kitsuné  last year, also home to Two Door Cinema Club and Delphic. Their debut album, due in the next few months, is produced by Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, so far so fantastic.

Up to now we’ve laid our ears on ‘True Romance’,  ‘Girlfriend’ and their latest release ‘Reptile’, all of which have notched up our interest levels a few more points each time. There’s an official video for ‘True Romance’ but we much prefer this brilliantly camp version the band also released, set to footage from 1987 Telugu movie “Pasivadi Pranam” starring the legendary Indian actor Chiranjeevi.

Watch this space, gigs and album details will be shared one we have them. In the meantime you can check them at citizens.cz or on facebook at facebook.com/gocitizens.

Joanna for stylesiren.ie

Adorably vintage and edgy, the collection consists of tees and vests that come in cute Disney canvas bags for men and women, each featuring specially designed artwork of an iconic Disney character, interpreted with Hilfiger Denim’s style. The limited edition tees will be available soon in Tommy Hilfiger stores and online at tommyhilfiger.ie.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Disney to create a series of limited edition Hilfiger Denim tees,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “Celebrating the momentous collaboration of two iconic brands, the exclusive tees feature some of Disney’s well-loved characters, illustrated with a Hilfiger Denim twist. The unique and quirky tees are perfect for every cool and edgy man and woman.”

Available from Tommy Hilfiger Stores & at tommyhilfiger.ie T-Shirts €54.90; Tanks €44.90.

All six tees feature unique artwork inspired by Disney characters. There are three tees for women sporting specially designed artwork of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Bambi, and three tees for men featuring Mickey Mouse, Big Bad Wolf and Goofy (originally known as Dippy Dawg).

Working closely with Disney’s creative team, the Hilfiger Denim designers have updated the originally illustrated designs to reflect Disney’s heritage and the individuality of the Hilfiger Denim brand. The original graphics of the Disney characters have been re-illustrated for men to reflect a vintage aesthetic. Imagery for women has been re-designed to feature floral and paisley doodles, as seen on the rendition of Mickey Mouse, while Minnie Mouse’s shoes and bow now feature drawn on diamantes.

Artwork of Bambi has been re-drawn in a highly detailed pencil sketch. The tees also present a uniquely crafted Disney meets Hilfiger Denim logo that combines Mickey Mouse’s famous ears with Hilfiger Denim’s branding.

Joanna for stylesiren.ie

Bear at 35 South William Street, will open tonight (Friday, 17th February). An old school grill, Bear is a collaboration between Jo’Burger Ltd, the company behind Jo’Burger, Crackbird, and Skinflint, and rugby international Jamie Heaslip who will tweet tonight’s official opening time from @JamieHeaslip.

Bear  will seat 80, across two levels with some shared tables and a bar on the upper level. Small starters to share are spiced fried chickpeas or thick cut bacon. Toasts are served with spreads, pestos and patés that include White bean & roast garlic spread, Kale & pecorino pesto and a Spicy pork, carrot & pistachio slice. Leaf salads include Barley & white bean, beetroot & walnut mix, and a Carrot, shallot, chili and lemon mix.

The iconic Opinel knife at every place setting underlines that Bear is all about the meat. Infra red high heat grilling makes the most of a range of sustainable beef cuts, such as onglet, bavette, skirt and London broil, together with the usual line up of rib eyes, rump and pork chops as well as chicken thigh fillets.

Making the most of social media, as always, Bear will offer a monthly prize, via twitter, of a meal hosted by Jamie.

Bear, 35 South William Street, Dublin 2. @BEARdublin. Bear is open 7 days from midday to late and will soon start opening for breakfast.

BEAR MENU

Smalls
fried chick peas, pimenton, spice seeds €3.50
thick cut bacon €5.95

with toasts
white bean & roast garlic spread €3.95
smoked haddock skordalia €5.95
mushroom & thyme duxelle with dairy cream €4.95
truffled hens egg & mayonnaise €4.95
kale & pecerino pesto €3.95
spicy pork, carrot & pistachio slice €5.95

leaf salads
barley & white bean, beetroot, walnut €9.95
carrot, shallot, chili, lemon €9.95
kari cauliflower, spring onion & ranch dressing €9.95

Grill
cut steaks
10oz rib eye €19.95
16oz rump €24.95
8oz rump €14.95
9oz feather steak tbc
rosary €10.95
popes eye €9.95
pork chop €19.95
chicken thigh fillets €9.95
to share for 2 people
onglet €24.95
bavette €29.95
london broil €59.95 (for 4)
skirt tbc
flank €34.95

sides
fries €3.95
salt & vinegar fries €3.95
saute kale & garlic €4.50
candied swede with sage €4.50
celeriac puree €4.50
hot & sour beets €4.50
buttered leek €4.50
horseradish slaw €4.50
million dollar fries €6.50
Sauces €2 each / 3 for a fiver
bear steak sauce
berber spiced butter
choice mustards
habanero hot
house gravy
creamed horseradish
gold sauce
chimichuri

All Bear meat is sourced by Pat McLoughlin Butchers. We buy Charolais & Charolais X breeds from 3 herds in mid Leinster.

Joanna for stylesiren.ie