Strike a pose!

Miss Universe Ireland- Rozanna Purcell

We were very lucky at Girls Talk Back to have the very lovely Miss Universe Ireland Rozanna Purcell on the show. Rozanna began her pageant career when she won Miss Lillies Bordello in 2009. She then went on to win Miss Universe Ireland. After winning Miss Universe Ireland Rozanna was then approached by Miguel Marinez one of the world top pageant trainers He then flew her to Colombia for her training. After this she then went onto Las Vegas for the Miss Universe Pageant.Rozanna did her country very proud coming seventh  in the whole contest. Since returnign she has been modelling and is now getting ready to head off to New York where she plans to continue her career in modelling. Us ladies at Girls Talk Back wish our Rozanna the best of luck :)






 Alex Hutchinson, photographer.

After getting the low down on what a miss universe pageant is really like we chatted to Alex Hutchinson, photographer. Alex knows the modelling world from both sides, having been a child model in Portugal, Turns Alex’s baby pics graced the pages of many travel publications in their time, his Mum, who was also a model, must be so proud!!

Alex now works with Bella Studios in Dublin. Bella studies could be described as a portrait studio with a difference. They offer a great treat for us ladies, you can go and be pampered, spend a delightful hour in the makeup chair before channelling your inner Tyra Banks for your very own photo shoot. Not to worry though, if you’re a little camera shy, you’ll be put at ease and taught how to pose! Not only will you leave feeling like a diva, you’ll have the beautiful professional photos that show you at your very best.... you might even be tempted to put them on face book. Check out http://www.bellamakeover.ie/ for more info.

Speaking of face book, we can confirm that people with Photoshop skills are altering their face book picas! Alex talked us through the airbrushing process, he spends hours sometimes undoing dodgy face tan, nipping waists and altering colours. Alex told us about the different genres of photography. His favourites are fashion and street photography. Check out some of his photos on Alex Hutchinson photography page on face book! And go in and meet him in Bella studios and have a girl’s day out!



Rachel Lally

Started modelling after she needed actor headshots and bargained with photographer who was looking for red heads to model for him! She was an alternative model, which is any model who does not fit into the usual model stereotype. She had peers with crazy hair colours dreadlocks, tattoos, piercings...anything a bit different and edgy. There were also plenty of curvy girls as alternative models often to shoots in burlesque and gothic styles. Loads of steal boned corsets..(OUCH) and plenty of celebration of voluptuous women! GTB loves the dramatic Dita von Teese look. Work as aan alternative model is scarce enough as the photos are usually for exhibitions and books rather than mainstream magazines.

Rachel signed with Compton modelling agency last October www.compton.ie and we were glad to hear she was told not to lose any weight! We chatted with Rachel about more mainstream work and she maintains she’s having great fun with her modelling career. GtB was delighted to hear that there are plenty of working plus size models out there. A plus size model is anything over a size 12 and most Irish models are about a size 10! We reckon plus size should be called NORMAL size!!

Rachel told us she believes plus size models have a place in high fashion, more of this please! Rachel recommends www.modelmayhem.com if you’re thinking about having a go at modelling yourself and you can also check out some alternative pics of her there too!

EMMA MANLEY

GTB had the pleasure of inviting Irish fashion designer Emma Manley back into studio on Sunday to catch up on how her fashion line is going and her move back to Dublin. With New York and London on the list of stylish places she has worked Emma told GirlsTalkBack that moving back home and starting up her business in Ireland was always her plan.

Emma uses unique mixes of fabrics including pig skin and silk and her price range is between €50- €350. Emma confessed to GTB that she is not a seasonal designer as she prefers to add pieces to her collection allowing her customers to come back time and time again to her contempory separates and luxurious evening wear and add to their wardrobe. When asked what type of woman Emma designs for her answer was simple ‘me’. Emma makes clothes which she herself would wear and lucky for us, her taste and style is so chic that everyone else wants to be seen in it also!! It is very refreshing to meet a designer who wears her own clothes and when asked who Emma herself favours in the design world the marvel Stella McCartney was mentioned!! Emma spoke about how Stella’s clothes are well made, elegant and sharp and the designer herself dresses head to toe in her own creations also, something tells GTB Emma will have just as much success as her favourite designer!!

Emma’s collection can be seen at ‘Bow’ boutique http://www.bowboutique.ie/  in the Powerscourt Centre and her own website will be up and running in a matter of weeks so make sure to check out http://www.emmamanley.com/

Emma discussed how although in her opinion Irish people still concentrate too much on the ‘label’ we have become a lot more fashion conscious and that we are a fashionable city despite what other people might say!!! While in studio Emma filled us in on the key pieces that should be in every woman’s wardrobe which included cardigans, shorts and the new trousers of the moment Jodhpurs. If you want to get in touch with Emma simply email her @ emma.kate.manley@googlemail.com



Quite frankly GTB are delighted Emma has moved back home to continue her successful career in fashion as we just love her clothes and can’t wait to see so much more from her!!!

Ian White lead vocalist in Irish band Seven Days spoke to GTB about winning the ‘Tiger Untamed’ prize worth a whopping €20,000. The boys met during their college days in Ballyfermot and haven't looked back since!! Ian, Darren, Nicky & Ricky played Oxegen in 2009 and have sold out the Academy to their adoring fans. Ian spoke to us about life as a musician in Ireland, how although it is very cliquey they have managed to earn a respectful name for themselves even gracing the pages of top music magazine Hot Press.

Seven Days is a pop/soul/funk band who write their own material from topical issues of the moment. The bands influences include John Mayer, Fleetwood Mac and Paolo Nuttini. If you want to check out more from the guys just go to http://www.sevendaysofficial.com/  where you will be able to see their my space, facebook, twitter and bebo accounts and also all their upcoming gigs around Ireland.

GirlsTalkBack were delighted to be the first show to play the guys new single ‘Voices’ which got such brilliant feedback from our listeners so well done guys. We will definitely have to get Ian and the guys back into studio when the single gets released in October to perform live. We wish Seven Days all the best for the future and look forward to getting them back on the show!!!!!!

One’s to Watch!!!!

We spoke to the lovely Julie Cobbe from StyleFish.ie a unique and clever service for women.Style Fish offers a seven week night course for women , with a two hour class on one evening each week. Right, so we can fit it in the schedule, but what are we learning?? Classes centre around topics like body shape and body confidence, make-up tips, hairstyling, dressing for your shape, with the final class being a field trip - Ladies you're off to House of Frasier, pen and pad in hand, so take notes!!! Yup, you'll be confident in knowledge that you know what to buy for you that's guaranteed to make you feel a million dollars, and therefore truly enjoy your retail therapy! We all get into ruts when it comes to style girls, and with are changing weather we can be expected to rock "beach babe", "snow bunny" and "wellington chick" all of Thursday afternoon. In short we need all the help we can get.


When it comes to mixing it up though, make-up may not be the way to go! Err always on the side of caution. Just because tangerine lipstick is sooooooooo this season and that apple-green eyeshadow looked great on Lady GaGa... you see where we're going here. LESS IS MORE!

So here's your chance to learn how best to use your pampering efforts to get results you want. Don't worry ladies, Style Fish won't leave you high and dry once you've finished the classes. The best part is you'll be become a graduate, and so a member. This allows you to sign into the website and get loads of tips and support every day. You'll get recommendations on the latest fashions that are in stock on the high street and you can keep in touch with fellow members. You'll be the first to know what the "new black" for Autumn Winter 2010 is. Check out all this and more at http://www.stylefish.ie/

Relationship Counsellor Lisa O'Hara

If you didn't catch the show today, this is what you missed.  You might have actually missed one of our best shows! (If Jen had not been off this week it would have been the best show!!!)

For a whole hour we spoke to Relationship Counsellor Lisa O'Hara from Marriage and Relationship Counselling in Dublin.  Lisa had previously been on the show with us and we had such good feedback about the interview that we decided to get her back for an hour special.

As per usual, due to the interesting material we didn't make it through everything again this week but we hope to have Lisa back to discuss aspects of married relationships and couples who have seperated or divorced.

Our focus this week was on single people.  We chatted to Lisa about where you can meet people, she advised us that the pub is often one of the best places to get chatting with someone as with a couple of drinks you are more relaxed and more likely to try get to know a person.

Lisa pointed out that if looking for a relationship you must first have a good relationship with yourself, be comfortable with yourself and focus on what it is you want.  Lisa thought online dating can and has worked but real chemistry can often be what is sought out most.

We also had a discussion about exes, where we raised concerns how a lot of women tend to go back to exes for the comfort of it.  She also pointed out that you may have broken up for a reason!

The main point is to enjoy yourself and remember that relationships take work.  Enjoy the flirting! Try not to give too much away in the initial stages and try to remember to focus on the relationship with yourself first.

If you are in a relationship that's not working or would like any kind of relationship advice and counselling please visit the website www.mrcs.ie and contact one of the counsellors.

If you are interested in any of her other work, here are a couple of articles you may be interested in.

http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=6094

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2010/0126/1224263104460.html

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/love-sex/the-rise-of-the-silver-separators-in-ireland-1910086.html

 http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/love-sex/the-day-i-got-a-message-from-my-lying-partner-to-say-im-naked-and-restless-2211088.html

Pain equals Beauty People........

Today’s show was all about taking care of ‘YOU’ through healthy eating and exercise. We had top experts in fitness and nutrition on the show to answer all those ‘need to know’ questions and we had the ‘Cooks Academy’ on to talk us through all the new ways to enjoy cooking weather your cooking for one or more!!!!

Pro Fitness Ireland

John Carroll director of Pro Fitness Ireland joined GirlsTalkBack to discuss fitness, dietary advice and motivation. Pro-Fitness work with both teams and individuals and their main aim is to provide the best results in minimal time. (Sounds good to us!!)

John spoke to us about Pro-fitness top quality facility that offers the best service possible to each customer. The difference between Pro-Fitness and any other gym was quite simple for John to answer – RESULTS!!! Through healthy eating and exercise John spoke to GTB about how it is possible to reach and maintain your ideal body although John does believe the media are setting unrealistic goals for women and young girls when it comes to body image and the first thing John does with every client is a fitness assessment and talks them through realistic goals!!!

Boxercise is one of the new classes which allows pro-fitness to stay current on new fitness trends. It has proven to be such a huge success that they are going to be adding new classes shortly so more customers can join up. The key to motivation in John’s opinion is the two P’s ‘Patience’ and ‘Persistance’ and he also believes that everyone working out and getting fit should always set themselves a goal so that they have something to aim for.
Although John agreed the weather can have an effect on your moods and your desire to workout he does not believe that money should prevent you from having a healthy lifestyle and sees fitness as an investment in your health!! Pro-Fitness is only €25euro to join which GTB could not believe and if you go onto pro-fitness facebook page http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=728700723#!/profile.php?id=100000535811235&ref=ts  they are offering fantastic deals which you don’t want to miss!!
Finally John left us with two very useful tips in beginning a healthier lifestyle by taking fish oils which you can buy in your local health store and drinking green tea which you can purchase in your supermarket….There really isn’t any excuses left people, if you would like to contact John in relation to any health and fitness advice you can do so by calling 01 8415845 or visiting there website at http://www.profitness.ie/ 

Big thanks to John for coming onto the show and tackling all those questions!!

This week we talked to Alannah Conlan from Cooks Academy in South Dublin. Stomachs were rumbling in the gtb studio as we chatted about all the fantastic classes they offer. There are really affordable specialised classes, such as sushi making, tapas, sauce making and cupcakes and icing, YUM!

You could even brush up on your knife skills and learn all the tricks of the trade!!

Staying in on a Friday and reaching for the takeaway menu may be thing of the past. Gtb loves the idea of the Friday night supper club. Whether your on your own, with your partner, or with friends, head down to Cooks Academy on a Friday evening! All you need to bring is yourself and perhaps some tubberware for the leftovers. You'll have a hands-on cooking experience led my professional chef, in a casual, relaxed environment. It's a great way to meet new people and to learn some great new recipes. At the end of the evening you can chill out with your yummy creation and some Friday night glasses of wine.
With specialised classes in Thai , Indian and Chinese cooking, you may never need the take away again!!
Prices for one session start from around  €50 and there is something for everything.
Cooks Academy also offer group workshops for office parties, birthday surprises and even hen parties.
There is no excuse not to get cooking with 20% off all classes this month!

Looking for a career in cooking? make sure to check out the one month certificate course!
Check out all this and more at http://www.cooksacademy.com/

http://www.nutritionnetwork.ie/

GirlsTalkBack got to chat with nutritionist expert Deborah Staunton about all those myths surrounding food so that we can really start living healthier and happier life!

First on the top of GTB’s list of questions to ask was of course are Carbs really the devil?? And people you will be delighted to hear that NO carbohydrates are not the devil in fact they are very important to maintain a healthy diet and should be eaten regularly. Now the problem most people face is that they do not know the difference between a good and bad carb! So to make it simple anything processed is bad and anything brown is good i.e brown rice, brown pasta and of course fruit and veg!!! Also a tip which many people might not know is that you are not actually meant to eat and drink at the same time!! It is important to chew and digest your food properly first and then drink fluid after or if you prefer before your meal!! Also fact people skipping meals can cause weight gain as when hunger hits all your body craves is sugars and it will do anything to get it which usually means you reach for the junk or takeaway menu so avoid this by simply eating three meals a day with two snacks in-between!!! I

Deborah believes Irish people are improving on their eating habits and are no longer just seen as the nation who eats bacon, cabbage and spuds all day long :-). Irish people are enjoying food and are interested in learning more about it.!!
If you would like to get in contact with Deborah and speak to her in person simply call 0876410655 or you can visit her website at http://www.nutritionnetwork.ie/

Also if you act fast you could be in with a chance of getting 20% off so don’t miss out!!




Hope you enjoyed this weeks show and make sure to tune in same time next week where we will be live on Sunday from 12pm on 103.2 Dublin CIty Fm

GTB xxx

New Talent in Dublin

Here at Girlstalkback we are all for supporting our own home grown talent and this week we were very lucky to be joined by up and coming Dublin singer/songwriter Emy Onyesoh. Emy has spent the last three years on a talent visa in Los Angeles and has worked with some big names including Snoop Dogg and Multi Platinum producer Mr. Dalvin from Jodeci.


Emy seems to be taking the country by storm with his urban electro sounds. He released his first sing ‘FML’ last month and we'll see the release of his second single 'IFNOTWHYNOT' on the 9th of this month. Girlstalkback are big fans so if you haven’t heard his singles we highly recommend checking him out. This Dublin lad is one to watch out for!

We also spoke to Valerie O'Brien, author of In the Shadow of Men.  Valerie O’ Brien was born in Cork where she lived with her mother, father and four sisters before embarking on a career in the Irish Defence Forces in 1996.  Both her father and grandfather served in the army so it was inevitable that she herself would join up. She went on to become one of the first female combat soldiers in Ireland. Valerie served in both Lebanon and Eritrea with the Irish Defence Forces which motivated her to write her first book, "In the Shadow of Men - Is the Army any place for women"  Valerie served terms abroad, including the Lebanon, and found these times away from her family to taxing on her marriage and her family life.  While abroad, she found the behaviour of some of the army to be unacceptable, paying for prostitutes or sometimes having sex with women and refusing to pay them.  She says that she has no regrets about her time in the army and would do it all again.  She now works as a beautician and lives with her children in Co. Kildare.

GirlsTalkBack spoke with Anita James the women behind Ireland’s newest beauty directory - http://www.beautypage.webs.com/  

The website was set up to bring clients the best beauty and hair professionals in the country. Anita wanted to make life as easy as possible for her clients and also promote the best businesses around Ireland. Anita also makes sure that each business that advertises on her website is fully qualified in the industry they work in.

Every beauty page on the website acts as a micro site for a business. On each page you will find everything you need to know about that business including where they are based, the services they offer and their prices. All your questions can be answered straight away on this website.

With the websites ‘matchmaking service’ clients can contact Beautypage with what treatment they require, their budget and the area they live in. The website will then contact up to five professionals for you and let you know which best suits your needs. They can then book them for client if they wish. It is like your very own PA but not nearly as expensive!!!!

For all enquiries, Anita James can be reached at beautypages@ymail.com

The Relationship Special

This has been one of our favourite programmes to present and we hope to present more like this in the future!  Don't forget we are now live on Sunday from 12pm to 1pm and the show is now repeated from 1pm to 2 pm on Monday.

While chatting in the studio the day Laura started with us, we discussed how relationships are changing in Ireland.  Keeping this in mind, we asked 3 different people to speak to us about issues facing modern couples and the situations they now find themselves in.

Firstly, we spoke to Lisa O'Hara from Marriage and Relationship Counselling Services, which offers therapy and counselling for couples.  We had so many questions for Lisa, but instead ended up discussing most of the main issues that couples face, mainly problems with communication and lack of understanding.  We also spoke about changing perceptions to divorce and separation in this country and how the expectation level for men to talk about their feelings has risen dramatically.  Log onto their website to find out more information about their services on http://www.mrcs.ie/  or by contacting the service on 1890 380 380.  We hope to have Lisa back on the show again in the future to maybe interact with the listeners more about relationship issues so keep an eye out for her!!

For the second interview we spoke with Rory O'Neill, better know to everyone as Panti about the important issue of the Civil Partnership bill.  As you all may know, the bill to provide social welfare and tax breaks for those living together as partners was passed by the Dail and by the Senate.  Unfortunately, the bill has now been referred to the Supreme Court to check its constitutionality and will hopefully be passed.  However, as far as gay and lesbian rights go, Panti pointed that the bill has not gone far enough, not making any provisions for children resulting from gay relationships and not going far enough on the issue of recognising the rights for gay people to marry.  We also discussed the pickets outside the Dail and impact religion has had on the politics of this country.  Panti runs the infamous bar on Capel Street, call in for a drink!!!

Last but not least, we spoke to Stephen Nolan from Kama Lifestyles about Relationship Coaching.  It was never going to be easy going up against 4 women to discuss relationships but Stephen took us on!  He spoke a little about how the coaching works, the workshops and how to perfect the technique of dating.  People who are interested will go through a dating consultation initially and if required a fashion consultation.  Stephen also spoke about changes in dating and relationships in Ireland and something that Lisa also spoke to us about previously, the pressure on men to make the first move.  If you are interested, log onto the website on http://www.kamalifestyles.com/

During the showbiz section, we spoke with Niamh Sherlock about becoming this years Dublin Rose (big congrats!!). Niamh will be competing for the Rose of Tralee the weekend of the 23rd and 24th of August.  We hope to speak to Niamh again after the event to find out what it is really like behind the  and scenes and we of course wish her the best of luck.