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5 HOME USES FOR A 3D PRINTER

Editorial Team
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5 HOME USES FOR A 3D PRINTER

Ideal for bringing your domestic life into the 21st century.

It’s never been more affordable to buy a 3D printer for home use, with budget printers currently selling for as little as £200. Our inner nerd is getting seriously excited about the possibilities! From entertaining to education, kitchen gadgets to decorations, here are 5 home uses for a 3D printer, IDEAL for bringing your domestic life into the 21st century.

ENTERTAIN & EDUCATE THE KIDS

We’ve all been stuck at home more than ever this year, and despite the fact that schools have reopened, we’re still always on the look out for homeschooling ideas and ways to keep the kids entertained. This is even more pertinent as Winter and its associated dark nights roll into view.

Fortunately, with a 3D printer, you can have fun and be informative, with just a few clicks. A home printer is capable of printing didactic models – earth, planets, parts of the human body – which your children could then label and use for reference purposes. And the fact that they’ve made it themselves will surely add to their learning motivation, don’t you think? 

And it’s not just the physical printing you can enjoy domestically. Exploring CAD software and unleashing your child’s creative side before using it in tandem with the 3D printing can keep the kids occupied for hours! Who said education couldn’t be fun?

DECORATIONS FOR HOME

With all this extra time spent inside our humble abodes, it’s never been more important to make your house a home. Home accessories can be a wonderful way to elevate your interior design aesthetic and add individuality to an otherwise rather identikit looking space.  

However, accessorising can be hard; all too often items in shops are the wrong size, shape and colour. Enter 3D printing home accessories. Indeed, if you’re after something specific and individual, what better than to create a unique and eye-catching style, by making your own home accessories with a 3D printer? You can print everything from doorknobs to photo frames, vases for your home and even specifically designed toilet seats, all created to your unique needs of specification, size and colour. 

KITCHEN GADGETS & ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 

During lockdown we’ve all been spending more time in the kitchen and cooking plenty of delicious (and some, not quite so) new recipes. However, we’ve often found that we’ve been lacking the right kitchen gadget for the job. From gnocchi boards to ravioli makers, cake moulds and tart tins, there’s just so many items which we feel would have improved our lockdown cooking efforts. 

Speaking of which, there are loads of items that would make our cooking more efficient and easier – a spaghetti measurer, a citrus juicer, measuring spoons and cups; the list goes on and gets more complex with every line.

Here’s the good news; all of the above can be made with a 3D printer. Indeed, there are loads of 3D printable projects and tools for the kitchen which can be tailored to suit your cooking needs.

Advancing from simple plastic gadgets all the way to stainless steel sheet metal fabrication, you can also print 3D kitchen appliances; now things are getting interesting! 3D HUBS, who offer 3D printing San Diego, recently shared this waffle maker made by inventor Mike Bradfods – we think it’s pretty damn nifty, indeed. Get inspired!

MAKE GIFTS  

While it’s oh so easy to find personalised gifts from retailers these days, nothing shows that you’ve put the effort in like a homemade gift. Indeed, we don’t think you can beat an item made lovingly with the bare hands of the gift giver. It shows thought, care and real effort; so much more than simply flashing your credit card at something unimaginative. 

And with a 3D printer, alongside some patience, creativity and love, you can create a homemade gift that will put your usual jams, chutneys, scarves and embroidered handkerchiefs to shame. There’s such vast scope for homemade presents made with a 3D printer; the world is your carefully designed oyster! 

STARTING A SIDE HUSTLE

It’s the dream of so many; to run a business from the safety of your own home. And with the current economic situation, starting a side hustle that may bloom into a business isn’t a bad idea.  If you have entrepreneurial blood coursing through your veins, then you could boost your income with a 3D printer. Here’s how to make your side hustle a success.

4 IDEAS FOR A YACHTING HOLIDAY IN MONACO

Editorial Team
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4 IDEAS FOR A YACHTING HOLIDAY IN MONACO

The second smallest independent state and the most densely populated sovereign state in the world, with a population of just over 38,000, you’d be forgiven for underestimating Monaco. Located on the French Riviera and with France bordering the state on three sides, Monaco has a total area of only 2.2 square kilometres, making it roughly the same size as New York’s Central Park. 

No wonder, then, that so much of the best action in this world-famous place spills out into the ocean. If you’re planning to experience Monaco from the vantage point of the open seas, then you’ve come to the right place; here are 4 ideas for a yachting holiday in Monaco. 

CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON

Since it’s a city-state so defined by its water, there are a wide variety of yacht chartering options available to you in Monaco. Though certainly not exhaustive, let’s break down your choices a little:

The first decision you’re going to have to make is whether you’re going to be sailing the seas in an uncrewed charter (known as ‘bareboat’ in some circles), or on a crewed vessel.

Generally speaking, riding without a crew gets you more affordable, and might we say affable, sailboats, and the freedom granted is unmatchable aboard, when compared to a manned vessel. That said, you’re going to need a solid foundational knowledge of sailing to go bareboat around Monaco’s waters. The vessels on offer with this option are generally low powered affairs (and never over 40 foot in length) and are usually available-for-hire on a day by day basis, returnable by early evening. For small excursions to quiet beaches, this is a fun, freedom-friendly choice. It’s also more affordable; expect to pay around £200 a day for a sailboat and £500 for a catamaran.

The other option is riding a crewed vessel, and if you’ve got your heart set on enjoying your holiday aboard a superyacht, then inevitably, it will be crewed. These are massive ships, make no mistake, and should you choose to charter one, you and several guests could sleep on board, negating some of the cost of hotels on dry land. Be aware that it’s going to cost you; prices start at around £30’000 per week and can reach the millions should you be eyeing up something truly spectacular. 

Perhaps a big win at the world famous Casino Monte-Carlo might be needed, first?

THE MONACO YACHT SHOW

Due to that pesky global pandemic we’re currently enduring, Monaco’s premier sailing event was cancelled this year. But fear not, next year’s event (rescheduled for September 2021) looks set to be bigger than ever, with The Monaco Yacht Show hoping to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

If you haven’t encountered the MYT before, it’s a four-day extravaganza occurring in Port Hercules, Monaco’s premier deep water port. The event itself is the biggest ‘live’ (as in, they’re in the water) display of superyachts on the planet, and it’s a real spectacle. Last year’s event had 125 on display, and new yacht models are unveiled every year. Wouldn’t you just love to be part of it? 

To do just that, visitors can purchase a Daily Pass for around the £300 mark to be part of the action, granting ticket holders access to shows, exhibitions, auctions and more. Sadly, it doesn’t allow you access to the actual yachts; you’ll have to admire the fleet from the quay. To step foot on a yacht, you either have to be a prospective charterer or outright buyer; best start practicing your lines!

CHARTER A PRIVATE YACHT FOR THE MONACO GRAND PRIX

Hey, whilst we’re in the realms of fantasy land, one of the greatest experiences you can have on the waters surrounding Monaco is to watch the iconic, annual Monaco Grand Prix event, all from the vantage point of a superyacht! 

Do be aware that to do so, you’ll first need a Monaco Grand Prix hospitality package. What’s more, you’ll need to arrange yacht charter around a year in advance, particularly if you’re looking to secure a berth in Port Hercules, the premier place to park up and watch the action, and limited to just 700 spaces. 

Ideally, you’ll want to charter your yacht and secure your berth for the duration of the festivities, which take place over five days, Wednesday to Sunday (that’s practice, qualifying, and the main event on the Sunday). Whilst arranging the disparate elements yourself may be fractionally cheaper, to save stress it’s recommended you pay for the whole package, tickets, hospitality, yacht, berth and all. Just be warned, it’s going to cost you; $22’000 a person, in fact.

MORE MODEST BOAT TRIPS 

If chartering a private yacht is, understandably, out of your price range and also, your idea of hell, then you’ll be pleased to hear that there are more affordable, eminently more low-key boat trips available which tour around Monaco’s famous marina, as well as some going further afield.

Perhaps the most fun you can have on wet land in Monaco is also the most simple; chartering a smaller boat to explore Monaco’s secluded coves, beaches and islands, as well as its equally iconic neighbours. From a cruise around the French Riveria to watch the sunset in all its glory, to a full day trip to check out St. Tropez and Cannes, or even a short fishing excursion, there are plenty of options available to suit any budget. 

4 TIPS FOR BUYING A DRONE

Editorial Team
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4 TIPS FOR BUYING A DRONE

Ideal for documenting your travels from above.

For the time being, with the spectre of Lockdown 2.0 looming large, we’re having to find escapism in new and exciting ways. And right now, that escapism isn’t going to be found far flung, we’d expect, but rather, the pandemic means more exploring of home soil.

For a sense of freedom and adventure with a twist (or should that be, a blade rotation?), flying a drone can bring that idea of escapism to dizzying new heights. Have you seen the photographs of the recent winners of the international awards dedicated to aerial photography? There are some pretty spectacular shots out there, and all achievable from above. Should you be interested in delving deeper, and getting involved in that most modern of hobbies, then read on; here are 4 tips for buying a drone, IDEAL for documenting your travels from above.

THE RULES

When it comes to flying a drone, you need to read up on airspace regulations. Indeed, you are flying a small unmanned aircraft, and as such, are governed by the Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) Air Navigation Order 2016. Follow it or you could get prosecuted. Here are your responsibilities as laid out by the  government website:

To know how to fly your drone cameras safely, and do so within the law, you need:

  • to understand that the operator is legally responsible for every flight
  • to keep your drone in sight at all times and stay below 400ft
  • not to fly your drone over a congested area, never fly within 50 metres of a person, vehicle or building not under your control
  • ensure any images you obtain using the drone do not break privacy laws
  • avoiding collisions, you should never fly a drone near an airport or close to aircraft

DIFFERENT TYPES FOR DIFFERENT FLIGHTS 

Thought there was just one type of drone? Think again! The experts at 3D hubs, who offer 3D printing in Los Angeles and create unique drones using rapid prototyping, told us recently that a drone that is used to capture images needs different specifications than a drone created to deliver packages, for example. Indeed, drones come with all kinds of different features, and are often defined by their primary purpose and function. 

When it comes to easy to memorise and quantify definitions, drones are often divided into four subcategories, each defined by a three letter acronym; RTF, BNF, PNP and ARF. 

The first is Ready to Fly, and represents the savviest choice for beginners, which we assume you are since you’re here. An RTF drone doesn’t require major modifications or assembly. The next option, BNF, refers to Bind and Fly; these guys arrive fully formed but don’t come with a transmitter. Be warned, it can be hard to find the correct transmitter to match with your drone. PNP is short for Plug and Play, and these guys arrive without a transmitter, much like BNF, but also lacking a receiver. Such a device is aimed at the experts, who have a vast knowledge of modification and embellishing drone and dronelike devices. Finally, ARF is an Almost Ready to Fly specification, and grants the buyer plenty of scope for customisation. 

If you’re after an RTF that won’t overwhelm a first-time pilot but still produces footage worth keeping, the recently released DJI Lito 1 is worth a look. At under 249g it slips below the UK’s registration threshold for most casual flying, folds down into a backpack, and arrives more or less ready to launch out of the box. A 1/2-inch sensor handles 4K video, omnidirectional obstacle sensing helps keep beginners out of trouble, and you’ll get around 30 minutes of real-world flight time per battery — plenty for capturing a coastal sweep or a hilltop panorama on your travels.

Considering you’ve landed on this article, we’re going to assume that you’re interested in buying a drone for capturing images, in particular. As such, you might be interested in checking out this article by Conde Nast, which highlights some of the best drones for travel photography. 

CAMERA SPECIFICATION 

We apologise in advance if these assumptions are getting a little bit much, but we’re once again assuming travel photography is the purpose of your drone purpose. The camera attachment to your drone, then, needs to meet the right spec to afford you the maximum potential in capturing your shots from above.

Some drones come with a camera attached, while others are sturdy enough to allow for one to be fixed on. Regardless, it’s important you pay attention to shutter speed, aperture and frame rate, in particular, to get the best possible travel photographs.

The Air 2S is a leading example in its field of excellent spec for travel photography, ”Capable of shooting 5.4K/30fps and 4K/60fps video along with 20 megapixel photos with the upgraded 1-Inch CMOS sensor, the DJI Air 2S can capture high detail and natural colour tones be it sun or cloud, dawn, dusk, daytime or night time.”

Such spec results in higher pixel size and low light performance ideally suited for capturing that impossible shot.

RANGE OF DRONE & FLYING TIME 

Finally, for those vast, expansive travel shots, you’re going to need to ensure that the drone you’re purchasing has a decent range and flying time, able to sustain itself for long periods in the air. On average, a drone’s battery life lasts for a maximum of 30 minutes for more expensive models, around 15 for mid-range types, and some of the cheaper drones can only last around 5 minutes in the air.

Range is also important, as in, how far your drone can fly from the transmitter before losing contact. Again, price usually dictates range, with cheaper models only allowing for around 30 metres of distance between transmission and device, while a larger investment will grant you at least a mile’s distance before the drone loses contact with the transmitter. Again, for great travel photography, it’s worth investing a little more if you’re keen to capture the best possible shots.

4 KITCHEN APPLIANCE CLEANING TIPS YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE

Editorial Team
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4 KITCHEN APPLIANCE CLEANING TIPS YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE

Kitchen appliances represent some of the biggest investments we make around the home, with the average homeowner spending at least £2000 on kitting out their kitchens with a full complement of appliances. 

What a shame, then, that so many get damaged and deteriorate before their time because of the owner’s lack of upkeep. Sometimes, it’s as simple as keeping your electronics clean to ensure longevity. With that in mind, here are 4 kitchen appliance cleaning tips you need in your life.

MAINTAINING THE FRIDGE

The fridge is one of the, if not the, most frequently used appliances in the kitchen. Kettle, you don’t get a look in, we’re afraid. Since it’s crucial in keeping hygiene levels up and food safety prioritised, it’s important to make sure that it is always running smoothly and is always clean. If only it were that simple…

Emptying the fridge and doing a deep clean will prevent any mould or mildew build-up and allows you to throw out any uneaten food that could be taking up space. Sweeping below the fridge is important, too, because dust and dropped food can accumulate underneath it. Making your fridge run better also means you need to clean the condenser coils, which are located at the bottom or back of the fridge and can be cleaned by vacuuming or hand-dusting them. When the condenser coils are clean, you can benefit from less energy use on your next utility bill, too.

DESCALE 

So you’ve been researching how to descale the Nespresso machine? Nice one, but there’s plenty more places in the kitchen in need of such treatment.

Indeed, descaling is meant to help clean the build-up of water-related minerals that scuff and mark your appliances. Coffee makers, kettles, dishwashers, ice makers, and anything in the kitchen that uses water are particularly prone, and will have to be descaled. You may think ‘have to’ is a little dramatic, but this is essential to ensure the longevity and efficiency of these appliances.

Fortunately, it’s a simple process. Put two cups of white vinegar in a bowl in your dishwasher, soak your kettle in a mix of equal parts vinegar and water for an hour, and use a vinegar solution as a wipe for other appliances…all for easy do-it-yourself maintenance using items you’ll already have in the kitchen. 

THE MICROWAVE 

First things first; the key to a clean microwave is regular maintenance. While you can, of course, invest in a microwave cleaner, unlike other appliances, the wonderful thing about microwaves is that you can clean them with things you have lying around the house, using the power of the device itself to do all the hard work.

An incredibly simple way to get your microwave oven really clean is to ”sit a bowl of water with some lemon juice in it, then press the on button.” This has the effect of steaming off hard-to-remove foodstuffs on the plate and sides of the oven, while adding a fresh, citrusy aroma at the same time. 

DISHWASHERS 

Clean something whose job it is to clean other things? Are you mad? Yep, many of us don’t think about cleaning our dishwasher as we think it’s getting clean in the cycle. However, food debris, hard water minerals and grease can build up over time, dramatically reducing the performance of your dishwasher. 

If you haven’t cleaned your dishwasher in a while, buy a dishwasher cleaner which will have your washing machine running like new. After that, be sure to wipe out any scraps that get stuck at the bottom of your dishwasher every day and rinse your filter every week. On top of that, the experts recommend doing a deep clean every month – you can simply use white vinegar to wipe the insides diligently. Some even suggest running the dishwasher on a hot water cycle with vinegar. Hey, it just sounds crazy enough to work.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Keeping your kitchen appliances in good working order doesn’t take much effort but is essential in ensuring their longevity. The investment of a little elbow grease every now and then will save much larger investments in the years to come. Every little helps, as they say!

5 WAYS TO MAKE WEARING YOUR FACEMASK MORE FUN

Editorial Team
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5 WAYS TO MAKE WEARING YOUR FACEMASK MORE FUN

First things first and straight off the bat; the science is unequivocal that wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of infection and could well save lives. That one’s not up for debate here.

While the stark warning that ‘if you don’t like wearing a mask, you won’t like wearing a ventilator’ certainly carries some weight, a more gentle approach is required elsewhere.

Of course, there are folk who are exempt from wearing masks, but for others, doing so can sometimes just feel a little uncomfortable; an annoyance to be tolerated, for sure. 

For some, including those over the age of 12 who are advised by the WHO to wear masks, as well as adults who just aren’t so keen on doing so, there are things you can do to make the whole thing a little more pleasant and a lot less burdensome. With that in mind, here are 5 ways to make wearing your facemask more fun.

MATCH YOUR MASK TO YOUR OUTFIT

Medical effectiveness aside, we’re not quite sure which feels worse aesthetically; the ubiquitous, reusable, disposable light blue facemasks you see everywhere, or those pink ones which look a little like half a bra and have seen a surge on the high street of late. 

Should you be keen to add a little glamour to your facemask wearing, then why not match your mask to your outfit? You could even wear a statement piece over the usual medical, disposable covering to be more hygienic, if you’re not keen to keep rewashing your matching masks. 

With facemasks removing a certain amount of allure from your appearance, wearing one in synergy with your style is a great way to inject some swagger back into your outfit. A leopard skin mask paired with a dress in the same pattern? Who could resist?

CITY PRIDE

We love the idea of showing pride in your city via your face mask, much in the same way you might wear a football kit, an ‘I Love NY’ T-shirt, or a hoodie embellished with the university you attended.

Yep, that civic pride so many of us feel has found a new home in facemasks, with many wearers now proudly displaying emblems and icons associated with a chosen city on their mask for the world to see. Some of the best we’ve seen recently include the rainbow flag for Gay Pride and Brighton, bee face masks for Manchester, and a castle reppin’ Edinburgh. Show your sense of community by following suit!

THEIRS’N’THEIRS

Some people find the idea of his’n’hers (his’n’his, hers’n’hers, theirs’n’theirs…) outfits nauseating. But then again, many enjoy the playful frivolity of a couple wearing matching outfits. Whilst once upon a time we scoffed at such silliness, we now fall firmly into the latter camp, largely due to the internet sensation Bon and Pon. These Japanese retirees have worn different coordinated outfits every day for years, and are an inspiration to so many with their quirky sense of cool.

We think that channelling this energy via our facemasks during this challenging time could provide a little light relief. And if nothing else, it might make finding your partner easier in a crowded supermarket.

JOKER FACE

Speaking of light relief, facemasks with an element of practical joke, surprise or silliness are cropping up everywhere, and we’re very much here for it. Of the hilarious funny face mask memes doing the rounds recently, we’ve particularly enjoyed masks depicting full beards (with added hilarity when worn by kids or women) and manic, gurning grins. Perhaps the best of all though, would be a FCUK Boris design. French Connection, are you listening?

MAKE A GAME OF IT

We’ve been spending more time than ever in queues lately, scrutinising masked faces and searching for something to talk about with our loves ones (we have been seeing an awful lot of them, recently, and have well and truly run out of conversation!). 

So, why not make a game of it; a kind of ‘I Spy’ for facemasks, if you will. Or, with the little ones, you could practice counting, organising, or colour coding while checking out everyone’s masks. 

And with that, it looks like we’ve run out of ideas…we hope we’ve given you some inspiration to take pleasure in your facemask in the future!

5 IDEAL TIPS FOR REDESIGNING YOUR WORKPLACE IN A POST-COVID WORLD

Editorial Team
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5 IDEAL TIPS FOR REDESIGNING YOUR WORKPLACE IN A POST-COVID WORLD

Unless you’ve been living under a pandemic free rock for the past year, you’ll be well aware that serious change is afoot in the way we work, as a nation and a world. Though it might be optimistic to even say the words ‘post-COVID world’, many businesses are already making plans for how their physical offices may look when it’s finally declared safe for workers to properly return. 

When deciding on a suitable office design for next year and beyond, on one which puts staff at ease and helps them resume a focus on work and find workplace contentment, there are a few things to bear in mind; here are 5 IDEAL tips for redesigning your workplace in a post-COVID world.

ASK IF YOU NEED A CENTRAL OFFICE AT ALL

One of the first questions you should pose as the world transitions to home working is if your company truly needs a central office space at all. Indeed, largely due to coronavirus, around half the workforce were working from home when we first entered lockdown, and we suspect the number might be higher now. 

If you are considering setting up a more fully fledged domestic office space, whether it’s a home office renovation, refurbishment or perhaps a new build, having a qualified builder for your project will be a necessity to ensure it replaces the ‘real’ office effectively and doesn’t feel like a stopgap.

As highlighted by the building experts at Marriott Construction, a dedicated, permanent domestic working space could be the way forward. They say, ”if you run a small business, you could save yourself a small fortune by working from home instead of renting an office.’’ 

That said, this is largely dependent on the size of your business. Should you still need a central office space to complete company tasks effectively, then it’s important you involve your employees in the decision making, to ensure you have their full support going forward in this challenging time.

REDESIGNING YOUR WORKPLACE IN A POST-COVID WORLD

MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES

It’s likely that right now your employees are indeed working from home. Though many have enjoyed certain elements of #wfh, others have missed the more practical perks of having a genuine office to go into each day. Indeed, for some, sustained home working has led to unexpected costs, on electricity (and soon to be heating) bills, laptop upgrades, stationery and more. 

Should you, as a responsible employer, decide that remote working will be the way forward for your company, do ensure that positive practices fostered in the workplace aren’t forgotten about because your staff are now working flexibly or remotely. 

As such, do endeavour to make sure your colleagues have everything they need to complete their tasks efficiently from home. If your office’s work was largely computer based (that’s all of them, then), don’t just assume all workers will have laptops. You may well have to provide them.

Also consider providing stationery and other office supplies. It would be unfair to place the financial burden onto your staff to buy these items which were previously provided by the company.

If you are still going to work centrally, it’s essential that procedures are more flexible going forward. Staff will have welcomed not having to commute, and the greater autonomy over start and finish times, as well as lunch breaks, which they’ve gotten used to. To make the transition back to physical attendance as seamless as possible, consider flexi-time and give staff more choice regarding their hours. It might even be good to strike a balance between some home working and some office attendance in the future.

REDESIGNING YOUR WORKPLACE IN A POST-COVID WORLD

LAYOUT

Employees will be feeling some natural, understandable trepidation about returning to the office. So, when redesigning your office to be COVID-secure and reassuring for employees, do make sure the changes you’ve made are thorough. 

Prior to staffs arrival back at work, it’s important you communicate the changes you’ve made. Hiring extra cleaning staff, installing hand sanitising stations at all desks, and setting up see-through partitions are just some of the essential modifications you should be making. For more thorough advice, do check out the government’s official guidelines on making your office COVID-safe, which covers everything from social distancing to face coverings, managing visitors and more.

That said, you should be able to provide your employees with a space where they can easily and efficiently collaborate. A meeting room or area which provides comfort, clear social distancing and snacks is vital, then!

Otherwise, questions will be asked about why this isn’t all being conducted over Zoom. Indeed, you want your employees to feel as though there’s still value had in coming to the office. As such, it would be wise to invest in some ergonomic furniture to positively differentiate the office from everyone’s home office setups. Because let’s face it, we’re all a bit sick of the bad posture we’ve adopted recently.

REDESIGNING YOUR WORKPLACE IN A POST-COVID WORLD

INCLUDE LOUNGE SPACES IN YOUR DESIGN

This has been a trying time for everyone, and many members of your team will have spent some time re-evaluating their relationship with ‘work’. We certainly know we have been!

What’s more, #wfh will have provided certain home comforts which staff will miss once back in the office. As the kind, responsible employer which we know you are, it would be a generous, potentially productive move to factor in additional lounge and recreational space in your office redesign.

By allowing employees to have space to relax and ease their mind, it will ultimately increase their concentration levels and focus. In the long run, their productivity and most importantly job satisfaction will be improved. Do check out our article for some of the ways your office design can reduce workplace stress for more on the subject.

REDESIGNING YOUR WORKPLACE IN A POST-COVID WORLD

BOLSTER YOUR BRANDING

When making your final touches to your post-COVID office, you should use the opportunity of a fresh start and a potential blank slate to bring the decor in line with your brand. Your team will have been away for a long time, and reinforcing the company’s ethos and identity through colour, artwork, and even some air purifying plants, will be a great way to encourage a fresh reconnection with your business’ core goals. 

That freshness of focus will install a new sense of vigour in your staff. Good luck!

SLEEPING IN STYLE: 5 STEPS TO A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP VIA BEDROOM DESIGN

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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SLEEPING IN STYLE: 5 STEPS TO A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP VIA BEDROOM DESIGN

It seems like you can’t wink 40 times before you see yet another article discussing the importance of sleep hygiene. And yep, we realise the irony of us uttering that remark, since we’re always bloody banging on about it ourselves.

But what is often lacking in the discussion, with so much focus falling on mindset, distraction, mentality and the rest, is the physical elements which contribute to a great night’s rest. Today, we’re focusing on the purely solid stuff, with this guide to sleeping in style and the 5 steps to a better night’s sleep via bedroom design.

A GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM

Though the mattress tends to take all the acclaim, on a more practical level, a sturdy support structure for your bed can help you sleep better. You can have the best mattress in the world, but if the frame and base don’t support it, then your support is going to sag. 

According to bed expert Jeff Scheuer, who calls himself The Beducator, that centre support is so crucial. He says that ‘’if your frame doesn’t (provide central support), your mattress set will sink in the centre (and) you will sleep uncomfortably’’.

‘’Another issue will be motion transfer. Typical metal frames, even those of very high quality like Knickerbocker, will wobble a bit. Placing your mattress set on a very heavy-duty bedset, like a solid oak headboard/footboard set, will make even an inexpensive bed feel more substantial.’’ 

So, choose a frame or bedset which is sturdy and supportive, made from a solid, durable material, to lay the foundation for a good night’s sleep.

THE FOCAL POINT OF THE ROOM

It’s crucial that you arrange your bedroom with your bed as the focus. If you position your bed in the corner of the room, as something of an afterthought, or simply sling a mattress on the floor and sleep where it falls, then of course, the quality of your sleep is going to suffer. 

Sleep psychologists strongly recommend that your bedroom is designed as a place for sleep first and foremost, and placing your bed as the focal point of the entire room (feng shui permitting, of course) is a worthwhile statement of intent. 

Make the room flow from your bed. Keep the sides of the bed free from tall furniture so you don’t feel crowded when you try to get to sleep at night (or go to empty your bladder in the middle of it) and make sure you have space around your bed, even if it means you have to sacrifice some furniture and other clutter. 

The experts recommend a form of ‘stimulus control therapy’, whereby you train your brain to associate the bedroom with sleep by removing distractions such as TV and work from the room. It’s certainly worked for us.

INVEST IN REST WITH THE RIGHT MATTRESS

Too many people make the mistake of cutting costs when it comes to their mattress. They can, after all, be expensive. Though it’s dependent on the type of mattress you choose, the average cost of a king size in 2020 ranges from around £300 to £600.

That doesn’t even represent a particularly long term investment. The National Sleep Foundation suggests that you should change your mattress every 8 years. After 7 years of use, you’ll have spent more than 20’000 hours on your mattress (jeez), which is quite long enough to wear it out. 

If you are on a budget, you can find a high-quality mattress in a sale or on offer if you wait and shop around. This way, you can save money and get the best mattress for you. No matter what your budget, you should look at this top mattresses from The Mattress Guide. They have researched and have done the hard work so you don’t have to, and have reviewed and rated the best mattress UK so you know what to look for when you search

PRECISION LIGHTING WITH LED

Task and accent lighting are essential in the bedroom, and the more precise your control of the illumination levels are here, the easier you can control your bedtime routine to be as sleep-healthy as possible.   

It’s generally recommended that you manage your descent into dozing rather than plonking yourself straight into bed and expecting the miracle of sleep to come naturally. Many like to read a calming chapter or two before bed to allow them to unwind properly, others like to meditate to process the day’s events, while others still choose a ceremonious removal of make up to mark the day’s end. All of these require task specific lighting, which can be achieved via the tactical placing of lamps (and even candles) around the room, preferably in a variety of wattages for extra control.

For a more all encompassing ‘mood lighting’, perfect for the hour or so before slumber, LED strips are becoming increasingly popular. The experts at LED Supply talk about the use of colour temperature in the bedroom, which ‘’indicates how ‘warm’ or ‘cool’ the light appears. Temperature is measured in Kelvin with higher temps representing cool colours (blueish hue) and lower temps representing warmer colours (yellowish light you would expect from a bulb).’’

For the bedroom, seek out a warm white shade, which comes in the range of 2700 – 3000K.

LEARN YOUR LINENS

We’ve got the mood lighting just so, we’ve eliminated all distractions from the bedside table and beyond, and we’re ready to slip between the sheets. If those sheets are old, scratchy and misshapen, then all your hard preparatory work will be in vain.

Don’t skimp here; considering the average person spends 33 years in bed, spending good money on quality bedding shouldn’t be seen as frivolous. Quite the opposite, in fact; it’s an investment in your future years of quality sleep.

On your journey to sumptuously soft sheets, getting your head around the different types of thread count is important. Thread count is a way of measuring the vertical and horizontal threads per square inch of your bed linen. Put simply, the higher the thread count, the more threads there are in the linen. 

Why should you care? Well the higher the thread count, 800 for example, the denser and more luxurious the feeling of the material. However, you needn’t splash out on ridiculously high count sheets; a thread count of 300 (or higher) is all you need for noticeably better quality linen.

No matter which thread count you choose, the primary indicator of quality is the fabric. Steer clear of any polycotton (polyester and cotton mix) and instead opt for linen rich in cotton; think percale with a high cotton percentage, Egyptian cotton with long fibres that promote breathability and softness, or smooth Supima sheets which many regard as the best cotton that money can buy. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

Achieving great quality sleep isn’t an act of witchcraft or sorcery. Nor is it something that should be left up to chance. With a little effort and the right investment, you can ensure a proper night’s Zzzeds for years to come.

5 STEPS TO BUILDING THE IDEAL DOMESTIC WINE CELLAR, UPSTAIRS

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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5 STEPS TO BUILDING THE IDEAL DOMESTIC WINE CELLAR, UPSTAIRS

According to research conducted by The Telegraph in 2019, the average Brit drinks 108 bottles of wine a year, making us the biggest drinkers in the western world. Whilst not an official mantra of the country, it can sometimes feel like ‘quantity, not quality’ persists when considering our drinking habits.

That’s a lot of wine being consumed, but perhaps not to its full potential. With Winter approaching and the prospect of more lockdowns, curfews and home drinking high for the foreseeable future, it’s time to shift focus, to better drops, drunk less.

Storage plays a key role here; it’s vital to keep your wine at the correct temperature, humidity and even angle to get the most out of it. With that in mind, here are 5 steps to building the IDEAL domestic wine cellar, upstairs. 

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

The clue’s in the title, hey? A wine cellar should be just that; below ground level. This is because the basement setting provides the ideal environment for storing wine, in terms of temperature, light and humidity, which we’ll break down in a minute.

That said, many wine enthusiasts aren’t blessed with a cellar or basement which they can simply turn into a dedicated wine storing facility. In these cases, improvisation is key. Fortunately, the conditions required for storing wine optimally can be replicated in (almost) any room in the house. Here’s how…

LIGHT & SHADE

The wine cellar hasn’t been banished to the basement for behaving. Nope, there is a reason that wine is stored in such conditions, in the darkness. This is because an excess of light, sunlight and UV rays can bring about premature ageing in fine wine. It’s essential, then, that wine is shaded from such light. 

What’s more, sunlight, in particular, can bring up a wine’s temperature, altering its colour and the all important taste irreversibly, and this is the reason wine comes in green and amber bottles.

To mitigate these effects, some will opt for a storage unit which uses LED light, as this provides enough illumination to navigate around the facility whilst not giving off any heat. But if you’re storing your wine in an apartment, for instance, consider the closet in the hall for that desired darkness. A kitchen, with sunlight and fluctuating heat, is perhaps the worst place you could store your wine.

Interestingly, the same rules apply if you’re buying distilled water, olive oil, spirits and liqueurs, all of which respond unfavourably to heat and light.

YOU’LL NEED A COOLING SYSTEM 

Yep, in all those wine pairing rules you’ve read, the most essential tip is often left off; heat and wine do not go well together. If you’ve often opened a bottle only to discover it tastes a little flat, it could well be because you stored it at the wrong temperature.

Roughly speaking, the ideal temperature to store your wine is between 10-13°C (50-55°F). Dip much below that ballpark figure and you run the risk of semi-freezing your wine. A change in temperature can also lead to a change in pressure, pushing the cork out. At the other end of the thermometer, if the temperature is too high, you could inadvertently ‘cook’ and taint the wine. 

Consistency is key here, as fluctuating temperatures can spoil your wine. Should you not have a wine cellar below ground which naturally achieves that elusive temperature range, then first, take the temperature of that hall closet. 

Alternatively, you might want to consider investing in a wine cooler. For a short term solution, stashing your bottles in the fridge is okay, but after a few days in there, the cork can shrink, letting oxygen into the bottle. A dedicated wine storage cabinet is far better, and will keep your bottles constantly at the correct temperature. To be more precise, that’s 5 – 10°C for white and 10-20°C for red – and humidity (between 60% and 70%) ensuring longevity.

That humidity is essential, to stop your cork drying out on the outside. This will stop air being let into the bottle which will spoil the wine’s taste. But be sure not to store your wine in a location that is too humid, as the moisture might damage the bottle’s label, and mould could harbour. It’s a fine balancing act, indeed.

RACK UP SOME WINES

The angle at which you store your wine also plays a part in ensuring its longevity. The experts advise that you store your wine bottles horizontally, or better still, at a 45 degree angle with the bottles facing downwards. This allows wine to come into contact with the cork, stopping it from drying out and letting in that dreaded oxygen. What’s more, dry corks can result in a musty flavour.

For your wine ‘cellar’, then, it’s a smart move to invest in some wine racks. You can either get prefabricated wine racks or customised ones, with traditional wooden wine racks – particularly those made from oak – the preferred choice of many connoisseurs, preferably leaning at that ideal, downward facing angle.

GLASSWARE

Even if you’re not blessed with a fully fledged wine cellar, investing in the appropriate glassware is one of the best things you can do to show off your carefully curated wine collection to its full potential. 

Yep, the wine snobs are right; the vessel in hand makes one hell of a difference to the taste within it. The shape of the glass, the thickness of the rim, the material it’s made from, the length of the stem…they all play a part in the taste of your wine. Since you’ve made all this effort with storing your bottles, the least you can do is show them off to their full potential when actually drinking them.

Firstly, consider bowl shape; wide bowls allow plenty of aroma whilst narrow ones allow less, since less wine is exposed to the air as you give the wine that first sniff. Generally, the former is preferable for the upfront aroma of reds and the latter more suitable to the nuances of white. If you’re looking to splash out, include both wide and narrow bowled glasses in your collection, or for versatility’s sake, a set medium bowls is best.

When drinking white wine, prioritise glasses with a longer stem; this prevents your hand from warming up the glass and your carefully chilled Chenin Blanc.

You’ll also need some narrow flutes in your collection for sparkling wine. The wider bowls of traditional wine glasses cause champagne, cava et al to lose their fizz rather fast as the wine is exposed to oxygen excessively. All in all, it’s wise to have a bit of variety in your collection, to meet the optimum needs and nuances of each wine.

Hey, and even if you’ve done irreparable damage to a bottle, there’s still plenty you can do with it! Check out our tips on 5 creative uses for leftover wine and salvage some dignity today.

5 TIPS FOR PRACTICAL, PRAGMATIC HOME WORKING THIS WINTER

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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5 TIPS FOR PRACTICAL, PRAGMATIC HOME WORKING THIS WINTER

Work from home. No, work from the office. Actually, work from Pret. Hang on a minute, you might be better off working from home, after all. Unless, of course, you have to attend work physically and centrally, in which case you should fly/teleport there to avoid the other potentially contaminated proles.

Nope, we’re not sure either. 

But what is pretty clear in between the lines of the government’s mixed messages and U-turns is the need for further home working for the foreseeable future. With the nights drawing in and the temperature noticeably dropping, #wfh Winter Edition is going to look a lot different from Summer’s. 

Let’s be honest, staying content with home working during Summer was easy, with liquid lunches in the sun, exercise breaks in the park and natural light streaming into our home offices, windows open wide. The coming cold season might have something different to say about that, but let’s be proactive here; here are 5 tips for practical, pragmatic home working this winter.

DRESS CODE FOR THE COLD

Yep, we all knew this one was coming. In fact, we’re just as tired of reading this tip as you are. Because if working in your Jim Jams all day makes you happy, then who are we to judge? In fact, we’re typing this piece wearing only our underwear; we’re in no position to cast aspersions elsewhere.

Winter home working, however, is a very different beast to those heady days of Summer, and wearing PJs or loungewear all day during the colder months, when motivation is already running on empty, is often the thing which can tip you over the edge into full blown hibernation mode. You’re already dressed the part for a duvet day…it would be rude not to play the role.

What’s more, being at home 24/7 in Winter is going to lead to an inevitable increase in your heating bill. It’s been reported that working from home over Winter will add £100 to fuel bills. We expect that figure could be significantly higher than that. Instead of having those radiators on full blast for long stretches of the day, layer up, wear an extra pair of socks and a jumper. Not only will you reduce your energy consumption, but you might even find getting changed into ‘outdoor’ clothes helps you knuckle down and focus.

Alongside that, managing your home environment well, for example with smart heating solutions like those from Heatka, can help maintain comfort without excessive energy use during colder months.

A COMMUTE OF SORTS

Or, you could harness the energy of those outdoor clothes and take yourself, you guessed it, outdoors. When the weather’s inclement and the thermometer is dipping faster than a gym bro obsessed with his tris, it’s only natural to want to curl up in bed all day. That transition straight from duvet to desk when you’re working from home seems to start the working day off on the wrong, slippered foot.

Rewrite that wrong and take those feet out for a stroll before you settle into your home office space for the day. Many freelancers and those experienced in the art of working from home productively swear by a ‘commute’ each morning, even if that’s just a walk around the block to catalyse a change of scene and mindset before a single screen is stared at. If your work affords you this level of flexibility, do give it a try!

HOT DESK HOMESTYLE

Speaking of a change of scene…a switch up in home desk set up or location can sometimes be all you need to arrest that creeping sense of lagging motivation before it gets out of hand. 

Though making a habit of it may mean you can’t afford to get on the property ladder, the occasional afternoon spent working in a coffee shop rather than at home can do wonders for inspiring brain waves, curing writer’s block, or simply giving colour to an otherwise drab day. The different energy, the presence of strangers, and a little hustle and bustle all help to realign your focus and perspective after days spent indoors in your home office. 

For a cheaper (often free-of-charge) alternative, public libraries are now largely reopened, and have co-working spaces. If you’re not keen on braving the cold, even shifting your desk to a new position within the home can serve a similar function.

GET YOUR HOME GYM KITTED OUT

A regime of exercise and the positive mindset required to get you through the Winter go hand-in-hand; working out regularly is just so beneficial for our state of mind. In fact, in a recent study carried out by Oxford and Yale universities, it’s been posited that exercise makes us happier than money, with the contentment achieved via exercise equivalent to the happiness felt following a £19’000 pay rise, apparently.

But hey, what if devoted, mood boosting exercise and a potential payrise weren’t mutually exclusive? While there’s a likelihood that gyms will close again as the government introduces stricter COVID restrictions, you can still enjoy the benefits of regular exercise this winter by kitting out your home with a modest range of gym equipment. 

You can now buy good quality exercise bikes for use at home for around £150 online, which will have your cardio needs covered. For strength, a pull-up bar which you can fix between a doorframe offers a wide variety of strength training routines for different parts of the body. Or, you could create a free home gym with items you already own by harnessing the power of callisthenics. 

A short session each day during the time you used to waste commuting could make all the difference in you nurturing a more positive, productive mindset as we enter gloomier months.

DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

Don’t allow the pressure of a tightening, shape shifting job market force you into staying in a job which makes you unhappy. An increase in home working has also led to an increase in concern over job security, make no mistake, and many workers will feel stability is more important than stimulation right now. 

But if you’re not happy in your current role and want a fresh start, there’s no harm in seeking pastures new from the comfort of home. There are loads of jobs you can apply to, interview for, and ultimately do remotely. As work from home becomes the norm, here are just a few roles with plenty of opportunities likely to be available in the coming months:

  • Virtual Assistant
  • Transcriber
  • Translator
  • Web Developer
  • Travel Agent
  • Freelance Writer
  • Social Media Manager
  • Data Entry
  • Graphic Designer
  • Event Planner
  • Grant Writer
  • Online Teacher
  • Specialized Instructor
  • Programmer
  • Photographer
  • Product Reviewer
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Tax Preparer
  • Public Relations
  • Clinical Research Coordinator

This is not an exhaustive list. You can still pave your own path, but this should give you an idea of the breadth of potential opportunities open to you in remote work. Don’t be limited by your location!

4 IDEAS FOR A HISTORICAL THEMED WEDDINGS

Editorial Team
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4 IDEAS FOR A HISTORICAL THEMED WEDDINGS

Your wedding is your Big Day, your time to shine, and an occasion which you’ll want to live long in the memories of you and your guests forevermore. And if that means incorporating a historical theme into proceedings, to truly stand out, then your wedding day will undoubtedly be extra special, unforgettable and loads fun. 

A costume wedding is an excuse to unleash your playful, inner history buff and be creative. Taking inspiration from days gone by, here are 4 IDEAL ideas for a historical themed wedding. 

A MEDIEVAL BANQUET

It’s high time to bring back the Middle Ages with a Medieval inspired wedding. Think floor-length, long-sleeved Medieval gowns with flower crowns for the bride and bridesmaids. And for the groom? He just has to be dressed as a knight in shining armour, with the groomsmen dressed in tunics stitched with fine embroidery to match.

If you’d like your guests to be succinctly dressed, ask attendees to head to a historical reproductions clothing shop for brightly coloured robes and gowns. For accessories, your guests can head to Dalvey’s to get their own elegant pocket watch for their bygone outfits. 

When it comes to the venue, it was common in the Middle Ages to host wedding ceremonies in a castle and courtyard. If a castle backdrop is a little beyond your budget, consider hosting your big day at a historical hall which you can decorate and embellish for a medieval-like atmosphere. Or, look to the movie ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves’ for inspiration and host a unique, ye olde outdoor wedding in the woods.  

A medieval wedding, it has to be said, is all about the banquet. While we don’t recommend four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie, there are plenty of medieval-esque foods you can include in your wedding feast.

When it comes to designing your medieval menu, consider a multi-course feast with venison meat pies, perhaps a whole duck seasoned with medieval spices (cardamon, cinnamon, clove and saffron were particularly popular), freshly baked bread, fruit tarts and a honey cake. Plenty of mead and mulled wine quaffed out of goblets is obligatory. 

Of course, don’t neglect to theme the entertainment, too; all the best feasts were once served with a song and a dance, after all. At the reception, you’ll need your jugglers, singers and entertainers or even a joke-telling-fool to entertain your guests with tricks, jokes and songs.   

ANCIENT ROME

No one can doubt the impact that Ancient Rome has had on Western civilization, so why not let them influence your wedding day too? To set the scene and define the day, the happy couple could dress as Emperor and Empress with an Ancient Roman inspired wedding of togas and tunics. 

For your wedding dress, the traditional Roman outfit was a plain white woollen tunic with a wooled sash tied in a Hercules knot (wool was chosen as it was considered a blessed fabric that repelled evil). Finish the look with a floral headdress of traditionally made from lucky flowers and herbs such as marjoram and parsley. 

For the grooms, it’s all about Roman sandals and red togas. Or, instead of channelling the emperor style of Marcus Aurelius, think more Maximus Decimus Meridius with full Gladiator getup. As for guests, togas were required to be worn by all citizens at public and formal events like weddings and gladiatorial games – you could ask your guests to do the same. 

When it comes to choosing your venue, if you’ve got a big budget, The Roman Baths in Bath offer the perfect backdrop for a wedding which takes its theme very seriously. Or, simply deck out your venue with laurel leaves, candles, draping fabric and some columns – real or otherwise. 

Should you be keen to go the extra mile (and weird out some of your relatives in the process), consider having the entire marriage ceremony read in Roman and incorporating some ancient customs into the formal proceedings, too. Invite a whole ten (!) witnesses to sign the wedding contract and throw nuts instead of confetti. As you leave the hall, make sure a sacred torch is lit, though we might pass on the pig sacrificing. 

When it comes to food, the Roman’s were a gluttonous lot; just watch Heston’s Roman’s feasts for inspiration! It’s an opulent, indulgent affair, make no mistake. For entertainment, hire some actors to perform scenes from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar or Antony and Cleopatra (just avoid the tragic scenes, if that’s at all possible). 

A DICKENSIAN DREAM

If you’re planning to have your wedding in winter, then a Dickensian themed event could be ideal. Take your cue from his books and recreate a classic Victorian wedding, making sure to evoke the theme of A Christmas Carol as opposed to Miss Havisham for a celebration that ends full of ‘cheer and goodwill’ rather than, well, a life of spinster-ism. 

Decorate your venue with vintage lace cloths and sprigs of holly, as well as a Christmas tree adorned with fruit, just like they did back then. Just as depicted in a Christmas Carol, the season is all about coming together and bringing people around the table.

So, for your wedding feast, you might want to lay on a full blown Christmas feast with a goose and all the trimmings, Christmas pudding and mince pies. For drinks, Charles Dickens was known to be fond of sweet alcoholic punches such as the Smoking Bishop, which was mentioned in a Christmas Carol. Oh, and don’t forget the Mistletoe for that ‘you may kiss the bride’ moment. 

GEORGIAN ELEGANCE

If you’ve always dreamed that your big Big Day will be full of etiquette and elegance, then channel your inner Jane Austin, or one of the famous characters from her books (hello Lizzy Bennett), for a genteel Georgian wedding. Think lace, hand-painted bone china, dancing and your very own Mr Darcy. 

If you’ve got serious wiggle room in your budget, you could hire Chatsworth House, which was the inspiration for Pemberly in the novel. Or, consider having your wedding in Bath, where Jane Austen lived from 1801- 1806. This Georgian city offers the perfect backdrop for a Regency inspired wedding. To truly channel the Regency era, have your wedding during the Jane Austen Festival, which is held every year in the city. This fantastic event sees hundreds of regency-costumed fans flock to the city and parade around the streets; talk about setting the scene! 

For your first dance, how about a choreographed regency style dance or waltz? You could even hire some professionals to teach your guests to dance a charming country dance of that period, ideal for any singles looking to mingle at your wedding. 

Don’t forget the horse-drawn carriage to whisk (or rather trot you away) to your life as a married couple. And with that, we think we’ll be off!

5 WAYS TO STAY ABREAST OF MEN’S FASHION & LIFESTYLE TRENDS

Editorial Team
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5 WAYS TO STAY ABREAST OF MEN’S FASHION & LIFESTYLE TRENDS

After drying out and laying low in your PJs for the duration of lockdown, it’s time to put your peepers above the parapet. Take a look around, drink it in; the world hasn’t, as we’ve been erroneously led to believe, let itself go. 

People are still dressing smart and making an effort out there, despite the motivation-drain of the past few months. Yep, it’s time to reignite your passion for fashion. If you’re feeling a little left behind, then fear not; here are 5 ways to stay abreast of men’s fashion and lifestyle trends.

BECOME A FASHION WEEK VIP

There’s no bigger date in the diary for the fashion world than Fashion Week; the clue’s in the title, hey? However, if there’s ever a time not to be fashionably late, it’s during these shows. Becoming a VIP for fashionweekonline.com allows you to keep well ahead of the curve if you keep your eyes on all things Fashion Week, learning about the latest trends, timings and announcements in real time. 

Be the first to know which shows are happening and receive discounts to select open-to-the-public shows during New York and Paris fashion week. Perks also include being able to network with other members of the fashion week opportunity. 

READ LIFESTYLE BLOGS 

Thanks to lifestyle blogs online, men’s beauty, fashion, skincare and wellness are now widely discussed in a more varied, nuanced way than the rather reticent approach of previous generations towards male style choices. 

If you’re keen to engage in forums regarding men’s fashion, as well as finding the best tips and tricks on matters that the blokes might normally be afraid to ask about, then do endeavour to seek out a diverse range of lifestyle blogs to get the broadest view of the subject. 

Some of our favourite lifestyle blogs which focus on men’s fashion and beauty right now include Valextino, (OMG) Bart!, Manny Mua, PatrickStarrr, Ask Andy About Clothes and A Continous Lean, to name but a few.

ALL ABOUT INSTAGRAM 

It’s become somewhat of a dirty word, the ‘influencer’; omnipresent, otiose and insistent. However, the beauty of Instagram is that you choose whose style you genuinely admire and only follow them. And in all honesty, so many of fashion’s latest developments and trends occur on this ubiquitous, powerful platform, but it still pays to be discerning in your follows rather than casting the net far and wide, and saturating your feed as a consequence.  

So, to stay abreast of what’s going on in the fashion world, make sure you follow a few diverse fashion blogger, influencer and stylist accounts who you engage positively with, who inspire you, and whose clothing choices you feel good about. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll be inspiring followers in the same way?

MAGAZINES & NEWSPAPERS 

While online platforms are a wonderful way to stay abreast of the latest trends, we still love good ol’ fashioned magazines, which actually aren’t ‘old fashioned’ in the sense they’re behind the curve. They’re just, you know, a little less prevalent now we’ve all got the world at our fingertips. 

But there’s no denying that there’s something about the smell of the real thing, the glossy feel on your fingers, the visceral pleasure in flicking. Indeed, the page in print still carries weight in the fashion world, so satiate your thirst for fashion by subscribing to some fashion magazines. 

If that seems an expense too far in the name of keeping informed, then weekend newspaper supplements always carry fashion magazines pages, and are as up to date as many online platforms. 

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT 

Sustainable fashion has come a long way, with brands that use ‘deadstock…increasingly on the radar’ of fashion folk. At long last, sustainability is becoming a priority, particularly in a post pandemic world.  

The future of the fashion industry is all about building a climate that is ethical, sustainable and equal, and we couldn’t be more onboard if we tried. As such, if you truly want to stay abreast of fashion and lifestyle trends, then look to ethical brands leading the way in sustainability for inspiration; whether it’s out of necessity, economics or a late-developed conscious, this can only be a welcome development.

As such, check out our article on 5 steps to reducing your fashion footprint and get inspired!

5 OF THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS IN THE UK

Editorial Team
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5 OF THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS IN THE UK

What, the idea of careering down the side of a mountain (often just a hill, but that’s semantics for you) at high speeds on unpredictable terrain doesn’t appeal to you? Cast your eyes top left on your screen (top right for Windows users) and click that X button; there’s nothing for you here.

For those who have made it to the second paragraph, we salute your bravery! Welcome to the club. Mountain biking is a hugely exhilarating sport, eco-friendly and involving physical intensity to boot. But you already knew that, right?

Control, strength and courage are what the rider needs to bring to the saddle, but on the flip side, a mountain bike also plays a vital role in delivering a memorable experience. 

Whether you have a budget-friendly hardtail mountain bike at your disposal, a cross country, hybrid or an all mountain enduro, perhaps even more pivotal in defining a great ride is the route. With that in mind, here are 5 of the best mountain bike trails in the UK. 

DALBY FOREST, YORKSHIRE

Located in the North York Moors National Park, Dalby Forest boasts several green trails, meaning it’s a comfortable track for beginner mountain bikers. For those only just off their stabilisers, the Ellerburn Skills Area is a 300 metre run aimed at building confidence in tentative riders. Once that’s achieved, beginners can gratitude to the longer 4.7km and 12.4km runs, named the Ellerburn Family Cycle Route and the Adderstone Cycle Trail, respectively. 

If you want to push yourself while the kids trundle down behind, you can still find some more uneven, unpredictable terrain; there’s a 12km blue trail and a longer, treacherous (in the best possible way) red trail, too.

It is a family-friendly place, which makes it great for a picnic once you’ve done your time on two wheels. 

NAN BIELD PASS, LAKE DISTRICT

The Lake District’s Nan Bield Pass is perhaps the UK’s most scenic ‘hike and bike’ experience, a magnificent trail that reveals vista after vista as well as some pretty sore calves the day after.

The Nan Bield Pass is part of the illustrious UNESCO World Heritage Site the Lake District and offers striking scenery at every pivot of the handlebars. The route itself encompasses 35 km, which may not sound like heavy going, but the ascents are steep and the descents hardcore. The second half of this trail, in particular, should be left in the hands of only the most experienced riders; there are loose boulders and rocks to traverse, and once you reach the peak of the pass, a technically challenging descent of more than 2km.

The first half, however, is more gentle, taking in pastoral scenes and lush landscape. Should you be wanting to avoid the more adrenaline-stoking elements, it’s advised that you turn back on yourself prior to the climb which leads to Gatesgarth. 

DEVIL’S STAIRCASE & CIARAN PATH, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

The Devil’s Staircase and Ciaran Path, in Scotland’s Kinlochleven, is known for testing even the most advanced riders with its loose, rocky terrain, lactic baiting climbs and heart racing drops. 

It’s a near 25km loop set against a gorgeous, dramatic backdrop of mountains, rivers and lakes; you’ll welcome the excuse to take a breather in the name of ‘admiring the view’. In fact, there’s no shame in walking parts of this challenging trail; many, many don’t conquer it at all.

As the name alludes to, the Devil’s Staircase is one hell of a climb to begin the trail, but as keen mountain bikers love to joke, ‘you have to endure some grunts before the stunts’. After that, a descent into the small town of Kinlochleven serves primarily as a warm up for things to come; the views over Blackwater Dam which seem to suggest a sense of danger which is to follow are very apt indeed. That foreboding is largely justified; the final Ciaran Path is a thrilling but challenging ride, make no mistake.

AFAN FOREST PARK, SOUTH WALES

If you want multiple trails all housed within a single destination, Afan Forest, in Neath Port Talbot, South Wales, could be your guy. This expansive national park is known not only for its mountain biking, but also for its excellent hiking and hill walking options. 

But we’re here for fun on two wheels today, right? Boasting more than 100km of single track trails and reading like the latest single tracks on a Bon Iver album, there are five challenging courses, ‘Penhydd’, ‘Y Wâl’, ‘White’s Level’, ‘Skyline’ and ‘W²’, as well as Afan Bike Park for honing your skills. The 22km loop of Penhydd is perhaps the most prestigious, and has won many accolades for its stunning views and demanding descents. Should you be keen to really push yourself, the Jetlag section of the Skyline is super tough, but spectacular. Such challenging terrain requires picking perfect bike, of course. 

For those who have worked up an appetite on the trails, the fish finger sandwich in the park’s Cedars Tearoom is excellent.

TORRIDON LOOP, WEST SCOTLAND

We’ve arguably saved the best ‘till last. On the west coast of Scotland, close to Loch Torridon, is the Torridon Loop, a revered trail which touches on 50km of dramatic scenery and is on the bucket list of any mountain biker who takes their hobby seriously. Beginning with a fantastic, fast descent into the charming village of Annat, things then get remote fast, with mountain ranges and vast lakes giving the rider a serene sense of stillness even when moving at serious speeds. 

The highlight though, is the Torridon Fun Park section, whose description almost feels like the park is being done a disservice; it’s jaw droppingly gorgeous with just the right level of winds, peaks and troughs to satisfy those looking for a challenge. Just brilliant!

HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR LEVEL FOR A MOUNTAIN TRAIL?

Almost all of these trails are divided into smaller paths or have both more challenging and easier stretches, depending which fork in the path you take. 

That said, most are graded by colour:

  • Green Trails: Great for beginners, kids, and families. If you’re a beginner to mountain biking, this is where you should begin.
  • Blue Trails: Beginners will be challenged here, and the terrain is suited well to hybrid bikes. Blue trails are a good warm up for the ‘proper’ off road stuff experienced on red and black runs.
  • Red Trails: You’ll need a fully fledged mountain bike to try your luck on red trails. These trails require fitness and experience and occasionally, you’ll need to be on foot and carry a bike while hiking.
  • Black Trails: These are exclusive for licensed and qualified mountain bikers with the proper skillset and equipment. Most of these trails tend to be dangerous, thus, not accessible to the general public. 

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5 RESTORATION TIPS FOR A CAMPERVAN

Editorial Team
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5 RESTORATION TIPS FOR A CAMPERVAN

A campervan is a one-stop solution for those who love to go on long trips. And right now, with foreign holidays off the agenda, such a vehicle – with its accommodation capabilities – is surely set to come into its own on future staycations. It’s no wonder RV stands for ‘relaxing vacation’, right?

If you want to feel that sense of unbridled freedom, flexibility and fun which comes with such a trip, but without the expense of investing in a new model, then have you considered buying a second hand campervan and restoring it to its former glory? Should you be in the thrifty, freedom loving, forward thinking camp, then read on; here are 5 restoration tips for a campervan.

RUST NEVER SLEEPS

If you’ve bought a second hand campervan, then a little rust is an inevitability. The sands of time aren’t always kind to a vehicle’s bodywork, and rust can start small and innocuous, creeping up under the vehicle’s paint job, taking the protective paint with it and exposing metal as it goes. As a general rule, if you can see a spot of rust, there is likely much more lurking beneath the surface. 

Don’t ignore the warning signs. Fill seams where paint has cracked with flexible sealant and deploy a rust remover or converter to deal with the issue before it gets out of hand. Always finish with an anti-rust coating. Should more drastic work be required, purchase an angle grinder, or, if things are more severe, you may need to invest in a budget plasma cutter. 

CHECK FOR LEAKS

A camper van should provide you with shelter; many a holiday in the Great British Outdoors has been ruined by a leaking roof. In fact, many a campervan has been ruined by a leaking roof, since water can cause mould and irreversible structural damage. 

During your campervan restoration project, you should carefully and diligently set about identifying and fixing the source of the leaks, to ensure peace of mind for your future adventures. 

Start by inspecting the roof for any leakage, with both an interior and exterior examination. You may well have to give it a good clean, removing grit, dirt and debris accumulated on previous excursions, but the entry point of a leak is almost always a broken seal or the campervan’s skylight. Don’t ignore the rooftop HVAC systems, either. 

The process of repairing the leaking roof relies on the material it’s made from, whether that be fibreglass, rubber or metal. Going forward, a campervan or motorhome cover is a worthwhile investment to avoid further damage and degradation.

MOULD REMOVAL

Since it’s almost certainly been used on outward bound adventures, there’s a fair likelihood that your newly purchased, second-hand campervan has been exposed to moisture or rainfall. It’s wise, then, that you apply a mould removing agent to the walls, even if there is none immediately visible. Campervan walls are notoriously prone to mould and rot.

Should the walls need total replacement, firstly; don’t panic. This is fairly normal for the restoration of a second-hand campervan. Wall panels or plywood are the most budget-friendly options here.

REFURBISH THE KITCHENETTE

They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and this is certainly true for a mobile one. Since most campervans are open plan, the kitchen is the likely focal point of the socialising, and often, the main focus of the trip after long days spent driving. 

It’s wise to invest a fair amount of time and energy, then, in refurbishing the kitchenette, modernising its appliances and eeking out any extra prep space you can with smart, savvy storage solutions. If you make the kitchenette a place you enjoy cooking and spending time, then you’ll save a big chunk of your holiday budget on eating out.

Items such as magnetic spice racks, foldable chopping boards, and durable crockery which won’t break if you suddenly have to, erm, brake, are all wise investments.

A FINAL FLOURISH

Not only for aesthetic purposes, as we already mentioned, but a paint job can also protect your campervan. Rust can cause dull and faded paintwork, which looks less than appealing and leaves your campervan’s bodywork prone to damage. 

If you need to give the whole campervan a fresh coat of paint, then the main option is to fully respray it, though there are ways to repaint your van without respraying it using a roller and brush. 

4 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING THE RIGHT AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FOR YOUR HOME

Editorial Team
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4 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING THE RIGHT AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FOR YOUR HOME

You know that heat? The stuff that hits you when you step off the plane. The type that makes your digits swell as the, erm, digits swell. The kind of heat you can smell. Yep, that heat. 

Where once you could escape to the office or shopping mall, which boasted the blessing of industrial air conditioners keeping things cool, with the sudden, enormous rise in home working, suddenly homeowners are having to consider climate control on a domestic level.

That said, air conditioner installation needs precise positioning and the correct power output for the size of the home it sits within to make the investment economically savvy and environmentally as low in impact as is possible. With that in mind, here are 4 things to consider when choosing the right air conditioning unit for your home.

THE LOCATION

The location of your home has a big influence on what your air conditioning solution should be. A home in Vermont has an entirely different heat situation at hand than someone residing in south Florida, for instance. If your need for AC is rather sporadic, you might want to go for something such as a packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC), a window unit, or even a portable AC unit that can be moved from room to room. This, of course, goes hand in hand with the use of your home, and with what frequency all rooms are used.

If your home is in a warmer, more humid climate for most of the year, or one that experiences extreme summer heat, then you’ll likely be needing the services of an air conditioning unit almost 24/7 at certain times of the year. With that in mind, you’ll want something reliable and resilient enough to not only cool a home during these sometimes intense conditions, but serve you well for years to come. In this case, it’s likely that a central AC or central heating and air unit would be right for you. For durability and drive, you can buy PTAC units here or from other local outlets for customised control and comfort levels. 

While undeniably being far and ahead the most expensive option, and requires your home to have ductwork, the benefits and longevity that come with a good central heating and air unit cannot be overstated. 

THE SIZE OF YOUR HOME

The size of your home dictates the type of AC system you invest in, and whether it’s run centrally or separately. While central control usually comes a standard, a small enough home may not actually need such a robust system to keep it cool, and may not even be capable of being equipped with ductwork either.

This is why it’s important to consider the size of your place in tandem with its location before you arrive at a decision. If your home is only, say, 1,000 square feet, you can perhaps live with a window unit or two instead of central air conditioning, especially if a portion of the home is used infrequently in comparison to the rest. Window units can last for a very long time if taken care of, and provide a solid choice for those seeking that proper in-between cooling option. Such units may well require more regular maintenance from specialist services, like this one.

On the other hand, a large home will almost certainly benefit from a central unit in most cases. Not only does it typically provide the benefit of having both air and heat capable of being dispersed evenly throughout every room of the home, but it can also cool a large area without a problem and with maximum efficiency. As noted with the previous example, however, this is not always the case. Should your home be a log cabin in Alaska, for instance (an extreme example, we realise), and with no ductwork, you’ll probably want a ductless mini-split air conditioner, which is an AC unit specifically designed for homes without ductwork. 

Don’t let anyone tell you that size (or geography) doesn’t matter. 

PREFERENCES & USE

On top of all logistical matters to consider regarding the physical size and location of the home, you should also take into account the individual aspects of the decision that will come into play. Is the home in question a second home or a summer vacation property? If this is the case, your decision may vary in comparison to if this was your main home. 

While selecting an air conditioning unit for your home is crucial for the comfort of ambient temperature, remember that many also possess air purifying functions. Air purifiers specifically filter out pollutants, allergens, and particles from the air, improving indoor air quality. When choosing an air purifier, consider factors like room size, filtration technology, and CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) to ensure it effectively cleans the air in your home.

TAKE A CHANCE ON TECH

You may also want to consider your willingness to take a chance on new technology. You may be averse to trying something relatively new on a main property that’s already been built, but if you’re building a second home or even a property for sale, who’s to say you can’t give geothermal heating and cooling a chance? Such systems are considerably less impactful on the environment than air conditioning, and will also add value to your property. According to the Wall Street Journal via National Geographic, ‘’green housing will grow from $36 billion a year to as much as $114 billion. That’s approaching 30 to 40 percent of the entire housing market’’. Should you have the financial clout to invest, it sounds a prudent move both economically and environmentally. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

As with anything home improvement-related, there are push and pull factors and personal preferences which affect your decision. We hope we’ve made the weight of that choice a little lighter with our tips! 

5 WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR UK HOLIDAY HOME

Editorial Team
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5 WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR UK HOLIDAY HOME

Ideal for staycations aplenty in good old Blighty.

Following foreign travel restraints due to the pandemic and blooming Brexit (yep, it’s still hanging over us) we’re set to see a revival of the Great British Holiday as staycations soar. 

And with holidays on terra firma taking flight, reports reveal that estate agents are seeing exponential interest in holiday homes. 

Such a purchase shouldn’t simply be a case of choosing a place by the sea and making a purchase based on the view. Instead, there are several ways to maximise the potential of the property. Here are 5 ways to make the most of your UK holiday home.

THE TYPE OF HOME

Are you after a country cottage with that peaceful, provincial escape that one carries or would you prefer a beachside bolthole? Do you want somewhere with enough room for group getaways or a small romantic retreat made for two? Is this a long term investment – somewhere you want to retire – or a second home destined for holidays only? 

There are holiday homes out there to suit every need, all unique and appropriate for divergent tastes, meaning you are sure to find the perfect one to match your needs. Holiday home ownership can be an exciting mission and figuring out the type of home you want is the first step in a sometimes enjoyable, sometimes stressful process. 

If you’re keen on a static home on a campsite, bear in mind that most sites shut up shop during January to early March, meaning if you want a break during the first few months of the year  – it ain’t going to happen. There are also site and maintenance fees to cover, so you’ll need to work them into your budget accordingly.  

THE IDEAL LOCATION

Location is everything when it comes to your holiday home, and will define how you use the property and one of the most important questions with regard to location is how easy your potential holiday home is to travel to.

It’s all very well having a cute cottage on the Cornish coast, but if it takes you seven hours to drive there – how often will you actually make that drive? When it comes to making the most out of your holiday home, consider buying somewhere within reasonable distance to your actual home so you can truly make the most of it. 

A HOME FROM HOME

Ensuring that your new property is equipped with all your home comforts will make that drive down – whether it’s long or short – all the more peaceful knowing that a fully fledged property awaits you. There’s nothing worse than arriving somewhere which feels unfinished, unfurnished and unloved, so if you can afford it, do endeavour to deck out your holiday home properly and comprehensively. 

We think this is particularly important in the kitchen; a holiday of takeaways can feel a little transient, don’t you think? Instead, maximise the full potential of your new pad by getting the kitchen in full working order.

A MONEY MAKER? 

As many British travellers swap holidays abroad for a break closer to home, owning a holiday home to let might just be a savvy investment. Indeed, during uncertain times, having somewhere which can generate an income is a godsend, and grants peace of mind in the face of a turbulent, trying world. 

Should this be your intention for your investment, then employing a property manager is essential. You’ll of course also need to consider the financial burden of having a second mortgage, as well as the tax implications of becoming a landlord. If you’re interested in learning more about earning money from your second home, check out our article on 7 IDEAL considerations when buying a holiday home let. 

CONSIDER JOINT OWNERSHIP

If you’ve got your heart set on owning a holiday home but that financial burden we mentioned is too heavy to bear alone, then you could consider joint ownership of a property to mitigate money worries. 

There are several benefits of sharing ownership of a second home. Firstly, the initial investment is halved, meaning it’s far less impactful. What’s more, the cost of upkeep and maintenance is also shared, as well as the actual responsibility of keeping the property ticking over. Finally, a timeshare or shared ownership means that the property will be inhabited more often, negating any guilt you might be feeling about the frivolousness of owning a home which often lies empty. 

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