Nostalgia is a powerful thing and at the moment old is the new new. Indeed, nostalgia-centric brands are capturing the hearts of millennials across the globe and vintage-inspired items are more popular than ever. And is there anything more nostalgic than inline skating?
Anyone who grew up in the 80’s- 90’s knows how fun inline skating (more commonly referred to as rollerblading) is; especially if they ever went to a skating disco. Luckily the joys of rolling down the boulevard with the wind in your hair needn’t be a distant memory anymore as inline skating is making a huge comeback with brands seeing an uptick in sales. As such, there’s a great deal of demand for some slick skates, and an appealing supply to meet it. With this in mind, here are 4 IDEAL reasons to go inline skating.
HOBBIES MAKE YOU HAPPY
It’s no secret that hobbies can make you happy. Indeed, learning a new hobby such as inline skating can make you feel accomplished and improve your sense of wellbeing. Also, taking on and honing new skills can give you a sense of achievement and confidence unparalleled in other pursuits. Moreover, hobbies like inline skating also offer something to focus on, a way to nourish the soul and an opportunity to socialise in the park and outdoors with like minded people while adding a great starter to your conversation kit.
SPEND TIME OUTSIDE
Speaking of the great outdoors, between working, commuting, cooking and cleaning, watching television, connecting on social media, sleeping and more, most of us spend an average of 92% of our time indoors. There’s so many reasons to spend more time outside; studies show that spending just 30 minutes in a green or open space can boost your physical and mental well-being, reducing psychological tension and perceived stress levels. And whether it’s cruising down the sidewalk or enjoying the local skate park, taking up inline skating definitely means you’ll spend more time outside.
GREAT EXERCISE
Did you know that we’re far more likely to stick with a programme of exercise if we actually enjoy doing it? Hedonic motivation proposes that we make habits out of behaviours that bring us pleasure, and avoid behaviours associated with pain or displeasure. So if you’ve been looking for an activity that’s fun and provides a good work out then look no more. Not only is inline skating fun, it’s also a legitimate form of exercise with excellent cardio and aerobic benefits for people of all ages. Also, inline skating is a high-intensity activity which means you burn more calories and therefore fat more quickly. Moreover, strapping on some inline skates and skating around is a fantastic way to tone your legs and bum.
IT’S A BRILLIANT ACTIVITY FOR BIRTHDAYS
We’ve already mentioned the roller disco phenomenon and if you haven’t been to one, you need to experience one soon. The marriage of skates, disco lights and old school music is a love match made in heaven and ideal for a birthday party with a difference. Indeed, a trip to the roller disco will make your party a memorable experience and a night full of laughs as you throw some shapes on your wheels.
If you’re making a bid for Barcelona in the near future, whether for a weekend of frivolity and frolics, or a longer jaunt punctuated by la Bomba,the Beautiful Game and Battló, then you’re not alone. BCN (brilliant city, no?) is consistently voted as the Brit’s favourite to visit, and it’s easy to see why; a beach, a layout easy to negotiate on foot, great food at reasonable prices, a vibrant party and arts scene, and a fine range of accommodation options, from budget to blow out. If you’re looking for the latter, somewhere right in the mix, with all the highlights in walking distance and a chic, understated, ultra cool edge, then you should look no further than Hotel Bagués.
IDEA
Barcelona hotels, on the whole, appear to be slaves to compromise. Settle for the most desirable position in the city, at the top of world-famous street Las Ramblas, and sacrifice space and individuality in the process. Position yourself slightly further from where the tourists want to be, and gain a little more elbow room to get luxurious in the process. Hotel Bagués brazenly ignores this apparent concession, offering the best of all worlds, occupying a sweet spot all of its own in the Venn diagram of Barcelona hotel offerings.
LOCATION
Did we mention it was rather good? Yeah, thought so. Because Las Ramblas is where you want to be; a seconds walk from both hip, edgy El Raval on one side of the road, and groovy, fashionable Barrio Gotico on the other. The former plays host to some amazing eating spots – we particularly love Bar Canete and, a little further on, El Xampanyet. Heaven. The Gothic Quarter is Barcelona’s oldest neighbourhood, with a thriving club and bar scene for the night owls among us. Barceloneta, where you’ll find the beach, is only a 20 minute amble south-east, while in the opposite direction, a similar stroll will take you into the heart of Eixample; Gaudi country. Oh, and perhaps the best market in the world, La Boqueria, is less than a minute’s walk from Hotel Bagué’s door. So yeah, the location is pretty damn good.
STYLE & CHARACTER
The building which houses Hotel Bagués is the restored El Regulador Palace, once a jeweller’s workshop and H.Q. But don’t assume that the bling and gaudy dominate the decor here. Instead, dark, soothing tones and clean lines and curves do their best to quiten the hectic hum of the always bustling road outside, offering an intimate retreat. The harnessing of a diverse range of materials to create texture is a theme here; leopard print, cushioned walls and deep, dark wood are all deployed, tastefully, to create nuance and intrigue architecturally.
The stylish welcome from reception staff – drinks on arrival, effortless charm – is hospitality personified. And there’s a complimentary bottle of wine waiting in each and every room. Wonderful.
ROOMS
The 31 well-appointed rooms are compact but perfectly formed, making apt use of the space to feel luxurious and intimate. The fine use of texture and depth in the walls and furnishings bring a sophisticated vibe, with plenty of dark wood panelling of varying grades adding a soothing edge. Shades of cream complement this succinctly, lending a roundness to the interior design. The bed, naturally for a place of this finesse, is pure comfort. Combined with a serene stillness in atmosphere (how they’ve achieved this, with Las Ramblas below the balcony, is some feat), there’s a danger you’ll miss their excellent breakfast due to the deepness of your slumber.
The shower deserves its own paragraph. A first for us; the head seems to encapsulate the entire ceiling of the shower booth, the floor having an infinity like quality usually found in 5* swimming pools. Incredible.
FOOD & DRINK
Hotel Bagués has a terrific terrace restaurant, La Terraza del Bagues, doing very capable Mediterranean fare with a modern bent if the hustle and bustle of the outside world is a little too overwhelming. There are some serious eateries only a short walk away though; so it’d be folly to eat in the hotel restaurant regularly, even if it is rather nice. Come for the view, a nibble and a cocktail, we say, but save room for a later dinner, local style, out there in the mix.
FACILITIES
Breakfast is served each day in the lobby, with a self-serve spread of charcuterie and cheese with a la carte options available too. Up top is the hotel’s restaurant, where you can enjoy a simple tapa or full-blown meal; cava, at any time of day, is practically obligatory. The relaxing rooftop also plays host to an outdoor swimming pool, and there’s a fully equipped gym and sauna for when you need to shed the inevitable overindulgence in tortilla Espana.
Perhaps the most interesting ‘extra’ on offer here is the museum, art collection and jewellery store; all a chance to engage with the hotel’s unique heritage. The Masriera jewellery collection (of Modernist pioneer Lluis Masriera) is housed within, displaying some stunning pieces which have also been exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. To have the chance to roll out of bed and take these in without even having to step outside is a real privilege.
WHY GO
Class, elegance and sophistication are the watchwords here, phrases which are sometimes hard to utter with conviction above the chaotic throng of Las Ramblas. To be able to step between the two worlds with such ease is to truly experience the best of everything Barcelona has to offer. Bravo!
It’s often billed as the world’s best market. And while this is a bold claim indeed, when you’re sitting side-by-side with a companion at one of its long, convivial tapas bars, quaffing cava and watching chefs work wonders with phenomenally fresh produce, you might agree Barcelona’s La Boqueria is just that. But there’s only so much room in your belly and choosing what to fill it with can be difficult, with seemingly limitless options of great looking food at every turn and every bump into a punter. One of those good problems then, that we’re more than happy to help with. Read on, for our 5 IDEAL things to eat at La Boqueria food market, Barcelona.
BREAKFAST AT EL QUIM
Hair of the dog and hangover be damned; there’s no better way to start the day than with two fried eggs and a beer (well, you are on holiday, right?) and El Quim is famous for this true breakfast of champions. Their specialty is two fried eggs with baby squid or black pudding. Or both, if you’re greedy like us.
But why stop there? If the seating and stomach space allow you, why not see things through to lunch? Other plates on the menu to try are cigrons amb cloïsses (chickpeas with clams) and xipirons amb mongetes de Santa Pau (baby squid with white beans). According to those in the know (the place is populated by chefs from other restaurants) the ideal time to get to El Quim when its shutters go up and the first egg gets fried. So whether it’s hair of the dog or still up from the night before, it’s the best way to soak up Barcelona’s booze and start a new day. A touch bracing for breakfast? Well, you’ve come to the wrong place then.
TAPAS AT LA PINOTXO
Juanito, the head barman and owner of La Pinotxo for the last 50 years, exudes warmth and conviviality and is perhaps the greatest character of the market. Dressed to the nines, he is reason alone to visit this great little stool’n’stare joint. The food though, is not be sniffed at. This is a late morning and lunch time affair, so rock up too late and you’re going to be disappointed. Try their speciality baby lamb cutlets in a mushroom sauce or tripe stew.
Always busy, and not just because it’s the first place you can get a beer after passing through La Boqueria’s main entrance, Kiosko Universal specialises in seafood sourced straight from adjacent market stalls cooked ‘a la plancha’ – on the grill. It’s served simply, as it should be, with straightforward dressings and seasonings designed to let the fish shine. Sit here long enough and it’s likely you’ll be treated to a busking performance from local musicians which will have you scrambling for spare change to give.
JAMON AT JAMONISIO
Jamon iberico is possibly the nation’s favourite food, and it’s truly abundant in La Boqueria, with legs propped up on wooden plinths and shoulders hanging from just about anywhere you can fix a hook to. Best to defer to the experts, then, on the best purveyor of the good stuff. And this time, we don’t mean us. Ferran Adria, arguably the most influential living chef, swears by Jamonisio. ‘Nuff said.
FRUIT SMOOTHIES EVERYWHERE
We know we already mentioned that hangover, but it does seem to be a bit of an ever present when visiting Barcelona. The greatest cure we’ve been able to find is a refreshing, revitalising fruit smoothie from one of the many market stalls which specialise in them. Coming in all manner of flavour combinations, the common thread here is maximum freshness from superb produce. So, choose your poison; they’re everywhere.
Look around you in any restaurant deemed cool by online lists; any bar worth being seen in; and music video backdrop by an artist set to break into the big time; and one design consistent will stand out. Yes, we’re talking about industrial chic. And the key to achieving that much sought after look is all about proudly displaying that which is usually concealed.
Pipes, brickwork, wiring – all the aspects which go into building the foundations of a space celebrated; a reverence of function and style. The journey, as much as the end result, as it were. This unique, but now ubiquitous, style was born from old factories being converted into apartments, while still trying to keep the feel and identity of the original design. And we should be thankful; it is now the look for interior design. So with this in mind, here are 6 IDEAL interior design tips for achieving that industrial look.
WOODEN IS A GOOD’N
The look of weather-beaten wood is essential for most industrial-led design ideas. Picture the floor of a factory that’s been around for years; that’s exactly the worn out, distressed style you should go for – but consider it for everywhere, not just the ground!
You might worry about where to find such a characteristic, years-to-attain style. But remember, garage sales, second hand websites and charity shops all provide the perfect setting for finding a cheap, vintage bargain that can be upcycled to your needs. They are, after all, specialists in the used.
LIGHTING WITH ITS GUTS HANGING OUT
Though this style can be quite, erm, raw, it’s not to be confused with something that hasn’t had any thought put into it. Quite the opposite infact; designers who adhere to this style are quite meticulous in their planning to make sure form complements function – everything has a purpose… or maybe even two or three!
The trick to industrial lighting design is showing off all the bits and pieces that go into powering it; metallic shades and cages for bulbs are also a winner. There are plenty of industrial lighting options available on the market today, so have a look around online for what inspires you.
BRING THE UNSEEN BACK INTO THE LIMELIGHT
Exposing the inner workings of your home – you can’t get more industrial than that. Pipes, ducts and brickwork are all fair game when it comes to designing in this style. The best designs tend to expose the utilitarian elements of a room to create quirky and functional accessories for the home, for instance, like a shelf attached to your pipes.
ACCESSORISE, PERSONALISE
There’s nothing worse than a house that doesn’t feel like a home, so make sure that you include accessories that makes your industrial style feel a bit more like yours. You wouldn’t want to feel like you’ve come home to every high street steakhouse or new cocktail concept, now would you? Go for some art that expresses your unique interests; if you’re into Vietnamese or Russian history, then why not go for some vintage propaganda posters.Or if film’s your thing, old school movie posters could look great! This choice of illustration suits the industrial style brilliant, as exposed brickwork frames it extremely well. While we’re on the subject, an old record player and collection of vinyl on display certainly wouldn’t go amiss!
MIX UP STYLES
If you want to combine a rustic interior with an industrial one, that’s perfectly alright too. There’s no need to be too rigid with design when it’s your own, personal canvas. After all, it’s going to be you that’s seeing it everyday. The beauty of the industrial style is that it is typically quite minimalist so it’s fairly easily to combine a blend of styles that can actually look rather fetching if done correctly. So, experiment and see what fits.
DIY DECOR
Although at times frustrating, who doesn’t love a bit of Do It Yourself when it comes to designing your own home? There’s a whole lot of satisfaction to be earned, the feeling of reward once a job’s complete unbeatable. The industrial style is the darling of those who love to upcycle old furniture and turn the old into something completely new and exciting, so get stuck in and get your hands dirty!
Of course, sports players want to wear a kit that’s flexible, breathable and comfortable. But do they give enough consideration to the colours that they’re wearing? Through looking at previous tournaments, it’s clear to see that colour does play an important part in sports performance and could even be related to a win!
Existing colour psychology says that bold red encourages confidence in the wearer, and yellow can lead to higher energy levels. Does this apply to sports? Quite possibly, in football. 50% of UK Premier League winners wore red, and four out of Brazil’s five wins were wearing yellow. Thanks to CT Shirts, retailers of white slim fit shirts, we’ve got this infographic to reveal all:
If you’re thinking of a winter honeymoon look no further. These dreamy destinations are proof that you don’t need a tropical paradise to have a romantic honeymoon. Here are 5 IDEAL winter holiday ideas.
TRANSYLVANIA, ROMANIA
For all the horror addicts like us, the best honeymoon would be set in a Dracula-esque castle in Romania. Transylvania has such a long history built around the story of Dracula, with so many attractions to visit, most importantly Bran Castle. Vampires are the sexiest villains after all, so you can also do some reenactments of your own – just lay of the garlic.
Besides castles and vampires, Transylvania itself is an utterly enchanting place. It feels as if you’ve stepped back in time, into an unspoiled medieval landscape of ancient oak forests and provincial villages with Gothic churches and horse-drawn carts. In winter, the landscape is especially beautiful and fairy tale like – think white fields that glitter in the sunshine and towering mountains topped with snow. Transylvania is famed for its towns with therapeutic waters; Bear Lake in Sovataare is particularly famous and its mineral waters are rumored to help with fertility – handy if kids are on the cards now you’re married.
REYKJANES PENINSULA, ICELAND
Iceland is a fantastic honeymoon destination, especially if you’re an outdoorsy couple. Taking a trip to see the magical Northern Lights will light up your world (just like your recent marriage) and the winter months are the best time to see the lights. For any couple, relaxing in the steamy waters of the blue lagoon and soaking away any post wedding stress is a must. Also, what better way to celebrate your marriage than taking a adventurous drive around Iceland’s Golden Circular which features some of the most romantic landscapes in the country, guaranteed to get your heartbeat racing. From the breath-taking Gullfoss waterfall, geothermal lagoons with hots springs to unique cultural activities, Iceland has it all.
TOKYO, JAPAN
Most people think spring is the ideal time to visit Japan when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, however winter is a magical time too. The city is illuminated with festive lights and ice skating rinks pop up all over the place. We particularly love the one in Tokyo’s midtown in the middle of Roppongi where they play music matched with a variation of coloured lights, creating a wonderfully whimsical atmosphere.
Japan is famous for it’s fresh seafood and oysters are no exception. Spending your honeymoon slurping down these little aphrodisiacs from places like Hokkaido, Miyagi and Hiroshima before going back to the honeymoon suite is heaven.
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Prague is the ultimate fantastical setting for a honeymoon and it only gets better in winter when the snow starts to fall. The Gothic architecture, the stunning castle, the bohemian vibe; it all adds to the enchanting nature of the city. Newlyweds can cozy up in the beer halls, and drinking pivo (Czech beers) is a must. Dining out in Prague is also quite cheap, so you can have as many romantic meals in quaint, candlelit restaurants as you please.
LOCH NESS, SCOTLAND
Hailing from the UK, Scotland isn’t the first place for a honeymoon we think of. However, think again. With beautiful scenery, a rich culture and all that whiskey, is it really any wonder it’s so popular with newlyweds? While cities like Edinburgh may be the obvious choice for most couples, we’d like to throw Loch Ness in to the mix. Doesn’t hunting monsters and staying in a romantic spa hotel sound like a fun honeymoon? We think so, certainly.
Getting around London on two wheels has never been easier, but we’re not talking about cycling here. London is reputed to be one of the most wheelchair accessible cities in the world, and that inclusivity is cause for celebration. We can, however, do better. Because while many of the main tourist attractions are near one another, and doable by pavement, others tend to the far flung, presenting problems to those with mobility issues wanting to use public transport. It’s important then, to be savvy and educated before setting out for a day of adventure in the capital. So, whether you have a folding wheelchair from Pro Rider Mobility or mobility scooter, here are 6 IDEAL wheelchair accessible travel tips for London tourists.
FORGET THE TUBE
The London Underground isinfuriating at the best of times and with just a handful of underground stations fully accessible, those in a wheelchair should consider giving the tube a swerve all together. Parts of the network are more than 150 years old (a time when accessibility wasn’t thought about as considerately as now) and today only 71 out of 270 tube stations are accessible by wheelchair. As such, chances are the station you’re leaving from and your destination may well not be wheelchair friendly. Whilst we’re not saying you’ll need added cover on your long-term disability insurance policy just to negotiate the underground, it does pay to know that things can be a little perilous at a few less central stations.
While London still needs to spend some pennies on disabled access, if you do want experience the underground, then make use of the step free tube map guide. You can also plan your route onTFL, adding your requirements and preferences to the journey. Oh, and all the stations with lifts have staff on hand with ramps to assist you onto the tube, so just ask.
BETTER BY BUS
One of the easiest and cheapest (and in our view, best) ways to travel around London is by bus. All London buses are low-floor and fitted with a hydrolic ramp and as such, are able to ‘’kneel’ to the curb making it easy for wheelchair users to roll on. They also have a designated space for wheelchairs from which you can see the streets of London as you travel. And the best bit? You can travel on London buses for free if you are a wheelchair user. Some of the best routes include:
The number 11, which begins at Liverpool Street and ends at Victoria Station, passes many iconic must-see sights including St Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.
The number 73 is another good one, starting at Victoria and finishing in uber trendy Stoke Newington. Taking you past Buckingham Palace Gardens, Hyde Park, Marble Arch and along the whole stretch of busy Oxford Street and through Islington, you get to see London in all its glory.
TAKE A RIDE OR TWO IN A BLACK CAB
You can’t come to London without experiencing one of the city’s iconic black cabs, all of which are wheelchair-accessible (well, the licensed ones anyway). Known as ‘The Knowledge’ – which you’d be forgiven for thinking is some sort of London cult – is something all cabbies must know in order to get their license. This involves learning by heart the some 320 routes through the 25,000 streets of London. This atlas of London, imprinted in black cabbies brains typically takes between two and four years to learn and part of the process involves having to remember 100,000 landmarks and being able to navigate between them. These black cabs are easy to hail from the street, but you can also make advanced bookings online or via the phone by this one number: 0871 871 8710.
SEE THE CITY BY BOAT
From sightseeing tours by bus to guided museum trips, there are manyaccessible tours of London available, however one of the best has got to be by boat. Indeed, one of the easiest and most picturesque ways to see the sights of London is by cruising down the Thames. Setting sail at sunset serves up spectacular, scenic views of London, and is a great way to see day turning to night in the capital.
PLAN, PLAN, PLAN
When visiting any big city, if you don’t plan your trip it can be a completely different experience, full of stress, frustration, and most crucially, wasted time. Therefore a little research goes a long way; essential for you to really enjoy London. While many tourist attractions have accessible side entrances, some don’t, so it’s wise to call ahead first and check if it exists and where exactly it’s located, that way you’ll know where to go as soon as you arrive, giving you more time to take in the sights.
It’s also important to be aware of where won’t be so accommodating. London’s West End, for instance, is home to some of the oldest theatres in the world, with some up to 400 years old. While these historic places of performance are stunning, the drawback is that disabled access is often limited. Therefore, if you’re planning on going to see a show, it’s a good idea to call ahead first to see if the show you’re thinking of seeing meets your requirements.
BE PREPARED
To avoid any hiccups, make sure you have everything that you need for a big day out in the city. If you have an electric wheelchair, then bring a spare charger just incase. A phone to call those black cabs is a good idea too. Also, lots of cafes, pubs and tourists attractions across London have accessible toilets that are part of the National Key Scheme (NKS).This offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets across London and around the country. If you’re entitled to one, it’s a good idea to get it sent to you before your tip.
First things first, this article is going to tell you that tap water contains contaminants like toxic chemicals, hormones and pesticides. Well it’s true, however we’re not scaremongering as tap water in the UK is declared as safe to drink (that is unless it smells and isn’t clear – then you definitely shouldn’t drink it).
As Professor Paul Younger (Glasgow University) told our national news, water coming from UK taps is the most stringently tested in the world. However, since other, more recent news revealed that microplastic contamination has been found in our tap water, we’re wondering if we should be drinking the stuff at all?
Realistically, the chemicals and other nasties present in our drinking water rarely cause us harm. However, regularly ingesting them is anything but a good thing and drinking tap water will always come with a risk, no matter how small. As such, the only way to ensure your water is clean is to purify it. How we hear you ask? Many sources cite that distillation is the single most effective method of water purification, so with this in mind, here are 5 IDEAL reasons to invest in a water distiller.
“Every time you enjoy a cool, clear glass of tap water, you could be drinking a cocktail of other people’s second-hand medications. That is thanks to the fact that today’s pharmaceuticals have been designed to be stable and long-lasting. While that makes their doses reliably consistent, it also means that a substantial amount of the prescribed drugs that people take goes through their bodies and out into waste water. Ultimately, a proportion of these drugs pours unaltered through the sewage filtering system and re-enters our domestic supply.”
Need we say more?
IT REMOVES CHLORINE
Have you ever accidentally guzzled chlorine-filled water at the swimming pool? The unfortunate consequences include stomach ache, nausea and diarrhea. But did you know that tap water is treated with chlorine? Water treatment plants use it as a bleaching agent to remove contaminants and maintain hygiene within the public network of pipes. While drinking water contains considerably small amounts of chlorine and is promoted as safe to drink, there’s really no way of knowing the exact amount of chlorine present in our tap water. So if you’re worried about chlorine, distill your own water.
TAP WATER CONTAINS FLUORIDE
Fluoride; a mineral found naturally in soil, food and water itself is a banned substance in tap water in almost all European countries. In fact, the UK is one of only five European countries that still treat water with fluoride. While this mineral is regarded as great for oral health and can help prevent tooth decay (this is why it’s added to many brands of toothpaste) there still remains controversy about whether it’s harmful to our overall health. However, it’s widely accepted that high intakes of fluoride can lead to a number of problems, including dental fluorosis — a condition found in children, caused by overexposure to the mineral during early life — skeletal fluorosis and neurological problems. Again, if you’re worried about fluoride, one of the best ways to remove it from your water is through distillation.
IT’S EFFECTIVE AND CAN REMOVE NEARLY ALL CONTAMINATES
Speaking of other people’s medication, chlorine and fluoride, as previously touched upon tap water contains a number of other pollutants like toxic chemicals, hormones and pesticides. However, a well-designed distiller can remove up to 99% of the impurities present in our water. This is because it removes the water from the contaminants rather than the other way around and as such, distilled water is said to be the purest form of water available.
On the other hand, it must be noted that the process of distillation also removes all the minerals that are good for us such as magnesium and calcium. However, experts say people get the most of those minerals from food anyway.
DISTILLED WATER IS BETTER THAN BOTTLED WATER
Thinking you still don’t need a distiller and you’ll just drink bottled water instead of tap water? Think again. According to experts, bottled water is no better than tap water – and might even be worse. Moreover, bottled water takes a huge toll on our environment, producing up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year and requires up to 47 million gallons of oil per year to produce.
Here at IDEAL we love a good skincare routine. Those twenty-odd-minutes spent in the bathroom are an activity we savour. It’s often the only time we get to spend alone during the day, doing something that’s relaxing, therapeutic and moreover, just for ourselves. As such, we want to get the most out of the process as possible, which got us thinking; when was the last time you took a long hard look at your skincare routine?
The world of skincare is a beauty mindfield of brands, products and ingredients and a place where even the most seasoned skincare junkie can feel overwhelmed. Indeed, with so many different types of cleansers, toners and exfoliators out there, how do you know which ones are right for you? With this in mind, here’s 5 IDEAL types of skincare products and what to expect from them.
CLEANSER
Cleansing your face is undoubtedly the cornerstone of every good skincare routine. Why? Well it’s important to remove all that make-up, dead skin, dirt and other pollutants that clog up your pores and prevent your skin from regenerating. A cleanser should leave your skin feeling clean and looking even-toned. Moreover, a good product should never have you struggling to remove makeup or dirt.
Once you’ve rinsed away your cleanser, does your skin feel soft and smooth or does it feel dry or greasy? If it’s the latter, you might need to try a cleanser more suited to your skin type. Cleansers are meant to take off oil and oily feeling products, leaving nothing behind. However, if your skin feels extremely stretched after cleansing, it means it’s missing too much oil which again, means you’re using the wrong type of cleanser. The important thing to remember is that facial cleansers are meant to leave the skin looking bright and clear. If your skin feels clean without being greasy or dry after using, then it’s probably the right one for you.
Many people don’t exfoliate because they think it will damage their delicate skin – however, we’re not talking sandpaper here and scrubbing your face until it’s red. Indeed, the whole point behind exfoliating is to GENTLY get rid of old skin cells that pile up on the surface of your skin, leaving it looking dull, rough and dry. Not only does this build-up lead to tired looking skin, it can also contribute to clogged pores that leads to blemishes.
An exfoliator works by reducing the size of your pores and getting rid of those aforementioned dead skin cells, in turn brightening a tired looking complexion and evening out your skin tone for a more fresh and youthful appearance (realistically speaking of course). Moreover, exfoliating helps you get your money’s worth out of all those other products like moisturisers and serums by improving your skin’s ability to absorb them.
While finding the right exfoliator can do wonders for your complexion, opt for one that isn’t right for your skin type and it can do more harm than good; often making oily skin oiler and dry skin even drier. If this happens, or your face becomes red and irritated after using an exfoliator, it’s safe to say you’re using the wrong type – that or you’re scrubbing too hard. The answer? play around with the different types of exfoliator. While there’s no one type fits all, generally speaking those with dry skin should use a product with fine grains or a chemical one as overexposing dry skin can make it worse, and those with oily skin should look for one containing charcoal, which will help absorb excess oil.
TONER
When it comes to skincare routines, toner often gets brushed off as overkill – it shouldn’t. Toners are specifically designed to restore your skins pH balance which can get out of whack after you’ve washed. They also help to remove excess oils and dead skin cells that may lurk on the face after washing. As such, it makes your skin feel softer and look more radiant, calming any signs of redness and diminishing pore size for those with oily skin.
However, a lot of toners on the market today tend to be poorly formulated and include ingredients that aggravate the skin; especially alcohol-based toners which are too drying, even for those with oily complexions. The answer? No matter your skin type, look for a toner with natural ingredients such as those offered by Tropic Skincare. After one to two weeks you should see results, but depending on your skin type you might see the benefits immediately.
MOISTURISER
Mosituriser is probably the main tenet of our skincare routine. It’s the one product we use if we can’t be bothered to go the whole hog with cleansers, toners, exfoliators and the like. As such it’s essential to take your skin type into consideration when using a moisturiser.
For oily skin, your moisturiser should absorb quickly and feel weightless once applied whereas those with normal or dry skin will want a moisturiser that promotes hydration throughout the day. If your skin is appearing to be too dry or too oily by the middle of the day, you should look for a different formula. For drier skin, you might want to add a facial oil to your moisturiser.
No matter what, a moisturiser should always leave your skin feeling hydrated without being greasy, regardless of skincare type. Still unsure whether you’re using the right type of moisturiser? Then simply check to see if your T-zone is dry, oily or normal(ish) at the end of the day.
ANTI-AGEING PRODUCTS
If you haven’t heard, there have been calls for the term ‘anti-ageing’ to be banned from the cosmetics industry and it seems that brands have been listening – just look at L’Oreal’s Age Perfect or Dove’s Pro Age range. So instead of using this age old beauty byword, let’s call them age defying products.
These age defying products come in the form of creams, serums, boosters and targeted solutions, often promising to make you look ten years younger. But what should you actually expect from them? Well first things first, it all depends on the ingredients it contains and how long you’ve used it for. Generally speaking, regardless of the product it should leave your skin feeling smoother and looking brighter. Moreover, your skin should start to feel firmer, and fine lines and wrinkles should appear reduced.
While you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune on an age defying potion, the best ones often contain loads of antioxidants and active ingredients, so make sure yours does too. Bear in mind that this type of product requires ongoing use for at least two to four weeks before you see any improvement. Of course, you shouldn’t expect to look 10 years younger, but you should definitely feel that your skin has started to defy age.
Social Media – what would we do without it? We rely on it everyday to entertain us, to speak to our friends, to get inspiration for our next meal. However, due to our oversharing culture, many of us approach social media with wreckless abandon, the consequences of the casual and careless manner in which we manage our social profiles far less a priority than updating our Insta in real time.
Many of us leave the metaphorical door wide open to identity theft and invasion of privacy and potential threats from a seemingly innocent share tend to be overlooked, especially at this time of year. Indeed, sharing your summer holiday on social media may potentially make your home a target of burglars as many use social media to find out if someone’s house is empty.
However, with just a few simple precautions you can do more to be ahead, in control and safe. With this in mind, here are 6 IDEAL ways to still enjoy sharing on social media, but staying safe and private:
WAIT TILL TO POST THOSE TRAVEL PICS
Wait till you get home to post your travel pictures.Those who really need to share their photos should at least wait till they are back home, and their home is not empty anymore.
SET TO PRIVATE
Make sure social media settings are private.One of the most important things before sharing is to make sure that the settings are set on private sharing with friends or a select group of friends, and your photos are not visible to everyone.
DON’T POST ANYTHING YOU’LL REGRET
Realize that everything you post online will stay online. Tweets or photos that one posts as a college student will still be there when they are a company director down the road. Therefore, online privacy might have a different value to the same person after some years. To stay protected, don’t post anything now that you might regret later.
NEVER GET PERSONAL
Never share personal data on Facebook. Do not enter your address or phone number on Facebook where it can be visible to anyone. Do not create status updates sharing vulnerable information.
DON’T OVERSHARE
Don’t overshare feelings, not only data. It’s more advisable to share personal feelings in close and friendly circles than publicly.
PROTECT YOUR LOCATION
Protect your location.Keep your whereabouts privateby using a VPN. A VPN is a Virtual Private Network that hides your IP address and your location. By connecting to another country’s server, you can set your location to virtually any place in the world.
UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS OF FREE PUBLIC WI-FI
Cafes, shops, and even school cafeterias offer unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Users need to be especially cautious when connecting to these networks – as they can easily be monitored. Hackers can easily position themselves as a Wi-Fi hotspot or use special software to steal data from unprotected networks. One of the best ways to safely use public Wi-Fi is by installing a VPN.
Celebrate the heat with this Sicilian summer cocktail from our pals at Waitrose. The satisfying sweetness of the red grape juice, together with the fizzy freshness of the Sparkling Sicilian Lemon Refresher make this lipsmackingly effervescent cocktail #IDEAL for the summer season.
INGREDIENTS
35ml Bacardi Superior Rum
75ml pressed red grape juice
125ml Waitrose Sparkling Sicilian Lemon Refresher
3 red grapes to garnish
METHOD
1. Pour all of the liquid ingredients into an ice-filled highball glass and stir gently.
2. Garnish with 3 grapes threaded on a cocktail stick.
Is your immune system ready for autumn? A change in seasons, autumnal darker days with less sunlight and kids returning to school creates an ideal backdrop for the perfect storm! Colds and infections are always much more prevalent at this time of year and there are a number of reasons for this. Indeed, lack of sunlight and the consequential loss of vitamin D being produced on the skin has significant detrimental effects.
Researchers writing in the British Medical Journalfound that higher levels of vitamin D helped provide protection against acute respiratory tract infections, as just one example. They noted additional benefit to those who were severely deficient in vitamin D and those receiving daily or weekly supplementation. With this in mind and with the help of Natures Way and Clinical Nutritionist Suzie Sawyer, here’s 5 IDEAL ways to boost your immune system for a bug-free autumn.
EAT GREEN
The more green foods you can pile onto your plate the better. Broccoli, apples, kale, spinach, courgettes, avocado, peas, limes ….. the list is endless. Green foods are packed with immune-boosting vitamin C, iron, vitamin E, carotenoids and zinc. Try to include at least one green food with every meal. Think spinach omelette, smashed avocado with sourdough bread and a stir-fry using chicken, broccoli, peas and mange touts (plus all the trimmings!).
DRINK GREEN
That’s tea! We know that mint tea is high in immune-boosting nutrients such as vitamin C, the carotenes and iron. However, spearmint tea also contains anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial compounds. According to the Journal of Chemistry it also contains antioxidants which protect the body against degenerative diseases as well as supporting the immune system.
AND EVEN MORE GREEN!
Think spirulina and wheatgrass. Both are little powerhouses of immune-boosting nutrients! Spirulina is a blue-green algae which is often used in powdered form or as a supplement. It’s especially high in vitamins A, C and E, plus minerals such as zinc and selenium – all great for the immune system. Additionally, wheatgrass is rich in chlorophyll, the green food of life, together with many vitamins and minerals. Keep some wheatgrass ‘shots’ in your freezer and add them to your daily juice for a nutritional punch!
NOT KEEN ON GREEN?
If upping your ‘green’ intake is just not your thing, then try NEW Alive! Ultra Wholefood Plus – a range of high quality multivitamin and mineral formulations with enhanced levels of nutrients plus added botanical ingredients. Packed with high levels of B-vitamins for increased energy, and our unique dried blend of 26 whole fruits and vegetables, these specially balanced wholefood solutions provide superior levels of tailored nutrients to reflect the specific needs of women, men, and women & men over fifty. Each Alive! Ultra Wholefood Plusproduct also contains a bespoke range of botanical blends including Daily Greens (with spirulina and kelp), Digestive Enzymes and Citrus Bioflavonoids.
SAY YES TO SLEEP!
Many of us know how ‘under par’ we feel when we’re not getting enough sleep. Indeed sleep experts generally recommend seven to nine hours per night. A recent studyfound increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections when British Army recruits slept less than six hours per night. The fact is, the body needs sleep to repair and regenerate and the immune system can become weakened when it doesn’t get enough. If you’re having broken nights, try going to bed earlier so that you’re actually in bed for longer; sleep needs to be prioritised if you’re going to stay bug-free!
As every employer knows, a business is only as good as its team. And the more content, well rounded and educated that team is, the more productive they are too; what small business owner doesn’t want that? Indeed, it seems there is no better way to encourage a sense of team unity and employee autonomy than by fostering a desire in each and every staff member to develop themselves personally. Though the initial outlay, financially speaking, may be significant, the future benefits to the company are endless. So with that in mind, we’ve teamed up with human resources and organisational development experts Thirsty Horsesto offer 4 IDEAL reasons to encourage personal development in the workplace.
SKILLS ACQUISITION
Okay, let’s get the obvious one out of the way first. Personal development, such as inhouse training, night classes funded by the employer, team building excursions and even taking time out to be socially responsible (volunteering for a charity, perhaps), can give employees a whole new skill set, both hard and soft. If they gain new certificates or accreditation, clearly it’s a massive positive for the company in terms of genuine knowledge gained and experience to be passed on through the team. But also, enhanced expertise will manifest itself in a more general way; an improved dexterity, confidence and professionalism; all flexible, fluid and applicable to a whole host of workplace challenges.
PROMOTIONS FROM WITHIN
If your team are improving themselves and gaining new skills in work hours, and you as a responsible employer are encouraging this, then the opportunity for inhouse promotions is massively heightened. And you don’t need to have an A* in business acumen to know that this is great thing for the company. Firstly, promotions from within are extremely good for staff morale; if a clear pathway to career development is clear, and the results so, then employees will be motivated, dedicated and focused accordingly. Secondly, it’s great for business, negating the need for administrative fees, the long learning curve and other financial and time consuming factors traditionally associated with hiring new team members. Finally, a transient workforce does untold harm to productivity and team spirit whereas promotions from within do wonders for staff retention.
EMPLOYEES WHO OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY
No boss wants to spend their whole working day delegating, or worse, having to do the heavy lifting themselves. Independent, high functioning employees, then, are the dream. If an employer encourages, verbally and even financially, their staff to develop themselves personally, then the outcome is often a workforce able to work well without constant monitoring and management.
THE SENSE OF A BETTER WORK / LIFE BALANCE
There a few beliefs more detrimental to morale (and in turn, productivity) than the sense that one’s work /life balance is weighted more in the former category. To harbour a sense that there is life beyond the four walls of the office, but still managing to foster professional, productive behaviour, you should do everything you can as a leader to encourage personal development in all its many forms and as such, job satisfaction.
It seemed like the perfect plan when you dreamt it up, suggested and confirmed it as in the diary after a few margaritas. Everyone round to yours tomorrow, for a huge feast, lots of booze and lots of laughter. But in the morning, with the headache and realisation of the work ahead both bearing down on you, things don’t look so rosy. Well, for those impromptu times when you’re seeking to impress, we’re here to help. Here are our 10 tips for hosting the IDEAL get-together.
DON’T BOTHER WITH SPOTLESS CLEAN
There’s absolutely nothing to gain by cleaning your home from top to bottom to an immaculate level, prior to the party. By the time just one or two guests have arrived, chances are it’s going to be messy again. Get your guests in a similar state, and no one will notice anyway. They’re here for the food, the fun and the laughter. Instead, straighten a few things up and get the rooms, such as bathroom, which people will definitely see, looking shipshape.
REARRANGE YOUR FURNITURE
Arrange the layout of the venue strategically so that your guests have no choice but to mingle; too many comfy seats equals a sedate, solemn occasion. Distribute snacks and drinks in various strategic points about the place which encourage standing, removing any temptation to simply sit around and not get involved.
BUFFET, FINGER FOOD & SNACKS
Always remember that finger food and snacks are significantly easier to coordinate than a full-blown, sit down, three course meal. What’s more, guests usually feel more comfortable helping themselves, as and when they want to. If you’re pressed for time, it’s also worth remembering that just about any food of any quantity on the face of the earth can now be delivered. Save yourself a huge amount of time and effort by ordering out, rather than catering yourself.
GET A CATERER
Continuing with that theme, why not consider hiring large self-catering accommodation for the party, rather than using your own home? If you simply do not have the space and facilities to cater to the crowd, short lets or party houses really can be a godsend. You even could pretend it’s your own, if you have a devious streak.
BE MINDFUL OF THE GUESTLIST
With the risk of offending your nearest and dearest, be realistic when it comes to how many people you can and should invite. It’s far better to have a relatively small guest list than one you cannot cope with when they all turn up at once. You really don’t have to please everyone.
SET A SPECIFIC BUDGET FOR YOUR PARTY
As we all know, food and drink can get expensive and the spirit of party enthusiasm can get us carried away. Instead, set a specific budget for your party, in order to ensure a level of self discipline in the party planning phase. Get-togethers have a habit of becoming quite expensive if not carefully budgeted for, from start to finish.
ASK YOUR GUESTS TO BRING SOMETHING
Another budget friendly option, this; make it clear to your guests that they are ‘welcome’ to bring something along. Alcohol, soft drinks, snacks and so on – sharing the responsibility and the expense can make things that little bit easier for everyone. If your cooking’s terrible, this could save you a fair amount of embarrassment. If it’s great, then the favourable comparisons will do your ego no harm at all.
HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN
If planning a get-together outdoors, you’ll also need to bear weather-based threats in mind. After all, it’s not as if the Great British weather can be counted on even at the best of times. To save your soiree from the rain, have a gazebo ready, or indoor space big enough to accommodate, to avoid any unnecessary, unexpected scrambles from an outburst of heavy rain.
DON’T FORGET THE MUSIC
Think very carefully about the music or any other entertainment you intend to provide for your guests. It can be something of a balancing act, given that you need to ensure it suits the tastes of everyone at the party. Always remember that just because you like it, it doesn’t mean the same can be said for your guests, so go for something (and we hate to say this) inoffensive.
DON’T STRESS
Last but not least, remember to not to stress yourself out. Everyone is willing the event to be a success, for your sake as well as for selfish reasons, so let your hair down and enjoy yourself!
A great dinner party is a difficult thing to define. Firstly, you need to decide where on the stress spectrum you wish to settle; the occasion likely dictating the amount of effort you’re going to put in. Is this going to be close friend dropping by for a pizza and a chat – leisurely and lazy – or is this the inaugural wooing of the prospective in-laws, with tension and trying moments aplenty?
Obviously, both very different affairs. For fantastic hosting though, we think the ingredients remain the same; good food and wine, pinpoint timing, good grace, a certain je ne sais quoi, and most importantly, generosity. So, here are 5 IDEAL tips for hosting a great dinner party.
A GREAT MIX OF PERSONALITIES
A dinner party is only a good as its guests, as the old saying should go. Success lies not in inviting all the largest personalities, but in harnessing a fine balance of characters, temperaments and and tones. While a group of similar professions, ages and the rest equates to a harmonious vibe, it’s not going to be the most interesting; all a little too easy, and everyone preaching to the choir, if you ask us.
If conversation is to flow like the fine wine you serve, you’ll need a great blend of extroverts, introverts and those in between, with a variety of opinions to spice things up a little!
GET THE FOOD RIGHT, FOR COOKING & FOR EATING
A two part tip, make no mistake. We’ll start with the cooking. Of course, you want your food to wow the guests. That’s a given. But to be a great host, you can’t be slaving away for the duration of the meal; you’ll be seldom seen and when you are, stressed and distracted. So, the choice of dishes you serve is going to be make or break to the success of the evening. Settle on something which can be largely prepared in advance, and finished when your guests are already round the table.
We’re thinking a big rib of beef, slow roasted in the oven with thyme, accompanied by a bernaise sauce or red wine jus which you’ve already prepped and just needs warming through. Or how about a leg of lamb, carved at the table for extra theatre, which is a winner for sure.
For vegetarians, how about individual beetroot tart tatins (again, made in advance and cooked in the oven at the last minute), paired with goat’s cheese and hazelnuts. Just a couple of ideas, but you get the picture; lots of prep pre-guests, lots of hosting when they arrive.
Equally important is the way the food ‘eats’. And we don’t mean mastication and digestion here, although hopefully that won’t be a problem for your guests! No, we simply mean you should avoid anything overly fiddly or messy to eat. Also, an item of each course should be placed in the middle of the table, to be shared, as this adds a sociable, convivial air to proceedings.
DON’T CROCK IT UP
You’ve gone to all the effort of cooking up a carefully considered feasts, replete with vegetarian options, side dishes and complementing sauces. And then you serve it all up on paper plates. Okay, this an extreme example, but you want to get your crockery right if you want a sophisticated feel to the evening and the food to shine as it should. Consider investing in dinner sets so the night feels synergised and orchestrated with precision.
The same goes for drinking vessels; if you’re going to serve good wine (see below) then you’ll want an appropriate glass to bring out the best characteristics of that drop. It really does make a massive difference!
CHOOSE BOOZE WISELY
A well paired wine, perfectly suited to the grub you’re serving, can be the difference between a good and great dinner party. Don’t just throw your favourite drop at it and expect things to flourish. Instead, investigate which wine is best suited to each course, bringing out the flavours of the food elegantly. Go that extra mile with picking a better bottle, spending a little more and drinking a little less, for best results, we think.
CURTAINS DOWN
The dish every diner will depart discussing is going to be dessert. Most people have a sweet tooth and owing to it being the last course, the final act is the one whose taste will linger. So, do it in style. Again, something prepared a little in advance will save stress so close to the finish line. Chocolate fondants are a surefire crowd pleaser and can be refrigerated (or even frozen) until they’re required. Serve with a little carefully chosen sweet fine – we think pedro ximenez and chocolate are a divine combination – and send the guests merrily on their way.
