Month: February 2018

How to Build a Retreat at the Bottom of the Garden

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When life feels just too much, all you want to do is run. You get that prickly feeling that comes with itchy feet and just trying to sit and relax becomes impossible. What you need is a safe space to run away to.

And it doesn’t have to be far away.

Having a retreat at the bottom of your garden, separate to your house gives you the perfect opportunity to ‘escape’ without all the actually palava of really doing it. You gain a place that you can hide in until you are ready to return to normal life, and if you do it right, this room can give you peace and happiness at other times too.

The Shed of Calm

Lots of writers are famous for having a shed in the garden they could retreat to and write in and there is a certain romance about the idea. Whether you choose a tiny wooden shed with a little window or a bigger structure like the ones Armstrong Steel in Denver make, just being able to retreat outside is a huge benefit.

If the recent trend for ‘she sheds’ is anything to go by, the rules for what a shed can and can’t be have been completely relaxed, so in your own shed of calm, you can have whatever you like to relax. Perhaps its a space with just a bean bag and a small lamp, or maybe you want to go a bit more high tech and install a TV and games consoles so you can destress and rid the world of zombies at the same time. Whatever you want, your shed of calm can contain it.

A Few Small Considerations

While having a shed is very much the adult equivalent of having a den as a child, you should consider a few basic things that will dramatically improve your experience. Firstly, hooking your shed up to the electrics is a really good plan. Not only will this facilitate the TV, but it will also give you light and warmth to restore you in darker times.

Now that you have electricity, you might also like to consider a few other home comforts. A kettle or coffee maker will keep you in warm drinks while you are in your retreat, but a mini-fridge could be just as advantageous, especially if you plan to entertain guests here.

Introducing Luxury

Now that you have the basics covered, you might also wish to introduce a hint of luxury to your shed of calm. This means different things to different people, but in general, soft lighting, thick materials and mirrors will all give the sense of luxury you are looking for.

Having somewhere to retreat from daily life is always a good way to relax and let go of your stresses and strains. Try meditating or doing some simple stretches to help your muscles release their tension; listen to some music or get lost in a book for an afternoon. This is your space, and in its privacy, you can just be yourself for a while.

WTAPS’ Spring/Summer 2018 Collection

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Your favorite brand WTAPS is really working harder just to give you all such dope finds to wear off this coming spring and summer season.

WTAPS is too fond to have their latest collection for the summer sweason, and I must say, these finds were too street styles though some of the items were can mix and match to other finds to create one new casual wear but I think this latest collection of the brand mentioned were dedicated for street folks who love to wear kind loose finds and yet looking neat still which are the usual american styling.

As I’ve noticed with this WTAPS’ Spring/Summer 2018 Collection. The brand itself is fond to have an all black collection which i think is quite odd for the spring and summer season. Because the usual finds to get in this season were kinda in bring colors such neon and sort. But who knows might others are into this kind of finds whether in any seasons…

Isaora’s Fall/Winter 2018 Collection

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As you all know that winter season is about to bid a goodbye in the few months later now and most of you were quite excited on the summer season to come as you can able to wear off your light clothing and flaunt your beach bods as well. But not on your fave brands. Because they are now working to their fall and winter collection just to pleases us consumers and give out only the best when it comes to our fashion finds and pieces. Hence today, the brand Isaora has been worked out for their Isaora’s Fall/Winter 2018 Collection and giving us all a sneak peek on what we could get from their brand soon.

Personally, I preffered these finds that to the ususal bundle or bulky kind of finds for the winter. Because on their collection, you can freely move around though it has a thermal or paaded added to each finds, which is I found too cool to missed. I think, these pieces were dedicated to those folks who loves outdoors and to those sport enthusiasts who’re keen to workout even to the cold weather.

For the availability and additional details? well, as for now, I haven’t got any in hand but as soon the brand updated their details for this new items that we could expect the following months ahead. I’ll definitely update you here, as well. Hence, you can keep on checking me here to keep you posted.

The Cool Conversationalist: How To Up Your Communication Skills

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Every person and animal in the world uses some form of communication in their day to day life. Communication allows us to convey a message, interact with others and express our feelings. There can sometimes be a barrier between different cultures and languages, but it is really important that we start understanding other countries’ languages. English is one of the most widely spoken languages across the world and more and more people are looking to improve their skills in this popular language. There are many ways in which you can refine your knowledge in a language from music to television and it doesn’t have to feel like a chore.

Magic Music

Have you ever listening to a song once and then been able to recite the lyrics word for word just a few minutes later? If you have a musical mind then you might just benefit from this as a language learning technique. One of the most effective ways of learning can be to listen to music in English and sing along. The catchy tunes will stick in your mind and you will be able to remember the tricky words and phrases you never thought you would remember.

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Perfect Programmes

If you have a favourite television programme or film then you might want to look into the English version, or whatever language you’re trying to perfect. Put on the subtitles or simply listen to the rising and falling intonation of the words. If it is a television show that you are already familiar with then you will probably already know the storyline. Try and match up the words in your head to the phrases they are saying and you will soon be able to understand a whole new

Language.

Terrific Travels

Travelling is truly one of the best ways to soak in a new culture and learn a brand new language. Listening to naturalistic conversations and talking to people in that language will really help you to get a hold of the new dialect. Go on a trip to the country that you’re interested in learning about and try to rely on your knowledge to get you through an entire day. Order food from a restaurant, ask for directions and tell a taxi driver where you’re staying. These true to life interactions will help you to build your confidence in the language you’re learning.  

Super Speaking

Practise makes perfect and the same can be said for learning a new way of communicating. The more you can speak in the language you’re trying to learn, the better you will get. Perhaps you are trying to learn the language with a friend and you have the opportunity to speak to each other in this way on a daily basis. Get chatting and don’t be afraid to make funny mistakes, this is one of the fun aspects of learning.

A combination of all of these methods will help you to become proficient in English or any other language you are looking to learn. Learning a language is an enjoyable and enriching experience, which means you can share your thoughts and feelings with a wider variety of people.

 

5 Challenges You’ll Face When Starting A Fashion Company

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Working in the fashion industry is a brilliant way to combine creative and business skills and there’s a lot of money to be made if you get it right. However, it’s also an incredibly difficult industry to make it in because there’s a lot of competition and trends change so quickly that it’s often hard to keep up. The key to creating a successful fashion company is overcoming these challenges.

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Original Ideas

There’s a lot of well-established fashion companies out there already which means that you’ve got to come up with something original if you’re going to stand out. A lot of people make the mistake of designing lines that they think look great and even if they’re right, that doesn’t mean they’ll sell. Customers aren’t going to buy pieces from you if they can get exactly the same thing from a company that they already know and trust. You need to offer something that nobody else can if you’re going to make sales.

Funding

Everybody knows that you need funding to start your own business but people often underestimate how much they’ll need to start a fashion company. When you start planning, you’ll probably set out a financial plan to design and produce your first few lines, but if you don’t have any extra money, you’re not prepared for every eventuality. In the event that your products are very popular, you might find that you’ve got far more orders coming in than you originally planned for. If you can’t fulfil those orders, those customers will be let down and won’t be likely to come back. You’ll need to get fast funds to cover all the manufacturing costs on those extra orders. You can avoid that problem by overpreparing when it comes to funding.

Changing Trends

The fashion world is a fickle one and trends change from season to season. Companies that can’t keep up won’t make sales because your lines will be out of date and nobody will be interested. If you’re going to make it in the fashion world, you have to be working one step ahead. Always keep on top of the latest trends and make sure that you’re watching the most influential figures in the fashion world because they dictate what is going to be on trend next.

Brand Loyalty

Branding is important in all business but nowhere near as important as it is in fashion. The majority of customers buy a piece of clothing based on the brand before they even look at the style of the piece itself. The same piece of clothing can vary wildly in price just because of the brand that is on it. That’s why building a strong brand that customer trust and recognize is the best way to be a success.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a big issue in fashion, especially as a lot of companies have used questionable methods to manufacture their products. Customers are increasingly looking into the sustainability of the clothes they buy and making their decisions based on that. You should make sure that you’re always manufacturing things responsibly and giving details of your process on your website.

If you can overcome these challenges, you should be well on the way to creating your own successful fashion business.

Train Your Body To Perfection

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Whenever there’s a goal that you want to reach that falls under the physical category, you will always hear the word train. “You need to train your body first.” “You need to get the right training.” This essentially means that your body needs more work, it needs to be pushed a little further, that little bit harder, so that it can reach what you had intended it to. Whatever it is that you’re trying to achieve, you body needs to be warmed up first, whether that be a for a week, a month, or maybe even a year.

Here are some of the best forms of training that you can introduce into your routine.

Running

Running is one of the most common ways to train. It may seem like a really basic activity, but it can be modified to increase in difficulty if need be, and this depends on the kind of terrain that is chosen, as well as other environmental factors. Jogging around the block is one thing, but you can then sprint for thirty seconds, then transition back into a steady jog for two minutes, and so on. Or you can run up a big hill, or through the woods, which will work your body more because of the uneven footing, forcing you to control more than you normally would, and engaging your core muscles to help you. You can even add weights to your ankles to make things more intense.

Cycling    

Cycling is an excellent way to keep your body in motion. It’s great for mobility which means it helps the joints. This is especially good if you’ve sustained an injury or a strain, because it’s a form of physiotherapy. Cycling speeds up the heart rate, gets the blood pumping through your veins, while leaving you in total control of the intensity. So you can start out slow, and build up from there depending on how you feel. You can also change gear on your bike to add more resistance. It’s important that you make sure you’re safe when riding out on the roads, so familiarise yourself with companies like Velosure, and never leave the house without your helmet, as well as any other protective gear you may need.

Boxing

Boxing can be a high-intensity form of exercise. It pushes the body to reach its limit, while testing skill, coordination, and reflexes. There are so many different benefits to this because it adds structure to your daily life. It doesn’t just keep you fit and active; it teaches you lessons that you can apply to your day to day routine. It’s all about discipline and control, and regardless of what you do as a career or what your family life is like, you will benefit from this. You can also expect to get serious gains, especially in the core department, because that is the centre of your power. You learn how to engage it so that your strength is as hard or as soft as you intended on it being.

4 Practical Cars That Still Look Great

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When you start to get a little older you sometimes have to make sacrifices and your car is one of the first things you’ll have change. A sporty car is fine when you’re younger but once you’ve got more responsibilities and you have to start thinking about things like family, it’s just not practical anymore. Every man dreads the day when he has to give up his baby and buy a practical car instead. But the reason that people find it so hard to let go is that they envisage themselves driving around in an embarrassing minivan or something. What if I told you it’s possible to get a great sporty car that has enough space to be practical as well? It sounds too good to be true but it’s not. These are some of the best practical cars that still look great.

BMW M2

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The BMW M2 isn’t the most spacious car in the world but it’s got a good amount of room on the back seats so it’s perfect for a small family. You might have to get something a little bigger in the future but it’s a good transitional vehicle as you get a little older. It’s got a great 6 cylinder engine that gives great speed and a fierce growl so you can still enjoy driving with a bit of power behind you, while still having enough room for any day to day errands that you’ll have to run. It’s a little cramped in the front seats if you’re relatively tall but it’ll be a lot better than most other sports cars.

Subaru XV

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The Subaru Xv is a great car that combines functionality with a sporty aesthetic. It’s got plenty of space in the back seats and a great all-wheel drive system that makes driving the XV a treat. It’s also got an amazing entertainment system which is good for solo drives as well as entertaining the family when you get a little older. It’s also fitted with amazing drive assist features to make driving and parking an absolute breeze.

Toyota GT86

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If you’re not thinking of starting a family anytime soon but you still wish you had a little more storage room, you don’t need to sacrifice too much at all. The Toyota GT86 is a popular choice for people that want a Porsche but don’t want to spend that much money on it. It looks incredible and there’s a good amount of space in the back, better for storage than people. The engine isn’t that powerful but for day to day driving it does just fine. If you’re looking for a good budget sports car that you can use for getting around and running a couple of errands, the Toyota GT86 is the car for you.

Audi S5

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The Audi S5 offers practicality and style in one great package. The back seats are fairly spacious and the powerful V6 engine makes driving a treat. On top of that, it’s fitted out with all the latest tech including a great sat nav system and digital speedometer. It’s a brilliant all rounder and it won’t set you back that much.

Growing older doesn’t mean you have to give up on driving a car that you love, you just need to find a good balance between practicality and style.   

Dressing against the norm — what does it say about you?

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On my own personal opinion, getting up in the very way different way that the we used to be is perfectly fine as long as you’re happy and confident on what you’re trying to pull off. I think, that’s awesome!  and the main meaning of fashion is where you can enjoy and make your own fashion statements by getting up yourself to a quirky way.

From eccentric socks to dressing against our gendered expectations, many people push the limits of social norms when it comes to fashion. Research has shown that non-conformists can be viewed as being of a higher status and more competent than those who follow the rules of fashion. We take a look at what different clothing says about the wearer…

Against gendered expectations

The line is becoming increasingly blurred between male and female clothing. Many people are speaking up, opposing the ideas that men and women should be dressed according to their sex. But, are you presenting yourself in a different way when you dress against the gendered expectations?

Although fashionistas are saying that they don’t agree with gender rules, some research suggests that we’re still stuck in our old ways. Psychologists in New Jersey found that attitudes towards gender stereotypes hadn’t changed much between 1983 and 2014.

There is an argument that shows that it’s favourable for women to cross the gender barrier but perhaps not men. Back in 1990, it was found that — despite the sex of the applicant – if the clothing that they wore was more masculine, they were more likely to be hired. When men dressed in pink however (a colour commonly associated with females), they were seen as less intelligent than women who were wearing the same colour.

Eccentric wear

Another way of going against the grain when it comes to style it through eccentric clothing. When we think of outrageous outfits we may think of people with brightly coloured hair, patterned clothing and over the top jewellery. But, there are other ways to express freedom through dress.

For example, people who wear unconventional socks are viewed as being rebellious and expressive. One of these people is Justin Trudeau, the current Prime Minister of Canada, who shows off his fun side by wearing funky socks with a traditional suit. You can make your own subtle ‘eccentric’ changes through patterned socks by CT shirts, online retailers of Mens White Shirt and accessories. Or make yourself stand out from the crowd through bright scarves and other extras.

By dressing against the norms, studies have shown that you build a brand of being ‘gutsy’. And in fact, people have the potential to see you as more brilliant, creative and successful. One study, published in 2014, found that those who go against conformity can be viewed as of a higher status than those who don’t. They were also considered to be more competent — potentially influencing the impression that they give off in the workplace.

Not only does it affect people’s perceptions of you but it can also affect the way you think, feel and act — this is through ‘embodied cognition’. Since eccentric dress gives you greater potential to express your individuality, it’s possible that it can make you feel more confident and comfortable in different situations. This could then go on to improve your performance at work or in challenges where you want to push yourself.

Against the dress code

In some situations, for a job interview perhaps, it can be argued that dressing in accordance with expectations is the best thing to do.

Under some circumstances, we think that people with extraordinary appearances are more successful.

Men who wear smart, fitted suits as they are often expected to wear in a formal situation, were perceived as being more confident, successful and thought to be earning a higher wage. This was compared to men who weren’t dressed as smartly — in a loosely fitted suit.

In one study that looked at the effects of clothing, it was found that senior managers were rated less favourably if they were dressed more ‘provocative’. This was a skirt slightly above the knee and one button on the blouse undone. It’s clear to see that it is important to consider our dress style carefully as people can make many assumptions without any evidence.

In some environments, wearing your set uniform can improve your productivity. Research found that in a lab, those who were wearing lab coats felt smarter and went on to perform better!

As we can see, dressing against societies expectations can have many effects on the opinion of others and your own performance. Although it’s important to express yourself through dress, you don’t want to hinder your work or your impression on others in formal situations. Wear a pair of crazy socks underneath your day-to-day outfit instead…  

 

http://www.lifehack.org/531957/people-who-wear-crazy-socks-are-more-brilliant-creative-and-successful

https://www.rd.com/culture/crazy-socks-for-success/

http://uk.businessinsider.com/women-and-clothing-at-work-2015-2?r=US&IR=T

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3482589/Gender-stereotypes-holding-strong-Beliefs-roles-men-women-firmly-held-1980.html

https://www.elitedaily.com/money/people-who-wear-crazy-socks/1055248

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/do-something-different/201304/what-your-clothes-might-be-saying-about-you