Author: Igor

  • Laila Gohar x Muller Van Severen

    Laila Gohar x Muller Van Severen

    Laila Gohar and Muller Van Severen present a collaboration that was initiated by a mutual enthusiasm and interest in each other’s work and which results in the presentation of ‘The Pigeon Table’. The Pigeon Table by Laila Gohar x Muller Van Severen will be presented during the Salone del Mobile in Milan in June 2022.


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    ​    The piece is inspired by a conversation around mud brick pigeon houses in Egypt, Laila’s homeland. By very intuitively sending things -images, drawings, ideas- back and forth, the eventual design came to live.
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    ​It is difficult to describe in words what binds the two parties, because it is mainly an expressive connection. It is the love for authenticity, everydayness, a form of banality that can be ingenious, the rudimentary, the techniques…

    “The Pigeon Table is an object made out of love for food and service, being together, conviviality and the pleasure of dining. It is an invitation to our world, our party, a dinner with an ode to what brings us together. Although we have never met in real life we feel we have been sitting at this table for years.”

    The Pigeon Table by Laila Gohar x Muller Van Severen will be presented during the Salone del Mobile in Milan in June 2022. By appointment only.

  • Easy Ways To Maintain Privacy On Social Media

    Social media platforms can be a great way to communicate with your friends and family, and they can also provide you with the opportunity to view and share content that you love. However, one of the biggest risks that users need to be aware of is a potential lack of privacy on social media, as there are a number of dangers that could threaten your personal safety and privacy considerably. Thankfully, learning how to maintain privacy on social media doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might initially imagine, as there are several simple steps that you can follow to ensure your presence on social media doesn’t put you in harms way. So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then read on to discover some of the most effective tips and recommendations that you can utilize now! 

    Image Source – Pexels 

    Keep Your Profiles Closed

    One of the most essential steps that you must take if you want to maintain good levels of privacy on social media is to keep your profiles locked and closed. Making the mistake of leaving your personal page open and unlocked for all to see can put you in a treacherous position, as you’re ensuring it’s as easy as ever for a totally unknown individual to access all of your personal information and posts. Instead, when you keep your profiles closed, any user who wants to see your content or access your profile in any way has to request your permisssion first – this means that you can check out who they actually are (and whether you do know them) before you decide to accept their request! It’s so simple to make your profile locked and closed, as you just have to enter into your personal settings when logging onto social media to find a switch or button that can be clicked to set the change. You may also be able to control the level of privacy and security that your profile has, which in some instances will allow you to remove your profile completely from search results to avoid being detected by any profile. Take the time to investigate the specific privacy settings by Googling how to change privacy settings on twitter and Facebook, as this will help you to understand the ins and outs of profile locking and more. 

    Think Before You Post

    Another key step that you must follow if you want to maintain privacy on social media is to think before you post. Far too many people make the mistake of posting ridiculously risky pictures, whether this means photographing their front door key in front of their new home to show off their investment, or even updating people of when they are going on vacation (leaving their home empty). There are posts that you should always aim to avoid, such as those that show off your address, workplace (including selfies taken in uniform) or car (and number plate), and those that you should be weary of such and the interior layout of your home (avoid showing off any assets or any entrances). Thinking in depth about the content that you plan on posting before you click send is vital if you want to maintain privacy online, so check for any personal details or private things in your photos, videos and text. You don’t need to worry about posting any photos that you take outdoors in a random location, or when you share content published by other profiles or pages – this will not put you in harms way, as it offers no insight into your personal life or private information whatsoever.

    Take Time Out

    Taking time out can be of real benefit for your privacy on social media, as the less time that you spend on social media the less likely you are to put yourself in danger. You simply do not need to express your entire life online, as getting outside to do things without actually telling people about what you’re up to will be both refreshing and low risk. Rather than telling all of your Facebook friends that you are going on vacation for weeks on end, leave quietly and post photographs when you get back – enjoy your trip and stay private with your social media accounts logged off, then no one will know that you are away until you have returned safely home. Your family can be informed privately of your vacation, so there really is no reason for you to express this online – log off, enjoy yourself without boasting, and you’ll benefit from the best social media security possible.

  • How Your Smile Affects the World Around You

    Our smiles are invitations that are sent to people to come into our world. When it comes to business or when it comes to survival, smiling can open up a brand new set of doors for you, and it is one of the most simple acts in the world. Many are shy about their smile, but you never know what is going to make a person happy and notice you. Believe it or not, our smile directly affects the world around us. In the vibrant state of Texas, where the influence of a captivating smile on the world is appreciated, the question arises: “Where can I find an expert dentist in Decatur TX?” Discovering a skilled dental professional in the local area ensures that your smile, a powerful and transformative tool, receives expert care, contributing to your confidence and positively influencing those who encounter your warm and inviting presence.

    Image sourced from Pexels. CC0 License

    Stress Reducer

    Smiling reduces stress. It’s true. The molecules in your brain that fend off stress are released when you smile. Smiling is indicative of being pleased, and when we are pleased we are not stressed. Also, when we are pleased we are satisfied, and satisfaction leads to a decrease in anxiety. Dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins are all released when you smile.

    Pass a Smile On

    It is very hard not to smile when someone else is smiling at you. Your smile has a direct effect on others and can elevate the mood of an entire room. If someone is feeling down or put out, simply smiling at them can change their entire mood. Smiling is contagious, and when you cause someone else to smile, they immediately start to feel better. You can literally change the world without saying a word.

    You’re More Attractive

    Smiling makes you more attractive. Think about it: no one wants to get close to someone who looks miserable. No matter what your smile looks like, the more you smile, the more pleasant you appear. Many are sensitive about their smiles, but there is always a way to fix it. You can straighten your teeth, you can learn how to fix an overbite or underbite, and you can whiten your teeth to make you feel more comfortable. No matter how it looks, your smile will brighten someone’s day. 

    Make Yourself Feel Better

    Why not turn the magic of your smile on yourself. If you’re feeling down or feeling blue, look in the mirror and smile at yourself. You are with you all the time, so you might as well enjoy your own company and be your own great cheerleader. Many say that just taking a few seconds to smile at yourself will help lift your spirits and put you back on track to having a great day. 

    It Makes You More Powerful

    A smile is something that not only attracts people to you, but also makes people want to get to know you more. Having that kind of quality is great power.  People will want to listen to you more, know more about your thoughts, and want to put you in positions where you can make decisions because your smile will make you appear confident, smart, and trustworthy. Many people think you have to be ruthless to get ahead, but let it be known that all you have to do is smile, and you will get far.

  • Heading To The UK? Where Should You Go?

    If you are going to be heading to the UK for your next travel adventure, where should you go? There are lots of places here that are worth visiting, but you’re not going to be able to visit them all on the same trip. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the nicest places in the UK that you can visit if you want a fantastic first impression. Keep reading if you would like to find out more.

    Credit Link – CC0 License

    Lake District

    The first place that we are going to mention is the Lake District. You know that this place is a fantastic choice as this is where a lot of the UK residents also go when they want a holiday within their own borders. Full of beautiful lakes and tranquil mountains, the Lake District is now a protected site by UNESCO. It is truly one of the most beautiful places that we have ever seen, but you won’t be able to truly understand how gorgeous it is until you experience it for yourself.

    There are some lakes that are more popular than others, so if you want to avoid large crowds at any given time, make sure to do your research as to which lakes tend to be busier than others.

    Cornwall

    CC0 License – Location Source

    Another place that we recommend you visit is Cornwall. Another picturesque location in the UK, Cornwall is the other top place for UK residents to visit on their travels. If you want a trip to the seaside, then this is certainly the place to go. There are some beautiful sandy days ahead for you if you come down to Cornwall, and you can look at all the fantastic sights that are here too. Take some time to really explore this place, because you never know what you might find.

    County Durham

    The final place that we are going to recommend is County Durham. If you are a fan of the older British architecture, then this is certainly a good spot for you to visit. You can head to one of the castles here, or the cathedral that draws in lots of tourists every single year. You can pretty much see all there is to see here in a day or two though, so we recommend an overnight stay in County Durham and then moving on to somewhere else. 

    The UK is quite small, meaning that you can pretty much drive across the country within a matter of hours, so your options are not limited.

    We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the places that you should make time to visit if you are visiting the UK. Of course, there are plenty more places that you can consider visiting here, but these are just a few of the suggestions that we came up with off the tops of our heads. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you now have a few ideas already.

  • 4 Tips for Finding the Right Sustainable Accommodation

    Now that the pandemic is slowly being pushed out of the way, and normality is starting to peek its head back out, people from all over the world are going out of their homes and choosing to do something fun. Whether this is visiting the thriving city of Rotterdam, or somewhere else in the world, people want to get out of the house. But with that said, it’s vital to recognize the environmental impact that travel does on the planet. You can donate to organizations to plant trees but that doesn’t necessarily do anything for you and other travelers to over stop their consumption habits.


    Image credit 

    So, how can you improve being an eco-friendly traveler? While it’s going to depend on your travel methods such as using edmunds for your car needs or opting into public transport, you’re also going to want to think about the accommodation too. The actual transportation itself is only one thing to keep in mind, but there’s a lot that needs to be considered. Here are some tips for finding the right eco-friendly accommodation methods for your travel.

    Use booking accommodation platforms that are dedicated to sustainability

    There are more than enough online platforms to go around which are completely dedicated to only displaying accommodations for travelers that are entirely eco-friendly. So, whenever you’re searching for eco-friendly hotels or other forms of accommodation, your best bet would be to search there first.

    Check for some type of “Green” label on booking websites

    Whether you’re wanting to search through some of the biggest online accommodation platforms online, or maybe you’re wanting something a little more simplistic such as AirBnb, don’t forget to check how sustainable said accommodation is. Usually, most websites will have some type of a “green” label.

     This indicates that the hotel or BnB is either entirely eco-friendly, or they have some options that travelers can opt into for being eco-friendly. This could be something as small as not changing the bed set or towels during your stay, but it could be as large as using low-flow toilets, showers, and only local produce.

    Don’t be afraid to reach out

    There’s nothing wrong with reaching out and asking questions, so, why not do it? If you see a hotel or BnB that piques your interest, just reach out and ask a bunch of questions. Ask what eco-friendly methods they put into practice. Usually, these accommodations will be more than happy to explain what they do.

    Beware of greenwashing

    Greenwashing is a marketing tactic whereby “green” products are promoted as being better for the environment and/or more ethical than they actually are. This is done primarily through deceptive advertising, or by devaluing existing systems that genuinely work. While it’s often used to sell products, you’ll find plenty of it within the travel industry too. So, how can you be sure if a hotel or some other accommodation is using greenwashing? Here are some things to look out for:

    • Vague language
    • Lots of buzzwords
    • Lack of proof

    Greenwashing happens more than enough within this industry, so make sure you know what to spot so you can prevent giving your business to these types of people and businesses.