Author: Igor

  • Beckie Parker’s New York City

    Beckie Parker’s New York City

    Beckie Parker is a British knitwear designer who has been living in New York City for the past 5 years. During this time, she’s worked for two iconic NYC-based brands, DKNY and Helmut Lang, and is currently the senior sweater designer at Rebecca Taylor.

    Beckie is constantly inspired by the technical craft side of knitwear, her love of art, fashion and the energising city she calls home. That’s why we asked her to share with us some of her favourite places in New York City.

    www.beckieparker.com


    Portrait by Yolanda Leaney

     

    10 Ft Single By Stella Dallas

    As a designer I’m constantly inspired by vintage knits, it’s a great resource for concept inspiration, stitch and construction ideas. Stella Dallas is a treasure trove of vintage and worth a visit for some unique finds. Not only do they have a great knitwear selection but they also have great denim and vintage dresses.

    Condé Nast Library

    Located on the 31st floor of One World Trade, this library has one of the most stunning views of any library I’ve been to. It houses the Vogue archive and is full of editorial and design inspiration. Publications date back to the 50’s from Italy, America, France and the UK. Stan, the senior librarian, is also just a fantastic and knowledgeable man to talk to while you are there. It costs $50 for the day and requires you to pre book but it’s definitely a memorable research experience.

    1 World Trade Center

    AP Café

    New York City does an amazing job at embracing multi-disciplinary spaces, it’s something I’ve seen grow over the last few years. AP Cafe was near my old apartment. It’s a favourite place of mine for breakfast (their mushrooms on toast are a lovely thing) and a great place to work from. In the last year it has become a more dynamic space with a back room being used as pop-up shop spaces for emerging fashion brands and dance parties at night.

    420 Troutman Street, Brooklyn

    Judd Foundation

    The Judd Foundation has kept the artist and architect Donald Judd’s live/work space in SoHo as close as possible to its the original condition as he left it. I find it an inspirational space to spend time in and see how he curated spaces. His thoughts on the relationship between objects and how we interact with them in a space I’ve always found interesting. It’s a great introduction to his work and to see other artist’s work, including Dan Flavin, as well as an opportunity to see a preserved example of a traditional New York loft from the 19th Century. Look out for the drawing evenings they do there too!

    101 Spring Street

    Metrograph

    Metrograph is a cinema/restaurant/bar with an old-time feel. It specialises in screening archival and contemporary films that are unique, and has a beautiful bookshop too. I like going here as it makes the cinema experience feel curated and special again, and also the perfect place to grab a late night drink.

    7 Ludlow Street

    The New Museum

    New York has so many amazing museums with a constant rotation of new exhibitions. The New Museum—as well as having beautiful views of the Lower East Side from their sky room—always has very contemporary and relevant exhibitions.

    235 Bowery

  • The Mysterious Ways Your Body May Be Telling You Something

    The human body is an incredible machine. From our brains to our beating hearts, every part works harmoniously to keep us alive and well. But when something is off, our bodies have ways of letting us know. A persistent toothache, for instance, could be a sign of a cavity or other dental issue. If you live in Raleigh, NC, and are experiencing dental problems, there are many qualified dentists in the area who can help get your smile back on track. check out this dentist in Raleigh nc for more information

    Subtle symptoms can point to monumental changes happening within. A nagging backache, a fluttering heart, or queasiness after eating may signal greater forces at work. Our bodies whisper to get our attention, hoping we’ll listen closely.

    For women, few life changes compare to the wonder of pregnancy. The creation of new life transforms a woman’s body and soul. Pregnancy connects women to the generations who’ve come before through a timeless ritual.

    But how do you know if you might be expecting? Pregnancy symptoms arise in sneaky ways during early pregnancy. Spotting these subtle clues takes awareness and a woman’s intuition.

    Tuning Into Your Body’s Wisdom

    A woman’s body has an inner wisdom that deserves respect. For millennia, women have relied on natural cycles and signals to understand their health. Before fancy tests and labs, they had to trust their own senses.

    Today, we’re accustomed to turning to doctors for answers. But listening to your own body builds self-knowledge that supports your wellness. Paying attention to symptoms and patterns allows you to get to know your unique rhythms.

    Seeking medical advice is wise when you suspect pregnancy. Doctors can run tests and confirm. But before racing to the clinic, pause first. Check in with your body and spirit, which may already be sharing valuable information.

    Hints Appearing Within and Without

    Few realize how early the body can indicate pregnancy. Long before a positive test, subtle symptoms arise. Your body sends up trial balloons, testing to see if you notice. The signs are different for each woman and pregnancy. But some common themes exist.

    Often, the first pregnancy indicators show up around week four. That’s just one week after a missed menstrual cycle. Fatigue and breast tenderness frequently appear first. Also, nausea, sensitivity to smells, and food aversions may pop up.

    Later, around week six, more noticeable symptoms emerge. These include missed periods, spotting, bloating, mood swings, and abdominal cramping. Evidence builds, though uncertainty still clouds the picture.

    Not every symptom manifests for every woman. Like a fingerprint, each pregnancy presents a unique pattern. Tracking symptoms against your regular cycle can illuminate when something’s different.

    The Power of Intuition

    Women’s intuition is no myth. Research shows women’s brains process information in both hemispheres, allowing greater intuition. This helps explain why women often sense changes in their bodies before hard evidence exists.

    Intuition may detect pregnancy through subconscious signals you don’t even register. Your body picks up on small hormonal and chemical shifts. Then it transmits this data as a gut feeling or mood change.

    When intuition speaks, practice non-judgement and patience with yourself. Write down suspicions and dreams that feel meaningful. Over time, a larger message may emerge from the mix.

    Preparing Body and Soul

    Suspecting pregnancy fills some with joy and others with fear. Any major life change can stress even the steadiest among us. Making room for all reactions allows peace to emerge.

    The weeks after conception are a sacred time. Even if pregnancy remains uncertain, speak to your body with care and gratitude. Thank it for the signs it’s sharing. Ask for guidance to understand the messages.

    Consider natural remedies to nourish your body and spirit. Gentle yoga, meditation, and soothing teas fortify from within. Long walks in nature and journaling provide clarity. Prioritize rest and self-care as you wait to learn more.

    When symptoms suggest pregnancy, our bodies are just doing their job. They’re designed to adapt and support new life, even when it surprises us. Honoring its wisdom eases the journey, wherever it leads.

    So next time your body whispers, listen up! It may have an amazing secret to share. Sinking into its signals with an open heart allows your highest path to unfold, one day at a time. The answers you seek are already within. You simply have to tune in.

  • 10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Let Your Age Stop You From Being Active

    Age is often seen as a limiting factor, especially when it comes to physical activities. However, as time advances, so does our understanding of age and its impact on our health. Today, we aim to debunk the myth that age is a barrier to leading an active lifestyle. 

    1. Physical Activity Boosts Mental Wellness

    Improved Mental Health: Physical activity is not just beneficial for the body but also the mind. It releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Moreover, activities like walking can be social events, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. According to the World Health Organization, regular physical activity can reduce the risk of depression and cognitive decline in older adults. This is especially the case when exercise is partnered with a healthy diet and regular health checkups according to Dentist Queen Creek.

    2. It’s Never Too Late to Start

    A common misconception is that if you haven’t been active in your younger years, it’s too late to start in your later years. However, studies show that even starting physical activity in your 60s and beyond can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Age shouldn’t be seen as a deterrent, but rather a motivator to embrace healthier habits.

    3. Age-Specific Exercise Equipment is Available

    With advancements in fitness technology, there are now machines and equipment tailored for the elderly. For example, elliptical machines offer a low-impact cardio workout, making it ideal for seniors. This comprehensive guide on elliptical machines for elderly individuals provides detailed insights for those keen on integrating them into their routines: https://www.cardiocapital.com/cross-trainers/best-ellipticals-for-seniors/. The market today is flooded with user-friendly equipment that caters specifically to the needs and safety concerns of older adults.

    4. Physical Activity Enhances Mobility and Flexibility

    One of the challenges of aging is reduced mobility and flexibility. Regular exercise, especially strength training and stretching routines, helps in maintaining joint function, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, and enhancing overall body flexibility. With consistent activity, tasks that once seemed challenging can become part of the daily routine again.

    For those considering Mounjaro for weight loss, an active lifestyle can be a powerful addition to their weight management journey. Physical activity helps improve flexibility and mobility, making it easier to stay active and maintain a healthy weight. By incorporating consistent movement, individuals using Mounjaro can support their weight loss goals and enjoy a greater range of motion in daily life.

    5. Builds Social Connections

    Group exercises or attending fitness classes can be a wonderful way to meet new people and build social connections. Whether it’s a dance class, tai chi, or a morning walking group, these activities provide dual benefits – improving health and building community. Engaging with peers in a fun environment can also elevate mood and foster a sense of belonging.

    6. Reduces Risk of Chronic Diseases

    Physical activity reduces the risk of heart diseases, diabetes, and certain types of cancers. It also helps in controlling weight, reducing arthritis pain, and aiding in better sleep. Even moderate exercise, when done consistently, boosts the immune system, regulates blood pressure, and aids in proper digestion.

    Cardio exercises, especially those that get the heart rate up, can improve cardiovascular health. This is crucial as heart diseases are more common in older adults. In fact, Harvard Health has consistently emphasized the importance of cardio exercises for seniors.

    7. Improves Balance and Coordination

    As we age, the risk of falls increases. Exercises that focus on balance and coordination, such as pilates or balance ball routines, can be incredibly beneficial in reducing the risk of these falls. Simple exercises like standing on one leg or tai chi can make a significant difference. These activities enhance core strength, providing stability and confidence in daily movements.

    8. Staying Active Can Add Years to Your Life

    Multiple studies have shown that those who remain active have a lower risk of premature death than those who are inactive. A few minutes of physical activity a day can lead to an extended, healthier life. It’s not just about adding years to your life but adding life to your years.

    9. Exercise is Adaptable

    You don’t need to run a marathon or lift heavy weights. Exercise can be adapted to your comfort level. Whether it’s gardening, walking, swimming, or yoga – find what you love and stick to it. Activities like dancing or even brisk walking can provide substantial health benefits. The key is to find something you enjoy so that it becomes a sustainable habit.

    10. Enhances Cognitive Function

    Enhanced Cognitive Function: Physical activity has been linked to better cognitive function and a reduced risk of dementia. The National Institute on Aging suggests that exercises like tai chi can even improve balance and cognitive function simultaneously.

    Incorporating regular physical activity into your routine doesn’t mean you need to start running marathons. Simple activities like walking, swimming, or using specific fitness equipment can make a difference. For those looking for age-specific exercise equipment, this guide to elliptical machines for elderly people can be a great starting point.

    Conclusion: Embrace an Active Lifestyle, Regardless of Age

    Age is but a number, and your spirit need not be confined by it. Embracing an active lifestyle, no matter how old you are, can be transformative. It offers a plethora of benefits that enhance the quality of life, ensuring that our golden years are truly golden.

    Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So, take that step today and embark on a journey towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.

  • Representing sustainability in art form – the use of aluminium

    In a world in which sustainability and recycling are at the forefront of every single commercial endeavour, aluminium has become a favourite material in artistic endeavours. 

    As a metal, it has been proven to go through a recycling process an infinite amount of times without any loss to its integrity. Aluminium tin cans, for example, can be discarded, recycled, re-manufactured and back on the shelves in a matter of weeks.

    The most iconic artists over the last few decades have incorporated the use of aluminium in their work. Andy Warhol, for example, crafted an aluminium cast of his chicken and rice Campbells soup can, adorning it with a label printed from a silk screen. In fact, his New York studio that he occupied from 1963 was dubbed the ‘Silver Factory’ because the walls were covered with aluminium sheet and sprayed silver. 

    Artistic properties of aluminium

    There are a number of reasons why aluminium is such a brilliant material for art projects:

    • Lightweight: this makes it very practical, particularly for larger installations that might need moving around. It also makes it an excellent material for providing a foundational framework.
    • Strong and durable: despite it being so lightweight, its strength and durability is not compromised in any way. 
    • Malleable: this is probably one of the most important properties for the artist. The sheet metal can be folded and bent and manipulated into complex shapes and structures. It is also ductile, which means that it can be extruded into thin  wires to add texture and volume to unique pieces. 
    • Corrosion resistance: while being resistant to corrosion is a positive in one sense, protecting pieces from rusting particularly if they are outside installations, many artists enjoy the process of oxidization in other metals. If rusting is part of the artistic process, then aluminium is not the metal to use. 

    A wide spectrum of creative uses

    The use of aluminium in different projects is only limited by the artist’s own imagination. For example, the African sculptor El Anatsui took thousands of bottle tops which he flattened, then stitched together to create a wall hanging. This 2007 seminal piece is called Dusasa I, and measures nearly 8 metres high by over 10 metres wide.

     While sculpture is the natural home for aluminium, it can also be used across different artistic disciplines.

    Printmaking

    The smooth surface and malleability of aluminium makes it an ideal choice for artists looking to experiment in creating and etching plates for printing. Complex drawings can be scratched into the surface of the metal, and combined with different acids such as muriatic acid and hydrochloric acid which are combined to help absorb the ink into the lines. This process is steeped in tradition, and has been used to create many images of historical, architectural and social value over the centuries. For example, Four Caterpillars and a Snail is an etching produced in 1646 by the Czech artist Wenceslaus Hollar. The print is a detailed record of observations of insect life which are important to biologists studying and categorizing the animal kingdom.

    While the metal plate might not have been the same construct as the aluminium of today, it is important to note that the techniques and attention to detail have evolved over time and been adopted by different artists for use according to their own timelines.

    The beauty of using aluminium in such art projects is that it will never be wasted. Print plates can be recycled, installations can be removed and recycled. In a world where sustainability is a value which is much lauded, the use of aluminium will continue to be explored and experimented on to express the imaginations of artists across the globe.

  • Seeking below market properties in London

    With property prices dropping at the moment, now is probably the time to explore the possibility of finally getting yourself on the housing market. Interest rates may be rising, but if you can fix at a reasonable rate that is affordable for a few years, then this will give you the flexibility and security to finally get yourself on the property ladder.

    It might not feel like it at the moment, but it is still possible to get a BMV Below Market Value property, even in property hotspots such as London. The trick is to know where to look, and to be prepared to move extremely quickly. Our simple checklist below will help to manoeuvre you into the right position so that you can jump in as soon as you are ready.

    Get your finances and paperwork in order

    First things first, in order to move quickly you need to make sure all your paperwork and your financial situation is in order. The competition for BMV properties is fierce, and there are always many cash buyers who can pounce quickly. As a first time buyer you need to have that flexibility to close the deal as quickly as possible.

    If you are proceeding with a mortgage, make sure that the offer is in place in principle, that your deposit is lodged and you have full proof of funds, and that all the various moving parts such as solicitors and mortgage brokers are in place a ready to act swiftly when needed.

    What to look for in a BMV property

    There are several things that will affect the market price of a property.

    • Structural condition – chances are the property will need serious updating, particularly if it is an old family home that has been in the same family for a long period of time and is therefore seriously dated. Alternatively, there may be options to add value. Basement tanking of London properties is the latest trend for homeowners seeking ways to add to overall living space in a city which has limited room to expand. Bear in mind that if using a mortgage any serious work may cause the surveyor to undervalue the property even more, which could affect your borrowing. So make sure that you have a back up plan in place.
    • Current owner’s circumstances – try to find out as much as possible about the current owner’s personal circumstances. It may be that they are selling because they are in a difficult financial situation and need to sell quickly, or have personal issues to deal with which requires them to sell up. Possibly the property is in probate, and the inheritors simply want to release the inheritance and are not worried about getting the best possible price. In this case, information could give you greater leverage over the bidding process.
    • Is the property really the bargain it purports to be? Do your homework – check other properties in the area. Is it really a decent area? What are the neighbours like? Are there any debts attached to the property?

    Be prepared for failure

    Be prepared for what is probably going to be a roller coaster of a journey to finding a BMV property. We all love a bargain, but rarely are those bargains what they appear to be on the surface. If you are a first time buyer your priority should be to protect yourself at all costs. BMVs are great if you have the time, skills and resources to flip them quickly. However, property itself is a long game – be considered and measured in your approach, and don’t bite off more than you an chew.