Author: Igor

  • Statement Sleeves & Necklines For A Unique Homecoming Look

    Image Source: Freepik

    With 2023 almost half way through, many girls are looking for a unique look for this homecoming, which is a chance to impress old friends and teachers alike. Of course, every girl has a unique personality, and there are many ways that you can create a look that will turn heads. With that in mind, here are a few cool ideas for statement sleeves and smooth necklines.

     

    • Split Sleeves – Anything goes in 2023 and split sleeves are ideal for the hot summers. If your homecoming is in the fall, take a shawl with you to wear when the mercury drops. For the best selection of slit sleeve homecoming dresses, search the web for designer dress boutiques, with narrow, medium and wide sleeves that suit your character.

     

     

    • Half & Mini Puff Sleeves – Puff sleeves are in for 2023, with a range of widths that are ideal for a girl who wants to show her arms. Chic designers like Sherri Hill and Morilee have some fantastic puff sleeve creations, with 2023 unique HOCO dresses at affordable prices. The Victorian era produced some great sleeve styles that designers like to integrate into their gowns.

     

     

    • Long Lace Sleeves – White is the perfect shade for embroidered lace sleeves; either straight or even flared for a dramatic event, you can find top designer creations with lace sleeves at very affordable prices. Of course, other colors are also cool, with red, grey, beige and yellow.

     

     

    • Flared Sleeves – From thin at the shoulders to wide at the cuffs, flared sleeves are back with a vengeance, in rich colors and with wrist ties. Browse the online designer dress boutique and check out their amazing selection of dresses with flared sleeves.

     

    FASHIONABLE NECKLINES

    The following necklines are fashionable in 2023:

    • Asymmetrical Neckline – This is a neckline where both sides are not identical; one side might have a few small slits or a teardrop.
    • Boat Neckline – A traditional neckline that sits directly under the collarbone, making narrow shoulders look broader, while broad hips look narrower. It’s called boat neckline because sailors had this neckline, which was easy for someone to grab to stop the wearer from falling overboard.
    • Halter Neckline – Always popular for the prom or homecoming, the halter usually ties up at the back of the neck. Thick or thin straps are available, depending on your tastes; this style draws attention to the upper half, especially the shoulders.
    • Keyhole Neckline – For a formal look, the keyhole neckline is perfect; the keyhole can be large or small and there is a wide range of styles. There are usually a small button and a corresponding button hole as a fastener.
    • Off The Shoulder – A sleek and seductive neckline for the sophisticated girl, the best off-the-shoulder designer dresses are found with the online designer dress boutique. A single-shoulder number is a popular version and one for the outgoing girl who sets trends rather than follow them.
    • Queen Anne Neckline – Named after Queen Anne, this fancy neckline is commonly seen at formal events; if you want a different look, this is the style for you.

     

    Image Source: Unsplash

    When you are ready to shop for a homecoming dress, search online for a leading US designer dress boutique and check out the stunning designer gowns with a diverse selection of necklines. The sooner you start looking at dresses, the more time you have to consider different styles; if in doubt, ask a best friend for her honest opinion.

    You can save a lot of money when you shop online for a designer dress, with top designers offering their best creations at affordable prices.

  • Too Late to Learn? How You Can Pick Up an Instrument for the First Time

    Playing an instrument often seems like something that you should learn to do as a child or at least a teenager. Once you hit adulthood, it can seem too late to really learn to play anything properly, especially if you want to go beyond being able to strum Wonderwall. But just because you’re older, it doesn’t mean it’s too late for you to learn new things. Learning an instrument as an adult is possible, and you never know if you might discover that you have a knack for it. While it helps if you have some previous musical knowledge, it’s definitely not essential.

    Get Some Lessons

    The beauty of learning an instrument today is that there are so many resources for teaching yourself. However, if you’re really committed to learning a new instrument, don’t overlook the benefit of having lessons. Someone who can guide you, correct your mistakes, and show you different techniques can be invaluable. They can tailor your learning to suit you and respond to your needs. If you want to take advantage of modern technology, online lessons are available too. You can learn through video lessons and sheet music for beginners.

    Image from Pexels – CC0 License

    Start with the Basics

    Even though you might want to jump into learning a favourite song or doing something complicated, it’s essential to get a firm grasp of the basics first. That includes things as simple as how to hold your instrument properly. However, it’s also important to learn how to read music, whether it’s learning how to read a score, understanding a guitar tab, or learning about percussion notation. A little bit of music theory can help you so that you can understand things like time signatures or different styles of playing. It’s a good idea to pick up some basic stuff first, so you don’t need to circle back to it later.

    Get to Know Your Instrument

    Whichever instrument you learn to play, you need to be familiar with your instrument. It’s not necessarily that important to know what each individual part is called, although it depends on the instrument. But you do need to know things like how to put it together, how to keep it clean, and how to maintain it. It’s useful if you know how to tune your guitar and change the strings. You need to be able to know how to clean your flute or polish maintain your violin bow. Plus, learning about your instrument helps you to understand how to get the best sound and feel, and how to make a decision when you’re buying a new instrument.

    Image from Pexels – CC0 License

    Find Some Easy Pieces of Music to Learn

    A lot of people start learning a new instrument because they’d like to play some of their favourite music. There’s definitely a possibility of finding some of your favourites that are easy to play, but you could find a lot of them are a bit out of your reach, to begin with. You could set yourself a goal of learning something challenging, but you will likely need to learn some more simple pieces along the way. There are plenty of ideas online or books of simple music to start you off. At https://www.musicianauthority.com/easy-piano-songs/, you can find some easy piano songs that are great for beginners. You can get free guitar tabs from ultimate-guitar.com, or you can just browse your local music shop or online for good books.

    Put in the Practice

    There are no shortcuts when you’re learning an instrument. You might find that you have a natural talent for it, but you still have to put in the effort to get better. Spending time practicing will help you to improve, and you’ll gradually find that you’re capable of more and more. Make sure you set aside a small amount of time each day or some more dedicated practice time once or twice a week. Even when it gets frustrating, you need to keep going if you want to learn.

    Listen to and Watch Others

    Don’t forget that you can also learn a lot about playing an instrument by watching other people. Whether you have an instructor who can show you how to do a few things, you find some videos online, or you watch your favourite musicians, you can pick up a lot by watching and listening to other people playing.

    It’s never too late to try and learn something new. Try learning an instrument, and you could find that it’s a lot of fun.

  • A Scandinavian Midsummer

    A Scandinavian Midsummer

    Last Tuesday we attended the press preview of A Scandinavian Midsummer, a pop-up exhibition and cafe organised by designjunction before their event at London Design Festival in September.

    Running until Sunday 29th June, designjunction have transformed Habitat’s Platform gallery on King’s Road into an impressive Scandinavian midsummer experience, showcasing the latest products from leading Danish, Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian brands.

    If you’re visiting the gallery in June you’ll be able to enjoy great artisan coffee and Scandinavian delicacies provided by Skandel, as well as flower arranging workshops organised by Flor Unikon every Saturday of the month.

    Thanks to our London-based contributor Jess Maddock for attending and documenting the event.

    More information about A Scandinavian Midsummer:

    www.thedesignjunction.co.uk/london/habitat/

  • What Does it Take to Become an Automotive Designer?

    Getting into automotive design is a great way to transform your love of automobiles into a very lucrative and rewarding career. However, you should know that it’s not an easy career path, and only a few make it. But, if you sincerely think you have the skills, passion, and determination needed, then this is definitely something you could consider. Let’s take a look at what it takes to become an automotive designer.

    The Skills

    No matter how much you love and think you know about cars, there is a certain set of skills that you’ll actually need if you want to have a chance. First, you will need to have strong maths and science skills. You also need to have an eye for aesthetics, and good spatial reasoning skills. Problem solving will also be needed, as you’ll have to know how to reconcile design elements with technical limitations. Automotive designers also need to be creative, with good communication skills as they’ll usually work as part of a team.

    Education and Experience

    Know that you’ll most likely need a bachelor’s degree in product or automotive design to work as an automotive designer. You should also know that there are things that you can do to develop basic skills before you start. 

    One of the options, for instance, would be to work in body repair or start your own body repair shop. Those who have body repair experience are often able to see possible design issues better than those who’ve never been on the ground, as they have extensive knowledge of common design flaws in vehicles.

    If you decide to start your own shop, it would be wise that you start informing yourself on operating costs, and things like motor trade insurance, for instance. You can do some online research to compare a multitude of different suppliers and help you find the best deals on motor trade insurance. You can apply directly from the linked site the minute you find a quote. They’ll also allow you to take out a policy over the phone, and will facilitate the whole process for you.

    Finding Employment

    There are many things that you could do to get a position as a designer once you complete your studies. One of the ways is to find an internship. Someone may end up seeing your work and consider you for a starting position. If you want to stand out, ask pertinent questions, always complete your tasks and try to network with your peers. 

    Another thing you should do is build a portfolio with some of your designs. You want to make your design specific to different brands, and show that you understand their corporate look. You have to be aware of the different styles and design types of every company, and show that your designs could actually work for them.

    Working as an automotive designer could be like a dream come true for anyone with a genuine love for automobiles. Make sure that you look at what will be required of you, and inform yourself as to what the job actually entails before you embark on your path.

  • Lisbon City Guide

    Often described by its natural light and sun, Lisbon has more to offer than the world knows. Portugal is the jewel of the Atlantic Ocean, and all the country benefits from it. In previous times it was an open door to the world and the discoveries, that had the starting point in the capital. Lisbon is the place to go if you are looking for tasty and various food, between grilled meat, sew or fresh fish, straight from the fish markets and shops.

    From the finest restaurants, until the quickest snack houses or ‘tascas’, as Portuguese people call it, you better be sure you will lick your lips. Delicious food comes with quality wine. There are vineyards a bit all over the country and Portugal is proud of its wine, either white or red. Otherwise, if you prefer to drink a cocktail or something fresher, you can always try a ‘caipirinha’, a drink that takes cachaça as alcohol, mixed with lime juice and ice.

    Brazil is the origin country of this drink, but the close bond of Portugal with Brazil brought the drink beyond the ocean. Whatever you feel like doing, you can do it in Lisbon. If you are already more curious about this place and drooling just by thinking of the food, check out the following suggestions to make sure you don’t miss a thing during your holidays.

    Chiado – Bairro Alto

    The secrets of past and present Lisbon are a bit all over the city, but if there are places you should visit and see by yourself the trace of time, is Chiado and Bairro Alto. Chiado is Lisbon’s commercial and cultural heart, a place where you can find both contemporary and old-style shopping. Since the early nineteenth century, artists of Portugal walked on this street and enjoyed the cafés of the district. Example of that is the café place, ‘A Brasileira’, where Fernando Pessoa (the statue you can take pictures with outside) and Almada Negreiros, both writers, spent their time. São Roque church is one of the monuments you can visit in this area and the sightseeing point of São Pedro de Alcântara is also mandatory, as it offers a beautiful view perspective. As you go down the Chiado, you can visit libraries and discover a bit more about Portuguese literature. Largo do Carmo is a square that still holds the traces of a past convent of the fourteenth century. Definitely a stopping point to history lovers. From this place, a walk away links to the top of the Elevator of Santa Justa, the 45-meter lift that links Chiado to the Baixa, downtown.

    Bairro Alto is the trendiest district of Lisbon, also known as the bohemian one, is home to artists, designers, antique shops, bars, and esplanades. Peaceful by day, it is turned into the spotlight of the city during the night. There you have traditional fado houses and fuzzy bars. All for different kinds of tastes.

    Alfama and Castelo

    Alfama didn’t stop in time but the way it looks tells something else. As the city’s oldest quarter, Alfama holds the daily life of many Lisboetas (citizens of Lisbon) with its rustic charm that is unchanged for centuries. This place of Lisbon houses long staircases, tiny squares, and labyrinth alleyways down the highest hill of Lisbon, under the magnificent Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George’s Castle). Alfama’s medieval origins are still quite evident with the cramped little houses and winding alleys.

    This place can lead to no other direction but the castle. Castelo de São Jorge sits on the site of a past fortress that was used by the Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. In 1147 this place was conquered by the Portuguese first king, remaining a royal residence until the 16th century. The biggest earthquake of Portugal history happened in 1755 and destroyed most part of the city, including the castle. Nowadays, the castle is a place for beautiful promenades and gardens. The city view is, of course, the best part of this majestic site.

    Arch of Rua Augusta and Terreiro do Paço square

    The Arch of the Rua Augusta is one of the most famous sightseeings of Lisbon. Walking down the tree-lined Avenue of Liberty, past the historic Rossio square, that leads to Terreiro do Paço, the old market, and trade square, you can climb the iconic arch and appreciate the view. Facing north you can see from downtown to the Castle and in between. If you face south, you will see the Tejo river and Terreiro do Paço square. If you want a good point to watch a sunset, this one will make your wonders.

    Belém

    Belém is the mesmerizing place to tribute Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. Its waterfront monuments evoke ostentatious and legendary nautical adventures lived by the Portuguese people. The open spaces of Belém are well known by the Portuguese citizens, as well as the most famous ‘pastel de nata’ shop. Antiga Confeitaria is the name of the place that sells the unique custard tarts, that can make you wait in long queues. A very worth waiting line. In Belém you can visit the Jerónimos Monastery, the Monument of Discoveries, the wind rose mosaic, the Belém Tower and art museums.

    Not so far from Lisbon, you have other green parks and astonishing beaches to enjoy the sun and the sea air. If you are a nature person, you can choose between forests and sea site. If you are a person who loves history, there are plenty of monuments to visit. If you love food and wine, Lisbon will conquer your taste. If you just love to be lost and discover a city by yourself, Lisbon promises you to always find a way back to where you wish to go next.

    Portugal is a country full of secret and majestic places. If you like sports, Lisbon is a city known for football – the European one, not America’s NFL! Benfica and Sporting Lisbon are the top clubs of the capital and this is probably a topic you want to avoid, since it can trigger quite some ignited debates. Nonetheless, football apart, people are welcoming and friendly, and they try their best to communicate with the tourists. The best tips ever for you to receive will always come from the locals.

    Author: Ines Marinho