Author: Igor

  • Bookshop-Cafés You Can Add to Your London Travel Itinerary

    Bookshop-Cafés You Can Add to Your London Travel Itinerary

    There’s no better thrill than that of snaking through shelves and discovering new books. While you may be trying to recreate a similar atmosphere at home, there’s nothing like the real thing, and London is top of the mind when it comes to literary destinations. It’s long been regarded as a go-to literary destination, as it was once home to the likes of Virginia Woolf, T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, and E.M. Forster – just to namedrop a few. And of course London is where William Shakespeare’s famous plays were written and performed. As any fan of literature knows his influence has shaped language both in the UK and across the world, with Gala Bingo emphasizing how the Bard is responsible for the many words we use today, including ‘fashionable’ and ‘swagger’. Today, visitors can stroll with fashionable swagger whilst connecting with these literary roots, through destinations, landmarks, libraries, and now, bookshop-cafés.

    Café culture has become quite prominent in London, with new spaces sprouting about left and right to cater to visitors’ needs. For those who love coffee and literature, bookshop-café hybrids offer the best of both worlds and here are some of the best.

    Image via Pixabay

    London Review Bookshop

    At the heart of London’s literary landscape is Bloomsbury – home to prestigious universities, the famous Bloomsbury Publishing, and the eponymous group of intellectuals, artists, and writers in the 20th century. The London Review Bookshop is nestled in the neighborhood, which houses upwards of 20,000 titles and hundreds of events annually. Visitors can enjoy perusing the aisles, chatting with patrons, and having some of the best tea and pastries at the London Review Cake Shop afterward. It’s the traditional old London literary experience at its finest.

    Paper and Cup

    In East London, the eclectic and artsy Shoreditch is filled with quirky and trendy institutions. One of these is Paper and Cup, a nonprofit social enterprise that offers secondhand books and a charming café for a hot beverage and an extra slice of cake. Shoreditch’s vibrancy is reflected in Paper and Cup’s color-coded rainbow bookshelves, and you will be able to pick up a few extra titles given their cheap price tags. Check their schedule before you visit, as you may get to experience one of their bi-monthly art exhibits.

    Phlox Books

    For visitors into indie authors and books, Phlox Books is the place to go. Located in Leyton, this independent bookshop has become somewhat of a community. You can scan titles with a drink in hand and owner Aimée Madill says you don’t even have to be a reader as Phlox Books is more of a social environment. Titles are well-curated and you may even find something you haven’t heard of yet – which should be a pleasant surprise. They even host bands, performers, book launches, and other special events.

    You must etch these destinations into your future London itinerary, as they each offer their own unique experiences. Don’t fret if you somehow can’t make it to these places – these are just some of the many bookshop-cafés you’ll likely run into during your visit. Your tea-filled, literary adventure awaits!

  • 5 Safety Tips When Working From Home

    With more people than ever now working from home, it is becoming clear that such an arrangement has some clear advantages over working in the office but it also presents some new challenges when it comes to safety.

    It is imperative that you ensure your own safety when working from home, so here are a few tips on how to do just that.

    Image via Unsplash

    1. Use a Security System

     

    Contrary to popular belief, most break-ins actually occur during the day when intruders prey on houses or apartments they expect to be empty.

    It is very easy to get carried away when working from home and completely fail to notice that an intruder is trying to enter your home. Having a home security system, or even a lone worker alarm, can make all the difference if you ever find yourself in such an awful situation.

    Some lone worker alarms can even automatically call for help in the case of a medical emergency which is why you should consider using them together with home security systems.

    Depending on the system you use, they can not only let you know about the danger but also automatically direct help your way.

    2. Prepare Well & Minimize Risks

     

    Risks will always be present but that doesn’t mean that we should just accept it and feel powerless about it.

    Before you get on with your work, you can and should devote some time to making sure that some common risks are minimized.

    Simply taking a walk around your house and ensuring that your stove is turned off, the doors are locked, and the windows outside of your work area are close can eliminate a lot of risks to you or your home.

    Since most people start work in the morning, it is very possible that checking something simply slips your mind because you are still sleepy.

    This is why it helps to make a preparation checklist for the things you want to check so nothing can slip your mind.

    3. Stay in Touch with Coworkers

     

    Different jobs require different levels of maintaining contact with your coworkers but you should strive to maintain regular communication with them nonetheless.

    A sort of a daily routine is easy to set up and can be quite beneficial not only to your safety but also to your productivity. A great starting idea is to set up a daily check in at the start of the day and a check out at the end of the day.

    If you live alone, your coworkers might be the first ones to raise the alarm if something goes wrong.

    A lack of communication from your end despite established routines could be the first red flag and that alarm could make all the difference when it comes to your safety.

     4. Pay Attention to Cybersecurity

     

    It’s no secret that home computers are a lot less secure than the computers at the office.

    Office computers are often a part of a closed internal network with tightly controlled access and secured with quality software. Having cybersecurity experts on hand also helps.

    Studies have shown that the level of cybersecurity on home machines is generally very low. The last thing you want happening if you use a home computer for work is for someone to steal important company data because you weren’t careful enough.

    Provided you stick to the general rules of cybersecurity when it comes to your online behavior, a quality anti-malware solution is a great first line of defense but it is not the end-all solution to any and all problems.

    Even if your machine is protected, your home network might be vulnerable. Make sure that your WIFI password is complex and never give it out to third parties.

    Even if your password is secure, the access data for your router might not be so you should also make sure to change the default password for your router’s admin panel.

    5. Prepare Emergency Equipment

     

    While you are busy working, you never know what might be happening in some other part of your house.

    Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can alert you to any brewing emergencies before it is too late.

    Having a first aid kit as well as a small fire extinguisher near your work area can greatly enhance your ability to take care of small fires and take care of any minor injuries you could potentially sustain.

    Lone worker systems can also help to ensure you can quickly alert your company or an alarm receiving center. Alarms and apps can trigger an alert with just one click and ensure you get help quickly in the event of an emergency. 

  • Men: Here’s How You Stand Out From The Crowd

    It’s easy to be in the background, making up the numbers. All you need to do is turn up! But there are, of course, limitations to this. It’s the easiest option to take, but not the most fulfilling, nor the most exciting. It’s always worth living your life with the understanding that, well, you only get one life on this planet. And that means that you should make the most of it. You should stand out from the crowd. But how can you ensure that this is the case? We’ll take a look at some tried and tested methods below.


    Pexels – CC0 Licence

    Have Your Own Personality

    It’s easy to fall into the habit of just doing what everyone around you is doing. But if you do that, then you can’t have too many complaints if your life isn’t as rewarding as you’d like it to be. And you can’t complain if people aren’t giving you the levels of attention that you’re looking for. The better option? Develop your own personality. You can be an individual and be part of the crowd. It’s when you’re only finding your worth in the groups that you belong to when the trouble begins. 

    Of course, there’s no fast track towards a personality. It’s something that you nurture through finding your own interests, developing your beliefs, and so on. Not everyone will like you, but you’ll be bold and won’t be just another person in the long line of people who follow the crowd.

    Well-Groomed

    If there’s one criticism that is thrown at men, it’s not that they’re not as well-groomed as they could or should be. You could argue that grooming (and, more broadly, self-care) is what separates the men from the boys. And the funny thing about self-grooming is that it takes next to no time; ten minutes a day will do it. That involves brushing your teeth, showering yourself, tidying up your hair, cleaning your ears, and plucking any stray hairs. It’s a simple enough activity that can make a big difference — not just to how other people see you, but how you see yourself.

    Bold Style

    Walk into a pub, and you’ll invariably see a group of men who are more or less wearing the same outfits. The colours may differ slightly, but the clothes will be the same. Jeans, a t-shirt, jumper, sneakers, and that’s about it. It’ll help you to fit in, but the whole objective is not to be content with fitting in. You want to make a splash. You can do this by developing a bolder than average style. It begins with your wardrobe. Rather than picking up the same old clothing from the high street stores, look at investing in something bolder, such as Off White for men clothing. From there, you can add things like jewellery, tattoos, and modern and stylish haircuts. You’ll find that you turn heads for all the right reasons. 

    Care For Others

    The old version of masculinity promoted individualism. You were supposed to just take whatever you could get. Empathy for other people was seen as a weakness. However, times have — thankfully — moved on. Today, it’s not only acceptable for males to care about others, it’s encouraged and accepted. Of course, not everyone has got that memo — the war is still being fought. But the people that society is increasingly admiring are the ones who show concern for others. How you do this will depend on your interests/environment. It could mean getting political, or it could be something like calling out toxic masculinity traits in social settings. Again, you might lose some popularity with this approach, but it will be recognised — and admired.

    Standing Tall

    People with confidence always stand out from the crowd — it doesn’t matter what gender you are. Indeed, if you’re looking to step up and make more of a mark on the world, then getting confidence would be a brilliant way to do it. Confidence isn’t something that you can fill up with a tap, however. It’s something that you have to slowly acquire through a million different actions. But if you’re looking for a quick fix, then look at standing tall. Simply correcting your posture can change how people perceive you. So simple!


    Pexels – CC0 Licence

    Diverse Interests

    The staples of male interest are pretty well-known: football, gaming, movies. While you should enjoy those things, there’s a lot of value in looking beyond those things and having a greater range of interests. People are always drawn to people that can discuss a wide range of interests, or who are interested in doing more than the usual things that everyone else is doing. Spread your wings a little, and you never know where it might lead.

    Mental, Physical, Spiritual

    Through no fault of their own, men born in previous generations could end up being pretty one-dimensional. The culture of the time told them to be strong, or to work hard…and that was about it. Modern culture is different. There’s more of an emphasis on self-care. We understand that you can’t just be physically strong. You should endeavour to tick all the key boxes — the mental, physical, and spiritual sides of yourself. If all those things are in order, then you’ll have a level of peace and contentment that many people dream of having. 

    A Happy Nature

    People are always drawn to happy people. And that’s especially true these days, when it feels like there are many people looking for answers. As with confidence, happiness isn’t something that you can just decide to have. It’s something that you need to acquire. The good news is that the riddle of how to be happy is close to being solved. If you’re exercising, spending time in nature, and showing gratitude for all that you have, then you’ll be on the right track. And as with most things on this list, this won’t just change how people see you: it can be a game-changing shift that has a dramatically positive impact on your life. 

     

  • Curvy Capsule Wardrobes: The Basics

    The thing about capsule wardrobes is that they seem like a really good idea. You buy fewer clothes and have more outfits, and you actually use the things in your wardrobe more. But for us curvy girls, getting the right style and fit of items for a capsule wardrobe can be difficult. Especially if we don’t want to spend a fortune on underwear and designer goods! Happily, Things are a changin’, and there is a little more choice out there for us these days. Which finally does make it possible to get a decent capsule wardrobe together! So with that in mind, keep reading for the ultimate guide to creating a curvy capsule for your clothes.

    Identify your style

    The first step for a curvy girl that wants to rock a capsule wardrobe is to identify your style. Are you a rockabilly girl? Or do you favor more of a smart casual look? Is comfort important to you, or do you feel naked; unless you have on a business suit and blouse?

    It’s important to know exactly what your style is before you start to shop for your capsule wardrobe because it reduces the time you will take to find each individual item.

    Remember, there is no point trying on things that are not the style that you are going for or that you will be uncomfortable in. As then you will just end up leaving them hanging in the wardrobe while wearing whatever else you have to hand. Which exactly what you are trying to not do, with this exercise.

    Identify your colors

    The next thing that you need to do when putting together a curvy casual wardrobe is working out which color you will use as a base, and which ones you will use as an accent. For example, neutral colors such as black, navy, cream or gray are used for base items. These can include leggings and trousers, as well as coats and jackets.

    Then you need to work out which accent colors to go for. Try to stay away from fashion choices here, that will be all the rage this season and gone the next.

    Instead, spend some time doing a little research into which colors suit your skin and hair and go with those instead. It’s surprising, but the shade that you wear can actually make a huge difference to how you look and make you look even better that you usually do.


    Image source

    Identify your stores

    The next task in this activity is to identify the stores that you will want to shop from. You can choose department stores which have a wider range of clothes all under one roof. Or shop at individual places, or online.

    Of course, the most important thing here is that the stores you are choosing, both stock clothes in curvy sizes, and are in line with your style. While this used to be something of a nightmare for us curvy girls, there are now some great stores like Forever 21 and Torrid, that cater for the fuller figure and are still up to date.

    Advantages of picking your store beforehand

    Also, identify the store that you are going to shop from, before time, makes things a lot easier. This is because you all only have a limited amount of stock to choose from. So you are more likely pick the best fitting items, as well as it being easier to coordinate things too.

    Another advantage of knowing the store you are shopping in beforehand is that you can search online for sales, and offers like these Joules discount codes. Which means you can get your capsule wardrobe for less. Leaving your more money to spend on your seasonal accessories.

    Don’t miss your undergarments

    Choosing the perfect undergarments can greatly impact your comfort and style. Similar to how you carefully consider each element in your daily outfit to stay fashionable, it’s also a must to care about what you wear underneath.

    While you’re probably used to wearing cotton underwear, you may want to try a more absorbent fabric like bamboo. Bamboo fabric is soft like cotton but also wicks away moisture when you’re during intense physical activities. Men and women can try bamboo undergarments that come in various styles, colors, and shapes.

    Ladies can add bamboo underwear and bralettes to their collection, completing their cool undergarment collection. Whatever the season is, girls can wear bamboo underwear for any special occasion or event. For instance, seamless underwear made of bamboo is great for a date or night-out outfit, like a pencil cut or mini dress.

    Whether you want cheeky underwear or cool underwear, bamboo fabric can help you attain the level of comfort and style you want. You can be unique, bold, sexy, and alluring by choosing the perfect fit of bamboo underwear online. There are many places where you can get high-quality bamboo undergarments online, like Bamboo Underwear and other reputable underwear stores.

    Accessories and trend

    Every curvy girl knows the power of accessories, and when creating a capsule wardrobe, they have a vital role.

    With this in mind, some advice that we fuller figured ladies should follow is that when planning a capsule wardrobe, leave the trending colors and influence to the accessories. That means if green is in this season, buy a scarf, bag or a pair of shoes in the exact color that is bang on trend.

    Or if tribal is featured big in the magazines at the moment, find a necklace that echoes this. Or some sandals with tribal details on that will set off the items in your capsule wardrobe well.

    Through this, it’s possible to keep your wardrobe updated and fun while not falling prey to being a fashion victim. Meaning you look great all of the time.

  • Glass: tactile interior design

    The buzzword of the day when it comes to interior design is industrial. All things mechanical, steampunk, wooden, rustic, metal and chrome-laden are placed within our humble abodes to create a mock industrial look. The appetite for all things reclaimed such as railway sleepers, pharmaceutical apothecary drawers, and old mining lamps have become insatiable as people clamor for the opportunity to bring a touch of the industrial into their homes. While metal and chrome and other oxidized metals are becoming on trend, people are neglecting the tactile beauty of glass. Glass in all its forms can make a spectacular design statement within your home and could complement your industrial look effectively.


    Image Source

    Let There Be Light

    While you might be happy with those spotlights that every other household seems to have within their pads, you might be after more of a statement piece to bring ambiance to your home. Lasvit lights choose to take the humble glass to shape and mold into unique lighting experiences. Lamps, chandeliers and colored moldings create awe-inspiring ways to light up the rooms within your home without a paper lantern or spotlight in sight.

    Stained Glass

    The artisan trade of staining glass has been around for centuries and can be seen in churches across the nation. The beauty of antique stained glass panes can be marveled at once again if you incorporate them into the interior design of your home. You might want to create a feature window so when the sunlight cascades into your home, the flecks of color dance upon your oak floorboards. Or perhaps you fancy using stained glass in a more quirky way, on a coffee table top or as a wardrobe frontage.

    Glazing

    The UPVC double glazing that is synonymous with houses up and down the country has its place as a soundproofing and energy efficient aspect of your home. But you can also go one step further with your glazing to create entire frontages and facades made out of toughened and top quality glass. Natural light will flood your living space making for a lighter and more airy living environment conducive to healthier living. You will enjoy better views into your garden areas, and you can really bring the outdoors into your home.

    Balustrades

    If you have a staircase within your home and you’re keen to make a feature of it, you may be tempted to head to a joiners and install a bespoke oak balustrade, or you may want to finish your staircase with some reclaimed spindles. However, for a more modern look, why not consider a glass balustrade. These can create the illusion of space and don’t act as a barrier between your staircase and the rest of your hallway. A glass balustrade creates a sleek, minimalist and chic look perfect for a modern home.

     Glass is a material that yearns to be utilized a little more within your four walls. It’s important never to forget the beauty and simplicity of glass when designing the interior of your home.