It’s usually around this time of the year that I begin to look towards how I’m going to ‘tidy up’ aspects of my life for the new year, and a refreshing bedroom turnaround is one that crops up regularly. A spring clean of my bedroom results in a cleansing of my mindset. I’m one of those people who love having a tidy and minimalistic room, however it never seems to work out that way. For one, I’m extremely messy whilst I get ready. I begin my make-up just in front of the mirror, however by the time I’m finished it’s spread over the entirety of my bedroom floor! Also, don’t get me started on my clothes. I often have about 3 or 4 outfit changes before I leave the house, by the time I’ve decided on the outfit I’m usually running about 20 minutes late and have to leave the house in a hurry. As a result, I leave my bedroom in a state.
I’ve put together a little round-up what my ideal bedroom would consist of. Simple, white and minimalistic. A girl can dream, right?!
Where affordability meets luxury, where high-street meets high-end fashion and where contemporary men are going to meet their modern style needs.
Based in London, Ama Bonsu deliver smart-casual wear for men who take pride in their appearance, appreciate finer details and the craftsmanship of the garments in their wardrobe. They deliver finely-cut pieces made from carefully selected luxury fabrics that individually and collectively showcase a high-quality standard. They currently release new capsule/resort collections every two months and drip-feed a subtle, steady release of new standout pieces that complement the brand ethos whilst matching the ever-changing demand for new styles, new designs and new ways of thinking. The current Grene collection is a range of classic blouson jackets, cardigans, innovative shirts, flight jackets and longline coats, all with refreshing tones of green for their introduction to summer. The Clavering is the brand’s signature flight jacket made from a hunter Grene suedette, finished with a luxurious black rabbit fur collar and a contrast black cotton velvet inside flap alongside elasticated cuffs and waistband. A sharp, crafted overcoat made from fine light wool, The Hawkesbury has a neat silhouette with no fastenings and cuffs the body nicely to give off a slimline, minimalist attitude, functioning both as day and night attire. Lightweight and stylish, the Bruer jacket is a luxury must-have with elasticated cuffs and collar, fully finished with satin inside and out with the brand’s signature claret lining inside. With fabrics including lamb leather, rabbit fur, silk cottons and velveted accents, this recent release echoes Ama Bonsu’s dedication to producing high quality garments that the stylish man can afford.
Whether you’re cleaning out your closet to make room for your new clothes, or just want to get rid of items that you no longer use, there’s a better option than just throwing them straight out. Why not make money out of them by reselling them online? Not only is it quick and easy to do, you’ll also put those clothes that you outgrew that are still in perfectly good condition to better use.
Here’s how you can make some extra cash with your old clothes:
Team Up with Your Friends and Start a Garage Sale
You’re not the only one with a full closet and stuff you no longer need. Gather up your friends and start a weekend garage sale where you can display all the clothes that you’d like to resell. You’ll have plenty of items to offer, and gather more people with the added connections from your friends who are in on the garage sale with you.
Bring Your Used Clothes To The Nearest Consignment Store
There’s bound to be at least one or two in your town, so pack up your used clothing and take them to the one nearest you. The downside of this is that it does take some time and energy, and there’s also a possibility that the store will turn your items away.
Create an Account at an Online Marketplace
Before, we really only had eBay and Craigslist. That’s no longer the case today, though. Now, there are websites and software that lets you create online shop for clothes. All you need to do is create an account, build up your sites and post our pre-loved items for customers to peruse.
Some online marketplaces even have an authentication feature, where they make sure all items they place on sale are authenticated, thereby increasing the trust among buyers and sellers.
Download an App
If you’re not exactly keen on navigating through websites, apps are the way to go. They’re convenient, easily accessible, and fairly easy to use as well. Apps are perfect for first-time online sellers who want a quick upload and sell system that they can easily get to through their phones.
Utilize Instagram and Other Social Media Platforms
Creating an online clothes shop from scratch or organizing a garage sale takes up a ton of time, energy, and resources. Fortunately, we can even now sell our old stuff on social networking sites like Facebook, or even better, Instagram. It has tons of users, and is easy to understand and scroll through – perfect for posting photos of items that you’d like to sell. You’ll need to set up a secure payment set up, though, as well as shipping options.
Thankfully, we live in a day and age where online shopping has become a lifestyle. It makes it so much easier to find buyers for items that we no longer need, and for us to find stuff that we might need at a lower price range. It will surely save you some trip to the nearest consignment store and give your used clothes a second life.
Iknow there’s still a week until Christmas, but I just can’t help myself when it comes to party outfits.. especially for NYE!! So I’ve done a little shopping around and found my 5 favourite outfits which I think you’ll love too.
1.Metalic Dress– ASOS
The Fedora is an item which is continuously transcending seasons and I
2.Snake Print Suit – RIVER ISLAND
This is definitely for the most mature look out of the 5, and I also think it might be my favourite. Plus, lets not forget that NYE takes place in the very chilly months, so this would also be a smarter, more practical option. However the gold snake print doesn’t make it too much of a safe option so you’ll still fit in with all the glitz and glamour that will be out in full force.
3.Pink/Nude Sequin Dress– RIVER ISLAND
You can’t go wrong with a bodycon midi dress, and this one is especially cute! Throw a fur coat over the top and some chunky platforms on and you’re ready to go.
4.Sequin Flared Trousers – ASOS
I love, love, love these! Channel your inner 70’s diva in these super bold flares. With a casual cropped top, a cropped fur jacket and dark red lips you’ll be looking vampy in your partywear.
5.Sequin Dress with Feather Hem – TOPSHOP
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past month or so, you will know that fur and feather hems are IN. I’ve seen a few simple A line dresses with fur hems, but seeing as it’s NYE why not dress up a bit more and go all out with sequins and feathers. I’m not one for sequinned things as I have discussed before, but seeing as this dress is in metallic colours I reckon I could deal with this sassy number.
Having only just turned a year old, contemporary UK-based menswear label Son of Wild are already creating ripples in the online fashion retail industry. Founders Jake Phillips and Tim Chapman come from early careers developing in the arts and have taken influence from the Middle Eastern textile design; therefore the design approach to their collections is highly print focussed. Combine that concept with America’s vintage garments and classic workwear with cleaner, longer silhouettes and as result – SOW is born. Simplicity in their shapes and unique statements in their design.
With SOW’s first collection for AW13, Fashion Design Solutions helped the brand in taking their initial step into the savage fashion industry by ‘assisting and lending their expertise of print and washing techniques, along with our quality fits, construction and fabrications.’
So, one year and 3 collections later I am more than happy to introduce their AW14 line.
This seasons release keeps to the unique and daring prints, yet infuses a more and earthy colour-way, making the seasonal transitions that bit easier for your wardrobe. If the granddad-style, woollen camel coats aren’t your thing guys, then SOW’s twist on this season’s must-have coat comes in the form of the thigh-length ‘Oslo’ coat. This is a staple piece to the collection and your wardrobe. Denim, double denim, even triple denim is set to be the trend of all trends for this winter! Therefore, where better to start than with the ‘Paris Denim Trousers’ with a slightly tailored fit and turn ups. Mix these up with the bold print or plain bombers and longline shirts or keep it casual with their printed T-shirts and cosy sweatshirts.
Have you had to get used to remote working this year? Almost half the people in the UK worked from home during the first peak of the pandemic in April. While many have found home working to have its advantages, others will be desperate to see their favourite colleagues again in person.
From early morning catchups to after work social events, it’s normal to miss our regular interactions. So why not send a little something in the post to make the experience that bit more bearable?
Read our thoughtful gift ideas for colleagues below.
Food and drink
Does your desk buddy have a favourite mid-morning snack? Perhaps they make the best cup of tea in the office. Whatever their preferences, you could send them something delicious to keep them going through the day.
Coffee subscriptions are a great idea for caffeine addicts. Or perhaps you could order them a treat from your favourite work lunch spot?
Alternatively, drop off some homemade snacks to show off the baking skills you developed during lockdown.
Desk accessories
A desk can say a lot about a person, from their working style to their interests and relationships. Your friend’s temporary home setup could look sad in contrast, so maybe it’s time to freshen it up with some accessories.
Card Factory have lots of great mugs, photo frames and other easy ideas. You could bring nature into the room with a low-maintenance potted plant – or send on a handy notebook to help them stay organised.
Ergonomic gifts
Comfort is perhaps the hardest thing to get right while working from home.
Not everyone had an expensive chair and desk to head to when lockdown was first announced, so you could opt for an ergonomic gift to help them through the day.
Laptop stands can avoid straining by bringing screens up to eye level, while a lumbar support could ease back pain. Footrests and wrist supports are other comforting options.
Wellness gifts
Self-care has arguably never been as important as it is right now. So if you don’t want to base your gift on the working day, how about something restorative?
Candles and diffusers can help to soothe the senses and make home environments more inviting. Facemasks and bath salts are ideal for those who enjoy pampering, meanwhile.
Or if your colleague struggles with dark winters, spending 30 minutes under a light therapy lamp could lift their spirits each morning.
Whatever gift you go for, the thought behind it will be enough to put a smile on their face.
Here at Beauty & Ruin we are always super keen to share any luscious life hacks that we have come across in the course of putting our magazine together. As we all know Brighton is the city that never sleeps – sort of like Santa Carla from the movie the Lost Boys – people here never grow old and they never die…well maybe a little but as you can tell from the incredibly young and attractive population there are ways to slow it down! Here are 5 lifehacks that can be used to ensure you stay looking young and beautiful for many sun-drenched summers to come. Be the envy of people in the outside world (London and the North!) as you enter into your 30s looking radiant as you emerge from the Brightonian beach bubble of your 20s.
Find a Nourishing Skin Care Routine That Works for You
For basic maintenance, cleanse and moisturise your skin. In addition, you can increase anti-aging efforts. With many benefits for skin health, retinol is available as an over-the-counter ingredient in many products. Retinol has been proven to smooth wrinkles, minimize dark spots, and shrink pores.
Serums and essences are also both new to the market. The beauty industry loves these rich topical formulas that contain easily absorbed vitamins and peptides that improve your skin.
Are you a fan of spa days? Mask treatments are now available at all price points, so you can enjoy these from the comfort of your home. These treatments offer a way to do something good for your skin and treat yourself at the same time.
Use Natural Products and Avoid Chemicals
Since skin is organic, it seems logical to use only natural ingredients in skin care. When you consider your daily makeup usage, you’ll want to pay attention to the items you’re using and make smart choices. The makeup you buy from the drugstore may contain aluminium or plastic ingredients.
Companies are recognising the harmful effects of artificial ingredients and chemicals, and now, you can find more natural beauty products on the market. Some companies are fully embracing this approach by offering beauty products without damaging ingredients to consumers. Amway, for example, not only offers natural beauty products for purchasing, but it also shares helpful skin care tips on its beauty blog, Amway Connections.
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
Sunscreen is commonly associated with the beach, the pool, and hot summer days. Those same rays are also harmful on cold cloudy days as well as indoors. Protecting skin from damaging UVA, UVB, and broad-spectrum UV rays should be part of your daily routine regardless of the season. Choose a foundation or moisturiser with SPF 50 or higher when you plan to be outside in the sun for extended periods of time.
Glamorous sunglasses aren’t just stylish; they also help protect the delicate eye area with another layer of sun protection. A hat is a helpful addition to your outfit as well. Choose a large brim that keeps your face shaded from direct light.
The neck, chest and hands are also sensitive to sun damage, but often overlooked. Be sure to include these areas in your sunscreen routine, and, when possible, use sun shields, such as umbrellas.
Use Your Diet to Improve Your Skin
Avocados do more than appease your taste buds; the vitamin E in the avocado is great for your skin as well. Vitamin C, omega-3’s, zinc, and healthy fats are also suggested healthy skin boosters. If dietary restrictions make it difficult to consume certain vitamins, you can always supplement with a daily vitamin of your choice.
In addition to taking daily vitamins, try to avoid processed foods and high-sodium foods that can contain harmful additives or hormones that leave you feeling dehydrated.
Drink Water
One of the most important factors of your skin health is staying hydrated. Unfortunately, drinking enough water can be challenging. Eating foods with high water content and keeping a water bottle handy at all times are some small adjustments that can improve your water intake. If you’re feeling hungry, have a glass of water first. You’ll get a boost of hydration, and you might find that you weren’t hungry after all.
Your skin is a living organ, which, unfortunately, ages along with you. However, making smart lifestyle choices and taking care of your skin each day can help you maintain the youthful glow you love.
