North Sails is the Official Clothing Partner of America’s Cup presented by Prada

24th October 2019

Leading sailing brand North Sails are proud to announce that they are the Official Clothing Partner for the next America’s Cup presented by Prada.
The competition is now in it’s 36th year and is arguably the most legendary event in the sailing calendar.

Since 1980 North Sails have powered 12 boats to victory and, since 1988 they have supplied sails to every defender and challenger of America’s Cup so this is a massive achievement for the brand and one they are rightly proud to shout about.

To celebrate these historic wins and achievements, North Sails have put together a collection of men’s and women’s clothing crafted entirely from recycled materials that push the limits of sustainable innovation and confirm North Sails’ commitment to protecting the oceans for the sailors of tomorrow.
The collection’s signature looks include the 3layer Newport Jacket – breathable, windproof and waterproof thanks to the heat-welded seam construction – and the vest with Repreve padding made from recycled materials, including plastic bottles.
Next up, the ultimate style staples for weather protection – the San Francisco shell jacket crafted from windproof and waterproof recycled polyester and the San Diego softshell jacket made from water resistant high-performance recycled polyester obtained through a sustainable production process that reduces CO2 emissions by 75%, compared to traditional polyester.
Last but certainly not least, the Auckland polo shirt tinged with the iconic colourways of America’s Cup, as well as the baseball cap that rounds off this exclusive look, made of recycled PET material.
Explore the entire North Sails Collection that pays homage to the world’s oldest sailing race and celebrates its adventurous spirit with signature hues, functional details and ocean-friendly materials.

I’m not a sailor myself but I massively admire North Sails for what they have achieved, and what they are striving to do with their ethical credentials.

For much more information on the collaboration, and about the competition itself you can visit the website – it does a far better job than I ever could!

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Fun Ways to Showcase Your Personal Style *

20th October 2019
Photo by Alex Sheldon on Unsplash

Your personal style is your way of showing the world who you are. It’s the ultimate form of self expression, and when you feel like the outside reflects who you are on the inside it can really help you to feel happier in your own skin. Here are some fun ways to showcase your individual style…

Find clothing that expresses your style

One of the easiest ways to showcase your personal style is to find clothing items that make you feel like ‘you’ when you put them on. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on the highstreet, check out niche or alternative shops for pieces. You could modify clothing items yourself if you’re handy with a sewing machine, or even check out charity shops for unusual vintage pieces. Do some research into different styles online and find something you like, not being afraid of course to switch things up to make it personal to you!

Try out different makeup looks

Makeup is a fantastic tool. You could add a little makeup just to accentuate your features, or you could go all out and try something bold and dramatic. What do you have to lose, if you don’t like it simply wash it off! Learn different techniques such as cut crease and smokey eyes and contouring. Experiment with different colours and generally just have fun with it. You don’t need to spend a fortune, there are plenty of great makeup brands at the drugstore– check out reviews before you buy if you’re unsure. Youtube is full of recommendations and tutorials for you to get your teeth into. 

Consider a piercing or tattoo

If you’re after something more permanent then how about a tattoo or a piercing? You’ll always want to consider this carefully, especially with tattoos as your style and tastes can change over time. However, if you have a design that you’ve wanted for years then why not take the plunge? Piercings are of course less permanent as you can take them out later on if you want to. From facial piercings to golden belly bars from your navel, even dermal implants, there’s a lot to consider. Always use a reputable tattooist and piercer, you’ll want to make sure you do your research. 

Visit the hairdresser

Finally, your hair can make such a huge impact on the way you look. Changing your hair colour can allow you to make a dramatic difference and really feel more like ‘you’. Maybe you’re a blonde but want to move over to the dark side, or perhaps you’re naturally raven haired but want to lighten it up. You might even feel like going a fun colour like pink, purple, blue or even a mixture for a trendy ‘unicorn hair’ look. 


Posted in beauty, fashion, hair

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Bring Some Hotel Room Luxury To Your Bedroom*

16th October 2019
Our Hotel in Las Vegas

You don’t have to stay in a hotel to experience hotel room luxury. With a few easy improvements you could turn your bedroom into five-star style suite so that every day feels like a holiday.

Upgrade your bedding

To help imitate that hotel bed sense of cosiness upgrading your bedding should be the first important step.

First, start with your mattress; the perfect mattress is often a case of personal preference – some people prefer hard mattress that offer support, while others prefer a soft mattress they can sink into. For a middle-ground option, you could always try a hybrid mattress, which usually involves firm springs with a thin layer of memory foam on top for a touch of softness. It’s worth visiting a mattress store and trying different mattresses to see which one suits you (look out for sales being held throughout the year in order to save a few quid).

Next, consider the sheets. Cotton sheets tend to be the choice of many hotels as they are soft and breathable – especially those with a thread count of around 300. Get yourself some matching pillowcases and duvets made of the same material. You could also consider some wholesale bed runners from Richard Haworth as a decorative piece on top. Bamboo linen could be perfect for those that sweat a lot in the night.

Finally, consider your pillows and duvet. Like mattresses these are often a case of personal preference – some people like lots of thick pillows and a thick duvet, while others like a single slim pillow and a light blanket. Down pillow fillings tend to be the best filling option for all kinds of sleepers.

Control the temperature

To help create that sense of hotel cosiness cosiness you’ll want to also regulate the temperature.

Smart HVAC could be the perfect option. Using your phone, you’ll be able to control the temperature from your bed – whether it’s turning the heating up or providing some cooling. You can buy smart HVAC for your entire home, but this could be quite expensive to install. This Link Labs guide to smart HVAC offers more information on this technology for those that are interested.

Buy some blackout curtains

A pair of blackout curtains or blackout blinds could also be worth investing in to help you get a good night’s sleep. This will stop your getting woken up early by the morning sun, as well as stopping light from street lamps and cars interrupting your sleep.

For a particularly luxurious option, you could even opt for some remote control blackout blinds such as these Powered Blinds. This could allow you to open the curtains without even leaving your bed.

Alternatively, there are traditional options instead of blackout blinds such as plantation shutters that could be ideal for a bedroom in an old home. You’ll need to get these made to measure so that they cover the whole window.

Set up your own bedside coffee station

Why not wake up and enjoy some coffee in bed? With your own bedside coffee station you can do just this. A small kettle such as this Russell Hobbs travel kettle could do the trick – place this on a tray with some mugs, coffee, teabags, sugar and milk, and you’ve got your own coffee station. Milk may need to be UHT, unless you’ve got space for a mini-fridge in your bedroom (this will truly make your bedroom feel like a hotel).

 Consider adding a TV

If you haven’t already got a TV in your room, this could be another worthy improvement to give you that sense of hotel luxury. You’ll be able to cuddle and watch movies in bed. You can also watch some morning TV with your cup of coffee or tea, all without having to leave your bed.

A TV could be positioned on a cabinet or it could be mounted onto a wall. The Black Friday weekend could be the perfect time to shop for a new TV.


Posted in home, inspiration, interiors

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Beauty from Within with ION8*

14th October 2019
Water Bottle [gifted]

If you’ve read any of my more recent posts you’ll know I’m determined to overhaul my woeful skincare routine and get myself in to good habits. Of course, it’s not just what you put on to the outside that matters…one of the key components to glowing skin is staying hydrated, and this is where I fall down big time.

I drink plenty throughout the day, but it’s all caffeine and never water. I’m trying to change this as much as I am trying to change my laziness at removing makeup and finding a small, portable and environmentally friendly water bottle I can carry with me everywhere was a good starting point.

This 350ml leakproof water bottle from ION8 (£10.99) fits the bill nicely. It also comes in a 500ml size for £11.99 but I find the smaller bottle more practical; it fits in my handbag and therefore I’m more likely to include it in my daily essentials. The bottles come in several gorgeous pastel shades, and would make great gifts come the festive season.

It’s a pretty little bottle too, with it’s frosted finish and smooth opening mechanism that then locks tight when you’re done drinking. I’ve been using this for the last couple of weeks and I’d say I’ve remembered to fill it/drink from it 75% of the time- from someone that is usually found necking a can of pepsi max every couple of hours this is quite big progress; luckily we have a water cooler at work too so I can get easy re-fills throughout the day.

Does anyone have any tips for drinking more water? Leave them in the comments below.

Posted in accessories, healthy living

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Managing Your Debt: The Good and Bad*

11th October 2019
Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay

Debt is the kind of word that induces unease and worry, but that doesn’t have to be the case all the time, nor a reason to avoid thinking about it. Debt can be good as well as bad, and it is how you manage your debt that is important; the key is knowing how.

There are 3 questions you need to ask before you even consider taking on any debt:

What’s the Difference Between Good and Bad Debt?

Good debt can be summed up as necessary, good value and easily within your financial limits. This kind of debt gets you what you need but can’t afford right now without pushing you beyond your capabilities. The best example is a student loan, but you might also consider a mortgage or car financing if you need a vehicle to get to work. Take a look at https://www.bordercityautos.co.uk/finance.php for more information. 

Bad debt is pretty much the opposite in that it is debt you don’t need and can’t afford. Taking out a payday loan to finance a holiday is a perfect example of getting into unnecessary debt that will quickly spiral out of control. Bad debt may also impact your credit rating, especially if you fail to make repayments on time. Getting out of debt with bad credit is tough which is why you should always make sure that you can afford your debt before you accept it.

Can You Afford Your Debt?

While it can be tempting to push right up against your financial limits, you must resist. You must be able to make every repayment on time and if you can’t do this comfortably, you may struggle in the future. 

Drawing up a budget that includes all your expenses will help you to work out how much spare cash you have each month. It might seem contradictory, but you need to have spare funds in order to be able to afford a debt – this is how you will repay it. However, you might also consider that if you are taking on a debt to avoid another monthly cost, you may have a little more flexibility. 

Can You Avoid Debt?

Naturally, the best option for most things is to try and avoid debt. If you can save up for something and wait, you absolutely should. The best ways to save are to reduce your current costs, automate your savings and find ways to earn a little extra on the side. 

If you can’t save up in time, it might be worth investigating other forms of funding. For example, crowdfunding has become an ever more popular way for people to access funds, particularly for charitable causes or business startups. 

If you absolutely need to take on debt, you should always thing carefully about the best form of debt and make sure that it is an affordable option for you. Looking into 0% credit cards is one option but you may also be able to remortgage if you are a homeowner. If you are in any doubt, you should speak to an independent financial advisor to see which options are available to you.

Posted in finance

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