Top fashion buys for spring/summer

Jan 28, 2012 by blackbook

Colour- There is two major colour trends this season; one – pastel and two – fluro/neon, simple and if you are feeling really brave, then try them both together.

Mulberry and Louis Vuitton went for pastels in their collections, which made you, think of old school ice-cream parlours, layering pastel shades together which had a retro feel to it.

Fluro/neon colours add a much needed burst of colour to the fashion scene, for summer try Lipsy clothing for some fantastic brights which you can colour block with clashing colours or even pastels.

Metallics such as gold and bronze were mixed in with the bright colours on the catwalk and pearlescent worked well with pastels.

Prints – Go for big and bold floral not small ditzy prints, and look out for tropical prints in bright colours another summer favourite.

Baroque prints again big and bold were also popular on the catwalks, with some designers mixing it up with floral prints for an in your face look, maybe only for the brave!

Fit – Athletics seem to have inspired many designers (probably something to do with it being the Olympics this year), so there are a lot of crop tops and mini miniskirts tailoring in the tailoring as well as Bodycon fits.

Two pieces were also popular on the catwalks; pencil skirts and fitted jackets for a slightly retro look. The tighter the better really and teamed with stiletto shoes to finish of this smart sophisticated look.

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World’s best and worst airports

Jan 25, 2012 by blackbook

Thinking about travelling? Well when travelling abroad you probably can’t really avoid airports, so for your convenience I have a list of the best and worst airports from around the world.
If you really want to go somewhere then it will probably be quite hard to avoid the airport even if it is bad, it helps to be prepared though, so at least you can expect the worst!

Best

1. Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) Hajj Terminal
2. Leifur Eriksson Air Terminal, Keflavik, Iceland
3. Seoul (South Korea) Incheon Airport
4. Wellington (New Zealand) “Rock” Terminal
5. New York JFK Airport Terminal 5
6. Singapore Changi International Airport Terminal 3
7. Marrakech (Morocco) Menara Airport Terminal 1
8. Madrid (Spain) Barajas Terminal 4
9. Carrasco International Airport, Montevideo, Uruguay
10. Bilbao (Spain) Airport Main Terminal

Worst

1. New York JFK Airport Terminal 3
2. Manila (Philippines) Airport Terminal 1
3. Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport Terminal B/C
4. Nairobi, Kenya Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
5. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Terminal 3
6. Amman (Jordan) Queen Alia Airport
7. New York LaGuardia Airport Terminal 5
8. Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport
9. Paris Beauvais Airport
10. Chicago Midway Airport

I have unfortunately been to some of the worst airports on the list above and the only thing I can say for those traveling to them is take a good book, because at least if your delayed or stuck in a none moving queue then at least you can take yourself away to another world through fiction at least until you jump onto that plane.

One thing I was glad to see was that no UK airport feature in the worst list however I think many of them would be closer to the worst list than the best, shame really.

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Tips for finding a divorce solicitor

Jan 22, 2012 by blackbook

If you are looking to end your marriage then you need to make sure you have the right divorce lawyer to take you through the whole separation process. A solicitor who is a trained divorce or family solicitor is important, especially if you have children to make sure the whole process is fair.

When your divorcing someone, you will probably find yourself spending time or dealing with solicitors in Cardiff a lot so you need to make sure you are happy with them and that you can work with them.  Some solicitors can also be expensive; however it is important not to be guided by price, experience can sometimes be a better gauge. However it is important to discuss costs with your solicitor so there is no confusion or no surprises.

You may find the first divorce solicitor you deal with may not be the right one for you, it’s important that you don’t stick with them because you feel obliged if you are not happy with the way they treat your divorce or how they treat you. 

Make sure you ask yourself these questions:

Did I feel the solicitor was listening to me?
Is this solicitor able to provide the service I want/need?
Do I have confidence in the solicitor? In the way they would handle my case and also in the advice they gave me.
Was I made to feel that I was an important client to the solicitor or just another file in the filing cabinet?
Will the solicitor I saw be the one dealing with my case or will I get passed down the line?
Was I able to ask all the questions I wanted to ask and were my questions answered?
Did I feel I would be allowed to be in control of the process and the timing of the process?

Choosing the right solicitors in Leeds should mean that you shouldn’t find the whole process of divorce too hard, there is no getting away from the fact it’s not a nice process, but having the right help and support can make all the difference.

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Exercise activities that can be done around your home and life schedule

Jan 20, 2012 by blackbook

I mentioned at the beginning of the month that we would look at exercise routines that you can easily introduces around your home and work commitments. After all not every can afford to go to a gym nor can they always find time or motivation to even go!

A healthy lifestyle isn’t just eating healthy food, you also need to exercise, however you will be surprised at where you can easily fit in some exercise, plus everyday chores which also count. Exercises which form part of your everyday life and ones that can be added include:

Cleaning the house, clean your car and do some gardening will all use energy and burn calories which means you are killing two birds with one stone.

Walk or cycle to work, to the shops or to appointments instead of driving.

Exercise with friends or family, do you normally go round to your friends for a natter and polish of a bottle of wine and nibbles? Well go for a walk instead to catch up or meet up to go jogging. Take your kids to the park or on a walk instead of sitting around at home.

When you watch TV instead of sitting there nibbling on snacks do some exercises one of my favourites to do is step aerobics, I get into a gentle rhythm to my fave TV shows and I’m off. You could also move an exercise bike into your living room and sit on that whilst watching your favourite programmes you will be surprised how much you do whilst watching TV!

Once you have worked these easy exercises into your life you could build up to more by looking at classes or clubs if you have spare time.

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Phone game for rude diners

Jan 18, 2012 by blackbook

There is nothing worse than going out for a meal and over the course of it someone your with is on their phone. I find it downright rude to take calls, text or play on your phone whilst you’re eating. It grates on me when people do it whilst your talking, however I do understand that sometimes it may be an important phone call, however if not you should not answer or reply.

I don’t like to have my phone out when having a meal, unless I’m checking the time if I don’t have a watch on or if I’m taking a photo of my friends or even the meal. However I like to wait until I get home or leave the restaurant before I jump onto to Facebook to upload them!

If you find yourself dining out with people who cannot stop themselves, texting or talking on the phone then this game might be for you. The idea came from Brian Perez, a California hip-hop dancer who wrote on his blog about the idea for his game which he dreamt up over a New Year’s Eve dinner.

What happens is: after everyone orders, the group all place their phones in a pile in the middle of the table, face down. If they ring, beep or buzz you have to ignore it, because no one can pick up their phone.  However if someone can’t resist and picks up the phone then they must pick up the tab for the whole meal!

Other people have also come out stating that they play this ‘game’ whilst out with friends so I don’t quite know where the idea came from however I must say I think it is a great idea and I really would like to implement it whilst I am out with my friends, who are bad at putting down their phones.

Obviously there may be some alterations to the rules, for those with kids who are being babysat just in case I would probably suggest a quick check at caller ID and then someone can decide if it should be answered or not. If you know no one will need to contact you then for the couple of hours it takes to eat then you should be able to manage it!

Picture courtesy of mroach

 

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Stylish handset the LG Prada 3.0

Jan 16, 2012 by blackbook

Fashion and mobiles don’t mix that often there has been the original LG Prada phone, and then we have had the Samsung Armani, Motorazr V3i Dolce & Gabbana and Nokias 7373 Giambattista Valli. LG are once again pushing forward their designer pairing with the launch of their LG Prada 3.0 review.

It was back in 2007 when what some considered an unlikely pairing first launched their handset and back then over a million of them were sold, which isn’t a bad feat. It was also the first mobile phone ever made with a touch screen, which is surprising to learn, many people probably over looked it because of the joint venture with a fashion house.

Fast forward 5 years and we are now looking at this new handset which includes a 1.0 GHz dual core processor, a generous 4.3 inch NOVA screen, an 8 megapixel camera and 8GB of storage memory, just to start with. It will run on Android Gingerbread however there has been an announcement stating that it has been scheduled for the Ice Cream Sandwich update, yum.

The handset is fairly thin at only 8.5mm however thanks to LG’s signature Floating Mass Technology it looks thinner (wouldn’t it be great if that would happen to all of us!) On the back of the handset you will find it marked with Prada’s signature Saffiona pattern which adds a nice touch and helps the phone stand apart from other aesthetically pleasing handsets.

Unsurprisingly the LG Prada is not cheap, considering all you get with it and the designer attachment; it’s not out in a ridiculous price range. You will be looking at paying around £500 sim free however I am sure there will be plenty of good deals available on contract. Not sure if there will be any more designer tie-ins with handsets this year, but keep on mobile phone news to be the first to know.

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Tips for gay friendly holidays

Jan 12, 2012 by blackbook

Even in this day and age, there are still many problems for gay travellers, in the majority of the western world it is accepted however travelling past that can be quite problematic. Sometimes for your own safety as a gay traveller it can be easier just to stick to places you know you are welcome. However you could be missing out on a whole lot of experiences. So we have some hints and tips for gay travellers so they too can get the most out of their holidays.

According to trip advisor these are the top ten gay destinations:

1. Blue Chairs Beach Hotel, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
2. Buenos Aires, Argentina
3. Highlands Inn, Bethlehem, New Hampshire, USA
4. Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
5. Turtle Cove Resort, Cairns, Australia
6. Aspen Gay Ski Week in Aspen, Colorado, USA
7. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, USA
8. Prague, Czech Republic
9. Costa Rica
10. Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand

These destinations and the accommodation are feature in the top ten because they are the most welcoming to gay travellers and many of them tend to cater more for the gay community with plenty of activities which have made travellers feel very welcome.

If you’re looking for somewhere to go to, whilst you’re doing your research, it’s worthwhile to look up information about the country your visiting, some countries, especially Muslim countries are not tolerant and you may find a lot of problems when visiting them. Also understanding customs of the country will also be an advantage, not only if your gay but for any traveller really.

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City breaks to London – Free things to do in the Capital

Jan 10, 2012 by blackbook

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation in London, there are so many places to stay, whether you want to glam it up in a five star hotel or chill out in a cute little London bed and breakfast. With the underground it is really easy to get around no matter where you stay to see all the sights whether you’re staying in one of the many Kings Cross hotels or those situated near Canary Wharf.

It can be quite pricy to stay in London so it’s a good job there are plenty of things you can see and do for free:

London Parks and Gardens

These are great to explore, especially during the summer time and are great for families. There are plenty around as well, most people think that London is one built up mass, but that is not true, there are around 200 gardens, churchyards, parks and plazas across the Square Mile alone! The must see ones include, St James Park which offers views of Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens which next to each other have the Diana Memorial Playground and you can’t forget Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens in Regent’s Park.

Museums & Art Galleries

No matter where you are museums and art galleries are a great place to spend some quality time, for free. Like the rest of the UK all of London’s major museums and art galleries are free and normally open till late such as:

The Natural History Museum
National Gallery
British Museum
Tate Modern
Tate Britain
Victoria & Albert Museum
Science Museum
Museum of London

Street Markets

Some may argue street markets are not free, however if you don’t buy anything, then they will be! There are many street markets dotted around London and they offer a great insight into the areas. You will be able to find anything you want, ranging from fresh food and produce markets to clothes, bric-a-brac, antiques and flowers, plus a whole host more things to discover.  Some of the most famous London Markets include; Portobello Market, Camden Market, Greenwich Market and Petticoat Lane Market, plus many, many more!

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Help to get you off to a healthy New Year

Jan 8, 2012 by blackbook

After the excesses of the festive season many people are looking to start the New Year on a healthy note, however over recent years the cost of ‘healthy’ foods has been increase. However now customers shopping in Asda, Co-operative Food and Aldi can look forward to discounts on healthy foods.

The Governments Change4Life initiative is aiming to tap into parents’ resolutions for themselves and their kids to eat healthier in the New Year, so supermarkets will fund price cuts on items such as fruit and vegetables and low fat yoghurt as part of the scheme.

To help you decipher the healthy food discounts Change4Life branding will appear throughout stores, there will also be information on how to make cheap, nutritious meals, dubbed “Supermeals” using the discounted items.

Many people on lower incomes do find shopping for healthier foods quite expensive, previously generous discounts were only really seen on convenience or processed foods or food stuffs which are not really considered nutritious. This new drive should see a change in trend on what we eat and hopefully help many people onto healthy and nutritious diets.

As part of the Campaign four million recipe cards with healthy meal ideas will be distributed through channels including newspapers and a direct mail campaign which means there really isn’t any excuse not to cook and eat healthy meals no matter what your budget.

From 20 January a free cookbook endorsed by celebrity chef Ainsley Harriet will be available through Change4Life media partner Daily Mirror with Fifty thousand copies available, another fifty thousand will be available to people already signed up to receive Change4life information. The cookbook contains recipes that can be made for under £5.

As part of the Governments anti-obesity drive the private sector to help pay for and promote, schemes, in 2010 the “Great Swapathon”, saw companies including Unilever and Birds Eye fund discounts on their lower fat products in only Asda stores.

Public health minister Anne Milton says: “The New Year is a good time to think about losing weight. The Supermeals campaign will give us all some great ideas for balanced meals on a budget.”

In theory the scheme does have a lot of merits and will no doubt help families who are struggling, however the Shadow public health minister, Diane Abbott has reservations, she said: “They’re calling this public health but it’s just a glorified advertisement for big business. This is a government that doesn’t take its responsibility around public health seriously.”

If you are struggling with your weight or want to lead a healthier lifestyle then this is a good place to start, later in the month we will look at exercise routines that you can easily introduce around your home and work commitments.

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Advantages of a garden room

Jan 4, 2012 by blackbook

Many people are looking to garden rooms to maximise their space, especially those who have maybe extended their home as far as they are allowed. Building a garden room is different to having an extension or conservatory, normally they are not attached to your home and don’t always need planning permission.

These separate structures can be used for a multitude of purposes, from a home office to a children’s play room, you can use it as a garden studio a great way to have space for a hobby or they can just be used as an extra sun room.

Your garden room will be double glazed and come with thermal insulation so in winter it will keep heat, plus fully wired so you can have water and electricity which means you can heat it in winter and cool it down in summer.

Structures can for a key part of your garden design so they can blend into it rather than standing out, garden rooms are placed on strong concrete foundations so will be sturdy and stand up to a lot of the weather we experience here in the UK.

Some people consider a garden room to be a glorified she, but as you can see from the pictures below, the far exceed a typical garden shed aesthetically. Also will a tatty of garden she increase the value of your home? Thought not, a garden room/studio on the other hand can do, helping your property stand out from the crowd if you wish to sell in the future.

Garden rooms are long lasting, many have a design life in excess of fifty years which means you will get plenty of family life out of them and will probably find various uses for them over time. You can also consider them as an investment as you will probably find a garden room will open up new opportunities especially if you’re looking to run your own business from home.

As long as you have space in your garden there really aren’t many reasons not to get a garden room for you and your family.

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