The breathtaking beauty of the North Wales coastline, mountains and forests are hard to miss. There’s a new view around every corner as you explore this unspoilt destination. Different features and effects appear from season to season, and even from day to day. However, North Wales is not all about wide open spaces and room to breathe. There are abundant places to tempt you away from the landscape, including towns, villages and tourist attractions to suit all ages and interests.
#FashionINspired | The Best Fashion Month Looks So Far
Can you believe that February’s done? It seems that January lasted for 3 months and February, the fashion month, for only 10 days! Crazy, isn’t it? Be as it may, February brought to us new rules and trends as far as fashion is concerned, so we can relax now browsing the internet to find the best fashion combinations we are going to rock during the course of 2018. So, take a look at the best fashion trends that are going to be huge this year:
Plastic
One of the most prominent trends that somehow started in 2017 but reached its peak this year is definitely wearing PVC plastic garments. If you don’t own a plastic piece of clothing, consider yourself totally unprepared for the upcoming season. Chanel and Valentino started this whole trend by introducing their PVC transparent coats, but if these are a bit too much for you, you can always opt for a PVC accessory such as a belt, backpack or shoes. The good thing about these is that they won’t be hiding your killer combination you’re wearing underneath, so you can always wear the best pieces you own and still have them noticed, even with a coat on top!
Gold
A lot of gold is in this season! Thanks to Versace, gold accessories are bigger and bolder than ever. Make no mistake, though, the trend is not wearing gold from head to toe – one of the biggest hits the following season will be golden accessories. So choosing between a golden brooch that you will put on a beige blazer like Gigi Hadid in Versace’s backstage photo shoot, a black leather belt with golden details or a lot of golden necklaces around your neck is definitely something all of us will be doing this year. Make sure to get all the golden rings and bracelets your mom or grandma have and rock them out in the streets proudly. Be golden this year!
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It seems that Versace is dictating the trends this season. Could it be because of the TV show American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace? Probably not, as Versace is always magnificent. Another thing that is going to be huge this year are colors. For example, the already mentioned brand rocked multiple colors on a single garment, but the most prominent was the combination of navy blue and red, which does indeed look amazing. Moreover, it’s also the season of comic book pants and tops, so having your favorite cartoon or comic book character on your thighs is possible this year. Lastly, choosing different brands to put on your top is also something you should look for – take any 90s brand logo and have it printed on your t-shirt. Fantastic!
Oriental
As far as oriental is concerned, there is a place in the fashion industry that is reserved only for this. Namely, if you’ve ever wanted to wear a kaftan this is your chance to, because 2018 is the season for that. The positive thing about kaftans is that they are not only meant for the beach. There are some which are excellent for wearing during the day in the city, or ones that are dark, so they’re excellent for a cold, rainy day. The uniqueness and originality of kaftans always improves our mood, so make sure to check out a couple of them and equip yourself with at least one for the seasons to come.
Futuristic
Perhaps this future we’re living at the moment isn’t the future that we expected to see ten years ago, but there are sure futuristic elements that met our expectations. Even though it’s still not fashionable to go out in the streets wearing futuristic garments from head to toe, you should definitely choose one and combine with the rest of your attire. This season, the biggest futuristic hits are definitely sunglasses and shoes, so if you get to see something that you really like, go ahead and wear it with confidence!
Athletic
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Last but not the least, let’s talk a bit about probably the biggest trend of the previous year that is only becoming stronger and stronger. Ladies (and some gentlemen), we’re talking about athleisure! This year, you literally have no rules, as you can combine high-quality sneakers with a formal gown and still look hella good.
It seems that 2018 doesn’t have any rules, but you know the fashion world – you cannot make any mistakes. So if you’re a fashionista and really do care about what your Instagram followers will say about your attire – take a couple of ideas from this list and watch the likes and followers multiply.
W| By Claire Hastings via #FashionINspired
#InspireLSFitness | 5 Hardest Parts to Running a Marathon
Whether you’re trying to prove a point or you’re genuinely interested in testing your limits, a marathon is difficult to tackle even as a regular runner.
But you probably already know this; and you might have tried once or twice before reading these lines. Failure in training or running a marathon is not something to be ashamed of. You should learn from it and continue trying, until you reach your goal.
You can’t take marathon training lightly as there are many difficulties that can appear. To give you an idea of how to approach it, here’s some expert tips on the hardest parts you will encounter and how to overcome these.
#FashionINspired | How to Choose Sunglasses that Best Fit Your Style and Face
We all know and love that Horatio Caine signature move with his Silhouette shades, but would this iconic meme-worthy moment be so beloved around the world if he had chosen a different pair of glasses? Unlikely. With that in mind, there’s a unique charisma and sass in each and every one of us, waiting patiently to be brought to the surface with the right accessories, because nothing can accent your best features quite like a well-chosen detail.
To find your own Horatio-worthy pair of eyewear, it’s essential to know your face and use your most prominent features to find the perfect frame, color, and style that will complement your entire look.
Photo by Caitlyn Hastings on Unsplash
Determine your face shape
Photo by Conner Baker on Unsplash
No need to bring out the measuring tape, although some perfectionists among you might feel the need to do just that. It’s more than enough to determine with your own fingers as a point of reference, if your forehead is wider than the rest of your face, and your chin is sharp and narrow, which makes it heart-shaped, or if your forehead and jawline are prominent and strong, meaning that you’re in the “square face” team.
Oval-shaped faces are lengthy and predominantly narrow, although your chin may be slightly narrower than your forehead, but the difference is not as obvious as with your heart-shaped folks. Finally, if your face width and length are almost the same, you have a round face. A general rule of thumb is to choose the opposite for your eyewear, to give your features some balance, but now that you know your shape, let’s delve into details!
The lucky ovals
Photo by Carli Jeen on Unsplash
This is a particularly eyewear-friendly shape that gives you plenty of room for playful choices for any occasion. From the classic aviators, , all the way to a sharp pair of cat eye shades, you can take your pick as long as you keep the width within the boundaries of your face.
Another feature to keep in mind is to go for lighter frames, and avoid overly chunky, heavy ones that will look too “heavy” for your facial anatomy.
The queen of hearts
Photo by Jamakassi on Unsplash
Beauties such as Scarlett Johansson and Naomi Campbell boast this tricky facial shape, and they rock classic eyewear the best, although other options can come in handy and emphasize your lovely cheekbones just as well. However, for those among you with a petite, soft face, it’s wise to stick to lighter frames (or no frames at all) and never for oversized.
But generally speaking, if your features are sharp and prominent, some size cannot do any harm, on the contrary! Even a bulkier, decorated frame can do wonders for such a look, and wearing aviator-shaped Quay sunglasses in any color can mimic your facial structure. This is a rare opportunity, since the previously-mentioned rule doesn’t restrict your options when you have heart-shaped features.
Square for rounds
Photo by frankie cordoba on Unsplash
Now to turn to those that attract their opposites, for those that have a round, relatively proportionate face in terms of length and width, you will best complement your style with sharp, square frames. This is a simple trick to create an “optical illusion” of more prominent cheekbones.
Another great option that will especially work well with shorter haircuts are the wayfarers, whose geometry lends a few fun angles to your appearance. That said, avoid round and small eyewear as much as possible, as they will only give extra fullness to your look.
Round for squares
Photo by Emmanuel Bior on Unsplash
An edgy profile needs some softening from your accessory ensemble, hence the need to find a curvy pair of sunglasses to even out those sharp angles. Some added width is also a good idea, to create the illusion of more delicate lines on the sides. However, don’t shy away from playing with texture and color when choosing the right frame, as these qualities can go a long way in shifting the focus from the edges to the details, and they can lend your outline a rounder look.
If you have a preference for quirky and eccentric, then may be your go-to pair. There are other butterfly varieties you can opt for, and this playful shape allows you to mix it with a pastel tone and a lightweight frame, to elevate your entire look and give you a note of elegance and subtlety.
#InspireLSCareers | The Best Route to Changing Your Career
Changing career can be a very daunting prospect, and if you have been in the same role for a while, then it might even seem impossible. Now is the best time to change, swap and get qualified in many or just a few sectors. Although many people are pessimistic about our current economic or political climate, with the internet is never easier to find new opportunities or educate yourself on how you could make a difference at the other side of the world. Changing your career is not as challenging as you might think. Of course, there are a few factors you need to consider before doing so and some things you can do to cover you back, but it has never been easier. The hardest thing is motivating yourself, and believing your skills and attitude can be valued elsewhere. Read on to find the various route people take to changing their careers, and how you can make it happen for yourself.
#FoodandDrink | #EatingWithPrecious Reviews The Localist
Eating with Precious visited The Localist on a rather cold winter Monday evening but the experience did not disappoint.
What is The Localist Like?
The Localist has cool rustic exposed brick walls which then meet chic blue interiors throughout the restaurant, bar and bathrooms which give off a relaxed vibe.
What did EatingwithPrecious order?
BBQ Glazed Chicken Wings with paprika
The chicken wings were all great sizes and so tasty. There is a sweet flavour with this dish from the BBQ and paprika rather than spicy.
A clear favourite of the evening.
Fried Mozzarella bites
This was served with avocado and sweet chilli sauces were good additions to the Mozzarella bites adding more flavour.
Truffle and Parmesan Fries
The scent of the truffle fries is divine. I knew they were arriving as I could smell them from the kitchen.
These fries are made truffle oil rather than decorated with truffle shavings and garnished with Parmesan shavings.
Good portion size, arrived hot, great taste.
“Chef Special” Tempura Prawns
This is a winner 🏆 ! Great tasting sweet chilli sauce and juicy prawns.
Main Courses:
Spicy Pork Sausage Burger
This is a handmade stacked and jam packed burger filled with broccoli, lettuce, tomato and smoked Scamorza cheese. The European theme was clear with this burger with the use of Scamorza cheese from Italy.
This burger is a great portion size, it came piping hot and the pork sausage has a hint of spice which is just enough. If you want more spice you could add the chilli oil which is provided on the table.
The burger is served with slices of sweet pickled gherkins on the side which brings a refreshing aftertaste from the burger.
Lemon and Honey Sea Bream
The sea bream was delicious with contrast of sweet from the honey and crunchy salad. This was a good portion size and a healthy dish.
The Verdict:
The ⭐ dishes from the evening: BBQ Glaze Chicken Wings, Prawn Tempura and Lemon and Honey Sea Bream.
Would EatingwithPrecious recommend The Localist?
Absolutely.
The Localist has attentive staff, reasonably priced food and relaxed vibes where you can eat your food, have conversations and not feel rushed. The only regret of the evening was not ordering the Prawn and Charcoal Burger bun also, but that is saved for another time.
The restaurant is bigger than it initially looks, the space is utilised well with various sections throughout the venue.
The Localist also offers deals like happy hour drinks and set menus and adds a cool touch to even the smallest details. The receipts arrive in a trinket box below.
This place would be good for, catch ups drinks, meetings or an intimate dinner.
Thanks to The Localist team and Local Spoon.
The official Localist website
The Localist on
W| By Eating With Precious
#FoodandDrink | Victory Mansion – Stoke Newington’s Hidden Gem
On Stoke Newington High St, you will find lots of places to eat, however if you’re a local or happen to be visiting the area, we’d recommend you do pop by Victory Mansion opposite the police station, for their delectable tacos. It’s been on the high street for over two years, but they recently changed the menu to make it more affordable for local residents and its going down a storm; based on keen observations.
#OlgaStarEnlightens | Struggling With Meditation? READ THIS!
Meditation by its original definition is nothing more than thinking about something or contemplating about something. Lately however when someone says ‘I meditate’ we assume the person sits in the lotus position (with legs crossed) holding palms of their hands together in a prayerlike gesture and… thinking nothing.
When we want to meditate, we usually mean we want to relax in an efficient manner. In short, meditation can be any type of ‘activity’ where your mind is taken off the daily struggles and your body is somewhat rested. Which, in itself, is a bit of a dangerous slope given that many meditation tapes suggest for you to lie down. And of course, we fall asleep if we are tired enough, we’ve all been there!
So, are there other type of meditations we can all do easily and while achieving the results we seek from meditation: rest, recharge and some feeling of balance, (even if only a short period of time after performing meditation?)
