Category - Lifestyle

Expanding your property portfolio is one of the most tried and tested ways to give your monthly income a boost, as well as secure your financial future. If you’re looking to rent out your property, then it’s important to make it attractive to potential renters so that you can ensure a continuous interest and get the renters you’re seeking. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can make to your property to ensure that it is appealing in the highly competitive rental market. 

Make Your Kitchen The Focus

They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home and, in most cases, it is the most expensive room to renovate. It will pay off hugely to make your kitchen appealing to your potential tenants, so be sure to make it clean, up to date and bright before any viewings if you want to secure a tenancy. Take time to add some nice accessories, such as fresh flowers or nice, lightly scented candles, as well as crockery and kitchen appliances on display – after all, you want your potential tenants to picture themselves cooking in the kitchen! 

Get Rid Of Any Clutter

Tenants don’t want to move into a home where there is lots of clutter that isn’t even theirs. If you have clutter in your property, be sure to remove it before tenants move in. If you are showcasing the property as one which is furnished, then only include furniture which your tenants will be expecting to find. 

A lot of landlords tend to furnish their rental properties with mismatched, old furniture, but this just shows your tenants that you don’t care too much about how they feel in your property. Using furniture that is cared for, comfortable and nice to look at for either tenant viewings or to keep in your property for the long term. 

Improve The Curb Appeal

Whilst the interior of your home is important, so too is the exterior of your home. Try to maintain and keep the exterior of your home in keeping with the rest of your property. Remove weeds from steps, doorways and fronts and sides of the home and sweep pathways before tenant viewings – you won’t believe how much of a difference this will make to the appearance of your property. If you have yard or garden space, don’t underestimate just how much this will go in your favour. Ensure lawns are cared for and well maintained, look to provide some form of outdoor storage for gardening equipment and tools. 

Protecting Yourself As A Landlord

Before you take on a new tenant in your property, ensure that you do everything you can in order to protect yourself and your property. Take plenty of before photos so that, in the event of any disputes, you have evidence to show. Be sure to collect any fees or pre-payments before allowing tenants to move in and ensure that all paperwork has been completed in line with your lawyer’s recommendations and approval. Although it’s hard to imagine, some tenancies do end badly, so ensure you have good landlord legal advice to fall back on in the event of this happening.  

Loungewear is a fantastic outfit for putting your feet up and enjoying your Sunday evening watching Netflix. Loungewear is one of the best outfits to wear for comfort but it is also easy to style. Furthermore, this fabulous fashion trend is one of the best out there and something which everyone has got on board with. However, there are some things you can get wrong with this outfit. In this article, we will point in the right direction with how to style loungewear in 2023. 

Nap Dresses

First on the list is a dress and it might come as a surprise with loungewear. However, a nap dress is a fantastic loungewear outfit as it isn’t dressy for a formal event. It is the perfect piece of clothing to wear during the summer months as well, especially if you o not want to get dressed for the day. 

This particular dress is not tight fitting and is the length of a maxi/ midi dress. Furthermore, you don’t need to wear dressy shoes with this outfit. You can wear a pair of converse or another type of canvas shoe for this dress. It isn’t your typical night-out dress but it is a stunning dress to wear for your loungewear outfit. 

Oversized Tees

Oversized clothing is the standard choice for your outfit in 2022 and we can guarantee it will carry over into 2023. Additionally, it is easy to style an oversized tee and you can wear it in different ways. For example, you can wear it tucked into a pair of joggers or cargo pants. You can also wear it not tucked into your pants. You could also roll it up so it is essentially a baggy crop top which is very much on-trend. 

Stay Trendy With Accessories

Fashion jewellery is very much on trend at the moment which is a surprise to many. Nonetheless, many people are now wearing them for two reasons. One of those reasons is because of the price of it. Furthermore, fashion jewellery is great to complement your outfit. Just a simple ring or necklace can go a long way with your outfit. Moreover, you can layer fashion jewellery as well. However, a styling tip for when you are layering your jewellery, we advise you to wear rings of the same colour or similar metal. 

Full Monochrome Outfit

Monochrome outfits are very much in style, especially with your loungewear outfit. Now, when people see the word monochrome, they think of white, grey and black colours. However, that is not the case. A monochrome outfit will usually consist of the full outfit in the same colour such as an all-brown tracksuit or black cargo with a black hoodie. 

Summary

There are many different loungewear outfits which you can wear. The best part is that you can easily mix and match your different loungewear outfits. A good example would be wearing an oversized graphic tee with biker shorts. Your options are endless with this great fashion trend.

The NATO watch strap is synonymous with the British Ministry of Defence. This is just one military piece of hardware that has found its way to being popular and wanted. Just like the Jeep that also went on to be the inspiration to some of the best 4×4 known. But most of all, the practical NATO watch strap was designed so that no matter what terrain you were in, your watch strap never fell off your wrist, even when a spring bar pooped or broke. Just like anything, there are benefits to having a NATO watch strap. In this article, we will go through those benefits together. 

NATO straps are value for money

Watch straps can be pricey. Especially if you are after rare or expensive materials. Each of these materials requires care and must not be in contact with certain elements, so this should be taken into consideration. So the great factor with NATO straps is that they are budget-friendly. Yes, you could opt for the Omega AD NATO strap in a beautiful colour, but all you’re paying for is that logo on the clasp. You can get just as good if not better quality NATO watch straps at a fraction of the cost. There is an abundance of colours and patterns to choose from.

NATO straps are comfortable

You can have the most beautiful watch in the world, but if your watch band is uncomfortable, it’s pretty much useless. The truth is, any watch is comfortable on a NATO strap. Obviously, there are many types of straps that are comfortable, but nothing compares to a NATO. There is a type of NATO that have tight weaves which make them firm to start with, but they soon soften and become even comfier. The strap somehow manages to take the weight out of the watch with ease. Even if that is a huge and heavy face.

NATO straps are water resistant 

For many years NATO straps have been adapted and used for military dive watches which proves their versatility. When something has been used in such a way for so many years, it is hard to argue that they are not suitable. If you purchase a premium NATO watch strap, you will not experience any corrosion from any amount of salt or fresh water when submerged. If they get dirty, give them a rinse and they dry out pretty quickly. 

NATO straps are stylish

If you’re not the adventure type for the jungle or diving, then you may be more compelled by the fact that they are super stylish. They just look so timeless and beautiful, especially if you get the Bond NATO with its green and black stripes. The NATO comes in a wealth of colours, patterns and designs so that you can tailor them to your outfits. As they are affordable, you can even afford to buy multiple and still be left with change from what you would have spent on that Omega strap. 

Are you a massive streetwear fan, and are desperate to know what the biggest trends for next year will be? Well look no further, here are fashion expert’s predictions for what the biggest streetwear trends will be. These predictions have been made through studying past trends and the runways. 

Designer Sneakers

Designer sneakers have never really gone out of style since the 90s, however there will remain a fundamental part of streetwear going into 2023. There are some amazing collabs coming out next year, and designer sneakers are predicted to dominate trends again. One thing that goes in and out of fashion is the style of upkeep when it comes to shoes- clean and well kept trainers will be most in fashion next year. There are many ways you can keep your trainers clean and prolong their life– so you can have great looking sneakers all year round. 

Cargo Trousers

Cargo trousers are predicted to remain one of the staples of streetwear in 2023. There are many different styles of cargo pants from wide leg, slim leg, shorts and much more. Because cargos are so versatile and diverse they can be paired with a lot of different styles of outfit. 

Maxi Skirts

Long skirts are one of the biggest trends right now, and they will only become more popular next year. These are a great pick for all year round, as they are available in a lot of different fabrics and patterns. Lace maxi skirts are a tip to be one of the most sought after items next year. 

Bike Jackets

Motorcycle jackets are set to be one of the biggest items next year. Leather is set to be one of the most popular fabrics across all genders and items. Be on the lookout for leather trousers, jackets, skirts and leather detailing on t-shirts. However, biker jackets are going to be massively on trend. Red leather detailing and motorcycle branding on the jackets are also set to be huge. 

Fleece

Fleece will be massive next year. Fleece jackets have become a massive staple of modern men’s streetwear, with many sports brands releasing fleece jackets for the winter season. They are also very utilitarian, as they are great at keeping you warm. Fleece this season has also had a bit of a revamp, now being available in a variety of colours and patterns. 

Denim

All-denim outfits are set to be a big staple of streetwear in 2023, inspired by Y2K fashion coming back into fashion. The more denim, the better. Think of the iconic red carpet picture of Britney and Justin at the VMAs. This is predicted to be one of the most popular looks next year. 

Sportswear

Sportswear has been big in street fashion for a while now, but that has only intensified. It is predicted that even more people will be wearing sportswear this year. Baseball caps are set to become a big thing again, alongside logo polo shirts. A full tracksuit is also set to be an outfit that will dominate fashion trends next year. 

Definitely keep your eyes peeled for these picks if you want to be ahead of the curve in 2023. 

There is an art to dressing smart casual. It can be difficult to get it right while also looking stylish. Smart casual can be defined as ‘somewhat formal, whilst also being casual.’ This can be difficult to get right as these looks are somewhat conflicting. However, there are many style tips that you can incorporate into your everyday wardrobe that can make your smart casual look incredibly stylish. Revamp your wardrobe today by making these small changes to your shopping journey and adding these classic staple picks. 

Collared Oxford Shirt

This is one of the best classic picks to start building a smart casual wardrobe. Oxford shirts are a great pick as they last a long time due to the way of making the fabric. The collars are incredibly smart and can be a great staple piece. They are really versatile and can be paired with so many different types of outerwear and styles of trousers. Invest in a few oxford shirts in different colours to be able to mix and match your everyday smart casual outfits. 

Flannels

Flannels can be a great pick in terms of smart casual outfits. They are less formal than oxford shirts, so this can be a great pick to make your everyday look a bit more casual. They are very on-trend for winter as well, and go great with black jeans and a smart coat. Flannels are also available in a multitude of different colours, so you will always be able to find a style that suits you and your wardrobe palette. 

Chinos

Chinos are a great alternative if you find jeans too casual but don’t want to wear formal trousers. Chinos are very comfy, but also look incredibly smart. You can wear them in plain black for a classic look, but they are available in a range of colours from tan to burgundy. They look great with a multitude of different outerwear and types of shoes. 

Smart Shoes

Investing in a good pair of smart lace-up shoes should be a must-have staple when it comes to building your smart-casual wardrobe. A good pair of shoes can go with almost any other item of clothing, and investing in sturdy leather shoes can also protect and nurture your feet. Black and brown brogues are a great pick for a pair of smart, well-made shoes. 

Dark Coloured Jeans

A lot of people think jeans can’t be smart casual, but it’s only a matter of finding the right pair. Dark-coloured, slim fit jeans are a great pick when it comes to men’s smart casual wear. In summer, pair these with a polo shirt. In winter, these look great with an overcoat, jumper, oxford shirt and smart shoes. 

Polo Shirts

Polo shirts are sometimes considered sportswear, but more and more men have been wearing them as smart-casual wear. They are very breathable in the summer, which is great if you’re working in an office. They are available in a range of different colours, which means you will always be able to find something that suits you. 

Stylish Blazer

A stylish blazer is incredibly versatile and goes with anything. This is the number one pick for men’s smart-casual wear. For a more formal look, you can pair this with a collared shirt and chinos. However, if you want to add a bit of street flair to your smart casual wear, pair your blazer with a heavyweight oversized t shirt and slim fit black jeans. 

When you invest in a new pair of shoes, whether it’s a pair of work shoes, high heels or designer sneakers, you want to make sure that you make them last as long as possible. Our shoes are some of the easiest pieces of our wardrobe to get damaged as they are constantly in contact with tough surfaces, dirt and all other sorts of things, so protecting them is important. This is how you do it! 

Avoid The Washing Machine

When someone needs to clean their trainers, it’s a bit too easy to just think about throwing them in the washing machine and then coming out super clean. However, shoes can sustain water damage when you put them in the washing machine, as well as damage from being swung around in the machine for an hour! Some shoes are more prone to damage, like leather or suede, but it is much safer in general to just hand wash your trainers, or if they’re really bad, take them to a professional shoe cleaner. The last thing you want is for your expensive trainers to come out in pieces, so just spend that extra bit of time or money to get them cleaned correctly! 

Use Protector Products 

It is inevitable that our shoes will be damaged at some point or another, so one of the best things you can do is to use protector products. So many places sell shoe protection products that you spray onto your shoes, which then help to repel liquid and prevent stains! So, you could get your foot trodden on, accidentally step in a puddle or drop some food on them and you’ll be able to wipe it straight off. This obviously won’t be very helpful if your shoes are already stained, however if they aren’t, we can’t recommend getting protector products enough! For dress shoes, you might need to use a polish first and then this on top, but make sure that you read the instructions properly to look after your shoes. This can help to significantly extend the life of your trainers. 

Be Careful Where You Store Them

Another thing to bear in mind when it comes to prolonging the life of your shoes is where you store them, as this can have a big impact on how that they last. It’s really important that your shoes are stored somewhere that is cool and dry, away from potential dust, as well as somewhere that has some element of breathability. If you wear your shoes all day, it’s likely they might be slightly warm or moist, so they need to be able to dry out slightly in the storage without any mold developing. You can get shoe storage online designed specifically, or you could store them in the original boxes. You could also get a shoe rack to go in the bottom of your wardrobe. There are so many options out there to help you store your shoes safely! 

The 1990s fashion era had some of the most iconic styles, and now more than ever we are implementing some of the best trends a few decades on. Not only did the supermodels of the decade play a huge role in curating the infamous 90’s style trends, but the unique designers that rose to prominence back then created some of the statement fashion items that we are recreating today. 

Anyone who grew up in the 90s will be aware of the most popular fashion trends such as chunky loafers, biker shorts, and brightly colored scrunchies. It is easy to overlook people’s styles today as we see so many new genres, but if you look closely enough there will be an element of 90’s fashion within many clothing ensembles you will see day-to-day. Here are some of our favorite 90’s fashion trends that you can start to implement in your current fashion choices- 

Baggy Jeans

Anyone up-to-date with the latest fashion trends could have a pair of baggy jeans in their closet. The days of tight skinny jeans are behind us, and loosely fit jeans are now the way forwards. The 90’s extreme baggy jean trends may have at times been too extreme, and if you are wanting to keep your undergarments private we would recommend a boyfriend or mom jean fit. They are so classic, and comfy and are the perfect item to dress up or down depending on the occasion. Baggy jeans became popular in the 90s, and now they have once again reached peak popularity whilst continuing to rise.

Slip Dresses

Slip dresses are one of the most sultry and sought-after fashion pieces that have shot up to fame again recently. Famously worn by the stunning Halle Berry in 1995, slip dresses are back as a staple fashion piece you should include in your modern wardrobe. They are the ideal item for looking exceptional on a night out, or you can layer a slip dress with something more covered for daytime use. Layering is yet another trend we have repurposed from the 90s, and trying it out with a slip dress is a great place to start.

Scrunchies 

Scrunchies are not something to neglect, as we have seen them resurface for several years now. Not only can they level up any mundane outfit, but they are also a really useful and gentle accessory for your hair. If you are going to try to integrate e scrunchie into your lookbook, go one step further and use a silk scrunchie for the upgraded modern-day scrunchie option.

Cargo Pants

Combat Trousers are more commonly referred to as Cargo pants. If you didn’t have a pair of these to chuck on in the 90s then you simply were not cool. They are the comfiest and easiest to the style of the 90’s trends that have resurfaced, and the same premise reigns true as you need to have a pair of cargos to seem trendy today. The cargo is paired best with oversized trousers and a cropped t-shirt. You can find many styles of cargo from high-end luxury streetwear brands, and even fast fashion brands have made their lower quality versions.

Sheer Fabrics 

Sheer fabrics first made their appearance on the ’90s most exclusive red carpets, and now the best of sheer styles have hit the high streets today. Despite their lack of material, they can add a luxurious feeling to any styled outfit. You can find sheer overshirts to pair with an under t-shirt. There is so much potential to style sheared shirts and dresses in the day-to-day, as you can leave as much or as little to the imagination as you want.

It is getting increasingly hard to hire and retain great employees, so one thing you can do to really make them feel appreciated is to go above and beyond in terms of benefits. The absolute minimum for staff that you really appreciate should be regular pay rises and one on one reviews, a clear path for progression, good amounts of holiday and flexible working. However, there are things you can do to be different and to really show you care about your employees wellbeing. Workplaces are changing, and so are employees, so it’s important that you keep up and offer your employees something great! Let’s find out a few things that you can do to achieve just that. 

Dental Subscriptions

The first thing that you should be offering to your employees is a dental subscription. Many people push this to the back of their priorities, however it is such an important component of our overall health, so investing in it for your employees will show you care. There are so many different subscriptions out there that you can get for as little as around £10 a month, which can cover dental checkups, hygienist appointments and then also discounts should people need treatment, like fillings or full dental implants. You may also be able to get a corporate discount if you are getting multiple plans, so this is definitely something to look into. Not only will this help you to retain great employees, but it will also be a strong factor in helping to draw new ones in! So, it may not cost you a lot each month (depending on the size of your business of course), but it can make a huge difference to your employees and how they see the company. 

Financial Support For Hobbies

Employees that have hobbies outside of work are much more likely to be satisfied with their job, as they will have a better work-life balance, giving them the space they need to fully unwind outside of work and come back feeling happy and refreshed. Everyone deserves to maximise their free time, so to do that, you could provide some financial support for their hobbies. This could be around £30 a month for each employee that can then go towards their sports club, gym membership, crochet materials, pottery classes, dance classes, the options when it comes to hobbies are endless! You are showing you really care about them and want them to be able to unwind out of work, which will mean a lot to them. 

Training and Development

More on the work side of things, something that you should be offering to your employees is training and development opportunities. This will show employees that you really want them to grow with the company, plus it will benefit you by helping you to expand on what you are able to offer your clients. This will differ massively depending on the nature of your business, but you should either have clear training programmes in place, or you should make it clear that if employees want to learn more about a particular area relating to their role, or the company in general, that you will help to fund it. This can really transform how an employee feels about the company! 

More and more people are focused on building their dream staple wardrobe, and it’s not hard to see why! A staple wardrobe is all about finding timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched with so many others in your wardrobe, so you have endless combinations of great clothes. The idea is also that you buy clothes less often, but are able to spend more money on them, so they last much longer and are better for the environment. So, if you’re not sure where to start when it comes to building your dream staple wardrobe, we’re here to help! 

Use The 30 Wears Rule

The first thing you should do when it comes to building your dream staple wardrobe is to use the 30 wears rule. Before you buy any item for your staple wardrobe, ask yourself if you will wear it at least 30 times. If the answer is no, then you shouldn’t buy it! An example would be if you try on a few wedding guest dresses and decide that you know they are more of a trend and that you won’t wear them again. Whereas, if you choose more classic wedding guest dresses like a simple blue dress, then you can dress it up or down for so many other occasions for years to come, so you know you are likely to wear it at least 30 times. This part is all about just putting some thought into your choices. 

Go For Neutral Staple Pieces

Whilst you are going to want some statement pieces in your staple wardrobe, the core of your staple wardrobe should be staple pieces that you can mix and match. So, try to avoid choosing too many really bold patterns or bright colours, and instead go for monochrome or more neutral shades that you know can be mixed with lots of different pieces. Start with a pair of blue jeans and one pair of black jeans, then choose some basic t-shirts, jumpers, blouses, a couple of skirts and some dressier trousers. Your options will be endless for different outfits with these neutral staple pieces!

Buy Better Quality Pieces

Last but not least, you should be focusing on buying better quality pieces when building your staple wardrobe. Not only will this save you money, but it will also mean that all of your clothes will last longer, so you will need to buy less often. This money can then be reinvested back into your wardrobe! You will feel amazing because your clothes will likely look nicer and fit better and you will be helping the environment when you focus on quality over quantity. Just make sure that you use the 30 wear rule mentioned above to ensure that the additional money you are spending on better quality will be going to good use! You will notice your confidence skyrockets when you are able to afford better quality clothing and pieces that you truly love and can wear for years. 

We all want to retire by the age of 50 or earlier but you do not know where to start with it so here are some helpful tips you should consider for it.

Savings

This one goes without saying which is why it is at the top, to get it out the way. Saving is very important throughout your whole life so make sure you do this early on. A good way to do this is to try and save 10% of your annual salary every year or even 5%.

If you have a £20,000 salary and you save 10% of this you save a total of £2,000. Do that for ten years and you will save a very nice £20,000. But, if you put that money where it gets great interest rates then that will add up over time. Not to mention your salary will go up as well due to progression or bonuses. 

Have multiple incomes 

Having one job that pays a great wage to you every week/month is great but have a little bit of extra come in is even better. They do not have to be related to each other, they can be completely unrelated or they can be linked someway or another.

For example, you could be a plumber contracted to multiple businesses and work on-site. But, for an extra 5-10 hours, you could also help manage someone’s finances or work in a bakery/ bar. It really just depends on what skills you have yourself. 

Pensions

It is a great way to start saving for you to retire early and putting money away for it. Setting up a pension is definitely something that you should consider for whoever you are working with. This is an easy and simple way to prepare yourself for retirement. 

Investments

Investments are one of the best ways to make money over time that you can really profit from. This either be through stocks and watch them go up over time or you could invest in real estate. Remember to come to an agreement with the tenant through a schedules of condition which helps acknowledge the current state of the property. 

Becoming a landlord is something that you should consider and if you don’t know a lot about lease reviews then do not worry. Many people are professionals in this so looking at them for a bit of assistance is certainly something you should consider as you will need all the help you can get. 

Last but not least, bills

Keep in mind that these build up over time so it is very important to pay them off on time. Make sure that if you have borrowed money from the bank or private companies then pay them off straight away as well as these increase due to interest rates. 

In conclusion

Five simple and easy tips to help you get an early retirement but remember. The early you start preparing for retirement, the earlier you can retire so start sooner rather than later.