Calling all our guy readers…Just because you’re spending all your weekdays now working from home doesn’t mean you can’t still look sharp! Of course, as any guy knows, the trick is to look good while still feeling comfortable. Your home office probably doesn’t have the same suit-and-tie requirements that your old office did, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still look put-together every day. In fact, some studies have even shown that changing out of your pajamas and putting on a more dapper outfit can have positive psychological effects that might even boost your motivations and improve your work product. For men who want to look great but feel comfy while working from home, here are some of the top clothing tips to remember.
1. Unpredictable Weather Patterns? Dressing in Layers Is Key
Do you live in an area with totally unpredictable weather patterns that seem to change every fifteen minutes? If so, dressing in layers is key, especially if you like to spend part of your workday working from your balcony, patio or backyard. If the temperatures are cool in the morning but get hot by midday, for instance, a light T-shirt topped with a suave jacket could be the answer. Check out these key pieces perfect for layering:
- A cotton V-neck shirt
- A light jean jacket
- Pants that can be adjusted into shorts
- Mid-length khakis
2. For Work Video Calls, Professional Shirts Made With Comfy Materials Are a Go-To
Just about everyone at this point has had the experience of needing to hop on a video call for work in the middle of the day, and when this happens, looking professional is essential. However, your bottom half may not matter as much since it won’t be on camera! That means that even if you’re still rocking your sweatpants, you’ll want to pull on a classy dress shirt. The trick here is choosing soft, comfy materials like cotton or polyester blends, so you won’t get that stiff, starchy, scratchy feeling that all too often comes with high-end professional shirts.
3. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Comfortable Underwear
You might think that having plain versus pouch underwear might not make a big difference to your comfort levels at home, but a simple trial of comfier underwear could prove you wrong. Comfortable undergarments like boxers made from stretchy materials, for instance, can actually have a big impact on your overall level of comfort. This makes sense since it’s the most basic layer of your outfit! To be cozy overall, start at the core level with a solid pair of underpants.
4. On Work-From-the-Couch Days, Consider Tailored Hoodies
On days where there are no work calls to worry about, tailored hoodies could be the way to go. Hoodies are casual enough to wear while working from the couch from 9:00 to 5:00, but if you choose one made with nice materials and get it tailored, it could look snazzier on you than you realize!
5. Don’t Forget About Keeping Your Feet Warm, Too
Although it’s totally fine to go barefoot all day while at home, if you get chilly indoors or live in a colder climate, part of completing your outfit and staying cozy is keeping your feet warm, too. There are plenty of options for slip-on shoes that look great but feel comfortable, too – just try a pair of leather boat-style shoes that are fleece-lined on the inside, for instance.
Maybe your commute now involves moving from the bed to the couch and your pet dog is essentially your coworker, but just because you’re working from home all day doesn’t mean you have to start dressing poorly. With the right outfit planning, it’s totally possible to dress for success while still feeling comfortable. For any men interested in keeping up dapper appearances without compromising on comfort, these five clothing tips are key.
There are many ways that you can improve your home whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or some beautiful new artwork. With the help of arts and crafts tutorials, there are many decorative items that you can make to beautify your home. To give you plenty of DIY ideas and other options, check out these four neat apps.
1 . Craftgawker
If you’re looking for some excellent crafts ideas then you’ll just love the craftgawker app. Here there are thousands of DIY projects, including the work of top craft bloggers across the globe. It’s simple to use, once you’ve found a project you like simply click the photo and you can learn how to make it. A few of the key features include:
- Browse the crafts projects by categories, popularity, or your favs.
- Save the projects you love and add notes about each one.
- Share your pics on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.
- Get quality projects, curated by a team of craft experts.
Looking to customize your bookshelf? Want to make a cute table runner? Craftgawker offers plenty of project ideas to help you decorate your home.
2. Make It Yourself- DIY Crafts App
Make It Yourself is another great app for DIY craft ideas. Whether you want to make decorations, simple homeware, or upcycled furniture items, this app has plenty to inspire you. There are lots of simple crafts decorations you can make for your home whether it’s decorative vases, bunting, cushion covers, or wall hangings. If you’ve got a knack for crafting and you want some extra ideas to motivate you, you won’t be disappointed. For plenty of easy DIY ideas, this is the app you need!
3. Hutch
Hutch is an app that uses 3D tech to help you make virtual adjustments to your rooms. All you have to do is browse through the Hutch catalog, and pick out the homeware that you like. With the help of VR, you can test out different objects, styles, and designs, (before you choose to buy anything). Play around with colors, and create the virtual home of your dreams. All products are to scale, and the app has a simple interface that is easy to use.
4. Saatchi Art
Want to improve the interior design of your home? What you need is some beautiful artwork. Saatchi has plenty of gorgeous pieces, whether you’re looking for photography, paintings, sculptures, or screen prints. Plenty of new artists sell on here, so you can find some very unique and affordable things. Saatchi Art also has a VR setting, so you can test out different pieces of artwork in your home. Don’t forget to set the filters according to your style and budget.
Improving your home:
Once you’ve spruced up the inside of your home, it’s time to get outside and look at boosting your curb appeal! There are plenty of ways you can enhance the exterior of your home all you need to do is get creative. Whether it’s improving your yard, a new driveway, or even graffiti removal, there are plenty of options. Improving your house both inside and out is a fantastic way to enhance your lifestyle and make the most of your home.
I have seen so many people on Instagram making this simple Feta & Tomato Baked Pasta recipe, featured on TikTok, all over the world. It has become so popular that Finland ran out of feta cheese. The ENTIRE COUNTRY ran out!!!! The prep time is only a few minutes and within less than an hour you have a pretty good family meal. I have not made it yet but my friend blogger, Lemon Stripes made it yesterday and totally inspired me. Plus I read that it is totally worth the hype. Here you go, let me know in the comments below if you make it.
Baked Tomato and Feta Pasta:
(adapted from www.lemonstripes.com & The Washington Post)
Ingredients:
–2 pints (17 1/2 ounces / 500 grams) cherry or grape tomatoes
4 cloves garlic
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt
1 block Greek feta cheese
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces medium-length dried pasta, such as campanelle, rigatoni or rotini
Fresh basil leaves, for serving
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Place tomatoes and garlic in a baking pan and toss with 1/4 cup of olive oil and sea salt.
3. Place the block of feta in the middle of the tomatoes and top the whole thing with crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano, and black pepper.
4. Bake for 40 minutes or until the feta is slightly browned and the tomatoes are totally blistered.
5. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to box instructions. Be sure to save 1 cup of the pasta water before you drain it!
6. Mix up the tomatoes, feta, and garlic with a fork (I also broke up the garlic with a garlic press) to form a sauce.
7. Stir the pasta into the sauce and add pasta water, a little at a time, as needed.
8. Top with torn basil and serve.
9. Enjoy!
I am so happy to introduce you to my newest blog sponsor, the aroma design studio, ScentFluence. ScentFluence has a library of delicious custom-designed scents for your home or business or any other space that you choose. They have cool air diffusers, room sprays, and candles that will spark your senses. There are two ways to shop with Scent Fluence. You can visit their flagship studio at 22 Harwood Court in Scarsdale or on their new website www.Scentfluence.com.
Here is their beautiful shop in Scarsdale. They have the entire scent library in-store and are happy to provide samples of any fragrance to match your own space.
Here is only one part of the scent library!!
Lavender Sage is one of the most popular scents and one that I am planning on using for my own bedroom, it is supposed to help you sleep!!!!
Here is one of the adorable plug in diffusers with the mint focus oil
ScentFluence can wrap their products for any gifting occasion…
Here are the plug in diffusers. I want one for every room.
The Sea Salt Sage fragrance has become so popular.
Here is another diffuser with some of the best-selling oils, Amber Woods, By The Fire, Moroccan Mint Tea, and Deep Blue.
There is a guide to help you choose which scent to try:
ScentFluence provides signature scents for many fabulous destinations including the Auberge Resorts, Baccarat Hotels, and the 1 Hotels:
I have been obsessed with Bill Cunningham for years. I worked at 57th and 5th and loved seeing Bill in action on the “Bergdorf Corner” where he would photograph fashionistas, for the New York Time’s Style Section. His book, Bill Cunningham: On the Street, Five Decades of Iconic Photography by The New York Times is this week’s Book Club choice.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first published collection of photographs by the icon of street style, bringing together favorites published in The New York Times alongside never-before-seen work across five decades.
“A dazzling kaleidoscope from the gaze of an artist who saw beauty at every turn.”—André Leon Talley
Bill Cunningham’s photography captured the evolution of style, of trends, and of the everyday, both in New York City and in Paris. But his work also shows that street style is not only about fashion; it’s about the people and the changing culture.
These photographs—many never before seen, others having originally appeared in The New York Times and elsewhere—move from decade to decade, beginning in the 1970s and continuing until Cunningham’s death in 2016. Here you’ll find Cunningham’s distinctive chronicling of the 1980s transit strike, the rise of 1990s casual Fridays, the sadness that fell over the city following 9/11, Inauguration Day 2009, the onset of selfies, and many other significant moments.
This enduring portfolio is enriched by essays that provide a revealing portrait of Cunningham and a few of his many fascinations and influences, contributed by Cathy Horyn, Tiina Loite, Vanessa Friedman, Ruth La Ferla, Guy Trebay, Penelope Green, Jacob Bernstein, and a much favored subject, Anna Wintour. More than anything, On the Street is a timeless representation of Cunningham’s commitment to capturing the here and now.
For more information or to purchase this book click HERE on the Pittsburgh Mercantile site…
Inflammation is the body’s natural way of reacting to infection and injury but in some cases, chronic inflammation can actually lead to health problems. External factors can also result in inflammation including stress, an inactive lifestyle, and excessive consumption of inflammatory foods such as sugar, refined carbohydrates, and processed meat. Fortunately, there are also plenty of foods that help fight the symptoms of chronic inflammation. Here are ten examples, with a few delicious recipes to help you include them in your diet.
Turmeric
Tumeric is the root of the Curcuma plant and it contains the powerful anti-inflammatory nutrient curcumin. This is used to treat inflammation related to arthritis for example. People who experience chronic inflammation or pain from certain illnesses often can benefit from curcumin supplements or a tramadol sale. For those of you who would prefer to ingest it in a recipe, you could try a trendy turmeric latte. These are pretty common in most coffee shops. You could also try making your own curries or other popular Indian dishes at home.
Fatty fish
Fatty fish is beneficial in many ways if you want to improve your health. It’s rich in omega 3 as well as having anti-inflammatory properties as a result. Your body metabolizes the fatty acids found in omega 3 into compounds that have anti-inflammatory effects. The best sources include anchovies, mackerel, salmon, sardines, and herring, so you can take your pick. There are plenty of ways you can include some of these fish in your diet. You can experiment with your favorite recipes.
Avocado
Avocados are associated with reducing inflammation in skin cells, and what’s more, they contain plenty of essential nutrients. These include fiber, magnesium, potassium, and healthy fats. Avocados can be used in a number of recipes from smoothies to simple salads. If you want to try something more complicated, you could make baked eggs in avocado. You can bake the eggs directly in the center of the avocado halves for a delicious brunch favorite.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms contain various antioxidants for anti-inflammatory protection. Apparently, if you want to reap their full potential it’s better to eat them raw or lightly cooked. Here are some delicious mushroom recipes to give you inspiration. Mushrooms are also a low-calorie source of fiber and protein. They are rich in other nutrients including selenium, copper, and B vitamins. This is why they’re commonly used as an ideal meat substitute.
Peppers
There are many health benefits to including peppers in your diet. Chilli and bell peppers, in particular, are good sources of vitamin C and antioxidants with anti-inflammatory effects. They’re also very versatile and can be used in a number of different recipes. They can be eaten raw in salads, grilled, roasted, or in stews and curries. You certainly can’t go wrong with peppers and spicier varieties will certainly liven up your cooking. They make the perfect addition to a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet.
Tomatoes
Another popular choice on the list of foods that fight inflammation, tomatoes are also very versatile. They can be eaten raw or cooked in a wide variety of dishes. Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. An interesting fact about lycopene is that it’s a carotenoid, a type of nutrient that’s better absorbed if it’s consumed with a source of fat. This means that if you cook or prepare your tomatoes with olive oil, for example, your body will benefit even more from their anti-inflammatory properties.
Olive oil
Olive oil itself is also considered an anti-inflammatory food. It contains the antioxidant oleocanthal which actually shares anti-inflammatory characteristics with Ibuprofen. Olive oil is great for cooking, as an ingredient in salad dressing, and much more. It’s better to choose the more refined olive oils, however, such as Extra Virgin. Here are some of the best olive oils reviewed by chefs.
Green tea
The reason green tea is considered such a healthy beverage is because it contains a substance known as EGCG. This has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. As well as being a healthy drink you can also experiment with green tea, or matcha, in a wide range of recipes. It actually adds an interesting flavor to desserts and is very popular in both Asia and South America. Check out this green tea ice cream recipe for a different dessert to prepare this year. The subtle bitter taste of the matcha balances out the sweetness of the sugar.
Dark chocolate
Another dessert ingredient on the anti-inflammatory foods list is dark chocolate. In fact, the darker the better, as the stronger its antioxidant levels will be. Chocolate contains flavanols that have antioxidant effects and are beneficial for healthy arteries. In fact, the health benefits of cocoa have been studied for years. Flavanols have been shown to lower blood pressure as well as inflammation, and improve healthy blood flow to the brain and heart. No wonder chocolate is such a great pick me up.
Cherries and berries
Actually, various types of berries and cherries are known as anti-inflammatory foods. If you’re more of a fruit person, then you’re in luck as you can find anti-inflammatory properties in cherries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. They contain antioxidants such as anthocyanins and catechins which help fight inflammation in the body. These types of fruit are also very convenient to eat as snacks and versatile for cooking. You can have them raw, in a smoothie, or prepare desserts, for example. Have a look at these easy cherry desserts to wow your friends and family at your next dinner party.
By incorporating these anti-inflammatory foods into your routine, along with healthy habits and plenty of exercise, you’ll notice the benefits. An anti-inflammatory diet may help to prevent certain illnesses and ease the symptoms of conditions such as arthritis, skin ailments, and obesity. Studies are often being carried out to confirm the health benefits of these anti-inflammatory foods. One thing’s for sure, there are certainly plenty of delicious recipes that make it easy to include them in your diet.