Category Archives: Life & Style

Swimsuit Trends for Your Next Holiday: What’s In and What’s Out

Posted on by

As we all know, fashion trends are dynamic; they are always changing and evolving. The same applies to swimwear. Be it a relaxed beach holiday or a bustling pool party, your choice of swimwear can make or break your look. If you are already planning your next holiday and want to upgrade your swimwear wardrobe, you are in luck. This article will help you stay ahead of the game by bringing you the latest swimsuit trends in 2025. Let’s dive right in!

A Fashionable Splash: Current Women’s Swimwear Trends

Swimwear trends are constantly evolving, bringing fresh and stylish designs each season. On top of the list is the trend of sexy swimwear for women. Swimwear designers have cleverly combined chic and sassy touches this year to elevate the traditional swimsuit into a powerful style statement. High-leg bikini bottoms that emphasize length and curves, as well as strappy, crisscross detailing for added allure have taken the lead in the sexy swimwear trend. 

Belted Swimsuits: A Stylish Cinch

Another big trend in this year’s swimwear fashion is the belted swimsuit. Inspired by the 80s, this swimwear trend is a win-win scenario for both fashion and functionality. The belt creates an instant hourglass shape and adds a glamorous touch to your beach or pool ensemble.

Animal Prints: Never Going Out of Style

There seems to be no taming of the animal print in beach fashion. From leopard print bikinis to snakeskin one-pieces, animal print swimwear continues to rule the fashion world. These bold, eye-catching prints can add an exciting and exotic twist to your beach look.

Swimwear “Out” or Less Trendy in 2025

While it’s essential to consider the trends that are “in,” it’s equally crucial to know the ones currently less popular. Ruffled swimwear and neon-colored outfits are finding less favor among beachgoers this year. 

Ruffled Swimwear: Not Top of the Wave Anymore

Ruffled swimsuits have witnessed a decline in popularity. Although they were once seen as a fun, feminine touch to a poolside look, this year, fashion enthusiasts seem to prefer sleeker, more refined styles rather than the frilly aesthetic.

Neon Swimwear: A Downward Trend 

After ruling the summers for a couple of years, neon-colored swimwear seems to be losing its charm. It appears that the trend has shifted towards more earthy tones, including olive, rust, and brown. These colors offer a subtler look and often compliment different skin tones better.

In a Nutshell

The verdict on 2025 swimsuit trends embraces a combination of style, sophistication, and exotic allure. Sexy swimwear designs, belted swimsuits, and animal prints are dominating the scene. At the same time, conventional styles like ruffles and neon colors are on a downward trend. 

So, it’s time to pack up and update your swimwear collection with the year’s most desirable trends. Whether it’s a sexy bikini with crisscross detailing, a belted one-piece that enhances your figure, or a daring animal print suit, be sure to make a splash on your next vacation and look confident in all your holiday photos! After all, the right swimwear should flatter your body and boost your confidence as you strike your best poses by the pool or on the beach.

Bright Ideas for Your Outdoor Space: Lighting Tips and Trends

Posted on by

Creating an inviting outdoor space can enhance your home’s aesthetic and functionality. A well-lit exterior provides safety and elevates the overall appeal of your property, making it an ideal setting for relaxation and entertainment. As trends shift towards more integrated outdoor living areas, lighting plays a pivotal role in achieving a seamless flow from indoor to outdoor spaces.

The Impact of Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting serves multiple purposes beyond mere visibility. It enhances safety, highlights the beauty of your landscaping, and can even extend the usability of outdoor spaces into the evening. High-quality fixtures from durable materials ensure they withstand the elements while maintaining their aesthetic appeal. Choosing products that reflect your style can enhance the atmosphere of your outdoor areas, turning them into intimate settings for gatherings or peaceful retreats.

When selecting fixtures, consider the various options available. From sleek modern designs to timeless classics, the choices are aplenty. You might want to explore the garden lighting collection at Corston for a range of options that match your taste. The finish of the hardware also plays an essential role; finishes like antique brass or polished nickel can complement your home’s architecture while providing a sophisticated touch. Incorporating diverse styles allows you to create a cohesive look throughout your outdoor spaces.

Popular Trends in Outdoor Illumination

Innovative designs in outdoor illumination have gained popularity, reflecting the shift towards personalised outdoor environments. One current trend is the use of integrated lighting in landscaping, where lights are subtly embedded within the surroundings to create a magical glow that doesn’t overpower the space’s natural beauty. These solutions are perfect for accentuating pathways or highlighting the contours of garden beds without becoming obtrusive.

Another exciting trend is the rise of smart lighting solutions, allowing homeowners to control their outdoor lighting easily. This technology enables you to adjust brightness levels and sets schedules for when your lights should come on, enhancing security and energy efficiency. Combining functionality with style, these fixtures can be tailored to suit any occasion, from festive gatherings to quiet evenings under the stars.

Practical Tips for Implementing Outdoor Illumination

When planning your outdoor lighting, it’s crucial to consider the layout of your space. Begin by identifying key areas you want to illuminate, such as seating areas, pathways, and focal points like trees or sculptures. Layering your lighting by incorporating various types—ambient, task, and accent—will create depth and variety in your outdoor environment.

For instance, pendant lights or wall-mounted fixtures can provide ambient lighting for dining areas, while smaller, focused lights can highlight specific garden features or plants. Incorporating dimmer switches in your fixtures allows you to tailor the mood for different occasions.

Integrating high-quality fixtures with timeless designs can ensure your outdoor lighting remains stylish. These choices enhance the beauty of your home and increase its value and appeal.

The Role of Different Light Sources

Different types of light sources can significantly affect the mood and functionality of your outdoor space. LED lights are increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency and longevity, making them an excellent choice for eco-conscious homeowners. These lights are available in various colour temperatures, allowing you to create the desired atmosphere, whether warm and inviting or cool and refreshing.

Solar-powered lights are another sustainable option, harnessing sunlight to illuminate your outdoor areas at night. They are easy to install and come in numerous designs, from stake lights to wall sconces. These fixtures can enhance garden aesthetics while reducing reliance on electricity.

Traditional incandescent bulbs, whilst less energy efficient, are still favoured for their warm glow, making them ideal for creating a cosy atmosphere. Combining various light sources can help you achieve a balanced look catering to functionality and style.

Creating Zones with Lighting

Defining different zones in your outdoor environment can enhance both functionality and visual appeal. For instance, a dining area can be distinguished with hanging lights or chandeliers, while a lounge area can utilise softer, warmer lighting that invites relaxation. By strategically placing lighting fixtures, you can guide the flow of movement through the space and create inviting nooks for social interaction.

Use path lights to lead guests along walkways, ensuring safety and direction while showcasing your landscaping. Meanwhile, uplighting can accentuate trees or architectural features, drawing the eye upwards and adding depth to your outdoor environment. Implementing these techniques fosters a sense of organisation and encourages exploration of your outdoor spaces.

The Aesthetic Benefits of Lighting

Beyond practicality, outdoor lighting offers significant aesthetic benefits. Thoughtfully illuminated spaces can enhance your home’s architectural features and highlight the beauty of your landscaping. Spotlights can draw attention to unique plants or art pieces, creating visual interest and layering effects.

Moreover, lighting can influence how colours are perceived in your outdoor environment. Warm lights enhance earthy tones, making plants and surfaces appear more vibrant, while cooler lights create a serene and modern feel. Experimenting with different placements and styles can yield stunning results that elevate your outdoor design.

Enhancing Security with Outdoor Lighting

Effective outdoor lighting is a critical component of home security. Well-lit areas deter potential intruders by eliminating dark spots that might otherwise provide cover. Consider installing motion-activated lights at entry points such as front doors, driveways, and garages. These fixtures automatically illuminate when movement is detected, adding a layer of safety.

Pathway lighting also plays a significant role in security. Illuminating walkways guide guests to your front door and reduce the risk of accidents caused by uneven surfaces. Security lights should be positioned to cover vulnerable spots around your property, creating a sense of safety for you and your visitors.

Incorporating Lighting in Outdoor Furniture

Utilising lighting within outdoor furniture can enhance both functionality and aesthetics. For instance, tables can have built-in LED lights that provide soft illumination during meals or gatherings. Additionally, benches with under-lighting can create a striking visual effect, especially during evening events.

Outdoor umbrellas with integrated lighting allow for stylish dining experiences after dusk, providing illumination without compromising the overall look of your outdoor setup. These innovations make outdoor living spaces more versatile, turning them into vibrant gathering spots regardless of the time of day.

Seasonal Lighting Adjustments

Adjusting your outdoor lighting based on the seasons can keep your spaces fresh and inviting throughout the year. During the warmer months, consider using softer lighting to create a relaxed atmosphere for alfresco dining or late-night gatherings. In contrast, brighter lights can enhance daylight during autumn when shorter days signal earlier evenings.

For winter festivities, festive lighting can create a magical atmosphere. String lights or lanterns can accentuate architectural features and trees, bringing warmth and cheer to the chilly season. Embracing seasonal changes lets you adapt your outdoor environment to reflect the time of year, making it feel alive and dynamic.

Using Colour in Outdoor Lighting

Integrating colour into your outdoor lighting scheme can add an exciting dimension to your space. Coloured filters or bulbs can create themed lighting for special occasions like holidays or celebrations. For example, green and red Christmas lights or soft pastels for spring gatherings can enhance the festive spirit.

Additionally, strategically placed coloured lights can highlight specific landscape features, such as sculptures or water features, adding drama and enhancing the visual appeal. Experimenting with colour personalises your outdoor design and allows for creative expression.

A Lego Exhibition in Thirsk? Yes please.

Posted on by

Entry was free, with donations welcome for Holy Rood House which is a retreat house with a difference, open and inclusive, with a warm welcome for all, Margaret joined the stream of parents with small children, and – well, just adults with no children – all chatting, looking and remembering happy days of simple fun. Above is a lego replica of Holy Rood House, but this was only the beginning.

Street scenes, galore, with a Dad next to us explaining the intricacies to his son and daughter. Yes, daughter, for lego has moved on. Indeed, I bought Wicked from Brickworld@btinternet.com for my grand-daughter:

She will love trecreating the scene on the box.

Then how about the band – striking in black and white –

Oh, and then onto this vibrant scene –

Heavens, that got the kids and dads and mums talking, remembering, while the children expanded their horizons well away from phones, tablets and onto little bricks which can create magic, including landscapes which could ‘Be put on walls, Dad?’

Do you know, we all just loved it, what a buzz, a hubub, a place of dreams, of creation. I do hope Delilah likes Wicked.

Mastering Your Money: The Power of Personalized Financial Dashboards

Posted on by

Keeping track of your finances might be challenging in today’s fast-paced environment. Fortunately, albert’s smart financial dashboard makes it easy to manage money, analyze costs, and set financial goals. Users may construct a tailored spending plan with advanced budgeting tools and financial analytics, making it easier to manage bank accounts, credit card accounts, and investing tools all in one app. Albert, unlike other apps, provides a simple solution for consumers wishing to take complete charge of their personal finance path.

The Significance of a Financial Dashboard

A financial dashboard compiles all your financial data in one place to provide a thorough view of your financial health. It allows customers to manage their upcoming expenses, assess their monthly revenue, and keep their cash flow balanced. Unlike other services, this dashboard assists with financial organization by providing tools that put everything in one place. Thanks to customizable reports, users may evaluate financial patterns and make better financial decisions.

Statistical Data on Financial Dashboard Usage

MetricValue
Average Monthly Savings$500 per user
Users with Improved Credit Scores78% saw an increase within 6 months
Debt Reduction Rate40% reduction in outstanding debt within a year
Users Managing Multiple Accounts65% track at least three financial accounts
Investment Growth Rate8-12% average annual return on tracked portfolios
Bill Payment On-Time Success90% reduction in late payments
Budgeting Adherence Rate85% of users stay within their planned budget
Increase in Net Worth25% growth within two years of usage

How a Financial Dashboard Helps Manage Money

1. A Comprehensive Financial Overview

Many budgeting applications integrate with bank accounts, credit cards, and loans to provide a comprehensive financial picture of all transactions. This tool allows users to view previous transactions, track spending trends, and discover wasteful purchases. This kind of financial surveillance enables consumers to know where their money is going and make required adjustments.

2. Budgeting Made Simple

A decent budgeting software provides budgeting features such as endless envelopes for different types of expenses. The app provides both a basic version and a premium version to meet a variety of demands. A budgeting tool may help you set objectives and prepare for future spending, whether you are self-employed, a college student, or just seeking a financial counselor. This allows customers to be financially organized and better manage their earnings and expenses.

3. Expense Tracking in Real-Time

A financial dashboard connects all your accounts, providing a real-time snapshot of your personalized spending plan. Users can view their monthly income, run customizable reports, and adjust their budgets as needed. Albert, unlike other services, provides a user-friendly platform for tracking financial information. This feature enables users to plan ahead of time, ensuring they have enough funds for essential expenses while also setting aside money for saving.

4. Improved Investment and Savings Plans

Many people struggle with saving and investing. A financial dashboard incorporates investment tools, allowing users to successfully manage their money. It also gives information on net worth, allowing customers to track their financial progress over time. Users may utilize investment tracking to monitor portfolio performance and make educated financial decisions.

5. Credit Scores and Financial Status

Understanding your credit ratings is critical for maintaining financial stability. A budgeting tool that collects financial data can provide insights into improving credit health. Albert guarantees that premium members get the most out of their subscriptions by offering a complete return policy. Tracking your credit score with your other bank accounts gives you a comprehensive picture of your entire financial health.

6. Efficient Management of Loans and Bills

A solid budgeting program has bill reminders and loan tracking capabilities, so users never miss a payment. Individuals can prevent fines and exorbitant interest rates by keeping track of their outstanding obligations and anticipated costs. This functionality is especially useful for those who manage numerous accounts with various financial institutions.

Comparing Budgeting Apps: Finding the Best One

Many budgeting apps enable financial tracking, but only a handful give a comprehensive view of your finances. Quicken Simplifi (a registered brand) and Albert provide users with a streamlined experience, including resources, pricing alternatives, and access to financial advisors. These applications function by combining all areas of money management, including transaction tracking and savings goal creation.

Future of Financial Dashboards

With platforms accessible on Google Play and iOS, budgeting applications have a bright future ahead. Albert is a top financial management tool because of its ability to sync various accounts, produce personalized reports, and deliver real-time financial insights. This advancement in financial technology enables consumers to handle their money more effectively and efficiently.

Final Thoughts

A financial dashboard is a vital tool for everyone who wants to get control of their finances. Whether you’re handling bills, loans, or investments, the appropriate software may give vital financial data. Users may work confidently towards financial achievement by tracking transactions, creating budgets, and setting objectives. Personal finance is easier to manage when using tools that simplify the process and give relevant data-driven advice.

Take Charge of Your Financial Future

Users may make better financial decisions by using a financial dashboard, which provides them with relevant financial information and resources. There are both free and paid versions accessible, so there is something for everyone, from novices to seasoned investors. The best thing is that these tools integrate effortlessly into your lifestyle, whether you’re paying off debt, saving for a large purchase, or simply managing your day-to-day costs.

With the correct budgeting app and financial tools, you can take control of your finances now! The more proactive you are in arranging your funds, the more equipped you will be for long-term financial success.

Frost Editor in The Sunday Times Writing About New Book, Where The Light is Hottest

Posted on by

Frost editor, Catherine Balavage Yardley, has written a powerful piece for The Sunday Times on her experiences in the film industry. Where The Light is Hottest is based on the real experiences of Catherine and people that she knew. While the book is fiction, it gets to the heart of an industry which is both beautiful and tough. Historically, it hasn’t treated women well. Let’s hope things change.

Screenshot

The first review for Where The Light is Hottest is below. You can preorder it here. It’s out on February 27th.

Why am I so terrified?

‘Where the Light is Hottest’ is an uplifting but unflinching look at what it feels like for a woman to succeed as an actor. Protagonist Natasha is a wonderful creation: tough, passionate and loving in turn, fighting against a male-dominated hierarchy while surrounded by friends and family who are in turn supportive, dismissive and, all too often, downright poisonous in their readiness to betray Natasha and her dreams. I particularly liked her voice: ‘Being liked is overrated. You can’t take shit from people all the time so they’ll think you are likeable.’

As in Yardley’s earlier and equally readable book, ‘Ember’, torrid family relationships play an important role in ‘Where the Light is Hottest’. But I particularly enjoyed the focus on friendship, the struggle for success in a cut-throat, back-stabbing industry, and the fight for female empowerment. As one character says, ‘Do not doubt yourself, Natasha. They doubt us all the time. Be brave and put yourself out there knowing you are just as good as anyone else.’

I also learned a few terrific new words, including a ‘fashiongasm’ and a ‘floordrobe’. 

‘Where the Light is Hottest’ is a great, entertaining and ultimately joyful read. I thoroughly enjoyed its depiction of a woman’s fight for success in an environment where she never quite can relax. As Natasha says in an insightful moment: ‘My life has completely changed. It is everything I ever wanted. So why am I so terrified?’

The Revolution of the Species by Simon Holder promises much. Does it deliver? You betcha!

Posted on by

When toxic waste chemicals from a secret government research centre creating DNA-changing drugs for the military start to leak into the environment, the effects on the eco-system have sudden and profound effects for humankind’s supremacy of the planet.

As the government dithers and delays, the crisis becomes greater and more widespread, eventually causing an eco-catastophe that unleashes intrigue, intergovernmental friction and diplomatic incidents across the Earth. Will the planet survive in its current state or will the revolution of the species succeed?

It’s all down to one man in particular: but can he create an antidote in time, as he avoids and fights the government and vested interests? And who is working for whom? The planet might never be the same again…

Simon Holder grabs his idea and creates a well paced thought provoking frightening environmental novel. The plotting is superb, the tension ratchets in a sure rising-tension arc, the obstacles, twists and turns, are impeccable and best of all, it is not a lecture but a scenario in which the reader empathises, buys into, cares about – surely it couldn’t happen or could it? The writing is excellent, the sense of place, characterisation and the resolution masterly.

Bravo, Simon Holder. Another belter of a novel to add to: For The Love of a Life, It’s all in the Script!, and A Cultured Pearl and other stories of Love, Longing, Mystique and Hope…

The Revolution of the Species by Simon Holden is a must read. But I warn you, once you start you won’t be able to put it down.

Play On! at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, London: “A cast of all-singing, all-dancing performers literally bringing Joy to the eager audience.” says Paul Vates – Drama Critic

Posted on by

It says ‘Black Joy’ on the poster and there is certainly an overwhelming wave of Black Joy on the stage in this stunning musical.

From the very start, I found myself grinning like the proverbial child faced with a wall of sweets, only this confectionery really is. The story is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night with mistaken identity, gender swap and the search for love intact. All done to Duke Ellington music with the live band – such a wonderful quintet – easing the characters into each song.

(The Duke and Vyman/Viola)

The setting is Harlem, deep in the 1940s New York jazz scene. In falls the hopeful Tsemaye Bob-Egbe as Viola, desperate to sell her music to The Duke, smoothly played and sung by Earl Gregory. She falls in love with him, but, ‘women can’t write songs’ so she has to don a male disguise and become Vyman.

The woman that the Duke adores is Lady Viv, played by Koko Alexandra. She’s a famous nightclub singer and, in turns, she falls for Vyman.

(Jester, Rev, Miss Mary and Sweets)

Undercutting this storyline is the comedy. Lady Viv’s assistant is Rev (in the Malvolio role). Cameron Bernard Jones’ uptight and ridiculous character shines brightly. He loves Lady Viv, too. The staff (Shakespeare’s Feste, Sir Toby Belch and Maria) are Jester, Sweets and Miss Mary. This trio creates the farce and mayhem at Rev’s expense, instructing him how to win Lady Viv’s heart. Llewellyn Jamal, Lifford Shillingford and Tanya Edwards play these three – all with smiles on their faces and songs in their hearts.

(Rev and Lady Viv)

Director Michael Buffong has a palpable hit here. People leave the theatre humming the tunes and laughing – full of joy! The live music with the ensemble’s wonderful dancing (choreographed by Kenrick Sandy), pitched within the joyous performances of the cast all add up to a marvellous show.

(The ensemble)

Talawa Theatre has toured Play On! around the UK already. It’s a co-production with numerous theatres and has already visited Coventry, Liverpool, Salisbury, Birmingham and Bristol before stopping in Hammersmith. I think this feel-good show deserves a bigger audience – more touring and a West End run. It would please everyone and there’s nothing wrong with that!

Photography Ellie Kurttz Creator Sheldon Epps Book Cheryl L West Director Michael Buffong Musical Supervisor Liam Godwin Musical Director Ashton Moore Choreographer Kenrick Sandy

Venue Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0QL Until Saturday 22nd February

Tickets and showtimes lyric.co.uk/shows/play-on Running Time 150 minutes – this includes a 20-minute interval

Websites www.talawa.com Instagram @talawatc Facebook @TalawaTheatreCompany X/Twitter @TalawaTheatreCo

Wildsmith Body Cleansers – Science Meets Nature For Your Best Skin – by Award-Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

Posted on by

As the years have slipped quietly by, I must accept that the woman with the wrinkles staring back at me from the mirror is actually me. And when did my hands start looking like a relief map of the Andes? Whatever happened to that beautiful peach-like skin? Surely it was only yesterday? Is there any hope?

Well the good news is – yes, Ladies, there is hope, because I’ve discovered Wildsmith. Wildsmith take good skin very seriously and combine good science with nature in their relentless quest to make our skin the best it can be.

Wildsmith practise an integrated approach to wellbeing at their The Bothy health retreat at Heckfield Place, a wonderful Georgian family home and working estate in the Hampshire countryside, and at The Treehouse, a luxurious treatment facility on the fourth floor of Liberty’s in London. They’ve developed an amazing range of products which they use in their treatments but, and this is the great news, they’re also available for use at home.

Wildsmith research active formulations in their laboratories, which can imitate the skin’s natural systems for integrity and health, then combine these with plant-based actives and essential ingredients for skin health, including oils and butters derived from flowers, herbs, nuts, seeds, roots and barks. They extract many of these ingredients from plants harvested from their Heckfield Place estate, thus guaranteeing the quality. So dedicated are the Wildsmith team that they have even conducted clinical trials to look at the benefits on the skin.

As my skin has become quite dry over time, I am loving the Wildsmith Stillness Nourishing Body Cleanser. It’s made with hyaluronic acid (draws in moisture and supports the skin’s natural barrier), panthenol (retains moisture and acts as an emollient to nourish dry skin), camomile hydrolat (anti-inflammatory, grown and harvested biodynamically at Heckfield Farm), plus essential oils of rose geranium, lavender and roman chamomile, which smell heavenly.

I love how smooth and light the cleanser feels on my skin. Mixed with water it forms a rich lather, but I noticed that, on my dry skin it was absorbed rapidly and completely and left my skin feeling so soft. I’m already noticing a difference in those wrinkles.

The Wildsmith Stillness Nourishing Body Cleanseris £38 for a generous 300ml bottle – a great price for a very high quality product.

If you’re looking for a really special Mother’s Day gift, do check out the Wildsmith website, but don’t forget yourself too – treat yourself, you’re worth it.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk


Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.