by Violet Knight

Unless your name is Patrick Star—of the cartoon variety, not the beauty guru—and you live under a literal rock, you’re undoubtedly aware that a large derriere and puffed up pout are still reigning as the most sought-after body modifications of the new decade. While some folks are embracing confidence no matter what their body shape (with a section of this demographic instead focusing on the importance of character and personal merit), another slice of the population has become obsessed with emulating celebrity beauty trends. These naturally unattainable goals have led to a massive spike in plastic surgery, with lip injections, fillers, and implants topping the list.

If we take a look at history, however, we can see that body trends come and go; at one point not so long ago, thin brows with high arches were all the rage and being stick-skinny was seen as the ultimate body type. Hairstyles, too, have changed drastically over the years, as have opinions regarding curves, piercings, acrylic nail styles, and a host of other body modification possibilities.

While some people insist on going under the knife or subjecting themselves to chemical injections in order to achieve what they hope will be a more idealized face or figure, there are a host of other non-permanent, non-surgical alternatives, especially when it comes to creating the appearance of full lips. Read on for a thorough ‘how-to’ on plumping your lips without using any injections or fillers.

OPTICAL ILLIPSION

The first method was re-popularized circa 2014 by King Kylie, herself: overlining the lips. It only takes a short browse through some YouTube beauty videos or an “Instagram realities” page to realize the full power and potential of makeup. 

The fantastic part about this option is that it offers the most natural look. Yes, the full-size lip is an unnatural phenomenon at its core, but it’s also a trend that can create an unpredictable and serious imbalance in the face. Unfortunately, this can quickly result in either regret or a feeling of needing more procedures to “even it out.” When working with makeup, we can create the illusion of a larger eye, smaller nose, more well-defined face, and of course, fuller lips—with zero surgeries, fillers, or injections needed.

This method also gives you free reign to try your puffy pout in a wide range of colors and styles. You can try lining your lips to their natural shape, or you can create a new shape if you prefer. Want a more defined cupid’s bow? Need some extra help on the top lip, but not the bottom? Wish your lips rounded out instead of cutting on a diagonal? Just draw it in! Pair your liner with a complementary lipstick, and enjoy your handiwork whenever it suits you. Being able to play with your lip shape is not a fluid option when dealing with injections and fillers, which is another major perk to this playful solution.

PLUMP, PLUMP, PLUMP IT UP

Depending on your age, you may remember the rise of lip plumping glosses back in the 1990s. These sticky, high-shine formulas created fuller-looking lips predominantly by irritating them; formulas would include ingredients known to sting the skin, which was markedly painful but did effectively call on the body to increase blood flow to the lips, making them look plumper for a short period of time.

The current plumping glosses on the market take a varied approach, with some repackaging the old technology and others adding to it or solely using new ingredients. These new formulas strive to increase collagen and elastin in the lips, which works to fill in lip lines, minimize cracking and improve the overall appearance of lips. As a result, lips visually appear fuller and more hydrated with continued use.

As a word of warning, it’s important to read the package when dealing with plumping glosses. Some of these products have a limit on safe usage per day, some are offering only short-term results, and others are meant to slowly enhance lips for a longer period of time. With the latter option, the typical time frame advertised is about two weeks; these products may or may not include a short-term plumping effect, as well. So long as you know what you’re buying, there shouldn’t be much disappointment to deal with.

KEEP, KEEP, KEEP IT UP

Another interesting technology to try is the handheld lip plumping device. There are a number of these circulating nowadays with varied instructions for use, but the same general outcome. Some of these devices are battery-powered, while others use your own breath to create a suction field around the lips. As extreme suction can lead to lip bruising, consider first trying a plumping device that has a number of intensity levels or the ability for you to control the suction on your own, and work your way up slowly.

There are definitely a number of perks to the handheld device route. First off, you can carry these babies around in your purse or bag and refresh your look whenever it suits you. While the makeup option can last all day long, the results of plumping glosses and lip plumping devices tend to fade faster. Being able to discreetly refresh your pout on the go (even sans mirror) is a significant bonus!

Adding to the allure of these devices is the fact that you don’t have to wear any makeup at all if you so choose. The main reason I shy away from cosmetic products is that they can be incredibly time-consuming, so you really have to want the results if you’re going to regularly dedicate the time. For others out there like me, who would rather get up and go, using a handheld device means that bare lips or your favorite lip balm is plenty good enough.

THE THICK AND THIN OF IT

Whatever your preferred style, it’s worth it to play around before deciding to take the more dangerous step of opting for injections or fillers. Aside from the fact that you could leave the doctor’s office looking botched and feeling tremendous pain, these treatments do have long-term consequences. Even if your fillers or injections look excellent at the outset, these products are notorious for creating bumpy, uneven lip texture which will remain with you for the rest of your life, even with routine maintenance.

There’s no shame in choosing to live your best life, but it’s always wise to weigh your options and be sure that following a temporary trend is going to be worth it in the end.

Resources: WebMD, Chicago Tribune

Changing your home décor can help to refresh your space, improve your mood, and encourage you to spend more time at home in 2020. However, it can be challenging to know where to start and which trends to follow when you are looking to decorate. If you are looking for some essential home décor tips to get you through the year, look no further than this list, which explains how to choose home décor that you will love for many years to come.

1.   Opt for Leather

Opting for quality leather furniture is an excellent start if you want to rejuvenate the look of your home, especially if you are concerned that your home has previously looked out-of-date or old-fashioned. Leather furniture surpasses any of the latest trends; instead, leather has remained popular for decades. Its longevity is due to its beauty, as well as its ability to make your rooms look smart and neat. Not only this, but it is essential to consider whether your furniture is easy to clean when changing your décor, and leather fits this criterion, needing only a clean with a damp cloth to look brand new again.

2.   Go for the Minimalist Look

When you are designing your perfect room, it can be easy to decide on a hundred different pieces of furniture that you cannot live without. However, you should try to cut down on your new furniture to create a minimalist look. Not only will it make your rooms look spacious and smart, but you will be thankful when it comes to your annual spring clean. You can achieve this look by opting for monochrome or neutral colors, investing in large storage containers, and taking trinkets off sideboards and windowsills.

3.   Make it Comfortable

Even if you are planning to create a professional and smart environment for you and your family, you must make it as comfortable as possible. You should remember that you will be spending most of your time within your home and that your house should be the place where you can sit back and relax in relative comfort. You can make your home cozy by investing in soft furnishings, installing a fireplace that can keep you warm on winter nights, buying flexible sofas, and investing in a high-quality bed frame.

4.   Be Wary of New Trends

Although it might be tempting to ensure that your new décor replicates the rooms you have seen in glossy magazines and on interior design websites, you should be wary of following any seasonal trends. Your furniture can last for 20 years or more and will outlast any of the latest fashions. This means that if you fall victim to any of 2020’s fads, you will likely need to shell out hundreds of pounds to stay up-to-date in the future. Instead, you should decorate your home in your own style and invest in long-lasting and classic furniture that will outlive the trends of 2020.

For thousands of years ties have been used by people as a way of showing involvement within a workforce, team, club or organisation and Masonic ties are no different – ties have been a vital part of Masonic regalia for many years.

Freemasons are known to dress smartly, almost all lodges expect members to wear Masonic ties to meetings and formal occasions throughout the year. Masonic ties date back to the early nineteen-hundreds; Freemasons wore black ties to lodge meetings as a mark of respect for those that lost their lives in the Great War. Black ties became closely associated with Freemasonry.

However, by 2002 hundreds of thousands of Masons across England and Wales decided it was time for more colourful and distinctive ties to be introduced. Due to the traditional nature of the black tie, not all Freemasons approved the idea of changing the regalia – the black tie holds great significance. Nowadays, tie designs tend to vary between lodges.

Masonic ties as Festival merchandise

Masonic provinces organise fundraising initiatives known as a Festival. Festival appeals usually last around 5 years and aim to raise funds for charities through a range of events. Supporting a Festival can be demonstrated by purchasing traditional Masonic merchandise – this is often in the form of customised Masonic ties.

Masonic ties are one of the pieces of regalia used by members of the brotherhood to help create a unifying link of traditions. Dress code is particularly important when it comes to Freemasonry; this is to show that members are equal regardless of their background. Masonic ties hold historical significance within Freemasonry; they are an important item of regalia and a great way of showing support. Ties are a way of differentiating your lodge from others whilst continuing a tradition that is hundreds of years old. So, why not consider masonic ties for your lodge?

If you’re a retail store that has decided to take a step away from plastic bags, congratulations, you are half-way towards providing your customers with a way to carry their products in an environmentally safe manner.

However, there is still a decision to be made on the type of bag you buy. Here is our comprehensive guide on the different types of organic bags are available and which one is best for your store’s needs.

1. Organic cotton bags

Cotton bags are by far the most popular organic bag on the market with more than half of shoppers now opting from them over plastic ones. This demand means there are plenty of different cotton bags to choose from and for many, they are the organic bag of choice.

We recommend going for this organic bag if you plan on printing an intricate design on it, the close-knit fibres make it the best option if you want to get your branding out there.

• Organic jute bags

Jute is a popular material that is produced throughout many countries in South-East Asia including India, Bangladesh and Nepal. The thick fibres give this organic bag much more of a rugged natural appeal than a cotton or canvas alternative.

Jute bags are strong, and if you are selling a heavy product that requires a lot of support when carrying we recommend this organic bag as it provides the most protection.

• Organic canvas bags

Canvas bags are popular in large due to their versatility. This is organic bag is made from either cotton or linen which is then formed with polyvinyl chloride. The conservative use of plastic in this type of bag adds to its strength without using too many non-organic materials. This organic bag is a great all-rounder, which is why we recommend it if you provide a diverse range of products.

Find the best manufacturer for your organic bags 

Whichever bag you go for unless you find the right supplier you will not be met with good service. To deal with this, make sure you consult with your organic bag supplier and ensure you fully understand their manufacturing methods and are happy with any concept designs you have discussed with them.

Whether travelling for business, leisure, alone, or with your family, a serviced apartment can be an ideal choice for travellers looking for an alternative option to a hotel or a B&B.

We’ve outlined some of the benefits of staying in serviced apartments below to help make your choice a little easier.

Location, Location Location!

Serviced apartments are usually located in central locations, making them the ideal choice for a city stay. 

Their central locations mean they offer a good location for shopping, dining, and exploring, as well as being close to a lot of transport links and business quarters for any work base travelling.

Freedom and Flexibility

In a serviced apartment, you are free to come and go as you wish and to make your own schedule. Breakfast can be when you choose, and you don’t need to worry about waking anybody up when you come back in of an evening.  

The availability of the facilities in the apartment mean you can cook your own meals when it suits you, work whenever you need to work, and even entertain in the living spaces at your leisure.

Serviced apartments aren’t just for couples or lone travellers. They can work well for families too, thanks to many luxury serviced apartment companies offering studio flats right the way to family sized apartments for larger groups.

Quality

Serviced apartments aren’t cramped rooms in a block of flats, there are an array of stunning apartment options to choose from which are decorated with high-quality furnishings and come complete with entertainment options and are fully equipped for your stay no matter how long.

Space

A serviced apartment gives you the room to relax, work, sleep, and have fun all in one space. However, they can give you around 30% more space than an equivalent standard of hotel.  A typical one-bedroom service apartment is around twice the size of the average hotel room.

Privacy

By their very nature, serviced apartments are private, self-contained accommodation which allow you to instantly make yourself right at home.  As well as offering all the privacy you could wish for, you will find that they’re complete with 24-hour CCTV, secure entry and often around the clock security staff to make your stay extra safe.

Serviced apartment stays give you the home from home experience with all of the benefits of a central hotel. So next time you’re booking some time away, consider booking a luxury serviced apartment.

One of the big mistakes that holidaymakers make when they are booking their trip is not matching the accommodation to the type of vacation that they are taking. There is no point booking a luxury serviced apartment if you are going to be spending the majority of your time exploring.  However, with the rainy season firmly upon us here are 4 good indoor activities to get you out of the rain if you have booked a boutique serviced apartment.

1. Board Games

Try not to fall into the trap of being glued to your smart devices when you are staying in a boutique serviced apartment. Board games are a great way to engage with the rest of the family whilst also having fun. Some of our favourites include Cluedo, Risk and the classic Monopoly.

2. A Movie Marathon with a difference

Movies can be great but they can also be slightly unsocial in a boutique serviced apartment. We recommend watching a movie whilst coming up with some actions to perform. These can include saying phrases when certain characters are on-screen or performing certain actions when a character says something.

3. A night of fabulous food

If you are staying in a serviced apartment in a foreign country one of the ways you can experiment with foreign foods whilst saving money is hitting up the local supermarket and cooking up something yourself. You can get the whole family involved and tailor a meal to suit your specific tastes.

4. Balloon Badminton

Indoor ball supports can be a recipe for disaster, particularly if you are staying in a boutique serviced apartment. One of the ways that you can take the danger out of it is through using a balloon. You can play a range of activities from Badminton to football and even volleyball. All will keep the family entertained and out of the rain.

Get a boutique serviced apartment that has enough room for your family

Whilst we have given you a fantastic range of activities to keep the family entertained you will need to book a serviced apartment that has enough room for your needs.

The Beech House boutique serviced apartments are great examples of accommodation that offers both an intimate feel with enough room for activities. 

You are taking a stroll in your backyard when you notice your oak tree not looking its usual self. On going nearer, you’re in for a rude shock—your beautiful tree seems to be losing its bark. Read more

There were a total of 165,100 road casualties of all severity levels on UK roads for the year ending June 2019, according to a report by the UK government. While this number is quite sad, it can be even more disheartening to learn that some of the people involved in these road accidents weren’t compensated through insurance. If any of them had borrowed a car whose policy didn’t cover them, the chances are that they had to cater to the ad hoc damages. Read more