CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Let me introduce you to Peace Out Skincare, the cult US brand landing into the UK. The brands mission is to help you bring peace to your skin through good, effective and fun skincare solutions like the patent- pending acne dots, patented pore strips, and first-to-market daily targeted routine solutions like the retinol eye stick.

The Acne Dots launched in 2017 in Sephora and have since become the #1 Acne brand in Sephora North America. When they launched in the US they generated 15,000 sales in just one day on TikTok.

The brand’s founder Enrico Frezza knows how it feels to be insecure about skin imperfections. He struggled with acne, hyperpigmentation, and everything in between. Frezza tried more acne products, doctor prescriptions, and infomercial products than you can possibly imagine, and could not find an easy-to-use solution with fast-acting results. His frustration became the catalyst for developing a technology that treated the root cause of our pesky breakouts, not just the symptom.

The breakthrough “A-HA” moment came while Enrico was scouring the drugstore aisles for anything that could possibly clear one of his nasty breakouts. It was then that he discovered hydrocolloid dressing – a biodegradable, flesh-colored dressing normally used to heal wounds in the medical field. He bought every hydrocolloid bandage in the drugstore and began self-testing until he found a one-step, easy skincare solution to treat his acne. That’s when the idea that something better must be developed. After a ton of research and trials, the first prototype Peace Out Acne Dot – was born.

Peace Out was born out of his necessity to develop acne products that actually work and Enrico’s deep desire to build an inclusive acne/skin positive brand by providing people a place to feel safe, empowered.

You look across the table at your son. He’s trying to stick cereal up his nose. Before you have a chance to address that situation and avoid a possible trip to the pediatrician’s office, your daughter enters the room in the middle of her third meltdown of the week because she forgot the permission slip you need to sign this morning for her field trip. You hear a weird knocking sound coming from the laundry room — the washer must be broken again. You look at the kitchen clock, and it’s only 6:33 a.m. You miss their mother. She’s been gone for a few years now, and it’s just not getting any easier.

As of 2019, a record 3.23 million children in the United States live with their single fathers. Despite the numbers, single dads don’t tend to provoke the same kind of sympathy and concern that single moms do, but it’s evident that men raising kids alone struggle in many of the same ways. Thankfully, many federal and state programsnow help either sex with housing, food, job skills, and educational assistance, among other services. Clothes Make the Man shares some tips on how to handle stress as a single dad.

Handling Stress

Signs of stress and burnout can happen to single dads and may result in headaches, angry outbursts, depression, and sleeplessness. To combat stress, go back to the basics, such as getting plenty of exercise, eating right, and leaving workday stress at the office.

It’s important to learn small ways to face that stress head-on and reduce it, no matter where you are, because having effective coping mechanisms handy will allow you to get through even the most challenging times. You can use your new skills to immediately start feeling better and to prevent the emergence of chronic mental health problems.

Eliminating Financial Stress

Lots of single parents struggle with making ends meet. If that sounds familiar, one smart solution is to dabble in freelancing. By starting a sideline, you can do as much or as little work as you want, adjust your rates according to your needs, and flex your schedule for time with the kiddos. It might even turn into your full-time role if it flourishes.

The best path to success begins with good planning. Even a small side gig should be started in a professional manner. Think through your business idea and how it will meet customer needs, and choose a name that reflects your solution. Then create a business plan so you can mark out your goals; this will also impress lenders if you need funds. And lastly, consider registering your business as an LLC to help protect your assets and enjoy tax advantages. Zenbusiness details how to get started with the process.

Asking for Help

If your bank account is fine but your time management skills are lacking, ask friends and family to help. You really can’t do everything. Maybe your parents would love to take your daughter to soccer practice. It’s okay to take that neighbor up on her offer to prepare meals occasionally. Check with your local hospital or mental health center about a support group for single dads.

Taking Time for Yourself

Maybe you haven’t been out with the guys in a while, so call your family or a babysitter and go out to watch the game. You’ll come home in a better mood, and your children will notice.

Besides your time with grownup friends, create rituals to be more involved with your family. For example, tell bedtime stories to your son. Even though you don’t know how your fairy princess little daughter turned into a melodramatic pre-teen, take the time to listen to her — resist the temptation to become Mr. Fix It, and talk it through with her. It’s your attention she really wants, even if she would never admit it.

Enjoy Each Day

Even when toys are strewn all over the house and you have just worked a 12-hour day, treasure the time with your children. These will be the days that someday you’ll laugh together over and you’ll miss when they pass.

Italian luxury fragrance house, Acqua di Parma, have launched a new Limited Edition fragrance for the Summer, Bergamotto di Calabria La Spugnatura. As with all the fragrances in the Blu Mediterraneo Collection, they each take inspiration from a specific part of the Italian Mediterranean, the origin for this fragrance being the beautiful bergamot fields of Calabria. It is here where a special and rare process of juice extraction by hand is used; “La Spugnatura”. Practiced by only a few artisans in the world, the bergamot essence is manually extracted in this fascinating traditional process, a true art which requires time and skilful, precise gestures.

The new fragrance revolves around the artisanship, the human touch, and the fullness of nature. A limited edition born from using a unique essential oil extracted using a time-honoured artisan technique, which makes the world of the Blu Mediterraneo fragrances even more special.

THE OLD SPONGING TECHNIQUE is a project long nurtured by the Maison which has always loved to preserve the oldest and most valuable artisanal processes of the Italian micro-territories. The origin of this new fragrance is deeply rooted to the bergamot fields of Calabria, where very few artisans in the world still practise the old sponging technique. A fascinating traditional process, which results in the complete manual extraction of the bergamot essence.

Designed exclusively in the 100ml format, Bergamotto di Calabria La Spugnatura is made with care up to the very last detail. The pump can be separated from the bottle thanks to a screw top, obtained with a special grinding technique specially developed for Acqua di Parma. It is this screw pump which allows refills of the fragrance, exclusively available from Acqua di Parma Boutiques due to the rarity of the essence.

The iconic cylindrical box is wrapped in PSC certified paper set in a special blue tone, in perfect harmony with the blue tone of the porcelain bottle. The label is also produced with waste powder from marble quarries. Finally, to stamp the uniqueness of the fragrance, the small golden seal which portrays the Bergamot fruit and carries the engraved words “Limited Edition – La Spugnatura”.

A fragrance of inimitable charm, which rises from the human and natural history which it recounts.

Back in 1982, a film by a little known Film Director called Steven Spielberg, about a 10 year old kid, called Elliott, who’s discovered an Extra -Terrestrial who been left behind on Earth melted the hearts of a generation of kids and has left its impact ever since.

A collaboration collection inspired by the movies’ nostalgia, entwined with modern day trends; capturing that strange moment in youth when the world is a place of mysterious possibilities.

The unisex capsule collection boasts a monochrome colour palette with orange and grey injections in t-shirts, over-sized tees, layered tees, shirts, hoodies, joggers, shorts, jackets and accessories. 

Featuring on-trend tie-dye, embroidery, enlarged graphics and tech details including 3m reflective fabric, waterproof zips and paracord trims with a high-end streetwear inspired approach. Including designs featuring the globally-known iconic ‘phone home’ slogan.

Highlighting the off-purple and orange tie-dye hoodie, with over-sized graphics and fonts, pair with the matching joggers to complete the look. Designed in a soft-touch fabric for the supreme amount of comfort, perfect for your E.T. movie days, all you need is the popcorn.

RADA Business, the commercial arm of the world-renowned drama school RADA, is helping business professionals to adapt their workplace performance for an office environment.

Katie Lightfoot, tutor and Senior Client Manager at RADA Business, provides insight.

As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, many business professionals who have adapted to using digital platforms to communicate will now need to readjust their communication style again as they transition back to being in the office.

Although it may not appear challenging, as ‘in person’ communication has always been the norm, a year of communicating behind screens has influenced how we deliver our message as we face different components and surroundings while working remotely.

Research revealed in RADA Business’ report, Beating Workplace Performance Anxiety, showed that in person communication can be stressful. Nearly 1 in 4 of workers (24%) feel anxious when giving a presentation to colleagues or customers and the same number have feelings of worry when they pitch to a client.

The ability to communicate clearly and connect with others is a fundamental part of our everyday working life and is just as important in person as it is on screen. The key lies in tailoring the use of our body, breath and voice for different mediums, ensuring we have the ability to deliver our best performance, whatever our stage.

Fortunately, there are skills and techniques that business professionals can use to master the art of communication as they return to the office. Try these tips and techniques:

1. Release any physical tension

It’s become normal to communicate with others while being sat down, but as offices reopen, you now have the chance to stand up and use your body to deliver your message. Take a moment to prepare yourself before you are about to present or speak to someone, so you feel calm and released. Shake your body and loosen up your muscles by stretching. A simple way to do this is to stretch your arms high above your head, and then bring them back down to your sides. Next, roll your shoulders forwards and then back, a few times each. Gently tilt your head from side to side, then forward and back – and finally, give your limbs a good shake out to release and tension.

2. Maintain eye contact

It can be challenging to maintain eye contact when you’re speaking to someone on a video conferencing call, so as you transition back to the office, remember the importance of making a connection with the audience through your eyes. Maintaining eye contact helps your message to land with impact as it is an effective way to build trust and engage others. It enables you to develop stronger working relationships with your colleagues and shows that you’re both engaged with what they’re saying and also want them to connect with what you’re saying too.

3. Take up your space

After a year of being sat at a desk and communicating behind a screen, now is the time to take advantage of the space around you so that you can communicate with confidence. Grounding yourself gives you a solid base to operate from, so start by placing your feet firmly on the floor, hip-width apart, with your arms by your side. Take a moment to really feel the floor underneath your feet and make sure to stand up tall whilst releasing any of the tension from your body. By taking up your space and aligning the body, you have greater stability to deliver your message to the room with authority.

4. Breathe

Take a moment to centre yourself and focus on the breath before speaking; breathe out and then in, slowly and deeply. Let the next breath happen naturally, holding for three, then breathing out for three. This will help to calm any nerves and steady your voice before you start to present or communicate. Remember to build pauses into your speech when you need something to land with people – it allows a moment for listeners to digest what you’re saying while you prepare your next thought.

5. Articulate 

Sometimes it’s the smallest changes that make the biggest difference to how you communicate in person to others. Articulating each word when you speak helps your message to travel and land more effectively. Try speaking the months of the year aloud to yourself before focusing on the consonants, especially the final ones of each word. This will help to warm up the lips and tongue so you can be ready to speak