CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The 12 months has passed in a blink of an eye for many, but during that time we have all experienced an upheaval and a series of new routines to quickly adapt to. From home-schooling, working from home, lack of social contact, worries about the virus and plans cancelled.

During this time, some of us may have had clarity on where they want their focus their time and energy, but many people have felt as though they have been (and are) in a whirlwind. With foggy thinking, lack of focus, sleepless nights, anxiety and stress just some of the wellbeing factors.

But what can we do to help ourselves get ‘back on track’ and get some clarity? Here pharmacist, Sultan Dajani (see above) from www.dragonflycbd.com shares some of his mind clutter clearing tips

• Me time: It’s an old cliché, but a good one. Remember to make time for yourself, even if it is just a long bath, but even better to get out and do something you love. It will release endorphins which will lower stress levels – and may ignite a new routine

• Sleep Routine: Being out of a routine means sleep is inevitable affected, which is a worry as sleep is the foundation on which we operate. If we have sleepless nights, we experience lower moods, stress, lack of concentration, yet if we’ve had a great night’s sleep, we feel we can take on the world. As hard as it may be stick to a sleep routine, going to bed and waking up at the same time. If you are struggling to sleep, try Dragonfly CBD oil. A few drops of DragonflyCBD as part of your daily sleep routine ticks all the boxes for helping you feel relaxed which also means better quality sleep that we need to fully restore our body and mins. DragonflyCBD oil has been shown to reduce conditioned fear and anxiety and the World Health Organization has recognised that CBD may have the potential to help health issues such as insomnia and anxiety.

• Thinking time: Take some time to yourself just to think about things. Things you would like to achieve, things you would like to change, things that are important to you. Make a list and write them down. Use this as the start of a plan, or use it to remind yourself when you get thrown back into the whirlwind

Connections: Keep connected with people. Have chats either on the phone or in person. As humans we need social contact, as we stray away from these it can be detrimental in terms of mood and stress. It also gives a chance to talk about any worries you may have.

• Relaxation techniques: Though the day and evenings may be busy, taking 5 to 10 minutes out to use a relaxation technique such a meditation can help greatly. Just sitting quietly, taking deep breaths can help reset the day and give you the energy to tackle what lies ahead. Is also good to use this option when the day is getting frazzled. Often 10 minutes out gives a clearer perspective

Becoming a parent and raising a child is no easy task. Not only do kids learn new skills as they grow, but parents do too—especially first-time parents. Although parenting can be stressful, it also creates some of our funniest family memories when we least expected them to happen.

Children have the wildest imaginations, and there is never a dull moment when they verbalise the bizarre and hilarious thoughts that pop into their minds. From the mispronunciation of words to finding their way into mum’s makeup drawer, every day entails some form of humorous mishap.

But what about the mistakes that parents have made? Here, we discuss some of the funniest parenting mishap stories that adults have shared on Twitter, as well as some of the most innovative life hacks.

1. Tired Talks

Parents will know that raising a child often means being able to function on as little as two hours of sleep per night and waking up to do a full day of adulting all over again. For one parent in particular, a lack of sleep had finally caught up to her. She explained:

That’s one baby name you probably won’t find in the book.

2. Hilarious Haircuts

With coronavirus restrictions affecting access to hair salons,some parents have had no choice but to give their kids DIYhaircuts. Not everyone is gifted with a talent for hairstyling, with one parent sharing the below tweet:

Perhaps it’s best to opt for a hair bobble next time instead.

3. Dress-up Disasters

As your kids start school, you’ll be aware of the abundance ofemails and letters you receive. Sometimes, finding the time to read all of them in detail is no easy task. For one parent in particular, the content of the letter seemed to get lost in translation:

Ten points for creativity, right?

4. Dad Dos and Don’ts

There are a lot of funny dad stories and videos on the internet that never fail to amuse. Other than being described as ‘big kids’ themselves sometimes, dads have also taken to Twitter and shared their funny parenting mishaps, like this one:

Perhaps make a note to self next time.

5. Compromise, Adapt, and Overcome

Raising kids and keeping an organised house isn’t something that goes hand in hand. So much so, finding ways to quickly adapt the resources we can find around the house is a skill all parents possess. One parent explained:

Creativity is key.

From Mishaps to Hacks

No matter how many parenting books and guides you read, there are some elements of parenting that even they can’t help you with. So, when in doubt, many parents have come up with their own rather humorous parenting life hacks and shared them on social media.

Swings and Roundabouts

Every parent knows that pushing their child on a swing for hours upon hours isn’t the highlight of their lives. Thanks to one parent’s clever life hack, you don’t have to anymore. They demonstrated that by attaching a rope from the window of their home to the swing outside, pushing and pulling the swing from the comfort of the sofa!

Lolly Lifesavers

Keeping furniture and brightly coloured décor stain-free andin good condition is no easy task when kids come along—especially when it comes to foods that melt. Even sometimes as adults, managing to eat an ice lolly before it drips all over the carpet is difficult, let alone for youngsters!

One mum demonstrated that by making a small cut in an old Pringles lid and placing the lolly stick through it, the lid acts as a liquid collector for when the lolly melts. It’s the small things in life.

Teeth Cleaning Tricks

Teaching our kids the importance of cleaning their teeth is not always an easy task, especially showing them how to clean all of their teeth and not just the front two! If only there was a way they could see inside their mouth better—well now, there is! One parent demonstrated that by using the mouth-opener pieces that are provided in the popular board game Speak Out, it makes it easy for kids to brush every tooth until they’re allsqueaky clean.

Scooter Strolling

Every parent knows that baby pushchairs are important, whether your baby can’t walk yet or your toddler needs a rest. So why not make walking more fun for you too?  One parent showed how they made a baby stroller and scooter hybrid! Feel like a big kid again and drive your baby around whilethey sleep.

No one enters the world of parenting knowing the ins and outsof it. And what works best for your child won’t always work well for the next—but making mistakes and creating some clever parenting hacks like the ones mentioned above are all part of the fun!

Sources

https://twitter.com/vickyhsmith/status/1279416388894044161

https://twitter.com/Kari_Luana/status/1320437215256813568

https://twitter.com/ElleButlerEDU/status/1314288804237201408

https://twitter.com/AdamCoffeyNT/status/1123823974608265217

https://twitter.com/LouisaWhitney/status/1176531119031881728

https://www.facebook.com/LADbible/videos/440890870225055

https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/12278375/mum-ice-lolly-hack-drips-floor-genius-hack-kids-pringles/

https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-parenting-tips-and-life-hacks/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

Images

1) Humphrey Muleba

2) Caroline Handandez

3) Julian Honhgesang

4) Kelli McCintock

5) Standsome Worklifestyle

Avid CMTM family members will remember we recently covered VTG LAB who are doing an amazing job on highlight the incredible work they are doing with upcycling and give pre-loved items of clothing, literally, a new lease of life ! Well, the latest VTG LAB collection is working with a merging of Burberry + The North Face jackets.

These jackets are an exclusive drop from the True Vintage VTG LAB range, a collection of up-cycled and high-end vintage from brands like Nike, Burberry and Adidas. The VTG LAB Burberry + The North Face drop includes 10 items and lands Tomorrow with the Items ranging from £300 – £550.

The VTG LAB collection drops a minimum of six items every Thursday on the True Vintage website. Items range from £120 – £400 and feature brands like Nike, Adidas, Coogi, YSL, Burberry and Carharrt. These collections have been super popular, with all drops selling out in less than a minute!

Two brands with a shared history that are renowned for supporting makers, creators and outsiders, have joined forces to finish what they started over Twenty years ago.

With Clown making a mighty comeback after an extended Fifteen year power nap and Hiut continuing to break boundaries in the world of Denim, this meeting of minds reflects the core value they both adhere to – creating with a passion.

David and Claire Hieatt are bringing jobs back to Britain making raw jeans in a beautiful corner of Wales, with HIUT DENIM CO. This area previously lost out to lower production and labour costs of distant lands. The skill base remained however. It just took the vision of a couple who wanted to make great quality jeans in the UK to harness them and set up their small workshop in Cardigan Bay.

At Hiut, manufacturing is coming home. Their mission is to “do one thing well”, making the best jeans that time and skill allow.

Whereas, CLOWN SKATEBOARDS was born in AUGUST 2000, launching with the inaugural release of the ‘CLOWN BANKSY TEST PRESS’  series, two skateboard designs and their legendary logo. They had one of the UK’s leading skateboard teams, with Simon Skipp heading up the crew and bringing onboard Chris Oliver, Benny Fairfax, Woody, Mattias Nylen, Bryan Jones and some amazing up and coming talent.

Operating from their East London headquarters, Clown were punching well above their weight. In 2005 however, it was consciously decided to put the brand on ice with the aim of restarting at some point in the future. That future is now.

The foundations of this project goes back to the late Nineties when Jeff Boardman was running the howies skate team, a brand founded by Dave and Clare, of HIUT. Jeff left howies to form Clown Skateboards, but the connection, the friendship and the idea to all work together was always discussed.

So the wheel has turned full circle and they are working together again.

Older, maybe wiser BUT definitely better.

Tweed clothing has been a staple in men’s fashion for decades because it’s quintessential British clothing at its best.

Like many pieces of outerwear, tweed was developed out of necessity to help protect outdoor workers from the elements. Over time, however, tweed jackets, trousers and more have been reinvented into a must-have article of clothing that most men now own, yet many men still don’t know how to make tweed work for them.

To show you just how versatile this material is, Slater Menswear has created a guide on how to wear tweed the right way, explaining when you should wear tweed, on what occasions and worn with what.

What is tweed?

Tweed is a natural fabric made from wool that features a soft, open weave. It was first introduced in the 18th century by Scottish farmers as a way to help endure unforgiving winters.

Soon after, the popular material was gentrified and became a hit with the British aristocracy. Tweed became the go-to material for sport thanks to its water-resistant properties, with the upper classes donning the fabric for shooting, hunting and sailing.

Modern tweed has become a much more accessible clothing option, with people choosing to wear the versatile fabric for casual get-togethers as well as more formal events.

Tweed in the summer

Although originally developed to keep wearers warm, lightweight tweed blazers make a fantastic addition to any summer wardrobe. Summer weddings, barbeques and graduation ceremonies are all perfect excuses to slip into your favourite tweed jacket.

Rather than the traditional, earthy tones that remain a common staple of tweed clothing, opt for a brighter approach. Try light greys and pale blues to pair with a classic white cotton shirt or some bold checks to wear as a statement garment.

Tweed in the winter

When you want to combat the cold without sacrificing your style, tweed is ideal for layering.

For milder weather, a matching tweed waistcoat may be enough to keep you warm when wearing a jacket. When the temperature starts to drop, tweed’s rustic roots make jackets a great accompaniment to a warm knitted jumper. For smarter events, you can keep out the cold in style with an overcoat, helping to maintain your well-structured winter look.

Dress for the occasion

Tweed may have originated from a one specific, distinct look, but today you’ll find it much easier to experiment with your wardrobe to create styles suitable for any occasion.

Traditional tweed style

Although tweed can now be worn to almost any event, the traditional tweed look is still a fashion favourite. From striding through the countryside on a shoot to making an appearance at a formal city event, the traditional muted greens and browns of traditional tweed are a sure sign of a modern gent.

Always choose a full three-piece suit if you’re going for the traditional look, paired with a check shirt. If you like to accessorise, you have plenty of options with this style.

Tweed in the workplace

Tweed’s association with the upper classes has cemented its connotation with smart, refined style. The sleeker and more comfortable blends of modern tweed have made the fabric suitable for wearing in a workplace environment. The appeal of tweed over a standard business suit is that it leans towards formality while also creating a more relaxed look filled with character.

When you’re adopting tweed for office wear, opt for more contemporary colours like greys and blues rather than greens and browns. Make sure your clothing is fitted but not tight, and perfect your look with a smart pair of brown or black brogues.

Smart-Casual tweed

The beauty of a tweed suit is that a jacket, waistcoat and a pair of trousers can be worn in a multifaceted range of smart-casual ways. Not only will you be prepared for whatever event is thrown your way, but you’ll only need a single suit to mix and match with other items in your wardrobe.

If you’re heading out for after-work drinks, try dressing down your look by keeping your waistcoat without your tie and jacket. Or lose the waistcoat altogether and supplement it with a smart cardigan and a striped shirt.

Casual Tweed

Keeping an air of sophistication for casual events has been made easy thanks to the tweed jacket. A simple pair of dark jeans and a casual shirt look great with a blazer, creating a look that is more relaxed yet still refined.

Avoid t-shirts at all costs when wearing tweed, even for casual events. Ensure your blazer is fitted to your proportions. Finish off your outfit with a pair of chukka boots, loafers or a pair of boat shoes in summer.

Finishing touches

Whether you’re dressing up or down with your tweed, remember that you can make any outfit your own with accessories like ties, shoes, pocket squares and more. Explore our full range of tweed suits and tweed blazers or head over to our Style Inspiration page for more fashion tips and advice