CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Words by Cameron McLauchlan

If you’re like me and a happy self elected singleton this Valentines, no sarcasm at all here….. I think we owe it to ourselves to have a wee splurge. I hope some of the products below will give you some indulgent Inspo this Friday!

Equally if you’re strapped for ideas for your significant other this valentines— be sure to check out our gift guide a post or two ago !

1. UNIQLO Single Breasted Coat

I challenge anyone to find a better quality coat for under £100.00 than this one. Speaking from hands on experience from my own UNIQLO raincoat, these are the business when it comes to keeping you both warm and dry. Whilst they don’t claim to be 100% waterproof, mine is still to let me down well over a year into its life.

The jacket features a polyester exterior allowing for ease of water run off. The interior features additional padding as well as a detachable filled gilet. To shop the jacket which also comes in Navy and black hit the image below:

2.   Champion Reverse Weave Joggers

As these are end of sale, sizes have been swooped quickly and only a Large & Extra Large remain in stock. Other sizes in different colours such as the grey are available via the link below.

If you’re not familiar with Champion, particularly their Reverse Weave line, it can’t be stressed enough how decent the quality is on each item. The thickness of each sweatshirt/pant is matched by it ability to wash again and again and again without compromising its shape or condition.

I un-shamefully have a Champion Reverse Weave tracksuit consisting of these joggers in grey with the sweatshirt to match. Whilst I am still yet to step out in both of them at the same time, they can both be worn separately to form a smart/street fit. I hope you you can picture the UNIQLO jacket with these joggers the way I can!

To shop the joggers hit the image below, where you also be able to view other Champion Reverse Weave sale items.

3.  Adidas ZX 4000 4d

Going all out here folks with this weeks last item to round off the fit. We haven’t had a pricey item in the series for a couple of post’s now!

The technology that goes into these trainers cannot be understated enough. Without complicating the process too much, in forming the alien like mid-sole, highly concentrated UV light is beamed along with oxygen into a resin which sparks a chemical reaction causing the substance to solidify.

This solid mass can then be moulded into a the desired “4D’ sole.  The rest of the shoe is runner/sneaker business as usual, featuring a prime-knit upper with some leather detailing around the mud guards and heel.

If you’d like to learn a bite-size intro into how this process works, i’ll leave a link below as we’ll all undoubtedly continue to consume products which occupy parts from this 3D printing world :

https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/what-is-adidas-4d/

To shop the trainers :

Yes, can you believe it, Valentine’s Day is upon us!!!!! Surely not I hear you cry? But Christmas was only last week, or so it certainly feels and yes my poor bank balance is still in recovery after the GBH it received over the festive session and the next payday is at least two flipping weeks away. OMG, Valentine’s day is this Friday and I’m sure you are in the same boat as myself, having a loved one, that I really want to buy them a thoughtful, interesting gift, that will, not only, blow their mind but ensure I’m in their good books for the next couple of months. Well CMTM to the rescue !!!

Who better than to share a love seat with than your Loved one, yes a two person love chair from Made.com .

It’s not just about loving each other, which is super important in its own rights, but about loving the planet we live and love on. Doing our bit, no matter how little is so vital nowadays and just this great vacuum insulated TKWide bottle from Klean Kanteen. Making it the perfect water bottle, coffee mug or sports bottle.

What could be more romantic than wiling away those long Summer days together in a Double Hammock, by the Hammock Store, a great example of a niche etailer.

One of my favourite products from one of my Favourite brands which was first introduced to me by the wonderful Mrs Mc. Espa’s Pink Hair and Scalp Mud, refreshes and invigorates not only your hair but your scalp.
Now of course flowers have their place and particularly at this time of year, but sometimes thinking out of the box can be worth its weight in gold. This is one of these very occasions, with this CANOPY, Closed Garden by LSA  and it’ll sure as hell last longer than a bunch of chrysanthemums.

This is not only a great example of a unique kinda gift for Valentines Day but just shows you don’t have to fork out for a thoughtful gift idea. The Personalised Better Together Split Heart Wooden Keyrings from pitanameonitgifts.co.uk sums up your romantic intentions in a simple gift.

On yer bike ! Well in this case quite literally, a sterling example of being both romantic and environmental with this limited edition Brompton bike in a rather romantic shade.

Now fancy pushing the boat out this Valentine’s Day, well Samsung might just have the answer Inc this great Galaxy Smart Watch.

Display your love this year and put your heart into it. Or on it. Add a little love to your life in this adidas t-shirt with a tongue-label graphic. It’s like a Valentine’s day gift to yourself available from JD Sports through Lyst.com.

Ahhhh not only is Lydia’s Bees beautiful jewellery but it has an equally beautiful back story to it, Lydia has a passion for wildlife and is particularly fond of honey bees, admiring their unique beauty and their boundless team spirit. Her parents wanted something special for her birthday, so Christopher set to work on the original Lydia’s bee, the rest as they say is history.

Can you possibly think of a better Valentine’s Day gift then whisking your loved one off to the City of Lurve, errrrr that’s Paris, not Blackpool, and who better to assist you with this jaunt than Expedia.com

What would Valentine’s Day be without the sweetness of a chocolate or ten, or even twelve in this case and thank you Black Forrest Chocolates for creating this simply delicious Kisses and Hearts set for lovers.

With LURVE well and truly in the air this week at Clothes-Make-the-Man this week we caught up with relationship expert, psychologist and therapist, Dr. Kalanit Ben-Ari, who has recently launched her 30 day online course ‘Ready for Love’ specifically for couples. The course condenses Dr. Kalanit’s 16 years of experience into one, easy to follow programme featuring her tips, secrets and practical advice.

With over 15 years’ experience, Dr. Kalanit has built a solid reputation for providing a first-class service at her private clinic in Hampstead, London. As a wife and mother of two, her passion and dedication to help couples prosper in their relationship and for families to work together as a strong unit is second to none. Dr. Kalanit has also published two books, ‘Small Steps to Great Parenting – The Essential Guide for Busy Families’, which provides cutting edge information on parenting and reached Amazon Best seller, and ‘The Lost Book’, which is written for those aged four to eight and demonstrates to children and parents alike how frustration can be turned into a creative and positive experience.

For couples who simply want to spice up their relationship, learn new things about themselves, their partner or their partnership. For couples searching for tools and direction to transform challenges into meaningful and happy relationships – Ready For Love is specifically designed to help couples get the relationship they desire.

Dr. Kalanit’s proven programme can help shift old habits, unlock the relationship’s true potential, and help couples to fall in love all over again. Designed with today’s busy lifestyle in mind, all of the content is concise but fun. Today, she has shared her top five tips for couples to make the most of Valentine’s Day and help strengthen their relationship long-term.

1) Think outside the box: plan a ‘novelty’ experience. In a long term relationship, you’ve probably exhausted the dinner and a movie date option. Think about a time when you were more adventurous and look for high energy, fun activities that create an exciting shift in energy. This is ideal if you’re active people, but even if you’re not – the bonding hormones can kick in with a joint activity. For the adventurous ones, research shows that when we feel fear and excitement we often fancy the person we do it with!

2) Think from your partner’s point of view: we often give to others what we would like to receive ourselves, but the key to a meaningful gift is to plan something you know your partner will really appreciate. And if you’re not sure, it’s ok to ask the other person before assuming (in a subtle way of course). Opening up these kinds of conversations can bring you much closer together. You might be more sociable than your partner who prefers something more intimate. You may want to go away as a couple for the weekend, but your partner would prefer a physical gift to open.

3) Commit to growth and development: if things aren’t going smoothly in your relationship, use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity for growth and development, rather than a symbolic one-off event. There are some great relationship workshops out there that can be a game-changers for couples who aren’t sure where to start. For instance, the Imago educational weekend for couples, or my ‘Ready For Love’ online courses for couples at all different stages. There are also a number of books with exercises you can do by yourself, such as ‘Getting The Love You Want’ by Harville Hendrix and Hellen Lukkely-Hunt, or ‘Hot Monogamy’ by Pat Love. Committing yourself to a process that will rejuvenate your relationship – you might just fall in love with your partner all over again.

4) Look for a gift with meaning: think about your relationship and ask yourself if there are any pieces missing. Use what you come up with to guide you in the direction of a gift with meaning. For instance, if you feel that you take each other for granted, make a list of all the things you love and appreciate about your partner, and be passionate about it. Include all aspects of your life: career, finance, physicality, intimacy, parenthood, social life and so on. On the morning of Valentine’s Day, share the list with them, and you can both start the day feeling positive and full of love and appreciation.

5)  Fun, fun, fun! In my experience as a couples therapist, I can tell you one thing for sure; in long-term relationship, couples rarely have the right balance between shared responsibilities and fun/romance. Having fun not only serves you by creating a ground on which to flourish and overcome challenging times, but it is the essence of who we are. The joyfulness of relationships can be dulled by daily stress and responsibilities, we think we don’t have time for fun. It’s not about finding the time however, it’s about being mindful and prioritising, and you can find opportunities for this throughout every day. Something as small as welcoming your partner home at the end of the day with a level of over-excitement, as if you hadn’t seen them for a week, can help bring back the feeling of excitement and lust you felt at the start of the relationship.

Over the last decade we’re seen LOTS of trends dominate the Beauty, but the grooming world as well, with many of these, maybe not surprisingly coming from Japan and some specifically, Korea. However, as the decade changes, get ready for the twenties and A-Beauty. Yes, Africa is where the latest upscale, ethical innovations in beauty and grooming are coming from. Think of incredibly recherché brands such as African Botanics (as sold on Net-a-Porter), which harvest the continent’s natural riches and also ethical stars like the social enterprise initiative Organic Savanna.

Now leading this hot trend is R&R Luxury, a beautifully clean and ethical skincare collection created by Ghanaian entrepreneur Valerie Obaze. The sustainable collection is powered by 100% natural Shea Butter Oil, an indigenous African wonder ingredient that has been employed in natural remedies for centuries. This magical ingredient used by R&R Luxury products is proudly farmed in Ghana by a dedicated women’s co-operative which alleviates rural poverty and creates long-term employment opportunities for rural women and young people.

R&R Luxury products are packed with indulgent, ultra-hydrating ingredients that are incredibly gentle on the skin, drenching it in all of nature’s riches. The brand is also vegan and clean, containing no chemical nasties such as SLS, and all formulas are packaged in recyclable plastic so the impact on the planet is minimal as well.

Some of our favourite products within the range are the Men’s Liquid Black Soap. Made with shea butter and delicately scented with lemongrass, this enriching soap is 100% natural and sourced from Ghana – the home of shea.

Use it at night to cleanse and protect or in the morning to refresh and all it’s range is Vegan friendly. Or it’s Men’s Shea Oil – Lemongrass

Delicately scented with lemongrass, this smooth shea oil is 100% natural and sourced from Ghana – the home of Shea. Its natural healing properties make it the perfect solution for stressed skin and dry hair.

Apply at night to invigorate and protect, or in the morning to energise and revive.

Plus, the Men’s  Shea Oil – Marrakech Nights. This delicately scented with an eastern-inspiredfragrance oil, this shea oil is 100% natural and sourced from Ghana – the home of Shea. Its natural healing proper- ties make it the perfect solution for stressed skin and dry hair. Apply at night to promote a peaceful sleep, or in the morning to awaken the senses.

Words by Peter Minkoff

Being young and throwing parties all the time might seem like the perfect way to pass your time and feel alive. After all, this is how you can meet other people, do something exciting with your life, and realize all your true potentials. However, if you’re an introvert person, you might be able to do all these things. Introverts have a problem interacting with people around them, and they usually need some time to adapt to their surroundings, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be social and friendly. So, if you’re an introvert man yourself, you might easily prefer hosting a party yourself and spend time at your own home instead of going to a bar. If you need some help doing that, here are five tips that might make your parties even more successful.

Choose the right outfit

This is probably the most important thing for all party goers, no matter how introvert they are. It’s the same for men and women, and it’s definitely true that picking the right party outfit might help you more than you can realize. This is especially the case if you’re dealing with some sort of a problem, like all introvert men are, so finding the appropriate clothes might be the perfect first step when getting ready to party.

But, even this essential step might not be as easy as you’d thought it would. Finding the right pants, the right shirt, the right shoes, and the right accessories could take quite a lot of time, especially if you’re trying to make a great first impression. That’s why you should stick to pieces that are simple yet elegant, such as an amazing velvet jacket or a cool new watch, and minimize your stress completely.

Find the right drink

Once you’ve picked your outfit, it’s time to get the party started, and there’s no better way to do so than to find the drink that will make you relaxed and help you feel cool. There are lots of ideas you can try out, depending on your taste and preferences, and the chances are your favorite drink will always do the trick. This particular process of calming you down might take a while, but it’s sometimes the only thing that might help an introvert feel great at a party.

When it comes to choosing the correct drink that will suit you and do you good, this process is even trickier. It has a lot to do with how you’re feeling at the moment and how eager you are to join the party, but also with what you love drinking generally. Some introvert men opt for simple things like beer and wine, while others pick stronger stuff, such as whiskey, vodka, or a popular cocktail. Just stick to the things that make you good, and you won’t make a mistake.

Get some help

Throwing a party on your own might not sound like the hardest thing in the world, but if you’re trying to do everything right, it definitely isn’t as easy as you may think. There’s a lot of planning and a bunch of details you have to take into consideration, and this requires a ton of time, patience, and energy.

Due to that, you might consider getting some help – leaving a few things to the professionals could help you quite a lot and turn your party from average to extraordinary. From decorators to musicians, these people will help you prepare and plan your party in a cool and exciting way, and that’s something we all need. You should also consult an expert in mixology who could help you explore various cocktails because this is something all your guests are going to love!

Invite the right people

If you’re an introvert, you might not be the most outgoing person in the world, which is why hanging out with a selected group of friends is probably the only way you could party. When it comes to throwing parties, this means you can’t invite a massive group of people who will make you feel awkward and uncomfortable – on the contrary, you should keep things simple and stick to just a handful of people.

Not only should you invite the people you know and who you hang out with on a regular basis, but these people also need to be aware of the fact that you’re an introvert. In case they don’t know that, they might not understand the concept of your party and why it’s so low-key.

Make sure you’re happy

In the end, this is the only thing that matters – being happy is something we all need, whether we’re men or women, introvert or not. If you too want to throw a party that’s going to make you feel good and give you a chance to hang out with the people who you love, being an introvert shouldn’t stop you.

Of course, this isn’t the only way to feel happy – other amazing ways include getting enough sleep, traveling the world, being in the open, and finding a piece of mind, among other things – but it’s a great way to do so. So, just invite a couple of friends over, prepare some food, spend as much time with them as you can, and you’re surely going to have an amazing time.

Throwing a party when you’re an introvert doesn’t have to be an impossible mission. On the contrary, just follow these five tips, and you’ll have the time of your life!