Style Blog

What does the word ‘chandelier’ conjure up in your mind? For most of us, it’s an image of a huge, cut-crystal light feature that is found in period homes and manors across the world. But chandeliers have moved on – they don’t need to be old fashioned, and they look as stunning in a modern city pad as they do in a huge country manor. Don’t believe me? Read on to find out how 21^st century chandeliers can add a touch of contemporary style to any home.

Geometric styling

Modern chandeliers are works of art as much as they are light fittings. Gone are the Swarovski crystals – what’s hot is hand-blown glass shades and geometric designs. They’re still beautiful, statement pieces, but they are tailored to fit modern homes. When you’re choosing a 21^st century chandelier, you need something that sits well in contemporary surroundings – a chandelier which complements your exposed brick walls, dark wood flooring and minimalist white furniture.

So, no crystals?

Nobody’s saying you can’t have a crystal chandelier in a modern home – if that’s the look you want to go for then it can often look stunning! But modern chandeliers are all about different shapes. Ball shaped chandeliers studded with crystals are half disco ball, half light fitting – they spin and catch the light beautifully and are sure to become a topic of conversation. Chrome framed chandeliers with delicate crystal beading are perfect for bedrooms, adding a touch of light and glamour to any space without being overly-imposing.

In the past, dedicated shops selling clothing to runners were few and far between. Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of outlets catering specifically for running and triathlons. Many stores pride themselves on employing staff, who are runners themselves.

Running in the UK

One would think the UK with its perpetual rain is far from the ideal place to go jogging. In fact the all year round mild temperatures are ideal for running as it is rarely too hot or too cold. Since the credit crunch running has gained new popularity, as it is a cheap and effective way of staying fit.

Given the awkward techniques which MS Dhoni has, one would have thought he would not have many chances of surviving the rigors of international cricket, however, he is seen dazzling continuously in the IPL 2013. There is a lot in common with Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings. In the IPL 2013 one of the most successful sides is CSK and it is Dhoni’s personality that has given shape to the team. The men in yellow feel empowered with the fearless approach Dhoni has. Across the six seasons of the IPL, a tale of dominance and success has been scripted by this approach. Whether it is the spirit of the team whenever the chips are down or the approach towards the game, the entire team follows their leader.

The story of Dhoni is like just the ultimate fairytale from India. He has been responsible for personifying the dreams as well as the spirited verve of the young Indian cricket players, especially the ones that hail from the smaller cities of India. This young boy came from Ranchi once upon a time and went on to become the most successful captain of the Indian cricket team. He beat the odds with his big dreams and on the world stage, reached dizzying heights. He made people believe that there is nothing can be termed as impossible to achieve.

Dhoni not only graduated to the highest level but also continued to maintain his character’s true test as well as dominance. He has been successful in overcoming all hurdles due to his tenacity to keep adapting to situations, besides his typical resilience. It does not matter how sticky the situation is, he tempers the game, depending upon the situation. In the cricket tournament, one of the most balanced teams is the team from Chennai. Whenever the odds are stacked against the team, the team has been successful in producing the best of cricket.

During the year 2010, the CSK team needed to qualify for the semi finals by winning the last league game. The game seemed to going down to the wire when Captain Cool – Dhoni, took matters into his own hands. Later on what happened became history. Early on in the year 2011, the defending the title was quite shaky, however the team fought back so well that it clinched yet another IPL in 2011.

In the IPL 2012 they had a run that was most astonishing. As far as the count was concerned, the team was almost down and out, however at the play-offs, they found a backdoor entry. The team got a lease of life and was successful in crossing the next two hurdles and made it to the finals of the third IPL successively. MS Dhoni is considered as the favorite child of destiny, but since he has been playing so bravely, he has brought fortune to himself and the team.

The new season is finally here and a chance to change our wardrobe for the warmer weather. Spring is a great time to start a new look, plus there are plenty of designers out there offer great collections from which you could choose from. Whatever your taste in fashion may be, there is sure to be a brand out there that is ideal for you.

Prey of London is a label that creates a unique collection of clothing for women. The designer is one that produces laid back grunge-esque pieces, ideal for those who don’t want to jump into too much colour this spring. Their latest collection sees a superb range of womenswear that you will love adding to your wardrobe. Here we have picked a few of our fave pieces and styled them up with some other items for outfit inspiration for the new season. 

This Prey of London stripe maxi dress is the ideal spring piece for grunge lovers. Cover up with this Miss Selfridge leather jacket, some New Look ankle boots and a long necklace from House of Fraser for a truly laid back look.

Summer happens to be a popular time to flaunt those precious fashion accessories and why not. Even though summer is after all the hottest season of the year, don’t make the common mistake like most do. People think that owing to the heat they can give accessories a miss. However, that’s definitely not the way to go for all it requires for you is to be a bit intelligent when choosing the summer accessories and you could easily be the fashion diva that always ruled.

5 Must have accessories for you this summer

Check out the following stylish yet smart fashion accessories that you just can’t afford to give a miss this summer.

1. Light and bright scarves: All it requires for you is to add a dash of color and a bit of spunk to your entire appearance is a light weight and brightly colored scarf. All you need to do is ensure that it’s light enough so as not to make things intolerable for you under the oppressive summer heat.

2. Cool bracelet watches: It’s not just in the name, but also in the appearance if you want to set in the essential bling factor into your appearance this summer. The presence of a bracelet watch on your wrist can work wonders and jazz up your outfit beyond your imagination. They’re absolutely trendy and fantastic in every sense of the word. Moreover, it serves both purposes since it’s like a stylish bracelet plus serves the purpose of a sophisticated watch.

This is Day 1 of my trip to Almería in the Andalucía region of Spain, or more specifically, Puerto Deportivo Almerimar where I'm staying on a yacht.  Almerimar is a marina and golf resort area that you can learn more about in my article on the Travel With Mates website

It all sounds glamorous, but the yacht was built in the 70's and is in dire need of refurbishment, so the living conditions are decidedly basic.  Nevertheless, the weather is generally dry with incredible levels of sunshine and beautiful light, so life on board is very agreeable.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be reporting on the lifestyle, food, culture, and fashion out here. Times are economically dire in recession hit Spain, though it is not particularly evident in this area, since the local fruit and vegetable market is thriving. With that in mind, I’ll be taking a close look at the food and drink, comparing prices and quality with the UK market.

Just before signing out for today, I ought to mention that the weather is not always idyllic here. There is furious heat in the summer, high winds, flash floods, and storms - an example being yesterday’s flight when a flash of lightning and a bumpy approach to landing raised my heartbeat to an alarming level, and generated some panicked looks amongst passengers. This made all the worse in my mind by my recent viewing of the air-crash movie, Flight

Hasta Mañana