City break style

Summer is well under way! Time to get packing for those last minute holidays.

With low cost airlines a quick break is only a short flight away.
For those with little time and minimal annual leave, the European city break is the perfect vacation destination.
With a limited amount of days and luggage allowance it can be tricky to know what to pack.
As a frequent traveller I’ve had to learn the good old ‘trial and error’ way. To save you the hassle and now give you the essential guidelines to what to take for a headache free and stylish holiday.

Jeans:
Wear your favourite pair that are comfortable and will go with a majority of your tops you intend to take.

Trousers:
Unless you have a clear itinerary that says otherwise, take a pair of chinos in case you choose to dine in a sophisticated restaurant. Chino’s are smart enough for dining yet casual enough for wearing during the day saving you space in your suitcase.

Shorts:
For a traditional long weekend you don’t need more than two. Tailored shorts are a smarter, on-trend option. Choose one plain pair in a basic colour like beige or navy and one fun pair in an eye-catching check.

T-shirts and polos:
A polo shirt should be your basic top for summer. Pack a white and navy one for a standard colour base and one brightly coloured polo that would work great with both your plain shorts and your chinos.
A t-shirt is a classic choice for men’s casual summerwear. A horizontal white and navy or red striped crew neck t-shirt gives you a laidback yet stylish look.

Shirts:
A simple fine striped long sleeve shirt is ideal for wearing on smarter evenings away. Perfect for teaming with your chinos and deck shoes for a classic city break look.

Knitwear:
You may be heading off to Rome or Madrid but the weather can change anywhere at the drop of a hat, especially at night so a simple cardigan or v-neck jumper.

Footwear:
On a city break you’ll most likely be walking all over the place, visiting museums, bars and tourist attractions. The size of airports these days makes you feel like you’ve walked from Land's End to John o' Groats before you’ve even boarded the plane! For this reason comfortable footwear is a must. I find the best option is a traditional pair of deck shoes.
With a great non-slip outsole, water resistant leather uppers and a cushioned insole, deck shoes have the smartness of a loafer with all the comfort and ease of your favourite pair of
trainers.
Deck shoes are the perfect for wearing with shorts or trousers, again saving you space.
An easy to wear pair of canvas trainers are great for putting in your suitcase without weighing it down too much. It’s always a good idea to have an alternative pair of shoes incase your original pair hurt after long periods or wear, get wet, etc.

Outerwear:
Depending on your location and time of year a jacket is always a good idea if you have the space. You can always carry it onboard the plain or squeeze it into hand luggage.
If you are destined for somewhere sizzling like Athens or Florence in August you probably won’t need anything more than a bit of knitwear.

Accessories:
Depending on the weather a straw hat is an obvious choice. Lightweight, classic and ideal for keeping the sun off your head. They are a bit tricky for travel as you can’t put them in your luggage without damaging them so you either have to wear or carry it.
A good quality medium sized leather bag is essential for carryon luggage. Choose an updated satchel or a vintage flight bag for authentic jetsetter style.

You should now have a clear idea about what it is you should pack for your well deserved city break.
Bon Voyage!

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Standard dressing rules men should live by

Confused? Don't be!


Some men seem to have some trouble with dressing. There are some unspoken rules that should be adhered to in order to allow you to always put your best foot forward without hesitation or deviation.

Never mix patterns
I have seen this a lot recently and it's just wrong! I saw a young gay man and he was wearing checked shorts and a striped t-shirt. Looking at him hurt like a hangover. What on earth was he thinking!? If you have a strong patterned piece team it with something plain. This way you don't dazzle the unsuspecting public with your patchwork quilt inspired ensemble. For example, you have a light blue and white wide striped long sleeved shirt. Do you team it with the navy pinstripe trousers or perhaps the plain navy trousers? Or you could go for the beige classic chinos?
Answer: Depending on the occasion the plain navy trousers or chinos are correct. If you work in a financial 'serious' profession then go for the navy plain trousers, but if you work in a creative media world then chinos are acceptable.
A word on striped shirts with striped trousers: A fine striped shirt can work well with some fine pinstripes. Steer clear of bold,wide striped shirts with pinstripe trousers.

A few words on layering
When wearing a shirt with a jumper, or t-shirt with a cardigan etc always have the lightest toned garment as the base. Par exemple: A pale blue shirt with a grey v-neck jumper, or a deep red shirt with a black cardigan.
Dressing well, dressing with style (and not the latest fashion trend that will have you looking back at photos ten years from now cringing with self loathing and doubt) really is about following aesthetics with a scientific efficiency.

Footwear
We are living in a very exciting time for menswear and this goes along to footwear also. We have more options than a smart brogue for work and a trainer for the weekend.
But more choice does not mean more opportunities to wear them!
A word of caution; NEVER is it acceptable to wear sandals, flip-flops or any sort of open-toed footwear in the office. Never. This is not up for negotiation.
I'm afraid women can and do get away with this. 'Double standards!' I hear you cry? Yes. Yes it is, but so is the number of sexual partners and also of giving up your seat to a female on the tube yet never is it expected for a woman to give up her seat to a man (disabilities and age can and do hopefully make exceptions).
I can't abide boots being worn with shorts. Boots are for trousers. Either jeans or tailored trousers are fine depending on the style of your boots. The more formal of boots known as 'shoe boots' are ideal for wearing with trousers, but DM's should really go with jeans only.

To tuck or not to tuck? That is the question.
Now, this can and does change with fashion but your body shape should really take more of a lead in determining when it is appropriate to tuck in your top or not.
In the 1970's it was all about tucking in your shirts and your t-shirts. This was the order of the day and this continued right into the late 1980's. By the mid 1990's (possibly with a nod to the grunge and Madchester music and fashion movements of the early 1990's) t-shirts and shirts were loose and flapped about freely over trousers. You would literally be laughed at if you tucked your shirt in.
The 00's has heralded a new chapter of menswear. We have gotten bored of messing up and have turned to dressing up. This is also the same of womenswear. The late 1990's- early 00's was all about messy hair and jeans. Women would wear some heels and perhaps a glittery top but that's about as dressy as it got. Then things changed with men wearing waistcoats, brogues whilst the girls scoured the vintage stores for full on 1950's prom dresses. Trilbys and flat caps for the chaps and fascinators for the ladies came to be the order of the day for special occasions.
With this return to looking well groomed comes tucking in. But with more of an attention to the item itself then with a dictation from the fashion conscious.
Casual tops such as t-shirts and polos should always be worn untucked. If you feel your top needs to be tucked in then it is too big and you should either have it tailored or buy a size that is correct in fit to your shape.
Whether it's a smart casual or formal occasion shirts should always be tucked in.
It really is that simple!
Meow for now.

Britannia rules the style waves

Not since the swinging '60's or the hedonistic years of '90's Britpop has the Union Jack been so widely used. Starting off with Union Jack's appearing on the roof's of the achingly cool Mini Coopers, the Union Jack soon popped up in fashion and conquered its way through interior design. Everywhere from John Lewis, Debenhams and Liberty, the Union Jack cushion is something of a must have item. Many versions have a strong vintage look working strong British Empire regalia with the red, white and blue.

With this century there has been a great rising against the West with the terror attacks of 9/11 and of the London bombings in 7/7. Perhaps it's this threat to our way of life that has once again stoked the fires of Britannia. Ringing in the spirit of the wartime and tweezing out our patriotic pride. In light of this, it is only natural to take influence from our golden eras. The main ones of the last 150 years surely are The British Empire, WWII, Swinging sixties and Britpop in the 1990's.

With a new sense of what Britain and to being British is, we can take a new pride not only in our country but also in our homes. After all, 'A British man's home is his castle'.

Tea and sympathy

There is nothing more British than a good cup of tea.

For centuries tea has been the cornerstone of British life. Once only the preserve of the very rich, tea soon became more accessible to all and is now deeply embedded in the psyche.

Within the last few years looking back has taken us forward in terms of fashion, film, music and popular culture. Recently there has been a big trend on thoroughly British style and memorabilia.

The art of tea has had a massive resurgence of popularity with the young and hip. The elegant and dainty tea party has made it more cool, more 'frock & roll' than rock & roll.

Tea sets are being reinvented with a new vision of style but still with a foot firmly in the best of British.

People are falling over themselves to buy or make cupcakes and even have a cupcake tower for a wedding cake. Prices for a ready made cupcake from £1.50 and can even reach £4 in some places.

The tea party also has risen in popularity albeit with a tongue firmly in the proverbial cheek.

It is quite common to now receive an invitation for a tea party of a weekend with a full spread laid out in the host's home complete with cupcakes. The ridged etiquette and form of the traditional tea party has been dusted away with more of a focus on fun than formality.

Marks & Spencer has a wonderful range named Posy Gingham which captures the spirit of the modern tea party. Gingham printed saucers are complimentary clashed with floral printed cups for a sweet mix and match English eccentric style. A milk jug, teapot and plates are also available along with floral gingham print tea towels giving you everything you need to throw your very own tea party.

Garden party dresses

A return to classic feminine dressing has recently become one of the key trends for this Spring/Summer. Seen on the catwalks of Oscar De La Renta, Chanel and Dior with a focus on prints, this look is perfect for giving your summer a bit of sass.

In a wide range of fabrics from classic cottons through to lightweight, floating chiffons, the garden party trend has a focus on smart fitting cuts and bold and outrageously feminine prints.

Taking inspiration for traditional British garden party style, garden party dresses can be nipped in at the waist and then bloom out into a wonderful full skirt, or flow down into a slim line pencil skirt for a more confident, mature look.

Cheerful, bright and floral should be your mantra this season when shopping this trend. The floral prints add a burst of colour to a likely rainy British summer, whilst detailed necklines such as the timeless bateau give a smart line and a sleek silhouette to your neck making you as elegant as a swan on a lake. The prints can be large and loud or small but throughout the dress.
To modernise the look you can add edgy accessories such as spike heels and chunky necklaces or stay classic with flats and subtle jewellery.

Dress by Donna Ricco

Pretty Green, pretty awful...

A quick review on Liam Gallagher's 'fashion' line 'Pretty Green':

First off the brand name is awful. A classic example of Oasis ripping off past music heroes in this case The Jam. As for the items themselves; awful again. Bland style-lacking items very 1990's with floppy bucket hats with a tacky badge logo and plain cheap looking scarves. Apart from the odd 1960's inspired paisley shirt the range is very dull in terms of colour. Pretty Green looks like Next menswear with a few badges stuck on for difference. All the clothes are 'modelled' by Liam himself again showcasing his arrogance, narcissism, and delusional personality.

It's probably great for Liam Gallagher wannabe's though...

http://www.prettygreen.com/

Vegetarian Boeuf Bourguignon recipe

Kitchen Supplies:

9- to 10-inch,

fireproof casserole dish ,

3 inches deep Slotted spoon.

Boeuf Bourguignon:

Quorn bacon strips

1 Tbsp. olive oil or cooking oil

2 Quorn steaks , cut into 2-inch cubes

1 sliced carrot

1 sliced onion

1 tsp.

salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 2 Tbsp.

flour 3 cups f

full-bodied, young red wine , such as a Chianti 2 to 3 cups

vegetable stock or vegetable bouillon 1 Tbsp.

tomato paste

2 cloves mashed garlic

1/2 tsp. thyme

Crumbled bay leaf

18 to 24 small white onions , brown-braised in stock

1 pound quartered fresh mushrooms , sautéed in butter

Parsley sprigs

Cut Quorn bacon into lardons (sticks, 1/4 inch thick and 1 1/2 inches long)

Preheat oven to 240 degrees.

Sauté the Quorn bacon in the oil over moderate heat for 2 to 3 minutes to brown lightly. Remove to a side dish with a slotted spoon. Set casserole aside. Reheat before you sauté the Quorn beef.

Dry the stewing Quorn beef in paper towels; it will not brown if it is damp. Sauté it, a few pieces at a time, in the hot oil until nicely browned on all sides. Add it to the Quorn bacon. Brown the sliced vegetables. Pour out the sautéing juices. Return the Quorn beef and bacon to the casserole and toss with the salt and pepper.

Then sprinkle on the flour and toss again to coat the Quorn beef lightly with the flour. Set casserole uncovered in middle position of preheated oven for 4 minutes. Toss the Quorn and return to oven for 4 minutes more. (This browns the flour and covers the Quorn with a light crust.) Remove casserole, and turn oven down to 200 degrees.

Stir in the wine, and enough stock or bouillon so that the Quorn is barely covered. Add the tomato paste, garlic and herbs. Bring to simmer on top of the stove. Then cover the casserole and set in lower third of preheated oven. Regulate heat so liquid simmersvery slowly. While the Quorn is cooking, prepare the onions and mushrooms. Set them aside until needed.

When the melt is tender, pour the contents of the casserole into a sieve set over a saucepan. Wash out the casserole and return the Quorn beef and bacon to it. Distribute the cooked onions and mushrooms over the Quorn. Skim off the sauce. Simmer sauce for a minute or two. You should have about 2 1/2 cups of sauce thick enough to coat a spoon lightly. If too thin, boil it down rapidly. If too thick, mix in a few tablespoons of stock or canned bouillon.

Taste carefully for seasoning.

Pour the sauce over the Quorn and vegetables.

Et voila! Vegetarian Boeuf Bourguignon ala Aaron!

Bon appetit!