WIN: Tickets to see the AlunaGeorge Vevo Go Show with Lucozade Energy

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Frostie

This post brought to you by Lucozade Energy. All opinions are 100% mine.

Lucozade Energy is all about seizing the moment and making it happen. With this in mind they have teamed up with Vevo for the launch of Vevo Go Shows which are powered by Lucozade Energy. These are special one-off music experiences in secret and unexpected locations with some of the most exciting artists working today. The only way to win some of the exclusive tickets is with Lucozade Energy. You can win tickets to see AlunaGeorge at a Vevo Go Show which will take place in London this summer.

All you have to do is go to the Lucozade Energy website or the Facebook page, go to the Yes Project and enter the code from your bottle. The competition runs until the 14th of June but you should like the Lucozade Energy Facebook page for daily chances to win other prizes. The exclusive events will be in a London location that will not disappoint.

You can see AlunaGeorge, who are a dynamic duo who consist of Aluna Francis (vocals) and George Reid (instruments/synths). They incorporate rhyme and Blues and Hip hop with sounds not commonly found in such genres, such as electrosynth with an aura of 80/90s pop. Their songs hinge on the chemistry between Aluna’s cool, commanding, distinctly British vocals and George’s disorientating brew of warped samples, twitching beats and thick, woozy bass.

They have had huge success with ‘White Noise’ and ‘Attracting Flies’ AlunaGeorge are on their way to even bigger things. The VEVO Go Show with Lucozade will showcase a sample of their tracks and some lucky person will get a chance to actually meet them.

There are also more opportunities to win amazing prizes daily along with the chance to hear the best in music exclusives with The YES Project. So what are you waiting for? Get your hands on a promotional pack and enter the code on your bottle along with your email address.

How to Buy the Right Shutters

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Ella Mason

Shutters are extremely popular amongst homeowners and interior designers: indeed, in warmer cities such as Rome, they are frequently used instead of windows rather than as an addition to them! However you plan to used them, choosing the right shutters can be tricky: after all, there’s a fair few different models out there. That’s why we’ve written this piece on helping you pick the right ones when checking out the different window shades:

Choose According To The Design

Because they’re designed to different aesthetics, different shutter models suit different décor. Solid shutters, for instance, are more suited to older style properties that lean towards a Victorian visual. As they keep out more light, they also work well in rooms that have a more minimal décor, such as country cottages. Vice versa, of course, shutters that have a solid lower half but movable slats on the top work very well on French doors, as they give off the perfect impression of a continental aesthetic. Plantation shutters, meanwhile, are ideal if you’re looking to get more creative with the colour schemes.

Are Shutters Right For You?

Essentially, shutters are used as an alternative to blinds – so how do you know they’re right for you? Well, for starters, they’re far more hygienic. Curtains and traditional blinds have been known to absorb dust, where as shutters are simply wipe clean. The adjustable ones are also more measurable in terms of how much light enters the room – more so than many blinds. Finally, they also offer an increase in insulation when compared to blinds, saving a decent amount of money in the long run. Essentially, shutters are the right choice if you want a cleaner, cheaper room.

What’s Your Budget?

Whilst they’re by no means crazily expensive, full shutters aren’t going to be a cheap as simply knocking up a pair of home-made curtains. However, it’s still more than possible to budget for your own design. For instance, café-style shutters are hung-up on just the bottom half of the window, so are ideal for those who want to achieve privacy without spending the cash to kit out the whole set of panels. Of course, those with a slightly higher budget can then move on to full-height shutters and the solid models, both of which offer a great deal of options.

How Much Light Do You Need?

Different shutters will enable a different amount of light through, meaning that they’re suitable for different rooms. If, for instance, you’re looking to set them up in a professional environment such as an office, then you’re going to need the shutters that let through the maximum amount of light during the summer months – otherwise you’ll have quite a dingy workplace. Vice versa, shutters within a restaurant should be able to offer enough natural light to have an atmosphere but without blinding the customers, especially in the evening.

Finally, the matter of spend is worth considering. If you’re making a long-term investment, then it makes more sense to spend a decent amount and get full shutters installed. However, if you’re simply giving them a tryout to see how they look in a new property and you’re unsure if they’ll be kept, then you should hunt around for any bargains.

3D Visuals Explained

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Ella Mason

Since the dawn of time, we as a species have used imagery to project thoughts, feelings and emotions. From cave paintings, mosaics, roman statues to the development of photography and cinema in to the modern day, where we have a new obsession for 3D imagery in every form. We crave to be immersed in a whole new world, quite literally, hence the popularity of Pandora in 20th Century Fox’s record breaking Avatar. 3D is considered to be the next key feature that is and will continue to enhance our visual experience.

Ever wondered how a 3D visual is actually created? Well, sites like www.dhub.com can help to give you a breakdown on the process. 3D visualisations are used over a wide variety of can be a life-like or photo-realistic images and animation, it can also be used to explain an idea or concept. 3D visualisations, or other 3D content can even be used along side other mediums to create a collaborative mixed media projects.

Interactive content and applications are invaluable for helping your visualise designs and products, whilst at the same time engaging users. Interactive content can be anything from a simple interface to link images and text together, or as complex as a 3D product configurator, allowing customers to customise products in real-time.

3D virtual visualisation can not only help you and others to visualise your product, but it will also help you to identify design issues, it can be used for your market research minimising your risks and saving you lots of money before you have your physical product in the market.

What a 3D Visual can do for you:

It can help not only you, but also your prospective investor or customer to visualise your proposal within its early stages. You will be able to identify and solve design problems.
Your designer can explore the design concept with you, by adding or removing features, variations, colours, and textures. Once to generate photo realistic images, you can use these for your market research.
3D visualisation will also allow you to virtually simulate how your product will look on the shelves against competitors.
Once you have your feedback and research complete, you should be thinking about a physical prototype and manufacturing. Don’t stop there; you can use your 3D visuals for Marketing and Promotion purposes. Recycle your virtual model again and again, using it to aide printed material in marketing campaigns, as well as using this within fully animated TV adverts, online videos, presentations.

Products and scenes can be easily created and manipulated within the 3D visualisation arena to create true to life images that are more cost effective than producing the real thing.

The possibilities endless and the CGI era has only just begun…

Idea To iPhone: The Essential Guide To Creating Your First App For iPhone and iPad

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Apps are big business and the media is full of stories of app millionaires. The internet has made becoming rich easier than ever, or has it? How easy is it to make an app? Or more importantly, how easy is it to sell it?

17-year-old Nick D’Aloisio hit the headlines by selling his app, Summly, to Yahoo for an estimated £18m, making him a tech superstar. But what about the rest of us who are not teenage whiz kids? I reviewed new book, Idea to iPhone to find out. Read on….

Idea to iPhone: The Essential Guide To Creating Your First App For iPhone and iPad by Carla White talks you through building an app from idea to iPhone, iPad, iPad mini or iPod Touch. Chapter 1 kicks off with your app adventure. It lists the excuses you may have not to make an app and dismantles them. I immediately liked this book when I was flicking through it for the first time. It is 294 pages of hard to find knowledge that you would not get anywhere else. Well, maybe if you trawled the internet for days, but even then I am not sure.

The graphs and pictures are great. The book is easy to understand anyway, but they add to the information getting into your brain. I learned that making an app is not as hard as you think and nor is it as expensive.

The other great information in this book is on Apple. How to grab their attention and how to work with them. Carla goes through everything you need to know about working with Apple and how iTunes can help or hurt sales. For instance, did you know that Apple take a 30% cut? They also pay you once a month after a four-week delay. There is also a step-by-step guide on becoming an Apple developer. Each chapter ends with a handy table of key points.

Chapter 2 is Shaping Ideas into Apps People Want. An essential chapter as there is no point in making apps that no one wants. This brilliant chapter lets you know how to find your audience. It also tells you how to integrate your app with Facebook and which device will be right for you.

Another thing I liked about the book is the quotes doted throughout. Perfect for inspiration.

Teaching you about finding an audience and building an app is one thing but marketing is also paramount. This book also covers that. You don’t need to hire an expensive PR company (at least not at first) you just need some hard work and imagination. There is also a checklist on building a press kit and information on how people scan iTunes. Essential for marketing your app.

It also has tips on finding a great designer, or designing yourself. And also a lot of information on finding and working with a developer. Tech tips on Xcode are also incredibly useful.

Further tips on making a profit, keeping track of money and getting the press interested make this book essential for anyone who wants to create their own app and become successful.

Idea to IPhone: The Essential Guide to Creating Your First App for the IPhone and IPad

Oliver Heath Eco Product Round Up

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Frostie

When we hear the word ‘eco friendly’ we don’t often picture design or beauty, however as demand grows for energy efficient products the design world has responded by not only bringing some attractive but also clever products to the market.

Sustainable architectural and interior designer Oliver Heath has created a list of his favourite eco products. He is supporting The Green Deal, an energy saving initiative from the Government that lets you pay for some of the cost of making energy-saving property improvements, over time, through savings on your energy bills. Improvements available include insulation, heating, draught-proofing and double-glazing.

If these products have got you thinking more about energy efficiency then free and impartial advice about the Green Deal is available by calling the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/greendeal

Waterpebble £9.99 from

www.nigelsecostore.com

‘People don’t often realise you pay for water three times: to run it, heat it and get rid of it. By using the water pebble you can reduce the amount of water you use. Place the pebble near the plughole and it will monitor how much you use during your shower, flashing red to indicate when you should finish showering.’

Bosch Styline Sensor Kettle www.bhs.co.uk £70.00‘

This stylish Bosch kettle not only looks good but features a stainless steel filter which means lime scale doesn’t collect so you won’t find yourself wasting water by emptying the kettle to get rid of it. The kettle also features different temperature gauges so you don’t need to take your water to boiling point if it isn’t needed.’

Siemens IQ-700 SN26T595GB Dishwasher www.appliancesonline.co.uk £810

‘Dishwashers are often seen as one of the homes biggest energy wasters, as older models don’t hold an A+++ energy rating. This dishwasher is the perfect solution for those people looking to be more energy efficient but don’t want to lose the convenience of a dishwasher as you can save 230kWh and 2,800 litres of water per year when you use its eco setting.’

John Lewis linen and suede draught excluder £29

‘It doesn’t matter what kind of house you live in, there will always be a draught coming from somewhere. People often forget that draft excluders can make a huge difference to the warmth of a house, whilst also adding character to a room. Draught excluders offer a huge range of designs and keep the cold air out and warm air in so you stay warm and cosy and don’t have to turn up the thermostat. If you’re feeling creative then you could even make your own.’

Melin Tregwnt Shetland wool throw www.melintregwynt.co.uk £115

‘When you sit still in the house you feel colder. Rather than turning up the thermostat why not wrap up in a throw that keeps you warm and also looks great during the day draped across the sofa. Melin Tregwynt are made from soft 100% Shetland wool and hand stitched in a variation of colours to suit any home.’

Bisque blok radiator

www.bisque.co.uk

Prices start at £534 (model: BL 60-70)

‘Radiators are a staple in most homes but they’re not often known for looking stylish. Bisque’s sleek aluminium radiators use less energy to heat, come in a range of colours, and are clever enough to respond to changes in room temperature.’

The Stretton wood burning stove from Aga www.agaliving.com £967 or £1,147 for the smoke-exempt model

‘Wood burning stoves are one of the most cost-effective forms of renewable power you can incorporate into your home. They have a zero carbon footprint as any carbon dioxide produced by burning woodfuel is the same carbon dioxide absorbed by the tree when it was growing. AGA’s range of wood burning stoves would fit into any home modern or old, making your home feel warm and cosy.’

LED desk lamp www.clifford-james.co.uk £29.99

‘Containing a row of 42 tiny LED lights, this energy efficient desk lamp operates on just 3 watts of electricity. LEDs produce a much clearer, brighter light than traditional lamps and each LED will last 100,000 hours. Its slim design will fit perfectly onto an office desk or bedside table.’

Wattson Solar Plus energy monitor www.nigelsecostore.com £139.99

‘Place the Wattson Solar Plus in your kitchen or living room and it will measure how much energy your home consumes and produces. The statistics are displayed by colour coded numbers showing your homes energy usage in cost, watts and carbon. Having your energy use on display means that you can review how much energy your home produces and will make you aware of the devices using the most so you can think about what you can change to reduce it.’

The EcoButton www.ecobutton.com £12.99

‘We’ve all said we’re popping out for ten minutes and then returned two hours later, your computer still running. The EcoButton is a great solution to this. Plug into your computer or laptop using the USB connector then press the button before you leave and it will put your computer into sleep mode reducing its usage from 80 watts to 1.8 watts.’

Earthborn Coloured Clay Paints http://www.ecocentric.co.uk/ £29.40

(2.5 litres)‘These eco friendly paints don’t contain any harmful VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) emitted from other paints meaning you can decorate your home in a healthy and eco friendly environment. This low odour clay paint comes in a range of earthborn colours, from pale pinks to subtle blues and greens.’

Dulux Light and Space Reflective Paint www.homebase.co.uk£24.99

‘This paint is perfect for when you have a small room you want to make brighter. It claims to reflect twice as much light as conventional paint so you can make the most of the natural light.’

Bloom pendant light shade http://www.nigelsecostore.com/ £36.95

‘This pendant light shade made of recycled material polypropylene would look great in a hallway or dining room. It’s designed and manufactured in Britain so it has a low carbon footprint and has also created no landfill waste during production.

Howdens Bespoke Energy Efficient Glass Door www.howdens.com Price available upon request

‘I’m a big fan of using glass panel doors in hallways as well as for the front and back door. They let light filter from one space to another brightening dark hallways and reducing the amount of electricity you use. External doors can be double or triple glazed to reduce heat loss whilst all glass doors will need to be toughened for safety. I’d recommend it with a frosted glass panel which creates a glow of light into rooms.’

Trento Spot solar powered garden light www.ecofreak.co.uk£49.95

‘Energy efficiency isn’t just for inside the home, it’s for the garden too. There are some fantastic solar charged lights available including the Trento Spot. Its brightness is similar to that of any other low voltage garden light and doesn’t require any assembly. Placing a few of them in the garden can add atmosphere to any BBQ.’

Neff induction hob www.neff.co.uk Prices available upon request

‘Induction hobs heat only the base of ferrous pans so no heat is wasted, meaning they are extremely energy efficient. It’s something I always suggest to clients when they are making improvements to their kitchen.’

Energy saving lightbulbs http://www.philips.co.uk Prices start at £3.00

‘A simple one but often overlooked, energy saving light bulbs are the first step in becoming more energy efficient. It’s estimated you can save up to £55 a year by swapping all of the bulbs in your house to energy efficient ones.’

Mira eco shower head http://www.mirashowers-store.co.uk/ Prices start at £40.80

‘This shower-head can reduce water flow dramatically with no loss in quality of showering experience due to its water aerating spray technology.’

What is your favourite eco product?

6 Best Celebrity Designers of 2013

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Shaun Chatman

Which designers are the celebrities clamoring after for 2013? Now that most designers have revealed their creations for spring, summer, and fall, it’s clear the cream rises to the top. Here are the designers celebrities are wearing and what’s so special about their 2013 collections.

1. Anna Sui

Anna Sui

Image via Flickr by CHRISTOPHER MACSURAK

Anna’s designs are frequently spotted on A-list celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens, Ashlee Simpson, Fergie, Nicole Richie, and Miley Cyrus. This spring, Sui introduced her self-titled line “Anna’s Garden.” Though the collection is unmistakably Sui, with her favored Art Nouveau prints (all designed in-house), she’s taken this year’s line to a new level of floral prints. She mixes colors and whites superbly, and the looks she creates are never overdone. Sui creates the perfect fit for celebrities wanting to be on the cutting edge of fashion, but not over the top.

2. DSquared2

DSquared2

Image via Flickr by br1dotcom

The team of Dean and Dan Caten currently outfit the likes of style setters Jessica Simpson, Selena Gomez, Alicia Keys, and Halle Berry. For 2013, the design team pays homage to the jazz clubs of Paris in the 1940’s. They combine masculine tailored suits with ultra feminine silk dresses, the epitome of luxury. The ensembles feature basic grays and neutrals as a backdrop for bold, fanciful colors, ideal for the sophisticated Halle Berry’s of Hollywood.

3. Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Image via Flickr by Romana Correale

McQueen’s collection for 2013 took ideas from the most feminine designs all the way to erotica, so it’s no surprise to see an interesting mix of celebrities donning the outfits. Of course, McQueen was the honored designer to clothe Kate Middleton for her wedding seen ’round the world, but his designs are also popular with the likes of Kate Moss, Lady Gaga, and First Lady Michelle Obama. It’s the perfect balance of modesty to add to your collection of variety of sexy costumes.

4. Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Image via Flickr by @Saigon

Enjoyed by starlets Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson, Claudia Schiffer, and Madonna, no list of top designers would be complete without Dolce and Gabbana. This year, the collection pays tribute to the festivals of Sicily, featuring raffia flour sack dresses, hair scarves, dresses and chandelier earrings adorned with street theater puppets, and separates bearing designs of Caltagirone vases and dishes.

5. Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum

Image via Flickr by OiMax

As McQueen, Prorsum ventured into the deep world of sexy this year, yet came out with a good reputation. This collection, enjoyed by Victoria Beckham, Donna Air, Sarah Jessica, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts and others, showcases the joy of erotica. Capes and corsets are the backbone of the collection. Prorsum employs an array of autumn shades with colors hailing from 1930’s era lingerie, such as shell pinks and oyster. These muted colors against bold jewel tones absolutely pop. Satin and cotton sateen fabrics lend a soft touch to the looks.

6. Emporio Armani

Emporio Armani

Image via Flickr by FuFuWolf

Another staple in top designer lists, Armani dresses celebrities like Lea Michele, Penelope Cruz, Anne Hathaway, and Katie Holmes. This year, the Emporio Armani collection borrowed from all the most relevant fashion eras and brought back the very best, such as drop waist dresses and cloche hats from the Roaring 20’s. The line features faded and pastel shades, which lend femininity to the clean lines and soft shapes of the collection. Even the more tailored pieces are crafted with soft fabrics, creating the illusion of being made of fur.

With these superb collections, it won’t be any problem for celebrities to hit the streets looking runway ready.

This post was written by Shaun Chatman, who is a well published author on many authority sites. He lives in Dunedin, FL, and spends his free time playing with his kids or advising friends on everything from tech and gadgets to finance and travel.

How to Create a Clutter-Free Modern Living Room

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Frostie

It is imperative that you keep a tidy, neat living room in your home. The living room is where you’ll entertain guests and where you’ll want to hang out after a hard day at work. Inviting guests over to a cluttered living room is embarrassing, and coming home to one after work will only stress you out instead of calming you down.

If you’re really stumped about why your living room is in a constant state of clutter, you should probably think about re-organising it into the room of beauty and comfort that it’s meant to be.

Restructure your entertainment system

If you have a large television, or a nice audio entertainment system, or both, it probably takes up a lot of space in your living room. It doesn’t have to be this way. There are a number of solutions. You could get a TV cabinet that neatly stores your sound system as well as your TV in one compact area.

Alternatively, if you really want to save space, TV wall brackets are the best way forward. Your TV will no longer take up any ground space whatsoever, and will be neatly and beautifully displayed on your wall.

Display your books in an efficient manner

Instead of having small piles of books and magazines all over the place, you should probably invest in a sleek-looking bookcase to neatly stack all your books and other items there. Put the big classics that you’ve already read at the top, with everything else that you read often on the lower levels for easier access.

What you could also do is invest in a coffee table that has storage cabinets beneath it, where you can store some of your other magazines and books for curling up on the sofa with.

Impose laws

This is essential if you’re a family with kids. You have to understand that your living room is never going to be uncluttered unless you enforce rules about keeping it tidy. The first thing to get through to your kids is that they need to respect their own house, and all the rooms in it.

Next, you need to lay down specific rules about them leaving their toys and belongings all over the place. Adults should be able to follow rules too – there should be no dumping of jackets, shoes and hats when you come in from work – use the coat hooks!

Statement Jewellery | Fashion

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

I love statement jewellery. Why buy a new outfit when you can brighten up an old one with some statement pieces that convey your personality ad style?

This season is all about oversized jewellery, so make sure you stock up on statement pieces for spring/summer. With designers such as Chanel, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana showcasing shoulder-length earrings and embellished cuffs on the catwalk, bigger is definitely better this season. Stay on trend with this gorgeous selection of gems, available exclusively at QVC.

I have chosen some of my favourites. Let me know what you think.

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