LIFESTYLE – Page 15 – Freak Deluxe

ADULT FRIENDSHIPS AND HOW TO FORGE THEM!

Making friends is something that children do very easily. However, it’s something that adults find more difficult. But why is this?

Well, for a start, children have fewer inhibitions and this makes them naturally more extroverted. Talking to other children and being inquisitive is something that comes naturally to kids. This is why it is so easy for them for forge friendships at an early age.

Adults, on the other hand, find this process much more awkward and the thought of making new friends as an adult can seem very difficult indeed. Often, they are too busy with their work, spouses and children to even think about making new friends. Furthermore, in the case of young professionals, they find themselves relocating on a regular basis due to their work. This means that friendships don’t usually get a chance to blossom or be sustained.

Image courtesy of photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So what’s the answer? There isn’t one specific solution but the following three tips will have you making new friends in no time; even as an adult:

Hobbies, interests and activities

It might sound simple, but making friends who have similar interests to you can be an easy process. Have a look in your local area for clubs or societies that relate to your hobbies. Not only will you enjoy going to them but you are also likely to meet other adults. Moreover, these individuals share the same interests as you, so you have a common denominator to start a conversation about. Converse with the people at the club and, if you enjoy their company, make arrangements to meet up regularly.

Engage with your colleagues

Most of the time, colleagues are people that you just see at work. You talk to them about meetings, projects and deadlines. However, there is no reason why your colleagues can’t also become your friends outside of the work environment.

Next time you ask one of your colleagues for a Monday morning report, also enquire about their weekend. You may find that they spend their weekends in much the same way as yourself and that you have common interests.

Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Meet your neighbours

The chances are that you exchange a smile or a “hello” with people in your apartment block, but that’s about it. People often feel shy and awkward when it comes to chatting with neighbours and overly-polite instincts take over.

A new neighbour is an even better opportunity to make a friend as you have lots of angles for conversation and you can even offer to help them unpack. They will be glad to make a new friend right away and it could turn out to be a lasting friendship.

Friendships can stand the test of time but they require that both parties make an effort. Modern technology makes keeping in contact very easy and convenient. Call, text and even interact on social networks to keep friendships alive. This does not mean, however, that a once-a-year birthday greeting on Facebook counts as regular contact. Instead, make the effort to buy a gift and pay that person a visit. Gift shopping doesn’t have to be a laborious process either, especially with online retailers such as www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk offering great ranges of more bespoke items for both men and women.

There are many resources to help people make new friends as adults, such as spicelondon.co.uk and www.citysocializer.com. It can be well worth setting up a profile just to see what happens.

STOP! PUT DOWN THE ENERGY DRINK READ THIS FIRST!

Before you drink yet another traditional energy drink it’s important you understand why you are lacking energy and why drinks like Red Bull aren’t doing anything for your health. 6 Vitamin Shots have been developed to banish fatigue and welcome a new way of delivering that much needed energy boost.

So how do 6 Vitamin Shots work and how is this HUGELY different from other energy drinks?

Essentially energy CAN ONLY come from calories which is why most energy drinks are jam packed full of kcals and sugar. 6 Vitamin Shots only have 10 calories which in energy-drink terms is nothing and contain no sugar whatsoever. This is because vitamins and minerals of course have no calories. The reason people feel tired and listless is often due to a poor diet or one that contains little iron and B vitamins both of which are essential for controlling mood, depression and nerves. Iron helps the blood go around the body, so if you’re low in iron you feel breathless, fed-up and as if everything is an effort. A lack of vitamin B can make you feel tired and weak along with making skin look pale and hair lack-lustre.

That is where 6 comes in. One LITTLE bottle of 6 contains a very LARGE concentration of B Vitamins, replenishing your diminished stock and eliminating fatigue instead of momentarily preventing it. Not only does 6 contain all of your vital daily vitamins but the little shot packs a huge punch with

6 Vitamin Shots are available 6vitaminshot.co.uk for £2.50 per bottle.

DECORATING IDEAS FOR THE KITCHEN

The kitchen is at the heart of the home and nowadays, and combining yours with the dining-room can really optimise this space. There are umpteen ways to create a modern slick style for entertaining while also accommodating your busy schedule that demands a space of your own…

Steps for a black & white theme

To have that clean and striking black and white design, simply concentrate on the accents as there will be an absence of ‘colour’ and your decorating forte will come through your accessories. This style will accomplish elegance.

Appliances

Depending on your budget, whether you’re going to stick with your existence appliances or buy a whole set to match, colour coordinating the smaller ones such as the toaster, coffee maker etc can make a huge difference. You can always touch them up with an appliance paint to make them like new again, or there are plenty of reasonable home decorating shops now to cater for all tastes. Having a fresh and shiny coat will do wonders!

Walls

Kitchens in particular need a new coat of paint at least every six months and in this case, white will need extra care. When opting for white, do not opt for a cream or ivory but really check that it is a pure, bright white and buy enough for the ceiling as well! Regarding the trim for the windows this depends if you want them to stand out from the walls or blend in. Black will be dramatic and white will offer the opposite effect.

Flooring and counter tops

Creating the black and white effect will depend on these two choices working together simultaneously. If you decide on a black floor for practical reasons then your top will need to stand out. However there is always the option to integrate the two by creating a black and white pattern like this checkerboard effect which will need to be mirrored onto the counters. The tiles correspond with the walls, linoleum with laminate and so forth.

Cabinets and Lighting

Keep the question in mind as to how much you want these elements to blend in or to contrast against each other. The black and white look can be everywhere or have just accents working for you here and there. The scenario could be as follows; white appliances, floors, counter tops etc with strong black appliances or following through with a more dominant contrast which will then be white floors, white cabinets, black counter tops etc.

With the cabinets you can also decide whether you would like the handles to be white or black or metallic (silver, chrome or gold and brass) and crystal. The lighting needs to be stable and as striking as the rest of your space. Why not go out all out there and fit some small chandeliers such as http://www.lampcommerce.com/en/catalogue/brands/de-majo-traditional/glaca-suspension-chandelier or just minimalist spots for the working surfaces and the island.

For flair and elegance in any room of your home, black and white creates the right balance and is uber stylish. You will bring colour!

SOHO FLEA MARKET IS BACK!

The Soho Flea Market is back people! After the roaring success of last year, with in excess of 18,000 people attending, this year promises to be the biggest SFM yet. London’s premier designer crafts event is to be held on Bank Holiday Sunday 25th May 2014 on Soho’s Dean Street from 11am – 7pm.

The high quality line up of specially curated ‘creative market stalls’ – featuring artisans, artists, fashion and jewellery designers, furniture makers, glassblowers, ceramicists and beyond – will be joining by new music and comedy talent performing on the outdoor stage. Participants already signed up to be involved in this year’s event include maker of unique illustrated wares, Cecily Vessey, Latin-American inspired unique leather bags from Beara Beara, British-made bone china from Eleanor Stuart, quirky original cards from Blank Inside, innovative ceramicist Timea Sido, handmade jewellery from Storm in a Teacup, stylish sleepwear from Dote London and on-trend casual wear, Plane Clothing.

City Showcase, the not-for-profit organisation supports and nurtures new designers, creatives and musicians from all genres.

Soho Flea Market is now open for applications with a deadline of 28th March 2014. For more information visit www.cityshowcasemarkets.co.uk <http://www.cityshowcasemarkets.co.uk>

Nanette Rigg, Founding Director of City Showcase Markets added: “We’re delighted to return to Soho for our third year with some of the UK’s best creative talent on offer. The success of 2013 showed us there’s a real demand for unique and innovative products that you won’t find on the high street, and we’ve spent the past year sourcing our widest ever range of stalls”.’

SEE THE WORLD WITH MORE LOVE WITH LOVE SPECS

Last summer you may have been passed a pair of Love Specs as you watched the fireworks at Secret Garden Party or chart toppers Rudimental tear up the main stage at Bestival. Your vision transformed in to sea of holographic hearts as people got to see the world with more love. For just ten pounds, every light, laser, early morning dew on the grass and sunlight through the trees came alive. Couples fell in love in them, as friends, DJ’s and artists shared a perception altering experience that not only heightened their festival memories but also helped to create a wave of change on the other side of the world.

With some of the music world’s biggest musicians supporting the charity, Love Specs has gathered huge support from Black Butter Records, Unknown Festival and Strummerville. Disclosure, John Newman and Zane Lowe have worn them and Rudimental branded their very own pairs for the London dates of their 2014 UK tour.

Love Specs are used as a creative fundraising tool with every penny of the profits going directly to help the Love Support Unite Volunteer Foundation. Their aim is to sustain Tilinanu Orphanage in Malawi and facilitate greater change to those in need through their ongoing outreach projects. Built from the ground up in 2009 by sisters Alice and Nina Pulford, it currently houses, feeds and educates thirty-four girls alongside lovingly feeding a community of one hundred and seventy five orphans each and every day.

Running outreach programs that facilitate sustainable change though the power of its’ Love Support Unite Volunteers, the project has vaccinated over seventy thousand people, built Mkunkdu School for nine hundred children alongside homes for the elderly. The charity provides skills workshops, micro loans, teachers, medical advice and assistance, as they believe that education is the key to sustainable change.

This April a team of thirty five non runners will be running the hilly Brighton marathon to raise further funds for the charity, as well as runners taking part in the London Marathon and a host of people skydiving on 22^nd March 2014. Want to do your bit? You can get involved with the skydive here.

Don’t feel like getting physical? Get your own pair of love inducing Love Specs here. Find out more about the LSU Foundation in the video below.