Author Archives: Jeffrey Scott Thomas

Fabrics That Feel as Beautiful as They Look

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Nothing feels better than when someone compliments what you’re wearing and you get to say, “Thank you, and it’s so comfortable!” When it comes to fashion, the best balance is finding something that looks great and feels great. So what are the most comfortable fabrics that you can wear while still looking fantastic? When looking for comfort in a garment you should be looking at fabric type, garment design, and size.

Read on to get all our best tips and tricks for curating the cutest and comfiest wardrobe you’ll ever have.

Fabric Type

This is obviously one of the most important elements to consider. Fabric type can change a lot in terms of comfort, and this can also vary from person to person. Consider if you have any sensitivities or allergies, consider if the garment has any appliques that could irritate your skin, and consider whether or not the fabric has any stretch. 

Here are some fabrics that we love for their comfort and versatility:

●     Cotton

Cotton is an extremely breathable and comfortable natural fabric. It’s also extremely common and easy to wash. Cotton dresses, pants, and blouses are ideal for summer days or when you just don’t want to feel restricted.

●     Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fabric that is durable, stable, and adaptable. Similar to cotton, it’s easy to wash. However, you do not have to worry about any shrinking when it comes to polyester. Polyester isn’t as breathable as cotton, but this makes it a more ideal choice for colder days when you want protection away from the elements.

●     Rayon

Rayon is a very durable fabric that is made from wood pulp, eucalyptus, or other natural fibers. The fabric is woven from very thin threads which leads it to be extremely breathable and ideal for summer wardrobes.

●     Linen

Linen is perhaps the fabric that people often think of when they think of luxurious comfort. Linen clothes are not just beautiful, they’re light and breathable, making them ideal for a saunter in the sun.

Everyone relates to fabrics differently and has their own preferences. If you’re unsure which fabrics you like, go take a look in your closet. Figure out what your very favorite comfy pieces are made from, and seek out pieces made with those fabrics.

Garment Design

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Garment design can make or break an overall outfit’s look. This can, again, come down to preference, but there are some designs we absolutely love when it comes to cute comfort. Whether you are dressing for winter or summer, these tips can help you to build out your wardrobe

●     Go With the Flow

Few things look as fancy and feel as free as a nice flowy dress. Pair this with some long layered necklaces and a straw clutch and you can walk out looking like springtime personified! And the best part? No part of the outfit will stick to you, making it oh-so-comfortable as you sweep along with the breeze.

●     The Wide Leg

Pants can be difficult when it comes to finding something cute and comfortable, but reaching for a wide leg pant in a comfortable fabric can make them one of the most unexpectedly comfortable things in your wardrobe. Plus, you’ll look very cute and boho-chic when you reach for this option.

●     The Oversized Cardigan

Nothing says cozy like a big knit sweater draped across your shoulders. And we all know that layering can create some of the cutest outfits. A comfy and cozy knit cardigan draped over a dress conjures up images of cute cottagecore dreams. So go ahead and wrap yourself in the embrace of an oversized cardigan.

Layering, loose fit, and conscious design are all things to embrace if you are looking for the comfiest and cutest design.

Sizing

It’s a common issue these days: you’re one size at one store, but then at another you’re three sizes up, and at another, you’re two sizes down! What gives? Sizing has become very unstandardized and this variance can cause a lot of stress and anguish while shopping. If you are shopping online this can be even more stressful. Pay close attention to sizing charts and try to gravitate towards brands that carry a lot of plus sizes, even if you aren’t plus-size, this signals that a brand cares about how all of their customers feel in their clothes.

Celebrate Your Style

Nothing feels better than just being unapologetically yourself. Celebrate your personal style by embracing all of the things that make you feel good in your own skin and clothes. For some people that may be a crop top, for others a big comfy sweater. It doesn’t matter what you wear–as long as you wear what brings you joy, and comfort, and makes you feel beautiful.

5 Favorite Everyday Fashion Trends

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5 Favorite Everyday Fashion Trends

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Fashion is changing as it becomes increasingly responsive to consumer demand. And a lot of that demand has to do with sustainability and fashion industry accountability. The 5 favorite everyday fashion trends we’ll talk about in this post are primarily concerned with a shift in consumer consciousness toward sustainability. Let’s take a look at what’s hot right now and what’s going to stay hot in the coming year.

1.  Fashion Shifts Gears: Slow Fashion

Fast fashion has become a global problem, producing in excess of 90 million tons of waste each year. In response, slow fashion is rising as a trend toward quality over quantity. Well-made clothes that last are now more desirable than the “disposals” of yesterday.

Part of the trend encourages consumers to buy from companies located close to home, reducing the environmental cost of shipping. Designer clothes that last, in classic cuts and styles are the new wardrobe staples, so “shop til you drop” is last year’s battle cry. Now, it’s “shop for a healthier planet.”

2.  Sustainable Fabrics

Organic cotton, untreated by substances harmful to the planet, is surging as a textile. But the biggest change has to be in recycling plastic and nylon to create new, sustainable fabrics.

Sea plastic is being recovered and transformed into fibers to create eco-friendly fabrics. The sea is cleared of harmful plastics, while unwanted waste is given something useful to do! But nylon, a durable material, is being recycled too. By recycling this plentiful textile, the environment is spared the high ecological price of producing new fabrics.

3.  Everything Old Is New Again

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Retro fashion is having a renaissance, with the 70s, 80s, and 90s all figuring prominently.

The 70s: A Wild Night at Studio 54

Bust out those sequined flares and hit the disco! All that’s worn close to the body, is sensually draped, or covered in sequins and glitter is back with a vengeance. And if you don’t have any of that stuff, don’t worry. Your local thrift shop can help with vintage band t-shirts, flares in bold patterns (another key trend) and all that catches the light like a mirror ball rotating over the dance floor.

The 80s: Johnny Rotten Rides Again

Get back in that thrift store, finding a striped sweater distorted by decades of wear and cut holes in it. You’re halfway there! 80s punk is another key impulse that promises anarchy in the UK and everywhere else! Wear your messed-up sweater over a vintage punk band T-shirt peeking out from those holes you’ve cut in it. Pull out that beaten-up leather jacket in the back of your closet or hit the garage sales for that Rebel Without a Cause look. Then, do Sid Vicious one better with a heavy chain link necklace, padlocked shut. Just add black lipstick and Catwoman eyeliner and you’re a countercultural goddess.

The 90s: Smells Like Grunge Spirit

Carrying over from 2023, Grunge 2.0 abides just as reliably as The Dude. A slip dress worn with Doc Martens is the lynchpin of this look but keep that flannel handy for your casual looks. A flannel shirt over 2024’s booty shorts with combat boots and torn hosiery ushers Courtney Love into the 21st century. In heavy rotation for the coming year, Grunge 2.0 is your moment to tip your hat to one of Seattle’s most notable exports.

All these retro looks are easy to put your personal spin on. Start in your own closet, collecting thrifted and garage sale items to build any of these trendy looks. You can even create your own vintage style by blending older items with fresh trends for a hybrid style that breaks the mold!

4.  Comfort Dressing

Comfort dressing in 2024 will be defined by the overwhelming popularity of athleisure wear. Not just for the gym or life’s more casual moments, athleisure is showing up on catwalks everywhere. Sleek athleisure derivatives are even showing up in professional settings. The trick is thoughtful construction that results in a superb fit, coupled with high-tech fabrics that wick moisture away and protect you from the sun. But comfort dressing extends to staying cozy at home, with “nesting” looks that wrap you in cuddly warmth, like a wearable blanket hoodie.

5.  Prints That Announce You

Big, bold, and not the least bit shy, 2024’s prints bloom with roses. The rose print trend is joined by tropical and geometric prints that have no qualms about owning a room. Asymmetrical and mismatched patterns (polka dots with stripes or florals) are also expected to blow up in 2024, drawing on Maximalist design that declares “more is more.” Minimalism is fine for some but you’re far too lively for such sartorial reticence. Get loud! And remember: there’s plenty of boldly vibrant retro print to be had secondhand! As 2023 recedes in the rearview mirror, 2024 is full of promise for change, reinvention, and the resurrection of old looks in new guises. It’s your year to make a statement for the planet and for your personal style, retooling the past for the needs of an environmentally sound

Stress-Free Hosting: Perfecting the Thanksgiving Pre-Cleaning and Post-Cleaning Cycles

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a blue plate topped with an orange and brown leaf

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They’re coming. They’re coming from points east, west, north, and south to spend Thanksgiving at your house. Lucky you! That means you’re in a cleaning frenzy. And the cleaning cycle will ramp up again once the tribe has flown off, leaving you holding the proverbial bag.

But hosting at Thanksgiving can be a stress-free endeavor with a perfected pre-cleaning and post-cleaning plan in place. Remember: It’s not what you do; it’s the way that you do it. Let’s talk about a plan of attack for the Thanksgiving cleaning cycles you’re about to tackle.

Planning is Perfection

A plan of attack is the best defense against stress when hosting Thanksgiving. You know the usual suspects are going to “suspect”. You know there’s bound to be some kind of tension around some ancient grudge at some point. You can’t stop that. But you can stop the stress!

Whatever you do, lard in the extra-jumbo toilet paper pack. You know why! That bathroom is going to be in heavy rotation, especially if the family’s going to be staying with you. And the napkins are for meals!

If you’re planning on a warm, crackling fire, then you’ll need to get that chimney cleaned. You may be the brave soul who’s ready to tackle the job on your own but don’t you have enough to do? I suggest that you outsource this task to a local fireplace and chimney maintenance company. Then again, I am not privy to the intensity of reader cleaning frenzies, so DIY if you must!

Create a detailed list of what needs to be done, then assign at least a week for knocking off your cleaning items. Assign each task a generous amount of time to be accomplished, as contingencies can and will arise and those can add to pre-Thanksgiving cleaning stress. With a plan, contingencies won’t have a chance of dampening your resolve or stressing you out!

A Logical Sequence of Tasks

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For my money, tackling the guest bedroom or bedrooms first is the best way to approach your cleaning plan. Remove anything you’ve been storing there and find a place to stow it. There’s nothing less hospitable than a wall of boxes in the guestroom, so get them out of sight. Once that’s done, vacuum, dust, and then change the sheets on the bed. Close the door. With guest sleeping quarters out of the way, you can move down your list of tasks.

Make Room for the Turkey

Big jobs like the refrigerator can be done early. Get the old food out and anything that’s in there that shouldn’t be (almost empty condiment containers and that ancient jar of olives from last Thanksgiving). Clean the shelves and compartments and the fridge is good to go, ready for the turkey and all its trimmings!

Dusting and Floors Last

Jobs like dusting, switching out pillow covers, vacuuming, and cleaning the laminate, wood, or linoleum floors should be left until near the end of your cleaning plan, so everything’s fresh for the arrival of your invading Thanksgiving army. Taking on the various aspects of cleaning in a logical sequence allows you time to enjoy the process and the anticipation of a shared family holiday without the stress!

Protect Yourself

You’re cleaning out the fridge but what about the oven? It might need a once over, too, and the fumes from oven cleaners and many other household cleaning items can be irritating or overwhelming. Protect yourself by wearing a mask. But don’t forget to protect your hands with nitrile rubber gloves to avoid chapping and other skin irritations.

Why Stress?

Here’s the thing: You may not want to do all the cleaning yourself – especially before and after. It’s a lot, right? So, why not give yourself the gift of commercial cleaning services? Why not let somebody else do it all, while you address the food and the family dynamics at the dinner table? Aren’t those two responsibilities daunting enough?

Whichever plan of attack you choose to perfect your Thanksgiving cleaning – DIY or with the help of professionals – Thanksgiving is to be enjoyed. So choose wisely and have a stress-free, happy Thanksgiving!

Why Settle When You Can Roam? A Guide to Working While Traveling

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Working from one place and settling down isn’t for everyone. There are some people who need to explore what’s out there and learn about the world. Of course, nothing is free, and living while  traveling the planet requires money. However, it is possible to roam and make the revenue you need to survive. We will cover what you need to know to master the art of working while traveling.

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Working Jobs That Allow You to Roam

We live in an era full of opportunities, one of which is obtaining work that permits travel. Some careers even require this type of movement to thrive. If you can’t sit still and need movement to enjoy life, there are options available. The following pursuits might make it possible for you to roam:

  • Data entry work
  • Any type of online job where all you need is an internet connection
  • Flight attendant
  • Language teaching or tutoring abroad
  • Translator and/or interpreter

In addition to those above, most types of freelance work may also work, such as:

  • SEO writing/blogging
    • Technical writer
    • Web design or development
    • Photography
    • Social media manager
    • Influencer
    • Videographer

Some of the undertakings mentioned above take time to develop. You may not make the income you need to support yourself and travel simultaneously at first. However, with the right mindset and determination, you can live your dream of making travel part of your work.

What Skills Are Required to Make Money During Travel

If you are trekking across the world and discovering new places, working may be the last thing on your mind. It’s an adjustment to have your work office change scenery every day. With this type of working environment, it’s imperative to have the following skills:

  • Responsibility: Be responsible and fulfill your work duties. Even if you only work for yourself, make sure you’re doing enough to cover your expenses.
  • Motivation: Have the drive to work when no one else is holding you accountable.
  • Time management: It’s critical to be aware of how and where you spend your time.
  • Organization: If you are voyaging around the globe, be efficient and organized with your belongings. Be aware of your items for work and your possessions that are necessary for everyday living. Have a system to sort through them.
  • Communication: Make sure you are able to effectively communicate where you’re located, with your clients, or who you work with.
  • Creativity: Be creative with when and how you work!
  • Flexibility: Being able to travel and work requires a massive amount of flexibility.
  • A good attitude: Positivity is always helpful in any situation, especially through tricky ones.

With these skills, it’s possible to travel worldwide while gaining a profit. 

What to Consider With This Type of Lifestyle

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There are several components to consider when globetrotting. It’s a necessity to stay out of danger or serious trouble, all while enjoying the experience. With this type of lifestyle, be conscious of the following:

  • Areas you are visiting: Make sure to do your research on the sites you visit to ensure your safety and well being.
  • Communicating with the locals: If you don’t speak the language, have a backup plan to work around this dilemma.
  • The customs of your country: Know the culture and stay safe.
  • Different types of currency: Make sure you have the specific currency for where you are. 
  • The equipment you’ll need: Be sure to have clothes, hygiene products, a laptop backpack, and dishes (such as plates,silverware, or a UV glass jar for dry goods like coffee or tea). Just as important, make sure you have a way to easily transport your equipment.
  • Your passport: Ensure that it is always up to date so you don’t run into trouble.
  • Taxes (if applicable): If you work for yourself or have unique employment, confirm that this is taken care of.
  • Your work: Be on top of finding places or clients where you can successfully accomplish what you need to.

Being smart and planning ahead of time will help you stay safe and know what you need to do.

Working while traveling requires the right skills to maintain a profession where this is possible. It also requires extra consideration when roaming between different countries. However, it’s a wonderful experience to make new discoveries about our planet while making a living. There are advantages to living this way, including increased awareness of culture and diversity. Those with this lifestyle get first hand education about the world and all it has to offer.

Hauntingly Good Times: A Guide to Spine-Chilling Halloween Parties

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Are you ready to have a blast this spooky season? Most people associate October with Halloween festivities, which also means that many of us are eagerly looking forward to don our Halloween costumes and dance the night away at some epic Halloween parties.

Of course, every party should be memorable and full of fun. So, if you’re looking to host a party this spooky season, here’s the ultimate guide for you!

Set the Spooky Scene

Setting the tone for your Halloween party requires having a spine-chilling venue. We mean, you do not need to rent a haunted house or a cemetery for this event—who wants to go to those venues during a party anyway? Instead, you can transform your space with spooky decorations!

Some hauntingly creative ideas for a Halloween-themed venue include:

  • Cobwebs, skeletons, and tombstones: These classic elements can instantly give your space a haunted feel.
  • Dim lighting: Create an eerie atmosphere with candles, lanterns, and black lights.
  • Faux spider webs and rubber spiders: Perfect for adding an abandoned, creepy look to your party space.

Eerie Invitations

Let your invitations set the mood for your spooky soiree. Use dark colors, creepy fonts, and Halloween-themed imagery like bats, skeletons, or ghosts. For that extra touch of authenticity, consider sending physical invitations to your guests.

Spine-Chilling Games

A party is never complete without activities, and we take the fun to the next level by planning exciting games! Here are some of our suggestions:

  • Bobbing for Apples: Fill a large tub with water and floating apples. Players must try to catch apples using only their mouths, not their hands. It’s a classic Halloween game that’s both fun and challenging.
  • Mummy Wrap Race: Divide guests into pairs. One person is the “mummy,” and the other wraps them in toilet paper to resemble a mummy. The first team to finish wrapping or the team with the neatest mummy wins.
  • Witch’s Hat Ring Toss: Set up a game where guests toss rings onto the pointy top of a witch’s hat. Assign different point values to different sections of the hat. The player with the most points wins.

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Costume Contest

Another fun activity for your Halloween party is hosting a costume contest. Encourage your guests to unleash their inner spooks with creative and terrifying costumes. You can also award them based on categories like “Most Terrifying,” “Most Creative,” and “Best Group Costume.” Prizes for the winners will add a competitive edge to the fun.

Spooky Dance Floor

No party is complete without dancing! So, if you want to keep your dance floor in theme, here’s our advice:

  • Dance floor theme: You may want to set the tone for your dance floor, whether it’s a retro-themed Halloween dance with a white-and-black floor reminiscent of scenes from Wednesday or Carrie, or perhaps a Victorian-themed dance floor—the possibilities are endless.
  • Fog Machine: Envelop the dancefloor in a mysterious and foggy ambiance.
  • Black and Red Lights: Cast an eerie glow on the dancefloor with these colored lights.
  • LED Candles, Strobe Lights, and Eerie Projections: Set the stage for a haunting dancefloor experience.

Interactive Haunted Experiences

To add a unique twist to your fun-filled party, you may want to consider adding an element of interactive horror to your event. You may use Halloween animatronics, such as moving zombies or scarecrow displays, which your guests can interact with and take pictures of. You may also have booths like fortune-telling kiosks and a horror movie corner for guests who get tired of the activities and dancing.

Capture the Moments

Who doesn’t want to keep snapshots of bonding moments with family and friends? Set up a Halloween-themed photo booth with props and backdrops so guests can capture memories of their costumes and the eerie atmosphere.

Remember, a great party brings folks closer, makes the night full of giggles, and leaves us with memories we’ll cherish. Halloween offers the perfect opportunity to let your creativity run wild and ensure everyone has a spook-tacular time.