Is it time to go back to a more traditional design?

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TicWatches

Watches have been around for over 500 years and their design keeps on changing with time. Digital and smart watches have been growing ever popular, to the point where some people fear that they are taking value away from the traditional watch design. Despite the fact that smart watches offer a much larger range of features than the classic, they don’t seem to compete with the vintage models as seen on TicWatches, which remain as popular and contemporary as ever.

The Roots of the Vintage Watch

The first ever watch came into being in 15th century Europe. These were made using portable springs which then evolved into the mainspring shortly after. Wristwatches soon followed, commonly known in the 16th century as ‘arm watches’ and were thought to be both precious and valuable. As the legacy of the watch developed, military men in the 19th century would often wear a wristwatch in order to help synchronize manoeuvres during the war with other soldiers. Since then, the classic wristwatch has developed and enhanced further to become a useful fashion piece which is still as popular as ever.

The Competition

Smart watches are perhaps more suited to this ‘digital-age’ but vintage watches will always have a place in our modernised society. The competition is rough with more high-end brands releasing their smart timepieces each year. A few favourites include Motorola’s Andorid watch ‘Moto 360’ which comes with a ton of features and capabilities. Another favourite is the LG G Watch R which has 4GB of internal storage and takes on a more traditional visual approach.

One of the biggest competitors to the traditional watch is Apple’s brand new smart watch which comes with a touch screen. According to www.dailymail.co.uk Apple sold one million of these new smart watches on the first day of release alone, making it a fast-selling product that the people clearly love. However, smart watches come with their own set of disadvantages, one of which is the poor battery life. Most of these digital watches need re-charging overnight which can be a real nuisance. They can also be difficult to set with so many buttons making the process more confusing.

Traditional Design

The traditional watch design remains a favourite and is said to be the most fashionable model when compared to digital and smart watch designs. The classic watch comes with the usual clock face, 12 hours and the minute, hour and second hands. Because of its simple layout, it is much easier to read time from a classic vintage watch.

Despite not having as many features as the modern day smart watches, the traditional timepiece does what a watch was created to do – tell the time without any hassle. It is simple to change the time with a quick turn of the tab and comes with many different straps and designs to choose from. According to the Independent, ‘old watches are in vogue and are increasingly regarded not as collectibles but as fashion accessories’ - emphasizing further that nothing beats a vintage watch.


A more grown-up living room

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Right. I am sick of standing on Lego, tripping over toy pushchairs and a mass of yellow, green and red plastic obstructing my view of the telly. Having just sat on 12″ Spider-man figure that had, for reasons unbeknown, been hidden amidst the scatter cushions on my sofa, I’m fed up of the mess of children.

So - I’m taking a stand. It’s time to reclaim my living room. During the day, they can cover the floor with puzzle pieces, crayons and whatever else - but come the evening, this will a grown-up zone!

To kick off this transformation, I’ll be doing a complete revamp. I’m going to downsize the dining room table, chuck out the sofas, rip out the carpet (all of which have been customised by Dexter - with a felt tip) and start again.

Whilst imagining just what my new living room would look like, I chanced upon a blogger comp by Jaime at The Oliver’s Madhouse. She’s teamed up with the guys over at Oak Furniture King to challenge us bloggers to create a moodboard of their dream living room - perfect timing! (> If you want to enter too, you’ll have to be snappy as this closes at midnight tomorrow - Friday 22nd May 2015).

Without further ado, here’s what I’m hankering after:

(Inspiration from Oak Furniture King): Cotswold Rustic Solid Oak Small Sideboard / Cotswold Rustic Solid Oak Small Bookcase

Why these two bits? Because I’m going ever so slightly mad with the scheme. It’s a fusion of all the things I love - fabric chesterfields, funky cushions and brass. I needed two chunky bits of furniture that can hold their own in this room, and I think we’ve achieved it with this rustic sideboard and bookcase… given the kids toys aren’t going anywhere, they’ll come in handy for storage too!

Kartell All Saints Mirror (Heal’s) / Parker Knoll Park Lane Eaton Square Snuggler Pewter (John Lewis) / Libra Vintage Floor Lamp Antique Brass (John Lewis) / Retrospector 4 Cushion (Ohh Deer) / Garden Trading Tide Clock Shutter Blue (John Lewis) / Chicago Cushion (Ohh Deer) / Frith Sculpture Suzi, by Paul Jenkins (John Lewis) / Gibson Armchair Aviator Whisky (John Lewis) / Squirrel Cusion (Ohh Deer) / Blue Metal Trunk (Habitat) / Day Birger et Mikkelsen Carved Brass Deco Vase (John Lewis) / Marmalade Candle Holders (Ohh Deer) / Miss K Silver Table Light designed by Philippe Starck for Flos (Heal’s)

So I’m plumping for a cool blue, orange and grey palette; warm, bold and decadent (so miles away from the headache-inducing primary colours favoured by my new nemesis’ Fisher Price and Little Tikes)! I know very little about interior design, but I do know that brass is coming back in. I’m delighted about this as I think silver fixtures would have made the room look a bit sterile. To therefore make myself look en vogue I’ve found this gorgeous sculpture, art deco vase and metal trunk.

These cushions from Ohh Deer are just fabulously retro and colourful and they’ll keep eyes whizzing around the room - rather than focusing on the ketchup and orange juice stains that will no doubt make an appearance a few weeks after the project’s completed. I’d probably pop in an orange throw to help carry the theme across the room.

To finish off we need a big statement piece - and I’ve fallen BIG TIME for this purple chesterfield sofa from Lovely Sofas by Saxon. Against those blue and brassy tones, this will pop instantly.

For more inspiration, I’ve popped together a Pinterest Board with all my finds!

 


So there you have it. I’m no interior designer but I’m trying to stretch myself and become a bit more confident with colour. I still want it to be a homely space, but one that’s full of things I want to look at, not the latest playthings of a pair of toddlers!


GIVEAWAY: Win a Nursing or Maternity Bra from Hotmilk (CD: 22/06/2015)

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I didn’t last long breastfeeding either one of my babies. With both children, I knew within 6 weeks it wasn’t working out for me. I won’t bore you with the details, but psychologically I really struggled and suffered debilitating panic attacks. Because of this I didn’t bother with nursing lingerie. Due to c-section wounds I my first months of parenting Dex and Heidi at home lounging in a dressing gown. I simply whipped out my boobs when they needed me.

So there I was, smug in the knowledge that my balconette Panache bras still occupied the top spot in my underwear drawer – I guess I thought nursing bras were hideous.

I stand corrected.

hotmilkIridescent Black Nursing Bra £15.90 / Dawn Red Nursing Bra £20.90 / Chic Pink Nursing Bra £20.90 / Dorothy Nursing Bra £29.90 / Chic Nude Nursing Bra £19.90

Hotmilk proves that nursing bras aren’t always nude, plain and dowdy. Although I appreciate that you don’t always feel up for ‘couple time’ after having a baby (my friends were staggered when I confessed Craig and I were back to business as usual within a week), you can still remain flirty and feminine in Hotmilk’s nursing bras.

Hotmilk’s vision is to change maternity and nursing lingerie the world over by revealing the sexy woman inside the loving mother. Hotmilk continues to be the brand that is sought out and recommended by mothers, especially by those wanting lingerie that empowers and encourages them to feel fabulous, and to be decadent, at a time when they deserve it most! Hotmilk

They’re still packed with the necessary features you need to nurse comfortably and discreetly.

  • Non-wired soft cup bra for maximum comfort and support
  • A frame support for the ultimate support and modesty cover
  • 100% cotton lined cups for skin breathability
  • Designed with stretch on the top cup to allow for growth
  • Easy one handed drop down cups for breastfeeding
  • 6 hook and eye extension for ribcage expansion
  • Cotton lined straps for added comfort
  • Wider straps on the larger cups for added strength

maternityValerie Non-Nursing Bra £19.90 / Devoted Non-Nursing Bra £20.90 / Sophia Non-Nursing Bra £32.90

There’s also some seriously pretty maternity bras designed to grow with you throughout your pregnancy. These feature everything but the drop down cups, to ensure you stay perfectly comfortable up top whilst the rest of you transforms beyond all recognition

*** GIVEAWAY TIME ***

So, fancy a chance to win a nursing or maternity bra from Hotmilk? Of course you do! It’s another easy rafflecopter so best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and conditions
UK entrants only – you must be over 18 too (sorry)
The winner will be contacted by email and must respond within 3 days of having been emailed (I’ll try all known avenues to contact them) or a new winner will be drawn
When the giveaway is closed, Rafflecopter will select the winner completely at random
The winners name will be published on this site
There is no cash alternative

More competitions at ThePrizeFinder

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