Category Archives: General

Fashion

How to dress for Spring Racing Season in 2022

Leave a comment

We are gallivanting ahead to one of the most fun and frivolous times of year; Spring Racing Carnival! Heels to the ready, fascinators out, if you like getting dressed up, then this is a month long event you’ll want to attend. Keep reading for our top tips on what to wear this year so you can dress to impress. 

What to wear to the races in 2022 

The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival kicks off with Derby Day on the 29th October this year and is followed by a week of partying. Each event is slightly different and some come with specific dress codes, so you should make sure to pay attention to the rules, if any, to avoid wearing red on a black and white themed day!

What to wear to Derby Day? 

It all kicks off at the Melbourne Racing Carnival with Derby Day. This is one of the most popular carnival events as it kicks off the whole party. It’s also the event with the strictest dress code- so ladies and gentlemen, make sure to take heed. The order of the day is only black and white, and you’ll stick out like a sore thumb in any other colour. Here’s some ideas for what to wear: 

  1. Irena Sinamay Fascinator 

Black fascinators are an essential for any Derby Day outfit in 2022. We particularly love this stunning Irena Sinamay headpiece as it’s not too OTT and therefore easy to wear with anything. It features pleated, circular motifs artfully arranged on two narrow headbands, and is both elegant and regal in style. 

What to wear to the Melbourne Cup? 

The main event of the Spring Racing Season is undoubtedly the Melbourne Cup. Touted as the ‘race that stops the Nation’, all eyes are on the fashion carpet before and after the race. The dress code is loose, however, you will of course need to be in formal wear if you’re in the VIP or bird cage areas. Here’s the bag we’re taking to this year’s Cup: 

  1. Gigi Rose Gold Handle Bag 

Melbourne Cup is the perfect excuse to get really dressed up! We think adding a cute mesh bag is a surefire way to up the glam on the biggest race day of the year. This one is vintage inspired, and a glam take on a framed clutch. Can be held as a top handle or folded over and worn as a crossbody bag.

What to wear to Oaks Day?

Also known as ‘ladies day’, this is probably our personal favourite race day event. Why? Because it’s all about us! Get your girlfriends together, and kick up a storm at the Oaks Day event in your finest. There’s no official dress code here, so you can really let your creativity shine. We like the idea of something ultra feminine like: 

  1.  Roberta Lace Headband

Florals are our order of the day! What’s better than just florals however, is the addition of lace with this gorgeous flower headband. In a sultry red, this adds a gorgeous floral note to your race day looks. Featuring a garland of guipure lace flowers, attached to a thin ribbon wrapped headband, for perfect positioning everytime.

What to wear to Stakes Day? 

Also known as ‘Family Day’, this is the most relaxed of all the race day events. By no means does that mean jeans and a t-shirt, but it does mean you can get away without full formal attire in the public arena. Our style note for Stakes Day? A big pretty wide brim hat. 

  1. Anika Boater Hat 

Keep things casual with a gorgeous wide brimmed hat. We like this one with white or black lace wrapped around and matching pearls for real race day glam. Sun smart check, style check! 
Looking for more advice on race day fashion? Take a read of this article on Melbourne Cup Fashion now and prepare to get your glam on!

Hobbies, Art. Crafting, Home Decor, Home Improvement, DIY

Decoration Ideas for Halloween 2022

Leave a comment

Looking for ideas on how to decorate your house this Halloween? Gone are the days of being limited to tired old Halloween themes – just like your costumes have matured beyond witch and cat to more topical, creative garb, your house can level up its decor game too. Here are some fun ideas for decor themes inspired by recent trends for your home this Halloween that you’ll be proud to drive by each night – as a bonus, coordinate your/your family’s costumes too!

  1. Stranger Things: why wouldn’t the most hyped spooky show of Netflix deserve an homage in your driveway? People costumes are easy – hit the thrift store and grab some striped shirts and corduroy pants. Get creative with Christmas lights on the side of the house a la Will Byer’s living room – you can even replace the alphabet with “HAPPY HALLOWEEN” or “TRICK OR TREAT”. A cutout of a Demogorgon in black construction paper on the window and you’ve got a highly affordable start to this theme!
  2. Nope/Aliens: Jordan Peele’s latest foray into bone-chilling terror is far from the only time the extraterrestrial has scared the bejeezus out of us, but it may have flying saucers the topic of many a recent nightmare. Do Nope directly with cowboy hats and whistling wind sounds, or just evoke aliens in general with low green lights in the front yard and The X-Files theme on the boombox.
  3. The Witcher/Dark fantasy: hear me out – we’ve got a deluge of fantasy shows airing these days, and this one in particular illustrates how fantasy can have a scary edge. (The Bruxa had me closer to peeing my pants than The Nun ever did.) The Witcher has some terrifying creatures who draw inspiration from real life horror legends – you could create a cool silhouette of the Leshen (who echoes the fabled Wendigo) or Voleth Meir/the Deathless Mother’s hut (like the Baba Yaga) – and a Yennefer costume is easy enough with a goth witch aesthetic. Plus, you have a great excuse to dress the hubby up as Geralt … Yummy!

    There’s more to be done here if you’re a creative type as well. Lord of the Rings is back with Rings of Power and Game of Thrones is hoping to see redemption from its disastrous Season 8 and series finale with House of the Dragon – if you don’t think those dragons or the Balrog aren’t terrifying, you’re not looking hard enough. Channel your inner elf girl or Targaryen and create a long table with a creepy feast fit for a king (think as described in “Hotel California”) to set the mood.
  4. Witchy Aesthetic: while the witchy aesthetic saw its true hey in 2021, it’s still alive and kicking. Channel your gothiest urges, put on a black dress, decorate with moon phases, crows and crystal skulls. It’s not just on WitchTok anymore to hex the moon – and speaking of magical teen sorceresses…
  5. Riverdale: Who would have thought that a show about Archie comics would turn into a supernatural horror phenom? Whatever your feelings about CW show quality, Riverdale is instantly recognizable and has some great dark themes to add to your All Hallows Eve.

Are you thinking outside the box this Halloween? Share your ideas below!

Hobbies, Art. Crafting, Travel

A List of the Best Ideas and Activities for Your Outdoor Event

Leave a comment

For the summer months – and even the spring and autumn – outdoor events are very popular indeed. It’s no surprise because we all love spending as much time outdoors when the weather is good (or even when it’s less than perfect but with a spot of sun once in a while). During this time, we have our share of outdoor events – festivals, picnics, sports competitions, and the like. These events are inherently appealing to us, and they even bring about a sense of nostalgia and wistful feeling that we can’t get enough of – and don’t forget the health benefits as well! But if you are planning an event outdoors, you’re probably thinking of ideas to make it even more fun and exciting. Whilst some ideas – and activities – may have been tried and tested (and you can’t wait to try them at your event), it can’t hurt to have a list of new ideas and activities to try out. Ready for something different? Here’s your list of the best ideas and activities for your outdoor event. 

  • The card game 

This game goes well if you have a large group and serves as an excellent icebreaker. You can divide a large group into several smaller groups, and this game encourages the group members to share a brief story or introduction about themselves. Make sure to give each person an index card and have them write down one thing the other attendees don’t know, and then write their name on the card. Then, gather all the cards, spread them through the group, and have each attendee read aloud something interesting on their card so they can establish connections. 

  • The side stall game

If you want to add extra fun and excitement to your event, you can hire a couple of side stalls and have a contest to see who does best. There are a lot of funfair stalls for hire, but if you want extra fun and nostalgia, you can hire a test your strength game, a ring toss, or the ever-popular coconut shy side stall. The one who gets the best out of three is the winner! 

  • The logo game 

Another icebreaker that works great with large crowds (it can have an unlimited number of players) is the logo game. With this, you can supply your attendees with a pen and a name tag and have them write down their name on the tag along with a logo they identify with. It could be an animal, an activity, a person, or more. And as the attendees mingle with each other, they will find out each other’s names and have something to talk about as they look at each other’s logos. 

  • The treasure chest challenge 

If you want to loosen up the crowd and put them in a good mood, you can play the treasure chest challenge. Divide a large group into smaller groups, then let them hunt for Easter eggs. But each group has a specific colour they must find – their treasure basket – and the first group who finds their basket of Easter eggs wins. 

Image attributed to Pixabay.com  

Family & Love

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Causes and Treatment

Leave a comment

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) 

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is sexual dysfunction. A person suffering from HSDD tends to lose interest and desire for sex or sexual activities and does not react to any sexual impulse. It is important to note that in order to be diagnosed with a hypoactive sexual desire disorder, the person should lack interest and desire for any sexual activities for quite a long period. 

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is more ubiquitous than people think.

Although anyone can be affected by this condition, generally, the cases of women suffering from Hypoactive sexual desire disorder are more common, especially in today’s time. It may be due to the present lifestyle and related stresses. Due to this, this condition is now also known as female sexual interest/arousal disorder. But sometimes people consider the condition of low libido in women as hypoactive sexual desire disorder. The two are different conditions and need different kinds of attention. 

Causes of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

As sexual desire is a feeling that varies over time, it becomes complicated to understand it. In essence, even after many studies, the exact reason for the condition of HSDD is still unknown. Nevertheless, the specialists noticed a few reasons responsible for hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Some of them are listed below:

Underlying medical conditions

Some specific medical conditions have been identified as the reason for causing Hypoactive sexual desire disorder. It includes medical conditions such as diabetes, depression, and heart disease.

Certain Medications

Along with medical conditions, certain medications may also be a cause of Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, especially in women such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and some oral contraceptives.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is one of the serious issues that can cause such sexual disorders. A sexually abused person often suffers from a lack of sexual activity due to the trauma which later results in such disorders. 

Stress and Anxiety

People facing a stressed lifestyle or anxiety disorders usually experience negative effects in their sexual life. In some instances, it develops into sexual conditions such as HSDD.

How to diagnose Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder?

Firstly, to be diagnosed with Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, the person should have the symptoms persist for at least 6 months. Many times people confuse a low libido with Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, therefor the symptoms should be persistent enough effects to cause some notable distress.

Along with severe symptoms, the doctors also do a questionnaire called Decreased Sexual Desire Screener(DSDS) Test to confirm the diagnosis of HSDD. 

Treatment of Hypoactive sexual desire disorder

The hypoactive sexual desire disorder can result in a distressed person, but the sigh of relief is that it can be cured. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is a condition caused by psychological, social, and biological factors. It can’t be cured with any specific medication. The cure includes a timely and rightly followed routine of proper medications and psychotherapy.

Medications

Consulting a doctor will help you to choose the right medication for your disorder. Some of them are:

Addyi

It is used for treating specifically hypoactive sexual disorders in women with premenopause. One thing that should be considered before using it is, that low sexual desire is not caused due to any medical condition, drug intake or mental disorder, etc. Women should not have menopause.

Buspirone

It is a type of antidepressant, called anxiolytics. It is used in curing anxiety disorders, by changing some natural elements inside the brain. Sometimes its effect results in hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

Conclusion 

The 21st century is an era of various innovations and technical upgrades. However, with progress in technology and changing lifestyles, the stress factor has also evolved. As a result, many stress-caused conditions of heart, mental, and sexual conditions are on a rise. Hypoactive sexual disorder is one such condition. However, several medical treatments and therapy are available. One of the suggested psychotherapy is sex therapy. This therapy aims to find and cure the fundamental cause of your sexual disorder. It is important to understand your condition before choosing the treatment. 

Health & Fitness, Teeth Product Reviews

How to Indulge Yourself Without Breaking the Bank

Leave a comment
woman-in-wrapped-in-white-towel-lying-on-bed-with-eyes-closed spa
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-wrapped-in-white-towel-lying-on-bed-with-eyes-closed-3757942/

People often believe that the only methods to really pamper oneself are limited to activities such as staying in luxurious hotels, seeing breathtaking tourist spots, and stuffing one’s face with delicious cuisine when dining at fancy restaurants. Additionally, there is the activity of shopping for luxury goods, spending one’s time at a posh spa, and travelling to remote, exotic locations for one’s vacation. In a perfect world, you’d be able to buy all of these things for yourself and your family without breaking the bank. The unfortunate reality is that not everyone has access to an endless supply of money that can be used at any time and is always readily accessible to them.

1. Opt for a Vacation at Home

Taking a trip to a well-known location may easily cost several thousand dollars when you include the cost of transportation, as well as the cost of lodging and food during your stay. A staycation, on the other hand, may provide you with some of the same relaxation and rejuvenation while allowing you to save money.

Renting a nearby vacation home using an online platform like Airbnb or Vrbo is a common option for people to enjoy a staycation. If you reside in a location where off-season prices are cheap, such as in a beach town, then this is an alternative that might be more cost-effective for you. Hiking, dining in, going to the beach or lake, taking your bike, having game evenings, and other activities may help you save money while still giving you the opportunity to go away.

Taking time off from work and being at home during your staycation is a simple way to reduce the cost of your vacation to a manageable level. Be careful to completely disconnect from your place of employment and actively seek out opportunities to unwind. Explore new experiences in your neighbourhood, such as museums, restaurants that offer street cuisine and breweries, or nature reserves, if you are seeking an exciting new trip.

2. Host a Movie Night Complete With Snacks at Your House

Taking in a recent release at the cinema is a delightful activity, but the cost of admission, popcorn, sweets, and beverages can mount up very fast. You are able to simulate the atmosphere of going to the movies at home by purchasing some of your favourite foods, turning down the lights, relaxing in a comfortable chair, and watching a recent release.

If you already have a subscription to a streaming service, the only thing that will add to the total cost of your monthly bill is the cost of the snacks. Even if you opt to rent a new movie, you’ll still save money compared to buying tickets to see it at the theatre, and as an added plus, no one will judge you for watching it in your pyjamas.

3. Go on an Outdoor Picnic

Spending time outdoors has been shown to be beneficial to both one’s mental and physical health; in addition, picnics are just plain enjoyable. The only things you will need in order to enjoy this delicacy on a shoestring budget are access to a green spot, such as a park, lawn, or balcony, something to sit on, and food.

etobicoke dentist


Photo by KoolShooters: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-women-having-a-picnic-8530571/

You can’t go wrong with portable picnic basics like sandwiches, salads, and soft drinks, but if you want to spice things up a little, you might try out some new dishes or beverages and organize a dinner based on a theme instead. Your ordinary dinner on a weeknight might seem more like a special occasion if you take it outdoors, bring your favourite cuisine, and enjoy it under the sun or the stars with your family or friends.

4. Get Some Exercise

However, depending on where you live, the cost of fitness classes and gym memberships can range anywhere from about $40 for a monthly membership fee to more than $30 for a single drop-in fitness class. Although these options can be a cost-effective way to stay active and fit, these costs can add up quickly.

You may give yourself a 100% free restorative fitness routine by including walks into your day, such as before you leave for work, during your lunch break, or in the evening. For example, you could walk before you leave for work, during your lunch break, or in the evening. Even just a few minutes of light exercise may help you feel more energized, reduce stress, and enhance your overall health.

Streaming a fitness video on your computer or television is another enjoyable and cost-free method to become more active in your daily life. You can recreate the guided workouts you’d find in a studio without having to shell out money for membership by using the videos that are available for free on platforms like YouTube. These videos cover a variety of activities, including yoga, pilates, CrossFit, cycling, cardio, and strength endurance.

And if you want to emphasize your toned muscles, you can even look into skin tightening in Toronto.

5. Let Your Creative Side Shine Through

Doing something creative might help you relax and go into the “flow state,” which is characterized by complete absorption in what you’re working on to the exclusion of all other thoughts and sensations. There is evidence that this may improve your mood and make you feel more satisfied, making it an ideal treatment for burnout because of these effects.

You can give your inner artist a workout in a variety of ways. Some of these ways include learning how to play a musical instrument, experimenting with a craft kit, or doing something as simple as colouring in an adult colouring book. Adult colouring books come in a variety of formats, so there is something for everyone. They don’t create any mess, which appeals to a lot of people, and people often find them soothing.

It is not necessary to spend a lot of money to be kind to oneself. In its most basic form, it entails stepping away from one’s duties and concerns for a short period of time in order to give oneself the opportunity to rest and reorient one’s thoughts. That, by itself, does not actually justify completely emptying one’s savings account. You may achieve this goal in a variety of ways, like visiting the nearest Etobicoke dentist, looking for discounts to lower the costs of your trips, engaging in activities that can help you relax, or giving yourself a treat like a laser treatment in Guelph. No matter what path you choose, the most important thing is to keep in mind that your objective is to have fun.