think green

Waterproof clothes from Epic

Cold(er) days with strong wind, eventual snow and certainly rain - this is the time of the year when everyone wants to be warm(er).

More layers doesn't always mean better. It all depends on what are the clothes you are wearing made of!

No one likes to go outside in the rain and then come back home totally soaked. Unfortunately, this happens too often.

Taking your bicycle for a ride is usually an enjoyable activity, unless it starts suddenly to rain and this fun day can become a nightmare.

How to go around this? Just one word "Epic".

Epic by Nextec is mainly made of waterproof cotton:

...Epic cotton boasts good breathability and is water- and wind-resistant... Source

Vulpine and Howies are two brands selling such items... because their customers like outdoors and even if the items seem to be a bit pricey, there is nothing better than staying dry and warm when going for a long walk in Dartmoor or a lengthy cycle ride in the beautiful British countryside.

Both of these retailers attract a good number of cyclists because protection from the elements is the main factor. However the latter offers something almost even more exclusive: the retail store located in Exeter Devon is the only physical unit in the United Kingdom.

Of course, not everyone lives in the Southwest of England - thankfully there is an online store too: http://www.howies.co.uk

Epic Trousers or jackets aren't that popular right now, because people are usually after something über thick and warm. But we all know by now that "Less is more".

A thin shell will keep you dry and warm at the same time, because the materials used to design/manufacture the garment are effective and some products - such as plastic bottles - can be upcycled into winter jackets.

It is not about how something looks but how it feels and the actual properties of it.

More and more leading manufacturers are thinking twice about what they are producing: individuals are checking where things come from and components as well. Everything must be resistant/durable or existing customers would go elsewhere!

Renewable and sustainable resources without solvents is the best for our environment without a shadow of a doubt. In others words, being eco-friendly is a good selling point, because our planet needs to be protected for future generations. This is only possible by putting some efforts and working together - respecting basic rules such as walking/cycling more and leaving our cars behind us when it is possible. 

Now having decent and comfortable waterproofs available...there are no excuses!

Is 2015 the year to invest

It has been a while since people were comfortable with their savings and consequently with investing too!

With interest rates at their lowest, people are opting to go on a shopping spree. At least they can afford what they are after.

Nowadays, living in London can also be seen as an assault course. Even people earning good money are struggling because it is not just about being able to pay the rent but also everything which goes around it: public transports, food and the eventual social evening involving meal with friends or cinema as well.

There is no point to live in a shoe box,  if it is to only survive in the urban jungle. Everyone likes to buy from time to time new shoes, clothes or just relax around a cup of tea/coffee... but this can end up being pricey.

The Independent reported in October 2014 that London is too expensive to live and enjoying such lifestyle is not that simple, because it is constantly crowded.

And London is now even more inaccessible than Hong Kong - read more details HERE.

A question comes up regularly whether talking with Londoners or people living in the UK in general: who can afford to buy an accommodation or decide to go for an investment property with such high prices...even for a garage? (one was sold for £550,000 - article HERE).

Is London a place to invest just for the über wealthy who tick all boxes from private credit cards to luxury homes and cars?

The Guardian published something interesting related to the Russian take-over of London... by rich russians - see full post HERE.

Are we going to spend money on properties this year? Maybe a bit early to tell and decide.

Sometimes when New Year's resolutions come into the equation, people start to dream about the house they are hoping to get sooner rather than later... if only interest rates and prices were slightly lower.

Certainly the best time to invest was before the recent recession - but who could anticipate all these changes bringing misery to some families loosing jobs and roofs?!

Here is a little guide to investment in 2015 by Forbes - every little helps!

 

 

Less is more: no email and no mobile phone

Are our lives cluttered with irrelevant items and gadgets?

When seeing people doing their Christmas shopping, it was all about flat screen televisions, tablets and other smartphones.

Thankfully, not everyone has this vision!

Recently a celebrity - if we can call him so - Christopher Nolan (film director), has declared that he has no mobile phone or email address. Yes... this is still possible. A lifestyle choice maybe?!

You thought that such people would like to be connected 24/7 because of the importance of their profile/status and mainly to ease their workflow and time management which are vital when appointments and other interviews can be time consuming.

But, He has a fair point when saying:

"...You know, when you have a smartphone and you have 10 minutes to spare, you go on it and you start looking at stuff..." - Source

Smartphones are draining and essentially destroying real communication because so many individuals are living a virtual life with "friends" they have never met in flesh.

Can online "friends" be as reliable as real ones?

There is no real answer to this question because it all depends on who you choose to follow...etc

Maybe Nolan is taking it a step too far - after all he has an assistant who deals with incoming emails.

Meanwhile, his life is maybe better and his mind clearer than most of us because he has chosen simplicity by unticking some boxes. This means he has more time to deal with what is relevant to him and for his well being.