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Where are you currently based?
Photography: Juan Castro
We speak with owner ‘Cameron Northway’ and Head Chef ‘Elijah Holland’ from Melbourne’s best new hot spot LOTI.
Cameron Northway – Owner
How did your Journey into hospitality first start?
When I was 18 I suffered an injury that put my sporting dreams on hold. I then got a job in a bar and quickly fell in love with the world of hospitality, spending the next few years working in bars and restaurants in my hometown of Perth. At 24, I moved to London and landed a job at Sweet&Chilli UK, which was a career defining moment for me.
LOTI is Melbourne’s latest hot spot, how did the LOTI dream originate and what do you aim to achieve with LOTI?
The idea for the restaurant was inspired by my travels throughout the Mediterranean. I’ve
always respected Elijah Holland’s cooking, and came to him with the concept for LOTI. He then
developed the style of dishes and food, taking inspiration from nature and the coast.
The aim was to create an amazing restaurant and bar in the St Kilda neighborhood where it feels like an extension of people’s living room. We want our guests to feel like they can come in for a drink and snack, a meal with friends and family, any day and time of the week.
What is the story behind the name LOTI?
In a nod to the sentimentality of the past, LOTI’s name, ‘Lady of the Ice’ pays homage to the heritage and community of the Saint Moritz area, which used to be an ice skating rink.
The design and layout of LOTI is impeccably delicious, please tell us about the design concept and the thought process behind the beautiful restaurant/bar that you have created:
For this question I’ll pass to Samantha Eades, Creative Strategist & CEO, Mitchell & Eades, who we worked with on LOTI’s design.
Inspiration came from the curvaceous design of the St Moritz building which subtly referenced the historic St Moritz ice skating rink from the site’s past as well as a light fresh, sunset palette referencing the seaside location of St Kilda. We used the architectural form to inform the curvaceous bar and bar banquette feature, maximising seating space, while allowing patrons to soak up the sun in the prime window location.
The menu reflects seasonality and local produce, so we incorporated local products into the space to enhance this concept, including stools and chairs from Melbourne Based studio Grazia and Co, and Wall lights from Melbourne based lighting designer, Ross Gardam. The space reflects the seaside location with the textured paint finish to the walls, the fresh marble, the soft pinks and greens throughout and the organic crazy pave tile.
LOTI has a superb and diverse array of wines and cocktails, how did the wine list and cocktail range come to be?
For our cocktails we consulted with Matt Linklater (ex Black Pearl). Our Executive Chef Elijah Holland worked closely with Matt to create the cocktail menu as EJ wanted there to be a harmony between the drinks and food. Many of the aromats and botanicals used in the drinks are ones the team has foraged for and created in the kitchen such as candied saltbush and finger lime sorbet. EJ also dives for sea urchin that’s used in one of our martinis, and we make all the kombuchas in house, too.
Our wine menu has been expertly curated by our Restaurant Manager Dane, who’s chosen to showcase local and international drops and ones you won’t be able to find anywhere else. The wine menu will be ever evolving, and we want our guests to be excited about what they’re trying.
Please give us a sneak peak into what coming up for LOTI now that we are leading into Spring and the almighty Summer:
As the weather warms, we’re excited to activate our alfresco area and really see that space come to life. We want to give people the feeling of being on a European holiday, sitting out there drinking wine and sharing delicious food by the beach in St Kilda.
Elijah Holland – Head Chef
How did you first start cooking?
As a child, my family had a farm growing up, so there was always fresh milk, fruit and vegetables that my mum and grandma would use to make our meals from scratch. I loved food from a young age and was always in the kitchen with my mum cooking with her and learning from her.
I got a job in a bakery with my brother when I was 10 and did that for a few years. I then worked as a dishy at a local restaurant. I remember there was a Perevian chef who worked there who would teach me a few things including how to make ceviche. I loved food and did a good job on the dishes so asked my boss to give me a go at cooking. At around 13 they finally gave me a shot when another chef was sick (or they got sick of my begging and smashed it, and then started my chef’s apprenticeship at the same time.
What or who influences your style of cooking?
Nature how things are. I love to leave produce raw or in as natural form as they can be, while taking a fun and creative spin on it.
I get inspiration from René Redzepi, who’s a Danish chef and co-owner of the three-Michelin star restaurant Noma. He uses one or two ingredients and creates the most incredible dishes.
How did your journey with LOTI come about?
I’ve been living in Elwood and St Kilda for a while now and met Cameron through friends. Back
in December 2021 we started chatting and Cam filled me in on the project and what his
vision was. We got on really well, had a lot in common and shared similar values, and so I officially came on board in February this year.
What did you initially aim to achieve with your menu at LOTI and how has the menu developed since the recent opening?
We want people to have an incredible meal and experience at LOTI and come back time and time again. Our aim is for guests to leave feeling inspired and happy and to want to bring their friends and family back here.
Not only that, we want to create an environment for the whole team and staff, so they feel supported and continue to grow and love what we do.
How would you describe your cooking style?
Wild and untamed. I don’t like to do what everyone else is doing.
I like to do things that are unexpected and create memorable dishes that have a point of difference.
What inspires you when plating a dish?
All structures of the produce and how it came to be. When working with fish I like to think about its surroundings and pair with ingredients that may be found around it and from the same area such as types of seaweed and succulents. I’m also obsessed with salts, the team calls me a ‘salt nerd’, as I have all different salts for fish, vegetables and meats made with ingredients that are from the same area. There’s a harmony to the dish and it tastes great.
Please tell us about the flavours, textures and aromas that your menu at LOTI offers?
The menu is inspired by nature and the coast – the history of St Kilda, the oceans
and surrounding terrier, utilising local, wild, native and naturalised botanicals, paired with
beautiful produce from local farmers and suppliers from around Australia. There is an emphasis
on food cooked over fire, and I strive to make everything from scratch using ancient techniques
of fermentation, preserving, curing and serving food in the freshest and purest form.
Flavours, textures and aromas are so important, so I always make sure there are some kind of botanics in each dish to offer flavour, aroma and texture. Botanicals are plants, flowers, trees, herbs, shrubs, seaweeds, barks and wood, and all offer a dish something different and interesting. They also add seasoning, too. Our tuna cornetto is topped with three types of succulents that give it texture, salt, flavour and a floral aroma and provide an interesting mouthfeel.
How and where do you source the produce used within LOTI and why do you take this approach?
Everything we use is about trying to use products and ingredients that are
completely sustainable – and also seen through our foraging and collecting of local ingredients.
We collect our produce from different areas, to limit the impact on the environment. Even if
produce grows closer around St Kilda, Brighton and Elwood – we’ll go out along the coast and
spread out where we take it from, so it can continue to grow for years to come. We also try to
source from smaller farmers if possible, to lower our carbon footprint and environmental
impact.”
What can a customer at LOTI expect, whether being a few drinks at the bar or a lunch or dinner within the restaurant?
To have an amazing experience, including the food to the drinks and how people put things together. They can also expect to find a passionate and dedicated team who love what they do.
At this point in time, which chefs on a global scale do you admire and why?
I get inspired from chefs all around the world, especially those who are living and working in remote communities and create beautiful dishes from what’s around them. I also get inspiration from those working with Indigenous ingredients. Here in Australia we have one of the highest diversity in food and plants in the world but much of it is untouched.
Rodolfo Guzman from Borago in Santiago, Virgilio Martínez who is the chef at Central in Lima and Alexandra Gauthier who has this incredible restaurant in France where he cooks food straight out of nature, all inspire me as they are doing innovative things with food but creating it in an approachable way.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2022 going into 2023?
We want to continue to build, explore, grow and get better at what we do and hone in on everything we are doing great to create the best possible experience for our guests and our team.
We also have a few fun new dishes in store – you’ll have to come in and check it out for yourself.
Photo by: Portia Gebauer
PLAY/LISTEN
Perth indie punk-rockers Tied Down return with a punchy and soaring new single ‘Undefeated’. Featuring explosive drumming, powerful vocals and high tempo punk-riffs, the result is a masterful combination of all that Tied Down has become known for.
Building from the consistent sound delivered with previous releases, ‘Undefeated’ marks a powerful back up to their last single ‘Slow’ which similarly showcased their skillset and roots in the punk/rock genre. With this current release, Tied Down has proven themselves as being able to produce a nuanced and tastefully curated exploration of passionate, yet refined, high-energy music.
“Undefeated is a track armed to the teeth with fast paced riffs, explosive drumming, a driving bassline and a powerful vocal arrangement which we’ve become known for. Fighting against the challenges of daily life and an unwillingness to give up despite what’s thrown at you is what this track is all about. We want this track to uplift and empower anyone dealing with issues they feel are out of their control and have a feeling it will do exactly that!” Tied Down.
Crackling with energy, ‘Undefeated’ Is a cathartic exploration of resilience. The delicate balance between vulnerability and boldness will have you reminiscing on the tenderness of existence. A punchy 90s pop-punk instrumentation underpins this fiery single while delicately woven strands of instrumentation
In a similar vein to contemporaries The Dead Love, Slowly Slowly, Dear Seattle, and Waxflower. Tied Down prove themselves as being able to deliver exceptional music with refined production. Recorded live at Hopping Mouse Studios the track was then recorded and produced by Matt Templeman (Sly Withers, Voyager) and mastered by Simon Struthers (Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Karnivool, Something For Kate) at Forensic Audio Mastering.
Speaking of the process of making the music, Tied Down share unique insight into the collaborative efforts. “Undefeated started with a riff written by Kado (Rhythm Guitar) which saw Deano spring into action pretty easily on the drums. Once we marked out the progression and arrangement of the track, the rest of us latched on nicely. We already had the concept of writing a more up-tempo, uplifting track heading into this one so once Dolsy (Bass) and Steve (Lead Guitar) got their hands on it, it really started to take shape. I think CJ (Vocals) sat on it for a couple of days and sent all the lyrics through in the chat which hit home for all of us. All in all, we’re super proud of how Undefeated came about and the message it conveys.” Tied Down.
Tied Down are no stranger to the stage. Having supported Hands Like Houses on the WA leg of their national tour, they have further supported local legends South Summit and DICE to sold out crowds at Mojos and Milk Bar respectively.
The release of ‘Undefeated’ will be accompanied by a launch show in the main room of The Rosemount Hotel on July 16th. Supported by Angie Colman and Reins, Tied Down say of the launch “The Rosie has become a bit of a home for us over the years and we’ve got a really special setlist lined up to mark the occasion” Tied Down.
PRAISE FOR TIED DOWN
“The explosive and energetic Tied Down have melded a quixotic blend of punk, rap and indie-rock into their own unique sound”
The AU Review
“Bruised, delicate alternative rock that smoulders throughout with instrumentation that showcase a band who know how to harness their skills”
Scenestr
“explosive and energetic sound infusing punk, rock, rap and indie roots.”
WAM FEST
“Australia has long been a fertile breeding ground for great rock acts. [Tied Down] might be the latest group worthy of that title.”
SOUNDS OF OZ
UNDEFEATED is out now.
Perth based Indie Punk outfit The Mess Around have just released their new single ‘Still Broke’, which was premiered via HEAVY Mag.
The band have also announced a huge run of WA tour dates to celebrate the release that kicks off on July 29 at Lucy’s Love Shack, Perth. The run of dates includes a performance at Blossom Festival, where the boys will showcase their outstanding live show on the big stage.
The Mess Around are a collection of 5 larrikins that create a fresh and diverse brand of music. A highly talented melting pot of musical backgrounds, their songs though often irreverent, are inconspicuous in their messages of love, self-improvement and finding a balanced lifestyle.
Their shenanigans recently saw them featured on Channel 9 News as they went through local bottle shops in a bobsled.
The band draws influence from the likes of Dune Rats, Skegss, Hockey Dad, Bugs, The Chats, The Grogans, The Terry’s and Sly Withers.
Conceived during the pandemic, The Mess Around released their debut single ‘On My Mind’ in 2021. They then followed up with the release of single ‘Pasito’ later that year. The band released their latest single ‘Balance’ earlier this year, which was added to the All New Rock playlist on Spotify. They have since stepped back into the studio to record a plethora of outstanding new music.
New single ‘Still Broke’ is available on all major online stores and streaming services.
Tickets available at door | 18+ only
Tickets available at www.oztix.com.au | 18+ only
Tickets available at www.oztix.com.au | 18+ only
Tickets available at door | 18+ only
Tickets available at www.blossomfestival.com.au | 18+ only
Tickets available at door | 18+ only
Tickets available at door | 18+ only
Title: Pure
Label: Self release
New Zealanders FOVOS have made hard-hitting techno and house tracks their namesake, and their newest release “Pure” certainly doesn’t disappoint. Upon first listen, it’s clear that the title is meant to represent pure underground sound, with driving and minimal bass lines that are meant for dark clubs and certainly aren’t for the faint of heart. As heard in their recent singles “Platia” and “Under Pressure,” FOVOS draws on inspiration from the old school raves of the 90s, bringing a dose of nostalgia with a modern twist. Whether you’re looking for your next festival anthem or after-hours banger, look no further than “Pure.”
“We’re so keen to get this dirty underground track out there. Pure takes heavy inspiration from old-school 90s raves and tries to bring that vibe into a modern techno banger. The track features a 90s-inspired vocal sample, tearing synths, and grooving bassline that’s sure to get any dancefloor moving.” – FOVOS
FOVOS began their artist adventure back in 2020 and throughout the midst of a global pandemic, have been hard at work producing music that speaks to the heart of the underground. Even early in their career, they’ve already been supported by Alok, AC Slater, Cloverdale, Dr. Fresch, Eli & Fur, Joel Corry, Kryder, Martin Ikin, and MASTERIA, to name a few. The duo has already been off to a strong start in 2022, while “Platia” continues their momentum. FOVOS have more music lined up for 2022 on the likes of Lee Foss’ Repopulate Mars, Insomniac, Barong Family, and more. Stay tuned for many more dancefloor-worthy tracks from these two.
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Title: Round My Head
Label: CONTROVERSIA
Tomorrowland resident Yves V makes his triumphant return to Alok‘s label CONTROVERSIA with his new track “Round My Head,” for which he teamed up with the label’s regular and their very own artist Bhaskar. The release is a dance-pop crossover suitable for both festival dance floors and radio airwaves, with dreamy and rhythmic male vocals. With the groovy melodies and driving tech house bassline, “Round My Head” fuses genres perfectly to make for an approachable and catchy gem. Yves V has recently released “She Movin’” with 22Bullets on Spinnin’ Records last month, and on the flip side we saw Bhaskar‘s stream of successful originals on Alok‘s label, such as “I Feel You,” “Higher,” or “See You There.”
Yves V has gained global recognition for his dynamic big room style with releases like “King Cobra” with Don Diablo, “Octagon,” “Direct Dizko” with Sander Van Doorn, “Madagascar” with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, and “We Got That Cool” with Afrojack & Icona Pop. He has also remixed the likes of Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Ginuwine, and more. In 2022, the producer is amassing almost 4.5M monthly listeners on Spotify alone and has been supported by heavyweights such as David Guetta, Afrojack, Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren and more. His electrifying live performances have wowed crowds at some of the world’s best festivals, including Tomorrowland, Sensation, Amsterdam Dance Event, David Guetta in Concert and Mysteryland.
Bhaskar began his history in 2004, still at age 12, when his first project with his twin brother Alok started. It all began as a hobby, but in a short time, they were already splitting their time between the studies and the studio. Son of renowned DJs Swarup and Ekanta, Bhaskar was inspired by his parents’ success and soon started to tour the world playing his music. Throughout his career, the Brazilian has collected a few hits to his name, including “Fuego” (145M+ Spotify streams) and “Infinity” (105M+ Spotify streams). His talents have led him to collaborate with and remix artists, including Tomorrowland resident Yves V, Moguai, Dubdogz, Wankelmut, Lucas Estrada, the Brazilian pop star Anitta and his brother Alok. Bhaskar has some more surprises up his sleeve, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!
Photography + Words: Darren Chan
In another chilly winter evening in Melbourne, UK psychedelic indie-pop group, Glass Animals brought the summer vibes into John Cain Arena.
With a pineapple placed next to the drum kit looking like an orange, the band strolled onstage to an ecstastic crowd. Under neon signs and colourful stage lighting, they took everyone into their tropical oasis, performing tracks from their Dreamland album including Dreamland, Tangerine, Hot Sugar, and their hits Heat Waves and Gooey.
Lead singer Dave Bayley danced around the stage enjoying every moment, and the audience followed suit dancing the night away. This is as close to summer as we’ll get in the middle of winter!
Where are you currently based?
Brisbane, Australia!
How did Grizzlyshark first start?
Liam: Three of us (Liam, Andrew and Adam) were in a band together previously, which shall remain nameless for the sake of our dignity, and we’d had Joey fill in on bass for us once before. When that band broke up we decided to keep playing music together and asked Joey to join us.
Andrew: I needed an excuse to hang out with Liam. A band seemed like the right move.
What’s been happening recently?
Liam: We most recently played a show with Glass Tides, Shangrila and Citadel at The Zoo in Brisbane which was awesome.
Your latest single ‘There’s No I In Quaranteam’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
Liam: The song draws heavily from the 2008-2012 post-hardcore/emo scene, which we all grew up listening to and influenced our musical taste for years.
Andrew: I’ve been playing with the theme of this song for a fair few years. The start of it happened at a friends 18th. He had his “once a year phone call” from his father and not once was he wished a happy birthday. The train ride home broke my heart hearing how my friend had been treated by his father.
How did you go about writing There’s No I In Quaranteam?
Liam wrote the music while doing a side project that never panned out which played a similar style of music. The music itself was written first with more a Grizzlyshark spin on it than straight post-hardcore. Andrew and Joey then wrote all the lyrics and vocal melodies, though these were changing right up until we recorded the final version.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
Back in July last year! Hard to believe it’s been that long. We recorded with Troy Brady (The Amity Affliction) who we’ve worked with for all of our releases to date. Having worked with him on 4 occasions he understands how we function (and sometimes don’t) as a unit, and it always feels like he knows how to get the best out of us.
How did you approach the recording process?
Doing a whole EP this time was pretty different compared to other times we’ve recorded. We came with 6 songs in various states of completion, one of which we’d done extensive pre-production with Alan Day from Four Year Strong (TMS). One of the songs got scrapped, and the 5th song got changed drastically in the recording process, and was built from some music Liam had written and lyrics and melodies that Andrew came up with during the recording process. Very different for us, as our writing process usually takes a while and we like to record quickly!
Your upcoming EP ‘MOSAIC’ is out on July 29, what can we expect?
Not consistency, that’s for sure! Our 3 released singles will be on there (TMS, What’s The Plan Gogglehead? and There’s No “I” In Quaranteam) along with 2 as yet unheard songs. It’s safe to say that none of the songs necessarily fit into exactly the same genre, which is pretty typical of Grizzlyshark at this stage. One in particular is very different to anything we’ve released at this point.
How did MOSAIC come about and what does this EP mean to you?
Honestly like most bands at the moment it came from the pandemic. When we released our last set of singles (Vicarious and Remember The Black Box) back in 2020 we were geared up to record an EP at the time with those songs and then right after we returned from the Vicarious launch tour that we played in QLD and NSW the pandemic hit. That took a lot of enthusiasm away from the music, until we started writing more, and eventually after discarding many demos we weren’t happy with, we had a set of songs we were really proud of. The name MOSAIC comes from the fact that this is a collections of from different genres written it different times, but all coming together to make Grizzlyshark what it is.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Windwaker, Ocean Grove, ERRA, Sleep Token, Letlive.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2022 going into 2023?
We’ll be joining We Set Signals for the Brisbane and Gold Coast legs of their upcoming tour in August, and will have an EP release show at an as yet unannounced time. After that, who knows? We might direct a movie or start selling bootleg goods, honestly we have no idea!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Death and Taxes is the “classiest” place you will find us. Otherwise Netherworld or someone’s place for boardgames is a common hangout for the band.
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‘Drum Workout!’ is out now, watch Visualiser HERE / Save & Stream it HERE
Full EP out in Summer on LG105
The enigmatic Phairo newly emerges as a dance music artist after years in high demand producing acclaimed names in other genres such as Bruno Major, ELIZA and Sam Wills. His new project ‘9’ will drop monthly as singles. ‘Galacticon’ and ‘Drum Workout!’ are out now, with ‘Dwemer Sphere’ coming August 12th before the full almost-album drops Sept 9th.
Fired up by working on the likes of Bruno’s first two albums, including hits like ‘Easily’ (with 295 million streams on Spotify alone), Phairo found lockdown unlocked his first love. ‘Club and dance music first got me into producing at about 16, so it felt amazing to re-enter that realm and find a new love and excitement for making beats! I wanted to make music on my own, with the main focus on musical and production ideas.’
‘Galacticon’, his first ‘9’single, delivers those beats in spades, a drum- and bass-heavy track with a jazzed up industrial vibe overlaid with mysterious distorted melody. Genre-bending, yes, but eminently danceable.
‘Drum Workout!’ is in Phairo’s own words ‘a clubby thumper with a bonkers beat’. Cool, jazzy, exuberantly intricate percussion takes centre stage, the bones of dance laid bare, contrasted with a breakdown and climax of juddering string chords. If you’re not dancing to it, you’re drumming along to it on any available surface.
‘At 9 tracks it’s longer than an EP, but shorter than an album, more like a mixtape – a broad indicator of my influences and musical loves, and a good sign of what’s to come and where I’m headed musically.’ The artwork for the full project, from artist Osian Jenaer, is heavily inspired by Phairo’s intrigue with the number 9 and his love for sci-fi, nature and otherworldly scenes.
Drum Workout! is out now on LG105, get it here: https://phairo.lnk.to/DrumWorkoutSo
Full ‘9’ EP Track List:
- Skyward
- Galacticon
- Yaled
- Drum Workout
- Talk To Me
- Excavation
- Dwemer Sphere
- Breathe
- 9
Connect with Phairo on Spotify | Soundcloud | Facebook
Formal outfits are great for making any event stand out. They can be so elegant, but sometimes they also can come across as boring and way too expected. But there’s no need to stay in the same old suit or dress that everyone is wearing, here are some ways you could make your formal outfit stand out!
The First ‘Pop’ Of Color
First and foremost, you can choose to wear a more unique shirt or some other part of your outfit. You’ll need to make sure that it fits with the rest of your outfit though. Perhaps, for example, if you’re into wearing long sleeve cocktail dresses you might consider adding a beautiful necklace as an accent piece! Scarves can go great with suits and they’re always an eye-catcher. If you want something even simpler just add a pop of color into this area rather than going full-on monochrome. Why not wear a colorful tie, or simply choose some socks in another shade? It’ll really help light up the room.
Think about what color you choose for your formal outfit. If you aren’t bold enough to wear something super bright, stick with darker colors like black or navy blue. No matter how plain it may seem now, with the right accessories and a confident stride you’ll be turning heads! Wearing a color that no one else is wearing will make all the difference in growing your confidence and making everything about the event stand out! For example, don’t go in a regular, dark suit. Instead, try going with a dark gray three-piece suit! For an extra touch, add some gold buttons to your blazer. Or if that’s too much, then try adding just one or two small ones to accent the jacket.
Accessorize To Stand Out
This can be trickier than it seems, but accessories make all the difference! Just adding a scarf to your outfit instantly makes whatever you are wearing stand out since no one else is going to have one! But if scarves aren’t your thing, and you want to impress your friends, then try adding some statement jewelry or even glasses instead. You could also throw on an extra accessory that isn’t too flashy, just to tie everything together nicely. Just don’t go overboard with accessories, pick just one or two at most. For example, you can wear a brown belt with matching brown shoes and attach a gold money clip right near the loops for your pants so you know exactly how much money you have on you at all times without the need to dig through your wallet.
Know What You Are Wearing Before You Leave The House
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised by how many people don’t take the time to read everything on their outfit before they leave the house! If you’re going somewhere special and want to make sure that you stand out as much as possible, then it’s imperative that you look over every piece of clothing and accessory. Make sure nothing is wrinkled or doesn’t match up with something else. This way there won’t be any confusion about what you are wearing and you will look perfect for whatever formal event is taking place! For example, don’t wear your shiny dress with a casual suit jacket, it’s pretty obvious and it looks like you don’t know what you’re doing. Instead, wear a nice blazer over your dress and make sure there aren’t any buttons missing or loose threads hanging around either.
Choose A Formal Outfit That Makes You Feel Comfortable And Confident!
Always choose an outfit that makes you feel confident. If you don’t feel good in what you’re wearing then no one else will either because people will be able to sense your discomfort from a mile away. Also, when in doubt, just go with the safe bet of slacks and a nice button-down shirt, it never fails! Even if everyone is wearing suits, yours will not look exactly the same as theirs since it won’t have the same jacket or the same color pants, but that’s okay! It will still look great and you’ll feel confident. For example, don’t wear a dress with sneakers, even if others are wearing them too. Your outfit may be on-trend but no one will take you seriously when they see you awkwardly trying to walk around in heels while carrying your umbrella! Slip-on some flats if it isn’t raining out, or better yet…just skip umbrellas altogether if there’s no chance of raining.
New Hair Style
If you were planning to go for that classic barbershop shave or just a regular little trim, then why not opt for something different? Going for the classic ‘short back and sides’ always looks nice, but this time try going with some more messy textures. Or perhaps consider shaving off your sideburns completely, it’ll definitely be something different! If you usually keep your hair relatively plain one way to make an outfit stand out is to get yourself some dye, there are so many fun colors available these days. It’s also worth checking out which of your friends might have similar haircuts if you’re looking for inspiration on how they’ve done theirs!
The All-Important Shoes
One of the most noticeable features of any formal outfit is the shoes. And if you’re planning on standing out then why not try and find some statement shoes? Cowboy boots and brightly colored slip-on shoes can be great, but they should only really be used as special occasion shoes. If you want to wear them regularly we’d recommend choosing something more versatile, perhaps a nice pair of white canvas sneakers or loafers. Contrasting textures like suede and leather can also look great, but it’s best to keep things relatively plain! If you want something even more eye-catching then perhaps you could find yourself some over-the-knee boots, which would definitely look nice with a dress or skirt!
Think Outside The Box
Everyone loves that classic tuxedo jacket, but today there are so many ways to wear it that no other piece of clothing can claim! If black is too predictable for your tastes then try going for either a different color or pattern. Perhaps opt for a dark navy blue if you’re looking for something more casual and relaxed, or go all out and try wearing one with a bright floral print. The same principles apply to anything from blazers to military jackets as well, it’s all about getting creative and thinking outside the box! All it takes is a few little changes to completely change the look of any piece of clothing.
The most important thing to remember when creating a formal outfit is that it’s all about standing out, but not in an obnoxious way. We’ve provided you with some helpful tips for your next event or outing so that you can look and feel confident without being too over the top. Remember, if at first glance someone sees a suit jacket button on both sides of your neckline then they’ll know what kind of person you are! So be sure to have fun with your outfits while still remaining professional, there really isn’t anything more elegant than knowing how to walk the line between those two extremes.
Purchasing the perfect gift for your loved ones can be an overwhelming task. You might think that it is nothing but a simple task, but there are several aspects to take into consideration when making this selection. When you start thinking about it carefully, you will realize how complicated the process of buying gifts can become! Fortunately for you, we have decided to list the most common situations in which you might find yourself and some great gift ideas for each one.
Customized Rings
The perfect ring is the one that has been created specifically for that special someone. Therefore, your first thought should be to get a customized creation. If you manage to do this before popping the question, there will be no doubt in her mind about which band she will wear on her finger forever! The great news is that with today’s technology and advanced techniques, almost any design can become reality. For instance, if her favorite colors are dark green and pink; it is possible to come up with an innovative blend of precious stones and metals where both colors stand out, but they also complement each other perfectly. This kind of symbolic gesture made by you will definitely leave a lasting and at the same time prove how much you care about your lover. There are many sites on the internet that can provide a ring engraving service after you place your order. This kind of gift will be appreciated by both men and women who are looking for something unique and special. You could also consider giving her a ring with the birthstones of all those whom she cares about as much as she does for you. This way, you will convey your feelings to everyone that is important to her and celebrate all their lives!
Pocket Watch
If your loved one has a thing for the old days, you can surprise him/her with a pocket watch. This type of timepiece is classy, stylish, and it will make them feel like they have traveled back in time! There are numerous available options to choose from, including vintage designs as well as those which put a modern twist on an old favorite. However, do not think that this type of watch only looks good when not being used; there are those that provide hands-free viewing, hence doubling up as a necklace or simply by attaching it to your belt. Thus, you should pay attention to the specific features before making any final decisions. Furthermore, just because they look beautiful doesn’t mean that they don’t come with great accuracy when it comes to keeping time. So, do not hesitate to surprise your loved one with this special gift!
Anniversary Gifts
If the special occasion is the wedding anniversary, a romantic gesture would be to give something out of your shared past. For instance, if your partner spent his childhood years in a city that is far from where you live now, you can purchase a ticket for two and go there on a trip. You can even rent the same hotel room that he used to stay at, which will bring back some familiar memories and take your romantic life to an even more intimate level. If it is your first anniversary and your budget is slightly tight, we suggest giving flowers or a couple of personal mementos from your wedding. No matter how little you spend, however, making this decision will be a meaningful gesture that your partner will appreciate. The best gift idea for a birthday is something personal and of great sentimental value to the person that you love most. You can opt for something like tickets or passes to a place that is dear to them and share some very special moments together.
Spa Date & Flowers
The perfect getaway idea is a spa day date. You get to relax and rejuvenate while enjoying some time alone with your lover. Watching her take a bath, giving her a message, and simply being together in such an environment will bring you closer in many ways. If the weather permits, you can even take this outing to the pool in order to double up on all of the benefits that this activity entails! If you cannot afford to spend a lot of money on one single gift, why not opt for something that you can give in installments? For instance, if your partner loves flowers but would never be able to cultivate them herself because she does not have much free time; what about planting two rose bushes that will always remind both of you of your love? Furthermore, you can also get her a rose-themed jewelry box that will help her keep all of the gifts in one place and make it easy for you to surprise her with another bouquet on every special occasion.
A Beauty Basket
A beauty basket filled with body oils, bath salts, and flower petals is another wonderful option to consider. Think about all of the things that make your lover tick and include them all in this gift basket! The best part about these creative presents is that they do not have a specific meaning or purpose attached to them. Anyone who receives such a gift will know just how much thought was put into choosing it, which more than makes up for its lack of meaning!
Everybody Loves Jewelry
Jewelry is often the go-to gift idea when it comes to surprising your loved ones with presents. It is not only classic, but it also has a sentimental value that cannot be easily replaced by some other gift item. The first thing you have to consider when buying jewelry as a surprise gift for someone is the person’s preferences. Is he or she more of a silver fan, or are they more into gold? What kind of jewelry are they usually attracted to? Diamonds, pearls, or maybe jade? Even if you know the answer to these questions, always have a backup plan in case you are proven wrong. If your partner’s tastes change over time, chances are that he or she will appreciate being pleasantly surprised with something completely different than what they used to wear. You can opt for bracelets, necklaces, or even earrings if your budget is very limited.
If you have been wondering what present idea would be best for your loved one, surprise them with something from their past. Something that brings back memories from when they were children could be an excellent idea for a meaningful gift without costing much. If there is a specific activity that the two of you have always dreamed about doing but never managed to find an opportunity, this would be a perfect gift. This way you will create a memory together and share a wonderful experience that she can treasure forever. If none of these appeals to you, something as simple as the gift of your time would not go unnoticed by your partner!