By Rachael Perry, Stylist & Personal Shopper
Summer has been particularly elusive this year, but in the last couple of weeks, she’s definitely given us a teaser of what could be to come. Gorgeous, balmy nights sat out in the garden with a glass of Rose. Sunday afternoons spent on a terrace bar with your friends, an Aperol spritz in hand. It really doesn’t get any better, and whilst some people may disagree with me, I’ll stand firm on the fact that there is no better place in the world than London in the summer. There’s such an undeniable buzz and people are just happier!
The only thing that really gets to us all, is the heat. The unbearable, stifling heat that (combined with the vicious new strain of hayfever) feels like it might be literally suffocating us. London isn’t built for the heat and unless you’re a member of a handful of specific clubs with pools, it’s inescapable. As a celebrity stylist and private shopper, it’s my job to help people still look chic while braving this heat. So, I’ve compiled a list of a few summer styling hacks that will hopefully make life that little bit easier when the next inevitable heatwave commences…
- Pick your fabrics wisely – go for loose cottons or linens, they’re breathable fabrics that will keep you cool. Avoid synthetics at all costs!
- Invest in some underarm sweat pads – you can buy these easily online. You attach them to the inside armpit of your shirt and they catch any sweat. At the end of the day, you just take them off and throw them away, so you won’t get discolouring on your clothes from sweat and you don’t have to wash your shirts after every wear.
- Carry a mini fan or water face spray – you can pick these up in your local chemist or online, but when you’re feeling the heat there’s nothing more effective than a refreshing spritz!
- Sandals over sneakers – I know, London is grubby, but spending an extra 5 minutes in the shower when you get home is a small price to pay, trust me. Anything with an open toe will keep you much cooler, and there are plenty of chic options around. All hail the Birkenstock!
- Summer tailoring – one way to still make sure your look is elevated, even when you’re dressing for the heat, is to pick well tailored pieces made out of lighter fabrics. A gorgeous linen pair of shorts for example, with a plain cotton T-shirt or even a matching waistcoat, will become your go-to for sunny days.
Stay cool out there!
7 Essential Home Maintenance Tips
A Guide for the Discerning Homeowner
Your home is more than just a place to live; it’s where you find peace and it often represents a testament to your lifestyle. Therefore, maintaining its value and integrity is paramount. Of course, more complex tasks will require professional maintenance services but regular maintenance and simple timely repairs by the homeowner can prevent costly issues and extend the lifespan of essential systems. Here are 7, easily actionable tips to preserve and protect your home…
Top 7 Tips for Planned Preventive Maintenance
- Regular inspection of leaky pipes: Preventing water damage is crucial. Regularly check for minor leaks in toilets, sinks, water heaters, showers and around windows. Look for water pockets in walls, especially after heavy rain or snow. Early detection can save you from expensive repairs and maintain your home’s pristine condition.
- Seal cracks and re-caulk showers: The daily use of kitchen and bathroom surfaces can lead to loosened tiles and cracks. Reseal areas around tubs, sinks and tiles to prevent water infiltration and subsequent damage. This simple step maintains the beauty and functionality of your spaces.
- Conduct periodic EICR inspections: Ensuring the safety and functionality of your electrical systems is non-negotiable. Periodic Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) identify potential hazards and ensure compliance with the latest regulations. Protect your property and its occupants with regular EICR inspections.
- Repaint and maintain interior/exterior walls: A fresh coat of paint does wonders for your home’s appearance and longevity. Don’t wait for paint to peel or walls to dull. Regular repainting enhances curb appeal and marketability, keeping your home looking as good as new.
- Replace air filters regularly: Clean air is essential for a healthy living environment. Neglecting air ducts can lead to costly cleaning and inefficient heating or cooling. Regularly replacing air filters ensures optimal system performance and a comfortable home atmosphere.
- Ensure smoke detectors and fire alarms are functional: Safety first. Schedule regular checks for smoke detectors and other safety devices. Replace batteries, check wiring, and invest in new devices as needed. These simple actions can prevent injuries, property damage and legal liabilities.
- Care for wooden, stone and other natural finishes: Natural finishes require regular care to maintain their elegance. Periodically treat and polish wooden products, seal stone surfaces and maintain other finishes to preserve their appearance and integrity. Engaging professionals ensures your property’s exquisite finishes remain in pristine condition.
The Importance of Planned Preventative Maintenance Services
Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) is crucial for managing high-value properties, providing a proactive approach to maintenance that prevents costly repairs and ensures the longevity of essential systems. By regularly servicing systems like HVAC, electrical, and plumbing, minor issues are addressed before they escalate into major problems, resulting in significant cost savings and enhanced efficiency. PPM also ensures compliance with safety regulations, reducing the risk of accidents and legal liabilities while maintaining healthy indoor air quality and water safety which is crucial for the wellbeing of residents.
Moreover, PPM extends the lifespan of property assets, from critical systems to aesthetic elements, preserving the property’s value and appeal. Efficient maintenance practices contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing energy consumption and emissions, aligning with the growing emphasis on reducing carbon footprints. A well-maintained property is more attractive to buyers and tenants, holding its value better and commanding higher market prices. This is particularly vital for luxury properties, where maintaining the highest standards is essential to meet the expectations of discerning homeowners.
Children’s Summer Party Planning Tips
Since 1st May this year, at Sharky & George, we have organised 796 ‘summer’ parties. Whilst planning these in our minds they were all in glorious sunshine, in reality there has been a little more rain than anticipated. Whether it’s a children’s birthday party in the garden or a 24-hour challenge for 200 adults on a private island, fun is the priority in everything we do to make sure everyone has a blast, whatever the weather. So from us to you, here’s some ideas and top tips for planning your summer party…
Olympic Games
With 2024 being the summer of the Paris Olympics, what better theme to go for than your own Olympiad. Choose some of your favourite disciplines and modify them for the ages and numbers coming to the party. The more ridiculous the better. A few ideas that we particularly enjoy are:
- Shoe shot put
- Long balloon fencing
- Break dancing (Breaking officially!)
- Hobby horse dressage
- Obstacle course triathlon
- Beach volleyball
- Nerf shooting
Be sure to start the party off with an opening ceremony with a torch bearer and each country represented with flags and stirring music. And a medal ceremony is essential, ideally with some form of podium if you’re feeling creative!
Park Location
If you’re going to host a party in a park then you want to find a spot that has some shade, is close to toilets and ideally has access to a tap for water games. We’d highly recommend sharing a https://what3words.com/ location with all your guests so that you can pinpoint exactly where you’re going to meet.
Reduce Single Use Plastic
Water bombs are essential to almost every summer party. We used to get through thousands every week, but after some serious research, development and testing, we have settled on some excellent reusable magnetic water bombs, which are much better for the environment and are also a lot easier to fill up than fiddling about with tap connectors. All you need is a bucket of water and a few reusable water bombs and you’re away. On the same subject, provide paper cups and jugs of water rather than loads of plastic water bottles.
Drip Drip Drop
This is a great version of ‘duck, duck, goose’ with water. Everyone sits in a circle, one person has a cup of water and as they walk around the circle they drip a few droplets onto each person’s head, saying ‘drip’ each time. When they choose to say ‘drop’, they pour the whole cup onto the person’s head and leg it round the circle back to that spot before being caught by the person who received the drop. You then switch over the cupbearer.
Slip & Slide
If you want to have a slip and slide, get to a building merchants or look online to get roofing plastic rather than an official slip and slide. You’ll be able to get something far bigger and better at a much lower price. We’d also recommend just using water rather than washing up liquid to avoid rashes on sensitive skin and messing up the grass.
Plan for & Embrace the Weather
We are of the opinion that in almost all cases you should crack on, whatever the weather, so if it looks like it’s going to be wet, ask everyone to dress appropriately and then soldier on as if it was a lovely summer’s day.
Top Tips Tick List:
- Break for lunch/tea in the middle
- Have a wet weather plan – keep the party outside if possible
- Water bombs – or a finale at the end like a silly string battle or eco confetti cannons.
- Get parents involved with games – don’t just stand and watch
- Make a banging playlist
- Keep tea short
- Jugs of water and cups – save plastic
- Bowls of food – avoid things you have to open
- Avoid hot food
- Retro tea faves are the best
- Use a sprinkler if you can
- Get an ice cream van instead of cake
- Make a den for tea
For help planning your next summer party, speak to the Sharky & George team today.