Even if you tend to avoid dresses for the rest of the year, the coming of real sunshine and summer holidays may mean you forgo your usual fashion rules and opt for a frock. Dresses come in so many different guises now, so you can usually find something that suits your height, your shape, your colouring and your personal style without having to compromise too much. Dresses can be cool. be comfortable, be classic or ultra fashionable, they can help you flash the flesh or cover a multiple of sins, and a dress is never less than an interesting addition to your wardrobe. I have been looking at dresses in…

When you think about where you would like to be financially in a few years, you understandably may have grand dreams of being financially independent and of working for the enjoyment rather than because of necessity. Perhaps you only want to work part-time so that you have more free time to spend with loved ones. Unfortunately, it may seem like these dreams will continue to be dreams because of a tight budget. After all, if you cannot afford to save and invest for the future, you cannot realistically expect to improve your lifestyle. Some experts recommend cutting back by reducing your lifestyle to an almost painful level. While this is…

The bedroom is one of the most important rooms in your home. Not only is it the place where you sleep, it is also somewhere to relax and unwind after a long day. By making a few simple changes to your bedroom, you can not only enhance the look of it but also create your own perfect space. A stylish but cozy bedroom is the perfect place to escape to. One of the most important things to think about when creating the perfect bedroom is your bed. Having the right bed is essential, not just for the look of your room but also for your comfort. Having a comfortable bed…

Polarity & Proximity is the latest mixed programme by the Birmingham Royal Ballet, a set of three short ballets linked by the theme, showing how relationships can bring us together, but how the same things can also drive us apart. The programme opened last night at the Birmingham Hippodrome and was a powerful exploration of feelings and desires performed by a stunning ensemble. Kin Alexander Whitley’s Kin is the most abstract of the three pieces, with no real story line, it is instead a story of kin in two senses – that of family, and also of movement – being Kinetic. Against a moody backdrop almost shrouded in mist, Kin…