Summer is a season i'll never get used to. Every year i'm caught completely unawares by the sudden need to wear no clothes and shave my bits and slather myself in factor 50. It's a wonder my pale butt actually manages to survive the week or so of heat we get in the UK, since i'm always, usually, so unprepared. This year i've already experienced two proper summers, thanks to a lovely foray to Majorca and Tenerife, and now i've got a battle plan to get me through to the days where i can put my woolies and 50 dernier nylons back on! So here's a couple of steps of my plan, just in case they come in handy to anyone else who considers summer a bit of a battle field.
How To Securely Fasten Bikini Strings
I'm not talking about tying a basic knot, most people over the age of 10 are aware of how to do that one. I've always been paranoid about string bikinis, even with a double knot they're so easy to undo or loosen. I've probably seen too many cliche teen movies with the immature male sexually harassing (in guise of a joke) a female by removing her bikini top. So i thought i'd share the Sheet Bend knot i use to make these scenarios impossible. This knot is boy proof, grabby baby proof and wear proof so string bikini wearers should worry no more.
(Please ignore the glare right where the focus of the reader should be in the demonstration photos. This was not intentional and my camera is a bit of a shit for including it in every photo even though i have a UV filter over my lens.)
I'm not talking about tying a basic knot, most people over the age of 10 are aware of how to do that one. I've always been paranoid about string bikinis, even with a double knot they're so easy to undo or loosen. I've probably seen too many cliche teen movies with the immature male sexually harassing (in guise of a joke) a female by removing her bikini top. So i thought i'd share the Sheet Bend knot i use to make these scenarios impossible. This knot is boy proof, grabby baby proof and wear proof so string bikini wearers should worry no more.
(Please ignore the glare right where the focus of the reader should be in the demonstration photos. This was not intentional and my camera is a bit of a shit for including it in every photo even though i have a UV filter over my lens.)
1. Create a loop with one of the strings and thread the other under and through it.
Keep hold of the loop.
2. Thread the lose string behind the loop, so it is now hanging down your back.
This will make another loop.
3. Thread the loose string through the new loop. When doing this behind your back i've found it's easiest to keep hold of this loop it's being created (in step 2), like shown in the demonstation photo, so you can easily pull the loose string through it.
I like to tie a bow on top for aesthetic reasons but the strings can also be left loose. I also use this knot on any back straps or side ties on bikini bottoms too.
This knot is a tad tricky and if it's constructed wrong can be flimsy so mastering it will take a bit of practice. And then once you've mastered it you'll have to master how to do it behind your back as well. It's important you don't tie this impossibly tight because you'll want to be able to pull the neck straps over your head as undoing the knot requires being able to see it. Unless you've got crazy hand brain coordination (which i do not, i can't even tie a plait behind my back).
Staying Hydrated
So this has cropped up all over Pinterest recently but it's something i've been doing for years, and it's only just hit me that other people haven't even considered it. I'm talking about infused water. I never seem to drink water in large quantities, it's just not interesting enough to keep my attention and i often end up dehydrated. Putting some kind of flavour in water works a dream for getting me to enjoy drinking it and thus i end up drinking more. The "recipes" on Pinterest are all a bit: stick this in your expensive mason jars and leave for a day, etc. but they don't really address what kind of flavours you can achieve and i do things a little differently.
If you want infused water immediately opt for citrus fruits, cucumber or passion fruit. These are really strong flavours and all they need is to be placed into water to begin infusing. Citrus fruits are an overwhelming flavour so if you intend to add other ingredients in the hopes of making a mix of flavours it's best to be sparing with the amount you add.
Soft fruits such as strawberries, nectarines, peaches, apricots will need to be pulped (or blended) before adding to your water. These kinds of fruits won't infuse in their whole or sliced form.
Herbs, when added straight to cold water, will provide a very subtle flavour and will be overwhelmed by any other flavours unless they are added in large quantities. Crushing the leaves and buds in your hands before will help a little. If you want the flavour to be any richer you'll need to add them to boiling water and then allow it to cool. Sweet and savoury herbs, such as mint, spearmint, thyme and lavender are my particular favourites. If you have herb plants don't worry about stripping the leaves, this actually encourages the plant to grow a new larger, healthier crop (I should know, my poor mint plants take a battering every summer and yet they're happy and alive).
This kind of post is completely new to oflambsandlace so i'd really appreciate any kind of feedback and if this is popular or anyone would like, i have a few other tips that i can share.
This will make another loop.
3. Thread the loose string through the new loop. When doing this behind your back i've found it's easiest to keep hold of this loop it's being created (in step 2), like shown in the demonstation photo, so you can easily pull the loose string through it.
4. Take hold of all four protruding strings and pull tight to form the knot.
This knot is a tad tricky and if it's constructed wrong can be flimsy so mastering it will take a bit of practice. And then once you've mastered it you'll have to master how to do it behind your back as well. It's important you don't tie this impossibly tight because you'll want to be able to pull the neck straps over your head as undoing the knot requires being able to see it. Unless you've got crazy hand brain coordination (which i do not, i can't even tie a plait behind my back).
Staying Hydrated
So this has cropped up all over Pinterest recently but it's something i've been doing for years, and it's only just hit me that other people haven't even considered it. I'm talking about infused water. I never seem to drink water in large quantities, it's just not interesting enough to keep my attention and i often end up dehydrated. Putting some kind of flavour in water works a dream for getting me to enjoy drinking it and thus i end up drinking more. The "recipes" on Pinterest are all a bit: stick this in your expensive mason jars and leave for a day, etc. but they don't really address what kind of flavours you can achieve and i do things a little differently.
Soft fruits such as strawberries, nectarines, peaches, apricots will need to be pulped (or blended) before adding to your water. These kinds of fruits won't infuse in their whole or sliced form.
Herbs, when added straight to cold water, will provide a very subtle flavour and will be overwhelmed by any other flavours unless they are added in large quantities. Crushing the leaves and buds in your hands before will help a little. If you want the flavour to be any richer you'll need to add them to boiling water and then allow it to cool. Sweet and savoury herbs, such as mint, spearmint, thyme and lavender are my particular favourites. If you have herb plants don't worry about stripping the leaves, this actually encourages the plant to grow a new larger, healthier crop (I should know, my poor mint plants take a battering every summer and yet they're happy and alive).
This kind of post is completely new to oflambsandlace so i'd really appreciate any kind of feedback and if this is popular or anyone would like, i have a few other tips that i can share.