Tom Simpkins

Content Marketing Manager

United Kingdom

Writer of articles, reviews, novellas, and campaigns. You could say I'm an eclectic writer.

I've been a Content Writer, SEO Specialist, Marketing Manager, and everything in-between.

From 'mom & pop' style businesses like The Dining Club company to globally-recognised industry leaders such as Omnisend. Between enthusiastic, passion-driven marketing agencies like MediaCom, and internationally-trusted consultancy firms such as Peninsula; that's where you'll find me.

But I'm more than just my career. When I'm away from my desk, I'm an avid gamer, a passionate DM, and a lover of spiced rum.

It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm sure.

Portfolio

Best of...

Benenden Health
09/16/2022
All About Mental Health | Benenden Health

Mental health is all about how we think and how we feel, which then influences our behaviour, mood, and overall wellbeing. Everyone's idea of good mental health is different.

Omnisend Blog
06/24/2021
How to Write Engaging Product Descriptions

You want your customers to know all about your products. To do so, we’ll explore how to craft product descriptions, with product description examples.

JUST™ Creative
01/20/2020
5 Huge Marketing Campaigns Mistakes Gone Wrong | JUST™ Creative

Marketing campaigns are some of the best ways to get the word out about your company, a product, or even just a message. Whether you're aiming to make your brand iconic or simply trying to make a joke out of the competition, a marketing campaign can be a powerful tool.

Packaging of the World - Creative Package Design Gallery
How Being Eco-Friendly is Affecting the Packaging Market

It's becoming more and more common for companies to embrace an eco-friendly mentality, which is great news for all involved. Lower carbon emissions, less pollution and a more transparent manner of conducting business are just a handful of the reasons that people should celebrate an eco-friendly mindset.

ValueWalk
02/11/2020
Driverless cars: The growth of the autonomous market - ValueWalk

The concept of driverless cars and autonomous vehicles always feels a little out of reach. Even in a world filled with smartphones that are perpetually connected to the internet, homes filled and run by virtual assistant AIs and almost every form of entertainment ever created available at a click of a button, we still consider a vehicle with no one behind the wheel something that seems more familiar on Black Mirror rather than on our own roads.

Brighthr
10/09/2020
What is Company Culture and Why is it Important | BrightHR

'Company culture' and 'business culture' are defined by the values, goals, and structure of your business. In short, your company culture is important because it affects whether your people enjoy working for you. And that has a big impact on staff retention and productivity. But this often raises the question, what is a good company culture?

WhatCulture.com
12/07/2017
10 Ways Hunter S Thompson Was Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die

Hunter S Thompson is an almost peerless legend when it comes to journalism and American writing in general. The man's work is often found throughout many American school's curriculum for God's sake, which when considering the gravity of the man is an honour that is still somehow a low point in his career.

Latest Articles

Eurocell
5 Ways to Keep Your Conservatory Cool This Summer | Eurocell

With the baking temperatures of summer in full swing, many are looking for different ways to keep cool and comfortable inside their homes. When it comes to how to make a conservatory cool, however, it can often feel like a losing battle.

Simplypaving
DIY Garden Projects To Do Over a Weekend | Simply Paving

With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, it's about time to roll our sleeves up and get cracking with your next DIY garden project. However, not everybody has the same time to dedicate to outdoor projects.

Omnisend Blog
09/17/2021
How to Brand Your Customer Journey

Your entire customer journey benefits from your own unique brand. We explore how to enrich your customer journey with brand voice examples.

Omnisend Blog
05/03/2021
The Ultimate Guide to Discount Pricing Strategies Omnisend Blog

When looking for products, a customer will always want to get the most bang for their buck. When offering these products, merchants will always want to be the best option for their target market, while still making a profit. This perpetual negotiation is the heart of pricing strategies.

Omnisend Blog
04/28/2021
Retention Marketing: Why It's Important for Ecommerce

While it's important to keep your net wide and try to catch new customers, it's equally vital, if not more so, to ensure that those who are already customers don't slip through the netting.

Omnisend Blog
04/15/2021
What is Customer Engagement Marketing? Omnisend Blog

The best brands are built on a strong foundation of customer trust and mutually beneficial engagement. Customer engagement can come in many forms, from contests on social media to openly addressing customer feedback.

Omnisend Blog
03/31/2021
Why Email Marketers Should Embrace, Not Fear, the Unsubscribe

As an online merchant, you naturally want to spread the word about your website and your products to as many potential customers as possible. Carefully building a sizable email marketing list is one way for companies to do just that.

Omnisend Blog
03/31/2021
How to Create a Landing Page That Converts

They say that you only have one chance at a first impression, which is why nailing your landing page is critical for ecommerce success. A landing page can serve many different purposes. Whether it's to generate sales, increase email sign-ups, or register for something, the quality of your page will make or break your efforts.

Boo Consulting
12/31/2020
How We Use Eco-Web Hosting To Cover Our Carbon Footprint

Now more than ever, it is vital to be aware of the impact we make on the planet. Whether you’re concerned about your individual carbon footprint or you’re a business looking to play your part, we should...

Boo Consulting
01/07/2021
Joining the 250 Club: Supporting Surfers Against Sewage

Every day we hear more troubling news about pollution. Whether it’s the skies being choked up or the seas being drowned in garbage, the pollution plaguing our planet can seem like too much to tackle for some. Some, but not all. Enter SAS.

Brighthr
11/10/2020
The Benefits of Keeping Holiday Spreadsheets

Keeping track of any number of employees' holiday entitlement can be a nightmare for an HR team. It's made worse if you throw in requests for sick leave, managing business trips and handling different leave types. This makes a planning spreadsheet essential. Holiday planning spreadsheets relieve a lot of headaches out of these processes.

Peninsula Ireland
Alternatives to Redundancy | Peninsula Ireland

Considering redundancy for a struggling business isn't an easy decision. While it can be difficult to afford to pay employees, opting for redundancy can cause a company trouble down the line. For example, a business looks for alternatives to redundancy yet cannot come to an agreement with an employee.

Brighthr
11/10/2020
What is a Health and Safety Management System?

Health and safety management systems can be the backbone of any business. Not only do they keep employees safe, they make it easy for everyone in a business to try and improve it. When you hear about occupational health and safety, it's likely that it impacts you directly.

Brighthr
10/23/2020
Why Use an Hours Tracking App

Keeping track of time can elude the best of us. Whether your team is working from home or they're back in the office, it's difficult to stay on top of your team members' hours. Ensuring that you get employees to clock in properly and keep track of their hours means that you'll have no wasted work.

Peninsula UK
Business Advice & Ideas for SMEs | PBS UK

Good business advice can carry a company for years. Both start up companies and established businesses can benefit from solid general business advice. Running a business needs more than just a reliable cash flow and financial support. It needs the best team, the right business idea, and a strong business plan.

Brighthr
10/16/2020
Performance Management Cycle | BrightHR

It is in the best interests of an employee, their manager and the organisation they are a part of to lay out clear goals. Goals can include contributing to team efforts or personal targets. Establishing these goals and reviewing progress can make a huge difference.

Peninsula UK
Tax & Accounts Advice for Small Business Owners | PBS UK

New tax laws for small businesses often cause confusion for small business owners. Many come to Peninsula UK with account questions for small businesses. And we are always happy to help. Peninsula's tax advice clears up the confusion with small business VAT. We also have special small business services.

NCASS
08/28/2020
How Food Trucks are Revolutionising Dining - NCASS

In New York, an investment banker gets tired of finding no well-priced lobster rolls and decides to start his own lobster roll based food truck business. In Philadelphia, a veteran teacher helps at a friend's concession stand, finds himself allured by the prospect of selling food and starts his own cheese curd food truck business.

Marraum
HOW VR IS MORE NECESSARY THAN EVER FOR ARCHITECTS

Modelling Architecture explores how Virtual Reality (VR) is being used by architects and construction specialists, as well as the potential it holds for the industry as a whole right now and in the future.

Sartorial Geek
08/19/2020
Gaming's Greatest D&D Party - Sartorial Geek

Many of us know just how fun it can be to indulge in "geeky" habits, ranging from the gripping stories found within the pages of comic books to the tense battles of wits that many board games can provide.

Finance Monthly | Monthly Finance News Magazine
08/17/2020
Cashing Out: COVID and a Cashless Society

For many years now, an increasing percentage of consumers have transitioned to using debit cards rather than cash. Many projections state that of all global currency, only 8% of it is physical currency , which shows just how prevalent and important the likes of credit and debit cards are to global economies.

Incentive and Motivation
08/13/2020
Apps That Keep You on Top of Work During Lockdown

Recent developments have granted a sigh of relief for those feeling claustrophobic during the lockdown, with the government granting businesses the freedom to open their doors again and offices able to welcome employees back.

SustMeme
07/23/2020
5 Countries Where Recycling is Good News

Stories of litter and pollution are making the front page almost everywhere at present, it seems. Trash is literally filling our TV and smartphone screens with images of negative and harmful environmental impacts.

Spur Creative
07/02/2020
Gaming's Greatest D&D Party - Spur Creative

Thanks to cultural phenomenons like The Big Bang Theory and Stranger Things, we're beginning to see the likes of geek culture spreading more and more into the general population's day-to-day lives, with Gary Gygax's Dungeons & Dragons becoming more popular by the day.

Goodinson Design Co
03/18/2020
7 Times Product Placement Branding Worked... Or Failed

A product placement is the often strange occurrence that can happen when you're watching a film or TV show and see that the characters are enjoying a can of soda, or tucking into a particular snack, or even opting to drive a particular type of car (that, enigmatically, doesn't have a number plate 99

Goodinson Design Co
03/11/2020
The World’s Greatest Offices & What They Can Teach Us About Design

When we choose to work behind a desk, our minds rarely drift to highly creative spaces, yet some of the biggest companies in the world have invested a lot of money into creating headquarters that are anything but orthodox. Mobile phone providers, architects, even Google itself has ensured that their

Hairstylesandfashion
03/02/2020
7 Hollywood Beauty Tricks You Can Do at Home

It's no surprise that the glitz and glamour of Hollywood often dress the stars in an incredible style. Not only does the movie business employee legions of talented makeup artists and hairstylists, but it also often sees the talent themselves play and experiment with different approaches to hairdressing or makeup.

Concretebroker
03/01/2020
IS 3D PRINTING THE FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION?

Despite emerging as a construction method in the 90s, 3D printing construction never really gained much of a footing in the industry until recently. It was only with extensive research, innovative thinking and advancements in technology that serious developments and possibilities became more prominent, being explored more & more.

Studio D: Artist Interviews, Gear Reviews, Product News | Dawsons Music
02/25/2020
How to Setup Your Home Recording Studio | Dawsons Music

You need not drop a shedload of money on your home recording studio set-up and we guide you through the checklist on soundproofing and acoustic treatment... Knowing how to set-up your home recording studio doesn't require a degree in acoustics or electronics (although it can help...).

Renewableenergyhub
02/24/2020
The Great British Kettle Surge

When we think about what could prompt a sudden & large need for energy our thoughts turn to the obvious, such as an arena bursting into life for a big concert, a skyscraper full of offices waking up or all of the bright lights of a theme park switching on at once.

Studio D: Artist Interviews, Gear Reviews, Product News | Dawsons Music
02/25/2020
How to Soundproof a Rented Apartment | Dawsons Music

London Soundproofing give us the lowdown on how to soundproof your rented apartment or flat without resorting to costly measures... Knowing how to soundproof your home without laying down buckets of cash can be the difference between retaining or losing your sanity. London-based, London Soundproofing kindly gives us some pointers on how to go about it.

Homefocusmagazine
How to Get a Mortgage, Even with Bad Credit

It's hard to get a home these days; over 30% millennials have reported that they don't see themselves ever owning a home, and other studies and surveys have even suggested that virtually half of millennials consider it a luxury to even have any savings at all.

https://www.mane.co.uk
02/18/2020
Are Autonomous Vehicles the Future of the Automotive Industry?

The concept of a car operating autonomously without a driver was first unveiled at 'The World of Tomorrow' at the 1939 World's Fair, with General Motors' 'Futurama' exhibit. Designed & inspired by the likes of science fiction, this exhibit showcased what the world might hold for those lucky denizens of the future, including drastic new architecture, sprawling beautiful cities and, perhaps most alluring of all, completely autonomous cars.

nichemarket
02/11/2020
How Trailers Make Festivals Fantastic

Everybody loves going to music festivals, whether it's because of the fantastic acts, the community spirit or simply because it's a great excuse to hang out with friends. As fantastic as it can be to kick back and enjoy everything a festival has to offer, we seldom give a thought to the many different pieces that slot together to form the festivals themselves, with trailers being prime examples of this.

Wecare-removals
Moving House Checklist: What to Remember When Moving

Moving house is rarely anything but stressful, with even the most prepared movers often finding that they've forgotten something throughout the long process. Enlisting the expert assistance of a removal company can help alleviate a lot of time & effort, but even then you'll have a lot to consider and keep in mind; from the moment you view a property to the day you get the keys.

HWA Carpet Cleaning
02/06/2020
How Often You Should Clean Your House - HWA Carpet Cleaning

Your home is your castle, and any good castle should be kept clean and spotless. There are many benefits to consistently cleaning a house or an apartment; not only does keeping a home clean keep it looking good and not smelling repugnant, but it's also vital for the sake of hygiene and safety.

United States
01/14/2020
How to Soundproof a Rented Apartment - TuneCore

Editor's Note: This article was written by Tom Simpkins.] Homes of all shapes and sizes can become inundated with noise from all sides. Whether you're living in a city apartment, a townhouse or even a village cottage, external noise can slip in under your door, seep in through your windows or seemingly fall from your ceiling, and when this irritating noise starts to interfere with your days and your nights it can be tempting to consider soundproofing.

HouseRemoval.com
07/03/2019
How to Deal With Stress When Moving - HouseRemoval.com

Whatever the circumstances surrounding your upcoming move - good or bad, exciting or nerve-wracking - the process is going to be fast-paced, overwhelming, and potentially stressful. However, it doesn't have to be this way! It is possible to go through with a house move and not turn your hair grey at the same time.

Hen and Stag
01/17/2020
The Worst & Weirdest Hen & Stag Do Stories - Hen and Stag

No-one is immune to a little schadenfreude (the feeling of gaining enjoyment from another's misfortune), which is why every now and then some unfortunate or simply odd stag & hen do occasions can resemble 'so bad it's good' stories that mirror The Hangover in their absurdity.

https://www.mane.co.uk
12/17/2019
Mental Health Benefits of a Holiday

It's no secret that time off work is time well spent; relaxation, rejuvenation, reinvigoration all helps to keep us feeling our best, both at the office and at home. Regardless of what industry you're working, whether you're engaging in the high-flying, sky-soaring life of aerospace & space-based work or you're keeping things more down to earth with a desk job, it's not hard to begin overworking yourself.

Kervinmarketingblog
12/12/2019
The Increase of Eco-Friendly Products

Nowadays it's common for companies to embrace a 'go green or go home' mentality, whether they're merely embracing eco-friendly new policies or completely building their business around the green movement. The costs of becoming eco-friendly can be high, but they can be immensely worth it for myriad reasons.

United Kingdom
01/15/2020
How to Soundproof a Rented Apartment - TuneCore

Whether you're living in a city apartment, a townhouse or even a village cottage, external noise can slip in under your door, seep in through your windows or seemingly fall from your ceiling, and when this irritating noise starts to interfere with your days and your nights it can be tempting to consider soundproofing.

https://www.mane.co.uk
11/22/2019
Attracting Women into the Construction Industry

Every company strives to consist of a diverse workforce, not just to create an enjoyable workplace environment but for the myriad benefits it can bring. Companies and businesses that have embraced the modern mentality of a diverse workforce have famously enjoyed the likes of a better company reputation, reduced employee turnover and faster problem-solving; and this is just listing results that are objectively good for a company.

Window Cleaning Business Blog - Cleaning Tips, Advice & More
01/09/2020
Cleaning the World's Tallest-Building: How Burj Khalifa is Kept Sparkling

After marvelling at the amazing work the Burj Khalifa's window cleaners do on a daily basis, Osprey DeepClean decided to take a closer look at how the tallest building in the world stays sparkling. The Burj Khalifa; one of the many jewels in Abu Dubai's modern crown, towering at an awe-inspiring 828 metres tall.

Dog Furiendly
12/30/2019
The Best Spots for Dog Friendly Holidays - Dog Furiendly

When the word 'holiday' is used, most people think of jetting off around the world, whether it's soaking in the sun or taking in the sights of a fascinating, foreign land. The more modest among us might keep our sights closer to home, opting instead for more of a 'staycation', especially if there's a dog in the family that needs to be including in all the fun.

aviofreight.com
01/10/2020
How Branding & Packaging Changes Overseas - aviofreight.com

When a brand becomes so beloved within its home country, international expansion is inevitable. However, what might be considered iconic in one country can also seem idiosyncratic or even potentially insulting in others, and so brands often shake things up when crossing borders. The differences between packaging can be small yet distinct or they can ...

Whatstorage
11/19/2019
How to Choose a Moving Company When Moving Homes

Moving is rarely anything but stressful, and it's always tempting to take a lot of the hassle out of it by recruiting external help. Moving companies can make life considerably easier when moving homes, but much like any other service, it's always vital to check some boxes when deciding who you'll pick.

https://www.mane.co.uk
11/07/2019
How Much Energy Do These World Famous Buildings Use?

It takes a lot to keep the lights on in a building, and anyone who's ever paid the utility bills for an office, or even for a home, will know just how expensive it can be to keep the lights on. Keeping a building up and functioning is a challenge, and one that's often pretty pricey too.

Packaging of the World - Creative Package Design Gallery
How Popular Brand Packaging Changes Overseas

Brands & businesses looking to break out of their national market and emerge onto the world stage must always keep their destinations in mind. It's not enough to simply have a beloved product, it has to conform to local expectations; or else disaster can strike.

The Logo Creative | International Logo Design & Branding Studio
10/21/2019
Stories About The 7 Funniest Branding Fails - Branding

It takes a lot to set a business apart from the crowd nowadays. From an eye-catching logo to an earworm-inducing jingle in an advert, businesses have to try all the marketing tricks in the book (as well as often penning new ones) to grab their audience's attention, but these are just the icing on the cake that is a business's image, it's philosophy; it's branding.

Onmypost
10/17/2019
8 Funniest Branding Fails | On My Post

If you want a company or a business to be successful, or even get off the ground, then you need a good brand for customers to get behind. Branding is arguably essential nowadays, especially given how vital a role the likes of social media can serve, and can mean the difference between huge profits and massive losses.

no1 Junk Street
10/14/2019
Halloween Costumes & Plastic Pollution | No 1 Junk Street

Here at No 1 Junk Street, we're always trying to stay ahead of the game with rubbish removal. Our efficient methods, professional manner and wealth of experience help us tackle any type of rubbish removal requirement but there are some occasions that can present us with new challenges.

Insider Media Ltd
09/05/2019
Property Perspective: David Radcliffe

In the latest instalment of Insider's Property Perspective Q&A series, David Radcliffe, director of Radcliffe and Rust, discusses major obstacles to the lack of funding to local authorities, the growing desire for tenants to live in the countryside and first-time buyers.

BikeandRider.co.uk
09/05/2019
3D Printed Innovations: Additive Manufacturing for Motorcycles

With entire companies dedicating themselves to this tech for the motor industry, such as the Israeli 3D printer manufacturer Stratasys, many have begun to wonder what kind of innovations are awaiting the motorcycle industry in specific. The good news is that some of these exciting changes are already well-under production, ranging from efficient cost-cutting solutions to virtually reinventing the wheel.

no1 Junk Street
09/30/2019
Segregation at Source: Smart Waste Management | No 1 Junk Street

Here at No 1 Junk Street, we aim to make rubbish removal as easy and hassle-free as possible. Helping us to do so is the concept of 'segregation at source', something that's helpful for all parties involved. Segregation at source can help to keep your home clean, lets rubbish removers do their jobs easier and makes recycling hassle-free.

Doorsdirect
Blog | Doors Direct

Improve the look of your home with our range of high quality wooden doors at Doors Direct. We have a huge selection of ✓Folding Doors ✓Sliding Doors ✓Interior Doors ✓Exterior Doors ✓Door Frames ✓Wooden Windows & More. All products fully guaranteed. Competitive prices. Browse our stock online or call for more info.

no1 Junk Street
09/01/2019
10 Countries That Had Rubbish Removal Revolutions - no1 Junk Street

Here at No 1 Junk Street, we always try our hardest to recycle rubbish as much as possible, though there are challenges that don't make this the easiest process. London and the United Kingdom tries to offer recycling processes and methods, but the rest of the world has discovered a wealth of different methods that are both effective and innovative.

Soundproofing R Us
08/28/2019
How Film & Movie Sound Effects are Made | Soundproofing R Us

Foley sound effects are specifically recorded sounds for synchronising with actions on screen. Performed by a foley artist, these sound effects can be created in a myriad unusual ways. What's particularly unusual about these sound effects is that many times, the manufactured sounds seem to be more convincing than their genuine counterparts.

Soundproofing R Us
08/28/2019
The Sound of Silence: The Quietest Room in World - Soundproofing R Us

The old idiom states that 'silence is golden', though there are some rooms in the world that truly put that value to the test. Anechoic Chambers are specially designed rooms that are mostly utilised for technology testing, with a few other interesting a noteworthy applications, that are affectionately dubbed as 'rooms where sound goes to die'.

Radcliffe & Rust - 01223 307898
08/07/2019
Moving House Checklist: What to Remember When Moving

7th Aug, 2019 Like two sides of the same coin, moving homes often brings untold levels of elation and stress in equal measures. Here at Radcliffe & Rust, we know just how exciting it can be to move homes, what with planning how your new home will be decorated and marvelling at the possibilities of what could be in a new area, but we also know just how much pressure it can place upon your shoulders.

no1 Junk Street
08/01/2019
Beyond the Bin: Where Does London's Rubbish Go? - no1 Junk Street

Here at No 1 Junk Street, we focus on cleaning up London, but many people are left wondering where the clean-up efforts go. Recycling, business rubbish & domestic garbage; each type of refuse requires a different kind of rubbish removal, no matter where you go in the world, and London is no exception.

Radcliffe & Rust - 01223 307898
07/31/2019
How to Get a Mortgage (Even with Bad Credit!)

31st Jul, 2019 It's not a stretch to say that a lot of people, especially younger folk like millennials, find it tough to picture themselves ever climbing onto the property ladder. Myriad reasons can create roadblocks to this goal, some subjectively positive and others objectively negative, especially when considering how the housing market still has a high entry fee.

Londonsoundproofing
Those Areas Need Soundproofing | NMN Soundproofing

Living in London, and even Greater London can be a fairly noisy experience. The city itself never seems to sleep, let alone settle down, and so those living within it are either used to the noise or will have to do so pretty soon.

Animal-health
Should I Feed My Pet a Vegetarian/Vegan Diet? Our Experts Give Their Opinion

2019-07-29 | Care & Safety Our pet's well-being should always be the number one priority. That's what we believe here at Animal Health, after all; it's literally in our name. It's why we only offer natural pet food, it's why we stay on the cutting edge of animal well-being practices and it's why we hold a vet's word as law.

Mad Max Adventures
07/16/2019
Stag Parties vs Hen Do's: Which Show Celebrated Best? - Mad Max Adventures

Here at Mad Max Adventures, we love making your stag parties and hen do's as legendary as possible. Whether you're looking to go off-road driving by riding your own 4×4, feel like becoming hawk-eyed with a bow & arrow, or always fancied yourself as a crack shot with some good ol' fashioned clay pigeon shooting, we're confident that we can make your Scotland & Edinburgh stag party or hen do something well worth telling tales about.

Planning, BIM & Construction Today
05/29/2019
Virtual reality building: Is VR the future of construction?

The construction industry has always needed certain tools and equipment to thrive. The likes of high quality and reliable equipment, such as various forms of cranes, will always be essential to almost any construction project, though there's plenty of buzz around potentially one of the 21st centuries greatest innovations.

Ospreydc
Chewing Gum Infographic

Plastic pollution is a massive concern, greatly impacting the environment. Surprisingly chewing gum contributes a lot to plastic pollution, which is why we at Osprey Deep Cleaning decided to create this informative infographic.

Planning, BIM & Construction Today
07/15/2019
R Durtnell & Sons: How the closure of Britain's oldest contractor impacts the industry

This shocking turn of events serves as the industry's second alarming development in the past few years, following many of the same steps as 2018's liquidation of Carillion PLC. Though Carillion was considered 'the largest ever trading liquidation in the UK', R Durtnell & Sons' closure is equally, if not more, impactful to the industry due to the fact that it was such a well-established and nationally recognised business.

Carpets and Wood Flooring in Surrey - The Prestige Flooring Co
05/09/2019
2019s hottest design trends - The Prestige Flooring Company

Some trends are finding their way throughout the entire home, such as the rising trend of biophilia, which sees plantlife growing abundantly within the home across entire walls and along stairwells. The same can be said about colour schemes, or particular colours for that matter, particularly 'Living Coral'; a light shade of orange with pinkish hues that was picked at Pantone's 'Colour of the Year'.

Restaurant Reviews

Gourmet Blog
11/04/2016
Gourmet Society Event: Sakana's Christmas Menu Party

Earlier this month the fantastic Manchester based Pan-Asian restaurant, Sakana, announced it was going to go festive and create a tantalising new menu to celebrate. Being a devoted fan of this cuisine I was overjoyed to hear this news, as Sakana has always offered a wealth of delicious dishes from across the Asian continent, and [...]

Gourmet Blog
06/02/2017
Gourmet Society Featured Restaurant: Loch Fyne - York - Gourmet Blog

Despite such captivating attractions as the Barbican and the JORVIK centre or the almost iridescent beauty of the city itself I seldom find myself in York. This is a shame, particularly for the gourmet within me as I know there's a myriad different dining spots that could enthral my taste buds.

Gourmet Blog
01/19/2017
Gourmet Society Featured Restaurant: Cafe Rogue - Sheffield

Have you ever tried finding somewhere in a busy city centre to eat? The streets are clogged, venues can be far and few between, and most of the time people have enigmatically managed to find the place well before you. It's a hellish affair, isn't it?

Gourmet Blog
07/03/2017
Gourmet Society Featured Restaurant: Favelas - Gourmet Blog

I begin this with a confession, perhaps the most crystal clear and truthful comment I have ever made in my life; I love Brazilian food. The sheer scope of the cuisine, the tantalising diversity one can find even in one dish (let alone a menu), the sublime nature of their cocktails; everything about it is ...

Gourmet Blog
08/08/2016
Featured Restaurant Review: Bistro Eighteen 64

For me, dining out in Huddersfield has never been an easy process. A handful of suggestions are thrown in the air like clay pigeons, all of which get shot down just as quickly as they are mentioned. This may be mainly due to the fact that the majority of them are simply chains, which although [...]

Gourmet Blog
10/24/2016
Gourmet Society Featured Restaurant: The Prince of Wales - Sheffield

I'm not sure about you, but there are a few questions that transform my cognitive thinking into little more than a stalled train on the tracks when it comes to eating out. Something as simple as "where do you feel like going?" or "what do you fancy having?"

tastecard
Superb, Sublime; Sakushi

It's no secret that I love Japanese culture. I've played Japanese RPG games ever since I could hold a stick, pretending that those littering the garden were rare stat boosting swords, I've adored animes from my very first glimpse of Dragonball, forever arguing that Goku could easily take Superman in a fight, and of course, I've loved sushi and Japanese cuisine after my very first bite as a teenager, one far too obsessed with those former points.

tastecard
Featured Restaurant Review: Propaganda

A new face on the restaurant block can be a curious thing. Some may consider it worthy of a visit, while others may not deem it any better than their local PizzaExpress without even giving it a chance. The latter,

Gaming Articles

Mad Max Adventures
10/17/2019
Stuck on the Moors! A Mad Max Adventures Halloween Game

With Halloween upon us, it's the spookiest time of the year! Here at Mad Max Adventures, we love to celebrate the occasion in spine-chilling style, which is why we've made our very own game for Halloween! The story is that after winning a competition (that you don't remember entering) you were offered a weekend stay at the Highland Summit Hotel, deep within the moors.

The Number One Alternative Lifestyle Website
09/28/2016
64 Bit Memory Lane: #1 Digimon World

Nostalgia is, in some ways, much like wine. It can greaten with age or sour like vinegar, and yet we still get intoxicated by it one way or the other. Nowhere is this more tested than in our love o...

The Number One Alternative Lifestyle Website
09/23/2016
64 Bit Memory Lane: #2 Conker's Bad Fur Day

64 Bit Memory Lane: Conker's Bad Fur Day When I think of some of my fondest gaming moments as a child it still feels a little odd to think that some of them were explicitly created to exclude audiences such as I. Violence, sex, and worst of all, swearing, were those unknown elements that only [...]

The Number One Alternative Lifestyle Website
10/05/2016
64 Bit Memory Lane: #3 Medievil

Have you ever had those memories that blur the lines between recollection and reverie? When your mind races through long forgotten pictures and sounds but suddenly trips, comes to a halt by a particular image and mutters, "D'fuck is this?" Well, I do, quite often actually, yet the latest incident of this phenomenon was rooted [...]

The Number One Alternative Lifestyle Website
02/24/2017
64 Bit Memory: #4 Paper Mario

I find it hard to imagine gaming nowadays without some form of mature mindset, be it the relentless murdering spree I embark on in The Division or the peerlessly intelligent story that racked my brain in Persona 4. From burning down the floating city of Columbia to barely surviving the night in quarantined Harran, the [...]

WhatCulture.com
12/18/2017
10 Video Game DLC That's Actually Worth The Money

The subject of downloadable content is a hot topic at the moment, what with EA revealing to the world that not only does a lot of their business depend on it, but the costs involved for the player can ultimately be chalked up to corporate greed.

Happy Beds Blog
05/14/2018
Press A to Sleep: How Beds and Sleep are Represented in Video Games

Many gamers may be aware of how within video games, much like many other basic living requirements, the protagonist rarely, if ever, needs to rest their weary head and go to sleep. This is an especially odd notion whenever the game has a day and night cycle.

Social & Charity

Happy Beds Blog
12/21/2018
The Season of Giving: Visiting Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice

'Tis the season of giving. Here at Happy Beds, we decided to get started on this at the end of November with Giving Tuesday. Though, there are myriad of magnificent and worthy causes we decided that the good folk at Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice deserve our support the most.

Happy Beds Blog
07/24/2018
Sleeping Rough: How to Help the Homeless

As someone who is part of a team that focuses on offering a good night’s sleep, it breaks my heart that I can’t do more to help the homeless. That’s why I’ve taken to writing this article, so that I can take a closer look at how we can all do our bit to help those in a significantly worse situation than our own.

History & Culture

Happy Beds Blog
08/19/2018
The History of Beds Part 1: How Did Ancient Egypt Sleep?

Yes, you read that right; part one. Strap in as over the next few weeks, we'll be going all Doctor Who on the history of beds and humans sleeping atop of them. Fingers crossed I don't transform into a completely different writer with each article.

Happy Beds Blog
12/13/2018
Christmas History: The Origin of Christmas Stockings

Christmas stockings are a seminal part of the holiday spirit. Exploring the history of stockings takes many twists and turns, with its place in our Christmas traditions being quite the ride. Check out the history of Christmas stockings here and find out why they're Santa Claus's favourite.

Happy Beds Blog
01/31/2019
It's Like I'm Sleepwalking: How is Sleepwalking Misrepresented in the Media?

Here at Happy Beds we love to discuss how the country, the media and even the world thinks about the likes of sleeping and beds. Whether it's how television has showcased dreams for dramatic effect or how video games use sleep as a means of justifying elements of the narrative, sleep is the basis of fiction everywhere, but it isn't necessarily represented fairly.

Happy Beds Blog
03/16/2018
Around the World in 80 Winks: How Different Cultures Contain Different Beds

In celebration of National Bed Month I’ve decided to take a look at that universally loved centrepiece of the bedroom; the bed. This list may be more akin to celebrating this month as International Bed Month though, as featured below are just a handful of the weird and wonderful beds that our cousins from around the globe rest their heads on.

Happy Beds Blog
03/29/2018
Counting Sheep and Camels: How Different Cultures Sleep

As we’re celebrating National Bed Month, and once more encouraging that the world joins us by advocating International Bed Month, we shall tuck this month in by seeing how different populations around the world tuck themselves in.

Happy Beds Blog
04/19/2018
Once Upon a Mattress: How Beds Appear in Fairy Tales

Fairy tales are, more often than not, the first kind of stories we hear in our lives. Simple tales that blend the likes of magic and monsters from faraway lands with grounded morals, told both to entertain and to subtly educate children.

Happy Beds Blog
04/09/2018
You Made Your Bed Now Sell it to Tate: How a Bed Became Art

Art can be an odd medium at the best of times, though it becomes incomprehensible to most when we look at modern art. There have been many bizarre iterations of contemporary art seen over the year, including the likes of a dress made of meat and a dead shark being captured in formaldehyde, yet none have gained quite the level of renown (or notoriety) as Tracey Emin's 'My Bed'.

Health & Medical

Happy Beds Blog
01/08/2019
Burnt Out on Both Ends: How Long Can You Go Without Sleep?

Those who suffer from insomnia know that sleep deprivation is an absolute pain. Despite what some may think after watching Fight Club, insomnia doesn't really result in anything that exciting, but it can lead to or exacerbate mental health issues.

Barberdts
Eternal Ink Colour Of The Week

In the wild and wonderful world of tattoos, artists that can spot a brilliant deal and seize the day are often the very same that spearhead some truly inspirational pieces of work.

Miscellaneous Articles

WhatCulture.com
12/12/2017
10 Times Comic Book Heroes Became Villains (In A Big Way)

Do you remember the days when comic books were all about fairly one dimensional heroes fighting goofy bad guys? Probably not, as most readers (and probably most of you reading this) probably picked up their first comic when characters would spring out of the pages with the prefix of 'super' being as clear to see as it was colourful.

WhatCulture.com
12/28/2017
Who Made Infinity Stones In MCU?

The Infinity Stones (or the Infinity Gems if you want to bring semantics into this) are the be-all and end-all of Marvel comics. A collection of six stones, the Infinity Stones seemingly date back to the origin of the universe and each one is capable of manipulating their respective element to unheard of heights.

WhatCulture.com
12/18/2017
10 Most Unhinged Comic Book Characters

By their nature comic books are a little crazy. Between reality shattering events and bizarre origin stories, the world of comics is rife with tales that require us as readers to suspend the notion of disbelief pretty high. This is all well and good for us, but for those stuck within these kooky situations things may be a little harder to swallow.

Happy Beds Blog
08/30/2018
Bedtimes of the Rich and Famous: Celebrity Beds

When you think of a celebrity, what first springs to mind? Is it their tendency to obtain a fleet of fancy cars, their unrivalled access to the finest clubs and restaurants, their peerless renown and global recognition? Or is their unparalleled level of luxury? Today we look at some of the beds that the rich and famous rest upon every night.

Happy Beds Blog
06/15/2018
Linking Messi to Mattresses: A Look at the Most Bizarre Footballer Endorsements

The World Cup is kicking off (five words in, already got a pun in) and across the world are legions of fans revelling in all the festivities. Whether they're cheering on their own countries or swooning over international players, football fans all over the globe are enjoying 'the beautiful game'.

WhatCulture.com
12/28/2017
10 Times That Avengers Died (And Subsequently Required Avenging)

Many people will say that 'death is not the end'. Despite what you may feel about this, it's certainly true within the world of comics. Ever since 'The Death of Superman' it's become somewhat of a running joke that there's only three characters that can ever stay dead in comics; Uncle Ben, Jason Todd and Bucky Barnes.

WhatCulture.com
12/14/2017
10 Weird And Wonderful Alternate Versions Of Spider-Man

Spider-Man is certainly capable of a lot of different things, and over the many years of being in both the Marvel and the public spotlight he's been many different things too - weird things. Plenty of different writers have taken the helm of the good ship Spider-Man, each with their own vision and interpretation of how Peter Parker could best tell a story.

WhatCulture.com
01/17/2018
8 Cancelled Marvel Legacy Series That The Fans Will Miss

Originating in June 2017, 'Marvel Legacy' was set to be the franchise's new take on comics; offering soft reboots and super reimaginings for some characters whilst setting the stage for brand new heroes or previously sidelined acts to enjoy the spotlight. It was a bold and ambitious move, releasing fifty-four series, six one-shots and six limited runs.

Happy Beds Blog
12/04/2018
Baby It's Cold Outside the Covers: Our 8 Favourite Festive Bedding Sets of 2018

Now that Black Friday is behind us, Thanksgiving has thankfully been digested and November has been and gone, there's no denying that we're almost at December's main event: Christmas. I'm no Scrooge, whether it's a McDuck or Bill Murray variant, as even I can feel my small heart growing three sizes as we get closer to that day.

Happy Beds Blog
12/11/2018
10 Fun Ways to Count Down the Sleeps Until Santa

Now that we're officially and firmly in December, it's time to get festive. Deck the halls, get a partridge in a pear tree (somehow, and for some reason) and start debating whether you'll hang up some mistletoe before hosting that Christmas party because we're almost at the most wonderful time of the year!

Happy Beds Blog
07/13/2018
It's Official: Brits Think Bigger Beds are Better

It's an old American adage that 'bigger is better', yet the mentality is internationally applicable. To quote another American idiom, who doesn't love to get more bang for their buck?

Happy Beds Blog
10/12/2018
Wait, What's a 'Daybed'? Everything You Need to Know About Daybeds

Despite their name, a ' daybed' isn't merely the term one uses when describing what a normal bed becomes when you spend all day in it. No, far from being the space where one lounges around on a lazy weekend, a daybed is a specific type of bed that is, in some ways, a superior version of a sofa bed.

Happy Beds Blog
07/25/2018
Which Bed is Best: A Super King or a Two Singles?

Since the dawn of mankind there have been conflicts that may never be resolved; war, famine, and the eternal struggle to maintain a fair blanket ratio between two sleepers. The former two are a little out of our area of expertise here at Happy Beds, but the latter is something we can at least try to help with.

Happy Beds Blog
07/02/2018
Beat the Heat: How to Keep Cool at Night During the Summer

We've all experienced those irritatingly warm nights in bed, where you feel more like a piece of coal on a barbecue than a human being, begging gods you never considered even marginally believable for a sudden blizzard to chill you out.

Happy Beds Blog
06/01/2018
Mourning the Morning: How the UK Gets Out of Bed

Since the dawn of mankind people have dreaded the coming dawn. Most of us will agree that getting out of bed in the morning is often a herculean task, no matter what the sleeping arrangements.

Happy Beds Blog
05/25/2018
Pets vs. Partners: Who Do You Sleep Sounder Next to?

It's always nicer to sleep in sync with someone else. Occupying a bed alone may be a great way to stretch out, keep the covers all to yourself and remove any worries of disturbing anyone else, but it's hard to argue with the notion that having someone lying beside you when you're drifting off to sleep is a comforting sensation.

Happy Beds Blog
07/17/2018
How to Transform Your Child's Bedroom During the School Summer Holidays

Balancing form and function for a kid’s room can be a challenge, but when working on it or planning it with your child, it can be a delightful experience. For those stuck for inspiration or unsure how best to begin, why not take a look at what Happy Beds has got in mind?

Happy Beds Blog
04/13/2018
iSleep Better With It: A Look at the Sleep Tech Industry

Forecasted to be an $80 billion industry by the year 2020, sleep technology involves the likes of sleep aids, solutions to insomnia and smarter means to wake up. With this in mind, Happy Beds took a look at the sleep tech industry to see the pro's and con's of this budding industry.

On The Commute
11/18/2015
Corbyn - "Shoot to Kill" - On The Commute

As a nation we have barely started to climb out of the aftermath of last Friday's terrorist attacks on Paris and Beirut yet the debate over what course of action has already begun. The biggest issue facing us this week, it seems, is the controversial 'Shoot to Kill' policy.

Lifestyle Blogs

Gourmet Blog
07/31/2017
Spirited Away: The Soma of This World - Gourmet Blog

It's no secret that I'm partial to a glass of wine every now and then. After all, I've written a few blogs about the stuff, but despite fancying a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or a bottle of Brut Champagne from time to time I could never see myself taking out a loan to even sniff...

Gourmet Blog
07/31/2017
Spirited Away: The Ambrosia of This World - Gourmet Blog

Throughout this mini-series I've written from my experiences and from my level to best portray a relatively relatable journey (or bender) through a variety of different spirits. From highs to lows, and from exemplary to awful, I've endeavoured to showcase spirits in a manner that benefits the majority of tastes; but not today.

Gourmet Blog
03/27/2017
Spirited Away: Rum vs Vodka - Gourmet Blog

Almost everyone can enjoy a strong drink, from time to time. Whether you're laughing or crying, in sickness or health, celebrating or lamenting, a drink is necessary. And as Homer Simpson once said, "To alcohol; the solution, and cause, of all of life's problems" which is a toast we can all raise our glasses to.

Gourmet Blog
04/13/2017
Spirited Away: Absinthe vs Tequila - Gourmet Blog

Just as no one drinks spirits to take things slowly, I won't write about them without seemingly jumping into the deep end from time to time. And hey, when it comes to the dark, murky waters of hard liqueur what could be considered less forgiving than the two colossi of liquid regret, Absinthe and Tequila?

Gourmet Blog
04/21/2017
Spirited Away: Gin vs Whiskey - Gourmet Blog

After many years of rubbing elbows with fellow barstool perched patrons I've come to the realisation that there are two types of people in the world; those who prefer the elegance of gin and those who love the warmth of whiskey. But which one reigns supreme? Which one tastes, smells and inebriates better?

Gourmet Blog
05/08/2017
Spirited Away: Liqueur vs Liqueur (vs Liqueur vs Liqueur) - Gourmet Blog

For those who don't know, there are a lot of different types of miscellaneous liqueurs. Creamy and fruity, nut based and herb orientated, laughably weak and dangerously strong; all of which have their own special places both in the bar and in our hearts. Despite these various factors, spirits or often seen as nothing ...

Gourmet Blog
11/15/2016
Food For Thought: Are the Most Expensive Wines Really Worth the Price?

It's a good question, and one we've all surely faced when picking up a bottle for a party or when cooking for guests. It has many answers, far beyond just 'yes' and 'no', as the situation has to be taken into account, the audience that'll savour each sip, and most importantly, the food enjoyed with [...]

Gourmet Blog
12/08/2016
'Tis the Season...To Drink and Be Very, Very Merry - Gourmet Blog

Celebrating this time of year hasn't changed too much since the Pagans celebrated the Winter Solstice. Christianity may have assigned some heavy religious tones to it, including installing the Nikoloas of Myra (formerly Greek, now modern-day Demre in Turkey) as the patron of secret gifts and the revered saint of Coca Cola as well as ...

tastecard
Finally, a Holiday For Everyone: Eat What You Want Day

I certainly hope you've marked your calendars, because once again it's another nationally loved, totally real holiday; Eat What You Want Day! Some see it as an excuse to raid the fridge until it's laid completely bare, others see it as a benchmark to a healthy way to approach a casual means of dieting, while I personally see it as a Thursday.

tastecard
Ways to Celebrate (or Ignore) Singles Awareness Day

Just in case you missed it, yesterday was Valentine's Day; a day where lovers celebrate their admiration for each other and besotted admirers confess their feelings to those they harbour secret affections. Rather that's the theory. Nowadays it's a day

tastecard
A Carnivore's Journey Into a Herbivorous World: Tom Tackles National Vegetarian Week

Move over national holidays; we're talking about national holi-weeks! This week in particular is all about herbivorous lifestyles, aptly calling itself National Vegetarian Week! Though this is certainly something to be celebrated I can't help but feel that I am certainly writing this from the perspective of, well, a straight up carnivore.

tastecard
Everything's Bigger with tastecard: It's National Chili Day!

Maybe it's just because I spent so much time in the states as a kid, but I love C hili. My father had a habit of cooking his 'World Famous Chili'; a dish that my naïve, childhood brain considered greatly impressive and was genuinely humbled to eat it.

Freelance Projects

Webook
Lost Egypt - WEbook

This 'project' is the prologue for a freelance job I was hired to complete; a script for a game set in ancient Egypt. A slave walks the desert, bound in chains and forced to trudge through the sands. But when a group of bandits ambush them the slave manages to become free and meets an unusual group of travellers.

Webook
My Friend The Giant - WEbook

After an orthodox bender Jake awakes to find his friend Tim has enigmatically grown to the size of a giant. As his friend continues to grow Jake attempts to keep up, avoid disgusting events and stay alive while trying to find a way to return Tim to normal.

Webook
The Moaning Manor - WEbook

The Lie by LilyFramboise Everything Will Be Ok by Danya The Compellor Complex by grafiksad Sir Surpasser by mayham Porkies by S_WilsonDisher

Personal Projects

Inkitt
10/06/2017
Aether - Free Novel by Tom Simpkins

You are a good person. Be positive. Repeat your mantra. You are a good person. You are not an ire-fuelled, nihilistic drug addict. You are not a reclusive, heartless son-of-a-bitch. You are a good person and you deserve to feel joy, no matter how seldom or satisfying.

Webook
Tiger Police - WEbook

My first proper scripted episode of a bizarre and humorous story revolving around the crime fighting force, the Tiger Police, who use tigers in lieu of weapons, vehicles and equipment. Originally written for a University project yet based on a long running joke, this episode introduces the protagonists and antagonists of the series.

Webook
By Posidon's Briny Beard!

In an uncharted sea amidst a storm of biblical proportions a lone fishing boat is thrown by the waves. Its crazed captain commands a frazzled crew on the brink of mutiny, but before they can make their treacherous intentions known a mystical creature is ensnared in their nets.

Webook
The Great Sock Love Story - WEbook

A little boy's imagination runs wild as he sorts through his laundry. It's slightly more exciting than it sounds as relationships blossom, whither and sprout anew amidst an anal assortment of socks. As I said, it's better than it sounds.

Webook
The Mountain - WEbook

In the squalid accommodations of New Rock our protagonist sees himself as an overseer, an arbiter; he sees himself as it's would-be king. Yet when a stranger comes calling he feels a threat looming over the horizon.