9 minute read
TIME FOR SOME
STYLE: TAKING SHAPE
WORDS Lauren De Cesare PHOTOS Mogg Visuals
My DMs were flooded with women who hated their bodies. So, I decided to do something about it and celebrate all shapes and sizes instead!
Recently, someone messaged to compliment me on a skirt I was wearing. It made my day because sometimes, just like all of us, I can be critical of my body. After sharing this conversation on my Instagram page, hundreds of messages came flying in from women just like me — all saying that they hated their arms, legs, tummies, or they hadn’t been to the beach in years because they were uncomfortable with their body. It made me really sad because looking at these women’s photos, I thought they were all beautiful!
So, I called in the big guns at Taking Shape to help make a few women feel better about themselves. I love everything that Taking Shape stands for and knew they’d be the perfect team to help me.
“Our aim is to be the leading style alternative for curvy women seeking quality fashion with a difference. When you’ve got curves, you don’t want to be stuck with kaftans or baggy t-shirts — sometimes you want to rock what your mama gave you and wear a beautiful dress that makes you feel wildly confident!” says Jo Newman, General Manager Retail Operations.
With 35 years’ experience, Taking Shape provides exceptional customer service across fifteen stores, offers unique fashion pieces for women with curves, and their customers are at the heart of everything they do!
“Our sole goal is to find you an outfit that you feel great in. You can even book a free personal styling experience and let our team curate a look that’s perfect for you! Plus, we’re always creating tomorrow’s innovative ‘must have’ piece for you today, so you’re ahead of the trends!” says Jo.
“I loved the personal styling experience! It was like having my own hype woman who wanted me to love myself and celebrate my style. I have a love-hate relationship with clothes and my confidence, so this definitely gave me a boost!” — Cathy
With Taking Shape on my side, I put the call out for three women to join me for a makeover. Hundreds of entries later, I’m so proud to introduce you to the beautiful Cathy, Leah and Tahnee! Cheers to stepping out of our comfort zones, wholeheartedly owning our bodies and saying a big F U to our own insecurities!
@takingshapestyle takingshape.com SO GOOD IT’S SUPER! Ladies, we have excellent news! Taking Shape has opened their first superstore in Parafield! Discover the latest flagship collections from TS and Virtuelle, along with great-value products and plenty of specials. From flattering fits to unique designs and prints that pop, this superstore lets you shop for everything you need under one roof, including everyday wear, event wear, sleepwear, activewear, lingerie, swimwear, footwear and accessories, all designed with you in mind. Plus, free coffee will keep you powered up while you shop away! And if you can’t make it to the superstore, then never fear — they’ve got 15 stores spread across the state!
“I was apprehensive but Sarah, Lou and the team were so friendly and inviting that it calmed my nerves. They show compassion, help you through your insecurities and find outfits that work for your figure so you feel a million dollars. I hope things like this inspire more women to love who they are. We’re our own worst critic, so it’s time to start rewriting the reviews.” — Leah
STYLE: TAKING SHAPE
“What an AMAZING and fun day! To say I was nervous going into it is an understatement, but Lauren and the Taking Shape team made me feel 100 percent confident and fabulous — something I’ve never truly felt before! I’m now on a journey to learn to love my body and my curves. This is something I really wanted to do to show my eight and nineyear-old daughters body positivity at any shape and size.” — Tahnee
STYLE: REGENESIS
Restore the core
WORDS Hayley Pearson PHOTOS Wayne Pearson
Hey mama, how’s your core going?
If the last time you experienced a core was from an apple, then welcome to the club! Most mums lose their core during pregnancy, with their pelvic floor going south... along with everything else.
After having children, simple things you once took for granted become a little less fun. Jumping on trampolines — not so fun anymore (insert water emoji). Attempting situps may make you look more like an upside down turtle than a human. Sneezing and coughing in public may require a fresh pair of undies, and racing to the toilet a million times a day… well, that’s just the norm now.
Thankfully, there are options to restore your core, and surgery doesn’t have to be top of the list.
Regenesis Aesthetic and Wellness offers core to floor therapy — the first noninvasive treatment to address the whole core, which can improve muscle strength, balance and reduce incontinence.
Located in Kent Town, the thoughtfully designed women's wellness centre offers state-of-the-art treatments, making women feel their most confident. “We listen to your concerns, discuss goals and manage expectations, which enables our clinicians to tailor the various non-invasive treatments specifically to your requirements,” says Practice Manager Chamila Romanelli.
We took it upon ourselves to road-test a few of their world-class treatments... Kristy She’s 50 and fabulous, but with four beautiful children, Kristy’s pelvic floor is not so crash-hot and it needs some serious TLC.
“Kristy road-tested the EMSELLA, which uses electromagnetic energy to contract your pelvic floor. One session induces thousands of contractions, which is extremely important in muscle re-education of incontinent patients,” says Cosmetic Surgeon/Director of Regenesis Cosmetic Surgery Dr Robin Chok.
EMSELLA’s 30-minute treatments are non-invasive, which means you can do your six sessions fully clothed. “Results are different for everyone and we recommend six sessions for best results. The muscles are still engaging for six weeks after your last treatment, so some women feel results after two sessions; others may take a couple of months to feel a difference.”
Hayley Feeling great at 40, I have two boys (aged ten and seven), and two C-section scars to prove it! I do Pilates to feel strong, but the word ‘plank’ still makes me shiver. I roadtested Regenesis’ brand-new EMSCULPT NEO — the first non-invasive body shaping procedure in Australia. “It involves four 30-minute sessions, with no pain and no down time,” Dr Chok says.
Mama to two daughters (and one of my favourite actresses), Drew Barrymore is now a spokesperson for EMSCULPT. Her abdominal muscles separated during both of her pregnancies, and her core was never the same. Realising that nobody ever tells you how to put your body back together after having babies, Drew became a big advocate for EMSCULPT.
So how does it work? “It combines two energies for simultaneous fat elimination and muscle building, using electromagnetic energy to make your muscles contract and radio frequency, which helps to break down fat. It’s equivalent to doing twenty-thousand crunches in thirty minutes. The best results can be seen three months after the last treatment,” says Dr Chok. Hallelujah to that!
STYLE: REGENESIS
Lauren It doesn’t matter what size you are, most women have cellulite! New mama bear Lauren road-tested the EMTONE, which aims to reduce cellulite and make your skin firmer. “Radio frequency generates heat, which allows the energy to penetrate deep into the cellulite, simultaneously delivering non-invasive thermal and mechanical energy to eliminate areas of cellulite and tighten loose skin,” Chamila says.
Results may vary. Always speak to your medical professional to decide whether this service is right for you.
@regenesis_medical_wellness regenesiscosmeticsurgery.com.au
But what about the butt? “EMSCULPT NEO is not just for the abdo, it can do wonders for the bum, too! Weight loss, pregnancies and the ageing process can all diminish the buttocks’ fullness, perkiness, and it can become flatter. This treatment aims to improve posture, balance and back pain by working on both the abdomen and pelvic floor muscles,” Dr Chok says.
HELLO SA
WORDS Hayley Pearson
We’re lucky ducks to have 12 beautiful tourism regions here in South Australia, so every corner of our state feels like a new adventure.
From world-famous wine destinations like the Barossa and Clare Valley, magnificent landscapes in the Flinders Ranges and Outback, breathtaking coastlines on the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas, and nature's true wonders on the Limestone Coast and Kangaroo Island, we have it all!
THE RIVERLAND The epitome of luxury is staying a night or two in your own private retreat at The Frames luxury accommodation in Paringa.
YORKE PENINSULA There’s nothing quite like the sweeping white beaches of the Yorke Peninsula… but the sunsets at Rogue’s Point are particularly spectacular.
EYRE PENINSULA Who needs a pool when you’re metres from the ocean in a luxurious Eco Pod? Eco Eyre Port Gibbon Eco Pods is the perfect place to base yourself. ADELAIDE HILLS Soak up Hahndorf’s jewel and taste some of SA’s best gin at Ambleside Distillery’s stunningly renovated cellar door.
LIMESTONE COAST Why camp when you could glamp in a gorgeous bell tent at Bellwether in the Coonawarra?
FLINDERS RANGES AND OUTBACK If you’ve never done the Flinders, do it our way and stay at Rawnsley Park Station — the morning views are next-level amazing!
Murray River, Lakes and Coorong. Limestone Coast. Barossa Valley .
MURRAY RIVER, LAKES AND COORONG No boat? No worries! Freedom Boat Hire has everything you could possibly dream of to make the most memorable day on the Murray.
BAROSSA VALLEY Give your tastebuds a party and book a lunch at El Estanco where you’ll feast on the freshest local produce, direct from the farm to your plate. CLARE VALLEY A delicious deli, a fancy bistro and an ubercool rooftop bar, Seed Clare Valley is like nothing else in Clare.
KANGAROO ISLAND It’s all lavender scones, lavender skin products, lavender candles, plus big smiles, great food and coffee to match at Kangaroo Island’s Lavender Farm.
ADELAIDE Cocktail-drinking, burger-eating, coffee-loving, beer-frothing, awesome Adeladies, you need to know about SA’s coolest new venue — Hard Days Night on Wright Street!
FLEURIEU PENINSULA A fine-dining restaurant, luxury accommodation and an alpaca farm all in one — Softfoot Farm Victor Harbor is superb and just an hour’s drive from Adelaide!
@hellosatv
