PRODUCED BY THE YOUNG WOMAN, FOR THE YOUNG WOMAN | EDUCATE, EMPOWER, UNITE
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MUSIC FEATURE CAROLINE SM
FASHION INTERVIEW BREENY LEE
NEW YEAR NEW JOB
FASHION BRAND - BALMAIN
Yinka Bokinni
TOP 5 HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS CHANGE YOUR MINDSET
ON RADIO, FUTURE PLANS & BEING NOMINATED FOR THE #ALAWARDS2016 FEATURE CHARMAINE HAYDEN
IAL
SPEC
Issue 25 Jan/Feb 2016
TREAT YOUR MAN THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
2016 RIHANNA'S TAKE OVER
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www.fazetees.com
CONTENT EDITORS & MANAGEMENT
HEALTH
Editor-in-Chief: Ruby Mae Moore Health & Fitness Editor: Toni Amporful Beauty Editor: Araminta Pender Fashion Editor: Wardah Sempa Music Editor: Ella December Entertainment Editor: Jan-Marie Revers Love & Sex Editor: Paige Russell Design: Ruby Mae Moore Presenter: Mya Savannah Proofreader: Jackie Jones
JOURNALISTS
Toni Amporful, Maisie Bovingdon, Araminta Pender, Jasmin Woodward, Sade Johnson, Amy Taylor, Saffron Johnson, Victoria Black, Thuvika Ganesh, Therryi Jay Brown, Grace Donelley, Wardah Sempa, Ruby Mae Moore, Ella December, Yazmin Joy Vigus, Paige Russell, Jan-Marie Revers, Danny May, Nikita Brown, Sophie Attwood, Ashanti Avril, Florence Grace.
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CONTRIBUTORS & THANKS TO
COVERSTORY: Yinka Bokinni, Photographer: Derrick Kakembo, Creative Director: Ruby Mae Moore, Location: Digital Holdings, Make Up: House Of Beauty UK, Stylist & Clothing: Balham Boo COVERSTORY: Charmaine Hayden and Lina Naima, Photographer: Derrick Kakembo, Creative Director: Ruby Mae Moore, Location: Digital Holdings, Make Up: House Of Beauty UK, Stylist & Clothing: Balham Boo Fazetees, Mama Leah’s, The Brook Advisory Clinic, Dreams, BKR, Barry’s Bootcamp, Bitchy Online, PRShots.com, Orsay, Next, Very, Debenhams, Breeny Lee, Amor Lifestyle Awards, 4i, Rebecca Garton, Caroline SM, Suvlaki Restaurant, April Jackson, Three Little Birds Restaurant & Rum Bar, Boneyard Restaurant.
8-9 Dreams | Fitness MustHaves 10-11 Fitness Apps | Amor’s Top 5 Swimming Pools In The World | Barry’s Bootcamp Competition
BEAUTY
Editor-in-chief: Ruby Mae Moore ruby@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @TheRubyMaeMoore Health & Fitness Editor: Toni Amporful toni@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @toniamorhealth
12-13 Get The Look: Neelam Gill | Top 5 Make Up Looks 14-15 CHARCOAL The New ‘It’ Beauty Ingredient 15 HAIR: Top Knot Hairstyle Must Do | EDITOR’S PICK - On My List | Punk Princess Gwen Stefani UD Eye Shadow Palette has finally arrived! 16-17 Spring Hair - What To Expect - The New Messy bun
Beauty Editor: Araminta Pender araminta@amormagazine.co.uk t: @mintypender
FASHION
Entertainment Editor: Jan Marie Revers jan@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @JMRevers
18-20 Fashion Accessories | Party Outfits 22-23 My Fashion Brand of 2015 - Balmain 24-26 Casual Outfits | Amor’s Top 5 Fashion Bloggers Of The Year! 26-27 FASHION INTERVIEW: Breeny Lee 28-29 LFW 2016
COVER STORY
30-36 Yinka Bokinni 38-43 Charmaine Hayden
MUSIC
44-45 Adele’s 25 Album | Rihanna’s Anti-World Tour | Introducing 4i | Rebecca Garton 46-47 Alessia Cara | Tori Kelly | Caroline SM
ENTERTAINMENT
48-49 Concert, Events & Theatre Listings 50-51 New Bridget Jones Film Coming 2016 | Chick Flicks to look out for in 2016 | Ride Along 2
LIFESTYLE
52-53 Suvlaki Restaurant Review | Interview with April Jackson owner of 3 Little Birds | 54-55 3 Little Birds, Boneyard Restaurant Reviews 56-57 Amor’s Top 5 Holiday Destinations
@amormagazineUK
Fashion Editor: Wardah Sempa wardah@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @wardahsempa Music Editor: Ella December ella@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @EllaDecember
Love & Sex Editor: Paige Russell paige@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @BabyFacedPaige Presenter/Interview Equiries: Mya Savannah mya@amormagazine.co.uk tw: @myasavannah_ Press: press@amormagazine.co.uk General: info@amormagazine.co.uk Sales: sales@amormagazine.co.uk +44(0) 208 691 8191 Amor Magazine Ltd, Unit 3A, Juno Way, London SE14 5RW
59 New Year, New Job 60-61 CHANGE YOUR MIND SET - Mind Over Matter: 5 Ways to Re-Set Your Brain | How To Pick Your New Year’s Resolutions And Stick to Them 62-63 My Top 5 Self-Help Books to Read in 2016
LOVE & SEX
64-65 Single On Valentine’s Day? Lucky You! | Breaking Up Before Valentine’s | A Game Of Dominos 66-67 Treat Your Man This Valentine’s
EDITOR’S NOTE & MEET THE TEAM EDITORS’ NOTE
RUBY MAE MOORE, EDITOR IN CHIEF Hey Amorelles! I love the start of a brand new year. I am going into 2016 feeling blessed, positive and ready to take it on. I hope you share the same excitement as I do. Always remember Amorelles, your life can change in an instant - so get those minds thinking - this could be your year! I am looking forward to the Amor Lifestyle Awards which is taking place this year - please make sure you check out the site to read about the young women in the creative industries who are up for nomination, their stories have truly inspired me, and I hope they do the same for you. Voting opens soon. www.amorlifestyleawards.com Love to all, Tw & I: @TheRubyMaeMoore
MEET THE TEAM
TONI AMPORFUL, HEALTH & FITNESS EDITOR Hey Amorelles! I’m Toni Amporful, Heatlh and Fitness Editor of Amor Magazine. I am a big fan of wellness and leading a healthy lifestyle, which makes Amor a great platform for me to share my passion and hopefully motivate other women along the way. Tw & I: @ToniAmorHealth
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Celebrity Teeth White Review Amorelles, you know how obsessed I am with teeth whitening and I think I’ve just found the perfect pocket friendly package! I tried out the Celebrity Teeth White kit. I am always pretty sceptical about new teeth whitening products as I have super sensitive gums but this product didn’t irritate or hurt my gums at all. The pack came with very clear instructions. After moulding the retainers, I used the chart to see what colour my teeth were before, then I used the LED light for thirty minutes and the after result was shocking. My teeth were instantly whiter by nearly four shades! So far I have used the whitening kit three times and my teeth just keep getting brighter. As it’s so compact and easy to use, I pop it on while I’m cleaning the house (dancing in the kitchen), watching TV, cooking, it’s also perfect to use just before date night or if you’re going somewhere special – literally 30 minutes of whitening and then, well… magic! If you have been thinking about teeth whitening, this is the product to get, don’t bother spending hundreds on dentists when you can get the same results in the comfort of your own home. Get ordering Girls! You can order your Celebrity Teeth White kit now on www.celebrityteethwhites.com I: @CELEBRITYTEETHWHITES Words: @MyaSavannah_
Sexual health services for young people under 25 Free and confidential
Brixton
020 7787 5000 Walk-in: Mon, Weds, Thurs, Fri 1pm to 6pm Tues 2pm to 6pm MEN ONLY Sat 1pm to 4pm
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Services include: • pregnancy testing • contraception & condoms (including implants & IUS/IUDs) • emergency contraception • abortion referrals • STI testing & treatment (including rapid HIV testing) • someone to talk to / counselling • relationship advice
Euston
Counselling is free & confidential
Walk-in: Mon to Fri 12pm to 6pm Sat 12pm to 2pm
Counselling is talking about your thoughts and feelings. You may want to talk about recent or past difficulties in your life.
020 7387 8700
Registered charity number in England and Wales 703015. Registered charity number in Scotland SC042132. Limited company registered in England and Wales number 2466940.
HEALTH
DREAMS D
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reams…we all have them. It is said that we will have around five dream episodes a night, which can last between 15 and 40 minutes. Each dream we have can explain a lot about human behaviour and reflect a situation going on in our lives that may be
MYPROTEIN FOAM ROLLER £11.99
MISFIT SHINE PERSONAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MONITOR £49.99 NIKE AEROREACT PULLOVER £90
USA PRO YOGO MAT £5.50
SPEEDO SWIMSUIT £50 FITBIT SURGE £150
causing anxiety. The meanings of dreams are not concrete, as even the most common dreams vary from individual to individual. The meanings are simple metaphoric symbols of our unconsciousness, but can have a weighing effect on our consciousness. Here are the 10 most common dreams and what they mean. Source: The Sleep Matters Club Powered by Dreams. Words: Toni Amporful, Health & Fitness Editor
FITNESS MUST HAVES UNDER £200
AMOR’S FAVE!
FITBIT SURGE £150 NIKE LUNARGLIDE 7 £105
UNDER £100
BKR WATER BOTTLE £25
NIKE AEROREACT PULLOVER £90 PURE VOCA PORTABLE SPEAKERS £97.99 MISFIT SHINE PERSONAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MONITOR £49.99 Amazon.co.uk
UNDER £50 SPEEDO FIT BODY POSITIONING KICKBACK SWIMSUIT £50 BREVILLE BLEND ACTIVE £24 BKR WATER BOTTLE £25 NYLON PACK CLOTH GYM BAG £21
UNDER £20 SPEEDO FUTURA SWIMMING GOGGLES £18 MYPROTEIN FOAM ROLLER £11.99
UNDER £10 USA PRO YOGO MAT £5.50 REEBOK 1KG DUMBELL £3.99 Words: Toni Amporful, Health & Fitness Editor
HEALTH
Headspace
Fitness Apps W
e’ve given you a breakdown of the best fitness apps for you to get fit and healthy this New Year!
Nike + Running
RUNNING
1. Nike+ Running 2. Running for Weight Loss 3. Runtastic Six Pack Abs -
FITNESS
4. FitStar Personal Trainer 5. Nike+ Training Club 6. FitStar Yoga
QUICK WORKOUTS 7. 7 Minute Workout 8. CARROT Fit 9. Bodyweight Training
TRACKING
10. Strava Cycling and Running 11. Endomondo 12. MapMyFitness
Endomondo
CARROT Fit
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FOOD NUTRITION 13. HealthyOut 14. My Fitness Pal 15. Substitutions
WELLBEING
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16. Glow 17. Sleep Better 18. Headspace
HealthyOut
FitStar Yoga
Amor’s Top 5 Swimming Pools In The World With the weather still not quite Spring yet, you may want to skip out on activities such as swimming, but if you are lucky enough to escape to another country, for more exotic temperatures then here are our Top 5 destinations with pretty amazing swimming pools. Words : Toni Amporful 1. The pool at the Cambrian in Switzerland 2. Hanging Gardens Ubud Hotel in Bali, Indonesia 3. The Library pool in Koh Samui, Thailand 4. Infinity pool in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands resort 5. Gold energy pool at St. Regis in Lhasa, Tibet
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BARRY’S BOOTCAMP COMPETITION
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arry’s Bootcamp is offering one lucky reader a block of three classes worth £57! To be in with a chance of winning this cool opportunity and kick starting a healthy 2016, please provide us with 5 young Sportswomen under 35 that you find inspirational. Barry was set up in 1998 by Barry Jay in West Hollywood, famed as “The Best Workout in the World” and has now taken the London fitness scene by storm since its arrival in the UK two years ago. Attendees include A-list celebrities, models, and even Olympic athletes.
The Workout
A typical Barry’s class consists of 25-30 minutes of interval cardiovascular treadmill routines and 25-30 minutes of strength training. An hour’s class is said to burn up to 1000 calories. The technique works to ‘shock’ the body in the most effective way, to improve the cardiovascular system, accelerate weight loss and to build muscle. Open seven days a week, with different focus points each day.
BEAUTY
GET THE LOOK: Neelam Gill
To get Neelam’s beauty look: Face
Achieve a glowing complexion by preparing your skin with a tinted primer. Ensure this matches your complexion. Try Laura Mercier’s foundation primer in ‘Radiance Bronze’.
Lips
First, use a nude concealer as a natural base for lips. Next, contour softly round the lips with a lip pencilnude, purple or brown shades work best for this look. Then find a matching matte lipstick and gently apply one coat. Try Mac ‘Spice’ lipliner, Bobbi Brown Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in ‘Belle Du Jour’ or Kiko Lipstick pencil in ‘311’.
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N
eelam Gill broke into the fashion industry this year as the first Indian model for the British luxury brand, Burberry. Since her modelling debut, Gill came to the media’s attention for being romantically linked to exOne Direction singer Zayn Malik and has recently been cast to appear in Abercrombie and Fitch’s new campaign. Neelam has naturally bronzed skin, and in true Burberry style flaunts a minimal make up look, maintaining the au naturel visage iconic to the brand. To achieve this understated style, match your lip colour with your eye shadow palette, pairing a muted pink/purple hue for both features, and sport a sharp, bold, full brow to contour the face.
Eyes
Lightly dust a nude, pale pink eye shadow over the eyelids. Select a shade with a hint of gold to add warmth to your complexion. Then apply a few strokes of black or brown mascara for a natural lash effect. Try Mac’s Eyeshadow in ‘Mythology’, ‘Paradisco’ or in ‘Haux’ as part of the ‘Purple x Nine’ eyeshadow palette.
Brows
Encapsulate a signature Burberry model look with full bold brows. Take a brown kohl eyeliner pencil and delicately blend across the eyebrow bone. Then style your eyebrows with a clear mascara to keep the hairs in place, and set the shape of your brows. To achieve a symmetrical shape use a Shavata Eyebrow stencil. Words : Maisie Bovingdon
Top 5 Make Up Looks Burlesque Make a dramatic entrance to any party, with this burlesque inspired look. Update your smoky eye using stickers from Facelace instead of false lashes. Place around the eyes for added glamour.
Sixties Capture a 60s inspired spirit with this unconventional floating liner look. For a subtle approach, apply a gold tone shadow to your lids, paired with an earthy brown or charcoal liner. Or opt for a more dramatic style with a nude base and vivid blue eyeliner above the crease. Try Revlon Colourstay Skinny Liquid Liner in ‘Electric Blue’.
Bold Lips Discover a grunge twist on a bold hollywood-inspired lip. This winter, replace a conventional bright red with a deep blackberry shade. Team with sleek, tousled hair for a dramatic yet pared-back statement. Try the matte lipstick, ‘Yung Rapunxel’, from MAC.
Glitz and Glam It’s that time of the year when more is definitely more! To achieve this look, prime your lids with a glitter-based cream shadow as a base and enhance your eyes by adorning them with delicate sequins. Then add a touch of mascara. This look is all about the eyes, so keep your lips neutral with a delicate pink or nude gloss. Try NYX’s Glitter Cream palettes.
Flushed cheeks Achieve a rosy complexion with these delicate blush cheeks. Try Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in ‘Charmed’. Make sure you gently blend the formula into your skin for a natural flushed look. Team with girly lashes and pink pastel eyeshadow. Words : Araminta Pender, Beauty Editor
BEAUTY
CHARCOAL THE NEW ‘IT’ BEAUTY INGREDIENT
BIORE DEEP PORE CHARCOAL CLEANSER £4.99 (BOOTS)
T
his affordable deep pore face wash, infused with Japanese Skin Purifying Technology draws out dirt from the pores, and leaves the face feeling fresh.
I
ntroducing the new beauty ingredient of the moment activated charcoal. Often used to treat alcohol poisoning or drug overdoses in hospitals, the charcoal works to absorb toxins and pollutants from the body. The idea is the same for beauty treatments. Charcoal is incredibly porous, acting a bit like a sponge for the grease and other impurities that sit on our skin. It has a range of amazing benefits such as relieving bites and stings. It can detoxify the body as well as reduce acne and whiten teeth. Check out these new charcoalinfused products that are revolutionising the market...
BIORE CHARCOAL PORE STRIPS £8.99 (BOOTS)
B
iore Charcoal Pore Strips work like a magnet on the skin, they lock onto and draw out deep-down dirt and oils that can cause blackheads. These pore strips can clear up over a weeks’ worth of build-up.
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Words : Jasmin Woodward
ORIGINS SKIN DIVER ACTIVE CHARCOAL BODY WASH £18.00 (BOOTS)
SANCTUARY 5 MINUTE THERMAL DETOX MASK £2.99 (BOOTS)
O
R
rigins Charcoal Body wash is ideal to scrub the body to relieve impurities and grease. The charcoal ingredient leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean.
elax with a charcoal face mask. Sanctuary’s product is infused with essential oils and loving ingredients. The charcoal and kaolin clay will help draw out deep impurities and leave skin feeling smooth.
THE GUV’NER DEODORANT POWDER £6.50 (LUSH)
T
he Guv’ner is a charcoalbased powder deodorant with herbs and essential oils. The deodorant powder combines two super-effective powders, charcoal and lycopodium. It controls sweat by absorbing it.
HAIR : TOP KNOT HAIRSTYLE MUST DO
A
morelles, if you plugged into the American Music Awards, you would have noticed that a specific hairstyle was seen quite a few times on the stars. I’d like to introduce you to the... Top Knot! A must do hairstyle! From the top: Christina Milian, Kendall Jenner and Karrueche Tran - we like how she’s jazzed up the hairstyle by adding a braid to the back - LOVE! Words : @TheRubyMaeMoore
EDITOR’S PICK ON MY LIST This Christmas I asked for Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum. What I love about this fragrance is the unusual combination of notes, including black coffee, white florals and vanilla. Sweet with a subtle dark edge - definitely the perfect scent for me! Words : Araminta Pender, Beauty Editor
PUNK PRINCESS GWEN STEFANI UD EYE SHADOW PALETTE HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!
G
wen Stefani has been rubbing shoulders with beauty brand Urban Decay for the last couple of months to release an eye shadow palette relatable to her everyday life.
BEAUTY
SPRING HAIR WHAT TO EXPECT - THE NEW MESSY BUN
M
any trends graced the Spring/Summer 2016 catwalks, most noticeable of all was the messy bun. As Redken Global Creative Director Guido said the look is “the way a very real woman would do her hair” and I couldn’t agree more. Designers including Bottega Veneta, Dolce and Gabbana and Vivienne Westwood were sporting the messy bun trend at their shows. Each designer took a different approach to crafting this look - some pulling all the hair up into a tight knot, others opting for a half up half down style or even accessorising the top knot. The different styles work perfectly for different women and are so easy to adapt and make your own.
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The palette consists of 15 natural tones of beiges and pinks for the minimalist every day slicked back look. Perfect for the transition of the season – great warm tones for the cool coming spring weather. In an interview with total beauty.com, Gwen was asked about her choice of neutral shades.:
Words : Amy Taylor
“I chose them because they’re the colors I wear. I can’t really get away with [crazy colors]. I can if I have a makeup artist, a photographer and lighting. But not in real life; I want to make stuff for real life. I want to be able to take that on the plane, and that’s it.” All of her shades are inspired by her own songs which highlights her personal touch to this palette. The case contains plenty of everyday looks for the woman on the go, as well as statement making shadows. Gwen’s palette is available exclusively on UrbanDecay.com Let us know if you will be purchasing this gorgeous palette. We certainly will be! Words: Sade Johnson | Twitter: @Sade_X
Half Up Half Down Do
The Embellished Top Knot Imitate Dolce and Gabbana’s messy style by adding high-impact accessories to the hair for an eye-catching effect. Select from head scarves, headbands and dazzling clip-in pieces.
The Messy Low Bun Seen at Bottega Veneta, this look is ideal for those who love a quick fix for the day. Simply lightly backcomb and pull the hair roughly through a band and leave it to do it’s own thing. Finish off with a gentle spitz of hairspray to hold in place.
The half up half down do is perfect for thick hair. Dolce and Gabbana achieved this style by curling the hair, sectioning it off and pulling half of it up tight into place with a band whilst leaving the other half down to flow.
FASHION
FASHION ACCESSORIES Sadly, winter is yet to stay for a few more months and it has forced the majority of us to dig deep into the cupboard for last year’s winter coat, and protect ourselves from sub zero weather conditions under layers and layers of baggy clothes. Dull colours and oversized jumpers have left our inner fashionista screaming to be let out, and I believe I have just the right things to let her out this winter/spring, and transform our attire from cold and cosy, to warm and wonderful! Words : Saffron Johnson
Oversized Jewellery
Jazz up your outfits with some statement jewellery. It quickly changes up an outfit as it adds a bit of flare, and sparkle. Statement jewellery looks good in the office, and allows your outfit to go from daywear to nightwear.
Look-at-Me Bags
Winter is the time to get yourself an attention grabbing bag! Colour, style and texture can break up an outfit, and when the season calls for neutral clothing, an attention grabbing bag will go with everything.
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Chunky Knits
From turtle necks to knitted trousers, this year it seems that there’s versatility in knit, and during W/S season we need to use that to our advantage!
Platforms
After Rihanna’s Puma line of creepers sold out in just 3 hours, it seems as if a platform sole is the answer to this season’s shoe troubles. Keep yourself literally ahead of the game when stepping out in some of this season’s favourite platform boots and shoes.
PARTY OUTFITS Now that Christmas has come and gone, it’s now time to start thinking about everyone’s favourite party outfits for the coming months! Words : Victoria Black
S
pring party dresses are looking better than ever this year - from pastels to a feathered piece there is something for everyone and something for every budget on the high street this year. With so many unique pieces on offer it’s time to ditch your old LBD and get your glam on. Winter, approaching spring doesn’t always have to mean black. We all love the pink fur detail on this body con dress, guaranteed to get you noticed. Team this rose pink number with rose gold heels and matching clutch. (£45.00 Missguided) For the more formal Party, this Jarlo Maxi dress is a must have. The thigh splits add subtle glamour and the eyelets ensure you’re incorporating one of this season’s hottest trends. Rock this look with vamp red lipstick and subtle accessories. (£85.00 ASOS)
KYLIE JENNER IS OUR 2016'S FASHION FIGURE
Let the dress do the talking in this amazing gold lace body con dress from Misguided. The combination of the nude underlay teamed with the gold lace detail gives a flawless party dress. Style with some simple nude heels to elongate your legs, and let the dress do the rest of the magic. (£55.00 Missguided)
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Team with a boxy clutch and strappy black heels for the wow factor. At only £38.00 it’s a bargain - and you’ll still have all the office talking. (38.00 ASOS)
If you’re not one to stick to the status quo - dare to wear this amazing tailored suit set from Asos. Layer a black crop underneath and team with your favourite pair of chunky black heels and you’ll be guaranteed to turn heads in this sixties inspired ensemble. (Blazer - £55.00, Trousers- £35.00 both ASOS)
For understated glamour, this simple one shouldered drape jumpsuit is a wardrobe staple. Feel sexy in the deep red colour whilst looking completely chic.
We’ve labelled Kylie Jenner as The Fashion Icon Of 2015 and we don’t think she will be slowing down in 2016! Even though she’s only just turned 18, Kylie Jenner certainly slays when it comes to fashion!
Twitter: twitter.com/BitchyOnlineUK Instagram: instagram.com/BitchyOnlineUK Facebook: BitchyOnlineUK Email: info@bitchyonlineuk.com
FASHION
MY FASHION BRAND OF 2015 is unquestionably my favourite Balmain brand this year, I mean let’s make
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urban, glamorous! The skintight tailoring and the satin styles are signatures of the French brand. Oliver Rousteing has made sure his #BalmainArmy know this and it’s only the beginning! Luckily for shoppers on a budget, Balmain recently collaborated with H&M, which Amor loves! Let’s take a look at our favorite pieces: Words: Wardah Sempa
Shirt Jacket in Silk Satin £59.99
Waistcoat with Satin Lapels - £79.99
Jacquard-Weave Silk Blouse - £59.99
(READERS FAVOURITE) Beaded Velvet Jacket - £299.99
Shimmering Jumper - £79.99
Suit Pants in Silk Satin - £59.99
Block-coloured dress - £49.99
Beaded Silk Blouse - £79.99
Suede Thigh Boots - £199.99
Velvet Tuxedo - £119.99
FASHION
CASUAL OUTFITS This time of year, the weather in London can be so unpredictable, and although we never know what we are going to get - still aim to look stylish. We’ve picked two casual outfits to keep you safe! Words : Thuvika Ganesh
OUTFIT 1
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Black hat | Orsay | £25.99
Faux Fur Coat | Next | £75
Black Tasche handbag | Orsay | £25.99
Shoe Box Perdita Fur Cuff Casual Buckle Boot Black | Very | £40
Black jeans | Orsay | £39.99
OUTFIT 2
Black Kleid dress | Orsay | £35.99
AMOR’S TOP 5 FASHION BLOGGERS OF THE YEAR! 2015 has ended, but it was certainly an amazing year for our fashion bloggers! Our fashion editor Wardah Sempa has chosen her top 5 fashion bloggers of 2015.
Raye Boyce
Betty Jackson Black coat |Debenhams| £75
Tw & I: @ItsMyRayeRaye | itsmyrayeraye.com
Nyane Lebajoa
Knee High Boot With Elasticated Back | Very | £40
Tw & I: @nyanelebajoa | nyane.co.uk
FASHION Susie Bubble
AMOR CAUGHT UP WITH FASHION BLOGGER BREENY LEE
Tw & I: @susiebubble | stylebubble.co.uk/
Our fashion Editor Wardah Sempa caught up with fashion blogger and digital influencer Breeny Lee! She talks about having a huge following, her favourite fashion bloggers and how she got started.
Breeny Lee
Tw & I: @breenylee | musingsofbee.blogspot. co.uk/
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Gemma Talbot
What made you decide to become a fashion blogger? “I’ve always just loved clothing, buying, shopping and putting looks together and I also love imagery. I loved spending hours searching through Tumblr. I had a lust for creativity and an appetite for inspiration! I also realised everybody came to me as like a sort of fashion encyclopaedia. Constantly asking where I bought my things.” Who are your three favourite Fashion Bloggers? “Three is hard to choose from but I will say the two that I’ve loved from the beginning and last one is a newbie. - Aimee from Song of Style - Baitong from IDressMyself - Soraya from Style Is My Thing...”
Tw & I: @gemmatalbot | whatisinherwardrobe.blogspot.co.uk/
Who is your favourite fashion designer? “My favourite designers change all the time, it’s not based solely on the designer but on their current collections but I will have to say Victoria Beckham! She’s like my fashion idol,
to the way I used Facebook but even better! People already knew me from Tumblr so it was easy to build up my following, I remember when I only had 1,000 followers, and those were happy days! I never did it for the followers I did it for the love so nobody taught me anything. If you are authentic enough people will come. It’s as simple as that.”
Let’s talk love life, are you –– single? I’ve been single for a while and I’m finally ok with it! Goals over guys! ;)
Who is your celebrity crush? Hmm, I don’t do crushes but I guess Broderick Hunter is a celebrity right?! What projects do you have coming up? “I’m collaborating with a few brands at the moment, TK Maxx, ASOS and a few other brands, definitely watch this space!”
not just because of her as a designer or her collection but her whole story and her life. #LifeGoals!” Do you think in the modern century, it’s harder for black women to get into the fashion industry? “I think everything is hard for everyone but if you want it bad enough and you are crazy enough to believe you can be, do or have it, you will! There are many black women in the industry but they are often silent and don’t want to help other black sisters win, that’s a bigger problem.”
Other than fashion, what are you interests? “I love God, my Church, going out with friends, being silly and having fun, educating myself, spending time with my family. Mentoring young girls and just enjoying the world.” How did you gain such a huge following on Instagram? “I was on Instagram when it was just a cool editing app for your photos. I took hundreds of photos and stored them on there, then all of a sudden a notification came up saying a friend liked a photo and I was terrified. I deleted the app. Two years later I joined and it just felt natural, as it was similar
What is your advice for other women, aspiring to become a fashion blogger? “Do it for the LOVE not for the LIKES. Be authentic and people will be attracted to you. Know who you are and what you are offering, it’s ok to find yourself on the journey in terms of style but always know WHO you are. Be consistent and be professional. Breeny Lee’s official website: http://musingsofbee.blogspot.co.uk/
FASHION
LFW – 2016!
S
o it’s the beginning of the year and we’re already excited about LFW (London Fashion Week). What trends are you excited to see and will it be better than 2015?
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Amor will be right there this year to fill our Amorelles on the latest trends that hit the runway. Make sure you keep posted on our website amormagazine.co.uk THE DATES FOR LFW WILL BE AS FOLLOWS: London Fashion Week AW16 19th - 23rd February 2016 London Fashion Week SS17 16th - 20th September 2016 London Fashion Week AW17 17th - 21st February 2017 London Fashion Week SS18 15th - 19th September 2017 Words : Wardah Sempa
COVER STORY
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YINKA BOKINNI
- MEDIA PERSONALITY NOMINEE #ALAWARDS2016 Yinka Bokinni Photographer: Derrick Kakembo Creative Director: @TheRubyMaeMoore Location: @TheDigitalHoldings Make Up: @HouseOfBeautyUK Stylist & Clothing: @BalhamBoo Hat: @ribyri
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COVERSTORY
Yinka Bokinni Photographer: Derrick Kakembo Creative Director: @TheRubyMaeMoore Location: @TheDigitalHoldings Make Up: @HouseOfBeautyUK Stylist & Clothing: @BalhamBoo
Y
inka Bokinni Olayinka Leigh-Catherine Bokinni, also known as, Yinka Bokinni (@TheBokinni) has been chosen for the media personality category for the Amor Lifestyle Awards 2016. She is a radio presenter based in London. She presents #BreakfastWithYinka on Rinse FM five days a week on which she plays the newest tunes from the UK and abroad to her strong global listenership. Yinka has conducted many interviews for Rinse FM. She also works for Rinse TV where she interviewed countless musicians and regularly DJ’s and hosts events such as Notting Hill Carnival, Ministry Of Sound and festivals such as On Blackheath Fesitval which involved teaching and presenting workshops to local children and introducing acts such as Laura Mvula and Kelis. 2015 has been a busy year for Yinka with her self-run blog on her website YinkaBokinni.com receiving over 40,000 views. She writes about music, fashion and other topical subjects and, in addition to this, she regularly speaks on issues such as: body image, confidence and selfbelief. Her popular YouTube series #AskYinka gives advice on a number of issues that people deal with everyday with questions sent through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
COVERSTORY
and Tumblr. Yinka has a number of different avenues to be contacted through and utilizes each and every-one of them. Social Media is Yinka’s tool to influence and express herself. When asked about her biggest influencers Yinka would have to give credit to Ellen DeGeneres and Whoopi Goldberg. YinkaBokinni.Com twitter.com/TheBokinni Instagram.com/TheBokinni
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Words: Thuvika Ganish
Yinka Bokinni Photographer: Derrick Kakembo Creative Director: @TheRubyMaeMoore Location: @TheDigitalHoldings Make Up: @HouseOfBeautyUK Stylist & Clothing: @BalhamBoo
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MUSIC
Yinka Bokinni Photographer: Derrick Kakembo Creative Director: @TheRubyMaeMoore Location: @TheDigitalHoldings Make Up: @HouseOfBeautyUK Stylist & Clothing: @BalhamBoo
COVERSTORY
CHARMAINE HAYDEN
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- FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR & ONLINE MOVEMENT NOMINEE #ALAWARDS2016
Charmaine Hayden Photographer: Derrick Kakembo Creative Director: @TheRubyMaeMoore Location: @TheDigitalHoldings Make Up: @HouseOfBeautyUK Stylist & Clothing: @BalhamBoo
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eet Charmaine Hayden @ChamsFace4Music an entrepreneur and game changer for women pioneering in the creative industry. The co-founder of curve specialist model agency, Face4Music - host on the popular online show Not For The Radio (NTFR), law and psychology graduate and public speaker. Charmaine Hayden has contributed to the growth of female representation in media and music through consistency, empowerment and dedication. Beyond her most prevalent achievements - Charmaine is also an established author, a highly sought after public speaker and venture capitalist business owner.
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Nominated for two awards at the Amor Lifestyle Awards 2016 - Catch @ChamsFace4Music nominated for Female Entrepreneur of the Year and her buzzing curve modelling agency @Face4Music ran with partner @LinaFace4Music is up for Best Online Movement. face4music.com charmainehayden.com twitter.com/ChamsFace4Music Instagram.com/ ChamsFace4Music Words : Therryi Jay Brown
Founders of @Face4Music Lina Naima & Charmaine Hayden Photographer: Derrick Kakembo Creative Director: @TheRubyMaeMoore Location: @TheDigitalHoldings Make Up: @HouseOfBeautyUK Stylist & Clothing: @BalhamBoo
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Charmaine Hayden Photographer: Derrick Kakembo Creative Director: @TheRubyMaeMoore Location: @TheDigitalHoldings Make Up: @HouseOfBeautyUK Stylist & Clothing: @BalhamBoo
MUSIC
ADELE’S 25 ALBUM
RIHANNA’S
A LOOK INTO WHY ADELE’S 25 ALBUM ISN’T BEING AVAILABLE VIA STREAMING SERVICES
COMING TO THE UK IN JUNE 2016
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dele’s new album ‘25’ is out of reach for streaming services such as, Apple Music and Spotify, which has probably left her fans disappointed. The album was released on 20th November, which was not long ago and has already become a huge success. It has been claimed that Adele is following Taylor Swift and other renowned musicians by not making her latest album available for streaming, as the popular British singer is said to have been personally involved in the decision. Last year Taylor Swift removed her music from Spotify because of disputes over royalties, as she felt that musicians were not being compensated enough by Spotify.
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Although streaming services are becoming popular among musicians some are opting out of the craze, mainly due to two reasons. The first, that some artists believe they are not being paid enough and it is said that the streaming sites are making considerable profit. The second reason is that in recent years album sales have decreased drastically, as only three albums went platinum in 2015 including Taylor Swift’s 1989. Not being accessible on streaming services means that Adele’s fans will have to buy her well-awaited album digitally
ANTI World Tour
or in stores, which will definitely increase sales. However, ‘Hello,’ her first single from the new album that was released before ‘25’ is available for streaming and has garnered a lot of positive reviews. It is unknown whether the latest album will be available later for streaming, but sources claim that Adele might use the same approach that she used for her album, ‘21’ where she allowed her second album to be available on Spotify some time after the initial release of the album. It has been five years since the singer released her last album. The soulful singer’s previous albums have done extremely well in the charts and have won many awards, so there is no doubt this album will do the same. The album can be purchased on Apple iTunes. Words : Thuvika Ganesh
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ad gal Rih-Rih is back and ready to take 2016 over!
We all know it has been a quiet year for Rihanna musically, but it seems like 2016, she’s ready to take back her crown and we cannot wait! The 27 year old Bajan beaut has announced her ‘Anti World’ tour, which will arrive in the UK in June 2016. The tour will be based on her music from her highly anticipated, eighth album ‘Anti’ which is dropping real soon, and I’m sure she won’t forget to perform those classics we love to sing out loud! The tour will see special guests The Weeknd and Big Sean accompany the ‘unfaithful’ songstress, and we are sure the staging, costumes, dancing and special affects will not disappoint. If you have already been to a Rihanna concert then you know what I’m talking about... Come on now Rih - release this ‘Anti’ album so we can learn the lyrics in prep for your London dates! Words : @TheRubyMaeMoore, Editor in Chief
INTRODUCING
4i
4
i is one of the most exciting talents coming out of the UK. Equipped with a soulful vibe and introspective lyrics, 4i is definitely one to watch. Hailing from London, 4i is a rapper, singer and songwriter. One of the key components to 4i’s rich sound is that he works closely with his producer DA. 4i and DA signed a distribution deal with Rue Du Faubourg. 4i released his first major project ‘Soul Rich’ in December 2014. ‘Soul Rich’ lived up to its name. The project went against the grain of the stereotypical materialistic bragging in hip hop and focussed on the wealth of one’s soul as opposed to their possessions. ‘Soul Rich’ was received positively and was featured on numerous blogs. ‘Soul Rich’ was more than just an album title, it was also the start of 4i’s movement. He is also a member of arts collective - Paradime, they are a group of friends with a shared love of music, drama and film. 4i ended 2014 on a high by winning UK Unsigned Hype’s best Male Hip-hop Artist of 2014. In 2015, 4i has kept his growing fanbase satisfied with visuals and events. To the delight of his fans, 4i will be releasing a new project in 2016 called ‘Dreamt but Never Slept’. 4i is again working closely with producer DA. Dreamt but Never Slept’ is set for release in the early part of 2016. 4i has released the first song and video from his upcoming album – ‘Illa Vibez’ on his YouTube channel. It’s been a strong two years for 4i, whose conscious lyrics and melodic music have made him an artist to look out for. ‘Dreamt but Never Slept’ is a highly anticipated project, as he has continued to set the bar high with his performances and videos. Words: @EllaDecember, Music Editor
NEW MUSIC: Rebecca Garton -
'SAME OLD SH**'
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he absolutely gorgeous Ms. Garton has dropped another beautiful song called: “Same Old Sh**” and we are loving it! Rebecca Garton blessed the front cover of our September/October issue in 2015 and she has also been nominated for the Female Solo Act category of the Amor Lifestyle Awards which we are hosting later this year... Stay tuned - voting opens later this month and we think Rebecca has a very good chance of bagging the award :-) Words : @TheRubyMaeMoore, Editor in Chief
MUSIC
ALESSIA CARA
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anadian singers are without a doubt making a mark in the music industry with superstars The Weeknd, Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR and now songstress - Alessia Caracciolo!
Best known as Alessia Cara, she began her music career with her YouTube videos. The talented singer, pretty much wowed the nation with her amazing acoustic songs online which resulted in commercial success and interest from major record labels. The 20-year-old singer, now currently signed to EP Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings, created quite a buzz with her debut single ‘Here’ taken from her album ‘KnowIt-All’, which was released last
year in November. Her song ‘Sleeper Hit’ reached the top 10 in the United States and the top 20 in Canada. Amor’s definitely
TORI KELLY
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lady!
e all witnessed the unexpected soulful voice on last year’s BET Awards, where social media went nuts for this young
Tori Kelly who started her career on YouTube at the age of 16, began to receive exposure online and by auditioning for the singing competition TV series American Idol. After being eliminated from the show, Kelly began to work on her own music, where in 2012 she independently released her first EP ‘Handmade Songs by Tori Kelly’ which she produced, wrote and mixed herself. Kelly’s second EP ‘Foreword’ came out in October 2013. Scooter Braun became her manager and introduced Kelly to Capital Records which resulted to her signing with them in September 2015. The singer then debuted her album ‘Unbreakable Smile’ last year, where the lead single ‘Nobody Love’, became her first UK
Billboard Hot 100 appearance with the singer also being nominated for Best New Artist at the 58th Grammy! This is evidently only the beginning for the 23-year-old singer. Words: @WardahSempa
looking forward to watching this singer grow in 2016. Words : @WardahSempa
Caroline SM Having just celebrated her 21st birthday alongside a brand new role as an A&R at the World’s most prestigious independent label, XL Records, Caroline SM comes into the new generation of Britain’s young media creatives and entertainment led entrepreneurs, which is why she is one of the nominees for the Female Entrepreneur category of the Amor Lifestyle Awards taking place this year. Caroline is also the Editor of the UK’s most respected urban media platform GRM Daily, where she has worked on groundbreaking projects such as the 2015 Rated Awards. Alongside working on the aforementioned, she cofounded the ‘New Gen’ brand in 2015, responsible for the #NewGenLive events and weekly #NewGenRadio show, where she works closely to build, nurture and give recognition to the sound of new London. Not allowing age to be a setback, Caroline feels passionately about the ‘no boundaries’ mentally, stating “you need tunnel vision, and to stop listening to the opinions of others. Most people won’t get what you’re trying to do until you’ve already done it.” With a few major label signings under her belt, she has spent much of 2015 developing talented upcoming musicians; alongside building her publishing and management roster.
@carolinesm A&R XL Records Editor GRMdaily.com Silent Note Music
ENTERTAINMENT
CONCERT, EVENTS & THEATRE LISTINGS CONCERTS
Jeremih SWX KOKO London 21/1/2016 Izzy Bizu Scala London 27/01/16 Jason Derulo The 02 London 5/2/2016 The Game 02 Forum Kentish Town London 7/2/2016 Jess Glynne The 02 Academy Brixton 20&21/02/2016 Teedra Moses Jazz Café 28,29&30/1/16 En Vogue Indigo At The 02 London 1/3/2016 Craig David Presents Ts5 Koko London 3/3/2016 Marion 02 Academy Islington 5/3/2016 Lady Leshurr 02 Academy Islington London 8/3/2016 Mariah Carey The 02 London 23/3/2016 Alessia Cara Electric Brixton 23/3/2016 Little Mix The 02 London 27/03/2016 Janet Jackson The 02 London 31/3/16 Krept & Konan – A Night To Remember Tour 02 Academy Brixton 1/4/2016 Pusha T Electric Brixton London 27/4/2016
EVENTS
X Factor Live Tour The 02 London 5/3/2016
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Teenage Cancer Trust Royal Albert Hall 22/4/2016 UK B-Boy Championship International Qualifier (various locations) 9/4/2016 UK B-Boy Championship World Finals 20th Anniversary 02 Shepherds Bush Empire 10/4/2016 All tickets are available from ticketmaster.co.uk
Top Theatre Productions for 2016 MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Shaftesbury Theatre 11/2/2016 – 22/10/2016 Based on the book ‘To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown’ by Berry Gordy, featuring music from Motown Records. The production features an eighteen piece orchestra playing tracks including “My Girl”, “Dancing In The Street”, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”. (from 11 Feb 2016 - Booking to 22 Oct 2016)
MISS SAIGON Prince Edward Theatre, showing till 27/2/2016 This production is a love story between an American GI and a young Vietnamese woman set in 1975 during the final days of the American occupation of Saigon.
MAMMA MIA! Novello Theatre, Showing till 22/10/2016 The classic story of a mother and daughter set on the eve of the daughter’s wedding.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - THE MUSICAL Drury Lane, Theatre Royal, showing till 3/12/2016 A childhood memory - Roald Dahl’s Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. Amorelles, we know you grew up on the Roald Dahl books, but this has to be one of your faves! Willy Wonka opens his Chocolate Factory for just one day and the 5 ticket winners including Charlie Buck explore all of Wonka’s scrumptious inventions.
BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM THE MUSICAL Phoenix Theatre, showing till 05 Mar 2016. You must have seen the film Amorelles, Jess is faced with the most important decision of her life; live up to family expectations of university, career and marriage, or follow in the footsteps of her hero David Beckham.
ALADDIN Prince Edward Theatre, 27/05/2016 – 01/10/2016 A street urchin called Aladdin has a magic lamp with a genie in it which grants his wish to win the hand of his love Princess Jasmine.
ENTERTAINMENT
New Bridget Jones Film Coming 2016
Chick Flicks to look out for in 2016 shooting for the movie. Bridget Jones is said to be in her forties for the third film.
The well-anticipated Bridget Jones movie is creating a buzz in the media due to its cast.
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he media has claimed many famous faces to have joined the film. Everyone’s favourite musician Ed Sheeran turns actor for the third instalment of Bridget Jones. The 24 year old posted an image on his Instagram confirming that he will be doing a cameo in the latest Bridget Jones film. The English singer, who is up for the BBC Music award, will be appearing in ‘Bridget Jones’s Baby’ alongside the award-winning actress Renee Zellweger. Oscar winners Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth will be reprising their roles, but unfortunately, Hugh Grant won’t be seen in the film. Hugh Grant previously disclosed to Free Radio that he was unhappy with the script, so will not be appearing in the film. Mark Darcy and Patrick Dempsey will also be part of the all ensemble cast. It has been speculated that the former Top Gear’s presenter Jeremy Clarkson will be doing a cameo in the romantic film after being spotted near the film set. As the title of the film pretty much gives it away, the heroine Bridget Jones is indeed pregnant. Renee Zellweger has been spotted around London with a fake baby bump whilst
It is rumoured that the plot will not follow the original story of the Bridget J o n e s ’ s Diary. In the third Bridget Jones novel Colin Firth’s character is killed off and Bridget Jones is a widow with two children. B r i d g e t J o n e s ’ s Baby will not be based on Helen Fielding’s third novel ‘Mad about the boy.’ Instead, the film is focused on Helen Fielding’s columns that she wrote with David Nicholls eight years ago. The film is scheduled to be released in Autumn 2016. Words: Thuvika Ganish
How to Be Single – Spring 2016 Starring: Dakota Johnson, Alison Brie, Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann, Lily Collins Synopsis: The rom-com ‘How To Be Single’ by Christian Ditter, based on the book by Liz Tuccillo, stars a cast of chick-flick badasses. The film is based on a group of people dealing with the problems of contemporary romance and seeking self-love in New York.
Mother’s Day – Summer 2016 Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson, and Hilary Duff. Synopsis: Rom-com ‘Mother’s Day’ features an all-star cast with director Garry Marshall, we can almost guarantee this will be a good watch as he is behind classics such as ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘The Princess Diaries’, and ‘Valentine’s Day’. ‘Mother’s Day’ tells the stories of a selection of mothers who have different lives that come together in a grand finale.
Trainwreck – Summer 2016
Paper Towns – Summer 2016
Sleeping with Other People – Autumn 2016
Starring: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, John Cena, Tilda Swinton Synopsis: Amy Schumer’s debut film ‘Trainwreck’ is all about a commitment-phobic career woman, who has met someone who may change her ways…
Starring: Cara Delevingne, Nat Wolff, Halston Sage, Austin Abrams, Justice Smith Synopsis: An adaptation of John Green’s novel ‘Paper Town’ starring supermodel Cara Delevingne as Margo, with her first major film role. This film is about a man and his group of friends finding his missing neighbour and child hood crush - Margo.
Starring: Alison Brie, Jason Sudeikis, Adam Scott, Amanda Peet, Natasha Lyonne Synopsis: Classmates Kara and Jake attend the same sex addict therapy class and although their friendship helps them overcome their ways, are they strong enough to make something happen monogamously...
Ride Along 2 – Winter/ Spring 2016 Starring: Kevin Hart, Ice Cube, Olivia Munn, Tika Sumpter, Ken Jeong Synopsis: we know our Amorelles love a bit of Kevin Hart. Ice Cube and Kevin team up again for the sequel of Ride Along. This time, they have to take down a big drug lord who supplies the dealers in Atlanta. We are positive this film will be filled with nothing but laughs.
Words : Danny May
LIFESTYLE
SUVLAKI RESTAURANT REVIEW
April Jackson from this series of BBC’s The Apprentice (Usain Bolt’s ex), launched her Three Little Birds Jamaican restaurant & rum bar last month. It’s small but high end and we managed to catch up with her. Interviewed By : Toni Amorful,
Suvlaki Address: 21 Bateman St, London W1D 3AL www.suvlaki.co.uk Tw & I: @Suvlaki Cuisine: Greek
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Health & Fitness Editor
his tiny gem is perfect for lunch or a pretheatre sit down.
With Greece’s street food, the souvlaki at its forefront of the simple menu, the Athenian Grill is well executed. We ordered meat skewers, fresh salads, filled pittas, their homemade tasty dips and imported drinks from the motherland. The menu is simple, but effective – fulfilling and going beyond your expectations of a Greek restaurant/takeout. The vibe is chilled, staff friendly and welcoming and the
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April Jackson opens Three Little Birds restaurant and Rum Bar
décor has a cool graffiti finish. This is a welcomed addition to Soho’s rustle and bustle. An intimate sit, with tasty wholesome food and an opportunity for good alcohol, all reasonably priced. Words : @TheRubyMaeMoore
1) What influences your cooking and is this reflected in your menu choices? “My cooking is heavily influenced by my travels, my childhood and my fondest dining experiences. These three things most certainly have an impact on my menu, it’s the flavours from growing up in Jamaica, elevated by the plating that I have seen when I have had the pleasure of enjoying a great meal.”
2) I understand you’re very handson in the restaurant,
helping out in the kitchen when you can. Is that something you plan to continue doing going forward? “I am literally the head cook and bottle washer in my business. I believe that in order to be the best leader I should be able to do each job that is required to make the business successful and this includes cooking. I need to work on my coffee making skills, particularly milk frothing but in the kitchen I am comfortable. I created the menu and when I am cooking for customers it gives me the opportunity to ensure that each plate goes out to the table as I intended. Being in the kitchen all the time is not sustainable and I do prefer being on the floor ensuring the staff and guests are happy but going forward I intend to always be capable of pitching in when necessary.
3) What experience do you hope to give your customers when they visit Three Little Birds? When customers come to Three Little Birds I want them to admire the decor, feel comfortable but excited by the unique food and drink menu that should exceed their
expectation, they should rock to a beat that is either nostalgic or new and ultimately leave with a cheeky smile knowing that they couldn’t have had the same experience anywhere else.
4) What’s next for Miss April Jackson?
Other than sleep lol! I hope to catch and maintain a rhythm with Three Little Birds in Brixton where my team and customers are happy, before looking to open up a few more locations in the UK and abroad. I have a memoir and cookbook I’d love to publish, it’d be nice to be on the small screen again and I am open to any other opportunities that come my way. After all life is a journey and I’m looking forward to seeing where it’ll take me.
5) Finally, do you have any advice for budding restaurateurs’ food lovers? For budding restaurateurs I would advise that you get some friends in the industry who can help guide you and you can learn from their experiences. Also prepare yourself because hospitality is no easy sector to master, you friendships will be challenged, your free time non-existent and it is extremely exhausting but hopefully this is just in the beginning. For food lovers I’d say you do not need to be a connoisseur to know what you like and don’t like and that is enough, so keep on enjoying!
LIFESTYLE
3 LITTLE BIRDS RESTAURANT REVIEW
Three Little Birds Address: 412 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8LF www.threelittlebirdsja.com Tw & I: @3littlebirdsJA Cuisine: Jamaican
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ewly opened Jamaican restaurant on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton “Three Little Birds” is the creation of Miss April Jackson, former Miss Jamaica Universe and founder of The Yummy Truth blog. The name “Three Little Birds” was inspired by the 1977 Bob Marley song. FOOD: The menu is created by April herself and due to the open plan of the restaurant you can even catch her helping out in the kitchen. We tried a few dishes from the menu and were left feeling satisfied. Their staple piece “Stamp and Go” which consisted of salt fish fritters was a delight to the taste buds and a definite recommendation.
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For vegetarians, I would also suggest their Mac n Cheese with mushrooms, very tasty with the right amount of cheese and flavour.
DRINKS: Being a Jamaican eaterie you’d expect to find purely rum based cocktails and they have an impressive range of rums to go with their tasty cocktails. We tried “Three Little Birds” which is their signature cocktail, as well as “Miss Lou” which is an apple crumble inspired cocktail decorated with crumble pieces around a martini glass. ATMOSPHERE: Being a boutique by day and a kitchen by night, there is a section for purchasable goods which all represent Jamaican pride. The décor of the restaurant itself is vibrant with bright yellow cushioned seating and hanging lamps with three little birds in a cage – attention to detail has definitely been applied to this eaterie. OVERALL: The décor makes for a good date night spot but the food provided is considered to be more of a snack, so I’d recommend it to a small group who want to have some good comfort food with a few rum based cocktails. Words : Toni Amporful, Health & Fitness Editor
BONEYARD RESTAURANT REVIEW The staff are charismatic and very laid back, the atmosphere is relaxed and fun. This place is not ideal for a date, it is more the place you take a group of friends… the people in your life who you aren’t embarrassed to get some barbeque sauce down your top infront of – this food is yummy but messy Amorelles – you have been warned.
Boneyard Address: PUMP Shoreditch 168 Shoreditch High St E1 6JE www.pumpshoreditch.com @Boneyard_LDN @pumpshoreditch Cuisine: American
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oneyard is a diner situated in the petrolstation-turned-streetfood-market and such an interesting visit! Like no place I have ever dined at, Boneyard sells alcohol but you cannot consume it on the premises… the venue inherited its licence from the petrol station which prevents diners from drinking in the restaurant - very odd! But this didn’t affect me as alcohol was not my concern, I was more interested in what the menu had to offer. Boneyard is one of the several eateries in Pump Shoreditch – it is an American inspired rib, chicken and cocktail bar serving delicious milkshakes, mouth-watering burgers, ribs and chicken. The huge tender slabs of pork ribs are probably London’s best and the salted caramel milkshakes are to die for! Oh and wait… the bone marrow burger is the juiciest burger I have ever tasted wowza!
One thing though, if you are there to dine, please remember you are essentially outside, so dress accordingly, scarfs and hats are a must in the winter. It is a must-go-to from me! Words : @TheRubyMaeMoore
LIFESTYLE
AMOR'S TOP 5 HOLI DAY DESTINATIONS May this year be the year you experience something different. One of the most soul enriching activities is travelling to places of the unknown. We have come up with our top 5 holiday destinations, we think our Amorelles will enjoy. Words : Toni Amporful, Health &Fitness Editor
Cartagena, Colombia Cartagena, Colombia Average flight time: 14h Flights from £500
Beautiful fishing village, Cartagena, is on the Caribbean coast and has beautiful beaches, as well as vibrant colonial architecture. Said to be one of the safest places in the country. Head to Bocagrande, which is Cartagena’s very, own Miami Beach. Here you’ll find fashionable cafes, upmarket restaurants and upscale luxury condos.
Porto, Portugal
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Porto, Portugal
Average flight time: 2h20 Flights from £40 Porto is Portugal’s secondlargest metropolis after Lisbon. The 14th-century São Francisco church is a main attraction. If you’re a wine drinker be sure to check out their local port wine cellars, mainly located across the river at Vila Nova de Gaia.
New Delhi, India
Average flight time: 8h30 Flights from £300
New Delhi, India
The Indian capital has so much culture and history from the British to Old Delhi’s winding streets. Here you can visit so much from Gandhi’s Delhi home (and the site of his assassination) to the tomb of Humayun (reminiscent of the Taj Mahal).
Lima, Peru
Average flight time: 15h Flights from £400 Lima, founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, is a treasure trove of history. You can explore ancient Incan archaeological sites, walk through the cultivating cathedrals and opulent palaces dating from Spanish colonial times. The beachfront areas have great shopping and dining.
Lima, Peru
Foz do Iguacu, Brazil
Average flight time: 17h Flights from £400 In Foz do Iguacu, visit the World Heritagedesignated park that marks the border between Brazil and Argentina. If you’re a lover of animals and nature, here you’ll see giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, endangered jaguars and beautiful butterflies. You can explore by foot or by raft to view one of the world’s most captivating waterfalls; Iguazu Falls. The spectacular Devil’s Throat combines 14 falls and generates a “perpetual rainbow” in good weather.
Foz do Iguacu, Brazil
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LIFESTYLE
NEW YEAR NEW JOB
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o, 2015 has flown by and 2016 is already upon us. It’s time for a new job and you don’t know where to start. No one actually enjoys the chore of job searching but unfortunately it is a must. Jan-Marie has a few tips to get you on your way. New year? New job! “The will to win is worthless if you do not have the will to plan” - Thane Yost
Plan and prepare to succeed:
- Ensure you set targets for the year, month and week ahead. Fail to plan and you plan to fail. Forward planning is an essential step in progressing in anything in life. Set realistic deadlines and stick to them!
Self-assessment:
- Figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are. The more you understand about yourself, the more likely it is that you will get satisfaction from your work-life. This also provides a guide to the type of job role you will succeed in which will ultimately have a good impact on your general happiness.
Update your CV:
- This is essential. Think back to all your recent experiences which developed transferrable skills to take into your next job. Have you completed any training courses or taken on extra roles at work? If so, list them.
Online branding:
- You are your own brand. It’s not only what people see in the physical, increasingly, this extends to the online sphere also. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter etc are all extensions of you. Be careful what you post on these social media platforms as some employers do their research on potential employees.
Network, network, network:
- Ever heard of the saying “your network is your net-worth”? Connect with the right people and you are already on your way to success. Your network determines the opportunities you are exposed to and can open doors which would have
otherwise remained closed. This is one of the most powerful ways to support career advancement.
Interview prep:
- Many find they get to the stage of the interview then nothing happens for a while and suddenly they find themselves back at the beginning. This is a result of a good CV but a poor interview. Ensure you research the company; develop anecdotes and examples to demonstrate the skills you have listed on your CV and practice responding to interview questions. Finally, when you do get that job, remember that there may be further training you have to undertake. Stay positive. You got this! Words : Jan-Marie Revers
LIFESTYLE
CHANGE YOUR MIND SET MIND OVER MATTER: 5 WAYS TO RE-SET YOUR BRAIN
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his time of year always gets me excited as it’s an opportunity to reset from sofa seal to super siren. If this was a movie, this would be where the power track starts to play and a slick montage of you doing a host of kick ass activities would ensue. But how do you sustain your goals in the long term? How do you stay inspired? Keep on track? Here Are 5 Ways to Re-Set Your Mind. Words : Yazmin Joy Vigus | @yazminjoy & @aliljoy www.aliljoy.com
1. Write it out. Writing down your goals, penning your thoughts and journaling your process is a valuable way of gaining mental clarity and staying focused. Why? Because writing it down is an expression of commitment. Be concise. Be practical. Write down your long term goals and then break down into smaller
manageable chunks which you can start to work on right away.
2. Visualise your future. ‘Everything that has ever been accomplished has been done by visualisation.’ Dr Venice J Bloodworth Take time each day to visualise where and who you want to be. Imagine achieving your goals and what that looks like. Pin your goals to your wall. Make a vision board on Pinterest. Imagine your outcomes. When you are bogged down in the daily grind this will help you make decisions that are aligned with your greater calling.
3. Change negative thought patterns. In her book ‘Switch on Your Brain’, Dr Caroline Leaf explains how negative thoughts actually produce
unhealthy proteins - causing visible damage to the brain. Since the brain is the control centre of your body, this can affect everything from your mood to your immune system, and in turn affect your progress. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s amazing ability to keep changing. If depression, anxiety or fear have held you back in the past, understanding that you have the power to renew your mind through the thoughts you engage with can literally change your life from the inside out.
HOW TO PICK YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS AND STICK TO THEM
4. Stop making big decisions when you are tired, hungry, stressed or upset. Resist decision making when your mind is not functioning at its best. Look out for mood swings or dips in energy - as you will be reacting under raw emotion rather than rationality. Learn to self-assess when you need to take a break and refuel. Don’t undo progress with poor decisions.
5. Stay spiritually fed. Keeping spiritually fed is key to long term achievement and happiness. Why? Because a foundation of faith produces a state of internal peace, greater confidence and outward grace. It’s an opportunity to stop and reflect. Taking time to recharge internally is ass-kicking rule 101. You can’t give out what you don’t have. When you are spiritually fed you will find it easier to produce work that is aligned with your values and purpose. Huzzah! The way you think and look after your mind will greatly impact your achievements. In fact, neuroscience is providing more concrete evidence that your thought life directly impacts on the way proteins are built into the brain. This is why, if you plan to pursue big goals in the forthcoming year, you need to keep in-check the way you think and look after your mind. Everything you achieve, do or produce will be a product of your mental and psychological activity, it’s just a case of mind over matter.
I
t’s that time of year again, where we make promises to ourselves that we will inevitably struggle to keep. Not for lack of trying, but it’s common knowledge that New Year’s Resolutions are notoriously hard to keep. With that in mind we thought it would prove to be helpful to provide some useful tips for picking the best resolutions for you and how to stick to them, so here goes…
BE REALISTIC
This is one of the most important things to keep in mind when picking a resolution, if not the most important, is to not be unreasonable, yes I’m sure at least 95% of us would like to look like Beyoncé but that’s not going to happen is it? Push yourself if that is what you want but there’s striving to be better and then there’s asking too much of yourself. If you pick something that is far out of reach and harder to achieve, then it is more likely you will get fed up and give up on your goal, and nobody wants that.
HAVE SHORT TERM GOALS THAT LEAD TO ACHIEVING A LONG TERM GOAL Short term goals that lead to long term are easier to stick to and control. Life is crazy for all of us and will likely get in the way from time to time. By setting yourself some smaller, short term resolutions you will find it easier to see them through and potentially turn them into something more long term.
LIFESTYLE
MY TOP 5 SELFHELP BOOKS TO READ IN 2016 PLAN Plan your goal, don’t just decide on a whim on NYE [unless that’s your thing] by thinking about what you want from your resolution, whether it’s to be healthier with your diet, or to make more of an effort to experience more, plan it, it will only help you in the long run.
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RESOLUTIONS OF HAPPINESS Don’t pick something that will make you unhappy. Life is too short to punish yourself and doing something that won’t bring you any joy, not to mention that it would be incredibly difficult to force yourself to stick to something that you hate anyway.
KEEP A DIARY Keep a schedule/diary, I know this is one of those things that is easier said than done, and can seem like a resolution on its own, but if you already keep a diary then it won’t be any harder for you. In fact it’s probably going to make sticking to your resolution that little bit easier.
DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP Don’t beat yourself up if you have a moment of weakness, it’s happened to the best of us and only makes you human. Instead move on from it and by continuing your resolution after a hiccup will make you more likely to see it through to the end.
NOT EVERY RESOLUTION IS MEANT TO BE KEPT Finally remember not every resolution is meant to be kept. Make a few resolutions, some serious goals you want to achieve and some silly fun things, that yes you will probably break right away, but it will help take the pressure from your real resolution(/s). Hopefully this will aid you in making and keeping your resolutions. Don’t spend too much of your time worrying about your resolution. Instead enjoy yourself with good friends and family and be thankful for another year of possibilities. Words : Grace Donelley
I believe that the mind is one of the most powerful tools in our world and we have the ability to create our future and live the life we want to live. So here I have listed my top 5 self-help books I believe will develop your mind and I hope, will result in a life you are happier with.
1. “The 4 Hour Work Week” By Tim Ferriss This book teaches you the fundamentals of working smart, not hard. Sometimes we are so fixated on putting in so many hours into a project/task and end up not achieving what we set out to and wonder why we are getting burnt out. Often it is not the amount of time we are putting in to completing something, but rather how we are going about it.
2. “How To Win Friends and Influence People” By Dale Carnegie This book encourages you
to be genuinely interested in people, a principle I believe everyone should adopt.
3. “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne “The Secret” is all about the teachings of what you think you become, what you feel you attract, what you imagine you create.
4. “Secrets of a Millionaire Mind” T Harv Eker The financial education in this book is priceless. Harv breaks
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down why your financial blueprint is the way it is and how you can alter it to contribute to the lifestyle you want to live.
5. “The Science of Being Great” by Wallace D Wattles One principle that makes me love this book, is the fact that the teachings embrace the idea of God. A lot of self-help books I have come across, disregard a higher being’s existence. This book is all about mastering your inner greatness with God. Words : @TheRubyMaeMoore
LOVE & SEX
SINGLE ON VALENTINE'S DAY? LUCKY YOU!
I get it. It’s cold outside, you are bombarded by Valentine’s Day shop windows and all you want to do is cuddle up with your man and stay warm. Oh wait, you don’t have a man. Don’t cry beautiful girl! It happens to the best of us. Sometimes you have to go through the day with that bottle (or bottles) of red wine as your replacement significant other and that is fine. Here are 3 perks of being single on Valentine’s Day:
1.
You don’t have to buy a gift for your nonexistent boyfriend. You also don’t have to put on a fake smile when he gets you body spray and lotion...again.
2.
You get to make your friend your +1 to the Valentine’s Day events and actually have fun. Who celebrates Valentine’s Day with their man anyway?
3.
It’s so cold outside and someone wants to do Valentine’s Day with you at that dreadful ice skating rink. No, you are single so you get to keep on that onesie, curl up on the couch with a box of doughnuts and watch Golden Girl reruns. See, being single has its perks and you are not alone. I’ll be joining you in the Single Girl’s Club and it’s Okay : No boyfriends allowed. Save your money and treat yourself, no man deserves more treats than you. ;)
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Words : Nikita Brown
BREAKING UP BEFORE VALENTINE'S. 1. The “Your Loss" Text. Both parties following a break up seem to find it impossible not to use this phrase and both fail to notice any impact it has upon receiving it, but yet, still feel the need to use it. No break-up is ever a break up without a few harsh words shared back and forth first. Especially when you have just forked out for their extravagant gift.
2. The ‘make-up-butwe’re-still-breakingup-but-not-quite-readyto-lose-you-yet’ sex We’ve all been there. We go over to their place to ‘collect our clothes’, maybe even our Valentine’s present, having ensured that we’ve waxed all the right places and contoured too (as we convince ourselves we will not be sleeping with them) at a level that Kim Kardashian would approve of… and we leave with our hair in a mess, makeup all over our face and the immediate feeling of regret as we sit in our car whimpering to love songs by Mariah Carey on Magic radio on the drive home. We know not to do it. We know that it will absolutely end in disaster. But still, we happily trot into the trap.
3. The deletion from all social media stations We sit with our girlfriends, sober in our onesies, we delete.
4. The re-adding on all social media stations We sit with our girlfriends, drunk, we re-add. We want to know what they’re doing, who they’re doing it with and to see if they are having a crap time just like you. All we can think about is who they will be taking out on Valentine’s Day.
5. The long winded text
And have a Happy Valentine’s Day Arsehole” Read: 16:01pm “Fuck You”...
6. The ‘plenty more fish in the sea’ claim There may well be plenty of fish in the sea but the problem is, I seem to be in a metaphorical desert. Alone in a metaphorical desert. Alone without that aforementioned Valentine’s proposal he’d hinted at.
7. The rebound There are a few ways to respond to the aftermath of heartbreak: sinking into a depression induced by marathon viewings of ‘The Notebook’ and ‘An Affair to Remember’; gaining a postcollege version of the freshman fifteen by choosing to survive on cheesecake, ice-cream, and vodka alone; and driving your friends insane by rehashing every last conversation, email, and text with your ex over and over again. Or… you can follow the old adage: the best way to get over somebody is to get under somebody else. And if he won’t take you out on Valentine’s Day...another one will. Words : Sophie Attwood
A GAME OF DOMINOS! I don’t do games… It’s just not my thing! I never take the time to learn or endure the necessary patience required to master games. However, I wanted to learn whatever he was interested in. You could say I idolised his character, his confidence, his charm! He was a rare one …lived up to his front. The night was warm, we sat out on the balcony. He’d been playing that evening, we laughed about his losses. I wasn’t shy to admit I didn’t know how to play! Although, I needed that liquid courage to relax my thoughts and release my inner sensuality. A friendly game of dominos quickly turned into a strip tease… I brushed the dominos to the side! Straddled him, forcing his head back, quickly wrapping his hands underneath my lower back, so he was gently lifting me. I didn’t want him to touch me. I needed complete control. It was me against me… I didn’t want to make love to him! I wanted to make love to myself. My mind transcended into passion, although he was in front of me, he was a distant blur. I put my hands down his back and caressed every muscle as I would my own. It’s as though my blood was boiling with a silent rage! I sunk my nails into his back and began sucking on his neck. I didn’t mean to cause him pain, but I was hungry for his body. He understood my desire and released the tension in his body until he was limp. Let’s just say we had a moment… Words : Ashanti Avril
LOVE & SEX
TREAT YOUR MAN THIS VALENTINE'S.
Whilst you should be showing your partner how much you love and appreciate them all year around, things can start to slack...and that’s why we have Valentine’s Day! One day a year where we can make up for the lack of effort previously and make a gesture to our partner that shows just how much we care and just how much we love them.
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It can be a struggle though, trying to make the day perfect. Not to worry - here at Amor we’ve got you covered on how to make the perfect Valentine’s Day for your partner!
Gifts.
It really isn’t all about splashing the cash when it comes to presents. Whilst you might think that money shows how much you love someone, it genuinely is the thought that counts,
and sometimes a smaller but more personal gift hits the spot just right! There are so many gift ideas available that can be personalised to individual relationships. Why not buy your partner a star named after them, a framed map of the
location you met, engrave a piece of their jewellery with a meaningful message or give them a scrapbook full of all your precious memories.
that is far more enjoyable and means a lot more than a bog standard meal at a restaurant! Get creative.
What to do.
What to wear.
Most couples will do the whole “wine and dine” thing, selecting a fancy restaurant with a special Valentine’s menu and then going home, having a bottle of wine and maybe ending up in the bedroom together... you get the gist. Why not think up something a little more exciting than that? Again, think personal. Does your partner have a favourite place that the pair of you could go to for a walk? Why not take your partner to the place you first met and exchange gifts there? Something special like
If you’re going out somewhere fancy, make sure you look the part - today, really wow your partner and remind them how drop dead gorgeous you are! (Although that is something they should never forget!!!). If you’re not going anywhere fancy, focus on what’s underneath instead... that’s right, think cheeky lingerie that can be revealed in due course. However, it’s a must to make teasers about it throughout the day to keep your partner on tenterhooks for the best present of all - you!
No phones.
So you’ll probably be desperate for that perfect Instagram shot of you two kissing, the presents you may receive and all the fun you’re having - not to mention the grateful Facebook status’ and tweets to go with them! However, if you’re absorbed with your phone, what won’t you be absorbed in? - Your partner. Today is about them, not everyone else in the world. Social media and your phone - can wait. Today is about the two of you. Words : Florence Grace
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68 | AMOR JAN-FEB 2016
FEATURE YINKA BOKINNI
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CHANGE YOUR MINDSET 2016 RIHANNA'S TAKE OVER
ON FACE 4 MUSIC, FUTURE PLANS & BEING NOMINATED FOR THE #ALAWARDS2016 FASHION BRAND - BALMAIN TREAT YOUR MAN THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
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