MAGAZINE b e a u t y, f a s h i o n & l i f e s t y l e
Issue 42 • OCTOBER 2017 freshmag.ca
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Contents Issue 42 • October 2017
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Q&A with Dr. Allison Sutton
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Crystal Carson Report
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Castle in the City
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Jann Arden: Mothering Her Mother—And Still Laughing
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Makeup by Holly Decker
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Glow
Photographed by Matthew Chen
by Kristin van Vloten
Diner en Blanc Women Inc.: Maria Locker of Mompreneur® by Sandra Vince
10 Acne-Causing Culprits by Leah Lavanway
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Santorini
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Beauty Buzz 411
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Sue’s Story: A Smile That’s Universal
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Wine and Cheese with Ease
by Christina Petry
by Crystal Jensen
by Dr. Kelvin P. Mah
by Elsa MacDonald
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE Publisher
W
hat do your fall styles, your gorgeous smile, your beautiful skin, and Jann Arden all have in common? These are the stories that make up our fall issue, including a piece on your make-up! Our Editor-at-Large Crystal Carson has some fashionable fall fuzzies for you to wear. We show you this year’s smash hit Vancouver version of the White Party, and the founder of Mompreneur, Maria Locker, shares her philosophy and experiences of empowering women in business. Our cover feature story with Canadian music legend Jann Arden is heartwarming and special. Jann is an author, singer, part-time talk show host, and one of Canada’s funniest celebrities. Jann enlightens us with her reflection on her career, her personal challenges and her wisdom gained from caring for her ailing mother. Enjoy…
Shelly Lynn Nellis shelly@freshmag.ca .......................................................................... EDITOR-AT-LARGE Crystal Carson carson@cncconsultinginc.com .......................................................................... Art Director Flora Leung flora@freshmag.ca .......................................................................... National Account Manager Kristal Barrett-Stuart kristal@freshmag.ca .......................................................................... Contributors
Shelly Lynn Nellis Publisher shelly@freshmag.ca
Matthew Chen, Erin Crooks, Holly Decker, Crystal Jensen, Leah Lavanway, Elsa MacDonald, Dr. Kelvin P. Mah, Christina Petry, Dr. Allison Sutton, Kristin van Vloten, Sandra Vince .......................................................................... Cover Photo Credits: Photographer: Alkan Emin
EDITOR’S NOTE
Producer & Stylist: Crystal Carson Makeup Artist: Sherry Vanstone Stylist Assistant: Ivy Agboneni
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all is always reminiscent of a new year with everyone getting back to business after our beautiful Canadian summers. There’s always an amazing energy and focus around health or business goals mixed with so many national events it’s hard to keep track of all that is happening. We start to transition into the warm and fuzzy season of fall fashion. Luxurious and vintage inspired looks rocked every runway to our very own closets.
This issue we have Jann Arden on the cover sharing the launch of her new book, induction into the hall of fame and more. Jann is an iconic female artist from small town Alberta that despite her fame has kept herself grounded and authentic as they come. We shot the cover drawing much inspiration from Film Noir as September is also Toronto Film Festival. Jann was a dream to collaborate with as she truly trusted the creative team to do as we wanted making for an epic visual. Not to mention her incredible sense of humour it was simply fun to create these stunning images.
Crystal Carson Editor-at-Large carson@cncconsultinginc.com
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Location: Tip Top Lofts, Toronto Jann wears: Tutu skirt by Molly Goddard (Nordstrom) / Top by Theory (Nordstrom) / Necklace by Topshop .......................................................................... Fresh Magazine publishes six issues per year. Please send all questions, comments and inquiries to: Fresh MAGAZINE Suite 451-15216 North Bluff Road White Rock, BC, Canada V4B 0A7 Tel: 1-877-905-7771 Fax: 604-591-1989 Email: info@freshmag.ca www.freshmag.ca Fresh Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect those of Fresh Magazine publishers, editors or staff. Readers are encouraged to consult with their health professional before embarking upon exercise, medical or nutritional changes. Contents of Fresh Magazine are copyright 2017, all rights reserved. Fresh Magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without written permission of the publisher. To subscribe to Fresh Magazine and receive delivery to your home or office bimonthly, send $29.95 + HST = $33.54 Include your address and we’ll ship you our next issue. Single copies are also available for $5.95 plus HST = $6.25. OCTOBER 2017
Beauty is the best possible version of yourself on the inside and out. The Skin Spin Roller is the most effective and most diverse anti-aging skin care tool on the market. It doesn’t just improve the appearance of the skin but it also improves the health and function of the skin creating long term results.
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www.skinspin.com
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GLOW Photographed by Erin Crooks Makeup by Holly Decker MODEL: Hannah Dawn (Next Models & Edge Agency) Hair by Kassy Moen
STILL BEACHY
Makeup moving into fall still has a soft, beachy, highlighted skin finish that you can add a beautiful bolder lip or smokey eye. Use Bodyography Tinted Moisturizer with a Beauty Blender to create a natural, soft glow and airbrushed look to the skin. Using a fan brush, create an iridescent glow by gently highlighting the brow bone, the bridge of the nose, and the bow of the lip with MAC Skin Finish in Soft Gentle. Warm up the skin with Bodyography Sun-Kissed Bronzer. Nicely-shaped, natural brows that are gently filled in and brushed up are beautiful for this natural glow. Hannah’s eyelashes were swept up with a few coats of MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara in Brown. Finish this glamourous look with Sara Happ Rose Gold Lip Gloss. OCTOBER 2017
WAVE HELLO TO FALL
Fall is the time to say farewell to the messy beachy waves of summer and say hello to more softly structured hairstyles. Hairstyle trends often mimic fashion trends which are reflected by Hannah’s more tailored, classic wave. We used Oribe Superfine Hairspray to set Hannah’s waves. It gives soft moveable hold without being too stiff or crunchy. We ran a drop of Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil through the ends to give shine and add softness through the ends.
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PRETTY PONY
Ponytails are a girl’s best friend! But there’s a big difference between a sloppy pony you wear to the gym and this pretty, put-together ponytail. This is a great way to wear second-day hair and still look fresh and fashionable. For our ponytail, we used Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to give Hannah’s hair that big sexy volume. It also helped us achieve that soft texture around her hairline.
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SMOKE AND MIRRORS
For more drama, add a darker lip with Axiology Lipstick in Instinct. Create a smokey eye with Makeup Forever Eye Shadow. Use MAC Fluidline in Dip Down on both the top lash line and waterline. Finish off with Erin Nicole Haute Couture Lashes. OCTOBER 2017
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Spa Quality Organic Skincare Organic • No Synthetic Fragrances Paraben Free • Proudly Cruelty-Free
Available at *At Participating Locations 12 | FRESH MAGAZINE | freshmag.ca
www.glowgo.ca OCTOBER 2017
As the summer months come to an end you may begin to notice brown patches developing on your face. A very common skin condition called melasma might be the culprit for these new spots. We’ve asked Dr. Allison Sutton, a Vancouver based, board-certified Dermatologist, to help us understand what melasma is and what can be done to treat it..
What is Melasma? Melasma is a common skin condition that appears as brown patches on the face. The most common places to see melasma is on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip and nose. It is most commonly seen in women in their reproductive years, however men can be affected as well. Melasma is sometimes referred to as the “mask of pregnancy� because it affects more than 50% of pregnant women. People with olive or darker skin have higher incidences of melasma and certain medications have also been associated with it.
What Causes Melasma? Melasma is associated with female hormones, sun exposure and a genetic component. Some contributing factors include taking oral contraceptive pills, the use of hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy, and sun exposure. A family history may also increase your risk for developing melasma.
What are the treatment options? Sun protection is the most critical step in prevention and treatment of this skin condition. Sun exposure will not only contribute to melasma but it can also make the pigmentation darker. Avoid the sun as much as possible, always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher paired with a hat and sunglasses. If you are taking hormone therapy that is non-essential, it is important to speak with your physician and consider stopping it if it is safe for you to do so.
Q&A WITH
The most effective treatments for melasma are creams. Physicians use a variety of creams containing many different ingredients to try and remove the existing brown spots and then prevent new ones from forming. The most commonly used ingredients in creams include hydroquinone, retinoids, vitamin C, glycolic acid, kojic acid, arbutin and other botanicals that all work in slightly different ways to achieve this common goal. These treatments should be used under physician supervision as there are many nuances and important considerations when using these creams. In certain patients, other treatments are added to the medical grade skin care approach including chemical peels, microneedling and sometimes laser. There are even oral medications such as transexamic acid that can be used in conjunction with the above treatments to be even more effective. Book your consultation with Dr. Sutton to see how she can help you love your skin! _______________________________________________________ Dr. Sutton is a Board Certified Dermatologist with specialized cosmetic training. She received her medical degree from the University of British Columbia, completed her residency in Dermatology at the University of Toronto, and did a fellowship in Aesthetic Dermatology in San Antonio, Texas. She is both a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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FALL WARM AND FUZZIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHED BY Alyssa Dawson / Makeup by Eugenia for Ana V Beauty Studio
LOOK 1
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LOOK 2
LOOK 3
Look 1: Cream wool coat with fur collar by Miu Miu (Holt Renfrew) / Silver Platform Shoes by Aldo. LOOK 2: Ostrich jacket with embellished trim collar by MIU MIU (Holt Renfrew) / Bell bottom jeans by American Eagle. Look 3: Off-white fox fur Zip jacket by AGNONA (Holt Renfrew) / Sunglasses by Gucci (Holt Renfrew) / Necklace by Carolyn Bruce Designs
LOOK 4
Look 3: Camel Wool jacket with lamb trim by SACAI (Holt Renfrew) / Shoes by Zara (Value Village)
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CASTLE in the C I T Y Photographed by Matthew Chen Stylist: Joanna Kulpa Makeup Artist: Anna Riese Hair stylist: Marc Riese, using La Biosthetique MODEL: Yana Ruycheva Photo Assistant: Jill Schweber Stylist Assistant: Kaya Williams Location: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
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Lace dress and top by Isabelle Dunlop / Belt by BCBG Max Azria
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Dress is Stylist’s own / shoes by Zara
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Faux Fur by Zara / Bodysuit by Mustard Seed (Simons) / Heels by Zara
Dress by Theory / bodysuit by Honey Punch (Simons) / Boots by Aldo
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LUXE for less By Liliana of Upstage by lili
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am bringing you four furniture picks for LESS! I think we all like good stuff, but sometimes some of us can’t afford the really nice things without breaking the bank. As an Interior Decorator, I like to change my home decor often, but spending a lot of money on all of my furniture does not make sense most of the time. This is why I like to find the look of the items I like for LESS and only invest in those pieces I know I would love for a very long time!
These are my picks for today’s blog. Check out these amazing sofas and arm chair at incredible prices. What I love the most about these furniture pieces is that you are still getting great quality furnishings, but for a fraction of the cost. As you can see, for the amount you will pay for one sofa from the Luxe collection, you can furnish the whole living room with these great finds! Designform Furnishings offers great comfort, quality, and trendy design pieces I personally love!
Liliana McInerney is a Professional Stager & Interior Decorator in the Tri-Cities of British Columbia, Canada. Follow her blog at UpstageByLili.com
ABOUT DESIGNFORM Website: designformcanada.com E-mail: designformcanada@gmail.com Phone: 604-722-8575 Instagram: @designformcanada Facebook: designform furnishings ltd canada *showroom by appointment only*
MotheringH Tutu skirt by Molly Goddard (Nordstrom) / Top by theory (Nordstrom) / Necklace by Topshop
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HerMother —An d
Still
La u g h i n g
Whether she’s making us cry our eyes out or laugh our heads off, Jann Arden is always serving up her authentic self. With an upcoming album and a book describing her new role as a caregiver to her Alzheimer’s afflicted mother, Arden is—as always—keeping it real.
By Kristin van Vloten Photographed BY Alkan Emin Produced & STYLED by Crystal Carson Makeup ARTIST: Sherry Vanstone Stylist Assistant: Ivy Agboneni Location: Tip Top Lofts, Toronto
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You start touring at the end of September. What gets old about touring and what never stops being enjoyable about touring? How do you make performing a positive experience?
ould Jann Arden be the quintessential Canadian icon? She’s a singer-songwriter, broadcaster, and author who has had to add “mother to a mother suffering from Alzheimer’s” to her CV in recent years. But she does it all with an impeccable sense of humor, refusing to take herself too seriously. What could be more Canadian than that? Since she broke out in the mid-nineties with chart-toppers like “I Would Die For You” and “Insensitive”, Arden has been surprising us. Nothing in her music’s heart-wrenching tales of abandonment and yearning could have prepared us for the personality Arden ultimately revealed to us. Part stand-up comedian, part motivational speaker, and total firecracker, Arden never misses an opportunity to poke fun at herself—or to urge her fans to just love themselves, damnit. Since her tendency was always to share herself freely, perhaps her latest gestures of transparency shouldn’t have shocked anybody. But when Arden’s mother began suffering from Alzheimer’s disease—a condition that deteriorates memory, thinking, and behaviour—her raw, honest accounts of life as her mother’s caregiver held the power to provoke. Provoke what? Mostly outpourings of support and solidarity from people who could understand, all too well, what she was going through. One Facebook post from July 18, 2016, in which Arden detailed her mother’s paranoia and delusions, was shared 11,611 times and garnered 44,000 reactions. Arden ended the post by saying, “don’t forget to cry, cause that’ll get you through anything. My mom says it’s God’s lubricant to get you through the tight spots.” That’s the sort of realness Arden is deservedly famous for. And it’s the sort of realness we received a generous helping of during our honest, hilarious, and inspiring conversation with Canada’s most fiercely unfiltered icon.
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I really enjoy touring. I know that everything I am doing right now has a time limit. My voice has a time limit; my wellness has a time limit; my brain, my stamina—all of it. Eventually I will be forced to stop. So right now I am taking it all in. Music is filled with so much joy and positive energy that you can’t help but become somewhat addicted to doing it, writing it, playing it, listening to it, living in it completely. I have loved every single moment of this creative life. There are always sacrifices, but those sacrifices come with every job. Traveling isn’t always easy, and more often than not I am taken away from my family and friends. Relationships become difficult to manage at times. But having said that, I’ve been blessed with the time to think and ponder and wonder and imagine. Touring is like a traveling circus; your home is where you are, and the people you travel with are your heart and soul. You have a new album coming out in February 2018. What can you tell us about that? What was inspiring you as you wrote and recorded this music? I can’t even begin to describe this record. The process was really quite remarkable in every imaginable way. Writing it was an epic adventure that I went on with my producer, Bob Rock. I traveled to Maui—where Bob makes his home—in June of 2016 and stayed in a condo that belongs to my tour manager’s parents. At first, I wasn’t even sure if Bob was going to show up as he can have ten balls in the air at any given time. I arrived on a Sunday and Bob showed up on Wednesday afternoon with two guitars, a plastic bag filled with cables, a couple of mics, and his laptop. He basically made a kick-ass studio in the living room and we just started piecing together songs. It all happens very quickly with Bob. He works inside a storm that I really love and thrive in. Bob is the most musical person I’ve ever met in my life, and it is so very inspiring to be around. He encourages everybody within earshot to be better and try harder and strive higher than they even thought possible. Jacket by Ted Baker / Top by Theory (Nordstrom) / Leggings by Wilfred free / Earrings by Thomas Sabo
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Bob told me to just write down things that were on my mind. They didn’t have to rhyme or make a lot of sense; they just had to be key phrases that resonated with me at that moment. That first day we wrote four songs. We got together another two times and had fifteen songs to show for it that, in my opinion, were all exceptional. I have never written that much that fast in my life. I didn’t have time to criticize, censor, or secondguess myself. I just put it all down and let it sit on the page and stare back at me. I also had the chance to write a few songs with my band mates and others. Allison Cornell came up from California and we wrote a song called “All the Little Things”. It turned out so beautifully. Allison is intuitive and kind and sensitive and it comes out when she plays any instrument—and she plays a lot of them. I also wrote with a few songs with Darcy Phillips, my keyboard player of twenty-four years. He sends me gorgeous chord progressions that are pretty well finished pieces of music and I am able to sit with them and write lyrics and melodies. I love surprising Darcy by twisting his maps into new shapes. Finally, I had the chance to write with a beautifully talented musician friend of mine, Rose Cousins. Her sense of composition and melody is so unique and I always learn from listening to her music. We wrote a song called “I Want You To Be Sorry”, which is of course your garden-variety epic revenge tune. Everybody has to have at least one of those on a record, or it’s not a record. Going into the studio to actually record the songs is always, always a sublime experience with Bob. He puts world-class musicians in a studio and just has them play—what a concept! He captures a piece of time and burns it into the human heart. I think Bob and I have a lot left to say and I hope over the next decade we can get down as much material as is humanly possible for two people. Your appearances on The Social are really fun and hilarious. Will you be on their Christmas special again this year? What do you have planned for that? I’m not doing a Christmas special with the girls this year; sadly, we simply did not have the time to do it! What I am doing, however, is two appearances this fall. I have a full week with them in November so that will be spectacular! There are always crazy topics: fashion, pop culture, advice, cooking segments…I mean, you name it, they talk about it.
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The girls of The Social—Cynthia, Lainey, Melissa, and Marci—all have such different perspectives on life. They bring so much of themselves to the conversations that it makes for some very good television. Add to that the fact that they are all very supportive, altruistic, kind, loving, tolerant, open, and forward thinking. They’re not afraid to get themselves into trouble and express opinions that aren’t always popular. Being on the show has been such an interesting addition to my career these past few years—very unexpected and fun and educational! The girls have always made me feel like part of the team, part of the show. Not once have I felt like a guest. They treat me with so much respect and warmth. It has made a difference in how I look at myself. Women need to help each other and lift each other up, or quite honestly, we are doomed to fail. I would do anything for these girls. Even their laundry.
“Humour really interests me; how it affects human beings, how it unifies us and eases our minds through some pretty terrible times. I love the balance between sadness and happiness. ” Did you miss your calling as a standup comedian? Why do you think humor is such a big part of your persona? My shows are funny. I get to enjoy the best of both worlds, I really do. I have always understood that humour is very, very much based on tragic things, uncomfortable things. Somehow, when you bring those uncomfortable things out into the light and laugh at them, there is an undeniable connection that happens between groups of people who would otherwise seldom find common ground. Humour really interests me; how it affects human beings, how it unifies us and eases our minds through some pretty terrible times. I love the balance between sadness and happiness. I have learned simply through observation how much humour helps my music “work.”
I can’t stand in front of people all night and pound them with song after song after song filled with some pretty heavy content. I have to let my audiences rest, as it were. I have to give them a reprieve from the heaviness. Laughter is the perfect foil and it fits in perfectly. People understand it; they understand how they feel when they’re able to laugh and cry in almost the same breath. It’s a very unique experience and it does something to them physically that is magical. It’s like taking a pill or drinking a tonic. It’s hard to hang onto sadness when you let it into your heart; it somehow seems to pass through which is exactly what we want it to do. That being said, I will never write “funny” songs. I have no desire to be trivial or cute or even light-hearted in my music. The songs have my complete attention and devotion and I will protect them from being trite or comical every single time. Why do you write songs? What does it do for you? And do you think your reasons for writing songs or your songwriting process has changed much over the years? The way I write songs by myself is unchanged. It’s always different when I write with other people, which isn’t all that often. Selfishly, I like controlling the lyric and the melody. I’m always open about chord progressions and that’s usually what “co-writing” means to me. I tend to write the music and the lyric and the melody all at the same time—I think. I don’t understand it at all. I don’t read music so I have zero technical knowledge of how it works. I remember a keyboard player saying to me on my very first record, “Did you know that this song goes from 3/4 time to 4/4 time?” I was like, “Ummmmmm…..No……” I had no idea what he was talking about. He went on to say, “For some reason it works.” And then he laughed out loud, “If you had any theory training, you would never have done this, so it’s pretty cool.” I never did learn to read music after that. I figured I should just leave well enough alone. It wasn’t like I was going to be to writing music for a symphony. My reasons are always the same; those have never changed. I want to express myself and leave something behind me in this life that is tangible and meaningful to other people. The content has always cut close to my bones and for some reason I never shied away from uncomfortable topics. We are all in this boat together, and we have pretty
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Dress by Talbot Runhof (Holt Renfrew) / Jacket by Theory (Holt Renfrew)
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much the same experiences, just at different times in our respective lives. We all feel the same things, so when people listen to music—my music or anybody else’s music— the experience is a shared one. I know I’ll never be able to get myself away from music—not that I’d ever want to. It is a compulsion. I don’t know how to not write it. I’m sure my last breath will be a whistle. Do you have any regrets when you look back on your career? Things you would have done differently or not at all? I have a ton of regrets, but none of them have anything to do with my career really. This whole process has been a series of seemingly insignificant events, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without each and every single one of those things taking place. I have a lot of cringe-worthy moments, things that went sideways on stage, relationships that were stupid, times of too much alcohol, times of not looking after myself. I mean, there are hundreds of little things that certainly could have been different, but I’m not sure that would have made my life or my work any better. If you’re not failing, you’ll never succeed. If you play it safe, you may as well just stay home and lock the door. I find that the people who get anywhere in a creative life take so many chances. They risk life and limb to create things and recreate themselves and they are exciting human beings to be around. I am always inspired by risk. I am inspired by falling and screwing up, and I’m not sure why. I find it exciting to put myself out there for the whole world to see. You can judge me all you want, but you’ll never be able to live my life for me and change the way I think or feel. My parents gave me so much confidence in myself. I will always be in their debt. You’ve won many industry awards, including eight Juno Awards. But what’s the honour you’ve received that means the most to you? Honestly, all of them are important to me. There’s not one that stands out from the others. Whenever I am acknowledged in any way, it really is so amazing. It’s hard for me to get my head around how much time has gone by. I have been singing and writing for over forty years Dress by Zimmermann (Holt Renfrew)
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and it feels like I just picked the guitar up a month ago. I am always so grateful to be recognized by my peers and by my fans and most certainly by my friends and family. My mom always says she wouldn’t care if I was a plumber as long as I was happy, so that pretty much sums it all up. Awards can be super awkward and they certainly have nothing to do with skill for the most part. There really isn’t a “best writer” or a “best singer”—those things don’t exist. If you’re in the arts to collect awards, you’ve really, really missed the point. You have a memoir coming out in November called Feeding My Mother: Comfort and Laughter in the Kitchen as My Mom Lives with Memory Loss, based on the experience of becoming a “mother” to your mother as she suffers from Alzheimer’s. What significance does the kitchen have for you and your mother? One of the things that mom can do all on her own is eat. Simple skills like turning on the shower, or using the phone or the coffee machine, or opening a can are all forgotten, but she can still enjoy a meal and do it completely on her own. It’s something she enjoys and it makes her feel “normal” to cut up an onion or stir a pot of soup. It’s remarkable how these very little tasks can mean so much and bring so much joy and, yes, comfort. When you don’t have a clue what you’ve done five minutes ago, it’s really important to be engaged in a “moment” and feel like you’re living a purposeful life. Food is one of the most important things in human life. When we think about a holiday from any tradition, we think about what we are going to be able to eat. When we gather to socialize or mourn or recognize, we eat. My friend once told me that a marriage is two people asking each other what they should have for dinner for forty-five years. That always makes me laugh. Was it really difficult to write this book, really therapeutic to write this book—or both? It was difficult in the sense that writing it down made it very real. My parents started losing their memories around the same time, but they would work together to cover up their mistakes. We didn’t really understand how far gone my mom was
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until my dad passed away. Memory loss is devastating for the people who surround an Alzheimer’s sufferer. There is a very, very short period of time when the sufferer realizes that they are losing their minds, and by that point it’s quite simply too late and they are too far down the rabbit-hole to even care. For those of us trying to look after them, it’s really shitty and sad and hard and shocking. I don’t know my mom that well anymore; she is a very different version of herself and I find myself feeling really down about it. Her behaviour is up and down, as you can imagine, because she doesn’t understand what is going on. She often doesn’t realize she is in her own house, which seems impossible, but that’s what happens. I hope that the book helps other people to understand that they can and will get past the hard parts and find joy in the simple things. My mom is happy mostly; she is going forward and trying to find purpose in the moments she’s been given. That’s what I am trying to do as well.
“Memory loss is devastating for the people who surround an Alzheimer’s sufferer [...] I hope that the book helps other people to understand that they can and will get past the hard parts and find joy in the simple things.” What’s a typical day with your mom like? What are the highs and lows? My mom has a great routine because I have lots of help. Because I travel so much, I pretty much have full-time help for her. I still have her on weeknights for dinners when I’m home, but otherwise, she has someone with her at all times for her safety and wellness. She is an early riser! We always walk down the road with our dogs. (We live in the country.) In the summer, we garden and putter around in the yard, walk down to the
river, water plants, stop for tea and a snack. Mom likes going to town for coffee and wandering around in the grocery store. She loves going for drives and just watching the world go by. She is, for the most part, in good spirits but a few days a week she is argumentative and there is not a hell of a lot you can do but ride those days out. She is confused, obviously, because she can’t remember anything, and that also makes her feel anxious. Alzheimer’s sufferers come in all shapes and sizes and the disease affects each individual very differently. You have to take each day as it comes and learn to be patient. It’s like being on a spinning wheel. Everything is repeated over and over and over and honestly, you have to find a way to remain calm and not become the “memory police.” I want to be mad half the time, but this last year I’ve learned to let go of much of the anger and just find compassion and forgiveness. My mom would be so sad if she knew what she was putting us all through. I just do the best that I can. If you could share one bit of wisdom that grappling with Alzheimer’s has given you, what would it be? Don’t give up. Let things go. Don’t correct them. Let them be right all the time. Breathe. Look after yourself. Ask for help. Don’t do it alone if you don’t have to. Forgive. Accept. Move forward. Your fans have such a deep connection with you, in part because you are famously transparent. What’s it like to have so much of your personal experiences “out there”? Is it ever hard? I think openness is the key to any kind of success when you’re trying to make your living as a creative person. I really don’t even think about having things out there. I’ve no clue how to function otherwise. Let the chips fall where they may; I always take responsibility for my life, my actions, my failures, my mistakes—all of it. We are on an equal playing field when it comes to screwing up so you just have to accept who you are and keep trying to build yourself up. Trust me, there are thousands of things I don’t talk about. I have a very private personal life and I treasure that.
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Le Dîner
EN BLANC VANCOUVER
Le Dîner en Blanc Vancouver celebrated its sixth glamorous anniversary last night, welcoming 6,000 revellers to the grounds of Devonian Harbour Park and Harbour Green Park in Vancouver’s West End/Coal Harbour neighbourhood. Over one third of last night’s guests were first-time participants, who joined a cadre of veterans to take in the pageantry and elegance of the largest Dîner en Blanc in Canada. Guests were treated to magical acoustic music, creative dance and pop-up art galleries at both locations. PHOTOS BY Jonathan Evans
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Women Inc connects you with women-owned businesses that you deserve to know about. World-changing, innovative, and conscious, these brands showcase the power of a woman in charge.
Maria Locker
FOUNDER & CEO, MOMPRENEUR® By Sandra Vince Tell us a bit about your company. How did you get started and what lead you to where you are today? Mompreneurs® is a Canada-wide ‘movement’ which has developed into multiple team members and chapter locations across the country, a non-profit arm, a national Award Series and Conference, and a quarterly print magazine. Over the past seven years, the organization has grown its membership and online community to over 17,000 members and subscribers within Canada and the U.S., and has a dedicated social media community over 80,000 strong. Our “why” is to support women who want to run a business and a family without sacrificing one for the other, and to help them discover it is possible to live a happy, successful life on their own terms. There are an estimated one million women entrepreneurs in Canada, each of which face unique struggles, from finding the right support, time management, marketing, and running a household. Our team understands that struggle and wants to show women that they can have a successful business and family life at the same time. It is a fact that 90% of businesses fail in the first five years but we believe with proper support, tools, mentorship and a supportive community around them, we can have a positive impact
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and help women succeed towards a life that is determined by their unique passions, talents, and needs. With Mompreneur’s philosophy being that you can have a balance between personal life and work life, are there any strategies or tools that you have found to be helpful to help maintain that balance? I don’t think there is such a thing as true balance. I believe it’s more about understanding the different elements that make up our daily lives, and focusing our most concerted efforts in each area to the best of our abilities. If you are going to focus on work for a period of time, make sure you’re ‘all in’ and giving your work your undivided attention. The same rule should apply when you are with your family; when it’s time to play with the kids, or have dinner together, put your phone/work/tasks away and be ‘all in’ with your family. I’ve found that having two to three hours of dedicated time allocated to one or two important tasks is extremely effective, as opposed to cramming in a multitude of tasks vying for your attention in six-plus hours, only to find that you really didn’t do anything to the best of your abilities.
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Ultimately, I believe that business and personal lives aren’t necessarily interchangeable, and that it is possible to have a successful business and a thriving family life without sacrificing one for the other. With all the tools available to us today allowing us to be connected 24/7, what do you do to recharge when you are feeling drained? I find being ‘accessible’ to be quite exhausting actually, and having discussed the matter with many other mompreneurs, I can tell you I’m not alone! Being connected on so many different social platforms, as well as being connected socially within my community, it can be overwhelming at times. I’ve made it a rule of mine that once 6pm hits, my phone is on silent mode. This allows for an uninterrupted family dinnertime, which is a very sacred hour in our home, allowing my kids and my husband and I to reconnect and chat about our days. Further to silencing my phone, I’ve now also gotten into the habit of going into ‘do not disturb’ mode around 8pm (this is the little ‘moon’ icon on your smartphone), which allows me to continue checking emails if I choose to, but does not allow texts or calls to come through. Instead, they are put into a queue, ready and waiting for me when I’m ready to press that moon icon again. My phone remains in ‘do not disturb’ mode until around 7:30am the next morning, once I’m ready to start my day - at that time, any text or voicemail notifications from the previous evening will then pop up, and I can deal with them at my own pace without feeling overwhelmed at night when I should be relaxing. Who has inspired you to become the person you are today? Who do you admire? Without a doubt, my parents have greatly influenced me and inspired me to become the person I am today. They began our family business when I was only two years old, and now 35 years later, they have contributed so much to our community, and their business has been a mainstay in our town. There is no doubt in my mind that my early exposure to the life of an entrepreneur ultimately gave me the confidence to branch out on my own as an adult, and also guided me to make decisions that would lead to a balanced lifestyle for my own family. They have taught me that nothing comes for free; that hard work and determination will get you where you want to go in life; that being kind to others and offering what
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you can to those in need will always be important; and that no matter what, family always comes first. I grew up watching them work long hours, go through successes and struggles, and through it all, they always took the right risks and made the right decisions to get ahead for the better of our whole family. I will always be thankful to my parents for showing me how to be a good person, how to emulate being a good parent, and how to be a heart-cantered and driven entrepreneur. If you could go back in time and meet your younger self, is there any advice you would give her? I was always a happy-go-lucky type of girl, but I can remember a few times growing up where I planted my feet and got really defiant or angry about one thing or another. Looking back, the times that I was most angry or frustrated were never big momentous issues, but at the time it felt as if it was the biggest problem I would ever face. If I could go back, I would encourage myself to only fight the right fights, and not get caught up in the drama of others. What is the biggest mistake you have made as an entrepreneur? How did you succeed in dealing with this? I learned very quickly that if you ask others to offer feedback, it can deter you from going with your gut and making the right decision. In the early days, I often looked for approval from those closest to me, and nine times out of ten I always went with my gut, however on the occasion that I allowed someone else’s opinion to sway my own, I always instantly regretted it. These days I am crystal clear with my vision and my intentions, and even before I ask anyone’s advice, I already know exactly what I want. This allows me to receive feedback much more openly. On the opposite side, what has been your biggest success, and what lead you to it? To date, I would say my biggest success is not solely mine, it belongs to our organization as a whole, and that is the accomplishment of having dedicated members in Canada from East to West. Several years ago I had an idea to bring together women from across the country to support and celebrate one another, and started locally in my small town of 30,000. As the years have gone on, the right women have come in and out of the organization at
the right time, helping to spread the word, attract like-minded women, and ultimately growing our headquarters team and our community of entrepreneurs organically. For our 2017 Mompreneur Awards and our National Conference, I was in awe to see women in the room from as far East as Stratford, PEI, and as far West as Vancouver, BC—with hundreds more women in between from all over the country, all together in one room, bonding and learning and supporting one another. I will never forget that feeling of accomplishment, and seeing so many members who have been with us since the beginning, smiling and knowing they have been a part of something so moving. How do you see the constantly changing technology influencing the way women in business will operate in the next ten years? The possibilities are endless! It’s estimated that four out of every five new businesses started in Canada are by women, and I do believe we are shifting the way that work is being done. I believe we will continue to see an increase in telecommuting, as more and more companies realize the benefits of flex hours and environments. Video conferencing has proven to be both an economic and effective way to host meetings and conferences with others, and as this technology continues to be enhanced, it can only bring new opportunities for women in business who are looking to grow their customer base to a more international level. You started out as an entrepreneur very young. What sort of insights have you learned that you would pass on to other young women just starting out in business? Don’t let anyone else’s ideas of how you should live your life intimidate you from ultimately living it the way you want to. If you want a family and a business—go for it! There are no restrictions to entrepreneurship aside from the ones you set yourself. In the early days of my business, I was a young mom with a two-year-old and an almost four-year-old; most of my work was done during nap times and late at night on the couch, but it was what I wanted, what my husband thankfully supported, and it was not what anyone else told me I had to do. Now that my kids are 9 years old and almost 11 years old, I can look back and say that not only did I create and grow a successful company, but I also raised two little humans the way I’d always dreamed I would, by being present with them and being a part of their lives.
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0 1 Acne-Causing Culprits By LEAH LAVANWAY
W
hile acne is caused by dead skin clogging your pores, sometimes there is a bit more going on behind the scenes. Standard treatments and face cleansing will not help if there are subtle contributors happening in your daily life. Your diet, lifestyle, and habits could all be working against you, preventing you from having the healthy and clear skin you want. If you have already diagnosed all of the obvious things that could be causing acne, here are some contributing factors that are not talked about as frequently.
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1. Biotin
7. Makeup
Biotin, sometimes referred to as vitamin B7, helps your hair and skin grow. It’s great in low doses, but if you take too much it can contribute to breakouts. Vitamin B7 goes in the same “slot” as vitamin B5, which is absolutely essential in keeping your outer layer of skin clear and beautiful. If you have too much biotin/B7 in your diet, you will crowd out the vitamin B5 and prevent your skin from getting the regulation it needs. Very common in ‘trendy’ hair supplements promising long flowing locks, this acne buster is sure to cause added aggravation!
As long as you are careful to stick to non-comedogenic makeup, you should be fine throughout the day. However, no matter how safe your makeup is, you will run into trouble if you forget to remove it at night. Your skin needs time to recover at night. Leaving your makeup on can stifle this recovery process and cause you to wake up with an unfortunate mess of acne.
2. Green Smoothies
Just like with hand lotion, chemicals found in your laundry detergent will quickly find their way onto your face and body. Fragrances, powdered detergents and any biological ingredients can all lead to breakouts. For best results, stick to a liquid detergent and use as little as you can. Try choosing a longer rinse cycle if you can, this will help minimize the amount of enzymes and other chemicals that wind up in your clothes and linens. Brands we recommend using are Cheer Free, All Free & Clear, Tide Free, and Arm & Hammer Free.
While many of the ingredients in your smoothies might be safe, raw kale is often a trigger for breakouts. Kale is full of goitrogens, which are chemicals that disrupt normal thyroid function. Also found in broccoli, asparagus, and brussels sprouts, goitrogens prevent iodine from getting to your thyroid. Eating all of these foods in small quantities is fine, especially if they are cooked, but if you go on a green smoothie rampage and drink several cups of raw kale every day, you could potentially run into thyroid issues. If this is the case, you might notice acne, eczema, fatigue, issues controlling your weight, or depression.
3. Lip Balm Many of the chemicals found in lip balm (and often lipstick too!) are not great for your skin. Things like lanolin, isopropyl palmitate, and isopropyl myristate can all clog your pores and lead to breakouts and redness. Look for the term “non-comedogenic” in anything you put on your face—this should mean that it will not cause your pores to clog. Unfortunately, this is not a regulated phrase and any company can blast it all over their packaging. For an easy to follow pore-clogging reference, check out our list on the website: www.essenceofl.com.
4. Hand Lotion Just because you are not applying something directly to your face does not mean it will not get there eventually. Most of us touch our faces frequently throughout the day. This means that anything you put on your hands will get transferred to your facial skin over the course of the day. Many common ingredients in hand lotion and hand cream can cause breakouts. Be especially careful with the hand cream you use before going to sleep. You might sleep on your hands without realizing it!
5. Tissues The fragrances and other chemicals found in some tissues can be transferred to your skin, causing irritation and acne. Even worse, if you blow your nose a lot the texture of the tissues themselves can irritate your skin. If you are breaking out a lot around your nose, consider trying a different brand of tissues to see if a softer, or less chemical-heavy tissue might do the trick.
6. Sweating While sweat on its own will not cause acne, failing to wash your face and body after sweating will. Sweat can carry makeup, dirt and other irritants into your pores and it is also linked to an acne-like infection called pityrosporum folliculitis. A gentle cleanse, or showering after you exercise will help reduce the risk of normal breakouts. If you get stubborn and difficult to treat breakouts after exercising, see an acne skin therapist for recommendations about how to treat folliculitis.
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8. Laundry Detergent
9. Shampoo / Conditioner Things that are good for your scalp and hair might not be good for your face. If you find yourself breaking out on your neck and upper back, it might be because you are letting your shampoo or conditioner wash down your body in the shower. Try shampooing with your head tilted to minimize this drip, or switch to a different shampoo. Be especially watchful for sodium lauryl sulfate and other similarly named chemicals. While these compounds may help your shampoo foam up, they are another big culprit that may be causing your breakouts.
10. Sunblock
The sun’s rays can cause your skin to age prematurely and develop unsightly blotches and spots. Using the wrong sunblock can lead to breakouts and zits. You can usually avoid this by opting for a physical sunblock rather than a chemical one. Sunblock that uses titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide as the active ingredient tends to be safer for acne-prone skin. If you prefer to use a chemical sunblock, be sure to do your research and find one that will not make your acne flare up.
More Tools at Your Disposal If you are still suffering from acne despite everything you have tried, examine the things above and see if they might be contributing to your pimples. Acne is a complicated problem that is caused by a multitude of factors. If you can eliminate one or two of them by reducing your stress levels, or cutting down on biotin, it can do a lot to help keep your face clear and beautiful. Try everything for 3 to 4 months and pay attention to the results! You will figure out how things affect your face, giving you the information you need in your fight against acne.
Leah LaVanway is the owner of the award winning Essence of L Medi Spa & Laser Clinic in White Rock. She is a medical esthetician specializing in acne therapies and skin needling. Leah is also the founder of Glow Clinical Skincare, a clean clinical line focused on acne prone skin. To learn more about Leah and Essence Of L Medi Spa visit EssenceOfL.com
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SANTORINI By Christina Petry Photographed by Paris Kairis for WEDVISIONS STUDIO
Makeup Artist & Stylist Christina Petry recently came back from a month in Greece. She went with one objective: to enjoy every second with her family, and take in Santorini’s island vibe.
O
ne word…Santorini. The island of love, the colours white and blue, the famous domes and bells, the cliffs, the Caldera the sunsets, the food, the ouzo and the culture of life on this active volcanic island surrounded by the Aegean Sea. When you think of all the places in the world that you would like to visit there’s always a short list of places that come to mind. Whether you’re honeymooning, enjoying a trip with friends, a family vacation, or just taking a break from the every day, we all commonly seek things like amazing views, beaches, culture, food, and most simply a place to have fun! Because I have family in Greece, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting there before. This was however, my first time to this island in the Cyclades. My family is from the Peloponnese, and after spending some quality time there with my Mom and two boys, we set off for Santorini. Our main goal: Relax, make memories, and take in the island life. Getting to Santorini was easy and affordable. We took a short 45-minute flight
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from Athens Airport with Ryanair. If you are strapped for time I would recommend flying as opposed to taking the ferry, as the boat can take up to five hours, and flying is much quicker and more convenient. Upon arriving in Santorini I was consumed with excitement and couldn’t wait to get exploring! It was quite windy but once we headed up to higher points on the island, the breeze and the wind were quite welcomed in the heat. Upon arrival at Santorini you will be shuttled to the terminal and from there you get your transportation to your accommodations. We were greeted by a very friendly driver who was born and raised on the island. They shared with us some of the popular things to do while visiting. We stayed at a beautiful property called Santorini Palace in Fira. It features Cycladic architecture, is minutes from the Caldera, and boasts a panoramic view of the sea and volcano. It has a great pool bar with sun beds, fresh juices, amazing greek coffee, and traditional Mediterranean food. Our bartender Kimi not only was very handsome
but also went above and beyond to take very good care of us! Our room overlooked the ocean and I woke up each morning and sat out on the patio. To me, this was the perfect way to set the tone for the day—nowhere to be, and in no hurry to get there. No matter where you stay in Santorini, every accommodation offers views and something unique and breathtaking in its own way. There is no shortage of places to eat in Santorini. Whatever you are in the mood for you will find! We enjoyed walking around and poking our heads into different places. One night our walk lead us Naoussa, a great restaurant with traditional Greek cuisine and an unforgettable view over the sea. As my Mother and I toasted each other with cold ouzo, my boys enjoyed some saganaki and calamari. Another night in Firostefani, Onar Restaurant lured me in with their wide array of wine selections from the island—the way to my heart really. A menu with flair and ingredients all locally grown…every sip was paired with the perfect bite. OCTOBER 2017
From Left to Right: Yellow dress by BCBGMaxazria, Accessories by Bekah-Anne / White bathing suit by La Vie en Rose (Taken at Santorini Palace) / Red dress by Isabelle’s Bridal “JS Collections” (Taken at Onar Restaurant); Opposite photo: Black dress by Isabelle’s Bridal “JS Collections”
Each day as the sun set on another memorable day, I never got tired of watching the sky turn to shades of purple, red, orange, blue and yellow…just as it seemed that it couldn’t get more breathtaking, it really did, and I couldn’t take my eyes off it. I highly recommend watching the sunset in Oia, on the North West edge of Santorini. A bus tour was offered to us through our hotel for 15 Euros, and it took about 25 minutes. There is more sunlight in Oia than in Fira and on this picturesque side of the island is where you’ll find beautiful traditional Cycladic houses and restaurants carved into very steep slopes along with narrow staircases and cobblestone streets. This side of the island is packed with tourists all trying to find the perfect spot to watch the sun go down over the volcano of Palia and the small island of Thirassia. I’ve seen a lot of sunsets but this one stood out. It was the vastness of the view that was so breathtaking, and watching it with my two small boys made it even more memorable. You’ll find souvenir shops every few steps, art galleries, drinking holes, beautiful churches, restaurants, vendors selling unique pieces, music, and donkey tours passing by. It is a sight and a feeling you will never forget.
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You can find established local wineries on the island. Venetsanos Winery for example, is among the finest on the island. There are also winery tours that you can enjoy that will take you around to four or five wineries on the island so you can sip and tour the vineyards in an afternoon or an evening tour.
Santorini is full of friendly people and they made our time unforgettable because of their welcoming attitude. Having come from every corner of the world, even the tourists themselves were interesting to talk to. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations and topics.
The Caldera Path is something you must do. It’s a great way to see the sights by foot and I find walking always leads you down the path less traveled. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour depending on how much you stop and take photos, for me I took many! Make sure you have some runners or comfortable walking sandals. The path is up and down (but it feels like it’s mostly up) with lots of intriguing staircases that lure you in to explore.
Life gets busy and crazy and we wait so long and work so hard to take trips so I leave you with this: don’t forget to take a step back and just be present, especially if you are in Santorini. Stop, sit, and look. Yes, take the pictures, but also just stop and breathe it all in. They say that in life you remember moments and I for sure will remember some precious ones from this trip with my family. Santorini changes you, in a good way, and it beckons for you to come and relax.
You cannot take a bad photo here; there are vibrant flowers, whitewashed walls, old doorways, and simply astounding views of the sea full of ships, and massive cliffs. Since this island is one of the most aweinspiring and beautiful islands of the world, it calls for packing some of your favourite fashion pieces. The sun is out and the landscape provides the perfect backdrop. If given the chance to wear something beautiful, flowy, and colourful, I always take it. Clothes are meant to be fun and make you feel good, so in a place so on point, it calls for your fashion to be the same.
I believe in taking adventures and putting things out to the universe that you want to accomplish in your life. I want my boys to be cultured and have travel be a part of their upbringing, so they know there is a big world out there to explore. Life could change at any moment so if you’re healthy, and happy… take the trip. I will always cherish taking this trip with my Mother and my boys. Don’t forget; items on your bucket list were meant to be crossed off!
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Tips and beauty secrets from consummate beauty pro Crystal Jensen!
Boho Chic We hashtag #iwokeuplikethis, well with Style Link “Air Dry Wild Boho” from Matrix you can get dream hair. With no heat needed this texturing air-dry cream lets you let your hair down for an effortless, tousled look. Did I mention this cream smells amazing, it will make you want to throw your hands in the air and dance like no one’s watching. Your inner wild child is sure to be evoked. Great hair don’t care with Matrix.com
iams nnifer Will photo by Je
Abracadabra I’m not sure which secret ingredient makes this cream so special, but whatever it is, it’s magic in a jar. “Charlotte’s Magic Cream” by Charlotte Tilbury is the perfect sleep aid. Not only do you wake up with a dewy complexion, your skin is glowing and completely refreshed. Day or night, this beauty cream works wonders. Visit CharlotteTilbury.com today
Bat Those Lashes Volume, check. Length, check. Curl, check. Definition, check. That’s what you get with Charlotte Tilbury’s “Full Fat Lashes”. This all day wearable mascara is the bomb with it’s 5-star grooved brush. It gives you that big false lash effect and allows you to touch up without any clumping. This is a no mess kind of mascara! For eye-popping lashes shop CharlotteTilbury.com
A Perfect Arch With all the brow hype lately….achieving the perfect arch is essential. NYX “3-IN-1 Brow Pencil” makes us non makeup artists seem like professionals when creating news worthy definition. This beauty tool is packed with a pencil, powder and mascara all in one. There is no doubt you will be stopping traffic with your runway sculpted brows. Make a statement with NYXCosmetics.com
Guess My Age Hands down my skin has never looked younger and I owe much of that to the incredible treatments from Essence of L Medi Spa. I’ve tried multiple services from Dermapen to HydraFacials, but my absolute favourite is the “Acne Peel” from EOL. It has transformed my skin and softened fine lines and imperfections. Oh and you can’t forget about “the girls”, make sure to add on the extra “Tata facial”. Yes you heard me right, a facial for your breasts—it’s a thing! Get your glow on at EssenceOfL.com
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photo by ASHLEY DRODY PHOTOGRAPHY
S U E ’ S
S T O R Y:
A Smile That’s Universal By Dr. Kelvin P. Mah
ometimes the universe sends you a sign and meeting Sue was pure serendipity for both of us. I was actually first a client of hers before she was a client of mine. She initially came into my practice in 1998 to train our office on new management software. Sue did an amazing job and I new that our team would be better off with her at the helm, so I offered her a position as the office manager of my practice. She later told me, “It’s all about timing and I was ready to make a change. Our philosophies were very much aligned and I found working with Kelvin to be a great fit.”
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I view my practice as much more than an office or collective of individuals. I truly believe that the work we do is life-changing and am fortunate to work with such giving and talented individuals who subscribe to my beliefs. Sue was a joy to work with and it was only natural for her to become a patient as she witnessed firsthand the commitment each and every one of us has to improving the lives of our patients. Sue wanted to update her smile and entrusted us with this important task. She knew that the timing wasn’t just right for a career change but an entire life transformation. We talked in depth about what she wanted and came up with a treatment plan together. This conversation is integral to how I help my patients achieve the smile of their dreams. Transformation happens from the inside out and
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this can only happen when we trust each other to take the journey together and manage expectations. A dental procedure can improve a smile but it takes much more to transform an individual. Sue and I agreed that veneers were the way to go. As our office manager, Sue was always in complete control of the office and I was humbled that she now entrusted me to help her get better control of her self image and self worth. “After the initial appointment, I walked out of the office with temporaries that looked fantastic and gave me a sense of what the end result would look like,” Sue said. Even though she had dealt with many of our patients who had gone through the same procedure, she was still pleasantly surprised by the process. Sue goes on to describe the initial experience, “Kelvin sent me to the lab he uses so the technician could get an idea of shape, colour, and design. I was really impressed and felt confident that I was going to love the result.” I work closely with artisans who appreciate, as I do, the importance of receiving feedback from a patient. Sue’s attitude was very familiar. While she was fortunate enough to have been working in the dental industry and to have been working in our office, she still was trepidatious. Our smiles carry all our emotions. They are a manifestation of all our experience. It’s common for people to still feel the same childhood embarrassment well into their adult lives. If someone was self conscious about their smile in high school, chances are they still carry the same self doubt into the boardroom. Whether it’s crooked teeth as a teen or discolouration as an adult, confidence in your smile can be key to unlocking unlimited potential. Even when someone as familiar with the dental field as Sue has the opportunity to transform her smile, the emotions and past experiences can still give rise to apprehension. Fortunately, my process takes this very human experience into consideration. First and foremost, I need to know the individual and really understand where she is in her life. Sue was in an extraordinary position to not only dramatically change her smile but also drastically
change her life. While we were lucky to have her join our practice, Sue was ready to take the next step in her life’s journey. We finished the treatment plan and you could feel the momentum of her life starting to take shape. Sue was ecstatic every step of the way and, naturally, with the results. “The final appointment went extremely well and took less time than anticipated. The veneers were gorgeous and felt so natural. I got used to the feel of my new teeth immediately,” she later shared. Sues happiness in her new smile was just the first step in her transformation. While it was a pleasure and joy to have her as our office manager, Sue soon retired from the dental industry. Though it was bittersweet to lose a quality person and model team member, she continued to be part of our practice as a patient. It’s always a pleasure to see Sue and hear about where life has taken her. Her new smile brought her confidence and peace. She now enjoys pursuing her interests and spending time with her loved ones. I’m blessed to have witnessed so many people grow and humbled to have grown with them. “Our relationship was built over the years we worked together and I was able to see Kelvin develop and transform into an amazing practitioner. He would always tell me, ‘anyone can be a dentist but I want to be more, I want to transform lives one smile at a time.’ And that’s exactly what he’s done for me.” Whether it’s my team or my patients, the universe has put me in the perfect position to do what I love for the people who truly deserve it. While Sue came into our practice in a professional capacity, she continues to be much more than a former employee or current patient. It’s humbling to hear her say, “I smile a lot and now I smile with confidence. I love my teeth. Kelvin is not just my dentist, he is my family.” Thank you Sue for entrusting your smile with us and being a testament to how we are “enriching lives, one smile at a time.”
Dr. Kelvin P. Mah believes in helping people—not merely treating problems—and takes a dedicated interest in the health and wellness of each individual patient. His award-winning Smile City Square Dental practice reflects a zen-like atmosphere of warmth and relaxation. He is also a graduate of UBC’s prestigious Dental School and is an instructor with the Frontier Institute. Discover the transformative possibilities of modern artisan dentistry at SmileCitySquare.com, and visit Smile City Square Dental on Facebook at Facebook.com/SmileCitySquare.
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freshmag.ca | FRESH MAGAZINE | 43
WINE & CHEESE WITH EASE By Elsa Macdonald, Director of Wine education of arterra wines Canada
Selecting Your Cheeses
Opting for cheeses with varying tastes and textures entices your guests to try something new. Sparkling wine, like Ruffino Prosecco, is a flexible wine to partner with cheese because the bubbles cleanse your palate with each sip. Not just for celebrations, Ruffino Prosecco and semi-soft cheeses like Fontina, Oka and Mozzarella or even a Fresh Goat’s Cheese will be crowd favourites at any gathering you host.
WineMatching
Try to balance the intensity of the cheese with the intensity of the wine—strong cheese flavours need to be matched by strong wine flavours so they won’t overpower one another. Inniskillin’s Vidal Icewine is a perfect wine to enjoy with a strong, distinctive blue cheese. It’s a salty-sweet match made in heaven.
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Presentation
Choose cheeses with different colours, coatings and forms that will engage your guests. A soft goats cheese coated in cranberry or light herbs will add some colour and dimension to your cheese board and will stand up to an intense and fruity red like California’s Meiomi Pinot Noir. Other accompaniments like fruits (such as pears, apples and apricots), jams and chutneys, interesting breads and crackers and nuts also create visual interest and add intriguing possibilities.
HowMuch is TooMuch
If serving cheese at a dinner party, opt for individual plates of 3-5 cheeses as bridge before dessert. Including a small taste (15g) of a smoked cheese like Gouda or Cheddar works well with the rich and opulent style of Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon before something sweet follows.
Serving Temperature
Cheeses are best served at cool room temperatures (17-19 degrees Celsius). When it’s cold outside and big reds like JacksonTriggs Reserve Merlot are on the table, try to bring your Aged Cheddar, or Beemster out of the fridge at least an hour before you plan to serve.
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