LADA Fashion & Lifestyle Magazine Spring 2018 by LADA Magazine

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

Content SPRING 2018

Embrace the Bright

16 Adele Making Things Happen 28 Vintage is Back 32 Decreasing Stress 33 Get Your Java 34 How To Be Sustainable 42 Single & Ready To Tinder 43 Date Night 44 Fashion Trends Runway Spring 2018 46 Blue Wave 50 Is This Thirty? 52 Spring Skin All Year 34

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LADA Magazine Spring 2018

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS What is ethical fashion? Being ethical with your fashion choices can mean different things to different people. To some it means buying local product. For some people it means only buying fashion necessities to cut down on the waste brought about with the constant changing styles of fast fashion retailers. For others it means buying clothing items without animal fibers, skins or furs in their production. Now a day everyone is talking about ethical and sustainable fashion and as shown with my examples above that can take on many faces and many movements but the thing that should stand out is the fact that these movements are all happening. People are getting sick of the waste and the damage that the fashion industry has been doing to the environment and the working people of developing countries over the past decades. This shift in the consumers awareness and preferences is something that the fashion industry is going to need to take notice of, and big name retailers are going to need to start changing their practices if they want to maintain their customer base; as well as protect the planet and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people; in the coming years. Sincerely yours, Megan Murray - Managing Editor and Fashion Head

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

Editor-in-Chief William Riquelme Manager Editor Megan Murray Associate Editor Lauren Jennifer Creative Director Emma Tonellato Social Media Manager Alicia Paquette Fashion/Accessories Sass Wardrobe Essentials Platoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Closet Valkyrie Custome Wear Meow Boutique Location Langdon Hall Hotel & Spa Beauty Makeup Artist Sara Galloway Makeup Artist Lauren Jennifer Makeup Lisa Ann Torti Makeup Artist Brittany Kreller Hair Brittany Witmer Artline Salon Hair Krista Galloway Agency GEMINI Modelling Agency Photographer William Riquelme Writers Lauren Jennifer Megan Murray Barbara Klisowska Khadijah Plummer Stephi V

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

ADELE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN

By Barbara Klisowska

e arrive at Langdon Hall at 8:00 AM on Sunday, coffees in hand and one person yawning, creating a domino effect on the rest of us. Getting up with the sun was a struggle for us all - for everyone but Adele that is. This local radio personality is no stranger to early mornings. At 8:30 AM on the dot she walks in; 5’4 with a 7-foot personality. Within minutes her bubbly disposition illuminates the room and we are all infected. Lauren the make-up artist and Brittany her hairstylist from Artline Salon in Belmont Village work their magic on our cover girl, obeying her instructions to look natural. “I am so not a model” she would joke continually throughout the day, further exhibiting her down-to-earth demeanor. She smiled from ear to ear as she told us about her eleven-year-old son who proudly went around his school and bragged that his mom was going to be a ‘cover girl,’ and reactions of skepticism amongst his peers caused him to defend her honour. Along with being an award-winning Canadian media and radio icon, Adele is also a devoted wife and mother. I asked her what it’s like being a mother in this demanding industry, and she says she often has crappy days. “It’s hard, I definitely face mom guilt regularly, but I try to make decisions in the best interest of my son.” Adele’s son is a passionate hockey and soccer player, and despite having to be up at 3:00 AM every morning to co-host Brady, Adele and Tara on 96.7 CHYM FM, she

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

tries to make it out to as many of his games and practices as she can. I have no idea how she does it - a movie after 7:00 is too late for me and I don’t have to get up until 8:00 the next day. While Lauren and Brittany are curling, highlighting and doing all the other things hair and make-up artists do, our photographer William shares his vision for the shoot with Adele. His inspiration; Princess Diana. I guess it’s only natural the setting of the photoshoot is at Langdon Hall; this beautiful property exudes English ambiance, from the elaborate architecture to the Victorian Gardens. Adele’s face lights up as she scrolls through the pictures;she is definitely on board. I had a feeling she would be; what kind of journalist would I be if I hadn’t researched our cover girl beforehand? (I can call it research because I was planning to write about it, otherwise it’s just creeping). “Do you like Princess Diana?” I asked Adele. She explained that she always respected what Princess Diana did for the Kenyan people. “I saw the results of her hard work removing land minds while working in

SASS Wardrobe Essentials 2 in 1 tee $175 SASS Wardrobe Essentials double tube skirt $295 Smythe Peaked Lapel Coat $895

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

Kenya. What I love about her is what she has done for so many people around the world. Meghan Markle reminds me a lot of Princess Di” she said, “She wasn’t groomed for the lifestyle and I truly believe Prince Harry is the lucky one in the relationship because of what she represents.” She told us she was going to the Royal Wedding and all our jaws dropped simultaneously. “How did you swing that?” I ask her. “I wanted to cover it. So, I booked my flight and hotel and that’s that.” I stared at her in complete amazement. She made it sound so easy. Oh, I wanted to cover the Royal Wedding, so I’m going to, no big deal. Meanwhile it took me three months to pick up a package at the post-office across the street. (Note to self: be more like Adele.) The hair and make-up is complete, and with the help of our stylist Emma, Adele changes into her first outfit for the shoot; a black off-the shoulder dress from Sass, Waterloo, and scurries out the door behind the photographer, but not before she shoots us an excited, nervous look. It’s funny that despite constantly being in the spotlight, a simple photoshoot for a local start-up fashion magazine still gives her butterflies. Within the hour, Adele and the crew would come in and out of the room, performing costume changes and touch-ups. She asked Lauren to reapply her lip gloss often because she said she has a bad habit of licking it off. I smile to myself when I hear this because I too am guilty of being a ‘lip-gloss licker’. It was one of those fan-girl moments like when you read a tabloid and see a picture of Jessica Alba scratching her nose and you think to yourself, “Oh my god, Jessica Alba scratches her nose? I too scratch my nose!” After four costume changes and an abundant number of photographs, it is finally my turn to sit down with Adele. We head upstairs to a designated interview room, cozy and intimate; the perfect setting to really get to know our local talent. I start off with the fundamental question, what made you want to get into the entertainment industry? “I always wanted to be in broadcasting, and loved the idea of being able to make people laugh. I was always the class clown. That’s why I think it’s important for teachers to pay attention and recognize the potential in the ‘class clowns’they tend to be very creative.” (Hear that, Mrs. Teltz; I’m not “obnoxious and an annoyance”- I have potential!). I asked her if she ever felt any apprehension entering the field because it has been typically a very male dominated field. “Oh, for sure,” she responded firmly. “There have been so many barriers for women in this industry, they weren’t given the lead roles such as afternoon drives or hosting gigs, but good news, because that’s all changing. In the past 5-6 years these barriers have been overcome and now women are taking on new positions such as senior managers and programming roles.” Young girls are more impressionable than ever, so I was curious to hear what advice Adele had to offer to younger girls who also dream of a career in the entertainment or broadcast industry.

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

“Make things happen. If you want to be a make-up artist, show up on set with a brush and be one. Don’t wait for opportunities to present themselves, create your own. I wanted to work at CNN in Kenya, so I booked a way one ticket and went. It’s an extremely competitive field and no one is just waiting to hand it to you.” “You booked a one-way ticket to Kenya to work at CNN?” I had to repeat it to properly digest the information. “Walk me through the thought process that urged you to do something like that.” “I was at Conestoga College and an opportunity to do an internship came up to work anywhere in the world. I was initially offered one in Burbank, California to work on Access Hollywood, however I realized the cost of living in Los Angeles was high, and what I truly wanted was to discover other countries and its people. My friend worked for CNN and tried to convince his boss Nick Hughes to consider me for a position, however he said no, because he wanted to cultivate people in his own country. So, I bought a ticket to Kenya, no return, and flew out to convince him myself. I got the internship, and later went on to be a freelance producer and worked with the non-governmental organization “Save the Elephants.” That’s another thing I completely respect about Adele, she uses her platform to a greater advantage. I ask the Corus Entertainment’s Humanitarian Award recipient what her next charitable endeavours were.

Velvet Top $188 Citizen of Humanity Rocket Skinny Jean (indigo) $268 Jenny Bird Medium Icon Hoop $70

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

Equipment Rossi Shirt $298 Citizen of Humanity Rocket Skinny Jean(black) $268

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

“I’m traveling to the Honduras with my sister (Chrissy Newton - who started Vocab Communications in Toronto - talk about power siblings) along with World Accord, a charity organization based in Kitchener-Waterloo. We will be building a school and providing food. You truly get the idea of what sustainability is all about. A lot of NGO’s (non- governmental organizations) are simply Band-Aid solutions, but I’m proud to be joining forces with World Accord.” Considering everything I learned so far asking my next question seemed somewhat silly, but I was still curious to know what Adele still hoped to achieve in her career. She didn’t take this question lightly. She leans back in her chair, and looks ahead in meticulous concentration. “I think to one day sit back, and truly know that I’ve made a difference. We have this amazing job that makes people happy, I love hearing listener feedback about how tuning into the radio has made their day better. Once I had a woman call me and tell me that she was driving and had hit a deer, but listening to our showhelped calm her down. It’s just the little things that we do, but it’s what people remember at the end of the day.” Adele used to be the host of Beatline, a daily talk show. I asked her if she would ever consider returning to television. “Maybe, for the right opportunity and the right reasons. The most important part of any job is the team you’re surrounded with. Happiness is being with the right team and right now I love mine.” “On that note, how is it working with Brady?” I ask her as I watch her co-host sneak behind her. “Oh, he’s the biggest diva. It’s always all about Brady. He always has to have his specific tea ready for him.” “Is it a green tea?” I take a wild guess. “Yes!” Adele laughs. “Yeah, he seems predictable” I respond staring at Brady hiding behind her chair. “Tara is an absolute Saint, and Brady is a diva - make sure to get that in there.” We all share a laugh at the comical situation, and the chemistry between these two is palpable; I definitely understand what she means by being surrounded by a great team. As our interview comes to an end, I have one last question for Adele. What would be something that your fans would be surprised to know about you? This one stumped her. “I’m such an open book, they already know everything about me!” After a minute or two of serious contemplation she tells me she loves horror movies, and secretly watches them by herself even though she’s terrified. I find her answer rather symbolic. If I learned anything about Adele it’s just how fearless and brave she really is. People always rely on luck for things to go their way, and blame luck if it doesn’t. Adele worked hard for everything she has accomplished, against all odds and rejections. We thank our cover girl for her time and contribution to our magazine, and she reciprocates her gratitude and embraces us all individually. As we all pack up and head out, we ask Adele how she’s going to spend the rest of the day, since she’s in full make-up and hair. “I’m gonna do some laundry.” She exclaims. Classic Adele. LADA Magazine Spring 2018

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

DECREASING

STRESS

for the Working Woman

ello to my fellow working girls! Ambitious, driven, on-the-go working girls. We are busy. We eat in the car most days. It feels like the weight of the world (or our own world) is sitting heavy on our shoulders. The stress that comes with crazy work hours and family life is a lot to handle. Not to mention, the anxiety that can come along with the stress. The last thing we want is to fall into detrimental habits now in our young lives that will affect our futures. The key is to deal with stresses and anxieties before they overtake us. This is so much simpler than it sounds too. The process of dealing with our stress doesn’t have to be stressful, I promise! Know how to say no. As young professionals, we’re often “yes men”. Or rather, “yes women”. Meaning it’s hard to say no. That guy on Tinder asks you out, even though you’ve worked a full week? Yes. Your boss needs you to pick up some extra shifts or stay way late, even though you’ve been staying late almost every day? Yes. Your mom needs you to come home and drive your sister somewhere? Yes. Saying no is honestly so hard, I’ve struggled with this too. We want to do everything, even when there aren’t enough hours in the day. Saying no to non-essentials is actually self-empowering and creates healthy boundaries within your life. If you’ve worked a full 40+ hour week, it’s probably a good idea to turn vdown the Tinder date and just chill for a night. If you already have a tonne of projects on the go, it’s probably wise to pass up this next business offer. Future ‘you’ will be thanking current ‘you’ for saying no, and your stress level will lower. Drink your water. We are always told to drink water, I know. With good reason, mind you. Water fuels us (much more than coffee will). Water is 75% of our brain. Your brain function at work will be optimal when you’re hydrated. Not to mention, it keeps our skin healthy and young (some positive incentive for you). Water also decreases fatigue and helps convert food into energy. Imagine: a world where you’re not waking up feeling like you’ve climbed out of your own grave. Water will flush our body of toxins and carry oxygen and nutrients to our cells, and will help our body absorb its much needed nutrients. Anxiety feeds off of malnutrition 28

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

By Stephi V

and dehydration. Don’t let your anxiety feed! Starve it out by drinking water. Don’t rush. I am the queen of running late for everything, I’m telling you. And if that’s you, join the club! But don’t rush. If I know I’m already running late, there’s nothing I can do about it. I might as well relax and go at a normal pace. Odds are, stressing and speeding in traffic is going to have us at our destination the same time as if we just took a chill pill and didn’t rush. That being said, it’s probably a good idea to be on time. Maybe get up a couple minutes earlier to give yourself sufficient time. Leave the house a couple minutes early. Do everything in your power to make it so you don’t have to panic and rush around. If you just take the time to slow down and breathe, your stress level will actually decrease. Do something. Pick up a hobby! The last thing we want is our stress to just sit on your shoulders and slowly eat away at our sanity. It’s important to find a way to release our stress. Personally, I love art. Creating really clears my head and helps me breathe. If you don’t already have a hobby like this, I urge you to find one! Walking is great. Going for walks is a very healthy way to release stress and clear your mind. Maybe you need something more physically involved; try kick boxing or running! Maybe you’re a book worm and need something quiet; try regularly taking baths and reading! Photography or singing/playing music are great ones to! Find a hobby that will either keep your body or your mind busy in a way that releases stress without adding to it. Talk about it. Something super important that most working girls won’t make time for is talking about the stress. It’s not healthy to let the anxieties stay bottled up inside. Perhaps you have a close friend who’s maybe at another stage of life than you; or maybe you need to talk to a professional; or even talk to yourself. I took a couple months of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which taught me to talk about why I’m feeling certain ways and how to rethink my situations. An example of rethinking would be to remove yourself from your circumstance. Picture yourself looking down on you and critically think about what is causing you to feel this way and how can you fix it. Often times it’s a matter of re-wiring our brain to a less self-involved stand point. “Hm. It’s actually not the end of the world that my car needs an oil change. I’ll just

call and book it this week.” Then we can release the stress! Just let it go because your body doesn’t need that kind of negativity. Focus on the present. I know for a fact you are not Marty McFly, and you can do nothing about the future. You also can’t do anything about your past. Accept this, and we’ll move on. It doesn’t do us any good to stress about what next week will hold, and it certainly doesn’t do us any good to stress over a conversation we had yesterday. Focusing on the present is something so simple but can easily be the most difficult concept. Why would we worry about something we have zero control over? Focusing on the present gets rids of unnecessary tension in your shoulders and it’s such a healthy habit for your mind to latch on to. One task at a time. I know we live in a world of multi-tasking. Our cell phones are helping us multitask, our bosses insist we complete 7 tasks at once, and we leave no time to get anything done at home which means we’re doing it ALL simultaneously. Enough is enough! The human brain is not designed to have more than one conscious thought at a time. Try and do it, it’s not going to work. Yeah, our thought’s move quickly and can sometimes be rapid fire, but it’s one thought at a time. We should trust our bodies on this one; it’s almost as if they’re telling us something. If our brains were not made to withstand multiple thoughts, I think it’s safe to say our minds will be at ease when we stop trying. I don’t care how great of a multi-tasker you claim to be, it’s only adding to your stress level. When you manage your time more efficiently and take life one task at a time before you move onto the next one, I promise you, you’ll notice a huge difference in your stress and anxiety level. I know it can be hard making a tonne of changes all at once to your lifestyle. So free tip: take it one change at a time. Once you master drinking water, move on to focusing on the present. Once you master focusing on the present, add a hobby into the mix. We do not want your anti-stress campaign adding more stress. It also helps to post cute little reminders around where you’ll see them. I stick notes on my mirror and in my car (since I’m ALWAYS in my car). Well, working girl, you’re set and ready to conquer the world! You’ll be even more successful and driven than before, without the extra weight of stress and anxiety on your shoulders. Take life one day at a time; life is too short to spend it stressed out.

GET YOUR

JAVA

By Khadijah Plummer

offee shops have become more than just that. They’re a place to hold meetings, catch up, and study. There are so many in the tri-cities, but I’ve decided to narrow it down to my top five. They are where I’ve spent the most time, have gotten the best service, and had the best products. Here’s the list: 1.Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters | Kitchener This hidden gem of a coffee shop is amazing. The building is shared by quite a few startups, which I’m sure contributes to its eclectic appearance. They offer coffee beans from all over the world, healthy snack options, and a nearly outlet-free sitting area, which forces social interaction. If you have a laptop with a long battery life though, you are still welcome. The bright interiors, white tables, wooden accents, and plush couches are just a few of the details that make Smile Tiger feel like an extension of home. 2.Balzac’s Coffee | Kitchener & Waterloo I can honestly say that Balzac’s served me the best hot chocolate that I’ve had to date. I went in with zero expectations, but was pleasantly surprised. The aesthetic of the restaurant was incredible, right down to the floors, but it’s definitely a place for the early riser. The Kitchener location offers more in terms of space but if you’re in Waterloo, it is hard to find a seat, which I would say is the biggest downfall. If you’re looking for a quiet place to study though, the lessened capacity is ideal. You just have to be willing to be the early bird. 3.Cafe 22 | Waterloo I went to this place to catch up with a friend. We wanted to meet in Uptown Waterloo, and I remembered this being an office favourite during the time I was there. It’s a cafe by day, and a wine bar by night, which is unlike anywhere I’ve been to in the area. It has an old school dining club feel, and is so quaint. From the service right down to the presentation, this is a place for quiet conversation and catching up. 4.Red Brick Cafe | Guelph I usually end up at Red Brick when I need a snack or if I forget my lunch for work, which is perfect since I work right above it. I really love their hot chocolate and coffee mixture, and their Breakfast Burrito is amazing. I’ve tried to recreate it at home, but theirs is something special. Although they’re fairly quick, they do make their food with love, so don’t expect 30-second Tim Horton’s service at this joint. Trust me though, it’s worth it. 5.Coffee Culture | Kitchener & Waterloo Although it is a chain, I can vouch for the consistency of Coffee Culture and their products. I typically choose it as a place to meet with friends that aren’t necessarily huge coffee drinkers, because they have a lot of other excellent menu items. I definitely recommend their soup and sandwich combo. It’s homestyle flavour that doesn’t break the bank. *An honourable mention goes out to Settlement Co. I highlighted both locations in the last issue, and I wanted the content to have variety. Unofficially, they are on this list.

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

LESSEN YOUR IMPACT, LOOK FABULOUS NOT BLOW YOUR BUDGET

INSIDER TIPS FROM SUSTAINABLE FASHION DESIGNER PEGGY SUE DEAVEN-SMILTNIEKS

have always believed in the significance of fashion. Art form, communication tool and historical wonderment, love it or hate it, fashion is an undeniably intimate part of our daily lives.

And fashion’s impact on the world only continues to increase. As climate change, environmental degradation and social inequity become more apparent, the significance of our fashion choices gains equal momentum. A simple pair of jeans can wreak havoc on a river and a cheap t-shirt may be the product of slave wages. Communities and lands, often on the other side of the planet, are directly impacted by the clothes we often purchase, wear, and discard in quick succession. We know that our rate of clothing consumption is historically unprecedented. We know that change can’t be delayed. What we don’t know is how to make that change. I have spent 4 years looking for answers to the question of how. From shearing day on the farm to high fashion runways, as a sustainable fashion designer I have travelled through the fashion world looking for sustainability. Sometimes I was disappointed, witnessing status quo thinking and a clear resistance to change. At other times, I was inspired by the fortitude and ingenuity found in unlikely places along the fashion supply chain. Like most industries, wonderful advancement falls alongside frustratingly slow progress. Based on these adventures and observations, I have distilled 7 ideas on how to bring sustainability into your closet without maxing out your credit card. These ideas are about cumulative efforts and the impact of many people changing their relationship to fashion. So please don’t keep these nuggets to yourself. The more you share them the bigger your impact.

2. Classic and timeless. Don’t buy staple pieces for your wardrobe, like a winter coat or cocktail dress, based on this month’s trend. Think about choosing a staple piece that you could imagine your eventual granddaughter wearing and loving. If it can pass the granddaughter test you’ve got a clear classic. And if you love trends, rather than buying a whole new wardrobe every season, look for small additional pieces or accessories to add to your staples and give you the on-trend high. 3. Quality construction, quality mending. Mending is truly a lost art from. Given the very poor-quality construction and materials of clothing, I can see why. A threadbare t-shirt from a fast fashion chain is hardly worthy repairing. But those wool trousers with French seams are definitely worth the effort. I always encourage people to learn about construction technique so they know quality sewing when they see it. Also, learn how to do simple mending. Putting on a button or closing up a burst seam will keep your beautiful investment pieces living up to their names. 4. Choose the best version you can find. Buying organic, fair trade or sustainable can be expensive. And while I always encourage thoughtful purchases, sometimes our budgets aren’t able to accommodate. My advice is to choose the best version you can afford. And if that means H&M, then choose the Conscious Collection. Rather than berating yourself or giving up, look for the best option available to you. 5. Learn about environmental and social impact. Watch out for greenwashing, aka the efforts of brands to appear sustainable on the surface while making little meaningful change. Look for verifiable, 3rd party information from the brand in terms of their environmental and social impact. Are they saving water? How much? Are their workers treated and paid fairly? Who says? Paying attention to a brand’s impact and its validity is important in the fight against greenwashing. Look for verified information like Oeko-Tex Standard 100, GOTS certification and Green Story impact calculators. 6. Shop your closet. This is likely the most significant thing you can do for sustainable fashion – wear what you have. This is also likely the most boring thing you can do unless you change your perspective. Follow inspirational ‘shop-your-closet’ and ‘10x10 Challenge’ gurus on Instagram like @citizennestyle, @msbeltempo and @slowfashionmom. Under their influence your closet becomes a challenge in creativity rather than a plague of boredom. 7. Alterations are your bff. Dated sleeves? Unflattering hemline? Find a seamstress and make alterations. There is nothing more becoming than clothes that actually fit you properly. We’ve become so accustomed to poorly fitting clothes that proper fit stands out. Not only will alterations keep your best pieces alive and vigorous, they will also let you plunge into the world of vintage.

1. Wash less. In our tendency to overclean it’s difficult to accept this necessary truth: clothes don’t have to be washed after every wear. Of course if there is soiling or staining a wash is needed but keep in mind that washing your clothes is hard on the fabric and construction. Wash only when necessary and do so properly. Familiarize yourself with laundering symbols and develop your stain removal skills. Ditch the ridiculous idea that wool and silk have to be dry cleaned and learn how to wash natural fibres. LADA Magazine Spring 2018

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

SINGLE READY

TO TINDER

ell, I’m single. I haven’t said that in over seven years. You may think revisiting the stage of being officially alone at the age of thirty would cause me anxiety and lonely nights hugging a man-pillow as I cried myself to sleep… FALSE. Carrie Bradshaw once said your twenties are for enjoying yourself, your thirties are to learn the lessons. Well my dear Carrie, as much as I respect you and often try to copy your outfits (which doesn’t have quite the same effect on the streets of Waterloo) I disagree. In fact, I would literally reverse those statements. My twenties were indeed quite enjoyable; however, I feel like I learned so much about life and myself in that decade that I finally feel at ease to put those lessons to good use and truly enjoy my thirties. After a certain amount of relationships, you finally begin to realize what it is you’re looking for. And while I am in absolutely no mindset of turning ‘me’ into another ‘we’ anytime soon, in the words of Phoebe Buffay; “a girl’s gotta eat!”. So, I did what any other non-committal, young adult would do in this situation, I downloaded Tinder. It felt like being a kid and opening a new toy or something. Taking it out of the box, reading the instructions, getting excited when it made a new sound. “Swipe left if you’re not interested, swipe right if you are.” GOT it. A picture of a man would appear, and I would spend a few minutes going through all his photos and reading his bio. I understood that I had to really asses my final decision, after all; if I swiped left he would be gone forever. It really felt like a game at first, and every time I swiped right and had a match it felt like I won something. But all that would follow was the inevitable private message that was either super lame or felt like a trivia question. Hey Babs, if you had to be alone in the jungle with one animal and feed it only one type of food, what would it be and why? What the hell are you talking about? What happened to a good old-fashioned ‘hello’? Now you’re making me feel like I have to respond with some intellectual thesis to impress you and that is not what I signed up for when I swiped on your shirtless photo. After a few days the initial excitement has wore off and Tinder has become nothing but mindless swiping with dead 38

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

By Barbara Klisowska

eyes and Netflix on in the background. I don’t even bother to peruse through their photo selection; I figure if your first one is hopeless then the rest for sure aren’t going to change my mind. I also cannot believe how many guys include a picture of themselves holding a fish. What is that about? Do they genuinely believe this will impress us? Will a photo of you standing on a paddle boat holding a three-inch sturgeon arouse some archaic idea in my head that you’re able to provide for me and our future family? I’m still considering going to the grocery store and posing with a frozen turkey for my Tinder photo; perhaps it will convey that I’m wife material. (It’s really the same idea). Matches are happening and fruitless messages piling up, and I’ve already swiped past that same dud over fifteen times, therefore I decide maybe it’s time to explore Tinder a little deeper. I skim through the bland opening one-liners and come across a good- looking guy with a decent approach. For the sake of discretion, let’s call him Hemsworth. Well, Hemsworth and I engage in quite a lengthy and rather interesting back and forth banter, ending with an invite for drinks later in the week. At first it felt fast, but keep in mind this is Tinder, after all. We decide to meet on a Wednesday night at 8:00 PM at Abe Erb in uptown Waterloo. As the date approached I start to get a little nervous. I’ve only ever been on one official date in my life. It was over eight years ago, and I snuck out of the restaurant twenty-minutes in because he insisted on wearing his sunglasses, (may I add we were inside, it was November and it was dark). Anyway, I speculated on wardrobe choices and opted for something nice and subtle; call me old-fashioned, but I believe in leaving somethings to the imagination. Perhaps he’d get rewarded with cleavage on the second or third encounter. I left my house at 7:55, allowing enough time to be fashionably late. There was no way in hell I’d ever be sitting there waiting for a guy to show up. Part of the first impression is being waited on, and seen for the first time walking in like a Victoria Secret Angel. Well I received the text that he had arrived and claimed us seats at the high-top. I walk into the bar and notice him almost immediately, however we both play the squinty-eyed game of determining whether we actually look like our Tinder photo. As I approach him, I panic at what my next move is. Do I hug him? Shake his hand?

Curtsy? I hated all those options, so I simply decided to smile, say hi and sit down across from him. I noticed two waters were poured and he informed me he was waiting to order a drink until I arrived. Well, well, well, and they say chivalry is dead. I was skimming the drink menu pretending I didn’t know it off by heart when he suggested building beer flights since it was on special. I thought it was a great idea, until he recommended we’d share one. This is the difference between a first date when you’re twenty, and a first date when you’re twenty-nine. Twenty-year-old Barbara would’ve went along with his idea and shared one lousy paddle of four, five-ounce beers-however twenty-nine-year-old Barbara doesn’t have time for these coy games and insist we each get our own paddle. I tend to gravitate towards the darker, hoppier brews and this seemed to impress him. We received our paddles and he suggested for our next round we order for each other. I didn’t love the idea, but I thought I’d throw him a bone and said; I love that idea. I learned very quickly that part of a first-date is just agreeing a lot. I think it’s part of our subconscious nature to be liked, and what scenario is more unsettling than spending a couple of intimate hours with a complete stranger. We ordered the cheeseboard to start and when it arrived the potent odour from the blue cheese caused Hemsworth to cringe. He hated blue cheese, he told me- which just made me want him to eat it more, and of course he did. This action could only be interpreted as, “look how fun and adventurous I am, I’ll try anything once”. I wasn’t too hungry after the appetizer however I didn’t want to be that girl that got a salad on the first date, because if this relationship were to progress there would be zero hiding how much I actually ate and it would be a rude awakening. The date went on and I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I was enjoying it. Within no time the initial awkwardness completely disappeared, and the conversation flowed (along with the beer). After four hours Hemsworth asked for the bill and paid it no questions asked, like a damn gentleman. During the payment our server asked us how our night was going, and I blurted out that we were on a Tinder date, mostly because I enjoyed seeing people’s reactions- and they always had the same response; oh, that’s awesome! My friends actually met on Tinder and they’re married now! Her remark caused Hemsworth and I to laugh, obviously neither of us came here tonight with marriage as our end-goal. When I returned home after my successful first social media rendezvous, I found myself opening the application and continuing to swipe through the plethora of available candidates. I didn’t have an endgoal. For the first time in my life I feel free to explore my options and engage in new experiences. It even inspired me to reply to some of those ridiculous messages, if anything I’ll get a meal and a good article out of it.

DATE NIGHT IN WATERLO REGION

By Khadijah Plummer

Thank goodness; spring is finally here. I find that aside from the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I am less inclined to be social during the long winter months. It’s not that I don’t like to socialize, but there’s something about getting dinner or drinks on a sunny patio that I love more than grabbing an early dinner when it’s already dark out. The holidays are a time for family and close friends, and as much as you love them, you can find that you forget to treat yourself. Whether date night means an evening spent with your sweetheart, or catching up with a close friend, it’s an important thing to work into a busy schedule. Here are a few suggestions: 1.Rhapsody Barrel Bar I came across this little spot last summer. It’s nestled right across the street from Kitchener City Hall, and serves some of the most beautiful dishes that I have experienced in the area. This restaurant not only has a cafe right at the front where they offer fresh baked goods and bread, but they also offer live music and comedy nights. The first time that I went, a friend and I split the bacon-wrapped dates as a starter. I was skeptical, mainly because I am not a huge fan of dates. In all honesty, it’s the appetizer that I think about the most. The service was excellent both times that I went, and the menu boasted options for people with dietary restrictions. If you like the lounge atmosphere, give Rhapsody a shot. 2.The Bauer Kitchen As part of The Charcoal Group, The Bauer Kitchen already has a reputation that precedes it. Even though I was a loyal Beertown employee for quite awhile, I must say that I prefer Bauer. Not only is the food exceptional, but the restaurant itself is gorgeous, and it offers a killer brunch menu. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love brunch, so this is a huge selling point for me. Dates don’t just have to be at night. If you’re a brunch fanatic like me, then prepare to be impressed. My partner took me there for my birthday, and that was the first time that I had gone in quite awhile. He and I both enjoy fish and chips, and it was impeccable. The fries were nice and thick, and the fish was perfectly battered and not greasy. The entire menu looks great, but that dish, I personally recommend. 3.Elora Brewery This is a new favourite of mine. My partner and I really enjoy the Elora Brewery beers, particularly the Three Fields Lager and the Elora Borealis. We had some free time one Sunday in the summer, so we decided to get in our car and head to Elora. It was nearly impossible to get a reservation, but somehow we scored one. Thankfully, because the place was packed with people of all ages and groups of all sizes. We both got the Fried-Chicken, marinated in Three Fields Lager and buttermilk, and a pint of Three Fields to go with it. Can you tell yet that we love it? The brewery is so rustic, and on your way to the bathroom, you can look over into where they actually brew the beer. If you like good comfort food and craft beer, then make the trip to Elora. LADA Magazine Spring 2018

FASHION SPRING

RUNWAY TRENDS 2018 By Megan Murray

Soon the snow will begin to melt away and spring will once again be sprung. Here are the Spring 2018 trends that hit the runway to get your wardrobe ready for the beginning of the warmer season ahead.

Lavender The soft and feminine hue of lavender was everywhere on the runway for the Spring 2018 shows and it will be a prominent hue in my new spring wardrobe this year to brighten up from the layers and layers of black that I cloak myself in during the winter months.

Suited Up Every girl’s crazy ‘bout a sharp dressed man, and this spring the runway had us dress-ing sharply as well. Perfectly fitted suits donned the models at the spring shows and this look is one I personally have always been in love with. If I had the budget I’d live most of my life in custom tailored suits.

The Canadian Tuxedo Denim is a staple of life in Canada and this year the fashion twist on it is just more of it. Denim shirts, denim jackets, denim trousers and good ol’ fashioned jeans were all mixed and matched on the runway. There were even some denim bags and shoes thrown in to the mix to complete the head to toe denim looks.

Fanny Packs Oh fannypacks, you come in and out of style every few years but people keep thinking of you as just the bulky nylon monstrosities that adorned uncles and grandparents in the late 90’s. Now-a-days fannypacks are practical and stylish! So when you’re considering a new purse for that trip you’ll be going on maybe take a look at one of these babies.

Sequins What is better than sequins at livening up an outfit? Whether it’s a night out, a formal event, or just a sweatshirt paired with some casual pants and a ball-cap, sequins scream I’m a ton of fun! So embrace the sparkle and add some sequins to your life. 40

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

RE-FASHION SHOW

& DESIGN COMPETITION

FUNDRAISER & ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS INITIATIVE REGISTRATION www.stratfordtrashionweek.com Deadline: February, 28th, 2018 GRAND PRIZE Photo shoot & feature in Lada magazine ADDITIONAL PRIZES Watch (value $200) Revival by Martin & Co. Seat on Next Year's Judges Panel Your Design on Exhibit for 1 Month at Gallery Stratford

On April 21, 2018, in celebration of Earth Day, this fundraiser for youth art projects in our community is raising awareness about the 3 R's in a cool and creative way! Participating designers are challenged to transform pre-loved garments and into show-stopping, wearable pieces of art to be modeled at the show. ALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOME CRITERIA Creativity Hair and Make-up Technique Theme Overall Look Fan Favourite

In Partnership With

REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE.

& STRUT. YOUR. STUFF. LADA Magazine Spring 2018

IS THIS

THIRTY? By Barbara Klisowska

ell, its happening. It’s something that I often wondered about. It seemed so out of reach, even unthinkable. It just didn’t truly feel like it would ever happen to me. Of course, I’m talking about the big 3-0. Thirty. In just two days, at exactly 6:30 AM, I will become the newest of member of this demographic. I’ll be a new box to check on forms, I’ll be the terror in the eyes of twenty-year old’s when they ask how old I am. “You’re thirty?! But you seem so young?” they tend to say. Is this thirty? It doesn’t feel like it, honestly speaking. I always overheard adults spewing clichés like, ‘age is just a number!’ and, ‘you’re only as old as you feel!’ But I just assumed these were the pathetic lies they told themselves to cover up the fact that they are old. Now I hear myself repeating those same lines as friends, family and even strangers marvel at the fact that my turn is up soon . But I actually mean them. It really doesn’t feel like I’m about to leave my twenties behind, maybe because I’ve always pictured it so differently. I blame ‘Full House’ for that. Solely, and wholeheartedly. I remember watching the episode where Danny turned thirty. He experiences anxiety over the milestone, meanwhile he has three children, owns a three-story house and has a successful career as a talk show host. I grew up with this notion that I, too, would have all those things and more by that taboo age. But as time went on, I started to alter those dreams. Maybe not three kids, but I’ll definitely have two. Ok… maybe just one. Fine, no kids but I’ll own a big house. No? Alright I’ll settle for an exciting and fulfilling career. Well, this is just sad. I wish I could go back in time and tap that little brown-haired girl, with her wide eyes and big dreams, glued to the television, and let her in on what I know now. What would I tell her? Where do I start… 1 “Oh Barbara, you’re almost thirty!” “No way, Caren! I totally forgot- but hey, thanks for reminding me.” 2 Basia (Ba-sha) is my Polish nickname, and the Olsen Twins were my role models.

First and foremost, you have no idea how lucky you are to be growing up when you are. Kids these days don’t understand the concept of imagination; that emptying out the kitchen cabinets and setting up a fake store, or making your parents drink air out of pink tea cups was equivalent to the time of my life. Go outside, play and run around as much as your little legs handle it, and, as late as the street lights and your mom allow it. I know you’re constantly bombarded with commercials for the new Gameboy colour and desperately trying to convince your Polish father to buy you one, but one day life without these tiny, electronic gadgets will 46

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

cease to exist. Despite that, you’re doing everything else right. Go on adventures and pretend you’re Basia Olsen solving mysteries around your neighbourhood . You’ll be happy to know that our imagination never diminished. 3 Along with my imaginary sisters, we would observe people through binoculars and sometimes follow them. Until we followed someone out to a pond twenty-minutes from my house, fell in trying to retrieve a fallen Ferrero-Rocher and were forbidden from solving crimes until further notice.

Honestly, little B, eat whatever the heck you want. Just do it. Remember when you went to Alicia’s birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese? Her mom asked if you wanted to take some extra pizza home because there was a lot left over and you said no. And do you also remember regretting that decision for the rest of the day? For the love of God, just take the damn pizza! You’re twelve years old, it doesn’t even matter yet. Nothing matters yet. One day when you turn a certain age, every dietary decision will be meticulously calculated. For example, I now avoid carbohydrates if there’s even the slightest possibility of having to wear a fitted dress later that night. If you decide to indulge in dairy after the age of twenty-five then consider yourself in for the evening. Don’t be embarrassed by the way your mom over-butters your sandwiches for school. Butter is amazing. And one day soon, you will only be allowed to eat the suggested serving size based on your weight and height. I seriously suggest, nay, encourage- you to go melt a whole bunch of butter right now and put it on something, anything; eat it right out of the bowl with a spoon. You’ll thank me one day. 4 Remember how dad used to sneak out onto the balcony after eating cheese perogies? Now we know why.

Now this one I really need you to take seriously, little B; learn how to save your money. I cannot stress this enough. Your Polish father has generously given you ten dollars every week since you turned ten, until you got your first job . Do you know how much money you could have right now? But no. You absolutely needed to buy those ‘Spice Girls’ trading cards and four thousand POGS . And of course, you lost them all because you insisted on playing for ‘keepsies’ instead of ‘funsies’ . Where did that get you? With no money, no POGS and a juvenile gambling addiction . Teach yourself early the true value of a dollar; put away those pennies, and maybe ask an adult to invest in Apple stocks on your behalf.

Let’s be honest, you’re not the nicest little girl. I mean, I feel like you used to be, when did things go sour? Maybe it was after you vomited on your first crush in the second grade and were completely exiled from any social circles. Ms. Zagakos was your only friend for over a year and she loved to talk about how she had the hots for John Stamos . Yeah, I think it was after that scarring incident where you developed a tough exterior and tendency to use humor as a self-defence mechanism. Remember when you and your friend both dressed up as Britney Spears for Halloween , and you bullied everyone into telling her that you looked better? Or when you told your friend that spitting on orange peels and rubbing them all over her face would give her amazing skin? The world only becomes meaner and crueler as you get older, and it’s a possibility your actions had a very powerful affect on somebody. Listen, I’m not implying you have to be friends with everyone you meet; but maybe don’t snap the head off the new girl’s Posh Spice doll because she got one before you. 5 My dream job at a movie theatre; I truly believed it was the first step to becoming an actress. 6 For the young ones reading this; POGS were a fad game consisting of cardboard circles and round plastic ‘slammers’. You would stack your POGS and slam down the ‘slammer’ in pursuit of flipping as many POGS over as possible. IT WAS DANGEROUSLY FUN.

You’ve always had big dreams. With every favour you asked your Polish father, whether it was ballet lessons, headshots or acting classes you made a promise that one day you would pay him back with a huge mansion and Porsche . Eventually you decided to be realistic and opt for a responsible major in Communications at a respected University. This might sound weird… but don’t do that! Twenty years later and you’re still yearning for that same goal. You will not outgrow it. Just because it seems completely crazy and irrational does not mean its impossible. I urge you to move to New York city right out of high school and become the writer you’re supposed to be, so I’m not sitting here in my pajamas on a Thursday afternoon debating whether or not its too early to open a bottle of wine . 7 I still think ‘funsies’ was a waste of time. Why play a game with no real winner? 8 I used to trade school supplies and lunches for extra POGS. I think this may have been the time I learned what an IOU was.

What else can I tell you? Don’t worry about saran wrapping down your breasts every night before bed; I know they came early but you will learn to love them. Also, don’t shave off your eyebrows- we like them THICK now. Looking back, I’ve actually had a pretty solid twenty-nine years. I traveled to a lot of great places and made the most special friends I could ever hope for. When I look back at what I thought thirty was going to be like, Danny Tanner style - I’m not disappointed. Why do we insist on comparing our progress to others, even if deep down we’re completely content with where we are? Every single person can testify that they feel incomplete in at least one area of their lives. And if these thirty years taught me anything, its to do just that; be grateful for the things I have achieved, and look forward to those that are still coming. Besides, have you seen Danny Tanner now? He’s aged horribly. 9 As a 29 year-old, I can finally see what she meant. HE DAMN FINE. 10 In our defense, it was our idea first. 11 Jokes on us, she’s beautiful now and has the best skin I’ve ever seen #karma. 12 He’s still waiting on this. 13 Spoiler alert, I opened the wine. 14 Same goes for butts.

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

SPRING SKIN ALL YEAR. By Lauren Jennifer

I don’t know about you but come February, my skin is feeling the effects of a long winter spent bundled up in forced-air heating, drinking a few too many glasses of red wine and cheese boards, parched and longing for some humidity, sun, and perhaps a good exfoliant. My skin is at its driest and most fragile in our -25 degree temps, so I deploy these all-year-long tactics to try and keep my skin feeling like spring, all year long.

1. Never wash your face in the shower. This sounds really odd to most people, but think of this, the water in your shower is usually quite warm, especially in winter months when you’re trying to warm up. So I stand by my rule of never washing my face in the shower, I wait until after my shower to wash, never letting the hot shampoo water run down my face and potentially sap any moisture from my skin. 2. Always use a fresh wash cloth when washing your face. Why you ask? Because – bacteria. Each day you wash your face, grab a fresh wash cloth from the linen closet. Yesterdays’ cloth goes in the wash. Your skin will thank you for this as bacteria can cause all kinds of skin issues including acne. Yuck. 3. Change your pillow cases often – and make them silk or satin while you’re at it. Why? Pillow cases are another trap for oil, dirt and bacteria (especially if you don’t wash your hair everyday like me.) So change them often and opt for a silk or satin pillow case, this will help to ensure your skin and hair glide across it at night, so you don’t wake up with bed head or a severe case of pillow-crease-face. 4. Always wash your face twice a day. Yes I said it. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news but, a makeup wipe is not washing your face. I like to wash my face in the evening with an oil cleanser, I find it really melts off my makeup and feels hydrating and luxurious before bedtime. In the morning I like a gentle foaming cleanser (skin should not feel tight after it’s been washed off). A good one that I love is by Aloette (my fave). Some people will skip the morning cleanse and just rinse off their face in the morning – this is a mistake. Your skin sweats and produces sebum (oils) overnight while you sleep, so a proper morning cleanse and tone not only helps to ensure your pores are nice and clean, it also aides in the absorption of your moisturizer and helps your makeup stay on longer if your skin is clean prior to application.

5. Drink water every morning. I know this is so cliché because just about every health article you can ever read will tell you drink more water. And we all know that drinking water is extremely good for our skin (the largest organ we have!). But specifically, know when it is super important to be drinking your water – first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Wake up, go to your kitchen and pour yourself the biggest glass of water that you can handle, and just drink it down. It seems difficult at first but trust me you’ll get used to it, ande actually start to look forward to your morning water. I prefer tepid water as the cold water shocks my tummy first thing in the AM. Some people like to put a squeeze of lemon in there which is an amazing detox for your skin. However you do it, just make sure to get your big glass of aqua first thing in the AM and right before bed. Some people wake up and immediately reach for the coffee – if you do this, you’re not doing your skin ANY favours as caffeine is dehydrating. Through the night when you’re asleep you’re fasting, which also means, you wake up dehydrated, too. 6. Start to introduce serums. Yes I said it. Using serums is such a great way to prolong youthfulness of the skin, and improve texture and tone. I just love a good Vitamin C serum especially through the cold winter and spring months, it helps to improve brightness and gives a natural exfoliated feel. Do some research to see what serums are available and which may be helpful to add to your routine. 7. Eye creams are our friend. I know what you’re thinking… what’s the difference between a regular moisturizer and an eye cream? Well did you know the skin around our eyes is up to 10 times thinner than the rest of your face. It also does not have any sebaceous glands (the glands that produce oil) which therefore means the eye area does not keep itself moist/lubricated with oil. All in all, eye creams have a different texture, are often lighter and easier to absorb than our face creams. I love a good gel eye cream that adds moisture with no weight, and bonus, you can keep it in the fridge for an amazing de-puffing treatment which will help your eyes feel rejuvenated each morning. I hope you find these little tips are as critical to your routine as I have found them to be. Game changers for sure;)

LADA Magazine Spring 2018

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LADA Magazine Spring 2018

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LADA Magazine Spring 2018