LADA Magazine Winter 2017

WINTER 2017

Hate to love it:

The Instagram effect

+

Hot Spots Kitchener-Waterloo

Cosmetic Dupes

I can’t live without

first time i did it alone Cute date ideas and how to dress

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Contents WINTER 2017

Cover

8 We Fall to Pieces 14 I’m Too Old for This Sh!t 18 Chu 23 Runway Trends Winter 2017 24 Kitchener-Waterloo Hot Spots 25 Edgy Chic 33 Cute Date Ideas and How to Dress

35 Too Cool 39 Cosmetic Dupes 45 Why I Love What I Do 49 Sharp Around the Edges 56 Hate to Love it: The Instagram Effect

59 Less is More 64 The First Time I Did it Alone 66 Looks to Transition Your

Wardrobe, Between Fall & Winter

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LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

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henever one starts a new venture there is always a chance of failure, a fear and uncertainty in not knowing whether you will be successful, doubt in your own capabilities to see your aspirations through to the end.

These were all emotions that we felt in beginning LADA this year, but by pushing through the doubt and the worry we were able to bring this magazine to fruition. Articles and images splashed across printed pages and online versions alike as physical proof that something was created from that drive to make something of our own.

LADA is our vision of what the fashion world could be, not just following the flow of fashion with the rest of the world, but taking a stand with your own voice and expressing yourself through your style no matter how the world views that personal style.

Through this issue and the rest of our issues to come; of which we hope to have many; we will be showing a unique perspective on the fashion industry, while also giving you a glimpse behind the curtain with articles and interviews by models and agencies alike to take some of the fear and mystery out of fashion.

Fashion shouldn’t be intimidating or scary, it is your voice to show the world who you are, and LADA will be there with you while you find the best way to make your voice heard.

William Riquelme - Editor-in-Chief Megan Murray - Managing Editor Lauren Jennifer - Associate Editor Emma Tonellato - Assistant Editor

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Editor-in-Chief William Riquelme Manager Editor Megan Murray Associate Editor Lauren Jennifer Assistant Editor Emma Tonellato FASHION/ACCESSORIES La Creme Joka Radic Plato’s Closet Valkyrie Custome Wear BEAUTY Makeup Artist Sara G alloway Makeup Artist Lauren Jennifer Makeup & Hair Lisa Ann Torti Makeup Artist Brittany Kreller Hair Brittany Witmer Artline Image Makeup Artist Nadeen Qalam AGENCY Gemini Modelling Agency PHOTOGRAPHER William Riquelme Emma Tonellato John Van Tran WRITERS Cassie Zimmerman Lauren Jennifer Megan Murray Barbara Klisowska Khadijah Plummer Ashley Elaine Ariana Marques Emma T onellato Mikela Correia Location Timber Barn Hurther Hotel Death Valley Little Brother

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WE FALL TO PIECES Winter’s most fearless looks for the working girl

Photographer William Riquelme Makeup Artist Sara Galloway Hair Stylist Brittany Wittmer Clothing by Plato’s Closet Models Jenna Y, Riley H, Kevin C Gemini Model Agency

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I’m too old for this

Sh!t.

By Barbara Klisowska

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ife can be so mundane. Wake up, drink coffee, go to work, count down the minutes until you can drink wine, come home, eat, sleep, repeat. It’s nice to have something to look forward to occasionally, like a vacation, a concert, or even something as simple as a girl’s night. In our early twenties these types of outings are a weekly ritual, but the older we get the rarer they become. So, a girl’s night at twenty-nine, is a big deal. The idea usually stems from some vague group chat where we all agree we’re due for a crazy night out on the town, and it’s most likely from the friend who recently became single and has something to prove. Of course, we’re all supportive she finally dumped that loser boyfriend who used body lotion on his face (like, what?) and enthusiastically commit to going out next Saturday night.

dinated appetizers or snacks so they will inevitably order pizza and spend the night talking about sports, bacon, hammers and other tools and how hot the Kardashians are. I mean, I just assume that’s what they do. A true ladies’ night is a meticulously orchestrated event that begins the moment we open our eyes. We wake from our peaceful slumber with a gigantic smile and immediately unplug our iPhones that recharge beside us while we rest. ‘It’s finally here!’ I type into our group chat. My text sparks responses consisting of emojis, clever memes and excited gifs. Of course, one girl already warns us she’s sooo bloated, and that she’s most definitely wearing a loose top tonight.

Nancy, the recently single friend sends us a picture of herself in a scandalous black dress strategically accentuating her large bust and posterior. “Is this outfit too much? Can you see my rolls?” she asks the rest of us. I type some empowering response; “damn girl! Those squats are paying off!” meanwhile rolling my eyes and getting down on the floor to do some last-minute sit-ups.

Now, a guy’s night probably goes like this. The group agrees to meet at Ben’s house for nine, so they all show up with baseball caps, plain t-shirts and a twelve pack each at around nine-thirty. None of them coor-

One of my personal ‘ladies’ night’ traditions is to shop for my evening attire the day of. I decided that this outing I would like to look Spanish, so I manifest an image of a bright red dress that’s tight up top and

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slowly becomes more flowy as it reaches the bottom, allowing me to look radiant and exotic when I twirl.

Every song I hear on the radio or in the mall just gets me more in the mood to dance and start having fun.

After about an hour of shopping for my imaginary dress without any success, I decide to settle for a dark red high-waisted, flowy skirt and matching top. I do the twirl test in the change room and it’s not exactly what I imagined, but it will suffice. Now I obviously need a new lipstick too, and it must be red. But not red like the other seven red lipsticks I already ownthis red has to be a slightly different shade. I pick one out, and head to the liquor store. I walk through the aisles pondering my choice on social lubricant for the night. This is another tough decision that requires some serious pro and con evaluation. Wine is always good, but it makes me tired. Beer is easy, however after three bottles I will inevitably look as many months pregnant. I finally settle on my go-to; gin and soda. I reach for a bottle of Bombay Gin and take it to the cashier. I walk up in suspense… will she…or…won’t she?

“Hi there, can I see your ID please?”

Yes! I still got it. I smile to myself and hand her my driver’s license. She looks at my birthday and hands it back to me. I always expect some sort of applause or comment on how young I look, but it never comes. After I stop and pick up some sparkling water along with Hummus and whole grain crackers to bring for our pre-drink, I head back home to realize it’s only noon.

I anxiously kill time binge-watching ‘Fuller House’ on Netflix while scrolling through my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and playing around with the filters on Snapchat. Our plan was to meet at Sally’s house at eight o’clock, so at six o’clock I decide to start getting ready. I take my time showering, letting the conditioner fully seep into my ends for this special occasion.

I pour myself one drink while getting dressed and putting on my make-up to get me in the mood. My Latin playlist on my iTunes app is interrupted when Carla calls me saying she’s on her way to pick me up.

I groan inwardly when I notice we’re going to be right on time- isn’t anyone fashionably late anymore? From eight to eight-thirty all the girls start to roll in looking

fabulous holding their own offerings of hummus and whole grain crackers. Jane brings Cool ranch Dorito’s that we all decline but secretly want. Everyone gathers around the kitchen island swaying to music, taking selfies, telling funny anecdotes and indulging in our drinks.

It’s approaching ten thirty. Now, in the past we would all feel tipsy and pose for that one perfect Instagram of the night. Each and every one of us trash the newsfeed with the same picture along with some witty caption we’ve been saving for weeks. We’d call an Uber SUV so no one would get left behind and so that we can all share this magical ride together, and before it arrives we’d huddle into the bathroom for one last touch-up of lipstick and powder. Our phones would alert us that Jose is now arriving in a Nissan Pathfinder. Sally would ask Jose to turn up the music and we’d all dance and snapchat the best Uber ride of our lives. We’d get to the club and walk in without a line or cover, and immediately take over the dance floor causing heads to turn. During an off-song we would run up to the bar, take some tequila shots, and resume dancing until it was past last call and the lights have been on for twenty-minutes. We would all be drunk and by the time we got back to Sally’s house to all sleep in the same bed, Nancy would inevitably start crying but it’s awesome because it’s the mark to the end of yet another successful girl’s night.

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It’s approaching ten-thirty. We all sit around the kitchen island sipping on our cocktails. There’s only five stools, so Carla is plopped below us on a bean bag chair, and I’m highly jealous of her. I can tell she’s had to use the bathroom for quite some time but doesn’t want to relinquish her comfortable seat; she’s a soldier that one. I look around and notice someone yawn, which releases a domino effect and eventually circles around to me. Jane walks over to the TV and turns the volume down on the Spotify app, thank Godthat incessant repetitive beat was giving me a headache. We all notice the time, but neither of us want to

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bring it up. As I shift my glance from one side to the next, it has become obvious- none of us want to go out. Well, everyone except single Nancy.

“OMG guy’s its ten-thirty we need to get going!” she yells. We all smile and nod in unison like creepy dolls being controlled by a puppeteer. Let’s face it. We would all rather just change into comfy sweat pants, open up a nice bottle of French Bordeaux and have a ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ marathon. But we can’t. This girl’s night out was planned for weeks. Sally had to find a baby-sitter and Carla spent the whole day pumping her breasts, and Nancy most definitely would not let us bail on it. She alerts us that she’s ordering an Uber and we have ten minutes before he arrives. I slowly stand up from my seat and let out a heavy sigh, the others following in my path. We exchange a look as if we’re heading into a war zone, grabbing our purses and walking into the bathroom to fix our make-up. The second we walk in, we realize we don’t care how we look- I don’t even bother to wipe off a hummus spill on the bottom of my skirt.

We all grab water bottles to stay hydrated during this battle, except for Nancy who’s already in the Uber taking snapchats with the driver. One by one we climb into the SUV and the reality that we’re really having to do this is sinking it. The Uber arrives at the club and the first thing I see is a line of about thirty people waiting to enter, mostly consisting of underdressed twenty-year old girls, also known as the enemy. It’s early September, does your mother know you left the house wearing booty shorts and a crop top? That’s how you catch a cold. I exit the vehicle, flip my hair back and suck in my stomach as much as I can. I don’t care how old I am, I am not waiting in that line. We approach the bouncer and hand him our ID’s and he tells us there’s no need. We’re not even offended, just want to get the hell inside because it’s fifteen degrees and none of us brought a jacket. Thankfully he still deems us attractive enough to let us in without waiting in line; that dark day we get rejected by a bouncer is when our girl’s nights out start taking place at Applebee’s. We push and shove our way through intoxicated boys and girls that aren’t aware of their surroundings as they flail their arms and dab perpet14

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ually- excuse me, children- adults coming through. As I wait in line for a drink I can see a tiny blonde girl in the corner of my eye. She’s double-fisting two Corona’s while her abs effortlessly peek through her crop top. Stupid bitch, I think to myself as I aggressively pick my wedgie. Suddenly I don’t care how flat my stomach looks and opt for a Corona myself. Nancy surprises us with a round of tequila shots which causes us all to groan. We raise our tiny shot glasses in a toast and throw back the harsh Mexican liquor feeling around for a lemon with our eyes closed. I can feel my esophagus getting warm and regret not packing some Tums in my clutch for the inevitable heart burn that’s about to follow. The club is filling up and standing steadily in one place is becoming somewhat of a core workout, so we scour the premises for somewhere to lean or sit. Jane spots an empty booth and we all sink into the couch.

“Excuse me, this booth is reserved for bottle service only.” A less than friendly server informs us.

I would literally offer her my first-born child in exchange for being allowed to spend the rest of this stupid night on this couch. Nancy pipes up and says she’s going to treat us to a bottle of Greygoose to celebrate her independence. There is absolutely no part of me that wants another drop of alcohol but I’m ecstatic that I can officially remain in my seat.

“You go girl, you’re an independent woman who needs no man.” I say mid yawn, bringing a decorative pillow closer to my body. We all sit in silence watching Nancy go from one guy to the next, flirting and taking shots. Every so often a really good song would come on and we’d all shimmy in our seats or dance with our hands. I look down at my cellphone and notice the time; twelve o’clock. Are you kidding me? We’ve only been in this hell-hole for an hour!? My lip begins to tremble when Sally finally says the magical words I’ve been dying to hear; “Can we go home?” Yes! We peel ourselves off the couch and find Nancy to tell her we’re leaving. She’s mad for about seven seconds until another guy wearing a striped dress shirt with the same haircut walks by. That’s our cue to exit. We

happily skip out of the club and head straight towards the man we’ve been dying to see all night- the hot dog vendor. As our Italian sausages sizzle on the grill, we become friendly with Igor the hot dog man and take our only Instagram of the night with him. I dress my hot dog with mayo, and sauerkraut and onions, OH MY, and carefully eat it in my own Uber which is going to take me to my own home, to my own bed.

While I lay in bed my head spins. I mean sure, I only had four drinks in the span of five hours, but lately that’s more than enough. I look at the time on my cellphone and it’s only twelve-thirty. I think back to all the times I would still be having a blast at the club at this hour, probably going to an after party somewhere and stumbling home at five in the morning. But I’m no longer twenty-two. Don’t get me wrong, twenty-nine isn’t old- however it is not twenty-two. I’m at the age where the perfect Friday night consists of an hourlong bubble bath, sipping on red wine and listening to the smooth alto sound of the Saxophone. Of course, even I get antsy once in a while, craving that loud music rush and late-night adrenaline. And every time I do, I make sure to go out, just to remind myself how much going out sucks.

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Photographer William Riquelme Makeup Artist Brittany Kreller Hair Stylist Brittany Witmor Clothing by Valkyrie Custome Weasr & La Creme Model Chu Gemini Model Agency

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RUNWAY TRENDS WINTER 2017

By Megan Murray

The snow is about to fly and soon “Winter is here” wont just be a phrase uttered on Game of Thrones. So it’s time to check out the winter runways trends to help keep our spirits warm for the cold months ahead.

Feathers and Fur

Leather Bodices

Nature gives animals thick coats and fur and feathers to stay warm in the winter and this winter we can emulate that look (with both real and faux fur and feathers). Thick fuzzy collars or fur lined sleeves will help to stave off the winter chill while still looking chic and stylish.

Designers like Marc Jacobs fully embraced the fur coat trend on their runways this season.

Leather isn’t just for coats and boots this winter season.

Strutting down the runway at the winter shows of Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen you could see leather corsets, leather bustiers, leather pants, and leather dresses. Leather dresses will be my go to this winter, but any and all of these clothing

Patchwork and Embroidery Details, details, details. The intricate lace, embroidery and patchwork sewing that came down the runways of the Givenchy and Versace winter shows were nothing less than breathtaking.

The amount of time and effort that goes into making the fabrics and the appliqué on these garments is astounding. Spending the money on designer clothing isn’t needed to recreate this look though, garments with embroidered fabrics can be found at most clothing stores this fall and add wonderful visual interest to your outfit.

Turtlenecks You’ve seen the leather, you’ve seen the fur but a classic winter staple to keep warm is a think knit turtleneck. This classic has had a few different revamps this winter, from the loose and oversized knits on the YSL runway, to the sleek bright red turtlenecks from Givenchy this item is everywhere this winter. Enjoy the warm and cozy silhouette this winter while staying stylish!

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Kitchener Waterloo

HOT SPOTS

By Khadijah Plummer

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itchener-Waterloo is the latest hotspot for people of all ages, and especially favoured by those who belong to the Millennial generation.

According to recently gathered statistics, Millennials account for 27% of the population in KW; only one percent lower than Toronto.

Besides the tech innovation hubs, reputable post-secondary institutions, and highly anticipated light-rail transit system, what sets Kitchener-Waterloo apart? If you ask me, it’s the food. Whether you’re new to the area, or looking for a new restaurant to try, consider some of my suggestions below. I wish I could’ve listed all my favourites, but these are my top three.

Café Heaven: Settlement Co. This place started out as a Saturday morning study spot for me, then grew into a pretty much everything place. It is now has two smart locations in Uptown Waterloo and Downtown Kitchener. If you like latte art, sandwiches, beer, and interiors that are Instagram-worthy, then you need to get to Settlement Co. It’s the perfect place for individual or group work, or just catching up. I’ve seen people of all ages get pure joy from this place, and the relationships that they’ve fostered with other local businesses has been incredible to observe. Through my last two jobs, I’ve gained a personal appreciation for Settlement, and it was my haven during Undergrad. Now if someone wants to meet for coffee, it’s the first place I suggest.

Breakfast // Brunch: Mel’s Diner Open 24 hours a day, 50’s style Mel’s Dinner is a favourite of everyone’s in Waterloo. Whether you’re in the mood for breakfast at midnight or milkshakes at 3 p.m., this is the place to be. There is always a line on weekends, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is the food consistent and fast, but the service is great overall. What more can you want? My best memory of Mel’s is when my partner and I celebrated our oneyear anniversary. I proposed that we go to Mel’s, and 24

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he suggested that we follow up with a trip to the KW Art Gallery (which offers free admission, by the way).

I e-mailed Mel’s and told them it was our anniversary, and even though they don’t take weekend reservations, they accommodated our request and gave us a nice, private back booth. This is the place to go with friends, family, and partners. There’s something for everyone.

Lunch // Dinner: Proof Kitchen & Lounge In addition to offering excellent weekend brunch and lunch menus, Proof is a place that I like to go for a nice dinner. It’s located on the main floor of the Delta Hotel in Uptown Waterloo, in the Barrel Yards district. What I love most about Proof, aside from the high-quality meals that they present, is the top notch service. I remember going there for my Convocation dinner, and my best friend was looking at something on the menu that he really liked the sound of, but he’s allergic to shellfish.

One of the meal’s main ingredients was shellfish in disguise under another name, which could have been a disaster. Our server not only knew the ingredients inside and out, but he was ready to recommend three other dishes of varying price points that he felt my friend would like. That told me that not only does he take his job seriously, but that he is not just there to get the highest tip possible. That, to me, is service.

The chef also takes pride in getting as many local ingredients onto your plate as possible and had the restaurant Ocean Wise certified, which is something that we can all be happy about.

EDGY CHIC

Photographer William Riquelme Hair/Makeup by Lisa Ann Torti Stylist Joka Rodic Model Sierra R Gemini Model Agency

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Cute Date Ideas AND How to Dress

By Cassandra J. Zimmerman

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omtimes, it is the little things that we hold close to our hearts; like that feeling when you look into someone’s eyes for the first time. So, wouldn’t it make sense that the first memories we decide to create with that person should be the kind that linger...

Many young adults have a difficult time coming up with creative and cute date ideas because everything seems to require quite a bit of money. However, not very many people seem to know about the smaller things that they can do with their significant other that are just as or even more memorable than something more expensive.

My philosophy is, and this applies to dating as well, when a person looks good, he/she also feels good, and it is much easier to be confident and the best version of themselves when they know they look

amazing. It can be difficult to know which colours and clothing are best suited for individual features and figures. I regularly overhear students at my school consult their friends when they have difficulty making a decision about attire and colours. What to wear varies both on the person and the type of date that they have chosen. Sometimes it can be good to choose the date, and then think about your outfit afterwards so that you have a good understanding of what you need to dress for.

First dates are tricky because they have a reputation for being extremely awkward. From my personal experiences, this is a reputation that I personally admit to being very true. Sometimes it helps if the two people have been friends first and sometimes that just makes it even more awkward. Jumping from friends to significant others can be weird and confusing. If you know a bit about the person first, try to choose LADA MAGAZINE | WINTER

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something to do that involves something that they like, or if you don’t know that much about them yet, then you can always ask people close to your crush questions about what they like. Picking a date that you both can enjoy will help to break the ice and help the two of you to have a comfortable relationship.

Knowing your skin tone is the first step to finding the perfect fashion to go with your complexion. Warm reds, oranges and golden yellows compliment those with warm tones. People with cool skin tones look best when colours such as deep blue, dark purple, lavender, ruby red, emerald, and sapphire are worn.

And lastly, people with neutral skin tones suit soft neutral colours like peach, soft rose, blush-toned pinks, placid blue and healthy grass green. Sometimes even just the colour of an outfit can make such a difference.

Following this advice is crucial for finding an outfit that will suit you.

Some super cute, casual and affordable date ideas to try are: a picnic at the park, a trip to the flea market, antique shopping, staying in a small town and discovering small shops and restaurants, just staying inside and split on ordering take-out when the weather is too cold, going to a rescue shelter and petting all the dogs and cats waiting to be adopted, sushi date, picking up marshmallows from the grocery store and roasting them in the comfort of your backyard and also grabbing a bunch of your favourite snacks and marathon your all-time favourite movies/tv shows. ww Outfits to wear on dates like these would be something casual and comfortable. So maybe a nice pair of leggings or comfortable pair of jeans with a long sleeve shirt and a jacket, or a stylish sweater. Some people (including myself) dress in all comfy clothes and end up losing our shape. I have found that usually, if you mix a baggy article of clothing with a tight one, you can still be comfortable with a bit of your figure still visible. If you choose your colours wisely as well then that could make for a perfect combination. If you decide on an outdoors date, a jacket with baggy jeans and a t-shirt underneath could feel and look great for fall. So that you do not have to freeze, but still look good. (Sometimes - the guy would actually prefer to keep his jacket).

Some couples may prefer to go on a more active date that usually requires lots of energy and in some cases a bit more money, which is always fun. These people may be more interested in dates such as laser tag, paintballing, a run in the trails by either of your houses, a trip to the gym or maybe even running a marathon together. Since these dates could get warm and sweaty quickly, you might want to wear that really cute 34

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new athletic outfit you bought last week. Running in autumn can be really pretty but very chilly. So, rocking a warm sweater and jogging pants or leggings may be the best option. Or maybe even shorts still, I guess, if you don’t get cold easily.

When I need to think of ideas for things I like to go on Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram; looking at other people’s ideas can sometimes help to create your own.

Just remember that the best dates, the most memorable moments, are all but an outfit away…

TOO COOL Photographer William Riquelme Makeup Artist Sara Galloway Hair Stylist Brittany Witmer Clothing Plato’s Closet Model Katria E Gemini Model Agency

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LADA beauty

Cosmetic Dupes I can’t live without

By Lauren Jennifer Korody www.laurenjen.com

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don’t know about you, but I’m always on the lookout for these three things: ways to save money, ways to spend money while still saving money, and ways of having the things I want, without having to spend a lot of the money that I’ve saved lol.

With that said, I’m a girl who always likes to look her best (on a budget of course), whether it’s at the office, at the grocery store, or even at the gym. As a makeup artist, I don’t leave home without my makeup on. I can’t. My face is my advertisement.

Even on my fresh faced days, I still have a little something on my skin, brows, lashes and lips. To me that is the epitome of a no makeup look. They say that to know the “cost” of your face you have to literally add up the price of every single item you put on your face every day.

When I add up the price of my face, I have to tell you… it’s a bit of a shock. While I do love a good bargain, I spare no expense on my skincare routine because… well… you only get one shot at it, and the big 4-0 will eventually come one day (sshhh not for many years). So in order to somewhat balance the cost of my face, I rely on makeup dupes to help supplement my expenditures.

One of the key ingredients to feeling like I have my face looking on point, is a great lip colour. In the last year or so, matte liquid lip colour has become quite a huge trend in both the pro makeup world and consumer makeup world. It has many benefits including a very high opacity (it gives lots of colour and coverage with a single application.)

It also really lasts and is fairly budgeproof (providing you don’t put anything over top of it). The Anastasia Beverly Hills or Kat Von D liquid lipsticks are stunning and come in a wide variety of colours, but sit in around the $30/pop range. If you’re searching for a good equivalent, I am loving the NYX liquid lip matte lip creams! (Available at most Shoppers Drug Marts).

And they are around $8-$10 depending on where you buy them. Huge savings since if you’re like me, you can’t just carry 1 or 2 shades… my purse lip collection is usually in around the 6-10 tubes range, because

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hey, I need variety, I never know what lip I’ll feel like on any given day.

Next up on my face is mascara. I don’t even know the last time I didn’t wear at least 1 coat of mascara… it simply gives so much oomph to my little eyes and I can’t live without it. I am a self-declared mascara junkie, I’ll admit I am never loyal to one brand and always in search of the next best thing. Well – I think that search may be over… because I’ve purchased the last 10 or so tubes of the SAME brand of mascara and I’m in shock over how good it is! If you’re like me, you want mascara to push up and plump the lash, but also to stay on all day long. Who has time for makeup touchups? Not I. While I do have to say that Benefit’s “They’re Real” mascara is positively divine, at $27/pop it really hurts my wallet and my psyche to fork over that kind of money for a mascara.

So one day I happened to be in my local Walmart, and I picked up a tube of E.L.F. (stands for Eyes Lips Face) mascara, just to try. Because at $2.95/tube, why the heck not. Well let me tell you I was impressed – it is beyond exceptional! It has what is called a “tubular” formula. Meaning that the mascara actually coats your lashes in little tubes, which helps with staying power, lift and fullness. Unlike waterproof mascaras, this formula washes off with cleanser and water, and won’t dry the lashes and make them brittle. You may want to hurry to Walmart now to buy it, because it’s almost always sold out when I look, and now I buy as many tubes as I can when I find it.

My last dupe to share with you is actually a nail colour product. I don’t know about you, but I love me a good shellac manicure. But at $30-$40 per application, plus all the sitting at the salon and waiting, I just feel like it’s too much money and hassle for my busy life. I have found the Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy nail colour and Diamond Top Coat to be simply amazing for their staying power, durability and ease of use (no soaking in acetone or curing with a UV light required!). Each bottle costs you around $10 at Walmart or Shoppers, however, they do go on sale quite often which is when I usually stock up! These products are a must-have in my opinion.

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So easy to use, you simply put the colour right on your nail bed (no primer needed). Two coats of the colour and then you finish with a coat of the Diamond Top Coat – sometimes I do two coats of the top coat to get a really long lasting manicure. Don’t expect to have to do your nails again for at least a week!

Dupes are a huge thing now, so have a look on Instagram and search Google for more to try. I also highly recommend taking a chance here and there, you just never know what diamond in the rough you are about to uncover… which is part of the fun of finding good dupes!

Holiday Makeup Looks Product Breakdown First image Daytime Holday Look (((the one with the nude lip))) Gold base with Garnet in crease (Lorac Pro Palette) Highlight powder (Hourglass Ambient Lights trio Palette) Black liquid gel liner by Stila Nude liquid lip gloss Second Image Nighttime Holday Look ((the one with the red lip)) Gold base with Deep Purple in crease (Lorac Pro Palette) Hourglass Ambient Lights trio Palette Aloette red lip in Cabaret Kiss demi wispies lashes #11

Photographer John Van Tran Makeup Artist Lauren Jennifer Model Aleia A Gemini Model Agency

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hy I Love hat I Do

Why do you do what you do? Is it because the money is good? Or is it because of it’s a reputable company with a big fancy name? How many people actually do what they LOVE?. At this moment in time, I am working for a magazine start-up on a volunteer basis. I am making no money and working a full-time job while I’m in school for no extrinsic reward. Why am I doing this you might ask? I am doing this because I love fashion, photography and art. It is my passion.

Why is fashion, photography and art my passion? It’s my passion because I love the way it makes people feel. I love making people feel empowered, happy, body positive and beautiful. Photography and Fashion can sometimes be contradictive to my motives but when you use fashion and photography to empower others it’s an amazing feeling to see the results. In this post, I will share some stories where I have empowered others through photography, fashion and storytelling.

Sustainable living and Fashion, are those words meant to fit together? for Maja, it makes complete sense.

Maja is a stunning redhead who loves the outdoors and if I had one word to describe her it would be Hippy, a true Hippy. She is the kind of person who would rather be around trees and nature then around other people. So how does this fit in with my topic? I was doing a portfolio build and thought of a unique vintage hippy shoot and the first person to pop in my head was Maja. I contacted her and learnt something extremely interesting. Maja only wears second-hand clothes and most of her wardrobe is from her grandparent’s basement. When I asked her how long she

By Emma Tonellato

“I feel empowered because I know I am helping limit the amount of waste that gets thrown out.” - MAJA

has been raiding their closets she told me for a long time.

Based on this discovery I designed the photo shoot around Maja, I wanted it to represent her and be as authentic as possible. I told her to bring all her favourite outfits from her grandparent’s basement, to wear natural make up and to have her hair down. The shoot turned out amazing because it was 100% authentic and represented who Maja is, she used some of the images on her social media and was extremely happy with the results.

Being able to do a professional fashion photo shoot of someone authentically being themselves is awesome because it’s believable and relatable to the viewer. It was extremely rewarding for me as a photographer because I got to post an honest series about an issue in the fashion industry that has come to light within the last couple years while using a relatable and authentic model.

While I was doing Social Media for La Creme St. Jacobs Prom season of 2017. I used many tactics like semiotics, and authenticity to get a message across to the right target market. Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols as elements of communicative behaviour and is a great marketing tool because of

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“My grandparents have been collecting all their clothes since they moved to Canada. So they have a lot.. Its really cool because when you go further back into the room you can tell which clothes are older based on the different patterns & materials.” - MAJA

the way people make assumptions, associations and relate things to objects, ideologies and metaphors from within the real world. So to make pictures and products more relatable to teenage girls within the Waterloo region I would use girls in high school in the Waterloo region wearing the products that La Creme wanted to sell. I took professional photos for their Instagram around Waterloo and St. Jacobs to make a stunning arrangement on their Instagram.

For one of my product shoot’s I used Leah, a grade 12 student from Bluevale Collegiate. Leah has a powerful personality that is full of energy and laughter. She was a perfect model for La Creme’s target market for prom season. She loved the images I produced so much that she asked me to do her prom pictures at Victoria Park.

For anyone who grew up and went to prom in Kitchener/Waterloo you would know that everyone does there prom photos at Victoria Park. I took this as a challenge to shoot the best prom pictures for the 2017 prom season at this location.

I used natural light to give a glowing and youthful effect on the skin. I tried to capture as many candid shots as possible since that captured the moment authentically and efficiently. I also chose to elegant posses that most teenagers wouldn’t use in their prom

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images. By creating a fun and positive environment to kick of the night I helped make their prom experience more personalized, memerable and exciting I do what I do because I love what I do. I love the feeling when I know that my images empower the people on the other side of the lens. My goal is to make sure that the client is always happy and that who they are as a person comes out in some way through my images. I want to leave everyone whom I work with smiling and proud to say that, that is them in the photo. I want to leave pictures that the client can turn around to their kids in ten years and be proud to say that that’s them.

Leave everyone feeling like a supermodel who just walked off the cover of Vogue. Now, do you LOVE what you do?

”The photos are so unique from other images that I saw captured in Victoria Park. We did a lot of beautiful poses at different camera angles with enphasis on the way light would flow through trees and on to us. This made the images unique from all the other prom photos that were done at Victoria Park.”

- Leah

We are a unique design centre in downtown St Jacobs showcasing home dĂŠcor, reclaimed wood tables and custom cabinetry.

In the last five years, our kitchen and bath division has grown to be synonymous with quality and style. We are quickly becoming one of the most sought-after custom cabinetry shops in and beyond southern Ontario.

WE ARE EVERYTHING HOME. 8 Spring St, St. Jacobs, ON // timberbarn.ca // (519) 664-3245

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Sharp around the edges Photographer Emma Tonellato Makeup Nadeen Qalam Clothing Plato’s Closet Model A eryn B Gemini Model Agency Model Brennan Tonellato Location Timber Barn

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Looks to Transition

Between Fall and Winter

By Ariana Marques

We’re all still a bit sad that summer has ended, but no worries here! Luckily, the dusty rose colour is sticking around with us in style, and bound to do the trick to keep you still in the smallest touch with those fun colours. Dress those dress pants down with a casual tee, short boots and everyone’s fall favourite, a jean jacket. But of course, we didn’t forget a plain black choker to tie the whole look together, perfect for an everyday look or an outing with friends

The cold shoulder has always been my favourite trend and lucky for me, it’s sticking around! For those colder months with a long sleeve, knit top; jeans, boots and a long knit cardigan around your waist, you’re bound to be warm and stylish this mid fall/ start of winter! Of course, that hat is always a nice touch too.

If thigh highs aren’t my favourite trend right now, I’m not sure what is. Pair those beauties up with a dark coloured knit pencil skirt and double knit it with a knit cold shoulder shirt and a black stylish trench coat.

Ladies, it’s fall time and we all know what that means… time to break out those army green jackets that have been sitting in your closet for all this time!

Wear it with a casual tee, jeans, short boots and a plain choker for a very casually cute look. The newspaper boy cap is back and better than ever. Who can go wrong with such a cute accessory?

Photography by Madison Gladwin

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Revive

Elevate Moisture Ehance Skin

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Hate to Love It:

The Instagram Effect

By Mikela Correia

H

ow do we decide who we are on Instagram?

Is it a compilation of snapshots of our lives, who we are, what we do, what we like, and what we don’t like? Or is a blank canvas we use to construct a version of ourselves that we want the world to see? And how real are these instant posts? How much time do we spend manipulating them to achieve a desired effect? Put your phone down, and join me as we begin to explore these ideas.

Imagine you’re building a new Instagram account where you follow no one. Your posts will be based on only your choices, without the influence of any other source. If you were to compare this new account to your existing one, would there be a difference?

We are in a social media frenzy of creating avatars that we often find ourselves prioritizing to maintain over our own well-being. We feel like we are running, making exhausting efforts to keep up – but who and what are we keeping up with? What bars have we set for ourselves – and more importantly, why? Ask yourself how connected you feel to this avatar. Are you noticing a blatant disconnect? Is it like looking at an image of yourself but you’re not actually identifying with it?

Almost like an old photo – where you recognize that it was you, but you can no longer identify with that version of yourself. When you’ve re-posted or you’ve liked, does that mean that image now becomes a part of your identity? Are we inextricably linking ourselves to opinions and representations with just a few clicks?

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We need to re-gain our role as our own gatekeepers, and decide who we really are and how we want to share that with the world.

This past September I spoke to a grade nine class of 30 students, ranging in age from 13-14. Out of 30 students, 23 had an Instagram account. For those that did have an account, when asked how many hours they spent on Instagram a day, most said about 2-4 hours. Keep in mind that secondary school students are in class for approximately 5 hours a day. For some, their time on Instagram almost matches, or in some cases, surpasses the number of hours they are in class each day. Major influence – I think so.

Sophia, who is a 14-year-old grade nine student, said she spends about 4 hours on Instagram a day. This time is of course added up throughout the day and can vary. The majority of time she is on Instagram, she is scrolling through her feed, friend’s pages, and other accounts she is interested in. Sophia shared that she had approximately 470 accounts follow her, and follows approximately 430 accounts. The accounts she follows consist of her friends, fitness accounts, and miscellaneous accounts that gage her interest. In her opinion, Instagram is like a news page, an entertainment page, an outlet for inspiration, and of course a source of influence. When speaking to Sophia, the thing I was most interested in was her mention of having wiped her personal account five times. This means she kept her account active, kept the name, but deleted all her photos and then re-posted new photos as time when on. She decided to do this five times.

When I inquired as to why, she simply replied with “I didn’t like it anymore.” This made me think – does she not like who is she is as a person, or does she not like

the image of herself she is portraying to the world via Instagram.

When Sophia shared this information with me, I respected her honesty; but as a woman and teacher, I was left somewhat worry-some. On a stark counter note, as a Model Agent and Booker, I see Instagram as an incredible marketing tool for models. Many working models engage in the practice of creating an Instagram account to represent themselves and their careers. These accounts can include images of their published work, behind-the-scenes photos and videos, low-key images of their day-to-day lives, and of course live videos of what they’re up to.

In this Industry, we are our own brand – how we develop our brand is extremely important.

We see many examples of glamourous and cheeky Instagram accounts from today’s most renowned Fashion Models. My favourite model accounts right now? Winnie Harlow @winnieharlow, Ashley Graham @theashleygraham, and of course my absolute untouchable favourite Cara Delevinge @caradelevinge!

There is no shortage of glamour, unmatched fashion, jet-setting lifestyles, and of course a quiet dose of reality with an inside look at their lives. I could look at model accounts for hours! I love to see where they’re working, what type of shoots are being styled, and of course tags of amazing photographers and designers.

We all know we can get pages deep into something from starting with one single account. My reason for admiring these accounts is amid all the enviable posts, there are clear messages of positivity, self-reflection and honesty. They stand in my books because they advocate for celebrating their own quirks and revel in the joys of being diverse. This is more of what we need. For anyone on the inside of this Industry, we know the dark corners that live within it. Competition, disappointment, and self-doubt unequivocally exist in this job sector. What I love about these models is their ability to celebrate weirdness, uniqueness and own their self-described flaws in a passionately fiery style.

I think their doses of reality can help remind us we need to stay grounded.

So where do I stand from my point of view which encompasses numerous roles that could arguably play for both sides of the argument at hand? Don’t ask me to decide because I won’t – but here is what I do know. If you can develop your self-confidence, your professional image, your diction and conversational skills, you will do a much better job of engaging people in-person than you will ever do using a social media platform. Few are born with a natural confidence; for most of us it takes time and life experience to develop. Narrowing in on these skills will translate as far more valuable than your ability to perfectly pose,

crop, or filter an image. Don’t place so much value on a ‘like’ or a ‘follow’. If a follower is admiring your style, work, or aesthetic it is quite flattering, but don’t focus on that being your only means of value. Hearing a compliment or encouraging word in person will always mean more to me than the reflex of a thumb double-tapping one of my images. Think about the personal relationships you have. The tactility of their existence should always mean more to you than how many tens, hundreds or thousands of followers you may have. I want to encourage everyone to pause refreshing their feed and start refreshing their value system once and while, and re-evaluate what is truly important.

As I’ve said many times before, there is no handbook on how to be a teenage girl. They are no guidelines.

What we do here at GEMINI is fill in some of those blanks by creating fun-filled classes that are safe, engaging and age-appropriate. As you can see from my example of Sophia, pre-teens and teens, specifically young women, are unbelievably mold-able, and are using their teen years as a time of self-discovery. As an adult, I see her act of wiping her Instagram account as a shedding of a previous skin. This is something we’ve all done – it just looks different now. Instead of shedding a physical style, attitude, or outlook, our youth are e-shedding a persona. With any change they may make, they need to ensure their social media avatars reflect these changes as well. At GEMINI our focus is to help everyone develop their self-image and self-confidence, with the ultimate goal of reaching their fullest potential. Social media can play a role is this build, but the key is to remember that it is only one part and not everything.

The goal here is not to dismiss Instagram; by all means revel in the media, I know I do! We should embrace technology in all its facets, but always remember you should be in the driver’s seat. I think the key piece of advice I can give is to go ahead and admire what you see, let it inspire you! We have been given a platform to connect with people, places and experiences that are a world away. To waste this opportunity would be devastating; embrace it, but don’t let it dictate who you are.

-Mikela Correia is the Agency Administrator and Academy Instructor at GEMINI Modelling Agency. She is also an Occasional Teacher for the Waterloo Region District School Board and the Upper Grand District School Board. Mikela is also the Founder and CEO of Spaces Simplified, an organizing solutions business.

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Less is more

By Ashley Elaine

Hi

, I’m ashleyjoex!

I’m a social media influencer and like to dabble in freelance marketing and content creation on my spare time. My overall manifesto is quite simple: more often than not, less is more. In fashion, as in so much of life, less is more. Simplicity stands out, draws attention and speaks volumes. I am about to divulge the secrets and practices I’ve used to develop my own minimalist fashion and style.

“The first step in crafting a life you want is to get rid of everything you dont.” — Joshua Becker In the past, I found myself dressing the way others dressed, because that style was currently “in” and who doesn’t want to fit in (wrong!).

I didn’t dress myself with purpose.

I dressed the way I felt others would like, not how I wanted to dress. I never had a unique style.

This ended the moment I decided to dress the way I felt most myself.

I began to express my personality and what I felt most confident and comfortable wearing. Over time, I learned I am attracted to things that are crisp, clean, pure and non-complex. I found a style that suited me, and it happens to be minimalist fashion. Personal style is an exceptional way to express who we are. I believe that when it comes to most things in life, less is more. In my opinion, simplicity is key to living an intentional life.

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Nowhere is this better exhibited than in your day-today fashion choices.

Something that allows me to feel tranquil is to go through my closet and purge. My neck loses that tight feeling, my shoulders lift, and I can breathe again when I step into my closet. No more feeling overwhelmed by choices! There is this great feeling of liberation that comes from shedding unneeded items. Feeling cluttered leaves you feeling scattered.

It leaves you standing in a closet full of clothes, shoes and accessories that you chose but with the mindset and feeling of hopelessness that you have nothing to wear. The more choices you need to make, the harder it is to make an actual decision.

Now think about this - what if you walked into your closet and were surrounded by clothing you absolutely adore, clothes with purpose and meaning, clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable? What if your wardrobe consisted only of pieces that ultimately define you as an individual, or better yet, your brand? This is what a minimal approach to fashion is all about….

We live in a consumer-based society. Whether it be from brand name clothing, accessories, shoes, the latest iPhone, the fastest car, or even the most expensive house, we are all waiting for the newest and best things. Our natural tendency is to consume more, not less. We all know that media outlets screw with us but we are all wrapped up in superficial and materialistic things. We find ourselves scrolling through social media platforms pondering why we can’t have what they have, or afford to dress the way they dress, when really, life and fashion could be so much more simple.

If you don’t love it, ditch it!

The initial and first step to a more minimal fashion style is to eliminate the things that do not hold value to you. We quickly learn to have an emotional attachment to things. Clothes, believe it or not, is one of them, and high up there.

“We hang onto far more objects than we need, and, instead of motivating us, they become talismans of guilt and shame” - June Saruwatari I will be the first to admit that I used to be guilty of hoarding clothes (seriously, I never threw anything out). A lot of us will examine our clothes and consider doing a brief clean up, a quick purge of things that may no longer fit us, are outdated and so on. But, what I found myself doing more than often that not was finding excuses not to remove these unnecessary things from my closet. Questions ran through my mind like, “well what if I need this particular dress one day?”. It is said to be that we hold onto stuff with the rationalization that we may need it at a later time in life. What I found as that it was translating into emotional baggage and weighing me down.

When we clear out our closets, it has a massive impact on our mental state of mind and the clarity that comes with it. Donate, donate, donate!

Quality VS. Quantity: A very important rule to remember when reducing your wardrobe and shifting your closet is to remember that quality is far more important than quantity (in most aspects of life, too!) Four important words to remember throughout this journey“Buy less, choose well.”

Wear it and embrace it if it makes you feel good. Get rid of it if it doesn’t. Plain & simple.

Try this. Face all your clothing hangers one way and then after you wear an item, hang the clothes in a different direction. Very quickly you will know exactly which clothes you wear and which ones you don’t. I decided it was time in my life to get rid of the unneeded and unused, and to focus my energy, time and money on only the essentials. I’ve gotten so much confidence from making my own best choices (dressing the way that I want to dress), and putting thought and meaning into the pieces of clothing that I now purchase. I have stopped comparing myself to others and have gained self-love and appreciation through how I choose to look and dress. I have recently started to practice a minimal and intentional approach to fashion by carefully choosing what I decide to purchase by taking these few easy steps…

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Essentially, if you choose quality over quantity, you buy things less often, of better quality and with more intention. I strive to invest my time and money into pieces of clothing that are reliable and durable and well crafted, and that I know won’t go out of style within a couple years. Previously, I was more of the mindset that having more clothes, even if the quality was not up to standards would be better because you have more options to choose from. Changing my perspective and revamping my wardrobe made me realize how much more practical a closet of quality is.

Confidence stems from what you wear: Dressing with confidence is most important when it comes to fashion - the sense of feeling assertive about what you’re wearing, and feeling self-assured wherever you go. The way clothes make you feel on the inside is most important. Yes, people only see what you are outwardly wearing but confidence stems

from how you feel with how you are dressed.

Everyone deserves to feel confident in what they are wearing. If it makes you feel beautiful and makes you feel most like yourself, then wear it. Life is far too short to dress the way other people think you should dress.

Fashion is unique and should be worn to fit your personality. Take a look at fashion for exactly what it is; a way to help us all add confidence to our everyday lives.

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S P A C E S S I M P L I F I E D Organizing Solutions Downsizing & Decluttering Closet Organization Pantry Organization Kitchen-Bathroom-Bedroom Playroom & Rec Room Organization Basement/Garage Organization Home Office/Small Office Organization

Tel: 519-404-8174 Email: spacessimplified101@gmail.com Instagram: @spacessimplified Facebook: Spaces Simplified Twitter: @simplifiedbymc Visit www.spaces-simplified.com today for more information.

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The first time I did it

ALONE

By Barbara Klisowska

my distaste with the idea; the more positive feedback my co-workers replied with.

“You’ve never eaten at a restaurant alone?”

“What do you do if you’re out and hungry?”

T

he most exciting parts of life, are all the firsts. First day of school, first crush, first kiss, love, car, etc.

There comes an age when we run out of first experiences, and they have become mere rituals, lifestyles or memories. The other day I had stumbled upon a new first which I was more than OK with never experiencing. As of last week, I, Barbara Klisowska, am no longer a “dinealone virgin”.

It was a weekday afternoon and I was finishing up my lunch shift. My friend Tudor and I had made plans earlier in the week to grab a bite to eat. We often tried to coordinate our lunch dates based on our schedule, however within the hospitality industry there are no guarantees. This lack of luck repeated itself once again. I was free of tables and cut, while Tudor remained on the board being sat one guest after the next. Not only was this aggravating because it felt like my stomach was harboring a restless cat, clawing at my insides from hunger; but I had the biggest craving for a specific local eatery; Taco Farm. I kept bothering Tudor, asking over and over if he’s done yet.

He finally just stated what seemed like the obvious solution to everyone but me; “just go alone!” I didn’t understand... I was supposed to walk into a restaurant, request a table for one and dine alone? Right. That sounded like a nightmare. But the more I expressed

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The out spill of surprise was a surprise to me. Since when was eating by yourself the cool thing to do? I argued my case stating I preferred dining with friends, and I would get take-out and consume my meals at home, judgment free.

“You’ve got to try it; it’s so liberating! I love spending time with myself.” Another co-worker expressed her opinion with a peaceful look on her face, as if she was reminiscing about all the great memories she had spending time with herself.

I began to get excited. Excited in a way where I knew my head had already made the decision, and was trying to convince my heart. This was the day, I was going to eat alone!

I announced this decision in a theatrical, melodramatic way, as if I was announcing I was running for President, or getting married. I was expecting some kind of proud encouragement, perhaps an applause or high-fives, however everyone just kind of nodded and said, cool.

I exited the doors of Beertown and took one look behind me; I was ready. The walk over to Taco Farm was somewhat triumphant, as I could see the establishment ahead of me the entire time. I imagined walking through the doors, and the bell atop the door would bluntly alert the staff that I had arrived. I slightly dreaded that inevitable question; table for one? How would I respond?

Yes, I’m here on business from New York. Man, I wish I could say that. That sounded really cool in my head.

I finally approached the threshold of the restaurant and looked up at the short building as if it was Mount Everest. I walked in through the door and on cue, the tiny bell made a loud noise which prompted a young gentlemen to look my way and smile. My heart was beating as I noticed him scan the area around, and behind me.

worth it. Suddenly no one else in the room existed but me and my tiny Mexican treats. The combination of shrimp, avocado and spicy pineapple sauce danced a salsa in my mouth. I noticed the pork belly taco was a rather more generous portion than what I usually receive; maybe the chef took pity on me because I was eating alone. Whatever; I would do it all over again for an extra slice of that juicy pork. They were small, but filling and messy; a drop of hot sauce splattered on my white t-shirt and left a stain. I found it rather symbolic; I was no longer, a dine-alone virgin.

“Hi there, just one?”

Just one!? That was so much worse than ‘table for one’. I nodded nervously as he grabbed a menu from the host stand and gestured his arm out which in restaurant silent lingo that meant; wherever you like.

I decided to sit at the high top facing the window. A short table was too condescending, and the bar was too ostentatious.

I took off my jacket and laid it on the high chair beside me, sat down and began to scan the draught list. I wasn’t initially planning on drinking, but I felt like being a loser who ate alone and had a drink, was a little better than being a loser who ate alone and had a glass of water.

I ordered a Block Three I.P.A and the server delivered the beer along with a bowl of homemade tortilla chips and salsa. I asked for another minute to decide, and when he returned I ordered two tacos; one camaron (shrimp) and one pork-belly. I could’ve probably consumed three, however every decision I was making was being evaluated in my head like clockwork.

A beer and two tacos is a perfect amount; a beer and three tacos; slow down eat-alone Sally.

I had finished eating and was almost done my pint so I asked for my bill. It came to an even twenty, so I left twenty-five. Maybe it was because I knew the importance of tipping, or maybe it was because I was trying to make-up for eating alone. Nonetheless, I had survived. I put on my jacket and politely bid adieu to the pleasant server and was on my way. I stepped outside and wondered why I thought eating alone was such a big deal. Why should such a fruitless and simple act mold other’s judgmental opinions of us? The woman we notice and pity eating alone at the bar could be a successful entrepreneur, award-winning novelist, or respected doctor. Why do we skip ahead and assume she’s lonely and sad because there is no one there to accompany her at that particular moment? Is this reflective of life in general? Do our accomplishments, talents and achievements mean absolutely nothing if there is anyone to share them with? I decided the insecurities we harbor are our own, and no one else’s.

While I waited for my food, I nibbled on the complimentary nachos. I could’ve demolished that whole bowl in no time but exercised some restraint. I also had my notepad out, jotting down notes and scribbles from my experience. I imagined the staff thought I was some cool, independent journalist who was super confident and ate alone all the time. Little did they know, my hands were sweating more than a Mexican’s during the 2016 U.S Presidential election.

I took a gander of the surroundings noticing couples and friends enjoying their meals and drinks. At that moment I felt lonely, but the sight of my server bringing over my tacos interrupted that feeling. I looked in front of me and there they were; the reason for this whole escapade. The embarrassment and courage I had to endure just to get to these two beauties. And with the first bite of my fresh camaron taco, it was LADA MAGAZINE | WINTER

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