Letter from the Editor They say April showers bring May flowers, but with the amount of snow we’ve had, it feels like that’s unlikely. I feel a more appropriate saying might be about April showers bringing a springtime flooding. But, with Spring it means the weather is getting warmer and leading up to the glorious season we call Summer, and that means it’s without a doubt my favorite time of year. Then again, I’m always the girl who never wears winter boots (it’s sneaker season all year long) but in particular, this time of year means that tank tops, skinny jeans, and other amazing summertime clothing items are back in stores. It’s the time to pick up your new swimsuit and it’s the time to look into the new latest trends in summer attire. Spring is just the best season ever! Relationship wise, being single at this time of year might just be the best thing ever. With this time of year, you can begin a spring fling, that may lead to a summer romance. New love is not only exciting, it’s also hot, steamy and can lead you to either your true love, or an awfully great love story! Now health wise, Spring is a time to start getting more active. Start off slow! Walk for 15 minutes, every day for 2 weeks. After that, maybe push it up to 30 mins. Something so simple can drastically improve your quality of life. And it doesn’t mean you need to eat less; in fact, eat more! More frequently that is. By eating 6 little meals over the span of your day rather than 3 larger ones, you keep your metabolism moving and stay full all day long. A lot of people find that easier than 3 meals anyway. Don’t forget, if you are feeling down in the dumps, eat dark green veggies and it will naturally make you perk up. Enjoy the season folks!
Lilly
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CONTENTS
STAFF
Editor in Chief: Lilly Babineau
Assistant: Erica Chevarie Public Relations:
Ashley Merriam
52 46
Executive Directors of Operations:
30 58
Kristina Mallet, Candace Bazowsky Beauty Director: Kristina Mallet Fashion Director: Candace Bazowsky Photographers: Philippe Caetano, Mario-Pierre Gaudreau, Luc Thibodeau Kimberly-Mai Therrien Hairstylists: Kandas Michaud, Melanie Smith-Lear, Amanda Braun Makeup Artists: Stephanie Carson Contributors: Scott McLean, Casey Donovan, Laurel House Staff Writers: Melanie McLean, Sarah Racicot, Kristina Mallet, Natasha Dore, Jennifer Richard, Elizabeth McLelland, Shawna CyrCalder.
STEPHANIE CARSON MAKEUP ARTIST OWNER OF CLASSIQUE BEAUTY FIND HER ONLINE AT: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CLASSIQUEBEAUTY OR CALL: (506) 229-2126
MELANIE SMITH-LEAR HAIRSTYLIST HAIRSTYLIST AT GLAMOUR SECRETS GO SEE HER AT THE SALON AND SHE CAN BEAUTIFY YOU AS WELL!
KRISTINA MALLET MAKEUP ARTIST COSMETOLOGIST AT JEAN COUTU FIND HER ON FACEBOOK AT: KRISTINA MALLET - BEAUTY CONSULTANT OR EMAIL KRISTINA@PINKBLITZ.COM
KANDAS MICHAUD HAIRSTYLIST HAIRSTYLIST AT SEARS HAIR SALON FIND HER ONLINE AT: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/KMICHAUD. HAIRSTYLING
Wellness
Teas to Change Your Moods by Jennifer Richard Tea is consistently and regularly making “superfood” lists all over the world, but what you may not know is that certain teas can assist in altering your mood as well. Teas have linked to lowering rates of some types of cancers, has the possibility of protecting against Alzheimer’s, and also reducing the risks for heart disease and strokes. Tea can help you feel less depressed, more energetic, as well as more alert. It’s not just for drinking either! You can use a hot cup or pot of tea to scent your room as well, or opt for tea potpourri or infusers, and burn tea scented candles. Here are some specific types of teas and their effects on your mood: Herbal teas infused with Chamomile and lavender promote rest. We all know that lavender in the bath helps you relax, why would tea be any different? Its soothing aroma and inhaling its scent has been proven to slow down nervous system activity, thus, allowing you to relax. Chamomile and lavender tea also help calm your
digestive system, so it’s the perfect tea to drink if you’re tense, or stressed out. If you need a boost of energy, try sipping on some green tea or black chai. Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, but still does the trick in keeping you awake. It also speeds up fat burning and improves your physical performance. These alone are a push for those on the fence looking to introduce something different into their tea routines. If it’s happiness that you’re after, herbal teas are great, especially those with lemon verbena. Lemon Verbena is a great tonic for your nerves and can give you a fabulous overall sense of calm and well being. If you’re feeling unwell, choosing a tea with hints of ginger and mint are a great choice. Ginger and mint both help soothe stomach ailments and drinking down a nice hot cup of tea infused with either, or both of these will aid you in feeling better!
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Wellness
As-SALT On Your Body by Jennifer Richard It’s fairly common knowledge that a small amount of salt daily is essential for the body and the function of healthy cells, it maintains the correct balance of specific fluids in our bodies but it is also the main culprit leading to high blood pressure, asthma, weight gain, stomach cancer and osteoporosis. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the leading factor for strokes, heart attacks and heart failure. Adults technically need less than one gram of salt per day with children needing even less. The recommended daily maximum intake is six grams. Most of us take in so much more than that which puts everyone at risk for these health issues. High blood pressure affects a whopping one third of all adults. It’s generally symptom-less so unless you visit your doctor or health practitioner, most people aren’t even aware that they have it. Being overweight, lack of exercise and most dangerous, a high salt diet can raise your blood pressure. Strokes are a terrible outcome of high blood pressure and if you are diligent, you can lower your salt intake and help to avoid such a tragedy. Salt can damage the lining of the stomach as well, leading to stomach ailments and stomach cancers. While men are at a higher risk of stomach cancer than women, it is important for both sexes to reduce or remove salt from their diets. Since most of the calcium in our bodies is stored in the bones, and a high salt diet can cause calcium to be lost from our bones and then excreted in the urine, it is beneficial for people of all ages to reduce their salt intakes to prevent osteoporosis later in life by taking care of their bones now. The simplest solution to alleviating and stopping negative health issues? Lower your salt intake. It may sound simple, but for someone that is used to shaking
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extra salt on those fries, or adding it to your cooking and meals, you have to put through a conscious effort to reduce your salt. Consider using a seasoning alternative such as Mrs. Dash, or other spices and herbs to flavor your meals and keep your family healthy!
Fact: The average person should only be consuming a maximum of 2400 mg of sodium per day. That’s the equivalent of one meal at McDonald’s. If you have high blood pressure, you can only have 1200mg per day.
Wellness
Is Facebook Making You Depressed? by Jennifer Richard
Model Allie Cormier Photo by Mario Pierre Gaudreau Scientists, marketing firms, and psychologists have long been studying Facebook and its cause and effect on every day people. Facebook even hired its own data science team to figure out if and why the popular site was actually making people depressed. With approximately 700 million daily users, there’s quite a large case study to be made. Instead of arguing about why it might not actually JUST be Facebook that is making you sad or down, we’ll discuss the reasons why it may be contributing to your emotions. Scenario: You’re sitting on your couch in sweats with a big bowl of chips in front of you, just relaxing. You pop your laptop open and decide to check out your Facebook feed. Awesome, John got that new job he’s been gunning for! Aww, Tanya and Tom got married, good for them! Wow, Sam looks great, he lost so much weight!! It may seem benign as you’re scrolling, but seeing all of these positive status updates from friends or acquaintances may actually be bringing you down. Sure, things at home are great, you love your job, you’ve got great friends, but you didn’t just go on a tropical vacation like Emily and Frank did, the snow here is totally a mood killer. You may not feel too much as you’re just grazing your home page; happy photos may stand out, positive status updates may send a twinge of jealousy up your spine, and Joe Blow with 789 friends has you beaten in that department. The more you think about it, though, the more depressed it makes you. You haven’t been on vacation in years, you can’t
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afford all those fancy new clothes, and you only have 143 friends. You didn’t get invited to Jenny’s party, but all of your other friends did. The photo you got tagged in from that party you DID go to looks terrible while all of your other friends look like supermodels. Most people only post what they want people to read, the happy stuff, the amazing things that have happened to them. Very few are posting the negative, crappy things that happened that day. You’re sitting there, comparing your day to theirs, and while theirs may seem amazing on screen, what you’re not seeing is all the other stuff. The normal stuff. THIS is what’s depressing people, not the actual content on Facebook, but the fact that you’re only skimming the positive, most uplifting posts from other people in your feed. You’re probably not interacting with those people much because you’re feeling a pang of guilt or that jealousy from their “fabulous” lives. Sure, you may hit the like button, or pop in with a smiley face, but the lack of genuine interaction is probably what’s making you upset. Take the time to really read some of those updates, post some of your own happy thoughts and photos, or even better, step away from Facebook for a little bit and get out and interact with real people, your true friends and daily happenings will cheer you back up!
Beauty
Eyeliner Tips & Tricks
By Shawna Cyr-Calder
For many women, eyeliner is sometimes their go-to make-up choice when time is not on their side for the whole works. If you’re one of those women, then here are a few tips and tricks to make your choice that much easier. Want your liner’s wear to last longer throughout the day? Add liner like you normally would, then add an eyeshadow of the same colour on the eyeliner using an angled brush, unless you put the liner on your waterline. In that case simply put it on your lash line instead. Is you hand not steady enough to create the perfect cat eye using liquid liner? Use pencil liner as a guide. Create a rough “draft” of how you want your cat eye to look, then go over it with your liquid liner. Create dots, the width of the line you want with your liquid liner, then connect the dots. Use scotch tape as stencil. Cut a 1 inch piece, make sure adhesive isn’t too strong, then apply piece at your bottom lash line/outer corner of eye—angle to-
wards your temple NOT towards the end of your eyebrow. Create thin line near tear duct, then gradually make line thicker midway. Continue. Make line thinner again when you’re almost done your line. Do opposite eye. Are you dealing with a crumbly eyeliner pencil? Place pencil in freezer for 10 minutes. Did you create a messy line, but don’t want to restart? Clean what you don’t want with Vaseline, and a cotton swab. Fix up a mistake with a skin coloured eye liner pencil. Want to attain the illusion of bigger, brighter eyes? Line waterline with a white coloured pencil, instead of black. Want a more natural look while using eyeliner? Use brown liner, instead of black. Apply liner in between lashes instead of across top lashline.
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Beauty
Your Hair Undone By Shawna Cyr Calder
Undone, messy hair, is the most perfectly imperfect style to rock as warmer, spring temperatures approach. The look is a mix between laid back beach tresses and street chic. Although it looks easy to accomplish, since it looks like you just got out of bedhair, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Here are a few pointers. - Get a great haircut. The better the cut, the less styling is needed. - Wash hair with a volumizing shampoo. Having greasy, dull hair styled messily isn’t very chic, but rather of a disheveled nature. - Finger comb through hair to rid yourself of any knots and tangles, while leaving the right amount of volume as well. Using a brush may cause more frizz then what we’re aiming towards. - Use a light, leave-in conditioner; something that won’t weigh your hair down. -
Air dry
- If low on time, you can use a blowdryer. Flip hair upside down, and use fingers to keep hair from tangling, while also scrunching hair. - Use a curling iron, and curl a few strands if need be, but don’t overdo it. - Spritz a little bit a of hairspray to keep waves from falling, and hair in place.
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Model Jordyn Fleury Photo by Luc Thibodeau
Sleek, Sexy Hair! By Kristina Mallet
Everyone loves a good sleek look, because it is so versatile. This look goes well for any occasion, so let’s learn a few techniques to get the perfect look. First step is the preparation. Takes your steps starting in the shower. Brush your hair before you step in and try not to mess your hair around. Next try picking a smooth down shampoo/conditioner combo. The ingredients are targeted for smoothing down, and it will add shine to the hair. You could also do a mask to help further this step. Next, pick your “after shower” products. Your routine shouldn’t stop after you condition, it should be up until the hair is done and styled. Get a leave conditioner/ protein cream, like Redken’s Extreme Anti-Snap or It’s A 10 Miracle leave-in Products. Both of these are great for giving your hair the protein it needs, also you can use these every day to see long lasting results. Next get some type of hair oil, like an argon or Moroccan oil and apply that all over your hair. Use according to your hair thickness! If you have thin hair, you don’t need as much as something with thick hair, and read your labels. Labels are so important, you don’t cook without instructions, so why play with products without reading. And the last product you should use is some type of blow dry/heat protector product. This may seem like a lot of products, but you take really good care of the rest of your body, why stop at the hair? Now you can start blow-drying. Start with a small section at the base of your hair, it’s easier this way. Use a 3 part section top of your head, middle and base of your hair. This gives the hair at the top of your head the chance to dry with added volume. Pull down and create sub-sections as you move along. Make sure the hair closets to the head is dry. If it feels cool or cold, keep blow-drying. Once you’re done, use your flat iron to smooth it down again and create shine. Shine is super important because it makes it look extra sleek. Be sure to use hairspray and some type of heat spray. You can also do some backcombing for a little added volume. And Voila! You’re all done! Enjoy your sleek sexy hair and feel sexy in it too!
Beauty Like A Rockstar! By Kristina Mallet Rockstars have it all: the fame, the fortune and the look. And as much as we may want the first 2, we have a better chance at getting the look. Makeup first, we want to see heavy, dramatic eyes! Blacks, dark blues and even some really deep shades of purple will do the trick. Black eyeliner and a really good mascara will finish the look. When it comes to your lips, you want bold colors. Deep plums, reds, or even bright colors like yellow, orange or pink will give you your rockstar look! Everything about the makeup must be big, bold and done with an “I don’t care, I look good” attitude. Hair should be messy, sexy, just got out of bed and I still look cute. It is super easy to get this look. Start with day old hair, it will easier to style. If you want curls, take a big curling iron, like a 1 inch, and curl around you hair but only half way down to the ends. Doesn’t have to be perfect at all. Next get some hair spray in there and use your fingers to ever-so-slightly back comb. Finish with hairspray. If your are going with a straighter look, your going to want some type of light to medium hair paste. Use a flat iron through your hair, then rub your hair paste though your hair, by grabbing pieces and twisting and turning them in different directions. Lastly, flip your hair upside down and shake your head for added measure. Lastly, with all this done, you got to have the attitude. The “I don’t care, I look good, I am good and will always be good” attitude. You’ve got the look, and act like you’ve got the fame and fortune too and you’re ready to rock some socks off.
Model Jordyn Fleury Photo by Luc Thibodeau
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o n o D y Case Casey on Friends...
above?
Today I was thinking about all the things that we want from our lives, past, present and from the future. You know the usual.... love, the perfect marriage, 2 or 3 perfect children...the modern house and don’t forget the ideal career. But, what we rarely hear anyone say is..... Friends.
The simple fact is, in a whole life time, we will truly only find a few friends that really fit the mould.
We spend so much time wishing for things that are beyond our reach that we tend to forget the things that help us reach them. I think we just assume that friends will always be there, but really a friendship is just as important and needs as much nurturing and effort as a marriage or career. After all, when all else fails, what is the one thing you do? The one person you call? That’s right, you call, lean on, and cry to the friend!
*call you when they are bored. *call you when they need something. *call you when they need advice. *call you when they need money.
Mothers will almost, always tell you what you want to hear. It’s their job. They protect you from any kind of hurt no matter what. We expect that. A friend however tells you what you need to hear. It’s just the way it is. They will tell you what not to wear, what to believe and the honest, brutal and very confronting truth about all the things you don’t want to hear because you know its true. Yes, you may have to fight back the urge to slap them, but then you realize, they say it because they love you, because they want to see you succeed, reach your full potential and you be the best person you can be. In short they are the ones that want to see you happy. Honestly happy. So this brings me to the question...How many of your friends, could you honestly describe what I have
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Then there are the “friends” that are purely self-motivated. The ones that are there for what ever reasons suit them at the time, you know the ones.
Where were they when you needed to be pulled from your bed at 3 in the afternoon, after crying constantly from a broken heart? Were they there to listen to you repeat the same story over and over again as you try to make sense of the world that has been turned upside down? Were they there ready to stand in front of you and risk harm to themselves rather than you get hurt? Have they been there when you go from total tears to absolute hysterics of laughter? Such laughter that you have an accident causing further humiliation. Such humiliation, at the constant jokes that you will be subjected to about your week bladder for years to come. Or, what about the random call you receive for no apparent reason, but it’s the time you needed to hear her voice the most? And on the subject of calls, the 2am call to let her know how awesome a date was, even though you knew she would be sleeping. But, she doesn’t mind, she knows that I’d take her call at that
hour of the morning if my phone wasn’t on silent. A true friend laughs when her friend laughs, cries when her friend cries, She picks her up when no one else can and if she cant, she gets down and lies with her until she is able to rise above all. A true friend can go without a visit for months and just as soon as you are re-united, its like there was no distance between you. So with this, my opinion of what a real friend is, I can let you know that, in my 26 years that I have seen friends come and go. Be the cause of pain and deception in my life, but I can also tell you I am fortunate to have the above mentioned people in my life. Not many but enough. And that’s fine by me. We sometimes put our friends aside, planning to call later or catch up. Don’t forget. Call them now, go for coffee, have a dinner or send a message just to say you are thinking of them. ---------------------------------------------------------
Casey on Love... It can stop you in your tracks and make you do all kinds of crazy stupid things. It can make you feel on-top of the world, alive. Make you feel whole. The unexplained butterflies that float around in your tummy. The longing you have for it when it goes away and the happiness it brings when you finally find what you have been looking for. People brag about it, preach about it, sing about it, and write about it. Express it through all kinds of art and it is the one thing everyone in this world has felt in one way or another. Love - Four letters, one syllable. An extremely powerful drug with no warning label and in some cases has extreme side effects. As I sit here listening to the one and only Billie Holiday sing me songs of the blues, Loss, Heartache and all things love! It takes me back to when I was a teenager and how I never wanted to believe in love. In fact, for the most part of my adolescent life I hated it! I didn’t understand what it meant, why anyone would want it or why anyone would want to love me! There was of course the beautiful classic fairytale cliché of “A happy ever after” followed by the harsh reality that everything must come to an end. Maybe I had this jaded
idea of what love was. Coming from a broken family with my parents separating when I was two and then years later with both pen ready, signing the one piece of paper that would undo the “I Do’s to ‘I don’t ‘ & Till death, we’re apart. It was hard to have any belief in something that could turn two people who once loved each other into nothing but bitterness. I didn’t want to know the sound of a broken heart so my theory was if I didn’t love, I couldn’t get hurt, boy was I wrong! As the years have passed me by, I have had my fair share of lust, crazy crushes and funnily enough, what I thought to be my “One true love” (That’s a whole other story in itself!) The simple truth is, you can look anywhere in this world, far and wide and you will honestly struggle to find one human being that hasn’t been touched by love in one way or another. Whether it be love for a child, a lover, a family member or a pet. It’s everywhere. It is the only thing that can overpower hate, greed and money. It forces forgiveness and erases bad memories. Love numbs pain and brings sunlight to the darkest days. It can be the epitome of happiness or the definition of misery. For example: true love fills you with optimism, you will find something positive in every situation that you find yourself in. But lose that love and it’s like the sun will never shine again, like your heart and stomach constantly turn over, physically ache. Emptiness consumes you. I feel that to really gain the full experience from love is to be loved, and to be loved the right way, should always come from a love that is bread from true honesty. I mean how can a person really love you or you them, if you aren’t truly yourself. Yes, we all have our insecurities, we are all human, but no-one person is perfect, although some like to believe they are. Which reminds me of a saying I once heard. “All those little things you hate about yourself, well, there is someone out there that will love all those things about you” And that is what love is all about. Loving yourself for who you are. Letting someone see you for who you are and loving them for all they are, faults and all. So, before you lay your head at night, alone or with a loved one, tell them you love them. And if you are single, stand in front of the mirror, look at your reflection, be proud of the person you see. Or make the changes that are required to be that person. Not in a physical sense but the person that is on the inside. For the only thing that should physically matter on what others see of you, is the smile on your face. n
Beauty
Color Pops! Adding Color to Your Makeup By Kristina Mallet
Colours! There was a time when color first hit the world, back in the 80’s (even a bit before that, but we’re talking when it really hit big outside of blue, green and red)! Now we have colors of everything from eye shadow to lips. We’ve seen some great trends, with nude lips, natural eye shadow, and played-down cheeks, but it’s time (again) to add color to our palettes. One of the most popular trends right now, LIPS! Colorful lips make any look go from nay to YAY in seconds. Choosing “complementary colors” really change your look. If you use a blue color on your eyes, try and orange-based color. If you wear green, add a red or pink-red, and If you like to wear purple on your eyes, try a more yellow-y color. You can play around with something similar to what was mentioned, so be sure to try different looks. You can always switch the looks to, such as red eyes and green lips or orange eyes, blue lips and so on. That’s what’s so great about different pops of color. If you like a little more color on the eye, even changing your eyebrows to blend with your eyes is awesome! Just do the same type of colors and you will have created a masterpiece. Other places you can add pops of color too, are cheeks. Don’t be afraid to add a shade of color to them. You can choose from a various list of orange, red, pink, nude, even some brown for just contouring. Knowing a color palette will be helpful hear. Refer to google for an image of one, and remember that it’s “complementary color” is that one directly across from it. Best search for this is color wheel. Another great place for some color is your hair. A few peek-a-boos here and there really add some personality. You can take color as far as you want, it really can be an expression of who you are.
Model Bretony MacDonald Photo by Mario Pierre Gaudreau
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Fashion
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Fringe It Up By Sarah Racicot
With all of these snow days, there is nothing better than to ravish your eyes with the upcoming spring styles. The countdown is on, warm weather is coming, and it is now time to replenish your wardrobe. The fringe is a feature we always see come back in the spring time, for it would be rather inconvenient in the winter time, with all that snow and our puffy coats most prefer a more cozy wear. Just like the groundhog, fringes announce spring like no other. As it fills the walls of our favorite stores you might wonder if the fringe is made for you. The answer is yes! Because it is made for everyone. From fierce to adorable, there is a fringe for every look. The first thing to remember when one attempts to create an outfit including fringe is that it will most likely be the center piece of the look, so it is important not to overdo it. Therefore, it is preferable to wear only one item featuring fringe at a time. However, you can still accessorize as much as you like, for the fringes will simply accentuate the look and add on to the statement of your jewelry. (P.s. avoid wearing long necklaces with a chest-fringe piece because it might get caught together and bother you all day long.) The first style to introduce the fringe was western. Boots and jackets, mainly confectioned of leather or suede, are the two items first decorated by fringes. It was later embezzled by styles like bohemian, indie and hippie. Today, it complements various different styles each in a very peculiar way. The material used is part of what determines the statement of the piece. For example, a more punk or grunge look might include fringes made of leather, chains or rope. Since most pieces embellished with fringes are chunky, it is better to keep the rest of the ensemble more tightly fitted. If you have a distinct, edgy style and are always looking for new fashion trends to experiment, the fringe skirt is perfect for you. The old-fashion cow-girl skirt has been reinvented. Designers are playing with length, colour and layering to help create skirts for all styles. Surely there is always the go-to accessory, the purse. A fringe purse is perfect for those of us who like to wear a fashion statement without having to go out of our way every morning, just add your purse to a simple outfit and voila !
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Introducing.. .
Josie Ho
Getting to interview an amazing actress like Josie Ho was an honor. Here’s how the interview unfolded:
ure…they are your precious lessons. Overcome it! Pick up and go again if you love what you do. Tell us a bit about your character in your upcoming film, “Full Strike”.
You are obviously a very driven woman, considering you are an award winning actress, a producer, a singer in a In my upcoming film “Full Strike,” I play an ex-badband and you design handbags. Which of these is the job minton champion called ‘Beast Ng’ who lost her career because of her extreme violent temper. So basiyou find the most rewarding? Why? cally, I get to play a loser in the film who meets another group of losers who then go on to inspire each other to I actually enjoy all of these experiences, but my most change their lives and find their dreams again in the end favorite one is definitely being a singer. I feel that there through badminton. It’s definitely a quirky and crazy is still so much to explore from singing for me. I really uplifting sport film. love live performances…its pure adrenaline! I’d say that acting is my second favorite thing. It’s always such a trip You used to play badminton yourself in high school. Did for me, but I get really bummed out when my best takes that help you with this film in any way? get cut. I think I find live performances more rewarding since there is no editing those! I came in second in an Ontario Interschool competition in high school…that’s actually the reason why I wanted Which of your jobs do you find most challenging? Why? to start this project…to chase after my old glory days. I am so happy that we found a very good coach to help I find being a producer is most challenging because I me brush up my skills again and it was a really fun time was never formally trained to do it. It’s a new job for me shooting on set. We kept playing badminton even offand I’m not sure that I really like it. It can be too much camera! for me sometimes, but there is so much to learn from others. I originally started 852 Films for the purpose of Are there any actors you would really like to work with in fetching myself good roles as well as find fun subjects to the future? Why? shoot and tell stories about. But more so for good roles I’m a huge huge fan of Johnny Depp’s and would probfor myself…yes, I’m very honest ;-) ably pass out if I saw him in real live. I’ve also written a song for him called “Johnny Depp” in my latest album. Being an heiress likely leads people to believe certain steIt’s the first time I completed all of the lyrics for one reotypes about you, but it sounds as though you have song because he inspires me so much. I wish I was as worked hard to achieve your goals, without your career versatile as him. being financially supported by your parents. How do you think that has benefited you? You were able to attend the 2014 Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week as a VIP guest to Chanel & Elie Saab. That Now that I look back, I know that it was the right choice. must have been amazing! What did you enjoy most about I wanted to do it this way because I was really curious to those two days? see how far my talent would get me. Truth is, I’m a teeny tiny fish in a gigantic ocean….striving to survive every Yes, I was very honored to have been invited to these day. two fashion shows. I was just so amazed with their productions and all those beautiful clothes and models. It What advice do you have for women who may be nervous felt really dreamy! It’s like I was in heaven where everyto follow their own dreams? thing is probably just as perfect as that. Everyone needs a spark in life. If you like something, you’ll do well because you will have put your heart into it so much that you’ll become invincible. Don’t fear fail-
Your handbags are slightly edgy, yet glamorous. When did you know that you wanted to design handbags? Was there a certain theme you used when designing the Spring 2015 line? To be honest, I’ve only designed one bag from the very first collection…all the other bags are cross-overs with fashion bloggers, me and my partner Annie Lee. Our theme is to be whimsical, fun and affordable. Both Annie and I are the founders of this brand. We had the opportunity to slowly climb the ladder in that world and have since worked with some very interesting designers such Joomi Lim last season. I hope you like our bags! They are really fun and practical. Check them out at Urban Outfitters or Harvey Nichols. Our brand is called Matahari and we also have online store. Okay, I should really stop selling. Sorry!! I read that you spent some time in Canada when you were a teenager. What brought you to Canada in the first place? My family migrated to Toronto, Canada in the 90’s
where I was sent to a boarding school and I miss all the fun from it. Canada is a really chilly place, but the people are nice to everyone. I’d love to go back and spend some more time there when I have another vacation coming up. I would imagine Canada and Hong Kong are very different. What did you enjoy most about your time in Canada? Do you miss anything about Canada? I definitely love the snow in Canada. Hong Kong doesn’t get snow at all. I like skiing and the fact is it’s only a few hours’ drive up to the mountains. I miss Whistler and I miss my High School Ridley College and Alma College, I learned how to speak English there and met a lot of friends…some of us are still in contact. Boarding school rocks! I love it!
For more information about Josie Ho, or to follow her latest and upcoming works, visit her official website: www.josieho.com
Fashion
Forever Leather BY MELANIE MCLEAN
We have seen leather on our favourite celebs and on the runways for a while now. Incorporated in ways such as; leather cut-outs, leaves, trim, and it docent seem to be going anywhere. Gone are the days when people would give you a dirty look for wearing leather pants as daywear. Leather is a great, bold, fabric choice to bring your wardrobe to the next level of chicness, however it’s not cheap, so being the savvy fashionista you are (since you’re already reading PinkBlitz...) you should try and spend your cash in a piece that is timeless and can be worn for years to come. Here are a few ways you can be confident in you leather purchase, because as the beautiful Donna Summer told us, ‘She works hard for the money. So hard for it, honey.’ The leather jacket has been a favourite among the fashion-savvy crowd since forever ago. It has the power to make you look great and feel like a rock star. Yes there is a difference between the leather blazer/jackets of the 90’s and what looks hot now but a great motorcycle jackets seems to be the style that can stand the test of time. Leather pants have seen many transformations over the years and they come in a range of styles from leggings to wide-leg trousers. A skinny leather pant, or leather leggings, are so versatile they can go from day to night with ease, they bring a polished edge to any look and in my opinion are definitely giving you a great bang for your buck. Leather skirt, now this one is a bit tricky, we have seen leather miniskirts to leather tartans come and go. If you want a leather look that can be office appropriate, opt for a well-fitting leather pencil skirt. A pencil skirt that fits well, and hits just above the knee, is such a timeless look and getting your hands on a great black leather pencil skirt is an investment that’s sure to pay off when you think of C.P.W (cost per wear) which is something I always consider when dropping some doing on any addition to my wardrobe, if I can see myself for wearing it ten times and its $100.00 that’s $10.00
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every time I wear it, is it worth it? If something is $100.00 and I can see myself eating it fifty time then that’s $2.00 every time I wear it... I like that math much better. Whatever leather option you choose, make sure it makes you feel comfortable wearing it, because wearing your favourite leather with confidence can make your day go from good to great!
Model Darrelyn Masson Photo by Mario Pierre Gaudreau
The weather, the colds, the coughs, the winter blues, it all seems to drag on forever. When your front door is jammed in snow, your car is buried to the top and all of your long johns are in the washer, it becomes more than tempting to snuggle back in bed and hibernate until you can dust off your sandals and fry in the sun. Unfortunately, we can’t always spend our days nestled in the warmness of our blanket fort, nor can we wear our snuggie to go outside. But now, there is one item that may solve that problem, and as soon as we can put away these puffy winter jackets we will gladly welcome this new add to our coat closet. Burberry is a renowned worldwide clothing brand that is more specifically known for its coats. Many celebrities are rather fond of Burberry jackets, it is part of what gives the company so much prestige today. We will see people like Kate moss, Emma Watson and Zooey Deschanel adorning themselves of Burberry Fashion articles. Even the men’s line is fancied by people like will.i.am., Tom Hardy and Andrew Garfield. The very latest add to the coat collection is the blanket coat. This warm garment is the perfect mix of a light jacket and a comfy poncho. It can be worn either on its own or over another vest or light jacket, you can even add a belt to give it a form fitting touch and bring the attention to your waist. They come in various shapes and colors. The most extravagant ones should be worn on top of a plainer outfit, while the matte colored ones are perfect to tie together any ensemble. The coat itself is not proper to one specific style of clothing, therefore it can be worn with a very wide range of outfits. For a sophisticated look it can easily be paired with a dress or chic jumper, and to finish it off; a pair of cute heels. As for a more relax look, you can easily layer it on top of a band shirt or a plaid flannel, along with jeans (boyfriend cut, for example) and some flat shoes.
Wrapp ed in S t yle: Bur bu ry BY SARAH RACICOT
Fashion
Necklines for YOU
By Natasha Dore
Ever wonder what necklines would fit your body? Which dress to wear for a night out with the girls? I am a believer in wearing whatever you like, but necklines will help transform how you see your body. Wanting to look taller, fuller, or more elegant, necklines can transform your body into looking whichever look you’re going for. Whether you are tall, short, broad shoulders, or a petite woman, you can always emphasize your body and bring out your curves. Sweetheart necklines work best with slender to average sized woman, bringing the eye to focus on the curves of the neckline will also add to the curves of your own body. Portrait necklines, work great on many body types, but broad shoulders will only accentuate the broadness of the shoulders. It is a great look to wear to a wedding, to look classic and sophisticated, grabbing the attention of your peers. Scoop necklines work the best with larger women, bringing the right attention to the right places, and making sure everything is held in place. Square neckline also works well for these women. Flaunt what you have and stand proud, this neckline is great for a night out with your friends Women who may lack in the chest department, the off shoulder is great, having your shoulders exposed and a deep neckline, it plays to the idea of showing more skin grabbing then attention if you so wish to. Always dress to impress, yourself.
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Red Trend
Fashion
By Natasha Dore
Any way to bring a little sparkle into your wardrobe is great. Wish Valentine’s Day up and gone, red can still be the main focus of our outfits. Red is the color of romance and love, but it is also a powerful color that draws the eye. If you’re wondering how you can bring some red into your life without going out and buying a full fire truck red dress, there some simple solutions you can try. One is very easy, red lip stick. Red lipstick is very classic and it makes your look more romanticized. Dark red is great for the office and a little less “in your face” for the professional look. For a night out with the girls, bright red lips are fun and spice up your appearance. Having casual clothes, such as dark blue jeans or grey tone dresses, red heels can add a pop of color to any mundane looking outfit. Wearing a professional outfit to work, but having a night out planed afterwards, keeping a pair of red heels in the back seat of your car or under the desk at your office will give your office look a pick me up and help you stand out in the crowds. Red scarfs can warm up any chilly outdoor look as well. Being over shadowed by a large winter coat during the cold Canadian season can make anyone feel just “part of the crowd” but putting a splash of color will make you feel more lively and less worn down by the cold. Model Bianca Jones Photos by Luc Thibodeau
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Fashion
Athletic Attire: The New Sexy
By Amanda Lynch
Whether you are a workout queen or you just want to look the part, the opportunity to look good while doing so is here and in full force. Thanks to Lululemon and Nike which started the trend of stylish workout gear, we are seeing an increased amount of companies making a break in the industry to offer eye turning options for a fraction of the price. Whichever you love to do be it yoga, running, lifting weights or even walking, here is a compiled list of some great online resources to find a few in budget pieces for what you need: Fabletics - This is a monthly subscription in which you take an initial personal style quiz and the website generates workout clothes that closely match your taste. With an outfit starting at $25, this is a highly affordable option. Albionfit - Although the active wear on Albionfit is slightly comparable in price to the leading companies, the prints and colours available boast some unique options. Bonus: shipping to Canada is available as well as sizes xxs-xxl. Urban Outfitters - A plethora of cool and unique pieces, and lots of them. Options include loud patterned leggings, bright colours and many graphic tops. Muladhara Yoga- Specifically geared toward the graphic inclined yogi, these articles of clothing available through Amanda Sutherland’s Etsy page are a piece of art, if nothing else. The shop owner, designer and creator is a yoga instructor and lives in Calgary, Alberta. Not only are they handmade, they are available in different lengths for a custom feel. The best way to work up a sweat is by choosing beautiful and creative athletic wear pieces, showcasing your own personal style. If confidence if what gets you to push harder, then why not?
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t s i l y t S
Ask the
With Scott McLean
Yes, brights are great for summer but there is something to be said for a chic and subtle summer color pallet. There are two ways you can go about this:
What are the most common style mistakes you’ve see women make? How do you suggest fixing them?
1. Mud Tones – Mud tones like beige, cream, muddy grey and almost every other earth tone with a “dirt” feel to it is perfect for a more subtle summer color pallet.
When wearing these tones it is important to go for a laid back and loose fitting style. This is a very good One of my biggest pet peeves for as long as I can recasual chic summer look with a bit of an edge. Think member is women who wear leggings as pants. I get loose tanks, relaxed pants and shorts and oversized they are comfortable but so are flannel onsies and we tees. don’t go around wearing those in public do we? Leggings are a great basic but it should also be basic not You’re fabrics should be lightweight and flowy like a show your womanly parts off to the world. This fix is thin brushed cotton and linen. If you’re in need of ineasy. Cover up your crotch when wearing leggings. spiration look at designers like Rick Owens and The Row. Another fashion fail is when I see women wearing clothes that don’t fit. I know it is easy to buy loose fit2. Black and White – This may seem basic but ting clothes so you don’t have to worry about fit but when pulling off a black and white look you need to this gives off a slobbish look. Not cute. This fix is not be very selective. When done right a full on black and as easy but finding the right fit goes a long way. white look can be chic and fashionable. Take the extra time and try different cuts, silhouettes, In order not to look like a starving artist play with and rises on and see what works for your body. There textures, fits, fabrics, and prints when choosing your is clothing for every body type. Don’t hide your body shades. like you would an old busted sofa. Show off your body in great fitting and flattering clothes. This will balance out your outfits. What you lack in color you make up for with interesting fabrics, texI get bright colors are good for spring and summer, but I tured finishes, and structured pieces that will add the prefer wearing dark, earthy tones. How can I still keep extra dimension to your look. in style?
What’s “In” and What’s “Out” Fashion is one of the most cyclic things in our society. No industry embraces comebacks quit like fashion does. I love a good comeback and much like Mariah Carey’s The Emancipation of Mimi trends like denim and fringe are back in a big way. Here is my opinion of what’s “In” and what’s “Out” for April 2015.
Fashion
In Denim – I never thought I would see the day where anyone could pull off a head to-toe denim look since the whole Britney and Justin red carpet debacle. This spring designers like Stella McCartney and Chloe have proven me wrong. When choosing an all denim look it’s all about the pieces you choose. A loose denim dress is a must have look this spring. Opt for a more boho or peasant style dress. A one piece jumper is also a very chic way to pull off denim. Once again a looser fit in a softer denim is a perfect choice when going for a one piece. Denim is a more insulating fabric so it’s also perfect for transitioning through seasons. Fringe – Fringe gave us something of a western throwback a while ago but it’s back and better than ever. It’s less dusty western and more fabulous flapper. This spring fringe is touching more on the roaring 20’s and can be found lining the bottom of dresses, cropped tops, and skirts. Fringes this year are thinner and more lightweight giving a lighter and more delicate look. This is a large difference from the heavy suede western fringe we saw a few years ago. Out Gladiator Sandals – This trend had its time but I feel it’s time is up. We’ve seen gladiator sandals go all the way up to the knee but now they can only go down from there. They were a cute look but I feel this year’s warmer months call for more simple and structured sandals. Leave all the lacing behind and go for a more sport inspired minimalistic sandal. Mocassins – These have been over for some time but I just want to but the final nail in this coffin. There are many cuter options other than the moccasin flat. They are a little juvenile and played out. Yes they are comfortable but if comfort is your thing than opt for a sporty look and wear a sporty yet chic running shoe (paired with the appropriate sporty-chic outfit obviously).
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The Vintage Romance Editorial by Elaine Valerie and Isabelle Gloria. Model isabelle gloria
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Author Karen Koenig
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Pinkblitz Magazine Editor in Chief Lilly Babineau was recently sent a copy of Karen Koenig’s newest book, ‘Outsmarting Overeating’. Intrigueed by the concept, we were given the opportunity to interview Koenig about her book, what brought her to writing it, and her life. What made you decide to write this book?
they’re around it more than men—they food shop, prepare meals, feed the kids, and clean up the kitchen. Plus, Over the decades, I couldn’t help but notice that many traditionally, though less true in the last few decades, of my clients and workshop students lacked the skills they’ve been stuck at home and food has been easily they needed to get through life effectively and that this accessible, as opposed to being in an office or working is one of the reasons they turned to food when they outdoors. were stressed or distressed. They were poor at selfregulation (ie, knowing what’s too much or too little Moreover, women have always felt more pressure than or just enough) in so many areas. They had what I call men to look attractive and meet a cultural physical an “enough disorder,” including difficulty balancing norm. That pressure has made us diet which is the gatework and play, eg, feeling resentful while working, then way behavior to eating disorders which starts of a viguilty when relaxing; insufficient competence in criti- cious cycle of dieting and overeating. cal thinking and problem-solving skills, leading them to make poor decisions based on how they felt not on what Lastly, women have been discouraged from expressing they thought was best for them; an inability to make certain feelings—anything to do with dissatisfaction, and stick to goals they set. What I saw went beyond in- pride, anger in certain areas. In my book, Nice Girls ept emotional management, but ran across the board in Finish Fat—Put Yourself First and Change Your Eating many areas of their lives. I finally realized that many of Forever, I explain how women have been taught to use them had developed eating problems that were caused the “nice” crayon almost exclusively and have been soand exacerbated by mismanagement of their lives. cialized not to use their anger, intelligence or creativity. It’s time they use all the crayons in the box and, when In your book, you make the connection between a person’s they do, they’ll not need to turn to food so much, espeeating habits and their life skills. When did you, yourself, cially for comfort. first realize that connection? Writing each of my books has made me feel as if, “Ah, this is the answer to helping troubled eaters have a better relationship with food,” and each concept and book has failed to totally resolve their eating problems. For myself, I’ve been working since I was a young girl on developing life skills. For example, I felt I angered easily as a child and modeled myself after Jo in Little Women who made it her mission to curtail her temper. Ever since, I’ve been focusing on developing skills to manage my life better. It’s such common practise that when faced with troubles, women especially, will resort to comfort eating. Why is that, and how would you recommend to change that habit? Women turn to food for several reasons. One is because
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If you could summarize your book for those who haven’t read it, how would you best describe it’s contents? The question that underlies the book is this: What if your eating problems aren’t really about food? What if they’re about your shortage of life skills? If so, by learning and practicing a range of effective skills, you’ll forge a better life which will include less stress and distress. And, when you manage life more effectively, you’ll be happier and feel more satisfied and won’t need to turn to food for comfort, coping or fun.
relationship with food is affecting your eating and consider what life skills you need to learn and improve to create a more balanced, happy and meaningful life. When that happens, your relationship with food will automatically improve. What can we expect to see from you in the next year?
I’ll continue to blog at http://www.eatingdisordersblogs. com, have a Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/karen.r.koenig.9, and moderate my Food and Feelings message board http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ You are a licensed psychotherapist, an eating coach, au- foodandfeelings. I hope to return to fiction writing, thor and motivational speaker. Was this always some- more specifically writing screenplays, and have recently thing you wanted to do, or were you inspired by specific begun to write music. But another book on eating is events? Tell us about it. certainly not out of the realm of possibility. I had eating problems from my teenage years on. I’m approaching 68 and it’s only in the second half of my life that I’ve been a “normal” eater. During my teens and for the next decade, I was a chronic dieter and what I’d describe as a world-class binge-eater. I had bulimia for a year and a half and didn’t take good care of myself in other ways. When I finally got my act together, I wanted to help others and, with a Masters in Education, started teaching in a program to help troubled eaters become “normal” eaters. As students began to come to me after class asking for individual help, I realized I needed more clinical expertise and returned to school for a Masters in Social Work. So, I meld my personal and professional experience together, which is a great gift for me and my clients. What is your take on all of these fad diets popping up all over? I wish there were no such things as diets, as they take us farther and farther away from our true biological appetite. Fad diets are especially harmful, giving false hope and teaching troubled eaters nothing about how to eat or live sanely. Fad diets are unethical and we need to be smarter than to go on them. This is what I mean by people lacking problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. If they had them, they wouldn’t dream of dieting. If you could offer just one piece of solid advice to those who struggle with overeating or binging, what would it be? Start being curious about how your life beyond your
Relationships
Signs It’s Time to Let Go
By Elizabeth McLelland
Most of us have been in a relationship longer than we should have been. It would be nice to have some kind of guide, some way of knowing when it’s time to let go. As women, we tend to try too hard or put in a little more than the man. If you’re not like that, I envy you! Women can be so giving that they try everything before they will allow themselves to give up or move on. I’m here to let you in on seven sure fire signs that it’s time to let go. 1) Romantically interested in other people. Firstly, if you are looking around and even considering meeting or dating someone else, you are not committed to the person you are with. If you’re wondering about the other fish in the sea, it’s time to say goodbye to your current relationship before you move on to the next person. 2) Looking for time away from them. Another sign that it’s time to let go, is if you are happier spending time away from them than you are spending time with them. Perhaps you are looking for excuses not to spend time with them, like staying late at work or planning more time out with your friends than usual. If you don’t want to spend much time with your partner, it’s probably time to let go.
can get tough, but it shouldn’t be tough all the time. You should feel like you have someone who is your partner and wants to do things to make you happy, not sad. Too many tears and it’s time to say adios! 6) Avoiding intimacy. If you have no interest in being intimate with your partner, perhaps the thought makes you feel a bit queasy, it’s definitely time to move on. This person should make your heart skip a beat or give you a warm feeling when you are near them (okay, not all the time, but most of the time) and you should want to demonstrate your feelings by being intimate with them. If you’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’, it’s time to let go. 7) Different future plans. Lastly, if you have very different goals for the future, say you want children and he doesn’t, it’s time to let go. You may think you will change your mind or he will change his mind down the road, but likely you will just start to resent your partner. My dad told me, you better like the man for who he is, because good luck changing him! If you don’t have similar plans for the future, it’s a good idea to end things before it gets messy. It’s true, breaking up is hard to do, but putting up with someone just to avoid breaking up is no better. Likely the thought of having to let go will be harder than the actual act of letting go. Once it does end, give yourself some time to rejuvenate and then get back out there and find who it was you were meant to be with. There is a whole world of happy out there just waiting for you!
3) The trust is gone. If you can’t trust your partner anymore, then it is definitely time to say goodbye. A relationship without trust will lead you to doing things you wouldn’t normally do, like looking through their phone or questioning everything they do. It will make you feel crazy! No trust means it’s time to move on. 4) Everything they do annoys you. When you get annoyed by every little thing your partner does and you are questioning why you even got together with them in the first place, it’s likely time to let go. At first, we find their little quirks cute or intriguing. When they become so annoying you can’t stand it, that’s a problem. I once heard that if you can think of more things that you dislike about your partner than you like about them, it’s over. 5) Crying all the time. When you feel frustrated, angry or hurt more than you are happy about your relationship, it’s time to end things. No one wants to be in a relationship that brings them down more than it brings them up. Sure, times
Model Erica Chevarie Photo by Mario-Pierre Gaudreau
Reading Him Like A Book By Elizabeth McLelland
Men aren’t always the easiest to communicate with. Many of them are not interested in discussing their feelings and explaining themselves. Perhaps that is why we have body language to help us out! It’s important, though, that we understand what he is telling us with his body language. Not only must we understand, but also follow these signs and either encourage his positive interest or not let ourselves get sucked in when he’s not really interested. Most importantly, we want to know when he is interested in us. How will we know? What will he do? When he smiles at you, this can be a definite sign that he is into you, but it needs to be a true smile. The smile needs to show up in his eyes, not just on his lips. If his eyes are sparkling while he smiles, that’s a pretty good sign that he’s interested. His eyes really are the key to his soul, and good eye contact goes along with that. If he’s interested in what you are saying and is looking deeply into your eyes, without moving them around to notice others, this is a very good sign. He will be actively listening to what you have to say and involved in the conversation, if he’s interested in you. While he is in your company, you might notice a guy who is into you leaning in towards you. He wants to be close to you and in your bubble. Guys point their crotch towards what they want. So, if he wants to sit close and feel your energy, that’s a good thing. Make sure if you are into him, you send out that positive energy so he can receive it! Along with being close to you, a guy who is interested will likely want to touch you. Perhaps you will feel his hand brush your knee, or touch your hand. He might want to touch shoulders while sitting next to you. Perhaps he will brush a stray hair out of your face or touch your cheek. If he’s feeling it, he’ll likely be touchy feely!
interested? What will he be doing? Well, likely he won’t be doing any of the above. Guys who are sitting in a closed off position, arms crossed, legs and torso turned away from you, are not likely interested. It could be a lack of self-confidence, but you don’t really want someone like that either. If he is leaning away from you, keeping his distance and putting extra space between you, he’s not likely interested. He’s not feeling that natural pull in your direction that he should be feeling if he were interested. Someone who is looking around the room at every passerby is not likely into you either. Sure, guys notice other women, but not every single woman who walks by. You know what I am talking about. If they are spending more time with their eyes wandering, they’re not interested and you shouldn’t be either. Lastly, a guy who does not keep up with or follow your conversation is also not interested. He should want to get to know you, hear what you have to say and contribute to the conversation. If you catch him saying, “What’s that?” or, “Sorry, I missed what you said” more than once, he’s not into what you’re saying and therefore, not worthy of you. It can feel so good when you are attracted to someone. It gets your blood flowing and your mind nice and foggy. Just remember, you want those feelings to be mutual. Don’t let yourself get swept away unless you know his heart is skipping a beat when he’s around you too! Be sure to listen to what he’s saying with his mouth, but make sure to check out his body language too. When he’s into you, you’ll be able to see it!
Now for the tough part. How will you know if he is not
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Relationships
Planning A First Date He’ll Love By Elizabeth McLelland
When planning a first date, it’s important to take both people involved into account. You want something you can both go and do together and enjoy. Sometimes on a first date, it’s tough because you often don’t know very much about his interests. The key would be to find out before you make plans a little bit about him.
or two of them. Maybe start at a place that is known for a great main course and finish off at a place that is known for great desserts and coffee. He’ll be sure to enjoy the food and perhaps you’ll get to try a new kind of food together. This will help him to see that you are open to trying new things, something that a foodie will surely appreciate.
Does he like sports? Is he into music? Maybe he is a foodie? Does he love beer or wine? Once you know at If your date loves beer or wine, you might decide to line least one of his key interests, you can plan away for a up a visit to a few different restaurants or pubs that will first date that he will LOVE and you can also enjoy. allow him to sample different kinds of beer or wine. If he loves beer, perhaps plan to go to a place that has 50 It’s important to remember that a first date is a time to or more beers on tap. That will allow you to each get a get to know one another. You want to make sure the date different kind of beer and, perhaps, taste each other’s. you plan is something that will allow you to have time Beer that comes from the tap is just so much better to to talk. That’s one reason I am not a huge fan of going people who are into beer. to the movies for the first few dates. It’s also a reason why I think a place where you can have a drink is good. He might love wine. A wine tasting night could be I’m not talking about getting sloppy drunk, but a drink happening at a local liquor store or restaurant. Getting often calms nerves and gets people to relax a bit more. tickets to that allows you both the opportunity to try This is very important if you or perhaps your date is not lots of different kinds of wine, without having to buy a the most outgoing person. bottle of each. Maybe you’re even lucky enough to live near a place that has wineries and vineyard tours. This is If he’s really into sports, maybe you can take him to a an absolute must-do for anyone who is into wine. Even local sporting event. Even if you aren’t super into sports if you’re not a huge fan of wine, you will learn about yourself that will give him something to “teach” you which wines are more subtle and drinkable. Choosing about. It gives him a real opportunity to converse with the right kind of wine could change your mind about it. you and to show you what it is he loves about sports. The drinking techniques they teach also help to make Besides, going to a live sporting event is nothing like wine a more enjoyable experience. watching sports on TV, so you will be able to enjoy a drink or two and immerse yourself in the excitement of Your date may not fit into any of these categories, but the crowd. you get the idea. Find out one of his key interests, do a little research about local places and make sure it’s Maybe music is more his thing. Getting tickets to a show something you can enjoy too. Planning a date he LOVES he likes would be great, but even a night out at karaoke will only be a success if you are also enjoying yourself. or where live music is played will be enjoyable for him. But, don’t be afraid to stretch yourself a bit, you may Make sure you don’t choose a band you can’t stand, or find out something new and exciting about yourself in it’ll be obvious you’re not having a good time and that the process. will drag him down. Perhaps he’s a foodie. Do a little bit of research on some local restaurants that have great reviews and hit up one
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Relationships
You and Your Spring Fling! By Elizabeth McLelland
Ah, spring! Time to shake off those winter blues! The weather is warming up, the air smells sweeter and it’s time for a little sexual renewal. Winter can be so cold, especially here in Canada. We are all bundled up, kept hibernating indoors for far too long and have less daylight hours than seems fair. As spring arrives, we get this sense of warmth and the possibility of new beginnings.
More daylight hours gives us that wonderful boost of serotonin we have been missing during the long winter months. Serotonin improves our mood and increases our sex drive. An increased sex drive gets us out on the hunt for someone to share our heightened passion with.
Outside, the trees and flowers begin to blossom. We get that sense of rejuvenation and naturally we are more Once the snow starts to melt and the weather starts to prone to wanting to blossom ourselves. Spring is our warm up, people begin to venture out more. Rather chance each year to begin fresh. We can put our best than staying in all bundled up by the fireplace, people foot forward, breathe in the new opportunities and take go out and meet others. The more often people are out chances in our love life. of their house, the more likely they are to connect with someone new, someone who can get them fired up and So, why not get out there and breathe in the sweet aroma of love that is out there waiting for you? Peel feeling sexy again. off those layers of clothing, get back to exercising and Springtime means less layers of clothing too. No longer feeling good about yourself and soak up the sunshine! are we hiding in our big, puffy winter coats, but we are Let yourself get sucked in by the sexual renewal in the now able to put on that sexy dress and those fabulous air and get carried away by newfound passion. Sure, it heels and head out to find a new mate. When we are may only turn out to be a spring fling, but it might be able to dress sexier, we feel sexier and are more likely to just what you need to shake off those winter blues and get things going again. get flirtatious.
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Ink the Dress Editorial by terrie leblanc model Courtney butler-milne
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