POPCULTURE Issue 17

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2016

S U B S C R I B E T O U S F R E E : P O P C U LT U R E L I V E . N E T

FA C E B O O K & I N S TA G R A M @ P O P C U LT U R E L I V E

ISSUE 17

FREE COPY

“My designs come from my passion, my passion for forms�

OT-4

Emmanuel Dietrich

with Dietrich Rubber Strap

Authorised Retailer

Artist, Designer, Creator

115, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar Park, 59000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia +60 3-2202 3115 | twa@thewatchatelier.com

thewatchatelier thewatchatelier

A SPEC IA L GIFT FOR NEW YEA R

OT-1

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EXCLUSI V E OFFER POPCULTURE MEMB ER PR I C E RM7,000

OT-2 PLACE YOUR ORDER VIA EMAIL TO SUBMIT@CDMGLOBALGROUP. COM WITH THE SUBJECT HEADER: DIETRICH OT-1 / OT-2 / OT-3 / OT-4.

IT’S WORTH YOUR TIME. WEBSITE WWW.DIETRICH.COM FACEBOOK DIETRICH OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM DIETRICH

// //

OT-3 EXCLUSI V E OFFER POPCULTURE MEMBER PRI CE RM5,000 w/ curatedbypopculture.com ig/ @curatedbypopculture

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CALLING ALL CREATIVE TALENTS

Rest yle , A Cut Above , Follicle , Atmosphere

w r i t e r s , b l o g g e r s , m o d e l s , s t y l i s t s , h a i r , m a k e u p, p h o t o g r a p h e r s ,

by Nina , Albert Nico , Alph Plus , Winson Kow

v i d e o PRODU C ERS , d e s i g n e r s , i l l u s t r at o r s , t h e l i s t g o e s o n . . .

Hairtistic , The Wave Saloon , L a Diva Touch ,

Hair Saloon , Harmony Studio , Curlers & Trimmers , Hareta Hair Studio , Jeff Lee The Hair Company , Cameo Hair Lounge , Capello

Michael & Guy , The Color Shop , Peek A Boo

L e t u s b e yo u r p l at f o r m t o e x p r e s s yo u r c r e at i v i t y a n d s h o w c a s e

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yo u r ta l e n t s !

W e w e l c o m e yo u t o s e n d u s yo u r p o r t f o l i o w i t h yo u r c o n ta c t d e ta i l s + yo u r a r e a o f e x p e r t i s e / pa s s i o n , a n d w e p r o m i s e t o

A

TNT

Ecole P

arrange contributing roles wherever possible.

coffee & cafe

B

TNT coffee & cafe

future t a stem a k ers be g i n h ere :

Ecole P

I N F O @ C D M G L O B A L G R O U P. C O M CON TE D EF E E M A R K ET I NG ( M ) SDN B HD 13-2, BLOCK E2, DATARAN PRIMA, JALAN PJU 1/42A, 47301, PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA. E : INFO@CDMGLOBALGROUP.COM T : 012-326 9898

Our Team Chief Hustler JASON ENG

M a r k e t i n g & PR M a v e r i c k GARY CHEOK

M a r k e t i n g N i n j a & Ta l e n t M a n a g e r AIMI HAZWANI

Chief of Content Curation WE N DY C H AN

Brand Strategist A N SO N S I AU

Designer Junkie H SI N G T EO H

Editorial

Da p h ne Loong I sab elle Ko h E ly s h a Ar nold

C0 M0 Y0 K100 C60 M70 Y65 K80

Head of Sales NIC NG

Brand Innovator NoRA ZRUL AZIZI

not

i’m a

CHEF .cafe.

The Meeples Logo Guide Logo Options

Social Media & Digital M ac Jake Tabit ha Ban

Ev e nt s & Po p b e a c o n s Jack y S oh

Horizontal Full Logo (Primary Logo)

Vertical Full Logo

Text only logo (Only use when the Logo mark is already present in the design)

Vertical Outline Logo with no description

Logo Only

Use sparingly. When possible, use the red background version.

Suitable for small sizes. e.g.

Videographer Tommy Tay

Po w e r Int e r n s YEE K AY YEE CHENG

Future Rockstars

[ ap p ly here ]

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WHEN YOU NEED THE MOST - NIKE

Not blessed with that lusted over thigh gap? Worry not!

Top sprinter, English Gardner said, “I have to have my tights. Tights help keep you stabilised, [and yet] give you enough free flow of movement to have the power.”

Motivated to win in Rio at the top of mind, Gardner relies on her tights to help stabilise sore muscles and aid recovery. No matter the athletic activity, proper attire is always a must. Thanks to Nike whom continue to innovate sportswear, they provide us with the essentials for our exercise.

Taking Gardner’s insights as a starting point, Nike introduces their Power Speed Tights. The brains behind Nike employed a slim cut to maximise compression to the thighs, provided by a lightweight, high-elastane Dri-FIT fabric that has ample stretch and retraction to smoothly adapt to the runner’s stride. The narrow cut of the tights

w/ popculturelive.net ig/ @popculturelive

in turn encourages stability. The higher compression along the hip, thigh, calf and Achilles tendon notably enhances compression, which boosts muscle control.

The tights are designed to stabilise aching muscles and aid in post-sport recovery.

Going far above the basic tights, the designers at Nike has solved the needs for all runners - elite and everyday alike, by adding an encased drawcord at the waist for a more personalised fit. At the ankles, you can find that the bonded design features zippers. Need some space to store your personals? Nike has you covered! A vapour-lined pocket for phones or keys sits on the back hip for men and at the back centre for women. The pair of tights also features a flat lock seam panel for protection against chafing and a gusseted crotch area.

SUPA GOOD - FOR HER

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PLAyGROUND’s LOVE

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Spot a supagood worthy of sharing? Tag #popculturesupagood on instagram and we just might feature em here. Don't forget to tag us @popculturelive too!

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Left Page: 1) Topshop - Flower studded sandal RM295, 2) A.P.C - June bag $530, 3) Zara - Grey Blazer RM319, 4) Herschel - Strand $660, 5) H&M -Imitation Suede Coat RM199, 6) Alexander McQueen - Cocoon jacket $1,770, 7) Topshop -Bleach Wash Boy Jeans by Boutique RM360, 8) Bao Bao - Platinum-1 Tote SS16, 9) Kate Spade -Cory Flats $198, 10) Monki - Novana Dress $25, 11) Alexander Wang - Cable Knit Turtleneck Dress $328, 12) MCQ - Denim Jacket $1,770 13) Alexander Wang - Prisma Backpack in Suede and Ostrich Embossed Greige $1,342.00, 14) Marc Jacob - Long Sleeve Crew Neck Dress with lace $1600, 15) Francesco Ballestrazzi - Daydream ss15, 16) Topshop- Moto Clean Seam A-Line Skirt RM170, 17) Zara - Twill shirt RM130.90

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Right page: 1) Monki -Labrina Knitted Top $20, 2) 3.1 Philip Lim - Bianca medium flap crossbody with fringe $1050, 3) H&M - A-line denim skirt RM119, 4) Francesco Ballestrazzi- Daydream ss15, 5) Tunique - Tribal Earring- Nude HK$480, 6) Joyrich - Football Snapback white X gold $53, 7) Zara - Shirt dress RM119.90, 8) H&M- Blouse with a stand -up collar RM59.90, 9) 3.1 Philip Lim - Apricot with brown lens $270, 10) Fendi - Bag Bug white and green mink fur , 11) Joyrich Maripol Flyer invite jacket off white $220, 12) & Other stories -FAUX real get ready bangle $29, 13) Topshop - Mix Panel Boxy Shirt RM195, 14) & Other Stories - Lace Traingle Bra $25, 15) Tunique - Tiny Spike bangle HK$750

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Left Page: 1) www.endclothing.com -RRL Baseball Jacket RM1235.22, 2) Asics Tiger X A Bathing Ape -The Gel-lyte V X Bape RM839, 3) www.endclothing.co - Visvim Long Sleeve Big Border Tee RM1988.92, 4) Wacko Maria -Guilty Parties Cable Watch Cap, 5) Asos - Tigi Bed Head For Men Charge Up Thickening Conditioner 200ml $10.50, 6) Carhartt - College Sweat Grey & Blue RM372.66, 7) Asos - Mid-Top Trainers in White Leathers $50, 8) HUF X Nagel - Socks (White ) $14, 9) Wakco Mario- Mods Parka, 10) Superdry- Tokyo Multi Watch $60, 11) Visvim - high water chino RM1988.92, 12) Crossover - AC-Crossover skull RM1,699, 13) HUF - Resersible Camo Scout Belt HOL15 $24, 14) Stussy -City Scapes LS Tee $37 , 15) Palladium - Pampa Hi Zip, 16) Topman - Nicce Navy Panel Knit Jumper RM299, 17) Wacko Maria - Girl On My Mind T-Shirt

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Right Page: 1) Adidas Originals - ZX Flux Plus-Sole grey RM380, 2) Wacko Maria - Mods Parka 3) Jason Markk - Essential Kit RM99, 4) Fossil - Multi-Strand Bracelet $48, 5) Bell & Ross- Desert Type BR-03, 6) Stussy - Rootz Bing Jacket $149, 7) HUF X Stay High - 149 Snapback ( White ) $36, 8) ASOS - wrap-around ring ÂŁ6.00 9) Guess - Geo Camo Print Shirt 10) HUF - Mcgrath sock eat me $14 (2), 11) HUF X STAY High - 149 Voice of The Ghetto Tee (white) $32, 12) HUF- Fuck It Ring $20, 13) Topman - Charcoal Spray on Chinos RM179, 14) Herschel - Pop quiz $770

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#POPCULTUREVISIT

WONDERFRUIT FESTIVAL THAILAND

Usher in the Lunar New Year with your family, friends and your perfect pear; a cold glass of Somersby Pear Cider. There’s nothing quite like the refreshing taste of this mild fruit beverage to complement the sumptuous feasts laid out before you, foster togetherness or for quick relief from the heat.

Seasonal Sips: Pairing Options SOMERSBY PEAR CIDER Yu Sheng / Yee Sang Spring rolls Chicken Fish Lobster Suckling Pig Bakkkwa Pomegranate and grilled chicken salad Fresh mandarin oranges or lychees Candied dried winter melon or other sweet treats

#POPCULTUREVISIT

SINCERE FINE WATCHES GRAND RE PAVILLION,KL

WUNDERBATH USJ DA:MEN

KAUFMANN ONE UTAMA

AWESOME NIGHTS @ ALIBA BAR, KAMPAR FEATURING DIGITAL DJ

AWESOME NIGHTS @ BARFLY, SOHO

COOLSTUFF

COOL 1. Vifa- Helsinki Wireless Speaker $449

3. Nice to have! - Pawn pendant lamp $175

2. Singgih Kartono & Magno- KuBo Wooden Radio// Medium $250

4. Apple- Belkin Valet Charge Dock for Apple Watch+ iPhone $130

STUFF 5.Nasty Gal- Triple C BluCube Bluetooth Speaker RM317

8. Kreafunk - aGLow Portable Bluetooth Speaker + Lantern $145

6.Swenyo-Faux Taxiderm Unicorn Wall Hanger $120

9. Pad Outdoor- POD Luxe Aluminum Planter Ver1.0 $60-434

7. Nice to have- Bullfinch:3rd $62.71

10. Nice to have- Mandrill Baboon $24

COOLSTUFF 13. Merve Kahraman- Diplopia Stool/ Side Table $1180

11. Philip- Fidelio Headphones RM1,259

TO

12. Native Union- Clic iPhone 6+ Belt Cable Set: Leather Edition $80

GET

15. Enter - Backpack Melange Black $77 14. La Boite Concept +CC Lab - LD 130 HiFi Soundsystem +laptop Desk $2,250-$2,500

16. Cu’K DesignCU 172 $153

17. Philip- Fidelio E5 Wireless Surround on Demand Speakers RM3.699

WHERE TO GET !

1. WWW.APLUSRSTORE.COM

10. WWW.HIPICON.COM

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11. WWW.PHILIPS.COM.M

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4. WWW.APPLE.COM

13. WWW.HIPICON.COM

5. WWW.NASTYGAL.COM

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6. SWENYO.COM

15. ENTERACCESSORIES.COM

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9. WWW.APLUSRSTORE.COM

MAZMOIZELLE

BROWSE OUR CATALOGUE

HANDCRAFTED DESIGNER

BAGS MADE WITH CORK FABRIC

IG/FB : MAZMOIZELLEMY SHOPEE : MAZMOIZELLE

HANGOUT

THE J O U R NA L K L BOUTIQUE HOTEL #TRENDINGSPACES FOR MODERN TRAVELLERS

Psst.....

If you are running out of the hotel and need a quick bite, Bounty offers “grab-and-go” sandwiches for any hungry traveller. No need

Introducing Popculture’s curated Hangout Guide where we select the best places to stay, so you don’t have to!

to binge on 7-11 nasi lemak or kopitiam food when you can have a healthy, wholesome and affordable selection of sandwiches and delicious fresh pastries from their takeaway bar.

Stylish, retro and embodies KL’s local beauty, The KL Journal is a new concept boutique hotel located in the heart of KL. It offers something special the modern, independent traveller looks for - an experience away from chain-hotel formulas,- designing an adventure truly unique for each individual. Their distinct identity as one of KL’s trendiest and newest boutique hotels speaks through well-decorated industrial design interiors combined with refined vintage touch. Its intimate and cosy size of 112 rooms painted in neutral tones, are spacious by city standards and boast curtain walls to free natural sunlight - a luxurious experience at an affordable price tag! If you are on business or need a conducive space to work, check out the Workers Union on Level 1 - a creative space with quirky art made perfect for quick business meetings, brainstorming sessions, or as a mobile workstation.

Within the spaces of The KL Journal resides Bounty, a European influenced restaurant focusing on authentic European cooking made with the freshest quality produce. Inspired by simplicity and driven by passion, Bounty offers dishes that are true to its ingredients, no-fuss and classic. If you love great design and stylish spaces, Bounty’s art deco environment is 100% #interiorgoals.

Dining at Bounty is like a celebration of rich flavours, pure and true to its produce without the carb-fillers or fancy frills and thrills; it’s straightforward French, Italian and Mediterranean inspired bistro food

WWW.KLJOURNALHOTEL.COM THEKLJOURNAL THEKLJOURNAL

that you can enjoy without eating into your budget. To unwind, check out The Shack for an alfresco dining experience: a beer garden with a compact menu to enjoy the warm Kuala Lumpur nights, relaxand gather great memories with even better company.

Address: 3 0 , J a l a n B e r emi , B ukit B int a n g , 5 0 2 0 0 K u a l a L umpu r , W il a y a h P e r sekutu a n K u a l a L umpu r , M a l a ysi a

Follow us on IG @ popcul tureli ve for regu lar u nearth i ng of h i p s te r h a ngo ut ge ms .

Tel. : +60 3-2110 2211

KREIT Minimalistic,

industri-

alist and homely, Kreit Cafe is the brainchild of two men with a passion for designing and food.

BEEF BOLOGNAISE PASTA WITH STEAK SLICE RM18

KREITCAFE THEKREITCAFE St o r e i n f o : C- G F - 5 S unw ay N e x is J a l a n PJ U 5 / 1 a D ata r a n S unw ay K ota d a m a ns a r a 4 7 8 1 0 peta lin g j aya sel a n g o r T e l . : 603 - 6144 6620 , 6012 628 5889

Originating from the word ‘crate’, Kreit Cafe draws inspiration from wooden cases for its simple yet unique brand name, and its interior of timber and steel. The cafe is run by two local architects who share a fondness for the F&B industry. Chef Hafiz, a chef of 9 years, has been

SURF AND TURF RM14

involved with brands such as Uncle Lim’s Kopitiam and Tryst Cafe. Chef Fami, despite only being 23 years old, has partaken in setting up RM15m worth of kitchen, including well known cafes such as Zawara Coffee and Quar Tet TTDI. Despite this, their latest undertaking is a place they can finally call their own. Having designed Kreit cafe’s interior by themselves and focusing on a raw finish, the cafe gives off a minimalistic vibe to create a homely feeling. With exposed structures, intentionally unfinished spaces and untreated walls, the cafe’s design is heavily industrial and runs on a monochromatic colour chart with the exception of the mustard colour for a splash of vibrance. Patrons may be impressed by the graffiti wall catered for selfies and the loft concept of a vape bar that allows the cafe to run on a double volume for a separate business entity. Food served here are familiar recipes with a twist and caters to everyone from the modern day hipster, to vapors and even motorcycle riders. Kreit Cafe aims to be a household brand in the F&B industry within the next three years, with multiple brands and branches under their belt. In fact, a new branch is said to open in Subang Jaya come April.

TIPS...

A must try: the Baked Romana Seabass with Pineapple Sauce and the Orange Vanchi - a concoction of fresh orange puree, vanilla, chilli padi and a secret ingredient - guaranteed to give your tastebuds a kick!

PHOTO CREDIT TO :

NACHOS WITH CHILI CHEESE RM14

B KK AIRBNB

LIVIN’ L A VIDA LOCAL IN BANGKOK WITH AIRBNB

Get to know Bangkok through the eyes of the locals for an intimate living experience with AirBnB. Choosing an accommodation can be quite tedious, weighing in your options, rates, etc. It can often get quite limited just looking at hotels, too. Now with the rising sharing economy inclusive of AirBnB, it has opened up a world of options so readily accessible to us. The best part? You can even stay in designer homes you have only dreamt of!

When it comes to travelling, the fail-safe way to experience a city is always through the eyes of the locals. Here, we’ve picked out our favourite and highly affordable Bangkok AirBnB located in strategic Rama IX Soi. With simple colours in furnishing, this apartment has everything you need for a quick holiday in BKK, including access to the swimming pool and gym. One highlight that makes this listing stand out is its close proximity to Bangkok’s RCA nightlife spots and a brand new Oasis Creative Art Market. So much to see, so much to do!

Amenities W IFI J A P A NESE RES T A U R A N T H A IR S A LON

F o r mo r e info / bookin g a t : h tt p : / / b i t . l y / 1 R r M SO 7

T R A DI T ION A L T H A I M A SS A G E DESSER T HO U SE

L A U NDRY SHOP

7-eleven

TIPS FOR USER...

There’s lots of fun things to do around this area, particularly the Oasis Creative Art Market. If you love art, design and all things quirky, hop over to Oasis Creative Art Market (just opposite this listing) and get lost in a wonder of unsuspecting gems.

Only open on weekends!

#THEGOODLIFE

Its time to face the real world Filters, edits, shares and likes… these are the common words we use daily without batting an eye, nor do we stop to think about what they really mean and how they might reflect on us. Social media has become a huge phenomenon in the 21st century and while most of us embrace it, some of us are engulfed by it. Take Lalin from the Thai short film “Lalin” for example. While Lalin wears a mask every day to hide her acne, yet she became a famous Thai net idol thanks to her photo editing skills. That was the problem though she had to be someone else to feel accepted, validated that she was beautiful.

Social media is both the boon and bane of society - we thrive on social media for information yet on the other hand, it kills our self-confidence in many aspects. Our ideas of self-image, self-worth and own accomplishments have changed based on the influencers we see online but we fail to notice one thing: we have our own story to write too.

The social issues that stem from social media’s boom is not going to go away, nope.

However, there are ways for us to overcome and tackle our inner demons to ultimately face the real world:

1. Realize that beauty comes in all different shapes & sizes The warped standards of beauty is definitely nothing new. Rather than randomly flipping the magazine or turning away from Victoria Secret’s new billboard, we are repeatedly fed with image after image of average people looking perfect on our newsfeeds. Photoshop, maybe? Perhaps, or probably not. But what we can do is to remember that beauty exists because we are all made of different shapes and sizes - not a copy and paste from Barbie’s factory.

#THEGOODLIFE

2. Find a balance between real life and social media personality There is a fine balance between our real lives and what we choose to share on social media.

Of course, everyone chooses to show the best parts of our lives - a highlight reel, if you will.

Still, finding a balance in sharing the good AND bad times, even unglamorous moments, is vital to reminding ourselves and the people around us that we are all still human after all.

3. Stop emphasizing on your “Likes” The new currency of our generation to determine the success of our Instagram or Facebook pages is through the number of “Likes” we get.

Our popularity is dependent on how many people engaged with our post and how many people agree or comment that it’s a good post/photo.

When we don’t receive results as desired, we begin to question: “Am I not pretty enough?” “Am I not talented enough?” “Did I do something wrong?” These are unnecessary stress inflicted upon ourselves - to be dependent on external validation in order to feel accepted. So, stop fixating on the number of “Likes” and start feeling comfortable in your own judgment.

4. Accept yourself as you are It is easy for you to feel inadequate and unaccomplished when scrolling through your feed, regardless of your own success and beauty. The human nature to compare and criticize is an everyday habit we mostly face. It is important to compartmentalize your thoughts and remember that you have a piece in this world and it is your duty to live YOUR life the best as you can. Accept and celebrate your successes, be grateful for the beauty of YOU!

5. Take social media posts with a pinch of salt For whatever we see on social media, it is important to take each post or photo with a pinch of salt. Every well-composed post was carefully and with much effort, edited, shot and chosen.

Not many things on social media happen without hard work put into it - real life isn’t always in orderly symmetry, right? Take it at face value, appreciate the art and move on! Don’t let what might seem like perfection in other people’s lives get to you.

6. Beauty is only filters deep Like Lalin, beauty is only as deep as your filters go on social media. It doesn’t matter how you look, but if you understand that you are a good person with a good heart, there is nothing to be ashamed of. You have everything to be proud of! The most beautiful part of someone is when their inner beauty shines through, transcending filters, edits and captions that are projected in its most raw and unfiltered form.

7. There is beauty in imperfections Order, symmetry and composition are key criteria to a good photo but sometimes, our obsession with producing good content and images triumphs over feeling human, feeling imperfect.

Rather than focusing on how to make things look “just right”, try to embrace the imperfections and the mess because why not? We can all relate to that, right? Plus, life is just more colourful with all of its shortcomings.

Let us know if you’re lovin #TheGoodLife by Popculture Reach out & inbox us on Fb // Fb.com/popculturelive

#THE GOOD LIFE

Do you know...

12 Little Habits That Steal Your Happiness Away ( When You Aren’t Aware ) We all want to be happy at least most of the time, but, unfortunately, that’s not the case, and we end up searching aimlessly to find happiness, and it always seem to eludes us.

We are all creatures of habit, and often we get stuck in a rut because we refuse to make the necessary changes to our lives that will bring us the happiness we yearn for.

Not all our habits are bad, but sometimes we need to look at the things we do continuously and decide whether we need to make some adjustments if they don’t yield the results we need.

Unfortunately, as humans beings we tend not to want to change, and so we fight tooth and nail not to do this.

We suffer the same headaches and frustration time and time again and never do anything about the issues that are causing us such unhappiness.

Remember if you continuously do the same things over and over again not only will you get the same results but you will become the things you do.

So, if those habits aren’t helping you they are hurting you, and you need to change now to avoid being the same way for a very long time.

Some of the many reasons you are unhappy are that you:

#THE GOOD LIFE

Hold on to what you know and refuse to budge

Holding on to someone who is pulling away from you

Life is about living and learning. When you stop learning, you stop growing and thriving; hence you won’t be living a fulfilled life. You have to be prepared to venture out of your comfort zone into unfamiliar territory to truly grow and become who you were meant to be.

It is important to build a great relationship, but you need to make sure the persons or person with whom you are building that relationship are offering you the same in return. It doesn’t make sense for you to be forcing yourself to maintain a relationship with someone who doesn’t want a relationship with you. Do not waste your time trying to prove to them how wonderful you are. If they can’t see it, then that’s their bad luck. Use your time and energy to build yourself up and find someone who will treat you right.

You need to be challenged and tested because only when you face challenges will you grow and become better. Remaining in one position will only keep you stuck.

Being stagnant is not progressing.

Find ways to challenge yourself and do not be afraid of being pushed. Push back when pushed but do not accept the normal as progress. You must hold fast to your core values while you search for your purpose in life.

Keep resisting life and its changes There is nothing more painful than when you try to resist life and the changes it brings. Change is never without pain and discomfort. There is nothing more painful than remaining where you are for the rest of your life.

Whether you want to change or not you are in fact changing every day. Look back at your life and see the many changes that have taken place, some positive and others negative. That is life, and you must accept it and work with it as it comes instead of fighting to remain stuck.

Loving others more than you love yourself It is fine to love others, but you must remember if you do not invest into yourself no one else will. It is alright to give to others, but you need to be giving to yourself as well. There is nothing wrong with loving yourself and taking the time make sure you are being taken care of.

You won’t be able to take care of others if you aren’t well. The only way you can do that and give them your best is if you give yourself the best as well. Do not let anyone make you feel guilty for loving yourself and who you are. You can only be happy if you are happy with yourself.

Being too self-absorbed

Allowing other people to decide what is possible for you

You cannot spend your life focusing on you and not take some time to lend a helping hand to someone else. Being kind is what will help to make you happy. Giving to someone who needs it is what is going to make you smile on a bleak day. Being kind is what will make you feel as though you are contributing to human lives.

Close your ears to all the discouragement and negativity from people who do not know or care about the real you. You know yourself, and the plans you have for your life so do not allow them to use words to discourage you.

Expecting that people will always like you

Most of the time they are only telling you what they think and want for themselves so close your ears and forge ahead. Choose to do things your way and if you mess up, you’ll know at least that you did it your way.

Focusing on others and not your own life You could spend your entire life focusing on others while they build their lives and enjoy it, and neglect yours, or you could choose to use your time to build your life.

Do not sit around and admire the success of others while your dreams fall apart.

You have to understand that not everyone is going to like you and want to be around you. People aren’t going to be nice to you all the time, and you must accept that and move on. Do not waste your time trying to convince them to love you. Accept the love from people who want to show it to you and forget the others.

Refusing to let go of the past

Be happy for them but put the focus on building a life for yourself. Do not allow others to use you to build their dreams and life either. Cut a path for yourself and chart it. Do not be burdened down with other people’s load.

Letting go of hurt and pain is necessary for you to be happy. You cannot be holding on to things that you no longer have control over while trying to build something new. You must be willing to let bygones be bygones and leave them where they are. They are in the past for a reason; they should no longer be part of your life. Stop picking back up old pain and burdens that have weighed you down for so long. Rid yourself of them and move one.

Focusing too much on your problems

Waiting for the right time to be happy

You need to change the way you view difficulties in your life. The challenges you face most times aren’t the real problem: it’s how they are perceived. Change your attitude towards the difficulties you encounter.

Happiness is not an event; nor do you have to achieve any specific goals to be happy. You must be happy where you are while working to get where you want to go. You should not be waiting around for some great accomplishment before you can be happy.

See them as nothing more than minor infractions in your life; keep maintaining a positive attitude and you will be fine. You have the power to control your mind and how you view things. Use this to help you to keep your mind away from your problems and focus more on your goals. Let go of the stress by letting go of the problems.

Focusing on being right all the time When you are focused on being right all the time, you are losing valuable insight into things. Not only are you destroying some great relationships but you are allowing your pride to sabotage your future.

Sometimes you have to choose to be wrong even though you aren’t to maintain and keep an important relationship. You must become confident enough to accept when you are wrong, and even when you are right; sometimes, you must be willing to back down.

If you can’t be happy with little, you will not be able to be happy with much either.

Choose to be happy now while working on achieving the goals you set for your life.

Life is filled with ups and downs, and you must be prepared to adjust to make your life as happy as possible and that includes making some changes. Even though you might not want to do so, you must realize that the temporary discomfort is good for you in the long run.

Accept these changes in your life and you will see the results you have always wanted.

What are some of the changes you have made in your life that have served you well?

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GOOD NEWS

Let us be your bearer of good news with our Good News segment where we feature the latest and most interesting artsy places, architects, designers and all things #artinspo we know you’ll love!

1. 10 artist to explore for this Feb Expand your creative passions with these 10 artists we have specially selected for you: Moira Dryer, an abstract painter using smears and squiggles; Alex Hay, a sculptor using everyday disposable objects; Lisa Oppenheim, a ground-breaking photographer using abstract textile manipulation; Vera Molnaar, the pioneer of algorithmic/digital art; Eddie Martinez, an artist famous for bold contours and colour manipulations; Tauba Auerbach, experimental artist known for her “Auerbachness”; Francis Upritchard, inventive artist influenced by mythical/ancient history; Chris Burden, artist behind Urban Light at LACMA; Magali Reus, a conceptual artist using industrial furnitures and materials; lastly, Cameron Rowland, a thought-provoking contemporary artist.

Dig it: http://www.artspace.com/

2. 100 years church skate park From an abandoned century-old Spanish church turned skate park with an artistic twist, the former Church in Santa Barbara, Llanera is now the new Kaos Temple where skaters and artists alike can gather to worship the same gods of art and skating. With the walls and ceilings adorned with brightly coloured graffiti-inspired paintings by Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel, the Kaos Temple is the lazarus of churches - returning to life more alive than before.

Dig it: http://www.architecturaldigest.com

3. Homes Everyone who loves art knows a good vintage sofa when they see one but more often than not, the race of time sees it retracting from its golden years. But that doesn’t mean the end! Give your vintage sofa a face lift and reimagine it with new fabric and detailing to give it new life.

Dig it: http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/ reupholster-chair-sofa-tips-emily-henderson

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5. Yinka Shonibare MBE Hailing from London, Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare MBE is the man behind Pop Immigrants and Bone China, pieces that depict strong messages about his cultural background and political issues. Pop Immigrants speak about the struggles of immigrants in Britain using mixed media and collage to create the allusion of community made especially for his solo project for HOUSE 2014 Festival and Brighton Festival. As for Bone China, it is fuelled by post-colonialism, racial identity and his own cultural history to create a collection of Fine Bone China featuring newspaper, textiles and hand-drawn images – telling a story beyond cups and saucers.

Dig it: http://www.artspace.com/yinka_shonibare_mbe/bone_china

5. Aurel Artist - Christine Sun Kim Although she was born deaf, Christine Sun Kim did not let it stop her from becoming a sound artist - an artist who uses visual language to create sounds: sounds we can feel, see and experience. Instead of staying disconnected from the world, Christine refused to let her disability refrain her from being a force to be reckoned with. She allowed herself to be empowered by sound in movement and began to understand just how much in common ASL (American Sign Language) has with music. Her art illustrates her voice - a medium for her to be heard, seen and experienced by everyone.

Catch her on TED talks: Christine Sun Kim: The enchanting music of sign language

Dig it :http://www.artnews.com/

6. Mad Museum Wendell Castle Remastered Wendell Castle is a critically acclaimed American master furniture designer, sculptor and educator (a.k.a Father of American Furniture Movement), and recently held a private tour of his curated, one-man exhibition at the Modern Art and Design Museum last December. In his collection, Wendell Castle found himself creating new works that reminisced his past achievements, with an essence of contemporary art. The works he produced were a blend of handcraftsmanship, and the digital technologies of 3D scanning and printing.

Dig it : http://www.madmuseum.org/

7. Design Museum A wonderland of all things art and design, this website is THE place for gift-shopping for your favourite creative friend. From cutting-edge technology to homeware, uniquely curated books and clothes, here are our top picks from Design Musem we know you’ll love: Key Word Pencils – Psychoanalysis, a set of pencils with psychoanalytic keywords for a punch of daily inspo; Touchboard Starter Kit, a tinkering starter kit to integrate sensors in your everyday objects; Anatomy of Fashion: Why We Dress The Way We Do, a book that delves into the deeper understanding between the interaction of human body and fashion.

www.designmuseumshop.com

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