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Fun, fresh and lightly sparkling, the Australian first ready-to-drink RosÊ in a can is the deliciously refreshing be verage designed for you to take a little sparkle needed where ver you go. NOW AVAIL ABLE AT DAN MURPHY’s ONLINE
AUSTRALIA
THE EIGHT
HORROR MOVIES YOU HAVE TO WATCH!
OCTOBER 2019
COLORFUL COLORADO THE GREAT WESTERN STATE WITH A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
TREAT YOUR TASTEBUDS WITH THESE FOUR DELICIOUS RECIPES
LOOK GOOD!
FASHIONABLY SLEEK OUTFITS TO HELP YOUR WARDROBE CHANGE WITH THE SEASON A$ 5.00
08181
9 771562 469000
Amelia OUR LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN
SPOOKY SPIRITS
IT’S MUNCH TIME
FHMAUSTRALIA.COM
juliet
TASTY HALLOWEENINSPIRED COCKTAILS THAT’LL PUT THE TWINKLE BACK IN YOUR EYE
THE TEAM IT’S GREAT TO BE A MAN
“People Who Are Crazy Enough To Think They Can Change The World, Are The Ones Who Do.” Rob Siltanen
Publisher & CEO – Dirk Steenekamp Sales Director - Pieter Lourens Digital and Client Manager – Lexi Robb Managing Editor – Jason Fleetwood Grooming Editor – Greg Forbes Gaming Editor – Andre Coetzer Tech Editor – Peter Wolff Illustrations Editor – Toon53 Prod. Motoring Editor – John Page Senior Photographer – Charlemagne Olivier Senior Photo Editor – Luba V Nel Senior Designer - Koketso Moganetsi For more information: Phone: 010 006 0051 Address: Fourways Office Park, Cnr. Fourways Boulevard and Roos Street, Fourways, Sandton, 2055 Email: info@untapped.co.za Web: fhmaustralia.com Facebook: @fhmAustralia Twitter: @fhmaus Instagram: @fhm_australia
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CONTENTS 10/19
Stacey Saran p12
Anya Benton p64
Bloody Scary p20
Colorful Colorado p72
Sweet Rides p28
On the cover | Juliet Amelia p36
04 THE EIGHT
26 IN TOO DEEP
06 A NEW VIEW
28 SWEET RIDES
Horror movies you might not have heard of but you just have to watch!
Our film reviews are all about comic-inspired villains and the evolution of superheroes
08 TRACK YOUR FITNESS
We check out the 7 best fitness trackers to keep you on top of your game!
20 BLOODY SCARY!
Halloween incoming! Here are the perfect horror games to play, in the dark
The games the guys at FHM are jamming this month, come take a quick look-see
Cassaundra Deane p86
58 SPOOKY SPIRITS
Four tasty Halloween-inspired cocktails that are sure to put the twinkle back in your eyes
We cruise around in a brand-spankingnew Porsche and check out the latest Jaguar I-Pace
72 COLORFUL COLORADO
44 GET THE LOOK
80 BEGINNER’S GUIDE
There’s a cool breeze in the air and as the leaves start to change, so does your wardrobe
54 MUNCH TIME
Treat your tastebuds with superb recipes that’ll get you salivating in no time!
We visit the great western state of Colorado which has a little something for everyone
Get yourself ready for snow country with these useful tips to get you started!
94 KEEP IT SAUCY!
How to keep the flame burning in a long-term relationship
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Entertainment
What’s ON? The ins and outs on what we’re binge-watching, what’s to come and some of our favorite picks
By Andre Coetzer
The Eight Horror movies you might not have heard of With Halloween fast approaching, horror movies take a front seat during most of October and if like us you’re a bit worn out on the numerous big-budget Blumhouse horror films then you are in luck. We have a list of eight fantastic horror movies you might not have heard of but we’re sure you’ll enjoy. Thank us later. GOODNIGHT MOMMY After undergoing cosmetic facial surgery, a mother comes back home to her modern, isolated lakeside house and her ten-year-old twins, Elias and Lukas. Her head is swathed in bandages, with only her eyes and mouth visible. The twins are unnerved with their mother’s appearance and are further taken aback when she begins to exhibit strange behavior. She pointedly ignores Lukas and appears to only acknowledge Elias in conversation. Though it is the middle of summer, the mother orders the twins to keep the blinds closed during the day, imposes a strict rule of silence inside the house, and allows them to only play outdoors. The mother also acts cruel and lashes out at Elias physically when he displays mischievous or disobedient acts; something that the boys comment that their mother would never do. The twins begin to suspect that beneath her bandages, their mother may not be the same person.
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GREEN ROOM An up and coming punk rock band are desperate for work and will accept any gig on offer. Their youthful exuberance comes back to bite them when they end up playing at a Nazi night club. After the show the young band members witness something that will forever change their lives as the leader of the gang (brilliantly portrayed by Patrick Stewart) will stop at nothing to make sure the band never sees the light of day. What happens next is a tour-de-force in incredibly impactful violence and a pace that never relents. It was one of the last movies of the severely underrated Anton Yelchin, and it may be among his best works.
IT COMES AT NIGHT Secure within a desolate home as an unnatural threat terrorizes the world, a man has established a tenuous domestic order with his wife and son. Then a desperate young family arrives seeking refuge. It Comes At Night is a slow burn of a movie and the big moments never arrive, yet it constantly holds your attention with an unnerving sense of dread of what’s to come. It’s a quiet, patient movie that focuses on the conflict in a family who are terrified of the outside world and ultimately it’s a character-driven indie horror movie rather than a spectacular and heartpounding romp.
EXCISION Pauline wishes that reconnecting with her controlling mother was as easy as picking scabs, or that fixing her sister’s lung disorder was as simple as dissecting roadkill. Little does her mother know the extremes that Pauline is willing to go to in order to earn her approval. Maybe the other girls at school would be nicer to her if they knew she fantasized about performing surgery on them... Her mother goes to school to talk to the counselor, a deaf lady who despises both mother and daughter. There, Pauline learns that her mother is planning on sending her to charm school to teach her good manners. She is so troubled by this, that she sees a psychologist but quickly discovers that he is not quite what he claims to be.
BONE TOMAHAWK After an outlaw unknowingly leads a band of cannibalistic troglodytes into the peaceful western town of Bright Hope, the monsters kidnap several settlers, including the wife of a local rancher. Despite his injured leg, the rancher joins a small rescue party lead by the sheriff and his aging deputy. What follows is a journey into hell-on-earth as the posse comes to realize they’re up against a foe whose savagery knows no bounds. From the outside looking in, Bone Tomahawk might just appear to be yet another western. While it certainly has the hallmarks and could stand on its own if you took out its more horror-centric elements, what makes it so good is just how unerringly gruesome it is.
TERRIFIER Based on a character from the cult anthology, All Hallows Eve, the gory 80’s slasher throwback takes place on Halloween night as the demented Art the Clown sets his sights on terrorizing two girls and anyone else that gets in his way. If you’re looking for a nuanced character portrait in Terrifier, don’t bother, it’s basically just stylish violence for its short runtime. If you’re expecting something similar to the recent IT movies, then be warned, this makes Pennywise look like Bozo the Clown. It’s a celebration of uber violence and not recommended for the weak of stomach.
THE WITCH In 1630 New England, panic and despair envelops a farmer, his wife and their children when youngest son Samuel suddenly vanishes. The family blames Thomasin, the oldest daughter who was watching the boy at the time of his disappearance. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, twin siblings Mercy and Jonas suspect Thomasin of witchcraft, testing the clan’s faith, loyalty and love for one another. The Witch is a chilling portrayal of a family unraveling within their own sins, leaving them prey to an inconceivable evil.
THE INVITATION Will and Eden were once a loving couple but after a tragedy took their son, Eden disappeared. Two years later and out of the blue, she returns with a new husband and as a different person, eerily changed and eager to reunite with her ex and those she left behind. Over the course of a dinner party in the house that was once his, the haunted Will is gripped by mounting evidence that Eden and her new friends have a mysterious and terrifying agenda. The invitation provides one of the most effective closing scenes you’re ever likely to see in an indie horror film.
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Joker One of the most legendary villains in all of comic book history finally get his own standalone movie and after the dismal portrayal of the Joker character in The Suicide Squad can this new reboot/origin story revive the Clown Prince of Crime or is the joke on the Joker yet again? This re-imagining of Batman’s greatest rival, sees Director Todd Phillips take the character of the Joker into a new bold direction, modernizing his origin story to be more relatable and also giving it a clearer sense as to why this tragic character would become one of the most feared criminals in Gotham. Joker centers around the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone fictional story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck, who is wonderfully portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham’s fractured society. A clownfor-hire by day, he aspires to be a stand-up comic at night, but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence
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OCTOBER 2019
between apathy and cruelty, Arthur makes one bad decision that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty character study. Three-time Oscar-nominated Joaquin Phoenix is incredible as the villain-in-the-making in this incendiary tale of psychological escape and psychopathy and his slow path towards madness is as gripping as it is uncomfortable to watch. Very few believed that Heath Ledgers’ legendary portrayal of the unhinged clown could be topped, but Phoenix is right up there, yet with a very different interpretation on the iconic outlaw. Phoenix establishes Arthur as a man who sees himself less like an underdog and more as a stray waiting to be put down. And it’s not hard to imagine why he would feel that way. Gotham is portrayed as a terrible place to live in and intense capitalism is the number one thing on everyone’s minds. Director Todd Phillips does a great job of creating a sense that Gotham is a place wound too tight. People have retreated into themselves and small kindnesses
have been ditched. Arthur’s own awkward efforts to connect are only met with hostility. So when Arthur does finally snap, it’s short, bloody and has intense consequences. Arthur’s clown makeup is adopted as the face of the protest, and as he graduates into his Joker persona he becomes a figurehead for the angry mob. But is this a tired city rising up in protest, or a criminal army? As amazing as the performances are from Phoenix and co-star Robert De Niro, it’s the bleak surroundings and tense political atmosphere Phillips creates that truly shines in this movie. It allows the perfect foil for the once timid Arthur Fleck to be pushed into becoming a figure the city needed, but might not necessarily want. If you’re going into this movie expecting a Marvel-esque mix of comedy and action set pieces then you will be desperately disappointed. This is a dark and gritty retelling of one of DC comics darkest villains and a worrying yet needed character study into where current society might be heading.
Entertainment
Watchmen The seminal Watchmen graphic novel by Alan Moore is often celebrated as one of the greatest graphic novels ever created and for good reason. It deals with incredibly deep-seated issues of race, political insecurity, societal imbalances and of a society so desperate for change it will consume itself to achieve it. All wrapped up tightly between the overarching story of superheroes trying to right the wrongs of those around them. It’s a complex and deep story that many feel didn’t translate across to the 2009 Zack Snyder film adaptation, yet ten years later HBO and Damon Lindelof have teamed up to give the graphic novel another go. This time in the form of an initial eight-part series that, instead of mimicking the graphic novel, rather draws influences from it and creates a new and relevant take on Moore’s masterpiece. The series takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma in an alternative reality in 2019, one with no internet or smartphones, 34 years after the comic ends. Robert Redford is the longest-serving President of the United States, having been elected in 1992. After a radical group of Rorschach followers
that calls themselves “The Seventh Cavalry” (wearing homemade Rorschach masks) commits simultaneous attacks on the houses of police members, the police start wearing masks. The series takes place in an alternate contemporary reality in the United States, in which superheroes and masked vigilantes were outlawed due to their violent methods, but some of them gather around to start a revolution while others attempt to stop it. Watchmen the series will not be a direct adaptation of the original source material, instead, being remixed; aiming to tell an entirely new story set in the world where the events of the original storyline took place. The series will also showcase different points of view, with the only characters from the original storyline to appear in the series being Doctor Manhattan, the former Silk Spectre, and former villain Ozymandias. The cast is led by recent Oscar winner Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk), who previously worked with Lindelof on The Leftovers, and Jeremy Irons (Dead Ringers), who will be playing an older Adrian Veidt (better known as Ozymandias), a former superhero
vigilante known for his supreme intelligence. Played by Matthew Goode in Snyder’s film, Ozymandias revealed himself as the main big bad guy in the original comic, as well as the 2009 movie. Based on the trailer, his character appears to have remained in power with a very systemic, utopian view on society… which happens to be failing and more dystopian than anything. The show is also made up of a large ensemble cast featuring Yahya Abdul-Mateen Il (Us, Aquaman) as Cal Abraham, Tim Blake Nelson (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs) as Looking Glass, Louis Gossett Jr. (Roots) as Old Man, as well as Adelaide Clemens (The Great Gatsby) as Pirate Jenny, Andrew Howard (Limitless) as Red Scare, Tom Mison (Sleepy Hollow) as Mime, Frances Fisher (Titanic) as Jane Crawford, Jacob MingTrent (Superfly) as Panda, and Sarah Vickers (Endeavour) as Marionette. We’re not leaving out Jean Smart (Legion) and Don Johnson (Miami Vice), either. Smart will be playing an FBI agent who is revealed to be a much older Silk Spectre, while Johnson is Chief Judd Crawford -- police chief by day, vigilante by night.
Tech
Track Your Fitness!
We check out the 7 best fitness trackers to keep you on top of your game! With winter fast approaching, keeping fit will become tougher and tougher, especially with Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner. Fortunately, there are amazing fitness trackers available on the market that will make sure you get those all-important steps in after your turkey dinner.
Fitbit Charge 3 Fitbit has become the go-to manufacturer for fitness trackers and it’s not hard to see why. The Charge 2 device was fantastic and now with the third iteration, the company has refined its flagship tracker. With a more lightweight design and a sleeker overall look, and a bigger and clearer display than its rivals, the Fitbit Charge 3 offers large amounts of insight into your overall health. Sadly it’s still a black and white screen and there is no sign of the much-requested onboard GPS, but as before syncing up to your phone solves that conundrum. If you enjoy the whole Fitbit app and experience and would also like access to notifications and Fitbit’s fantastic sleep tracking, you’ll want to opt for this as it’s one of the company’s best trackers ever.
Huawei Band 3 Pro Not everyone can afford to spend a small fortune on a fitness tracker and that’s where the Huawei band 3 Pro steps in. It offers both style and substance at a very attractive wallet-friendly budget. The Band 3 Pro comes with GPS onboard, it has a water-resistant design as well as a 0.95-inch color screen to display all of your stats on your wrist. Packed with features like a precise heart rate monitor and activity tracking, the Band 3 Pro is a great little device for newbies to the fitness tracking world as well as anyone looking for an affordable entry-level device.
Garmin Vivosmart 4 Garmin has offered some impressive trackers over the years, especially catering to the more serious athletes and fitness fanatics. The Garmin Vivosmart 4, however, is aimed at your more casual fitness fan who wants to track their fitness levels but also wants an attractive band around their wrists. This does not mean the Vivosmart 4 is light on features however, it has a much bigger screen than previous iterations and a week-long battery life. There’s also an innovative feature called body battery that helps you learn when exactly is the best time for you to exercise depending on how much energy you have. This is great for those who are just as interested in their recovery and general wellbeing as they are clocking up the miles
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Tech
Honor Band 4 Another budget-friendly device, the Honor Band 4 is considerably cheaper than most devices on the market and it’ll offer good tracking for the casual runner plus it comes with a stunning color OLED display. As lovely as the display is, it does come on a rather small screen, so people looking for an easy to read display might be disappointed. It also lacks any form of GPS which might put some people off. However that is not the point of the Honor Band 4 device, instead, they’ve focused on offering a small yet affordable package with all the fitness essentials and at a very competitive price.
Amazfit Bip The biggest difference with the Amazfit Bip, compared to other trackers on this list, is its looks. It’s definitely inspired by the Apple Watch look and stands out more as a smartwatch than a fitness tracker. Yet don’t let its looks fool you, there is a feature-packed fitness tracker hidden behind its smartwatch appearance. It offers features like built-in GPS, an accurate heart rate tracker, multi-sport tracking, sleep tracking, and a very impressive battery life. It’s a lightweight device that offers both a reflective always-on color touch display and the usual smartwatch features that one would expect from a fitness tracker. If you’re in the market for a smartwatch that doubles up as a feature-filled fitness tracker then the Amazfit Bip might just be for you.
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Moov Now Unlike other trackers on this list, the Moov Now is a slightly older device that is very limited on features, yet it’s still seen by many as the perfect everyday tracking companion. It’s incredibly cheap when compared to the other trackers and it has an unbelievable six-month battery life. Of course, the Moov Now does not have a screen, nor does it have heart tracking, but it does include step, boxing, and rep-based training as well as a swimming mode on top of run coaching and sleep monitoring features. In comparison to other devices, this one might be light on features, but if you prefer your tracker to be simple, to the point, and costeffective, then the Moov Now is a very good option to consider.
Samsung Galaxy Fit e Arguably one of the best low-priced devices on the market, Samsung’s Galaxy Fit e devices have a very slick looking design, a week-long battery and they can track a variety of activities from swimming to cycling. The Fit e also features a heart rate monitor. The only drawback is that there’s no GPS on this tracker and it only comes with a black and white display. Naturally, if you own a Samsung smartphone or other android device, the Galaxy Fit e syncs perfectly with your phone and comes with some interesting app choices. With a solid set of features, a budgetfriendly price and an attractive design, this device from the South Korean giants is without-a-doubt a solid choice in the competitive fitness tracking market.
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Stacey Saran @stacey.saran Photographer Mike Cohen | @mikecohenphotos MUA @kayleighkmua PR Leo Alderman Insta @leo.alderman @lsapublications
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TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF? I know a lot of people in the glamour industry are stereotypes but most people I have met are very spiritual, genuine, sweet and creative as am I. I’m very creative and love designing and making things beautiful. I do lots of charity work as I feel it is important to give back, and enjoy life to its fullest. WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL REACTION WHEN YOU WERE CHOOSER TO SHOOT FOR FHM? I was very excited, I know it’s a well loved magazine and was hoping to shoot for them before I retired. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A SHOOT? I actually believe that you only have one body for your entire life, I feel it is important to look after it so I don’t prepare for a shoot as much as I prepare for life. A healthy body and healthy mind is something I practice daily more than just for shoots which means I’m always ready. DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT MAN? My perfect man would be someone who allows you to have a beautiful life and be free. Who also encourages and helps you fulfil your dream even if they don’t agree with them. As well as being loving, caring and overaffectionate and I love affection. WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL DATE? My ideal date would be going somewhere for dinner with a great atmosphere, entertainment, lots of chatting and laughter. As I feel laughter is the best medicine WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? In my spare time I enjoy eating out with friends, my favourite restaurant at the moment is circus in London, this is because the food is amazing and have live circus acts performing. The food I enjoy the most is Japanese infusion. TELL US ABOUT YOU MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT? My most embarrassing moment was when a friend gave me a gift, as I was opening it I accidentally set the wrapping on fire with the candle before seeing the gift. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART ABOUT BEING A MODEL? The most difficult part is being judged mainly on looks, as people can’t see a personality through pictures. It’s difficult trying to stay as people would like you to look. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING THIS YEAR? I’m searching for a spiritual holiday, haven’t been able to find one that doesn’t revolve around yoga. But am still searching and looking forward to finding the perfect one for me. LASTLY, WHAT IS YOUR LIFE MOTTO? OR QUOTE THAT MEANS A LOT TO YOU? Never look down on anyone unless your’ helping them up.
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Gaming
Bloody Scary!
The 8 games that will scare the pants off of you. Halloween incoming! Now is the perfect time to close the curtains, switch off all the lights and lose yourself in some of gaming’s scariest titles. From demonic puppets to zombie cops, to getting lost in a forest, these titles are guaranteed to get your heart racing. So, grab the snacks, dim the lights, and let’s get cracking!
FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S
Much like the best B-Movie horrors, Five Nights at Freddy’s feels like a low budget experience, plays like a low-budget experience yet scares the pants of you like nothing else. The premise is simple, you’re a newly appointed night watch security guard at a Chuck E. Cheese-styled restaurant. Your job is an easy one, monitor all the security cameras through the night to makes sure nothing untoward happens. Sounds simple enough and for the first few hours is really is, that is, until the animatronic puppets mysteriously come to life and start moving around the building, with an unstoppable urge to kill you. Loaded with surprising jump scares and an incredibly tense atmosphere, Five Nights At Freddy’s is ridiculously scary.
OUTLAST
Insane Asylums are guaranteed nightmare fuel and Outlast takes the asylum experience to a new level. Armed only with a video camcorder, you make your way through an old abandoned asylum, looking for an answer to a terrible event many years before. Unlike other first-person games, Outlast does not give you the luxury of fighting back, your only weapon is to run and hide as quickly as possible. With various enemies lurking in the dark halls, sneaking around is your best option and when they do spot you it’s time to start running like hell. Outlast creates it’s tension through your vulnerability and hiding behind a desk while an insane killer slowly creeps by is as uncomfortable as it is terrifying.
Gaming BIOHAZARD: RESIDENT EVIL 7 After years of stale sequels and ridiculous plotlines, the Resident Evil series completely re-invented itself once more with Resi 7. Gone was the over the shoulder third-person camera, instead opting for a first-person view. Gone was the silly over the top action and convoluted story, Resi 7 went back to basics. Playing as Ethan, who is looking for his long lost girlfriend, you find yourself on the Baker Family Estate in a bayou somewhere in the southern United States. Things quickly take a turn for the worst when the Bakers turn out to be worse than the Texas Chainsaw family and are set to tear you apart for their own weird experiments. The Baker house is just one disturbing room after another filled with puzzles and the Baker family is eagerly hunting you down. It’s classic Resident Evil and arguably the scariest game in the series.
THE LAST OF US
Although not classified as an outright horror game, Naughty Dog’s seminal masterpiece is still one of the most nerve-wracking experiences found on any console. Set in a postapocalyptic world, you control Joel, a mercenary that has to look after a young teenager, Ellie, that might hold the key to the plague that has spread through the world. It’s a beautifully written, emotional rollercoaster of a story that will not only tug at your heartstrings but shred every last of your nerves as you avoid the Infected and try to keep Ellie alive at all costs. The first run-in with a Clicker still haunts our dreams to this day.
DEAD SPACE
For anyone that has experienced the horror that was the Event Horizon movie (if you haven’t, go watch it now), then Dead Space is right up your alley. You play as an engineer trapped on a derelict spaceship, the crew of which has been either transformed into scurrying, bloodthirsty Necromorphs, enlisted in an apocalyptic cult that worships them, or murdered. The jump-scares come early and regularly, but their effect is to set the player on edge as they slowly trawl through the deep-space mining rig Ishimura. The setting is what sets Dead Space apart from other games on this list, every corridor is nightmare fuel, filled with creaky noises, blood splatter messages sprawled across the walls and vicious monsters hiding in the vents. Your only weapons are repurposed mining tools to strategically dismember enemies. This is not a game where you can blindly fire your weapon at anything that moves, it’s about waiting for the right moment, finding the right limb to dismember and getting up close enough to the Necromorphs for that perfect kill shot.
BLOODBORNE
From Software games have always been scary, but that was based mostly on how tough their games were and how constantly dying to big bosses was part and parcel for all their games. The Dark Souls games were set in a fantasy/magical setting with Dragons and of course it was hard as nails. Then in 2015 From Software released Bloodborne and it redefined what horror truly was. Set in the city of Yharnam, a Gothic labyrinth of cobblestone streets and wailing maniacs, you arrive long after its demise, when the city’s clergy and one-time leaders have summoned great insectoid monstrosities to bear. Every scene is oozing with Lovecraftian inspiration and the monsters you’ll fight are truly horrifying and as dangerous as anything from the Souls games.
Gaming UNTIL DAWN Ever watched a typical teenager-led horror movie and found yourself shouting at the screen at the stupid decisions these teenagers make every time? Well, with Until Dawn you get to make the decisions for them. What should have been a fun ski-trip with your best buds turns into a typical horror situation as a masked killer hunts down the stereotypical teenagers. You control each decision they make. Thought you heard a weird noise in the basement? It’s your choice to go and inspect it or run like hell. But be warned, every decision you make has consequences and you could end up getting every single teenager killed in horrific ways. Although it’s not as scary as your typical horror game, the tense moments arrive when you have to make tough decisions that could get your favorite character killed on the spot.
ALIEN: ISOLATION Alien is arguably one of the greatest horror movies of all time and to this day it’s seen as a horror masterpiece. Yet the franchise never truly had a great game that captured the horror and tense moments of the movie. That is until Alien: Isolation was released. Playing as Amanda Ripley, daughter to the original Ripley, you’re tasked to investigate a mysterious message left by your mother on a derelict ship. Alien: Isolation captures, with resounding precision, one of the most resonant fears in modern pop culture: being chased by the Xenomorph from Alien, with nothing but your wits and a flamethrower running on empty. The mood is oppressive and unrelenting, as hiding only ever brings you temporary peace. For the first time in gaming history, the Xenomorph is represented as the unstoppable force it was in the movies.
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Gaming
Blair Witch When the original Blair Witch Project film came out in 1999, it redefined a stagnating horror genre and created a brand-new form of horror, the found footage genre. At the time it was a unique take on the horror genre and created the fear in every audience member that this actually happened. Since then it has been copied in every single way and form and the genre has lost all its appeal. So it was strange when a new Blair Witch game was released 20 years after the original movie. Fortunately, it perfectly captures what made the movie so terrifying and is able to carve out its own unique take on the found footage genre. The year is 1996 and a young boy has disappeared in the Black Hills forest near Burkittsville, Maryland. As Ellis, a former police officer with a troubled past, you join the search for the missing boy. What starts as an ordinary investigation soon turns into an endless nightmare as you confront your fears and the mysterious force that is the Blair Witch that haunts the forest. Armed with only a flashlight and a walkie talkie, Ellis makes his way into
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the forest accompanied by his loyal dog Bullet. The developers at Bloober Team, previously famed for Layers of Fear and Observer, has mastered transcending the familiar horror tropes, pursuing an experience driven by player mentality. Blair Witch retains much of Bloober’s underlying identity, blending its genre-defining gameplay with the world of the Blair Witch Project. It’s a masterful fusion of intense psychological horror with the series’ signature found-footage themes giving the game a sleek yet unique movie-to-game transition. The true star of the game, however, is the forest itself, constantly changing as the player makes their way through the labyrinth of dense trees, with every scene making you believe that something sinister is watching you from deep within the forest. It allows for some wonderful moments as the player and character start questioning everything. Your trusty companion Bullet growls at anything that moves and is your eyes and ears to any surrounding dangers and the bond you develop with your faithful dog adds to the tension as sometimes Bullet will run off into the forest. That fear of anything
happening to him outweighs any monster or creepy noise. It’s a very clever mechanic that adds such an additional terrifying level to an already claustrophobic experience. Along your trek into the forest, you find a camcorder that not only allows you to see in the dark thanks to its night vision mode, but it also allows you to change the past with red marked tapes you find around the forest. If you come across a locked door you might be able to reverse time to when the door was open. Even though the camcorder mechanic is nothing new to gaming, the time reverse feature does add an interesting twist. Blair Witch the game is an interesting new take on the found footage formula and carves a unique spot for itself amongst gaming’s horror elite. It’s not perfect however, the graphics might feel a bit dated compared to the current line-up of games and the controls and combat mechanics can be clunky at times. However, this does not detract from the wonderful experiences the game brings and Blair Witch is without a doubt one of the top horror games of 2019.
Ghost Recon Breakpoint A direct sequel to the critically successful Ghost Recon Wildlands, Ubisoft’s brandnew Ghost Recon Breakpoint looks set to improve on every aspect of the previous game and they’ve thrown in a few surprises to make sure this is the best Ghost Recon game yet. Aiming to fix specific elements that kept Wildlands from being a truly great game, Breakpoint is set to be the perfect sequel. Set in the fictional Auroa Archipelago, somewhere in the South Pacific, a vast land of diverse biomes that range from lush rainforests to snowy peaks, Breakpoint’s first major improvement over Wildlands is the diversity of its surroundings. Many found the real-world setting of Bolivia in the previous game to be monotonous and lacked the necessary variety to keep the player interested for the hundreds of hours of gameplay promised. Breakpoint changes all of this, the scenery is varied, and every corner offers a new and unique setting for the player to explore. Of course, a varied setting needs a good bad
guy to battle and in Breakpoint an enigmatic technology giant called Skell Technology takes on that role. Initially interested in a remote testing site for its autonomous drones, the Silicon Valley company eventually turned Aurora into its “World 2.0.” A high-tech, high-security utopia of sustainable eco-cities and robotics research facilities. Of course, as with all game-related tech superpowers, Skell Technology has an evil ulterior motive and it’s up to you and your squad of Ghost to stop them. Breakpoint brings some interesting new features to the game that will add an additional level of realism. A new injury system has been introduced that will slow down your squad and reduce your combat effectiveness that requires additional time and resources to heal your Ghost back up to peak fighting condition. The buddy carry system now allows you to quickly carry a fallen squad member to safety, without having to give medical attention in the middle of a firefight. It might sound like a minor feature, but it does change the way
you approach firefights. Prone blending now allows you Ghosts to truly disappear into your environment making you nearly invisible to your enemies, allowing for some surprise ambushes or avoiding detection when the odds are not in your favor. As per the previous game, you can create a unique Ghost to look and play your way. There are multiple classes and deep systems featuring thousands of options for both functional and cosmetic customization. The world of Auroa can be explored either solo or alongside friends with a seamless jump-in jump-out co-op system and although the game can be a lot of fun solo, it’s at its best when played with friends. Ghost Recon Breakpoint is a step in the right direction for the Ghost Recon franchise and improves in every department Wildlands failed at. If leading a group of power soldiers around a variety of environments and utilizing incredible tech to take down your enemies is your type of thing, then Breakpoint is the perfect game for you.
Motoring
T! NERD ALER -fiber s a carbon the a h 2 9 9 e Th om al stem fr d e p e e k a br ss than th le s h ig e w 918 that one. A 41 m u in m old alu ving percent sa
Porsche 911 Carrera S
Play it Again to be heard amongst the clatter of pop culture insecurities. And before you know it you’ve mentally stuck out your hand and given the new Porsche member a solid friendly handshake. You just know you’ll be seeing a lot more of it from here on in – the quintessential benchmark of professionalism. A pace around its familiar proportions is a calm study of assessment no radical rewrites in thinking here but enough twitches of a revolution that will guide the world’s de facto sports car through a foggy period of transition that, to pick just one, will see 911 Turbo become hybrid. The 992 nomenclature starts where the 991.2 left off. All engines are
d, the optional design and dynamic packages you’ve come to e acronyms that personalize them are present and even more time-shaving than they were before. It is no secret that this current Carrera S will transform into a variety of models that will continue to illuminate areas and abilities of the car’s entire lifecycle that aren’t quite so apparent to us now. Even though there are always those archetypal certainties - engine shoved out to the back with the two doors leading to a 2+2 cabin and a view over the brim of the steering wheel sharpening your attention to just above the front wheels - the new 911, spoken as 992 by Porsche anoraks, is tastefully engineered to make it appear visibly fresh and simultaneously iconic.
Engineers can’t go full clean-sheet design with the 911. Within the design are rules and restrictions that focus the mind versus other brands who are ever-changing. I sometimes wonder if Ferdinand Porsche could have realistically expected that his formula for the 911 would still triumph amidst the pressures and innovations that have developed some fifty years later. Porsche’s designers aren’t ready to shave the wing mirrors in lieu of cameras but they are smoothing out the bodywork where they can with forensic finesse. About time. Ferrari and McLaren minimalized their flanks a long time ago and electronically powered systems will probably soon permit smartphone unlocking. New is the lightbar. Old is the return of front lights that no longer slouch down to the bumper as well as a bolder rear spoiler integrated into the glass panel. It looks crisp, riffing on the usual 911 chords
with the body ironed tautly before swelling around the wider tracks and bigger wheels. Porsche’s flat six, 3.0-liter engine was never going to change in configuration after one tenure in 991 and it’s now sufficiently grander than what you’ll find in a 718 which beefs up the 911’s hierarchy. But while it’s similar enough that nobody on the internet found anything new to complain about, the previous engine in the 991.2 won’t pass the new WLTP emissions tests that this one will. Even if it could, the predecessor is weaker. Neighboring the cleaner, more powerful 3.0-liter flat-six is the 8-speed gearbox, delegating overdrive to the last two ratios for efficiency – top speed is achieved in sixth. A 7-speed manual will have the same price, even though it’s a significantly cheaper thing to package. The price of purity.
Motoring
T! NERD ALER is ring time g r u b r u N The ster econds fa s e v fi , s 0 7m3 991. versus the
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Carrera and Carrera S are the comfy, around-the-clock base models and will be followed by Cabriolet versions. But the current entry-level model is not entry-level performance; to find an equivalent from Mercedes-AMG or Jaguar you’ll need to reach the furthest, priciest point on their catalog where GT-R and SVR are currently growing old. The 0-60mph point is quickly reached in 3.7 seconds. Porsche has a reputation for delivering accurate real-world testing, or famously under-reporting performance stats. We’ve sated our bellies on the technical spec of 992 before – in fact this is my second bite at the 911. Today is different because I’m out on road and track with an impromptu wet handling parkour to start us off. What you need on the roads around Valencia is a compact car, a nose lift function, good visibility, navigation and active cruise control for the highways. The Carrera S is armed with all these things so it effortlessly traverses the scope of terrain ahead of it. But it’s not quite as compact as it used to be, which is always what made the 911 so wonderfully unintimidating when you misjudged something and needed an extra foot of room. Now the bigger wheel tracks take some of that margin away, although because the visibility is still so excellent you don’t really notice. Not too dissimilar to a 991’s pliant ride but because of the nicer cabin it feels a lot more special as it hunts down the road. The perfection of a new 911 is that it never responds with too little or too much exertion. So homogenized that nothing is overbearing or overshadows another element. A car that’s faithfully underneath you, reconciling all the information without all the post-production that comes with being rendered by pre-installed, schmoozing algorithms. It’s not a car that relies on a nine-stage traction control system to find the right level of shock and awe - we’re looking at you AMG GT R. The GT Porsches are the intimidating specialists, but 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S are as fluent and forgiving as a 718 GTS. There’s astonishing grip by virtue of the bigger wheel tracks and therefore fatter tires. Even when the dial turns to illuminate Sport and Sport Plus that the 4S versions -now in the same wide, muscular body style as the S – doesn’t immediately announce itself as the king of traction. So I’d leave that box unchecked for our climate, tease the backside’s flirty nature in the dry and stay safe under the guardianship of Wet Mode. Inside the position of the key stub and the central rev counter are famous harbingers to the 911’s lineage. Now Porsche must deal with the quandary of iconic retention amid transformative changes that elevate it to a new realm. Not only does the cabin mimic Cayenne, but arguably the cabin is this way because of Cayenne’s success and the profits it has reaped for Porsche. The 992 owes a lot to Cayenne, which is why other sportscar brands are trying to follow the formula. Customizable digital displays, a new 10-inch touchscreen, a less cluttered layout interspersed with a tile of fixed buttons, including ESC off - which you’d have no trouble getting a finger to during one of Valencia’s fast climbing curves. Materials for one, and the perfect click feedback are not complicit with the usual incongruous foibles of a single-faceted sportscar and while the connected services on board or the autonomous are interspersed around you, 911 hasn’t lost a second of focus. A cossetting cabin which makes going very quickly very easy, it serves to only blast open the chasm between itself and sportscar makers. The 991 Carrera is in immortal health as the new benchmark that most engineers can’t resist comparing their own set of notes to. Carrera S plants the seeds in fertile soil for what will grow and branch off as GTS and Turbo. Cars of this nature are usually polarized by idiosyncrasies or compromises but Porsche has lifted the burden of building the best sportscar up another level.
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Motoring
Jaguar I-Pace EV400 HSE
Purr becomes Whirr
What a time it’s for technological revolutions, some of which is the juicy outwash from the Consumer Electronics Show, teasing the world with gigabytes of industry game-changers. For me, the highlight is the first foldable smartphone from Samsung with a versatile screen size that can knit multiple apps together seamlessly. For the time being the foldable smartphone concept is unrefined, compromised and far too bulky to replace the slim-bezel, front-facing designs carried with us every minute of the day. Does that sound like a familiar technological crossroads? The same early foibles were faced by the nascent electric car. Foldable smartphones will mature beyond these niggles to become the next chapter in communication and entertainment - this is where all the development is headed. Downstream to that, the electric car will have an equally transformative effect on our lives, and the two will augment our lives in unprecedented ways. With Jaguar’s I-Pace it’s no longer about when, it’s about how. Even plug-in hybrids are now viewed as the unraveling proxy en route to full electrification. That leaves the motoring landscape divided into two camps – JLR’s research states that those who turn to electric mobility never return to fossil fuels. As an avid car fan, the I-Pace is already part of your daily dialogue. The Jaguar I-Pace will test the temperature of the EV community, but even if it’s icy cold, the other brands are leaping in… and taking their customers with them.
Motoring
“zips and tschoows an overtake like a flying saucer with the afterburners on”
Can Jaguar expect the same participation? The tweed-wearing, pipe-smoking, classic car restoring XJ or XF owners will fill up at the pumps until fine arid dust is wheezed from each nozzle but Jaguar Land Rover is a company that’s been stealthily rejuvenating its image over the last five years – back to rekindling the innovative, highly desirable brand that made Britain the worldwide authority of car manufacturing after the war put the Germans on the backfoot. Over the last few years Jaguar has struggled to find that next gear, and ironically they’ve done so with a car that has none. By 2020, every Jaguar will hatch an electrified version – in either plug-in or full EV – in every one of their model ranges and unlike BMW or Mercedes, they’re not doing it under a sub-brand. This gives JLR the versatility to mix and match body styles and drivetrains to offer customers the right car at the right time without all the idiosyncrasies of a sub-brand. This explains the I-Pace’s carefully tempered design narrative instead of alienating itself as an EV from the outset – an approach adopted by the Nissan Leaf with divisive results that are no less freakish today than they were seven years ago. The I-Pace follows the same nondescript template as the Audi, minus (thankfully) the digital wing mirrors, where the only clue to its peculiar source of power is the small EV badge on the boot. But it does manifest a little bit of intent in other ways with the roofline, low ground clearance, sizeable wheels - for an EV - and lopsided ratio of metal to glass. But have they pushed the envelope enough? Electric cars give designers a completely new sheet of paper so why not doodle something fresh that belongs on Jaguar’s Pinterest homepage: suck in the overhangs or restructure the crash protection or give us Falcon doors to tweet about. Since the I-Pace’s body size is a reaction to the acreage of the batteries, you can expect a cabin that’s larger than the F-Pace’s. Far, far sexier too. Previously on the backfoot versus BMW, Mercedes and Audi, it was always going to be a daunting step for Jaguar to conjure up an interior that resonates the same posh alchemy as that of similarly priced Range Rover - and this one certainly flatters the Jaguar side of the business. The floating double-stacked screens divide content so efficiently that the thought of returning to any premium brand beholden to a singular screen would now be too grim to bear. As for speed, the I-Pace doesn’t have the 120mph+ gait to take mouthfuls out the autobahn. That’s ok, it zips and tschoows an overtake like a flying saucer with the afterburners on despite weighing as much as a small planet. At the price, you’re shopping in a very special corner of any showroom where SUVs like the GLC 63 AMG, BMW X4 M, Jaguar F-Pace SVR and Porsche Macan Performance Pack are parked. They’ll light up all five senses with similar sprint times but with fatter speedometers and muscular bodies. The tech-savvy early adopters will rush ahead for the foldable smartphone, as they may do for the I-Pace but for now we’ll bide our time with twin-turbo SUVs – even if that means visiting Jaguar Land Rover with a different hat on.
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Juliet Amelia @julietamelia | www.juliet@julietamelia.com Photographer Brian B Hayes | @brianbhayes_photo MUA Nicole Vitale | @vital_vegas_beauty Wardrobe Honey Birdette PR @publishpilot
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I was born in London and moved to the US about 15 years ago. I’ve had a very eclectic life. As a young teenager I was selected to dance on British TV and I was trained in ballet at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance in London. I’m a licensed massage therapist and have been president of a bank, just to name some of my achievements, before devoting full time to my modelling career. I began modelling about 6 years ago. I started by building my portfolio, social media presence and network. I realized to do my best work I had to work with the best photographers. I am grateful to have travelled and worked with many great creative talents. I’ve also been featured in oil paintings and have had the honour of being painted by world renowned surrealist artists David Bowers and Jim Warren. In the last year, I have increased my Instagram following by about 250,000 followers and have thousands of visits to my web-site every month. I have also been featured on the covers of over 40 different magazines including Playboy Playmate of the Year for Sweden.
FUN FACTS. THE FIRST THING I DO IN THE MORNING IS: Open the windows and look out at the beach. THE ITEM OF CLOTHING I WEAR THE MOST IS: Shorty shorts and crop tee shirt. I WOULD NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT MY: Lip gloss and iPhone. MY GUILTY PLEASURE IS: Lying in bed and having my man service me (I don’t feel guilty about it though). THE LAST THING I GOOGLED WAS: Helicopter tours in Hawaii. IF I COULD MEET ANYONE LIVING OR DEAD: It would be my Dad. I miss him so much. WHEN IT COMES TO MODELLING, PEOPLE DON’T REALIZE: How much work goes into making the photograph.
MY FAVOURITE SNACK IS: Ramen Noodles. Just kidding, I don’t keep this figure by snacking. THE ONE THING I SPLURGE ON IS SHOPPING: I have a weakness for cars, clothes, shoes and jewellery. MY FAVOURITE PLACE TO TRAVEL TO IS: Hawaii. MY MOST MEMORABLE MODELLING GIG WAS: The Dry Lake Bed with Brian B. Hayes for Playmate of the Year Sweden. IF YOU LOOKED AT MY DESKTOP YOU’D SEE LINKS TO: Instagram, my web-site, Model Mayhem, Dropbox and Publish Pilot. WHEN I FEEL OVERWHELMED: I take a walk on the beach or take a quiet moment. ON A TYPICAL SATURDAY NIGHT: I stay at home or go to a private party. I go out during the week when there aren’t so many people looking for me to sign an autograph or take selfies. I’D LOVE TO WORK WITH: Playboy TV. THE BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED WAS LISTENING TO MY OWN WISDOM: My wisdom tells me: Believe in yourself, you are all you need. Never give up on yourself, you are worth it. I was born beautiful and perfect. I always will be. Juliet Amelia
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Fashion
Style Guide There is a cool breeze in the air, the leaves start changing and so does your wardrobe. October ushers in the end of warm weather and the start of brisk, shorter days. This month I curated a range of looks that all reect the changing of the season. I went with lighter layers that can be added or removed throughout the day as needed. To go along with it, I show my current favorite watches from brands such as Rolex and Audemars Piguet. By Noah Williams
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Recipes
Munch Time!
Face it, food is delicious. Eating and experiencing new flavors is basically one of the best things about being alive. We decide to treat our tastebuds this time round and have put together a few more superb recipes that’ll get you salivating just thinking about them. Enjoy!
LEMON-GARLIC PAN-FRIED PRAWNS Prep time: 5min Cooking time: 10min Servings: 5-6
Ingredients • 15-18 medium prawns peeled and deveined
For the marinade • 1 tsp garlic powder • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp Italian herbs • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • 4 tbsp olive oil • juice of 1 lemon • 3 tbsp raw honey Garnish • freshly chopped Italian parsley
Instructions
Preheat a pan on medium-high heat with olive oil. In a large mixing bowl mix the marinade until it creates a paste. Grill the prawns in a pan till light pink on both sides. Add the marinade to the pan, allow to simmer till it thickens and changes color to a dark brown. Garnish with freshly chopped Italian parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy.
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OCTOBER 2019
OVEN GRILLED CRUMBED CALAMARI Prep time: 10min Cooking time: 15- 20min Servings: 4-5
Ingredients • 16oz calamari • 2-3 tbsp raw honey • 2 eggs whisked till fluffy
For the crumbs • 2oz almond flour • 1 tsp garlic flakes • 1 tsp onion powder • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp dried basil - optional • 2 tsp dried parsley • 1 tsp lemon zest (grated lemon peel) • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper Garnish • olive oil to drizzle over calamari • fresh herbs to top • lemon wedge on the side
Instructions
Preheat oven to 360F. Prepare oven-pan with nonstick spray and sprinkle with almond flour. Beat the eggs in a small mixing bowl. In the meantime mix the crumbs. Pat the calamari dry with a towel and drizzle with honey. Start by dunking the calamari in the egg and then in the crumbs and onto the oven-pan. Repeat with all calamari. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with your side of choice.
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Recipes GARLIC & HERB CRUMBED HAKE FILLETS Prep time: 10min Cooking time: 30min Servings: 4-5
Ingredients • 1 box of frozen Hake fillets (30oz)
For the crumbs • 2oz almond flour • 1 tsp garlic flakes • 1 tsp onion powder • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp dried basil- optional • 2 tsp dried parsley • 1 tsp lemon zest (grated lemon peel) Garnish • olive oil to drizzle over fillets • rosa tomato • ground black pepper • fresh herbs • lemon wedge on the side
Instructions
Preheat oven to 390F. Prepare oven-pan with nonstick spray. Place frozen fish fillets in pan and place in the oven for 10 minutes. In the meantime mix the crumbs. Remove from the oven after 10 minutes. Sprinkle generously with crumbs. Drizzle with olive oil - consider using a spray bottle for even distribution. Place back in the oven for another 20 minutes. Serve with your side of choice.
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OCTOBER 2019
PUMPKIN FRITTER KEBABS Prep time: 10min Cooking time: 40min Servings: 5-6
Ingredients • 35oz butternut cubes steamed for 5 minutes • 1/2 tsp salt • 1 tsp caramel essence • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1-2 tbsp raw honey
For the sauce • 2oz almond butter • 1 tsp cinnamon • 2oz unsweetened almond milk • 3 tbsp honey • 1/2 tsp salt • 1 tsp caramel essence • 1oz almond flour • 1oz almond sprinkles • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 390F. Soak kebab sticks in water for at least 15 minutes. Steam the butternut for 5 minutes in the microwave, cut one corner of the packet open. Thread kebabs. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, caramel essence, raw honey, and cinnamon. Bake for 10 minutes. In the meantime mix the sauce Remove kebabs from the oven after 10 minutes. Baste and garnish with almond flour, almond sprinkles and cinnamon. Set oven to 430F. Bake for another 15 minutes till golden brown and crispy.
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Spooky Cocktails Can you believe it, it felt just a few short months ago we were revising our New Year’s resolutions and now we’re headed into October, already - where does the time go? And soon, before you know it, we’ll be deciding on which costumes to wear and decorating the house for Halloween. Holidays are a great time to relax with friends and family and nothing quite tops the Halloween theme for a social gathering or provides the perfect cover for a “drinks with the boys” session. Make this Halloween an exciting one by skipping the trick or treat candies and replacing them with something more age-relevant. Here, we’re about to fix up four tasty Halloween-inspired beverages that are sure to put that twinkle back into your eyes!
It’s always fun to have a good er mb time, just remeink to please dr responsibly.
Spooky Cocktails
THE GRAVE DIGGER Ingredients • 2 ounces hard cider • 1 ounce whiskey • Ginger ale to top up Instructions Fill a 12-ounce tumbler or highball glass with crushed ice and add the hard cider and whiskey. Fill the glass with ginger ale, add a swizzle stick, sip and enjoy
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OCTOBER 2019
This appetizing cocktail sets the mood perfectly with a blend of hard apple cider, ginger ale, and whiskey and it isn’t too strong, so you can knock back a few without having to worry about calling it a night early. Although, if you’re looking for more of a punch use a lite beer in place of the cider and if you prefer a boo-zy-er flavor switch out the traditional whiskey for bourbon.
MONSTER MASH MARGARITAS Ingredients • 2 ounces tequila (silver) • 4 ounces blood orange juice • 1 ounce lime juice • Simple syrup (to taste) Instructions Prepare a tall glass of ice and combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Pour contents into the glass and then garnish with a rosemary sprig, a slice of blood orange and add gummy eyeballs (skewered or not) to complete the look.
Garnish sprigs fresh rosemary range or slices of blood o grapefruit candy gummy eyeball izzle sticks sw n o d re e w e sk
These are pretty cool, because well, the blood orange color and texture of this tasty yet spooky beverage really looks the part, especially if you go all the way and add eyeball gummies skewered on a swizzle stick to your concoction. Your guests will surely be impressed by the creativity. For a softer taste alternative try grapefruit instead. With the Monster Mash being this simple to make and so badass-looking, it’s sure to become one of your annual Halloween favorites.
Spooky Cocktails
Ingredients • 2.5 ounces black vodka • 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
BLACK MAGIC
Instructions Add the black vodka, lime juice and simple syrup with a handful of ice and shake very well for about 30 seconds. Prepare your martini glass with a dash of pearl dust before pouring your drink. You could also add some pearl dust to the rim. Stir well and enjoy. If you prefer more of a shimmer instead of a hard-black liquid just top up your drink with a little more pearl dust - or leave it out completely.
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OCTOBER 2019
Also referred to as a Galaxy Cocktail this drink is most notable for its pitch-black color and unique taste and is best served in a martini glass. Interestingly, there are two versions, the preferred alcoholic one, and a virgin Black Magic which is said to possess powerful hangover-smashing properties - recipe also included below. So who knows, you could leverage them both to keep the party going.
WALKER BLOOD SANGRIA Ingredients • 1 bottle of red wine • 2 cups of pomegranate juice • 1/4 cup Cointreau or orange juice • 2 cups sparkling water Instructions Pour the red wine into a glass pitcher then add the Cointreau (or orange juice) and pomegranate juice and stir well before placing in the fridge and leaving overnight. Note; it’s important to leave the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Once done, remove from the fridge, add sparkling water and stir well, again. Prepare a tall glass with ice, add fruit like a berry or strawberry to look fancy, serve and enjoy!
This is an awesome creation brought to you from Dead Eats and inspired by The Walking Dead TV series. The Walker Blood Sangria is proof that some wine and pomegranate juice can really go a long way! This creative cocktail makes number four on our list and is guaranteed to get the party started and even keep it going.
Anya Benton Anya Benton | @anyabenton Photographer Brian B Hayes | @brianbhayes_photo MUA Adriana M | @makeupbyadrianam PR Publish Pilot @publishpilot
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OCTOBER 2019
TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOURSELF PEOPLE WOULD NOT ORDINARILY KNOW ABOUT YOU. Most people think I’m always in full makeup and dressed up but I actually prefer being casual with no make up on and in comfy clothes. IF YOU WEREN’T A MODEL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? I would probably stay in the beauty and fashion industry. I would be either in marketing or PR. WHO IS YOUR CELEB CRUSH? Seth MacFarlane WHAT IS THE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW? I was born in Moscow during Communism so I came from very humble roots. I stood in line for bread as a child and it has helped me stay grounded as an adult, especially living in Los Angeles. WHAT DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE? Every day is usually different because I make my own schedule. Some days, I have shoots while others, I am at home in sweats editing or creating content for social media. WHEN YOU ARE NOT BUSY MODELLING, WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO? Relaxing at home, napping or watching a great show. WHICH THREE WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOU? Positive, outgoing, friendly. WERE YOU EXCITED TO SHOOT THIS FEATURE? Of course! I always love shooting with Brian @brianbhayes_ photo and I had my glam done by my favorite artist Adriana @ makeupbyadrianam DO YOU HAVE ANYONE SPECIAL IN YOUR LIFE? Tell us a bit more. Yes, I’m married and we are celebrating seven years together this fall. He is amazing! WHERE TO FROM HERE? WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? I would like to keep building my following on social media, building my brand and working on my beauty and fashion blog.
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Travel
Want an ideal vacation getaway? Then visit the great western state of Colorado which has a little something for everyone. Colorado is home to a diverse landscape of arid desert, river canyons, and the snow-covered Rocky Mountains. Its natural beauty is only complemented by its unique combination of activities on offer like hiking, camping, biking, and skiing make it the perfect destination to explore. The region also hosts a variety of events and festivals and it’s as diverse in its culture as it is in its geographical beauty. We decided to take an in-depth look to see what’s what and what fun things there are to do next time you’re in colorful Colorado! During the warmer months, up until the end of October Colorado is perfect for those that love the city-live experiences of Denver of for the more outdoor explorers eager to visit one of the many splendid national parks. If you’re more interested in hitting the snow then Ski season is open during the more colder months between December and April with one the larger Colorado-hosted events being The Budweiser International Snow Sculpting Championship which usually happens in January. So whether you wanna see it all in one go, or just partake in the seasonally-appropriate activities like skiing down some awesome slopes or relaxing in some snug hot-water springs, check out some of the things you just have to try out!
Travel
SEE THE CAPITAL Denver is both modern yet full of history. The city dates as far back as the Old West era. Some cool places to visit include the Denver Art Museum which is wellknown for its collection of indigenous works and the mansion of Molly Brown, the famed Titanic survivor. Other places of interest in Denver include the Denver Mint, the 1894 State Capitol Building, and the Museum of Nature and Science which has exhibits on anthropology, geology, space and zoology. Many old-era and ultramodern influences are evident in the sports bars and livemusic venues that make up Denver’s nightlife scene so be sure to take a timeout to mingle with the locals and make your time in Colorado even more memorable. SPRING BACK! After the capital why not pay a visit to Colorado Springs, situated at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains near glacier-carved Pikes Peak, a landmark in Pike National Forest with hiking trails and a cog railway leading to its 14,114-ft. summit. Other awesome attractions on offer include the city’s Garden of the Gods park featuring iconic red-sandstone formations and mountain views. Looking to get outdoors? Then visit the Red Rock Canyon Open Space, a 789-acre city park that’s perfect for rock climbing, biking or taking on hiking trails. There’s also the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo which is home to a variety of wildlife including Colorado natives like grizzlies. Another cool spot is Seven Falls where you get to zip-line and enjoy dramatic waterfall views.
HAD A DIFFERENT SPRING IN MIND? Looking to soak your worries away? Well, aside from wonderful slopes and scenic mountainous views, Colorado is also home to a number of naturally occurring hot springs. Glenwood Springs is another fantastic resort city in Colorado if hot springs are your thing. It situated in the more rugged side of the Rocky Mountains and is surrounded by the vast White River National Forest. Glenwood Canyon is a calm and relaxing place to help your mind drift away to a place of peace and serenity. It’s rich with wildlife and features Hanging Lake, with its striking turquoise waters. Other cool places to visit include Glenwood Caverns which are ancient underground caves. There you’ll also find the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park with its roller coasters and canyon swings overlooking the Colorado River. ASCEND ASPEN Looking to soak your worries away? Well, aside from wonderful slopes and scenic mountainous views, Colorado is also home to a number of naturally occurring hot springs. Glenwood Springs is another fantastic resort city in Colorado if hot springs are your thing. It situated in the more rugged side of the Rocky Mountains and is surrounded by the vast White River National Forest. Glenwood Canyon is a calm and relaxing place to help your mind drift away to a place of peace and serenity. It’s rich with wildlife and features Hanging Lake, with its striking turquoise waters. Other cool places to visit include Glenwood Caverns which are ancient underground caves. There you’ll also find the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park with its roller coasters and canyon swings overlooking the Colorado River.
Ski Country is Only Getting Better!
The Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) member ski areas have been busy this spring, summer and early fall working across the state on significant capital infrastructure improvements, new lodging options, dining experiences and more. In addition to improvements that seasoned skiers and riders will enjoy, CSCUSA members are also offering a wide variety of guest enhancements and learning options that brand-new skiers and riders or those returning to the sport after some time away will be excited about this winter. Many will debut enhanced or remodeled rental shops including clothing rental options. Here’s a summary of the many resort improvements at CSCUSA ski areas for the 2019-20 ski season.
ARAPAHOE BASIN SKI AREA
After completing a 468-acre terrain expansion into the Beavers and the Steep Gullies last season, including the new four-person Beavers chairlift, A-Basin is continuing to upgrade its facilities. 2019-20 will be the first full season of Il Rifugo, the highest lift-served restaurant in North America at just over 12,500 feet serving charcuterie boards, wine, espresso and stunning views of the Continental Divide. A-Basin will also have newly remodeled bathrooms in the basement of the main lodge. For the 2019-20 season, A-Basin has changed its pass partnerships for the upcoming season in an effort to reduce ski and snowboard visits on weekends and holidays and to improve the quality of the guest experience. A-Basin can now be accessed on a limited basis on the Ikon Pass, Ikon Base Pass and Mountain Collective Pass. The only way to ski A-Basin more than 7 days without blackout dates is to purchase an A-Basin season pass for the 2019-20 season. arapahoebasin.com
COOPER
Cooper will welcome a lift and terrain expansion for the 2019-20 season featuring a new surface lift and 70 acres of new intermediate and advanced skiing terrain. This will be the first truly expert terrain in Cooper’s history. Cooper will also welcome RFID technology this winter helping guests enjoy a seamless experience. Cooper will have a variety of products for guests of all backgrounds including its First-Timer program, $30 Thursdays and a number of other discounted products. skicooper.com
COPPER MOUNTAIN
Opening for the 2019-20 season, Copper Mountain visitors can explore 273 acres of expert terrain on Tucker Mountain with the new Three Bears chairlift. This threeperson fixed grip lift, topping out at 12,421 ft, will access terrain that was previously accessible via snowcat or hiking only and provide stunning views of the surrounding area. Guests can enjoy a warming hut at the top of the lift and bathrooms at the bottom. Copper Mountain has also begun construction on a new 127-room, four-story hotel with anticipated completion as early as 2020. Located in a portion of the Chapel parking lot, the Creekside Hotel will feature an outdoor patio nestled along West Ten Mile Creek complete with fire pits and hot tubs, giving guests a chance to unwind and soak in the views after a day on the slopes. coppercolorado.com
ECHO MOUNTAIN RESORT
After opening its tubing hill in the 2018-19 season, Echo is adding a new food truck, Two Mile Pie, near the tubing hill serving pizza, drinks and snacks throughout the winter. Access to the tubing hill will also be more convenient with a new staircase and a new deck outside the rental shop. In addition to enjoying Echo’s emphasis on a non-judgmental atmosphere, guests can also purchase new pass products like the Night Season Pass or Midweek Season Pass for under $100. echomountainresort.com
ELDORA
Eldora will roll out new buses in its parking lots this upcoming season to create an improved experience for guests moving between their cars and the slopes. Eldora is also finalizing a rideshare app that will help connect guests in order to facilitate carpooling and reduce traffic ahead of the season. Terrain park enthusiasts will be excited about Eldora’s new Zaugg terrain-shaping machine, which will allow the park crew to create consistent and innovative park features all winter long. The rental shop will also feature a new tuning machine helping guests to quickly receive ski and snowboard care and get back on the slopes. eldora.com
GRANBY RANCH
Granby Ranch is replacing 5,000 feet of snowmaking pipe for the upcoming season. This will allow Granby Ranch to open all blue runs on opening day of the season, currently scheduled for December 13, 2019. Granby Ranch’s new food and beverage team will be offering specific themed dinner options for guests on Wednesday nights throughout the season. For the second season running, Granby Ranch will also offer groups the opportunity to rent the East Mountain for the evening including night skiing. granbyranch.com
HESPERUS
Hesperus will offer College Friday’s this season, giving college students in Colorado and New Mexico schools discounted tickets on Friday evenings to enjoy 100 percent of the mountain. Hesperus also offers first-timers over the age of seven up to three free lessons with the purchase of one full-day, full-price lift ticket. ski-hesperus.com
LOVELAND SKI AREA
A year after debuting the new Chet’s Dream chairlift, Loveland is partnering with the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Snowstang for the upcoming season. A roundtrip ticket on the new direct bus service will cost $25 with discounts for seniors, children and disabled passengers. Guests can be picked up at Union Station in Denver and the Denver Federal Center. Snowstang will run on weekends starting December 12 and will run through mid-April, 2020 with some holidays. Families visiting Loveland for the first time can take advantage of the Family Private Lesson to learn together in a relaxed, non-competitive environment as a family. skiloveland.com
MONARCH MOUNTAIN
Monarch will celebrate its 80th Anniversary with a new retail location next to the rental shop that will specialize in rental clothes and cold weather essentials for guests that need them. Ongoing tree thinning will allow Monarch to open a new tree run as well as a children’s interpretive run. skimonarch.com
POWDERHORN RESORT
Powderhorn will welcome a new food and beverage location in its base area, an Umbrella Bar for visitors to sit back and enjoy. Guests will also have the option of staying slope-side in the new tiny home village yearround. Powderhorn will also be launching a new app and website in the fall of 2019 to improve the guest experience. powderhorn.com
PURGATORY RESORT
Purgatory will offer free ski and snowboard lessons to all first-time skiers and riders of all ages. Children 10 and younger are eligible for a free season pass through the Power Kids program. Young adults up to 36 will also receive discounted season passes. skipurg.com
SILVERTON MOUNTAIN
Silverton Mountain will expand its unguided season for the upcoming winter, now beginning March 18, 2020 and running five days a week, Wednesday-Sunday through April 19, 2020. This is over a 50 percent increase in available ski days during the unguided season. silvertonmountain.com
STEAMBOAT
Guests visiting Steamboat this winter will enjoy the new gondola, which will expand uphill capacity from the base area by nearly 40 percent. The new gondola will also provide a more seamless experience with gondola cabins flush to the ground allowing riders to walk straight on as opposed to stepping up to get into the cabin. Ride time will be reduced from 12 minutes to under 10 minutes. Also, new this upcoming season, Ikon pass holders will have access to night skiing Thursday- Monday from December through March. Guests in need of rental equipment can experience the new refurbished and expanded Steamboat Sports in the base area with an improved rental process and more retail offerings. Visitors can also look forward to a full season of the Taco Beast, Steamboat’s roaming snowcat turned food truck steamboat.com
Travel
SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN RESORT
A three-phase, $4 million expansion has begun at Sunlight with phase one underway this summer. This will expand gladed tree skiing, add five new hike back runs and an additional 500 vertical feet of skiing in the expert only area of the mountain for winter 2019-20. When completed, the entire project will feature a new lift and 100 acres of new terrain. sunlightmtn.com
TELLURIDE SKI RESORT
Guests to Telluride can experience 40 new acres of north-facing gladed terrain around Lift 9 this upcoming winter. This new tree skiing will be for advanced and expert skiers and will also include new natural features like steep chutes and rock drops. Guests can also download Telluride’s new app that includes up-tothe-minute lift status information, snow reporting, trail status, an interactive trail map, push notifications and more. tellurideskiresort.com
WINTER PARK RESORT
A new 6-person Sunnyside chair will be installed for the 2019-20 season, replacing the old 3-person fixed-grip chair in one of the most popular areas of the resort. The $6 million in upgrades will reduce ride time from eight minutes to under four minutes and reduce lift lines at the bottom of Parsenn Bowl. For the first time, Winter Park will also offer guests guided off-mountain adventures like nighttime experiences or backcountry skiing or riding. winterparkresort.com
WOLF CREEK SKI AREA
Wolf Creek will celebrate its 80th birthday this winter. A new run, Orion’s Beltway, will offer beginners and intermediates a new option when exploring the mountain. The new Powderroom will offer seasonal pass holders the option of renting a locker for the season. The Raven’s Nest, a modern two-story restaurant located at the top of the Raven Lift, will be upgraded with a new sunroom in the lower level. The remodel will open space and create a more vibrant area for the new Raven’s Grill Café including a new menu. wolfcreekski.com
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RESORT
OPEN
CLOSE
ARAPAHOE BASIN
Mid-October
June 7
ASPEN HIGHLANDS
December 7
April 12
ASPEN MOUNTAIN
November 28
April 19
BUTTERMILK
December 7
April 5
COOPER
December 7
April 12
COPPER MOUNTAIN
November 8
April 12
ECHO MOUNTAIN
November 29
April 12
ELDORA
November 15
April 12
GRANBY RANCH
December 13
March 29
HESPERUS
December 21
TBD
HOWELSEN HILL
November 30 March 15
KENDALL MOUNTAIN
December 14
March 29
LOVELAND
Mid-October
May 5
MONARCH
November 22
April 5
POWDERHORN
December 13
March 29
PURGATORY
November 23
TBD
SILVERTON
December26
April 19
SNOWMASS
November 28
April 19
STEAMBOAT
November 23
April 12
SUNLIGHT
December 13
April 5
TELLURIDE
November 28
April 5
WINTER PARK
November 14
May 3
WOLF CREEK November 1 April 5 2019-20 Winter Operating Dates for Colorado Ski Country USA members. Note: Dates are subject to weather and change so please confirm with the desired resort.
Beginner’s Guide
Prepping for Outdoor activities are simply awesome. Nothing beats connecting with Mother Nature like taking a day-long hiking trip, going for a chilled dip in the nearest lake (or pool) - skinny or not, or going on a road trip or camping out with the boys. It’s true, during the hotter months there’s so much to do, both in and outdoors, but what about when the mercury drops and when we’re less inclined to leave the living room, let alone go biking in short-shorts? Well, in this month’s issue we feature some awesome winter-themed activities and places to visit in colorful Colorado, so why not get yourself geared-up for snow country with a few useful tips to get you started!
S e i l thhan too Co Sp Colo l raado d S
ou ryy USA
For new Colorado residents who’ve never been skiing and snowboarding or those that are returning to the state and sport after a long hiatus, getting started can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) member resorts make it easy and convenient for new and returning skiers and riders to get back into the snow.
Beginner’s Guide
LOCKDOWN ON THE LIFT TICKETS
There are more options than ever before to get on the slopes this ski season and purchasing lift tickets calls for some thoughtful planning. New skiers and riders should consider how many days they plan to ski, how many ski areas and which ones they plan to visit, and what their ski season budget will be. For guests planning to spend more than a couple days skiing or riding this season, Colorado ski areas offer season passes, with discounts for younger participants, college students, seniors and members of the military. For those who aren’t ready to commit to a season pass, ski areas also offer products like 4-Packs, single day and multiday lift tickets. The best deals often appear on ski area’s email newsletters and social media accounts first, so guests can get a head start on savings by signing up and following along.
INVEST IN THE EXPERIENCE WITH A BEGINNER LESSON
For beginner skiers and riders, or those who’ve taken a few years off from the sport, a lesson from a highly-trained professional instructor is the best introduction to the sport. Most beginner lessons at Colorado ski areas include a certified instructor, gear rentals and a lift ticket, giving first-time skiers and riders everything they need to improve their skills and progress safely from the “magic carpet” to more challenging terrain. Colorado ski resorts offer great lesson packages and programs for “never-evers” including free lessons for first-timers, complimentary instruction in beginner areas, options for unlimited beginner lessons and three-class passes that come with a season pass. Use coloradoski.com as a resource for more information on lesson packages across the state.
TRY A DAY-LONG OR SEASON-LONG RENTAL There is no need to worry about buying a full ski or snowboard set up. All ski areas have easy to navigate rental shops where guests can find what they’ll need for a successful day. Many ski shops offer affordable season-long rental packages in addition to single-day packages. Check out Christy Sports with locations throughout the high-country and along the Front Range at christysports.com.
ATTEND THE COLORADO SKI & SNOWBOARD EXPO Hosted at the Colorado Convention Center over the weekend of Friday, November 16 to Sunday, November 18, the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo is a one-stopshop to kick off a life-long love of skiing and riding. Guests will have access to deals and discounts on ski gear, season passes, lift tickets, lesson packages and more. For beginners, the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Expo will be an opportunity to learn about skiing and snowboarding, explore lift ticket options at various Colorado ski resorts and save up to 70 percent on skis, boards, boots, bindings, clothing, and accessories. There will also be family-friendly attractions including a KidSlope Learning Center, free gear giveaways, live entertainment and holiday shopping deals.
BONUS TIP; HAVE A BACKUP PLAN IF SKIING DOESN’T WORK OUT Colorado’s world-class ski resorts offer more than just skiing. For guests who aren’t ready to strap into skis or a snowboard, families with non-skiing members, or those who just want to enjoy a day in the mountains, Colorado ski areas offer dozens of family-friendly activities off the slopes. Some activities available at Colorado ski resorts include winter sightseeing, guided and non-guided snowshoeing, snow tubing, ice skating, unique dining experiences and mountain coasters.
Beginner’s Guide
LEARN TO SKI NEXT SNOWBOARD MONTH January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM) across America, making it the perfect time to hit the slopes for the first time or to introduce a friend or family member to Colorado Ski Country. Colorado ski areas offer special promotions and programs to make it easier than ever for people to learn to ski or snowboard. In the month of January, guests visiting Colorado ski areas will find package deals on rentals, lift tickets and professional instruction. Many ski areas will reward successful first-time participants with a complimentary season pass or discounted lift tickets. As January approaches visit coloradoski. com for an overview of Colorado offerings during Learn to Ski and Ride Month.
Cassaundra
Deane
Cassandra Deane | @cassaundrakelly Photographer Bruce Colero | @brucecolero MUA McKellar | @kylemakeupmckellar Shoot Assistant Danielle Hawkins | @danyellehawkins
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OCTOBER 2019
WERE YOU EXCITED TO SHOOT FOR FHM? Of course, FHM is a staple and I considered it an honour to be able to shoot for FHM. TELL US SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOU? I’m finishing my BA in Psychology and hope to attend law school after :) DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE SENTENCE. Sunshine mixes with a little hurricane. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES? Hiking, Swimming, Fitness, Reading, & Art. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST TURN ON? I consider myself a Sapiosexual, which mean I’m attracted to intelligence. If someone can impress me with their mind that is the biggest turn on of all. WHAT TURNS YOU OFF THE MOST? Rudeness. Treat the janitor with the same respect you treat the CEO and you’re good with me.. Also, men who insult women in an attempt to pick them up. I see though that and don’t play that game AT ALL lmao. DESCRIBE TO US YOUR PERFECT DATE. Something intimate and fun. Good food, good wine, and great conversation. WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A MODEL SO FAR? I’m a full time single mom. So the hardest thing for me is traveling for work. Being away from home is difficult and most of the modelling events I attend aren’t really kid-friendly. ANY LAST WORDS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE READERS? I’m very excited to be here and so happy to have had the opportunity to share these photos with you :) I hope you like them as much as I do!
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Relationships
Keeping it Saucy! Sex in long-term relationships BY CATRIONA BOFFARD CLINICAL SEXOLOGIST & PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Two-year curse? Seven-year itch? We’ve all heard about the sexual slumps that might happen to couples in a relationship, and many of us have experienced it too. Most couples who have been together a long time have most likely experienced a time when sex just wasn’t as exciting as it was before or that sex became a bit too routine and boring. And unfortunately, ‘spicing things up’ with sex toys isn’t always going to cut it! What’s often needed is to take a more holistic look at the relationship. So here are a few things to consider if sex is just not what it used to be: 1. Talk about it Many studies have found that couples who talk about sex [outside of the bedroom] actually have more sex. Why? Because they are sharing their desires, fantasies and feel comfortable to tell their partner what works for them in bed. The majority of couples don’t talk about their sex lives - they just do it - and most people are actually rather embarrassed by the topic of sex. Once you recognize that talking about sex can only enhance your relationship, then it can actually lead to a total change to the type of sex you and partner are having. Recognize too if you’re struggling with the topic due to shame, embarrassment or fear, and share this with your partner.
2. Get back to basics Remember kissing when you were a teenager? Remember making out for hours on end? Let’s bring this back into our sexual experience! I’m not suggesting you spend hours-on-end kissing, but I am suggesting that you get back to basics and do things you’ve probably forgotten to spend time on, such as kissing! Many couples focus only on sex, and by that I mean what happens only after penetration! So why not focus on doing things that you used to do when you first met, and the things that created more physical chemistry between you? The best advice that the world-renowned Dr. Ruth [look her up!] gave me about working with couples was to remind them to always flirt! Go on dates, make an effort to dress up and spoil each other, flirt and compliment each other. You’d be surprised what a big difference these small changes can make. It can also take a lot of pressure off penetrative sex, and give you other ways to build desire and connect in your relationship.
3. Pleasure not performance That being said, getting back to basics can help you shift your focus from performance to pleasure. Most people are performance-focused (goal-orientated) in the bedroom, and so sex is often all about the outcomes - getting turned on and having an orgasm being at the top of that list. Unfortunately, sex like this can become frustrating, one-sided and pressurizing for one or both partners. As soon as someone feels pressured during sex, they are unlikely to be able to enjoy the experience or even to ‘perform’ sexually the way that they’d want to. If sex feels like this, put a ban on sex for a week or a month and spend that time touching and teasing each other in ways that don’t include sexual intercourse. Think erotic massages, stripteases, bathing or showering together, oral sex, kissing like teenagers, etc. You’d be really surprised how much more open we can be to intimacy and sexual experiences when we don’t feel pressured to ‘perform’.
Relationships
4. Don’t be too serious For something that is supposed to be so natural to us as humans, sex can be a lot of hard work! Most couples report that when sex is good, it makes up around 10% of their relationship; but when sex isn’t going well and there’s sexual dissatisfaction, it feels like 90% of their relational concerns. If you and your partner can talk about sex, don’t let it get to rock bottom before you talk about it. And when you do talk, rather than focusing on all the negatives, try to remember the positives! Think about an experience you both really enjoyed, or a time when sex was really fun and satisfying. Remind each other of what you have had and don’t be too serious about the current state of your sex life... Rather talk about how you can make a change to the current experience you’re sharing.
5. Look at the relationship as a whole, not sex as a part When sex becomes a constant source of conflict between a couple, instead of focusing on what’s happening sexually, shift your focus to what’s happening both individually and between you. Is either of you struggling to manage stress or work-life balance, or are you experiencing difficulties with your mental and physical health? Do you both feel loved, appreciated and wanted in your relationship, or could this be improved upon? Most couples seek sex therapy believing that sexually, things need work in the bedroom when almost all of the time it’s that the difficulties faced sexually is an indicator that things need attention on a relationship level. If you’re struggling to figure things out on your own, considering reaching out to a sex therapist or couples therapist. Doing so can really make the difference between a healthy, happy and satisfying relationship, or a very unhappy, ‘likely-to-end’ one…
“Go on dates, make an effort to dress up and spoil each other, flirt and compliment each other.”