Strike Magazine Volume 3

SPRING 2018 ISSUE

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Editor-in-Chief: Hannah Kealy Creative Director: Natalie Campion Content Curator: Tori Berkowitz Design Director: Sophie Kemm

Art Art Directors: Carli Solomon, Sophie Li Cover Art: Elton Burgest

Digital Videographers: Cristyna Rhoads, Jorge Holguin-Reed, Shannon Mcdonnell Staff Photographer: Lilly Longoria

Marketing Brand Director: Nicole Tripodis Marketing Director: Millicent Leeds Sales Director: Austin Tolchin Assistant: Melissa Cancel

Women's Directors: Ariana Jurado, Margot Portuondo Assistant: Lucy Jane Hurley

Beauty Director: Haleigh Feix Assistants: Haley Gagnon, Emily Gibson, Lucy Kealy, Tori Thrall

Lifestyle Directors: Megan Barry, Sarah Kern

Men’s Directors: Lauren Johnson Assistant: Emma Steele

Styling Directors: Alexa Carter, Emily Waters Assistants: Anna Gist, Abby Marshall

Editorial Directors: Janna McCabe, Hali Azpeitia

Merchandise Directors: Natalie de la Guarda, Grace Alexander Assistant: Amy Brecker

Advertising Director: Savannah Dakos

Public Relations Director: Mackenzie Carmichael Assistants: Dasha Johnson, Chelsea Percopo

Finance Director: Amanda Ismaili Assistant: Clayton Riedl

Blog / Staff Writers Blog Director: Carli Solomon Writers: Alina Tkachova, Hannah Stevens

Photographers: Lifestyle: Kaitlyn Confer Women's: James Zamora Editorial: Kassadie Nieto Men's: Ashley Mulaik Beauty: Austin Tolchin Seasonal: Claudia Guerra

Instagram: @strikemagazine

Website: strike-magazine.com

Contact: eic.strike@gmail.com

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Beaming 5 #Unlittered 14 Practice What You Preach 15 Now What? 16

Runaway Spirits 18 The Law of Attraction 28 Not So Haute 30 Clear Your Mind, Write it Out 31 The Truth About Astrology 32

Topping it Off 34 What Your Handbag Says About You 42 Virgial Abloh: From Rags to Richest 43

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Roses are White 48 What the F#&k is Bitcoin? 53 Rise in Resilience 54 Gender-Neutral Fragrances You'll Love 56

Meet Elton Burgest 44

After Hours 67 Brockhampton: DIY boyband 76 Sounds Like a Match 77 Run With it 78 Tunnel Vision 57 Beauty Regime 63 @babi.c.beauty 64 Skin Is In 65 What Goes Around Stays Around 66

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It’s way past midnight and we’re sitting on Hannah’s couch at Strike HQ to rewrite Meet the Editors for the tenth time. How are we supposed to explain years of developing Strike, and the months of hard work we put into Volume III, in just one letter? From humble beginnings — brainstorming the name and concept of a new magazine — to the expansion of Strike to other college campuses, we’ve come a long way. It’s crazy to think that years from now we will be able to look back on the legacy we left at Florida State.

Volume III focuses on empowering the individual and leading a positive lifestyle. Our goal for each issue has always been to make meaningful content with the potential to inspire our audience. We want our readers to flip through our magazine and feel connected through the concept behind the photos, and the articles that are unique to each writer’s passions and experiences.

At each shoot, our models, photographers, and production teams were able to get to know each other pretty well in the span of just a few hours. From the lifestyle shoot where one of our models, Cody, was teaching new aerial yoga techniques right

before we left for the studio, to the women’s shoot where all of the models were piled on top of each other in the corner of our living room in a 3’x4’ set.

Developing these connections has always been a huge aspect of Strike, but in this issue more than ever, we wanted every image to convey this level of intimacy to our audience. At the end of the day our purpose is to produce a lifestyle publication that exemplifies diversity, individuality, and creativity in all forms, and that wouldn’t be possible without our insanely talented staff. We take pride in doing what has not been done before and coming together to break conventional standards in image, content, and design.

While creating captivating content has always been our main priority, we also put a lot of energy into expanding awareness of the Strike brand beyond Florida State. When three random women persistently reached out for months about bringing Strike to the University of Florida, we knew they had the same make-it-happen attitude that has fueled the creation of our magazine since day one. Within 24 hours of deciding to expand, they drove over from Gainesville to experience the craziness that is a photoshoot and get a run down of all

the behind the scenes work. We’re proud to say that Strike Magazine will now be published at the University of Florida, and their first issue is set to release fall 2018.

Launched in December of 2016, Strike has grown to become so much more than just a magazine for our closeknit and inventive staff. As the original founders, with three issues under our belt, saying goodbye to the publication we started from scratch is bittersweet.

We are eternally proud of the mark we have made on Florida State and in turn, the mark our staff, photographers, and models have made on us. People like our design director, Sophie, and our videographer, Tyna, prove to us that incredible things can happen when a bunch of people get together to do what they love. Leaving Strike behind as we graduate is a hard concept to grasp, but we are confident that we are leaving it in the hands of the most talented individuals on FSU’s campus.

We want to thank everyone who has believed in this publication and rooted for us since day one. We can’t wait to look back years from now and see Strike thriving and reaching new heights.

Strike out for the last time, Hannah, Natalie, + Tori

Beaming

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Mirror, Mirror

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THE #UNLITTER MOVEMENT Hanna Gibson The word “unlitter” seemingly requires little explanation – pick up trash. Sabina Osman, a 21-year-old senior studying sustainable studies and business management at the University of Florida, redefined the phrase #unlitter to spread awareness about the simple ways individuals can keep their minds and environment clean. The term, which is now trademarked, emphasizes ridding the world around you of unnecessary waste.

“This movement is everything,” Osman explains. “Unlitter your mind.

Don’t think so much; do some yoga.

Unlitter your body. Align yourself with your center and the Earth.”

Unlitter aims to encourage individuals to be conscious of the choices they make, and the way they interact with the world. Osman said you can help preserve the environment by simply choosing a keg for your next party instead of a bunch of 24 packs. Make the decision to suck it up and do dishes the morning after your next pregame to avoid a garbage bag full of red solo cups.

The campaign started organically when Osman used the word “unlitter” and immediately noticed its power.

As the word caught her friends’ attention and began to spread, she instantly realized the potential it could have as a movement.

Launched last summer, the initiative began by distributing stickers with the #unlitter logo to remind people of the movement’s purpose — make smarter, more intentional choices.

The social media presence is constantly growing, with over 500 likes on Facebook and around 2,000 followers on Instagram. Osman has witnessed the environmental damage firsthand in her hometown

of Miami Beach. She is passionate about the message on a personal level, as she hopes to protect the environment in her own community and help others do the same in theirs. Their Instagram account, @unlitter_official, showcases pictures of people contributing to the cause by picking up trash.

Photos of collected cigarette butts and plastic bags originally came from Osman’s friends, but now she receives submissions from strangers who have been inspired by the movement. The Instagram account also highlights the ways the initiative goes beyond reducing waste left in public places, as the bio reads, “#unlitter is more than just a movement to pick up trash. It’s a movement to be aware.”

Osman has big plans for the initiative moving forward. She intends to launch #unlitteryourbusiness and #unlitteryourevent to help organizations and events function in a more conscious, environmentally-friendly way. These campaigns propose simple solutions to help groups demonstrate that they care about the communities they serve. For instance, at an event like Ultra Music Festival, she would suggest eliminating straws or plastic cups entirely.

While this change might be hard to achieve, she believes it would “show all the people

there that Ultra gives a f#&k.”

After developing a more expansive following, she plans to use social media to direct individuals toward more sustainable companies. By doing so, she can help them make conscious decisions to stay away from products that contribute to environmental damage.

The power of this movement lies in the simplicity of the word #unlitter.

Actively using the term helps draw attention to environmental issues and influences the public to make more conscious, intentional choices. The impact the initiative has made on Osman’s surrounding communities keeps her passionate about expansion. She hopes this movement becomes a part of people’s everyday vocabulary and acts as a reminder that we each play a role in protecting our environment.

“It’s a lifestyle,” she explained.

“If you’re living with the idea of unlitter in your head, you’re living consciously, intentionally, and positively.”

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Practice What You Preach Hannah Stevens

For a while it was “trendy” to be dark and angsty. Everyone would talk about how cool and cute it was to not have any friends or “totally hate my life.” In the past year or so we’ve seen a shift of people coming to their senses and starting to realize that this mentality is actually really damaging. Practicing self-care matters, being passionate about something is important, and refusing to get caught up with aspects of our lives that we have no control over will make you so much happier.

We started to live in the moment instead of complaining about the past. In other words, mindfulness is becoming a trend. Our Instagram feeds are flooded with quotes such as, “great things never come from comfort zones”- but are these people really living mindfully?

Have they truly adapted a new lifestyle, or are they just trying to keep up with the latest fad?

With it becoming increasingly cool to be mindful, there’s a perception that it means treating yourself in the name of self-care, doing yoga on the beach, and trying to tackle how to properly meditate. While all of that is great and can certainly be beneficial, mindfulness at its core, however, is so much more than this.

It is a tool that enables intention and thoughtful action, and allows for focus on the present moment you are in. Combined with discipline and persistence, it can be mastered and applied to all aspects of your life.

No single person’s mindfulness practices are the same as another’s.

The first step to figuring out how you can live mindfully is through internal reflection. Decide what exactly it is you want or need, and look at yourself through an accepting and honest lens. It’s not easy to remain present and true to yourself with so many outside stressors and influences, but practicing mindfulness reminds us to cut the shit and live for ourselves.

The second you decide to live for yourself and consciously make an effort to do what’s best for you, you will feel much more in control and at peace.

There have been studies claiming that it takes 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become an expert, and ‘master’ a field. Creating a habit out of living mindfully and intentionally will take time and effort, but anyone can become a pro. How can you begin?

Simply start with your breathing.

It seems a little silly, but because breathing comes naturally, we never do it with purpose — let alone become aware of how we’re doing it. Learning techniques that focus on breathing have the power to ease your mind and calm your fears.

Taking this simple step will allow you to detach your detrimental thoughts and put you in a clearer place to focus on remaining thoughtful and present.

Mindfulness does not come without its struggles, but it is important to remember that it should always be rooted in self-love. It’s about not running away from your issues, but confronting them, and working through them. Posting inspirational quotes can have the potential to motivate others to live their most mindful life, but it’s important to realize that simply posting those quotes does not mean a mindful life is being lived. When you begin to practice mindfulness the way it is intended, you have the opportunity to be your best self and live your best life, without all of the background noise.

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Hannah Kealy

During my freshman year I could not wait to get home for the holidays. I was pretty pumped my sophomore year too. By the time junior year rolled around, I was used to being away but definitely still looked forward to returning home for the break. Then something happened.

I turned 21 and suddenly the only thing anyone wanted to talk about at home was the future.

“So what’s your plan after college?”

“Are you moving to NYC?” “Have you applied to any exciting internships?”

Listen Aunt Suzie, I already told you 3 weeks ago at Thanksgiving I wasn’t sure, nothing has changed so please stop asking. *chugs eggnog* Now, I know that this job search is all about me and my goals. I really do try and stay focused on myself but I wouldn’t be human if I said I have no problem staying faithful that my dream job will come without feeling all of this outside pressure. So whenever my thoughts go awry, I try to keep the following things in mind: This is not going to be your job forever (unless you want it to be): Realistically, your dream career is most likely not an entry level job so stop trying to get there overnight. It is going to take a few jobs to prepare you for the role you’ve always hoped

for. Recognize that the position you accept after college is probably not the same job you’ll have five years from now. Your mom may have worked at the same company since she graduated high school but that doesn't mean you are permanently stuck with the first job you choose.

Every opportunity leads to a whole new network of people and future opportunities. Think about all the things you’ve done in college so far, I guarantee you can come up with at least one thing you weren't sure about that lead to something you were sure about.

It’s okay to go back home: I don’t know where the stigma originates from but there are way too many of you who think going home after graduating means you’ve failed.

Yes, you might have to deal with a few Aunt Suzie’s pestering you about why you're not working at Vogue yet.

Just let her know your time will come and for now you will be enjoying mom’s home-cooked meals, free living arrangements, and a nice fluffy savings account.

Celebrate your accomplishments: Don’t forget that you’ve spent the past four years working your ass off to get a degree. Take time to acknowledge this huge

accomplishment instead of focusing on the fact that you aren’t employed yet.

Nobody knows you like you know you: Most of us try to capitalize on all the connections we have and ask for advice from people we see as mentors, but you have to remember to take everyone’s advice with a grain of salt. Just because your dad thinks you don’t belong in Los Angeles because he hated it, does not mean you will. People are always going to give their own two cents, and odds are you’re asking for it, but just remember that you have unique priorities, goals, and values. Nobody truly knows whether or not a certain job or city is the right fit for you.

Go see the world: You don’t have kids, you’re done with school, you’re unemployed… This is your chance to say “f#&k it” and go on the adventures you’ve always dreamed of. Maybe you don’t have unlimited funds to just get up and go but, anything is possible, make it work. Planning to move to New York? Sell your car and take that trip to Thailand. Got some graduation money from grandma? Splurge on that $400 music festival ticket. This is probably one of the only times in

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your life where you can go anywhere or do anything without asking permission. Be spontaneous, book a one-way flight, the world is your oyster.

You are more than your job: Think of how much you’ve grown as a person during your time in college.

Yes, you are a Florida State student, but you are so much more than that. This publication is the perfect example, it’s become my life and added so much to who I am outside of my education. Just like FSU does not define my whole existence, a job won’t either. You won’t be confined to your job as an accountant or a teacher, there will be so much more to life than your profession. Don’t let it determine your worth.

I’m sure these different scenarios have already crossed your mind, but next time you’re feeling discouraged, remind yourself that you have plenty of other things to celebrate and do before you spend the rest of your life working full time. Yes, a lot of us need to make ends meet as soon as we get out of here but remember, nothing is permanent. If you’re waiting tables while figuring out the next step, 1) I admire your hustle and 2) It will probably lead to something great.

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Runaway Out Here Spirits

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The Law Of Attraction Natalie Campion

The Law of Attraction is the ability to attract into our lives whatever we can conceive with our thoughts. It uses the power of our mind to translate our thoughts into reality. No, the Law of Attraction is not a magic trick, sorcery, or voodoo; it is simply an unchanging universal principle. Think about The Law of Attraction just like the Law of Gravity.

Gravity is also an unchanging law of our universe, what goes up must come down, but no one really understands how or why it happens. Although we understand that the Law of Gravity works and exists, even if we don’t completely understand it, we believe it because it has been scientifically proven. Go ahead and test it, throw your phone off your balcony, the result will be shattering. Just like all of the evidence supporting the Law of Gravity, there are volumes of scientific evidence to prove that our thoughts alone have immediate and tangible effects on ourselves and the environment around us.

The most famous experiment dealing with the Law of Attraction was conducted by Dr. Masaru Emoto. He photographed frozen water crystals after thoughts of love and peace or hate and fear were projected on them.

Sometimes these intentions were spoken out loud, while other times the intentions were just thought about. The results were always the same, over and over again. Positive messages of hope, peace, love, and joy resulted in beautiful, symmetrical crystals, while the messages of fear, hate, anger, and sadness resulted in disjointed and broken crystals. This experiment proves that our intentions can physically alter the world around us.

To really understand the Law of Attraction you have to tune into your relationship with the universe, which can be determined by how you perceive the results of your life. For example, have you ever bought a new car and then suddenly see them everywhere on the road? Do you have great days where everything goes perfectly just as planned? What about bad days from start to finish, where everything seems

to go wrong? How do you interpret these occurrences? Would you consider them coincidences, or have you manifested all of these moments into existence? Most people believe that they are a product of everything that has happened to them, i.e. all of the readers who chose the coincidence explanation for the above examples. These people believe they have no power or control of their lives, but the truth is your thoughts and feelings DO have an effect on the events that take place around you. A shift in your perspective and understanding of the truth about your relationship with the universe can allow you to attract anything you want into your life.

"Man, alone, has the power to transform his thoughts into physical reality; man, alone, can dream and make his dreams come true."

-Napoleon Hill The foundation for using the Law of Attraction is defined by three simple steps: 1. Ask 2. Believe 3. Receive The first step, Ask, focuses on the act of manifestation. Manifestation is our ability to turn our thoughts into things.

In order to successfully use the Law of Attraction, you have to know how to properly manifest what it is that you want to receive. When I first began testing the Law of Attraction I would try manifesting small desires first. To get a feel for how the law can work in your life, try to manifest something minor that seems possible. For me, I chose to test the law with finding a parking spot on my college campus during a busy time of day. Asking requires that you have a really clear vision of your desire. You have to fully commit to the image you are trying to achieve.

Imagine what this desire looks like, smells like, sounds like, feels like, and tastes like, if it’s relevant. This exact mental image of what you want is critical because it prepares your mind and body to receive what you’re asking

for. I have found that the more detailed the mental image is, the easier it is to manifest it into existence. The mental image I visualized when manifesting an empty parking spot on campus was essentially a play-by-play of what I wanted to happen. I would get in my car to go to class, pull in the garage, drive up a few levels, and pull into the parking spot. My visualization of pulling into an empty parking spot was so vivid that it felt as if it had already occurred. Finding a parking spot is obviously not the endall-be-all of the law’s power, but if you can master executing small possibilities then you will have the power to manifest anything you want into your life.

“See the things that you want as already yours. Know that they will come to you at need. Then let them come. Don’t fret and worry about them.

Don’t think about your lack of them.

Think of them as yours, as belonging to you, as already in your possession.”

- Robert Collier Step 2, Believe, focuses on certainty.

This step is by far the most difficult of the three to execute. When you are manifesting your desires it is crucial to truly believe that what you are thinking can actually happen. This doesn’t mean having uncertain thoughts about how you could be rich one day, or that you might get a promotion at work, or that maybe the really hot guy with beautiful green eyes in your Chem lab who is so naturally smart and always sends you his notes when you miss class and helps you with your conversion homework and does this cute thing with his face every time you overfill the beaker will propose to you after class one day. Executing step 2 lies in your ability to be undeniably convinced that your thoughts will materialize. When I pictured the empty parking spot in the parking garage there wasn’t an ounce of doubt in my mind that there might not be a space. I never once visualized the parking garage being full nor did I state that a full garage was even a possibility at all. If you doubt or believe that you might not or could not, then you won’t.

Henry Ford says it best, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, either

29 way you’re right.” The universe isn’t biased to what we want or don’t want, but rather it manifests the things that you are thinking. The Law of Attraction is always working, whether you believe it or understand it or not. For example, if you think you can’t find a parking spot then that is exactly what you’re attracting into your life.

Although getting rid of doubt and negative thinking are keys to successfully manifesting what you want in your life, I have found that it is nearly impossible to completely rid your mind of these thoughts. It is purely human nature to have feelings of doubt or think negatively when thinking about certain scenarios in your life. For example: you really want a job at your dream company, but you also understand that your dream company is also a lot of other people’s dream company. You understand that the other candidates applying for this job are just as qualified, if not more qualified, than you and that the company is interviewing hundreds of candidates for the position. In this scenario, you feel doubt and think negative thoughts about the likelihood of receiving the job. This type of thinking is only natural and comes from the largest part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex which controls all of your complex and logical thinking skills as well as your ability to make decisions. This part of the brain supports concrete learning, which allows you to differentiate among conflicting thoughts such as determining what is good and what is bad, the prediction of outcomes, and expectations based on actions.

What this means is that it is virtually impossible for your brain to push out or ignore what is explicitly good or bad, ultimately allowing you to think rationally and make logical decisions.

In this example, your prefrontal cortex is what allows you to think rationally about your odds of getting the job. Your odds are low, this is just a fact, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to achieve.

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact.

It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary.

Impossible is nothing.”

- Muhammad Ali

Clearing your mind of negative thoughts and striving to only think positively is not easy and can be mentally exhausting. This was the hardest part for me when I started using the Law of Attraction. I wanted to have only positive thoughts and didn’t understand how to eliminate my negative thoughts about an outcome or a situation.

This was until I started using the Law of Attraction in alignment with my emotions. Our feelings allow us to understand what we are thinking. You have good feelings and bad feelings, and you know the difference between the two because one makes you feel good and the other makes you feel bad.

Because it is impossible to monitor every thought that enters your head, focusing on exhibiting positive feelings such as gratitude, joy, excitement, correlate to having positive thoughts.

When you celebrate these good feelings, such as love or joy, you will end up attracting more of those feelings into your life. The Law of Attraction is going on every second of every day meaning that everything we are feeling and thinking is creating our future. If you are feeling bad emotions such as worry or fear, that is only bringing more of those bad feelings into your life. For example, if you wake up late for work and immediately have feelings of anger and sadness you tend to continue your day with negative circumstances. On the way to work you might spill your coffee on your clothes and get a parking ticket and have no idea that you are attracting these unfortunate circumstances due

to the feelings you are exerting. A shift in your emotions while you are having a bad day can change what signals you are sending out into the universe. On the contrary, if you start your day in a good way and you are exerting good feelings you are going to attract more situations and circumstances that carry on your happy feeling. Being aware that your emotions are directly connected to the universe will allow you to truly master your thoughts and feelings.

"What you radiate outward in your thoughts, feelings, mental pictures and words, you attract into your life."

- Catherine Ponder Step 3, Receive, focuses on being prepared and willing to be presented with what you have manifested.

Receiving is closely related to asking and believing because you must continue to hone in on what it feels like to already own what you have manifested, and only then can you receive it. For example, if you have manifested that you will be accepted into your dream school, buy a sweatshirt with the school’s logo on it.

By performing this act you are already experiencing what it would feel like to be accepted. You are telling the universe that you are ready for what it has to give you.

Now that you have the key to the universe, what will you unlock?

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Not So Haute Nicole Tripodis

Every decade has its defining mark in the world of women’s fashion: the color-blocked ‘60s, the shoulder padded ‘80s, and the Ed Hardy abyss known as the 2000s. Now, at the tail end of the 2010s, fashion experts and consumers are still having trouble making sense of the past eight years. Never before has a decade been so vague or hard to grasp. Fashion’s current ambiguity stems from one major factor: the widespread use of the Internet.

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth in the ‘80s, women were only told what to wear from the brands themselves. Exposure to fashion was solely through magazines and celebrities on TV. Today, with the use of the Internet, the amount of resources for fashion inspiration is unlimited. Fashion bloggers are no longer the only online influencers when it comes to style; anyone can make their mark by showing outfits on social media to thousands of their followers. People can see how celebrities are dressing in their downtime, or what their friends are wearing on a night out. This new window of inspiration makes good style a lot more achievable for most young people who cannot afford couture brands anyway.

Although the top couture brands still rule the industry, consumers aren’t confined to them and what they declare is “in” or “out.” With independence in fashion, there is a much larger conversation at hand; why should people even care about haute couture anymore?

This attitude among our generation has been notably affecting the industry. The top couture houses have never seen such low sales since their founding days around the turn of the 20th century.

Growing up with all knowledge at our fingertips, our generation is more informed, open-minded, and prudent. Not only does this give us more inspiration and creativity, but it gives us more of a voice in fashion. With social media opening the world to us, we have access to information that was never publicized in the past. We don’t want to support an industry that discriminates against people based on their appearance, or uses cruel methods to make clothes.

A big issue with this is that designers today are making their clothes for us, informed, openminded young people, and not for the older generations who went through life not knowing about the faults of the industry. Collections are designed with young people in mind, but because their target audience grew up in a world with information so easily accessible, it seems to be only a matter of time before couture houses meet their fate.

Is this a bad thing though? Not necessarily, because it means that the fashion industry will start to shift its focus for the better.

Superficiality is no longer at the foundation, but rather diversity, inclusivity, and ethics. Top brands like Gucci and Calvin Klein have already begun embracing these attitudes by recently producing clothing with faux fur — something previously unheard of in luxury fashion. Gone are the days of skinning animals for coats and belaboring foreign countries to make them with little to no pay. Gone is the domination of thin, white women on every runway and advertisement.

Gone is the status quo and the iconic trend of the decade.

Our generation is revamping the fashion industry for everyone, and it’s about time.

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Clear Your Mind, Write It Out Tori Berkowitz Okay, don’t lie. You really miss your Password Journal from fifth grade.

Or maybe your parents wouldn’t splurge so you were stuck with one that had a little lock, but no matter how well you hid the key, your older sister always found it. For some reason, there was a point where you stopped writing in your journal.

Middle school came around, you got too busy with soccer practice, homework, and trying to get that popular girl, Kate, to like you. Well, Kate’s in jail now, you’re at an all time low of productivity, and trying to plan your future has you feeling a little lost. How can you restore your drive and get yourself to where you really want to be in life? Journaling isn’t the answer to all of your problems, but it can definitely help.

Journaling gives you the opportunity to design your future, to lessen the gap between the person you are and the person you want to become. It will prevent you from feeling burnt out, improve your writing, and increase the creative flow in all areas of your life. Here’s four different ways daily journaling can benefit you if you keep up with it: Gratitude and Happiness My experience with journaling began when I was feeling either frustrated or bored with everything around me. So every Sunday, I started writing down all of the good things that had happened to me that week. Incorporating gratitude into your journaling experience will train you to look for the positive in all situations, and in turn, prepare you for when things go wrong.

Additionally, it’s been scientifically proven that gratitude will make you happier, healthier, and boost your self-esteem.

can improve your ability to make decisions in the future.

Decrease Your Stress Level

Yes, giving yourself a time and place to plan is a huge part of journaling, but your journal can also be used simply to write about your life. While you don’t need to give a play by play of your day, or pretend that you’re writing an autobiography, recording your experiences and personal thoughts will tell so much about the person you were at the time you were writing it. You can use your journal to draw, sketch, write questions without answers, or recall some of your favorite memories. However you decide to go about it, you’ll find that the most valuable part of journaling is that it’ll be an authentic reflection of you.

Use the time that you spend journaling to plan out your daily to-do lists and help relieve the overwhelming feeling of, “I have so much shit to do.” Writing down each task you need to accomplish will help you prioritize, and then physically crossing it out will allow it to leave your mind so you can focus on the next thing at hand. By taking note of everything you have to do, you’ll clarify your thought process and keep yourself on track to complete the most important assignments first, leaving busy work that may seem urgent for later.

Reflection and Motivation Taking the time to sit down and really think about what you want can help to make it a reality.

If you use your journal to refine your vision for the future and break down your big-picture goals, they’ll begin to feel more attainable. As you pursue them, you should write about what does or does not work.

At the end of a long day, reflect on what went well or what you would have done differently and put it in your journal.

Acknowledging the things you did well or wrong

Write Your Own History

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The Truth About Astrology Clayton Riedl

Living in the 21st century, you have likely been asked for your zodiac sign at some point in your lifetime.

If you’re a millennial in the 21st century, you have probably been asked for your sign more times than you can count. Have you ever wondered what your zodiac sign actually means? Or what makes millennials so fascinated by its ideology? The zodiac refers to the path of the sun in a specific area of the sky over the course of the year.

It contains twelve astrological signs, each based on a constellation’s celestial alignment. Therefore, your zodiac sign is determined by the position of the sun on the day you were born. Many are quick to dismiss these signs as nonsense because they don’t clearly align with the scientific method. The truth is, astrology is an art not a science.

The study of astrology is about revealing what you already know about yourself by forcing it from deep inside. It’s about opening your mind to expose the hidden insights of your personality that you haven’t yet explored. It’s about self-reflection, and using that understanding to further your success in life. Astrology is not a new concept. It has existed for thousands of years, and has been explored around the world. We cannot deny the value that astrology

brings to millions of individuals every day. It is a source of guidance, growth, and comfort for many, and those who reject its existence are failing to acknowledge its worth.

The following descriptions will not be detailing the future of your love life, but instead will reveal the good, the bad, and the unknown parts of your personality. Your interpretation of the description will explain more about the core of your identity than the description itself ever could. Pay close attention to your reaction and feelings when reading it, for it may lead to a deeper understanding of yourself.

Aries (March 21 - April 19) You are energetic, courageous, and always the one to take initiative.

As the first sign of the zodiac, you enjoy being first in everything, and will stop at nothing until you get there. You love to be the leader of a new project, however you’ll probably move onto a bigger and more exciting endeavor before it’s finished. This is because you can be a bit impulsive, and may jump into projects without considering the realities of the task.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) As an earth sign, you are very grounded and rational in your thoughts and actions. You crave a sense of security and stability in your life, so you think critically about every decision you make . You are also very stubborn, and once you set your mind to something, you have a hard time switching directions.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Your absolute favorite past time is chatting about anything and everything. You enjoy sharing almost every thought that enters your mind with another person. Others are drawn to you for your charismatic spirit, quick wit, and intriguing personality. You have very strong opinions about everything, and love to engage in a good argument.

You also love to be the center of attention, and thrive in social settings.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) As a cancer, you are very in touch with your emotions and seem to feel things more deeply than others do.

You can be a bit moody and sensitive at times, but love nothing more than spending quality time with close friends and family at home. You are a very compassionate and nurturing individual, and your energy is irresistible to others.

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Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) You are the most expressive sign with a strong personality that you proudly show the world. You enjoy being center stage and entertaining those who surround you. You are also a courageous and fearless leader, but can occasionally forget the true value of your team members.

At times, you can be viewed as a bit overbearing, but your charisma and booming energy make you fascinating to others.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) You are an expert conversationalist and have an opinion on everything.

You can be very critical of yourself and others as you are a perfectionist.

You are extremely dedicated and reliable, and find pleasure in doing things for others.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) You walk confidently and comfortably into every room you enter, and flourish in a social environment. You are a natural born leader, and you are not afraid to stand up for what you believe in. You can be a bit self-obsessed, but your charming and upbeat personality makes you well liked among friends.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) You are the most intense sign of the zodiac with your wildly passionate and strong demeanor. You do not

trust easily, and only the most deserving individuals will be allowed into your corner. You are very relationship driven, and have a deep desire for intimacy. You are also very loyal and protective of your loved ones, but can be a bit possessive and jealous at times.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) As a sagittarius, you dream big and know for certain that anything is possible. You are very adventurous and absolutely love to learn anything new. You are never afraid to speak your truth and share your honest opinions with an audience.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) You are ambitious, determined, and very patient. You are all about hard work, and will continuously work hard until you are the best in your field. You are fully aware that reaching the top will take time, and you will work day in and day out to get there. Your seriousness may be interpreted as stubborn, egotistical, and condescending to an observer so it’s important you keep other perspectives in mind.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) There is never a dull moment when you are in the room, and people gravitate toward your exciting and spontaneous personality. You have a large network of friends, however

you always seem to stop yourself from getting too close to anyone.

This is because you are guarded and tend to be a tad detached.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) You are the most glamorous sign of the zodiac, and may often times find yourself daydreaming to escape reality. You are deeply emotional, and find pleasure in romance and passionate gestures of affection.

Just as you enjoy receiving love, you have a ton of love to give others.

You have an extremely kind and compassionate soul that provides others with a sense of warmth and comfort when they’re with you.

Whether or not you agree with the study of astrology is completely up to you. In fact, the above descriptions are not meant to be taken completely literally. Use your zodiac sign to help further understand yourself and those you surround yourself with. Developing a deep understanding of yourself will prove to be a critical component in the progression of your life. It is essential that you consider your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and fears, when determining the next step in your life. This information can be used as one of many resources in discovering who you really are, and who you will become.

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Topping it Off

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Brazen Beauty

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What Your Handbag Says About You Janna McCabe

They say you are what you eat, but can the same be true for what you wear, or rather what you carry?

The Vintage Bag— Whether received as a gift of passed down generations, thrifted, or bargained over at the hippest vintage boutique on the block, anyone carrying a vintage bag has cool, quirky, and sustainable written all over them. They only listen to the oldies, hate the Kardashians, and their New Year’s resolution is to wear specifically pre-owned clothes.

But don’t get them wrong because those of whom carry vintage are still effortlessly chic. I mean, the best Chanel bags are vintage.

The Straw Bag— A kiss of summer’s eternal bliss, the straw bag is the vintage bag’s more casual, younger cousin. The perfect accompaniment to a picnic in the park, anyone who may adorn one of these woven baskets aspires to be modern day’s Jane Birkin and just has that certainje ne sais quoi. A seasonal hit, if a straw bag is spotted, the sun is as well and good times are sure to be ahead.

The IT Bag— The IT bag = the IT girl.

She is with the program, if not the actual program itself, and the bag she carries also happens to be the most drool worthy accessory of the

season. If this bag were a character on Gossip Girl she would be both Serena and Blair combined into one superhuman form. Out of reach and unattainable, you thought this bag could only be found on the pages of Vogue, but here it is dangling right in front of your face, just taunting you to splurge.

The Mary Poppins— Juxtaposing the mini bag is what is referred to as “The Black Hole.” We’re talking Balenciaga Ikea bag, Chinatown collector level also found in form of bucket bags, duffels, shapeless satchels, or whatever else with a strap that is deemed appropriate.

Whoever sports these hyperbolic sized totes is prepared to tackle anything that comes their way. From spontaneous nights out, Soul-Cycle spot openings, or natural disasters, they’re ready for it all. “The bigger the better,” is their life’s motto, so why not throw it in just in case?

The Backpack— A.K.A the easiest way to weed out the students, commuters, outdoorsmen, and hipster pupils of the world. Anyone who carries a backpack is practical and probably ready to get ‘er done. They’re taking preventative measures against scoliosis, and have everything they need without breaching the line of the extremities

taken by the Mary Poppins tote holder (refer back for further details). They wear their Herschel, JanSport, or Fjallraven with pride as they stroll down the street feeling ever so evenly balanced and hands free.

The Fanny Pack— If you see a fanny pack, that’s because you are either at Disney World or Coachella. A once frowned-upon frock from the 80’s has made a grand return and now is adorned by the trendiest of the trendy. Wear it cross body, in place of a belt, or simply around the waist, the fanny pack is a tool for the hippest teens and 20somethings in expressing how stylish they can be.

The No-Bag Bag— Out of all of the multitudes upon multitudes of bags, the characters who opt for no purse at all are either quite resourceful, or frankly just really late for brunch.

Their thought process is a scrambled mess of “keys, wallet, phone, go,” while flying out the door. The nobag bag character tends to also be creative and a problem solver, finding nooks in pockets, bras, shoes, and underarms to store their belongings before turning to their last resort and unashamedly carrying it all with their own two hands—I mean that’s why we have them, right?

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Virgil Abloh: From Rags to Richest Chealsea Percopo

Virgil Abloh is someone you’re going to start seeing a lot of. As an American fashion designer, DJ, and creator of Off-White, he is undeniably a living legend.

Abloh originally went to school to become an architect but after meeting Kanye West, he discovered his true calling. He was introduced to the world of fashion after collaborating with Kanye West to design Yeezy Season 1 and serving as the director of DONDA, West’s creative agency. In 2013, Abloh branched out to start the framework for his own project called OffWhite. Virgil often refers back to 2012 when Balenciaga introduced a graphic T-shirt obscured with the phrase “JOIN A WEIRD TRIP” over a screen-printed image of a sphinx. He tells how when he first saw this, he anticipated a big change in the way high fashion operates and knew he wanted to be a part of it.

Rooted in current culture, the signature style of Abloh’s brand is completely unorthodox, which is why it has gotten so much attention. All of his pieces are labeled explicitly with what they are. For example a pair of shoelaces will literally display the word “‘shoelaces’” hanging from a pair of sneakers. This fashion label is now a celebrated staple in the closets of trend-setters all over the world. Being that Off-White is based in Milan, Abloh is constantly traveling and pulling inspiration from wherever he finds himself.

The street-meets-couture nature of Abloh’s designs has caught the

attention of celebrities like Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Rihanna who are known to rock the brand on a regular basis.

Virgil’s considerable success has made him an inspiring figure for young people in the industry.

Virgil once said, “When someone’s sleeping, someone is working,” a quote that epitomizes his dedication to his vision. Abloh has since delivered multiple commencement addresses, spreading his ambition to youth everywhere.

Most recently, Abloh has been named creative director of Louis Vuitton Menswear, a title that shifts his position in the industry from self-started designer to leader of arguably the most iconic fashion brand in the world. At 37, there’s a lot more in store for Abloh. His unparalleled creativity has him on track to become one of the most influential designers that the industry has ever seen.

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Meet Elton Burgest Tori Berkowitz I’ve never met someone as driven and laser-focused as Elton Burgest. At only 23 years old, he has a clear-cut plan for his future, his artwork splashed across textbook covers, and created numerous murals to comment on issues he’s passionate about. I sat down with him to talk digital art, painting, and his brand-new company, Art Club Clothing.

How did you get started with art?

Apparently the story is that when I was a little kid, we used to rent Pokemon from Blockbuster. Back then there was no Youtube, so you had to get the VHS tapes from Blockbuster and every Friday we would go there and get a bunch of Pokemon tapes. I was about 3 or 4 years old and I guess I felt so inspired by Pokemon that I got a yellow highlighter and I drew Pikachu on my grandmas wall.

What I thought was Pikachu was actually just a bunch of scribbles, so my uncle didn’t know what it was and I got a spanking. So way before I even knew how to talk I started drawing.

They just didn’t understand your artistic technique, that’s why they got angry.

Yeah I was doing one of my murals, I was doing them a favor.

So that’s how you started drawing, and then what made you want to turn your art into a clothing company?

I’m really into streetwear, and I noticed how a lot of streetwear companies, like Supreme, kind of borrow from art. The Supreme aesthetic is from Barbara Kruger, who was a feminist artist and they kind of took her aesthetic and capitalized on it. A lot of people know Supreme but they don’t know who Barbara Kruger is. There’s a disconnect between the graphic designer behind the shirt, and the customer; a brand kind of creates this fence. Being an artist myself, I thought about creating a company where the artist could connect with the customer, and create that relationship, so the artist can prosper in the future. If you buy a shirt from Art Club Clothing, you’ll know who makes that shirt and see the description on the website.

Every shirt has a story behind it, so it’s a way to connect and put an emphasis on art. The average person doesn’t go to art galleries, the average person doesn’t buy art from artists...they’ll buy art from Target or maybe find a painting at Goodwill. I feel like with t-shirts, you can reach more people, everyone buys t-shirts. I can create a type of niche market for people who enjoy art, but can’t afford it, and can connect with artists they might not have ever known.

Would you consider that the defining factor of your brand?

The fact that you are creating that connection between the artist and the customer?

Yeah, Art Club Clothing is a

platform for artists to create and to establish themselves. I don’t have the money to achieve my full vision, but just to have the collaborations that I’ve had so far with my friends has been an amazing opportunity.

And it’s cool for them to have their own stuff, to have their own t-shirts, it’s worth it.

How many artists do you have collaborations with on Art Club Clothing right now?

I have one other artist, because it’s really new. I’m in school right now, so this is kind of a nest before I start revving it up. The shirt I’m wearing now is actually the first collaboration I ever did. I created a graphic in Illustrator, and my friend redrew the graphic that I made but in her own style. I should be making shirts in the summer with her again. You know how Nike is known for shoes? I want it to be like that but for shirts, so you see it and you know it’s something special. This is THE t-shirt.

What exactly about Art Club Clothing do you think it is that will make people see it, and just know it right away?

I think it’s like organic food for the streetwear industry [laughs]. The trick about researching streetwear is that a lot of t-shirt businesses fail because they just take their logo and put it on a shirt. You need to start with so much money in order to make stuff and hand it out to people for free, so the everyone

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can recognize the logo. And they become like an advertisement or a billboard for a t-shirt company, and people talk about it and that’s how it gets big. With Art Club Clothing I don’t want the logo on the front of the shirt, because it’s all about the artist, so that’s what I want people to talk about. You go to Art Club Clothing for the artist because they drive the company, as opposed to the company driving the artist.

How would you describe your creative process for your own artwork?

Being an African American, I think

a lot about what’s going on in the world. Usually I’ll have an idea for a concept, and then I find an image that kind of would help with that idea, and then alter it in a way to make it my own. For instance, I recently created a piece called Links, because lately I’ve been researching a lot about how the Dominican Republic is deporting their citizens of Haitian descent, and how racist that process is.

They’re kicking Haitian people out of schools, they’re burning down houses, and it’s like what is this?

1901? Links was basically about how the Dominican Republic is majority Christian, and they’re treating people really badly. I

found this image of a line of Haitian women and I cut it off at twelve, and then I added Jesus on the side with his hand out. I called it Links because I think women represent the start of a generation or the start of a people...they represent family and nurturing. And I just placed this white hand with a white cloth, so I kind of implied that it was Jesus. It’s a representation of a white savior wanting something from you, but giving you nothing in return. I’m a Christian, and I don’t think that’s what Jesus is, but I think that’s often what the perception is. It really bothered me that people were abusing their power [in the Dominican Republic].

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So that’s how I come up with art — I have an idea or I hear about something, and then I research more about it, and then I do it. And I think Links is my favorite piece I’ve done so far, because before that, I was doing these things with flat colors, and it wasn’t really as impactful as I thought it would be.

I felt like I wasn’t doing me, I was doing something in the style that other people thought would be cool.

So do you prefer making digital art or painting? Because you paint as well, correct?

Yeah I paint murals. Honestly, I think murals are similar to the t-shirts; it’s a way for art to branch out and get to the people who actually need to see it. Being an art major, you realize your art isn’t going to be seen by the average person, which goes back to the reason why I started Art Club Clothing, to get art into people’s hands. So that’s why I do murals because my art isn’t really made for the art community. The art community is mostly liberal, so if you put art about a social injustice in an art gallery, it doesn’t have the same effect as when you put it on the street for anybody to see it.

I believe you need to start with really good aesthetics to draw people in, and then have a concept behind it, hidden in it like a puzzle for people to learn about and understand. So they’ll go wow, this is interesting, what else does this

person make? Or what else am I missing from this?

And how would you describe your aesthetic and style?

I recently found out that I do this thing where I make pieces of people. I create skin out of pieces of color. Skin color is the one thing that we can see that separates us, so when I divide it into pieces, all the people I make are multiple shades of different colors. So it’s about the way that no one is one color, but people are being treated differently because of something they can’t control, because of the color of their skin. If my skin was a different color, I would probably have a different type of life.

How do you think your style relates back to the work you’ve done with Power of We? I worked with Giovanna Alvarez on the Diversity Mural. She recently graduated, she’s a Bachelor of Fine Arts sudent as well, and Power of We came to us with the idea of an image of two black children with different colors around them as a representation of diversity.

And their skin is actually painted blue, but they have the features of black children. Being a minority student at FSU, I think showing these children without skin that’s black, but you can tell they’re black children, it reflects on yourself. It makes you think, how do you see this image? And how does this image make you feel? And we’re trying to put it in the union once it’s done being constructed.

What would you say is your biggest inspiration, either in art or in your personal life?

I think my biggest inspiration is my dad, but not in a good way.

I’m named after my father, and when I was in middle school we all Googled our names, and my dad’s mugshot came up. The way that made me feel was like disappointment wrapped up in anguish, and it was very hard to deal with, especially with your self-esteem being so low in middle school. At that point I realized that what I do effects how I look. My name was my inheritance from him, so from that point I had to realize that I had to not be in trouble or not do things that he would’ve done, and try to do great things that help people. So I started making art, and I saw art as a way to change the name of Elton Burgest. If I become a really good artist, no one will know the Elton Burgest from the mugshot, and my art will replace it. I think not becoming him is my motivation.

What would be your dream collaboration?

I want to work with Nike to create some bomb-ass sneakers and only sell them for $25 so people can afford them. I’d want it to be my shoe design and my artwork, so it’s all me with just a Nike check on the back. I also think Reebok or Adidas would be a dope collaboration because they have so many superfire silhouettes from the 90’s that they don’t really know what do with.

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Shoes are the dream, they’re the end goal of Art Club Clothing whether it’s in 10 years, or 20 years. I want to make silhouettes of the shoes and artists can make their own designs, and I get giddy because what really motivates me is to get to that point. For right now I want to focus on shirts and do it well, do it right. I’m still learning what works and what doesn’t so once I get shirts down I want to either move to socks or hats and see if I can get that down. And there’s an authenticity to it, I’m an art student trying to get my art degree, I’m not some big celebrity splashing paint on a wall. People respect that in the art community.

What are your thoughts on celebrities who start their own clothing line?

I feel like they hire someone who’s capable of it. It’s kind of sad because they’re using all of the talent of that person, and that person’s getting paid for it, but still. Shepard Fairey is a famous artist now, but he doesn’t design his shirts anymore — it’s an office in California or New York of graphic designers and you’ll never know their names. I feel like we should know who designs our stuff, and every good artist needs people to invest in them.

And of course my last question is, what strikes you?

I appreciate effort, and I appreciate passion. Sometimes I feel like I’m an art coach for other people because I’ll kind of subconsciously

scan for something that they’re not really confident in, and then I wanna boost their confidence.

When someone’s talking about their artwork and they’re unsure, I’ll be like, “No, you know what you’re doing, you’re good at this, so let’s focus on that.” I like to talk people through their art. So helping people, I think that’s what

strikes me. Helping people through a problem that I can solve is really satisfying.

You can learn more about Elton, his artwork, and Art Club Clothing by following him on Instagram @eltonburgest or visiting artclubclothing.com

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Roses Are White

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What the F#&k is Bitcoin?

Austin Tolchin

So you saw an article on the internet, or you heard some spew on the news about Bitcoin. Or was it Blockchain?

Or was it Ethereum? It sounds like a completely different language, and you’re probably full of questions.

I first learned what cryptocurrency was back in high school, when my friend was buying a fake ID on the internet.

He sent $100 to someone who bought Bitcoin, who then sent the Bitcoin to some ID overlord in a different country, all in exchange for a very low quality fake ID from a Midwestern state.

Today, whoever has the Bitcoin from that original transaction, holds roughly $2,500 that he originally traded $100 of “value” for back in 2014. Little did I know that years later I would put my savings into “computer money” which I initially had no idea how to access.

Turns out that it is incredibly easy to move, access, send, withdraw, and protect your crypto-assets with a little common sense.

In summer 2017, a friend of mine told me about Ethereum, an upand-coming decentralized platform for transactions. I didn’t know how it worked, but I did know that it was worth roughly $120, and could transform the way people do business by using smart contracts. As a finance major, I have learned the importance of knowing exactly what your money goes into, how it will be spent, and whether or not you’re giving it to somebody you can trust. These three factors make the difference between growing your money, or never seeing it ever again.

So, as people send and receive these

cryptocurrencies, the transactions get collected, encrypted, and displayed publicly across the entire network of any given cryptocurrency user. This means that anyone can find any past transactions that have been made between two parties — transactions that are tamper proof and irreversible.

This is the future of sending money. It relies on no institution which makes it attractive to people in countries with poor banking or government systems.

They can’t trust their bank to wire their money to another country at a certain rate without tremendous inflation, and are in need of a secure way to store and send their value.

These assets have been torn apart by media, financial intermediaries, investors, and pretty much the entire population above age 40 for being a sham. Here’s a tip: if someone tells you there’s nothing behind the value of the entire cryptocurrency market as a whole, they do not understand the basis of the technology itself.

To be able to seamlessly transfer immense or miniscule sums of money to any corner of the Earth without the possibility of reversal is invaluable as a service. Banks around the world live and breathe by your reliance on them to handle your money, so if no one gives their money to the bank, it cannot operate. They provide you with the ability to send, receive, deposit and withdraw your money easily, but9there are often fees involved in your relationship with your bank so that they can make a profit. When you deposit your money into the bank, they use

that money to invest and make a return for their firm. They pay you a measly 0.0025% per year interest for keeping your money in their bank, while they make thousands by investing your money. It’s genius, I know, but why give your money to the bank when you can have it all for yourself, and earn a real return on it?

The problem with cryptocurrencies that causes the general public to become hesitant occurs when the return becomes negative, and you start to lose money. The US Dollar is a pretty stable currency and does not fluctuate tremendously, however, the value of cryptocurrencies can swing up or down 50% any given month.

This is both exciting and terrifying to big investors. Despite the fearful risk of cryptocurrencies, the surrounding hype is due to the fact that so many people become very rich, very fast.

Many alternative coins have been released in the past 2 years claiming to have adopted and improved the technology brought to us by Bitcoin, applied specifically to a certain function.

Needless to say, cryptocurrency is definitely something worth looking into. With each day that passes, thousands of people are joining the cryptocurrencies network. Our entire world is going to tech, so why shouldn’t our money? Do your research and get back to me when you’re a millionaire with an extra Lamborghini just taking up space in your garage.

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Rise In Resilience Alina Tkachova

In the past, the global community has seen a negative story come into the news cycle, get lamented over for about a week, and then forgotten about. An important distinction has been made over the course of the last year regarding politically and emotionally driven movements, such as #MeToo and #NeverAgain. Every time there seemed to be a dull in the narrative, a new event or media takeover would transpire, drawing in even more support and fueling the fire that was started by the brave women and men that initially spoke out, and the children who refused to be silenced.

“Me Too” went from a phrase used in a speech by Tarana Burke, to two collective words that sparked a series of action and awareness.

Millions of social media posts with #MeToo would flood the timelines on various platforms for the next few weeks. Many shared their personal stories, followed by the hashtag, and encouraged their friends and followers to do the same. The Time’s Up movement serves as an effort to break the silence and the stigma surrounding the victims of sexual assault or misconduct. Similarly, the last few months have seen other social media-fronted protests rise

above opposition. Following the February 14th shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, student survivors would take to their favored media platforms to talk about their story and take a stance against gun violence. Just how sexual harassment has been an ongoing issue in the United States, so has gun violence, and by utilizing social media, victims and supporters alike have been able to keep their story and cause, relevant. From seeing sexual assault victims speak their truth to students standing before powerful government entities to demand gun reform, the world has seen a shift in the way tragedy and injustice bring about change.

By setting a hopeful tone for the future, these movements told victims that they will no longer be silenced, and proved that even when news stories are due to age out, there will always be a way to keep the impactful stories current.

These types of campaigns were made possible and only achieved the recognition that they deserved because of the incredible effort of survivors who refused to let their story become last week’s headline. This new level of action

demonstrated just how much passion and fearlessness can stop even the strongest and most influential resistance.

The tenacity displayed by the student activists of Parkland mirrored the #MeToo movement in the way it took an online revolution to the next level through a physical display of persistence. After what seemed to be the end of the constant hype of the #MeToo movement, organizers put together visual protests and symbols of support that Hollywood had yet to see in all of its years. At the Golden Globes, the Time’s Up initiative was obvious due to the all black dress code that brought stars together to show a visual representation of their continued stance against sexual violence. At The 2018 Grammys stars were inspired by that very same Time’s Up movement and called upon their fellow Hollywood colleagues to wear or bring a white rose with them to the event. When asked about the symbolism and motivation behind choosing that flower, it was noted that the white rose has historically stood for the idea of peace, hope, sympathy, and resistance in the purest form.

The student activists of Stoneman

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Douglas have been relentlessly fighting for national change as well.

Following the initial shocking news coverage of the shooting, students gathered to march in Tallahassee and speak to senators above the change they would like to see. These foundational rallies and meetings turned into the March For Our Lives campaign, and its subsequent national event on March 24th, which drew out hundreds of thousands of supporters. The students were also photographed and interviewed for the cover of Time magazine, a globally recognized publication. Just when there seemed to be a dull in

the action, the initiative expanded, transformed, and continued to grow.

The past year has seen such a powerful shift in the dynamic of the masses. It seemed to give the people their voice back. We have seen the world come together and say #MeToo, we have heard them chant “Never Again,� and we have watched them stand up for their deepest passions. The #MeToo movement turned a silent struggle into global news that caused mass disruption for an industry that has profited over that very struggle. The school shooting survivors decided that enough was enough, and continued

to fight through opposition. These movements have shown the world that there is strength in numbers, and that together we can shift power from the abusers to the victims.

The resilience we have witnessed recently has done so much to initiate the reversal of a very unfortunate line of events in the history of not only this nation, but the global community. It is certain that change will continue to come and grow with the support of the brave individuals who have built some of the most powerful movements the modern era has ever seen.

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Gender-Neutral Fragrances You'll Love Janna McCabe

The first time I discovered unisex fragrances I was Kardashian obsessed. Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom’s scent, Unbreakable Bond had just been released and being the loyal Keeping Up fan that I was, I HAD to smell it. Though it indeed was quite warm and sweet with hints of cedar, for my middle school self, nothing could ever compare to the perfection that was Pink Sugar. Unamused, I brushed off this unisex fragrance idea with regard to the wind. Now seven years later, in a progressive era where gender-specifics are becoming significantly less definitive, unisex scents are not only everywhere, but are honestly some of the best. In no particular order, here’s our top five:

Le Labo Santal 33— Cult-status Santal 33 is the epitome of a strong androgynous scent that’s ready to wow. Venturing into downtown Manhattan can almost always guarantee a nice waft mid passing of a stranger. Once you put a name to it, you’ll never forget it. Notes of cardamom, iris, violet, and ambrox melt into sandalwood, papyrus, and cedar wood to create what is the crème de la crème of fragrances.

Bleu de Chanel— The brother fragrance to the infamous Chanel No.5, Bleu de Chanel is equally as celebrated. It may hold the astigmatism to be a cologne strictly worn only by men, but spray it on a woman and she is instantly cool. It’s bold, yet clean. Woody, yet citrus. My advice to you—just find it and smell it. You can thank me later.

Diptyque Volutes— Yet another fragrance that belongs in the woody family is Diptyque’s Volutes. If the sleek packaging doesn’t sell you at first, one whiff of Volutes’ spicy, oriental aroma will make it a done deal.

Tom Ford Oud Wood— Smoky, leathery, and sensual, out of the wide range of collectable fragrances Tom Ford has created, Oud Wood is simply the best. Ideal for a night out on the town, this scent is rich and full like a delectable glass of red. Rumor has it this is Harry Styles’ signature scent, awarding it some major bonus points.

CK One- Calvin Klein has been producing unisex classics since 1994 when CK One was debuted. It is the true OG fragrance that all noses can enjoy. A clean, light scent with traces of musk, florals, fruitiness, and spices, CK One has got it all.

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Beauty Regime

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Haleigh Feix “How does your makeup look so good?” The honest truth is that no matter how well you do your makeup, a great look will always start with great skin. You want to start with a clean and clear base, which can only come from plenty of skin care and daily hydration. Simply washing your face with the “best face wash ever” won’t cut it.

You could be using the most luxurious products with thousands of five-star reviews, but see no results if you are not using them in the right order. Products react to each other, and if you use them in the wrong way then they’re just a waste of money.

My mother taught me to preserve and protect my complexion from an early age. Over the years I have learned the following crucial rules, and they can apply to any and all skin types.

To easily break down a basic regimen, there are 3 things you should be taking care of: Cleansing – washing Toning – balancing Moisturizing – hydrating and pampering Cleansing If you are going to take away anything from this article, it should be the importance of washing your face. The pollutants and free radicals that are present in our environment can be extremely harmful to both our health and our complexion. Washing twice a day, morning and night, will help to prevent the effects of pollution, including clogged pores, acne, and even skin cancers. Make sure you are using a face wash best fit for your skin type. Foaming liquid is best for oily and acne-prone skin, whereas dry skin will love a cream or lotion-based wash. If washing is the

last thing you want to do at the end of a long day, use micellar water to attract any debris and oil on the skin.

I use this every night to ensure my skin is truly clean and removes any leftover makeup.

Toning …and by that I don’t mean in the gym.

Toning helps to balance the skin’s pH levels. Some key ingredients to look for are: hyaluronic acid to hydrate, rose water and green tea to reduce inflammation, and vitamin E and C to prevent signs of aging. Those ingredients, along with retinol and niacinamide, can also be effective in serums and oils, which should be used after cleansing and toning. I like to keep it cheap by simply using organic apple cider vinegar, which has an interesting scent, but is worth putting up with for tight and plump skin.

Moisturizing You should be moisturizing day and night, year-round. Some of you will hate to hear this, but every skin type needs daily hydration that means oily skin too.

As long as you are using the right moisturizer, it will not make your skin oilier, but rather help to soften and strengthen it. As we age, your skin loses the ability to retain moisture, causing wrinkles. Be sure to select one with SPF for daytime, in order to prevent the effects of aging from the sun.

Your moisturizer will also help seal all the other products you used and prevent oils from looking shiny throughout the night/day.

To sum it up: You want to use the lighter products first, and layer with heavier creams and lotions — always keep your oilbased and water-based products separate. Start with cleanser, toner, serums, gels, oils, then finish with creams and moisturizers. Make sure to always pat, never wipe, especially around the eye area to prevent wrinkles. Take the time to research the products that work best for your skin type.

A good skincare routine may seem to have a lot of steps, but dedicating time to your skin regimen will have long-term benefits. Most importantly, your products will work as they’re intended to, your skin will begin to improve, and you’ll finally have the perfect canvas for any makeup look.

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@babi.c.beauty Haleigh Feix Blogs, vlogs, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, even Myspace? Okay so maybe not the last one… but these past couple of years allowed for social media to act as blooming network for influencers. In true form, an influencer is a person that has the power to affect purchase decision because of their position and knowledge. But they are also normal people, and it takes a great deal of work to keep up with today’s ever-changing trends.

After starting her career in Influencer Marketing, FSU alumni Christie Childers entered the world of beauty by creating an Instagram account for simple, everyday skincare answers. She shares her tried-and-true favorite products, and why they’re so great for her busy NYC lifestyle, through @babi.c.beauty. Childers has made a career of the influencer trend by working at Social Chain as an Influencer Manager. I had the chance to ask her some questions about how everything unfolded.

What motivated you to start this journey?

My genuine love for skincare and beauty products. I am the go-to girl for all of my friends when it comes to skincare specifically, and I find so much excitement in helping them find their perfect regimen. You also run out of people to talk to about products, so I decided to talk to the internet.

How has working at a social media agency helped you to achieve your own personal goals for your Instagram?

Working in a social media position, and specifically in influencer marketing, really shows you that these girls you love on Instagram with millions of followers truly are just people. They all identified their passions and were able to turn it into an account with an engaged community where they talk about products and brands they love. And if they're lucky, they're getting paid to do it. Social media is accessible to us all the time so if you can harness your passions and make something great, why not?

What piece of advice would you give someone starting their own journey as an Influencer?

Be authentic. Your audience will be able to tell if you're trying too hard, promoting brands you don't actually

believe in, or constantly switching up your aesthetic. Go with what feels natural and post about things you truly enjoy. It also really helps to pick a focus in the beginning: beauty, travel, fashion, food, etc.

What are your plans for the future?

Ideally, I would love to be working at a beauty or skincare brand that I truly believe in and market their product with influencers — which is slated to be a $10 billion-dollar industry by 2020.

In our generation of participatory culture, starting up a YouTube channel or blog has become a staple in our lives. But it’s not as easy as it sounds. It takes a deep passion and self-driven work ethic to create a successful account, and produce high-quality content for an audience.

But just like anything in life, when your passion is driving you, you’ll be able to succeed.

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Emily Gibson

I recently came across an article on the discovery page of Snapchat questioning which makeup product I value more. It gave me the choice to pick between two different essential products. Foundation or concealer, blush or bronzer, eyeliner or eyeshadow, brow products or mascara…you get the point. As someone who uses each of these products when putting on my finest face, I instantly thought how different my makeup routine would really be if I had to choose one over the other. And that got me thinking, do we really need all this makeup to look our “best”?

Natural beauty speaks for itself, but I think a lot of people forget that considering this high maintenance society we live in today. Product ads are placed all over Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and every magazine out there. I can see how easy it is to get caught up in purchasing the newest trending products, but the pressure to fully contour your face every morning is a little unrealistic.

Some of today’s big beauty brands are shifting their focus to show that they value skin care more than makeup. Skin care is probably the most important part of your beauty routine and essentially provides a healthy and happy face. Ditch the foundation and concealer and indulge in a good eye cream and face moisturizer. These will enhance your

glow and reap greater benefits in the long run. Doesn’t it seems much more enjoyable to have extra time in my morning to go grab an iced coffee rather than sift through makeup for an hour-long makeup routine?

If you’re not ready to completely cut down on makeup products, start thinking about using them in a more versatile manner. Take bronzer for example. A good bronzer can define your jawline, give your face depth, and be used as eyeshadow. If you mix it with a small amount of gel, you can even use bronzer to fill in your brows. Other products like blush or highlighter can be used to brighten your face and give your eyelids color.

If you take pride in mascara like me, use it as a finishing touch to bring everything together. It’s becoming common for brands to focus on feature-enhancing and skincare products, such as Glossier and Glamglow, as opposed to products that create a dramatic, made-up look. The success they’ve been receiving with their minimalistic style proves you really don’t need a million different products to do the trick.

Minimalism is becoming a trending lifestyle choice, and when it comes to makeup, it isn’t just choosing to apply a small amount or a lot. It’s more about how to feel confident and comfortable in your own skin, spending less time on the superficial things, and more time enjoying your day.

I get it, makeup can make everyone look good – to an extent. And from time to time, who doesn’t love to rock a smokey eye? But the point I’m trying to make is you will look your best if you feel your best. While makeup can be a way to express yourself, and make yourself feel pretty, simplifying your makeup routine can give you the chance to show off your unique features.

Don’t use makeup to mask yourself, instead, find the right shades, tools, and colors to bring out your natural beauty. When it comes to being minimal, it’s about finding the right amount of something that best suits you.

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What Goes Around Stays Around Natalie de la Guarda It seems like everyone our age has been consumed by nostalgia for times we weren’t even alive for, and romanticizing the past has been made easier with our access to online archives, classic movies, and old music videos. Our love for all things retro has bled into every aspect of our lives as a result, particularly in terms of our own trends and styles.

From 60s Mod to 90s Grunge laced in our music, our favorite photoediting apps, and even the big name runway shows we obsess over, these eras are ruling our world. They say fashion is cyclical and that’s certainly true, but #millennials are taking it the next level by not only reusing the trends, but the actual clothes themselves.

Thrifting and repurposing clothing has become a popular alternative to shopping for new clothing. Some of people’s most prized possessions were found after digging through their local Goodwill, and thrifting in and of itself has become a pretty lucrative industry. With apps like Depop and ThredUp, online thrifting has become a possibility combining our love of social media and our constant search for one-of-a-kind pieces to add to our wardrobe. The thrift scene is huge, and it’s even apparent in Tallahassee. With stores like Curio, Wonsaponatime Vintage,

and Divas and Devils House of Style, as well as Instagram shops such as Tally Vintage, we are supplied with specially curated pieces that combine the classic with the contemporary and evoke a spirit of the past. Additionally, the reasonably low price tags are enough to not only justify the hit on our bank accounts, but also an extremely fair trade for the quality of the item.

With the rise of fast fashion, it seems we’ve sacrificed quality in exchange for our constant need to be on top of the trend game. However with the art of thrifting, we’re given the opportunity to buy quality pieces at a fraction of the cost, while still fitting in with what’s trending. For instance, in a time where branding on t-shirts and sweatshirts had become uncool and obsolete (Hollister and Abercrombie, I’m looking at you), Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas and Champion brought back their vintage logos and everything sold out. But now, if you’re lucky enough you can still score the original pieces of those 90s collections at your local or online thrift shop for a bargain price, while still maintaining that same high quality product.

Another popular option has been “upcycling” which takes thrifted pieces and adds a personalized

twist by distressing, bleaching, embellishing, or completely reconstructing that piece of clothing into something new. We see it when your friend rocks their cut-off denim shorts that started as a pair of jeans from Goodwill, or when you wear the tour t-shirt you stole from your mom’s closet and proceeded to turn into a muscle tee (sorry, Mom). The influence of upcycling has even made its presence in fast fashion retailers like Forever 21 and H&M, who try to imitate it, but lack the same authenticity.

Perhaps growing up in a transitional era that spanned from playing outside, to dial-up connection, to never putting our phone down (literally, never), contributes to our nostalgia for simpler times and the fashion that goes along with them. However, one thing is certain, what goes around comes around, especially in fashion. In the same way survival of the fittest is true for nature, the strongest styles and trends get brought back time and time again in order to dominate the fashion scene. Mom jeans, smocked crops, bell bottoms, and even Old Western apparel are just some of the styles that are making their comeback — but only time will tell what we’ll be wearing next.

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BROCKHAMPTON: The do-it-yourself boyband Carli Solomon

No contract, no record label, no problem. The music industry is transforming as creatives are free to experiment independently.

At the heart of this movement is Brockhampton, the internet’s own boyband. Their remastered label, which began with branding themselves as a “boyband” instead of boy band, is just a mere fragment of their transcendent concept. Their inspiration stems from powerhouse brands like Facebook — brands that started completely from scratch, with nothing more than a room full of passionate people and a little bit of creative integrity. Brockhampton has been on the come up for some time now, infamous for their bold objection and raw talent. It’s only a matter of time until they are a household name.

Brockhampton, at its core, is an energetic musical group made up of fourteen exceptionally creative male members. The founder of the group is Kevin Abstract, who formed Brockhampton from San Marcos, Texas back in 2010 after posting on a Kanye West fan forum that he was starting a band.

The band started out as AliveSinceForever and released an EP album in 2013, ASF EP. A year later, AliveSinceForever rebranded as Brockhampton and added more members to the team. The group started releasing singles in 2015, and in 2016 they released their first mixtape All-American Trash. In the beginning of 2017, Brockhampton’s

recognition escalated quickly.

They released several singles and music videos to promote their debut album, Saturation. At the same time, Viceland recruited Brockhampton to be the subject of their series, American Boyband. Between the series and the release of Saturation, the band’s following multiplied and fueled their fire. Since the debut album, they’ve released two follow albums, Saturation ll and Saturation lll. All three albums have been critically acclaimed and most recently, Brockhampton announced plans for a fourth album, Puppy, to be released this coming summer.

Brockhampton is redefining pop culture and what it means to be a “boyband” today. The group works entirely on its own, creating every song, video, album cover, concept, merchandise, web design, and more out of The Factory in North Hollywood. According to a recent article by Complex, The Factory is actually the house they all reside in. The members of the group vary in special talents, from singers and instrumentalists, to videographers and photographers, to creative directors, graphic designers, and even engineers. Each member contributes their own specific skill that allows the group to develop a unique type of art. Their goal is to be completely self-sufficient, giving them the creative freedom to make music the way they want to.

Brockhampton’s diversity is what attracts their radical following, as

they try to meet their fan’s desire for a wide variety of representation.

Complex Magazine states that the boys are “gay, black, white, DIY, ambitious, all-inclusive, and wouldbe pop stars.” They give people a little bit of everything they’re looking for. The music videos they create showcase their unusual style, ranging from extremely spirited dancing and singing into the camera, to the slow motion close ups you’d expect from a stereotypical boy band. Their merchandise is increasingly rare, as it is so popular that it sells out almost immediately after being posted on their website.

The boys have already attracted millions of views on their Youtube videos, have over four hundred thousand Instagram followers, a strong Twitter presence, and an impressive tour schedule lined up.

Brockhampton is more than a boyband, they’re a movement that is changing the way people view music creation because they took every aspect of the music industry — from writing the songs, to the production of an album, to advertising the band on social media — and did it entirely on their own. In a 2015 article, Vice Media described their style; “Imagine if Travis Scott, Tyler, The Creator and Spooky Black formed a supergroup. You'd get a sound something like 21st century boy band Brockhampton.” Fast forward to 2018 and these statements could not be more accurate. Brockhampton is electrifying and revolutionary, and it’s just getting started.

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Sounds Like A Match Tori Berkowitz There’s something oddly personal about sending a song to someone to listen to. It’s almost as if you’re giving them a little piece of yourself, and then you can’t do anything but anxiously wait to see if they like it.

Well, what if you didn’t have to worry about them absolutely loving the album you recommended, or the playlist you spent hours on? What if you already knew they were just as obsessed as with your favorite artist as you were?

That’s the whole idea behind an up-and-coming app called Tambr.

Originally developed under the name Music & Lovers, Tambr aims to connect people based on their music preferences. Upon first creating your profile, you’ll select your top three favorite genres of music. Next, you can pick from a huge list of interests and passions such as hiking, beer & wine, traveling, and more to help further describe your personality.

And finally, the most important part,

you can either link your phone’s music library, Apple Music, or Spotify account. With your profile all set up, you’re ready to connect with other music fanatics near you, and can swipe through their profiles just like Tinder or Bumble. You’ll have access to a list of their favorite artists and most-played songs, as well as any playlists that they’ve created in the past.

One of the best features about Tambr is that each person’s profile will display a percentage to represent the amount that your music preferences and interests overlap, so you can tell at a quick glance if the swipe will be worth your time. Additionally, you have the option to set your profile for dating, music discovery,

or concert buddies. While Tambr is still in beta, as they are awaiting new updates that will allow you to meet up with people who are going to the same shows as you, the idea behind the app is genius, so it is sure to be a success. Keep your eyes out, because they have a lot of fun content planned for the upcoming summer music festival scene, according to their social media intern, Lauren Maier.

By meeting people on Tambr, you’ll finally be able to take a road trip with someone who you don’t absolutely want to strangle because their taste in music sucks. Maybe that’s a little dramatic...but at least you’ll feel confident handing over the aux cord.

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Run With It Carli Solomon

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder they say, and with the sneaker trend taking over 2018, this statement could not be more appropriate. Every year we see new types of kicks come to life as more and more designers are giving into the sneaker craze, coming out with new, cutting edge styles. Normally, the new designs take off immediately as eager trendsetters embrace the latest and greatest designs from their favorite fashion brands, but with the sneaks we are seeing this year, it’s taking a little longer for people to welcome the new looks. At the root of all of our sneaker skepticism for this year is the question, are these sneakers so unconventional that they are just plain ugly? Or like most other avantgarde trends, will we write them off as bold forms of creative expression, that soon we will all want? It’s hard to say if the current sneaker trends will end up being a lasting success like the new Nike Air Jordan that ruled in 1985 or result in a failure similar to that of the stiletto sneakers. Favored or ridiculed, this trend has already created quite a stir and must be talked about.

Meet the “Dad Sneaker,” the shoe that is continuously being mentioned in every digital fashion platform due to its shocking spread of popularity in the early months of 2018. The name was coined based off the fact that they emulate a pair of old fashioned sneaks your father probably still has in his closet. Dadapproved, comfortable shoes, such as Reebok DMX Run 10 Sneakers or Newbalance’s 501 Low-Tops are reminiscent of the early 2000’s when the dorky, thick-soled shoes thrived. The style is not only coming

full circle, but high end designers are reinventing them with even chunkier, more awkward looks.

Balenciaga released their colorful dad sneaker, the “Triple S,” back in September and arguably launched the fad. Supermodels, bloggers, and celebs generated attraction towards the shoes during recent Fashion Weeks, but it’s no secret that they’re just plain ugly. The average person will admit that the sneaks are unattractive, but the styles are gaining more acceptance when seen as vintage and chic on fashion's biggest players. We’ve already seen influencers, such as the Hadids and Hailey Baldwin, rocking these hideous kicks with their everyday looks and people are intrigued to say the least. Ugly is taking over fashion and it’s the exact opposite of everything we’ve learned thus far in life.

This isn’t the first time that ugly styles have been integrated into society and in turn, seen as normal, cool looks. Take the idea of “hobo chic,” like the iconic Olsen Twin’s image. The trend is to layer different types of shabby, loose clothing, with different types of fabrics and patterns to create a disheveled look.

When fashion figures first started dressing like this, people were in shock, but soon the look evolved into another ordinary and accepted ensemble. There have been many other trends like the “dad sneaker” and “hobo chic” that are undeniably ugly, but people can’t help but buy into them. Ugly is the new fashionable and it will definitely be interesting to see where we go from here.

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