You could say I was living under a rock because as much as I like to call myself a connoisseur of music, I hadn’t heard of Yuna until late last year. Captivated by music of old, I wasn’t keen on giving new artists a try. Big mistake. I guess it was love at first play as I’ve been in awe ever since. Yuna is one of a kind. A music artist who doesn’t follow conventions, her music will undoubtedly stand the test of time. From her smooth and captivating voice, to her emotive lyrics, this award winning singer/songwriter has become an international music star without compromising who she is and what she stands for. I had the pleasure of catching up with to discuss her views on being a role model, handling fame, the importance of love and family, working with music superstar Usher + much much more in this insightful and inspiring interview. #BeINspired….
#PowerWoman | Sasha Shantel Meets Canadian Singer/Songwriter Natasha Waterman
We had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing the talent that is Canadian singer/songwriter Natasha Waterman. Over from Canada for a few weeks, Natasha stopped by our offices to talk all things music.
#InspireLSHome | Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly House
Everyone is going green. In fact, living an eco-friendly lifestyle is hip and fashionable today. As much as we care about fashion we also care about health. Your health, your family’s health, our health, in short we care about everyone’s health. Besides being concerned about the health and well-being of the people on this planet, we are also concerned about the other inhabitants of this planet and the Earth as a whole.
#InspireLSBeauty | Four Ways to Prevent Wrinkles and Fine Lines
As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity and moisture, making it more prone to blemishes such as wrinkles and fine lines. However, the good news is that whilst getting wrinkles as we age may be an inevitable process, there are plenty of options to turn to when it comes to preventing them as much as possible and helping to reduce their appearance to achieve a youthful and smooth look for longer. To avoid wrinkles for as long as possible, there are many things that you should do in your daily life starting as early as you can to help your skin stay in a youthful condition. Here are some of the best:
#WanderLust | Great Places To Visit In North Wales
The breathtaking beauty of the North Wales coastline, mountains and forests are hard to miss. There’s a new view around every corner as you explore this unspoilt destination. Different features and effects appear from season to season, and even from day to day. However, North Wales is not all about wide open spaces and room to breathe. There are abundant places to tempt you away from the landscape, including towns, villages and tourist attractions to suit all ages and interests.
#FashionINspired | The Best Fashion Month Looks So Far
Can you believe that February’s done? It seems that January lasted for 3 months and February, the fashion month, for only 10 days! Crazy, isn’t it? Be as it may, February brought to us new rules and trends as far as fashion is concerned, so we can relax now browsing the internet to find the best fashion combinations we are going to rock during the course of 2018. So, take a look at the best fashion trends that are going to be huge this year:
Plastic
One of the most prominent trends that somehow started in 2017 but reached its peak this year is definitely wearing PVC plastic garments. If you don’t own a plastic piece of clothing, consider yourself totally unprepared for the upcoming season. Chanel and Valentino started this whole trend by introducing their PVC transparent coats, but if these are a bit too much for you, you can always opt for a PVC accessory such as a belt, backpack or shoes. The good thing about these is that they won’t be hiding your killer combination you’re wearing underneath, so you can always wear the best pieces you own and still have them noticed, even with a coat on top!
Gold
A lot of gold is in this season! Thanks to Versace, gold accessories are bigger and bolder than ever. Make no mistake, though, the trend is not wearing gold from head to toe – one of the biggest hits the following season will be golden accessories. So choosing between a golden brooch that you will put on a beige blazer like Gigi Hadid in Versace’s backstage photo shoot, a black leather belt with golden details or a lot of golden necklaces around your neck is definitely something all of us will be doing this year. Make sure to get all the golden rings and bracelets your mom or grandma have and rock them out in the streets proudly. Be golden this year!
RGB
It seems that Versace is dictating the trends this season. Could it be because of the TV show American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace? Probably not, as Versace is always magnificent. Another thing that is going to be huge this year are colors. For example, the already mentioned brand rocked multiple colors on a single garment, but the most prominent was the combination of navy blue and red, which does indeed look amazing. Moreover, it’s also the season of comic book pants and tops, so having your favorite cartoon or comic book character on your thighs is possible this year. Lastly, choosing different brands to put on your top is also something you should look for – take any 90s brand logo and have it printed on your t-shirt. Fantastic!
Oriental
As far as oriental is concerned, there is a place in the fashion industry that is reserved only for this. Namely, if you’ve ever wanted to wear a kaftan this is your chance to, because 2018 is the season for that. The positive thing about kaftans is that they are not only meant for the beach. There are some which are excellent for wearing during the day in the city, or ones that are dark, so they’re excellent for a cold, rainy day. The uniqueness and originality of kaftans always improves our mood, so make sure to check out a couple of them and equip yourself with at least one for the seasons to come.
Futuristic
Perhaps this future we’re living at the moment isn’t the future that we expected to see ten years ago, but there are sure futuristic elements that met our expectations. Even though it’s still not fashionable to go out in the streets wearing futuristic garments from head to toe, you should definitely choose one and combine with the rest of your attire. This season, the biggest futuristic hits are definitely sunglasses and shoes, so if you get to see something that you really like, go ahead and wear it with confidence!
Athletic
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Last but not the least, let’s talk a bit about probably the biggest trend of the previous year that is only becoming stronger and stronger. Ladies (and some gentlemen), we’re talking about athleisure! This year, you literally have no rules, as you can combine high-quality sneakers with a formal gown and still look hella good.
It seems that 2018 doesn’t have any rules, but you know the fashion world – you cannot make any mistakes. So if you’re a fashionista and really do care about what your Instagram followers will say about your attire – take a couple of ideas from this list and watch the likes and followers multiply.
W| By Claire Hastings via #FashionINspired
#InspireLSFitness | 5 Hardest Parts to Running a Marathon
Whether you’re trying to prove a point or you’re genuinely interested in testing your limits, a marathon is difficult to tackle even as a regular runner.
But you probably already know this; and you might have tried once or twice before reading these lines. Failure in training or running a marathon is not something to be ashamed of. You should learn from it and continue trying, until you reach your goal.
You can’t take marathon training lightly as there are many difficulties that can appear. To give you an idea of how to approach it, here’s some expert tips on the hardest parts you will encounter and how to overcome these.
#FashionINspired | How to Choose Sunglasses that Best Fit Your Style and Face
We all know and love that Horatio Caine signature move with his Silhouette shades, but would this iconic meme-worthy moment be so beloved around the world if he had chosen a different pair of glasses? Unlikely. With that in mind, there’s a unique charisma and sass in each and every one of us, waiting patiently to be brought to the surface with the right accessories, because nothing can accent your best features quite like a well-chosen detail.
To find your own Horatio-worthy pair of eyewear, it’s essential to know your face and use your most prominent features to find the perfect frame, color, and style that will complement your entire look.
Photo by Caitlyn Hastings on Unsplash
Determine your face shape
Photo by Conner Baker on Unsplash
No need to bring out the measuring tape, although some perfectionists among you might feel the need to do just that. It’s more than enough to determine with your own fingers as a point of reference, if your forehead is wider than the rest of your face, and your chin is sharp and narrow, which makes it heart-shaped, or if your forehead and jawline are prominent and strong, meaning that you’re in the “square face” team.
Oval-shaped faces are lengthy and predominantly narrow, although your chin may be slightly narrower than your forehead, but the difference is not as obvious as with your heart-shaped folks. Finally, if your face width and length are almost the same, you have a round face. A general rule of thumb is to choose the opposite for your eyewear, to give your features some balance, but now that you know your shape, let’s delve into details!
The lucky ovals
Photo by Carli Jeen on Unsplash
This is a particularly eyewear-friendly shape that gives you plenty of room for playful choices for any occasion. From the classic aviators, , all the way to a sharp pair of cat eye shades, you can take your pick as long as you keep the width within the boundaries of your face.
Another feature to keep in mind is to go for lighter frames, and avoid overly chunky, heavy ones that will look too “heavy” for your facial anatomy.
The queen of hearts
Photo by Jamakassi on Unsplash
Beauties such as Scarlett Johansson and Naomi Campbell boast this tricky facial shape, and they rock classic eyewear the best, although other options can come in handy and emphasize your lovely cheekbones just as well. However, for those among you with a petite, soft face, it’s wise to stick to lighter frames (or no frames at all) and never for oversized.
But generally speaking, if your features are sharp and prominent, some size cannot do any harm, on the contrary! Even a bulkier, decorated frame can do wonders for such a look, and wearing aviator-shaped Quay sunglasses in any color can mimic your facial structure. This is a rare opportunity, since the previously-mentioned rule doesn’t restrict your options when you have heart-shaped features.
Square for rounds
Photo by frankie cordoba on Unsplash
Now to turn to those that attract their opposites, for those that have a round, relatively proportionate face in terms of length and width, you will best complement your style with sharp, square frames. This is a simple trick to create an “optical illusion” of more prominent cheekbones.
Another great option that will especially work well with shorter haircuts are the wayfarers, whose geometry lends a few fun angles to your appearance. That said, avoid round and small eyewear as much as possible, as they will only give extra fullness to your look.
Round for squares
Photo by Emmanuel Bior on Unsplash
An edgy profile needs some softening from your accessory ensemble, hence the need to find a curvy pair of sunglasses to even out those sharp angles. Some added width is also a good idea, to create the illusion of more delicate lines on the sides. However, don’t shy away from playing with texture and color when choosing the right frame, as these qualities can go a long way in shifting the focus from the edges to the details, and they can lend your outline a rounder look.
If you have a preference for quirky and eccentric, then may be your go-to pair. There are other butterfly varieties you can opt for, and this playful shape allows you to mix it with a pastel tone and a lightweight frame, to elevate your entire look and give you a note of elegance and subtlety.
