Emma Middlestadt https://fashionmagazine.com Canada's #1 Fashion and Beauty Magazine Mon, 16 Jan 2023 16:15:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.3 Where to Find Affordable Mental Health Therapy and Counselling Across Canada https://fashionmagazine.com/wellness/health/affordable-mental-health-therapy-canada/ Mon, 16 Jan 2023 15:00:16 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=366507 Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and beyond.

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This article was originally published in January 2020. 

According to Health Canada, 1 in 3 Canadians will experience mental illness in their lifetime. That’s a lot of people, and while there’s no shortage of therapists and counsellors across the country, the process of finding the right one for you can definitely be disheartening. Not only are wait times long (in Ontario, it’s often six months to one year), but rates can seem outrageous (a visit to a psychologist can set you back more than $200 for an hour), and a price tag should never be a barrier to getting help.

With that in mind, we’ve narrowed down some places that offer affordable mental health therapy and counselling across Canada’s major cities.

Toronto

Hard Feelings
This unique, non-profit business—founded by social worker and counsellor Kate Scwoen—not only provides low-cost services and support by a welcoming community of counsellors, but also features a warm storefront that sells books, resources and other self-care items. (Even if you aren’t looking for counselling, a trip to this Christie Pits establishment is a must if you’re looking to help someone or yourself.) Individual counselling prices are determined by client and counsellor (based on what the client can afford, of course), and can range from $50 to $80 a session. Hard Feelings also limits the number of sessions per patient to 12, to ensure its counsellors can see as many people looking for help. (hardfeelings.org)

Affordable Therapy Network of Toronto
Like its name says, this network consists of Toronto-based therapists that offer affordable counselling. There are plenty of therapists/counsellors across the city to choose from, and this is a great resource to finding someone who works for you. These professionals offer rates as low as $50 an hour, as well as free phone consultations to ensure the right fit. (affordabletherapytoronto.com)

Vancouver

Gordon Neighbourhood House
In partnership with City University—a non-profit university that provides education in counselling—this Vancouver community centre offers free (yes, free!) counselling. While counsellors are interns, they are supervised, so you are in good hands. (gordonhouse.org)

Tapestry Counselling Centre
Tapestry’s rates aren’t as affordable as most of the counselling centres on this list, but it does offer some group therapy sessions for a “donate what you can” fee. If you’re budget conscious, but willing and able to pay a mid-range price, this Vancouver centre may be a good choice for you. (tapestrycentre.ca)

Calgary

Serenity Now Foundation
If you’re looking for a place that welcomes walk-ins as, as well as set appointment times, Serenity Now is worth checking out. During Mental Health Week in 2018, the centre offered walk-in counselling at reduced rates, which led to a positive response that encouraged Serenity Now to keep the initiative going. Of course, there’s no guarantee that you will be seen, but there’s no harm in giving them a call with any questions beforehand. (serenitynowwellness.ca)

Living Well Counselling Services
While Living Well doesn’t have the lowest rates, it does have a large roster of counsellors that offer sliding scale appointments; each patient’s financial situation is assessed, and they are charged a fair and affordable price in accordance with that set of numbers. It may seem unfair to some, but the system ensures that each patient pays what they can afford without underpaying the counsellor. (livingwellcounselling.ca)

Edmonton

Community Counselling Centre
This Edmonton centre offers what they deem the “most generous” sliding scale appointment rates, ranging from $20 to $140 per hour. CCC is also known for its fairly quick turn-around when it comes to booking (usually within 1 to 2 weeks), so you can breathe a sigh of relief. (communitycounsellingcentre.ca)

Insight Psychological
Sliding scale rates are popular in Edmonton, and Insight Psychological is another centre to offer discounted prices. What really sets Insight apart though is that the majority of its counsellors offer both in-person and online sessions. So if you’re too busy, or not feeling up to making the trip one week, you can work out a time to meet on Skype instead. (insightpsychological.ca)

Halifax

Insight Counselling Services
Halifax counsellor Julia Smith provides valuable tools for coping with anxiety and depression during her hour long sessions. Her rates are lower than the standard, but certainly aren’t as reduced as the rest on this list, so keep that in mind if booking. (insightmentalhealth.ca)

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Halifax-Dartmouth Branch
CMHA is great at creating a sense of community and encouraging group healing. They don’t provide individual therapy sessions at the Halifax-Dartmouth branch, but they do offer social groups that promote healing through communication, art and empathy. If you’re looking for a place to talk to others who are experiencing feelings similar to your own, it may be a great option. (cmhahaldart.ca)

Ottawa

Capital Choice Counselling
The reviews for Capital Choice are glowing, and it’s not just for its one-on-one counselling, but for its educational contributions. Capital Choice is all about starting a conversation and teaching people the tools to create stronger mental health. For those showing financial need, sessions with an intern counsellor can be arranged for $70 or less. Should you wish to pay more, an experienced counsellor charges $150. (capitalchoicecounselling.com)

CFS Ottawa
CFS Ottawa provides all patients with the sliding scale system, so you will always be paying an amount best suited to you. That being said, if you would like to try a free service first, CFS offers walk-in sessions that are funded by a local health network. What makes it stand out, however, is definitely the groups it offers, many of which are free and specifically aid marginalized communities who are facing more barriers to mental health access. (cfsottawa.ca)

Emergency/crisis resources

If you or someone you know is in crisis reach out to one of the following 24/7 emergency resources or call 911.
Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS): 1-833-456-4566
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

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4 Celeb-Endorsed Health Trends You Probably Shouldn’t Try https://fashionmagazine.com/wellness/health/celeb-health-trends-shouldnt-try/ Mon, 12 Aug 2019 05:30:37 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=370583 Gone are the days of pulling all-nighters (and bragging about it) and in are the days of getting a solid 8-hours sleep. It’s 2019, and we’re obsessed with the idea of eating clean, clearing our minds and exercising our way to good health. It’s a positive change but anything can be taken to the extreme, […]

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Gone are the days of pulling all-nighters (and bragging about it) and in are the days of getting a solid 8-hours sleep. It’s 2019, and we’re obsessed with the idea of eating clean, clearing our minds and exercising our way to good health. It’s a positive change but anything can be taken to the extreme, and we all know celebs take their health trends to the extreme. Here, 4 celebrity-endorsed health trends you probably shouldn’t try.

Celery Juice

Even if you aren’t one to keep up with health trends, someone in your life has probably tried to sell you on the magic of celery juice. However, does the bitter green liquid really help with psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome, acne, and basically every other medical issue? Kim Kardashian, Hannah Bronfman and Jenna Dewan may try to convince you, but according to nutritionists there’s currently no science that backs up these claims. Don’t get us wrong: the crunchy fibre- and vitamin-rich veggie is great for you. The problem lies within juicing. Feeding produce through a juicer strips it of its fibre, which is what leaves you feeling full and satisfied. (Fibre also contributes to good gut health.) What you are, however, left with is a ton of sugar. So it’s probably best to pass up on drinking celery juice, and instead toss it into a healthy meal.

Colonic Hydrotherapy

Full disclosure: I had no idea a colonic was anything other than a medical treatment… until I went down the rabbit hole of celebs who receive enemas in spa-like luxury. You read that right. A long list of A-listers opt for frequent (sometimes several times a week) flushes of their bowels by means of a tube, copious amounts of water and their colon. Gwyneth Paltrow went as far as to suggest Goop readers try it themselves at home with a coffee enema. Not only is getting a colonic expensive, but it’s extremely dangerous. Improperly-cleaned equipment may result in contracting infections like Hepatitis B and C. There’s also the risk of perforating your bowel or colon during the procedure. And even if you do come out unscathed, the process interferes with the natural bacteria that lines your gut (which is meant to be there!) so please, consider doing your business the natural way.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is everywhere these days. It’s used in face masks, teeth whitening products and even in drinks (both virgin and alcoholic). But should you be trying this trend out? When it comes to external body parts, have at it! But ingesting activated charcoal is a whole other story. It isn’t inherently bad for you. In fact, it’s used in hospitals on patients who have ingested poison or have overdosed on medication. In these cases the activated charcoal binds onto toxins, preventing them from being absorbed into the bloodstream. The charcoal is then passed naturally. If, however, there are no serious toxins in your body, the charcoal may bind to certain medications you may be taking, preventing them from being fully absorbed. And, in the case that you’re toxin- AND medication- free, activated charcoal is said to slow down your bowels which can result in constipation.

Vitamin IV Drips

Rihanna, Chrissy Teigen and Kendall Jenner have all undergone vitamin IV drips, however, the latter made news last year when she was hospitalized after a “bad reaction” to the procedure. Vitamin IV drips have been around for decades. The trend, in which vitamins are administered intravenously, was popularized by Dr. John Myers in the 1960s, and is said to help boost the immune system and replenish lost electrolytes and vitamins. In an interview with Vogue, New York-based anesthesiologist, Dr. Jonathann Kuo explains that medical history should always be taken into account before the undergoing procedure. “There are some vitamins and substances that react with each other,” he says, adding that most infusions are actually not necessary.

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Toronto’s New Instagram Pop-Up Will Fill Your Feed With ’90s Nostalgia https://fashionmagazine.com/flare/celebrity/hideseek-popup-toronto/ Fri, 29 Mar 2019 14:36:40 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=371001 If you loved Happy Place, the pop-up that flooded Instagram accounts across Toronto this past winter, or you miss recess, sugar-coated cereals and ball pits, we have some good news. A group of ambitious millennials has created the ultimate nostalgia experience—and it’s exclusive to Toronto. In trendy Dundas West, you can hang up your responsibilities […]

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If you loved Happy Place, the pop-up that flooded Instagram accounts across Toronto this past winter, or you miss recess, sugar-coated cereals and ball pits, we have some good news.

A group of ambitious millennials has created the ultimate nostalgia experience—and it’s exclusive to Toronto. In trendy Dundas West, you can hang up your responsibilities at coat check and enter a world of ’90s childhood bliss. Even the name is a throwback to what was once probably one of your favourite games: HideSeek. But now, instead of hiding behind a tree from your fast counting friends, you’re shelling out $25 plus taxes and fees to hide from your adult life in search of perfectly curated Instagram pics.

Open from March 30th to June 2, the pop-up is a Pantone dream of colour matches with electric pinks and fiery oranges, with decor that features an explosion of kid’s toys and stationary that evoke memories of classroom giggles and fun-filled sleepovers.

Round up your closest friends or fellow influencers and order your tickets before recess is over. You won’t want to miss out on the sugary sweet experience of floor-to-ceiling installations and ’90s pop hits. Go on, grab your scrunchy and dance your way on over to Dundas West.

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How Cooking a French Omelette Gave Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski Confidence https://fashionmagazine.com/wellness/queer-eyes-antoni-porowski-cook-book/ Thu, 28 Mar 2019 18:23:51 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=370881 "By knowing what we put into our bodies, by having direct access to ingredients, by going to the market and picking it out, you take pride in what you do, and I think that’s what helps you become a confident person."

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If you’ve seen the ever-so-popular Netflix series Queer Eye, you already know Antoni Porowski: the swoon-worthy chef who has captured the hearts of men and women across the globe. It is a combination of his smouldering looks, the almost alluring way in which he makes guacamole, and his kind demeanour that has led to such a dedicated (almost obsessed) fanbase. Where, exactly, did this gorgeous food-expert come from? Was he a chef? Was he just a really good looking, charismatic foodie? Turns out, he served as personal chef to none only than the original Queer Eye food and wine expert, Ted Allen. Rewind a little further, and you’ll discover Antoni was born and raised not too far away in Montreal, Quebec.

Last week, he made his way back to Canada, revisiting the Art Gallery of Ontario for the first time since an elementary school trip, to celebrate his collaboration with Café Appliances. Once I had regained feeling in my legs and put my school girl jitters aside, we chatted about our mutual love of soul-food, simplicity and hot water.

What made you first fall in love with cooking?
I think I realized it later on in life. I was a bit of a troublemaker in my youth; I got kicked out of my parent’s house. I got a tiny little apartment with a double burner and a mini fridge. I basically had to fend for myself when my whole life, I’d had people cooking for me. I was a spoiled little brat. So that made me go back and look at the recipes I had known and loved as a child. I went on this little adventure of recreating them for myself. I was figuring out my palate. That and also when I was introduced to Food Network; I would obsessively watch cooking shows when I was doing cardio at the gym.

I remember feeling that when I first moved out—I didn’t realize how much I appreciated coming home to my mum’s cooking. How do you think that cooking contributes to confidence?
I wasn’t the most confident kid. I actually wasn’t all that confident even a year and a half ago when I started doing the show. I still don’t know what I’m doing sometimes, and I sort of question everything that I do. Confidence, for me, has come with education. The more that I know about something, the better I become at it. You know what I mean? It’s like the first time I tried to cook an omelette. It was terrible. It was way overcooked, it was crispy on the sides, and then I learned how to make a French omelette. I learned that it could actually be something really delicate and beautiful and fluffy, and it’s something that costs just three dollars to make. By knowing what we put into our bodies, by having direct access to ingredients, by going to the market and picking it out, you take pride in what you do, and I think that’s what helps you become a confident person.

That’s very well said. I must say though, I still don’t know how to make an omelette. I think eggs are just my weakness.
YouTube “Jacques Pepin.” Or, use my cookbook, coming out this fall. There’s the perfect, simple French omelette recipe. It’s failsafe, anybody can make it.

I have a question about your cookbook. What are you hoping people will take away from it? Aside from great food, of course.
At first I thought it would be a more technical endeavour of teaching people the sort of basics of every technique, but it turned into more of an autobiography of food. My Polish heritage, food I eat when I try to be “healthy-ish,” food I eat that is very cheese-based stuff that I make for family and friends. Every dish has a story. I almost just rolled my eyes saying that, because it sounds so trite, but it really is true. Everything I put in there has a story behind it, whether it’s a dish that I ate at my favourite restaurant in Mykonos, to the chilled borscht that I had when I was a little Polish kid.

I don’t think that’s trite at all! I think that’s what cooking should be.
Yeah, it’s so personal.

Exactly. It’s such an expression of who you are, and it’s an opportunity to appreciate that. A way to say “this is where I came from” no matter the situation.
Right! Some dishes are really sad, because they take you back to after a break-up or something, but at the same time it’s still a part of you. The happy, the sad, all of it.

With Queer Eye there are lots of stories behind the food, because you’re interacting with unique people. I just finished watching the camp episode with my mum and it’s inspired me to attempt porchetta with my dad in the summer. What recipe or cooking moment on the show was your favourite?
That was a very important one. I had a lot of respect for Joey. He had a really dark period in his life where he wasn’t in touch with his son, so to do that when your kid is already grown up… And to have enough humility to be like, I made a mistake, but I want to focus on being better. I was actually quite proud of that one, because this was somebody that had experience with cooking. It wasn’t like I was going to teach somebody who has never made a sandwich before how to tie a porchetta. Which actually isn’t hard to do! It’s easier than a braid. I can’t tie a braid, but I can tie a porchetta.

But yeah with that one, he really wanted to have something he can make with his son. Like when he talked about his mother and rice and beans. It was so important to him because that’s what his mother had made him. So I really wanted Joey to have that version of something that he could do with his son too. It was a special one. So I like that it was important to you, too.

The show is so relatable. Even if the main context of the episode doesn’t apply to you, there will be a moment where you go, “I get that.”
There’s so many different things that people can latch onto and understand.

Let’s talk about the exciting collaboration you’re doing with Café Appliances. What is your favourite thing about Café? What really wows you?
First of all, I think customization is something that is just so important. We live in a Pinterest world, where everyone has an opinion about literally everything—and everyone wants DIY and personal things that they can do themselves. Something as simple as being able to choose the hardware on your appliances, stuff like that turns me on. I don’t know if it does that for everybody, but I think it’s important. Appliances are usually an afterthought, so to have something that is not only high quality, but also really beautiful, I think it’s an awesome thing. Did you know that there is actually a hot water dispenser in the fridge so that you can make tea?

I was shown that! I’m a big tea drinker. And there’s a Keurig too!
That blew my frickin’ mind! Keurig is great, but tea I am obsessed with!

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Raf Simons Collaborator Sterling Ruby is Launching His Own Fashion Line https://fashionmagazine.com/style/sterling-ruby-fashion-line/ Thu, 21 Mar 2019 19:41:07 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=370690 L.A. based artist Sterling Ruby, who pushes the boundaries of expression and social commentary through a myriad of mediums including ceramics and collage, announced the creation of a fashion line, of which the name is just as baffling as that of his frequent collaborator Raf Simons’ line at Calvin Klein, 205W39NYC. Titled S.R. STUDIO. LA. […]

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L.A. based artist Sterling Ruby, who pushes the boundaries of expression and social commentary through a myriad of mediums including ceramics and collage, announced the creation of a fashion line, of which the name is just as baffling as that of his frequent collaborator Raf Simons’ line at Calvin Klein, 205W39NYC. Titled S.R. STUDIO. LA. CA., the first collection will include both menswear and womenswear and launches at Pitti Uomo on June 13th.

Best known for his powerful installations, Ruby’s artwork leans toward the abstract. Pieces like BC (Bleach Collage) incorporate textiles to tell a multi-layered story of religious history and appreciation of cultural landscapes.

Ruby’s artistic collaboration with Raf Simons began in 2008, when he designed a store for Simons’ namesake brand in Tokyo.  Simons was impressed by the effortlessness of Ruby’s melding of art and fashion, stating in a conversation at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, “We were very interested in each other’s practices and maybe we had the desire to do things that people could not see us doing.”

Six years after their first interaction, Ruby’s name was stitched onto garments’ labels in Simons’ F/W 2014 collection, in which the aforementioned BC had a clear influence on the bleach-splattered, collage-like designs.

When Simons was appointed chief creative director of Calvin Klein in 2016, he assigned Ruby the task of turning the brand’s Madison Avenue flagship store into an exhibition-like space. In a very Ruby-esque manner, the store was transformed into a caution tape yellow, with pom poms, strips of red fabric, and even buckets hanging from the ceiling.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/Penske Media/REX/Shutterstock (6071005k)
A model on the runway at the Raf Simons fall 2014 menswear show. In collaboration with artist Sterling Ruby.
Raf Simons Fall 2014 Menswear, Paris

It will be exciting to see how Ruby translates his own solo style and design technique onto the runway when his collection is released this Spring.

If his collaboration with Simons says anything, it’s that his designs will closely mirror his existing artworks and processes with quilts, collage, and sculpture. One thing of which we can be certain is Ruby is extremely stoked about this new venture.  In a statement, he exclaimed, “For years I have been privately exploring garments as a medium, as something that impacts the way one can think, feel, and move. I couldn’t be more excited to finally put my clothing out into the world.”

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In-App Purchases are Coming to Instagram https://fashionmagazine.com/style/instagram-shopping-checkout/ Wed, 20 Mar 2019 20:05:17 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=370591 Online shopping is about to reach a whole new level of convenient. Instagram, the ever-so-popular photo-sharing app, just announced that they will be launching a new shopping feature next week, on March 26th. Though the release is only a beta test for select brands like ColourPop Cosmetics, Nike, Burberry, and Dior, it is a step […]

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Online shopping is about to reach a whole new level of convenient.

Instagram, the ever-so-popular photo-sharing app, just announced that they will be launching a new shopping feature next week, on March 26th. Though the release is only a beta test for select brands like ColourPop Cosmetics, Nike, Burberry, and Dior, it is a step in the direction towards total shop-ability.

As it stands, a monthly 130 million people are clicking through the existing product tag feature called “Instagram Shopping” which takes users to a second-party purchasing page launched in February of last year One can only imagine what that number might climb to if shopping via Instagram becomes a one-click wonder. It doesn’t stop there either, according to the company. Checkout, the  particularly apt name of the new feature, is only one of the many shopping enhancements Instagram hopes to add this year.

And while this technology is geared towards creating a smoother shopping experience for Instagram users, not everyone is feeling positive about the move. Critics from tech publications like Motherboard suggest that the app stopped being about following your friends lives a long time ago; rather it’s all a big advertisement, and have gone as far as to call it the “retail turducken of phone addiction.”

Instagram, however, is standing by its choices. In a statement to Business of Fashion, a spokesperson for the company insists it isn’t about pushing commercialism, it’s about simplicity. “The experience is entirely optional. For people who want to shop, we want to make that as easy and seamless as possible.” I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

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From the FASHION Archives: The Meteoric Rise of Stella McCartney from the September 2001 Issue https://fashionmagazine.com/style/stella-mccartney-september-2001/ Tue, 19 Mar 2019 14:51:06 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=368581 Since its launch in 1977, FASHION magazine has been giving Canadian readers in-depth reports on the industry’s most influential figures and expert takes on the worlds of fashion, beauty and style. In this series, we explore the depths of our archive to bring you some of the best fashion features we’ve ever published. This story, originally […]

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Since its launch in 1977, FASHION magazine has been giving Canadian readers in-depth reports on the industry’s most influential figures and expert takes on the worlds of fashion, beauty and style. In this series, we explore the depths of our archive to bring you some of the best fashion features we’ve ever published. This story, originally titled “Stella’s New Groove” by Tim Blanks, was initially published in FASHION’s September 2001 issue.

If a multi-million dollar deal for backing from a global fashion conglomerate could possibly be construed as a return to one’s roots, then Stella McCartney’s the girl to prove it’s possible. Following her graduation from Central Saint Martins in 1995, she borrowed a little money from her parents and launched her own label from her basement flat just off Portobello Road, keeping it small, keeping it real. Now, following four years as designer for Chloé in Paris – four years which have seen her become one of the best-known designers in the world – it’s McCartney’s name on the label once more. This time, the financing is coming from Tom Ford and his Gucci Group, but she is still planning on keeping it small and real – for now at least.

That’s going to be tricky, given that McCartney’s Gucci-backed debut in Paris is probably the most eagerly awaited collection of the Spring 2002 season. It will be keenly scrutinized, doubly so because it’s both her solo gig and the first fruit of Gucci’s most high-profile joint venture to date. That’s a lot of reputation resting on one show.

Following her graduation from Central Saint Martins in 1995, she borrowed a little money from her parents and launched her own label from her basement flat just off Portobello Road, keeping it small, keeping it real.

But this kind of pressure followed McCartney around for most of her life. There was always a prevailing sense that she was part of a much bigger story: her father’s band, her parents’ love story, their place in history and all the other baggage that swirls around a living legend and his offspring. In such situations, the family name can be as much a curse as a blessing. As McCartney herself so memorably complained in January 1999: “I’m so sick of this ‘my parents’ thing. It’s not my fault. It’s been that way my whole life. When I would make a good drawing in primary school, it was because my dad was famous. Or if I got a part in a school play, it was because Dad was a Beatle. What do I do? Do I become a smackhead and live off my parents’ fortune or do I have my own life?”

Just what McCartney was up against was inadvertently made clear in March 1998, after her second collection for Chloé. The fashion industry isn’t exactly renowned for poignant moments, but the sight of Paul and Linda McCartney holding each other and singing along to The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” as their daughter took her bow undoubtedly counts as one. The reviews, however, were bad. They re-aired the accusations about family connections greasing wheels for McCartney, about her not being up to the job. Then, a few weeks later, Linda died from breast cancer. This double whammy – professional and private – would have knocked anyone less grounded for six. But for McCartney, it seems to have posed a challenge that her subsequent career has risen to meet.

In such situations, the family name can be as much a curse as a blessing.

First, she has done her mother proud. McCartney continues Linda’s activism as a patron of The Vegetarian Society, a member of PETA and a vehement anti-fur and anti-leather campaigner. “I will never do leather,” she insists. “Nothing dead ever walks through my door.” She recently had a go at British Airways for using leather seats in the first-class cabins, which betrays a pragmatic activist’s understanding of the fact that people listen when money talks.

And second, McCartney saw off the naysayers during her years at Chloé. The label’s sales doubled after she took over in 1997. Industry sources estimate profits grew to more than $35 million last year. It’s quite an achievement when you reflect on the expense and the specificity of the Chloé look while McCartney was in charge. Or maybe it’s not so surprising. She has said, “The one thing I have going for me is that I’m exactly the age bracket of the person who buys my clothes.” And there’s nothing like knowing your customer.

“The one thing I have going for me is that I’m exactly the age bracket of the person who buys my clothes.”

It certainly hasn’t hurt that and of course, Madonna, the rock chick de nos jours. She showed up at McCartney’s basement flat years ago, paid retail and became a firm friend and client. McCartney designed The Wedding Dress.

Add Gwyneth in her wannabe rock-chick mode and pop chick Britney and you’ve got a good cross-section of the spotlight-hogging, trend-setting clientele that will follow McCartney to her next gig. No wonder Tom Ford enthuses that “her clothes have an enormous appeal to women around the world” (Kate Hudson’s unfortunate Oscar outfit aside). McCartney has snared their affections with her signature combinations of modern and vintage, hard and soft, masculine and feminine. At Chloé, that could mean a severely tailored 30s-inspired suit worn with a wispy camisole top, or the leanest, meanest jeans paired with an air-brushed zodiac T-shirt, or flirty tea dresses and the raunchiest denim hot-pants on the same catwalk. What looked tacky to fuddy-duddy fashion observers would invariably turn out to be just what the rock chicks craved. Those diamanté-studded aviators? Couldn’t get enough of them! That “Keep Your Bananas Off My Melons” T-shirt? Gone in a flash! All because McCartney’s sense of cool was juiced up with a playful girlish sexuality that older and/or male designers couldn’t even dream of. Compare McCartney’s corsets from her last collection for Chloé to those of her new business partner Tom Ford. Where his were darkly fetishistic, vaguely threatening, hers were prettily beaded and beribboned, begging for boyfriends with nimble fingers. “I happen to think corsets are foxy,” she said at a panel discussion. “And they make your tits look great.”

The addendum is pure McCartney, blunt and inarguable. She deals with cynics in the same way. Like, for instance, the people who wondered how she could ally herself with a business as fur-and-leather-based as Gucci. What she did was offer an irresistible option in her last show. “All that fake fur,” gushed Liv Tyler. “And it feels so beautiful, so real – and it’s not. So many people are wearing real stuff that it’s really good for them to see it’s so easy to make it not real and look just as good.”

“I’d rather get out of this industry if that’s what it is going to be like and work in a vegetarian restaurant.”

Or, as McCartney puts it, she’s going to prove to Gucci there is a kinder, gentler way of doing things. As she told Women’s Wear Daily earlier this year, “I have a vision for the way I want a woman to dress, perhaps because I’m a woman and I know what I like to wear. So many people are forgetting about what women want to wear. It just seems like the industry is working for the industry now which is, like, yecchh! I’d rather get out of this industry if that’s what it is going to be like and work in a vegetarian restaurant.”

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It’s Barbie’s 60th Anniversary. These 4 Canadian Designers Made a Tribute. https://fashionmagazine.com/style/barbie-hudsons-bay/ Tue, 12 Mar 2019 15:18:00 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=369907 If you have ever wished that Barbie’s closet could be your own (I know I have), your pink-filled dreams are about to come true. In honour of the plastic fantastic doll’s 60th anniversary, Hudson’s Bay teamed up with Canadian designers Hilary MacMillan, Biko, Hayley Elsaesser and Narces to design capsule collections based on the enduring […]

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If you have ever wished that Barbie’s closet could be your own (I know I have), your pink-filled dreams are about to come true.

In honour of the plastic fantastic doll’s 60th anniversary, Hudson’s Bay teamed up with Canadian designers Hilary MacMillan, Biko, Hayley Elsaesser and Narces to design capsule collections based on the enduring spirit of Barbara Millicent Roberts. Not only did the designers draw inspiration from Barbie herself, they channelled the type of woman that Barbie encourages us all to be. The result? A diverse range of styles that pay homage to Mattel’s Queen B and her many sides.

Discover This: Barbie launched at Hudson’s Bay stores in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Chinook over the weekend and runs for three months.  Here’s what each designer had to say about the Barbie-inspired looks they designed.

 

Hilary MacMillan

MacMillan, who is best known for her cheeky ‘FEMINIST’ bomber jackets, took the opportunity to interpret Barbie as a beacon of female empowerment and inclusivity. “Barbie in 2019 represents all body types, skin colours and occupations, providing young people with a positive and inspiring role model,” says the designer. Her pieces reflect a modern, sophisticated woman with a soft edge of cheeky fun. I’m sure Barbie would proudly wear the collarless blazer to her next meeting or coffee date.

 

Corrine Anestopoulous (Biko)

Anestopolous launched her jewelry line, Biko, way back in 2005 and has been racking up fans of the label’s bold yet classic aesthetic ever since. She describes the opportunity to create jewelry for Barbie as a “dream come true” and took the directive quite literally, employing Barbie’s signature initial into an unmissable pair of door knocker earrings. “Through the years, Barbie has shown us that we can be anybody we want to be. This inspired me to design a collection of jewels that reflect her ever-evolving style – feminine but fierce, classic but bold, and always oozing confidence,” she says.

 

Hayley Elsaesser

The body-positive, pop-culture-loving Elsaesser creates clothing that rebels against the notion of “fitting in.” Her pieces are bright, colourful, and fun — just like the people who wear them. “I loved dressing Barbie up and even dressed myself up to match my Barbies. This definitely sparked my interest in clothing from a young age,” she says. Now, she’s giving Barbie a retro refresher with this capsule collection filled with brings 70s-inspired silhouettes, pop art prints and of course, plenty of pink.

 

Nikki Yassemi (Narces)

Nikki Yassemi is best-known for making glamorous dresses for special occasions under her Toronto brand Narces. For the collaboration with Mattel and Hudson’s Bay, she was inspired by Barbie’s multi-dimensional lifestyle, with pieces that transition seamlessly from day to night. “These pieces are for the woman who is confident, strong, and powerful and who knows that she can be anyone and do anything that she wants,” she says.

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Meet 5 Canadian Women Building Apps For a Better World https://fashionmagazine.com/style/canadian-female-app-developers/ Thu, 07 Mar 2019 22:18:33 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=369558 I have to be honest, if someone were to ask me what I think a developer or programmer looks like, a certain stereotypical image of a man would form in my mind. And I’m not proud to admit that. But what’s amazing about the five app developers I researched and interviewed for this story is […]

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I have to be honest, if someone were to ask me what I think a developer or programmer looks like, a certain stereotypical image of a man would form in my mind. And I’m not proud to admit that. But what’s amazing about the five app developers I researched and interviewed for this story is that they’re helping to break those barriers and challenge those stereotypes. They also made me rethink my own relationship with science. In elementary school I loved science, but whenever I was asked what I wanted to be I said princess, ballerina or teacher, while boys in my class responded with scientist, astronaut, and so on. In my conversations with the inspiring women featured here, I was reminded of my own love for science, and felt encouraged to not just speak up for myself but to support and motivate the women in my life to do the same. I didn’t expect to connect with these five unique women to the extent that I have, but I’m grateful for it. Today I stand a little taller.

So here, in honour of International Women’s Day, is a look at five female app developers challenging every notion you ever had about women in science and tech. We chatted with them about their journey to the top of Apple’s app lists and the adversity they had to face along the way. It may not have been an easy road but they’re using their unique voices and positions in the industry to solve problems, bridge gaps, and foster inclusion and community. It’s something that deserves to be celebrated all year round.

Brie Code

Photo courtesy Brie Code

The CEO and creative director of Tru Luv, a Toronto-based game design studio, is an innovator changing the rules of her industry. In a gaming world where fight-or-flight is the norm, and reward is provided for enduring tense life-or-death circumstances, Code began to notice a different trend: a lesser known psychological response that human beings have to stress, known as tend-and-befriend. It’s something that can be seen in the way players interact with characters in popular video games and Code wanted to explore it. Her pitch, however, was not received well. “When I presented tend-and-befriend to one of my mentors—and its implication that we could reach new audiences in very big ways—he scoffed at my research and told me that women only need simple experiences and not deep, rich connections with characters.”

She didn’t let that stop her, and instead allowed it to fuel the creation of her own company, and the subsequent development of her app #SelfCare, a sort of embodiment of tend-and-befriend that was released in 2018. “Instead of creating experiences that go from easy to hard, the set of mini-games in #SelfCare go from messy to tidy, awkward to smooth, or disconnected to connected.” The app is more of a companion than a game, featuring a calm bedroom with an AI companion resting in bed, surrounded by various objects that may provide relaxation and mindfulness. Within six weeks of its release #SelfCare reached 500,000 downloads and today, has more than a million users (including myself).

Photo courtesy Brie Code

It is important to remind people that the path to success often involves battle scars, especially for women. Code knows this all too well, having endured physical aggression from a colleague who once spit in her face. “He said he hates feminists and that I don’t belong in our industry. I heard he frequently treated women this way, and my bosses took no action when I came to them.” These stories are common and extremely frustrating, but as Code says, “as I became an expert, I realized that while underrepresented people face larger barriers to success, we also have greater opportunities to create the most interesting, innovative, necessary, and revolutionary changes.”

Huda Idrees

Photo courtesy Huda Idrees

Armed with an engineering degree from the University of Toronto, Huda Idrees has worked with some of the most well-known start-ups in Toronto, from Wattpad to Wealthsimple. “A running theme in all the companies and initiatives I’ve chosen to be a part of is accessibility,” she says. “William Gibson famously said, ‘The future is already here, it’s just not very evenly distributed.'” That’s where Idrees’ concerns lie, in the aim for accessibility and representation, and it eventually led to her launching a healthcare app called Dot Health. The app provides users access to their personal health records in a simple, secure, and portable way, erasing the need for binders, faxes, CDs, and all the other messy health care communication methods that most of us contend with. “Every single person should have access to their health information. How else can they be expected to make the best decisions for their health?”

Photo courtesy Huda Idrees

It’s a frustration we all know too well. Excessive amounts of tests, doctors with too many patients to keep track of, prescriptions we forget to renew. Dot Health takes away the headache by solving the root problem instead of slapping a bandaid on the symptoms. “We’re two years into our journey and we’ve found Dot Health clients can get care faster by not having to repeat tests. They get more out of their doctor visits because they can ask educated questions, and they’re more knowledgeable about what’s going on with their health and can make better decisions to stay healthier.” And much like how her app aims to create a more inclusive, self-aware health care sector, Idrees has the same goal for the tech sphere. “What happens when you create a tech work environment where women and underrepresented minorities are not discriminated against? From that perspective alone, Dot Health has been a raging success. We have an incredible product because it’s been built by an incredible group of people.”

Robyn Exton

Photo courtesy Robyn Exton

In a world full of dating apps from Tinder to Grindr to eHarmony, Robyn Exton, whom we were lucky enough to speak with during Pride this past summer, saw a missing element—a dating app for the LGBTQ+ community of women. The few apps that did exist for queer women were essentially “really poor versions of websites built for gay men that they just modified and made pink,” she says. They didn’t cut it. So as one does, Exton taught herself to code and created HER, a dating app made just for queer women, which has grown to include a wide spectrum of gender and sexual identifications such as non-binary and pan-sexual.

 

Photo courtesy Robyn Exton

Since the release of HER, Exton has received many accolades, and she only continues to improve the inclusive platform she worked so hard to develop. “However people want to identify, they can submit to us that that is what they want to express on their profile and we will add it within 10 days to make it available in the app.” Before the networking and friendship elements added to popular platforms like Tinder and Bumble, HER was already offering a unique community element, creating not just romantic connections for its users, but also a social support system. “We have communities inside the app, and sub-communities, relating either to identity or your passions and interests.” Robyn has created a network for people who have frequently been forced to go without one, a safe space where people truly understand each other. “That’s all we want, for people to feel like this is a home they can come back to.”

 

Jane Ji

Photo courtesy Jane Ji

An experienced game designer and developer, Jane Ji moved to Toronto after developing computer games in mainland China starting in 1994. Now the owner of SpringBay studio and a mother to two boys, Ji has pivoted her focus to the environment. “I strongly felt that I have to do something for a better future for my children and also our future generations,” she says. She saw the potential success that could be found in making an educational iPad app for children, as well as the current lack of games about the environment, and created the iBiome series, starting with ‘Wetland’ in 2014 and the very popular ‘Ocean’ in 2017.

“We want to give kids a powerful interactive learning tool through our apps that will enable them to explore how nature works, understand why we are part of nature, and allow them to simulate what happens to nature with our lifestyles.” And inclusivity is a key element when it comes to both development and the app’s audience. “In terms of inclusivity, everyone is part of our solution for a sustainable future. We share the same planet Earth that we all call home.”

Photo courtesy Jane Ji

That’s why Ji intends to educate and encourage future humanitarians and scientists, no matter their gender or background. She speaks highly of the Metamorphosis Girls STEM Conference which inspires young girls in Toronto to embrace their interests and talents in the sciences, and of Women in Games, an organization that aims to attract more women to the game industry and support those currently involved. “I think we need to introduce role models that girls can follow, to provide game-making activities that they can participate in, and to experience this media they can use to express their ideas.”

Maayan Ziv

Photo courtesy Mayaan Ziv

Photographer, activist, and entrepreneur: these descriptors only begin to scratch the surface of the versatile and talented Maayan Ziv. Living with Muscular Dystrophy, she was motivated to make the world a more accessible one for herself and others with disabilities. “Throughout my life, I have often faced barriers when it comes to navigating my community. Being a wheelchair user myself, I am always coming across different obstacles whether I am trying to go to a meeting, an event, or even just grab a coffee.” These barriers to everyday activities are what inspired Ziv to create AccessNow, an app that allows users to track the accessibility of locations worldwide, from restaurants to concert halls. “It’s time to realize that inaccessible places and experiences are not just inconvenient, but they also send a signal that people with disabilities, or anyone who requires accessibility, is not welcome everywhere. To be blunt, inaccessibility, whether intentional or not, is a form of discrimination.”

Photo courtesy Mayaan Ziv

She aims to raise awareness of this discrimination and start a dialogue that is inclusive, with people of all backgrounds and circumstances encouraged to crowdsource and share information for the app. “At AccessNow our top goal is to build a global movement that can be swift and ever-growing, inviting people of all abilities to contribute to making our world truly accessible. I realized early on that in order to accomplish this vision, people must be included at a grassroots level in the work that we do, so that as a community we are not only invested in creating the change we wish to see in the world, but so that we can do this in the most organic, authentic, and truly connected way.” It has indeed become the connected, growing community Ziv hoped for. Since its release in 2016, AccessNow has become available in 35 countries and has more than 26,000 places pinned, with more pins being placed every day.

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Chaga Mushrooms Are Popping Up Everywhere, But What Are They? https://fashionmagazine.com/wellness/health/chaga-mushrooms/ Wed, 06 Mar 2019 19:54:52 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=367832 While the world continues to argue about whether or not celery juice is good for you, we’re taking a moment to acknowledge a very humble superfood that seems to be making its way into everything as of late: Chaga mushrooms. You’ve probably spotted chaga on restaurant menus and in coffees and teas—and if you’re a […]

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While the world continues to argue about whether or not celery juice is good for you, we’re taking a moment to acknowledge a very humble superfood that seems to be making its way into everything as of late: Chaga mushrooms.

You’ve probably spotted chaga on restaurant menus and in coffees and teas—and if you’re a health nut, chances are you’ve already tried it. But for the rest of the world, what exactly is it?

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a fungus that grows on birch trees in China, Russia, Finland, the U.S. and  Canada. It’s rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, sulphur, aluminum, to name a few, and is considered an adaptogen: A natural, non-toxic substance said to help the body adapt to stress. Use of these mushrooms can be traced back to 12th century Russia, where it was also recognized as a treatment for cancer by the Medical Academy of Science in Moscow in 1955.

However, it’s important to note that no human studies have been performed on chaga mushrooms by the Food and Drug Administration. As of right now, all reported benefits have been based on studies conducted on mice and personal testimonials from consumers, some of which state chaga reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system, decreases feelings of anxiety and helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. In a 2016 Japanese study, chaga was reported to help suppress cancer in mice.

“Chaga is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial abilities,” says Ruth Tal, founder of Fresh Restaurants in Toronto. Tal, an early adopter of the adaptogen, first introduced her slow-cooked cider three years ago, which is available on the restaurant’s menu. Other companies who have leveraged the benefits of this mushroom include Four Sigmatic, Rawcology (chaga granola, anyone?) and ELXR Juice Lab.

If you’re feeling adventurous you can try brewing your own chaga tea. It’s a process though, and one that Tal and other chaga adherents take seriously. “Chaga must be brewed at a low temperature for a long period of time,” she says. “Our cider is brewed for 7 hours.” Anything for health though, right?

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Canada’s Largest Sale of Vintage Clothing is Happening in Toronto This Weekend https://fashionmagazine.com/style/toronto-vintage-clothing-show-2019/ Thu, 28 Feb 2019 20:19:35 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=369139 Some of the best fashion creations happened in the last century, from the flapper dresses of the roaring ’20s to the studded leather jackets of the punk era, and you’re likely to find authentic pieces from those periods at the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show this weekend. View this post on Instagram @torontovintageclothingshow March 2 & […]

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Some of the best fashion creations happened in the last century, from the flapper dresses of the roaring ’20s to the studded leather jackets of the punk era, and you’re likely to find authentic pieces from those periods at the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show this weekend.

Bringing together unique finds from some of Canada’s best thrift hubs, such as Toronto’s House of Vintage and Nouveau Riche Vintage, this two-day clothing show at the Enercare Centre will be a one-stop shop for those looking to refresh their wardrobes with a blast from the past. There will be a varied selection of pieces, including accessories like shoes, handbags and jewellery, from over 120 vendors to choose from so you’re all but guaranteed to find at least one item that sparks joy.

The event will take place from 10am to 5pm on March 2 and 10am to 4pm on March 3, giving you plenty of time to browse, discover, geek out and buy. Tickets will be for sale for $12 at the door, but make sure to bring cash as many vendors do not accept cards. Find out more about the show and all the participating vendors on the event website. Happy shopping!

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Knix Is Having Its First-Ever Warehouse Sale in Toronto https://fashionmagazine.com/style/knix-warehouse-sale/ Wed, 27 Feb 2019 19:40:40 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=368957 You’ve probably heard of Knix, the Toronto-based intimates brand known for its empowering ad campaigns featuring a diverse range of models and its innovative underwear technology. Since the brand’s beginnings in 2013, Knix’s aim has been to help women feel comfortable, confident and at ease with their bodies. From March 7 to March 9, Knix […]

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You’ve probably heard of Knix, the Toronto-based intimates brand known for its empowering ad campaigns featuring a diverse range of models and its innovative underwear technology. Since the brand’s beginnings in 2013, Knix’s aim has been to help women feel comfortable, confident and at ease with their bodies.

From March 7 to March 9, Knix will be having a warehouse sale in the heart of downtown Toronto—its first-ever! And we’re not talking about some run-of-the-mill 25 per cent off sale either. The brand’s acclaimed moisture-wicking, anti-odour underwear and comfy wireless bras will be going for 50 to 80 per cent off. Also available will be tank tops, sweat-proof T-shirts and sleepwear.

In terms of bundle deals, you’ll be able to snag 1 bra for $30, 2 for $50 or 3 for $60. Athletic underwear is slated to be priced at $21 for 3 pairs, or $50 for 10 pairs, and trio of super-flattering (and highly absorbent) leakproof period underwear will run you $27. You won’t need to worry about limited sizing either: pieces will be available in XS to XXL, and 32A to 42G.

So, if you’re interested in scoring some cute and comfy underwear, mark your calendars. The sale will take place at 225 Richmond Street W. in Toronto on March 7th (12 p.m. – 9 p.m.), March 8th (10 a.m. – 9 p.m.), and March 9th (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.).

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J. Crew Taps Chris Benz as New Head of Women’s Design https://fashionmagazine.com/style/j-crew-chris-benz/ Wed, 27 Feb 2019 19:20:44 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=368983 J. Crew has seen a lot of change over the past few years, with the departure of CEO Mickey Drexler earlier this year. But the most recent change is a promising one: J. Crew has announces that Chris Benz will lead the company as the new head of women’s design. He joins from Bill Blass, […]

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J. Crew has seen a lot of change over the past few years, with the departure of CEO Mickey Drexler earlier this year. But the most recent change is a promising one: J. Crew has announces that Chris Benz will lead the company as the new head of women’s design. He joins from Bill Blass, the American fashion house where he held the role of creative director since 2015.

Photography by Amy Sussman/REX/Shutterstock

If Benz’s name sparks some familiarity, that’s because the formerly pink-haired designer founded his own quirky ready-to-wear line in 2007, featuring kooky prints and bright colours that earned him the nickname, “The Prince of Colour.” Despite his status as a critical darling, the Chris Benz line folded in 2012.

This isn’t Benz’s first stint at J. Crew either. From 2005 to 2006, he worked under then-creative director Jenna Lyons before branching off to start his own line. “J.Crew is where I started my career and I have always loved the inspired mix of things – colour and pattern, texture and quality – that defines it,” he explained in a statement to Business of Fashion. “I look forward to innovating on the brand’s essential classics to create an eclectic American style that is both polished and unique, and revives J.Crew as a destination where everyone can find something special.”

Having taken time away from the brand to grow and solidify his name in the fashion world, Benz comes back to J. Crew with some serious credentials and preppy-glam design chops. It will be interesting to see how much of his creative thinking makes its way into new collections, and whether his aesthetic vision will give the flagging retailer the boost it needs to get back up on its feet again. A press statement from the company offers some hope, “These necessary and significant changes are part of the company’s efforts to revitalize the J.Crew brand among consumers, while also becoming more productive and more profitable in the process.”

We’ll be eagerly waiting for the release of the first Benz-designed line.

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Sustainable Clothing Brand Laura Siegel is Holding a Sample Sale in Toronto https://fashionmagazine.com/style/laura-siegel-sample-sale/ Mon, 25 Feb 2019 15:21:47 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=368563 It is hard not to love the sustainable brand Laura Siegel, which combines floaty fabrics with a sustainable mission. Each item, from faux fur coats to sleek tunics, is handcrafted by artisans from rural villages around the world, employed as an effort to uplift and mentor. View this post on Instagram ✔️✔️@xuliuxu in the Silk […]

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It is hard not to love the sustainable brand Laura Siegel, which combines floaty fabrics with a sustainable mission. Each item, from faux fur coats to sleek tunics, is handcrafted by artisans from rural villages around the world, employed as an effort to uplift and mentor.

The brand’s founder, Laura Siegel, aims to create the opposite of fast fashion with her eponymous line. She strongly believes in the process of creating by hand, and has stated that no machine will be able to achieve the same level of raw beauty as an artist. From this stance, Project 1127 was born. Following the tragedy of the Rana Plaza factory collapse, artisans in India hand-wove 1,127 limited edition scarves using recycled fabrics. The proceeds directly assisted the affected families.

If you’re ready to get your hands on some incredible, ethically-made clothing from Laura Siegel, now is your time. On February 27th from 3pm-7pm and the 28th from 11am-7pm, make your way to 45 Ossington Avenue for the brand’s ‘can’t miss’ sample sale. A small number of special pieces from the archives will be sold as well as a large range of more recent collections. Handcrafted, ethical, and up to 80% off? Yes, please.

If you can’t make it, no need to panic. You can indulge in sustainable shopping all year round at Holt Renfrew and Aloja. Either way, take a peek at some current Laura Siegel pieces and feel inspired.

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These Cool Brands Are Taking the Ick-Factor Out of Sex-Care Products https://fashionmagazine.com/wellness/health/cool-brands-sex-care/ Tue, 19 Feb 2019 15:20:56 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=368101 I remember 7th grade health class, the sound of boys giggling in the background, while a million questions filled my head… all of which I was way too terrified to ask out loud. You’ve probably had a similar experience, too. However, gone are the days of hiding tampons up your sleeves or experiencing that horrible […]

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I remember 7th grade health class, the sound of boys giggling in the background, while a million questions filled my head… all of which I was way too terrified to ask out loud. You’ve probably had a similar experience, too. However, gone are the days of hiding tampons up your sleeves or experiencing that horrible mix of dread and shame while cashing out a bottle of lube at your local pharmacy.

It’s 2019, and is it EVER a time to be alive. Last year, the Global Wellness Summit dubbed “feminist wellness” one the biggest trends of 2018, and the rise in cool new sex-care brands aimed towards women (and run by women!) proves it.

Here, we’ve rounded up 10 sex-care brands—all of which ship to Canada—that are taking the ick-factor out of sexual health products.

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Valentine’s Day Looks You’ll Want to Wear All Year Round https://fashionmagazine.com/style/valentines-day-outfits-any-occasion/ Tue, 12 Feb 2019 21:14:44 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=367261 Sure, Valentine’s Day is a pointless Hallmark holiday that we don’t need to celebrate… but we do still need something great to wear. So whether you have a hot date scheduled or you’re boycotting the roses and rom-coms this year, we’ve rounded up some outfits that’ll feel just right on February 14—and for many a […]

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Sure, Valentine’s Day is a pointless Hallmark holiday that we don’t need to celebrate… but we do still need something great to wear. So whether you have a hot date scheduled or you’re boycotting the roses and rom-coms this year, we’ve rounded up some outfits that’ll feel just right on February 14—and for many a non-romantic occasion after that.

Click through for five outfits devoid of any “one-time wear” guilt, because these timeless pieces can be worn to work, to next week’s lunch date, to a mid-day coffee sesh, and more.

 

 

 

 

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Hypnobirthing: Meghan Markle’s Reported Birthing Technique Isn’t as Extreme as You Think https://fashionmagazine.com/wellness/health/meghan-markle-hypnobirthing/ Wed, 06 Feb 2019 20:39:19 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=367466 Meghan Markle is not one for the ordinary (here, an ongoing list of Royal rules she’s broken), so news of her reported plan to practice hypnobirthing on her due date should come as no surprise. But what’s hypnobirthing, you ask? The unorthodox method, created by American hypnotherapist Marie Mongan, combines techniques like meditation, visualization and focused […]

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Meghan Markle is not one for the ordinary (here, an ongoing list of Royal rules she’s broken), so news of her reported plan to practice hypnobirthing on her due date should come as no surprise. But what’s hypnobirthing, you ask?

The unorthodox method, created by American hypnotherapist Marie Mongan, combines techniques like meditation, visualization and focused breathing to help manage pain during labour. According to Mongan, humans are programmed to see childbirth as an extremely difficult act; hypnobirthing teaches mothers how to relax the body and let go of fears that may cause muscles to resist and complicate the labour, thus resulting in pain. Essentially, it’s all about confidence, positive thinking and reframing the pain of childbirth as positive. So basically, it’s not as hippie-dippie as it actually sounds.

In addition to hypnobirthing, the Duchess of Sussex is also said to be giving birth naturally (a.k.a sans drugs or medical intervention) with the help of a doula. According to a source close to the Royals, both Meghan and Prince Harry have been been receiving acupuncture treatments from celebrity acupuncturist Ross Barr for months to further add to the atmosphere of zen.

“Meg wants a natural birth if she can have one,” the source told Vanity Fair earlier this week. “Her mother is very into anything that is holistic and natural, and having been brought up with yoga and mindfulness, it’s all very much part of Meghan’s birth plan.” Of course, we’ll have to wait to see if all of this pans out come late April/early May, when the Royal Baby is scheduled to be born.

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5 Instagram Poets Who Will Warm Up Your Winter Blues https://fashionmagazine.com/flare/celebrity/instagram-poets-2019/ Mon, 21 Jan 2019 20:34:04 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=366034 Blue Monday might have started as a press release to promote travel in January, but whether or not the equation—yes, there’s “math” to this—is total bologna-pseudoscience, it’s hard to deny the blues that come with cold weather. To help you through the chill, we’ve created an updated list of on-the-rise Instagram poets who have embraced […]

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Blue Monday might have started as a press release to promote travel in January, but whether or not the equation—yes, there’s “math” to this—is total bologna-pseudoscience, it’s hard to deny the blues that come with cold weather. To help you through the chill, we’ve created an updated list of on-the-rise Instagram poets who have embraced the public platform as a way to make their voices heard. If you’re a fan of the insta-poets we’ve showcased in the past (Nikita Gill, Nayyirah Waheed and Yrsa Daley-Ward), these five talented writers are the perfect people to fill your day with sunshine and similes.

Tyler Knott Gregson

Best known for his Typewriter Series and book Chasers of the Light, Knott writes almost exclusively about love. His words are loaded with passion, softness and authenticity. Reading one of his poems feels like unfolding a love letter meant just for you—exposing, yet comforting. He’ll have you tagging your loved ones in the comments in no time, the perfect solution when your own words don’t feel like enough.

Morgan Harper Nichols

Morgan Harper Nichols is the ultimate hype girl. She is the supportive, wisdom filled friend that we all need when the blues begin to weigh us down. Her profile, which she uses as a platform for mental wellness and self-care, is loaded with positivity and empathy. Nichols writes about personal growth, accepting your failures and moving forward. She is happy to share, with templates and phone wallpapers available for free download, so that her reminders are with you always. My own lock screen currently reads, “she does not know what the future holds, but she is grateful for slow and steady growth.”

View this post on Instagram

“Tell the story of the mountain you climbed. Your words could become a page in someone else’s survival guide.” I wrote these words for someone else, but I need this reminder too. ⠀ I have always naturally been a quieter, more inward type, and for most of life, expressing feelings and emotions was a challenge for me (Enneagram 5, INTJ). Because of that, I often thought that because I did not naturally have certain personality traits, there was no way I could connect with others, even when it came to the things I made. ⠀ I had a great family growing up, but outside of the home, I struggled to figure out where I “fit.” I struggled making friends and often blamed myself for not being more extroverted or “interesting.” This sent me inward: Deep inside my journals where I would say all the things I was never able to say during the day. I would write things for people but never knew how to share it with them. I would fill pages of composition books just to try to understand why I felt unheard and unseen. I started to convince myself that the best way to show up in the world was to not to be myself. Even in an environment where my parents lovingly encouraged my gifts as a writer and artist (I thank God for the encouragement my parents gave and still give me everyday), I still didn’t feel like I fit anywhere in the outside world. But there was this inside world where I could draw and write out all of the things I never figured out how to say during the day. Over time, I have finally begin to see: in the same way I learned to fill my journal page by page, I could learn to connect with others one by one. Showing up in the world does not mean that I have to show up everywhere all at once. Connecting around real people and real stories, in relationships and art is about the one. Impactful things can be said on big stages and in chart topping songs but they can also be said in hospital parking lots and handwritten letters. I have come to believe that in a world that often seems too crowded or busy to notice meaningful things, there is yet still room for each our stories and I just hope that the art I make, page by page, person by person is just one example of that.

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Mustafa Ahmed

Raised in the public housing of Regent Park (a Canadian boy!), Ahmed, who goes by “Mustafa the Poet” is a proud Muslim songwriter, poet and spoken word artist. He writes about the struggles of mental illness, loss and poverty, but he is full of a hopefulness that is infectious to his audience. You may recognize his name from The Weeknd’s song “Attention,” which he co-wrote and performed, but his fame started at age twelve when he garnered attention from Toronto’s 2009 Hot Docs Festival for his poem “A Single Rose.” Watch Mustafa continue to bloom on his Instagram.

Samantha Jayne

Samantha is less about inspiration and more about relatability. Under her handle @quarterlifepoems, she writes about mundane, millennial crises and honestly, it is comedy gold. She writes almost-limericks paired with colourful doodles about accidental double taps on Instagram, social anxiety and financial confusion, all of which make you feel slightly less alone. She uses social media to make a refreshing statement on who twenty-somethings truly are behind all of the perfectly curated profiles. Her work is clearly catching on, her popular poetry being picked up as a television series, which will premiere at Sundance and air on FX this Spring.

Haley Macleod

Haley’s following isn’t as large as her fellow poets, with 25.5k, but the Calgary-born writer’s voice is genuine, and her fans are loyal. She writes about love, heartbreak and self-respect, advising readers, and likely herself as well, to choose a life of fulfilment and happiness. Her posts are visually stunning as well, with typewritten pages placed over photographs of seasides and city nights. They evoke a sense of peace and calm, the perfect escape from sharp winds and snowfalls.

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How to Not Ditch Your New Year’s Resolutions https://fashionmagazine.com/wellness/health/how-to-new-years-resolutions/ Thu, 17 Jan 2019 19:55:07 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=365714 Happy Ditch Your New Year’s Resolution Day! Yes, we aren’t making it up: Today, January 17th, is the national day of giving up on all the aspirations and changes you swore you would achieve when you scribbled them down in December. However, we don’t encourage you to ditch your resolutions. Whether the goal was overly […]

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Happy Ditch Your New Year’s Resolution Day! Yes, we aren’t making it up: Today, January 17th, is the national day of giving up on all the aspirations and changes you swore you would achieve when you scribbled them down in December. However, we don’t encourage you to ditch your resolutions. Whether the goal was overly ambitious or the winter blues are getting the best of you, here are some easy and simple tips to help power you through those 2019 goals.

Resolution: Exercise more!
Excuse: “Working out is too time consuming.” “Gym memberships are so damn expensive!”
How to keep going: It’s hard not to succumb to the lack of motivation and energy that comes with drab winter weather, but there are simple ways you can implement exercise into your everyday routine (there really are no excuses, unless you’re coming down with the flu or are injured). If you find you have no time in your schedule and so happen to sit at a desk, try the age-old cliche advice of taking the stairs over the elevator. Seriously. There’s a reason gyms offer “step” classes. For those willing to put in a bit more effort, but not willing to shell out $30 bucks on a spin class (we feel you), do some research into free classes. Some suggestions: The Running Room’s Run Club, yoga and barre classes at Lululemon, and even the Nike Training Club at the Academy of Lions.

Resolution: Save money!
Excuse: “Buying meals is easier.” “But my friends are going… therefore I must go too! ”
How to keep going: Saving money doesn’t need to be about creating a crazy, complex budget: It’s about cutting costs in simple ways. Start off saving in the food department by doing meal prep on the weekend so that you’re set for the week. Also worth noting is that you can still buy some meals… just reduce the amount of times you buy. If you tend to suffer from FOMO (again, we feel you!) try having friends over and creating a fun night at your place. Added perk: No need to endure the cold weather.

Resolution: Eat healthier!
Excuse: “But I looooove cookies/chips/basically anything that’s bad for me!” “Cooking takes so much time.”
How to keep going: I’d like to start by saying cravings are tough, but with time they become easier to manage. It’s all about giving your body what it wants and needs to make you look and feel your best. If you can’t change your diet entirely, just reduce it. Smaller portions are a great way to start adjusting the way you eat. Especially if you can eat less of the bad, and start eating a little bit of the good. Try to drink more water throughout the day instead of juice or coffee, or reach for some fruit instead of a bag of chips. And of course, if you slip up, it’s no big deal. In the words (errr… dance moves?) of Donté Colley, DON’T GIVE UP ON YOURSELF.

Resolution: Get more organized!
Excuse: “It’s so time consuming.” “It’s too much to handle and I’m overwhelmed.”
How to keep going: Getting organized can be super stressful and I sympathize with feelings of being overwhelmed with the clutter in your life… and mind. That’s why it’s crucial to gain control of it all, Marie Kondo-style. Start by making a list. Add a few simple tasks to accomplish each day, but avoid more than 5 so that you don’t overwhelm yourself. You can even add mundane things like “make bed” to give you a sense of accomplishment and encourage you to keep working through the rest. Once you get to the decluttering stage, donate or throw things away if they no longer serve a purpose in your life. If you need that extra push, consider downloading an organizational app to help get your life together.

Resolution: Practising self-love!
Excuse: “I’m too busy.” “I don’t know how to say ‘no.'”
How to keep going: ICYMI, we’re huge advocates of self-care so this one should come as no surprise. Oftentimes we are so focused on catering to others, that we forget to cater to ourselves. You are never too busy to take 5 minutes for yourself, even if it’s to focus on your breathing. Try doing this once in the morning and once at night. Mindfulness and meditation will help you feel grounded and calm, and make the other resolutions on your list that much easier to do. With self-love, comes the ability to make the choices that are best for you and your mental health, so practise saying no to the things you don’t want to do. If you want to stay in, but your friends want you to go out, stay in. There’s nothing wrong with taking one night off to relax and recharge.

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Louis Vuitton Is Launching Luxury Wireless Earphones https://fashionmagazine.com/style/louis-vuitton-wireless-earphones/ Thu, 17 Jan 2019 15:00:08 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=365689 For the most part, headphones are pretty utilitarian. But every so often, a version comes along that causes something of a frenzy: we saw it with Beats by Dr. Dre, we saw it with Apple’s AirPods. And now, with Louis Vuitton entering the headphones game, are we about to see it again? The French fashion […]

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For the most part, headphones are pretty utilitarian. But every so often, a version comes along that causes something of a frenzy: we saw it with Beats by Dr. Dre, we saw it with Apple’s AirPods. And now, with Louis Vuitton entering the headphones game, are we about to see it again?

The French fashion house just announced the launch of their Horizon wireless earphones, a fashion-tech crossover in which cutting-edge technology meets monogrammed luxury. They retail for a pretty penny ($995) but perhaps the lure of a designer spin on an everyday gadget—developed by audio specialists Master & Dynamic—might be enough to get people to take the plunge. A single charge gives the earphones 3.5 hours of listening time, while the sleek charging case they come in holds enough juice for two more full charges. They come in four different styles, ranging from subtle black and white to an eye-catching red monogram and blue-and-yellow LV stripes.

 

Photography via Louis Vuitton

Up until now, no fashion designer or label has really tried to enter the headphone market, although brands have certainly created limited edition designs for existing companies and products, like bands for smart watches, cases for phones, and even patterns for refrigerators (you may recall the SMEG and Dolce & Gabbana collab of 2016). While headphones aren’t typically the sort of items that spawn crazy waiting lists, we do know that Apple’s massively successful AirPods went on to inspire their own memes and meetups, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens when these hit the market on January 24.

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8 Under-the-Radar Movies of the Past Decade https://fashionmagazine.com/flare/celebrity/under-the-radar-films/ Mon, 14 Jan 2019 20:02:39 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=365155 If the Oscar buzz and post Golden Globes high have you craving some must see movie options, but you’ve already seen all the top films of 2018 — and you’ve seen all the award show favourites and blockbuster darlings from the past ten years. Here are some of the cinematic gems you might have missed. […]

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If the Oscar buzz and post Golden Globes high have you craving some must see movie options, but you’ve already seen all the top films of 2018 — and you’ve seen all the award show favourites and blockbuster darlings from the past ten years. Here are some of the cinematic gems you might have missed. A blend of all genres, these flicks will make you think like a film critic and recommend like one too. So put on your pjs, pop some popcorn, and set your socials to “away”. Then grab the best seat in the house and get your Netflix, Crave, Prime, blu ray, or VHS player going. Enjoy.


Electrick Children (2012)

A story of self-discovery, youth, and abuse of power, chaos ensues as main character Rachel, naive and unexpectedly pregnant, heads on a journey to Vegas to find the “father” of her miracle baby. She believes the baby to be the result of her listening to forbidden technology: a cassette tape with a singular rock song recorded on its ribbon. This quirky film starring Ozark and Maniac’s Julia Garner as she veers away from her sheltered Mormon youth and towards a life of love and rock and roll is a must watch if you are looking for a film with heart, depth, and gut wrenching reveals. Not to mention, a fantastic pair of red sunglasses.

 


Ruby Sparks (2012)

Ruby Sparks is Paul Dano at his charmingly awkward best. As a child prodigy turned writer’s blocked novelist, lead character Calvin is lonely, anxious, and stuck. At his lowest point, he creates Ruby, played by indie queen Zoe Kazan. She is a sweet, spontaneous woman who lives in the pages of his work in progress — until she doesn’t. Somehow written into real life, Ruby is Calvin’s perfect woman, because she does exactly what he writes her to do. A film about acknowledging your situation and learning to accept help, Ruby Sparks is funny, frustrating, and sad all at once. If you are looking for a love story that doesn’t just step outside the box, but breaks it entirely, this is the film for you.

 


Take Shelter (2011)

A beautiful and heart wrenching film about mental illness, Take Shelter is the story of Curtis, a family man who starts to experience hallucinations and nightmares of a terrible storm. Fearing for the wellbeing of his wife and deaf daughter, but also his own mental state, he struggles with the choice of seeking help or believing in his visions. The film is ambiguous in many ways, but clear in its message. Whether or not things are real or in our heads, we are justified in our feelings. As an added bonus, you’ll learn some sign language, and at the very least never forget “storm.”

 


What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

This movie is ridiculous, but heartwarming. A mockumentary that follows the lives of three vampire roommates in New Zealand, What We Do in the Shadows explores how it feels to be an outsider, and the value of finding friends who understand. Fans of Flight of the Conchords will find a friendly face in the absurd Jermaine Clement who both stars in and directs the strange film. The plot summary says it all “Viago, Deacon and Vladislav are vampires who are finding that modern life has them struggling with the mundane — like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, trying to get into nightclubs and overcoming flatmate conflicts.” It is strangely relatable, and a great recommendation for those who need a good laugh.

 

The Babadook (2014)

On a darker note, for fans of horror The Babadook is not only terrifying, but terrifyingly clever. A metaphor for mental illness, this story of an overwhelmed single mother and her struggling child is haunting, even without the monster. If you enjoy a good jump scare, but are looking for a bit more depth, this film is for you. Just be prepared to fear any knock on your door for a few days.

 

It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010)

Fans of Netflix’s Atypical will recognize Keir Gilchrist in this powerful film about mental illness and empathy. As Craig, a clinically depressed teenager who checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward, Gilchrist reminds viewers that it’s okay to not be okay. Despite the heavy subject matter, it’s kind of an extremely funny movie. Especially with an all-star like Zach Galifianakis along for the ride. It’s Kind of a Funny Story is perfect if you’re looking for a movie that will make you cry and spark intense conversations about mental health, while simultaneously making you pee your pants with laughter.

 

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

Steve Carell might be better known for The Office and The Forty Year Old Virgin, but this hidden gem co-starring Keira Knightley is well worth your time. With days to live until an asteroid destroys earth, Dodge, abandoned by his wife after hearing the terrifying news, goes out in search of his high school sweetheart. What he finds is his quirky neighbour, Penny and the unlikely pair trek together while teaching each other lessons about spontaneity, understanding, and love. Keep tissues close by for this one. You won’t be able to distinguish when you’re laughing from when you’re crying — they’ll just start to blend.

 

About Time (2013)

Love Actually fans will rejoice at the fact that this film is made by the same creator. Meaning, it will also likely make you snort, cry, and sigh consistently throughout. This time featuring the English countryside, About Time gives you lots of views of beautiful beaches and cliffs and will make you briefly consider spending your days drinking tea and wearing rain boots. That being said, plot wise, the film is far from traditional. It’s about self-controlled time travel, and similarly to Mr. Nobody, how the choices we make have a ripple effect. Tim, the main character, learns this quickly as he navigates young adult life with the added complication of controlling the future. Magical elements aside, it’s as relatable and emotional as a conventional rom-com.

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Studies Show Some Flosses Contain These Potentially Harmful Chemicals https://fashionmagazine.com/wellness/health/oral-b-floss-harmful-chemicals/ Thu, 10 Jan 2019 19:17:19 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=365243 The next time your dentist asks if you’ve been flossing, you can say no with confidence… Or at least when it comes to flossing with Oral-B’s Glide range. According to a study by Silent Spring Institute in Massachusetts and Public Health Institute in California, products in Oral-B’s Glide line have been found to contain PFAS […]

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The next time your dentist asks if you’ve been flossing, you can say no with confidence… Or at least when it comes to flossing with Oral-B’s Glide range.

According to a study by Silent Spring Institute in Massachusetts and Public Health Institute in California, products in Oral-B’s Glide line have been found to contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

What in the world are PFAS, you ask? As per the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s website, PFAS are man-made chemicals that “don’t break down [and] can accumulate over time,” and can be found in household items like food packaging, fire-fighting foam, stain- and water-repellent fabrics, paints and more. Studies have shown that exposure to PFAS are linked to negative health effects, such as high cholesterol, thyroid disease, decreased fertility and kidney and testicular cancer.

The study, which explored the potential links between daily habits—such as flossing—and the presence and effects of PFAS, enlisted the help of 178 middle-aged women. Researchers obtained blood samples from the women and found that those who flossed with Oral-B Glide products, as well as imitation products of the Glide line, showed higher traces of the chemical in the blood.

Those who flossed with Oral-B Glide products, as well as imitation products of the Glide line, showed higher traces of the chemical in the blood.

“This is the first study to show that using dental floss containing PFAS is associated with a higher body burden of these toxic chemicals,” said Katie Boronow, lead staff scientist of the study. “Restricting these chemicals from products should be a priority to reduce levels in people’s bodies.”

In total, researchers tested 18 different types of dental floss, including three Glide products. All three Glide flosses tested positive for the chemical, as well as two floss products that featured “compare to Oral-B Glide” labels, and one floss that described itself as a “single strand Teflon fibre.”

In a statement given to the New York Post, a rep from Procter & Gamble (Oral-B’s parent company) said: “Our dental floss undergoes thorough safety testing and we stand by the safety of all our products.” However, it’s probably best to err on the side of caution for now and avoid Glide floss until more information is made available.

Of course you won’t be able to get away with stopping flossing altogether. “The good news is, based on our findings, consumers can choose flosses that don’t contain PFAS,” Boronow said. So floss on and flash those pearly whites.

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How to Turn Your Latte Habit Into a Healthy One https://fashionmagazine.com/wellness/health/healthy-latte-recipes/ Wed, 09 Jan 2019 21:54:26 +0000 https://fashionmagazine.com/?p=365119 Two years ago, I finally realized why my syrup-filled, cream-topped, caffeine-packed Starbucks habit was leaving me bloated and in pain — it was lactose intolerance, which I hadn’t been aware of, or perhaps was just denying. On top of this new discovery, my reliance on caffeine was leaving me feeling fatigued, so I decided to switch up my hot […]

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Two years ago, I finally realized why my syrup-filled, cream-topped, caffeine-packed Starbucks habit was leaving me bloated and in pain — it was lactose intolerance, which I hadn’t been aware of, or perhaps was just denying. On top of this new discovery, my reliance on caffeine was leaving me feeling fatigued, so I decided to switch up my hot drink habit for something healthier. If you’re feeling inspired by the current vogue for wellness culture, let me show you the light. Through trial and error, I came up with these three recipes that serve as immune-boosting substitutes in lieu of a usual sugary beverage.

Turmeric Ginger Latte

Turmeric and ginger are both hot trends right now on the wellness circuit, and for good reason. They are both roots with immune boosting, anti-inflammatory properties that offer a kick to your system and your taste buds. This recipe is caffeine-free, making great for all times of the day—whether you’re looking for an afternoon boost or a moment of spice-filled comfort.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of the milk of your choice
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger root peeled and minced
  • 1 tsp fresh turmeric root peeled and minced
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 1 tsp honey, agave or maple syrup
  • A dash of sea salt

Recipe:

Heat the milk in a saucepan on the stove. Blend the ginger, turmeric, coconut oil, honey, and sea salt in a blender with a splash of milk for smoother results. Once the blended ingredients are ready, add the heated milk and blend again for about 30 seconds. Pour the liquid (strain if desired) into your favourite mug or tumbler and enjoy.

Cinnamon Matcha Latte

If you’re a green tea fan, this is the perfect latte for you. Matcha is powdered green tea leaves, and provides all the health benefits of regular green tea — antioxidants that improve brain function and lower blood pressure — with an extra kick in the flavour department. It’s great for early mornings, as it does contain caffeine, but without the negative side effects that come with coffee. Not to mention, the cinnamon in this latte offers anti-inflammatory properties and lowers cholesterol. Basically, you can’t go wrong.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp of matcha (try to avoid flavoured)
  • ¼ cup of hot water
  • ¾ cup of the milk of your choice
  • A pinch of cinnamon
  • 1 tsp of honey, agave or maple syrup (if sweetener is desired

Recipe:

Add matcha to the mug of your choice and use a small whisk or fork to separate any large pieces. Whisk in hot water until matcha is dissolved. Use a steamer to prepare your milk or heat milk on the stove and whip until foamy. Stir the cinnamon into the milk. Pour the milk in the matcha mixture. Add cinnamon as a garnish.

Lavender Latte

If the beginning of the new year is turning your stomach into knots, we’ve got just the fix you need. Lavender is praised for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety and enhance sleep quality. For these reasons it is also known to help reduce tension related pain and other pesky symptoms of headaches. Plus, we slipped some coffee into this one, so enjoy this latte with a clear head and a bright complexion.

Ingredients:

  • ⅔ cup of brewed coffee
  • ½ cup of your choice of milk
  • ¼ cup of dried lavender
  • ½ cup of water
  • ½ cup white sugar (only a small fraction will end up in the final latte)

Recipe:

Bring water and dried lavender to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from the stove and let the mixture cool. Use a strainer to separate the lavender buds from the water. In another saucepan combine sugar and 3 tsp of lavender water until the mixture begins to boil, then reduce to a simmer for 4 minutes. Whisk the remaining lavender water into the simple syrup away from heat and place it in the fridge. Brew coffee and pour into your favourite mug. Stir in the simple syrup. Warm milk on the stove or with a steamer and pour it into and over top the coffee. Garnish with some dried lavender.

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