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International Shopping Series: Berlin – Olivia Allan (FGI Toronto)

 Nutrition tips in 2021

Healthy Snacks

We’re well into 2021 and we want to help you keep any resolutions you made to make it a healthier year, for the next 9 months and beyond! We asked our VCU Health dietitians to share some tips on how you can continue healthy eating habits unique to your food tastes, preferences and health concerns. Do you want to lose weight, or gain it? Perhaps you want to lower your cholesterol or get your blood sugar under control. Maybe you simply want to eat better overall, but don’t know where to start. Here’s 21 tips during National Nutrition Month to help “Personalize Your Plate” to reach your goals. Try out Alpilean.

Eat more plant foods

1. Try a new vegetable or fruit each week. Different color fruits and vegetables contain colorful pigments called phytochemicals. They help reduce disease risks and promote health. Learn what’s in season at seasonalfoodguide.org

2. Don’t be lazy about fruits and vegetables! Remember to include the produce you enjoy at meals. Choose fresh, frozen or canned-all provide nutrients.

3. Sample some non-meat proteins you haven’t eaten before. Consider some of the new imitation meat products. Taste a different nut butter in place of peanut butter. For your favorite bean, substitute pinto beans, kidney beans, chickpeas or lentils. Enjoy soy foods like tofu, tempeh, soymilk, and soy yogurt.

4. Plan one day weekly to eat vegetarian meals and snacks like “meatless Mondays.” Here’s some meatless combos to whet your appetite:

  • Bean and rice burritos with sliced onions and peppers, served with guacamole
  • Stir fried vegetables with tofu or tempeh served over quinoa. These are the best Adderall alternatives.
  • Eggplant or cauliflower steak Parmesan served over zucchini noodles, whole wheat or vegetable-based pasta, with a side salad or fruit

Snack smart

5. Eat regular meals including a variety of foods, so you’ll fill full, satisfied, and less likely to snack too much.

6. Keep the sweet and salty treats to a minimum. Purchase individually packed snacks for portion control or make your own portion packs.

7. Stock more healthful snacks: fresh fruit, lower sugar or Greek yogurts, low fat cheese or peanut butter with crackers, hummus with raw veggies, 100 calorie packs of nuts or ¼ cup nuts, low sugar protein/granola bars.

Person chopping greens in the kitchen

Eat in, and cook more often

8. Prepare a new recipe, or resume cooking the favorites you haven’t enjoyed in a while.

9. Plan your menus for the week. To save money, plan to eat some leftovers so you can make once and enjoy twice. Include foods for quick breakfast prep, and those to pack for lunch or dinner as needed.

10. Make a grocery list for healthful foods and stick to it as much as possible. If you use coupons and check the store flyers, you can save money, too.

11. Go to the store and take advantage of reading labels and comparing food products. Short on time, or avoiding crowds? Plan home delivery to meet your time schedule.

12. Consider trying one of the boxed meal prep delivery services to save time, if it fits your budget.

Fashion Is Serious Business – Germaine Caprio (FGI Chicago)

Business growth strategies for 2021: From startups to MNCs, how strategic marketing sustains growthToolkit image

Strategic marketing is a key part of ensuring you achieve your business growth goals. Lead your team to accelerated growth through digital marketing

It has been a challenging year for marketers, with market uncertainty, reduced budgets, and huge shifts in the marketing mix. One common element for all businesses is a renewed focus in 2021 on digital marketing to accelerate business growth.

SME marketers familiar with the 5 stages of business growth, first coined in the Harvard Business Review in 1983, can cite the stages as:

  • Existence
  • Survival
  • Success
  • Take-off
  • Resource Maturity

Notably, success takes the form of both Success-Disengagement and Success-Growth. The strategies outlined below support owners/marketing managers during the Survival, Success-Growth and Take-off stages of their business lifecycle.

Large companies or corporations are typically more removed from the ‘survival’ mindset, although of course this year that has sadly not been the case for all. Rather than starting from scratch, growth for MNCs takes the form of strategic expansion:

  • Expansion through concentration
  • Expansion through integration
  • Expansion through diversification
  • Expansion through cooperation

Marketing for Business growth

Although growth means different things to different businesses, depending on their stage of maturity, when it comes to marketing, there are universal truths that ring true for all marketers looking for growth. Below we will dive into conversion, retention and how to optimize your channels you can use to ramp up growth in 2021. Learn more about call center animation benefits.

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1. Apply a data-driven strategy to improve conversion

All things being well, a business that converts more traffic online will grow. Therefore, utilizing testing and analytics to improve customer journeys on your website can add a lot of value to your existing assets. Testing offers a reduced risk strategy which is particularly appealing to low-resource businesses where the need to innovate and grow is pressing, yet, big mistakes could prove costly, eg in the ‘survival’ stage of their growth.

Conversion Rate Optimization is a structured testing and optimization process aimed at improving key performance indicators for a website. These may include audience engagement, conversion rates to lead and sale or revenue and profitability.

Critically, setting up a CRO programme requires marketers to focus in on one or two critical customer journeys and the optimum outcome – this is not a place for ‘vanity metrics’ but rather laser-focus on what will actually help you grow your business.

The chart below demonstrates CRO in progress. It’s taken from our advanced module Conversion Optimization in our new Digital Experience Learning Path, available with Business Membership.

CRO testing for business growth

How does your e-commerce website compare with the benchmarks? See Dr. Dave Chaffey’s annual summary to keep up to date with the latest e-commerce stats.

2. Implement an omnichannel marketing strategy to nurture your customers

Your website’s conversion rate is, naturally, a crucial KPI for marketers looking for growth. With an improved CRO, your next step is to drive even more qualified traffic through your marketing funnel to get more conversions.

You need an omnichannel marketing framework, such as the RACE Framework, to optimize your marketing channels for growth at each stage of your marketing strategy, through reach, act, convert and engage.

Omnichannel Marketing growth funnel

Channel-based benchmarking, such as the free benchmarking tool in Google Analytics, will allow you to compare channels across all aspects of their behaviour from reach to engage.  Here at Smart Insights, we receive 80% of our traffic from organic search, it’s a crucial element of our reach, with some blogs assisting conversion generating a high page value too.

Understanding the value of each of your channels will ensure you plan for growth in each channel in your marketing strategy with data-driven insights. Which channel has the best ROI? What would happen if you increased spend in this channel? Which channel is in need of development? What would be the outcomes of development here?

Our 5 channel-based learning paths for Individual Members cover the essentials of channel-based growth for marketers across SEO, Content Marketing, Email Marketing and Automation, Social Media Marketing and Google Analytics.

Business Members can also access advanced growth tools from the Digital Experience, Campaign Planning and RACE Practical Digital Strategy Learning Paths.

Channel based marketing

3. Retain your customers

You are reaching and converting more customers. Congratulations. The next step is to make sure you maintain those customer relationships. After all, customer loyalty is key to accelerating your ROI, since it is so much cheaper than acquisition.

For large corporations looking for ‘expansion through diversification, existing customers provide a perfect opportunity for diversification through up-sell or cross-sell options.

This automated email lifecycle diagram is taken from our Review email lifecycle automation options module in the Email Marketing and Automation Learning Path. It shows a baseline of automated emails every customer should be receiving based on their interaction with your business.

In the retain category, we have classified product review, post-purchase email, and sale as 3 types of automatic email content that help generate loyalty. Email is a great channel for this kind of activity, as segmentation options are plentiful. Depending on your audience you may also consider, social media, display ads, text, post, telephone, website personalization and more.

This One’s For Les Garçons: An Interview with Pierre Henri Mattout – Carmelita Bouie (FGI Los Angeles)

pierre-henri-mattout-at-his-saint-peres-pop-up-shop-at-bloomingdales-beverly-center

Founded in 2014 by Pierre Henri Mattout, PHM Saint Peres is a multi-brand online and retail store that focuses on men’s high fashion, and exclusive sneaker collections. Their flagship store is located 50, Rue des Saints Peres in the heart of Saint Germain des Pres in Paris, France. The store concept is a blend of Japanese avant garde designers, high performance and street wear.

Bloomingdales hosted the PHM Saint Peres Parisian pop-up shop in their New York and Los Angeles (Beverly Center) locations. I had the pleasure of meeting the savvy Frenchman at the Beverly Center location and discussed his young brand, fusing international labels with men’s street wear and his collaboration with Bloomingdales.

W+D:  Your background is with Calvin Klein and Victorinox, one’s very classic American style representing the “basics with clean structure,” and the other, much more outerwear… what made you want to fashion your pop-up to target street wear?

Pierre Henri Mattout: It’s actually my various experiences as a menswear designer that helped me shape my concept store. At PHM, tailoring, craftsmanship, the outdoor, and street are all very connected.

the-phm-saint-peres-collection-of-mens-street-wear

W+D:  Who are some of your fashion influences?

Pierre Henri Mattout: I’ve always been very inspired by Comme des Garcons for the way they put things together. Influencers like Nick Wooster and designer Pierre Hardy are also a huge inspiration.

W+D: Do the designers in your pop-up collection represent many of the places you’ve traveled to?

Pierre Henri Mattout: I haven’t been to all those places. Fashion is global today, though. It’s probably no coincidence that all the brands are coming from all over the world now.

W+D: Do you think European street style is different to U.S. street style?

Pierre Henri Mattout: I think street style in the U.S. is stronger and influences other places like Europe.

W+D: Has “street style” influenced your own personal style?

Pierre Henri Mattout: It did in some ways… I was much more polished / preppy but over the years my style has evolved to more casual / street…

The PHM Saint Peres collection of men’s street wear.

W+D: What’s your vision of the “PHM man” who shops and wears items from your pop-up?

Pierre Henri Mattout: This man is a free spirit. He combines a cool pair of sneakers with basic Chinos and light weight functional jacket from Arc’eteryx Veilance for example. I’m not trying to make it too fashiony, it’s more about creating tomorrow’s basics.

W+D: What’s your favorite international city and why?

Pierre Henri Mattout: New York City without hesitation. Because of the energy …. basically, anything can happen.

the-phm-saint-peres-collection-of-mens-streetwear

W+D: Why partner with Bloomingdales exclusively for your two pop-ups?

Pierre Henri Mattout: Bloomingdales allows me a presence nationwide, which is an incredible opportunity for a young brand like mine.

W+D: I love the combination of “exclusivity and accessibility” of the brands featured and that you’re helping to introduce and raise foreign brand identity to a U.S. audience … what’s next for you and the PHM brand?

Pierre Henri Mattout: I want to keep growing the PHM brand and reach a wider audience.

Author: Carmelita Bouie (Associate Member – FGI Los Angeles)
Carmelita Bouie is an entertainment & lifestyle marketing and communications consultant, having worked on entertainment marketing and public relations campaigns spanning theatrical, home entertainment and new media distribution. She is also the founder of FMA Worldwide (www.fmaworldwide.com), a fashion marketing agency that connects fashion stylists and costume designers to emerging fashion designers from around the globe. She’s currently the entertainment and fashion editor for the lifestyle magazine, The Awesome Muse (www.theawesomemuse.com) and is editor-in-chief of her own blog, Wanted+Desired Fashion Blog (www.wantedanddesired.com), which covers emerging brands and designers from the U.S. and abroad. Carmelita holds an MBA degree from Cornell University.

 

Day in the Life – Katie McKenna (FGI New York)

Effective Workout Tips Backed by Scientific Research

15 Effective Workout Tips Backed by Scientific Research
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What if I told you that there are dozens of workout tips proven to aid in weight loss? Now, you might be thinking, “Yeah sure. I’ve heard it all before. Nothing I try works!” You may indeed have tried a lot of tips that just didn’t work. However, many of the so-called “workout tips” are more based on anecdotal experiences than science.

So, why do people follow and believe in those workout tips if they aren’t guaranteed to work? The same reasons people follow a fad diet—they saw it work for a friend or they hope it works for them. In this article, let’s end all the “I hope it works!” and the, “My friend said to do this!” and I’ll bring you actual tips proven by science.

Here are 15 science-backed workout tips to jumpstart weight loss.

1. Bring a Friend

A common complaint people have when they begin a fitness journey is that they have no one to workout with. But those complaints line up with the research. Several studies on motivation and exercise have shown that when you have the presence of a friend, you workout out harder.[1]

When your partner is stronger, your performance boosts. Your workouts become easier too. So, the next time you find yourself struggling to hold that one-minute plank or you want to run that extra mile, call a friend. Take a look to these stairmaster stepmill deals.

2. Carb Up Before You Workout

You might have heard people and even fitness gurus say to skip out on a meal before a workout. Some even recommend that you avoid carbs unless you’re doing specific exercises like running or weightlifting.

Each one has their own reasons why you shouldn’t eat. Unfortunately, you’ve been misled. Research supports the opposite of skipping meals. Before you perform any workout, you want to carb up. Carbs are your body’s primary fuel.[2]

When you load up, you’ll put more of an effort in and it does wonders for muscle growth and caloric expenditure. Those who work out in the morning but hate breakfast can opt for something like toast or oatmeal.

3. Music Powers Your Workout

Everyone has their set playlist with their favorite workout songs. You may like to jam out to heavy rock or pop music and feel like it helps your workout. You’re not wrong! Several studies have been conducted on the power of music.

One study found that those who listened to music had higher levels of serotonin and dopamine, which aids in the recovery process.[3] Another study found that the type of music you listen to matters. This study showed that music levels of 130 to 140 bpm gave people a performance boost.[4] So, stick to the more heart-pumping songs over the slow, sad ones.

4.Drink Coffee and Chocolate Milk

When many start a diet, they usually have to give up some of their favorite foods and drinks. Coffee is often loaded with extra calories when you add the cream, sugar, or if you’re going to a chain shop. Provided you don’t go overboard with the extras, coffee can help your workout. This is a workout tip that’s rarely given, but it can work!

A study found that coffee not only provides energy but also gives you motivation and can increase your performance.[5] Another study on coffee and workouts found that drinking a few cups before a workout can make it more enjoyable. Another research also found that it helps burn more fat.

As a child, your mother may have told you to drink your milk. Chocolate milk might’ve been a treat. It turns out your mom was on to something. A study found that consumption of low-fat chocolate milk after workouts aided in recovery like commercial recovery beverages did.[6] The 4:1 carb to protein ratio helps stimulate muscle repair and energy repletion.

5. Water Is Key

Just about any diet or exercise tip includes drinking water. Water is one of the best beverages you can have for rehydration, and it’s free! The intensity of your workout will depend on how much water your body loses. How much you sweat affects it as well.

But why does water matter? Let’s take a closer look.

Most of our body is made up of water. It’s not a surprise that you require a lot of it—and even more when you work out. Many people show to the gym already dehydrated, then workout and become even more dehydrated. This can cause quite a bit of negative effects. Your workout can become harder, you could suffer performance issues, and take a longer time to recover after it.[7]

Just 2% of water weight loss can cause this. Some people lose about 6 to 10% from a single workout. It’s recommended to drink at least ½ to 1 oz of water per pound of bodyweight a day. To combat water loss, some experts also recommend weighing before and after your workout.

6. Add an Incline

There’s surprisingly a lot of benefits to adding an incline when you walk or use a treadmill. One study found that it improves your hamstring, glute, hip, knee, and ankle activity compared to walking without an incline. Another study found that it reduces stress on your extremities and joints.[8] It also improves your lung function, and there’s the widely known notion that it increases the number of calories you burn per hour.

7. Interval Training: Short but Sweet

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has become a more popular workout and for very good reasons. Interval training has greater cardiovascular and fat loss compared to other workouts. A study found that just a quick 20-minute workout burned twice as many calories during a long run.[9] While you don’t want to completely stick with only interval training, it’s a great addition for when you’re short on time or a more relaxed day.

How To Wear A Poncho – Tori Johnson (FGI San Antonio)

In Anna Wintour’s Vogue “Letter From the Editor” in the November issue she talks about how fashion has reached a place of authenticity and realness. She mentions that there is still a place for “escapist fantasy” but it is a bit “out of step with the times.” I think the reemergence of the poncho as a trend is a perfect example of the point that Anna is making. While the poncho certainly makes a statement it still serves a practical purpose.

The poncho is by far my favorite cover-up for the season and is an excellent choice for layering. There is a variety of ways that it can be worn making it even more lovable. I’m showcasing one way below with this stunning plaid Theory poncho style over a sheath dress but let’s explore how to wear the poncho trend further.

Rememory Photography

Rememory Photography

Styling Tips

◦Watch your proportions: Play off the drama of an oversized poncho by keeping the other items you are pairing with it more fitted. For example, a sheath dress or skinny jeans. You don’t want to overdo it on the volume.

◦Keep it casual: I love how a poncho gives you a little extra umph but is so incredibly EASY! Pair with some skinny jeans and knee-high boots or even some flares and wedges. It’s even a great option for rainy days! Just add some rain boots!

◦Dress it up: There are also tons of dressier ponchos with embellishments, fringe and more that can be worn with dresses and are a stylish way to keep you warm at nice events. Speaking of Style, taker a look at these boots https://leather-toolkits.com/reviews/best-leather-hiking-boots/

◦Go short: Having a warmer fall day? Pair your poncho with shorts or a skirt (just make sure your poncho isn’t longer than your bottoms).

◦Belt it: I utilize belts all the time and love the look of a belted poncho! It brings the focus in to the waist but still gives you that boho chic look.

Author: Tori Johnson (Executive Member – FGI San Antonio)

Tori Johnson is the owner of sTORIbook Public Relations, fashion and lifestyle blogger of The sTORIbook, as well as commercial and editorial stylist. She provides strategic public relations, marketing and event counsel to clients in a variety of industries. In 2015, Tori was voted San Antonio Fashion Blogger of the Year as well as was named one Neiman Marcus’ Women Who Rock and served on their panel for their 2015 Project Beauty event. She has worked with a bevy of top names including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Lancôme, Armani Exchange, David Yurman, Target, and many more. In addition to her roles as public relations professional and blogger, Tori has served as Fashion + Beauty Editor for multiple local magazines.

Tweet, Tweet: Twitter Basics – Kelsey Bigelow (FGI Denver)

I was an early adopter of Twitter. I loved the quick text updates because you had to get an idea
across in 140 characters or less. As other social media channels popped up, I abandoned my regular tweeting. About six months ago, I picked it up again to see what it was like ten years after it’s inception. I fell back in love with Twitter and I think you’ll love it too.

My favorite things about Twitter are the easy ability to toggle between multiple accounts, the
ability to create lists of categories of people you follow, the easy search tool and the addition
of GIF Keyboard. Much like Instagram, I have separate personal and brand Twitter accounts.
Twitter’s easy toggling makes managing these multiple accounts so easy. Twitter also lets you sort the accounts you follow into lists, either public or private. For example, I have created lists for business accounts I follow as well as restaurants. I can quickly sort through my Twitter feed this way. Twitter also lets you search any text, making it easy to find other people talking about your industry or brands similar to yours. Finally, Twitter lets you include gifs in your tweets with the ease of GIF Keyboard. Gifs are sorted into categories or you can search for something specific, meaning you can totally add that funny Beyonce gif to your tweet to really help you get your point across.

To schedule and manage Twitter, I use Hootsuite’s pro version. It’s so easy to add links and photos and you can schedule posts in advance. Hootsuite creates streams for your channels (you can also manage Facebook and Instagram with Hootsuite as well as additional app plugins) which let you view your posts and any mentions other Twitter users have made to chat with you. You can respond right in Hootsuite and you can find and follow new accounts.

Hootsuite also lets you create streams that specifically follow keywords of your choice. This
allows you to respond to people talking about whatever your brand does. For example, we follow the term “Denver fashion” and can easily interact with anyone tweeting about fashion in Denver. As soon as someone writes a public tweet featuring those two words, we see it in our Hootsuite stream.

Twitter is a channel different from others because it’s not visual. It’s a text based. If you
struggle with creating graphics or taking photos, Twitter might be the medium for you.

Author: Kelsey Bigelow (Associate Member – FGI Denver)

 Kelsey Bigelow is the COO & co-owner of Denver Style Magazine.  She manages the magazine’s operations, including social media, local partnerships, and advertisers. Denver Style Magazine is committed to growing the retail industry in Colorado through a bi-monthly print publication as well as events, workshops and one-on-one business consulting. Prior to Denver Style Magazine, Kelsey worked as a fashion blogger and portrait photographer. She is passionate about helping solo entrepreneurs manage their businesses and find success. Follow along online at kelseybigelow.com or on Instagram @kelseybigelow

From The Red Carpet To The Big Screen – Barbara Schwartz (FGI Toronto)

While the name Harry Winston is practically synonymous with Hollywood red carpet events today, did you know that the company was the first jeweler to lend diamonds to an actress to wear to the Academy Awards? That was back in 1944, and the borrower was Jennifer Jones, who won the Best Actress award for The Song of Bernadette. My interest in Harry Winston was peaked when I learned that they designed a key piece of jewelry worn in my all-time favorite movie, Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious.

schwartz-blog-2

RKO/The Kobal Collection at Art Resource, NY.

The Movie

This 1946 thriller stars Ingrid Bergman as Alicia Huberman, the daughter of a convicted Nazi collaborator, who is, herself, a patriotic American. Following her father’s trial, she is recruited by federal agent T. R. Devlin (played by Cary Grant) to help him infiltrate a Nazi organization in Brazil. As instructed, Alicia becomes romantically involved with Alex Sebastian (Claude Rains), to spy on him and his associates. On the evening she is to dine at the Sebastian home with Alex, his mother, and his comrades, Alicia (wearing an Edith Head-designed evening dress) meets with Devlin and his colleague Paul Prescott (Louis Calhern). He opens a jewel case holding a luxurious diamond necklace rented for the occasion and fastens it around her neck. (Does this remind you of the ruby necklace rented for Julia Roberts in 1990’s Pretty Woman?)

The Necklace

According to Hollywood Jewels (by Penny Proddow, Debra Healy and Marion Fasel): “Though there is no screen credit, the diamond necklace came from Harry Winston, whose trademark – leaf-shaped clusters of medium-size marquise, pear-shaped, and round diamonds – identified it. Here, the diamonds are set in flexible platinum mounts inspired by a holly wreath.” This necklace is an example of the company’s innovative technique of clustering, in which the design of a piece was dictated by the individual gemstones, rather than the metal setting, to maximize each gem’s brilliance.

The Man

Gemologist and astute businessman Harry Winston (1896 – 1978) founded the company in New York City in 1932. Still in operation, it continues to be the Jeweler to the Stars.

Author: Barbara Schwartz (Executive Member – FGI Toronto)

Barbara Schwartz is a costume jewelry historian, jewelry coach, and vintage costume jewelry collector. She sells her collection of unusual and beautiful American and European vintage jewels from the 1920s-1950s via her online boutique, TruFaux Jewels, in-person by appointment, and at special events. Barbara shares her passion for jewelry and fashion history through presentations and publications. Her articles have been published on the CJCI website and in ADORNMENT: The Magazine of Jewelry & Related Arts. Her own interesting story has also been featured in The Story Exchange.  Barbara is a member of the Toronto Fashion Group.
www.trufauxjewels.com

How Emerging Designers Can Partner with Bloggers to Grow their Brands – Lindsay Viker (FGI Arizona)

It can be so tricky get your fashion brand off the ground. You’ve probably spent countless hours bringing your vision for the product to life, you decided on your logo, you designed the hangtags, and you put together the line sheet, and may be thinking, now what?

It’s time for marketing!

It seems such an easy task, right? Set up some social media profiles, put together a website, send out some press releases. But, what do you do if still, after those countless hours of work, no one is biting?

One great way to reach your audience is to partner with people who already have a following of people who match your target demographic. I’m talking about bloggers! You’ve probably heard about the super-star fashion bloggers who partner with all the top designers and may be thinking to yourself, “How am I ever going to reach that girl with millions of Instagram followers?” Well, to be honest, you wont right away, but the good news is there a TON of different fashion bloggers out there in the digital world, and many of them would absolutely love to partner with your brand.

Below are a few quick ways to get your products in the hands (and on the Instagram profiles) of some style influencers.

  1. Find and follow them on social media.

Search hashtags, location filters, and suggested accounts for bloggers who seem to fit within your target demographic. Look at their style and see if it’s a good match for your brand. This person will essentially act as a brand representative, so you want to be sure it’s a natural fit.

Once you’ve found them, follow their social media accounts and give their posts some love! Hopefully, they reciprocate and follow you back. If not, try sending them a direct message, or emailing them through the address listed in their profile.

  1. Create an agreement that works for both of you.

All bloggers are different, so it’s only natural that they each have different ways for working with brands. Some will be happy to do a post in exchange for product, others will require compensation to feature your brand, and others may ask for a percentage of the sales they help you generate. Go in with what you are prepared to offer, but hear them out and work with them to find what works best for your budget.

  1. Share the content they are creating with your audience.

Having an influencer wear your product is a big deal. Be sure to share the posts they create on your social media channels, and list it on the press page of your. The blogger will appreciate the love back, and your audience will enjoy seeing an influencer wear your product.

 

Author: Lindsay Viker (Executive Member – FGI Arizona)

Lindsay Viker has had a passion for all things beautiful since she was a young girl. This passion led her to the fashion industry, and founding CoutureintheSuburbs.com in 2012. What started as a way to gain experience during her college years has turned into a mission to help people around the United States connect to their local community of artists. Active in her own community, Lindsay regularly networks with designers, artists, and entrepreneurs. She hosts events to help others improve their businesses, while belonging to professional organizations to help her improve her own.

Being a Rule Breaker – Christine Goetz (FGI Chicago)

How to Lose Weight and Keep It Off

There’s a better way to lose weight. These dieting tips can help you avoid diet pitfalls and achieve lasting weight-loss success.

What’s the best diet for healthy weight loss?

Pick up any diet book and it will claim to hold all the answers to successfully losing all the weight you want—and keeping it off. Some claim the key is to eat less and exercise more, others that low fat is the only way to go, while others prescribe cutting out carbs. So, what should you believe?

The truth is there is no “one size fits all” solution to permanent healthy weight loss. What works for one person may not work for you, since our bodies respond differently to different foods, depending on genetics and other health factors. To find the method of weight loss that’s right for you will likely take time and require patience, commitment, and some experimentation with different foods and diets.

While some people respond well to counting calories or similar restrictive methods, others respond better to having more freedom in planning their weight-loss programs. Being free to simply avoid fried foods or cut back on refined carbs can set them up for success. So, don’t get too discouraged if a diet that worked for somebody else doesn’t work for you. And don’t beat yourself up if a diet proves too restrictive for you to stick with. Ultimately, a diet is only right for you if it’s one you can stick with over time.

Remember: while there’s no easy fix to losing weight, there are plenty of steps you can take to develop a healthier relationship with food, curb emotional triggers to overeating, and achieve a healthy weight.

Four popular weight loss strategies

1. Cut calories

Some experts believe that successfully managing your weight comes down to a simple equation: If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you lose weight. Sounds easy, right? Then why is losing weight so hard?

  • Weight loss isn’t a linear event over time. When you cut calories, you may drop weight for the first few weeks, for example, and then something changes. You eat the same number of calories but you lose less weight or no weight at all. That’s because when you lose weight you’re losing water and lean tissue as well as fat, your metabolism slows, and your body changes in other ways. So, in order to continue dropping weight each week, you need to continue cutting calories, check out these infrared sauna blankets reviews.
  • A calorie isn’t always a calorie. Eating 100 calories of high fructose corn syrup, for example, can have a different effect on your body than eating 100 calories of broccoli. The trick for sustained weight loss is to ditch the foods that are packed with calories but don’t make you feel full (like candy) and replace them with foods that fill you up without being loaded with calories (like vegetables).
  • Many of us don’t always eat simply to satisfy hunger. We also turn to food for comfort or to relieve stress—which can quickly derail any weight loss plan.

2. Cut carbs

A different way of viewing weight loss identifies the problem as not one of consuming too many calories, but rather the way the body accumulates fat after consuming carbohydrates—in particular the role of the hormone insulin. When you eat a meal, carbohydrates from the food enter your bloodstream as glucose. In order to keep your blood sugar levels in check, your body always burns off this glucose before it burns off fat from a meal.

If you eat a carbohydrate-rich meal (lots of pasta, rice, bread, or French fries, for example), your body releases insulin to help with the influx of all this glucose into your blood. As well as regulating blood sugar levels, insulin does two things: It prevents your fat cells from releasing fat for the body to burn as fuel (because its priority is to burn off the glucose) and it creates more fat cells for storing everything that your body can’t burn off. The result is that you gain weight and your body now requires more fuel to burn, so you eat more. Since insulin only burns carbohydrates, you crave carbs and so begins a vicious cycle of consuming carbs and gaining weight. To lose weight, the reasoning goes, you need to break this cycle by reducing carbs.

Most low-carb diets advocate replacing carbs with protein and fat, which could have some negative long-term effects on your health. If you do try a low-carb diet, you can reduce your risks and limit your intake of saturated and trans fats by choosing lean meats, fish and vegetarian sources of protein, low-fat dairy products, and eating plenty of leafy green and non-starchy vegetables.

3. Cut fat

It’s a mainstay of many diets: if you don’t want to get fat, don’t eat fat. Walk down any grocery store aisle and you’ll be bombarded with reduced-fat snacks, dairy, and packaged meals. But while our low-fat options have exploded, so have obesity rates. So, why haven’t low-fat diets worked for more of us?

  1. Not all fat is bad. Healthy or “good” fats can actually help to control your weight, as well as manage your moods and fight fatigue. Unsaturated fats found in avocados, nuts, seeds, soy milk, tofu, and fatty fish can help fill you up, while adding a little tasty olive oil to a plate of vegetables, for example, can make it easier to eat healthy food and improve the overall quality of your diet.
  2. We often make the wrong trade-offs. Many of us make the mistake of swapping fat for the empty calories of sugar and refined carbohydrates. Instead of eating whole-fat yoghurt, for example, we eat low- or no-fat versions that are packed with sugar to make up for the loss of taste. Or we swap our fatty breakfast bacon for a muffin or donut that causes rapid spikes in blood sugar.

4. Follow the Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes eating good fats and good carbs along with large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish, and olive oil—and only modest amounts of meat and cheese. The Mediterranean diet is more than just about food, though. Regular physical activity and sharing meals with others are also major components.

Whatever weight loss strategy you try, it’s important to stay motivated and avoid common dieting pitfalls, such as emotional eating.

Control emotional eating

We don’t always eat simply to satisfy hunger. All too often, we turn to food when we’re stressed or anxious, which can wreck any diet and pack on the pounds. Do you eat when you’re worried, bored, or lonely? Do you snack in front of the TV at the end of a stressful day? Recognizing your emotional eating triggers can make all the difference in your weight-loss efforts. If you eat when you’re:

Stressed – find healthier ways to calm yourself. Try yoga, meditation, or soaking in a hot bath.

Low on energy – find other mid-afternoon pick-me-ups. Try walking around the block, listening to energizing music, or taking a short nap.

Lonely or bored – reach out to others instead of reaching for the refrigerator. Call a friend who makes you laugh, take your dog for a walk, or go to the library, mall, or park—anywhere there’s people.

FASHION FLASH – Objects of Desire

fgieventPhoto: Ken Dowling and Anne Fulenwider (Credit: Alan Lunden)

FASHION FLASH  – Objects of Desire

Any woman who thinks about fashion from a professional perspective, who follows fashion with a casual interest or is  simply a consumer who combs the racks for something new however many times a year (pretty much all of us would be in there somewhere)  is aware of  all this conversation about see it, buy it, wear it now.  (Actually, not all that sudden given that  Donna Karen’s been harping on it for years)

But now, with collections seen all over social media at the moment they’re being shown, consumers, much in an instant gratification mode,  are lulled into thinking that what they see on the runway can be in their closets immediately. Which, in some cases, is true.

Burberry, readers may remember, was the first luxury brand to espouse the see-now-buy-now movement and went that route again;  pricey  beauties  could be snatched up right off the runway  during the 2016 S/S London Fashion Week. New York designers Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Thakoon and Tom Ford, among others have also offered up goodies for immediate consumption before they’ve taken their post-runway bows.

Ken Downing,  senior vice president and fashion director of Neiman Marcus – shopping destination for legions of cash-laden, best-dressed A-listers –  was, at the start, in the cheering section, but  has now backed down a bit. In a one-on-one conversation with Marie Claire’s  Anne Fulenwider at a recent FGI Tastemaker luncheon at New York’s Le Cirque restaurant remarked that social media has created an insatiable  appetite for new.  Customers expect the clothes they now see on the runway to be available immediately and  fail to understand  why they have to wait six months  and, even more to the point, can get really pouty when a piece they’ve seen on the runway won’t actually be produced. Might they escalate to an episode of foot stamping when a one-off red-carpet dress is not to be had?

The question is, if consumers pass on clothes currently on the racks and, having seen everything as it’s being shown, are  tired of the clothes before they even get to the store, what is the prognosis for the retailer?

But here’s the thing: does anybody remember, as a child,  hoping, hoping, hoping that something you wanted so much, for so long,  would show up on your birthday – and that boundless pleasure and  joy when it finally did? Or, perhaps, the satisfaction and sense of independence derived from buying something you very badly wanted, with your very own money, saved up from a paper route or baby-sitting?   New York Times’  Vanessa Friedman, who writes so often and so brilliantly about fashion, made the point in a recent article published during New York Fashion Week. To wit:  “if you really want something, you should be willing to wait for it. Desire is the engine of fashion. If a dress is unforgettable, it should worm its way into your imagination until it becomes the solution to how you present yourself to the world. Waiting six months shouldn’t make  difference.”

Some would agree that the anticipation affords as much pleasure as does the moment when the lust for the newest coat  or the must-have shoe is satisfied; that the wait makes the acquisition all the sweeter.

 

Listen To The Voices in Your Head – Katie McKenna (FGI New York)

I still remember designing my first collection while at university. Mood board after mood board ended up in the trash; nothing felt “legitimate” enough to be worthy of inspiring a collection. Everything that I put onto those boards represented what I thought should inspire me, but was inauthentic to who I am as a person and who I wanted to be as a designer. Running out of time and out of options, I finally decided to throw together something that would actually interest me: the rock & roll legends I most admired, lyrics from my favorite songs, screen shots of seminal music videos and street style looks sported by my personal style icons. In that moment, everything clicked.

It’s not that rock & roll inspired clothing isn’t available; I am definitely not reinventing the wheel with Pink Sheep Heiress. What I noticed, though, is that I could never find pieces that met all the criteria I was looking for. I wanted clothes that were edgy and fun, but also high quality and wearable in more than one everyday scenario. I wanted pieces that I would invest in because they were worth the investment, not because they were trendy or popular, but because they fit my body and made me feel good and look good. I keep all of my clothing American made because it’s more manageable for my small team and me to ensure that our high quality standards are met, while helping to bring more business to other small, independent fashion industry contractors based in the US. It wasn’t until I stopped trying to be a designer and started designing that I was able to create.

Whether you’re a designer, illustrator, forecaster, or even a buyer or account manager, you have to remain true to your own aesthetic and work under the influence of your personality as well as your mind. Chances are, if there is something you see missing in the current marketplace, other people are aware of that hole too and are waiting for someone to fill it with a new, enhanced product that isn’t currently available.

Author: Katie McKenna (Associate Member – FGI New York)

Katie McKenna is the co-founder, creative director and designer of Pink Sheep Heiress, an American-made, rock & roll inspired luxury lifestyle brand. She formed Pink Sheep Heiress as a celebration of the musician’s life and for others who embrace the rocker style. Known for its colorful, leather designs and graphic prints, Pink Sheep Heiress creates affordable luxury items and artisan-crafted ready-to-wear for the woman who is her own iconoclastic tastemaker. www.pinksheepheiress.com

Tonal coach Joe Rodonis shares his tips on waking up early to get in a workout.

Woman waking up early for a morning workout routine.

It’s always a great idea to fit in your workout first thing before the demands of the day start piling up—until your alarm actually jolts you awake from a deep sleep. It certainly felt that way for certified personal trainer Joe Rodonis when he started training clients who had to exercise in the morning. He had to wake up at 4 a.m. to be ready to work out at 5 a.m.

But with the right strategies, Rodonis—who admits he’s not a natural morning person—settled into his new routine and enjoys early morning sweat sessions. Now, he’s easily able to get out of bed by 6 a.m. to make it to the Tonal studio on time for his first Live workout of the day. Here’s his advice on establishing a morning workout routine (and why you’d want to in the first place), plus ideas for highly-effective morning workouts that’ll make you excited to jump out of bed. Check out the latest alpine ice hack reviews.

Related Story: This Slight Change to Your Mornings Can Set You Up For Success

Benefits of a Morning Workout Routine

There’s nothing wrong with exercising in the afternoon or at night. “It’s all about the time of day that works for you,” Rodonis says. There are, however, some unique perks to working out in the morning.

Several studies have shown that exercise has the power to boost your mood, so why not start your day off with an activity that’ll leave you feeling happier, less anxious, and more energized? Getting your heart pumping and blood flowing in the morning could set you up to feel better all day.

Tonal coach Joe Rodonis exercising on Tonal

Tackling a tough workout will also make you feel more confident and competent as you go through the rest of the day. After checking exercise off your to-do list, other tasks, such as a big meeting, might seem less daunting. This is the best alpine ice hack recipe.

“It feels good to know that you started the day by accomplishing something difficult,” says Rodonis. “Now you can go into your workday and get that done with the same intensity and the same energy.”

Morning workouts might boost your results, too: In one study, a group who exercised before noon lost significantly more weight over the course of 10 months than a group who exercised after 3 p.m. Another study showed that subjects who exercised at 7 a.m. experienced improved sleep quality and a greater drop in nighttime blood pressure than those who exercised at 1 p.m. or 7 p.m.

How to Establish a Highly-Effective Morning Workout Routine

It’s important to be patient with yourself when you’re first attempting to wake up earlier and work out. According to Rodonis, it may take up to a month before you’re no longer tempted to hit the snooze button.

For Rodonis, the key to establishing a new routine was setting a schedule. He found a regular wake-up time and went to bed at the same time each night. He learned the value of a strict sleep schedule from training clients with demanding jobs who only had time to work out early in the morning.

“They were very regimented,” he says. “Even on the weekends, they would have consistent wake-up times.” Even if you’re not trying to wake up at the crack of dawn, studies suggest that not sticking to a schedule can decrease sleep quality and lead to daytime fatigue.

A pre-bedtime ritual is another way to reinforce your new habit. “Between 9-10 p.m. I try to get less stimulus, whether that’s reading a book, journaling, or even going for a walk with the dog,” says Rodonis. “It’s more of a downtime when I don’t have to perform or be ‘on.’” He also recommends clearing any morning barriers with “set it and forget it” methods such as laying out your workout clothes the night before so there’s one less step to worry about when you’re bleary-eyed. This is how Best testosterone booster works.

Morning Workouts You Can Do at Home on Tonal 

It’s easier to get your sweat on in the morning when you have an engaging workout waiting for you. With coach-led workouts and programs on Tonal, all you need to do is press start to launch a fun and challenging session. To see how Tonal members make the most of their mornings, we pulled the data on the most popular workouts and programs completed before 9 a.m. among members with different experience levels and different goals. Try one of these to jumpstart your day.

All Your Questions About Getting Fit, Answered

All Your Questions About Getting Fit, Answered

You know how it feels when you click on a tasty-looking recipe, only to find out you need 28 different ingredients, 6-8 hours, and some weird kitchen gadget you’ve never heard to make it?

That’s how it can feel when you decide to get in shape. Try this Alpine ice hack.

You figure you’ll just lace up your sneakers and get started — but then you’ve got magazines and message boards and friends and trainers bombarding you with workout tips about heart rate zones and cardio and weightlifting and some aggressive-sounding thing called HIIT.

Wading through all the information and deciphering what’s fact from fiction can be overwhelming, but don’t get discouraged.

You don’t need to be a fitness expert to get results.

Armed with a bit of basic info, you can start seeing progress quickly, which can make all the difference when it comes to staying motivated and sticking with your program.

Read on for answers to common questions about working out and getting fit — these are verified workout tips you can actually trust.

How Often Do I Need to Work Out?

Anything is better than nothing, but shoot for at least three times a week, and remain active (by walking, doing yoga, etc.) every day. These are the best weight loss pills.

Working out more often can lead to faster results — as long as you’re smart about it.

Once you’ve nailed your fitness goals, it’s okay to scale back a little — but not completely.

To maintain your progress, you must keep your activity level high.

How Long Should My Workouts Be?

The answer depends entirely on how hard you’re willing to work.

According to a study, 20 minutes of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) — which alternates short bursts of intense effort with periods of low-intensity rest — produced a similar reduction in body fat as 40 minutes of continuous moderate to vigorous exercise.

In short, if you’re someone who can “bring it,” you can slash your workout time in half. But don’t just take our word for it. Try Transform :20 and see for yourself.

When Is the Best Time of Day to Work Out?

This one is easy: The best time of day to work out is the time when you can do so consistently.

Do you have a stressful job? Get your sweat on in the mornings with a program like Morning Meltdown 100 before other people start making demands on your time.

Do you often have lunches free? Schedule your workouts for midday.

Do you typically leave work needing to blow off some steam? Evening workouts will likely give you the outlet you need.

Bottom line: There is no best time for everyone, but there is a best time for you.

What Should I Eat Before a Workout?

It depends. If it’s a light workout, you should be able to power through it without extra fuel.

But if you’re going to hit it hard and keep hitting it for a while, eat a healthy snack that contains a mixture of carbs and protein (e.g., apple slices with peanut butter) 1 to 3 hours before you begin.

Also, if you find yourself dragging, a pre-workout drink like Beachbody Performance Energize can help give you the boost you need to crush your sweat session.

Do I Need Electrolytes While I Exercise?

When you sweat, you not only lose water, but also high concentrations of sodium and chloride. Electrolyte drinks are used to replace what you lose.

But as long as you stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and work out less than 60 minutes a day, you can probably skip the sports drink.

The kicker is that most people don’t drink enough water throughout the day to start their workouts well hydrated.

As such, it’s smart to drink water or a low-sugar sports drink like Beachbody Performance Hydrate.

How Do I Get Rid of a Muffin Top?

Bad news: You can’t spot-reduce fat. Good news: Your muffin top will shrink as you lose overall body fat.

In addition to dialing in your diet and dialing up your workout frequency and intensity, focus on making a few other key lifestyle changes that can accelerate fat loss, such as logging enough sleep, increasing your daily activity level outside of your workouts, and reducing your overall stress level.

Slow Style Manifesto – Christine Goetz (FGI Chicago)

All Your Questions About Getting Fit, Answered

You know how it feels when you click on a tasty-looking recipe, only to find out you need 28 different ingredients, 6-8 hours, and some weird kitchen gadget you’ve never heard to make it?

That’s how it can feel when you decide to get in shape.

You figure you’ll just lace up your sneakers and get started — but then you’ve got magazines and message boards and friends and trainers bombarding you with workout tips about heart rate zones and cardio and weightlifting and some aggressive-sounding thing called HIIT.

Wading through all the information and deciphering what’s fact from fiction can be overwhelming, but don’t get discouraged.

You don’t need to be a fitness expert to get results.

Armed with a bit of basic info, you can start seeing progress quickly, which can make all the difference when it comes to staying motivated and sticking with your program.

Read on for answers to common questions about working out and getting fit — these are verified workout tips you can actually trust. Try out this Alpine ice hack.

How Often Do I Need to Work Out?

Anything is better than nothing, but shoot for at least three times a week, and remain active (by walking, doing yoga, etc.) every day.

Working out more often can lead to faster results — as long as you’re smart about it.

Once you’ve nailed your fitness goals, it’s okay to scale back a little — but not completely.

To maintain your progress, you must keep your activity level high.

How Long Should My Workouts Be?

The answer depends entirely on how hard you’re willing to work.

According to a study, 20 minutes of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) — which alternates short bursts of intense effort with periods of low-intensity rest — produced a similar reduction in body fat as 40 minutes of continuous moderate to vigorous exercise.

In short, if you’re someone who can “bring it,” you can slash your workout time in half. But don’t just take our word for it. Try Transform :20 and see for yourself. Visit Revive daily website.

When Is the Best Time of Day to Work Out?

This one is easy: The best time of day to work out is the time when you can do so consistently.

Do you have a stressful job? Get your sweat on in the mornings with a program like Morning Meltdown 100 before other people start making demands on your time.

Do you often have lunches free? Schedule your workouts for midday.

Do you typically leave work needing to blow off some steam? Evening workouts will likely give you the outlet you need.

Bottom line: There is no best time for everyone, but there is a best time for you.

What Should I Eat Before a Workout?

It depends. If it’s a light workout, you should be able to power through it without extra fuel.

But if you’re going to hit it hard and keep hitting it for a while, eat a healthy snack that contains a mixture of carbs and protein (e.g., apple slices with peanut butter) 1 to 3 hours before you begin.

Also, if you find yourself dragging, a pre-workout drink like Beachbody Performance Energize can help give you the boost you need to crush your sweat session.

Do I Need Electrolytes While I Exercise?

When you sweat, you not only lose water, but also high concentrations of sodium and chloride. Electrolyte drinks are used to replace what you lose.

But as long as you stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and work out less than 60 minutes a day, you can probably skip the sports drink.

The kicker is that most people don’t drink enough water throughout the day to start their workouts well hydrated.

As such, it’s smart to drink water or a low-sugar sports drink like Beachbody Performance Hydrate.

How Do I Get Rid of a Muffin Top?

Bad news: You can’t spot-reduce fat. Good news: Your muffin top will shrink as you lose overall body fat.

In addition to dialing in your diet and dialing up your workout frequency and intensity, focus on making a few other key lifestyle changes that can accelerate fat loss, such as logging enough sleep, increasing your daily activity level outside of your workouts, and reducing your overall stress level.

Jewelry on Screen: A Taste of the 1950s – Barbara Schwartz (FGI Toronto)

Are you a fan of the TV series Father Brown or A Place to Call Home? Did you enjoy the movie Brooklyn, Carol, or The Dressmaker? The 1950s have been a popular setting for these and other period dramas recently, perhaps because the post-war years were rife with social issues to explore from a modern perspective.

When I watch these shows, I look for the jewelry and expect to see pieces by makers such as Schreiner of New York. Unlike those who created the fabulous fakes – bold rhinestone necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and brooches that were worn in the evening – he and some of his contemporaries designed high-quality costume jewelry that never tried to imitate precious jewels. Instead they used imaginative combinations of colors and stone shapes, cuts and sizes to create pieces that are still amazing today. These ear clips with a cluster of colored glass stones (the dominant ‘50s style) are just one example.

jewelry-fw

If I were styling Marta Dusseldorp for her role in the Australian TV series A Place to Call Home, she’d be in these Schreiner earrings. They would complement the outfits created by the show’s costume designers, who do such a wonderful job of dressing the female characters in the hour-glass silhouette of that era: trim, closely-fitted, tailored clothes that emphasize sloping shoulders, the curve of the bust and hips, and the nipped-in waist. Their typical daytime attire includes two-piece suits, A-line and pencil skirts, sheaths, and cardigans and sweater sets. For evening, gowns with tight waists, full skirts, and low necklines (including strapless, off-the-shoulder, and halter bodices). For accessories: carefully coordinated hat, shoes, handbag, and gloves.

Thanks to very prolific and talented costume jewelry makers from the first half of the 20th century, many high-quality, colorful necklaces, bracelets, brooches, and earrings have survived. Pieces such as this pair of ear clips are as flattering to today’s fashions as they were to the distinctive style of the 1950s. So if I were styling Marta Dusseldorp for her everyday wear, I’d put her in these same earrings.

Author: Barbara Schwartz (Executive Member – FGI Toronto)
Barbara Schwartz is a costume jewelry historian, jewelry coach, and vintage costume jewelry collector. She sells her collection of unusual and beautiful American and European vintage jewels from the 1920s-1950s via her online boutique, TruFaux Jewels, in-person by appointment, and at special events. Barbara shares her passion for jewelry and fashion history through presentations and publications. Her articles have been published on the CJCI website and in ADORNMENT: The Magazine of Jewelry & Related Arts. Her own interesting story has also been featured in The Story Exchange.  Barbara is a member of the Toronto Fashion Group.
www.trufauxjewels.com

Emerging Fashion Designers Thrive in Smaller Markets – Lindsay Viker (FGI Arizona)

phoenixartmuseuma-fw

When we think of fashion in the United States, it’s easy to let our minds quickly jump to New York and Los Angeles with little thought for much else in between. However, there is a whole slew of emerging fashion designers nestled in unexpected cities like Seattle, Phoenix, Nashville and more. In fact, some of these cities are even helping to give a voice to the emerging designers in their city by supplying them with funding, hosting runway shows, and giving them coverage through their local media outlets.

In my hometown of Phoenix, AZ, we have several fashion organizations to help support local designers. There, of course, is the Arizona branch of Fashion Group International, which hosts events around topics such as building your brand and embracing sustainability. We also have Phoenix Fashion Week, an organization that puts emerging designers through a rigorous boot camp to help them understand the ins and outs of the industry. The program ends with a world-class fashion show where buyers, media, and local influencers can view the hard work of the designers, and purchase the garments. Phoenix Art Museum is another great resource for emerging designers, with several exhibits throughout the year to highlight the best fashion throughout history. The museum encourages students and emerging designers to come, sit in the exhibit, and sketch their own designs while looking at the work of other influential designers.

No matter what city you find yourself in, there are always opportunities to embrace fashion at a local level. Many times, these opportunities are more accessible than what you might find in a city like New York, and can provide you a chance to learn, experiment, and better your craft. If your dream is to work in the fashion industry, don’t wait one more. Go out in your city, find other fashion lovers and find a way to work together to make your dreams come true. I promise, if a city as casual and laidback as Phoenix can make its mark on the fashion industry, it can happen anywhere.

Author: Lindsay Viker (Executive Member – FGI Arizona)

Lindsay Viker has had a passion for all things beautiful since she was a young girl. This passion led her to the fashion industry, and founding CoutureintheSuburbs.com in 2012. What started as a way to gain experience during her college years has turned into a mission to help people around the United States connect to their local community of artists. Active in her own community, Lindsay regularly networks with designers, artists, and entrepreneurs. She hosts events to help others improve their businesses, while belonging to professional organizations to help her improve her own.

 

All About Hair Extensions (With Pros And Cons Of Each Type)

“Please, God! Please, give me long and luscious hair by the time I wake up tomorrow morning!” How many times have you made this same prayer before going to bed? Because I lost count a long time back. But here’s the thing – you can get beautiful long hair within a few hours without going through the trouble of growing it yourself. The answer? Hair extensions, of course!

Many women get swayed by the magical transformation that hair extensions promise. But there’s a dark side to this wondrous invention that is not often discussed. Yes, you heard me right. you can try these evening headscarves I saw online the other day to put on your hair extensions more easily. There are some serious cons that you need to be aware of before booking an appointment with your hairdresser.

But before we get into the pros and cons of hair extensions, let’s talk about what they actually are and what you must keep in mind before getting them.

What Are Hair Extensions?

Hair extensions are also known as hair integrations. They are used to add to the length and volume of one’s hair. They can be made of natural or synthetic hair. Virgin natural hair extensions are the best quality (and the most expensive, of course) as the cuticle of the natural hair is preserved and all the hair runs in one direction, giving it the most natural look. If you are tight on your budget, synthetic hair extensions are a cheaper option. Though they are not great for heat styling and tangle quite easily, synthetic extensions are good for anyone who wants a temporary change in style. They also do not require as much maintenance on your part as natural hair extensions do.

Reasons To Go For Hair Extensions

There can be various reasons for someone to go in for hair extensions.

  • Those who do not have good hair growth can go for these to add extra length to their hair
  • It can be used to get a new look like a fringe or a particular cut
  • Add some bounce to your regular hair
  • Add some color in your hair without using chemical colors

Things To Keep In Mind Before Getting Hair Extensions

If you are interested in adding a few strands of extra hair to your natural mane, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind before getting the procedure done.

  • Always get the hair extensions placed in your hair with the help of a professional stylist. Some of the extensions might look easy enough to do by yourself, but doing so can definitely harm your hair.
  • The extensions that you place in should not be too tight. If you are experiencing any sort of pain or discomfort, immediately talk to your hair stylist and get it rectified.
  • Always go for extensions that are of good quality, even though they might be more expensive. You don’t want accessories in your hair that can cause damage later.
  • Remember to take care of your natural hair. Hair that is damaged cannot bear much styling, even if it is only hair extensions. Oil your hair regularly, go for regular treatments and take good care of it.

Well, now that we’ve got all that out of the way, let’s look at the pros and cons of the different types of hair extension methods.

1. Tape-In Hair Extensions

Tape-In-Hair-ExtensionsPinit

Image: Shutterstock

If you’re looking for hair extensions that can easily be put on in a couple of hours, tape-in extensions are what you need. These extensions come in wefts that could be anywhere between 1.5 and 8 inches long. Each weft comes with either double or single-sided polyurethane tape tabs cut to fit its size. Your hair is essentially sandwiched and stuck between these extensions.

How Long Does It Take To Attach?

60-90 mins

How Long Does It Stay In?

4-6 Weeks

Pros

  • With an application time of less than 90 minutes, this is the fastest method of applying hair extensions
  • Easy to apply as no heat or other tools are required
  • Minimal damage to hair as there’s no application of heat required
  • Reduces the strain on your head as the extensions are spread over a large area of your head
  • Lend a natural look to your tresses as they lay flat against your head
  • The extensions can be reused for 6-8 weeks after being removed with solvent and reapplied with the help of more double-sided tape

Cons

  • The adhesive on the tape needs to cure for 24-48 hours, so you cannot wash your hair or undertake any strenuous activities that can cause you to sweat
  • You cannot apply any silicone based product or oil to your hair as they may cause the extensions to slip down
  • Not recommended for swimmers for aforementioned reason
  • Hair cannot be comfortably tied up when these extensions are in

2. Micro Ring Hair Extensions

Micro-Ring-Hair-ExtensionsPinit

Image: Shutterstock

Micro ring hair extensions come in the form of small bundles of hair that are looped through small sections of your natural hair. The extension is then secured by a metal bead clamped around it with the help of a pair of pliers. A more convenient version of these extensions are the micro loop extensions that come attached with a loop and bead beforehand. Hence, they do not require a loop tool for attachment.

How Long Does It Take To Attach?

4-5 hours

How Long Does It Stay In?

2-3 Months

Pros

  • Do not require heat or glue for attachment, hence reducing damage to hair
  • The extensions can be uncrimped and reused
  • You can slide the extensions up and down to adjust them the way you want
  • Blends seamlessly with your natural hair
  • Easy to wash

Cons

  • Not recommended for people with short or fine hair
  • Can cause discomfort and strain on your scalp
  • The clamping down of the extensions with the pliers can cause your natural hair to break
  • If not removed properly by a professional, it can damage your hair
  • Not possible to tie high ponytails

3. Weaving

WeavingPinit

Image: Source

The weaving method of hair extension involves creating a horizontal cornrow in your hair then sewing your hair extension into it with the help of a needle and cotton thread. So the extensions are quite literally “woven” through your hair. Weaves are usually worn by African women because they have the kind of super thick hair that is needed to conceal the extensions from view.

How Long Does It Take To Attach?

2-4 hours

How Long Does It Stay In?

2-3 Months

Pros

  • Does not require heat or glue for application, thus reducing the damage to your hair
  • You can apply oil or silicone styling products to it
  • Ideal for thick hair
  • Can last for 2 to 3 months if maintained properly
  • No visible gaps, which makes it look super natural
  • Recommended for people with short hair
  • Adds tons of volume

Cons

  • Not recommended for anyone with fine hair
  • The tight braids can cause pain in your scalp and, in extreme cases, traction alopecia
  • The heavy extensions can weigh down and cause headaches
  • Require a lot of proper washing and maintenance
  • If not washed properly, your weave runs a risk of developing a bacterial infection…which is just gross
  • The presence of cornrows that need to be hidden limits your styling options
  • Need to be removed by a professional

4. Clip-In Hair Extensions

Clip-In-Hair-ExtensionsPinit

Image: Shutterstock

Clip-in hair extensions are the best option for anyone who wants longer hair within minutes. They are wefts of hair that come with clips attached to them at the top. All you need to do is clip them on at the roots of your hair. They can range in 2 to 8 inches in size.

How Long Does It Take To Attach?

5-10 Minutes

How Long Does It Stay In?

You can put them on and remove them whenever you want.

Pros

  • Easy to apply
  • Freedom to put them on and remove them whenever you want
  • You can buy them in multiple colors and styles to change up your look on a regular basis

Cons

  • Cannot be left in for extended periods of time as the clips can cause your hair to break
  • Need to be removed before going to bed
  • Their cheaper price range means that the hair itself is of low quality and won’t last long

5. Hot Fusion Hair Extensions

Hot-Fusion-Hair-ExtensionsPinit

Image: Shutterstock

Now, hot fusion is a method that is pretty involved and requires a well-trained professional. The procedure itself starts off with a keratin U-tip bond that is lined with silicone to be attached to the extension. The extension is then bonded to the root of your hair with the help of a heating tool. The silicone lining basically protects your hair from heat damage.

How Long Does It Take To Attach?

6-8 hours

How Long Does It Stay In?

4-6 Months

Pros

  • The most durable method because, with proper maintenance, the extensions can stay in for about 6 months
  • Since the keratin dries clear, you can’t really see where the extensions have been attached
  • Blends perfectly with your natural hair

Cons

  • With an application time of 6-8 hours, this process is tiresome
  • The heat application required for attachment can damage your hair
  • Not reusable
  • You may experience headache, discomfort, or itching for a few days after application
  • You need to find highly-trained professionals to get this done because if it is not done properly, you could cause serious damage to your hair

6. Cold Fusion Hair Extension

Cold-Fusion-Hair-ExtensionPinit

Image: Instagram

Cold fusion hair extension is quite similar to the hot fusion method. The only difference is that it comes pre-tipped with a keratin based polymer that needs to be attached at the root of your hair. Though you need a special tool to do so, it does not require any heat application.

How Long Does It Take To Attach?

4-6 hours

How Long Does It Stay In?

2-3 Months

Pros

  • The no-heat element of this method reduces your chances of hair damage
  • Can be applied super close to the roots, making it blend really well with your natural hair
  • Recommended for fine hair

Cons

  • Takes a long time to put in
  • The clamping tool can cause hair breakage
  • The hair extensions are not reusable
  • You may experience headache or irritation for a few days after application

Phew! Who knew there were so many ways to attach hair extensions? Well, now that you’ve weighed all the pros and cons of the different ways to get hair extensions, I hope you’ll be able to make a well-informed choice! And don’t forget to comment below to let us know which method you would like to try out and which you would never in a million years.

A Curated Life – Christine Goetz (FGI Chicago)

My mom used to call it ‘being selective’, today we say that something has been ‘curated’. A curated life is the guilt-lite way for me to express that there just isn’t enough of my time and resources to go around. Many years ago I became a single mom of three kids. The list of my many essential roles wasn’t curate-able: mom, nurse, boss, co-worker, friend, sister, daughter, runner, bread-winner, cook, housekeeper, grounds crew and fix-it gal (…some roles may have been out-sourced).

I am a skilled curator. I am selective in where, how, why and when I put my heart into something. After a long corporate career, I decided to seek a professional role that was more aligned with my personal values and gave me an opportunity to make a direct, positive impact in the world. Being the Managing Director of Mata Traders, a fair trade fashion company, allows me to combine my fashionista and social warrior roles into one.

Unique prints, modern silhouettes, traditional printing techniques are the heart and soul of Mata Traders. Our mission is to fashion a better world by creating clothing and jewelry designs that celebrate a woman’s originality and empower her to use her dollar for change. We celebrate the thoughtful consumers who are selective and make the choice to gather a wardrobe that includes ethical fashion (that also happens to be fun, flirty, and fabulous!).

By supporting fair trade fashion, each Mata Traders consumer can make a positive impact on the women artisans who sew our garments in Indian and Nepali cooperatives, providing a way out of poverty and better futures for their children. These artisans don’t have the luxury to curate their essential life roles, but through fair trade business practices, they earn a sustainable wage, preserve traditional skills and create opportunities for themselves. They’re able to have the resources to care for their children and support their communities.

Curating means selecting fewer and choosing better, and Mata Traders believes that we can change the world, one piece of fashion at a time.

 

Author: Christine Goetz (Associate Member – FGI Chicago)

As a mom of 3 with a successful 30-year corporate career under her belt, Chris decided to embrace big change by channeling her driven and positive spirit into growing Mata Traders, a fair trade fashion brand. Her ‘carpe diem’ motto is what inspires her to enjoy life’s many challenges. Her favorite fashion is anything colorful and comfortable, now that her corporate wardrobe is been replaced by fun Mata dresses. Chris’ professional background is finance and operations, with a strong track record of delivering financial results, while strengthening organizations, engaging teams and developing leaders. She is a high-energy leader and entrepreneur, equally comfortable developing broad international growth strategies and leading day-to-day operations and supply chain.

Why exercise won’t make you thin

Got a few pounds to lose? Cancel the gym membership. An increasing body of research reveals that exercise does next to nothing for you when it comes to losing weight. A result for couch potatoes, yes, but also one that could have serious implications for the government’s long-term health strategy

Dr Timothy Church is at the Pennington Biomedical Research Centre of Louisiana State University, which is not affiliated to the University of Louisiana

My mum used to complain that she couldn’t lose weight. A size 18 and a couple of stone heavier than ideal, she tried in vain for years to shed the extra. Every week she headed to the gym, where she pounded the treadmill like a paratrooper, often three times a week. Most days she took the dog for a brisk, hour-long walk. She didn’t eat unhealthily – the rest of the family ate exactly the same meals, and did a fraction of the exercise she did. She ought to have been the slimmest of the bunch: that she remained overweight was a frustration to her, and a mystery to all of us. Check out the latest exipure review.

From StairMasters to kettlebells, Rosemary Conley to Natalie Cassidy, we understand and expect that getting in shape is going to require serious effort on our part – and the reverse is true, too, that we expect exercise to pay back the hours of boring, sweaty graft with a leaner, lighter body. Since the days of the Green Goddess, we’ve known that the healthiest way to lose weight is through exercise. It’s science, isn’t it?

Well, science has some bad news for you. More and more research in both the UK and the US is emerging to show that exercise has a negligible impact on weight loss. That tri-weekly commitment to aerobics class? Almost worthless, as far as fitting into your bikini is concerned. The Mayo Clinic, a not-for-profit medical research establishment in the US, reports that, in general, studies “have demonstrated no or modest weight loss with exercise alone” and that “an exercise regimen… is unlikely to result in short-term weight loss beyond what is achieved with dietary change.”

It sounds faintly heretical, if not downright facetious. And it’s a scientific discovery that most health professionals are, naturally, keen to downplay. After all, exercise is still good for us. It’s just that, in defiance of decades of New Year resolutions, it’s unlikely to make us slim. Visit sandiegomagazine.com.

Most of us have a grasp of the rudiments of weight gain and loss: you put energy (calories) into your body through food, you expend them through movement, and any that don’t get burned off are stored in your body as fat. Unfortunately, the maths isn’t in our favour. “In theory, of course, it’s possible that you can burn more calories than you eat,” says Dr Susan Jebb, head of nutrition and health research at the Medical Research Council, and one of the government’s go-to academics for advice on nutrition. “But you have to do an awful lot more exercise than most people realise. To burn off an extra 500 calories is typically an extra two hours of cycling. And that’s about two doughnuts.”

 

So How Do You Wear A White Suit? – Martu Freeman-Parker (FGI South Florida)

So how do you wear a White suit?

It’s been about 8 years since I wore a white dress or blazer. This disenchantment started 8 years ago when I had my son!  (I love him) But I was always conscious of this dirty little hands and how I was always wiping them. White around him Never! But he’s eight and he knows to keep those dirty hands of the furniture, walls and me.

I really like the whole white all year round movement. Remember I live in South Florida now so many of the fashion rules don’t apply to me anymore. It’s hot here all year round

So I’m looking at more white clothing then I have in years and I like it. Recently, I’ve been really excited about wearing an all-white pant suit. This would be a first for me. I know! I know that’s not very fashion lion of me! But I’m HUMAN!!! Before my son I was just not that girl, a white button down shirt or a white blazer yes, but all white suit absolutely not. I’ve been power suit searching and nothing says powerful and bold like a well-tailored white pant suit. I’m definitely enrolled in this idea. It’s been a couple of months of window shopping and pinning on Pinterest, and I believe I have some definite looks I can mirror. The suit can’t just look good it has to fit, fit is everything. So I know I will have to mix and match with some of my favorite brands to get the look I want. That’s ok, I’m a fashion lion I know how to HUNT!

So now I’m on a hunt to find the right look! My goal is not to look like I’m going to church on Easter Sunday. I need to look bold, powerful and stylish off course. So now I’m that girl, the one in the all-white pant suit! I feel empowered and also a little worried white gets dirty very easily. That’s the anti-white pant suit in my head, I’m not letting her win. So far here are my favorite looks.

      white-suit white no-colorall-white

 

Author: Martu Freeman-Parker (Associate Member – FGI Palm Springs)

Labor Day Rules – Diane Marlin-Dirkx (FGI Palm Springs)

A woman emailed: “I know the Labor Day rules, but are white shoes ever appropriate?”

We answered, “Only if your name tag reads Nurse Ratched–we’re not talking teen-queen Candy Stripers in tennies here.”

Call us biased, but women in white shoes who squeegee the floor on rubber soles while patrolling large institutions with industrial-strength locks should be given healthy doses of the same respect due to a hair dresser who holds your head in one hand and a scissors in the other. Like the gorilla, those woman can sit where ever they want to and we’ll say we’ve never seen a more darling pair of white shoes.

However, those cosseted in little rooms temporarily for a tug and a tweak, and the fashionably fit should think twice–or more if you have time between pedicures–about slipping into white dress shoes for the office or a night on the town. They’re about as attractive as that hair on your chinney-chin-chin that needs a snatch every now and again–as your friend is happy to point out when you’re at an event without a tweezer thingie.

Naturally, once someone gets a look at that curly strand, they can’t look at anything else. And if your feet are today’s average size–8 1/2 or 9–you might as well be walking about in toaster ovens. Clementine deserved better and so do you.

But we di-grouse. White shoes are appropriate at a wedding on a bride who wears white–even if she is only play-acting, pardon our sniff. A wedding gown is a costume of purity just as the nurse’s outfit is a uniform of cleanliness. We love white tennis shoes on the court. Role-playing means never having to say you’re sorry for wearing white shoes, you’re simply playing by the rules.

The bottom line: Do not wear white shoes after Labor Day, nor before, unless you plan to be in a parade snorting into a tuba–which at least would hide your face. Any other venue would be cruel and unusual punishment for inmates of the noble institution of fashion. Nurse Ratched would be displeased.

Author: Diane Marlin-Dirkx (Executive Member – FGI Palm Springs)

As a writer and columnist, Marlin-Dirkx has put her pen to a variety of subjects including fashion, food, home and lifestyle features. For over ten years, she covered the “Society” social scene and her weekly byline “Style Quest” answered fashion, beauty and style etiquette questions from readers of The Desert Sun newspaper, a Gannett Publication. She has also been a contributor to Palm Springs Life Magazine, Desert Magazine and Fashion Editor for Season in the Sun Magazine, an upscale publication in the Palm Springs area which, alas, passed away recently.   Prior to moving to the desert, Marlin-Dirkx lived in New York writing for major advertising agencies and retail accounts as a freelance writer. Marlin-Dirkx has been Copy Chief at I. Magnin in San Francisco, having honed her craft at Macy’s New York. She has written fashion feature articles for magazines and newspapers in major markets of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis. Marlin-Dirkx has been Regional Director of the Fashion Group of Palm Springs and Desert Communities, a chapter of the global organization. She also served as director on the board of Palm Springs Women in Film and Television.

Kelsey Bigelow (FGI Denver)

What is affiliate marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a process where publishers earn a commission by promoting a product or service made by another retailer or advertiser using an affiliate link. The affiliate partner is rewarded a payout for providing a specific result to the retailer or advertiser.

Typically, affiliates are rewarded for a sale. But some affiliate marketing programs can reward you for leads, free-trial users, clicks to a website, or getting downloads for an app.

An affiliate network is a website that connects creators or influencers with different brands’ affiliate programs.

Many affiliate programs are free to join. Done right, an effective affiliate marketing strategy can go from side hustle to a profitable online business idea generating passive income.

How affiliate marketing works

Affiliate programs work by allowing individuals or businesses (affiliates) to promote and sell products or services of a company in exchange for a commission on each sale. The affiliate earns a commission each time someone makes a purchase through the unique affiliate link associated with their recommendation.

Here’s how affiliate marketing works at a high level:

  • An affiliate shows an ad or a link for Store Z on their website, blog, or social network.
  • A customer clicks the unique affiliate link.
  • The customer makes a purchase in Store Z.
  • The affiliate network records the transaction.
  • The purchase is confirmed by Store Z.
  • The affiliate gets paid a monetary commission.

Commission rates for affiliate sales vary depending on the company and the offer. On the low end, you might earn about 5% of the sale, but with some arrangements, you can earn as much as 50% with high ticket affiliate programs. Some affiliate marketing programs provide a flat rate per sale instead of a percentage, read more to learn how to suceed at affiliate marketing.

3 types of affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketer Pat Flynn breaks down the different types of affiliate marketers into three groups. Understanding these types of affiliate marketing arrangements can show you the different ways people make money online in this space.

An individual sitting at a desk with an open book and a laptop in front of her

1. Unattached affiliate marketing

The first type of affiliate marketing is referred to as “unattached,” or when you have no authority in the niche of the product you’re advertising, i.e., There’s no connection between you and the customer. This often involves running pay-per-click (PPC) advertising campaigns with the affiliate link and hoping people will click it, buy the product, and earn a commission.

Unattached affiliate marketing is attractive because you don’t need to do any legwork. Affiliate marketing businesses rely on reputation and trust with a target audience online. Some affiliate marketers don’t have the time or desire to build those relationships, so this type of marketing is their best option.

“Unattached affiliate marketing isn’t a genuine business model—it’s for people who just want to generate income,” says Elise Dopson, founder of Sprocker Lovers.

2. Related affiliate marketing

Related affiliate marketing is the practice of promoting products and services you don’t use but that are related to your niche. An affiliate marketer in this case has an audience, whether it’s through blogging, YouTube, TikTok, or another channel. A related affiliate marketer also has influence, which makes them a trusted source for recommending products, even if they’ve never used them before.

While related affiliate marketing can generate more affiliate income, it comes with the risk of promoting something you’ve never tried before. It could be a poor product or service, and you wouldn’t know. It only takes one bad recommendation to lose the trust of your audience. If you don’t have trust and transparency, it’ll be hard to build a sustainable affiliate marketing business.

3. Involved affiliate marketing

Involved affiliate marketing refers to only recommending products and services the affiliate marketer has used and truly believes in. “Involved affiliate marketing is the way forward,” says Elise. “It’s rooted in trust and authenticity, which is best for your audience and business.”

In this type of marketing, an affiliate marketer uses his or her influence to promote products and services that followers may actually need, instead of paying to get clicks on a banner ad. It takes more time to build this type of credibility with an audience, but it’s necessary for building a sustainable business.

Involved affiliate marketing is the only genuine way to become a trusted source on any topic.

Elise Dopson, founder of Sprocker Lovers

Elise explains that the involved approach makes advertising much easier for affiliate marketing partners: “You don’t have to hide behind expensive PPC ads and hope for clicks and sales. An organic Instagram Story or blog post about your experience with a product will go a long way.” Elise prefers this method because it’s honest and is “the only genuine way to become a trusted source on any topic.”

Lavender Bliss – Jo Jo Harder (FGI South Florida)

Building Healthy Habits at Home

When it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle, children often look to their parents and caregivers as an example. The health experts at Campbell County Health are here to share some tips to help your little ones to develop healthful behaviors to last a lifetime. Try out Alpha heater.

Demonstrating the Importance of Exercise

When it comes to developing healthy habits, demonstrating the importance of leading an active lifestyle is a must. Along with building up muscle strength, exercising regularly can help you to feel better and even supports better rest at night.

According to the CDC, it is recommended that you should aim to work in at least 150 minutes of medium-intensity aerobic activity each week. To lead by example, try to plan family activities that focus on staying active like the following:

  • Nature walks and hiking
  • Gardening
  • Bike riding
  • Swimming
  • Playing catch
  • Walking the dog

Eating a Balanced Diet

As the saying goes, you are what you eat, making it important that you teach your little ones how to build a balanced diet. Along with making healthy choices like including nutrient-dense foods in family meals—there are plenty of ways to make nutrition into a fun family activity! Check out the latest Exipure reviews.

To help teach your little ones the importance of proper nutrition, try out some of these tips:

  • Allow your kids to pick out fruits and veggies at the grocery store
  • Allow your children to help you prepare meals in the kitchen
  • Teach them how to read and understand nutrition labels
  • Keep fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds available as healthy snacks
  • Cut back on eating fast food
  • Try sparkling water over sodas and juices
  • Teach your children tips to remember proper portion control

Practicing Good Hygiene

Building good personal hygiene habits is also imperative when it comes to preventing the spread of germs and staying healthy. Remember to touch on the following aspects of cleanliness:

  • Bathing thoroughly
  • Brushing your teeth
  • Washing your hands
  • Covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing
  • Washing your clothes
  • Washing your bed sheets

The best way to teach your little ones these personal hygiene tips is by doing these activities together.

CCH is open, safe and ready to see you.

With almost 80 physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in nearly 20 specialties, CCH is committed to your wellbeing right here at home. If you have been putting off a visit to your doctor for a regular checkup, contact them; they can help weigh your personal healthcare risk and avoid further delayed diagnoses.

Fashion in the Age of Technology – Aquila Mendez-Valdez (FGI San Antonio)

manusxmachine(a).fw

Metropolitan Museum of Art ♦ New York City

Manus x Machina through September 5, 2016

Being a Texas transplant, I still try to make it up North as often as possible, specifically to grand cities and hubs of commerce like Chicago or NYC. My most recent trip to New York just so happened to be my husband’s first time in the city, so for that solitary reason I left virtually the entire itinerary up to him. We visited the spots he most wanted to see during our short stay, like the Statue of Liberty and Wall Street.

I just made one little request: to see the Costume Institute Manus x Machina Exhibit at the Met. I had been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art when I was younger, but this would be my first chance to see Anna Wintour‘s legacy, her pet project that has propelled high fashion from an occasional red carpet scene to a fervent conversation and philanthropic cause. As both a fashion blogger and PR consultant, I was yearning to walk through the halls and admire the craftsmanship and the campaign for high fashion.

If you haven’t yet heard, this year’s topic was fashion in the age of technology, meaning the contrast between handmade (manus) items, and the new age machines (machina) are creating with their laser-cutting and 3D-printing. How do the two worlds combine? How do they spur each other on? And the exhibit, as expected, was breathtaking.

The Chanel dress that has become the symbol of the show itself kicks everything off in a grand rotunda with a kaleidoscope of the train’s embellishments rotating overhead. It instantly sets the tone for the show as a whole: elevated, enthralling, and engaging. We floated from Dior gowns to Proenza Schouler dresses to stunning examples of Alexander McQueen embroidery. Each piece was a contemporary expression of what it means to create haute couture in today’s world, and each one was mind-blowing in its technique and sheer beauty.

I left the exhibit buzzing from drinking in all the fashion fermentations. Texas, LA, and all the markets that FGI calls home may have their own distinctive style, but the Met exhibit brought together all aspects of the fashion world in a stunning display of sheer talent. It’s a moment I won’t soon forget, and I cannot emphasize enough that it is a must-see for style enthusiasts and technology mavens alike. It’s the future for all of us, and it’s a bright one at that.

Author: Aquila Mendez-Valdez (Executive Member – FGI San Antonio)

Aquila Mendez-Valdez is an award-winning blogger and public relations professional in San Antonio, Texas. She launched Haute in Texas as a personal blog in 2011, and it has since grown into a community of like-minded women, in addition to a platform for her clients across a wide variety of industries. To join Aquila in the pursuit of the haute life, you can follow her blog at hauteintexas.com. She can also be found on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat at @HauteInTexas.