Elysian Magazine

1. Improving Blood Circulation

Soaking your body in hot water basically gives your blood vessels a little workout! Water creates a physical pressure on the body, increasing the capacity of our heart. So when we’re relaxing in a nice hot bath, our heart is actually hard at work, beating faster and stronger!

2. Cleansing The Skin

Although some may know that showers clean much better than a bath, a nice soak in hot water can open up our skin’s pores, allowing the water to clean out any dirt and toxins inside, leaving us feeling fresh and have cleaner skin.

3. Getting Over a Cold

If you’re in Australia right now, you would know how this wintery weather brings on some nasty colds. And even if you’re somewhere else around the world not suffering from the winter blues, but just feeling a bit sick, a hot bath can help you feel better! Steam can dry out the mucus accumulating in our throat, and clear out the nostrils, which is one of the most common reasons for ongoing coughing.

4. Moisturizing The Skin

My advice to you is to not give up on books. I know there will be times where you get super busy and won’t have time, but I encourage you to read whenever you can. On the weekends, before bed, waiting for a dentist appointment- just read. Reading engages the mind, while also giving you a mini-break from reality. Let’s be real here, it’s a way better alternative to Facebook. For me personally, I found that reading during the school year helped reduce so much stress. It doesn’t have to be a long time, even 10-15 minutes a day helps so much. In that time, you can forget about your own problems, and just focus on the characters. After reading, my mind feels refreshed and I am ready to get back to whatever problem at hand.

Without further ado, from one bookworm to another, here are my book recommendations for Fall 2015:

Extraordinary Means by Robin Schneider- Meet Lane. He’s into Model UN, studies the SAT just to improve his score by 30 points, and dreams of going to Stanford. And then there’s Sadie. She’s wild, loves adventures, is always taking a risk. Lane and Sadie both have tuberculosis, and meet at a TB sanitorium. Sounding a bit like The Fault in Our Stars? Same concept, but a whole different experience.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson- This book is so complex, it’s even hard to explain what it’s really about. Sex scandal, hacker girl, family mystery, and an intuitive journalist. Basically, you just have to read it. You just have to!

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan- They’re rich, they’re luxurious, they have all the money that they could ever desire. This goofy book about old and new money will fulfill all your dreams of being a billionaire. Just watch out, there are a lot of characters you need to keep track of.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger- When the time traveler is pulling the disappearing act, what happens to the wife? Henry’s the past, present, and the future. Clare is always left chasing her time traveler lover around. The unconventional young couple attempts to live a normal life. This beautiful book is a must read. No question about it.

Just One Day by Gayle Forman- Allyson meets Willem on the last day of her class trip to Europe. After waking up in the morning, Willem is gone. This is the story about her urgent need to find Willem and how, ultimately, they fall back into each others arms again.

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra- Ever heard of the country Chechnya? Yeah, me neither, not until I read this book. This is the story about a country broken after the shambles of an unpopular war. The characters spin a gorgeous story, and the don’t even get me started on the ending (possible waterworks/moment where something traumatic happens in your TV show feelings).

I hope you guys enjoy!

Out of all the six meals recommended we eat everyday, breakfast is the most important one and should be eaten within two hours of waking. Apart from providing the necessary nutrients to start your day, it also supplies enough energy so that you are able to perform your tasks with a better concentration, strength, alertness and many other important skills for an academic or professional success.

Skipping breakfast, or actually any other meal, in order to loose weight is a big misconception. Many of the times, it has the opposite effect, causing you to eat more the next time you do or even nibble on unhealthy snacks to brush off the hunger. Plus, studies have shown that weight management can be just as effective if you eat properly. So no skipping!

Although, it’s not only important to have the first meal of the day but to have it the right way; and by that I mean in a healthy way which will guarantee a higher number of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, resulting in a nutritionally better diet.

A few suggested things to eat by nutritionists are whole-grain bread, cereal, fruits, milk, yogurt and eggs; Also having a glass of water or tea has it’s benefits. Therefore, drop the doughnut and let’s get healthy!

I’m sure we can all agree that life used to be so much easier back in the day, when we didn’t have to worry about getting good grades, or the constant panic of thinking about the future and whether we’re going to be successful or not. But sometimes you just have to take some time out to clear your head and just chill out for a little while.

I’ve gathered a few tips on how to step back, take a deep breath, and learn to love yourself and relax, just like you deserve to.

Be kind to yourself - Unfortunately, not enough people in the world see how much pure beauty and wonderful-ness they posess. We tend to mentally beat ourselves up far too often, telling ourselves we’re not good enough, or not pretty enough, or not smart enough. But guess what, you are. If you treated your friends the way you treat yourself, would they still be your friend? Probably not. You deserve to be treated with the same love and kindness you give others and nothing less. Chances are nobody thinks as badly about you as you do, so give it a rest!

What makes you you? - A common reason people often feel as though they are not good enough or feel negatively about themselves is the fact that they fail to see all the incredible things that make them different. How amazing is it that not a single person in the whole entire world is like you? Nobody could ever replace you. Try taking a moment to think about all the different things you’re good at and the things that you enjoy. Maybe you’re a wonderful artist and can paint the most beautiful pictures, or maybe you’re really caring and are always there for your friends when they need you. You could even try sitting down and writing a list of all your positive points and help yourself see how great you really are and what you’ve been overlooking all this time!

Do things that make you happy - If you notice that you’re feeling pretty down lately and need a boost, what better to do than something you really enjoy doing! Set yourself some time during the week to do something that you truly love whether it’s listening to your favourite songs or spending time with family or friends. There are many different activities you can take part in that are known for making you feel good, such as exercise, which releases endorphins and makes you feel happy. If you can’t seem to shake your negativity, try going for a run or swimming a few laps. 

LKM (Loving Kindness Meditation) - Another interesting way to increase the amount of love you’re giving to yourself is to try LKM, a kind of meditation that teaches you the importance of treating yourself the way you deserve and encourages you to feel that love. Having personally tried this during times when I felt more down than usual and in need of some TLC, this definitely helped me out. Find a quiet room and lie down for a little bit whilst you relax and listen to the videos. Here’s one I found particularly helpful: 

Laptop: A laptop is something that you will most likely use near every single day. Whether it’s writing essays, completing assignments, or even Skyping your friends back home,  a laptop is an absolute essential. I probably spend about 80% of my time at college using my computer. With all my music on there, my social media, my emails and all my work, I have no idea how I’d cope without it when I’m not in class or out living the crazy, party student lifestyle! Another reason you may want to take your laptop is to avoid the hell of facing a library during exam time. When all the computers are taken, you’ll be able to sit in the comfort of your own room to study and relax.

Photos: I remember exactly how I felt during my very first week at college: sad, lonely and definitely missing my family and friends! But after printing off some pictures and sticking them up around my room, it definitely cheered me up a lot. A tip I would give to anyone moving into their dorm room is to make sure you fill it with memories you can look at when you’re feeling down, maybe you could get a cute photo frame and have a picture of you and your best friend/boyfriend/parents or someone else you’re close to to perk you up when you’re missing home. 

Storage: You can never have enough of it when living out of a dorm room! Unfortunately, they’re not known for being spacious with lots of room for your belongings, therefore, it’s wise to bring a lot of boxes and shelves with you. You will need to have storage for your hair straighteners/hair dryer etc, notebooks, pens, shoes, and even food as sometimes the cupboards in your kitchen just aren’t big enough to store all your groceries. Having storage items also helps to eliminate clutter and keep your room tidy and neat.

Decoration: At first, walking into your new dorm room can feel a little empty and plain. A great way to make yourself feel at home is to add some nice decor and a bit of colour. This can be anything from some colourful flowers, a rug, a poster, or some ornaments. Once you’ve added these, your room will begin to feel much more like your own and you will settle in straight away!

First aid kit: Sometimes, being away at college can mean having to look after yourself when you get sick. It’s helpful to always keep a first aid kit in your room in case you’re ever not feeling well or get hurt. In my first aid kit, I like to keep a selection of different things such as: band aids, painkillers, throat lozenges, cough medicine and bandages just so i’m prepared if illness were to unfortunately occur. They also come in handy when your roommate or dormmates get sick as you’ll always be there to the rescue! 

1- Always have an agenda to write down dates. Tests dates, birthdays, and event dates are easily drowned out and forgotten with everything else going on in your life. Dates are probably the easiest thing to forget these days (besides numbers), so having a hard copy of your schedule in an agenda can greatly improve your school experience.

2- Study a little every day. Just studying 15-20 minutes a day can boost your memory and improve the outcome of your test grades by an enormous amount. Be sure to review the material that the teacher has not reviewed lately so that your brain gets a refresher before the test or exam (results believe me).

3- Keep your notebook organized. Being organized is the key to being the best you can be in school. Organization is mandatory in order to successfully study for tests and complete assignments. Keeping all of your schoolwork separated and your workplace spotless and neat can greatly relieve stress and allows for a seamless finished product.

4- Write summaries of your work. Writing summaries of your work and what you have to do saves a lot of time when you go back to study all of the material you just learned. Also, writing your own summaries can help you remember the material more easily than having to remember all one million pages words.

5- Just get it over with. Don’t procrastinate. Do all of the longer and more time-consuming work first so that you can get it over with and breeze through the simpler work last. But, remember if you find yourself spending too much time stuck on one problem in the harder work, move to the easier work and then go back to the hard work. Refer to bullet number 8 and 10.

6- Use technology to your advantage, not disadvantage. There are several applications and resources that can help you online with your work. If you aren’t sure about something look it up, google it, research it. You’ll be happy you did. However, be sure not to fully rely on the internet. At a time when you don’t have any technology to use you need to be able to fend for yourself. Also don’t get distracted!

7- Reserve a location for study. Preferably away from any general distractions such as pets, television, friends, or little siblings. Once you start to stray away from your work, sometimes there is no going back. 

8- Divide and conquer. Have a set plan on what you are going to be accomplishing. Will you finish your english homework first? Your math homework? Those are some questions you should ask yourself. Refer to number bullet number 5 and 10.

9-Have a snack handy. For those times when you feel hungry or thirsty, always have a snack and drink with you so you don’t have to get up from your work and prepare it. Be careful not to spill any food on your work, however.

10- Divide the materials into easy, medium and hard to help you plan how many hours will be devoted to each subject, try to use the SWOT analysis.

S Strengths focus on its strengths; W Weaknesses - RECOGNIZE their weaknesses … O The opportunities - GETTING your opportunities! T Threats - Divert your threats.

11- Ask questions. Always ask questions, whether it be to a teacher, friend, or your computer. Its better to ask and know, then to not and fail.

12 - Relax. Do yourself a favor and relax. You will finish your work. Set a set break time. You have to think about your well being. And remember to pee!

Well, those are some of the tips that have helped me and I hope that they can help you just as much!

With love, 

Raquel.

PARKA RECREATION

A fur-lined parka and opaque tights lend warmth to a lightweight shirt-dress.

Mr. and Mrs. Furs parka, $7,592 • Thakoon Additiondress, $850 • Hunter boot, $315 • Falke tights, $59

GOOD SPORT

Layer up your leather and denim for an edgy, casual look, then add sporty socks over your black tights if you’re feeling extra daring.

Acne jacket, $3,243 • New York beanie, $150 • Proenza Schouler dress, $755 • Rochas bag, $1,625 • Jil Sander sneaker, $495 • Wolfordtights, $46

SMOKE SCREEN

A chunky gray turtleneck takes a mostly-black look to elegant territory.

Joseph coat, $945 •  Loro Pianasweater, $2,115 • Alexander Wang skirt, $625 •  Perrin Parisbag, $1,995 • Tabitha Simmons pump, $895 • Uniqlotights, $8

Who are you? 

I am Brooke Stonehouse. I’m from the UK and I’m a London/Hertfordshire based aspiring illustrator. I’m 21 years of age.

What do you do for a living? 

My day job is working in a call centre, (snazzy I know). It’s what I do whilst I’m working towards my goals of being a full time freelance illustrator and shop owner.

When did you first start drawing/doing photography, and what inspired you to start your business/start getting creative?

I wouldn’t call myself a photographer in the slightest. All my pictures are from an iPhone, how ever I have recently copped a new semi professional camera to get myself started. The main use will be for the shop and the blog I’m working on. I do think I have a good eye, and I’ve always been obsessed with taking photo’s I’ve just never had the chance to learn as I’ve always been so obsessed with drawing and textiles.

I began draw at about the age of about 9. I could tell then it was something I was certain I wanted to do. My granddad was an artist himself, his work was wonderful. He sat me down one day and taught me the basics. Shading, proportions and such. I guess I just had a nack for it and since that day I have always been working hard to improve. I later went from school onto college (English college at age 16-18 which is different to university). I specialized in textiles art and design. In some of the classes we experimented with inks, papers, pens, paint brushes and so on. It was then I found a way of painting I really enjoyed and it turned out I was pretty good at two. From that day I have always loved illustrating and only a few months after that I was requested my first personalized commission. It was slow to begin with but once I had a growing audience by the end of 2013, I must have had around 50-60 customers.  From there I grew and pushed my boundaries. I began type work, tattoo’s and much more, these again are things I’m now open to commission for. I then began to take things further at the begin of this year and decided I would begin to work on opening an online shop which would sell products from phone cases - note pads. This is an ongoing project which you’ll certainly see more of soon!

How has your art/photography influenced your life? :

It hasn’t, it is my life. Its everything I do and its who I am. I’d feel completely lost without it. It helps you to connect with people on the same wave length as you and that isn’t always easy in the creative world. I always thought living so close to London I’d be right in the front door but its taken me years of discovering who I am and where I should be.

What are your favorite things to photograph?

Light. Light hitting a bedroom wall, light reflecting in water, light on my boyfriends face. I love light seeping into pictures. I wish I was talented enough to capture its full beauty.

Who has had the most influence on your career?

I couldn’t tell you any one in particular. I influence myself the most, I don’t aim to be like anyone, I don’t aim to be better than someone. I always aim to be more of myself and always do better than before. Maybe that’s really self absorbed haha. But admire other people and I let them inspire me in many different ways.  I think its the best way to be otherwise I’d be in a constant battle with myself for not being as good as someone else. Its hard to do when you’re an artist but after years of beating myself down I realised I only had to prove it to myself.

What advice do you have for young teens (especially girls) when finding a career that they like?

Take your time to throw yourself into something. Often people are in their last year of school and believe they should have something set up straight away. I don’t think it the right approach. Of course that unless you’ve already found something you already really enjoy and have your heart set on. I think taking a year out or joining some classes which take you out of your comfort zone is always a great idea. I wish I had done more for myself. Discover yourself in things you never thought you would. Open up your options so you have plenty of experience and choice. I went to college to start art and design and for the whole first year I really wanted to quit to take up music. It was only later in the year when I had actually left my second year of college that I found myself at home being more creative than ever and that led me to go back and finish the year I had left. And thank god I did, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

Just know you don’t always have to be certain, you’re young. You have time to be picky, you have time to change your mind. TAKE YOUR TIME. Your future self will thank you.

And anything else you would like to add?

I’ve had many chances to work with other creatives but one of my favourite projects was actually creative a banner for ‘’taste uni’’.

One huge push for me was when I began illustrating as a hobby in my second year of college when someone contacted me from urban out fitters/ free people asking me to send them some work. Of course I didn’t have much to show at all.

Most of my exciting news is actually yet to come! Its all growing process and I’ve just began.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/brookelynsh/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrookelynSH

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooke-Stonehouse-illustration/1375826322642542#_=_

Tumblr:  http://ohddaughter.tumblr.com

Personal Tumblr: http://creativehoarders.tumblr.com

Listen to music. Music is the one thing that everyone likes. So why not listen for a while? Sit, lay down, relax, put those earphones in and listen to your favorite songs. Remember the lyrics, sing like nobody is listening, look for new music or new artists or even write your own music! 

Write. You could write a nice poem, a small story, write about your day, your feelings, your boredom. Free your soul. You could even write a to do list - if you’re sitting around doing nothing you might as well! There are so many things that you can write, and if you have a pen and a piece of paper, why not?

Take pictures. Go outside, takes pictures of the ocean, nature, the city, people, whatever is around you would make a great photograph I’m sure. Maybe even take a few selfies, you only live once so why not capture every moment?

Redecorate your room. So fun to do, and sometimes it can be so simple. Switch around the furniture, add decorations, play with different color palettes, sketch out new designs, hang a few curtains! This could be the perfect time to clean your room as well!

Draw. Drawing is always a great solution to any problem. There are literally so many different things you could draw, the possibilities are endless. You can find inspiration anywhere - you can draw people, landscapes, food, yourself, maybe even your pet fish? Who knows, maybe in all that time you could become the fashion designer you never you were, and sketch a whole clothing line.

Make new hairstyles. Playing around with your hair can be incredibly entertaining, believe me. Try inventing new hairstyles, or trying to accomplish old ones. Add highlights, make it curly or straight or wavy. Be creative, its your hair, you can do whatever you want with it.

Play around with makeup. This is probably the funnest thing to do on the list. You don’t have to be a makeup guru to wear makeup! Experiment with different looks, find the look that best suits you. Discover new ways of contouring or shading - this can be extremely beneficial in the long run, you may even discover your inner makeup artist!

Here are some ideas for you!

Some tips to avoid feeling sad this summer:

- Go out. It’s easy when we feel sad to want to stay in all day and do nothing, but ultimately that mindset does nothing good for you - if anything it’lll only make you feel worse. By just sitting in the sun outside you will feel relaxed and calm and serene. A study has shown, “People actually get depressed, with symptoms like sadness, fatigue and hopelessness – from a lack of sunlight.” Another thing you could do is have a picnic. Take a blanket, your favourite book and a basket of food to a spot in the grass and just chill out all afternoon by yourself or with someone that makes you feel good.

- Music. Music has a calming effect on your whole body. Listen to a playlist of songs that make you happy. Whether that song is silly, hard rock, pop or country, the main thing a song should do is make you happy.

- Exercise. Even if just for 20 minutes, exercise releases endorphins and endorphins make us happier. By riding a bicycle, swimming in a pool or dancing to your favourite song you can immediately see a difference in your mood. Your body will thank you.

- Be creative. Make a journal or book of things that make you happy. You can add polaroids, flowers, magazine cutouts, drawing, quotes, or anything you want that makes you smile, be as creative as you want!

- Be with animals. Take a dog walking as a summer job, you’ll get a bit of extra money and dogs are wonderful companions for making you feel better! It’s a win for everyone. I find animals to be incredibly therapeutic and understanding. Best of all, they don’t judge you.

- Watch a sunrise or a sunset. Summer skies are so beautiful and pretty to look at. Allow yourself to let go and forget about everything in the world outside of you.

- Spend a day on the beach. The sun and the ocean will bring back your joie de vivre in no time. The sound of the waves crashing and the wind blowing is a nice getaway if you’re used to people talking and cell phones buzzing.Just make sure to bring loads of sunscreen to protect your skin from the burning rays.

- Have that lovely ice-cream sundae, you can burn it off later.

- Set yourself a project to keep your mind occupied. Overthinking causes unhappiness. Try new things: learn an instrument, write a story or a book, take up painting, make sculptures, anything of your choice you can dedicate your time to.

- Be adventurous. If you happen have a forest nearby go exploring in it with a friend, take cute photos and discover new creatures.

- Try new things. If you go to the movies, instead of heading for your normal choice, go down a different venue, choose a genre you’ve never tried before, it could be amazing or not but it’s an experience. Check out the foreign film section, they might have unique films that you might like. Or, in the restaurant, order the dish with the strange name, or with an ingredient that you’ve never tried before. You won’t know unless you try!

-Shop. Shopping is called therapeutic for a reason. Buy yourself that dress, or those shoes. It will make you happy! Treat yourself.

-Be active. There’s so much you could do, including volunteering at an animal shelter, joining a class, catch up with an old friend, seeing someone again after a while will show you have you’ve grown.

-Have a waterballoon fight. This needs no explanation and it’s huge fun!

-Talk to that cute boy. Ask him his name, always make the first move if you want something to happen.

Find what makes you happy, and do it! It’s that simple, it’s so easy to be sad and so difficult to get back on track but you’ll do it :)

Love always,

Planning is Key

Planning is probably the most important thing you could ever do.

Transportation: Sometimes, it is better to plan your commute months in advanced. Don’t wait until the last minute to book that airline because airline tickets and fares and seats are changing on the daily. There are billions of people just like you all trying to get from point A to point B with as little extraneous effort as possible. I always like to pay for round trip tickets when taking an airline, just because it saves me a little time.  While you are in NYC, or any city for that matter, always carry extra change - in case you need to catch a quick bus or maybe a cab. Even though you think loose change may last nothing but a short time, it may take you more than a long way. You can take the subway or the metro, but personally I like staying above ground so that I can see all of the action.

Hotels

While you need to always plan your transportation thoroughly, you also want to plan where you will be staying. Assuming you’ll be at a hotel, you always want a hotel that is close to all the action. For example, near time square, near eateries, or near any landmark or location you are planning on visiting. Cab fares add up very very quickly so walking is probably the best option. Buses are very cheap as well, and you can get a bus card or pass that you can use multiple times. I got mine at Grand Central Station. (NYC)

When you get to the hotel, be sure to ask them for a bus map and a city map. Those will come in handy, trust me. Even with my dandy little iPhone, I found that looking at a hard copy of a map much easier. Also, make sure you get extra copies of the hotel key, just in case you lose one. In case you get to the hotel and your room isn’t ready, just ask them if you can keep your luggage there for the time being until the room is ready. In the meantime, you could probably get a bite to eat or even go for a quick shopping trip. I find myself in that exact situation almost every time.

Packing

You want to make sure that you pack everything that you might possibly need into your suitcase. Some things you might forget: medication, passports, and money. Don’t forget those. 

The last time I rode a plane, I used an Under-The-Seat-Suitcase. I saved so much money and time using those suitcases, and they can just store right under your seat or above your head. Also they hold a lot. If you ride a plane, bring a sweater. It gets super chilly and you don’t want to have a cold in the city. I recommend also carrying a bag over your shoulder, or maybe a satchel to store little gadgets such as a charger or any electronics. I keep all of my special things with me over my shoulder, because I don’t want it to be stolen out of my hotel room. Trust me, it happens. 

Be sure to pack your toothbrush as well. Most hotels provide the necessities such as shampoos and conditioners and lotions and soap. Some also offer toothbrushes and toothpastes, but not all do so be sure to bring those. Rolling up your clothes is a good way to keep your clothes wrinkle free while jammed inside your probably packed suitcase.  If you are taking an airline YOU CANNOT TAKE HAIRSPRAY IN A CAN. They will not allow it, so I suggest getting a little travel spray bottle - they cost maybe $1 or so at any regular store, and they come in handy for storing other beauty products.

Dress accordingly

This is an obvous thing to do. Always look at the weather before you leave for any trip. Even though weather forecasts aren’t always correct, it is better to be outlined then to be literally “out of line”. 

Food

For breakfast, I usually just eat breakfast in the hotel. I always like to choose hotels with free continental breakfast, just because you are able to get up at 6:00 and bring food back to your room so that you can eat comfortably without worrying about money or dressing up. I like to carry snacks as well in my suitcase just in case I get hungry. Lunch and dinner usually have to be eaten out, since most hotels don’t serve them. Look up online the closest restaurants to you, or different restaurants that you may like to try in the area. Hotels usually have that type of info at the front desk, or even in your room.

Sightseeing:

Sightseeing is always fun especially if you do with someone that you like (obviously). As I said before, as the hotel for maps of the city, they will show sights to see and landmarks to visit. Also, hotels usually offer brochures of great locations to visit. Research them before you go too, it makes it all the more easier.

I hope this little (big) guide gave you some good info! All this information really just comes down to being prepared. If you’re prepared, most likely nothing can catch you off guard. 

Tips:

Drink water, 2L every day is the recommended amount. It helps flush out toxins, it’s cleansing and it aids your digestive system.

Try to do some form of exercise each day. Even if just for 20 minutes and taking a day off to let your body relax is important.

Sometimes we mistake hunger for thirst so when you feel hungry have a glass of water and then see how you feel.

Instead of taking the train, car or a bus, walk everywhere or ride a bicycle, that’s a cardio workout that gets your heart going, burning calories right there just by getting where you need to go.

Stay away from any drinks except water or fresh pressed juices. Soft drinks, sodas and juices contain a high amount of sugar and calories that makes your body crave more.

Drink coffee(preferably black) or green tea. These have a high intake of caffeine which help you feel more awake and boost your metabolism, thereby burning more throughout the day.

Eat vegetables and protein with every meal. If you can’t eat vegetables, try drinking them! Green juices and pressed juices are very popular among healthy eaters.

Make sure to eat fruit every day, maybe an apple or strawberries with your daily breakfast or instead of a dessert some berries! They’re just as delicious and the health benefits are amazing.

Never skip breakfast. This is so important. There’s a reason it’s the most important meal of the day. If you skip breakfast your body goes into starvation mode where it will store fat. So you will gain weight rather than lose.

If you don’t have time in the morning for breakfast, making a smoothie is a simple, easy and healthy option. It takes only a few moments to make, it’s simply a matter of placing some fruit in the blender and is delicious!

Have a cheat day! A new study has shown that people who eat healthy all week, and have a cheat day once a week where they eat whatever they want lose more weight than those who didn’t. Our bodies, when they grow used to something the impact decreases. That’s why alternating and taking relax days is important to maintain your personal level.

Hope these tips helped you out. All the best in your journey.

Lena x

@beansiie: If you have ever been an indie blog or followed indie blogs, then you’ll know who Bean McLean is! Not only does she have an adorable blog, but she is one of the most friendly and sweetest Tumblr bloggers you could ever come across. Bean’s Instagram is just as golden as her Tumblr- full of bright, Tumblr-esque pictures that depict the dreamy life she lives. Lately, her photos have had warm undertones- from rich, coffee browns to deep evergreens.

A photo posted by 🌟☁️Bean McLean ☁️🌟 (@beansiie) on Aug 1, 2015 at 8:33am PDT

@leahliyah: Leah’s instagram is perfect for anyone who has a serious case of wanderlust. What makes Leah’s Instagram unique is that all her photos look like they have been edited to perfection- HD quality shots that aren’t too bright so that it looks like it has been tampered with too much. Leah has manage to capture the very essence and soul of every location she has been to. Her Instagram will definitely inspire you to go on adventures of your own!

@sjanaelise: Sjana is a model as well as a photojournalist from Australia. If you are ever in need of some healthy living inspo, Sjana is the girl for you! Her feed actively consists of gorgeous yoga poses in beautiful locations and yummy healthy foods that will make you want to change your lifestyle immediately. Best of all, Sjana posts more than 14 times a week, so you won’t ever have to go too long without seeing her update her life!

Cecil was apart of a research study and was not a fear to the community.  The striking lion was lured from a protected wildlife preserve. Walter claims he should not be at fault for killing Cecil as it is legal to hunt in the United States.

There is controversy on how a large factor of the human race is irrational because the death of ONE lion is “more important” then the death of people and other mammals. If anything, hasn’t this event brought additional attention to the disputes of innocent animals being slaughtered and individuals being killed?

No animal should be lured out and executed. It should not be okay because it is a “sport”. The acquitted animals do not deserve to be hunted. Think; what have they ever done to society? It is not their fault that their homes are being demolished for development of the human race. Where are they supposed to go? They are left in the plain open with minimal food and homes.

What is ASMR? ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. It makes you feel relaxed because of the tingling in your head, neck, scalp and the rest of your body. (”Braingasm”)

You might have experienced these same feelings while listening to someone’s voice, saw someone drawing on TV, or heard someone tipping their nails on a table. All these sounds are triggers that could make you relax. Not everybody has the same triggers, however. For example, you might enjoy the sound of someone whispering while another person gets annoyed by it.

I was just looking for a video on YouTube so that I could relax, when I came across an ASMR video. When I first watched it, I found it a little weird that this random person was whispering and making ticking sounds into a mic. I then did a little investigating in the comments and discovered it was an actual medial technique. A very special technique, I must say. To my surprise it actually worked - and I was super impressed! That night, I couldn’t sleep until I watched another ASMR video. 

The brand has gained more media attention these days thanks to stars such as Miley Cyrus, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and Beyoncé, modeling their new swimsuits in photos. All the celebrity attention gained Triangl’s Instagram more than 1.4 million followers. 

Just recently, Bikini.com interviewed one of the founders of TRIANGL, Erin Deering.

Deering explained that she and her fiancé came up with this idea after she couldn’t find a bikini to wear for their second date on the beach. All morning she was looking for just one bikini that she liked, but there were none that fit her budget or that she actually liked. She then started discussing her problem with her fiancé, and after that, the rest is history.

According to Deering, the fabric, neoprene, used to make TRIANGL suits allow the structured, modern, paneled look all while holding up the cool shape. “Practical and Fashionable!”, says Deering. 

Deering also says that their inspiration behind TRIANGL are derived from the idea of  an “endless summer”. Anything that falls into the categories of simple, classic, and cool, are influences of Deering and the company.

Each bikini set costs about $79-99 USD, which is pretty good for a bikini of that quality, style, and feel. Even if these modern bikinis are just a passing trend for the time being, they won’t be passing any time soon.

PiNNED by K is a leather trademark that develops accessories for your shoes, designed by a Dutch girl.

PIN stands for “Personal Identification Number’’. Every design of PiNNED by K is personal and unique. Personal, because it is your own shoe accessory. Unique, because all the pins are handmade which makes them one of a kind.

In addition, the word PiNNED means to pin down. You pin this DIY fringe on your shoe. Your shoe will be personal and special because of a unique accessory. Make sure to check out this webshop, I know you’re going to love it!