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Exercise like a K-Pop Star: The Best Workouts to Get as Fit as an Idol

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Strong is the new skinny, and it's time to fuel your workouts with some K-pop.

Credit: Myidol.com.vn

We've already got some workout playlists for you if you're headed to the gym or out for a run. But if you want a totally K-pop focused workout, or want to do the same routines that your favorite stars are doing, we've got some ideas for you.

Strength Training like SISTAR's Soyou

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This chick is strong. Soyou has talked a lot about how for her, strength training keeps her strong and healthy more than cardio exercise does. Cameras have followed her and her trainer to the gym, where she works out every day with a series of dead lifts, free weight exercises and kettle ball moves that work her entire body. This method of training requires equipment and maybe the help of a professional (if you don't have experience lifting) but that investment has sure paid off for Soyou.

Fun Kpop Workout Routine!! Videos on YouTube

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This is a great series of videos for K-pop fans that get bored quickly with traditional exercise. The half hour workouts integrate plyo moves with cardio-friendly choreography and dance moves. K-pop hits are blasting the whole time, and you don't need any equipment. The videos might not be too challenging for exercise buffs, but beginners or anyone looking for a fun way to sweat a little while listening to K-pop should check it out.

5:3:2 Workout like Girls Generation

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Girls Generation made this workout famous a few years back as the exercise that makes their legs strong and toned. 5:3:2 refers to the ratio that occurs in the leg, with the thigh being the thickest, strongest part, three being a less thick but still solid calf, and two being the thinnest part of the leg. The workout includes light kicks while jogging, high knee exercises, and jumps with high fives. The constant movement keeps the heart moving, and it might seem easy on the first round after a few times through this turns into a killer lower body cardio workout. It's also designed to work best with a partner, so grab a buddy, hit the Girls Generation playlist, and work those legs like Girls Generation does.

Martial Arts Training like EXO

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EXO didn't exactly take their martial arts class too seriously, but it's a fun, intense, and empowering way to get fit. More than any other single workout, martial arts focuses on several aspects of exercise, including mental stamina, flexibility, balance, strength, timing, and quickness. Local martial arts classes can also be a great way to meet new people, but YouTube is also full of fun martial arts workouts if you want a quick sweat in your own home.

Exercise Ball like T-ara's Hyomin

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Hyomin has Tweeted pictures of her and her exercise ball to fans before, saying its her preferred method of getting in shape. Turns out, there's a lot more you can do with these things than just bounce around (or fall off) them. They're especially helpful for core and ab workouts. If you're going to invest in one piece of equipment to have around the house, this is a good one. That's because unlike weights (that you might think are too light once your fitness levels increase), there are plenty of exercises to do with exercise balls for all levels of training.

Pole Dance Workout like Brown Eyed Girls' GaIn

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Allright, so maybe "great workout!" isn't the first place your mind goes when you think pole dancing. But getting your body to shimmy and balance on a thin pole takes incredible core strength. Since it's low-impact, it's also great for toning and tightening muscles rather than making them large and in charge (if that's the look you're going for.) Added leg workout if you can manage this in heels like Gain.

Source: KpopStarz

 


Lawyer Has Life-Threatening Cervical Cancer after Ignoring Smear Tests Because She Was 'Too Busy' Being Working Mum

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Mum of two Jenny Croston, 38, not going for the examination is her "biggest regret" as she battles a tumour the size of a satsuma.

Credit: Mirror

A medical lawyer has told how she is suffering life-threatening cervical cancer after ignoring smear tests because she was “too busy” being a working mum.

Jenny Croston, 38, of Leeds, is currently receiving treatment for stage 2B cervical cancer after being diagnosed with a tumour the size of a satsuma.

Her warnings come as a British Heart Foundation (BHF) study showed two fifths (41%) of workers felt their job has had a negative impact on their health with a fifth (21%) of employees fearing their stress levels could lead to a heart attack.

Credit: Mirror

Ironically health workers are among the worst for not seeing the doctor.

Almost half (46%) of all health workers have put their own health and wellbeing at risk by putting off visiting a doctor, according to the BHF's research.

The BHF polled over 1,300 UK workers and found more than eight out of ten (81%) workers in the industry had gone into work despite feeling too unwell to do their job.

Almost a quarter (24%) had postponed hospital appointments because of their job, while more than one in ten (12%) have missed a routine check-up.

With two boys, Tom, five, and George, two, and a part-time job as a medical lawyer, Mrs Croston struggled to find the time to attend one planned appointment and then forgot to book another.

Now she has to wait until the end of December (2014) to find out if her treatment has worked.

Credit: Mirror

“Not going for a smear is my biggest regret," Mrs Croston said.

"My time outside work was hugely precious and not something to 'waste' on things like visiting the doctor, particularly when I was feeling well.

"Although the firm I worked for would have had no issue with me taking time from work to attend a GP appointment, I always had work that seemed to be a priority.”

But she eventually visited the doctor this summer on the advice of her dentist husband, Andy, after bleeding following sex.

Medics referred her to hospital and within three weeks she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer which had spread to connective tissues.

Mrs Croston is now undergoing chemo-radiation and brachytherapy (internal radiotherapy) because the tumour cannot be safely removed through surgery.

Credit: Mirror

Doctors have told her she has a 60per cent survival rate over the next five years.

"Being given a four in ten chance when you’ve got two young children is devastating," Mrs Croston, who studied at university in Leeds, said.

"I think my chance of survival would've been much higher if I'd had smears earlier.

"But when you're a mum with young children, unless there is something seriously wrong with you then you don't focus on yourself.

“I've always been quite healthy so there's an element of thinking cancer would never happen to me.

Read more at Mirror.

 

Nose Secret – Two Pieces of Plastic Can Go a Long Way When You Can't Afford a Nose Job

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Creating a “more refined appearance of the nose” and “better harmony of the facial features.”

If you’re not fully satisfied with the shape and size of your nose, but aren’t convinced invasive rhinoplasty is the way to go, may be you should consider Nose Secret.

This Korean invention consists of “a pair of curved and comfortable splints that you place at the inside edge of each nostril to make your nose look narrower and straighter, instantly,” according to the official website. The splints create a gentle pressure, lifting the top part of the nose and narrowing the nostrils. This results in a “more refined appearance of the nose” and “better harmony of the facial features.”

The splints aren’t visible at all once inserted in the nostrils, but they also won’t produce any dramatic changes to the shape and size of your nose. Nose Secret seems to be designed for those who want a higher, sharper looking nose, which is highly coveted by some Asians. The website states that the product will help anyone looking for a ‘slim and wide nose’, ‘lift a blended nose tip’, ‘straighten a crooked nose’, and ‘enhance the beauty of ethnic noses (Asian, African American, Hispanic, etc)’.

The makers of Nose Secret claim that with some practice, users should be able insert and remove the device in about 20 seconds. It can be used anywhere and in any situation, except while swimming, laying down, sleeping, working out, or performing any strenuous physical activity. It should be worn for short periods of time, at first, but usage time can be increased as the user become more comfortable with it. The co-founder of the company wrote on the website that she has been using the product for the past 15 years, with good results.

After proving a big hit in Korea, Nose Secret is now sold worldwide through the product’s official website and various resellers. The device comes in five different sizes, ranging from XS to XL. The $34.95 kits include three different sizes to ensure a good fit – XS, S, M for a small nose, S, M, L for an average sized nose, and M, L, XL for medium to larger noses.

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3 Young Girls Are the Newest Faces of Health and Empowerment

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The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's new initiative touches on the importance of life-saving vaccines.

Credit: Mashable

Deborah Kelly has been an artist since "the dawn of time."

Well, she's been making collage-based images since she was a schoolgirl in the 1970s. "Isn't that pretty well forever?" she says.

Based in Sydney, Australia, Kelly uses a range of materials and subjects in her work, from a global dance memorial commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests to a nine-month collage portrait project with 67 people for the 2014 Biennale of Sydney.

Kelly spoke to Mashable about her latest work: stunning collage portraits of three 12-year-old girls. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation commissioned her, along with more than 30 artists, for its new initiative The Art of Saving a Life. Each artist used his or her own medium to explore the importance of life-saving vaccines.

Lucy from Sydney. Credit: Mashable

"I am devoted to the idea of public health, which is under dire threat in Australia," Kelly says. "Not only is our government retreating from universal access to health care, but pernicious anti-vaccination propaganda has gained traction among a surprising array of people. Including people in my own family."

Kelly wanted to focus specifically on women and girls' health, which led her to the HPV vaccine — the focus of these portraits.

"For now, the HPV vaccine remains universally available to girls in Australia. Its uptake has already shown powerful health consequences in the population, and that's been in the news quite a lot," she says.

She only knew three girls in the world who were 12 years old, the common age when girls receive the HPV vaccine. Luckily, with the permission of their parents, Lucy from Sydney (first portrait), Olivia from Brooklyn (second portrait, below) and Emma from New South Wales (third portrait) all agreed to participate in the project.

Olivia from Brooklyn. Credit: Mashable

Kelly asked each girl what she considers most important for and about girls across the world.

"It seems to me that the HPV vaccine treasures young females and their futures, so I wanted the works to reflect a little light from the girls' hearts and hopefulness," she says.

Lucy talked about connection and strength of character, and feeling loved and accepted. Emma said it was very important for girls to feel joyous. Meanwhile, Olivia had the most to say.

"[Olivia] talked about the scrutiny girls are under — everything they say is watched, their bodies are watched, their behavior is under constant social surveillance. She talked about how important it is for girls to claim their rightful place in full equality to men and boys, and to be truly appreciated for their power and intelligence," Kelly says.

Emma from New South Wales. Credit: Mashable

The collage imagery Kelly used is in specific conversation with what the girls told her — the artist's interpretation of her subjects' words.

"Only cherished girls will get the vaccine, and I hope the works add to the global effort of ensuring girls are valued," she says.

Source: Mashable

 

Stop Making 50 Shades of Grey about Feminism

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50 Shades of Grey has once again taken the world by storm. As a woman, I’m fine with that. That’s cool.

Some people are laughing at it, making lame jokes about it, and making sex dungeon and BDSM references while giggling profusely. I’m fine with that as well. Nothing wrong with a little joke about sex here and there. We’re adults after all.

But when you bring feminism into the picture, something is bound to go wrong.

Some people have decided to use 50 Shades of Grey as a tool to champion women’s rights. They’re saying that women shouldn’t be made fun of for what they like, that 50 Shades of Grey is a win for women, and that men who make fun of that are essentially male chauvanistic pigs that should know better.

These people also think that those who smirk and giggle at god-awful and cheesy quotes like “coming apart at the seams, like the spin cycle on a washing machine, wow” is offending every sister, mother, and daughter we know and have, and that we as a patriachal society are holding women back from connecting with their “inner goddesses”, the way Anastasia often does.

And if all of the above is true, then I too am a horrible, woman-hating, chauvanistic pig.

Credit: Buzzfeed

What people like them don’t get is that this isn’t about women’s rights. Sure, some women prefer some male dominance. Some women enjoy a little bondage, though that is a discussion better had behind closed doors with a sexual partner or loved one. But just because a movie has some handcuffs and a little spanking doesn’t mean that it should be a shining beacon of women’s rights, and just because a certain book or movie has tons of female fans doesn’t mean it should be considered a win for all women.

I am a woman, and I can’t stand Fifty Shades of Grey. I believe it is poorly written. I think that it is a sad imitation of good erotica, and that the people who read it can honestly do a lot better. And on some level, I believe it is a demeaning representation of womanhood — a story about a girl who needs a man’s control to feel empowered and reach her ‘inner goddess’ is not my idea of a feminist icon. I shiver to think about anyone who reads it believing that it will give some insight into what women want emotionally and sexually.

Credit: Popsugar

Still, I believe that people should be allowed to love Fifty Shades of Grey, just as much as I should be allowed to hate it. It’s the same for Twilight, Harry Potter, My Little Pony, and everything else under the sun. My opinion is, like opinions often are, a subjective one.

But if you want to talk about feminism, talk instead about being free to love anything you want, regardless of gender, without judgement or ridicule. If you want to talk about feminism, talk about gender equality. Talk about Bronies. Talk about boys who are made fun of in school because they watched an episode of Project Runway and loved it. Talk about the girl who whipped a guy’s ass at Call of Duty and got death threats on her Twitter and Facebook accounts.

As much as I think that Fifty Shades of Grey sucks, I have friends who love it. That’s fine, I’m cool. I may tease them about it, but teasing them doesn’t mean that I judge their characters based on what I believe is poor taste. I may giggle at something written in the book, and wonder how on earth anyone could get turned on by it, but that doesn’t mean that I am condemning women against their right to be turned on at all.

Please, don’t make 50 Shades of Grey about feminism. Because it’s not.

BRAND’S® InnerShine® RubyCollagen Essence for Collagen Production

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Collagen is perhaps the single most important protein in the human body. It is found in the skin, bones and connective tissues in the body providing support, strength and a degree of elasticity. In a sense, it holds the body together.

When there is a breakdown in the body’s natural collagen, it can lead to a myriad of health problems.

Collagen production declines with age and when that happens, skin loses its elasticity resulting in wrinkles, frown lines, sagging skin and the weakening of cartilage in the joints.

BRAND’S® InnerShine® RubyCollagen Essence



For those who are plagued with this issue, relief comes in the form of BRAND’S® InnerShine® RubyCollagen Essence.

BRAND’S® is arguably the most trusted brand name when it comes to personal well-being. Its diverse range of products has helped maintain and rediscover their health throughout the generations.

Its history is steeped with many success stories.


That Unique RubySignature™ formula with Astaxanthin



A unique RubySignature™ formula in the RubyCollagen Essence contains precious blend of ingredients derived from natural sources, unlike other collagens. It contains micro-collagen and one of Mother Nature’s most powerful antioxidants, Astaxanthin (micro-algae extract). Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant with broad health implications.

Its benefits have been reported to include the ability to relieve pain and inflammation, helps fight fatigue, support eye health and more. It also helps skin maintain moisture levels and elasticity - reducing fine lines and wrinkles. The RubySignature™formula effectively addresses the aging process by supplying collagen, protecting against collagen degradation and delivering collagen effectively to skin cells.

Astaxanthin is the key ingredient contributing to the RubyCollagen Essence efficacy in retaining skin’s suppleness and the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.


BRAND’S® InnerShine® RubyCollagen Essence: Bottle and Strip Forms





BRAND’S InnerShine RubyCollagen Essence comes in bottle and strip forms. Each strip contains Marine Fish Collagen 1500mg, Astaxanthin 1mg, Vitamin E 3IU while each bottle contains Collagen 3000mg, Astaxanthin 2mg.

Designed to complement your topical skincare routine and although result varies with individuals, you can expect skin rejuvenation in just 6 weeks. Don’t be bogged down by sagging skin or other skin-related issues anymore.

BRAND’S®InnerShine® RubyCollagen Essence will perk you up and put you on your way to better health. Purchase here or at selected retailers and personal care stores.


Beauty Blogger Meechy Monroe Shares Her Cancer Journey

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"I tell women that it's not all about the outer appearance but to be happy with oneself."

Credit: People

Last August, knowing radiation treatment would make her hair fall out, Meechy Monroe did something radical: She had a barber come to her house and shave it all off, leaving her totally bald.

"I cried," Monroe, 29, tells PEOPLE. "It was very difficult because my hair was so much a part of my personality."

Monroe's hair – natural and gloriously curly – was also her identity and her livelihood. A popular beauty blogger whose YouTube videos have gotten 2.5 million views, Monroe has gained a devoted following among African-American women, whom she encourages to celebrate their natural hair with natural, elegant styles.

After being diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer last year, Monroe has documented her journey on her blog – and inspired women with her resilience, humor and infectious optimism.

"I tell women that it's not all about the outer appearance but to be happy with oneself," Monroe says. "I've learned that beauty isn't just hair and makeup – it goes much deeper."

Sudden Success

Born Tameka Moore, one of four girls in a tight-knit Chicago family, Monroe chemically straightened her hair in her teens and early 20s. Finally, in 2009, tired of bad haircuts and chemically damaged hair, she cut it off, grew an Afro and began experimenting with new styles.

Within months, she had thousands of fans on YouTube and Instagram, all hoping to recreate Monroe's "Meechy Twist-out" – a simple, natural style that requires hair to be twisted into sections at night, revealing a soft, curly look in the morning.

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With help from her sister, Vaughn Moore, 32, Monroe soon built her styling tips into a thriving business by reviewing and endorsing hair-care and beauty products. "It was so surprising – things just took off," Monroe says. "I started hearing from women all over the world."

Then, one day last April, shortly before her 29th birthday, Monroe looked in the mirror and noticed one side of her face was drooping. She was also having trouble with her speech. A trip to the doctor revealed that she had suffered three strokes.

Devastating News

Even worse news came when doctors discovered during exploratory surgery that Monroe had a tumor – called a sarcoma – that rarely forms in the brain.

"It came as horrible news to my family," Monroe says. "I was calm, but worried. These thoughts kept going through my head: 'Will I make it? I have to keep faith!' "

The type of tumor doctors found "is often found in muscle or other extremities, but not inside the brain," says Monroe's neurosurgeon, Leslie Schaffer. "It's very, very rare."

Credit: People

Monroe's tumor is not the terminal brain cancer that struck Brittany Maynard, who captured the nation's attention with her decision to end her life Nov. 1 under Oregon's Death With Dignity law at age 29.

In June, Monroe underwent a three-hour surgery at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois, to have the tumor removed from the left side of her brain.

The surgery was successful in removing about 95 percent of the tumor. Chemotherapy and radiation, says Monroe, have shrunk the rest to the point that "it seems to be non-existent."

While the cancer's rarity makes a clear prognosis difficult, Monroe's doctors are optimistic. "She's doing remarkably well," Schaffer says. "She's an amazing woman, as beautiful on the inside as on the outside."

After several months of physical, speech and occupational therapy to recover from the strokes, Monroe still speaks slowly and at times struggles for words. But she's determined to make a full recovery.

"I'm trying to keep a positive attitude," she says, "and that's made easier with the support of all these women I don't even know."

Read more at People.

 

11 Fashion Bloggers in LA Every Fashionista Should Follow

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Fashion bloggers these days are a dime a dozen—here are the stylish Angelenos you should know and follow.

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Credit: TimeOut

We combed through the (always chic) black hole that is the fashion blogger-sphere to curate this list of LA-based style idols. From artful outfit-of-the-day photos and street style snaps to tips for browsing the best shops in LA (and even for some recommendations for things to do in LA), these 11 plugged-in muses serve up some of the chicest content you can find in cyberspace. Whether you're a lady or a gent, a rebel or a vintage-lover, you're bound to fangirl over the eye candy and advice on these choice blogs. Just wait until you stumble upon one taking #ootd photos on Melrose—that's the peak of stylecrush fandom. Here are our favorite 11 LA fashion blogs (in no particular order).

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Credit: TimeOut

Streetgeist

Like many an Angeleno, this Webby Award-winning street style blog was born in a distant land and relocated to LA in 2010, partially for the glamour but mostly for the grit. Streetgeist's makers consist of two longtime friends from Greece, who have managed over the past four years to unearth and immortalize LA aesthetics that go beyond board shorts and body-con. Photographer Alkistis embarks on photo missions throughout the city, from the Third Street Promenade, to Melrose, to DTLA - the blogger's pick for LA's most stylish neighborhood. Equipped with her Canon 5D Mark II, Alkistis scouts the confidently dressed, the wackily dressed, the effortlessly dressed, and shoots them each positioned in Streetgeist's trademark vertical stance. Both the images and the subjects are masterfully curated and fraught with character, confirming our suspicions that LA's wearable art scene is alive and kicking. Be sure to check out the blog's wackiest ever photographee.

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Credit: TimeOut

MyBelonging

Crafted by fashion thrill-seeker Tommy Lei, this beautifully formatted menswear blog is steeped with matchless photographs, style ideas and vignettes of the blogger's experiences in the LA fashion scene. Cruise through MyBelonging's "Styletelling" section and it will become immediately clear that the often androgynous and always trend-setting ensembles - photographed pristinely throughout the city - are a daily labor of love. Each post is a feast for the eyes and a patent illustration of Tommy's goal: to inspire Angelenos to upcycle their material belongings for the purpose of self-expression. Tommy tells us there's no place like LA when it comes to eccentric yet laidback style (he personally loves himself a pair of tailored sweatpants). The blogger recommends MRKT in Silverlake for the most futuristic, fashion-forward menswear.

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Credit: TimeOut

Envision Pretty

Danielle Cheever, the creator of this delightfully organized and content-rich blog, is the type of sparkling human being you'd trust to pick out your outfits, prepare your dinner and redecorate your sun room, knowing that everything would turn out lovely, down to the bow on your purse and the almond flour in your gluten-free cobbler. Danielle's site provides decor inspiration, DIY projects, recipes and outfit ideas that are both elegant and accessible enough to have caught the attention of LuckyMagazine.com and Popsugar Street Style. Originally a Midwestern girl, Danielle is reliable and charming both in her personality and her posts, updating Envision Pretty regularly with fashion fodder to suit even the most penniless of Angelenos. She reveals that her favorite shopping spot in LA is the Melrose Trading Post, where, since having moved to the West Coast, she's picked up many closet staples, including the classic LA summer uniform: a pair of high-waisted, vintage Levi's cut-off shorts.

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Credit: TimeOut

Song of Style

Visual candyfloss presents itself in blog form with interior design-educated Aimee Song's alluring online lookbook. Since shifting her focus from interior architecture to fashion, Aimee's glossy site has become a gold standard in the blogiverse, with eye-popping images of her bold, glamorous looks that you'll want to plaster all over your Pinterest. This blog consists of almost exclusively OOTD shots, photographed against a variety of scenic LA backdrops, as well as more exotic locales, depending on the blogger's travels. Whether you're looking for a stylish distraction from your workday, proof that leather leggings can work or simply an education in the perfect pose, Song of Style deserves a place among your browser bookmarks.

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Credit: TimeOut

Feral Creature

The business management and psychology student behind this cutting edge style bible takes an utterly unacademic approach to clothes. In between pulling all-nighters, Eugenie Grey dedicates herself to this catalogue of badass fashion porn, piecing together bold, forward-thinking ensembles that continue to challenge what you think you know about style. This girl is nothing if not a risk-taker, employing magazine-quality photos and dynamic SoCal backdrops to enhance her envelope-pushing duds, which span chunky gold body chains, seven-inch metallic platforms, whimsical dresses and edgy leather pieces - all topping a collection of tattoos and a waterfall of ever-evolving hair. Keeping her text minimal and her fashion inspiration at a constant peak, Eugenie says she's influenced by unexpected uses of wardrobe basics. Her No. 1 style staple? An Acne Studios leather moto jacket.

Read more at TimeOut.

 


Why This Woman Made Yogurt with Her Vaginal Secretions

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Steam baths. Weight lifting. Knitting. Just when you thought you’d heard of every activity it was possible to do with your vajayjay, another one has popped up: yogurt making.

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Credit: Health.com

Yup, you read that right. University of Wisconsin graduate student Cecilia Westbrook decided to take a break from her MD/PhD studies and make yogurt from her very own vaginal secretions. It’s possible because a woman’s vagina contains the organism lactobacillus, so-called friendly bacteria that help keep your gut and privates healthy. Lactobacillus also happens to be one of the bugs used to culture yogurt.

Westbrook grabbed a wooden spoon, collected some of her lady juice, added it to milk, and let it simmer overnight. (Ever the researcher, she also had two controls: one with milk using regular yogurt as the starter culture, and one with just milk, nothing else added.) The next morning, she woke up to a sizable sample which she, er, sampled.

“Her first batch of yogurt tasted sour, tangy, and almost tingly on the tongue,” wrote her friend Janet Jay in an article for science blog Motherboard. Westbrook reportedly compared it to Indian yogurt, and to sweeten it up, paired it with blueberries.

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Credit: crimefeed.com

Westbrook declined to comment to Health, but according to Jay, the idea behind this make-her-own breakfast was that it could boost vaginal health, with the good bacteria Westbrook consumed in her yogurt ending up right back down in her vagina.

But Gregor Reid, PhD, professor of microbiology at the University of Western Ontario in Canada and one of the world’s leading experts on probiotics, completely disagrees.

First of all, he points out, while her vagina probably carried a hefty amount of lactobacillus, it’s possible that it may have also held a trove of other organisms, such as the nasty bacteria E. coli, which could actually throw off her digestive tract.

And it’s highly unlikely her experiment had any health benefits: “If she was eating it to get the benefits of the lactobacillus, she already has plenty in her vagina, so that makes no sense,” Reid says. (The U.S. Food & Drug Administration concurs with Reid, a spokesperson telling Jay that “vaginal secretions are not considered ‘food’, and they may transmit human disease.”)

Even docs who specialize in down-there health and sexuality say Westbrook’s yogurt experiment leaves a bad taste in their mouth. “I’m probably the most vagina-positive person in the world—I travel the globe telling women to taste their own secretions so they can feel more comfortable when their partners give them oral sex,” says Hilda Hutcherson, MD, an ob/gyn at Columbia University Medical Center in NYC and author of Pleasure: A Woman’s Guide to Getting the Sex You Want, Need and Deserve ($17, amazon.com). “But to make a yogurt out of them? I’ll pass, please.”

Source: Health.com

 

Pregnant Women Claim They Received Fake Ultrasound Photographs Found on Google

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More than 75 complaints were received by the Department of Commerce, according to the ABC.

Credit: Mashable

A woman from Western Australia has pleaded not guilty to supplying expectant mothers with fake ultrasound photos.

Rawinia Hayes, who ran the business Amazing 4D Imaging, faced court Monday over claims she distributed photographs she found online instead of actual imagery she had taken.

Hundreds of women posted photos on Facebook, where many claim they discovered their intimate photos were duplicates of photographs other mothers had received.

Credit: Daily Mail

Mother-of-one Catherine Osment told the Bunburry Mail that she had gone to a private appointment at a home business in January. When she received her eight photographs from Amazing 4D Imaging, she said it was obvious they were fake.

“I knew as soon as I opened them they were fake and it made me feel sick,” Osment said. She then claimed she discovered the photos by searching on Google. She told the newspaper her partner was about to get the photograph tattooed on his chest.

More than 75 complaints were received by the Department of Commerce, according to the ABC, with Hayes being charged with nine counts of accepting payment but failing to deliver goods, and of making false or misleading representations. She will face trial in April.

Source: Mashable

 

Introducing Benefit's New Roller Lash

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Taking the old-school retro hair curler and applying to lashes.

Credit: Styleicons

Benefit have concocted their latest generation-defining mascara, and the beauty dynasty hosted Sydney beauty media at The Establishment last month to celebrate. A lavish lunch was hosted with optimal 50s nostalgia – owing to the fact that the new product was inspired by a tool hair stylists have been using for decades.

That’s right, the Roller Lash is based on the very retro hair curler, taking this concept and old-school technology and applying it to lashes. The product’s patented Hook ‘n’ Roll brush has tiny hooks in order to separate, lift and curl lashes, so that it can act as both a mascara and eyelash curler all at once.

The mascara comes in an ink black shade and contains lash-conditioning ingredients such as B5 and Serin, as well as promising 12 hour results. The innovative wiper feature also ensures just the right amount of mascara is applied.

Credit: Styleicons

The event pedalled the tool’s retro roots in full force, with only 50s and 60s music playing, TV dinner sets and an old-school beauty salon set up mimicking the playful Roller Lash campaign imagery (yes, even the dog made an appearance!). Pink curlers adorned the tables and, in true Benefit fashion, the whole event, from the table setting to the hosts’ dresses or the sugary doughnuts given on the way out, was pervaded by pink.

Credit: Styleicons

Julie Bell, Benefit’s Executive Vice President of Global Marketing captivated the crowd with her larger-than-life persona, travelling all the way from San Fransisco to promote the product launch. Benefit Cosmetics Australia General Manager Justin Fullerton oversaw the event and also addressed the guests.

Credit: Styleicons

Famous for top selling mascara product They’re Real! Mascara, Benefit believe the Roller Lash addresses an entirely different set of lash needs, actively curling lashes and aiding those with shorter or straighter lashes who may not have been able to use They’re Real at all.

With its fun, retro concept and innovative technology, the Roller Lash is the perfect addition to the notably girly, quirky Benefit portfolio – all inspired by a crucial product stylists have been using for decades.

Source: Styleicons

 

Why One NYFW Runway Ditched Fashion Models for Athletes

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Meet Haute Athletics, the activewear e-tailer that dares to stand out.

Credit: STYLEBISTRO

"You can always see a revolution in clothes," says Margarita Ventura, founder of Haute Athletics. She was referring to the recent boom in the wellness industry being reflected in the ubiquitous popularity of activewear. Haute Athletics is an online boutique offering trendy, premium performance apparel (think: cutouts, graphic patterns, sheer panels). If it were personified, it'd be some iteration of Beyoncé: alpha female, fierce, ever multitasking.

That "alpha female" description comes straight from Ventura, who as the face of Haute Athletics is every one of those things. Before launching the e-tailer, she worked in advertising on big-time campaigns for Jason Wu, Victoria's Secret and Nike. She has also been a professional dancer at Alvin Ailey, a competitive athlete, a fitness model, a spin instructor and a Parsons School of Design grad. With that experience under her belt, it's safe to say Ventura has a knack for knowing what type of clothing works on a body in motion.

Credit: STYLEBISTRO

New York Fashion Week was an exciting opportunity to show off that prowess. On Sunday, Haute Athletics was featured in the "Ones To Watch" runway show part of Nolcha Fashion Week, a platform for independent designers. The runway showcased not only 12 styles, but also fresh faces. Instead of fashion models, the ones walking down the runway were athletes such as two-time Olympic Team USA hockey goalie Brianne McLaughlin; competitive fencer Faina Vitebsky; Luna Brown, a soccer player, gymnast and black belt-certified in two styles of martial arts; as well as trainers and other influencers in the fitness industry.

"This is active apparel so I wanted to show people who really embody that lifestyle and speak to different shapes and sizes," says Ventura. "I wanted to showcase empowered women with presence."

Credit: STYLEBISTRO

She emphasizes that while the brands curated on the site are indeed stylish—"some of these outfits can be dressed up with heels!" she insists—they all have the technical foundation to function as training gear. "They have to be able to endure high performance, otherwise it's a cute outfit that's going to fall apart," she explains.

Some pieces we love include Zara Terez printed leggings ($75), Pilot Athletic mesh sports bra ($70), L'Urv's sheer-panel criss-cross tank ($69) and Alii Sport's neon pink long-sleeve top ($75).

Shop the rest of Haute Athletics here.

Source: STYLEBISTRO

 

Serene Mok: The Story of an Ex-Corporate Realising Her Bakery Dream in Her 40s

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It’s never too late to pursue your dreams and kickstart a new career.

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The founder of Flourish Pastries, Serene Mok, would agree.

Step into its cozy shop space on the second floor of Tanjong Pagar Plaza, and you will most likely find Serene and her staff busy baking in the store. It is an uphill battle not to be enticed by the wonderful aromas, or the delicious array of choux puffs, tarts and cakes beautifully displayed.

At 42, Serene left her job as a vice president in a financial institution to travel around the world. Upon her return, she no longer felt inclined to return to the corporate world, choosing instead to fulfill her dream of starting her own bakery business. Her first venture, The Village of Shueu Puffs at Chinatown Complex Food Centre, was well-received before she eventually carved out her own space with Flourish Pastries last year.

The Vulcan Post spoke to the enterprising baker about following her dream.

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Credit: Flourish Pastries

1) Hello Serene! Tell us about your culinary journey and how it all began.

I would say the seed was planted very early during my secondary school days where I thoroughly enjoyed Food and Nutrition – a subject I did very well in. However, it did not cross my mind then to pursue anything related to culinary studies as I ended up specializing in Information Technology.

2) Did you receive professional training as a baker?

I began as a self-taught baker as I was constantly baking at home and brought the bakes to share with colleagues. Many of them encouraged me to open my own bakery but I didn’t feel I was ready then because of my lack of professional training.

So, I started attending short professional courses whenever possible in Paris, Japan, Bangkok and the United States. Over a span of 15 years, I gained confidence in my craft through the accumulation of training and home experiments.

3) What was life for you like before you started your culinary journey? Why did you decide to make the switch?

I had a rather interesting and colourful career before I started my culinary pursuits. I dabbled in varying job functions and industries ranging from IT, manufacturing, logistics to banking. In 2012, I left my job as Vice President in the banking industry and spent many months traveling. It felt like a natural progression to not return to the corporate world after that. It will just be another job.

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Credit: Flourish Pastries

4) Tell us about the concept behind Flourish Pastries. Which are the bestsellers in store now?

The most unforgettable piece of pastry I ate in Paris was the choux pastry by a heritage bakery. My mission is to return cream puffs back to its glory days, but with the “real” cream and not just starchy custard powder texture.

My cream puffs really took off at Village of Sheue Puff (my first attempt to setup a pastry stall in the Chinatown market) and they are still the No.1 bestseller at Flourish Pastries. Other well-received pastries include the lemon tart, carrot cake and lemon basil cake.

5) What can foodies expect from Flourish Pastries in the coming months?

I will be expanding the range of Choux pastry, as well as our wholesome and natural cakes which are popular with customers. I am also doing some R&D for new pastry items for corporate and party catering for Q1 this year!

Read more at Vulcan Post.

 

6 Differences between a Beautiful Girl and Just Another Pretty Face

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Important qualities that make physical attractiveness seem insignificant.

Don’t get me wrong, physical appearance is important, but it shouldn’t be most important trait to look for in someone you date. Believing that it’s the only criteria that matters will only lead to superficial, shallow relationships. The person you date should be somebody whose company you enjoy, and whose presence makes your life better.

Here are 6 differences between a beautiful girl and just another pretty face. The traits listed below are some important qualities that make physical attractiveness seem insignificant.

‘Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are.” – Markus Zusak

1) Passion

Few traits are more seductive than having a zeal for life. When someone has found her passion, she comes alive in a way that draws you in, even on the first date. It makes you want to back her up and help her succeed — not that she needs your assistance. She was passionate about her work and her life long before you arrived. You’re hooked to the the light in her eyes and the excitement in her voice when she talks about her passion. The good thing about passionate people is that they are passionate about almost everything in their lives.

Dating a passionate woman with the zest and energy required to live her life the way she wants to live is always an adventure that you would be a fool to turn down.

2) She has clear goals.

Goals portray self-awareness and independence. Setting goals shows that a women is mature enough to define her own wants from life; she knows clearly who she is today, and who she wants to be, tomorrow.

An independent woman is a catch because she can help you grow as a person, will not be needy, has enough self-esteem to have her own life, and understands your need for space as well.

3) Standards

Her standards for herself, for the people she surrounds herself with, and for the way other people treat her, are respectable. Attractive women don’t let anyone walk on them, and they make that known far in advance, in the most tasteful way possible.

Having standards doesn’t show a superiority complex, it shows she understands her own self-worth – and she holds herself to that standard.

4) She’s close to her family.

You can tell a lot about the future of your relationship by the way she treats her own family. An importance placed within the home tells you instantly that her priorities have not become jaded. It’s very easy to become fixated on your own day-to-day life, and lose sight of the people who were there since day one.

Being close to her family shows that she truly appreciates the important people in her life, and she will, one day, grow to appreciate you too.

5) Spontaneity

Over time, by following the same monotonous routine, things just gets old – even with the people you love. That’s just human nature. Find a girl who will book an impromptu trip with you to the Philippines, or skip work to ride around town with you – whatever it is, I firmly believe that spontaneity is key to maintaining healthy relationships.

When you find a girl who doesn’t hesitate to go on an adventure with you, hold on to her.

6) Maturity in dealing with her relationships

A girl who is mature is honest, upfront and sees no reason to use power plays in a romantic context.

She understands that in a tough world prone to constant fighting and conflict, your romantic relationship is not the place for all that. She sees your relationship as a place for mutual respect and generosity, that at every disagreement the both of you should be able to meet on common ground and resolve things with maturity.

She is a person who is always looking for ways for the two of you to improve. If you do not find this trait attractive, then perhaps it’s because you lack it yourself and fail to recognise its value.

Why Every Woman Should Travel Alone

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Traveling solo doesn't always mean you'll be lonely.

Credit: TIME

When I started telling people I was going to Mexico for a week, everybody’s first question was the same: Who are you going with? When I said I was going on my own, their reactions were all very similar. “Wow, that is very brave of you!” “Aren’t you scared?” “Will it be safe?” “Alone? I could never do that.”

It’s 2015. Women have made strides in politics, in business, in tech, in culture. But even those friends I considered forward-thinking questioned my decision to travel by myself.

My trip wasn’t even as courageous as it could have been—after all, I wasn’t truly by myself, at least not once I arrived in the small town of Puerto Morelos. I booked a weeklong yoga retreat through The Travel Yogi, a company that creates adventurous albeit relaxing yoga retreats all over the world. I didn’t have the typical concerns of finding a hostel or making friends, but still people who learned my plans seemed baffled.

Credit: Lily's Bridal

As a single 26-year-old living in New York, I was sick of seeing my friends with significant others post photos of incredible journeys. And any time I tried to get a group together for an exotic trip, it was too difficult to nail down a date—and especially a price—that worked for everyone. So when I found this trip, where I’d stay in a beachside boutique hotel that held daily yoga classes and served delicious vegetarian food, I didn’t check with anyone, I just booked it.

I’ve been quite a champion at being independent: I live by myself in a studio, I’ll go to Broadway shows by myself, I’ll see movies at times that work for me even if they don’t work for others. But taking this leap felt much different. And my friends’ reactions made me feel like they felt bad for me, like I had no one to travel with.

“I think people are afraid of looking like a loser,” says Kristin Newman, a TV writer and author of the travel memoir What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding. “It’s the same how people don’t want to eat dinner alone. I think people are afraid of being lonely, of being scared, of looking like they didn’t have anybody.”

Credit: allaboutloveandrelations.blogspot.com

She’s right—a thousand questions weighed on me when I landed. Even after I met the people at my hotel who I’d be spending time with, I went to bed thinking, “What am I going to do with myself all week?”

Well, I’d be meeting locals and eating dollar vegan tacos, watching men chop open coconuts with machetes to make fresh coconut water, getting massages on the beach, snorkeling with barracudas and lobsters and eels, diving into freshwater caves, spotting spider monkeys in trees, reading in a rooftop hammock, sipping micheladas on a regular basis and making incredible new friends. Despite all my fears, I’ve never felt less alone than when I was traveling alone.

Read more at TIME.


Teen Gets World's First Penis Reduction

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Teenager with a penis shaped like a football gets it reduced, but it's not funny at all.

Credit: SheKnows

Not many men in this world would say their penises are simply too big. OK, make that none. No men in this world would say that. After all, we have all been taught that a big penis is where it's at. All men want one. And those who have them flaunt them all over town (ew). But for one teenaged boy, his football-shaped penis was simply too much. And so he had the first penis reduction in history. Ever.

The 17-year-old Florida boy opted for the surgery because he was very uncomfortable and it made it difficult for him to do the things he wanted to do.

According to Uproxx:

"When flaccid, it measured almost seven inches in length and had a circumference of 10 inches — around the size of a grapefruit. Surgeons described it as being shaped like an American football.

The teenager had suffered from several bouts of priapism — an unwanted erection, due to having a condition in which abnormally-shaped blood cells block vessels in the penis, causing it to swell. These episodes had left his penis bloated and misshapen.

He said he was unable to have sex or play competitive sports, had difficulty wearing his pants due to his 'large and heavy phallus,' and was embarrassed by how visible it appeared underneath regular clothing."

Credit: Patheos

Poor kid. The fact is, people will likely laugh at this and talk about how having a giant penis is a problem they wish they had. But this boy was in pain. This isn't a punch line. This is a real life.

No person in their right mind would go through such a painful procedure for fun. My heart goes out to him and to his family as well. Hopefully he has a happy future.

This is a really important lesson that it's not just women who have unrealistic standards to live up to and a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation when it comes to looks and health. As a woman who was always very busty, especially in my teen years, I got very sick of hearing that it was a "nice problem to have." It really wasn't. I didn't get a reduction, though I considered it and once I started seriously running, they got smaller on their own. That was great. But I wouldn't blame a girl for doing it. And I don't blame this boy for doing what he did.

It's brave. No one should mock him for taking care of his health. There is no shame in knowing what you need to do and doing it.

Source: SheKnows

 

These 7 Simple Make-up Tricks Will Transform You into a K-Pop Goddess

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Have you been sticking to the same make-up routine for as long as you can remember? If so, perhaps it’s time to experiment a little, and we’ve got 7 great idol looks to get you started.

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Credit: Koreaboo

Krystal's Bold Pink & Brown Combination

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Credit: Koreaboo

Who would have thought that pink and brown could be such a stand-out color combination? We have to give it up to Krystal for showing us that the pairing can be quite flattering.

Hyuna's Peachy Eyeshadow

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Credit: Koreaboo

Make your eyes pop by blending in a shiny peach shadow under your lash-line and on your top lid. Finish off with a dose or two of mascara or false lashes for maximum impact.

Gayoon's Plum Smokey Eyes

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Credit: Koreaboo

A smokey eye is always great for evening, but consider swapping out your typical grays for a deep plum, as seen on Gayoon.

Bold Red Lips & Lashes for Days

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Credit: Koreaboo

Yoona demonstrated that nothing can make for a more glamorous look than bold red lips and long and flirty lashes.

Elongated Cat Eyes & Cherry Lips

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Credit: Koreaboo

Sunny's thin and elongated cat-liner creates the illusion of length for her eyes. Add in a pout stained cherry red and you've got yourself a versatile and feminine look.

Never Underestimate the Power of Glossy Lips

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Credit: Koreaboo

2NE1's Dara proved that one should never underestimate the power of a glossy lip to instantly elevate an otherwise simple and bare-faced look.

CL's Vampy Lips

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Credit: Koreaboo

While fire-engine red may be the lip color of choice nowadays, CL showed us all that a dark, vampy lip could be just as alluring if not more, when paired with a classic cat-eye.

Source: Koreaboo

 

[K-Beauty] [Beauty A to Z] Korean Style Straight Brow! Brow Trimming Tip!

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It's all about the straight brows in Korea right now. Find out how you can look just like a K-pop star while retaining a pure and natural image with this brow trimming tutorial.

WEARTO.COM Debuts Spring/Summer 2015 Collections of Irregular Choice and hansel

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WEARTO.COM, an exclusive online retailer for both Irregular Choice, a British footwear brand and hansel, a local womenswear label launched the exciting and whimsical Spring/Summer 2015 collections last month.

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Credit: WEARTO.COM

Irregular Choice

The launch started with Irregular Choice on the 13th of February. Its range features offerings from two of its many popular collections, Irregular Choice and Iconic.

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Credit: WEARTO.com

This season, the Irregular Choice range displays a spectrum of styles, from the foliage inspired glass heel on the Tea Leaf and the crochet detailing in shades of blue and black on the Bow Zone to the Royal Flush flat, aptly seasonal in printed butterflies and the Baah Baah shoe, with its character sheep heel guaranteed to make a statement.

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Credit: WEARTO.COM

The Iconic line sees the likes of Daisy Dayz, a kitten heeled pastel Mary Jane and the Hook Line & Sinker pump, beautifully embroided in exquisite hues of aquamarine and black, perfect for all occasions. The Spring/Summer 2015 collection will showcase a total of 10 styles, 15 SKUs ranging from $149-$279 for a pair.

The unabashedly nonconformist shoe label is a cult favourite amongst celebrities like Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Whoopi Goldberg, to name a few. Local theatre thespian and radio DJ, Denise Tan and homegrown singer-songwriter sensation, Tay Kewei are also proud owners of several pairs from the brand.

hansel

Apparel from hansel is available on WEARTO.COM. Hailing from Singapore, the brand is the brainchild of designer Jo Soh who pulls together unexpected elements, creating highly wearable pieces that suit confident women who can't help standing out in a crowd.

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Credit: WEARTO.COM

The inspiration behind this season's collection titled, 'A Vase of Flowers', sprang from a fun afternoon drawing session between Jo and her young niece, Isabella. Inspired by the way her niece interpreted the world around her, Jo drew flowers in crayon in the style of the young child and translated them into white naive-style flowers embroided on plain black and blue cotton knitted dresses and tops, creating what appears to be children's chalk drawings on grown up clothing.

Flattering polyester jersey dresses and tops, with full front and back digitally printed panels, feature a larger-than-life crayon still life drawing of a vase of pretty yellow flowers on a checked tablecloth that could have come straight out of a primary school art class.

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Credit: WEARTO.COM

Completing the playful theme is a range of flirty polka dotted Rayon/Tetron jersey dresses with striped contrast bindings and belts, in the classic colour of combinations black/white and navy/white.

Fiona Siew, founder and Executive Director of WEARTO.COM says, "I am very excited that this is the first time since WEARTO.COM's inception in 2012, that we are launching our fashion collections before they retail online. We are featuring Irregular Choice and hansel as both brands are very distinct yet complementary in designs: the collections are original, quirky and all around fun."

"WEARTO.COM gives independent labels a voice while providing a very personal and alternative purchasing experience. Shopping on WEARTO.COM is not just about buying a white T-shirt or a regular pair of shoes, it's all about the story behind the brand and how it relates to the special individual," she continues.

Source: Sirius Art PR

 

Can #Fitspiration Actually Become Unhealthy?

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Walking the fine line between healthy inspiration and unhealthy ideals.

Credit: Woman's Day

It’s no secret that here at Shape, we love #fitspiration: Living up to quotes like “better sore than sorry” is what keep us from skipping our p.m. workouts. But we’ll also be the first to admit that there’s a huge difference between healthy inspiration and unhealthy ideals.

A team from Flinders University in Australia is studying this idea—the theory that some of the more sexualized, appearance-based inspiration images can do more harm than good.

Credit: whoishanna.blogspot.com

"Some fitspos can be really encouraging, for example 'healthy is the new skinny,'” lead researcher and behavioral psychologist Ivanka Prichard, Ph.D., has said. But her team is looking more at the overtly sexualized fitspiration, along with its unhealthy sister thinspo.

Some fitspo messages feature women with bodies that the vast majority of women will never be able to obtain or maintain, making them feel bad when they don't match up to these ideals, Prichard says. And while we’re all about the quotes to push you through that last mile, we also agree with Prichard’s team that women need to be looking at the right kind of images.

Source: Shape

 

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