UR IT Magazine January 2016
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JAN COVER<br />
1
CRED<strong>IT</strong>S<br />
CONTENTS<br />
Board of Directors:<br />
Jeremy Clark<br />
Shawna Lee<br />
Products:<br />
Kathy Ickes<br />
Janie Clark<br />
Photography:<br />
Shawna Lee<br />
Jeremy Clark<br />
Tiffanie Mora<br />
Sam Schoeny<br />
Editors:<br />
Adeena Harbst<br />
Taralyn Guenot<br />
Stacy Clark<br />
Writers:<br />
Adeena Harbst<br />
Jessica Martin<br />
Vivian Achieng<br />
Tiffanie Mora<br />
Faith Greathouse<br />
Janie Clark<br />
Christy Beck<br />
Advertisers:<br />
One 2 One Travel<br />
Boyer Insurance: Nationwide<br />
Traci Callahan Beauty Salon<br />
Esthetics by Faith<br />
Becks Psychotherapy<br />
Diva’s Bling Boutique<br />
5 Winter Fashion<br />
8 Brite: A Romance<br />
Story<br />
13 How Cell Phones Have<br />
Negatively Impacted Life<br />
16 How To Become A<br />
Successful Model<br />
21 Naturally <strong>IT</strong><br />
23 Get to Know <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong><br />
Model Shawna<br />
30 My Choice, Your Choice,<br />
Our Choice<br />
32 Kicking the Static<br />
Subscription Ad<br />
Layout/Design:<br />
Taralyn Guenot<br />
Jason Colón<br />
Tiffanie Mora<br />
Gazettes Printers<br />
34 Starting A Cottage<br />
Business... Is It For You?<br />
35 Goddesses of the Woods<br />
Shoot Coordinator:<br />
Shawna Lee<br />
39 Too Fast Too Soon:<br />
Signs Your Relationship<br />
Is Over<br />
2<br />
Hair & Makeup:<br />
Tori Long<br />
Kriste Kephart<br />
Advertising & Sales:<br />
Kristin Taranto<br />
Sara Wolfe<br />
Tiffanie Mora<br />
Jeremy Clark<br />
Shawna Lee<br />
Distribution:<br />
Vince Poeta<br />
Jessica Martin<br />
Yvonne Smith<br />
Julie Ricketts<br />
Jeremy Clark<br />
Shawna Lee<br />
Tiffanie Mora<br />
Quinton<br />
43 <strong>UR</strong> World, R Thoughts<br />
44 Reasonable Resolutions<br />
for the New Year<br />
47 This Month’s Taroscope<br />
What’s coming<br />
in February<br />
3
Are you the type of person that hates<br />
cold weather? During the winter<br />
months, we all want to look our best,<br />
but it’s just so hard to bundle up and<br />
still look great.<br />
The abundance of cold weather<br />
accessories (hats, gloves, scarves)<br />
can be overwhelming, and bulky<br />
sweaters, coats and boots can<br />
leave you looking like a big, fluffy<br />
marshmallow snow woman if you’re<br />
not careful. Winter fashion has it ups<br />
and it has it downs. Yet, you can still be<br />
as sexy in winter wear as you are in<br />
summer wear.<br />
Accessories are the best way to make<br />
an outfit pop. By adding a scarf to your<br />
winter attire, you not just only add warmth<br />
to your body while playing in the<br />
snow with family, but you also add an<br />
extra “wow” factor. Remember, you can<br />
wear a scarf many different ways so<br />
the idea is endless when it comes to this<br />
winter accessory.<br />
A simple, stylish cashmere<br />
sweater is the best winter<br />
investment; it is super<br />
warm and comfortable.<br />
If this isn’t in your budget,<br />
a light-weight sweater<br />
will do just fine. Just keep<br />
in mind to cut down on<br />
bulk, you don’t want<br />
a bulky sweater. A<br />
long-sleeved somewhat<br />
stretchy sweater — so<br />
you can still move<br />
while you throw on<br />
your cardigan or denim<br />
jacket — will set your look<br />
in a more casual and<br />
head turning way.<br />
Cardigan or denim jackets aren’t the<br />
only things you can wear that are<br />
season sufficient; fur vests are as<br />
well, if worn with a turtleneck with<br />
colors to match. Furs may sound<br />
old-fashioned, but old fashion is new<br />
fashion for this season’s trend.<br />
4<br />
5<br />
5
6<br />
Add leather to your wardrobe.<br />
Leather dresses and skirts are<br />
on-trend right now as well and<br />
are the perfect clothing to stay<br />
warm in. Find a leather skirt<br />
to match your fur vest and<br />
turtleneck, and you’re set<br />
to have perfect “night out”<br />
wear for dinner with your<br />
best friends.<br />
Pick the perfect pea-coat.<br />
Invest in a thigh-length peacoat;<br />
it will keep you warm in<br />
the winter winds. Or you can<br />
find a shorter pea-coat for a<br />
sassier look.<br />
If you still want to wear your<br />
summer attire, then re-purpose<br />
your summer wardrobe.<br />
Wear your strapless summer<br />
dress over a fitted black<br />
turtleneck top. This is a flawless<br />
way to extend your summer<br />
wardrobe and stay toasty.<br />
Add a pair of tall boots to this<br />
summer/winter wear. They’re<br />
fantastic in the winter for keeping<br />
your feet warm; especially<br />
since you can wear a thick pair<br />
of knee high socks. Stockings<br />
are a great way to keep your<br />
legs warm—they are the perfect<br />
addition to a winter wardrobe,<br />
and perfect for any occasion.<br />
The most-needed winter<br />
accessories is head wraps.<br />
Winter fashion wouldn’t be<br />
complete without a matching<br />
winter headdress. Finding a<br />
winter head wrap can be<br />
challenging but it is possible to<br />
find one that is stylish and warm.<br />
You can wear your wrap with<br />
hair up or down and still have<br />
your outfit look fabulous!<br />
Article By: Tiffanie Mora<br />
WINTER FASHION<br />
7
T<br />
he alarm went off at 4:30 am<br />
a sound that Konstantin grew<br />
to love. To him it meant another day<br />
needed tackling and he was just the<br />
man to do it. He hit the off button,<br />
rolled onto his back and stared at<br />
the ceiling of his dorm allowing<br />
his eyes to adjust. As he created a<br />
mental checklist of the days to do’s<br />
he couldn’t help but smile. Early<br />
acceptance into Stanford Law and<br />
he did it all on his own. Konstantin<br />
took great pride in knowing he<br />
could provide for himself without<br />
his family’s money or connections.<br />
Although he was very close to his<br />
family the thought of accepting<br />
help almost made him sick. After<br />
all he wouldn’t be a real man if he<br />
needed help. From anybody.<br />
He chuckled at himself for having<br />
such serious thoughts this early and<br />
shook his head as he threw his down<br />
comforter to the side. He stood up,<br />
stretched his arms above his head<br />
then took a deep breath and leaned<br />
forward allowing his arms to fall<br />
to the floor to stretch. He did this<br />
every morning before going for his<br />
5 mile run. Nothing started his day<br />
off better. Although he’d grown to<br />
appreciate coffee he felt that being<br />
dependent on any substance to<br />
boost his mind showed weakness.<br />
empty library and that was usually<br />
where he preferred to study. Even<br />
though he had been accepted into<br />
the program he still had finals to<br />
finish before heading back to Cali<br />
in the fall.<br />
Parties never fully interested him.<br />
Unless he was looking for someone<br />
to warm his bed that evening.<br />
Even then the experience was<br />
typically sub-par and awkward<br />
when the women would wear out<br />
their welcome.<br />
He liked women, after all he was a<br />
man but none had been able to hold<br />
his interest for long. He found that<br />
many women while beautiful and<br />
enticing had nothing more to offer.<br />
The last woman he had attempted<br />
to date became quickly attached<br />
and there was nothing he despised<br />
more than someone needing<br />
another to feel adequate. This was<br />
just another sign of weakness to him<br />
and although he had no intention<br />
on being married anytime soon<br />
he sometimes wondered if he ever<br />
would. Maybe his standards were<br />
just too high but he was not one<br />
to settle. If he was giving his best<br />
there was no reason why he should<br />
get less in return. Then again he<br />
was only 24 so maybe there was<br />
still time.<br />
When Konstantin first met Colin<br />
four years ago he wasn’t sure if<br />
he’d keep him around. Colin was<br />
the kind of person who accepted<br />
mediocrity as a way of life. He<br />
was naturally gifted at every sport<br />
and extremely intelligent which<br />
afforded him the ability to not<br />
study and still obtain good grades.<br />
He was born and raised in Kansas.<br />
He would also most likely die there.<br />
A man with incredible talent and<br />
no ambition. The type of person<br />
Konstantin usually didn’t care for.<br />
He kept Colin around mainly<br />
because he fulfilled his need for<br />
intelligent conversation and also<br />
he always had the rundown of the<br />
latest social events when he needed<br />
to let off some steam.<br />
“I will never understand why you<br />
get up so damn early,” Colin said as<br />
Konstantin jogged up to him. The<br />
men exchanged looks and laughed<br />
as Konstantin began wrapping his<br />
earbud cord around his fingers and<br />
tucked it into his hoodie pocket.<br />
“Discipline my friend. No one worth<br />
mentioning ever became successful<br />
by partying all night and sleeping<br />
all day,” Konstantin answered. He<br />
had said this very thing to Colin<br />
several times before.<br />
A ROMANCE STORY<br />
It was March but still very cold in<br />
Manhattan, Kansas. He threw on<br />
his hoodie before putting in his<br />
earbuds and stepped outside. The<br />
music of choice was always classical.<br />
His favorite was Sonata Number 14<br />
by Beethoven. Something about the<br />
intensity of the instruments made<br />
him feel as though he was sharing<br />
the same feelings as the musician at<br />
the time he was composing. Drive,<br />
focus and determination are what<br />
created this piece he thought. Traits<br />
he appreciated and could relate to.<br />
As he ran off campus and into town<br />
he appreciated the quiet. It was as<br />
if the streets emptied themselves<br />
just for him. This was the time he<br />
allowed his mind to wander. He had<br />
been invited to a party on Friday<br />
by his buddy Colin but turned it<br />
down. A party on Friday meant an<br />
Women had always fallen over<br />
themselves in his presence. On<br />
rare occasions he would find the<br />
giggling and ogling charming but<br />
more often it annoyed him. He<br />
was 5’11 built with lean muscle,<br />
brown hair and green eyes. He had<br />
chiseled facial features and full lips.<br />
He wasn’t oblivious to his alluring<br />
genetics but he wished it wouldn’t<br />
make it so easy. His was a mind that<br />
needed to be challenged otherwise<br />
he felt he never fully deserved the<br />
“prize.” He found his winnings<br />
most satisfying when he felt he<br />
truly earned it.<br />
He finished up his run slowing down<br />
to a light jog as he arrived back on<br />
campus and saw Colin standing<br />
at the front of his building with a<br />
ridiculous grin on his face.<br />
They began walking into the<br />
building as Colin attempted one last<br />
time to change Konstantin’s mind<br />
about the party the following night.<br />
Konstantin gave Colin a sideways<br />
grin and said, “What if the best one<br />
night stand of your life is in the<br />
library Friday night? I suppose I’d<br />
be willing to step in on your behalf.”<br />
He waited for Colin’s response as<br />
he knew the one area Colin felt<br />
most threatened was with women.<br />
Colin, although handsome was not<br />
very charismatic. Konstantin was<br />
happy to push his buttons when<br />
given the chance.<br />
Colin slugged him in the shoulder<br />
and said, “No playboy worth<br />
mentioning ever snagged the hottest<br />
girl by hanging out in libraries, sir.”<br />
8 JESS NOVEL<br />
BR<strong>IT</strong>E: A ROMANCE STORY<br />
9
They both laughed. “Well, I’m headed<br />
to class. If you change your mind you<br />
know where to find the crew,” said<br />
Colin as he turned to leave.<br />
“Same here,” answered Konstantin<br />
while unlocking the door to his room.<br />
He still had an hour to kill before<br />
his first class. After a quick shower<br />
he finished getting dressed then<br />
went to his favorite campus café<br />
and ordered a breakfast sandwich<br />
with a coffee. As he ate his meal<br />
he studied the people around him.<br />
Groups of friends chatting and<br />
laughing. Couples sitting close<br />
being affectionate and whispering<br />
to each other.<br />
He sometimes wondered why he<br />
never felt the need to socialize as<br />
often as other people his age. He<br />
would often evaluate his life trying<br />
to find where things may have<br />
gone wrong.<br />
Questioning his behavior always<br />
troubled him as it was hard to<br />
accept the thought that he may be<br />
the one with the problem.<br />
He was raised by his mother, Elise<br />
and father, Aksel. When they met<br />
his father was 20 and his mother<br />
was 18. His grandparents had<br />
always warned him and his older<br />
brother, Erwin, that a love like theirs<br />
was rare. They discouraged the boys<br />
from following in their parents’<br />
footsteps as often as possible telling<br />
them marriage could wait.<br />
His parents were married 6 months<br />
into their courtship and his mother<br />
became pregnant 3 months later.<br />
They always held each other in such<br />
high regard. Their house always<br />
felt warm and full of love. The<br />
relationship his parents had was<br />
one he’d often see people attempt<br />
and fail at. He admired his parents’<br />
relationship but also didn’t like<br />
the idea of submitting himself to<br />
another person. To him submission<br />
was another word of losing and that<br />
was not something he did or enjoyed.<br />
His brother Erwin and he always<br />
had a close relationship. Although<br />
competition and egos were a<br />
challenge at times as any household<br />
with 2 boys would have, they always<br />
had each other’s backs. They knew<br />
how to press each other’s buttons<br />
and would as often as possible for<br />
mere amusement but it was always<br />
good natured.<br />
The only area in his life he felt<br />
sore about was how his father and<br />
brother at times seemed to have<br />
a closer relationship. One that<br />
was only between them and never<br />
shared with him or his mother.<br />
Konstantin had always assumed it<br />
had to do with respect and favor<br />
naturally given to the eldest.<br />
As he got older he realized how<br />
successful his brother actually was.<br />
He was adored by friends, family<br />
and especially women. Erwin<br />
managed to have a new gorgeous<br />
woman every month it seemed. His<br />
colleagues worshiped him and he<br />
was the apple of their fathers’ eye.<br />
Konstantin began to form a life plan<br />
for himself to prove to his father<br />
that he too was capable of the same<br />
amount of success if not better<br />
and he wouldn’t allow anyone or<br />
anything to stand in his way.<br />
Maybe that was when he started<br />
separating himself from everything<br />
he saw as a distraction including<br />
friendships and relationships. He sat<br />
back and let his thoughts wash over<br />
him as he continued to sip his coffee.<br />
Meanwhile, on the other side of<br />
campus Naomi Brite was flustered<br />
at herself for running late. It was<br />
nearing the end of her first year at<br />
Kansas State and she had no plans<br />
on letting herself slip. She took one<br />
final look in the mirror, her wild<br />
blonde hair was somewhat tamed<br />
into a messy bun on the top of her<br />
head and her big brown eyes were<br />
accentuated with a little mascara. A<br />
dash of blush on each cheek and a<br />
berry colored lip balm would have<br />
to do. It had been a cold winter<br />
and the last bit of her tan had<br />
disappeared back in November.<br />
Grabbing her backpack and slinging<br />
it onto her shoulders she looked<br />
disdainfully at her alarm clock<br />
once more before heading out the<br />
door. “I know I set that stupid thing<br />
last night,” she huffed as she sped<br />
walked to the stairs. Her roommate<br />
Cyndi had already left for the day<br />
and she was slightly annoyed that<br />
she hadn’t taken the time to wake<br />
her. Although she didn’t typically<br />
need help as she was usually very<br />
organized and punctual. Still, Cyndi<br />
could have at least double checked!<br />
Naomi mounted her bike and<br />
started pedaling to the other<br />
side of the campus. As a pre-med<br />
student she had really enjoyed her<br />
first year at a university. She also<br />
enjoyed being away from home.<br />
Although she missed her father<br />
dearly, this had been her first taste<br />
of independence since…ever and it<br />
was delicious.<br />
She was born and raised in Crested<br />
Butte, Colorado. Population 1,487<br />
last she checked. Bottom line, it<br />
was way too small for her and her<br />
dreams of becoming a big city<br />
pediatric physician. Manhattan,<br />
KS was not her final destination<br />
but she was happy to have been<br />
accepted into their program and<br />
stay somewhat close to dad. She<br />
had gone home to visit during each<br />
break this year and was grateful for<br />
the time spent with him.<br />
She had decided to stay in town<br />
for a couple years after high school<br />
to help her dad at the hardware<br />
store he owned. He was only 55<br />
but the years of raising a daughter<br />
on his own and running his own<br />
shop seemed to have aged him<br />
tremendously. She took classes<br />
locally before submitting for a few<br />
pre-med programs. All out of state.<br />
Kansas had been the only one she<br />
was accepted to. It didn’t matter<br />
to her because it meant she had<br />
potential. It was just the beginning.<br />
Naomi always felt a tinge of guilt for<br />
her dad’s lack of social or dating life<br />
but he always assured her it was the<br />
life he had chosen for himself. He<br />
said he could never imagine loving<br />
anyone more than her mother so<br />
there was no use in searching.<br />
Her mother had died shortly after<br />
delivering her. “Complications<br />
beyond anyone’s control,” her father<br />
would say whenever she’d tried to<br />
ask. When she was old enough to<br />
recognize the pain that reflected<br />
in his eyes when her mother was<br />
brought up she stopped asking.<br />
She decided to make peace with it<br />
and support her father any way she<br />
could from that moment on.<br />
Naomi was the only child and filled<br />
her days with reading. She began<br />
speaking and reading at a young<br />
age. Her teachers would always<br />
encourage her father to place her in<br />
the gifted classes. Steve (her father)<br />
had always been proud of her<br />
abilities but never wanted to push<br />
her to grow up too fast. In a way she<br />
was grateful he always wanted the<br />
best for her but she also wondered<br />
if maybe she would have been able<br />
to maintain closer friendships with<br />
kids her level. Even though she<br />
never had problems making friends<br />
she never seemed to really connect<br />
with anyone either.<br />
Naomi had a high school boyfriend<br />
she met her junior year and dated<br />
for 4 years. He was kind and she felt<br />
strongly for him but still had no<br />
problem breaking things off when<br />
she left to Kansas. She missed the<br />
companionship at times but knew<br />
deep down he was never the one<br />
she would end up with. Tim on the<br />
other hand had been shattered by<br />
the news. He didn’t see why they<br />
couldn’t maintain a long-distance<br />
relationship until she was ready to<br />
come back to Colorado. That was<br />
just it though, she never planned<br />
on returning to Colorado other<br />
than to visit her dad on occasion.<br />
Tim had his whole life planned<br />
and it all revolved around their<br />
hometown. Naomi refused to<br />
become a housewife and mother. At<br />
least for now.<br />
There had also been red flags with<br />
Tim she wasn’t sure she could get<br />
over. His jealousy for example<br />
always seemed irrational and his fits<br />
of rage were always embarrassing.<br />
She could recall on more than one<br />
occasion needing to talk him out<br />
of a fight because he swore another<br />
guy had been “undressing her with<br />
his eyes.” She hated that expression<br />
and it made her feel like she had<br />
done something wrong.<br />
Naomi never seemed to notice the<br />
attention she would get from men<br />
young and old. She was bright,<br />
beautiful and very charismatic. Her<br />
features although not striking were<br />
unique and the way she carried<br />
herself with humble confidence<br />
was refreshing to anyone who<br />
crossed her path. She had a smile<br />
that would light up a room and an<br />
infectious laugh. Still, she never<br />
could quite see herself the way<br />
others often did.<br />
As her mind got carried away in a<br />
flurry of thoughts she didn’t notice<br />
the backpack in her path until it was<br />
too late. She tried to hit the brakes<br />
but still hit the backpack which<br />
jolted her forward and made her<br />
lose her balance. She attempted to<br />
fall gracefully which only made the<br />
entire experience worse as the bike<br />
had a mind of its own. It toppled<br />
over and pinned her left leg.<br />
Completely embarrassed she<br />
noticed she was right in front<br />
of the café where most students<br />
grabbed their breakfast and<br />
beverages in the mornings. She<br />
was irritated this happened here of<br />
all places. No one even attempted<br />
to help her. They just looked on<br />
feigning concern. The whole<br />
episode just fueled her irritation<br />
even more. Especially when she<br />
noticed HIM watching her.<br />
He was sitting calmly at an outdoor<br />
table sipping his coffee and<br />
watching her with what, disdain,<br />
pity, glee?! It was all she could<br />
do to keep from yelling, “What is<br />
your deal?” She had noticed him<br />
on campus before and seen him<br />
at parties occasionally. “That’s<br />
Konstantin Price. The biggest babe<br />
here,” Cyndi had said when Naomi<br />
first noticed him at a school event<br />
earlier in the year.<br />
He was incredibly good looking but<br />
seemed to be the type that knew it<br />
and used it to his advantage. Ugh,<br />
what an arrogant jerk! Something<br />
about him just got under Naomi’s<br />
skin. The way he’d walk with his<br />
head and nose turned up like he<br />
owned the place just pissed her off.<br />
As his green eyes watched her, for<br />
a moment she thought he might<br />
have been checking her out but she<br />
quickly dismissed the idea. What<br />
would a guy like that see or want in<br />
a girl like her?<br />
What is there to check out Naomi?<br />
Your clumsiness? She thought to<br />
herself as she stood up and began<br />
pedaling again. As she passed by<br />
she realized he hadn’t taken his<br />
eyes off her the entire time. “So glad<br />
I could be your entertainment this<br />
morning,” she mumbled angrily as<br />
she whizzed past him.<br />
Now being 30 minutes late to her<br />
class she knew she’d be spending<br />
her Friday night playing catch up in<br />
the library. Man! She had actually<br />
been looking forward to a night off<br />
to unwind with Cyndi at the party<br />
everyone had been talking about.<br />
Oh well, there would always be<br />
more parties.<br />
Story by: Jess Martin<br />
10<br />
BR<strong>IT</strong>E: A ROMANCE STORY<br />
BR<strong>IT</strong>E: A ROMANCE STORY<br />
11
Technological Curse?<br />
HOW CELL PHONES HAVE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED LIFE<br />
The human race is so addicted to mobile phones that they have now<br />
become a necessity. You cannot imagine a day without your mobile<br />
phone or better yet, smart-phone. It has been reported that by <strong>2016</strong>,<br />
smart-phones will have penetrated the United States market by 90%.<br />
This means that mobile phones will have an even greater grip on<br />
Americans, given their capability to control important life aspects from<br />
your palms.<br />
While there are numerous advantages of owning a mobile phone,<br />
you will agree that the non-stop availability that these devices offer has<br />
eroded the importance of privacy and lessened your sense of space<br />
and responsibility. Here is how cell phones have negatively impacted<br />
human existence.<br />
Accidents<br />
According to the 2014 National Safety Council’s annual injury<br />
and fatality report, cell phone use caused 1 in 4 car accidents<br />
in the United States. This was a modest increase from 2013, an<br />
indication that cell phone usage is progressively developing<br />
into a disaster in American roads. 5% of these crashes happen<br />
because a driver is texting.<br />
While you might think that hands-free phones are the solution,<br />
a report in the Journal of Safety Research found out that these<br />
types of phones are not any better. You should therefore<br />
adhere to traffic rules and refrain from using your cell phone<br />
while driving.<br />
12<br />
TECHNOLOGICAL C<strong>UR</strong>SE : HOW CELL PHONES NEGATIVELY IMPACT LIFE<br />
13
Professional Boundaries<br />
No Longer Exist<br />
Unfulfilled Dating Life<br />
Weekends, off days and vacations are no longer personal<br />
time. You definitely have ‘worked’ on these days by<br />
constantly checking your work email. Additionally, on a<br />
normal working day, you have checked your emails before<br />
sleeping and sometimes in between dinner using your<br />
phone.<br />
Cell phone use clearly interrupts these special moments<br />
when you should be relaxing, which are now spent attending<br />
to business-related matters. To curb this, you should develop<br />
cell phone use discipline and personal time should be<br />
treated with respect. After all, you also need time off to<br />
peacefully enjoy the wealth you spend almost half your<br />
day amassing.<br />
Effective communication is definitely one of the key tenets of<br />
a healthy relationship. Unfortunately, texting has completely<br />
changed the dating landscape. Gone are the days when<br />
people went for coffee dates and had quality conversations,<br />
which had undivided attention.<br />
Fast forward to today when your date is characterized by<br />
two people sitting on opposite ends of the table, quietly<br />
looking at their phones while reading blogs and social<br />
media posts. By the end of the date, you sure can say a lot<br />
more about the online activities of the day than what your<br />
partner had to say.<br />
Reduced Quality Of Sleep<br />
75% of people sleep with easy access to<br />
their phones. This means that the risk of their<br />
sleep getting distracted is great. Take for<br />
example a client or family member calling<br />
from the West Coast at 8pm when you live<br />
in the East Coast where it is 11pm at that<br />
moment. If you are asleep, then you will<br />
have to wake up and attend to business.<br />
With time, you will enjoy less peaceful nights.<br />
In conclusion, as much as cell phones seem<br />
to be a curse, you have the ability to dictate<br />
how much they will affect your life. Simply<br />
develop cell phone use etiquette and let<br />
your family, friends and clients take note of<br />
when to call you, unless it is an emergency.<br />
Article by: Vivian Achieng<br />
14 TECHNOLOGICAL C<strong>UR</strong>SE : HOW CELL PHONES NEGATIVELY IMPACT LIFE<br />
15
C<br />
hoosing a career in modeling is a choice that is<br />
full of hours of dedication and flashing lights. The<br />
modeling world is one of the most competitive,<br />
most difficult and possibly most dangerous industries to<br />
enter into as a career if you don’t know the correct ways to<br />
go about doing it. There are many different steps to follow<br />
and rules. Many people are willing to take advantage of<br />
young women looking to make it famous with their looks.<br />
On the other side, there are quality agencies or modeling<br />
groups out there to help young models excel and succeed.<br />
Listed below is a guide that may help those seeking a<br />
career as a professional model.<br />
FOLLOW YO<strong>UR</strong><br />
GUT FEELING<br />
Never do anything it takes to get to<br />
the top. You’ll regret it later. Models<br />
are often seen as sex objects and think<br />
that it necessary to take their clothes<br />
off or have sex appeal in all of their<br />
photographs to make it in modeling.<br />
WRONG! Outside of local modeling<br />
gigs, most outlets for modeling lead<br />
to sketchy, compromising situations.<br />
Follow your gut and values of who you<br />
are and stick to your guns! Again, on<br />
the other side, finding the right agencies<br />
will honor your values and can lead you<br />
to a great career.<br />
GET PRACTICE<br />
In the modeling industry, you will<br />
always have to follow your gut but you<br />
have to start getting practice to become<br />
a successful model. Practice, practice,<br />
and more practice! With practice<br />
you will become better and better at<br />
modeling. Start out slow in modeling;<br />
don’t just jump right into it. You have to<br />
build a portfolio to show agencies. Over<br />
time, you will adjust your portfolio<br />
because you will become better. Find<br />
a local amateur photographer that is<br />
looking to Trade for Print (TFP). Most<br />
professional photographers will not<br />
TFP because they have a giant portfolio<br />
and don’t have time to do free shoots.<br />
Begin by shooting with many different<br />
photographers at first, but be aware<br />
some photographers can lead you in<br />
the incorrect directions. Remember<br />
to follow your gut and say “no” if they<br />
ask you to pose or wear things that are<br />
against your values of who you are. Over<br />
time you will reach the goal of working<br />
with a professional photographer who<br />
you will more than likely have to pay—<br />
modeling isn’t free. If you have the<br />
mindset that modeling is free, you will<br />
be doing shoots that don’t benefit you<br />
in the modeling career. It takes money<br />
to be successful, not just a pretty face.<br />
So before you decide to go into an<br />
agency, wide eyed and smiling, practice<br />
first because agencies deal with models<br />
day in and day out, pushing paperwork.<br />
If you do get called in for a meet and<br />
greet, you need to keep your look<br />
natural, have a confident walk and just<br />
be you—not someone else you think<br />
they would be looking for.<br />
BE AWARE OF WHAT<br />
YOU’LL FACE<br />
Know that other models, male or<br />
female, can be cutthroat and may be<br />
hard to work with. Some models may<br />
feel that you are a threat to them and<br />
treat you badly so you will leave and<br />
16<br />
HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL MODEL<br />
HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL MODEL<br />
17
never return. Be aware. It may be best to refrain from working with hateful<br />
models. Also, the wrong agencies may ask you to sacrifice your morals,<br />
integrity or beliefs just to obtain certain photos. Choosing the right agency<br />
will take some time, but you will find the right one for you. Be aware of<br />
that when working with designers as well, if you walk runway later on in<br />
your modeling career. Remember—while on that runway supporting and<br />
showing off that designer’s work—it’s about them, not you. You are only<br />
there as a walking display and hired only for that purpose.<br />
There are so many different types of modeling that you can push for. Some<br />
modeling, like runway modeling, isn’t for everyone. You have to have a<br />
certain look to be runway and height and weight is a factor. Also be aware of<br />
society. Models will often get bashed due to their body appearances. Brush<br />
that negativity off and delete those types of people from your life. They are<br />
likely jealous that you have a goal in life and are pushing to better yourself.<br />
Along your journey, you will figure out what to be aware of and naturally<br />
push through the obstacles and learn from them as you go.<br />
KNOW YO<strong>UR</strong> MARKET<br />
AND AREA<br />
What does this mean? Well, for starters, depending on the area you live<br />
in, certain trends and looks are more popular than others. If you live in<br />
a small town that is hours from any type of big city, chances are you will<br />
not be doing fashion runway modeling. Yet, you’re more likely to make a<br />
newspaper or some small commercial advertisements for local businesses.<br />
If your style of modeling isn’t “offered” where you live, move to an area where<br />
it is, or consider traveling back and forth to an area where that style exists.<br />
Also know whether you’re auditioning for a market that advertises petite<br />
sizes, plus sizes, certain clothing trends, or for a targeted market like natural<br />
living, city trends, cosmetic companies, etc. Research is a must.<br />
GET A GREAT<br />
HEADSHOT<br />
Having a great headshot is a must in the industry. The headshot says so many<br />
different things about you. First off, a headshot is unedited and completely<br />
natural with light or little to no makeup involved and hair in its natural<br />
state. Most agencies want to see you in the raw to see if you could transform<br />
into a variety of looks. Remember, you’re pretty just as you are, so let those<br />
agencies see you for you.<br />
W<br />
ith all the information<br />
listed in this article, it<br />
can be a little overwhelming.<br />
Remember that being you and<br />
being all natural and kind to all<br />
around you will get you in place.<br />
Being someone that others think<br />
you should be is the incorrect<br />
way of thinking and agencies,<br />
photographers, and designers will<br />
see this and will not want to work<br />
with you on a professional level.<br />
So take this and do your best at<br />
doing what you have dreamt.<br />
Work hard and stay positive, push<br />
through the negative statements<br />
and stick with the positive ones.<br />
Find your path, whatever it may<br />
be, and<br />
Dream Big !<br />
Article by: Adeena Harbst<br />
18 HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL MODEL<br />
?<br />
19
Faithful<br />
Beauty<br />
TIPS FROM FA<strong>IT</strong>H GREATHOUSE<br />
Best color match and sunscreen<br />
protection tips while matching<br />
your foundation:<br />
Do as the French do; instead of having<br />
your favorite retail store match you on<br />
your chin line, ask them to cover up the<br />
most noticeable blue vein on your wrist.<br />
If it looks like the makeup covers the<br />
blue of your veins, you are in luck! The<br />
color will cover the most vulnerable<br />
areas on your face. If you have sun spots,<br />
that will require a more yellow concealer<br />
used underneath of your foundation.<br />
Dior concealer is a great product; it isn’t<br />
drying and stays on for 12 hours.<br />
Baby sunscreen for your body (spray<br />
or lotion) is also a wonderful product<br />
for your skin because it contains fewer<br />
chemicals and a higher level of SPF<br />
(45+) protection than other sunscreens.<br />
For your face, I highly recommend the<br />
number one professional line by New<br />
Beauty magazine, Jan Marini. You can get<br />
a physical (33 SPF) or chemical (45 SPF)<br />
sunscreen for your skin type needs with<br />
or without a hint of tint and coverage.<br />
There are over the counter options as<br />
well if you are not too concerned about<br />
aging. Supergoop has an SPF 50 mist<br />
you can spray right over your makeup.<br />
They all contain antioxidants and great<br />
protection from harmful rays. Stay<br />
protected and flawless.<br />
Article by: Faith Greathouse<br />
Esthetics by Faith<br />
www.estheticsbyfaith.com<br />
20<br />
FA<strong>IT</strong>HFUL BEAUTY<br />
21
Get to Know <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> Model<br />
Shawna<br />
<strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> Model Shawna from<br />
central Pennsylvania has<br />
run with the opportunity to<br />
work with <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
and her modeling adventures<br />
are expanding. She is<br />
fulfilling goals and looks<br />
ahead to what is to come.<br />
She took a few minutes out<br />
of her busy schedule to share<br />
with <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> a little about<br />
herself, her views and beliefs,<br />
and the opportunities that<br />
have most recently come<br />
along in her modeling career<br />
after her experience with <strong>UR</strong><br />
<strong>IT</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>.<br />
<strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> – Tell us a little bit about<br />
yourself.<br />
Shawna - Well, I have three younger<br />
brothers who are the best guys<br />
in the world and my mom is my<br />
biggest fan. She really supports<br />
everything I do... no matter what.<br />
Even if she doesn’t agree with me,<br />
she still supports me and my views<br />
and thoughts. I don’t know where I<br />
would be today without them.<br />
I enjoy the outdoors a lot; hiking<br />
and venturing into the wilderness is<br />
like playtime for me.<br />
I do daily positive self talks. I just<br />
recently started doing this and it<br />
really is a wonderful tool. If negative<br />
talk can have such an impact on<br />
us, then positive talk must, too.<br />
There are 10 things I tell myself<br />
every morning. I actually have a<br />
chalk board on my wall so when<br />
I walk out of my bedroom door, I<br />
see them and read them every day<br />
out loud. It sounds silly but if it<br />
means something to you, it’s really<br />
powerful. You have to have an open<br />
heart. Get grounded with yourself.<br />
But yeah, the first time I did it I<br />
cried... the second and third and<br />
seventh time I did too. But after<br />
about a week, I gained something.<br />
I gained almost like strength in<br />
myself… I opened up my heart and<br />
stopped fighting myself.<br />
<strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> - What encouraged your<br />
start with <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong>? How has <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong><br />
affected your path in life and view<br />
of yourself?<br />
22<br />
GET TO KNOW <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> MODEL SHAWNA<br />
23
Shawna - I actually wasn’t a fan of<br />
the magazine at first; I questioned<br />
it and really didn’t support it. Then<br />
like a few days later I looked into it,<br />
and really read what the goal was—<br />
what <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> stood for—and I felt like<br />
this is where I needed to be. I had to<br />
see what this was all about.<br />
What the magazine stands for is<br />
really important to me, and I feel<br />
is something that everyone should<br />
be a part of. Self-empowerment is<br />
something that everyone needs to<br />
experience...being you, completely<br />
you, with no doubts of who you are<br />
and what you stand for. Knowing<br />
that you are important and you can<br />
make the world yours is something<br />
that is forgotten in today’s world.<br />
We became so uniform, we lost our<br />
individuality; and that’s what is<br />
empowering—to be an individual, to<br />
stand out and be a person, not just<br />
another empty vessel. So, yeah...<br />
now that I’m done with my speech….<br />
But <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> has been a growing<br />
process....like everything. I have<br />
overcome personal obstacles in<br />
my life because of the influences<br />
of <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> and it has truly made me<br />
a better person. Through <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong>, I<br />
found my calling in life, the reason I<br />
was put here. My whole life I always<br />
felt like I was meant for something<br />
different...I never really fit in<br />
anywhere, you know. I just always<br />
felt like I had more to give and <strong>UR</strong><br />
<strong>IT</strong> has made that possible for me.<br />
It opened so many doors for me. I<br />
get to meet and grow with people<br />
now. I get to spread the word, and<br />
make that difference in this world<br />
and <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> makes that possible. We<br />
don’t conform to society...our goal<br />
is to stand up - for individuality and<br />
break stereotypes.<br />
<strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> - Speaking along those terms,<br />
are you an advocate for anything<br />
controversial?<br />
Shawna - Yes, I am. I am a huge<br />
advocate for marijuana use. All I<br />
have to say about that is: Do your<br />
research. Period. I am actually going<br />
to be doing a lot more promoting in<br />
that field in the near future.<br />
<strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> – So we understand you had<br />
a recent photo shoot for Fashion<br />
Zone of Egypt. How does it feel to<br />
be part of that?<br />
Shawna - Well...of course it<br />
was amazing and very exciting!<br />
The photographer (Abu Samra<br />
Photography) was absolutely<br />
wonderful! He really took the time<br />
to teach me and gave me such<br />
awesome feedback that I can use<br />
going forward. It’s actually really<br />
cool how it happened and it worked<br />
out perfectly. He was coming to visit<br />
family in the states at that time, so<br />
it was a huge opportunity for me to<br />
take advantage of. He contacted me<br />
through an online modeling site and<br />
asked me to model for Fashion Zone<br />
while he was here visiting family. Of<br />
course I’m thrilled!<br />
I almost thought it was a scam at<br />
first but then I did my research and<br />
it became reality. We were scheduled<br />
for like two months prior to his<br />
visit, we collaborated and came up<br />
with amazing ideas and concepts.<br />
During his stay, we spent three days<br />
shooting! Two days were just getting<br />
grounded and comfortable with one<br />
another. I really think it is important<br />
that the photographer and model<br />
have that comfort and openness.<br />
Then we spent one day shooting for<br />
Fashion Zone! He really taught me a<br />
lot about how to move my face and<br />
small movements make a world of<br />
difference. It’s actually crazy how<br />
much you can change your face!<br />
For the Fashion Zone shoot, we went<br />
to Buttermilk Fall in New Florence,<br />
PA and Slater Park in Blairsville, PA.<br />
We did really elegant glamour shots.<br />
Shawna Article<br />
“<br />
My<br />
goals are just always to do better than what I<br />
did before...to have that growth is my goal. ”<br />
- Shawna<br />
24<br />
GET TO KNOW <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> MODEL SHAWNA<br />
25
Sam Schoeny<br />
Instagram:@schoenygram<br />
www.schoenymedia.com<br />
It wasn’t until I was on set during<br />
the shoot that I realized I was<br />
actually going to be the on cover of<br />
Fashion Zone and that was freaking<br />
amazing. I was so taken aback and<br />
happy...I felt like a little kid. It’s<br />
definitely something that I am<br />
proud of, something really no one<br />
else will get to do, so that makes me<br />
extremely honored that I got this<br />
chance.<br />
<strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> -You’ve also had some shoots<br />
in Cleveland. How did that start,<br />
where is it going, and what are your<br />
goals?<br />
Shawna – Sam, the photographer,<br />
is amazing at what he does! We<br />
started together over the summer<br />
with some outside nature shoots at<br />
Ohiopyle, and that was absolutely<br />
beautiful. It was after this shoot that<br />
I realized my potential. Something<br />
just clicked, and I knew this is where<br />
I wanted to go with things. This is<br />
where I needed to be, where I could<br />
really push forward and become the<br />
best I could be.<br />
We have done a lot together in a short<br />
time as well... we really promote<br />
each other well. We have been<br />
involved with Bong Beauties out of<br />
Cali. We do promotional shoots with<br />
their clothing. We are doing some<br />
more Bong Beauties promos and<br />
some boudoir/implied shots. I am<br />
really excited! I feel it will be a huge<br />
step for me, personally.<br />
My goals are just always to do better<br />
than what I did before... to have that<br />
growth is my goal. As long as I am<br />
growing and learning, what more<br />
can I ask for? That’s what life is<br />
about. :)<br />
<strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> – One final question – What<br />
is your overall word of advice for<br />
other women?<br />
Shawna - Stay true to who you are,<br />
like don’t let the influences of other<br />
people change you. You are beautiful<br />
just the way you are. Be proud of flaws<br />
and flaunt it for everyone to see.<br />
Article by: Adeena Harbst<br />
26 GET TO KNOW <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> MODEL SHAWNA<br />
27
28<br />
29
Throughout history there has been both<br />
an appreciation and almost a resentment<br />
about the freedom of choice. The<br />
stipulations of practicing this freedom<br />
falls somewhere between, “it’s okay as<br />
long as you don’t offend anyone” or “it’s<br />
okay as long as your choice falls within<br />
the majority.” Now the question is how<br />
free is it with such stringent guidelines<br />
placed on that freedom? Not to mention<br />
the social media shield that creates<br />
a false sense of safety for those who<br />
feel the need to have an opinion about<br />
everything and share it in a less than<br />
graceful way. Backlash if you will against<br />
those who don’t fit the mold.<br />
There are many examples that can be<br />
made but one that has begun to gain<br />
more publicity is women’s choice to not<br />
have children. The U.S. Census Bureau’s<br />
Current Population survey for 2014 shows<br />
that 47.6 percent of women between the<br />
ages of 15-44 have never had children<br />
which is higher than the 2012 recorded<br />
percentage. While researching the topic<br />
there were several reasons for women<br />
making this choice but there were two<br />
reasons that stood out the most.<br />
The first common reason that came<br />
up for women choosing not to have<br />
children was to continue pursuing their<br />
careers. The career choices varied from<br />
entrepreneurship to becoming doctors,<br />
lawyers, military career and so on. A<br />
common misconception is that these<br />
women choosing their careers somehow<br />
make it seem that women can’t “have it<br />
all” or downplay the women who choose<br />
to have both. While for many of them<br />
it was simply the choice to not have to<br />
split their time or attention between the<br />
two. There are plenty of women who are<br />
successful in having careers and being<br />
homemakers however none will tell you<br />
it’s been a success without sacrifice. The<br />
women that choose to focus primarily on<br />
their careers should not have an effect on<br />
those who choose to have children and<br />
vice versa. They are already fulfilled in<br />
their careers and don’t feel that children<br />
with bring more or better fulfillment in<br />
their lives.<br />
The second common reason that came up<br />
was either being financially stable and not<br />
wanting to rock that stability boat or not<br />
being financially stable. According to the<br />
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s report<br />
on the cost of raising a child born in 2013<br />
in a middle income family is $245,340.<br />
That projected amount included food,<br />
housing, childcare and education only<br />
up to the age of 18. Continued education<br />
and other unexpected expenses such as<br />
medical or legal needs were not included<br />
in this amount. With an average amount<br />
of $30,000 of student loan debt along<br />
with a mortgage, insurance, vehicle<br />
loans and food costs even the most<br />
“...How free is<br />
it with such<br />
stringent<br />
guidelines<br />
placed on that<br />
freedom?”<br />
modest living woman would say<br />
to add another average of $1,136/<br />
month would be difficult.<br />
While most people would say it is a<br />
woman’s choice if she is single or a<br />
couple’s choice if married the bottom<br />
line is that once the decision to not<br />
have children is made the backlash<br />
received from family, friends and<br />
even complete strangers can be<br />
horrendously shameful to put it nicely.<br />
Remarks of being selfish, greedy,<br />
unloving, and inhumane are only a<br />
few of the things that are said. Not to<br />
mention that somehow women who<br />
are physically able to have children<br />
and choose not to are somehow<br />
disrespecting or insensitive to women<br />
physically unable to have children?<br />
One has nothing to do with the other.<br />
There is not a logical reason to back<br />
up that theory or statement. Not to<br />
mention the disrespect being shown<br />
by those who are judging the women<br />
making that choice in the first place.<br />
“Agree to<br />
disagree<br />
or live<br />
and let<br />
live.”<br />
Freedom of choice is just that. So yes,<br />
those who disagree with the reasons for<br />
women choosing to not have children<br />
are entitled to their opinion but when it<br />
crosses the respect boundary and their<br />
bouts of rage on social media border<br />
harassment, is it still freedom of choice<br />
being practiced or mere bullying? If it’s<br />
hard to differentiate then maybe those<br />
being the bully’s or trolls should back off<br />
and ask themselves why it is they feel<br />
so offended or outraged by someone<br />
making a choice that in reality has no<br />
effect on their personal life. The selfreflection<br />
may be enlightening.<br />
As a society who overall appreciates<br />
their rights we need to remember that<br />
when those freedoms are sought by<br />
many different types of people there will<br />
be thoughts, choices and opinions that<br />
may not fit into a perfect ideal box but<br />
that is the reason we love living in this<br />
country. It will always come full circle<br />
so remember to “agree to disagree” or<br />
“live and let live.” At the end of the day<br />
everyone is just trying to live the best<br />
they can and there shouldn’t be a right<br />
or wrong way of doing it when there’s<br />
no harm being done.<br />
Article by: Jessica Martin<br />
30<br />
MY CHOICE, YO<strong>UR</strong> CHOICE, O<strong>UR</strong> CHOICE<br />
MY CHOICE, YO<strong>UR</strong> CHOICE, O<strong>UR</strong> CHOICE<br />
31
Here are six tips that will help U kick the static:<br />
1. When washing your hair, use conditioner. Be sure to use a<br />
good hydrating conditioner that will give your hair the moisture<br />
it needs. Shampoo cleans <strong>UR</strong> hair while also taking out some<br />
of the natural oils of <strong>UR</strong> hair. Conditioner restores oils in <strong>UR</strong> hair<br />
and moisturizes <strong>UR</strong> hair. Some people have more natural oils<br />
than others, so the amount of conditioner is also important. If<br />
<strong>UR</strong> roots become oily throughout the day, just use conditioner<br />
from the middle of the hair to the ends. The longer <strong>UR</strong> hair, the<br />
less natural oils make it to the ends.<br />
2. Hair dryers can damage <strong>UR</strong> hair if not used properly. Allow<br />
<strong>UR</strong> hair to air dry before using a hair dryer. Be sure there is no<br />
water dripping from <strong>UR</strong> hair, when it is damp is the best to dry.<br />
Before drying, remember to use a heat protectant. It is best to<br />
use a serum, mouse, wet spray, or a liquid volumizer while <strong>UR</strong><br />
hair is wet, hair sprays are mainly used for dry hair styling. When<br />
brushing <strong>UR</strong> hair wet, be sure to use a wide tooth comb or<br />
ouch-less brushes because these will not rip out <strong>UR</strong> hair. If Ur<br />
hair tangles, use a detangling product.<br />
Dry, static hair is a problem we all<br />
deal with. There are all types of<br />
products to use that will help keep<br />
<strong>UR</strong> hair happy and healthy. Talk<br />
to <strong>UR</strong> hair dresser about products<br />
that will work best for U, since <strong>UR</strong><br />
hair dresser is the one that works<br />
with <strong>UR</strong> hair the most. There are<br />
always DIY ways for homemade<br />
products that are always fun to<br />
use to kick the static.<br />
Article by: Victoria Long<br />
3. Hair masks are another great way to give <strong>UR</strong> hair moisture.<br />
U can buy different kinds of hair masks, or DIY. Honey and<br />
coconut oil very healthy for <strong>UR</strong> hair because they are natural.<br />
When using a hair mask, it is important to put the mask from <strong>UR</strong><br />
scalp to the ends of <strong>UR</strong> hair. Masks will strengthen <strong>UR</strong> hair and<br />
help keep <strong>UR</strong> hair from being static or frizzy.<br />
4. Dryer sheets are good for quick fixes during the day. Keep<br />
them in <strong>UR</strong> pocket or purse for when <strong>UR</strong> hair is static. Start at<br />
the top of <strong>UR</strong> head, run the dryer sheet to the ends to help<br />
tame the static.<br />
Do U have trouble with dry, static hair?<br />
Well <strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> professionals are here to help! This is<br />
the worst time of the year for our hair because<br />
the weather is cold and dry. It is important to<br />
give <strong>UR</strong> hair the proper care so it does not<br />
break off and become brittle. Here are the<br />
best ways to keep <strong>UR</strong> hair soft and healthy,<br />
{with minimal frizz.<br />
{<br />
5. Keep a small bottle of conditioner mixed with water in <strong>UR</strong><br />
purse. If <strong>UR</strong> hair feels dry or has static, use this to help control<br />
the static. A small spray bottle is the best, but a squeeze bottle<br />
will work. Spray some on the palm of <strong>UR</strong> hand or finger tips and<br />
run through <strong>UR</strong> hair to the ends. This give <strong>UR</strong> hair moisture and<br />
calms the static.<br />
6. Brushing <strong>UR</strong> hair is important as well. Soft brushes help spread<br />
the natural oils throughout <strong>UR</strong> hair. Brush <strong>UR</strong> hair every night<br />
before bed to make <strong>UR</strong> hair soft, while relaxing your scalp.<br />
When <strong>UR</strong> hair is wet, use a wide tooth plastic comb or ouch-less<br />
brushes. Ouch-less brushes are plastic with bristles set further<br />
apart. These are best for wet hair because they are not going<br />
to tear <strong>UR</strong> hair. Wet hair has more stretch and will break easier,<br />
especially if <strong>UR</strong> hair is colored. Using <strong>UR</strong> fingers to detangle wet<br />
hair is also a great technique.<br />
32 KICKING THE STATIC<br />
KICKING THE STATIC<br />
33
Starting A Cottage<br />
Business…<br />
Is It For You?<br />
a<br />
I ts only Dream<br />
...<br />
Starting a Cottage business is the<br />
big thing for women today, but<br />
before jumping on the bandwagon,<br />
do your homework. For those who<br />
don’t know what a cottage business<br />
is, it’s simply a home based<br />
business. A business that is run<br />
from the home. This is working<br />
well for women who want to help<br />
with the family income but also<br />
stay at home with the children.<br />
If you’re thinking, what kind of<br />
business could I do, I’ve always<br />
stayed at home. Well take a day or<br />
two and think about what you like<br />
to do and what you’re really good<br />
at doing. Maybe you’re a good<br />
baker or sewing your own clothes<br />
or home décor. Do you like painting<br />
or refinishing? If you enjoy taking<br />
care of children and would like<br />
to take a few into your home to<br />
watch, start small and see how it<br />
goes. Whatever you stand out at<br />
make this your business. Many<br />
women use their hobbies to start<br />
a business. If you’re into crafting<br />
people will buy home crafted items.<br />
Maybe you like to garden. Add a<br />
few extra plants and sell the fresh<br />
produce. Do you paint landscapes<br />
or portraits? Put your work out<br />
there and give it a try.<br />
Before starting your business<br />
make a business plan. What will<br />
it cost to get your business off the<br />
ground? What type of insurance<br />
will you need to cover not only your<br />
business but also yourself? Will<br />
you be able to do this alone or will<br />
you need to hire help? How large of<br />
a demand is there for your service<br />
or product? Are there any state or<br />
federal regulations or guidelines<br />
to follow? Are there any types<br />
of permits needed? Are there<br />
changes that will need to be made<br />
to your home?<br />
After deciding what you would like<br />
to try, get your homework done<br />
and give it a go. Whatever your<br />
strengths are go with them and that<br />
is what will help you to succeed<br />
in business.<br />
Article by: Janie Clark<br />
This month’s themed shoot is<br />
focused around the inspiration of<br />
Tim Burton. With our imaginations<br />
running wild, we ventured into the<br />
mystical woods to escape reality...<br />
34 STARTING A COTTAGE BUSINESS... IS <strong>IT</strong> FOR YOU?<br />
GODDESSES OF THE WOODS<br />
35
”<br />
<strong>UR</strong> <strong>IT</strong> has decided to<br />
start featuring themed<br />
shoots every month!<br />
We are putting our<br />
creative side to use and<br />
brainstorming unique<br />
ideas to provide better<br />
entertainment for our<br />
followers!... while<br />
having a little fun too!<br />
“<br />
’<br />
’<br />
“<br />
Curiouser<br />
and<br />
Curiouser<br />
.”<br />
- Tim Burton<br />
36 GODDESSES OF THE WOODS<br />
GODDESSES OF THE WOODS<br />
37
The<br />
Goddesses<br />
theWoods<br />
of<br />
Too Fast Too Soon:<br />
Signs Your Relationship is<br />
The first stages of a relationship are normally full of bliss making it difficult<br />
for people to smell a rat when their partners exhibit some behaviors. The<br />
allure of new love blinds so many and it takes confidence and sixth sense<br />
for one to call it quits as soon as a relationship starts. So, how do you<br />
know that your relationship is over? Here are top signs to look for to<br />
decipher whether your relationship is on the verge of a collapse.<br />
Ladies... It’s time to recognize<br />
and awaken the goddess in U!<br />
You Can’t Picture Yourselves<br />
Together in the Future<br />
Weddings are a perfect place for<br />
a couple to feel mushy and revisit<br />
their aspirations. For most people,<br />
weddings provide a platform for<br />
them to visualize their big day with<br />
their significant other. Unfortunately<br />
for you, the present is perfect but<br />
you cannot picture walking down<br />
the aisle with your partner. This is a<br />
red flag and an outright indication<br />
that you are with the wrong person.<br />
A much as the heat of the moment<br />
fills you with butterflies, it is time to<br />
face facts and move on no matter<br />
how hard.<br />
You Are Uncertain<br />
This usually happens when your<br />
significant other is simply a<br />
rebound. As much as you feel<br />
relief that you are in love again,<br />
all you secretly think when alone<br />
is whether the new partner is the<br />
right choice or your ex-partner. This<br />
situation only hurts you more than<br />
loneliness actually would and to<br />
top it up, you are probably wasting<br />
a genuine person’s time. The earlier<br />
you quit the better for the both of<br />
you, before you are too deep into it.<br />
The Only Reason You<br />
Meet is Sex<br />
Sex and intimacy are one of the<br />
prime indicators of a successful<br />
relationship. However, when this<br />
becomes the sole purpose for<br />
your interactions, then there is a<br />
cause for alarm. Other than the<br />
relationship serving as an emotional<br />
haven and personal system, it<br />
serves as an avenue for the release<br />
of sexual tension. The moment a<br />
sexual disconnect ensues, there<br />
will be nothing left to hold the<br />
relationship together.<br />
You Have no Control<br />
Over Your Life<br />
The relationship has started on a<br />
high note and you feel loved when<br />
your partner makes all decisions<br />
concerning your life. This is not<br />
initially a concern because you are<br />
drowned and drenched in the new<br />
found love but with time you realize<br />
that you are no longer yourself. You<br />
suddenly feel like you no longer<br />
know your friends, watch different<br />
shows and even miss events that<br />
you couldn’t miss before. A good<br />
partner loves you for who you are<br />
and does not change you or control<br />
your life. It is only a matter of time<br />
before the relationship begins feeling<br />
like a prison.<br />
Your Closest Friends and<br />
Family Disapprove<br />
It is a common thought that<br />
relationships are driven by two<br />
people-the ones in love. As much as<br />
this is true, it is also prudent to listen<br />
to advice given by close friends<br />
and relatives because they see what<br />
people in love are too blind to see.<br />
If most of your friends and relatives<br />
disapprove of your relationship,<br />
take time to understand them and<br />
try to see what they see and end<br />
the relationship. They could be<br />
potentially protecting you from a<br />
messy and hurtful break up.<br />
Article by: Vivian Achieng<br />
38 GODDESSES OF THE WOODS<br />
TOO FAST TOO SOON: SIGNS YO<strong>UR</strong> RELATIONSHIP IS OVER<br />
39
Vostra Il Ad<br />
40<br />
41
<strong>UR</strong> World,<br />
R Thoughts<br />
Senior Pic 1/2 page<br />
Q<br />
Why is everyone pressuring me into<br />
picking a college and a career path?<br />
I can’t even pick out shoes let alone<br />
what I want to do my whole life!! Why can’t<br />
I just wait and see what happens? Why do I<br />
have to choose now?<br />
A<br />
Dear Indecisive,<br />
My response depends on how old<br />
you are - if you’re 12, then you definitely<br />
have some time to “wait and see”. However,<br />
if you’re 17 or older, then I’m sorry, I agree<br />
with “everyone” in your life....to a point. I<br />
don’t think you need to decide on your<br />
career at this moment, but I do think you<br />
should get on the path to discover future<br />
career possibilities. College is a great way to<br />
take a variety of classes to help you figure<br />
out what you’re good at and what you<br />
enjoy. Even if you don’t know exactly what<br />
you want to do now, going to college can<br />
provide you with more options than you<br />
would have without a college education, so<br />
if you have that opportunity, take it! Part of<br />
moving into adulthood is taking responsibility<br />
for yourself and making decisions that are<br />
in the best interest of your future. The reality<br />
is, you won’t be in high school forever,<br />
and your family probably does not want<br />
to support you indefinitely while you figure<br />
things out. I understand that these decisions<br />
can be overwhelming, but life does not<br />
magically work itself out - you have to take<br />
some action if you want to have a successful<br />
future. Try talking to your school counselor -<br />
perhaps they can give you some guidance<br />
and make the process less stressful for you.<br />
Christy Beck,<br />
42 <strong>UR</strong> WORLD, R THOUGHTS<br />
43
Reasonable Resolutions for the New Year<br />
We have pretty much all been<br />
there – feeling like we have to<br />
make New Year’s resolutions every<br />
year and live up to not one, but a<br />
few changes throughout the year.<br />
We succeed for a month or two,<br />
then fall right back into the regular<br />
cycle of life.<br />
The majority of people make a<br />
goal to lose weight, exercise more<br />
frequently, or to somehow improve<br />
their physical body. But resolutions<br />
can and should be about more than<br />
that, and they should be attainable.<br />
Resolutions can be as simple as<br />
striving to learn to say “no ” to<br />
people expecting of us, taking an<br />
hour to oneself per day, or trying<br />
to do one good deed for someone<br />
else per day. It’s about changing in<br />
ways to improve ourselves and make<br />
ourselves feel better; it should not be<br />
about showing off to social media<br />
friends or feeling that socially we<br />
need to make and fulfill resolutions.<br />
<strong>2016</strong><br />
Perhaps we would feel more successful and fulfill our resolutions if<br />
we stayed on a reasonable course. Set a small-scale resolution or two<br />
and don’t set the limits so high out of reach.<br />
Even if losing weight is your New Year’s Resolution, set a realistic<br />
level of accomplishment, whether that is a pound a week, five pounds<br />
per month, or a goal to lose 10 pounds for the year. The numbers will<br />
vary from person to person, but the point is that we each know what<br />
is unrealistic for ourselves.<br />
If you’re competitive and an achiever, setting goals just out of reach<br />
may be your way to motivation. If you’re more of a procrastinator and<br />
unenthusiastic about making a change, set small goals you know you<br />
can push yourself to achieve.<br />
CONSIDER REASONABLE<br />
RESOLUTIONS SUCH AS:<br />
Reading more books in <strong>2016</strong>–<br />
Depending upon the type of person you are, that could<br />
be a book a month, three books a year, or whatever<br />
number is more than what you have been doing.<br />
Striving to be more loving<br />
to your partner -<br />
That could mean making their favorite meal, giving<br />
them a break, promising a massage a week…<br />
anything; whatever works for you.<br />
Giving more at church –<br />
You don’t give every week? Give a dollar or two<br />
each week. You normally give $10? Raise it a little.<br />
Cut back spending on<br />
unnecessary daily items –<br />
Do you really need Starbucks every single day?<br />
How about skipping a couple days a week. If you’re<br />
planning to spend $20 on lottery tickets, take it<br />
down to $10. You’ll have all that extra money for<br />
something else! Throw it in your kid’s piggy bank –<br />
that always feels good.<br />
Drink more water –<br />
So, how many people can never touch that “eight<br />
glasses” rule? Shoot for four or five and go from there!<br />
The possibilities are endless and the Web is a large<br />
place to get ideas and additional persuasion to keep<br />
your goals attainable. And remember to only make a<br />
couple resolutions – there is no need for a list of 20 or<br />
50 because no one is that good. You’ll feel wonderful<br />
living up to a New Year’s resolution and making a<br />
change for good.<br />
To set a reachable horizon, you’ll feel successful<br />
once you get there! To fail at a lofty goal is to feel<br />
even worse than before.<br />
Article by: Adeena Harbst<br />
44<br />
REASONABLE RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR<br />
45
FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY <strong>2016</strong><br />
Overall Collective energy is going through the Winter<br />
Solstice. A time of inner reflection as well as a time of<br />
embracing others and showing gratitude for them in our<br />
lives. Review the past year and ask yourself what the<br />
most important lessons you have learned through your<br />
experiences. Start off the new year with a list of dreams<br />
you would like to accomplish more so than a resolution.<br />
Find fun ways to reach those goals and don’t forget to<br />
be grateful for all that you already have.<br />
CAPRICORN<br />
Virgo - It is important to embrace the energy of who you truly<br />
are. Facing fears is a way to grow strength. Don’t let others<br />
judgments hold you back from what you truly desire.<br />
Pisces - It is a time of purification for Pisces. A good detox<br />
would benefit you at this time so that you can also reflect on<br />
your many upcoming adventures. Be sure to drink more water<br />
and stick to a healthy diet. It is also a good time to treat yourself<br />
to a massage or reiki session. Your body will thank you later for<br />
paying more attention to yourself.<br />
Libra - It is time for Libra to take some time for themselves.<br />
Allow space between activities for you to recharge. You will be<br />
going through a bit of a transformation into a new chapter of your<br />
life. Observe new thoughts or ideas that come to you in this time<br />
of meditation or hibernation so that you can focus when the time<br />
comes to move forward with the bigger plan.<br />
Aries - The fairies card shows itself for Aires as a reminder it<br />
is important to be playful. Embrace Mother Earth around you as<br />
she is calling for your attention at this time. Take a moment<br />
to enjoy some fresh air. Just be sure to bundle up as it is the<br />
winter season.<br />
Scorpio - It is a time of love for the Scorpio. It is important<br />
to except love from others and to give love to others. Scorpios<br />
embrace this energy in a way to help the world. The love card<br />
is a sign of compassion. Give a listening ear to those around<br />
you. You will learn a lesson or two to help you along your own<br />
life path in the process.<br />
Taurus - The crystals card has shown itself to represent the<br />
spiritual force that is surrounding those who fall in the sign of<br />
Taurus. It is an important time for Taurus to bring complete<br />
focus to any particular subjects of interest as many of your<br />
projects will be coming to a completion.<br />
Sagittarius - It’s a time of synchronism for Sagittarius the green<br />
man is a symbol of synergy between your spiritual awareness,<br />
your personal self, and ego. There are clues around you that you<br />
aren’t acknowledging. However, don’t over analyze the situation<br />
instead embrace the lesson to be learned.<br />
Gemini - This is an important time for the Gemini to BREATHE<br />
stop and take a breath and examine the world around you. With<br />
this breath it is also important to release and past worries or<br />
anger that you are holding onto. It is a new year and time for<br />
a new beginning.<br />
Capricorn - Pay attention to your dreams and the messages<br />
they hold for you. It is a time of creation and you will be<br />
manifesting your own reality with the thoughts you hold closest to<br />
your heart. Be creative and take time to day dream about what<br />
it is you want in life. Create your own reality.<br />
Cancer - A right of passage is now. You may have thought<br />
this chapter would never end but the time is now. However this<br />
right of passage does come with a slight challenge of re-birth.<br />
As one door shuts and another opens you will be asked to let<br />
go of all that no longer serves you so that you can now thrive.<br />
Aquarius -It’s a time to count your blessings for Aquarius. The<br />
rainbow is a symbol of hope and appreciation from the elements.<br />
You have recently been going through a shift in your existence<br />
and are ready to release the extra baggage of past projects and<br />
obligations. It is important to reflect on memories because sometimes<br />
it is only when you look back at the memory you experience the true<br />
blessings that have come from the experience.<br />
Leo - There’s no surprise that the Leo energy is always full<br />
of POWER, but right ow it is amplified with the winter solstice<br />
energy. Now is the time to embrace that power and make a<br />
move in the best direction for yourself. There seem to be many<br />
opportunities making their way into your path and it is your choice<br />
to choose the best direction for yourself. Embrace the Power,<br />
the time is NOW.<br />
46 THIS MONTH’S TAROSCOPE<br />
47
JAN BACK<br />
COVER<br />
48