Crystals,

Are they just pretty to have around the home or are there other benefits?
Rose quartz, Selenite, Amethyst, Citrine are just some names that will resonate in some people’s
mind when it comes to home décor and design. Crystals are beautiful and trendy, the way
the Agular edges capture the light and the gradating marble effect gives a stunning, modern
look to any plain surface such as a wooden dressing table or glass top chest of drawers.
But apart from the whole aesthetic benefits of these fantastic gems, they are also known to
have healing powers.
They are edgy and cool but the crystals can also be used for healing depending on what
mood you want in your home.

Let's start discussing the beautiful and very popular Rose quartz gem. Appearance wise rose
quartz has a soft pink colour that can flatter many dressing tables for the ladies or if you want a
warm, feminine energy in your room. Its holds the energy unconditional love and is thought to
open up the heart chakras. It is used to support the natural journey of self-love too.
The Amethyst stone has a beautiful dark plum colour and from looking at it, it echoes mystery
and enchanting beauty. Just as its deep, dark appearance it has an even deeper and more
spiritual meaning. This gem is thought to help open the third eye and connect people with their
intuition. It is suggested to place this gem in a peaceful and quiet place in your home.
The Black Tourmaline, elegant, sexy and sophisticated in appearance can add this effect to
any room. Its strong solid all over black colour can in fact help to block out any negative
energy around you.

And Finally, Citrine, which by its name clearly has citrus influences, it is a bright, light golden
yellow colour and instantly by just looking at it would bring positive energy into the room. It is the
crystal of light, happiness and presence and by its yellow colour can also encourage
confidence from within. Yellow being a bright and bold colour. This bold stone encourages us
to dream big, be confident and continue to reach for our goals.

Of course, these are just some of the stones to say afew, but now we can see the powerful
manifestation gem stones and crystals can have in our personal space and not just for
appearance purposes.
In terms of display, experiment with position and layout. Some gems can be placed effortlessly
on the table, next to other objects such as flowers and vases or even sometimes in pots and
bowls.
90’s trend letter
What is it about the 90s…?

For fashion 90s was definitely a very liberating time and memorable one at that. It was
a special decade because it was the last part of the 20th century and the 1900s, which
meant young people still had political opinions, a spirit for life, and men still showed
romantic statements towards girls (well that is what we see in 1990s movies
anyway). Glamour, over styled hair and makeup were all abandoned from the early-mid
part of the 1980s. In the 1990s, stripped back, effortless and romantic was the main vibe
with an added touch of attitude; a little bit naturally and delicate combined with an
attitude for rebellion and being out-spoken which was seen mostly in grunge and hip-hop
fashion.
The three main fashion movements and communities seen in the late 1980s and early 1990s
were grunge, hip-hop and heroin chic; what do they all have in common? The tone of
rebellion; the tone of going against social norms, values and constructions, including how
both men and women should look. Another trend which came up was being provocative
and being sexy; but in a completely different way to that of the 1950s. The 90s was more
about being vivaciously sexy, for example Liz Hurley’s Versace safety pin dress
or when rose McGowan showed up to the 1998 VMA’s wearing nothing but a sheer black
dress on. There are definitely some dark, erotic influences in 90s fashions, as well as
romantic clean-cut ones.

During the 90s what it meant to be a model changed, more so what it meant to be
attractive gained new meaning. Fashion photography really became popular during the
decade, it almost went hand in hand with what was going on behinds the scenes of the
catwalk. 90s fashion photography had real, genuine narrative, it was documented the
social issues going on and informative along with showing was “pretty” at the time. Small,
slender and plain-looking Kate moss was not glamorous, she didn’t have big boobs; she
didn’t have a dark exotic look to her face, so when she was first discovered by Corrine Day
at the tender age of 16, initially the public wondered what the appeal was about this
awkward looking chick.

Corrine day had a more refined taste in beauty which conflicted beauty standards of the
previous decade “She hated the models of the time, dismissing their look as ‘stale, just
about sex and glamour’ when there are other elements of beauty’. The scraggy haired
Croydon school girl Kate Moss, instantly appealed to her. Together they revolutionized
fashion photography”.

The 90s was a time where being cool was a thing that was expressed effortlessly, anything
or anyone who seemed like they were trying too hard, would be rejected “a dress that tries
too hard to be intellectual and/or intelligent will automatically become ridiculous”. Being
cool was just a way of life…
“By the mid-nineties, conceptual fashion meant clothing that was driven by an idea to the
point where its function- which is always that it must be worn-was lost” so the real question
in the 80s and 90s in fashion was ‘who are you, what are wearing; and why the hell are you
wearing it?”
Sex sells article
“In advertising, sex sells. But only if you're selling sex”. Jef I. Richards
Intro:
Full glossy lips, doey eyes and soft cheeks, it is pretty clear that everything in our culture is
based on pretty shallow ideology. We are often tantalized by seeing handfuls of bountiful
cleavage, over lined mouths and wet hair clinging to the skin that we forget about what
the product itself is or the personality/art behind the advertising. With demi, stripping down
and seducing the covers of…
Sex has been used as a tool, because of the westernized, American influenced culture
which we live in. “it works advertisements that are sexy in nature tend to be remembered
more often than advertisements that are not” ETHICS IN ADVERTISING: SEX SELLS, BUT
SHOULD IT?, “proquest.com”
There is nothing wrong with sexuality, embracing your sexuality, in fact for a woman to be
able to embrace her desires, and sexual identity is an attractive thing. But have we taken it
too far? Shallowness and objectification seems to be the antithesis of western culture. A
place that consciously promotes sexist and misogynistic advertisements should not be the
same place where you can pursue "the American Dream."
Since the days of the early old Hollywood screen sirens, the femme fatales of the 1930s,
beauty, a voluptuous chest and perfectly applied makeup, has undeniably provided
females with more presence and screen power; providing them with longevity and
planting a lasting stain within our minds, like the feathering fragrance of perfume.
So, let’s take a look at modern goddess who have used their beauty and material, glamour
to achieve that lasting, impression within our minds, eyes and pounding chests.
Marylin Monroe
Biscuit blonde curls, slender physique, with busty chest. Miss Marylin Monroe, was America’s
sex symbol for the majority of the latter part of the 20th century. Her billowy lashes, with a
sleepy stare could put any viewer in a trance, her presence on screen was always dainty,
clumsy but purposely seductive. The deep, rose, cut out dress she wore in one of her well
known films Niagara, featured many hidden and subliminal features to tease, arouse and
both male and female audiences. The rose tone in the hip tight outfit already brought out
that pink flush in her pale skin, a large bow in the centre of her boobs drew attention to her
cleavage and subtle zip down the bodice, just screams, un-do me babe.
"What do you wear to bed? 'CHANEL N°5,' because it's the truth… And yet, I don't want to
say 'nude” Marilyn Monroe admitted seductively during a marie-clare interview in 1960.

• Janet Jackson
An unusual sex symbol, the younger sister of Michael is well known for her mostly
black attire, live highly provocative lap dances on stage and bold exploration of her
sexuality and sexual desires. The talented self-proclaimed feminist Janet Jackson,
who is well acknowledged for her singing, song writing and dancing routines has
often been seeing rocking tight black latex, deep necklines and some bondage
every now and again. "Sex has been an important part of me for several years. But it
just hasn't blossomed publicly until now” Janet explains in an intimate interview with
rolling stone in 1993, after the release of her album self-titled Janet. Interestingly the
album cover of Janet features the pop legend completely topless, with a male
standing behind her embracing and concealing both of her breasts. Talk about
seductive marketing.
Tinashe

When the beautiful, caramel toned, petite bombshell Tinashe, entered the music
scene she didn’t only captivate the ears of her listeners but also the eyes of her male
fans. Her girl-next-door doll like face, sweet voice and toned body have undeniably
made it easy for her to gain attention whenever she releases a new
single. Interestingly with each release of a new Tinashe video, will feature the R’n’B
songstress in cleavage baring, scantily clad bra lets, and bodysuits and crop tops
revealing her tiny 24-inch stomach embellished with a tiny, little navel ring. It appears
that even having a beautiful voice and song production skills are not enough to
gain superior attention amongst the music industry.
“Sexuality has always been part of who I am as an artist- emphasis on part. I’m an
all-around entertainer, my own creative force, and I’m bringing something fresh to
the table.” The singer claims
Glossy Smokey eyes, plenty of cleavage and that midriff again, Tinashe seduces in a
dimly lit house party for her latest single party favours
Selena Gomez

Only as of recent as Selena Gomez, the small framed, brunette former Disney star
began to “sex it up”. Interestingly her sexual appeal and revealing attire have come
in correlation with the newest release for her latest album. Vocally, selena has never
been appreciated as a well renowned artist, but her dark, mysterious new enticing
grown up look as definitely gained her some attention, respect and persona in the
public eye
Selena Gomez, strolling around New York in thigh high split skirt, and sheer braless
top during the promotion of her newest album.
Places + Faces launch Magazine

They started out as just two young photographers from London, but very soon Imran
Ciesay and Solomon Boyede known to the public as Ciesay and Soulz started their
own Tumblr that shares various candid pictures of well-known music artists such as
the likes of Kanye West, Drake and A$AP Rocky. The spontaneous photoshoots
document what they have described as a representation of the 2010’s modern day
era.
The duo now with the great popularity gained from their online presence and
clothing brand have decided to transform their current online platform to as well
print. They plan to release their magazine this 2017 entitled ‘Places+ Faces’ named
after their original blog. The publication will feature exciting visual captures from
various events of celebrities and intimate backstage moments.
The tone of the magazine is to be natural, sincere and spontaneous capturing
iconic moments from very diverse and unique events. Places+ faces photography
style is vivid and natural, since the perspective of the photographs taken is that of
the first-hand view of Ciesay and Soulz.
In a recent Dazed interview Ciesay described the motive for the release of print
magazine is so the publication can show modern day lifestyle and culture. “For me,
I want a kid or someone to collect copies of Places Faces so in ten or twenty years
they can show their kids. ‘This is what was happening in the 2010s.”
It will be truly refreshing having a magazine which captures in candid moments of
the 2010s eras in a way that is organic, uninhibited and distinctive. It is clear that
with their current skills, Ciesay and Soulz will be the right pair to carry this print
project out authentically and vividly.
Life through filtered lenses

It is official. We are living in the generation of the virtual revolution. It’s impossible to
ignore and it is now an essential part of how we live as human beings, even the
way we communicate with each other…
The idea of losing your phone is a complete catastrophe because it means being
cut off from friends, colleagues and business partners for at least twenty-four hours.
An amount of time where a lot can happen in the fast-paced world within we live
in.
But where did the culture of social media begin?
The process of constantly sharing our intimate thoughts, precious moments and
achievements digitally?
Dating back to over ten years ago, starting with Wikipedia, Myspace and then
Facebook. The concept of social media involved users being free to discuss, share
and comment on the information posted. But initially this was predominately done
anonymously or amongst friends and family whom you are following. In current
times, social media is a lot, and I mean a lot more personal. Users can even
comment on posts featuring people that they don’t even know personally!
Because of this, there has been some controversies with social media that has
come to light in recent years. Apps like Instagram are designed so that all
information is shared through imagery, meaning users can present any perception
of their lives whether it be false or real. The whole mentality being to show only the
best of yourself, which unfortunately can give certain viewers unrealistic
perceptions of life. However, from another perspective it appears that Instagram
allows its users to creatively show their lives through imagery and captured
moments, representing their individuality. Another positive influence because of
social media is when it comes to communication and media. Through snapchat
and twitter, publications such as the Daily mail, MTV and cosmopolitan can take
their journalism products to a next level and are able to share information in a fast
and interactive way to a broader audience. Users can now access any newsfeeds,
articles they love and tutorials from the screens of their phones.
Like with every revolution there are always going to be pro’s and con’s. But
progression can be a beautiful thing. Each wave of innovative ideas invented to
make our lives easier eventually finds a way to seamlessly fit into our daily routines.
Even if it takes a few years of experimenting to get it exactly right, it tends to be
essential in the end.