 Credit: Style My Soul | www.stylemysoul.com | Fashion Trends Style My Soul Explores… What is one fashion trend consumers should anticipate for Fall 2022? Cowboy Boots
Western boots will never be a fashion faux pas, but this fall, they’re coming back in grand style. Classic ankle booties are retired. In 2022 many colors, leathers, and suede variations popped up. So, it’s over time to explore other more exciting styles and modern, sleek shapes. Depending on the weather, cowboy boots fit short shirts and comfortable and warmer jeans. -- Karolina Turowska, Passport Photo Online Leather Loafers Both leather and faux leather loafers will be in for Fall 2022. While Tory Burch is a go-to for many when it comes to the classic shoe, Proenza Schouler debuted a square-toed cream pair that could easily transition from fall to spring. They’re a versatile shoe that goes well with dresses, slacks, and even jeans and a t-shirt. -- Melanie Edwards, Olipop Sailors Stripes Are Coming Back Sailor Stripes are making a comeback! Men’s sweaters for women will be the rage as oversized sweaters are here to stay and those with the classic navy and white stripes will be everywhere! Also expect to see the pattern on blazers and T-shirts! Sailors have long been fashion icons from their high waisted pants to their cropped jackets, but this fall their stripes will be making their presence known! -- Jeff Goodwin, Orgain Consumers Using Makeup as a Fashion Expression Consumers will be using makeup as a fashion expression. While no-makeup makeup and neutral looks were trending during the pandemic, more people will reach for bold colors to communicate. Whether it’s a bright eyeshadow or bold lip color, more consumers will opt for creativity. We’ll see a lot of pinks, greens, and purples in all different shades to stand out in the beauty and fashion space. -- Natália Sadowski, Nourishing Biologicals Kimonos and Robes Kimonos and robes have been a hot trend this year and are only becoming more so as we enter the fall. So many designers have been jumping on the kimono trend and there are more stunning designs than ever before. A robe is the perfect thing to wear around the house (or even outside!) as the weather gets colder. It keeps you feeling cozy and sexy, and allows you to project your fall-time bohemian goddess. -- Jodi Sharp, Jodi Sharp Art Denim Dresses Denim dresses are on the rise this fall and the cool thing is they come in every silhouette possible! Denim can be dressed up or down to suit any occasion. This year expect to see minis paired with sneakers and midis with chunky boots. Long sleeve maxis will be making a statement with sneakers for day, swapped for heels at night. It’s time for sundresses to move over because fall is almost here and the denim dress will be the new star of the show! -- Michael Van, Furnishr Color Blocking The rise of color blocking is a trend that originated in the 1980s. Color blocking is a way to add interest to an outfit by pairing different colors together. Fashion is celebrating the bright colors of the summer sun and keeping the light and airy inspiration until fall. Color-blocking pinks and yellow, including pops of neon colors in monochromatic looks. This season, expect color blocking to explode onto everything from dresses, tops, and business wear.-- Anamika Goyal, Cottage Loose Fitting Bomber Jackets Loose fitting is back. As weather gets cold, prepare to see oversized bomber jackets taking over to replace spring’s leather biker jackets. These bombers are practical with pockets to spare, while customizable to personal taste. This style will fit well with the trending grunge aesthetic, so go with a more muted hue to get that edge. --Theresia Le Battistini, Fashion League
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From Seed to Table: Unearthing The Powerful, Natural Health Benefits of Black Seed by Faye James9/28/2022 As an accredited nutritionist developing wholesome and delicious recipes for a living, I know how important it is to maintain a well-balanced and nutrient-rich diet. There’s no better feeling in the world than helping others feel their absolute best by how they fuel their body, which is why I wanted to share with you a secret super food that’s always in my pantry — the humble little Black Seed! What exactly is Black Seed? Ask the majority of Australians and it is likely that most have never heard of this invaluable little health food, however its reputation on a global scale is strong. Black Seed is derived from the Nigella sativa plant, and has been used extensively as a natural health remedy by community groups around the world for thousands of years. In fact, the Black Seed has been cultivated since Ancient Egyptian times, when it was crushed and applied to the skin as a topical ointment and was also used as a condiment for cooking. However, unlike the Ancient Egyptian times, it is now backed by numerous clinical trials showing how it can positively impact your health and well-being. It’s not surprising that this little seed has stood the test of time. Why should I take it? What are its positive effects? Along with supporting general health and well-being by boosting immunity and allowing the body to ward off infections, Black Seed is rich in the active ingredient thymoquinone (TQ), which has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Amongst other benefits, antioxidants allow the body to manage excessive free radicals production, which can help to minimize the risks of developing conditions caused by free radicals including coronary heart disease and arthritis1. All self-professed hair care lovers will also be happy to hear that research suggests that due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, black seed oil may help in treating a few skin conditions, including: acne, eczema, general dry skin and psoriasis2. Whether applied topically or ingested orally, incorporating Black Seed into your lifestyle consistently can have powerful effects on improving skin health. From a nutritional standpoint, another benefit you may experience when consistently incorporating Black Seed into your diet is weight loss. In one 8-week study 3, 90 women between the ages of 25–50 with obesity were given a low-calorie diet and either a placebo or a daily maximum total of 3 grams of Black Seed oil per day. By the end of the study, the group given the Black Seed Oil lost more weight and waist circumference than the placebo group. This same group also improved their triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which if left too high can raise your risk of diseases such as heart attacks and stroke. How can I incorporate Black Seed into my day-to-day life? Nowadays, you’ll find Black Seed marketed as a health food supplement, developed into oils (for ingestion and topical application) and also in capsule form. However, it can also be sprinkled on top of bread and dip, or even fully integrated within a recipe like a soup or stew. Black Seed has also been incorporated in everyday food products like manuka honey and flavor grinders, targeting those who simply want a touch of Black Seed without fully committing to its flavors. You’d also be surprised to find out that some common, day-to-day hair and beauty products, like shampoos and body lotions, also include Black Seed. To experience its beauty benefits, be on the lookout for any Black Seed ingredients next time you’re stocking the cosmetic cabinet or kitchen pantry! Being a nutritionist and recipe developer, one of the easiest ways I’d recommend to incorporate Black Seed is to simply add it to the food you’re already making. I love trying new dishes, and I always focus on using different and exciting flavors to make all food fun and interesting. Black Seed is one of my favorite ingredients for this very reason, as it is so unique in that it has a delicious, robust taste that’s also slightly bitter and spicy. It can almost be likened to cumin seed, onion and oregano, but with a nuttier profile comparatively. Since Black Seed is used all over the world in Indian, Middle Eastern and North African cuisines, it is also incredibly versatile and can be used in so many different types of recipes. I specifically like to add it to curries, stews, soups, breads, and even pastries and desserts. It adds an extra kick, and of course, has the nutritional benefits to boot. Don’t be afraid to give it a go — you’ll be so surprised by the punch of flavor it brings, as well as the mighty health benefits you’ll get to experience for yourself. Sources: 1 Better Health Channel, 2022 2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5735686/ 3 National Library of Medicine — Hafiz Moeen-ud-Din, S. Murad, Ajaz Fatima, 2016 Meet Your Contributor — Faye James  Credit: Faye James Faye James is an accredited nutritionist, Hab Shifa ambassador, member of Nutrition Council Australia, recipe developer and the author of cookbooks The 10:10 Diet and The Long Life Plan. A food, beauty and health journalist with over 20 years of experience, you can follow her on Instagram for Black Seed recipes and food inspiration — @fayecelinejames.
 Credit: Style My Soul, SMS | www.stylemysoul.com What is one lifestyle or productivity hack that helps you function better at home, at work and in society? Why?
To help you lead a productive life and maintain a successful lifestyle, we asked personal and lifestyle coaches, and business leaders this question for their best advice. Here are 9 lifestyle and productivity hacks these professionals practice to help them perform better in life:
Learn the Importance of Saying No Like many business owners, I want to please everyone but I have learned that being able to say “no” is absolutely necessary and is one of my best productivity hacks. Everyday, I experience demands on my time as people want meetings, want me to collaborate on projects, or want me to cut into my off days to take on another challenge, and initially, my first reaction was to say “yes”. However, after learning that in pleasing everyone else that I was always leaving myself unsatisfied, I began to make an effort to say “no”, when those requests cut into more important projects or key aspects of my life. Since making the effort to say “no”, I found that I have been more productive and am able to take care of the parts of my life that are most important to me. 💡Anthony Puopolo, Rex MD Batch Your Work When you’re in a situation where you have plenty of easily grouped tasks, I find it’s always best to batch your work. Outreach for a few different articles? Handle it all at once. Need to schedule a handful of appointments? Handle it in one sitting. Unfortunately, this won’t work for every type of task you have on your to-do list. For example, I do quite a bit of editing but I know I can’t sit and edit for hours on end at top accuracy. I batch my editing tasks but only to the point I know that quality won’t fall off. Even on a small-scale, I’ve found grouping a few tasks together leads to higher productivity. 💡Morgan Danielle, She’s Got Plans Get Good Quality Sleep Always The one fundamental thing that will help you function better in all areas of life is a good quality and duration of sleep. There are all of the usual tips such as making sure your bedroom is a relaxing space, ensuring you have a good quality mattress, and not using your mobile before bedtime. But my biggest hack is to read a book before bed. Not listening to a book — reading it the old school way. It relaxes you, makes you sleepy, and within minutes you will be ready to fall into a relaxing sleep. Make this a habit and over time your sleep will improve, as will your daily function. 💡Ben Foster, The SEO Works Start Your Day With Meditation Meditation is one of the most effective and reliable ways to get me in the best mindset before I start anything. I like to start my day with a morning meditation to approach my day in a calm state with a new perspective on stressful situations. Carving out this non-negotiable time for myself in the morning has changed my life and helped me approach each aspect of my day with a thoughtful and calm demeanor. I can then focus on what I need to get done and better manage my thoughts and stress. 💡Sumeer Kaur, Lashkaraa Set Time Boundaries When managing schedules, you have to be strict about your time. You need to establish blocks of time that are for one task and one task only. If you don’t set time boundaries, you leave your time open for anyone to distract you and fill your time with unnecessary requests or messages. Setting boundaries and making them clear will give you the uninterrupted time you need to complete your tasks. How do you do it? Mark certain periods on your calendar as unavailable. Change your Slack status. More importantly, don’t respond unless it’s necessary. Instant messaging has created a sense of urgency that impairs us during our work hours. If something comes up, like a meeting you can’t miss, adjust your schedule, but try to stick with it as much as possible. 💡Ryan Warner, 1AND1 Life Workout to Increase Your Focus Humans were not created to sit in front of screens for 8 or more hours every day. We have legs, arms, muscles, and a desire to move! I prioritize several workouts a week to ensure that my underlying physical needs are met. I find that I am more alert, more focused, and more pleasant to be around when I put my body through some physical exertion on a regular basis. If I don’t work out for too many days in a row, I notice that my tolerance for dealing with daily stresses goes down. 💡Joel Polanco, Intel Set and Accomplish Short-Term or Incremental Goals People often set long-term goals in front of them and start working towards those goals. It is good in a way but on the other hand, it wouldn’t help a person to complete their day-to-day tasks without procrastinating or overcoming other obstacles. What would help is, setting short-term goals that will ultimately lead you to your final destination. Completing these goals will enable a person to experience a sense of accomplishment each day. This induces a positive attitude that is responsible for greater productivity as well as overall development. 💡Kaitie Weaver, Helcim Turn Off Social Media for Quality Personal and Family Times Turning off social media apps during work hours, family time, and while I’m out with friends has significantly improved the quality of my time with them. I live “in the moment” now, being able to take in the present and enjoy it without the distraction of social media. At work, our jobs can get monotonous, and social media is quick relief from boredom. However, it is also highly distracting and can decrease your productivity drastically. Blocking social media apps with an app timer or blocker can make you much more productive at work. If you aren’t constantly checking your social media accounts for updates and notifications, those around you also feel valued and enjoy spending time with you. Your in-person friendships get stronger- life is more fulfilling. 💡Brian Campbell, Waterfilterguru Make a To-Do List Before Bed for the Next Day Each night in the evening an hour or two before bed, I write the next day’s to-do list with a pen and paper (not on a laptop or phone). I limit the items to 5 total, with a maximum of 3 high value tasks that would make the following day an awesome one if they all got completed. I find this is a really great way to get things off my mind and allows me to sleep a lot better. The next morning when I wake up, I already know exactly what I’m doing for the day and in what order. For me this is so much more helpful than trying to prioritize the first thing in the morning and figure out what I need to do that day. It’s been a real game changer! Also I like to think that making a to-do list before bed lets my mind start working on those items subconsciously while I sleep. 💡Ryan Turner, EcommerceIntelligence.com All inquiries for Style My Soul must be sent here. |