Uploader Magazine December 2019 Issue 1

CONTENT BY CREATORS

DECEMBER 2019 MAGAZINE

GET TO KNOW

WILLOW CITY & Their New SINGLE

“GHOSTS“

PLUS

WHAT’S NEXT FOR

Natalie ALZATE ISSUE 01

FASHION FAVORITES

&

WE CHAT WITH

CELEBRITY

Makeup Artist

Texas Dela Rosa

THE

CONTENT CREATORS

MAGAZINE

FEATURING BLOGGERS | VLOGGERS YOUTUBERS PODCASTERS

AUTHORS | WRITERS

INFLUENCERS

AND MORE...

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MAGAZINE

9 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR EDITORS PICKS (7,22,38,84,100) BEAUTY 14 TEXAS DELA ROSA Celebrity makeup artist discusses his journey, his passion to help people and he also shares his top must buys.

MAIN FEATURES 24 WILLOW CITY (ON THE COVER) Getting to know the band; understanding what “inspire happy” means to them, plus discussions on their recently released single “GHOSTS” 30 Liza Proch 32 Asa Proch 34 Ezra Proch 36 Beecher Proch 40 NATALIE ALZATE An honest and open talk, we learn about what drives her, her passions, and just how important her connection with her outties are.

MUSIC 50 OSCAR CUPER Discusses who he would like to work with next TRAVEL & PHOTOGRAPHY 58 ASHLEY BARNETT Ashley shares her beautiful photography from her travels around the globe.

NEW AND ASPIRING 70 AGAPE CHARITY MUKWAKWAMI Talks positive impact MENTAL HEALTH 72 ERIN DUDLEY Erin discusses mental health and how to cope especially during the festive season.

LIFESTYLE 86 KELLY STONE How she got into interior design, and then we are taken on a photographic tour of her home.

94 PETER 0’HALLORAN What is next for the multi award winner FASHION 102 TIFFANY GIANNATO Style ideas during the festive season, plus we find out who she would like to write for next SPOTLIGHT ON 110 COURTNEY DIAS Talks fashion for the curvy/plus influencer COMPETITION

112 CHRISTMAS SWEATER

Photography: Truman Young @its_trumanyoung

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MAGAZINE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CHERYL DE MARCO @cherylandmore CONTRIBUTORS

Agape Charity Mukwakwami @agapeshow Asa Proch @asa_proch Ashley Barnett @ashley_travels Beecher Proch @beecherproch Caroline Presso @cpresso Courtney Dias @_myownmelody_ Erin Dudley @sewstratton Ezra Proch @ezraproch Dre Fox @timeofdre Kelly Morgan @kelly_morgan24 Kelly Stone @kelly.e.stone Liza Proch @lizaproch Natalie Alzate @nataliesoutlet Natalie Zastryzny @thenataliezastryzny Oscar Cuper @oscar_cuper_ Peter O’Halloran @peterohalloran_ Texas Dela Rosa @texasdelarosa Tiffany Giannato @tiffyg77

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ashley Barnett @ashley_travels Bethany Paige Erin Dudley @sewstratton Gabby Baglieri @geoleon Ivan Capelli @johnolive www.juliemccoy.photography Louis Lorencez @louislorencez Luca Tavera @makanaphot @mattpluz Merissa Conley Philip Murray @philipmurrayphotography Seth Komito @komitocollective @styledbykrystalandrea Truman Young @its_trumanyoung Vanity Studios

Get in touch hello@uploadermagazine.com www.uploadermagazine.com @uploadermagazine Publisher Uploader Media Limited

Photography: Kelly Stone

Editors Pick Winter Whites Miss Selfridge Body £25 Dress £45 Coat £85

Credit: Miss Selfridge via PRShots

Photography: Vanity Studios

letter

FROM THE

EDITOR I

have always been an avid reader of magazines, I love the way they look, the eye-catching glossy images, and the way I feel when I purchase one, is almost the same way I feel about purchasing a new outfit. I would spend hours going through each one; and often finding myself engrossed in the articles written, whilst trying to picture what goes on behind the making of such a piece of art. Well, here I am with my very own magazine, my blood, sweat and tears, for the last 9 months!

Uploader Magazine shares new and aspiring, and well-known content creators from around the globe. In this issue Erin Dudley talks about the importance of mental health; Tiffany Giannato shares her festive style tips; and Natalie Alzate talks honestly and openly about her passions, how driven she is, and just how much her ‘outies’ mean to her. We have beautiful photography; and celebrity makeup artist Texas Dela Rosa talks about his journey on becoming one of the most sought after makeup artists. For our main feature we talked to our cover stars Willow City, on touring as a family, their recently released song “ghosts”, and what “inspire happy” means to them.

This edition marks the first issue of Uploader Magazine, an issue very close to my heart and many others. Without the help from friends, family, and creators; this would not have been possible, and I am extremely blessed to be able to create and share this with you all.

o

c r a M e D l y r e Ch

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BEAUTY Photography: Seth Komito @komitocollective

Texas Dela Rosa How long have you worked as a makeup artist and what got you started?

Pro Makeup Artist Instagram: @texasdelarosa Website: www.texasdelarosa.com Email: texas@texasdelarosa.com

I’ve been in the cosmetics industry for about 20 years, and I started doing makeup when I was very young on friends and people at school. I’m an artist by trade and I’ve always done art, paint acrylics and especially animation; I have always been really interested in that and I still love to draw cartoons. So it was really my love for art that got me into makeup. In fact, it was kind of a fluke, because when I was very new in the industry around 19 or 20 years old, a friend of mine who is a veteran makeup artist ask me to do a charity event with him at a local company that works with the women’s shelter. Companies had donated makeup and when we arrived, one of the organizers came up and said, “where is the rest of your team, we have 200 ladies getting makeovers today” and my friend looked at me and said, you are helping me do makeup today!

Seriously, I was like OMG, I don’t know how to work on a face, I know how to work with canvas as its flat, but it actually turned out great. I sat next to my friend basically mimicked what he did; I may have picked up the wrong brush here and there, but I didn’t ruin anyone’s face, and in-fact that really changed me. It not only gave me the idea that makeup is actually art, but it also helps people; especially for the women at the shelter; they don’t really have anyone telling them that they are beautiful, and so for them to feel pretty was such a big thing, and it made me feel great to be able to help people feel good about themselves. Not that people need makeup to feel beautiful, but it gives them that armor sometimes. Then about 2001 is when I really started and by 2005 I did some free magazines to get my name out there; luckily my name is unforgettable, and when I started film and television, I met producers that got me some gigs like local music videos, basically it was growth by word of mouth back then.

You are one of the most sought-after makeup artists in Austin, plus you also offer classes which I imagine doesn’t give you a huge amount of spare time, how do you manage to stay on top of the beauty trends?

I am a beauty care junkie and I have always been. When I was younger, I always felt like across the pond, Europeans style hit before

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Photography: Seth Komito @komitocollective

Photography: Seth Komito @komitocollective

Americans style did in terms of trends, so when I was little I to get magazines imported in and I still kinda do it today. I will research beauty products to see what is coming, and for me it’s not really about being on top of it, I’m just fascinated with it. It’s not really an OMG I have to do this, but more of an OMG... I get to do this!

There are so many new products coming out now, especially with in the influencer industry, like Jeffree Star, Tati Westbrook, James Charles etc., have you tried any of their products and do you have a particular brand that you gravitate towards?

I do yes, I am very particular about my makeup because when I do makeup on clients, normally they are going to an event or doing something where their makeup has to last all day long, so nothing against drug store products, or more affordable cosmetics but I always use the pro-longwear stuff, and the two foundations that I usually gravitate towards are the Ultra HD from Makeup Forever and the MAC Pro-Longwear, just because I know they last a long time on the skin and the colors are across the board from the lightest to the darkest. Regarding new people coming out with their own products, I have to say I am a little leery; especially after what happened with Jaclyn Hill, and the problems around her products. Often you find companies just slapping a label on a product that has already been made because they think the name will sell it, rather than the brand actually spending time to formulate the product, work with colors and going through everything needed to create a product. I think that one of the people that does spend a lot of time with her line is Kat Von D, and I loved her makeup, and I believe that her and Jeffree Star actually worked together for a while, and I really respect people that put their time and effort into it vs just slapping their name on it; for example I’m not sure how much Kylie Jenner really does, I think it’s left to others.

You often work with well-known personalities such as Meg Turney, Danay Garcia, and recently Kate Siegal from “The Haunting of Hill House”,

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did you ever imagine you would get where you are today?

I didn’t imagine this at all, I honestly thought it was a gig for a hot minute, and maybe only do a few events for friends. I am blessed and thankful that I stuck with it. I was just recently published in 4 international magazines, and we have been sitting on a shoot that we did with Danay for about a year, so when it was finally published, it was like, yes... we can finally talk about it. I also just worked with Ethan Hawke, and the cool thing about working with actors, is they get in their head and they literally turn into the person for the shoot. Working with models is a little different, they know their bodies and how to stand, what angles look good on them and they are beautiful, but actors... they turn into the person for the shoot.

I have this long jacket, James Dean kinda jacket which I gave to Kate Siegal during a shoot, and then asked if she could sit on the bed looking at the TV bored whilst changing the channels with the remote, so she did, and it turned into this beautiful photo.

You are very close with your family, tell me more about them?

My mom is an artist too, I am very close with my family and they are very proud of what I have done. I’ve always worked from when I was young, and I think my parents really respected me as a kid because a lot of my friends were not working, and they never really worried about me as they knew I would always be ok. They are my biggest supporters and fans, and they are behind me 100%, no matter what.

Have you ever made a huge make-up mistake, and if so, what was it?

Yes, yes, I have; and I do have one that really sticks out about 7 years ago. It’s very interesting because you can feel a vibe working with someone, and this client sat down in my chair, she had two kids with her, she was stressed out and erratic and was getting

Photography: Seth Komito @komitocollective Photography: Seth Komito @komitocollective

short and snippy with me, so I couldn’t really read her, and usually I’m pretty good at reading people.

Anyway, she told me to do a silver eye, with pink shadow and although I knew it wouldn’t look good, I did it anyway as it’s what she wanted, and I ended up doing this blueish silver eye and it looked awful.

The thing is that I couldn’t blend anything out as she was tight on time, and then she wanted glitter, and the whole thing just looked hideous. I could tell she wasn’t happy with it, but I was just kinda throwing things on her just to get her out of the chair. She left looking like she was going to an 80’s prom. But it really was the vibe, and I still think about that, I do own it, and I learn from my mistakes.

You work with photographer and producer Seth Komito a lot, and he recently wrote in an Instagram post “Texas Dela Rosa is and forever will be my right hand. There will never be another professional make-up artist that will have my creative trust. Born a creator, will die a creator. There has never been another artist I truly trusted. So, to the world: if you hire me, you hire him”. These are pretty strong feelings and words; this kind of commitment and respect must just blow you away?

I met Seth a while ago whilst bartending, as one of my DJ friends knew him, so we did meet briefly but never worked together until recently. I let him take my photos for a shoot, and the thing you need to know is I don’t like having my pictures taken, but I trust Seth and I think his work is amazing.

All of his pictures tell a story, and I completely trust him. He is amazing. So for him to say what he did, was literally one of the nicest things that anyone has ever said about me with any job that I have done, I was completely blown away by that because it shows his trust in me, it’s an amazing thing to have someone believe in me so much. He is like family, and we mesh well together.

You also have a podcast which you host along with Gina Rae called “How May We Service You”, tell me a little about it?

It’s a service industry podcast, and the reason why I got into it is to clear up a few misconceptions about the service industry, but also to tell a story. I originally wanted to write a book, but then a friend suggested that I start a podcast which was a much cheaper option. So, I decided that I would record it live in an open bar to make it more interactive and relatable. People in the audience can ask questions throughout the podcast, and also there are some fabulous stories to be told. I want to bring guests 20 UPLOADER MAGAZINE

on from all walks of life within the service industry.

So, what is next for Texas Dela Rosa?

I am doing a lot of permanent make up, and SMP (scalp micropigmentation). The thing is that makeup washes off, and I have clients that say that they love when I do their make-up, but it sucks when they have to take it off, and I can’t recreate it, so it pushed me into the world where if I can do something semi-permanent on a client, then that would be amazing. It’s life changing for some people, and it goes back to my mantra on why I do what I do, because I want to help people. I do push myself to the limit, but I love what I do. I’m also starting my own YouTube channel called Texas Shares, where I will be talking about what I do but in a structured way so that people can learn tips and tricks.

Since this is a Christmas publication, do you have any festive go-to looks.

I love glittery and smokey eyes during the festive season, and also a beautiful velvet red lip. Glitz and glam always makes me think of New Year. Two of my favorite red lips are Cruella by Nars but you do need a lip liner and my favorite is Brick by Mac, and I do like Vice Lips by Urban Decay. Two of my favorite Mac Lips are Ruby Woo and Russian Red. People are afraid to wear red, but it’s fabulous and commands attention as long as you find the right shade for your skin. Lashes are also a big deal, and my go to lashes would be Ardell and Demi Wispies, they look good on everyone. Just let the lashes do the talking. Less color more lash.

“A good glow is the Hourglass Ambient Pallet, everyone needs it and you can get that at Sephora.”

Texas Dela Rosa

1 3 5

Top Must-Have Products

2 4 6

NYX Modern Dreamer Palette: It is a fun palette with tons of good colors from your more natural colors to your more bold colors. Great for any skin color or age! And at a price point of $35 US dollars it is a great gift!!

NYX Hydra Touch Primer: Everyone needs a primer and this one is perfect for your winter months as it is very moisturizing. Your skin tends to be more dry in colder months. So this is perfect!!

Real Techniques Brushes: I have followed this company for years. The owners are amazing and both makeup artists. Sam(antha) and Nic(ola) Chapman. These are my favorite brushes as they are super affordable, synthetic so easy to clean and available everywhere!! The Miracle Complexion sponge is everything!! I love how it is shaped and I can’t do my foundation without it!! Around $6 versus Beauty Blender Sponges that are around $20 The Naked Palette by Urban Decay: This is a good every day palette. Great colors for all the natural looks you want and very pigmented. At around $50 available and Sephora and Ulta.

NYX Glitter: This is some of the best glitter at the price point you can have $6. They are perfect for that glitz and glam look for the holidays. From lips, eyes or even a touch of glitter to the shoulders and neck. A good tip for them is to use the NYX Glitter Primer!! It will help you pack that glitter in for a more bold look. Apply with a Q tip or even your finger! The red on the lips is amazing and I love the gold over a dark smoky eye.

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s p i T e l y t S s r o t i d E I’m a huge fan of over-the-knee boots, and whilst the trend has changed somewhat this season, I haven’t retired mine yet.

These light grey/silver boots don’t fall to far from the popular knee-high white boot, and since the material is super soft, it’s easy to pull them lower to give the appearance of a slouch knee-high; two boots in one - Bonus!

Check out my favorite 3 ways to style these boots this winter.

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3

My go-to look for knee-high boots would be with a skirt/dress that sits slightly higher than the boot, allowing just a little skin to peek through.

Midi skirts became a major staple trend earlier this year and it isn’t slowing down anytime soon, but guess what, that means we get to pair them with knee-highs and a cozy turtleneck knit.

Shirt dresses are currently a favorite of mine, and I am super excited that they are everywhere this winter. I’m loving the slightly baggy one-color shirt dress, which looks great with or without a belt; pair with your boots and you have a classic look which can take you from boardroom to bedroom with a cheeky cocktail in between.

g a B d n a s t oo B e h Shop T

Boots: I purchased these from a Stuart Weitzman outlet, but you can also pick up similar on sale here: The Kirstie 90 boot in light taupe.

Bag: this Michael Kors bag is a year old, but a similar one on sale can be found here: Emmy large Saffiano leather dome satchel.

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Photography: Truman Young @its_trumanyoung

In the small town of Fredericksburg, Texas; I met with Willow City for a chat over dinner. If you haven’t heard of Willow City, then let’s catch you up. They are no ordinary group; the band consists of 4 siblings, all with amazing musical talents; writing, creating, and singing in beautiful harmony together. They travel the country performing with the aim to “inspire happy” by creating music that everyone will enjoy. If you listen to their music and find yourself smiling and singing along with love in your heart, then they are certainly achieving what they set out to do.

“Don’t be afraid to be different. People will notice you if you’re different.”

- Willow City You may think that touring together may eventually take its toll, but not for the Proch family. They sit, laugh, make jokes and tease one another but they are also best friends. They all have a role to play within the band, and it works.

Asa, the youngest of the group and although still in school is a master video editor, so much so that he edits for other companies when not studying, playing with the band or fishing. He reminds me of a young Justin Bieber, and I am sure his fans will agree!

Liza is an amazing Artist, and a very successful entrepreneur. She takes control of all design needs for the band, as well as selling and licensing out her own paintings. Make sure to check out her gifs on Instagram. Liza has a very particular singing voice, and one that instantly turns heads. With a voice reminiscent of Halsey, I’ve easily found one of my favorite artists.

With an eye for fashion, Beecher is launching his Demin line which artistically unique, and I have to say pretty darn fabulous Willow City recently starred on Nickelodeons Most Musical Family, if you didn’t get a chance to see them, make sure to check them out over on YouTube where you can stream the episode.

They have just released their new single “Ghosts” which is different from what you may know them for. This is a completely different sound, and one that will resonate with everyone. Their sound has matured, and this song is certainly a very important release for Willow City.

Let us not forget the true glue that holds the family together, Janet and Tom join their children as they tour the country, making memories and “inspiring happy”.

Willow City are a truly unique and extremely talented band. They learn from one-another and create experiences that some only dream of. They all have beautiful voices that work perfectly in harmony together, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.

“Being in the entertainment business is a challenge just like any other business. But it’s a fun challenge that takes outof-the-box thinking and different perspectives on getting your music or videos in front of people.”

Ezra is the master behind the lyrics and music writing. It may take days or minutes to come up with something special, but it’s how he gets there which is intriguing. Every song written, like most, have a back story to it, it could be a friend, a loved one, or the possible future, but each and every song is created with feeling which he draws from his emotions. An actor, avid golfer and musician, Ezra’s talents are endless.

www.willowcitymusic.com Email: friends@willowcitymusic.com Instagram: @willowcityofficial Facebook: @willowcitymusic Apple Music: Willow City Spotify: Willow City YouTube: Willow City

Beecher the eldest of the four is the business mind behind the band. His determination, wit and humor is everything, and paramount to the band.

We thought it would be fun to ask a couple of random questions so that you can get to know them all. keep reading to find out more...

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Liza Proch

With a beautiful voice reminiscent of Halsey, Liza is not only talented but also a successful artistic entrenpreneur.

Which song brings you the most happiness in times of sadness?

If you had a time machine, would you go back in time or visit the future, and why?

Back in time! Seeing the future would stress me out and I would never be able to focus on the present again, being so distracted by what’s going to happen!

Our song Brand New (the second track on our album Willow City) is the song that puts a skip in my step when I’m feeling down. Performing that song on stage is like a shot of happiness, with its pop beat and fun groove.

If you were a superhero, what power would you have?

What is your favorite memory?

If I asked your siblings to sum you up in 5 words, what do you think they would say?

I have so many memories that I will always cherish, but one of the clearest memories I have is going on vacation as a kid with my whole family, especially to the beach. I would wade out into the ocean with my dad, and would hold on to his big hands as he lifted me over each huge wave that came at us. It’s one of my all time favorite memories and one I’ll always hold dear. I have memories of painting with my dad and brother, and those are special too.

Flight! I’d love to get everywhere fast, and not have to stick to the roads!

Peacemaker, funny, sometimes ditsy, even-tempered, creative.

Contact Liza Instagram: @lizaproch Website: https://www.lizaproch.com

Asa Proch

Not only is Asa an expert video editor and a fishing fanatic, his amazing vocals shine through proving he could be the next Justin Bieber.

to the 1920s, for the music, dancing and lifestyle. This time period seems like such a fun time to live. Life was simpler.

Which song brings you the most happiness in times of sadness?

If you were a superhero, what power would you have?

One of my favorite songs to play when I’m feeling down is “never gonna give you up” by Rick astley. For some reason this song always just gives me a pick up. That sounds rallies me to keep in the race and persevere.

What is your favorite memory?

My favorite memory is probably from our first west US coast tour. We took a few days of vacation in a small town in Montana. I remember waking up to the smell of camp fire smoke and coffee, walking outside and looking out over the gorgeous mountain scape, picking up my rod and heading to the small creek beside our cabin to catch native rainbow and brook trout (I’m kinda a fishing fanatic) Such a wonderful memory.

If you had a time machine, would you go back in time or visit the future, and why?

If I had a way to travel back in time I would go back

If I could choose a power to have, I would love to be able to fly. It would be so dope at our show openings....can you imagine. No strings attached. :) If I asked your siblings to sum you up in 5 words, what do you think they would say?

I think my siblings would sum me up with these words: A kid of few words.

(Cue the family: Asa is a man of few words, however those words are hilarious when they come out of his mouth. The words he uses are laced with quiet wisdom... and often things we wished we had said... and infused with humor.) The kid is hilarious!!

Contact Asa Instagram: @asa_proch

Ezra Proch

Songwriter extraordinaire, musically gifted, golf enthusiast and actor; Ezra’s talents continue to impress.

Which song brings you the most happiness in times of sadness?

When I’m feeling depressed or down I have a couple go to songs. The song that really gets to me is a song by Needtobreathe called, “Wasteland”. Its the title track of the bands 2014 album and and lyrics state “I’m wasting my way through days losing youth along the way. Oh if God is on my side, who can be against me”. That reminder is huge to me.

What is your favorite memory?

Wow! I have so many. One of them is this amazing memory of my Dad when we were vacationing in Colorado when I was probably 6. He was carrying me and Liza along this rushing creek in the mountains and it was such a memorable moment. I think the reason is

because knew I was safe. It was a fun adventure.

If you had a time machine, would you go back in time or visit the future, and why?

I’d go back in time. There are so many events in the past that I would love to see and I would be scared to see my future because of the idea that seeing my future could possibly change my future.

If you were a superhero, what power would you have?

I would be able to fly. That would be awesome.

If I asked your siblings to sum you up in 5 words, what do you think they would say?

I think they would say: Friendly. Artistic. Feeling. Adventurous. Learner.

Contact Ezra Instagram: @ezraproch

Beecher Proch

With an eye for fashion, clothing brand entrepreneur, beautifully soothing vocals, and impressive guitar skills, Beecher is truly a ingenious person.

Which song brings you the most happiness in times of sadness?

Whenever I’m feeling down, I always hit play on a song called “Zing went the strings of my heart” from the Woody Allen film “Cafe Society”. It’s such a great song never fails to put a smile on my face.

What is your favorite memory?

My favorite memory is Christmas as a kid. There’s nothing that rivals the magical feeling of waking up on a crisp Christmas morning and running down the stairs to a lit Christmas tree surrounded by festively-wrapped gifts. My parents are insanely artsy, and their wrapping is always an art statement in-and-of itself.

born in 1921 in Waco, Texas, far, far away from the fastpaced living on the East Coast. I’d like to be able to hop between Waco and New York City and compare lifestyles. Fascinating.

If you were a superhero, what power would you have?

If I were a superhero, I’d be able to travel anywhere in the blink of an eye. Can you imagine how much you’d get done? (or maybe you wouldn’t get anything done because you’d be so busy going anywhere and everywhere in the world.) That way when disasters happened, you could be there in a snap and pitch in to help those affected.

If I asked your siblings to sum you up in 5 words, what do you think they would say?

If you had a time machine, would you go back in time or visit the future, and why?

I’m pretty sure the five words my siblings would use to describe me would be: Bossy, Hard-worker, Visionary, Goofy, and Confident. If there were a sixth word, it’d probably be crazy. Life is so much more fun if you can be a little crazy and not take yourself too seriously.

If I had a time machine, I’d immediately head back to the roaring ‘20s. The fashion, architecture, music, and high-society life are enthralling. My Grandmother was

Contact Beecher Instagram: @beecherproch Website: www.beecherproch.com

Last Minute Advent Calendar Ideas For Her

CHERYL’S CHOICE

M&S Collection Jewellery Advent Calendar £19.50 Marks and Spencer

Debenhams Beauty Advent Calendar £30 Debenhams

Cath Kidston Christmas Advent Calendar £28 Very.co.uk

Debenhams Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar £18 Debenhams

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Photography: Kelly Stone

Paperchase Stationery Advent Calendar £35 Paperchase

Debenhams Build Your Own Radio Advent Calendar £18 Debenhams

Getting Personal Spotify Music Advent Calendar £17.99 www.gettingpersonal.co.uk

Last Minute Advent Calendar Ideas For Him

CHERYL’S CHOICE

Debenhams Electronic Advent Calendar £18 Debenhams

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Natalie Alzate With more than 10 million loyal subscribers across your channels; 1.3 billion views to date and 50+ million monthly views, do you ever take a moment to just sit and take it all in?

Because seriously these are some pretty impressive numbers!

Instagram: @nataliesoutlet YouTube: Natalies Outlet Website: www.natalies-outlet.com

“One thing I have learned is that what might resonate on YouTube might not resonate on Instagram, vs Pinterest. There is a language for every single platform”

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Honestly, I feel like I can’t catch my breath, every single day is so different. I really wish I could just sit back and take more time to appreciate everything, but I’m just such a go-getter that I’m just so driven by projects and I’m just too entrepreneurial at heart, and I’m just so passionate about what I do. I started when I was a junior in college, doing the traditional thing, I was going to school I was doing marketing and business, I started watching YouTube videos when I was 13, and I was so inspired by all these incredible women like Michelle Phan and Dulce Candy that built incredible platforms and businesses, and there was so much potential there, that I was very much driven from it.

But recently I have started to do retreats that have been really great, and for my mental sanity; so, I do try.

Do you ever go back and watch your very first YouTube video from 5 years ago; and did you ever imagine 5 years ago you would be where you are now?

Yes, I do go back and watch those videos, and every time I feel burnt-out, I like to go back and watch those videos, particularly because there is so much passion. At the beginning I literally spent everything I had to buy a camera and get a little set up for the videos, I really believed in it. Now I am dealing with much bigger business plans, much bigger projects, and bigger opportunities so a lot of the time it’s scary; so, I go back to my first video, where I was fearless. I remember the first time I came to LA I brought all my business cards, I got out of my comfort zone, I literally would talk to the producers. I went to this event called Generation Beauty and it was done by Michelle Phan who I really look up to and I just recall being so brave and going up to the executive and CEO, and looking back at it, I was so brave. If you really believe in something, you just go on a tangent and it’s everything you think about. So, I like to

watch those videos as I see that same passion and it’s just incredible.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself when you started your channel?

I would say don’t be afraid to start a team. So, there was a time when I was the producer, the editor, the writer, the negotiator, I was the one emailing brands, I was doing it all, and it’s a lot.

I started to get burnt-out, and for me in my own head I was like, no one can do this as good as me, there is no one that could edit my stuff as good as I can , there was no one that could set the table up with cameras the way I could, and that was very shortsighted because. First of all, you are only just one person and that is not enough resources, and secondly you just can’t do it all. At the beginning my channel did well in the beginning but you can only run so fast. Once I hired an editor and once my husband came on the team, and with a few assistants it really helped, just because I was able to focus on what I was really good at which was a creative, as opposed to the business and all of the logistics and all of this other stuff which never really fueled me like the creative part did. So, I would say build a team, don’t be afraid to delegate, the best time to do it is now.

“If you really believe in something, you just go on a tangent and it’s everything you think about.”

You cover DIY, Life Hacks, Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle Advise, Gadgets and Pranks; the prank videos are the most watched, but which is your favorite to create and film?

Yes, that actually surprises me that the prank videos are the most watched. But my favorite videos to create and film are the ones with my dog, and you know, everything done with your animals is just amazing! But with regards to others I don’t really have a particular favorite, although I do have one called beauty busters and that one is really great because it has a certain format to it. It’s very loose, it’s not restricted, it’s just me by myself behind the camera, and the product, which makes it really fun. But I would say whichever I am really passionate about in the moment, so if I’m really into selfcare then I will really want

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to do something around that. In all of my videos there is an aspect of how-to and an aspect of being helpful that may help out in real life. Like sleep hack videos ,which you know many people have trouble going to sleep early, and then also videos on how to wake up early because again it’s a struggle, so I try to do videos on things that I’m going through at the time which will also be valuable to my audience. I really can’t pick a true favorite.

You have 3 channels, one of which you have with your husband Dennis; that means there is a lot of content to think about, plan and create, do you ever manage to turn off “creator mode” and just chill or do something crazy without having to constantly think about the camera?

To be honest no, I can’t do that which is why every single year I go on a one-week retreat, and so the retreat is all about self-health, or about eating better. It puts me out of my comfort zone; and I can’t be creative because I’m around strangers and people that I don’t know, and we talk about really deep issues. Last year I went to Hawaii, this year I went to Bali and all those trips are very transformative for me because I feel that if I’m always on creatively, there comes a point where my ideas really just stop. They just don’t flow anymore, and I believe that you can’t create very good stuff when you are overwhelmed. So, I try to do that at least once a year, it’s my thing now. I know that full week is mine, and I won’t let anything get it the way.

You launched and hosted the podcast #Viral in April 2018 which ran for 22 episodes and reached the top 10 on Apple Podcasts. Will you continue to make more of these?

So yeah, I would absolutely love to! #Viral was a project which did really really great. We were top of the charts for Apple, with over 300,000 listeners per episode, it was incredible, and really what it came down to was during that time I got burntout. I shot 22 episodes in 1 week, I wasn’t living in Los Angeles, I was doing a 22-city tour all around the states, I was launching my merchandise and uploading 4 videos a week over my 3 different channels, it was a lot. So regardless of what you want to do in life, your body will shut down, and mine did. So, there was a moment that everyone that loved me was questioning why I was doing everything at the same time, I knew I had to drop a project, so unfortunately for me it was #Viral.

I loved it so much, it was such a great podcast because it goes deep into the study of the most successful channels. We brought them on and then asked them questions about how they got started, how did they stand out amongst other on a platform which is the second largest to google. I love stuff like that, and I’m very driven by that.

So, I hope to relaunch it once I get everything together.

Do you have any upcoming tours planned?

No not at the moment, it was such a great tour and it was my first tour, right now I am just focusing on building my community on YouTube, and really engaging with my ‘outies’ and getting to know them. I recently just leaked my phone number, which was really fun. It is a real texting service where I sit down and I text every single person, I send some voice messages and photos, but for me it is really rewarding, even though it is time consuming: It’s also great because I am building that community and I am talking to my biggest ‘outies’ and I think that makes it really special.

It sounds like you have a very exciting project in the works, did I hear something about a documentary debuting in 2022?

There is definitely something in the works. So, this year I opened up about my breast deformity and why I removed my breast implants; and so, the documentary kinda goes deeper into that, and things that women do to look a certain way. Unfortunately, there are certain consequences with all of those things that we do, even though we may not be affected by it at the beginning. Textured implants are now off the market, it started in France, then Canada and now it’s here in the States; and for me, having such a young audience I know how easily influenced others can be. When I wanted breast implants, what did I do, I went on YouTube and I looked for people’s experiences, and I was extremely influenced by YouTubers who spoke highly of them. After getting implants, I started to suffer from autoimmune disease, I was losing hair, I gained weight, I was severely tired all the time, so it was my last hope of faith to remove them, which I did in February. My autoimmune disease is gone, everything is back to normal, like I am myself again, and so I really wanted to create a storyline around that. I am very passionate about that.

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Now for a little randomness; you are going to a deserted island, and you can only take 5 things with you, what would you take?

So, I would definitely take my dog, I would take my husband for tranquility, I would bring some type of computer and some type of internet thing so that I am able to reach out to people. I would also bring my phone to talk to my ‘outies’.

“I recently just leaked my phone number, which was really fun. It is a real texting service where I sit down and I text every single person, I send some voice messages and photos, but for me it is really rewarding” What is next for you?

Right now, I definitely see myself as really engaging with my audience and continuing to build that. There is a way to grow on YouTube, but there is also a way to create an impact within your community. Then hopefully some type of product down the line, I’m not really sure in what category, or what that would be, but currently just navigating some ideas. I have to do something that I am really passionate about.

MUSIC Photography: @makanaphoto

Oscar Cuper

Italian Music Artist Instagram: @oscar_cuper_ Facebook: Oscar Cuper

Although you work in music, you also own a hair salon which is quite a contrast, which came first and how do you split your time between the two?

Music has always been my passion from a young age! I recently opened the hair salon to support myself financially as well as my musical interests; and since I am a very creative person, it worked extremely well. Being my own boss also allows me to organize my time between the salon and the recording studio (www.audiocorestudio.com ) where I go whenever inspiration strikes. I have a team of amazing and extremely professional people with whom I have established an excellent working relationship and friendship.

How involved do you get on the production of the music videos?

I always try to be involved as much as possible in the creative process, together with the Audiocore Studio team, developing the best idea for the video we want to make. I believe that visuals are paramount in order to get my message across.

Many of your songs are covers/remakes, however you also have a fair amount of original content, which do you prefer to work on?

Personally, I feel that making covers and new songs, even though they require a different pro-

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cess, are both very stimulating. Of course, a cover can reach a larger audience, though as you may have noticed each of these operations were more like remakes, as I am always trying to leave my own mark by adding extra lyrics and adjusting everything with my style.

You live in Italy but travel to the USA a lot to work on the content, why America?

There is no particular reason! I like traveling a lot, because it gives me the opportunity to live new experiences, see new places, and meet people. This helps me a lot to find new inspiration for my lyrics and music. But regarding travel, I’ll give you a little spoiler: in a few days I’ll be leaving for London to shoot my new video clip with Lorenzo Bresolin (www.bsite.it).

“Visuals are paramount in order to get my message across” You work with other artists, especially live on stage, what was your favorite performance?

Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to perform in various venues, sometimes sharing the stage with important Italian artists such as Jack the Furia, Fred De Palma, Madman, Aid Ucy, Nathalie, Ludovica Pagani, Datura, Cristin Marchi etc.. Live performing is my real dimension; my last performance during Halloween was off the charts, seeing the people dancing and having fun listening to my music repays me for all the hard work.

You seem to gravitate towards Hip-hop and rap; would you consider working outside of this genre in the future?

I have no limits. I really like the two genres and they act as a common thread for some of my songs. I don’t think of myself as a rap artist because I like to wander over to other rock-like styles, electronic music, pop etc. You can see this especially in some of my tracks where the influences I just mentioned are very present.

Photography: @makanaphoto

Photography: Luca Tavera

Whilst working in this industry, you have mingled with some pretty amazing artists, what was your most memorable moment?

Last summer I shot the video clip for “Gramo”. This song is dedicated to a dear musician and friend of mine who unfortunately got ASL. To accomplish this I had the great support from my old group of friends to shoot in places we used to go during our childhood; It was a wonderful and emotional experience. As a final treat, I managed to involve Luca Carboni whom I met before one of his concerts for a dedicated message of good wishes, that is one of his favorite artists.

The list would go on and on, as I said I listen to a lot of music and I like so many artists. If I had to dream and give you names, I’ll say Bruno Mars, Post Malone, Ariana Grande, AC/DC and Foo Fighters.

What is next for Oscar Cuper?

Continue to work on my passion for music, writing songs as spontaneously as possible, and creating emotions for the listener. I have many things in the pipeline that are taking shape together with my team but right now I can’t reveal anything, so STAY TUNED!!!

Photography: Ivan Capelli

Who would you love to work with?

Photography: @makanaphoto

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TRAVEL & PHOTOGRAPHY Photography: @keatonwebbphoto

Ashley Barnett

Instagram: @ashley_travels Email: ashleytravelsphoto@gmail.com

“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.”

– Oprah Winfrey –

M

y name is Ashley and it is my desire to tell the unique stories of our world, one series at a time. As a travel photographer, it is my goal to venture to the most remote places around the globe, engage with unique and eclectic individuals from all walks of life, and document everything I can. I am always seeking to capture the authentic moments in the lives of those I encounter. This thirst to discover new perspectives has taken me to every corner of the world, and even though I have traveled to all seven continents, I feel as though I have only just begun.

Adventure is in my blood. My travels have taken me to over fifty countries on all seven continents where I have been able to create unforgettable memories. Some of my favorite adventures include a helicopter ride to an Alaskan glacier, walking with lions in Zimbabwe, camping in nomadic gers with the Mongolian eagle hunters, tracking the Big Five animals with the Maasai warriors in Kenya, taking the polar plunge in Antarctica, diving with hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos islands, summiting the Chilean peaks of Patagonia, sailing the Norwegian fjords, flying to the Mt. Everest base camp with the emergency rescue pilots, and traveling through southeast Asia aboard the Eastern Oriental Express.

I am often asked where I plan to travel next – my goal is to explore as many UNESCO World Heritage sites as possible. This upcoming year is full of many new adventures. I am traveling down the Mekong to Vietnam and Cambodia, Myanmar and the Irrawaddy, Argentina, Easter Island, Ecuador, London, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Papua New Guinea. Additionally, I will be visiting Las Vegas, New York City, Hawaii and the American southwest including Colorado, Arizona, and Utah to explore the Grand Canyon, Moab, and Arches National Parks.

I am a travel photographer! The majority of the subject matter I shoot includes candid portraits, landscapes, drone photography, and wildlife. Through my photographs, I hope to tell visual stories that capture the realities and emotions of those I observe around the globe and to share my experiences to hopefully inspire others to pursue their passions.

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Photography: @johnolive

Photography is my passion, but my educational background is in law. I am an attorney and (soon to be) PhD studying the anthropological and legal significance of religion, culture, and the human experience around the globe. My time in this field has given me a great appreciation for how culture has shaped human experience in myriad ways throughout the world. I am incredibly fortunate to be able to share my observations of culture through the art of visual stories. My ultimate career goal is to become the Samantha Brown of the travel adventure space and host a travelogue series!

arctica is an extraordinary continent of rich history of adventure and exploration, stunning natural beauty, and myriad animals found nowhere else in the world. Despite feeling extremely seasick during the Drake Passage crossing, it is still my favorite destination I have ever traveled to. It is truly magnificent.

When I am not working as a travel photographer, I often find myself on the other side of the camera, modeling and promoting various products and services as a brand ambassador. This year, I am also expanding my online content to include a web series documenting everything from my latest travels, travel tips and advice, and much more. However, the project I am most excited about is creating a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing water to remote areas of the world through the installation of water wells. Traveling all over the world, it is difficult to ignore the hardships faced by many people lacking the things we often take for granted, such as water and other basic necessities. I’ve witnessed many children walk several hours a day just to bring water back to their homes. My goal is to use my passion for photography and use my images to advocate for the importance of service projects to enrich local communities around the world and to raise funds to build wells in communities desperate for water.

While traveling has been a source of endless adventure, it is not without its challenges. The scariest moment I have experienced traveling was on a helicopter ride in Alaska. I decided to take a helicopter ride to the top of the glacier to go dogsledding. On the return ride, one of the side doors of the helicopter abruptly flew open as we were making a turn on the side I was sitting on. The pilot made an emergency landing on a different glacier, fixed the door, and we made it back safely. It was very nerve-wracking to say the least.

While there have been many destinations that hold a special place in my heart, one experience that made a significant impact on my life was my most recent trip to Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, I volunteered and worked at an animal conservation that protected many species of animals, including all of the Big Five animals. Although I was primarily there to shoot images and videos for new marketing and educational material, every day I had the opportunity to volunteer in the local community. The moments I spent in the local village tending the gardens with the high school students, pumping well water for a women’s support group, securing the borders of the preserve with anti-poaching measures, and reading with young children, will stay with me forever. Traveling is much more than seeing new places, it is about giving back and making the world a little better than when you found it.

Unquestionably, the most unique destination I have ever visited is Antarctica. Antarctica is unlike any place in the world and is a photographer’s dream.

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“Find your niche; be adaptable; and hone your craft.”

Travel has changed me in so many ways; most significantly, it has allowed me to truly experience the world. Traveling is much more than visiting a new destination or having a nice vacation – it is about immersing yourself in other cultures, opening yourself to new experiences, and learning to appreciate different ways of life. Although I have been out of my comfort zone many times while traveling, I would never trade those adventures and unforgettable experiences and people I have encountered around the world for anything.

The best advice I can give someone about becoming a travel photographer is: Find your niche; be adaptable; and hone your craft.

Photography can transport us, it can help us tell stories when words are not enough, and it can truly convey the humanity of a moment. Capturing authentic, candid moments is my passion. Discover what subject matter you are most passionate about -- landscapes, animals, people, architecture -- and focus on perfecting your technique while shooting those subjects in various conditions. Finally, be open minded and adaptable when things do not go as planned. Traveling can be unpredictable and full of new experiences.

Keep exploring!

Photography: @mattpluz

Photography: @geoleon

NEW AND ASPIRING Agape Charity Mukwakwami I

aspire to be an effective content creator (brand) who plans and produces entertaining or educational materials, to make a positive impact on any individual in this competitive and drastically changing world that we live.

It is a decision one can make to be on the right path and I am beyond grateful to share this part of me with the world.

As I write this, I want to let you know anything you desire is possible. I connect deeply to Agape Show’s Motto, ’Powerful destiny within your own uniqueness.’ The day I came up with this motto every element of my life became magical. It is a jounery to know who you are and treasure every ability you have; furthermore I have covered most of it on my latest project ‘Re-Discover Your Identity.” Being your own self plays an essential role when it comes to art creation, and this motto is a confidence booster and a problem solver to any life situation that arises. For instance; on the Agape Show platform, I have given several examples encouraging individuals to continue pursuing dreams and aspirations even if others establish the same niche. It takes courage, self -empowerment skills and dedication to remain original with your chosen niche/passion from external pressures from the society we live in; which influences us to think and act in certain ways. It was an exciting feeling to finally launch Agape Show last year and I have learnt so much throughout this journey. I have mastered the art to always have a positive spirit-filled mindset/billionaire mindset as I like to call it; no matter what challenges I encounter. I am content with this billionaire mindset as part of my lifestyle.

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“passion is discovered through interest, mindset and practice.”

Follow Agape show for current society issues, self-improvement, fashion, and lifestyle.

YouTube: Agape Show Instagram: @agapeshow Facebook: @AgapeShow Email: agapeshow18@gmail.com

Photography: Louis Lorencez @louislorencez

I

have battled with anxiety and depression since I was 11 years old. It got worse over the years. Last year at this time it was at an all-time high! I was working as a retail manager. The stress of Black Friday, spending the holidays away from my family for another year, having fertility issues and no work-life balance was all too much for me. In a constant state of depression and anxiety, I would feel the need to go to bed as soon as I got home from work. My body was depleted of all energy. I was having panic attacks daily, and my physical heath started deteriorating. I felt hopeless and in a constant state of anxiety. This culminated when I came home one day and cried myself to sleep and wanted to give up!

Having those thoughts scared me so I decided I needed to reach out for help. This journey started with telling my husband and making an appointment to see a doctor (to be honest, a few!). I started going to a therapist and gaining tools to cope and help me through these feelings. Changes were needed, and I knew that, so I started volunteering and using photography as a creative outlet. I learned how to practice mindfulness and gratitude. These things brought me so much joy! I also chose to take medication to help me with my anxiety disorder. I made a decision to change my life by living it more! It wasn’t easy, but I left my unfulfilling job and pursued my dreams in photography. With the time I had gained, I started my own business, was finally able to build a community, and spend time with family.

My name is Erin, and I am a professional lifestyle and commercial photographer. My journey started a little over a year ago, and I have never looked back. In that time, I have started a business, met and worked with some of the most amazing people, and accomplished a few things I never would have thought possible. I believe in community over competition and ending the stigma around mental health. My goal is to help people feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera. I also work with businesses to grow their sales and create cohesive and eye-catching images.

I started doing quarterly blogger meet ups to support my fellow creatives and it has turned into the most amazing community of women! We all support and encourage each other. It hasn’t been perfect, and there have been bumps in the road. I still experience those feelings, however today I’m in a much better place to control and manage them.

Erin Dudley Website: sewstratton.com Instagram: @sewstratton Email: sewstratton@gmail.com Holidays can be hard for people with mental health issues. During the holiday season many people look forward to the festivities and gathering with family and friends. But for others it can bring on or worsen anxiety, stress, and depression. There are many factors that can trigger these feelings. For some, it is the financial stress over gifts or travel. For others, it could be the scars of family or friends. It could be self-imposed expectations. It could be work. It could be loss. No matter what it stems from, it can be a very difficult time. However, it’s important to realize you are not alone!

“Saying yes when you should be saying no can leave you overwhelmed and resentful.”

Here is a list of the some of the practices that have helped me throughout the past year: Practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is focusing ones attention on the present moment. There are a few ways this can be accomplished. Meditation is a great way to practice mindfulness. There are a few app’s that can help you with it. If that’s not something you’re comfortable with yet, try taking a walk outside!

Staying in therapy or getting into therapy. I personally have gained so much from seeing a therapist. Sometimes saying what you’re feeling out loud to someone who isn’t going to judge you or doesn’t have any dog in the fight is just what is needed.

Not relying on alcohol or drugs. While drugs and alcohol seem like a great way to escape the holidays, these substances can actually worsen your issues. This includes caffeine. As harmless as it seems, caffeine can be a large contributor to the

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induction of anxiety.

Get some sun and vitamin D. People who suffer from SAD (Seasonal Depression Disorder) have benefited greatly by getting some sun! Again, take a walk outside or lay out! For those who live where the sun doesn’t shine (wink wink), I’ve read that happy lamps can be purchased and help with this!

Set realistic expectations.

The holidays don’t have to be perfect. Be open to change and understand that things don’t always go exactly as we hope.

This one may be one of the hardest to master. I still struggle. But sometimes just reminding yourself of this helps!

Stick to a budget. Decide how much you can afford to spend and stick to it. Consider handmade gifts. These are actually my favorite type of gifts to give and receive!

Setting boundaries with your family and communicate with them. I have had to do this quite a bit. Again, this is something I still struggle with, but I have become noticeably better at it, and I’m sure as time goes on, I’ll continue to improve.

Pace yourself and don’t take on more responsibilities than you can handle. Learn to say NO. This is a hard one for me because I am a people pleaser. But saying “Yes” when you should be saying “No” can leave you overwhelmed and resentful.

There’s no tricks here. Just be honest with yourself and those around you.

Make time for self-care and things that bring you joy. For me, that has been photography and friends. Oh and let’s not forget bubble baths!

Pick up a winter hobby or join a group. This can help you not feel so lonely. I tried Krav Maga, and it was a great way to get me out of the house, make friends, and exercise. That brings me to my next one. Exercise. There are HUGE benefits to exercising. I struggle with forcing myself to do this too! But every time I do, I love how I feel afterwards! I sleep better, I interact better, and I tend to

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be more productive for the rest of the day. If you struggle with this too, find someone to help hold you accountable by making plans with a friend to do it.

Acknowledge the holidays won’t be the same without a lost loved one and incorporate things they loved into your traditions and celebrate them. I have suffered a lot of loss in my life and this one has always been tough for me. So, I started incorporating their memory in my holiday traditions.

Take stock of things that have gone well this year and give yourself credit.

Let’s not forget to pat ourselves on the backs time and again. I keep a gratitude journal and write three things I am grateful for in it each day.

Acknowledge your feelings and reach out for help and support. Seek community of uplifting people. This takes time, but they are out there and not hard to find when you go looking!

Excuse yourself if you are feeling overwhelmed and take BREATHER TO GROUND YOURSELF. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. I have actually hidden in my parent’s bathroom to collect myself and practice breathing.

Remember you are not alone! Trying to handle difficult stress alone can put you at great risk for increased depression and anxiety. Reach out and speak up. We are all in this together. I wish you all the happiest of Holiday Seasons and please know that you are not alone. YOU’VE GOT THIS!

Photography: Louis Lorencez @louislorencez

Photography: Erin Dudley @sewstratton

Dre Fox

Photography: Erin Dudley @sewstratton

of social media is one that Thecanworld be confusing, frustrating and a

puzzle that is hard for many business owners and personal brands to figure out. Enter Dre Fox, Social Media Consultant, Keynote Speaker and allaround Instagram Guru to help save the day.

With modest roots in Montana, Dre never could have imagined that social media could lead to an entire world of possibilities and business opportunities spanning the country. After a fortuitous move to Austin, Texas, she began a journey into social media that led her to consult with Fortune 500’s about

their Instagram strategy, finding it to be a game of chess that she quite liked figuring out.

But the demand was there, the demand from small business owners and public figures, wanting the same glory she was able to attain for the big boys and thus TimeOfDre Media was born.

Part online educator, part consultant, Dre now has dedicated her daily life to helping others grow and monetize their purpose on Instagram.

For more information, you can find her on Instagram: @timeofdre

Natalie Zastryzny

Photography: Erin Dudley @sewstratton

H

i, I’m Natalie Z! The founder and content creator for The ‘Mentalie Me’ blog. I’m a born and raised Texas girl based out of Austin.

I enjoy helping women and men who struggle with depression and anxiety overcome limiting beliefs about themselves so they can live life being their most authentic and confident selves.

After my personal journey and struggles with severe, life paralyzing depression and anxiety I knew that mental health wasn’t talked about enough and there is huge stigma surrounding the words mental health and illnesses. I hope to be a light for others and offer insights into the struggles of mental health and the importance of loving yourself to be the best version of you.

Showing up and embracing the fact “that no one is you and that is beautifully unique.”

Instagram: @thenataliezastryzny

Photography: Erin Dudley @sewstratton

Caroline Presso @cpresso

Kelly Morgan

@kelly_morgan24

Photography: Erin Dudley @sewstratton

Editors Pick

Shimmer In Metallics This New Year

Miss Selfridge Blazer ÂŁ59 Trousers ÂŁ39

Credit: Miss Selfridge via PRShots

LIFESTYLE Photography: Bethany Paige

Photography: Bethany Paige

Kelly Stone Interior Designer Instagram: kelly.e.stone Website: www.kellystoneinteriordesign.com Email: kellystoneinteriors@gmail.com

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Photography: Bethany Paige

What got you into Interior design?

I’ve always been interested in Interior Design! I remember even as a teenager envisioning my room to be a certain way and even dreaming about how I would decorate my dorm room and then my first apartment.

inspiration is actually so simple, it’s just about bringing joy to a space. My number one goal is always to transform a room into a space that will bring joy to my client. I aim to create spaces that are playful but also sophisticated. I want my clients to feel a sense or pride in what we’ve created together.

Where does your inspiration come from, and can you walk into a room and picture what it would look like?

You have shared photos of your home and they are absolutely stunning; now that it’s finished, is it really “finished” or do you find yourself tweaking things?

I’m a very visual person! I can absolutely walk into a space and envision how I would re-design it. My

Haha! It’s never finished! I’m always writing down these “wish lists” on scraps of paper. They’re always

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You also blog about fashion, fitness and travel, do you think you will continue with these or is interior design the main focus?

I’m still very interested in all of those things! To be honest I’ve been spending so much time growing my design business that I haven’t had time to blog. These days I still try to exercise daily and travel frequently but I’m more focused on my design business while still having plenty of time to spend with my 6 year old twins and my husband.

How would you define your style?

Thats a hard question to answer because It’s always evolving. If I had to define my style, I’d say that I gravitate towards an eclectic mix of modern and vintage styles with unexpected touches. I like color, texture and pattern. I’m not afraid to buy a green velvet sofa and hang patterned wallpaper. I love a vintage dining table with modern chairs. I don’t mind mixing styles to make a space truly unique.

What is your dream design project?

Before your house renovation, your husband requested to keep the master bedroom as is, how did you managed to change his mind?

We had this crazy wallpaper mural in our master bedroom left over from the previous owner. My Husband thought it was so cool (spoiler alert, it wasn’t) He held onto it for years until he finally agreed to let me change it. I think somewhere along the way he realized that it was a battle not worth fighting anymore. By the way, he loves our master bedroom so much more now. It finally represents us! For all those years I felt like I was sleeping in someone else bedroom.

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What tips would you give to other aspiring interior designers?

Be patient because it’s not going to happen overnight. There is so much to learn along the way that I never even expected. I did my first job for free just to gain the experience. There will be so many wonderful parts of designing and running your own business, but a lot will be challenging too. You’ll have challenging clients, challenging employees and finding a good crew is so so important. I had to teach myself how to deal with damaged furniture and delays in materials. The rewards far outweigh the challenges though, it’s the greatest gift to be able to bring people joy and happiness in their homes.

Photography: Bethany Paige

evolving and changing as I slowly check things off.

Right now, my wish list includes a new chandelier for the dining room and wallpaper for the kitchen.

I don’t think I’ll ever stop wanting to tweak things although I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished so far!

One without a budget! Haha. Seriously though, I’d love a project where I’m given total creative control with the funds to allow me to work with materials that I very rarely get to work with.

Photography: Bethany Paige

Photography: Bethany Paige

Photography: Bethany Paige

Photography: Bethany Paige

Photography: Bethany Paige

Peter O’Halloran

Y

ou’re a pretty busy guy, company owner, social media master, columnist, and author, as well as continuing to serve in the Irish Military as a corporal and sniper instructor; is there anything I missed?

No that pretty much sums it up. It sounds like an awful lot to manage for one person to handle while working a full-time job, but I have managed well to date. The beauty about my business is it is online so it can be managed from anywhere on the globe as well as social media.

Being online certainly does help, and you are managing it extremely well.

What facilitated your business growth?

When I joined the military in 2005, I began to develop a particular interest in fitness. As time went on, I enrolled in a course to become a personal trainer, while at the same time I enrolled in an online nutrition course to broaden my knowledge in nutrition. When I became qualified as a PT, I started military style boot camps which were mostly outdoors. I started off with about five clients attending the boot camps but in a short space of time using social media word spread, and the attendance to some of the classes grew upwards of 50 people a class. I realized the majority of people weren’t attending the classes for fitness but more fat loss. Realizing that nutrition was the main component to fat loss with training and activity only a small fraction of it, I focused more on the nutrition side of things so I enrolled in university where I completed a BSc degree in Food science and health.

The more I learned the more I realized how saturated the industry was with nonsense and lies surround fat loss and

nutrition so I started making videos on social media busting myths, but at the same time adding some humor to my videos which seemed to keep people paying attention.

I started taking on clients online for nutrition and with the results I was getting with my clients word spread pretty fast and my business has gone from strength to strength ever since.

I believe you have 2 books, are you planning to write more, and if so, will they continue down the health and fitness route?

Last year I released two recipe eBooks for people looking for low calories easy to make meals at home, and they have been doing very well. I released a breakfast book called 25 Breakfasts under 400 calories, and a lunch book called 25 Lunches under 500 calories. I plan on releasing another two books in future, one with low calorie dinner options and a dessert book. I think that one will be my favorite to make.

I am going to stay on the health and fitness route focusing mostly on nutrition and fat loss. There is no better satisfaction you can change a client’s life for the better. When you can help them achieve goals, they never thought possible and change their way of life for the better.

You have won a lot of awards for your work, and you aren’t slowing; what would be the one award you would love to win?

To be honest I don’t have any award in mind that I would love to win. There aren’t many awards in my industry so it’s hard to say; I never intentionally set out to win any awards.

MULTI-AWARD WINNING

Instagram: @peterohalloran_ Website: www.pptnutrition.com

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The first ever award I won was the Irish Fitness Industry Awards in 2018 as Best fitness nutritionist, I received an email from them to tell me I was nominated for an award, and I was chuffed as I could see that people are recognizing what I’m doing is worthy of recognition. As time went on I was nominated for more awards again and the majority of these awards were public vote, so that added a nice touch as people are voting for you, and if people are voting for you it felt I must be doing something right. I went on to win the Irish social media awards in 2018 and 2019 in the category of Best use of social media by a personal trainer, and again the Irish fitness industry awards in 2019 in the category of Best in fitness nutrition. More recently in October I won an award at the Beauty Blog Awards as Best Fitness Influencer.

Do you discuss much on mental health, especially with social media playing such a huge part in many lives?

Yes, I do on social media from time to time. Mental health has a big part to play in fat loss and people’s lifestyles. Today’s social media is a mine field of judgement and pressure creating body conscious issues, body dysmorphia, eating disorders and a lot more. I try to show the reality of social media and not the polished photoshopped life that people portray that others try to compare themselves against.

It’s not reality!

With such a crazy schedule, how do you spend your down time?

I don’t get a whole lot of down time apart from Sundays as the majority of my weekend is taken up with client weigh ins. I force myself to take a break on a Sunday for my own head, as if you’re working nonstop it would drive you nuts. I usually like to spend my Sundays doing absolutely nothing. I could lie on the sofa with my wife watching tv for the day. I let myself shut off and just regenerate.

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“People seem to like my no nonsense scientific approach on social media, so I will keep that going”

Photographer: Philip Murray www.philipmurrayphotography.com

Let’s talk festivities, what are your favorite dishes and drinks during the festive season?

I would be very traditional Irish with my xmas dinners, like turkey and ham preferring the ham more so than turkey. I also like to make some odd dishes like cheese potatoes, very calorific but the taste is unbelievable. I wouldn’t drink a large amount of alcohol over the xmas season , maybe because I am getting older; I am just not able from the mornings after anymore, but when I do drink alcohol I would tend to go for red wines if I’m at home or simple beers when I go out .

Photographer: www.juliemccoy.photography

What’s next for Peter O’Halloran?

Just continue to grow my business and my brand. We are working on an app at the moment exclusively for clients to make the whole experience and their journey a lot easier. I would like to build my brand to a global level. It’s a bit optimistic but at the end of the day the only thing that can stop you is yourself, so I will keep working hard towards that.

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Editors Pick

From Office to Office Party

Credit: JD Williams via PRShots

FASHION Photography: Merissa Conley

Tiffany Giannato

Makeup Artist: Kristina Makris

Cityduring Chic the holidays

FAUX FUR It’s the most wonderful time of the year in many cities around the world.

At least in my opinion it is! The hustle and bustle of the holiday season adds an upbeat vibe to the streets. The city sidewalks, as the famous song states, are dressed in “holiday style.” Speaking of holiday style…here are my current recommendations for what to wear throughout all of your holiday festivities to keep you on trend and on top of your style game.

The fashion world cannot seem to get enough of faux fur during the past year, and it will continue to be one of the upcoming winter’s top trends. I love how warm these coats are, and I also love the feminine look as well.

Red is a color that seems to be an automatic choice for some people during this season, so this red, faux fur coat is a perfect selection.

Outfit & Accessories

by LIT Boutique

Photography: Merissa Conley

You have been published in a number of regional magazines, taken part in podcasts and have also made a TV appearance over in Boston, were they all for styling tips?

tad insane. I should have known better because she has amazing creativity and insight. I had been

It still seems surreal to me that I am experiencing all of these amazing opportunities in Boston; although most of my work is centered on fashion and style, I have branched out into other avenues. For example, I have my own column with BostonMan Magazine that channels me after the infamous TV character “Carrie Bradshaw”, and I provide guidance and advice to the men who read the magazine about various lifestyle issues. Next on Scene Magazine recently had me write about how I find balance in life as a crazy busy, working mom. I also have my first live radio show coming up on December 19th on “The Chop Session” with Sterling Golden on Boston radio, which is super exciting!

You seem to be juggling a lot of things; you write for three regional magazines, you work as a teacher, you are aften found posting to your blog, and to top it off you are a mom. With so many things going on, how do you manage to find time for yourself, and when you do, how do you like to spend it?

I always say that I thrive in organized chaos. I have a Type A personality that allows me to be very scheduled and detailed orientated. I only have one child, who is my 11 year old son and the light of my life, and thankfully he likes to come along on many of my “blogging adventures” still, which helps tremendously. I schedule stylist appointments and blogging assignments at night or on a weekend afternoon, and I try and keep this to a handful each month. Since I am a nocturnal, night owl I do a ton of my writing late in the evening, which has actually helped improved my sleep over the last few years. As far as finding time for myself, I love to exercise. I try and schedule at least 5 exercise classes per week, and that gives me an hour of “ me time” almost every day to unwind and decompress my body and brain. I also love to spend time with the people that are closest to me following one of my favorite Italian sayings “Eat Good. Laugh Often. Live Well.”

How did you get into blogging/writing, and what do you love about it?

When my best friend suggested I start my own blog almost three years ago, I thought she was a

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styling friends and family for “free” for years, so she thought “Tiff, why not make this a second Photography: Merissa Conley

career for yourself.” I literally watched a you tube video on how to create a blog on wordpress and

self-confidence and raising self-esteem in women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and ethnic backgrounds.

Do you ever get hit by writers block, and if you do, how do you get past it? (Just asking for a friend) ;) Thankfully my brain is literally always “on” and “always spinning”, but if I am looking for fresh ideas, I have found it very helpful to poll people on my Instagram stories. People have given me very creative ideas and topics for articles, so thank you Insta followers!!!

“Style is the only thing you can’t buy. It’s not in a shopping bag, a label, or a price tag. It’s something reflected from our soul to the outside world. An emotion.”

- Alber Elbaz What are your top five styling tips for winter?

Believe it or not.... winter is my favorite season for style and fashion!!! Here are my top 5 style pics for winter 2020: 1. Faux fur/vintage fur vests or coats.

2. Pops of Neon in a sweater, shoe, hat or scarf 3. Over the Knee Boots 4. Versatile pair of Black Leggings that are lined or a heavier material 5. A pom-pom hat with a detachable pom-pom.....

The furry pom pom is for the “glam” in you, and the beanie style gives you a more casual vibe.

This is your first publication in an international magazine, and I hope the first of many, what would be your ultimate publication, or tv appearance?

went from there. It took off at lighting speed, and I am so grateful for that. I love that I am building Photography: Merissa Conley

I am so honored to be writing for your magazine.

Thank you for this opportunity. I am honestly very appreciative of all the opportunities presented to me so it is hard to narrow down what would be the ultimate. I would really love to write an article or column for a major newspaper in Boston, such as the Boston Herald or Boston Globe. However, I would also love to write for a high-end magazine, such as “In Style.” As far as TV goes, I would love to be a stylist on a reality show, such as one of the Real Housewives series, or be part of a red-carpet interview during an awards show.

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Festive Tips

Satin midi skirts: The silky, shiny texture adds elegance to any outfit and the fit flatters all body shapes and sizes. The high waist is comfortable and highlights the smallest part of a woman’s mid-section. I suggest pairing this up with a crop top or bodysuit and finding a satin skirt in black or a metallic shade for the holidays.

Outfit & Accessories

by Madison Ave. of Melrose Photography: Gabby Baglieri

MIDI SKIRTS “Every day is a fashion show and the world is the runway.”

- Coco Chanel -

Photography: Gabby Baglieri

D

uring the upcoming season, may you be filled with fun around every corner, peace and prosperity, and happiness that multiples though 2020.

Contact Tiffany with any questions or comments, or to book a styling session.

Email: tiffyg77@yahoo.com Instagram: @tiffyg77 Blog:https://thethrillofthehuntbytiffyg.com

“Style is something each of us already has, all we need to do is find it.”

- Diane von Furstenberg -

SEQUINS & SHIMMER ‘T is the season to sparkle and shine so go ahead and be the girl who meets glam and rock a sequin dress.

There is a sequin dress for everyone, whether you prefer black, gold, long sleeves, strapless, or fit and flare. There are numerous options to choose from and you are bound to find one you love. If you tend to like a bold fashion look or love to make a statement, then a sequin dress is the way to go this December.

Outfit & Accessories

by Madison Ave. of Melrose Photography: Gabby Baglieri 108 UPLOADER MAGAZINE

Photography: Gabby Baglieri

Photography: @styledbykrystalandrea

Spotlight on Courtney Dias

ashion is slowly evolving but not fast enough to understand the curvier side of the spectrum. As a curvy/plus digital creator I find it difficult to find clothes that help me express myself due to the lack of options. That doesn’t mean it stops me, it motivates to be more creative by taking my style and what’s on trend to create something of my own. You don’t have to be rich to create amazing looks, you just have to make what you have work and magic does follows.

My goal for my content is to inspire women to create a life for themselves where they enjoy what they are wearing and live in the moment, doing what they love. I feel my most beautiful when I am comfortable and confident in what I am wearing while exploring Orlando seeking out the best coffee or taco. Remember what you wear is an extension of how you feel. No one should be limited to those feelings. So, when you stop by my feed I want you to feel encouraged to be present in your life through ways of fashion, family, friends, food and of course COFFEE. Fashion is supposed to be fun, experimental, never cautious, adventurous and limitless. I believe you have to step out of your comfort zone in order to test your capability. So, take chances, wear what makes you feel incredibly sexy and make the streets your runway, and don’t be afraid to express it.

Instagram: @_myownmelody_ Blog: www.myownmelody.com

Photography: @styledbykrystalandrea

F

Competition Time

Image credit Next via PRShots

B

eing serious, when can we really ever pull off wearing these types of sweaters; yet when the festive season comes around, the “ugly sweater” doesn’t seem so ugly. If we were to be completely honest, many of us secretly love a Christmas sweater, since they make appearances in holiday cards, family Christmas get-togethers and office parties. Well whilst it is that time of the year, we thought it would be the perfect

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time to put into a place a Creative Christmas Sweater Competition.

The chosen winner/s will be given a full feature in Februarys publication, and the three runners up will make an appearance in the spotlight section.

Sounds interesting?

Be sure to read the terms and conditions.

Looking for a little inspiration, check out a couple of our favorite sweaters from Next.

The festive season is already here, so let’s get cracking, and I don’t mean nuts. Pull out old sweaters, new sweaters, already printed or embossed sweaters and add your creative touch. This competition is all about being as creative as possible, and I’m so excited to see what you all come up with. Make sure to document your process with images, so we can see the before and after. Once done, send all your photos with contact information to: hello@uploadermagazine.com

Terms & Conditions: - This competition is free to enter and open worldwide.

- Entrants must be a real person and at least 18 years old.

- Maximum entries of 1 per person or per group.

- Deadline for entries: 00:00am (Pacific Time) January 2020.

- Winner/s will be announced on Friday 10th January 2020.

IT’S SWEATER WEATHER

Image credit Next via PRShots

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TAG US ON INSTAGRAM AND WE WILL PICK OUR FAVORITES FOR A SHOUT OUT IN THE NEXT ISSUE

@uploadermagazine

A little boy’s wish* made sincerely yours 100% Organic Smoothies Plastic Free Naturally low in sugar No Added Preservatives

*3% of sales donated to the Denzel wish foundation

www.sinceredrinks.com

ORGANIC