UNLOCKING POTENTIAL THROUGH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND ETIQUETTE
TAYLOR ELIZABETH
"Yourwindowto aworldof inspiration."
Editor’s Note
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Taylor Elizabeth is the Elegance Advisor, an award-winning certified etiquette and image advisor. She aims to empower individuals to feel confident in their image, assured in their poise, and assertive in their communications through the intentional practice of curating a personal brand.
Artist of the Month
You have spoken at numerous prestigious platforms, including the EXPO 2020 Dubai Cartier Women's Pavilion and the USA Pavilion. What are some of the key messages or takeaways you hope your audiences gain from your talks, and how do you tailor your presentations to resonate with diverse audiences? Every time I have the chance to support someone’s personal growth, I consider it a real privilege and take the responsibility seriously. When I speak at events such as the EXPO 2020 Dubai Cartier Women's Pavilion, my main goal is always to empower and inspire the attendees. The key messages I focus on revolve around the transformative power of emotional intelligence and etiquette. If anything, I hope my audiences leave with a better understanding of how self-awareness is the key to your personal and professional development. I try to work into all of my presentations that we all have the ability to be who we want to be – we all have the ability to be confident, self-aware, well-presented and well-spoken. With a deep understanding of the value that what makes us different makes us stronger, I am always working to learn from every place I visit so I can bring an element of each culture to the country where I am presenting. In turn, I also hope to take those lessons with me for future presentations. I work to make my concepts and ideas relatable and accessible, so that attendees can reflect on what they’ve heard, take something tangible with them and apply it to their own lives.
Your journey as an Emotional Intelligence and Etiquette coach is incredibly diverse and global. Can you share a pivotal moment or experience from your career that significantly shaped your approach to coaching?
My journey as an emotional intelligence and etiquette coach has been incredibly diverse and global, which was a bit unexpected but deeply fulfilling. If I had to highlight a pivotal moment, it was when I was consulted to work within an organisation with an individual who, I was told, needed cultural sensitivity training. It was later that I realised how this experience would open my eyes to what is now my entire ethos behind working with clients. I'm naturally empathetic, which drew me to this field. I want to help clients feel more confident and empowered. After preparing for a session based on the client's brief, I met with them. I see myself as a lifelong learner, and this session was transformative for both the client and me. It underscored the importance of leaving judgment behind and meeting people where they are. The client wasn't what I expected; their story and personality intrigued me, making the session deeply meaningful.
Realizing that everyone’s story is deeper than it appears, I was inspired to guide a client toward self-discovery, enriching both their growth and my own. By setting aside organizational biases and my own preconceived notions from the brief, I was able to see the client as an individual. This shift allowed me to connect with their unique individuality and work from that genuine starting point, leading to a transformative session for both of us.Reflecting on this experience, I feel profound gratitude for having the tools and values of openness and acceptance. These principles have become the core of my coaching approach. This experience reinforces that, ultimately, everything – including coaching – is about making genuine human connections and showing empathy..
With over 13 years of experience in 22 different markets across five continents, what are some of the common challenges you ' ve noticed people face regarding etiquette and emotional intelligence, regardless of cultural differences?
This is a topic I love discussing. Despite cultural differences, we all face similar emotional intelligence challenges in our personal and professional lives. Everyone shares common experiences with family, friends, school, and work.
Regardless of background, my clients often seek to improve their confidence, self-esteem, and communication skills. Public speaking and effective communication are universal struggles. Everyone has had moments of losing their temper or navigating table manners, which vary by culture but share a common goal of acceptable behavior. We all work on managing emotions like anger, sadness, and isolation.
The uniting factor is that emotional intelligence transcends cultural and social boundaries, helping us become more selfaware and better at managing our interactions. Approaching situations with self-awareness, honesty, kindness, and respect allows us to connect with others, recognizing our shared humanity despite our unique contexts.
You emphasise the integration of etiquette and emotional intelligence into educational systems. How do you envision this being practically implemented in schools, and what impact do you believe it would have on students in both their personal and professional lives?
I recall a quote by the eminent philanthropist and author W. Clement Stone, who suggested that we are products of our environment and encouraged us to analyze it. As an emotional intelligence coach and parent, this led me to question why we send our children to school. We place them in this environment to learn and socialize beyond their immediate family. So why limit schools to teaching only hard skills like math, science, and reading? Schools, universities, workplaces, and life itself are all social environments. Research shows that people with good social skills tend to be more successful, and those with high emotional intelligence often have better social skills, leading to stronger relationships—a key determinant of success. Therefore, it is crucial not to overlook these skills by creating environments where emotional intelligence is intentionally valued and taught. While implementing such environments is complex and requires systematic changes, emotional intelligence can be taught through simple experiences and exercises in the right setting. In my work, I've witnessed significant changes after just one session with an open-minded participant.
Inspired by these changes, I created a holistic platform to develop emotional intelligence. It offers continuing education courses for teachers to enhance their EI and etiquette skills, trains them to integrate EI practices into classrooms, and includes workshops for parents. Children benefit from engaging lesson plans and activities. The goal is to create an environment where students, teachers, and parents collaborate to develop emotional intelligence, resulting in more self-aware, articulate, and emotionally regulated students.
As 'The Elegance Advisor,' you navigate the balance between traditional values and modern contexts. How do you adapt classic etiquette principles to fit the fastpaced, digitally-dominated world we live in today?
I kindly urge everyone to shift the way they think of etiquette. Yes, the definition of etiquette is a customary code of behaviour and so it is easy to associate it with ‘rules’. However etiquette is more flexible than that. At its core, it is about the consideration of others and, I would argue, the self.
Etiquette is designed to help you develop your behaviour so that you understand how to interact in social and professional settings. This will give you confidence when approaching these situations. Just as our world evolves, the rules of etiquette evolve too… they have to, because at their core, they are all about supporting the ‘rules of engagement’, and the way that we engage with one another is always changing.
The perfect example is netiquette. It is true that the rules of how to behave online were not provided to us when we bought our devices. However, when you grasp the idea that etiquette is all about the consideration of others and have a high level of emotional intelligence, you will have an intrinsic sense of how to behave online. The nuances of netiquette have been revealed over time, and now there is a general understanding of what the code of conduct is.
JUNE 2024 EDITION
20 - Fashion Article
FASHION FASHION
PSYCHOLOGY PSYCHOLOGY
WRITTEN BY: JOANNA LEWI FERDINAND
How much of your daily dressing is passive despite the active assumptions others make about you?
“Fashion should be a form of escapism, not a form of imprisonment"
The past notion that “the dress agreed upon by the modest majority keeps social equilibrium” , was hardly true then and isn’t helpful now (Jordan et al., 2021). Agreeing to allow a slowly moving group of people to set the social tone for what is desirable and acceptable way of dress in any given culture is harmful.
The harm comes from giving the power of nonverbal language directly to society, cutting out the influence of Self. The Self is the true, undamaged, born essence of a person (Schwartz & Sweezy, 2020).
A relevant example of how the Self is cut off from clothing due to the influence of the majority is high heels. Women often carry more comfortable shoes in their purses to put on after an event. High heels are uncomfortable and painful. Yet, wearing high heels can be a badge of honor. But who is this badge for? Is the Self content to be in pain? Are the feet willing participants? Or is the badge worn for society to see? Women whose foot anatomy and pain tolerance has changed after acclimating to high heels confidently tell their friends that they are more comfortable in heels than flats. Some cultures believe that a woman in flat shoes has given up on her image. Yet, no one is rushing out to purchase hiking heels because the hiking culture does not support that option. The culture has dictated heels are appropriate for business, casual and special events but no one checked in with the Self.
Connection to the Law
Often clothing requirements and regulation are mandated by law. Often, the politicized regulation of clothing serves an agenda outside of safety and health, like with the mandating of the Hajib in some areas, and the restricting of the Hajib in other areas. If the conversation between Self and clothing concluded to go against the law, consequences would need to be weighed. But in the system of influence on fashion and dressing, being in contact with the Self on what you wear and why could balance the odds that the law brings against freedom of Self and nonverbal communication.
Connection to Society
Research show that uniforms are associated with the perception of increased competence, reliability, intelligence, helpfulness, status, and authority. Individuals have been found to be more aggressive when wearing a black sports kit or a hood and cap, while women are less aggressive when wearing a nurse’s uniform. These observations can be explained through the concept of enclothed cognition, a term proposed by Adam & Galinsky. Enclothed cognition is the phenomenon of people adopting the traits and properties they associate with the clothes they wear The more intense the surrounding ethnic culture is, the easier it is for consumers to have the desire to buy ethnic clothing. And if you are in an area where the national color is relatively diluted, it will reduce the consumer’s desire to buy.
At an early age, we are dressed by our parents to fit in with the culture of our peer group, and the agreed upon aesthetic of the laws of the school. While this choice to take away the choice of dress from younger children can be seen as an act of care, taking the autonomy of dressing away from a child could also take away a child’s time of cultivating how they do their daily ritual of dress, and how their choice fits into the system of social code dressing. Any failures or success in dressing lies with the parents and removes the child from the relationship with their clothing and the consequences of their would-be-choices. Identity issues arising rapidly around age 9 are already exacerbated by the lack of diverse role models in the media and leadership (MacDonald, 2014). And the author wonders if the guiding hand of parents in their children’s clothing choices may be more for the comfort of the parents than for the development of the child. But how is this potentially effecting a child who feels like an imposter in their clothing? And does this person walking around in nonverbal cues that are not their own help them in life, or hinder them?
Connection to Self
Whether you are male or female, Reed found that an individual’s clothing style is influenced by aspects of self-concept such as identity, value, attitude, and mood. Sontag and Lee. stated that body image may affect clothing behavior and clothing may affect body image and self-feelings. Clothing reflects the self — the identity, the material practice we engage with in daily life. One’s wardrobe is known to be an extension of the diverse aspects of one’s beliefs and constructs social identity. clothing as utility or necessity is a strong indicator about the person’s inner world and their disconnection from Self. For example, a person recently noted that the person does not wear white. When asked why, the person said that white gets too dirty. But a white shirt or a navy shirt will have the same opportunity to be soiled through the course of the same day on the same body. However, the navy shirt will show less soil and allow the wearer to appear cleaner.
So, it’s likely that the person isn’t worried about the actual dirt, but the person’s appearance as dirty. The comment was about a white shirt showing dirt, not the need for the person to find a way to stay cleaner during the day.If the person had noted that the person hated looking dirty and appreciated the concealment of the navy color of dirt, that would be a different level of self-awareness. If the man truly prefers navy shirts over white, then the issue of how the man associates himself with being dirty is not important. But the insight into the reasons we chose what we chose to wear, and how we have the right to do so is the issue.
Conclusion
Allowing the impact of clothing as a non-verbal cue to go unnoticed within your authentic self is a missed opportunity to create safety in your inner world and understand your own choices, It’s possible that you know why you wear what you wear. But now, some of us may feel that we dress for others, to gain respect, or to look competent though we feel disconnected to what we are wearing, some of us still don’t know why some clothing is too special to wear and too special to throw away, some of us may never think about our connection to clothing until our spouse dies and we can’t seem to handle their clothing, and some of us have never think about the connection of ourselves, our clothing, and society or don’t know why we wear what we wear... And that’s okay!
Maybe we haven’t moved forward in the personal psychology of clothing because we haven’t reconciled our relationship with clothing in the past and now is the time to check in with our Self and see if we should.
For a long time, India's food and beverage industry has been dominated by traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants, which often demand significant initial capital investments and incur substantial operational costs. However, the industry is rapidly transforming with the advent of cloud kitchens, a concept that is reshaping the approach of aspiring chefs and culinary entrepreneurs.
The Emergence of Cloud Kitchens
Also referred to as virtual kitchens, cloud kitchens are centralized food production facilities that cater exclusively to delivery and takeout orders, with no dine-in option available. In India, this model has surged in popularity as it offers a cost-effective way for aspiring restaurant owners to realize their culinary dreams.
Market Expansion and Prospects
According to a report by RedSeer Consulting, the Indian cloud kitchen market could reach $2 billion by 2024. This trend is significant, with projections showing growth from $400 million in 2019 to over $2 billion by 2024. By then, cloud kitchens could account for up to 12% of all food service business revenues in India, driven by the strong expansion of online food delivery.
Benefits of Cloud Kitchens
A major advantage of the cloud kitchen model is its significant reduction in the initial investment needed to start a food business. Unlike the substantial costs associated with securing a prime location, setting up a dining area, and acquiring industrial-level kitchen equipment essentials for traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants—cloud kitchen operators only need to provide logistics and backend support. This allows entrepreneurs to focus on crafting their menus, building their brands, and attracting customers.
Perfect for New Entrepreneurs
This cost-effective model is particularly beneficial for those entering the competitive food industry for the first time with limited financial resources. Such businesses can be launched without the daunting financial risks typically involved. Moreover, the inherent flexibility of the cloud kitchen model has transformed the landscape for India's aspiring chefs and culinary innovators. Without the constraints of physical premises, they can experiment with various cuisines, quickly introduce new dishes to their menus, and adapt their offerings based on customer feedback and market trends.
A New Generation of Food Entrepreneurs
This culture of change and spirit of innovation has given rise to a new generation of food entrepreneurs leveraging cloud kitchens to disrupt the industry. From upscale biryani restaurants to vegan cafés, the diverse range of food available from these online platforms highlights the model's transformative potential.
A New Generation of Food Entrepreneurs
This culture of change and spirit of innovation has given rise to a new generation of food entrepreneurs leveraging cloud kitchens to disrupt the industry. From upscale biryani restaurants to vegan cafés, the diverse range of food available from these online platforms highlights the model's transformative potential.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The surge in demand for food delivery, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly contributed to the growth of cloud kitchens. The shift towards contactless dining and the convenience of having preferred dishes delivered to customers' doorsteps have solidified the position of cloud kitchens.
Adoption by Established Restaurants
The success of cloud kitchens in India has also attracted established players in the food and beverage industry. Many large restaurant chains have embraced this business model, operating multiple virtual brands alongside their traditional ones to diversify their offerings and meet the growing demand for online food delivery.
Consumer Benefits
As India's cloud kitchen industry continues to evolve, the advantages extend beyond entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders; consumers also benefit from this shift. A wider variety of cuisines, quicker delivery times, and often better pricing are among the perks that consumers enjoy as a result of this industry transformation.
Challenges Facing Cloud Kitchens
Despite their advantages, cloud kitchens face several challenges. One major concern is the limited customer experience, as they lack the ambiance and direct interaction with patrons that traditional restaurants provide. Additionally, their heavy reliance on technology makes them vulnerable to technical issues and downtime. Cloud kitchens must also find innovative ways to stand out in a highly competitive market.Operational inefficiencies, lack of pricing power, and trust deficits caused by inconsistent experiences on delivery platforms further complicate this landscape. Managing multiple brands while maintaining uniform quality standards and hygienic work conditions can be difficult. Moreover, low profit margins are common due to high commission fees charged by delivery platforms. Rebuilding struggling businesses is also challenging in this competitive and cost-conscious environment. Navigating these barriers is essential for sustainable success in the cloud kitchen sector.
Strategies for Success
To balance the benefits and challenges of cloud kitchens in India, operators must adopt a multifaceted approach. Prioritizing quality and transparency is essential. By maintaining high standards of food quality and hygiene, and being transparent about ingredient sources and preparation methods, cloud kitchens can build customer trust.
Investing in advanced technologies is crucial for smooth operations with minimal downtime. This includes implementing systems that facilitate easy supervision, enhance operational efficiency, and build a reliable technology infrastructure.
While cloud kitchens lack the ambiance and traditional dining experiences, focusing on excellent customer service through prompt deliveries and efficient communication can create a memorable experience. Additionally, effective marketing strategies are vital. Leveraging social media and digital platforms to promote the cloud kitchen, engage with customers, and offer special deals and promotions can help attract new customers and retain existing ones.
A New Era for Food Entrepreneurs
Despite some limitations and challenges, the Indian cloud kitchen revolution has unlocked numerous opportunities for aspiring chefs and culinary entrepreneurs. By lowering financial barriers and simplifying operational complexities that traditionally hindered the industry, these innovative platforms are enabling a new generation of food innovators to transform their culinary dreams into successful businesses.
The future of India's food landscape will be shaped by cloud kitchens, fostering creativity, entrepreneurship, and consumer-centric innovation. For those with a passion for food and a drive for success, cloud kitchens provide the perfect launchpad to achieve their culinary aspirations.
EMPOW WITH TIMELESS ER THE UNSTOPPABLE JOURNEY OF JANINE LEGHISSA AND HER BRANDS, DESIDERATE AND TALEETA."
START-UP STORY
ABOUT DEDSIDERATE & TALEETA
Hey there! I'm Janine Leghissa, a woman who's all about juggling life's many adventures., I've discovered my passion for running online stores and creating fabulous products that make people smile.
My journey began when I founded Desiderate, an online jewellery brand that's all about celebrating the beauty and individuality of Australian women aged 35 and above. Back in 2017, I was a single mom facing financial challenges and dealing with a chronic illness. But hey, I've never been one to back down from a challenge!
With sheer determination and a sprinkle of creativity, I dove headfirst into the world of online business. I taught myself everything from creating eye-catching designs to marketing my products like a pro. It wasn't long before I realised that there was a gap in the market for older women who were craving unique and stylish jewellery that major retailers simply weren't providing. That's when Desiderate was born.
Fast forward five years, and Desiderate has become a multimillion-dollar success story. We've got a fantastic team of eight talented individuals, a jaw-dropping collection of over 1,000 products, and enough 5star online reviews to make us blush. It's been an incredible journey, and I'm immensely grateful for the support of our fabulous customers.
But guess what? I'm not one to rest on my laurels. I've recently set my sights on the fashion world, and I'm super excited to announce the launch of Taleeta, a sister label to Desiderate. With Taleeta, we're bringing stylish and flattering clothing in natural fabrics to women in the same demographic. Because hey, why stop at jewellery when we can dress you from head to toe in fabulousness?
THE GOLDEN DILEMMA: NAVIGATING THE EVOLVING LANDSCAPE OF GOLD AND JEWELRY INVESTMENTS
WRITTEN BY: Diksha Rajawat, Director of Fulchand Gulabchand
THE ALLURE OF GOLD: A TIMELESS TREASURE
Gold has always been the perfect representation of wealth and security. For centuries, it has mesmerized investors and admirers with its magnetic pull and constant worth. We see this precious metal’s future as a terrain full of opportunities and hope.
Moreover, recent surveys and forecasts by gold analysts have given a clear picture of what awaits. Particularly, 2023 witnessed an abrupt hike in gold prices which caused a lot of stir considering the global uncertainties and economic fluctuations that exist lately. Gold’s attractiveness as an investment option has been fueled by several factors such as robust central bank purchases, growing retail demand in emerging markets, and increasing geopolitical tensions.
CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM: FORECASTS FOR THE FUTURE OF GOLD
Reliable analysts from firms such as Goldman Sachs and Capex.com have released their predictions concerning the future of gold prices. While they anticipate a gradual upward movement of prices, the forecasts display a sense of cautious optimism. Gold was predicted to reach $2,400 per ounce by 2025, a figure it has nearly touched in the present year. The prediction reveals a further astronomical increases which may peak at $4,000 in 2033.
These forecasts are underpinned by the underlying forces of gold’s performance. The gold market is shaped by acquisitions by central banks, geopolitical tensions and rising demand in emerging economies. In every period of uncertainty ranging from wars to shifting global economic policies, there is an increasing need for gold as a reserve currency and guardian of wealth.
SHIFTING PREFERENCES: THE IMPACT ON GOLD AND SILVER DEMAND
By the shift in consumers’ preferences, the jewelry industry has seen a considerable change, which has affected the demand for gold as well as silver. Although gold has always been a metal of choice, there is an increasing demand for other metals like platinum and silver.
The demand by the younger generation for more affordable and flexible options such as silver has driven them towards purchasing other precious metals as well. This development has also greatly influenced gold’s demand as now consumer looks at a broader range of alternatives to satisfy changing tastes and budgets for precious jewelry.
INVESTOR PREFERENCES: BALANCING GOLD AND SILVER
With a combination of precious metals, many investors today are looking for a more diversified strategy that could be implemented in their portfolios. This allows them to take advantage of the distinct features and market dynamics of each metal, which may lower risks and improve performance of the entire portfolio.
A general consensus among experts is that a well-diversified portfolio consisting mainly of gold, silver and other choices offers better safeguards and flexibility for an investor. The development not only responds to the changing tastes in jewelry but also conforms to the wider diversification and risk management within investment world.
NAVIGATING THE GOLDEN DILEMMA: TRENDS AND INVESTOR CONSIDERATIONS
As the world of precious metals and jewelry continues to evolve, investors and industry experts are closely monitoring the emerging trends and making informed predictions about the future. One of the major trend that is likely to shape the market is sustainable as well as ethical sourcing. Consumers, particularly the younger generation are becoming more and more sensitive about how their buying is affecting environment and their social surroundings. This change has brought about a surge in demand for responsibly sourced jewellery, impacting gold and silver markets. Additionally, technology plus innovation will play a significant role in the future of jewelry. Its transformative influence on consumer access to jewelry through e-commerce and virtual try-on experiences and advanced manufacturing technologies including 3D printing are expected to become integrated with the industry. Furthermore, global demand for precious metals will still be influenced by fast-growing economies- particularly Asia. As the middle class in these regions expands and disposable incomes rise, the appetite for gold and other precious metals, both for investment and personal adornment, is expected to grow.
EMBRACING THE GOLDEN PROMISE: OPTIMISM AND CAUTION
The gold dilemma comes with a very interesting narrative filled with expectation and opportunities for its enthusiasts. According to the predictions that indicate a rising trend in future prices of gold, consumers who acknowledge the timeless attraction and intrinsic value of this precious metal have all the reasons for optimism about what lies ahead.Nonetheless, it is crucial for both the admirers and investors of gold to be aware of emerging trends as well as future predictions concerning the gold market. Therefore, it is essential that one keeps an eye on central bank moves, follows political events and understands economic indicators for making informed investment decisions. As the gold market continues to evolve, embracing the golden promise while looking at trends and projections will help the consumer steer through this ever-changing landscape of gold investments. By navigating the "golden dilemma" with a balanced and diversified approach, investors can position themselves for success in this dynamic and captivating realm of precious metals.
HOW TO DRESS FOR THE 2023 ECLIPSE FESTIVITIES
WRITTEN BY: MARSHALL BONE
In 2023, parts of the Southwest and West Coast of the United States will be experiencing what’s known as an annular solar eclipse. This astrological phenomenon is similar to the more famous total solar eclipse—one of which will be occurring in 2024! The main difference between the two is that viewers of an annular solar eclipse will not experience the two-and-a-half minutes of darkness that is observable in the path of totality. Other than that small difference, the events are remarkably similar.
One of the most thrilling parts of watching an eclipse, whether it’s annular or total, is the communal nature of the event. It seems to be one of the few occasions where people get out of their homes and stand outside with both friends and total strangers to experience something that’s both rare and awe-inspiring.
Because of the unique nature of eclipse viewing, we’ve found that eclipsewatching can become a community event. People are willing to gather together, enjoy each other's company, and celebrate this exhilarating occurrence with those around them.
My advice is simple: embrace the exuberance of eclipse watching! In fact, one of our favorite things to watch during an eclipse is not just the sun...it’s the unique eclipse clothes and styles folks are wearing! People often get very creative when it comes to what they wear for eclipse viewing.
If you’re looking for some inspiration on what to wear for your next eclipse viewing, here’s my suggestions on how to dress for the 2023 eclipse festivities.
Stay Comfortable
If you want to experience all that the annular eclipse has to offer, you’ll be outside for several hours. As such, make sure you’re dressing comfortably, particularly for the fall season. Wearing comfortable shoes and dressing in layers should be high priorities when you’re choosing your eclipse clothes. As the day warms and the autumn chill begins to fade, you’ll be glad you can shed a layer or two and stay comfortable.
Inject Your Personality Into Your Eclipse Style
One of the wonderful elements of eclipse viewing is having fun with the people around you. So feel free to dress in a way that shows your unique sense of style and personality. If your viewing group is leaning hard into a party atmosphere, costumes are a fun way to keep things lively. If you’re in a situation where more professional attire is required, consider wearing festive jewelry, fun hats, or other accessories that can show your personality while still maintaining a more formal dress. Whichever direction you go, have fun!
Don’t Forget Your Eyes
More important than your choice of eclipse clothes is your decision when it comes to eclipse glasses. No matter if you’re viewing an annular or total eclipse, it’s necessary that you utilize the proper equipment. Did you know that looking at an eclipse with unprotected eyes, even for a few seconds, could cause harm? Until you’ve chosen your eyewear, the rest of your eclipse style won’t really matter.
When it comes to your choosing your eclipse glasses, make your purchase the best one. Here’s why:
Protect your eyes from harmful solar radiation during eclipses and solar events with eclipse glasses that are trusted by the AAS and NASA, and do meet the standard for ISO 12312-2:2015. These glasses are "CE" certified, which means they fulfil the transmission criteria of EN 169/1992 scale 12-16 for entirely safe direct solar viewing.
The transmission requirements of EN 1836:2005 and AS/NZS 1338.1:1992 for eclipse filters (Queensland Directive) are met by these eclipse sunglasses. These glasses are composed of high-quality materials. These specialist solar viewer lenses are scratch-resistant and have a grade-five optical density. This provides complete protection against potentially hazardous sun rays. “Black Polymer” completely filters out 100% of ultraviolet light, infrared light, and 99.999% of intense visible light. The filters fitted on the lenses will produce an orange-colored image of the sun with greater clarity.
It’s Detox Time
It’s all about your beauty routine
Written by Lynn Power
We have all heard about the importance of detoxing or cleansing (and it’s not just for drugs). Dry January? That’s all about detoxing your liver. No red meat? Sugar? Fast food? Caffeine? I think most of us have tried eliminating at least one of these at some point. And intuitively, it’s pretty easy to get the benefits of why those things are not good for you.
But what about your beauty? How many times have you thought that your beauty routine might need a cleanse too?
Well, the sad reality is that the majority of beauty products on the market (yes, even your mascara!) contain harmful chemicals.
EWG, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping you live your healthiest life says, “Since 2009, 595 cosmetics manufacturers have reported using 88 chemicals, in more than 73,000 products, that have been linked to cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm.”
It doesn’t help that the beauty industry is largely unregulated in the U.S., banning only 24 known toxic-ingredients vs. the EU’s 1328. That’s right (there’s no typo). That’s 55x more harmful ingredients kept out of consumers’ way in the EU. The beauty industry is also one of the worst offenders of adding to landfill – much of the packaging is notoriously hard to recycle. But that’s for another blog post. Before you pack up to go live in Paris or Berlin, there are some things you can do to take control of your beauty routine.
TAKE BACK CONTROL WITH THESE STEPS
The first thing you can do is to start educating yourself about the harmful ingredients to avoid. The top three offenders are sulfates, parabens and phthalates. They can show up on labels as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – the two most common sulfates in haircare and skincare. Sulfates can cause irritation, rashes, allergic reactions and more. With parabens, it’s even easier to find them – their full chemical names always end in “paraben” (e.g., methylparaben, propylparaben, or butylparaben). Phthalates have scary sounding names like Di(2-Ethylhexyl)Phthalate (DEHP), Di-nbutyl Phthalate, Di-n-octylphthalate (DNOP), Diethyl phthalate. But, be careful about fragrances. If the manufacturer doesn’t disclose that their product is phthalate-free and it has a fragrance, chances are it does contain phthalates. Fragrance is a place where they can lurk – and the FDA doesn’t require manufacturers to share what their fragrance is made of. Parabens and phthalates are bad because they can increase your risk of cancer, they can disrupt your endocrine system, your reproductive system and even shrink a guy’s junk. Yes, you read that right. Most men would happily switch to cleaner products knowing that fun fact.
Look for products that are vegan and cruelty free. Most vegan beauty products are made with natural ingredients and less synthetic stuff than mass beauty brands.These products won’t have animal by-products or are tested on animals. So they are cleaner for you and the world.
Consider how old your beauty products are. Yes, your beauty products do expire! Keeping them long beyond their manufacture date can not just degrade the formulas as they break down over time, but they won’t work as well. They can change color and even contain harmful bacteria. Even though manufacturers are not required to put an expiration date on the packaging, you can use your judgment. As a rule of thumb, makeup typically lasts a year from manufacture date but if it’s properly sealed, it can last up to 3 years. Powder can last a bit longer than liquids. Skincare and shampoo can last 2-4 years. Anything that you can trace back a decade really needs to go.
And because my own brand cares about sustainability, I have a hard time telling people to throw out products they just bought to switch to cleaner formulas. So a good way to make this somewhat daunting job easier is to trade up to sulfate, paraben and phthalate free formulas once you finish using up a product. This way, you can also be sure it will perform well for your skin or hair and you won’t be changing everything up all at once. Many clean formulas will do more with less (ingredients, quantity) so you may even find you can trade out 2 or 3 products for one cleaner one – and save money too!
If you have any tips or tricks for detoxing your beauty routine, I’d love to hear them. Drop me a comment!
THE CRYING SPOT
WRITTEN BY: KELLY WILK
We all have them, the place where no one is around to judge the volume of our wails. Often it can be the shower, perhaps the bed but those are obvious. I am talking about the place that stands you stock-still and comes to your mind as the spot you are desperate to get to just so you can feel safe enough to let it out. When Kara my thirty-five-year-old wife died of an unknown illness after two and a half weeks of very bad pneumonia symptoms, I found mine.
Her flu like symptoms were not irregular with her weak respiratory system. That was until she could scarcely breath, so I sent her to the hospital with her father and she never came home. I was there when she passed away, my brother-in-law and Kara’s cousin were looking after our one-and-a-half-year-old after I had been hastily called back to the hospital.
She lasted to the morning of November 11, 2012. I watched the medical team bring her back and then fail again and again. Somehow, I ended up at home again; shutting my curtains against the dawn and wrapping myself in a quilt with that beautiful finite smell of hers still present, but she was gone.
Kara’s family was from the East Coast of Canada where they loved throwing “kitchen parties” so when I came through the kitchen door and stood with a fancy box containing my late wife I thought ‘where the hell do I put this?’ Then it struck me, the kitchen of course. So, I put the box shaped wooden urn on the counter possibly next to the cookie jar. Then I took the box shaped urn belonging to Piper, the cat Kara and I had to put down a few months prior to her death.
Then I anticipated (correctly) Piper continuing to swipe at my wife from the other world as Piper was a rescue and hated everyone but me. I called it my Jenga tower of death and got a kick out of the double take friends and family did when they came through the door and spied my creation.
These of course were the light-hearted moments that happened in the kitchen, but for all the laugher there was a definite equivalent of tears. I remember one night trying to order Chinese Food for friends and was called to be told my card had declined. I was in shock, not so much that this was a problem I could not figure out but because it was one of those things where I would have been looking at Kara and saying ‘what the hell happened’ except she of course was not there. I had a mental implosion and ran to the kitchen, slid down to the floor with my back against the cupboard and cried.
I have often wondered at why this impulse has taken hold. I have considered that originally there was something about the energy in this part of the house that was irresistibly grounding. However, since I moved into a triplex with a friend the kitchen is still my spot to cry, a comforting coping habit. I suppose it was also mentally and emotionally comforting too, like being spooned. However, as Kara was not available to perform that duty either, there I was spooning myself…in the kitchen. Good thing I had a pregnancy pillow to create a softer landing when I cried in bed.
At that moment, I just stared at the visa in one hand and the phone in the other. A friend came into the kitchen and just sat by me. I was in so much shock I think I couldn’t even say anything. Looking into my journey of grief I continued to spend a lot of time in this room laughing and weeping. Well, laughing, weeping, and cooking sometimes all three at once.
Why you might ask, Kara was gone and so were her recipes? Even if I knew exactly what was in them or had the directions, I was still in mourning for how she cooked them, exactly. I would never taste how she particularly cooked things again. It’s the cruelty of grief, that there are some places where it always has to be faced. I still have one last jar of her blueberry syrup and a swear I have thought I will literally have to take this to my grave as to not have to let it go. Good thing sugar doesn’t go bad.
On my first attempt at a Kara original meal I tried to cook mushrooms on toast. The only specific craving I had when I was pregnant with our son was mushrooms and one night we went to a late hour grocery store to get some and make that night. There was just something about the way the butter turned bronze in the pan as the mushrooms became glossy and the aroma of the spices filled the air. I cried as I made them, it was like every gesture, every thought along the way created physical pain because it was the first time I was doing this without her. That’s loss my friend. When all you want is a taste of the love and affection, to have for a moment as if it is bodily there to taste, to feel and live again one more time. Not like it is a memory, but the present moment.
As I ate the mushrooms on the crunchy bread in that moment Kara was once more beside me. Like we were still feathering our nest, waiting for our child to arrive. The dish was close to perfect so if I closed my eyes, I knew she was there, saying she was sorry she was not. And maybe next time, more pepper.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SELFAWARENESS AND SELF-WORTH FOR WOMEN
DR. AMY CARMICHAEL
In a world where external judgments can be disheartening, women face a lot of societal pressures and expectations. It is important to recognize that comments on physical appearance, career choices, or our life choices in general, are mere reflections of societal bias. I would not deny that hearing these comments are daunting, but we can counter it through self-awareness and knowing our self-worth as a woman. Understanding your self-worth becomes a cornerstone for resilience and empowerment.
My journey has led me to appreciate the significance of self-worth and self-awareness, especially in a society that tends to judge individuals based on societal norms. As a woman who has a somewhat unconventional career; a medical doctor specializing in plant-based medication, adds an extra layer of complexity to my journey, often met with judgments and preconceived notions. I would not say that the journey was easy, but I would do it all over again if I know that it is taking me to live the life I am currently in.
Just recently I experienced a judgment by a man who identified as a scientist. He struggled to accept the legitimacy of my profession. He was very adamant that my career choice is all recreational. It was pretty hurtful. Despite the growing acceptance of this alternative medicine, there are those who remain closed-minded. His reaction slapped me back to reality, but it was a good reminder to the importance of self-awareness.
If I hadn’t known my worth, I would have dived deep into the self blame. I would have hated myself for choosing what I found passionate about. I might have been depressed, only by hearing a judgment of a person who was somewhat a stranger, someone who doesn't even know me in person. That was one of the many experiences of judgment that I faced throughout my life, but it was a wake up call for me to remind women around me the importance of self-worth.
In the face of societal biases and judgments, women must recognize the power of self-worth and resilience. It is crucial to stand strong, confident in the knowledge that our soul, character, and uniqueness are the true essence of our identity. The journey of finding ourselves may be challenging, but it is through these challenges that women can empower themselves, grow stronger, and attract those who appreciate and value them for who they truly are.
In today's fast-paced world, it is easy for women to lose sight of their intrinsic value.Therefore, we have to pause and give ourselves a moment. Stop comparing ourselves to the outside world. Each woman is unique and we have our own journey. Learn to let go of things that do not serve us – be it relationships, jobs, or anything that hinders personal growth. By doing so, we create space for better opportunities and experiences to enter our lives. This process is not only a demonstration of self-worth but also an act of self-love.
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO BOOST YOUR SELF-WORTH THAT I HAVE ALWAYS SHARED WITH MY PATIENTS:
PRACTICE MINDFULNESS.
Research has shown that women have more tendency to ruminate than men. Mindfulness disrupts the pattern of rumination by telling our mind to observe thoughts without getting dragged by it. Whether through meditation, deep breathing, or simply being present in the moment, mindfulness fosters self-awareness.
EMBRACE IMPERFECTIONS.
Acknowledge that nobody is perfect. Embrace the fact that imperfection is a part of you that makes you unique. It's okay to make mistakes; they contribute to your growt
CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS.
No matter how small it is, celebrate each one of your accomplishments. By celebrating your success, you are recognizing your efforts. This positive reinforcement contributes to a sense of selfworth.
LEARN TO FORGIVE AND LET GO
Research suggests that having resentment can contribute to chronic stress, which, in turn, may lead to various health problems and mental health issues. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting the pain it caused. Rather, it means acknowledging the pain, and choosing to let go of anger and resentment that is resulted by it.
Once you've acknowledged and embraced your self-worth, it's truly liberating! It enables us to overcome judgements, break free from societal norms, and live authentically. The journey could be challenging, but trust me, it is through these challenges that we find the most of ourselves. It takes practice, but you will slowly get a hold of yourself. This is where we find our strength and power. So let’s celebrate ourselves as women, appreciate our authenticity, and continue on a path of endless selfdiscovery and love.
8 GEMSTONES WHICH ARE UNIVERSALLY SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE
Writer by: Lesley Naik
The ongoing globalisation of retail markets is leading to a more interconnected world and the development of a globally shared culture. However, this shared culture continues to exist alongside the dominant tenets of ethnic diversity and multi-culturalism. So how do businesses which offer their products to the world cater to different ethnicity and cultures?
Specifically, in relation to the jewellery industry, we are frequently asked “What gemstone is suitable for everyone?” This article will answer that concrete question, but it will also explore the broader and more confounding concepts of cultural diversity, multi-ethnicity, and multi-nationalism, which sit behind the answers to that specific question.
So, what gemstone is suitable for everyone? Well, the answers are:
it really depends on how you define “suitable” (i.e. what factors do you perceive to be relevant with reference to your cultural, religious, socioeconomic backgrounds); and
while the world is a collection of individuals and it is not possible to identify one gemstone which suits everyone, there are 8 gemstones with broad universal appeal that collectively, will suit almost all people (i.e. no matter how diverse a group is, there will always be a level of pluralism that allows the majority of people’s needs to be met).
The world is a big place
There is no objective way of identifying one “perfect” gemstone which suits everyone. People are individuals and there is often a multi factorial assessment which goes into choosing what is the perfect gemstone for that person, in that particular circumstance, at that specific point in time etc. There isn’t a one size fits all approach to matching people with their perfect piece of gemstone jewellery.
However, with all that being said, with a bit of clever analysis, you can certainly narrow the options down substantially so that you are left with a shortlist of gemstones which have a high likelihood of being universally suitable for every single person, no matter what culture or society they originate from or currently live in.
In particular, there are 8 universally suitable gemstones you should know about (the “Universal 8”). Collectively, these are estimated to be suitable for 90+% of people.
Intuitive decision makers
Before you read any further, it is worth acknowledging that some people prefer to make decisions which are led by their instincts or “gut reaction”. For these people, th b t t th ti f h t t i it bl f i
Colour, styling and appearance
While these factors are still largely specific to the person you have in mind, it can be helpful to exclude gemstones with outlier or niche colour characteristics such as black onyx and turquoise. There is certainly a time and place for these gemstones, but they will not be suitable for the broadest general segment of the global population.
Having regard to gender, general cultural and societal colour preferences and the most common hair and skin combinations from the various continents (all of which we see here in Australia, which has large Asian and European ex-patriot and immigrant populations), we recommend the following gemstones for their (almost) universal suitability from a colouring, styling and appearance perspective:
Amethyst
Blue Topaz
Citrine
Rose Quartz
Ruby
Emerald
Sapphire
Peridot
SUMMARY OF CO
You can find just ab However, these can be distilled down to 8 gemstones, representing the main colours which suit a broad range of the population’s skin and hair characteristics and the flow-on effect to wearers’ clothing and accessories choices.
These colours are purple (amethyst), light blue (blue topaz), yellow/gold (citrine), pink (rose quartz), red (ruby), dark green (emerald), dark blue (sapphire) and light green (peridot). These are the “Universal 8”.
Gemstone symbolism
Let’s now examine the common symbolic meanings for the above 8 high suitability gemstones to assess how likely it is for these meanings to be relevant and impactful for a broad range of the population.
Amethyst
Amethyst is often associated with healing and spiritual growth. It is believed to promote calmness and relaxation, making it ideal for anyone experiencing anxiety or stress.
It is also known to enhance intuition and psychic abilities. At Earthlight, amethyst features in our symbolic gemstone necklaces and is primarily used to symbolise inner strength and denote a human spirit which is capable of withstanding, and even flourishing, in the face of challenging life moments.
Blue Topaz
This gemstone is believed to promote communication, self-expression and creative thinking. Like other blue coloured stones, it is also associated with feelings of calm and relaxation. Earthlight uses blue topaz in its symbolic gemstone necklaces to facilitate decision making and clarity of thought, as well as to recognise the superpowers of intellect, astuteness and intuition in its Superpower® Blue Topaz jewellery.
Citrine
Citrine is a popular gemstone that is said to attract abundance and prosperity. This gemstone is often associated with joy, positivity, self-confidence and human connection. Earthlight uses citrine to represent and promote meaningful relationships, personal creativity, goal-setting, achievement and success, including in its Titania Self Belief Ring.
Rose Quartz
Known as the “love stone”, rose quartz is thought to promote unconditional and enduring love, as well as compassion and forgiveness. It is also strongly representative of femininity and its associated characteristics such as kindness, openness and empathy.
Earthlight utilises rose Emerald, Emerald is strongly associated with love and harmonious relationships, as well as wealth, prosperity and abundance. It is also used to symbolise growth and renewal and is associated with nature and the circle of life. Emerald is also revered as a stone of spiritual insight and wisdom and is said to enhance psychic ability and spiritual awareness. Earthlight uses Emerald to represent the human qualities of kindness, empathy and thoughtfulness.
Sapphire
Sapphire is often used to signify truth and loyalty, as well as wisdom, knowledge and clarity of thought. For those reasons, Earthlight utilises blue sapphire alternatively with blue topaz to recognise and promote intellect, astuteness, intuitiveness and clear-thinking. Quartz to promote fertility and pregnancy through the mind-body connection, as well as to symbolise the enduring love between mothers and their children, including in its Estella Remembrance Ring, for children who are no longer in this physical world.
Ruby
The dark red hue of ruby is frequently used to represent passion and love. It is often given as a gift to celebrate anniversaries and other significant milestones in a relationship. Ruby is believed to enhance passion and intimacy and strengthen relationships.
Peridot
The vibrant green colour tone of peridot is perfect for representing healing, renewal and growth. It is also a stone which is believed to promote vitality and energy, both physically and emotionally. Earthlight uses peridot to symbolise individuality, personality and self-expression.
SUMMARY OF GEMSTONE SYMBOLISM:
At Earthlight, we believe in individuality and a freedom to always apply a personalised meaning to gemstones. However, for those requiring a bit more of a framework and direction in their gemstone symbolism journey, certain gemstones are more strongly associated with particular symbolisms and it might be helpful to read the descriptions of the Universal 8 gemstones with the prospective wearer in mind, to see if any of them resonate strongly with you as being the perfect gemstone for that person, at this time.
Rarity and perceived value
In broad terms, semi-precious gemstones such amethyst, blue topaz, citrine, rose quartz and peridot are relatively easy to find. However, the key is knowing the grading of the gemstones when it comes to using them for jewellery.
The differences between gemstones and crystals is a whole other topic but the central idea to keep in mind is that only the highest quality gemstones (A grade and upwards) should be used in jewellery. This explains why a very large sized crystal rose quartz specimen can sometimes be priced lower than a high grade, gemstone quality rose quartz crystal.
In comparison to semi-precious gemstones, precious gemstones such as ruby, emerald and sapphire are considerably rarer and therefore, almost always more expensive than semi-precious gemstones. Particular variants of precious gemstones (for example, the highly prized pink/orange Padparadscha Sapphire), may also only be found in certain countries or regions and therefore, may be exceptionally difficult to source and expensive to purchase.
SUMMARY OF RARITY AND PERCEIVED VALUE:
The distinction between previous and semi-precious gemstones is to a large extent reflective of the rarity of these gemstones and their associated perceived value. What this means for everyday gemstone jewellery is unless you have a particular rare gemstone type in mind for a particular reason, you will likely find greater value in seeking jewellery featuring high grade natural specimens of the Universal 8, instead of potentially paying many times more for poorer quality rare gemstones which are a higher price because of challenging market conditions and in fact end up being inferior for the purposes of being used in jewellery.
Accessibility and price
Related to the factors of rarity and perceived value are the factors of accessibility and price. For nearly all of us (except perhaps those with the deepest pockets), it is not realistic to covet the most rare and valuable precious gemstones when we are searching for beautiful and unique everyday jewellery and gifts. Those gemstones are realistically set aside for when you’re searching for family heirlooms, engagement rings and other lifetime pieces. Accordingly, when searching for aesthetically beautiful and meaningful gemstone jewellery for the “right here, right now” as compared with the purchase of a “lifetime piece”, high grade semi-precious gemstones (such as amethyst, blue topaz, citrine, rose quartz and peridot) and more accessible precious gemstones (such as ruby, emerald and sapphire) will likely provide you with the most suitable options having regard principally to the factors of accessibility and price.
Conclusion
As the process of globalisation continues to increase the ability of businesses to connect with customers and potential customers from around the world, it remains important to recognise and accommodate people from different cultural and racial backgrounds. The formula behind determining the “Universal 8 gemstones” is one way to achieve this when answering the ubiquitously asked question of “What gemstone is suitable for everyone?”
The most suitable gemstones for everyone having regard to the factors of: (a) colour, styling and appearance; (b) gemstone symbolism; (c) rarity and perceived value; and (d) accessibility and price, are:
High grade natural amethyst
High grade natural blue topaz
High grade natural citrine
High grade natural rose quartz
High grade ruby
High grade emerald
High grade sapphire
High grade natural peridot
Earthlight is a leader in the field of gemstone jewellery with meaning and utilises A+ high grade natural gemstones in all its pieces.
