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When it comes to divorce, distorting the truth would be nothing less than a crime. Many spouses think that if they bend the truth of reality, this will favor them. It’s so familiar to tell the truth in divorce cases but sometimes the significance behind it is often overlooked. The truth about this is instead of having a divorce certificate, and one may spend his/her life in prison. To get a fair divorce, both spouses are supposed to give full and frank disclosure of their investments or debts. Both parts have to stand right and look for proper legal aid. This being said, the time you reach out to a divorce solicitors team with expertise, you will make it as easy as possible where both agents agree and decide to go through it. In addition, a Toronto Divorce Lawyer is the best choice for your legal separation especially if you are living in Canada.

Consequences Of Lying Under Oath

The moment you decide to tell the truth in court is always considered truth-telling under oath. In California, when one deliberately gives false information, that is regarded as a penalty of perjury. To understand this better, one must know that the statement made must be material to the case under question. Meaning it must be related to the inquiry of divorce proceedings. For something to be deemed as perjury, it must contain:

  • Intent to mislead: You spouse must know that the information he/she is giving is false and will in one way mislead the judge decision.
  • There must be a material statement: Refusing to provide an explanation or remaining silence doesn’t constitute perjury. But if the spouse authenticates false writing that may amount to perjury.
  • Inconsistent statements: If your spouse gives a statement and later claims to have forgotten something and then assumes to recall something when questioned, this may also lead to perjury. However, the judge is to determine whether the inconsistency is significant.

The truth means that you give your side of the story with honesty and integrity. It doesn’t matter whether the fact will work towards your best interest or not. The latter is what makes many couples fall unto the trap of exaggerating or giving fake stories to get an advantage. Little do they know that one stands to lose more than when the truth would have been told, and one may face legal consequences. Nevertheless, if you think your spouse lied when making an oath, you don’t have to rush to take legal action, what you need is first to contact the best divorce lawyer in Chula Vista to get some advice. While most people believe than an oath is limited to live testimony, this is not the case. Most of the divorce papers contain perjury statements where one is supposed to declare that he/she agrees with whatever is written. When one signs, that signifies an oath. Some of the consequences one may face include:

  • Being charged with felony and
  • The penalty can be for up to 4 years in state prison

What To Do If My Spouse Lies During Our Divorce

If you realize your spouse has lied when filing case-related documents, you need to take some steps:

  • The first thing would be to talk with your spouse and let them know you have the evidence to show the statement is wrong.
  • If this is not possible and your spouse is not ready to collect the error, talk to your divorce lawyer. Your lawyer may confront your spouse. Still, if this seems to hit the rocks, your lawyer may notify the judge who will make sure your spouse gets the consequences for lying under oath. And since family law is different from a criminal court, the judge may forward your case to the prosecutor for crime enforcement.

If you suspect your spouse is not telling the truth about your assets, the only best way to get what you deserve is to talk it over with your divorce attorney.

What If You Suspect A Lie After Your Divorce Is Finalized?

If your spouse has lied, whether in the divorce paperwork or court, the chances are that you will not rest until the one who engaged in deceit is held accountable. Your lawyer will ensure that you get your share of marital assets that your spouse may be trying to hide. For instance, your spouse may try to conspire with his/her employer to delay benefits until the divorce proceedings are finalized. While it may be difficult for you to prove that something may not be right, you may choose to be one the safer side by documenting your finances way before you initiate your divorce. Also, you may make copies of documents you consider important. It’s important to understand that one’s credibility could result in the judge having a negative impression about someone. If you have learned of your spouse lies after the divorce is finalized, you can reopen the divorce. If the judge concludes the lies were intentional, one might lose the share of his/her marital status. If you’re in such a situation, consider looking for an experienced divorce lawyer to offer you legal representation.

ONaturel Oils is inspired by Sarah Chahals vision for a cleaner, more natural beauty line, that’s infused with traditional wisdom and created with 100% natural ingredients. As a clean Beauty Advocate, she wanted to create a line of natural products that utilises both ancient health + beauty wisdom for all gender, skin & hair types.

Coming from a family where healthy alternatives are favoured over any big corporate derma companies and seeing that her grandparents from both sides of her family were experts in the field she was lucky to put her hands on a 250 year old oil blend. Taking a personal interest in there matter and wanting to increase her knowledge within this ancient tradition, she started to read lots of books. Some of these books were meant for students in naturopathy and some of them were specialised in Arab medicine, which basically explains the benefits of plants and herbs for internal and external use.

And thus the Naturel seed was planted.

Her background is Lebanese, born and raised in Montreal, Canada. Her parents are very proud of theirs roots and shared with her everything related to their culture. Here, she tells us more about her journey in to launching her brand…

What’s your favourite oil ever?

Personally, I LOVE BLACK SEED OIL! Not a lot of people have heard of it. But I absolutely love it. For digestion use or even external use (skin/hair). The benefits are unbelievable!!! It fights bacterial infections, reduces scars, improves memory, reduces acne, great for hair growth ( I can go on)

And my best discovery yet, is Lettuce oil, yes lettuce oil. Which I use as a preservative. I did not want to add any stranger ingredient to my oil mix and decided to keep it as pure as possible. Lettuce oil did the job perfectly, it didn’t just preserve it, it made the blend homogeneous without affecting its texture or scent.

Do you feel that now we’re in an ‘Instagram society’ there is more pressure on women to have clear skin? Or do you feel we are becoming more educated on how to look after the health of our skin?

I have 2 opinion to this.

First, I think we really are pressured, I think that our society wants us to look ‘unhuman’ introducing, filters and idolizing ‘perfect woman figure’. Coming from a young woman I confirm that social media tends to pressure me to ‘fit in’ to be beautiful. And to be honest, it kind of sucks!

Second, I agree, we are more educated, the information is definitely easier to find informations and opinions concerning products or certain skin routine.

What’s your biggest Girl Boss moment?

Not only do I have 5 classes in university (full time), and Naturel oils is a one “woman” show. I still try to better myself every day. I really wanted to get out of my confort zone. I get intimidated by any oral presentation, standing in front of a crowd and talking. Because I wanted to challenge myself I register into the Student/entrepreneur GSEA competition. I immediately got a response, they were actually very happy to hear from me and even mentioned that ill be the only woman presenting. ( pressure much ?) Because of pure pressure, I forgot my text half way, and I was extremely prepared. I could’ve recited my text while sleeping. But stress effects are sometimes uncontrollable. But hey, I won 2nd price, 1 point difference between myself and the winner. I was proud ! I got invited this year and will do my best to finish first.

The hardest part of running my own e-commerce was my young age, my lack of confidence. Especially when I started planning ONaturel oils, I was 21 years old, wasn’t confortable with myself I just had a vision and wanted to put it I action. Thank God my parents and brothers were extremely encouraging and that gave me confidence.

Something else I had to learn to do? Say No and stand for my point of view. Lots of people think they know best about your business but really you do.

2019: Within the short term I would like to see an increase in my product line and introduce 2 sets of toners one based on rose water and the second orange blossom. Plus, after many requests, products specially made for men.

Keeping in mind these goals I mustn’t forget the community I’m serving. For me it’ all about creating a personal relationship with my clients.

Respecting the values of clean beauty with absolutely no chemical residues.

Always conscious & cruelty-free. We empower and embrace womans and mens natural beauty while treating it in a healthy way.

Find out more here

Without a doubt, Canada is one of the most attractive countries to visit. But it is a great place to live as well. Many people aim to go to Canada for many different purposes. Believe it or not, you do not have enough fingers to count all the reasons why you should consider coming over … There are just so many! But before you do cross over into Canada, especially if you are looking for a permanent move, you need to consider the state in which you will live, your job & income, and even group medical services if the worst should happen and you need to cash in your immigrant visitor’s insurance. But don’t worry, here we will talk about everything you need to know before your Canadian venture. 

Before touching any specific subjects, let’s generally talk about Canada. Let’s appreciate the country, which has so much to offer to any visitor, suiting any taste or interest.

Canada is located in North America. It is quite a big country, as it occupies almost half of the entire American continent… Although, the population is smaller than you might expect. Only 36 million people live in the country, predominantly in its southern part. Out of those people, almost 80% of the population live around 200 km away from the US border.

Canada is widely considered to be one of the best countries to live in. It is one of the safest places to live in as well. It is among the top 10 happiest countries in the world, according to a report which came out in 2019. There are two official languages in Canada: French and English. English, because it has always been the dominion of the UK. French, because some parts were initially colonized by France. You can still find these cultural quirks present in the country.

Are you an adventure seeker or a simple tourist, who wants to have a good time? Whatever is your answer, you should definitely mark Canada on your list. And there are several reasons why you should visit… We cannot stress this enough!

Personality of Canada

While traveling to different countries, you definitely feel the change in vibes. This is the specific aura of the country or city. The aura is the first impression of the place you are traveling to. If the vibe is positive and pleasant, it is likely that the country has a nice and inviting personality as well… If the vibe is slightly hard and heavy, then perhaps you should treat this as a warning sign. Make sure that it is the place you really want to be in!

Canada is known for its multiple personalities. They are defined by many modern, multicultural cities, each expressing its own personality. While traveling to Canada, make sure to do some small research on the cities or places you want to visit. There are many places other than the known urban centers, like Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.

You might be very surprised to discover a thriving maritime culture, people speaking French, descendants of the colonists and indigenous people, living together in different cities. And almost every city is different, each with their own, unique way of being. The greatest part, of course, is that you can feel safe and sound, while walking in the streets of any Canadian city. The crime rate is very low and most cities are relatively small. Moreover, people will always be eager to help you… Should you have any questions or want you any help with the navigation. Do not be afraid to ask!

Small Talks

Canadian people are the ones who do not like the feeling of loneliness. This does not necessarily mean that they would not shut up, or will brag every stranger in the street to express their own opinion regarding clothing. But what can happen is that, if you see a Canadian standing in the long row or queue alone, there is a big chance that s/he will reach you with some simple talk, just to fade away the lonely feeling. Who knows, you might even discover a very good friend in that kind of situation.

Canadian Nature

The next great thing that Canadians can, and must, boast about is their wildlife and nature. Some countries are favored by great nature or natural resources. One of these countries is Canada, for sure!

You might have seen the movies, documentaries or TV shows, featuring great valleys, picturesque landscapes, animals and lakes… In Canada, it is easy to find yourself stunned by natural beauty. There is a high chance that those mesmerizing views were either filmed or shot in Canada.

Canada has everything, for every taste. There is a coastline, mountain ranges, lakes, forests, deserts, and even uncharted, virgin arctic lands. Everything you might have dreamed of. What is more important is than people who are very proud of their country? In our opinion, they have a valid reason to feel that way!

Canadians love to boast about their heritage. This does not make them nationalists. They are patriots, and they know how to take good care of the country, they love the most. Canada has been named as one of the greenest countries in the world. While countries across the globe try to build skyscrapers, leaving only small parks or recreational spaces within the city, Canada tries to make everything environmentally friendly. Canada was one of the first countries to introduce solar power. It also started the trend for vertical parks and plants on rooftops or walls.

Isn’t it attractive?

One of the major reasons why Canada is a popular holiday destination is the variety of outdoor activities. Although the country’s territory is relatively big, compared to many other countries with the same population rate, Canada still has many uninhabited lands. This is a great opportunity for Canadians, as well as for tourists.

Canadians are patriots and are in love with their country. This is why they like to see elements that make Canada what it is today absolutely everywhere… Starting from simple things like money and ending with the online casino games. Online casinos Canada are very popular in the country and many Canadians enjoy to play online slots, especially if they come up with the Canada-related theme.

Many online slot game developers have created distinct slot games for online casinos, featuring Canadian wildlife and different Canada-related topics, such as its great cities and urban centers. The developers have another idea for a new slot game. Prince Harry and Megan Markle have recently moved to Canada. Now, developers have a reason to create a game with a royal theme. We cannot wait to see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and other royal elements, spinning across the reels. Well, if the royal couple moved to Canada from the UK, refusing the throne… Maybe you should also think of moving or perhaps visiting the country? It is just a thought. There must be something attractive about it.

Canadians know how to party

If you think that Canada is a conservative country and there is nothing else to do, other than sight-seeing or hiking… Then you are deeply mistaken! These people know how to party hard. There are plenty of festivals throughout the year. Festivals are also a good example of how hospitable and open-minded Canadians are. Some of the major festivals include Toronto International Film Festival, one of the landmark events in the film industry, Quebec Winter Carnival, Celebration of Light, the single largest fireworks competition in the world, Celtic Colors International Festival and many, many more.

Diversity

“Diversity may be the hardest thing for a society to live with, and perhaps the most dangerous thing for a society to be without”, William Sloane Coffin Jr.

Diversity is another great characteristic of Canada.

Diverse cultures, climate, and landscapes make Canada a destination suited to any interest. There are many migrant communities in the country, who create a distinct and diverse environment. The country leads in encouraging diversity policies as well.

There are way more reasons, as to why you should visit the country, at least once. To check if the statement is really true, you should see it all yourself!

Whether you’re a professional or a beginner, photographing the world is an excellent way to enhance your skills and create an impressive portfolio of work. Memories of your travel may last a lifetime, but nothing rekindles a picture-perfect moment better than a photograph.

When looking for the perfect destination to photograph, there are several factors to consider. Natural light, colour, culture, history, and landscape will all determine the outcome of your photos, so think carefully about the sorts of pictures you want to capture before you book your holiday. To help you decide, here are three picturesque locations that should be on every photographer’s bucket list.

Marrakech Morocco,

As you fly into the Marrakech Menara, you can snap the stunning red city and its backdrop of desert sands and snow-capped mountains, but beyond the incredible birds-eye-view of the city, there are many other picturesque sights to capture. Nestled near the Museum of Marrakech is Ben Youssef Medersa, an Islamic college that’s over 400 years old. The architecture, complete with marble pillars and ornamental motifs, will make for some beautiful photographs that truly capture the culture and history of the building.

The maze of the medina, with its snake charmers and souks, is another magical scene that just calls to be photographed, along with the far-flung Sahara desert. Used as filming locations for movie classics such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator, the dunes of the Sahara provide set against the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets are every travel photographer’s dream. If you’re looking for luxury accommodation in the city, check out these Marrakech villas.

Cairngorms, Scotland

You needn’t travel far to find exciting photo opportunities. The moorlands of Cairngorms (a mountain range in the Scottish Highlands) are ideal for both landscape and wildlife photography. The snow-capped peaks, clear waters and green hills laced with heather will make for great photo subjects for even amateur photographers. If you’re looking for wildlife to capture, you’ll find the only herd of reindeer in the British Isles here, as well as golden eagles, snowy owls, wild cats and pine marten otters. There are plenty of “bird and mammal tours” run in the area, complete with accommodation, such as Naturetrek’s wildlife photography holiday package.

Moraine Lake, Canada

With its shimmering teal-coloured waters, snowy mountains and glaciers, powerful photographs are almost a certainty at Moraine Lake. The view of the lake from the top of the rock pile is one of the most photographed locations in Canada. The view from behind the lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks is known as the “Twenty Dollar View” because it features on the 1969 and 1979 issues of the Canadian twenty-dollar bill. It has also been used as a background picture for Android, as well as plenty of other print advertisements. Taking a canoe ride across the lake also invites some incredible photo opportunities. There are also many hiking and mountaineering routes to explore so that you won’t be short of inspiration for your snapshots.

Even with meticulous planning, the cost of traveling can quickly get out of hand. Add up foreign taxes, high conversion rates, shopping sprees, and other unforeseen costs to your flight and accommodation charges, and you can see why gobbling through your budget is so easily done. If you’re visiting Canada this time, the good news is that it’s one of the most competitive countries in the world when it comes to travel affordability. But there are plenty of ways that you could be saving even bigger. We’ve put together a list of handy tips to help you make your budget stretch even further when you visit Canada.

Tip #1. Shop Around for Travel Deals:

The best thing about visiting Canada is that it’s so easy to get to from the USA. You can choose to drive across the border in a car, on a train journey, via bus, or via air. Since there are so many different ways to travel, it’s certainly worth doing your research beforehand to figure out which option is going to work out the cheapest for you. Of course, there may be other variables to consider, too – for example, flying is going to work out much faster in terms of journey time, so it could be worth paying extra for a plane ticket if you want to cut down as much travel time as possible.

Tip #2. Get Savvy with Flight Bookings:

If you’ve decided that flying to Canada is the way forward for you, don’t worry – there are still several tricks that you can use to try and keep your expenditure to a minimum when it comes to flight tickets. For example, booking flights to Ottawa in advance with Porter Airlines can yield great results in terms of savings, and you can check back at different days of the week and times of day before you book to see if there are lower prices that you can take advantage of. If you’re flexible with travel dates, you might want to consider waiting until the last minute to book tickets on a flight that isn’t full as more often than not, you’ll find that prices drop in an attempt to encourage more bookings. In addition, it could be worth considering flying into an alternative U.S. airport before making your way over the border. Many major Canadian cities such as bus detailing in Toronto and Vancouver are just a few hours’ drive from the U.S. border.

Tip #3. Travel Off Season:

If you can, booking your trip outside of the peak season can save you a considerable amount of money overall. Canada’s high travel seasons are comparable to those of the U.S.; summer, spring break, and Christmas time all tend to be busier and more in demand than the rest of the year when it comes to tourism. Since Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October, U.S. Thanksgiving in November is a great time to travel since this is usually a slow month for the Canadians. Other cheap times to travel include April for springtime skiing, or discount ski packages in January due to a drop in demand.

Tip #4. Stay in a Smaller Town:

Like anywhere, staying in a big city in Canada is always going to be the most expensive option. Whilst you can try and cut costs by staying in modest hostels or booking your room through AirBnb, the best option is to find accommodation in a smaller town, and travel from there to the larger cities for day trips. Staying in a smaller town means that you’ll really be able to make your money stretch further when it comes to what you get from your accommodation. You’re more likely to find a room with a private bathroom, breakfast included, and parking, for example, at a reasonable price compared to the big cities.

Tip #5. Splurge on Lunch:

Visitors to Canada will find that dining out eats up a huge chunk of their travel budget. Although it’s not particularly expensive in terms of overall travel, dinner time can set you back a fair amount here thanks to expensive food and alcohol resulting from high government taxes. Because of this, splurging on lunch is a better idea than treating yourself to dinner; you’re more likely to be able to take advantage of discounts and special price offers due to a lower demand at this time of the day.

Tip #6. Traveling on the Weekend? Stay in a Business Hotel:

If you’re traveling to Canada on the weekend, then you’re already likely going to be paying more than you would if your trip was mid-week. However, one of the best ways for you to try and offset the additional cost of weekend travel is to stay at a hotel that’s mainly aimed at business travelers. Both major cities and small towns in Canada have hotels that are popular with businesspeople, however, the majority of their bookings are from Monday to Thursday. As a result, they will tend to reduce their rates on Friday and during the weekend in order to make themselves a more attractive option to leisure travelers.

Tip #7: Take Advantage of Coupon Sites:

Whether you’re a coupon clipper or not, there’s no denying that you can find some great money-off vouchers online for a wide variety of purchases, and travel is no different. It’s certainly worth taking the time to search for vouchers and coupons online that you can use to cut the cost of your trip in advance. In addition to deals on airfare and accommodation, you may also be able to find coupons that you can use to enjoy tourist attractions, Canadian restaurants, and other activities at a reduced rate and make your budget stretch even further.

Tip #8. Check Out Free Attractions:

Don’t forget that you don’t have to spend money on everything that you do when visiting Canada. In fact, there are several awesome attractions, activities and more that you can do completely free of charge. For example, you can see the Niagara Falls for free, but bear in mind that you will need to pay if you wish to take a boat tour over the falls or get souvenirs from the nearby shops. In Toronto, there are plenty of parks, museums, cultural centers and markets that offer visitors something for nothing.

Tip #9. Use Public Transport:

Taking a cab could be the most convenient way to get around, but sadly it’s also the most expensive transport option when you’re visiting Canada. Instead, why not take advantage of the public transport systems available? In Toronto in particular has an awesome system of streetcars, buses and subways which are relatively simple to use and can get you around the city in no time. If you’ve driven over the border, you can find commuter parking lots where you can leave your car before buying a daily or weekly bus ticket to explore. Family tickets are also available, which comes in handy if you’re exploring Canada with your kids.

Canada is certainly not the most expensive vacation destination out there, but the cost of travel can quickly add up anywhere you go. By being savvy when it comes to choosing transport and accommodation costs and keeping your eye out for ways to save money during your trip, you can make your budget stretch further than ever.

Anima and Amare offer luxury interior design and the brainchild behind the brand is Hannah Soulsby, the director, a visionary and interior Architectural Designer. Hannah has been on a real journey since launching the brand, having experience imposter syndrome and had to overcome her own limiting beliefs to be where she is today.

A true inspiration, Hannah is a force to be reckoned with and a name that should be on everybody’s lips in the world of interiors. We couldn’t wait to spend some time with her to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead to you launching Anima and Amare…

It started back in summer 2016 and moved quite fast. After working in high end residential for many years I was offered the opportunity to freelance on a restaurant design in Great Wishford, Salisbury it had a lot of media attention due to being the only pub in the village to shut down & a family run business of a mum and two sisters took it over and needed a designer to implement a design and project manage the renovation and Walla they found me.

Once completed I was offered a job within a leading hospitality design firm but pretty quickly realised I was ready to risk it all and go it alone. So one Tuesday afternoon I came home from work a told my husband I was quitting my job to start my own business, little did I know he was having a mini heart attack whilst smiling and supporting on the outside, as only he knew that in 3 weeks’ time we’d be starting to plan and save for a wedding.

The first year I worked my but off and actually would clean a local private hospital from 4:30am – 8am to ensure I always had regular money to pay the bills and then get home have breakfast and start working on my business till late at night.

And if I wasn’t busy enough, I was offered the opportunity to guest speak for a local university offering professional knowledge and guidance to students. This role developed hugely and after a lot of hard work and determination I am now an Associate Lecturer & unit leader to over 5 modules 3 years on.

You have worked on some amazing projects over the years, which one is your proudest work?

Hmmm this is a hard one they all have a lot of pride attached to them.

I’m going to have to give more than one I’m afraid …

The first was when I was working for another firm it was a famous chef’s restaurant in Mayfair this stands out for a number of reasons but the main being it was the project that made me realise I was ready to go it alone. If I hadn’t worked on this maybe I wouldn’t have started my business!

The second was Nousha Lounge a coffee & cocktail bar, to this day I walk in and the design blows me away the clients really did let me have free reign to come up with a scheme. I took risks and it paid off implementing large amounts of black can seem daunting but with accents of gold it really does look stunning.

And finally, a grade 2 listed building in Southampton ‘The Royal Pier’ this one was a real pinch me moment it had a two day media launch and although took a long time to get to completion the final outcome was worth the wait. This was a building I used to drive past when first at university In my 20’s (please don’t calculate how old I’m getting) & say to myself I’d love afford to eat in there one day as well as thinking to be able to design a building like this would be the interior design dream and only then I will know I’ve made it within the industry, I remember it as clear as day. Never did I realise it would happen so soon.

It’s not until you look back you realise how far you’ve come.

Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?

Unfortunately, yes! Two things stand out the most.

One: I wasted so much money on advertisement in my first year I felt if I needed to be seen in order to get work, I needed to advertise in the prestigious magazines and advert sources. I did not receive one job from one single advert I had posted, all my work came from word of mouth, and recommendation’s & people searching me through the internet.

The second thing I would change was my confidence, I had just come from 7 years working in high profile companies working on multiple large scale projects managing from concept to completion, yet when I started by myself, I didn’t give enough credit for my worth. It was as if I felt because I was starting a new business, I was starting a new career and I really wasn’t.

Have you ever heard of the Imposter syndrome? Always feeling you’ve got somewhere by pure fluke rather than earning it and deserving it? Well that was me I did not value my knowledge enough and I was losing out on money by not pricing my services high enough. My passion for design would take over and I suppose this leads on to a third thing, I would shout about my accomplishments & projects far more as well as remember to take photos. I would always worry about coming across arrogant or appear to be boasting so I would quietly move on to my next project.

In five years’ time, where do you hope to see the brand?

I am currently re-branding so by then we will have shiny new website logo and style hopefully that will be in 6 months and not 5 years.

This is a really hard question for me to answer because every day is a new opportunity. You never know what project will land on your desk and in what direction it will take you, which is the best thing about my industry you can never get bored. What I do know is that we will have expanded with lots more High-end projects on the books, and we are currently working on introducing yacht Interiors into the fold after receiving a number of requests.

I eat, live and breathe my industry and have a lot to talk about when it comes to Interiors and Architecture so to have a platform where I can talk about this on a regular basis is on the goal list within the next year.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

An average day fortunately doesn’t exist for me, I could not cope with the same routine day in day out which is why I love my Industry and running my own business.

I tend to wake up around 7:00am do the normal routine with my son. Sorry guys no “I get up at 6am go to the gym, do a session of Pilates followed by a celery juice all before work”. My David Lloyd membership card has been collecting dust at the bottom of my handbag for months now. On the days I am not Lecturing at the Uni I get in to my Office around 8:30 and pretty much work consistently the whole day however now with the new addition of a mini Intern hanging off my leg demanding to sit on my lap and smash the laptop. (I’m talking about my Son of course; no staff member has ever been quite that enthusiastic yet) I tend to work remotely where possible to help increase inspiration and new ideas. I’m a creative person so therefore need to be surrounded by creativity to be motivated. I will always when possible attend London showrooms and shows always ensuring I am update to date with all current suppliers.

What quote do you like to read when you are lacking motivation…

It’s not so much one quote it’s a serious, I am huge follower of ‘The Law of Attraction’ and what you put out you get out. When I am really lacking drive, I put on ‘Motiversity’ and William King Hollis videos on You Tube, all the great motivational speakers preaching really gets me going again and I always find after a morning listening I will somehow get a new project land my way. I’m all about the power of positivity.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your Bucket list?

Oh wow how long have you got?…. I’ve been extremely fortunate to see some wonderful places which were already on my bucket list such as Dubai, Yo Semite, California, Cuba, Vietnam, Cambodia and so may more but my highlights and ones I extremely recommend would be Havana in Cuba, the absolute kindest people I’ve ever met and still in its original raw architectural state and not yet ruined by tourism, however I’d be quick they are starting to slowly put up new hotels on the waterfront.

Second, Vietnam but North Vietnam as far as you can go in a place called Sapa you cannot get more authentic and rural, high in the mountains where they still live from the land and work hard for everything, no next day Amazon deliveries here I’m afraid.

And finally the Philippines, I’m going back with my family for Christmas I spent a month travelling all-round the Philippines and I can’t get it out of my head how stunning it was so to be able to go back with my husband and son will be really special .

One thing on my bucket list I haven’t completed yet is whale watching in Vancouver Island, Canada in spring to hopefully see Orca, grey, Humpback and Minke whale. And finally, Lake Como in Italy, every year I say I’m going to go and yet I still haven’t.

How much has social media played a part in your business?

I would class my use with Social Media like a bad relationship, it’s all or nothing, I know it’s not really the best thing for me, yet I keep going back.

The @Anima_and_Amare Instagram account goes through waves of being updated and neglected. I am extremely bad at being consistent and uploading projects. Then when I have a day when I can finally relax, I will spend hours on it. I tend to use it for project research and inspiration more than anything. I wouldn’t say it had a huge impact on getting work but personally I do check out someone’s Instagram account before using them so I’m sure people do the same to me so actually maybe I should be a bit more consistent with the account. In terms of other platforms of social media, I don’t seem to use anything else other than Instagram. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in the social media world and I much prefer doing things my own way rather than comparing against others in my industry.

For anyone thinking about launching an interiors brand, what advice would you give?

I would strongly advise getting a proper degree related qualification and not falling into the trap of short courses offering you the chance to be an Interior Designer in 3 weeks or months. This industry is extremely large and has a lot to learn it’s not just pretty cushions as most presume, its building regulations, planning applications, structural alterations and project management, I am still learning to this day.

Get yourself industry experience in large practices first before going it alone.

Find yourself a business mentor this is something I wish I had done in the early days.

And finally just get yourself out there, there is no time like the present to follow your dreams you’ll never have enough money and there will never be the right time so why not start from nothing and watch yourself grow in to something.

What’s the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?

One piece of advice I found to be so true “Never judge a book by its cover”

I learnt this very early on in my business the most unlikely candidate can become your client so never dismiss someone because you ‘don’t think’ they will benefit you.

I can’t remember if anyone in particular has given me advice that has been a driving force. I’m quite a strong-minded person and try to figure things out on my own, I tend to give myself pep talks and advice (whether it’s good or not is debatable but I’ve got this far by myself).

However, one thing I do always say is “Never judge anyone for what job they do now, you never know what job they are working towards in the future. “I know this from personal experience with myself and many other great entrepreneurs who started from nothing. Hopefully if we all followed this advice the world would be a nice more accepting place.

Where can people find out more…

Instagram @anima_and_amare

www.animaandamare.com

Any GirlBoss knows the challenges of working in a male dominated environment, but it is one where Clare Villar strives. Her wonderful animal portraits have been commissioned by A-list celebrities and her impressive military artwork has gotten her an audience The Queen.

We catch up with Clare Villar and talk about how she carved out a niche for herself in such a unique industry, the complexities of her work, and how timing, focus, and positivity can make the difference in achieving your dreams. For Clare Villar, her incredible military art work has made her a shining star amongst brass medals.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What made you decide to become a military artist? Have you always had a connection with the military?

I actually trained as an Illustrator from Falmouth University in 1995. After qualifying, I decided to go to London where I worked for various publishing houses before getting married and moving to Ludlow, Shropshire in 1999.

I had been doing my animal portraits as a hobby and actually had a waiting list of a few months. It was at this point I decided to take the leap of faith to pursue my dream of being a full time artist. My husband was serving with the Royal Mercian Lancastrian Yeomanry at the time; and the current Colonel, David Leigh, commissioned me to do a Roll of Honour. Rolls of Honour where popular about a hundred years ago and they depicted the fallen soldiers; names from the wars. Our idea was to reinvent it to include the current serving soldiers names. It took about six months to design the Roll and another three to four months to produce it.

Could you explain to our readers what kind of artwork a military artist does?

To describe my Rolls of Honour, they are approximately A1 in size and depict all the current serving soldiers names hand written in calligraphy with hand painted cap badge, they normally contain about 650 to 700. Once I have completed an enormous one for the Loyal Edmonton Regiment in Canada, which included 979 names and over a thousand miniature maple leaves.

I am so lucky to have found a totally unique niche market with my artwork. My work has been presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward. In 2018, I won the Business Excellence Award for my military artwork and in July 2018 I was selected as a finalist for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Creative Industries.

My artwork has enabled me to travel around the world, to Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Germany with potentially other countries in the pipeline. The Australian Invictus Games Team commissioned a Roll of Honour to depict their competitors in 2018 and my WW1 Roll of Honour was presented to government VIPs in Canada.

You also work on some fabulous animal portraits – do you have a favourite piece/subject?

I started my career doing animal portraits.I still love doing these as it’s so different and a welcome break from my military artwork, although that has now reached a different level too. I have been commissioned by various public figures such as Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, Trisha Goddard, and Will Greenwood to name only a few. My favourite piece was when I was commissioned by Nick Mason a few years ago to paint all four of his black labradors. It was amazing and I am very lucky to exhibit at his house every two years, which he opens to the public.

I have also just been given the most amazing opportunity to work with Louise Kennedy,who is internationally recognised as one of Ireland’s most successful fashion designers. Their flagship store is in Belgravia in London, and I get to work with her on a new clothing range, specifically in regard to my animal portraits. It is an exciting project and I have to keep pinching myself that it is actually happening!

Girl Bosses are fearless and confident – and you are constantly dealing with Generals, Coloners, and Brigadiers. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as a GirlBoss so far?

Working in a very male dominated environment has made me fearless and confident, but generally the type of people I deal with are polite, professional, and treat me with the utmost respect.

The challenges I face on an a daily basis have to do with the complexity of my artwork. I can’t make any mistakes otherwise I have to start from scratch, and when you are writing 650/700 names in calligraphy then a huge amount of concentration is needed. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was whether or not I was going to be taken seriously as an up and coming military artist. I’m competing with mainly male artists in this field, but my advantage has been that my artwork is completely different from anything else on the market.

My biggest challenge as a GirlBoss is juggling all aspects of my life from family, career, and my artwork. I am in charge of my own destiny and if I had any advise for any women out there, worried about taking the plunge into uncertainty, is that timing is vital. You need to be ready to take the plunge and do your homework. You hear every day that you can achieve your dreams, which is true, but it comes down to hard work, belief, drive, and passion. Without these it won’t work, you have to be ready to take the knock backs and rejection, but this will make you stronger and more determined to succeed.

You need to have a positive outlook because negativity won’t achieve anything. There are a lot of women in business that I respect and learn from. Lady Karren Brady being one of them as she is supporter of my business, her outlook and message is clear and incredibly powerful. We can all succeed, it’s up to us to determine our future and our success.

Check out www.clarevillarmilitaryart.com for Clare’s Military Artwork and www.clarevillar.com to see her lovely animal portraits.

Seeing a Broadway show is bucket list stuff when visiting New York but some make the experience more special than others. Broadway musicals, often dubbed as the pinnacle of live entertainment, seamlessly blend music, dance, and storytelling to create captivating experiences. From timeless classics like “The Phantom of the Opera” to modern sensations like “Hamilton,” these spectacles transport audiences to worlds both fantastical and familiar. With elaborate sets, dazzling costumes, and powerhouse performances, Broadway musicals enchant theatregoers, leaving them humming melodies long after the final curtain call. Whether evoking laughter, tears, or sheer awe, these productions showcase the boundless creativity and talent of performers, composers, and choreographers alike, making each show an unforgettable journey through the magic of live theatre.

Here’s what stage productions to see in the Big Apple in 2019 for the ultimate girls’ trip to NYC.

Mean Girls

Still able to watch Regina George and Cady Heron battle it out over and over again? Then it’s the to watch the girls of North Shore High School on stage, bringing all the best elements of the 2004 movie to life. You won’t be able to leave the theatre without saying “So fetch!” for days after seeing the hilarious tale of a transfer student from Africa, transitioning from homeschooling on the continent to infiltrating the Plastics clique as part of her new life in America.

With the film based on the Queen Bees and Wannabes book by Tina Fey, the comedy star wrote up a version with modern-day references including how social media would play a part in the struggles of high school, as The Book of Mormon and Aladdin’s Casey Nicholaw directs.

August Wilson Theatre, 245 West 52nd Street, 10019

www.meangirlsonbroadway.com

The Cher Show

Carole King, has gone global but right now Cher is taking the New York stage by storm. Three actresses play the iconic singer throughout different stages of her life, including Stephanie J. Block as the artist during the ’80s. Considering her career has spanned five decades, The Cher Show does a good job of cramming her childhood and rise to fame into a few hours.

Fans can sing and dance along to 35 of her tracks performed by an orchestra, as the story of her life – including two husbands and some incredible outfits – will make you wish you could Turn Back Time.

Neil Simon Theatre, 250 W. 52nd St, 10019

www.thechershowbroadway.com

Kinky Boots

What do you get when Grammy Award-winning singer Cyndi Lauper and Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein get together for a musical comedy? Kinky Boots.

The musical itself bagged six Tonys in 2013 and it’s inspired by the true story of a man who saves his family’s shoe business by producing sexy women’s footwear. The twist is the heels are for men and he’s helped by drag queen.

Al Hirschfeld Theatre, 302 W 45th St, 10036

www.kinkybootsthemusical.com

Waitress

Based on the film starring Keri Russell about a Southern woman waiting tables with a penchant for making pies, this one is all about following your dreams despite the obstacles.

This musical is set around a marriage without love and unplanned pregnancy, with music from Grammy-nominated singer Sara Bareilles and starring Joey McIntyre from New Kids on the Block fame. From screenwriter Jessie Nelson, it’s directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (Hair), so it’s a guaranteed good time.

Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 W 47th St, Manhattan, NY 10036

www.waitressthemusical.com

Pretty Woman: The Musical

The story of Richard Gere’s successful businessman movie character Edward, and his romance with escort Vivian, who Julia Roberts played in the flick. British actress Samantha Barks, of Les Miserables movie fame, is the leading lady. Tony-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, also behind the Kinky Boots production, gives the LA tale a musical twist.

Grammy winner Bryan Adams is behind the musical score, plus the movie’s director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton are even involved to make sure iconic moments remain in this theatrical take on a love story.

Nederlander Theatre 208 West 41st St, 10036

www.prettywomanthemusical.com

Voylan was established for the sophisticated woman on the go. Their elegant, yet practical, staple pieces are the perfect complement to a demanding work and travel schedule as they easily transition from business meetings to long weekend getaways or evenings out on the town.

The inspiration for the brand came from founder Milica Kostic’s lifestyle as a management consultant. Years of packing for weekly flights and navigating busy airports, hotels and boardrooms resulted in the realization that there was a significant need for high-quality handbags that would be both functional and appropriate for all occasions. Shortly thereafter, on a road trip through Tuscany, the heart of Italy’s leather industry, the idea for Voylan was born.

Milica is a real go getter and someone that we were so inspired by, so much so that we spent some time with her to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching Voylan…

Voylan is a brand born out of necessity. While I worked as a management consultant, I travelled far and wide on a weekly basis and finding a handbag that could take me from the airport, to the office, followed by a dinner out proved to be an incredible challenge. It was then that I realized that there was a significant need in the market for designs that would be both functional for the professional woman and sophisticated at the same time, so that she is putting her best foot forward as she goes about tackling her daily challenges. That is when the idea for Voylan first started to form in my mind and the following summer during a vacation in Tuscany, where I learned more about Italy’s leather industry, the vision just fell into place.

What sets you apart from other fashion brands?

Most handbags make women choose between style and function. Voylan was founded with the mission to merge the two and is driven by a commitment to timeless and functional designs. Therefore, the key differentiator that sets us apart from other brands would be our signature handcrafted interiors. Each piece is thoughtfully engineered, comprising of padded laptop or tablet pockets, stretchable pouches to easily store your water bottle and keys and a multitude of open compartments and zip pockets to ensure effortless organization. At the same time, the approach for each design is to first and foremost create a sophisticated classic that will never go out of style, ensuring that it can be worn with any outfit and be around for much longer than the typical seasonal trends.

Your bags scream practicality and give women the option to go from the boardroom to the airport with your versatility. Why was this important to you?

A handbag is one of the most important and intimate items the average woman possesses. It is more than just an accessory, it is a staple that carries our essentials for us everywhere and at all times, so the kind of piece a woman has on her can speak volumes about her lifestyle, taste and sense of personal style. Therefore, I truly see it as the most important investment we can make in our wardrobe, so providing both sophistication and versatility was a way for Voylan to help women both look and feel more confident, organised and ultimately empowered.

From the product range, what has been the best seller?

The styles are fairly evenly matched in terms of sales. What is apparent though is that there are clear favourites when it comes to what type of bag is being sought. The Manhattan Tote has established itself as the ultimate work bag, as it is large enough to fit a laptop and includes features such as a folder pocket, pen holders and trolley sleeve to effortlessly attach to luggage. As for leisure travel, both the Montreal Hobo and Sydney Messenger have received great feedback, it comes down to personal style when customers are deciding between the two.

Talk us through an average day at the business?

At our core, we value slow and sustainable fashion over seasonality, so new products are not released often. Instead, we incrementally introduce classic styles that will always be staples in a women’s wardrobe and expand them regularly with sophisticated colours that go with every outfit. The process begins with recognizing a need for what every woman needs in her closet and developing and finetuning a design that would best meet it. Once a design is finalized, I spend some time prototyping with our manufacturer in Tuscany and visiting tanneries in Italy to source the best possible leather before finally going into production.

In terms of an average day on the job, it really varies greatly depending on the task at hand. At certain periods of time there is a heavier focus on production activities, at other times marketing takes precedence with various features and interviews that come up. Ultimately, I am trying to ground myself in a plan and routine and establish as much consistency as possible to plan for the future and accelerate our growth.

What are your plans for the future?

Launched this past August, Voylan is already making a name for itself and we have only just begun. This coming year will see us introducing new colours to our existing collection as well as large zip around wallets. Looking beyond, we aim to become an established work and travel leather accessories brand, one that is synonymous with quality, functionality and elegance.

Since launching the brand, what has been your highlight?

Voylan being selected for Conde Nast Traveller’s Luxury Gift Guide. On the day I first got the idea for this travel inspired brand, I remember briefly thinking how incredible it would be to eventually end up in Conde Nast Traveller. To have someone from the magazine reach out to us just months into our launch was quite literally a dream come true and a huge sense of personal accomplishment.

Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?

There are always things you would do differently in hindsight, especially in situations where you are faced with many unknowns and learning on the go. What I am trying to focus on is to learn from everything, apply it to the future and continuously improve based upon those past experiences.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

I have been fortunate enough to travel quite a bit and visit most of my bucket list destinations, but the top of what remains on my list right now is doing an African safari in Botswana or Kenya. In the last few years I have become much more interested in exploring the natural wonders of the world, as I find it incredibly inspiring to see all of the diversity and beauty our world offers.

What quote do you like to read when you are lacking motivation?

“The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit.” I go back to this whenever I get impatient and expect immediate results or become easily discouraged. If you keep your focus on what you can control and on doing your best in given circumstances, then I believe that good things will eventually happen.

For anyone wanting to start their own business, what advice would you offer?

Be prepared for a challenge and become comfortable with uncertainty. Starting a business is entering unchartered territory, where no matter how well you prepare you will not know all the twists and turns that lie ahead. However, the key is to pursue something you truly believe in and have a clear strategy to always go back to and ground yourself in when you are faced with obstacles, which you inevitably will be. Finally, be determined and have a support system in place. You will hit walls, but perseverance combined with people that provide you with encouragement and advice whenever you feel like giving up can make all the difference.

What are your plans for the business in 2020?

The focus for 2020 is to grow the brand’s presence and continue establishing our identity as a go to for classical and practical designs.

Find out more and follow Milica and Voylan at www.voylan.com and follow us on social media – Instagram @voylanca or Facebook @voylanofficial

“Things taste better when you know where they come from”. This is the philosophy of Kevin Durkee, owner and big cheese at the Culinary Adventure Co, a friendly, family run business that take you on your own culinary adventure, bringing to life the flavours of Toronto. If you’re new to a city a great way to discover the hidden gems and get the skinny on the best places to eat is a food tour.

What Kevin and his team don’t know about the tasty delights of Toronto isn’t worth knowing. We meet him and his righthand man, Leo on a bitterly cold early morning in Toronto’s iconic Old Town neighbourhood. He greets us with a warm grin and freshly baked double chocolate butter pastry. We quickly get acquainted over freshly roasted coffee in Balzac’s, where you might bump into Harvey from the Netflix law drama, Suits, apparently, he’s a regular. I crane my neck around the place looking for the devilishly handsome actor but unfortunately, he’s not in there. We chat over a cup of Balzac blend, (named after the French novelist and playwright who was rumoured to drink up to 40 cups of coffee a day!) and Kevin shares his favourite eats, bites and sips of the city.

Kevin’s passion for food comes from his mum who ran a bakery from their home while he was growing up. Helping out around the family business and a stint at running his own cheese and wine restaurant inspired him to build the Culinary Adventure Co. Kevin and Leo’s tours are steeped in stories, throughout the morning the tour is peppered with titbits of history, colourful tales of prohibition and secret tunnels under the city. Kevin is the go-to man if you are looking to taste the real Toronto. His team are made up of ex-chefs, restaurant owners and food professionals. They know all the best kept secrets from where to brunch and lunch through to where to get the best iconic peameal bacon sandwich.

Our tour starts with exclusive VIP early access to Toronto’s famous St Lawrence Market, voted in 2012 as “Best Food Market in the World” by National Geographic. Leo leads us to Carousel Bakery, the best place in the city to try the infamous peameal bacon sandwich. Signed celebrity photos and reviews are pinned all around the stall. Everyone from Emeril Legasse to Anthony Bourdain and Canadian food celebs like Chuck Hughes always grab one when they’re in town.

One of Toronto’s old nicknames is “Hogtown” and the history of that name is intertwined with the history of peameal bacon. It all began with an English immigrant named William Davies, who arrived in Toronto in 1854. He opened up a small butchery operation and kept in touch with his brother, back in London. London, was much faster to modernise, industrialise and urbanise than anywhere in the new world. London started seeing a shortage of farm products, including meat. With his family connections back in England, Davies got the idea of selling his Ontario pork to the English market. Davies’ company started taking whole pork loins, lightly salt curing them and then packing them in split peameal to prevent the loins from oxidizing too much on the long sea voyages.

Leo hands me the delicious Canadian breakfast staple and I tuck in. Toronto’s answer to the bacon roll didn’t disappoint, the salty bacon comes with a fried egg and is served in a Kaiser roll with a dash of Dijon mustard. “You can’t come to St Lawrence Market without trying one” claims Durkee.

Next up is Mike’s Fish Market where I get to dive into some of the finest Canadian Atlantic Salmon, all prepped in house and then smoked by local artisan, The Smoke Bloke. These guys are the oldest of the three seafood vendors in St Lawrence Market and have 40 years’ experience under their belts. At 9am it seems a little early for oysters but Randy, the passionate and knowledgeable manager tells me otherwise and assures me that the Glacier Bay oysters will change the way I feel about these slippery suckers forever and he’s right, I was anticipating something slimy and salty, but these were fresh and so good I am soon knocking back more.

There’s so much history to the market and vendors, literally every bite of the tour has a story. We taste the juiciest strawberries and raspberries at Ponesse and meet ‘King of the Berries’, Mario who started working in the shop in 1968, when he was just nine years old. We take our berries off to Kozlik’s, a family owned mustard emporium that has been producing handmade mustard since 1948. Leo informs me that up to 90% of the world’s supply of mustard seed is grown in Canada. I’ve never seen so many mustard flavours, there’s over 40 different types to choose from ranging from sweet to savoury through to some that have a real kick. I dip one of Mario’s berries in the Balsamic Fig and Date flavour, it’s an awesome combination but if I’m honest all of the flavours are extraordinary. I try Grainy Creole and the sweet Honey and Garlic flavour. I want to buy up jars of this stuff but I just don’t have enough room in my case so I settle for an Olive and Herb combo which I have since been adding to every ham or beef dish I can get away with.

You need to bring your appetite on the Culinary Adventure Co tour as well as some cash because I guarantee you will want to take home some of the wonderful produce on offer.

At this point I was feeling full but the mini bites at Scheffler’s Deli were too tempting. Kevin laid out a plateaux of Niagara prosciutto accompanied by Niagra Gold, an abbey style cheese, rich and creamy in taste. The insider tip from Leo was to always go for a wide strip of prosciutto from a charcuterie board because the wide slices are cut from the best part of the thigh and aren’t chewy.

The pace of the tour is just right, with enough time to soak up this gastro paradise and sample as little or as much as you want.

By the end I couldn’t squeeze in another morsel, I was stuffed but I couldn’t leave Canada without trying some of the finest maple syrup. The sweet finale of the tour was a sample of the Kinsip Whiskey Barrel aged Maple Syrup. Kinsip is the only craft distillery in Prince Edward County, their 100% pure dark maple syrup from the Nyman family farms is then aged in old Canadian whiskey barrels, imparting a robust, peppery taste. This sweet stuff just rolls down your throat.

With a full belly and a bag of goodies I headed back to the hotel for a lie down.

The Culinary Adventure Co run unique food tours in Winnipeg, Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, Charlottetown and Halifax. To book your tour or find out more visit www.culinaryadventureco.com
Team Coco travelled to Toronto courtesy of Tourism Toronto, www.seetorontonow.com