"Take control of aging", "anti-aging medicine", "be youthful forever" , "slow down the aging process" are just some of the overwhelmingly used lines in articles, product and digital marketing. It's not new; it has always been around. However, it seems to have sky rocketed the past few years in addition to Botox, injectables and fillers. Unfortunately, what is considered beautiful in today's society isn't beautiful at all - it's ugly. The ugly thing about it is essentially how many people are just not happy with the way they look - naturally. The goal of preventing age, prolonging youth and using injectables has become today's culture. I'm seeing comments all over social media that the earlier you begin to prevent the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, loss of elasticity through these types of injectable procedures, the longer you will look youthful, for years to come. Um, but from what I've been seeing, these procedures look really unnatural, overdone and some just look botched. In addition, everyone is just starting to look the same - what happened to being and looking unique, representing your ancestral genetics naturally and embracing that?

I've been asked if I have or had fillers done? The answer is no. If I have or had botox done? Again, the answer is no. If I have had any type of injectable procedure or surgery on my face? Once again, no, I have not and that is just my personal choice. Having said that, to clarify, I'm not writing this blog entry to lecture, or ridicule anyone that does have these procedures done regularly or who has tried it - Actually far from that.

I just find it such a shame how much our society fears the aging process, especially the pressure that has been placed on women. I have to say it is society's fault 100%. It is constantly in our faces, completely amplified due to the growth of social media and accessibility we have in being "connected online". So, we should look "perfect" right? and be "desirable" for as long as we can but for who? for others? or for ourselves? 

Ultimately, we all WILL age. That's just the way the life cycle goes but why not age naturally, gracefully and learn to not be so hard on ourselves? Self-acceptance is a journey I had to really work on for many years but the older that I get, the more I find myself happier and comfortable in my skin due to this inner work. I seem to care less about putting on makeup every time I have to head out. There are several times a week now I don't bother with putting on makeup and that especially began when COVID-19 lockdowns hit and we all had to work from home. There really wasn't a need. However, I have found that my skin has replenished itself on its own when I don't wear makeup. Having seen this positive difference in my skin, I now just let it breath on its own a couple days a week - makeup free. I was reading over some of my past blog entries, in specific, "Inner beauty is in. Outer beauty is out" from 2013:

 This is something I still believe. You could have all the fillers, botox and layers of makeup in the world but when does it actually stop? Are you happy in the long run or is it a temporary fix? Are you more confident? Maybe, possibly, but is it who you truly are? Why not learn to love yourself, your natural self? This takes a lot of inner work. What about your inner beliefs about yourself? What do you tell yourself regularly? Beauty can be an illusion and it really is especially on social media but if you're empty on the inside and have these negative inner beliefs about yourself, how are all these procedures justifiable? 

So what about aging gracefully, naturally and without altering your genetic, ancestral features - why not embrace your "FAB JEN-etics"? :) I'm not saying don't buy anti-aging products at all or don't take care of your skin. Actually, the more we age we have to take care of our skin MORE. I just hope to see a change in marketing, in the words that are used and the belief system. There are some brands that have done a great job at sending great messages about loving the skin that you're in such as Dove's real beauty campaign. We really do need more of these types of messages but it seems like we need a major transformation in normalizing the aging process. It's not about "anti", or avoiding/controlling it, it's about accepting it, managing it by using products that are appropriate for our skin at our particular age and learning to be more accepting of aging. After all, each year we do gain wisdom - I would hope :) 

So what do I do to keep youthful? I've been asked this time and time again. As you now know, I've never had any type of injectables done but it has been essentially just taking care of my skin with particular products which I will share. In addition to what I put into my body, I don't drink heavily but I will enjoy a glass of wine or cocktail here or there. I don't smoke at all. I SLEEP and always make time for this but I also don't oversleep. I also try to stay active some sort of way, I take multivitamins and have stepped up the calcium intake to 1000 mg. In addition, for the past 2 years I've added collagen, Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides to my diet and put it in my coffee every morning. I have seen a very positive, visible difference in my skin, hair and nails and so have others, including my hair stylist. She always asks "did you do something to your hair? Because it's much stronger and healthier". 

So what do I use on my face? I use serums - specifically Vichy V mineral 89 and Olay Wrinkle correction Serum that has B3 and Peptides. I like a light moisturizer that doesn't just float over top the skin, that doesn't make me look oily and that doesn't make me break out like Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. When I say that these products has given my skin life, they have with a glow over the past year. Finally, I make it almost a daily practice, if not daily to use Gua Sha and a Rose Quartz Beauty Roller first thing in the morning to reduce puffiness, increase circulation and encourage lymphatic drainage. I wake up earlier when I can and take time for me for at least 20 minutes to apply the serums, the moisturizer, and just massage my face with my fingers, and apply the Gua Sha and the Rose Quartz beauty roller. These are the products that I use faithfully:

Well, what can I say? It has been a 7-year hiatus from writing on my blog. My last entry is from 2015. Lots to say, lots of twists, turns, and just a ride, bringing me to a full circle that I'm excited to share. Where can I start my blog post is the question so I will write this with whatever comes to mind first and whatever just flows as this is the way I've been determined to live my life, in the flow. 

If you go back to my past blog posts you will notice I began this blog in 2013 when I was a fashion business student. Some of my past blog posts included my bed head saving the day and surviving my day on 5 hours of sleep, visiting the Louboutin Exhibit at the Design Exchange, my evening at La Maquette that at the time was an award-winning restaurant, invited as a guest by the owner to eat a 3-course dinner and write about my experience. I also wrote about sustainability and corporate responsibility - which is such a passion of mine that I will get into later, maybe in another blog post. 

Needless to say, since then I did graduate from the Fashion Business program with honours and ended up working corporate in the industry of retail & fashion. I've worked in the departments of buying, merchandising, and license operations with luxury and iconic fashion brands and businesses. I also worked as a reporter/writer for a fashion magazine called FAJO Magazine. You can see some of my articles in the Fashion writing tab up top. With everything that came my way, all the people and opportunities I've had, I've never stopped being grateful. I am so grateful for everything. 

The last 2 years especially were the toughest I think on just about everyone - the global pandemic, COVID-19 that began several lockdowns for us in Ontario, Canada began in 2020 which seemed never-ending. It was 2 years of celebrating in lockdown mode for my birthday including my 40th birthday that I have just decided to stop counting my birthdays from here on :) Thankfully during the lockdowns, my mind was occupied but also exhausted with studying, reading, and researching as I was at the time trying to complete a Master of Arts Degree in Higher Education from Royal Roads University which I did end up successfully completing and formally graduating from (online) in July 2021. 

It's been quite a ride that I've made it a habit for a few years now to be thankful when I wake up, I literally say thank you out loud and I do also have a little booklet where I jot down my thoughts and what I'm grateful for. What I really value in life is living a balanced life where I can do the things I love and not solely focus on the grind because it is possible to do it all. I enjoy being creative, while also being analytical and strategic and I've been fortunate enough to work in areas, of creativity, business, and arts. 

Oh, and I almost forgot! I got back into music as an artist, singer, and songwriter. If you didn’t know, I released a physical album, “Through the Rain”, which is a 12-track album back in 2010. I grew up with a love of music in my household so my journey into music was inevitable. I took a break from music in 2012 and I re-emerged back into music in 2019 and released a digital album “Out of Office” and several singles under the artist’s name, The Prof. I released several music videos and visuals that you can find on my YouTube Channel. About That ft. artist Digydon, and award-winning producer, Medylandia is one of my favourites. 

My latest single, which I released on May 16th, 2022 is called “Luna” – by Jennifer Cortez, The Prof. Be sure to check it out!

Finally, I called this blog post that you are reading, "a full circle" because that's how my life has gone. In 2017, I began teaching at Humber College for the Media Communications program, then later for the Journalism and Public Relations programs until this year, in January 2022, I began teaching for the Fashion Business program, the same program that I graduated from and how and why I initially started this blog - to write about my love on fashion, business, and the arts. I just knew in my mind I wanted to teach fashion one day and 2022 was the year that also led me to meet new contacts and re-connect with others. In most recent news, I’m now part of the selection committee for CANIFFF (Canadian International Fashion Film Festival). I never thought I would be saying that I critique films (fashion films) - Again, I’m grateful for everything that has come my way.
 
Clarity and mindset have a lot to do with how things just flow in your life. When I was younger, more so in my 20s I didn’t have much control over this or a clear vision but over the years it seems like I’ve just become more connected and aligned with myself and I truly believe a lot has to do with when I started to learn how to meditate back in 2016. In addition, sometimes you just have to turn off the noise and that noise includes social media or just too many energies around you – giving yourself a break to just focus – these steps have really impacted my life to become more aligned with “my higher self” or “the universe”, whatever term you want to call it. Okay, I think this is long enough - until next time.
 
​- STAY FAB!
Jen. xo

​#fashion #arts #music 

Sometimes, we cross paths with certain people in life and we don't know the reasons why. Sometimes, we see things that catches our eye. Sometimes we are given hints in life to follow a certain path and things have a way of working themselves out. And sometimes, these hints are deep within us, we just have to listen.



"Passion", a vibrant abstract painting was an instant mood changer for me when I first saw it at the "A Colour Theory" event at the Arta Gallery in the Distillery District last spring – I couldn’t take my eyes off of it; I loved it. It had such a powerful usage of vibrant colours and the way they interacted with one another, the layers and textures, was what I was the most fascinated by.

 Abstract Artist, Sarah Phelps is the artist behind "Passion" and what actually led her and I to sit down and discuss her journey into her artist career. It's an incredible story, one based on the universe, the hints in life she received from the things around her and listening to her gut. There were many "aha" moments in her personal journey that she felt compelled to share with me. I'm so glad to have heard her story.

Sarah actually began a career as a wildlife biologist for 10 years before her career as an artist - how cool is that?! She always did have a love for art while in high school but more so for sketching and drawing. She definitely thought she'd go into Fine Arts in University but ultimately she changed her mind at the last minute due to a fear of being a "starving artist" and pursued Biology.

"I went to University for biology and I ended up working for the government and I've been doing some consulting after that in wildlife biology. So I used to go out to the fields, do animal surveys, wildlife surveys and capture snakes and turtles. I went to Australia and studied koalas and wallabies. I've done some pretty interesting things. I definitely miss it and a lot of people say that they can see the nature in my paintings. There's an organic feel about my work. It definitely comes from my love of nature but I don't intend it to, it just happens".

There is definitely an authenticity of an organic/natural-feel to Sarah's paintings and now it makes sense as it does stem from her first career as a wildlife biologist, her love for nature and animals. Her paintings have created such a buzz that they have been showcased at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, France, also featured in 2 shows in Italy, in Houzz, in Canadian Home Trends Magazine, The Globe & Mail and numerous segments on CityLine.

So if Sarah began in wildlife biology, how did she end up with such a successful career as an abstract painter?

Sarah: At the end of my biology career, I was also into health and fitness so I decided to become a trainer and train people in their homes. I was training a client and we were talking about my artist side and she suggested that I start painting. I thought it was kind of silly at that time because I never really embraced painting growing up. I was drawing portraits actually when I was growing up but it was around the same time my mom had given me some paint and some canvases that she had lying around. The universe was directing me in that route so I decided to just mess around and I created a few pieces then it started to evolve a bit more. That same client saw my work and bought 7 of my paintings! So right away, it fueled me and gave me a lot of confidence. Also, right at that time when I was creating and that client was buying, the people that were looking at my work, everyone was loving my work and I was approached and referred to someone who worked at an art gallery and they had spaces in the back that you could rent and connected to someone I could talk to about doing an art show. I ended up calling him, next thing you know, I booked an art show and I'm renting a space in the back to paint. I was painting out of my condo but it was just getting messy and there was no space to do it. Then, I sold more than half of my art at the show which is really good for an artist and things from there have been crazy. I've completely embraced the artist life, I've done so many shows in the last 2-3 years and I've sold over 125 paintings, closer to 150.

So when you have a canvas in front of you, how do you actually start?

Sarah: I have to be in the mood for it. The last thing you want to do is force yourself to start painting. I start with the canvas, I use wood panel and I just let my emotions do the painting and often I don't know what I'm going to paint or how it's going to look. The only thing I usually plan out is the colours, so I'll know my colour palette. When my pieces are finished, I just have this gut feeling that it's done. When people usually look at my work, they see something, they feel something and often I get asked to interpret my work. In a lot of cases, it really is up to the viewer to interpret what the piece means to them. I feel like I create for people and it doesn't really matter what I see or what I feel and sometimes I don't really know until I'm asked to do it but I want the person to see and feel something - that's something that always happens, when they see the piece they just know it's for them. I get testimonials and it so overwhelming to hear people say: 

"When I wake up and walk into that room, where your painting is hanging, it sets a tone for the day and it makes me appreciate life better".

I feel there is some sort of energy with my work that people really connect with, there is something there. Part of it is that my pieces have a lot of depth to them because I use a lot of texture and my technique is that there are a lot of layers and I really try to create paintings that have positive energy.

Do you ever feel really connected to a piece that you cannot part with? How do you part from some of these paintings?

Sarah: Because I know that it will make someone else as happy as it makes me and that's more important. I would never want to hold back my paintings and inspiring someone else. And I do believe that each piece is created for somebody so I may not sell it for 2 years but I know that eventually the person that owns it, it's meant to be for them and always has been. I have some pieces that almost sell for a year - so, so close. I just sold one actually to friends of mine and it had almost sold many times and when she saw it, she said "I didn't even see this piece before, can you bring it over" and I hung it up in their living room it was obviously meant for them -  it was perfect for their space.

What do you want people to know about Art in general?

Sarah: Art can really inspire you if it is in your space. Art is an investment, it can set the tone for your space, it can inspire you, motivate you and you can have a deep connection with art. Art can help influence and change your life in a way; it is deeper than one might think.

Overall, it was just a phenomenal, spiritual and very memorable experience. I would recommend if you haven’t already, to make a stop at this unique gem in the city – not only will your stomach thank you but so will your soul. 


www.lamaquette.com

Full Interview with Ange Kanavas, Owner of La Maquette:

Q. You have a background in nutrition and gifts in intuition and medical insight, how do you incorporate this into your menu?

A. A lot of it is nutritionally balanced. We have a lot of organic produce and meats, like our chicken is organic, some of the fish is organic or organically farmed but also the combination like certain meats with vegetables.

Q. What is the most important thing you want your guests to feel when they come to La Maquette?

A. I want to make sure that they have had a wonderful experience, that they felt the energy first and foremost, that their meal was exquisite and obviously the servers were very attentive and courteous.

Q. Can your servers speak French?

A. Half of them do - normally I have 3 on staff that do. I also have 1 Italian, 1 Romanian, 1 Spanish - we have the United Nations. (laughs) We also have Jamaican, we have Greece - which is me and 2 other waiters.

Q. Do you set a goal every year? Have you set a new year’s resolution?

A. We do but it’s not on a yearly basis - it’s on a monthly basis and it has to do with menus and they are usually reflected on the prefix which is we change it on a monthly basis - it’s actually bi-monthly. We also do specific promotions whether it would be an anniversary promotion or the birthday promotion – when it’s your birthday, your meal is free. So there is always some kind of an incentive going on. As far as the restaurant, the esthetics, there is always every 6 months – we do painting, we do redecorating, the chairs get upholstered. There is always upkeep.

Q. What inspires the options that you have on your menu?

A. The items on the menu reflect the seasons more or less, duck is more of a fall item, in the winter time, after December we go more into the beef, stews – things that would be more comforting for the winter and you’re looking for something heartwarming in a meal. For the summer we do a lot of grilled fish and salads, steamed vegetables.

Q. Do you take part in Summerlicious or Winterlicious?

A. The menus are already submitted for Winterlicious. It is always a good turn out and for me, Summerlicious and Winterlicious is actually the biggest promotion – it is my chance to showcase because I want to entice people to come back or book their events. Normally they may not come otherwise but this is a very good way of showcasing and I do get a lot of events from them. Out of Summerlicious and Winterlicious I don’t know how many weddings we’ve had but we’ve had a lot of weddings because they came, they tried, they liked and they booked.

Q. Anything else you’d like to add?

A. I just would like guest to come in and really relax. It’s not a loud restaurant and it’s not a pick-up bar, it’s a place where you come in and you need to really let your guard down and just enjoy the harmony of everything and it’s really just reflecting within to celebrate life, celebrate whatever the occasion may be but it is about taking that experience for we can give that to the guests, it is also very important that they are looking to create that for themselves. So if you’re coming in an expecting a loud, pick-up bar kind of thing – you’re not going to get it because it’s a very distinct feel.

Another fashion year has begun and all the Haute Couture shows in Le Paris showcased gorgeous designs and trends for the upcoming year.

There are just too many to mention, too many favourites but since I've always had a love for street/urban wear, I'm happy to announce that top designers such as Marc Jacobs, Emilio Pucci, Gucci, Alexander Wang, Prada, Balenciaga and more have created looks inspired by sports for this spring/summer 2014. 

Side note: I love Marc Jacobs! Everything he does I just LOVE and after watching the "Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton" film, I was just so much more inspired by his dedication and passion. I recommend everyone to watch that film.

Continuing on, the inspiration of sports creates an interesting look and the idea of mixing and matching these pieces with other items to have the option whether to dress up an outfit or dress down makes it much more fun. Have fun this spring/summer, be creative and go play! 



Key fabrics:
Silk, leather, mesh

Key items:
mesh tops
silk varsity inspired shorts
crop tops
high necks/collars
Socks: both knee high socks and socks with pumps
zippers
cuts

Resources: style.com

Life can be full of surprises - some are in our control and others just aren't. What do we do with the things that aren't in our control? What do we do with negative situations, hurtful situations? Well from my experience, only YOU can control feelings of  "negativity" or "positivity."  The way you react to a negative situation and what  you end up doing with it afterwards will affect ONLY YOU and your well being – Choose what outcome you want. Do you want to feel good or feel bad? Should be an easy choice.

When you find yourself in a negative situation, completely out of your control, take a look at it and say to yourself "ok, I'm not meant to be here right now." Then decide how to turn that negative into a positive. 

The longer you allow feelings of  "defeat" in your life by feelings of upset, anger or being a victim, the more consuming it is and the only person it hurts is YOU - no one else. 

Why would anyone want to stay in that negative funk if they have a choice to remove themselves from it?

Here are 10 ways to feel undefeated and make 2014 work for YOU:

1) Make a decision.
Spin the negatives into positives by making the decision to stop the negative feelings. How? First accept what has happened then find new opportunities from it. Fight back by immersing yourself into new activities, trying new things and challenging yourself. You will not only make new discoveries about yourself but you will meet new people along the way, you will grow as a person, and you will find yourself stronger and in a better place in your life than you ever thought possible. Do not look back and regret how much time you wasted feeling pity or anger when you could have been having the time of your life.

2) Do not limit yourself. 
What you believe about yourself, manifests itself and plays a huge role in what happens to you on a daily basis. If you say things to yourself like "I'm too old for this or I'll never be as good as he/she.." etc., you will only grant your wishes. You will get what you put out. The only person that can stop you from reaching your highest potential is YOU. So stop it NOW. Remember, you are a human being after all; we are all designed in the same way. You can do whatever you want to do but first, change your beliefs.

3) Listen to your gut.
Your gut is the most powerful tool you have. Only you know what is best for you; what others say to you isn't relevant here. If you have supporters great but if you have several people telling you "you shouldn't do this/that..." while your gut tells you the opposite, listen to your gut as it is the most important voice.
Rule of thumb: 

• If your gut feels uneasy/negative = It's not right for you. Stop what you're doing, change your path.
• If you feel at ease/positive = It's right for you. Continue the path you are taking. 
  

4) Remove yourself from an unhappy relationship.
This one is a tough one for most people but if you find yourself lost and unhappy in a relationship then it's just not right for you. There is no sense in staying in something that is just unfulfilling that only makes you feel inadequate. A relationship should consist of a partner who compliments your life and doesn't take away your dreams but more so supports them. Society should also not be a reason why you are in an unhappy relationship with its expectations (ie. by now you should be married with children). NEVER settle. Again, follow your inner gut.

5) Help others.
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own lives but by putting ourselves second to help others (i.e. this could be something as simple as a listening ear) whenever there is a need. This is a selfless act and one of the best ways to grow as a person. Not only will you help someone else but they will also teach you something in return about yourself. You will experience positive feelings in which you want more of. Life is about growing, learning and becoming a better person so look around and pay attention to your surroundings. You are needed.

6) Let go.
If someone in your life decides to lose touch even after you have attempted to stay connected, there is only so much you can do here - just let go. This is where acceptance of what others may comes in. You must respect the decision of others and it may be hurtful to you but there is not much else you can do here except decide whether you want to stay hurt or accept, move on and continue on a positive path. 

7) Accept that others have their own life journey.
This is a continuation of #6. Everyone has their own life journey; everyone grows at a different pace and everyone needs to find their own meaning of life. Sometimes this doesn't include you and it can be hurtful when someone you care about is no longer in your life. The faster you look at it as "this is their life journey and they need to go in a direction that I cannot be a part of" the easier it will be to accept and move on in a positive note. Just in the same way you have your own life journey, everyone else has their own. No one can stop you from reaching where you are meant to be in life so you shouldn't resist when others need to go onto another path that may not include you.

8) Balance your life.
This can be challenging with how busy our lives can be but having a balanced life as in work, family, social life, relationships, love, hobbies, extracurricular, and spirituality can bring us the greatest joy as we are balanced in every sense. When one of these things are lacking in our lives we will noticed that something is missing and we can't seem to figure out why. Sometimes we need to change up the routine and reach out of the ordinary. We are constantly growing in life so to try new things that are out of our comfort zone should be no question.

9) Love without fear.
Real love between a man and woman is the most amazing feeling. Some only experience it once in their lives, others have the opportunity to feel it more than once in their lives and some never experience it at all. There are many opportunities that come in life to love someone but regrettably many miss those opportunities because of their fear of getting hurt. There are different types of love but I'm speaking of the unconditional love, almost spiritual, that one cannot explain, the kind of love that is not jealous, that supports dreams and makes you into the best, balanced person you can be. This type of love is rare but incredible. It is such an intense, most rewarding and beautiful experience that life can offer a human being. Yes there is a possibility of being hurt but the experience is mind blowing. There is nothing in this world like it.

10) Make goals.
Take a pen, paper and write down what you want this year. Set a time line, make a plan, decide what you haven't done and what you need to do to get to where you want by a certain time. There is something about visually seeing your own goals clearly written down that makes it much more powerful. Taking a look at your list of goals regularly will give you an extra push and remind you what you still need to do to reach your goals throughout the year. You will notice that you will accomplish much more this way.

Decide that you will be undefeated in 2014 and while you're doing it, don't forget to wake up with a smile because you are FAB. :)

#stayyoung #stayFAB #2014 - @fabjenetics

Colour. I LOVE colour. It makes me feel alive; it brings me to life. Me hace sentir muy sexy and it makes me just want to have a good time. For me, colours do affect my mood.

Most of the time, I use colour to give me that extra lift especially on days that are dull, cold and blah – I fight those days with colour. There is a whole psychology when it comes to colour but specifically, my top two colours that seem to always catch my eye in apparel, makeup or just anywhere are fuchsia and turquoise but they have to be high in intensity on the chromatic scale.

What do these colours mean? Well according to the psychology of colour, these colours are defined as the following:

Fuchsia: confident, playful, passionate, sensual, responsible and fun-loving.

Turquoise: creative, compassionate, light-hearted, strong, trustworthy and reliable.

It's no wonder why I like these colours ;) 

FAB JENetics wants to celebrate real beauty, the beauty within – beauty that is not superficial, artificial and that no two are alike. 

Every woman is uniquely beautiful.

The definition of F.A.B. JENetics is a celebration of a love for fashion, arts and business (F.A.B.). Secondly for me personally, it identifies my roots/genetics as I do come from a family of artists, musicians, performers, entrepreneurs and generations of women that have been blessed with young, healthy skin well into the ages of 60s-70s. Cheers to that! :) 

Recently celebrating my 33rd birthday, I have much to be grateful for but one thing that I keep wondering is why do women feel the need to continuously show the world an "artificial" version of themselves? I'm talking, the whole nine yards, fake tan, fake nails, fake hair, fake lashes and the list goes on and on. Honestly, has our society become THAT superficial? Why can't we just be happy with who we are? Why do we want more and more? "I wish I had blue eyes", "I wish I had curly hair" I hear this all the time.

One of my girlfriends brought up a very good point last week when she spoke of her recent dating experience and she said "I go as natural as possible on a date, jeans and a tee, minimal make up and if he doesn't like me for me, there's the door." 

I actually thought that was well put. Who would want to date someone that doesn't really look like that, a person that does not exist? No one would! That's borderline deceiving. 

Now I'm not saying that I don't wear makeup. I LOVE makeup, I love playing with my looks and I find it to be a form of art. I also am a singer, songwriter, and performer so I have had my share of professional photo shoots done, I've also shot a music video for my single "Eyes Don't Lie", "Tus ojos lo dicen todo" and performed on stage in nightclubs, at events, fundraisers and celebrations. 

Stage makeup within the entertainment industry just adds to the fantasy, it's very different from real life. I enjoy playing dress up, I enjoy pulling off dramatic looks and entertaining. It's an artistry.

When it comes to everyday life or dating life, women should really learn to accept who they are, myself included. There is nothing wrong with wearing makeup just as long as it does not dramatically transform you into someone far from who you really are. A woman should be able to look in the mirror when she wakes up and be happy with what she sees, make up is just a bit of an enhancement. If you're not happy with what you see maybe there is more of an issue there but most likely there is an imbalance of other things such as lack of a social life, lack of extracurricular activities etc.

As I said, the inner beauty and taking care of oneself will exude to the outside no matter how much make up you wear. So to celebrate inner beauty and how it's much more important than outer, this week I plan to wear zero to minimal makeup. 

Ladies - Love thyself, imperfections and all. #stayyoung #stayfab - @fabjenetics  

During fashion week this past October, I had the opportunity to view the upcoming SS14 collection of talented designer, Muhammad Alamgir – owner of L'momo.  L'momo is an edgy, ready-to-wear women's line consisting of pieces that vary from day-wear to a transitional night-wear. Materials that are used are jersey, viscose, double knit, chiffon, knits, leather, lace and spandex. The line is based in Toronto. 

After viewing some of Alamgir sketches and pieces up close and personal, in my opinion, I find his designs very appealing, sexy and edgy. I like the cuts, the style of drapery, the shapes and the way the fabric wraps around the body. I also had the pleasure of speaking with Alamgir himself after the runway show and find him to be very passionate about what he does and extremely approachable – definitely a great spirit. 

Alamgir draws his inspirations from the street wear culture focusing on edgy and chic styles. The line is geared towards strong and independent women who have a passion for fashion. I quite enjoyed the show and I wish him the best in the future. 

For more info on L'momo please visit http://www.lmomo.ca/

Changing things up a bit, instead of writing I decided to post a "FAB JENetics SAID IT" video blog. This video blog is based on random thoughts on life, keeping happy which of course aids in keeping your genetics, young, vibrant and FAB! And just a little something extra since it is #ThrowbackThursday, below is a video of myself singing a No Doubt cover, Don't Speak, one of my favourite songs from the 90's. Enjoy. #stayyoung #stayfab 

After a crazy week, or busy month I should say, I thought I would sit down and write up a blog on a different angle. I am a big believer in taking care of oneself both inside and out so I thought that I would dedicate this entry to everyone who has questioned me in disbelief this past month when I gave a confirmed response to the age question. Yes I am 32, not 24!

In the past month, I’ve visited Casino Niagara twice and as you may know, before entering, everyone gets their IDs checked. Each time I handed over my I.D., I got comments like “what?! You’re not 32?! You look 22.”

It’s very flattering I have to say. On another occasion, I had to re-apply for my passport and when submitting my application with my date of birth, again I was questioned “really? 32?! Wow you look so young” with that I just smile and say “thanks”. Just today actually when I attended a media event to preview an upcoming line to be released in January 2014 for Nicole by OPI, a line inspired by Carrie Underwood, I was told that I need to flip the numbers of my age from 32 to 23. 

I do find it funny at times the comments that I get so I decided to share what I do or lack there of to maintain these “FAB JENetics.” 

So..aside from actually having been blessed with FAB genetics passed down from my mom, who also does not look anywhere close to her age, these are some of the things I do both physically and mentally on a daily basis that may be a factor in all of this:

Physically:

• I go to the gym - minimum 3 days a week
  
• I drink lots of liquids - water not juice/pop
• I’ve cut sugar from my diet - this includes juice, pop, milk chocolate
  
• I have a low carb diet – I eat small portions of carbs but haven’t cut them out completely
• I eat dark chocolate in minimal amounts – 80% cocoa and above
• I don’t eat McDonalds, Burger King or any kind of fast foods
• I exfoliate my skin and use a good makeup remover – Clinique products are amazing
• I moisturize my skin regularly
• I take multi-vitamins daily
• I eat lots of fruits and vegetables
• I mostly eat chicken or fish
• I do not smoke and don’t go crazy with the drinks
• As much as I love the sun, I still protect my skin by not staying in it too long/breaks or wear hats
• I don't do tanning beds
• I rarely eat red meat or anything fried
• I sleep and make sure I get my rest
• I never take sleeping pills nor drink energy drinks (this is where good sleep comes in)
• If I take Advil or Tylenol it will only be at a point where I can’t stand a headache but most of the time I let it pass naturally. 
  

NOTE: *I like to keep things as natural as possible for my body

Mentally:

• I read – I stimulate my mind
  
• I love to learn - I search for knowledge
  
• I challenge myself - I don't like to stay in a "comfort zone" so try new things/activities
  
• I watch minimal TV
  
• I stay positive by always looking on the bright side
  
• I smile and laugh a lot
  
• I am passionate and make sure I’m happy with my life
  
• I set goals for myself and set to accomplish them
  
• I speak my mind – always let it out and never struggle with regrets
  
• I find a balance with work, friends, family and what I love
  
• I appreciate life and the mistakes that I have made
  
• I always strive to become a better person
  
• I forgive and forget
  
• I never hold grudges
  

These are just some of the things off the top of my head that I do everyday that seems to be working for me without even trying to look younger. Some people like to know secrets in maintaining youth but these are really not secrets, they are just things that make me happy and make me whole. So I hope this answers some questions as to why I look over 10 years younger than what I really am. :) Salud. Take care of yourselves! #STAYFAB xx

The crash of Wall Street in 1929 greatly impacted everyone, including the most wealthiest. The era of the nineteen thirties called The Great Depression was the beginning of the birth of many classics in fashion. 

Some of the classics include the 2-piece suit for women that was structured, with a  mid-waist hemmed jacket and a skirt with a hemline just under the calf. This structure and the visual lines of the waist was opposite from the 1920's boyish cut, flapper era. 

Other classics that were born in the 1930's include the white blouse, the shirtwaist dress, cloche hats, gloves and the introduction of the bias-cut for evening gown dresses. 

Designers were forced to use cheaper fabrics for their creations as women during this hard, economic time could not afford what they use to. Two of the most influential designers of the 1930's include, Coco Chanel, creator of many classics including the "little black dress" and Elsa Schiaparelli, one of the most daring designers of the decade. 

The 2-piece suit was created with comfort in mind and was a symbol of power and hope for the active woman. Movies also had a great influence in fashion as it was an "escape" for most from reality. For Coco Chanel, the wool jersey suit was one of her most famous innovations aside from her iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume. 

I personally love vintage fashion from the 1930's and 1940's; I feel it is one of the most beautiful times in all history when it comes to fashion.  

So I'm hearing that Timberlands are making a comeback? Rumour has it that Manolo Blahnik has re-issued its early 2000's Hip Hop version of the Timberlands (retailing at $1, 175). 

Well let me tell you  a little sumthin' sumthin' about the Tims in my day. 

Back in early 2000's Tims were huge in the Men's shoe department. Thanks to my ghetto, NY bf at the time, who taught me the harlem shake was BIG on Tims making me aware of them 24/7 - eye-roll. -_- sigh..

My eye-rolls suddenly transformed into wide-eyes when I saw  the most gorgeous thing in the world while watching Beyonce & Jay-Z's "Bonnie and Clyde" music video back in 2002. 

It was the first time I witnessed the female version of the Tims! OMG I was excited! I had to have them and I had to match my bf and all his Tims (god now I just eye-roll when I think of those days). It wasn't enough that I had an Allen Iverson jersey dress to match my bf's taste in bball players but now I had to match with his Tims. We were both excited for me.

Manolo Blahnik's version of course cost thousands of dollars and I was just a recent graduate fresh out of college so I didn't have those kinds of funds but when knockoffs became available - I WAS ON IT. I bought myself 3 pairs and the rest was history. :) Good times with those shoes. 

The Manolo Blahniks modern version of the 2002 shoe can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue. 

Guess I'll have to break them out again. :)

Above:  Video blog  As I show the original Tims that I bought over 10 years ago while I listen to: If I could go - Angie Martinez, Bonnie & Clyde - Beyonce & Jay-Z, , Hey Ma - Camron, Nothin' - N.O.R.E, No, No, No - Destiny's Child, You're the One - SWV. When music was real 90's, early 2000's. 

Below: Bonnie & Clyde - Beyonce ft. Jay Z

July 10, 2013 – The biggest common denominator in room B101, the Governor’s Boardroom at Humber’s North Campus this morning was an intense love for fashion. A love like that, in one room, is hard to find. The vibes were positive and contagious.

Regardless of any storm warnings forecasted around the GTA, nothing was going to stop Leesa Butler from taking time out of her busy schedule to visit with us and for that, we are grateful.

Leesa has an impressive background and wearing as many hats as she does, it is a wonder how she does it all. Leesa is the Founder of marketing and branding company, Divine Lab Inc., Founder and fashion blogger at F-list.ca, V.P. of Operations at the Tastemakers Lounge and Regional Director for Fashion Group International.

With that said, some of the topics that were discussed this morning were the importance of branding, online marketing and social media strategies. She was also kind enough to share some of her personal experiences with us.

Some of the most important points that I took from Leesa this morning are the key things to help build an audience on social media platforms with your brand and they are:

• Authenticity
• Consistency
• Reciprocity

Absolutely right, if you are not authentic, who are you? If you’re not consistent, who is going to believe you? If you don’t reciprocate, who is going to support you in return? The answer is no one. Supporting one another especially in Toronto keeps the vibes positive and actually helps our industry grow; that we shall.

Thank you Leesa for your inspiring words and stories; it was an honour to have you with us today. A special thank you to Anna Zamparo for making Leesa Butler’s visit on campus possible; thank you for caring for your students that much.