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stylechakra · 4 years

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Denim Debacles: When Skinny is too Skinny & Everything else In-between

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TheStyleMonarch

I don’t go for wild patterns, lots of stoning, or elaborate stitching; so I suppose I’m not what you’d consider a denim junkie. While this certainly doesn’t limit my knowledge of the vast world of jeans, I does however make me question what others do, or rather don’t know about them. What you don’t know can very well hurt you in terms of style, which brings me to the topic of…

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#denim #jeans #mensfashion2014 #menswear #style

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stylechakra · 6 years

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PSA!!! My ask is open for sigils. I have my own unique process and I honestly love making new sigils so ask awayyyyyy . I feel so artsy but also magical when I make them ~

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stylechakra · 6 years

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Weekly Update 5/14/18 - Working in a Grimoire: Stationery, Studying, and A Touch of Magick

Weekly Update 5/14/18 – Working in a Grimoire: Stationery, Studying, and A Touch of Magick

So, some of you may know (or not know) that I am rather esoteric in my spirituality. At my core, I follow Christ, but my path has been Pagan as often as it’s been Christian, and at this point I’m mature (and comfortable) enough in my spirituality that I don’t feel the two are mutually exclusive. I’ve always said that God is far too big for any one religion to fully define or understand…

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stylechakra · 6 years

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The Ultimate Witches Guide to Herb Drying

As all witches know, herbs are a vital part of the craft. I am so lucky to be blessed with a large garden, and me and my husband grow an abundance of herbs for both magickal and culinary purposes. I have been drying my own herbs for years, and keep my cupboard well stocked! For me, drying my own herbs has yielded so much benefits, such as:

• It works out so much cheaper then buying from the grocery store.

• Its so much better for the environment. Think about the packaging that herbs come in when you buy from the grocery store that gets thrown away! We store our herbs in labelled glass jars, and the process is absolutely zero-waste.

• Its a lot of fun! I absolutely adore the entire process, it feels very earthy, witchy and it is so rewarding to produce commonly bought things yourself!

Currently, my inventory of dried herbs that I have prepared myself is as follows: Basil, thyme, parsley, coriander/cilantro, rosemary, oregano, sage, dill, lavender, tarragon, chamomile, peppermint, lemonbalm and many more. I use these dried herbs for teas and infusions, cooking and witchcraft. I also keep a fair amount of these herbs for using fresh!

Does this sound like something that appeals to you? If you have the space for a herb garden, it is definitely achievable, even if it is just on a balcony or windowsill!

How To:

Harvesting: the best time to harvest herbs is when they have plenty of healthy foliage to allow further growth. Regularly snipping actually allows herbs to thrive and encourages new growth! To keep my herbs healthy, I regularly snip off dead leaves and harvest healthy, abundant foliage while leaving enough to spare for the plant. The absolute BEST time to harvest is early in the morning after the dew evaporates, but before the suns rays start to evaporate the essential oils within the leaves, which happens when exposed to heat throughout the day. Use scissors to cleanly snip the foliage off the plant.

• Drying: After harvesting, it is important to dry herbs quickly to preserve flavor. After washing herbs, make sure to pat dry gently, you don’t want any moisture in preparation for air drying. To air dry it is very simple! Tie an elastic or piece of string around the base of the herbs to create a bundle. Then you want to hang them upside down in a warm, dry and dust free area out of direct sunlight. I use a drying rack and peg the herbs upside down and then hang the drying rack up, however you can use a clothes hanger or hang them on a line! Some people like to wrap a brown paper bag around the herb bundles when drying. This a) stops leaves falling onto the ground when dry and crumbly, and b) keeps them from gathering dust, etc.

You will know your herbs are dry when they feel dry and crumbly in texture.

Storing: After my herbs are dry and brittle to the touch, I separate the leaves from the stems and store in clean, airtight glass jars that are labelled so I know which herb goes where. I keep the leaves while and crumble just before cooking, as I believe this helps to retain flavor, but I know some people will crumble dried herbs with a mortar and pestle before storing. Keep your dried herbs in a cool, dark place away from humidity, and enjoy! 🌿

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stylechakra · 6 years

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By

TheStyleMonarch

There are some designers whose work raise a question as to what they can do wrong. In regards to design master Zuhair Murad, the answer appears to simply be–nothing. His spring couture collection includes all of the whimsical elements of a modern day fairytale. No doubt something that a contemporary princess Aurora would be seen in.

Featuring soft sheers lavished in intricate beading, Murad creates a look that may not necessarily be groundbreaking, but remains both impeccable and in the spirit of the times. Sheers and florals have been strongly included in this season’s collections.

The addition of gilded leafs was a striking touch, but perhaps one of the most memorable parts of this collection was the minute inclusion of suiting. A long jacket inspired gown, was perhaps my favorite look of the show. As someone with a weakness for suiting, I was somewhat disappointed the designer didn’t include more looks of that nature within the collection. I’ve always loved the stylish contrast of a tailored jacket with an evening gown.

Zuhair Murad Spring Couture 2014

Zuhair Murad: Spring Couture 2014 By TheStyleMonarch There are some designers whose work raise a question as to what they can do wrong.

#fashion #runway #runway2014 #springfashion2014 #style #zuhairmuradspring2014

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stylechakra · 9 years

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The Black Friday Blues

By

TheStyleMonarch

Holidays like Thanksgiving take on a new meaning after a certain age. I’m no longer as enthusiastic about the hype that comes with the holidays. I’m almost sure I’m not alone, as a lot of my friends have similar sentiments regarding the holidays. To think that a day after we gather with our families to celebrate what we’re most thankful for, we then scramble through shopping…

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#Black Friday #Black Friday Shopping #fashion #menswear #Sales #style

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stylechakra · 9 years

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by

TheStyleMonarch

Laundry Bag by CherryT Co.

Because who doesn’t need a place to put their dirty laundry while on vacation. The CherryT Co send a sample of their cool and fashionably informative laundry sack to the Kontrol Office, just in time for me to get a serendipitous chance to review it while on my trip to Atlanta, Ga. In all, the CherryT Co laundry sack is a place to keep your dirty laundry while traveling. With a guide on the back, detailing various kinds of clothing and the mean’s for their maintenance—the CherryT laundry sack will definitely be accompanying me on my travels here on out.

Caffeinated Shaving Creams by Pacific Shaving Co.

You’ll be pressed to find a shave without the proper moisturizing and skin nourishing relief found in caffeinated the products shave by the Pacific Shaving Company. Caring for your skin is as essential as the execution of the shave itself. Soothing aloe spearmint, and naturally-derived caffeine create a smooth formula that enriches and nourishes skin to aid in a clean shave that leaves skin smooth and air free.

The caffeinated after shave creates a creamy, whipped argan-oil and spearmint infused lather that soothes and prevents future skin irritation and leaves a refreshing tingling sensation.

Micro Touch 3 Tough Blade Razor

As someone who’s really hairy, a clean shave is really important to me. While, I haven’t yet discovered a product that’ll get everything off of me in under an hour, the Tough Blade by MicroTouch has made manscaping a little less complicated. Each disposable blade is said to last a month, happily giving this product a lifespan of roughly 1 year. This is pretty helpful considering that I was a Gillette guy before I got the MicroTouch 3– so I can save a few bucks on razors this year. Costing around $20, this blade beats out competitor prices. Consider paying $20 a year vs. the $90 + in disposable blade costs.

Guys GoodWipes

Nothing tops a shower, however these biodegradable wipes are good for those moments when you need a quick clean-up while traveling during your day. Great for those sweaty moments after the gym or after a flight, GoodWipes clear dirt and oils and leave skin feeling fresh. They’re also strong enough to act as secondary wash-clothes should your hotel be short on fresh ones (as mine was) during a recent trip I made. Costing no more than $7 bucks, this is a cool investment for any active person.

The Parachute Bag

I’ve got an obsession with military attire and accessories. My brother did 5 years in the Navy before settling down and having kids, and I happened to stumble on a his parachute bag, which conveniently enough found its way into my wardrobe.

They can hold a ton. I was able to use the parachute bag as a carry on during my flight with Spirit Airlines, and even had room to bring back a few trinkets—without having to check it on my way back home.

The Editor’s Travels: Menswear Travel Essentials by TheStyleMonarch Laundry Bag by CherryT Co. Because who doesn't need a place to put their dirty laundry while on vacation.

#menswear #Micro Touch 3 Blade Razor #Military Fashion #Travel

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stylechakra · 9 years

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By

Akeem J.

Last night was a one of the year’s biggest nights for music and entertainment. Pop icon, Jennifer Lopez hosted the 2015 American Music Awards ceremony and was attended by all the shining stars of celebredom.

One Direction

Selena Gomez

Megahm Trainor

Kevin Ray, Sean Waugaman, Nicholas Petricca, Eli Maiman Walk the Moon

Kat Graham

Norman Reedus

Nina Dobrev

Hannah Davis

Hailee Steinfeld

This year’s red carpet was as underwhelming as the nominees list, with the r&b category thinly stocked with the same pop’n-b artists we see every year—save for soul queen Mary J. Blige. Being that the American Music Awards’s serve as the semi-formal event warm-up before the real award show season hits, you’d think that there would be more to gawk over. It seemed like almost everyone was suffering from color-phobia this year.

Demi Lovato

Danica McKellar

Ciara

Chloe Lukasiak

Carrie Underwood

Terry Crews

Tyga

Z LaLa

Zendaya

Alanis Moissette

Christina Milian was particularly disappointing in an all-black gown she wore. Nothing wrong with going clad, as I do it often; however there are rules to wearing all black. Playing with metallics, or even texture would have given her look a little more pop. Better luck next time I suppose. Meghan Trainor fell in to a similar situation as Christina, but lacked sex-appeal. Considering the bright clothes she sports in her videos, I expected a flirty and stylishly quirky gown that reflected the pop-star’s music. But as I always say, “expectation is the mother of disappointment.” In regards to wearing all black, Gwen Stefani definitely knows what to do. Never allow an clad look to go flat. You either play with texture, or create drama with a see-thru bodice. Gwen Stefani stunned viewers in a sheer number, strikingly similar to something worn by Erkyah Badu earlier this month at the Soul Train Awards.

Forever in Your Mind

Fifth Harmony

Francesco Yates

Gigi Hadid

Gwen Stefani

Always the style-star of the ball–Zendaya turned heads in a pink floral dress and Christian Louboutin pumps. I suppose Miley Cyrus can’t be alone in the “what was she thinking category.” Singer/songwriter Z LaLa stepped out on the red carpet in a number that could only be justified by a live revival of The Little Mermaid. In all the 2015 American Music Awards Red Carpet left much to be desired.

American Music Awards 2015: Style Recap By Akeem J. Last night was a one of the year’s biggest nights for music and entertainment.

#American Music Awards #American Music Awards 2015 #Award Show Fashion #Award Shows 2015 #mensfashion

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stylechakra · 9 years

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Check out more of the collection at Kontrol Magazine’s website.

http://www.kontrolmag.com/balmain-for-hm-menswear-collection/

#Balmain H&M BalmainxH&M Fashion Menswear

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stylechakra · 9 years

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By

TheStyleMonarch

Pinned up Precision

I suppose this season can be viewed a sort of comeback for the classics. Blazer pins, naval and collegiate patches have become a key component in everyday wear. It makes sense though. With the ascension of the gentleman and his polished and manicured habits, this trend may be as much airtime as it military counterpart. All badges are priced at $39.

Relax & Relate

Likely the most non-restricting trend of the past few seasons, menswear has taken somewhat of a break from the highly styled and lean fitted gentlemen of the new age. This season’s leading man is cooly relaxed, and perhaps just a little rugged. Draped cardigans over loose fitting trousers or distraught jeans create a look that’s got more appeal than the vaporous fashion trends of the past, and are more of a reflection of the understated element of stylish-comfort that American’s are notorious for.

Street Style Jerry Lorenzo Paris-Fashion Week Spring Summer Adidas Archives Haider Ackermann long-jacket

Storm Pedersen street style Artem & Viktor Long Cardigan

Artem & Viktor Long Cardigan

Military Standards

This one seems more of a resurfacing standard more than an actual trend. The military trends flourishing longevity can likely be attributed to its close association with the basic essentials of fashion that make up the classic pieces of today.However not as polished and not nearly as tailored as it once was. Split between two different aesthetics, a portion of this season’s military apparel is more relaxed, and features parka’s over harem pants and loose trousers. Glossy combat-boots dominated runways and signaling the stylish return of ground-troops of fashion.

Lanvin kept an eye on silhouette and fit, somewhat opposing the decoration so commonplace with military styled looks. Dark outerwear and riding boots brought detail to otherwise minimized fashions. But it’s prehaps Y-3 that’s had the most groundbreaking success with this trend. Their line of jackets and coats have been in the fore running of top military styles picks.

John Varvatos wool and mohair jacket Filson cotton Henley and Ann Demeulemeester linen and wool pants Neil Barrett boots-Photo by Renie Saliba-wwd.com Menswear Trends 2015

(Photos by Renie Saliba-wwd.com Menswear Trends 2015)

Menswear Fall/Winter Trends 2015 By TheStyleMonarch Pinned up Precision I suppose this season can be viewed a sort of comeback for the classics.

#Benson & Clegg #fall trends 2015 #menswear trends 2015 #military #military trend fall 2015

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stylechakra · 9 years

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by

TheStyleMonarch

There isn’t a fancy way for me to express this one, other than restating the emphasis that I’ve put on the basic essentials of a wardrobe i.e. a white button-down, slacks, formal blazer etc. The biker jacket follows in close suit, but is honestly one of the more neglected of the essentials. A leather jacket is something like a first kiss, its a sort of right-of-passage in style.

LaGraffit Jacket Diesel Black Gold Collection 3495

Reclaimed Vintage Leather Biker Jacket Asos.com 269

Biker vs. Bomber

In all, there are only a few differences between biker and bomber jackets. Bomber jackets are collarless and have a more relaxed fit, oppose to the more tailored biker jacket. Bomber jackets, are always made of leather in order to retain heat.

Marlo Suede Biker Jacket AllSaints.com $725

Surplus Biker Jacket AllSaints.com $360

Leather Biker Jacket Zara $129

Lashear Diesel Black Gold Collection $2495

J-Gibson Fur Diesel $798

J-Gibson Deisel $598

Black Faux Leather Biker Jacket Topman.com $160

Conroy Biker Jacket AllSaints.com 650

Black Faux Leather Biker Jacket Topman.com 160

As Bad as the Biker: Biker Jackets you Need by TheStyleMonarch There isn't a fancy way for me to express this one, other than restating the emphasis that I've put on the basic essentials of a wardrobe i.e.

#AllSaints Winter 2015 Menswear #Belstaff England #Biker Jackets #Fall Fashion 2015 #Fall outerwear 2015 #Mens Fashion 2015 #Mens Outerwear 2015

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stylechakra · 9 years

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By

TheStyleMonarch

Elo Lip Care

Is merely a part of good grooming. Made with coconut oil and vanilla as well as a few exotic extracts, this all organic line of lip care offers simple moisturization that I haven’t found in any other over-the-counter brand. It smells great and keeps your lips soft, without having to constantly reapply. Coming to about $20 per stick, Elo is well worth the cost as you won’t have to purchase another for at least a month.

Antica & Farmacista

The team over at Antica & Farmacista was generous enough to send me a few samples of their spring/summer line. I’m a sucker for brand features and have a serious addiction to perfumes, scented candles and decor. Antica & Farmacista’s signature scents like Vanilla, bourbon & mandarin, Manhattan, and Sandalwood are among my favorites.

Sandalwood, a natural and lightly spiced fragrance speaks for itself with notes of bergamot, amber and vanilla. Manhattan is an easy favorite for those of you who favor more zesty bold fragrances. Like the City in which its name derives, this warm musky scent in balanced out with notes of aromatic black-pepper, brandied cherry and deep cognac. Antica & Farmacista offer a variety of products for bath, home, and body. More information on these amazing products can be found on their site http://www.anticafarmacista.com.

The Editor’s List: Fall Favorites By TheStyleMonarch Elo Lip Care Is merely a part of good grooming. Made with coconut oil and vanilla as well as a few exotic extracts, this all organic line of lip care offers simple moisturization that I haven't found in any other over-the-counter brand.

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stylechakra · 9 years

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Susan Blase

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stylechakra · 9 years

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stop excluding writers from the art community

I see post after post listing every single art form and giving it praise, except for one form of it: writing.

a lot of us don’t draw, or paint, or dance, some of us don’t even play an instrument. but what we do is art. we spend hour upon hour researching, working on our imagery, finding the perfect word, developing a character who’ll only last for a few chapters.

we spend years refining our writing just like you have your art style, your painting, your dancing, your piece that you’re going to play. we spend years working on our characters and ourselves and yet none of you will say anything until we get published.

writers are told we don’t deserve to be paid as much as visual artists.

writers are told what we do is easy. I’d like to see someone try it without the years of work and tears I’ve put myself through.

when you scroll past a fanfiction that you just loved but didn’t like or reblog it feels like what we do doesn’t matter. when you don’t even glance at our original works it’s a slap in the face.

writing is art. creating an entire world through words is art. building people, places, even religions for our stories is art.

it’s high time people started treating writing like the art it is.

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stylechakra · 9 years

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Showing off a hummingbird’s iridescent head

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stylechakra · 9 years

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Oh my Gawd! #Lmao

#lmao

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stylechakra · 9 years

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for more fashion: http://menswearfashionsworld.tumblr.com

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