new culture revolution

this & that | here & there

[newculturerevolution]

Goodbye Old Hello New

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: Laura Doggett > Old Faces

If you want to change the world I think that is brilliant. 

Enjoy. ~ Sima

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: Sia > Elastic Heart

As someone who worked in the music video genre for many years... kudos to Sia for her commitment to tell a compelling story. 

This video recently received a lot of  negative attention from viewers claiming there was an aspect of paedophilia to it based on the performance of Maddie Ziegler and Shia la Beouf. I think it's a shame that Sia felt compelled to issue a public apology to anyone who felt offended. Art is supposed to make us feel something. I personally feel this video very accurately portrays the primal nature of humans feeling prisoners of their own emotions and trapped by their limitations. 

I often say we are never at the same place at the same time with another human being. All we can do is witness another's journey and help them along their way when possible. ~ Sima

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: Je Suis Charlie

Thoughts and prayers to the families of those who lost their lives while exercising freedom of speech.

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: Sima Says > Statement Coat > Style 

For those of you in the southern hemisphere enjoying balmy breezes and long days and Instagram worthy sunsets... this post is NOT for you.

I saw a photo a family friend posted on Facebook, his truck and property covered in 15+cm of fresh snowfall in the interior of British Columbia. He was a little shocked as he was in Hawaii only a fortnight ago. That photo inspired me to answer a question many friends and acquaintances having been asking me. "How do I look stylish in winter when I'm required to bundle up?" Sima Says ... get yourself a statement coat. This one item will mean it pretty much doesn't matter what you're wearing underneath. My tip however is to go for luxury basics. Cashmere is always my first choice as it's fine gauge so doesn't add bulk but will add warmth and style. Also, cashmere isn't as out of reach as it used to be. There is something available at every price point. I'm all about an urban uniform that can travel from the penthouse to the pavement. Currently living in London means I'm always on public transit. I brought very few items of clothing with me but quite a few coats. Here I've picked a selection of statement coats I like. Just some random images from the internet. A statement coat should say something about your personality. I'm a big fan of vintage inspired prints. Currently I see many Londoner's (both male and female) sporting a lot of shearling or "sheepskin" as it's called locally. The great thing about a signature coat is it leaves you with room to layer and has a lot of WOW factor. Keeping colours dark or monochromatic underneath is key to cultivating this as a style statement. It sets off the coat and you get to maintain ease and comfort without compromising being chic. 

If you have a signature coat and want to share it with us tweet us @NewCulRev or me @simakumar. In the meantime... stay warm and stylish! ~ Sima

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: Happy New Year > 2015

Happy Monday. Go for the crown. ~ Sima

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: New Year's Eve

If the last day of the year was a punctation mark which one would you be?

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: Sima Says > Christmas Survival Guide

Christmas time is rife with stress for so many people. I remember when I was 18  years old I had this boyfriend I was madly in love with. For some reason (and please feel free to laugh out loud) I was convinced he was going to get me a ring for Christmas. NOT an engagement ring - I was a hopeless romantic not delusional!). Instead I was presented with a "ghetto blaster" or a "boom box". You can imagine my confusion and when I put in a cassette tape in the double cassette player. I'm pretty sure it was R.E.M's Losing My Religion. I was, to state it mildly, deflated.

Surprisingly enough the relationship survived that Christmas gift giving disaster. In fact I packed up the following year and went travelling with the same boyfriend and we spent the following year's holiday in Sydney, Australia. I surfed on Bondi Beach during the day and ate butter chicken on Campbell Parade for Christmas dinner in the evening.

Which brings me to this post... having spent quite a few Christmases away from home I've learned to put the holidays in perspective. Even the holidays that are at home can often leave us feeling a strange void and underwhelmed. What family doesn't have awkward tensions and less than perfect dynamics? If you say "mine" you're either one in a million or you may be standing under a mistletoe with your fingers crossed telling a little season white lie.

This year, I'm in London. The Italian originally spoke of possibly travelling to Paris for the holidays which we have since decided against. Then there was the possibility of a big family feast and annual tradition at his sister in law's home in Bedfordshire which also doesn't look like it will happen for me. So how do you stay motivated and in the light when Christmas (which is one of my favourite times of year) just doesn't play out the way we imagine in our hearts and minds? For me ... it's about gratitude.

I live in a beautiful home in a beautiful neighbourhood in my favourite area of London. I have both Primrose Hill and Hampstead Heath walking distance in either direction of my front door. It's like being in a village while living in the city. I'm getting to know local merchants and some familiar faces. I'm embraced by an amazing family look forward to starting work in a regular way in the New Year. There is a lot for me to look forward to.

Above and beyond EVERYTHING... I'm in London! The city is one of my favourites, overflowing with history and beautiful churches. My way of dealing with Christmas plans that are constantly shifting due to unexpected life changes is to be of service to others. So this Christmas I'm looking forward to attending Midnight Mass at a beautiful church being reminded of the magic of the season - a message of miracles. And to volunteer my time on Christmas Day serving the homeless a hot meal. It's something I did on a regular basis for years in Vancouver and I'm looking forward to extending this Christmas Day tradition into my life in London. I've always dreamt of a dreamy romantic walk along the River Thames with the sweeping views of so many magical landmarks dreaming of ways to manifest the best for myself and my loved ones for the New Year. And what would Christmas Day be without a cheesy movie like Love Actually or The Holiday. I'm a sucker for a romantic comedy. 

So find a way to see past your ups and downs, your expectations and disappointments and your own trials and tribulations. Many of us are so much better off and living with abundance. Being of service is my way of paying it forward. I hope you find your way regardless of where this Christmas finds you. I'm far from my family and my favourite heart beats but my heart is still full to overflowing with love and gratitude. Merry Christmas. Be shiny and bright. It's in all of us, even if you feel laden with a layer of rust. ~ Sima

[businessoffashion]

Images from Finery London, a new British womenswear brand set to launch in 2015. Read the story here.

Imagery: Finery London

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: Just Ginny > Reading Habits of McConchies in the Wild

  My dad is the guy in the bright green shirt, standing chest high in pool with a book. Or these days, his Kindle. He has an intricate chair-towel-block-the-sun setup going on that is as ridiculous as it is useful.

  He’s quick to point out he learned his technique from “The Master” – the first man my dad saw use the chair-towel-block-the-sun combo. My dad’s hero. But it’s my dad people remember. They remember his flashy swim shirt. They remember his “it’s a pool, splash away” attitude towards kids cannon-balling. They remember his dedication to reading for hours.

  I love this about my dad. I love that when kids swim up to him, he takes time to ]explain what he is reading and why the chair needs to be set up just right. He lets kids read over his shoulder. I mean, let’s be real: He’s reading something on computer codes, or business, or his “scrooge-like” stuff, and that’s just… not interesting to most 3 year olds. But I remember how it felt to be taken seriously by an adult when I was a kid, and those kids all paddle away in their water wings looking very happy. I love my dad for that.

  My dad has his computer books, I have my romance novels. My sister and I pass them back and forth like notes in class. We bought stacks of them at the 25 cent bookstore, loading up on stories that make long, salty days at the beach slip by. Most of them are disposable, easily forgotten, with the rare regency romance gem. But I went to the beach to escape and lord knows a romance helps with that.

  The woman lying on the beach chair behind me was reading a mystery novel I read a long time ago, and I wanted to lean over and tell her what a good choice she had made, and how much I had loved the book. But she looked happy with the quiet, so I settled for sending her approving glances that I’m sure helped her feel validated in her choice of literature.

  One day I joined my dad, standing at the edge of the pool. He and his computer programming book on Kindle. Me and my Nora Roberts. It turns out, I don’t love reading in the pool. I don’t have the patience for it. But for a minute, it was really nice.

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: Design To Dine with Alison Ramage

I first met Alison when I moved to Vancouver's Crosstown neighbhourhood. She was the always smiley warm face that greeted me at The Dirty Apron. No matter how long the queues were and even when I had personal favours that called her to go above & beyond the call of duty - Alison was always looking at how provide impeccable customer satisfaction.

I was delighted to find out my friend and neighbhour Carol Dey had thought it a good idea that Alison and I meet. Carol is one of those people who knows all the good seeds in a town. She set up a lunch date for the three of us at Yew at The Four Season's Vancouver. It was through food Alison and I met and through food that we became friends and it is food that is Alison's passion. 

Alison wants to bring bespoke dinner parties to the fine folks of Vancouver. She has a passion for cooking and hosting and creating an experience revolving around a delicious meal made with love & passion. Since meeting, Alison has moved on from The Dirty Apron and has launched Design to Dine.

For Christmas Design to Dine is offering a great option for anyone who doesn't want to cook! It's such a great concept & a brilliant service. Here's how it works:

- a meal is designed for a minimum of 4-6 people and can be increased to the number of guests  attending 

- oven ready gourmet fare sourced locally 

- menu combines traditional Christmas flavours with a fun contemporary flare 

-  delivery to your door on Christmas Eve

If you're interested or inspired to experience Design to Dine for yourself, have a look & get in touch with Alison @ [email protected] and you can follow their culinary adventures on twitter @design_to_dine.

[newculturerevolution]

NCR:  I'm Not Responsible For You, You're Not Responsible For Me.

Wife Life: I think people mistake commitment for responsibility.

Since I moved my life to the UK, my dear friend Angela Victory and I have had to find a new way of spending time together. We can no longer get booked on the same jobs (she's a makeup artist) or make a date for chai and a proper chin wag, or FaceTime because we'd at least be in the same time zone, or our favourite... steal away to the Railtown Cafe for the "Will You Marry Me?" cookie. Yes - it's true, my favourite cookie is called WYMM and it would be yours too if you tasted it!

This morning as I awoke I found the above images in my Whatsapp Messenger. Each one read "for" before the words beauty, lust, lonely love, fun, intensity and For God, Let it all go. I asked Angela if I could turn it into a post for the blog and she said yes. It's one of the ways we share - creative collaboration. Each photo tells a truth about how no matter who we share our lives with, the journey is always ultimately a solo one. It's so deeply personal and how we are in relationship is always a choice. Me, I'm getting used to sharing a space full-time with someone else who is VERY different from me. No easy task when the two people are O + o (old & Older). Whereas it can be comforting to feel as though you have a chum and someone to do those banal things that every life needs doing (cleaning house, grocery shopping, picking up vitamins, going to the bank) it can also be an intense, lonely, surprising, and possibly very beautiful experience if you're a spiritual seeker. Because you have in front of you each day a reminder of the fact that everything you feel is yours alone. The other person cannot feel it. They can only witness you. And you in turn cannot feel what they feel. You can only witness them. 

Angela's grouping of well chosen photos was too good not to share. So in whatever kind of relationship we have, I hope this post serves as a reminder or inspiration that we must own our own emotions. Another cannot be the source of your joy or sorrow, your anger or fear. It's all you. ~ Sima

photos & words: via Angela Victory

collage by: Sima 

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: Echo and the Bunnymen > The Killing Moon

We all have "those songs". The ones that come on and stop us dead in our tracks and transport us to another time and place or person. This is one of mine. It's an oldie - but so am I in a pop culture world.

It's one of the most perfectly crafted and arranged songs I've heard. Inviting you into a sonic journey. One of mystery. I admit when I first heard it I was just a young teenager - really had no experience or notion of what the lyrics really meant. But going through life then meeting a real life human who ignites these very lyrics and brings them into reality? Now that is the power of music. Enjoy! ~ Sima

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: Remembrance Day > November 11

The First World War officially ended on the eleventh hour on the eleventh day on the eleventh month, 1918 - Armistice Day. The act of a Two Minute Silence began on the anniversary of Armistice Day in 1919 by those who did not want to forget the millions killed, injured and affected.

Now generally called Remembrance Day, millions of people stop what they are doing and observe a Two Minute Silence at 11am on 11 November each year in the memory of those who have been affected in all conflicts

This year, I am in the UK for Remembrance Day. There is a heart stopping installation at the Tower of London called Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red. The photos I've taken taken simply with an iPhone do little to capture the majestic visual in person.

Created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, with setting by stage designer Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies progressively fill the Tower's famous moat. Each poppy represents a British military fatality during the war.The poppies encircle the iconic landmark, creating not only a spectacular display visible from all around the Tower but also a location for personal reflection. 

Today is as good a day as any to create space from our personal dramas and conflicts and reflect on what so many sacrificed in order for us to have the peace and freedoms we so enjoy and quite often take for granted. I know for me, being in London, it is awe inspiring and humbling to see a poppy for every human who lost his life so future generations could have theirs. ~ Sima

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: QOTD > Anais Nin

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” ~ Anaïs Nin

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: I AM THAT GIRL > Yasmeen Kumar

How This Girl is grew up to be That Girl

When I grow up I want to be THAT GIRL Yasmeen Kumar! This is an outright brag post about my niece. But also one that anyone with a young daughter, sister, niece,cousin, friend should read... Super proud of the authentic voice of Yasmeen. It may sound like no big deal to be true to yourself, but actually taking the steps to live with integrity and uphold yourself in today's climate of towing the line of popularity (this exists from childhood to old age - I witness it first hand) is no joke and I applaud you Yasmeen for not just talking the talk ... but walking the walk. Thank You to Emily Greener & Sheila Moeschen for giving her a platform to let her voice be heard. I'm both humbled and inspired! ~ Sima

Interview taken from http://www.iamthatgirl.com/

When Yasmeen Kumar was given the school assignment to design a social impact project, she knew she wanted to do more than create an awesome presentation or propose hypotheticals about how to solve problems; she wanted to roll up her sleeves and wrap her hands and heart around an issue she feels passionate about: people who are homeless on the streets of her native Vancouver. “I really wanted to gain an understanding of how this impacts peoples lives,” says Yasmeen, and Helping Homeless Vancouver was born. Yasmeen works to identify, collect, and distribute basic resources such as clothing and toiletries to aid the homeless population. The more she educates herself and gets involved in the anti-poverty movement, the more inspired she is to transform Helping Homeless into a 100% non-profit some day. Yasmeen says, “I want to be a really positive role model for young girls, especially girls of color. I want to represent Indian girls with ambition and passion.” When this teen is taking a break from inspiring others and dreaming huge, Yasmeen loves kicking around with friends and treating herself to one of her most favorite guilty pleasures: Twizzlers! 

If you could describe yourself in one hashtag, what would it be?

#littlethings, because that's what I'm all about. The things in life that make me happy aren't shiny and expensive, it's the small things that let me know people are thinking about me, like when my friends bring extra food to share at lunch, or when my dad brings home knick knacks, and tiny pencils home from work. That's why I focus on little things with my social justice initiative Helping Homeless Vancouver, giving people the small stuff like socks and toiletries that really brighten up their lives. Little things make a big difference.

Tell us about a girl in your life who rocks.

My mom rocks. She's super modern, fun and accepting of all my choices. She does her best to steer my sister and I in the right direction, but gives us the freedom we need to figure things out for ourselves. She's pretty cool.

What are your dreams/goals/ambitions?

 A goal I've set for myself is to expand my anti-poverty work into a formal non-profit. Hopefully one day my dream of having the resources and funding to make some long term change will come true, and we can start getting people off the streets and into permanent housing. My life ambition is to become a powerful and influential Indian, female leader  and role model. I want girls to know that they don't have to fall victim to harmful gender roles, and beauty standards and they too can influence change.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to stay true to myself in a world full of ridiculous standards for women. I don't listen to gender roles or beauty standards, I just do what makes me happy, independent, and self-reliant.

What piece of advice changed your life?

There's a quote in my school library that say "live in such a way that if anyone were to speak badly of you nobody would believe it" and that's how I've chosen to live. I don't do anything to intentionally hurt anyone, and if I do, I right my wrong. I inspire and encourage others, and live my life to be the best version of me that I can possibly be!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In ten years I will be 27, which seems crazy. I'd be lying if I said I had it all figured out, but I'm still young, I have some time. In ten years I see myself being well educated and well traveled. I see myself having built strong relationships with my friends and family. I see myself being a positive role model to women of all ages. I also see my anti-poverty work being taken to the next level and making some really big change.

What is the number one item on your bucket list?

I want to travel. I want to understand how the world works outside the the privileged life I live in Canada. I want to have a new understanding of different cultures and people. I want to eat yummy food, make new friends and lasting memories.

Who has been the biggest female influence in your life and why?

It's not fair to call one person the biggest female influence in my life when there are so many women that have helped shape who I am. My Nani and Aji taught me how to be independent. My Fua showed me how to be polite, yet assertive. My best friend Corinna showed me how to be driven. My sister Aaliyah showed me how not to fear being unique. And my mom showed me how to always take the high road, no matter how tough.

What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken and what did you learn from it?

The biggest risk I've taken in my life is being an assertive girl in a world where women are often discouraged from speaking up. I have no shame in standing up for myself or others which isn't always easy. Especially in high school, assertive girls are not usually "fan favourite", but that's okay because it's not worth being liked by everyone when you disrespect yourself.

Why are you THAT GIRL?

I AM THAT GIRL because I have chosen to be her. I have chosen to not let gender roles or beauty standards define me. I have chosen that to be driven, compassionate, and accepting. And most importantly I have chosen to love myself regardless of flaws.

*Interview conducted and compiled by Sheila Moeschen, IATG Senior Editor

https://www.facebook.com/helpinghomelessvancouver?fref=ts

[newculturerevolution]

NCR: Sima Says > Soulful Sunday > Changes

It's now autumn where we live. This is in many ways my favourite time of year. It feels pensive and reminders that the only constant in life is change is all around me. All I have to do is look outside and Mother Nature is speaking loud and clear. Leaves are starting to fall. The trees are starting to resemble a symphonic fire. Bursting with red, orange, yellow and gold. One last dramatic reminder that we are all alive before the death of winter comes to wrap us up and take us to places hidden. 

It's a time I start thinking of more hot yoga, less hatha yoga. Finding healthy ways to heat my body from within. When trying to decide what to make for dinner I am inspired by soups and stews. Light and clear broth bursting with flavours of root vegetable to stick to my ribs and warm my insides. 

I love to walk this time of year. The perpetual rain that slaughters the Pacific North West hasn't quite arrived even though everyone knows it's imminent. Now is a time when I am taking walks with friends vs. going out for dinners. Pulling out my cashmere love wrap and leather ankle boots, leaving my glamorous long nails behind for a shorter more practical manicure that is the colour of aubergine. Changing hairstyles to match the mood of season... these are some of the ways I embrace the changes from my optimal time of year, summer and transition into fall.

As I prepare to leave this place which has ultimately been 'home' in many ways - even if it's never felt like it - my relationships dictate this to be the most home I know.  It's as though my senses want to experience what is uniquely the west coast. This place has a distinct smell. It smells of rich earth and green. There is a moisture that creeps all over you like moss and imbeds itself into your bones. It can be menacing - but once you know you're going to be leaving it - this same feeling becomes romantic. Like a touch from a lover who is about to leave you. The goodbye is staring you in the face and there is an understanding that it's "for the best" yet all you can do is remember the good times and wish for a long goodbye. ~ Sima