SPRING 26 FINAL DIGITAL

Editor in Chief + Creative Director

Jennifer Leigh

Art Director & Designer

Lo Galloway

Executive Producer

Jessica Klassen

Photographer

Jac’s Studio

Hair and Makeup

Melissa Makeup Artistry

This spring issue was shaped by a question that I have sensed women asking for some time now: What does it actually mean to step fully into who we are, without apology, delay, or disguise? The Iconic Thought in this issue explores personal branding not as a trend, but as a responsibility. Not as a marketing tactic, but as an embodied experience. At its core, it is an invitation to live, lead and express from a place of integrity rather than performance. To recognize that how we show up is not something we turn on for visibility, but something we practice daily through our values, our voice and our presence. That conversation flows naturally into our cover feature.

This season, we are honored to feature founder Kylie from Fifty and Fearless, whose work challenges one of the most persistent and limiting narratives women carry: the belief that time has passed them by. Her message is simple, yet profound. Fifty is not a finish line. It is a catalyst. A moment of clarity, confidence and courage that often becomes the gateway to the most expansive chapter of a woman’s life. Through her work, Kylie reminds women that it is never too late to choose themselves, redefine success, or pursue a life that truly takes their breath away. What struck me most in our conversation was not only her perspective on age, but the universality

Even if you are not fifty, the question still stands. What excuse are you living under? For some, it is age. For others, it is children, time, weight, finances, past decisions, or the belief that the window has already closed. The details may differ, but the pattern is familiar. We postpone our fullest expression while waiting for a future version of ourselves to feel ready, worthy, or permitted. This issue is a quiet disruption of that waiting. Kylie’s story is not about age. It is about permission. Permission to begin again. Permission to evolve. Permission to step forward without shrinking. As you move through these pages, I invite you to reflect on the places where you may be holding yourself back, not because you cannot move forward, but because you have been telling yourself a story about why you should not. This issue is an invitation to release that story. Not tomorrow. Not someday. Now.

KYLIE JONES

“Women do not miss the moment.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE PG 32-39

20

This issue redefines personal branding as a lived responsibility and invites women to release limiting stories.

SPRING INVOCATION

An empowering invocation calling women to stop hiding, release the need for permission or perfection, and courageously step into full unapologetic self-expression. 56 SPRING FASHION

2026 GARDEN TRENDS

A guide to 2026 gardening trends that embrace nostalgia and self-care, featuring cottage, bulb-based, apothecary, heirloom, and cutting gardens to create beautiful, personal, and ecologically mindful outdoor spaces.

TRENDS

A spring style guide highlighting fresh wardrobe updates, including statement trenches and chocolate hues, nostalgic textures, modern denim, and accessories to refine and elevate everyday.

72 SKINCARE SAVIORS

A spring skincare guide highlighting hydration, barrier repair, regenerative treatments, gentle cleansing, and daily SPF to refresh and protect the complexion for a healthy, glowing look.

80 YOUR AUTHORITY

Step into a media presence that matches your caliber. Make 2026 the year your authority speaks for itself. 96 THE ICONIC TABLE

A private, invitation-only dinner series for visionary women, fostering intimate conversation, creative collaboration, and meaningful connections that celebrate influence, sophistication, and purpose. 106 THE HOUSE OF HER

In a conversation full of curated insight, elevated taste, and intentional leadership, House of Her reveals how women can refine their brands and lives with purpose. It offers a private space where standards rise, personal authority is embodied, and thoughtful living becomes a practiced art.

COVER FEATURE

In a conversation full of honesty, reflection, and radical self-permission, Kylie Jones shares how women can step into their most powerful selves without starting over. She reveals the courage to honor desire, build quietly, and trust themselves, creating a shift that is as personal as it is transformative.

Being FULLY EXPRESSED

MAY YOU

REMEMBER THAT YOU WERE NEVER MEANT TO BE HIDDEN.

Not behind strategy. Not behind timing. Not behind a more polished version of yourself you keep promising you will become someday. May you have the audacity to be fully expressed. Not curated. Not filtered. Not softened for comfort. Fully. May you allow yourself to be seen in your truth, your voice, your depth, your contradictions and your brilliance. Seen not as a performance, but as a presence. Seen not as an image, but as a woman who knows who she is becoming. May courage meet you where doubt once lived. May boldness replace the quiet negotiations you have been making with yourself. May you step into the arena not waiting to be chosen, but choosing yourself first. May you stop asking for permission from the world and begin granting it from within because the moment you do, something sacred happens. Things align. The noise quiets. The resistance softens. The people who have been waiting for you, praying for you, searching for the very essence you carry, finally recognize you. Not because you shouted louder. Not because you tried harder. But because you finally stood where you belong. Fully expressed. Unapologetic. Alive. May this be the season you stop hiding your light in preparation for a future moment and instead let it illuminate the life you are living now. So it is.

ylie Jones is the founder of Fifty & Fearless, a fast-growing global movement and media platform empowering women to embrace their most confident, unapologetic chapter in midlife. After a 30-year career in marketing and brand leadership, Kylie’s world shifted dramatically when she lost both parents and was unexpectedly retrenched just before her 50th Birthday. Searching for purpose, she quietly created a faceless Instagram page as a way to rebuild herself, not a business, but a lifeline. Women found her. Today, that small act of survival has grown into a powerful community, podcast, and platform helping thousands of women step into what she calls their “No F*cks Era” and live life fully on their own terms.

Kim Fitzpatrick is a leadership educator, entrepreneur, and founder of Lumina Legacy Institute, a provisionally ICF-accredited coaching, leadership, and human performance school. With more than two decades of experience spanning healthcare leadership, entrepreneurship, and professional coaching, she is known for her work developing whole leaders who lead with presence, integrity, and embodied self-mastery. Kim lives with her husband, two children, and two rescue dogs, Clive and Clementine, and is deeply committed to championing the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.

Olenka Lyle is the Co-Owner and Medical Director of ClaraDerma+, Niagara’s most respected and award-winning medical aesthetics clinic. A Nurse Practitioner, speaker, and industry leader in aesthetic and precision medicine, Olenka is known for her high-level clinical skill, warmth, and dedication to results that look as natural as they feel empowering. She holds dual degrees from Queen’s University (BScN, 2009) and Western University (BHSc, 2007), and completed her Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner certification in 2019. Her professional foundation in health promotion and preventative care deeply informs her unique approach, blending science, artistry, and wellness. A celebrated figure in both business and healthcare, Olenka is a recipient of Niagara’s 40 Under 40 Business Achievement Award, a finalist in the Niagara Women in Business Awards, RBC Women of Influence nominee and

the clinical force behind ClaraDerma+’s multiple Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Medical Aesthetic Clinic. In addition to her clinical role, Olenka is a sought-after injector trainer, educator, and public speaker, mentoring the next generation of aesthetic professionals across Canada. Her teaching emphasizes safety, subtlety, and ethical care, always rooted in clinical integrity. At ClaraDerma+, Olenka not only delivers injectable treatments like Botox®, dermal fillers, and biostimulators—she also treats patients through the lens of functional and precision medicine, integrating women’s and men’s hormone health, metabolic optimization, and overall wellness into every treatment plan. Her goal: to address what’s happening beneath the surface, not just what’s visible in the mirror. Olenka believes aging well isn’t about erasing expression—it’s about restoring vitality, confidence, and control. With every patient, she crafts a care experience that is deeply personalized, medically sound, and luxury-driven.

Erika Aquino is a global angel investor, strategic advisor, and advocate for inclusive innovation. Born in the Philippines and deeply rooted in her cultural heritage, she invests in early-stage startups across the Philippines, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, and Austin, bringing a cross-border lens to every founder she backs. Her investment focus centers on women and underrepresented founders building the future of wellness, education, sustainability, and the evolving world of work. Known for her sharp strategic instincts

and cross-cultural fluency, Erika supports companies with capital, positioning, narrative clarity, and long-term growth strategy. Beyond investing, Erika is co-founder of Maude Labs, a personal branding firm. She previously launched transformational travel programs for first-generation college students and has led brand and business development strategy across industries. She also executive produced a project spotlighting female founders, amplifying stories of women building category-defining and culture-shifting companies. With over two decades of experience spanning marketing, PR, and global expansion, she brings both boardroom rigor and founder empathy to every engagement. Today, Erika is a sought-after speaker and media contributor recognized for her candid perspective on funding equity, founder storytelling, and the future of global entrepreneurship.

Renée Walker is the founder of Renée Walker Wellness, a soul-led wellness and coaching practice devoted to helping women heal their mindset, reconnect with their intuition, and live in deeper alignment with their highest self. She is the host of the Spiritually Wired Podcast, where she explores spirituality, mindset, healing, and conscious business, and the creator of the Spiritually Wired Membership - a sacred space for women seeking intentional growth, expansion, and connection. A certified meditation teacher, NLP

practitioner, spiritual life coach, and Reiki Master, Renée blends mindset work, energy healing, and embodied practices to support meaningful, sustainable transformation. In addition to her coaching and programs, she hosts live events and immersive experiences that bring women together in community to deepen self-trust, embodiment, and soul-led living. Through her work, Renée guides women to release old stories and step more fully into their purpose, power, and potential - in life, business, and beyond. Her approach is rooted in the belief that true transformation begins within and unfolds through presence, alignment, and conscious choice. Learn more at reneewalkerwellness. com and listen to the Spiritually Wired Podcast wherever you tune in to podcasts.

Nostalgic Gardening: 2026 Garden Trends Inspired from Decades Past

Written by Wendy Rose Gould

Give a woman a garden and she’ll do far more than grow daffodils or harvest squash. She’ll build herself a sanctuary—a refuge to relax her shoulders, cool her hands in the earth, inhale the scent of sun-warmed vines and herbs, and admire a kaleidoscope of blossoms. It’s a place where resilience, a sense of pride, and self-love take root. This is just as true in 2026 as it was centuries ago. And with the “going analog” movement ripe for the picking, more people are discovering the art and innate joy of gardening. As people embrace nostalgia—and particularly a slower paced life and less time behind a screen—2026 gardening trends are especially hearkening back to yesteryear. “As people turned to gardening as a therapeutic outlet, it also evokes memories of gardening with their parents or grandparents,” says Anthony Musso, a gardener and landscape designer at Hicks Landscapes. “Much because back then, our grandparents would garden as a means of therapy. With our fast-paced lives, it also gives people a moment to slow down and connect with nature.” Whether you’re starting your very first garden or want to change things up this year, take inspiration from these gardening trends that borrow from the past.

Cottage Gardens

Cottage gardens are loose, fun, and rooted in abundance.

Think “controlled chaos” of wildflowers spilling from everywhere, as if hand-painted by Monet himself. It’s a combination of color and lushness curated by you, and feels very reminiscent of a sweeping and impossibly romantic English cottageside a la Bridgerton.

“It’s the antithesis of the rigid, formal landscapes and ultimately feels more deeply personal,” Musso says. “Plants you would traditionally see in a garden like this include foxgloves, climbing roses, peonies, hydrangeas, nepeta and even some evergreens like rhododendron and viburnums.”

Pro Tip: Most cottage gardens work best in a full sun to part sun environment, and growing “companion plants” ensures a thriving garden.

Apothecary Gardens

Inspired by the colonial and Victorian eras, blending medicinal and culinary herbs rooted in traditional healing and historical use.

Agarden is healing in so many ways. It’s a salve to your spirit, a reset for your mind, and in the most literal sense, a place where medicinal herbs grow right outside your door. Musso says that herb and apothecary gardens—which take inspiration from the medicinal and culinary herb gardens of the colonial and Victorian ages— are booming right now.

“Common plants you’d see in these gardens include lavender, chamomile, thyme, basil, echinacea, and St. John’ s wort,” he says. “This trend has grown over the past few years as concerns of costs of grocery and medicine continue to grow. There has also been the mantra of getting away from pesticide sprayed herbs and veggies so growing your own herb garden allows you to control how you treat and fertilize the garden.”

Pro Tip: Combine plants like marigolds, petunias, and Russian sage to help deter common pests that can cause issues within the garden while also adding a bit of color.

Heirloom Gardens

Blend nostalgic, time-honored plants with ecological purpose, creating beautiful spaces that actively support pollinators, wildlife, and biodiversity.

Gardeners increasingly want their landscapes to function beyond aesthetics, and as such are designing outdoor spaces that restore habitat and support pollinators and wildlife throughout their lifecycles. And the plants that keep rising to the top of the list to do this? Heirloom plants.

“In 2025, the National Wildlife Federation recorded the highest number of Certified Wildlife Habitats since 2020. From a wildlife perspective, nostalgia often leads us back to plants that truly matter ecologically,” Dubow says. “Many heirloom blooms and classic garden favorites, such as black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, and sunflowers. These are ecological powerhouses, providing critical nectar, pollen, seeds, and shelter that sustain backyard wildlife.”

Pro Tip: She recommends growing plants native to where you live, and to layer them with tall plants in the back and mid-sized shrubs and groundcovers below. Creating layers provides shelter, nesting opportunities, and protection from predators.

Bulb-Based Planting

When’s the last time you held a flower bulb in your hand?

Its papery texture and weight feels fragile and powerful at once, like an earthy genie lamp holding an entire future inside.

Katie Dubow, gardening expert and president of Garden Media Group, says that bulb-based gardening is a surprising trend from the past that’s finding its footing in 2026. In fact, she says media inquiries about flower bulbs have risen dramatically—by roughly 1000% between 2020 and 2025.

“Gardeners are rediscovering bulb planting not only as a nostalgic reminder of simpler times, but also as a modern solution,” she explains. She notes that bulbs are surprisingly low maintenance. Once planted, they largely care for themselves, returning reliably year after year and extending the garden’s flowering season by months.

Cutting Gardens

What better way to enjoy the beauty of your hard word than by bringing some inside. And that’s exactly the point of cutting gardens, which are gorgeous in their natural habitat but allow you to snip stems to build your own bouquets. Flowers that lend themselves to this include dahlias, zinnias, echinacea, lilies and irises that grow stunning and varying sized flowers.

“Combining these flowers to create a bouquet, or simply having a single variety flower in a vase, helps connect us to the outside world while under the roof of your home,” Musso says. “These gardens create a meadow feel when planted together and the act of cutting the flowers during their bloom seasons is not only a treat to bring inside but it’s a great maintenance technique that promotes even more flowers to grow.”

Pro tip: Musso adds that cutting gardens are great even if you don’t have a large space; you can even grow these plants in pots on your patio.

At GOODLAND, we believe in creating everyday rituals to help you connect with nature and find pause. Emphasizing the beauty of materials and considered design, we aim to create opportunities that help us break away from life’s hustle and enjoy the moment. In all that we do, we aim to create opportunities for connecting with nature and slowing down. Whether it’s breathing in cedar-scented air during a woodfired soak or finding a moment of stillness as you water your garden, each object we design is intended to help you find a sense of pause and peace.

The Power Shift

An intimate conversation with Kylie Jones on reinvention, personal power and the courage to begin quietly.

Some women enter your world with a message that feels like a match. Not a trend. Not a slogan. A truth. Kylie Jones is one of them. She is the founder and face of Fifty and Fearless, a platform that has become a lifeline for women who refuse to be reduced by age, erased by expectation, or softened by the weight of what other people think. Her work is not loud for the sake of it. It is brave. It is direct. It is tender in the places that matter.

I did not invite Kylie into ICONIC Magazine because she is popular. I invited her because she is purposeful. The kind of woman who does not simply create content. She creates a shift. I was seeking a leader with compassion, heart and spirit. I was also seeking a woman willing to say the hard thing, the kind of truth that gently disrupts the narratives women cling to when they feel tired, invisible, or unsure of what comes next. Kylie teaches women one simple, radical idea. It is not too late.

The conversation began where most of these stories begin. At the edge. That edge shows up in different ways. Divorce. Empty nesting. Retrenchment. A body that feels unfamiliar. A marriage that has gone quiet. A career that has become heavy. A longing that will not go away. Many women call it starting over. Kylie rejects that phrase instantly. “Women are not starting over”, she told me. “Women are stepping into the most incredible space they have ever known.” Not the space of naivety or youth. The space of wisdom. She described it as the most powerful era. Not because life becomes easier, but because women begin to care less about the opinions that keep them small. A hormonal shift, an energetic shift, a psychological release. A loosening of the grip. The fear does not disappear. The attachment to approval begins to. That distinction matters. A woman who no longer needs permission becomes a different force.

So many women in their forties, fifties and sixties have been trained to believe they are aging out of relevance. They look at the internet and see youth, polish and aesthetic performance. They assume they have missed the moment. Women do not miss the moment. Women become the moment. Kylie sees it in her community every day. Women who feel nervous about being seen. Women who feel guilty for wanting more. Women who feel selfish for wanting a weekend alone, a new job, a new body, a new desire, a new chapter. Women who have spent decades keeping everyone else comfortable. She sees their hesitation. She also sees what happens after the first brave decision. Energy returns. Life returns. A woman returns.

The origin of Fifty and Fearless is not a marketing strategy. It is a real story. Kylie lost both of her parents within a year. She was retrenched from her job after thirty years in marketing. She moved states to be closer to her parents, then watched her world unravel. Her work had been her identity. She was excellent at it. She had built a life around competence and structure. Then it all disappeared. Rock bottom does something brutal and beautiful. It strips away the version of you that was built to survive. It reveals the version of you that is real. Kylie described that season as the opposite of starting over. Life did not send her back to ground zero. Life stripped her back to truth. She began posting on Instagram for herself, as a way to stay creative while she moved through grief and shock. She began writing from a broken place with no expectation that anyone would listen. Women listened immediately. They did not simply follow her. They recognized themselves. Within weeks, the community grew. Women began messaging her with the words every woman wants to hear. I feel seen. I feel heard. I understand what you are saying. The growth was not an accident. It was the result of honesty.

"REGRET

COMES FROM WHAT YOU POSTPONED UNTIL THE

One of the most compelling parts of Kylie’s story is not the size of her platform. It is the way she built it. She was faceless for eight months. Not as a brand move. As a human one. She was scared of judgment. Scared of what people would think. Scared of being perceived while she was still trying to heal. So she hid, then she spoke freely. That is the paradox. Hiding her face gave her the courage to tell the truth. She wrote raw posts. She shared her story. She gave language to what so many women feel but rarely admit. Her vulnerability became the doorway. When she finally introduced herself, her phone exploded. Friends and family had been following the account without knowing it was her. She described it as her coming out video. Not in a dramatic way. In a truthful one. This is me. That moment changed everything, not because she revealed her face, but because she proved something. A woman does not have to be ready to be fully seen in order to begin. A woman only has to be ready to start.

DAY YOU NO LONGER HAD THE CHANCE."

the membership, all of it came later. All of it serves what already exists. The community came first. The most common fear Kylie hears is not fear of failure. It is fear of judgment. Women will risk their own happiness before they risk someone else misunderstanding them. Women will betray their desires quietly, then call it maturity. That is the tragedy of people pleasing. The cost is always personal. Kylie has a phrase she returns to again and again. “It is your time now.” Not in a reckless way. In a rightful way. So many women have spent years sacrificing for everyone else. The mother. The wife. The daughter. The reliable one. The glue. The steady one. Then a shift happens. A woman’s inner world begins to demand honesty. The body begins to demand truth. The soul begins to demand a life that feels like hers.

What I admire most about Kylie is that she did not start with the goal of monetization. She started with the goal of meaning. Most people enter the online space with a hungry energy. How do I “get” followers. How do I “get” clients. How do I “get” attention. The energy is felt. It might work for a moment. It might even create a spike. It rarely creates substance. Kylie built substance first. Her audience did not feel manipulated. They felt met. She built community before she built a business, which is why the business has longevity. She understood what many brands forget. Women do not want a product. Women want belonging. She called it clearly. Women wanted to feel heard, seen and understood. That is what she created. The hats, the merch, the podcast,

At one point, I asked Kylie what she would say to the woman listening who feels trapped by guilt. The woman who wants to travel alone, change careers, start a business, leave the marriage, take the weekend away, book the hotel, press record, post the photo, speak the truth. Kylie answered with the sentence that cuts through every excuse. ‘You could be gone tomorrow. It is not meant to frighten. It is meant to wake. Perspective changes everything. Regret rarely comes from what you did. Regret comes from what you postponed until the day you no longer had the chance.’ Kylie believes women waste too much time pleasing everyone else, then arrive at the end of a chapter with a list of wishes. The wish becomes resentment. The resentment becomes numbness. The numbness becomes a life that looks fine from the outside and feels empty on the inside. She is here to interrupt that pattern.

Kylie does not romanticize leaving everything. She speaks about the small leap. One week away. One weekend alone. One quiet step. She told me about a woman who booked a solo week in Thailand. Her family watched her come home with a different energy. Alive. Lighter. Clearer. Her family saw it. Her family felt it. Her family began to support it. The shift in a woman shifts the entire home. That is the point most women forget. A woman who takes care of herself does not abandon her family. She returns to them with capacity.

Kylie’s most practical advice is also the most radical. “Start quietly.” Quietly begin the business. Quietly create the page. Quietly write the first post. Quietly research the trip. Quietly open the website draft. Quietly put the steps in place. “Too many women announce their dreams before they build their momentum. The announcement invites opinions. The opinions invite doubt. The doubt waters down the fire.” Quiet protects the beginning. Quiet creates safety. Quiet creates motion. Once something is in motion, it becomes harder to stopMomentum is a form of protection.

Women have been taught that change requires destruction. If you want a new life, burn the old one down. Kylie disagrees. “A woman can build a new chapter while the old one still pays the bills. A woman can create the next thing without blowing up the current thing. A woman can move slowly, safely, intelligently.” She said something every creative woman should print out and tape to her mirror. “Financial stress kills creativity.” Stress does not create art. Stress creates survival. A woman is allowed to build without panic. A woman is allowed to create without

chaos. A woman is allowed to begin without burning. The conversation moved into a truth that felt sharp and necessary. Women betray themselves easily. Not in dramatic ways. In small ways. In daily ways. They betray their opinions. They betray their needs. They betray their desires. They betray the rest they require. They betray the boundaries that would protect them. They would never treat someone else that way. Kylie called it out with tenderness and clarity. “Women put the oxygen mask on everyone else first. They empty themselves, then wonder why they feel exhausted. They burn out, then call it normal.” She spoke about taking care of yourself like you are trying to keep someone alive. Women do that for babies. Women do not do that for themselves.

A woman who is depleted becomes resentful. A woman who is resentful becomes disconnected. A woman who is disconnected begins to disappear. Kylie’s work is not simply about confidence. It is about survival. A woman is the most important thing she will ever be responsible for keeping alive.

This part of the conversation matters deeply to me as a mother.Guilt is one of the strongest forces that keeps women stuck. The guilt of leaving the kids. The guilt of spending money on yourself. The guilt of wanting a weekend away. The guilt of choosing your needs. So I offered another lens. Women are modeling. Every decision models something. A woman who sacrifices herself teaches her daughters to do the same. A woman who abandons her desires teaches her sons that this is acceptable. The children are watching. This era has more freedom than any era before it. A stage. A voice. Financial autonomy. Choice. This generation has the opportunity to live differently. That opportunity comes with responsibility. A woman who chooses herself shows her children what it looks like to live with dignity.

No conversation about women’s burnout is complete without speaking about support. Women did not simply enter the workforce. Women entered the workforce and kept the entire home. Two full time jobs. One body. One nervous system. Many women can do it all. The truth is that doing it all alone is the problem. The conversation turned toward partnership. The need for modern roles within a family. The need for men to rise with women. The need for language, leadership, honesty and shared responsibility.

"HER MESSAGE IS ABOUT LIFE. ONE LIFE. ONE BODY.

ONE HONEST DESIRE. ONE CHOICE TO BEGIN"

Kylie spoke from her experience as a single mother. She also spoke as a woman immersed in thousands of women’s stories. She said something quietly powerful. “Raising sons is part of the solution. Teaching them to cook, clean and contribute. Lead at home will support them to respect their future partnership.” That is how culture shifts. Not through lectures. Through lived standards.

Kylie returned to her core message near the end of the conversation. Coming home to yourself. Not the version of you that performs. Not the version of you that keeps every-

one comfortable. The version of you that tells the truth. That truth might be a trip That truth might be a business. That truth might be a boundary. That truth might be an ending. That truth might be a beginning.

Kylie’s work gives women permission to listen. Her work gives women permission to act. Her work gives women a new identity to step into. Not starting over. Starting from wisdom.

Kylie is our Spring cover for a reason. She represents the power shift happening in women right now. The refusal to coast. The refusal to disappear. The refusal to treat the second half of life like a closing act. Her message is not about age. Her message is about life. One life. One body. One honest desire. One choice to begin. Quietly, if necessary. Boldly, when ready. Trusting yourself all the way through. Kylie said it best in the final moments of our conversation. “Trust yourself. Trust your gut and follow it. Beautiful things happen when a woman comes home to herself.” That is what Fifty and Fearless really is. Not a platform. A return.

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WELCOME TO THE LOBBY BAR

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ALL ROADS LED HERE

After a lifetime driven by speed, achievement, and the quiet pursuit of worthiness, Kim Fitzpatrick arrives at a new way of leading. Where legacy is no longer something to chase, but something she lives, integrates, and carries forward.

Written by Kim Fitzpatrick

Kim Fitzpatrick used to move fast. Fast decisions. Fast growth. Fast reinvention. For years, velocity was the metric. If she was moving, she was winning. If momentum slowed, she pushed harder. She built businesses, communities, teams, and platforms. She proved herself again and again. Speed became synonymous with value. Achievement became oxygen. But beneath the momentum, there was something quieter driving it.

She grew up in an environment where love often felt conditional. Where being “enough” was something to earn instead of something to receive. Over time, she internalized an equation many high-achieving women carry silently: if I do more, I will be more worthy. Productivity became proof of belonging. Performance became a stand-in for love. It shaped how she moved through the world, how she built, how she pushed, how she measured herself. The drive was not only ambition. It was survival. “I wasn’t chasing success,” she reflects. “I was chasing validation.”

That awareness did not arrive all at once. It came through motherhood, leadership, and the quiet reckoning that happens when external wins stop filling the internal space they once occupied. It arrived when she realized that no level of accomplishment could replace self-acceptance. That no amount of output could heal something that required presence, gentleness, and self-trust.

At forty-five, she leads differently now. The pace has softened without losing strength. The urgency has been replaced by something steadier, more grounded, more deliberate. Every decision now passes through a quieter, deeper knowing. Not instinct dressed up as intuition, but discernment shaped by lived experience. “This isn’t exhaustion,” she says. “It’s arrival.” Not the kind of arrival that ends the journey, but the kind that finally lets you stand still long enough to recognize where you have been going all along.

Today, Kim’s life is built around what she protects most. She is a wife to Jamie, who she met at twenty-three years old, the love of her life, best friend and her husband of eighteen years. Their relationship has grown through seasons of becoming, building, stretching, and choosing one another again and again. She is a devoted mother to two teenagers, Colby and Tessa, whose growth mirrors her own evolution. Their home is full, layered, alive. Two rescue dogs, Clive and Clementine, trail behind her everywhere she goes, bringing softness, laughter, and everyday joy. Family is not a backdrop to her success. It is the structure it is built on.

She schedules her values the way most people schedule meetings. Presence is intentional. Movement is sacred. Time together is protected. She trains her body, guards her mornings, protects dinners, and chooses rituals instead of rushing through life. “If I don’t lead myself well,” she says, “everything else eventually collapses.” This philosophy is not aspirational. It is operational. It is how she lives. It is how she parents. It is how she builds. It is how she teaches leaders to create lives they do not need to escape from.

What many people do not know is that this orientation toward service and joy started early. At twenty-one years old, Kim walked through the doors of her first senior living facility and read a mission statement that would quietly shape the rest of her life: to champion the quality of life for all seniors. Something inside her locked onto that sentence. “I remember standing there thinking, this is it,” she says. Over time, that mission expanded beyond senior care. It became bigger than one industry. Today, Kim carries a singular through-line across her work: championing the quality of life for all people. Helping others not just succeed, but live well. Helping leaders build lives that feel embodied, connected, grounded, and alive.

In January 2026, Fitzpatrick opened the doors of Lumina Legacy Institute, the provisionally accredited, International Coaching Federation (ICF) coaching school she co-founded with business partner Kyle Hosick. Twenty-five founding students. Proprietary leadership frameworks. A collective of faculty and guest experts delivers and informs the program’s content, creating an exceptionally qualified teaching ecosystem grounded in lived leadership and coaching mastery. Lumina was designed from the beginning as an integrated leadership and human performance institution, where coaching mastery, leadership development, business acumen, and neuroscience-informed self-regulation converge.

“Lumina credentials professional coaches while simultaneously developing whole leaders,” Kim explains.

The institute blends professional coaching education with leadership psychology, nervous system regulation, embodiment practices, performance science, and business development. Students are trained to understand human behavior, emotional regulation, relational dynamics, and sustainable leadership execution. Mentorship is embedded into the structure. Real-world application is required. Reflection is paired with disciplined practice. It is not about memorizing frameworks. It is about becoming someone who can hold complexity with clarity and compassion.

This interdisciplinary approach mirrors Kim’s own evolution. Leadership, she believes, cannot exist in silos. You cannot separate mindset from physiology. You cannot separate strategy from self-awareness. You cannot build sustainable organizations without regulated leaders at the helm. “At Lumina, we teach integration,” she says. “Who you are, how you lead, how you perform, and how you build must be congruent.”

For Kim, Lumina is not a pivot. It is convergence. Every chapter of her life has been quietly funneling toward this moment. The grief. The ambition. Motherhood. The corporate years. The entrepreneurial

rise. The seasons of identity shedding and rebuilding. All roads lead here.

Kim Fitzpatrick’s mother, Carol Perras, died when Kim was eleven months old. Carol was thirty-one years old and pregnant with her third daughter when her cancer returned. Faced with an impossible choice, Carol chose to carry Kim through love and trust. She was a woman of faith. It was a conscious act of devotion made by a woman who already understood what it meant to place life above self.

Kim never knew her mother in the traditional sense. What she carries instead is something quietly powerful. Memory without memory. Presence without proximity. “She has always been with me,” Kim says. “No matter what.” There is a knowing she cannot fully explain, only feel. A sense of being guided and held in moments when the path feels uncertain.

She believes deeply in the invisible web that binds mothers and children together. The bond does not disappear when the body does. It transforms. That is why, even without conscious memory, Kim feels her mother’s presence in the quiet moments. In the pauses before big decisions. In the inner voice that calls her forward. “I didn’t know her,” she says, “but I feel her. And that has shaped everything.”

Kim grew up hearing stories about who Carol was. How she showed up in her church. How she created belonging. How she led through service. Even now, decades later, strangers still stop Kim in public. “They’ll say, ‘I knew your mom. I held you as a baby,’” she shares “And every time it reminds me that I come from something bigger than myself.”

Some people inherit heirlooms. Kim inherited responsibility. She carries two legacies at once. Her own, and the one her mother never got to finish living. “She left me here,” Kim says. “She left me here to do great work that she couldn’t carry forward herself.” That reality does not feel heavy. It feels sacred. It feels like purpose.

Years later, Kim tattooed a compass on her arm. Direction matters. Orientation matters. Even when you cannot see the destination, you still choose which way you face.

In 2019, she named her company Legacy by Kim. On the surface, it was a headband brand. In reality, it was a living tribute. Born from a dream she carried since her early twenties, the business grew into a national brand employing seamstresses across provinces. Through the Gift the Headband initiative, hundreds of women going through cancer treatment received handmade headwear. “It wasn’t about fabric,” Kim says. “It was about dignity. It was about being seen.”

She closed the company in December 2025. Six years. A full cycle. A conscious ending. Not because it failed, but because it completed what it came to do. Legacy did not disappear. It evolved.

"HOLDING

SPACE

WHEN THERE ARE NO ANSWERS. STAYING PRESENT WHEN

THERE IS NOTHING TO FIX."

Long before she ever called herself a coach, Kim Fitzpatrick was already doing the work. For fifteen years, she built her career inside senior living and healthcare. She trained staff in dementia care. Built family support programs. Sat with daughters grieving fathers who no longer recognized them. With spouses learning how to love someone who could no longer remember their name.

She did not know it then, but this was coaching in its purest form. Holding space when there are no answers. Staying present when there is nothing to fix. “You can’t fake presence in those rooms,” she says. “People feel it immediately.”

Kim earned innovation awards, but what she gained was more important than recognition. She learned that leadership is not positional. It is behavioral. It is relational. It is energetic. Leadership, she believes, is the standard you set for how you live.

Then came entrepreneurship. Kim’s first introduction was when she met her husband Jamie, who at the time was building one of the fastest growing pet retail chains in North America, Bark and Fitz. She went on herself to build multiple seven-figure businesses. A global direct sales organization with thousands of leaders and more than one hundred million dollars in organizational revenue. She learned how to scale, build systems, and increase visibility. She also learned the shadow side. Adrenaline leadership works until it doesn’t. Speed becomes a substitute for strategy. Momentum masks misalignment. Growth disguises depletion. “You can build something impressive and still be disconnected from yourself,” she says. “I lived that.” The shift came through awareness. Listening to her body. Listening to her intuition. Listening to the signals that whispered there is another way to lead.

Kim’s children are teenagers now. Old enough to see through performance. Old enough to feel inconsistency. Motherhood, she says, has been her greatest leadership teacher. “You can’t control the outcome. You can only create the conditions.” You stop shaping and start witnessing. You move from directing to holding space. The deeper Kim went into coaching mastery, the clearer one

truth became. You can only meet someone as deeply as you have met yourself.

One practice changed everything. “I look at myself in the mirror while brushing my teeth and I say, ‘I love you, three times, while looking myself right in the eyes’” she explains. “Not as an affirmation. As truth.” That practice strengthened her leadership more than any strategy ever could. Because self-trust creates capacity. Self-connection builds presence. Self-respect becomes the foundation for every relationship you lead. Kim is direct about the coaching industry. “The world doesn’t need more coaches,” she says. “It needs more professional coaches.” Good intentions are not enough. When you hold space for trauma, when you sit with leaders navigating collapse, competence matters.

Lumina is not designed to produce coaches who chase clients. It is designed to produce leaders who know themselves so deeply that their work becomes an extension of who they are. Coaches who are whole. Regulated. Grounded. Living lives they are proud of. At the ICF Converge conference in San Diego, Kim felt something unexpected. Home. “These were my people. This was my industry. And I knew Lumina belonged here.” “We’re not creating influencers,” she says. “We’re creating lighthouses.”

Kim Fitzpatrick’s mother gave her life. Her career taught her how to hold space. Her businesses taught her scale. Her failures taught alignment. Her children taught surrender. Her mirror taught self-love. Lumina holds all of it. Not as a monument, but as a living organism. “I don’t chase legacy anymore,” Kim says. “I live it. In how I lead. In how I choose. In what I build.”

Legacy, to her, is not what you leave behind. It is what you activate forward. Carol, Kim’s Mother chose to carry her third daughter. Kim now chooses to carry this work forward into boardrooms, coaching rooms, leadership pipelines, families, communities, and future generations of leaders who will ripple impact far beyond what can be measured.

The compass on her arm still points true. The web between mother and daughter still hums quietly beneath every step she takes. The light in Lumina continues to expand outward.

All roads led here.

And here is exactly where she was meant to arrive.

The Woman in the Middle of the Map

At the intersection of capital and culture, Erika Aquino moves with precision— connecting founders, shaping narratives, and building a global investment ecosystem where access, identity, and strategy converge.

Written by Katya Lichauco

Erika Aquino has always been obsessed with scale. An investor with a global footprint and a strategist behind the scenes of companies and creative ventures alike, she operates where capital and culture intersect. Over decades, she has built a body of work that moves across investing, marketing, public relations, publishing, media, and strategic advisory. This next phase isn’t about adding more—at least not yet. It’s about tightening what already exists, giving it structure strong enough to hold what comes next. Erika’s calendar offers a glimpse of that momentum. In the first half of 2026 alone, she is booked for Austin, Brazil, and Dublin, speaking on cultivating investor-founder relationships, women backing women, and women raising across borders. The invitations signal something beyond visibility. Markets are looking for people who understand more than one system at a time.

Ticking off her bucket list has always served double duty. She travels for pleasure, but rarely without curiosity. Even in her downtime, she studies the rooms she enters. “People ask why I travel so much––even to the strangest of places––but I’d rather see things for myself than rely on what the media portrays,” Erika says.

Early exposure to international deal flows—and to thousands of pitch decks from seasoned founders abroad—

sharpened her lens. Many of those founders had prior exits, institutional backing, and advisors who had navigated multiple cycles. Back home in the Philippines, that ecosystem is still developing. Angel investing is rarely presented as a clear path. Venture literacy remains uneven. The contrast was instructive. “Access changes decision-making,” she says. “Once you’ve seen how global founders structure deals and prepare for exit, you can’t unsee what’s missing.” That vantage point shaped how she advises local startups: pushing for stronger governance, clearer positioning, tighter execution. And yet, even now, Erika still feels underestimated. “All the time,” she adds.

When she walks into a room with her partner, Pierre, people automatically assume he is the investor. “Oh, Mr. Aquino,” they say, turning toward him. Pierre corrects them with a smile. “No,” he says, pointing to Erika. “She’s the money.” Similar assumptions surface when people learn she is Filipina. Some come in the form of casual microaggressions, others as misguided attempts to connect. Erika has learned to treat moments like these as useful signals. “It’s actually a good filter when people underestimate you,” she says. She now sits between founders, funders, and institutions. Introductions are considered, never casual. Timing and context prove to be extremely valuable.

“THEY SAY YOUR NETWORK IS YOUR

NET WORTH.

BUT A NETWORK THAT DOESN’T MOVE IS JUST A CONTACT LIST.”

A

fter one conversation with a founder who was visibly defeated—talented and capable, but unsure of her own authority—it was clear the product was sound. The positioning wasn’t. And so, she made an introduction to her publicist. In markets where perception influences opportunity, presence can alter trajectory. When founders need deeper clarity, she directs them to Maude Labs, the personal branding firm where she serves as Co-Founder. There, executive positioning is examined and leadership narratives refined. As her portfolio grows internationally, her questions have grown sharper. In introductory calls, one refrain surfaces quickly—even within her own team: Is this a painkiller or a vitamin? Incremental improvements don’t hold her attention. She looks for urgency and for problems customers feel in their margins, time, and bottom line.

Learning a founder’s go-to market strategy is important, no doubt, but to break up the monotony amid a series of expected questions she loves to ask, “Why are you the best person to solve this problem?” The distinction reveals whether the business is rooted in proximity or abstraction; whether the founder understands the problem from lived experience or borrowed insight. It tells a story a pitch deck will never reveal. To challenge them even further, she imparts a lesson that she picked up from her travels: Lean into the weird. Lean into the unique.

She recalls visiting a collective of women in Nairobi.

They upcycled scrap materials into items for export, funding their local community. In Edinburgh, she once joined a ghost tour that leaned unapologetically into the city’s morbid past––turning history into one of the most compelling experiences she’s ever had. The common thread, she says, is clarity of identity.

“The founders who succeed know their space deeply,” Erika says. “They’re not just passionate about what they’re offering, but they’re also very attuned to external factors that can boost their chances of success,” she explains. The strongest founders harness those unique features. As much as she wishes, Erika cannot say yes to everyone. Resources are finite. Invitations to join venture funds as an LP land in her inbox regularly. Each is reviewed with her team. If the thesis doesn’t align, she redirects the opportunity. A general partner may be introduced to someone better positioned within her network—occasionally even a founder in her portfolio operating in a complementary vertical. Over time, she has grown more exacting in how she deploys capital. Her selectivity gives her a sharper eye and each allocation strengthens the broader system she is assembling.

“Businesses that endure understand how wealth and impact are stronger together,” she says. Her speaking engagement in Brazil arrived through a referral from her fractional CFO. They typically conduct diligence side by side on Zoom, reviewing numbers from opposite ends of the world. In Brazil, they will share a stage in a country neither calls home.

The partnership is telling. The same discipline that governs spreadsheets now informs public conversation. Strategy and storytelling travel together. In 2025, Aquino also served as Executive Producer on a special project that reframed entrepreneurship through a female lens. The experience deepened her belief that narrative shapes markets, defining what is considered investable. “Capital follows conviction,” she says. “And conviction is shaped by the stories we amplify.” The venture studio she is building formalizes a pattern that has long defined her approach: pressure-testing ideas, tightening strategy, reinforcing operational discipline, and refining the narrative founders carry into rooms where capital is decided. This time, it is engineered to operate beyond her direct presence, built to function without her at the center and able to stand on its own. Across the globe, she encounters ambition in abundance. What shifts from city to city is access– who gets the introduction, who is properly positioned before stepping into the room. Scroll through her calendar on any given week and you see it mapped in real time: early calls across time zones, back-to-back investor conversations spanning industries, a board meeting wedged between international flights.

“

CAPITAL FOLLOWS CONVICTION. AND CONVICTION IS SHAPED BY THE STORIES

A podcast recording in one city folds into dinner with a former colleague starting something new. A stopover becomes coffee with an old classmate. Weekly alignment calls with her team anchor the motion. None of it is accidental. Erika’s map is her own creation. It is scheduled, it is nurtured, it is followed up on. Every introduction carries weight. Every flight has intention. Every room has context. There are moments, she admits, usually somewhere between time zones, when the thought crosses her mind: Why am I doing this? I could just sleep. But anyone who knows her knows that pause never lasts. From the middle of the map, she is less a spectator and more a switchboard–connecting signals, directing current, keeping momentum alive. Next stop? She’s already en route.

WE AMPLIFY . ”

Elevate Your Everyday Style This Spring

Written by Lindsey Cook

pring is the time for renewal: renewed energy, renewed focus, and renewed style. It’s the opportune moment to cast out the looks of yesteryear and embrace the new, adding in updated pieces to your wardrobe for a look that’s refreshed and quintessentially now. From the musthave pieces to add to your collection to the style trends that will define the next few months of dressing, here are the best ways to elevate your everyday style this season.

A Trench With A Twist

A trench coat is a must-have piece for those rainy spring days, and it makes for the ideal transitional outerwear as we move from cold to warm weather. The 2026 version is a twist on the traditional style, with unique accents and pops of color to bring cheer even on dreary days. Take this Damson Madder trench, which features a pleat detail hem, bow detail, and A-line shape for a sweet retro flare. It’s also reversible, with a red and white gingham print that can either pop out at the sleeves for a hint of pattern or be reversed for a colorful statement.

Damson Madder

Mercedes Bow Reversible Trench

$145

For sentimental styles that still feel mature and modern, turn to brands like The GREAT. Their Pictograph Slouch Cardigan perfectly blends a playful animal motif print with a classic cardigan shape that will be great for spring layering.

Nostalgic Influences

Nostalgic references are a lovely way to infuse your wardrobe with warmth and comfort.

When it comes to a nostalgic fabric to be on the lookout for, pointelle is a sweet knit style that is ideal for warmer weather. It’s soft and lightweight, with delicate detailing that harkens back to youthful memories. This pointelle dress from Cozyland doubles as the perfect canvas for all your spring styling. It’s technically a nightgown, but make it the new nap dress and wear it out and about during your day for a cozy, cute look. Goldie Tee also makes gorgeous pointelle separates that you can wear together for a coordinated look.

For a romantic turn, their Regency Skirt, with its dreamy tapestry floral print, is an ideal pairing for everything from a plain white tee and sneakers to an elegant corsetted

Sweet As Chocolate

If you’re going to go in on a neutral color this season, swap out the stark black shades of winter for rich chocolate hues. Warm browns pair so wonderfully with the classic pastels of spring, but they also look great with denim blues, whites, and beiges. Wade into the trend with chocolate accessories, like this Strathberry Mosaic Nano purse with contrast vanilla stitching. With both a crossbody strap and top handle, it’s the ultimate purse for everyday adventures, too. For shoes, try Larroudé’s Dolly Verona Low Boot In Burnt Umber Leather for a 60s-inspired ankle boot that you can style in endless ways.

Ready to fully embrace chocolate hues? Try this fun polka dot number from Rails and pair it with the brand’s suede and leather Siena Hobo Bag for head-to-toe rich chocolate color. P.S. You’ll check off two major trends with one outfit, as polka dots are one of the must-wear prints of the season.

Hudson Barbara Boot $195

Demi-Flare Denim

Somewhere between classic straight-leg jeans and the exaggerated wide-leg styles that have been trending lately exists the happy medium: demi-flare denim. With all the fit and structure of skinny-jean designs up top, and the stylish, statement-making flare at the bottom, this is the denim you’ll wear all season long. Wear them with platform boots, minimalist kitten heels, or sporty sneakers, and don’t be afraid to do a little dance and have a little fun in a lively pair, like these from Hudson.

LDMA Low Show V Bralette

LDMA High Sculpt Brief

Underwear, Out To Wear

Shed those layers and show off some skin as we emerge from winter with outfits that showcase your undergarments in a tasteful way. With semi-sheer turtleneck tops and gauzy lace skirts trending, it’s time to upgrade your undergarments so that they accentuate your transparent look. LDMA is the recommendation for sporty lingerie that will both look great peeking out from your outfit and stay comfortably in place. Style their Low Show V Bralette and High Sculpt Brief under a lacy dress and structured boots for a sexy yet strong outfit that is sure to turn heads. Or, for a masculine take on the trend, pair your highwaisted briefs with low-rise pants for a cheeky peekaboo moment.

East-West Bags

This is the purse style you’ll reach for on all your upcoming occasions. Structured, intriguing, and a break from the traditional, the east-west bag is the it handbag for the modern lady. They typically feature straps long enough to be worn on your shoulder, in your hand, or even in the crook of your elbow, which makes them more practical than other structural styles. Songmont’s Yore Toast Bag is a sleek option that can go from business meetings to after-work cocktails (the minty Celeste is a gorgeous pastel shade for spring), or Baggu’s

Small Recycled Leather Bowler Bag is a practical—and sustain ably-made—everyday style that will withstand any activity.

Elevated Embroidery

Embroidered details are made for the sunny days of spring and are a delightful addition to any piece. For this season, gravitate toward embroidered trims and clever detailing for a lovely contrast look. Take this Ciao Lucia black cotton dress with contrast white embroidery: it’s the ultimate “throw on a dress and head out the door” piece for when you want to look put together but don’t want the fuss of too many outfit components. It’s also a fabulously versatile piece to pack for your next getaway, as you can wear it as a cover-up, exploring a quaint town, or dressed up with heels for dinner. For a bold, avant-garde take on the trend, you can also wear the fuchsia Adele Midi Dress from ASTA Resort. With abstracted embroidered lace detailing and a scallop lace hem, this bright slip dress is a stunning statement maker.

$444

$230

Your New Work Essentials

A great work wardrobe begins with a versatile blazer that fits like a glove. This blazer from The Favorite Daughter is named The Favorite Blazer for a reason: it’s a classic style that cinches in at the waist for a flattering look that’s both ladylike and powerful. Wear it with matching slacks or a skirt, or go more casual with relaxed denim. They even have an over sized version if you prefer a less structured jacket style. And in the age of remote work and hybrid schedules, it’s time to officially welcome denim into the workwear rotation. Sleek, evenly-washed styles like Joe’s Jeans’ Hi Honey High Rise Curvy Bootcut in the matte black “Nightfall” wash are great professional denim options.

Frank Darling The Lowrider

$550

Subtle Luxury

Redefine the look of luxury with stunning gold jewelry and simple yet eye-catching diamond details. Everyday jewelry gets an elevated twist with details like a bezel setting, as seen on this customizable Frank Darling pendant, or the Art Deco-inspired scalloping of these Gorjana Pavé Diamond Earrings. Give your classic clasp bracelet a 2026 makeover with the artistic gold chain Rolo Bracelet from Maya Brenner (which featured prominently in season 2 of one of the most stylish series of the moment, Nobody Wants This). Wear these sleek designs on their own or mixed and matched with other jewelry in your arsenal for layered looks.

$195

$750

$490

Mountain & Moon

$230

Green & Gold

For an eye-catching spring color combination, mix up your classic gold jewelry with pops of green. Dark emerald hues make for a stunning and naturalistic contrast that works wonderfully for evening events, like the Roberta Ring from Mountain & Moon. The brand also features a necklace of soft green beads and gold links for a sweeter, daytime-friendly color combo that will make onlookers green with envy.

NORMAL IS NOT OPTIMAL

When blood work says you're "fine" — but you're not.

Written By: Olenka Lyle, MN, NP-PHC

Psssst—want some hormones ? Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, Thyroid ?! The kind that help you sleep through the night, stop the hot flashes, quiet the brain fog, stabilize that stubborn weight gain, revive your sex life, and perhaps most importantly, make you stop feeling like you’re losing your mind ?

And here’s the irony: in 2026, I sometimes feel like I’m dealing in illicit substances as a Women’s wellness and Precision Medicine Nurse Practitioner. Despite how essential and biologically normal hormones are, I hear the same story from women over and over again. Their blood work came back “normal,” so they were told there’s nothing that can be done to help them feel better. Wait—what? If medicine isn’t meant to help people feel better, then what exactly are we doing?

Modern Western medicine has become incredibly effective at diagnosing and treating disease. We are excellent at identifying pathology, labeling it, and intervening when something is clearly wrong. But here’s the disconnect; hormone imbalance, perimenopause, and menopause are not diseases. They are a natural progression of the female condition. That progression, however, comes with side effects, often life-altering ones. Disrupted sleep. Anxiety. Weight changes. Brain fog. Low libido. Mood shifts. A creeping sense that you don’t recognize yourself anymore. These symptoms drive women to seek care because they don’t feel like themselves.

But “not feeling like yourself” doesn’t fit neatly into a diagnostic box. And because it isn’t a disease, many women are told there’s nothing to treat. So what’s a woman to do?

Advocate. And in doing so, I want to arm you with the language and the confidence to do just that. Because you

are not crazy. You are not weak. You are not depressed because you “can’t handle stress.” And this is most certainly not all in your head. You need hormones.

Most women think of estrogen and progesterone as the hormones responsible for periods and pregnancy. After that, we tend to think of them only in their absence, menopause. Many women know menopause as “the day your period stops for good,” which clinically means twelve consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. Everything beyond that is considered post-menopause. Post-menopausal women often share a similar hormone profile: low estrogen, low progesterone, and low testosterone. But the real chaos happens before that moment.

Perimenopause, the 8 to 12 years leading up to menopause, is a hormonal rollercoaster. During this time, hormone levels fluctuate unpredictably. Estrogen may spike and crash. Progesterone often declines first. Testosterone slowly drifts downward. The result is a barrage of symptoms so varied and insidious that women often feel like they are unraveling. And estrogen and progesterone aren’t the only hormones involved. Thyroid, insulin, cortisol, and melatonin among others, all play critical roles in how we feel day to day. When even one of these systems is out of balance, the effects ripple throughout the body.

“I Just Don’t Feel Like Myself” Not a day goes by that a woman doesn’t cry in my office. Not because she’s “hormonal,” but because she finally feels validated. Validated that her symptoms are real. Validated that something is off. Validated that the antidepressant she was given didn’t feel right because depression was never the issue.

For decades, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone have been casually labeled “sex hormones,” a misnomer that has done women a great disservice. The truth is that hormone receptors exist everywhere in the body; the brain, skin, hair, joints, muscles, gut, bladder, bones, and cardiovascular system. This is why symptoms of hormone imbalance can look so different from one woman to the next.

Sleep disruption. Anxiety. Brain fog. Weight gain. Low libido. Joint pain. Urinary symptoms. Skin changes. Mood instability.

If you’re nodding along as you read this, allow the relief to settle in.

It’s not you. It’s your hormones.

When women are repeatedly told that nothing is wrong, something far more damaging than hot flashes begins to take hold: they stop trusting themselves. I see high-functioning, capable women, leaders, professionals, mothers, question their sanity because their lived experience isn’t reflected on a lab report. Over time, dismissal erodes confidence. Women stop advocating. They stop asking questions. They shrink their needs to fit within a system that was never designed to hold them.

Hormone imbalance doesn’t just affect sleep or weight or libido. It affects identity. And reclaiming that identity often begins with hearing these simple words; I hear you, and I’m going to help. Here’s the part

no one explains, bloodwork is a snapshot, not a story. Hormones fluctuate hour to hour, day to day, and especially for women, cycle to cycle. A single blood draw, often taken without regard for where you are in your menstrual cycle, how you slept the night before, or how much stress you’re under, can miss the bigger picture entirely.

Reference ranges are designed to detect disease, not dysfunction. They are built around populations, not individuals. So, when your results fall within “normal,” what your provider is really saying is that you don’t meet criteria for a diagnosable illness. That doesn’t mean your body is thriving.

Precision medicine asks a different question: Are you functioning optimally? And that answer lives in your symptoms, not just your labs. Hormone optimization is not about treating disease. It’s about restoring balance using small doses of bioidentical hormones, hormones that are structurally identical to the ones your body naturally produces. This distinction matters. Bioidentical hormones interact with your receptors predictably. They support your body’s natural rhythm rather than suppress it. This is very different from synthetic hormones or oral contraceptives, which are often prescribed as one-size-fits-all solutions and can override your body’s own signaling. Optimization isn’t about replacing what’s gone. It’s about correcting mismatches; too much here, not enough there, based on both symptoms and thoughtful interpretation of bloodwork. Right hormone. Right dose. Right patient.

“YOU

ARE WORTHY OF FEELING LIKE YOURSELF AGAIN”

A 44-year-old woman came to see me after a year of back-and-forth visits with her family doctor. She was still getting regular periods, worked out five days a week, ate well, had a demanding career which she loved, great family dynamics and loved to travel. And yet she felt awful. She was exhausted and always cold. She had gained 25 pounds without changing her lifestyle. Her sleep was terrible. Anxiety crept in at night, along with night sweats. At work, she struggled to find words, describing a constant mental haze. She developed monthly urinary tract infections (UTIs), painful sex, and a libido that had vanished. Her blood work was “normal.” Her family doc prescribed an antidepressant. It didn’t help, and it made things worse. She didn’t have a diagnosable “disease”, her hormones were imbalanced. With the micronized progesterone I prescribed, her sleep regulated and anxiety eased. Vaginal estradiol cream resolved her UTIs and sexual discomfort. Thyroid support lifted her brain fog and restored energy. A small amount of testosterone cream brought back focus, strength, and her long lost libido.

Three months later, she had lost 20 pounds. She felt vibrant. Confident. Grounded. She wasn’t shrinking anymore, she was standing in her power. If you’re sitting in your doctor’s office wondering what to say, start here:

1. “I understand my labs are within normal range, but my quality of life is awful.”

2. “These symptoms are affecting my sleep, my relationships, and my work.”

3. “I’m not looking for a diagnosis, I’m looking to improve how I feel.” And if the answer is still no, know this: seeking another opinion is not disloyal. It’s informed.You are allowed to ask for care that reflects how you want to live. Feeling “off” is never normal. Losing pieces of yourself each year is never normal. You are allowed to want more than survival.You are allowed to feel clear-headed, energized, sensual, and strong. Stand in your power. Advocate for balance. You are worthy of feeling like yourself again.

SPRING SKINCARE SAVIOURS FOR A GLOWING COMPLEXION, ACCORDING TO A BEAUTY EDITOR

From barrier repair to hydrating heroes, these are the skincare heroes to revitalise your complexion this season.

By Maisie Bovingdon

Spring signals a refresh. Now, we don’t just mean a spring clean, or switching your Winter wardrobe for your Spring closet, but giving your skincare regime a seasonal refresh. Over the Winter, our skin has battled the elements, environmental aggressors, as well as central heating, which is a recipe for dry, dehydrated, blemish-prone and lacklustre skin. Suffice to say, come the warmer months our skin is in

need of some TLC. While Winter skincare calls for thick, rich and protective formulas, a Spring beauty routine centres around light weight formulas that are hydrating, reparative, glow-boosting, and protecting. Whether you are an avid beauty enthusiast refining your Spring beauty routine, or a beginner wanting to forge a simple skincare regimen, we have whittled down the essentials to thaw your Winter skin and encourage nourished and radiant skin to blossom this season.

Hydration Heroes

Hydration is the key to healthy skin, though this is unsurprising considering the skin is the body’s largest organ. When the skin is dehydrated, it appears dry, tight, flaky, dull, and sensitive, fine lines may appear, as well as dark undereye circles. To restore your skin to a plump, hydrated and glowing canvas, incorporate humectants, such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ectoin, and urea, as well as lipid-rich ceramides. I rely on Medik8’s Hydr8 B5 Intense, Paula’s Choice Ectoin Booster, Allies of Skin Beta Glucan & Resveratrol Advanced Hydrating Serum and The Inkey List’s Hyaluronic Serum for a deep boost of hydration and luminosity.

Barrier’s

Reactive, blemish-prone, dull and inflamed skin are telltale signs your skin barrier has been compromised. Whereas a clear and radiant complexion signals a healthy skin barrier. There are several factors that con tribute to a damaged skin barrier, such as overusing actives, abrasive products, sun exposure, environmental aggressors, stress and diet. When the skin barrier is com promised, the skin’s vital nutrients escape and irritants creep in, which contributes to breakouts, redness, a dull complex ion, dehydration and sensitive skin. With Summer approaching, it is paramount you repair and protect your skin to prevent any long-term damage. Thankfully, there is an array of gentle and fragrance-free prod ucts that soothe, repair and strengthen the skin barrier. Skincare infused with peptides, ceramides, antioxidants will repair and strengthen the skin barrier, while Niacina

Multifunctional Moisturiser

Some may have time for a multi-step skincare regime, but the busy woman may not, which is why a hard-working and multi-functional moisturiser is essential. Modern moisturisers often combine key nutrients with barrier-supporting ingredients, such as vitamins C, E, F, peptides, as well as collagen, to target numerous skincare concerns simultaneously, and streamline your skincare routine. Dermalogica’s Multivitamin Power is packed with vitamins to nourish and plump the skin, as well as protect the skin barrier, while Paula’s Choice Youth Extending Hydrating Fluid delivers hydration, anti-ageing benefits and sun protection in one. The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides cream, La Roche Posay’s multipurpose Cicaplast B5+ balm

SPF: Sun protection forever

While barrier repair products can heal and maintain the skin’s integrity, preven tative measures, namely SPF, are vital to prevent your skin barrier from being compromised in the first instance. Sun protection is a non-negotiable skincare saviour to wear every day, even if it is cloudy and overcast outside as UV rays still penetrate, which can damage the skin barrier, accelerate signs of ageing, impact collagen, cause hyperpigmentation, among serious health concerns. A broad spectrum (PA++++) SPF factor 50 pro vides optimal protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. SPF may be the only step in your skincare routine, or the final product to apply after a cleanser, moisturiser and other serum. For everyday Haruharu wonder’s Moisture Airyfit Daily Sun screen SPF50+, La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50, Altruist’s sun protection range, and Heliocare’s 360° Oil-Free Gel Sunscreen Protector, which are lightweight, gentle, and non-greasy formulas that sit beautifully under make-up without leaving a white cast.

Regenerative skincare soars

Regenerative treatments are soaring in popularity, as it champions long-term skin health by supporting the skin’s natural repair and renewal processes. Regenerative skincare spans from LED therapy, injectables to topical products. For those looking for non-invasive, effective and affordable treatments to repair the skin barrier, boost collagen production, improve luminosity, hydration and skin texture, there are several skincare solutions. NAD+, PDRN, exosomes, peptides, and probiotics are among the popular regenerative ingredients to bookmark, such as Paula’s Choice Cellular Youth Longevity Serum, Medicube’s PDRN Pink Peptide Serum, The INKEY List’s Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex, the SkinCeuticals Advanced RGN-6 Rejuvenation Cream, Haruharu wonder’s Rose PDRN Soothing Serum, and Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist. Topical skincare infused with regenerative ingredients can optimise your existing skincare treatments, and target specific skincare needs.

Spring clean(ser)

A cleanser is a vital step in everyone’s skincare routine as it removes stubborn make-up, dirt, dead skin cells, pollutants and bacteria lingering on your skin, which can contribute to breakouts, clogged pores and a damaged skin barrier. In the Winter, heavy-duty cleansers are popular options to remove full-coverage foundation, while Spring sees a shift to lightweight formulas that cleanse and hydrate. Though cleansers come in various textures, such as balms, gels, creams, milks and oils, a cleanser should never be abrasive, or strip the skin’s natural oils, but remove make-up effortlessly. The gentles cleansers in my arse nal include Byoma’s Milky Oil Cleanser, Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser Wash,and Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Mois ture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel, which cleans, hydrates and balances the skin’s pH level.

Your Authority, Front and Center

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On Iconic Personal Branding as Responsibility, Experience and Expression

Written by: Jen, Editor in Chief

There is a particular quiet shift happening in business right now, one that many people can feel but have not yet articulated. It is not a shift driven by trends, platforms, or new tools, but by discernment. The collective appetite has changed. People are no longer looking for more content, louder opinions, or faster strategies. They are looking for something they can trust. This is where personal branding enters the conversation differently than it has before. Personal branding is often treated as a modern phenomenon, something attached to social media growth or visibility in the digital age. In reality, it has been a responsibility of leadership for decades. What has changed is not its relevance, but its exposure. In a world where access is constant and perception is instantaneous, the absence of intentional personal branding does not mean neutrality. It simply means the narrative is being written without you. A personal brand exists whether you are conscious of it or not.

The question is whether it is being shaped deliberately, with integrity and depth, or left to interpretation. For clarity, it is important to define personal branding not as a creative exercise, but as a business principle. A personal brand is the distinct and consistent perception of an individual, formed through identity, values, voice, expertise, and presence, expressed across every point of contact, resulting in earned trust, recognizable authority and market preference.

This definition matters, as it shifts personal branding out of the realm of aesthetics and into the realm of responsibility. A personal brand is not what you say about yourself. It is what others experience when they encounter you. That experience determines whether trust is built, credibility is felt and preference is formed. This is where most people go wrong. They approach personal branding as something visual, tactical, or performative. They focus on how it looks rather than how it feels. They invest in graphics, captions and consistency without understanding that none of those elements hold weight unless they are anchored in experience. The most effective personal brands are experiential by design. When I consider my own work, I do not think in terms of platforms or outputs. I think in terms of experience. Every channel is simply a different doorway into the same world. Social media, email, podcasting, video, live speaking, editorial work and conversation all serve the same purpose. They create a felt sense of who I am, what I value and how I lead. It is why when people meet me, they always say that I am the same person as I am online. There is no performative persona. I am always living and embodying my truth. Experience, when done well, engages the senses. This is not metaphorical in a superficial way, but practical in a deeply human one. People decide who they trust through instinct as much as intellect. The senses act as filters, constantly assessing alignment, credibility and depth. This way of thinking and teaching personal branding has been my secret method for my clients and why it has led to over nine figures in sales and brands that last.

Sight

The first sense is sight. What people see when they encounter your brand matters more than most are willing to admit. Visual identity communicates standards before a single word is read. It signals care, taste and intentionality. Recognition is not built through being loud, but through consistency and restraint. When a visual language is refined and repeated, it becomes a signature. It allows people to recognize you in moments that pass quickly, creating familiarity and emotional resonance without explanation. Beyond recognition, sight also creates emotion. Beauty, when expressed authentically, invites pause and breath. It signals that something has been considered rather than rushed. In a culture that moves quickly, this pause becomes a form of leadership.

Smell

The second sense is smell, though not in the literal sense. People have an acute ability to detect inconsistency. It’s like they can smell it. They can sense when words are borrowed, when messaging feels embellished, or when identity is being performed rather than embodied. This detection often happens beneath conscious awareness, yet it influences trust profoundly. Integrity is what anchors a personal brand. Without it, authority becomes fragile. True authority is not established through positioning alone, but through alignment between what is said and what is lived. When integrity leads, credibility is felt rather than asserted. This is what creates trust that endures beyond trends or algorithms.

Taste

The third sense is taste. Taste is what allows people to sample what is possible for themselves. A strong personal brand leaves

people expanded rather than entertained. It stretches imagination and awakens capability. The words linger. The ideas follow them into their work and decision-making. Taste is where inspiration becomes catalytic. It offers not only vision, but direction. When someone leaves your presence feeling more capable, more discerning, and more confident in their potential, the brand has done its work. I desire for everyone to taste success and capacity when they are in my presence.

Sound

The fourth sense is sound. Voice, both literal and symbolic, carries responsibility. Words shape perception long after they are spoken. Consistency of message, clarity of perspective and conviction of belief all contribute to how leadership is heard. In a saturated environment, volume is ineffective. Precision and intention create resonance. Leadership through language requires care. Every message either adds clarity or contributes to noise. A personal brand that understands this becomes a source of steadiness rather than stimulation. A brand that pierces the noise must have unique thoughts and ideas that provide hope and solutions in order to be remembered.

Touch

The final sense is touch. This is where sophistication meets humanity. A brand can be elevated without being inaccessible. Authority can exist alongside warmth. The most enduring personal brands create safety as well as aspiration. They allow people to see themselves within the experience rather than feeling excluded by it. Touch is what makes people stay. It is what turns admiration into trust and trust into loyalty. When people feel seen, respected and encouraged rather than impressed or intimidated, transformation becomes possible.

Together, these senses form a framework, not for content creation, but for discernment and responsibility. They become filters through which every decision is made. When applied consistently, personal branding shifts from performance to expression. It becomes less about being visible and more about being known. This matters now more than ever. We are entering an era where tools can replicate aesthetics, automate language and mimic confidence. What cannot be replicated is lived experience, embodied truth and integrated identity. The brands that will endure are not those that look the most polished, but those that feel the most real. A personal brand, at its highest expression, is not something you switch on for marketing. It is something you live into daily. It reflects who you

"A PERSONAL BRAND AT ITS HIGHEST EXPRESSION, IS NOT SOMETHING YOU SWITCH ON FOR MARKETING."

are becoming as much as who you are today. It evolves with intention, grounded in values rather than trends. The invitation is not to create more, but to refine. To listen more closely. To speak more deliberately. To allow your work, your words and your presence to become a true expression of your fullest self. When personal branding is approached this way, it stops feeling like pressure and starts feeling like alignment. It becomes a practice rather than a performance. A responsibility rather than a tactic. A legacy rather than a moment. This is the work now. Not to be louder, but to be clearer. Not to be everywhere, but to be unmistakable. Not to build a brand that keeps up, but one that stands apart by being deeply, beautifully and consistently you.

YOUR SIGNATURE SCENT, BOTTLED.

There are gifts you give, and then there are experiences that linger, on skin, in memory, and somewhere deeper, harder to name. At Orris Labs, perfume is not simply worn. It is created, felt, and remembered. Step inside the Orris Labs Perfume Making Experience and you are invited into a world where scent becomes storytelling. Whether you are celebrating a bridal shower, hosting a team event, marking a birthday, or gathering for an intimate milestone, Orris Labs transforms any occasion into something sensorial, personal, and unforgettable. Their private workshop setting offers a refined, immersive environment designed for connection, creativity, and a touch of indulgence.

The process begins with discovery. Guided by an experienced perfumer, guests are introduced to the art and science behind fragrance, exploring over 50 curated notes, from fresh florals to warm woods and complex musks. But this is not about following a formula. It is about following feeling.

Bring a photo. A memory. A moment you want to hold onto. At Orris Labs, scent becomes a medium for emo-

tion, crafted intentionally, shaped by your preferences, your skin chemistry, and your story. Each blend evolves as you do, refined and balanced until it becomes something entirely your own.

Over the course of a two hour session, what begins as curiosity becomes creation. And what you leave with is more than a bottle, it is a signature. Each guest takes home a custom 30ml perfume, with options to upgrade, a deeply personal fragrance designed to evoke memory and reflect identity. For those seeking a meaningful gift, Orris Labs’ virtual gift cards offer a thoughtful alternative to the expected. With no expiration date and flexible booking options, it is an invitation to experience something rare, the opportunity to create rather than simply receive.

What sets Orris Labs apart is not just the experience, but the intention behind it. Their formulations are crafted without parabens, phthalates, lyral, or lilial, ensuring a cleaner approach to luxury. And as a proudly Canadian owned business, Orris Labs is rooted in community, partnering with local suppliers and contributing to a more sustainable, vibrant economy. This is not just perfume. This is your essence. Your emotion. Your moment, captured in scent. Your next event? It already smells amazing.

Photographed by Amy Allmand

Why the Key to What You Want Is Closer Than You Think

Written By Renée Walker

Ask anyone what they want in life and a familiar set of words tends to surface - health, peace, joy, success, money. I hear them often in coaching sessions. I’ve said them myself over coffee with friends. Sometimes even reluctantly, as if wanting more needs an explanation or a justification. Most of the time, these words come from a place of longing. A sense that what we want exists somewhere out there - just beyond reach. Not here yet. Not fully ours. And that makes sense. We’ve been taught, subtly and consistently, to relate to desire as something external. Something to chase. Something to earn. Something that will come later, once we’ve done enough or become enough.

But what I’ve come to understand - through my own journey and through years of holding space for women in their personal and professional growth, is that this relationship with desire quietly creates distance. It’s important to state however, that not all desire comes from the same place. What I’m speaking to here assumes that what you want is coming from love rather than fear. Soul-led desire feels expansive, even when it stretches you. Ego-driven desire is rooted in fear - in proving yourself, waiting for external validation, or chasing something so you can finally feel enough. One creates alignment. The other creates exhaustion.

For a long time, I thought life was about doing. About setting intentions clearly enough, visualizing strongly enough, doing all the “right” things so that life would respond appropriately. I believed that if I worked hard, stayed positive, and kept moving forward, things would eventually fall into place. And to some extent, they did. But what I hadn’t realized was that I was still operating from a subtle sense of separation - as if life were something happening to me, rather than always happening for me. Everything shifted when I began to consciously co-create.

Not as a concept, but as a lived relationship. A way of being. For me, co-creation was rooted in spiritual connection - a belief in a higher intelligence that exists beyond the physical, yet moves through everything. Not something distant or reserved for certain moments, but something always present and connecting us all. Spiritual connection meant being in relationship with this higher intelligence. It wasn’t about asking the Universe for what I wanted and waiting for it to arrive. It was about recognizing that I was already connected to something greater - and that my role wasn’t to control the outcome, but to participate consciously.

To soften my grip.

To listen more deeply.

To turn down the volume on external noise and turn up the volume on that connection.

This required a different kind of listening.

Instead of asking, “How do I make this happen?”

I began asking, “What’s being asked of me here?”

Instead of pushing forward from effort, I started responding from intuition.That shift changed how I made decisions, how I showed up, and how I experienced life. I noticed that when I moved from alignment rather than force, things unfolded with more easenot because there was no work involved, but because the work felt supported. Opportunities arrived differently because I was paying attention in a new way. What surprised me most was how co-creating felt grounded. Human.

It asked me to be present. To take responsibility for my energy. To be honest about where I was acting from fear versus trust. In many ways, it asked more of me. And at times, that felt harder - because healing was required. Co-creating became less about adding more and more about releasing what no longer served me, especially the limiting beliefs I had been carrying unconsciously. This is where the remembering deepened.

"WHEN YOU

STOP SEEING YOURSELF AS SEPERATE FROM THIS CREATIVE ENERGY, EVERYTHING CHANGES"

I began to see that the more I trusted my inner guidance. my spiritual connection, the less I needed to chase outcomes. Desire became less about proving myself and more about responding to what felt alive and true. This didn’t mean everything was easy. It meant everything was clearer. Purposeful. When something felt heavy, I learned to pause. When something felt expansive, I leaned in. When fear showed up, I learned to be with it rather than let it be in charge.This relationship with co-creation became the foundation of my work.

It’s what I now guide women through - not as a formula, but as a way of living and leading. A way of building a life and business that feels aligned, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling. Because when you stop seeing yourself as separate from this creative energy, everything changes. You stop asking life to prove itself to you. And you start meeting it as a partner. Because when we say “I want”, we’re also affirming that it isn’t here yet.And in that space - between where we are and where we believe we should be, a disconnect exists. Not because we’re broken. Not because we’re doing anything wrong. But because we’re looking in the wrong direction.

For much of my life, I believed that fulfillment lived somewhere outside of me. That peace would come once things settled. That confidence would somehow arrive with a big announcement. That success would finally feel satisfying when I reached the next milestone.What I didn’t realize at the time was that this constant focus toward the future was keeping me from fully being in the present. And the present, as it turns out, is where everything meaningful begins. The energy of wanting, when left unchecked, subtly reinforces the belief that something is missing. That fulfillment is conditional. That we’ll arrive someday - just not yet. And for women who are driven with big visions, this pattern can be especially allur-

ing. We’re used to growth. Used to striving. Used to stretching ourselves. But at some point, it begins to feel exhausting. That’s often the moment when the deeper questions arise.Why do I feel so disconnected? Why does success not feel the way I thought it would? Why do I feel like I’m always reaching for something out there? This is where the conversation shifts to awareness. The spiritual path has always pointed us inward, long before personal development made it popular. Ancient wisdom traditions, including the teachings found in the Vedas, speak of life as limitless possibility - a universal intelligence that exists and moves through all things. What resonates most deeply with me about this perspective is the reminder that we are not separate from that source. Your soul holds the essence of these infinite possibilities. Which means that what you desire - whether it’s a state of being or a specific goal, is not random. It’s not accidental. It’s not proof that something is missing. It’s information. A calling. A remembering. From this lens, the wanting isn’t proof of lack. It’s proof of connection. What you long for is already alive within you: in essence, in potential, in resonance - even if you haven’t fully recognized it yet. This is the part we’re rarely taught. Instead, we’re taught to strive. To set goals. To visualize outcomes. To push through resistance. To become someone else in order to have something more. But spirituality - real spirituality, isn’t about becoming anything other than you. It’s about remembering.

Remembering who you are beyond the thoughts. Remembering who you are beneath the conditioning. Remembering what feels true in your body.

Remembering that your worth, your wisdom, and your capacity are not waiting in the future. They’re here now.

When I work with women - whether through coaching or in group programs, I see this pattern again and again. Highly capable women who have done “all the right things,” yet feel a quiet sense of disconnection.

A feeling that they’re always on their way to themselves, but not quite home. What they’re often experiencing is misalignment. We’ve been taught to ask, “How do I get what I want?” But the more powerful question is, “Who am I being called to become?” Or even more simply: “What is this desire trying to remind me of?” Because the soul doesn’t speak in logic or timelines. It speaks in feeling. In resonance. In longing. Wanting becomes meaningful when we understand that its true purpose is to call us inward — to remember who we are and to live as our fullest expression. This realization changes everything.

Instead of striving for peace, you begin to actively choose peace. Instead of chasing confidence, you begin to actively choose self-trust. Instead of waiting for success, you begin to live in alignment now. This is where identity work becomes essential. It’s not about pretending or performing, but about embodiment. We don’t become confident once we succeed. We succeed because we begin to choose confidence - again and again - even in, especially in moments of discomfort. Every small, aligned action becomes a vote for the person who holds what you desire already. This is the work I do as a mindset coach and spiritual teacher: helping women reconnect with their inner guidance and live from the truth they already carry, rather than striving for something outside of themselves. Not by fixing or forcing. But by reconnecting them to their intuition and their fullest expression. Because when those pieces come together, life begins to move differently. Opportunities feel less forced. Decisions feel clearer.

Success feels more sustainable.

And perhaps most importantly, fulfillment stops feeling conditional. When we stop relating to desire as something outside of us, we stop living in a perpetual state of waiting. We begin to live from abundance instead of lack.

This doesn’t mean we stop wanting or dreaming. It means we begin to see desire as a universal energy moving through us - guiding us rather than disconnecting us. We begin asking different questions.

Where is this already alive in me?

How can I honour this now, in small ways?

What would it feel like to live as though this is already unfolding? These questions move us from chasing towards more of a relationship - with ourselves, with our intuition, with life itself.

And this is where true co-creation begins. Not by controlling outcomes. But by aligning with who you already are.

When you live from this place, your external world begins to reorganize - not because you’re forcing it to, but because your inner world has shifted. This is why what you want is closer than you think.

Clarity.

Peace.

Abundance.

What if it’s less about waiting for these things to arrive and more about choosing them or even becoming them - now?

Not through force or performance, but through alignment. Through presence. Through the quiet decision to live from what you believe to already be.

Not because it’s about to arrive.

But because it has never been separate from you.

It has always lived within your awareness - within your willingness to pause, to listen, and to remember. To remember that you are spiritually wired. The journey isn’t about becoming more. Unless it’s about becoming more of you.

IMMERSE YOURSELF AT THE ICONIC TABLE

The Iconic Table is a private, invitation-only dinner series curated for visionary, women who are shaping culture, business and legacy. Each gathering is intentionally intimate, designed for meaningful conversation, creative collaboration and the exchange of ideas that move industries forward. Every detail, from the guest list to the tablescape, is intentionally crafted to embody sophistication, connection and elegance. To take a seat at The Iconic Table is to join a circle where influence meets intimacy. Attendees of The Iconic Table are self-led, high-achiev-

ing women who embody sophistication, discernment and purpose. She is a tastemaker in her own right, refined in her ambitions, grounded in her values, and inspired by excellence. She delights in conversation that expands her perspective and in experiences that feel as meaningful as they are beautiful. She comes not only to be seen, but to celebrate, elevate, and collaborate with other extraordinary women shaping the future alongside her.

by

A STAY WORTH SLOWING DOWN FOR

Tucked into the storybook village of Elora, The Ayrshire Collection offers a rare kind of stay, one that feels both grounded in history and elevated in design. Just steps apart, two distinct expressions of hospitality invite you in. At the Ayrshire Hotel, Canada’s oldest standing flatiron building has been thoughtfully restored into a boutique destination where architec- tural legacy meets modern indulgence. Original character remains, but every detail has been considered for comfort, intimacy, and quiet luxury. Moments away, the Ayrshire House offers a different rhythm. Set within a restored century home, it is refined yet deeply welcoming, designed for longer stays, group escapes, and those who want to settle into Elora rather than simply visit it. Together, they form a collection that honors place, pace, and experience. Two stays. One feeling.

Entirely yours.

Three Design Styles for a Perfectly Curated Coffee Table

Inspired by three unique designers and design styles, I took inspiration from their creative direction and curated three distinct coffee tables. I love to change things often in my home, so this keeps things fresh and exciting as a focal point.

The Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren is defined by a deeply rooted “old money” sensibility that feels inherited rather than styled.

The world is grounded in equestrian influence, private clubs and generational wealth, where everything carries weight, history and permanence. The palette leans darker and richer. Deep mahogany, saddle leather, aged brass, oxblood, and forest green create a sense of intimacy and depth. Materials are not just luxurious, they are worn in, broken in, and meant to last. Leather is central. It shows up in trays, books, upholstery and texture, bringing warmth and authority. This is not minimal and it is not playful. It is masculine, structured and quietly powerful, with a sense that nothing is new, yet everything is exceptional. To curate a coffee table in this direction, think like you are styling a study rather than a living room. Start with a foundation of substantial, heritage-feeling books. Biographies, fashion, travel, or equestrian themes work best, ideally in darker tones or with textured covers. Layer a leather tray or box to anchor the composition, then add weight through materials like brass or wood. An equestrian nod, such as a horse-inspired object or vintage accessory, subtly reinforces the narrative. You can include a cigar box, matches, or a low glass vessel to introduce that club-room energy. Keep the palette cohesive and grounded. Nothing should feel bright or overly styled. The result should feel collected over time, deeply personal and reflective of a life lived with taste, access, and legacy.

The Jacquemus

Jacquemus is defined by a modern Mediterranean sensibility that feels both effortless and artfully composed.

Rooted in the south of France, the creative direction blends sunwashed minimalism with playful, sculptural proportions. There is a softness to everything. Creamy neutrals, sandy beiges, terracotta and buttery yellows evoke warmth and light, while silhouettes and objects often feel slightly unexpected or oversized in a way that is intentional rather than loud. The world of Jacquemus is not about excess or layering. It is about clarity, restraint, and emotion. Each visual feels like a moment captured during the golden hour, where simplicity becomes the statement and negative space is just as powerful as what is placed within it. To curate a coffee table inspired by this aesthetic, begin with openness. Avoid overcrowd ing and allow each object to breathe. Choose a small number of pieces with sculptural presence, such as a curved ceramic bowl, a stack of monochromatic books, or a single art-forward object that feels almost like a gallery piece. Incorporate natural materials like linen, clay, glass, or raw wood to reflect the Mediterranean influence. A subtle pop of color, such as a lemon, a soft yellow candle, or a terracotta accent, adds warmth without disrupting the palette. The arrangement should feel asymmetrical yet balanced, with an emphasis on form, light and shadow. The result is a coffee table that feels editorial and intentional, where simplicity is elevated into some thing quietly striking.

The Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham is defined by precision, restraint, and an unwavering commitment to refined minimalism.

The aesthetic is clean yet commanding, rooted in a neutral palette of black, ivory, camel and soft grey, with an emphasis on sharp lines and impeccable tailoring translated into interiors. Every element feels considered and elevated, with a quiet confidence that does not rely on excess or embel lishment. Materials are sleek and luxurious. Think polished stone, smooth leather, matte ceramics, and subtle metallic accents. The overall effect is modern, architectural and effortlessly sophisticated, where less is not just more, it is intentional. To curate a coffee table inspired by this direction, approach it with discipline and clarity. Begin with a tightly edited selection of objects, favoring quality over quantity. A stack of monochromatic books, ideally in black, white, or tonal neutrals, creates a strong foundation. Introduce one or two sculptural pieces, such as a minimalist vase, a geometric object, or a refined tray in marble or metal, to add structure and interest. Keep any organic elements subtle. A single stem or understated greenery is enough. Symmetry or near-symmetry works well here, reinforcing the sense of order and control. The final composition should feel calm, elevated, and impeccably curated, where every object earns its place and contributes to a sense of polished, modern

THE HOUSE OF HER

For the woman behind the brand

There are moments when a brand evolves not by expansion, but by refinement. When the next chapter is not about adding more, but about elevating what already exists.

House of Her is that moment.

House of Her is a private membership designed for women building meaningful brands and equally meaningful lives. It exists at the intersection of leadership and lifestyle, where personal taste is not an accessory, but an extension of authority. Here, refinement is not rushed. It is practiced. Inside, a monthly rhythm unfolds with precision and purpose.

House Notes arrives as a private letter, offering an intimate look at what is being refined, what is being released, and where standards are rising. It is thoughtful, composed, and deeply personal. A reflection not of perfection, but of evolution.

The Editor’s Closet reframes style as strategy. Each piece is chosen with intention. A silhouette that shifts posture. A bag that signals establishment. Clothing becomes language. Not consumption, but communication.

The Iconic Edit sharpens perception. It is an exercise in discernment, a study in what elevates a space, an experience, a moment. Lighting, energy, effort. Not criticism, but awareness. The kind that quietly separates the exceptional from the expected.

The Tastemaker brings curation into everyday life. Restaurants worth returning to. Fragrance that alters a room. Hotels that inspire. Objects that earn their place. Each recommendation filtered through a single question: does this meet the standard?

A signature series, HER After Dark, remains a cornerstone. Eleven curated at-home experiences designed to deepen connection and transform the familiar into something unforgettable. Intimate, elevated, and enduring.

Beginning this April, a new layer is introduced. The House of Her Podcast a private podcast available exclusively within the membership. Here, the conversation becomes more direct. Identity, standards, leadership, and the architecture of building something that lasts. Not for public feeds, but for those within the room.

Membership also includes full access to Iconic Magazine®, along with exclusive offerings and private drops yet to be revealed.

House of Her is not content for the sake of content. It is a curated environment. A sisterhood built on shared standards and a desire for more thoughtful living. It is where the questions you quietly hold find considered answers. And perhaps more importantly, it is where you begin to refine your own.

The Iconic Podcast enters a new chapter, one you can now see as much as you can hear.

In a move that feels both intentional and quietly daring, the show makes its debut on YouTube. Long rooted in audio, the transition to video wasn’t the most instinctive choice. But it is a meaningful one. Because presence matters.

Expression matters. And the subtle, unspoken energy of a conversation, the pauses, the glances, the cadence, adds a dimension that sound alone cannot fully hold. Now, audiences are invited beyond the listener’s seat and into the room itself. To witness the exchange. To feel the rhythm of dialogue as it unfolds in real time. To experience each interview as it was

always meant to be experienced: immersive, intimate, and alive. The audio format remains, perfect for movement, for busy days, for life in motion. But this evolution offers something slower, more deliberate. A way to sit with ideas. To watch while cooking, unwinding, or simply being still. Because this isn’t just about a new platform. It’s about how we choose to engage. How we spend our time. How we expand our thinking, and our sense of what’s possible.

Now streaming on YouTube.

“Trust yourself. Trust your gut and follow it. Beautiful things happen when a woman comes home to herself.”

- Kylie Jones

Disclaimer

The information provided by Iconic Magazine Inc. (“Iconic”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is for general purposes only. All information found in this issue is provided in good faith; however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information found in this issue. Under no circumstances shall we have any liability to you for any loss or damages incurred as a result of the use of the information contained in this issue. Your use and reliance on said information are solely at your own risk. Paid advertisements appear in this issue of Iconic Magazine. Iconic does not endorse or evaluate the advertised products, services, or companies, nor any of the claims made by the advertisers. Be aware that the opinions expressed by the people featured in this issue are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of Iconic Magazine. Iconic Magazine is not responsible for the accuracy of any information provided by the people featured. Iconic Magazine does not guarantee any benefits, profits, performance benefits, or any other results that could be claimed or found in its issue.