S&A Magazine Issue 8 – Volume 3

June 2023 Issue / Volume 3

This Issue’s Contents

Poem Of The Month

Shackled

It was all so confusing

Just a blurry moment I was losing

And when you told me not to worry about you

I think a part of me clawed and struggled to break through

my heart

Bleeding out worthless sorrows

Weeping over already-broken tomorrows

I don’t know how to take it

My fragility lay out in the open, naked.

So what do I do while I’m withering away

If you’re not there to stay

Instead you remain trapped, in a different realm from me

And I know you don’t owe me peace

I feel so naive.

My demons are alive

ravaging my mind

And while I was consumed in the battle;

I looked to you as an ally, only to find you had been shackled.

Drawing Prompt

Paint Your Ceiling!

Painting your ceiling is an easy way to add a little flair to your room, especially if you use bright colors and bold patterns. I went for a colorful design with swirls and stars, but you can make your design however you want and it can be as intricate or as simple as you’d like. Plus, all you need is a bit of time, acrylic paint, and paintbrushes. (And maybe a ladder)

Music

12 Magnificent Albums to Listen to This Summer

Mahal – Toro y Moi – Genre: Indie/Electronic/Dance
Blood – Kelsey Lu – Genre: Experimental/Indie/Psychedelic
Two of Me – Momma – Genre: Indie Rock/Punk
What We Drew – Yaeji – Genre: Indie Pop/Dance/Electronic
Dots & Loops – Stereolab – Genre: Alternative/Indie/Psychedelic
Greenzone 108 – Greentea Peng – Genre: Alternative/Soul/Hip-Hop
Caprisongs – FKA Twigs – Genre: Alternative R&B/Electronic/Pop/Indie
Running in Waves – George Riley – Genre: Futuristic R&B/Electronic
Couldn’t Wait to Tell You… – Liv.e – Genre: Neo-soul/R&B/Psychedelic
Honeybloom – Choker – Genre: Alternative R&B/Psychedelic/Hip-Hop
Far In – Helado Negro – Genre: Alternative/Indie
Raven – Kelela – Genre: Alternative R&B/Soul/Dance

Empowering Activity

Spend Your Mornings Outdoors

One of the best ways to start the day is to get some fresh air. While we may all be guilty of going on our phones or waking up grumpy, the best way to calm your mind is to lay in the sun and be mindful of the nature around you. Try going on a walk or at least spending five minutes of your day outside!

Sustainable Fashion

A Look Styled With Made By Mary

Made By Mary is a sustainable women-owned jewelry brand that creates stunning and personal pieces in ethically-sourced metals. From enamel pins to solid gold necklaces, you’re sure to find a piece that can help elevate your look. Made By Mary also allows you to customize your purchases with a birth stone or specific stamp on your pendant. Here, we’ve styled the Good Vibes Stamp Necklace in silver with a smiley face design.

Good Vibes Stamp Necklace in Sliver – $56

Main Article

Finding Beauty In The Mundane

At times it can seem impossible to find beauty in life. Maybe you feel confined within the world you live in because it always seems to be the same. Maybe you just can’t find any hope. Whatever the case may be, there’s always something you can appreciate. Here are just a few ways you can find something extraordinary in the most ordinary situations.

1. Look around you – This might be the one of the easiest ways to find beauty in the world. Take a break from looking at your phone and look at what’s happening around you. What is everyone else doing? Where are you? Has anything changed since the last time you were here? Taking note of the world around you can also help you feel more present and in the moment.

2. Take photos – If you’re someone who normally takes a lot of photos, you probably know that sometimes the best photos are taken in the most unexpected places. Once you’re used to taking photos, you start to notice more things around you. (Colors, lighting, scenery, people, etc.) You’ll also find more things to take pictures of when you start observing the world more closely.

3. Do something creative – Creativity can lighten your mindset and make you feel more optimistic. Of course, there are many ways you can be creative, but some of the best ways to find beauty through creativity include writing, making art, making music, and even reading books.

4. Romanticize your life – Even if everything is terrible, it can be helpful to try to romanticize your life and focus on little things that make you happy. This can include self care, cooking, or whatever makes you happy! (But try to avoid running away from your problems when romanticizing your life).

5. Get out of the house – Staying inside for too long can really affect your mood and make you feel awful. Going outside can easily boost your serotonin levels and help you see the beauty in the world. (Bonus points if you’re in nature).

Although life presents itself with many challenges, looking for good things in the world can make it a lot more bearable. Practicing mindfulness can allow you to appreciate the positive aspects of your world and help you feel genuine gratitude. Just take a look around and maybe you’ll find something beautiful!

Bonus Article

How To Be An Ally To The LGBTQIA+ Community

You may know that pride month is in June and you’ve likely seen rainbows and pride flags this past month, but it’s important to remember that people in the LGBTQIA+ community should be respected and represented all year.

Even if you don’t identify as part of this community, you can still be an ally. Being an ally really just means supporting people regardless of their identities and gender expressions, and it’s pretty easy to do! Here are a few ways you can be an ally:

Respect people’s preferred pronouns and names (some people even have their preferred pronouns in their social media bios)
Vote for representatives who advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community
Have an open mind when meeting people
Take note of your own prejudices and biases
Be willing to talk to people who are in the LGBTQIA+ community to better understand how to support them. Remember everyone is different!

Photo Collage Title

It Was All a Blur

Recipe

Fruit Popsicles

On a hot summer day, there’s nothing more refreshing than an ice-cold popsicle. Here’s a quick and simple recipe to make these delicious treats, using only three ingredients!

What You’ll Need

Heavy Cream
Frozen fruit/fresh fruit
Honey
Popsicle Mold

Directions

Chop up the fruit and place it into each popsicle mold. (The combinations I made were peaches & cream, cherries & cream, and bananas, blueberries, chocolate chips & cream)
In a separate bowl, mix 3-4 cups of heavy cream with 1/4 cup of honey.
Pour the honey and cream mixture into each popsicle mold, making sure to fill all the gaps between the fruit.
Put the popsicle mold in your freezer for 5-7 hours

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