Table of contents for January 2023 - Vol. 2 Issue 1 in LDL Magazine

JAYA Hello Jaya, we are so excited for your newly released single "Take your Time". Can you describe the inspiration behind your first single? Hi! I’m so grateful to get to do this with you. Yay, me too! Yes! It came out of a freestyle with my talented friends: Akari Sage sampled a beat that Luxe. Wav made that night with his guitar. In a quick vocal take over that, my subconscious wrote it honestly, not me. I see it as a subconscious plea to me, from my inner child, to please take care of myself. I’m someone who puts way too much pressure on myself for everything. Always trying to do things, be productive — I was getting burnt out. Reconnecting with my inner child and letting her lead…

Karen Enid Reyes Hello Karen! LDL Magazine was honored to have you as our first cover photo. We are more honored to learn more about your boutique KE Amor Kollection. For readers who didn't read the first magazine, can you let us know what the name KE Amor represents? Hiiiii! I was so honored to be your first ever cover. It has truly been one of the best, most humbling, and amazing experiences for me. The "KE" in KE Amor stands for my kids' names Khalil & Elijah, and also mine. Then, I added "Amor" just because in Spanish it means "love" and starting KE Amor was me birthing something I truly love and have a passion for! How would you describe your boutique's fashion and clothing style? KE Amor…

Krystal Sealy How did your journey as a makeup artist begin? I worked for a cosmetic retailer. This was my part-time job while pursuing my Bachelor's degree. During the Christmas holiday, I was assigned to be the cashier in the makeup room (where services ranging from lash applications to makeup applications were done). I was 19 at the time, and completely ignorant about makeup and the beauty industry. However, after witnessing the process and the transformations, it peaked my interest and I began learning. I have been hooked ever since! Are you a self-taught makeup artist? Yes! I used myself as a model (more like a practice dummy in the beginning stages) multiple times. I would watch numerous videos, and then play with different techniques until I found my own…

If every word spoken was natural as the air we breathe, then we could alchemize how those words flow into our daily lives. In a world where we are constantly being bombarded with emails, dms, texts, and phone calls, the overwhelm can drive us into overload. It’s important as human beings with a sensitive energetic ethereal body that we practice moments of stillness. Stillness stimulates healing. Manifestations are a Divine gift utilizing words to practice stillness. When we speak every word that releases into the air becomes a spoken reality. We might not visibly be able to see the spoken reality, but believe that words are being activated. Written manifestations merely give us the ability to transfer our Spiritual desires onto paper. The hand to brain connection forms both a…

Beauty Icon Cosmetics Hello Leilani, we are excited to learn more about your beauty company and you. What inspired the name "Beauty Icon Cosmetics"? Everyone is a Beauty Icon! Empowering women from all walks of life and backgrounds celebrating individuality, promoting self-love with confidence that starts from within. Building a community of diversity, inclusion, and equality. You offer vegan, cruelty free, and organic products. Why was creating these types of products important to you? Plant-based ingredients are the most natural way to get glowing healthy skin and make a positive impact on the planet. Skincare without bad chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and synthetic dyes are the best way to remove the likelihood of breakouts, allergies, and inflammation. Our mission is to enhance your natural beauty inside and out by providing…

Adaeze Okoli How did you begin your author journey? I discovered my love for writing when I was in elementary. I remember becoming immersed with the book "Anne of Green Gables" at school. I finished reading the book in one day. I wanted to try to write my own books after that. I would come up with different ideas off the top of my head, and write them down at recess. In the 5th grade, my teacher used to make us write stories using our spelling words. She would always save my stories for last because the students loved listening to what I wrote. Once I saw how I was able to captivate an audience, and with the help of my mom, I was hooked. Can you tell us more…

Ci Baybee’s Sweets Hello Cici! How did you create the name Ci Baybee’s Sweets? The name CiBaybee actually is a nickname that a group of my friends gave me. When I was thinking of a name for my business, Ci Baybee’s Sweets was much more unique than just CiCi’s Sweets, so I went with that one. Those same friends were my first set of customers as well. What inspired you to start a bakery? I’ve always loved cooking and baking. Honestly, baking is very calming and peaceful for me so I chose to focus on baking. Starting a bakery made sense to me because I saw how much joy and happiness it brought my friends and family when they would eat my desserts during the holidays and birthdays. I wanted…

"The door represents entering the new year. The compass is decision and choice. Each path represents the different new year journeys to pursue goals and dreams. The sun is the destination, which is achieving goals". Take a moment to envision yourself standing in front of a door. You have a compass inscribed with “2023” in the middle. Walking through the door, you discover two paths. The compass points towards a cluttered path. Billboards and advertisements emerge from the ground. “Dry January! Join a gym! Lose weight fast! Wake up early! Find a new relationship! Start a business! Begin higher education! Sale, Sale, Sale! Sales on new workout clothes, new meal subscriptions, new memberships, new lessons, and, well, new everything! Everyone’s doing it!” Pop-up social media messages begin to appear. Fitness…

Cathia Eugene What inspired you to start a boutique? What inspired me to start a boutique is when I was younger I was a heavy set girl. I also had a very hard time expressing myself. But, with fashion that was the only way I knew how to express myself is through what I wore. Every time my mother took me shopping whenever I went to the plus size section, I was always disappointed at the lack of choices they had for us compared to the other options for the smaller sizes. I knew from that moment on I always told myself that one day I am going to have my own plus size boutique where women like my size could come and shop and never leave disappointed or empty…

Mahogany Brow Candle Co. Can you let us know what is the inspiration behind your company’s name "Mahogany Brown Candle Co?" Mahogany Brown Candle company is a name I selected for various reasons. First and foremost I was born in Belize, Central America. Our number one export are mahogany trees, which are beautiful in color, strong in stature, and can withstand varying degrees of weather. Sound familiar? Smile! This name is an ode to my country, the beauty of the mahogany trees, it’s natural luster, and classic beauty. Second, I started this company with my granny, whose skin was as beautiful and smooth for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid I used to ask her “how“ and she would tell me that she drank water,…

Bianca Crawford cou are the leader of a non-profit called Motivated and Empowered? Can you let us know about your mission? Our mission is to empower girls to be their best “me” by providing them with support in all areas of their lives. We focus on finding their spark and igniting that so that they look to that to push past the adversities they may face in their lives. Securing donations can be challenging for any organization? What are some steps you take to securing donations? To secure donations we ensure that our programs evaluations and outcomes are documented so that donors understand the impact level we have. We then focus on relationship building and learning from our donors. Lastly, we ensure to spotlight everyone no matter how large or…