CODE 11.59 BY AUDEMARS PIGUET
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand Publisher
Joshua Jakobitz
Stanley Pierre-Etienne
Head of Photography
Kenneth Carrion de los Condes
Eva Espresso
Lifestyles Contributor
Contributing Photographer
Michael J. Snell
Brand Representatives Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre - Dubai Rudy Volel - New York City Michael J. Snell - The Hamptons Stanley Pierre-Etienne - Caribbean
Editor-in-Chief
Mark Wine
Lifestyles Contributor
Fitness Columnist
Joey Velez
Wellness Columnist
Cezar Kusik
Wine Contributor
Raphael Dapaah Art Contributor
Jyoti Paintel
Spiritual Contributor
page 12
Claire Barrett
Style Contributor
Anne-Isabelle Saint-Pierre Style Contributor
William Smith Philanthropy Contributor Gregory Bertrand Copy Editor
Sara Ali
Luxury Contributor
Sara Ali - London Jessica Foret Wax - Santa Fe Charles Ward - Montecito K & Co. Media - Los Angeles Contributing Photographers
Edoardo Mainetti Lauren Scott Auckland Polo Club
Polo Lifestyles is a publication of HT Polo Publishing Co. 995 Detroit Avenue, Suite A Concord, CA 94518
Content Copyright Š Polo Lifestyles 2020 All Rights Reserved. For information or to advertise Contact editor@htpolo.com Read online at www.pololifestyles.com Cover photo by Raphael Macek @raphaelmacek
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 13
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
SCOREBOARDS & COCKTAILS
KINGS POLO IN CAIRO page 62
POLO LIFESTYLES EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS
Mark Wine
Head of Photography Claire Barrett Photography @clairebarrettphoto
Fitness Columnist Functional Muscle @functionalmuscle
Jyoti Paintel
Spiritual Contributor Polo Lifestyles @jyotipaintel
Raphael Dapaah
Publisher Polo Lifestyles @haiti_polo_captain
Editor-in-Chief Polo Lifestyles @joshuajakobitz
Kenneth Carrion
Eva Espresso
Stanley Pierre-Etienne
Joey Velez
Michael J. Snell
Gregory Bertrand
Ambassador Claude-Alix Bertrand
Josh Jakobitz
Claire Barrett
Lifestyles Contributor Contributing Photographer Style Contributor Mental Wellness Columnist Lifestyles Contributor De Los Condes Eva Espresso Photography Lanmou Pou Ranyon Velez Mental Performance MJS Groupe @deloscondes_inspired_living @eva.espresso @stanleypierretienne @velezmentalhealth @agnello_1
page 16
Art Contributor Dapaah Gallery @dapaahgallery
Copy Editor Polo Lifestyles @bertrand7367
Cezar Kusik
Wine Contributor Polo Lifestyles @cezartastesearth
William Smith
Philanthropy Contributor Santa Fe Comm. Foundation @willismith_2000
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
Get away... really far away page 88
15 ways to practice selfcare pg 94
Improved digital communication page 82
Host a successful virtual happy hour page 123
RISE & THRIVE
In the span of a month, everything in our world has been changed, delayed or up-ended. Here's how we plan to thrive in this brave new world. page 80v
page 17
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR There’s a new normal in our daily lives and it’s called social distancing. For the vast majority of Polo Lifestyles readers, this is a strange concept and I’ve been involved in many conversations about the short- and long-term effects of social distancing. My first exposure to social distancing was in Monrovia, Liberia, which is on the western coast of Africa. During the Ebola (EVD) outbreak there, I was deployed as part of a humanitarian disaster response team. I traveled to Liberia from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where I had been stationed for five years prior. In comparison to Port-au-Prince’s warm culture of touch, greeting with kisses and familiarity; I was shocked upon landing in Monrovia’s airport. By habit, I extended my hand to the driver holding the sign with my name outside of baggage claim. He did not extend his. Instead he smiled and introduced himself, directing me to our SUV, while never touching me or my personal effects. Over the course of my time in Liberia, we gloved up, donned masks, disinfected our hands outside of any and every business and office in the country and took our temperatures with a security guard before being granted entrance to any building. In all that time, no one touched me, and I touched no one. We were allowed to go to various meetings at embassies and government offices. We went to dinner at a few of the restaurants that remained open under heavy scrutiny. We socialized on a limited basis. Mostly, we worked. Social distancing is easier when you’re busy. Some days flew by without realizing that I hadn’t interacted with anyone outside of my immediate circle. Social distancing became normal. Sanitizing a tabletop before sitting down became normal. Gloving up to go into the grocery became normal. In fact, the only thing that never became normal was doing business in English, rather than French, long considered the common language of the United Nations and most international humanitarian organizations. The guards and domestic employees never tired of my standard morning greeting, “Bonjour!” and at the end of the day, “A demain.” I was still in Liberia when EVD was considered contained by global health organizations and the defense department. Social distancing didn’t immediate disappear; rather we remained cautious and vigilant, knowing the risk of reintroducing the virus by negligence. We had all worked too hard to let that happen. Those memories and the conditioning from Liberia have shaped my approach to social distancing in the here-and-now, especially as I recall the biggest takeaway from the days of EVD: We all worked too hard for too long to allow negligence to put us all at risk again. In this issue of Polo Lifestyles, we explore life in the time of COVID-19 – how to rise and thrive together. With notes from some of the prolific thinkers of our time included along with our regular contributors who reached beyond their familiar beats to bring timely and relevant content, we hope that this issue provides a sense of calm and strength, as it was intended to bring. Josh Jakobitz josh@pololifestyles.com
page 22
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 23
page 23
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
bebeautifulla "To be rooted, one must be made still; To blossom, one must weather the storm." @qgibson
johnyunis Start - or end - your day in the garden as we self-quarantine, social distance and isolate
Sothebysjewels This 9.15-carat step-cut Colombian emerald is part of the London Fine Jewels sale at Sothebys page 26
cruisedaily A message from the cruise industry "We Will Be Back"
luxuriesoutlook This custom orange G-Wagon interior is something else! What do you think?
wsj Clinical microbiologist Lee Hyuk-min starts his day analyzing test data at 4:45 a.m. in Seoul
for_theloveofjewellery The Blue Emotion cuff by @piaget is 24.36 carats of emerald-cut tanzanite embellished with diamonds
ocean.africa
"Different Flowers" muses @kayblack999 and @iamkraneee photo by @derrick_o_boateng
yourbagandshoes Amazing design by the incredible @guiseppezanotti
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
Click and comment on our choices... tag @pololifestyles. We will share noteworthy comments with you next month.
ibrahim_assad Isolating outside of Dubai with photographer @aldric_a
poppy_loves_london Empty transit cars around the world are common sights as travel grinds to a halt
greekcitytimes Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are reportedly feeling better after testing positive for COVID-19
inesklarafashion Protect yourself but make it #fashion with the @chanelofficial #mask
jazmingrimaldi #stayathome #socialdistancing #washyourhands
newyork_eyes Deserted streets and battereddown shops in New York's business districts
jewellery_pursuer Cape de Lumiere is made of woven gold, showcasing the skills of artisans at Maison Boucheron
seemyparis Staying cosy inside during #socialdistancing in Paris Photo by @toits_de_paris
the_webnews The Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to the UK for a series of last social engagements for the Crown page 27
The Ultimate Driving Machine.
CHOOSE YOUR X. THE BMW X RANGE.
NOW WITH 0% FINANCING.
BMW NEW ZEALAND
POLO OPEN 2020
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
BMW NEW ZEALAND
POLO OPEN 2020 AUCKLAND POLO CLUB
M
MYSTERY CREEK 11 / 7 GLENMARK
ystery Creek polo team won New Zealand’s most prestigious polo final, the BMW NZ Polo Open, at the Auckland Polo Club. CLEVEDON, NEW ZEALAND - The dynamic team of John-Paul Clarkin,
page 32
Kit Brooks, Ethan Wade and Will Harper beat South Island’s Glenmark team, Pete Dormer, James Harper, Lachie Gilmore and Sam Martin in a highly competitive match, 11-7. Six teams competed for the renowned polo tournament throughout the
week, made up of the nation’s top players as well as professional players from Australia, Argentina and England. Most valuable player went to Will Harper in the Mystery Creek team while his father, England Polo
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 33
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
Captain, James Harper, playing for Glenmark, won champion pony with a mare owned by Dean Geddes of Canterbury.
The Fashion on the Field competition was robust boasting a colorful contingency of fashionable pieces and classic style.
After a record 46 days of no rain in Auckland, the morning of the event was met with showers that did little to deter the crowd who were there to enjoy the polo and all the event had to offer.
As the sun set on the 43rd NZ Polo Open, the evening kicked on with guests enjoying the George FM after party on the Chukka Lawn.
The side-lines were packed for the infamous car versus horse race. First place went to the mighty BMW 8 Series Coupé with its powerful turbocharged V8 engine that can achieve 0-100km/h in just 3.7 seconds. page 34
TEAM MYSTERY CREEK:
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Will Harper for Mystery Creek CHAMPION PONY: Tia, played by James Harper, owned by Dean Geddes FASHION ON THE FIELD WINNERS: Best-dressed woman: Julia Ford
John-Paul Clarkin, Kit Brooks, Will Harper and Ethan Wade
Best-dressed man: Nathaniel Bryant
TEAM GLENMARK:
Best accessory: Jesper Lagerbaeck
Pete Dormer, James Harper, Lachie Gilmore and Sam Martin
By Lucy Ainsley Executive Director NZ Polo Open for Polo Lifestyles 2020 •
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 35
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
Throngs of chic spectators turned out for the BMW New Zealand Polo Open final -- even in the rain. Wellappointed sidelines and fashion shows in between chukkers kept the high-fashion crowd connected to the event's energy. This was the 43rd presentation of the New Zealand Polo Open and BMW's first year of title sponsorship.
page 36
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
N E W Z E AL AN D B MW POLO OPEN
page 37
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
N E W Z E AL AN D BMW POLO OPEN
page 38
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
On the field, it was action-packed horse- and sportsmanship of internationally ranked polo players; while on the sidelines, it was pure luxury, curated by the brands that love polo. page 39
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 40
N E WEZLEDOR AL AN D OB MW POLO OPEN AD POLO CLU B
Photos by Deji Atte
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 41
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
BEN DU R A B AN K S N OW POLO
page 42
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
N E W Z E AL AN D B MW POLO OPEN
page 43
A RACING MACHINE ON THE WRIST
RM 70-01
Manual Winding Tourbillon Alain Prost Alain Prost is an artist in the realm of speed. The collaboration between the brand and the four-time Formula 1 World Champion is based on unshakable loyalty. This time, a shared interest in cycling provided inspiration. Much like the aeronautics and automotive industries, where R&D plays an essential role, cycling is constantly evolving from a technical perspective.
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
The creation of this exceptional clock draws its inspiration from the concept "tempus fugit" (times flies), providing an endless source of fascination. Whether long or short, friend or foe, time runs wild and free. The idea of "taming" it - not to gain mastery over it but rather to better appreciate it - this was the starting point of the amazing adventure which gave birth to the mare and her foal, an automaton and exceptional clock baptized “Hippologia.� The Parmigiani Haute Horlogerie Manufacture has mastered the fine art of creating beautiful timepieces shrouded in mystery. Through its restoration work, Parmigiani is intimately acquainted with historical masterpieces, enabling it to hone its own creativity. This manifests itself in the form of unique timepieces, each a real piece of watchmaking bravura. In the past, the manufacture has already created many table clocks decorated with sculptures reproducing a dynamic movement. This year, Parmigiani Fleurier wanted to dream bigger and go further.
page 46
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 47
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
ITALIA POLO CHALLENGE CORTINA 2020 FEBRUARY 21-22 CORTINA D'AMPEZZO
U.S. POLO ASSN./I PROFUMI DEL MARMO 2 / 2 KEP/SAFE RIDING POLO TEAM
page 48
Photos by Edoardo Mainetti
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 49
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
I TA L I A P O LO C H A L L E N G E Cortina has a 1,000-year history and so isn't a 'Snow Disneyland' existing just to satisfy the ski crowd. Located a couple of hours from Venice, it nestles in the valley of the river Boite, surrounded by the Dolomites in the southern part of the Alps.
page 50
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
Photos by Edoardo Mainetti
page 51
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
I TA L I A P O LO C H A L L E N G E
page 52
Photos by Edoardo Mainetti
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 53
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
I TA L I A P O LO C H A L L E N G E
page 54
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
Photos by Edoardo Mainetti
page 55
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 56
Photos by Edoardo Mainetti
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 57
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
I TA L I A P O LO C H A L L E N G E
page 58
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 59
2020 F8 TRIBUTO
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
KINGS POLO CAIRO, EGYPT MARCH 2020
page 62
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 63
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
A L UKLIAN D G ES S P ERT O L POLO O
page 64
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 65
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
THE $20M SAUDI CUP SAUDI ARABIA FEBRUARY & MARCH 2020
page 66
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
Opposite page: Dark Power, winner of the Turf Sprint; Above: Maximum Security, winner of the Saudi Cup; Left: New York Central, winner of the Saudi Airlines Cup.
page 67
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 68
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
Top left: Omsiyaatee, winner of the Jockey Club Cup; Bottom far left: Call the Wind, winner of the Longines Turf Handicap; Bottom left: Full Flat, winner of the Samba Bank Saudi Derby; Top right: Port Lions, winner of the Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup; and bottom right: Tallaab Al Khalediah, winner of the Obaiya Cup.
page 69
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 70
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 71
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
HENNESSY'S INTIMATE EVENT
WITH BOXING LEGEND OSCAR DE LA HOYA HOTEL FIGUEROA, LOS ANGELES
Social distancing might be the phrase of 2020 and, without exception, every industry is exploring its effects and considering both the here-andnow as well as the short-term future. Sports stadiums are empty. page 72
We tune into Facebook Live to hear a message of hope on our Sabbaths. Events are canceled or postponed indefinitely in many cases. Jeff Brown, of BROWN HOT EVENTS, is the owner of a Los Angeles-based luxury event planning and management boutique firm, who’s quickly adapting his business to honor
and respect the mandates of social distancing. Prior to mandated shelterin-place orders in Los Angeles, his boutique firm designed and produced the HENNESSY night with Oscar de la Hoya at the HOTEL FIGUEROA in Los Angeles, which was designed to be an intimate, but luxurious, gathering. “As an event producer, I find pow-
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
10 sweepstakes winners and their plus 1s met with boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya and Hennessy VIPs for an evening of cocktails and music. Each winner received an autographed boxing glove from Hennessy. All photos by Lauren Scott for Claire Barrett Photography
page 73
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
er and beauty in smaller events that allow me the opportunity to pack an intimate setting with details that will be appreciated. In a room of 1,000 guests, we focus on details from the shoulders and up – because that’s what people will notice; in an intimate setting that’s designed for 10-20 guests, we can focus on details from the floor and up. The details in a smaller setting will sing more loudly,” Brown said.
page 74
An historical part of luxury is access – access to certain goods, memberships, personalities and celebrities. “Hennessy (part of the LVMH brand) brought together an intimate group, paired with a living legend, Oscar de la Hoya – an opportunity and a point of access reserved for very VIP gatherings,” Brown said. “The evening felt warm, comfortable and relaxed, contributing to the level of luxury our guests and clients expect and deserve.”
For now, Brown, and most others in the event management industry, are looking at postponing any and all events until given the all clear. “When the time comes, and this has passed, I believe people will be ready to gather and celebrate again. Until then, the creative process continues as we work remotely with clients and brands.” By Josh Jakobitz Editor-in-Chief Polo Lifestyles 2020 •
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
Boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya attended the Hennessy event at Hotel Figueroa in Los Angeles with VIPs for an evening of cocktails and music. Each guest received an autographed boxing glove from Hennessy. All photos by Lauren Scott for Claire Barrett Photography page 75
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 80
RISE & THRIVE
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
In times of uncertainty, one thing is for sure: There is always a way to Rise & Thrive.
This month's edition features the things inspiring us, keeping us focused and informed, connecting us across borders and time zones, things that are helping us not only pass the time but invest the time in learning, turning downtime into opportunity. Most importantly, be kind - to yourself, to each other, to neighbors and strangers.
page 81
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
RISE & THRIVE SMART TIPS TO STAY CONNECTED WHILE WE HONOR SOCIAL DISTANCING Social distancing can make us feel isolated and lonely — so more than ever, it’s important to reach out to colleagues and loved ones. The way we work and live is changing, and in this new normal, tapping into our fundamental need for connection is more important than ever. Whether you’re working remotely or separated from family or loved ones, everyone is still adjusting — and maintaining a sense of connection can feel especially challenging. The community at Thriveglobal.com weighed in on the little ways they’re staying connected to those they no longer see on a day-to-day basis. Which of these will you try? page 82
Hold a team yoga class online “One of my colleagues is a yoga instructor, so we have invited all of our co-workers to a virtual yoga session together. It’s a great way to see each other, include our families and roommates in the activity, and get in a good stretch.” —Tami Nealy, influencer marketing
Phoenix, Az.
Send out a lighthearted video “My team is working from home, so we’ve set up remote access with regular daily email communications and check-ins. Ensuring that all communication isn’t work-related is important as well. We’ve been sending inspirational, positive, and humorous images and videos around. It helps keep the
team engaged and helps with any feelings of anxiety and isolation.” —Carrie McEachran, executive director
Sarnia, Ontario
Share nostalgic photos in your family group chat “This is an opportunity to get creative so that we feel close and connected during this time of separation. We’re sharing funny memes in an extended family group thread, and my mom is texting throwback pictures of our childhood from the eighties. She recently sent a picture of my Granny and me, taken by film camera at my tenth birthday. It brought great comfort to see me hugging my Granny, realizing that she lived through the Great Depression. Even though she is no longer with us, knowing that she
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
got through that hard time felt like a long-distance embrace.” —Katie M. Reid, author and speaker Mt.
Pleasant, Mich.
Start a virtual happy hour with friends “We started a virtual happy hour. It allows our group of friends a time at the end of the day to look forward to. We leverage Microsoft Teams or Zoom, so everyone can see each other.” —Amanda DeVlugt, learning professional
Memphis, Tenn.
Cook the same recipe over FaceTime “As someone in a long-distance relationship, I’ve been forced to get creative when it comes to staying connected with my significant other. One of my favorite things we have done virtually is make the same rec-
ipe together over FaceTime. This is something fun and easy that you can do with friends and loved ones when you’re socially distancing. It’s also a great opportunity to try out a new recipe!” —Brynne Terry, occupational therapist
San Francisco, Calif.
Host an online book club “My book group is scheduled to meet in person for some food, wine, and fun while discussing our book. We decided to hold our meeting online by using a video conferencing tool instead. I am excited to see my friends even though it will only be online, and I’m excited to discuss our book. The best part about having to meet virtually is that our dear friend who lives in Singapore can join us!” —Jane Smith, corporate attorney
Atlanta, Ga.
Set up virtual playdates “Staying connected is vital for our mental health and for keeping our kids connected. We are using FaceTime more often, and my younger kids are using an app called Caribu that lets them color and play games with their friends on the screen — like digital playdates. Social media is such a wonderful thing right now. It feels good to talk about technology in such a positive light.” —Amber Faust, blogger Hilton Head Island, SC
Play online games with family “I live in Switzerland and my daughter is a college student in the US. We’ve been playing Boggle with friends on an app. It’s a great way of staying connected, checking in, and spending some time together.” —Brenda S., executive coach
Lutry, Switzerland
page 83
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
Move your meetings to video
Maintain a daily email chain
“Our tech council is typically eventbased, and we are all missing time to collaborate and feed off each other’s energy! We’ve been using Zoom to hold virtual C-level meetings to educate our members and check in with everyone. We’ve moved all of our internal board meetings to video calls as well and are planning on holding a virtual barbecue!”
“My sister and I have started writing daily emails to each other, where we share what’s on our mind during this time. We also hold each other accountable for exercise, not falling in the black hole of news obsession, and staying positive. It’s been amazing!”
—Jill St. Thomas, executive director
Tampa, Fla.
Call a loved one every day “I am doing something radical: actually picking up the phone and calling friends and family. Hearing their voices and being able to laugh or commiserate is so comforting. I now realize how much I was relying on emails and texting, and after this time is over, I plan on continuing to make telephone calls to stay connected in a more human way.” —Jennefer Witter, CEO and author
New York City
page 84
—Nicki Anderson, women’s leadership director
Lisle, IL
Have an online coffee date “As we all navigate social distancing, I’ve begun to connect with my tribe through an online latte. It is a great way to share positive news while supporting each other, and it’s super easy to coordinate. Face-to-face contact is so important when we feel isolated and grabbing a coffee in our home is a great solution.” —Trish Tonaj, coach, author, and speaker
Toronto, Ontario
Start a virtual “take your pet to work” day “I work in higher education, where
a sense of connection is vital to who we are — with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents. Here on the work-at-home front with two college students, a high school junior and a journalist, there have been mentions of virtual ‘take your pet to work’ days!” —Gail Towns, marketing director
Jackson, N.J.
Watch the same shows as your co-workers “Our workforce has gone remote, which has been an adjustment for many of our 500+ employees, who work out of five different offices across the country. We have created a dedicated chat stream called ‘What Ya Watching?’ for employees to connect and discuss what shows and movies they are currently watching, and exchange laughs and viewpoints in real-time. In the past two weeks, as the pandemic crisis has worsened, it has become a gathering place for all employees to get some levity, talk to other coworkers who may be expe-
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
“As we all navigate social distancing, I’ve begun to connect with my tribe through an online latte. It is a great way to share positive news while supporting each other, and it’s super easy to coordinate. Face-to-face contact is so important when we feel isolated and grabbing a coffee in our home is a great solution.”
riencing ‘news overload,’ and get a brief escape with a fun, light-hearted shared experience.” —Denise Spillane, communications leader
Philadelphia, Penn.
Send your friends a “checking in” text “Every morning, my close circle of girlfriends sends a group text to check in, and we all reply with a thumbs up, or a short report on what is happening in our homes. It’s a great way to check on each other.” —Candice Komar, divorce attorney
Pittsburgh, Penn.
Send handwritten letters “To stay connected, in addition to video-enabled dinner dates and happy hours, I make it a point to write thoughtful, creative, and personalized notes to people I care about. This helps me practice including a more conversational tone in my writing while also spreading some cheerful motivation. Now more than ever, I carefully choose my words to elevate and celebrate the people in my life.” —Ana-Maria Visoiu, program manager
New York City
Share your “highlights and lowlights” “Every other night, a group of six of us gets together on Zoom for a quick check-in after the kids are asleep. It’s a time for us to connect and share our highlights and lowlights of the day. Sometimes our husbands pop in to say hello as well! The structure of always sharing highlights and lowlights is helping us all remember to take note of the small wins so we have something to share.” —Lisa Abramson, executive coach
Menlo Park, Calif.
By Marina Khidekel, Head of Content Development at Thrive Global. Reprinted with permission. page 85
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 86
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 87
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
DAVOS RISE & 2020 THRIVE
THE FUTURE OF SECLUDED LUXURY THE WORLD IN DESTINATIONS TOTHE GET AWAY CHIC ISOLATION DRIVING DISTANCE HANDS OF WITHIN INSTAGRAM "INFLUENCERS"
page 88
The &Beyond Ngala Treehouse in South Africa
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
How the World Economic Forum became the backdrop of choice for socially conscious IMFluencers
The Jungle Bubbles at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Chiang Rai, Thailand
IGLOOS, TREEHOUSES & CANYONS
W
hen it comes to getting away from it all, we often think remote, hard-to-access destinations. In the age of travel advisories and recommended isolation, we've curated a list of global destinations where self-quarantine won't seem like a preview of Purgatory. Reflecting our global readership, we've selected destinations reachable (safely) from any continent. If you're ready to get away from it all, read on. If you're planning for travel later this year, read on. If you're simply a dreamer, read on. Really, just read on.
minibar. A new wave of accommodations has bumped traditional lodging out of the way by offering unique experiences that are endlessly, irresistibly Instagrammable. Want to cozy up in a glass igloo to watch the Northern Lights? Or hang on for dear life from the side of a cliff in a transparent capsule? You can do all that these days — for a price, of course. Get close — really close — to wildlife
IGLOOS, TREEHOUSES, THE ENDS OF THE EARTH AND INSIDE CANYONS
Africa is dotted with luxurious safari lodges for guests who want to get as close as possible to the continent’s incredible animal life.
Gone are the days when a hotel meant simply a bed, a desk and perhaps a
But some get you closer than others. At Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia, 18
chalets are arranged around two large lagoons, creating the perfect setting for watching elephants as they visit in the late afternoons. Africa isn’t the only continent to offer such close encounters of the animal kind. The Jungle Bubbles, at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Chiang Rai, Thailand, offer guests the chance to spend a night in a transparent bubble, witnessing elephants pass by. But if you live in the United States, you don’t have to travel far to get close to animal life. At the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, N.Y., guests can reserve one of a handful of tiny houses and mingle with some of the 800 farm animals rescued from abuse and mistreatment. page 89
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
Mfuwe Lodge
Treehouses, a perennial favorite Regardless of where you are in the world, there’s a good chance you can stay in a treehouse-style accommodation. At Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge in the Amazon region of Brazil, guests can find themselves cocooned in the canopy of the Amazon, high above the Rio Negro river. Up in the tall trees of the pine forests of Northern Sweden, the Treehotel posits guests in mirrored cubes and cabins perched in the treetops, one of which is even shaped like a U.F.O. On the edge of Kruger National Park in South Africa, the new &Beyond Ngala Treehouse opens this month, giving guests a chance to take a game drive out to the treehouse where they spend the night up high in the bush in a private tower. A different kind of treehouse greets guests in Costa Rica at Hotel Costa Verde, where a decommissioned airplane was reconstructed in the jungle canopy, so that guests actually sleep in a plane in the jungle canopy. But some travelers want to go even higher than the treetops. page 90
At Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru, guests arrive either by hiking over 1,300 feet or 400 meters up, or by zipping in like a superhero on a series of zip lines. The rooms themselves are transparent capsules hanging on the side of a mountain with panoramic views of the Sacred Valley. Under the sea Not into heights? You can always go deep thanks to lodging options that offer an underwater experience. At Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, guests can reserve the Muraka, a two-level hotel room that includes an infinity pool and also reaches 16 feet below sea level. At The Manta Resort, off the coast of Pemba near Zanzibar, a butler boats out to meet guests on their private underwater island. And in Key Largo, Fla., travelers with scuba certifications can dive down for a stay at Jules’ Undersea Lodge. Hygge hotels A new group of hotels that have cropped up in some of the world’s
coldest places provides travelers the chance to experience hygge, the Danish concept of cozy contentment. At Cielo Glamping Maritime in New Brunswick, Canada, guests can cuddle up inside domes nestled in the forest, with clear sides for views of the snowy sunsets. Want to see the Northern Lights but don’t want to feel cold? Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland is designed for you. Featuring glass igloos (for lying in bed to watch the lights) and snow igloos (caves dug out of a snow bank), it’s the perfect place for fancy snow bunnies. If you find yourself in the middle of the Gobi desert, stay warm under a camel-hair blanket in a traditional Mongolian tent (called a ger) at the eco-lodge, the Three Camel Lodge. Royal nights And if animals, treehouses or the cold really aren’t appealing, you can always settle for royalty. You may have heard of the famed Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, India, the landmark hotel that since 1903 has signified luxury tourism. But you might not know
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
Above: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island; Left: Sujan Rajmahal Palace in Jaipur; Bottom left: Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru
that in Jaipur, India, you can reserve a room in a palace once home to the city’s maharajah, Suján Rajmahal Palace. And for some British royalty vibes, check into The Newt in Somerset, where you can roam the grounds of the manor’s English gardens and sip tea in your castle. Or for Scandinavian style galore, try Nimb Hotel in Copenhagen, a 1909 castle with exteriors inspired by Moorish architecture. By Shannon Sims for The New York Times. Reprinted with permission. page 91
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 92
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
CASA
page 93
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
RISE & THRIVE I
15 WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE DURING ISOLATION
just shoved half a bag of popcorn in my mouth while stress-scrolling through Twitter, my eyes scanning over every single coronavirus update possible. And then I caught myself, there are better ways to cope.
So, I sat down on my sofa and turned on a meditation app, taking care to consciously breathe for five minutes. Of course, it took a global pandemic to get me to meditate, something the entire Internet and more than one therapist have been telling me to do for some time. It turns out, they were right, it helps in moments of anxiety. And now, isolated in my home office and going slightly stir-crazy, I have no excuse to avoid it. I’m in my home because I am sort-of quarantined. Someone at a conference I attended tested positive for the novel coronavirus. But even if I hadn’t gone page 94
to the conference, I would be trying to stay put to adhere to the tenets of social distancing, a public health measure that has been proven to reduce the spread of the virus. Social distancing is something we all should be doing.
Meditate
But as my panicked Twitter-andpopcorn binge shows, it’s easy to start spinning out when you are cooped up. So, what can you do to stay sane while keeping yourself and others safe during the virus outbreak? Here are a couple of suggestions about how to stay occupied.
Think about what you are grateful for
Exercise There is an entire universe of free yoga classes on YouTube (I am partial to the popular Yoga with Adriene), and some instructors are live-streaming their courses from home. If you are not in actual quarantine, go for a walk or run outside, while keeping a six-foot distance from others.
I am a complete beginner, and I already feel like this is something I should have been doing for a long time. The New York Times has a helpful guide on how to start.
You can do this in a journal, writing down one gratitude a day, or doodling out people, pets and other things you are grateful for in a sketchbook. Quartz’s Katherine Foley has done this exercise in the form of keeping a “happiness jar,” and you can read all about how to do that here.
Limit your time online Installing a website blocker will temporarily force you off websites like Twitter, which can give you terrible anxiety.
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
Take a bath A relaxing bath can be made even better with bubbles, salts, oils, candles and face masks. There is more inspiration for such small luxuries in writer Rachel Syme’s wonderful Twitter thread, and some of them you can do at home. (Maybe have an afternoon tea, too?)
posed isolation, cooking can be an act of self-care.” Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski has launched an IGTV cooking show from his kitchen that’s pretty educational and entertaining.
Read a cozy mystery “Cozy” mysteries—featuring murder but not too much violence—are a great bet for escapism. My recommendation (courtesy of Doree Shafrir, co-host of the Forever35 podcast) is the Maisie Dobbs series, set in 1920s and 1930s England. The audiobook version increases the coziness factor.
Embrace a hobby
Hang out with your pet
Partake in a hobby that you find fun, but do not give into the temptation to show it off on Instagram or turn it into a side-hustle. I’m fairly certain no one will ever wear the scarf I am currently knitting. Relatedly, do something with your hands. Crocheting, beading, embroidery and woodworking can provide great release.
Just look at how cute your guinea pig is. Or teach your dog a new trick. As the Internet has proved, again and again, there is nothing more amusing than a cat, is there?
Read out loud My partner and I have been doing this rather cheesy activity for years, mostly on road trips. It’s like a mini book club! Also just read, period. Check out Gregory Bertrand’s recommendations in this same issue.
Cook and bake Take a cue from food reporter Chase Purdy, who writes: “For many, cooking at home is intimidating—and nobody wants a recipe to go wrong when they’re already managing the stress of the world beyond their front doors. But instead of being an added source of stress, in a time of self-im-
Do video therapy Many therapists are offering video conferencing as an option for their patients, during what is a highly anxious and isolating time for many.
De-clutter Organize the drawer that has been begging for order, rearrange the living room furniture, or finally get your filing cabinet in order.
Watch something upbeat It is highly tempting to catch up on prestige TV right now, but a lot of current critically acclaimed shows tend to be depressing or stressful. So, throw in something fun, like a musical. I have been watching some old Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies. Nothing takes your mind off an epidemic like a mind-blowing tap number.
Learn something new Yale University is offering free online class, and there’s a nearly unlimited number of online classes on websites like edX or Skillshare, whether you want to learn coding or needlepoint, there is something for everyone’s fancy.
Remember that you’re not alone These tips are about self-care, but humans generally need a community to be happy. Write your grandparents a letter, get on a Google hangout with your co-workers, and FaceTime your friends. Also, if you are still able to go outside, consider helping a neighbor in need of a grocery delivery. By Hanna Kozlowska for Quartz qz.com
page 95
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
RISE & THRIVE CATCH UP ON
GREAT READS & HOT FICTION (IT'S BETTER THAN NETFLIX) GREGORY BERTRAND Copy Editor @bertrand7367
A
s people around the world experience lay-offs and a reduction in hours, most of us, whether by choice or government policies, are stuck in our homes for the foreseeable future. As a result, and in an effort to stay productive and even thrive, a routine, coupled with a few distractions, is needed. However, what happens after you run out of things to watch on Netflix? Most sports are completely canceled, and you can only listen to so many podcasts before you drive yourself sick. Well, if your New Year’s resolution was page 98
to read more, now is the time. If you have been missing from the literary scene for some time, here are eight books curated by Polo Lifestyles' Copy Editor Gregory Bertrand to catch you up on what is going on in modern fiction. “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” OTTESSA MOSHFEG
The unnamed narrator of this uncomfortably hilarious novel is in a period of self-isolation… or, at least, that is what she’s trying to do. She is an upper-middle-class WASP living in New York City off her family’s trust fund, and after losing her job at an art gallery, she resolves to sleep for an entire year, to “reset her life”. With the help of a less than stellar psychiatrist and enough sedative medication to sedate dozens of wild animals, our narrator leaves one world and a set of problems for something new entirely.
Winner of the 2016 Hemingway Foundation/Pen Award for her novel, “Eileen,” which was also shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in the same year, Moshfeg is a notorious writer on the literary scene. The imagery in her fiction can often tread on the gross side, and her look at female characters and their femininity runs counter to what society tells us a woman should be like. “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” is a must-read for any introvert but can be enjoyed by anyone. “The Answers”
CATHERINE LACEY
You would be hard-pressed to find another author like Catherine Lacey. She is a writer’s writer. Her prose is tightly woven, intricate and loving. Lacey is a fascinating young author, and her 2017 novel “The Answers” is proof.
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
Mary, the book’s central character, suffers from extreme pain, the source of which is unknown. She is in desperate need of money, as her bookkeeping job at a New York City travel agency will not afford her the luxury of entering an experimental medical procedure called “PAKing.” That’s when Kurt Sky enters the scene. He is running an experiment of his own, this one called, “The girlfriend experiment.” Mary finds herself a part of a collection of women, all of them serving a different emotional need: the motherly type, the intelligent type, the independent, the clingy, sex kitten and many, many more. With a smart undercurrent of feminism, Lacey’s novel will leave you in awe of the characters and the concept of love itself. “Black Leopard, Red Wolf” MARLON JAMES
Marlon James said he wanted to write an African Game of Thrones, and that is just what he did with his 2019 novel “Black Leopard, Red Wolf ”—with all the blood, guts, sex and violence you would expect from such a comparison. The Jamaican author is perhaps most famous for his seminal, multi-perspective novel, “A Brief History of Seven Killings” (winner of the 2015 Man Booker prize and numerous other accolades), a book about Bob
Marley, the CIA and the turbulent Jamaican politics of the 1970s. In “Black Leopard, Red Wolf ”, James trades the real world for a half-fictionalized Africa of a distant, maybe alternative past. The novel, the first in the “Dark Star Trilogy,” follows a man called Tracker, who is hired to track down a missing child from the mysterious North Kingdom. Soon, the normally independent Tracker finds himself a part of a motley crew of characters that evoke creatures, shape shifters and shamans from African tales, proverbs and the recesses of James’ deepest imagination. “Black Leopard, Red Wolf ” is a welcome addition to a genre that has long-ignored voices of color. “Everything Inside” EDWIDGE DANTICAT
Much of Danticat’s writing holds a sense of elsewhereness. It takes a while to put a finger on exactly why, the places are real—Miami, New York City, Haiti—but these familiar locals feel foreign in Danticat’s stories. Perhaps it is because they reflect the reality that many immigrants face when they come to this country. The Haitian author returns with her 2019 short story collection “Everything Inside,” which is made up of eight awe-inspiring, tragic and haunting stories.
If there is one central theme here, it is grief, grief from the loss of a parent you barely knew like in the story “In the Old Days” to self-grief, in what is the collections best and final story, “Without Inspection,” in which a man plummets to his death from a construction site. As the man falls, he comes to terms with his grim fate and ruminates on the events that brought his life to that particular moment. What makes short story collections great is the variety. Each tale places you in a new world, and every story in “Everything Inside” is a gem that is sure to delight readers. “Queenie”
CANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS
Billed as a Modern “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” “Queenie” is Candice CartyWilliams debut novel that everyone is raving over. Queenie, the eponymous main character, is a deeply relatable figure. She is a Jamaican-British woman living in London trying to find a place as a Black woman in a White society. Queenie, 25, a millennial facing the problems many millennials face, including extreme loneliness in a world where you can connect with humans at your fingertips but rarely face-toface, and struggles to find true love. Long-listed for the 2020s Women’s prize in fiction, “Queenie” is a marvel of modern writing. page 99
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
APRIL 2020 READING LIST
“Temporary”
“There There”
“Lot”
HILARY LEICHTER
TOMMY ORANGE
BRYAN WASHINGTON
Gig-workers, freelancers, temp and contract-workers, these are the people sure to relate to and love Leichter’s debut novel about an unnamed woman looking for permanence, not only in the workplace but in her personal life.
With 12 different narrators and shifting between first- and third-person perspectives, Tommy Orange’s debut novel is a spellbinding affair. Set in Oakland, Cali., the story follows a set of Native American characters attending an urban Powwow. Throughout the book, we learn about the often tragic lives of the characters and what ultimately binds them together as a people, from a young man who learned to dance traditional Native dances from YouTube to a newly sober woman trying to piece her life and family back together.
For being the 4th most populous city in the U.S., Houston is strangely invisible in the literary canon.
“Temporary” makes for a jarring and abrupt read but is done so purposefully as to evoke the feeling of constantly jumping from one job to another and to the next. Leichter’s writing is deceptively absurd, as the jobs in “Temporary” become increasingly complex and outlandish. The young woman goes from working on a pirate ship to shining a seemingly infinite number of shoes in a closet large enough to house an entire family. But it does not stop there; our narrator has a collection of boyfriends to juggle along with her many roles. Slightly satirical in nature, but nevertheless pertinent to today’s economy, “Temporary” is worth the read whether you are in a rock-solid position or not. page 100
A subversion of expectation for setting in Native American fiction, “There There” is the winner of the 2018 National Book Critics Circle and the 2019 Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award. Orange’s debut will pull you into a world often invisible and underrepresented. It will break your heart, awe and inspire you.
Bryan Washington changes that with his short fiction collection “Lot,” which is as sprawling as the city it centers on. It is H-town from cover to cover, with each of the stories titled after a place in the city; “Alief ” a working-class neighborhood in Southwest Houston, “610 North, 610 West,” locally known as “the loop” 610 is a notoriously congested highway. The latter of these stories centers around a recurring character in the collection, a bi-racial Afro-Latino who is “too dark for blancos, too Latin for blacks.” For those who have never set foot in Houston, the settings may seem strangely exotic, but the themes in “Lot” are universal: sexuality, gentrification, identity and coming of age. Washington’s collection is one that we will be talking about for years to come. By Gregory Bertrand Copy Editor Polo Lifestyles 2020 •
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 101
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 102
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
RISE & THRIVE TAKE IVY LEAGUE COURSES
FOR FREE ONLINE I
vy League schools are highly selective traditional institutions of higher learning. But the good news is that all these universities now offer free online courses across multiple online course platforms. So far, they’ve created over 500 courses. This is a partial list of some of our favorites. HUMANITIES COURSES Modern & Contemporary American Poetry (“ModPo”) / University of Pennsylvania HOPE: Human Odyssey to Political Existentialism / Princeton University Moralities of Everyday Life / Yale University Greek and Roman Mythology / University of Pennsylvania Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors / University of Pennsylvania Ancient Philosophy: Aristotle and His Successors / University of Pennsylvania China (Part 1): Political and Intellectual Foundations: From the Sage Kings to Confucius and the Legalists / Harvard University Modernity / Harvard University Effective Altruism / Princeton University Cosmopolitan Tang: Aristocratic Culture in China / Harvard University
Masterpieces of World Literature / Harvard University
Experience 1920 - 2016 / Columbia University
Global History Lab / Princeton University
Wage Work for Women Citizens: 18701920 / Columbia University
Christianity Through Its Scriptures / Harvard University
Writing Case Studies: Science of Delivery / Princeton University
Question Reality! Science, philosophy, and the search for meaning / Dartmouth
Fantastic Places, Unhuman Humans: Exploring Humanity Through Literature / Brown University
Religion, Conflict and Peace / Harvard University PredictionX: John Snow and the Cholera Outbreak of 1854 / Harvard University
BUSINESS COURSES Financial Markets / Yale University
Ancient Masterpieces of World Literature / Harvard University
Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content / University of Pennsylvania
Hinduism Through Its Scriptures / Harvard University
Customer Analytics / University of Pennsylvania /
Women Have Always Worked: The U.S. Experience 1700 - 1920 / Columbia University
Global Human Capital Trends / Columbia University /
The American Renaissance: Classic Literature of the 19th Century / Dartmouth Introduction to Digital Humanities / Harvard University PredictionX: Lost Without Longitude / Harvard University Book Sleuthing: The 19th Century / Harvard University Women Making History: Ten Objects, Many Stories / Harvard University Women Have Always Worked: The U.S.
A Preview Course on The 5 Killer Risks of Enterprise Risk Management / Columbia University Entrepreneurship 3: Growth Strategies / University of Pennsylvania Entrepreneurship 4: Financing and Profitability / University of Pennsylvania Social Impact Strategy: Tools for Entrepreneurs and Innovators / University of Pennsylvania Introducción a las Finanzas Corporativas / University of Pennsylvania page 103
IVY LEAGUE EDUCATION
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
Arts and Culture Strategy / University of Pennsylvania
Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society / University of Pennsylvania
Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies / Harvard University
Roman Architecture / Yale University
Decision-Making and Scenarios / University of Pennsylvania
Hollywood: History, Industry, Art / University of Pennsylvania
Global Trends for Business and Society / University of Pennsylvania Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): A Strategic Approach / University of Pennsylvania Financial Acumen for NonFinancial Managers / University of Pennsylvania Leading the Life You Want / University of Pennsylvania Launching Breakthrough Technologies / Harvard University Entrepreneurship and Healthcare in Emerging Economies / Harvard University Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing / University of Pennsylvania Business Strategies for Social Impact / University of Pennsylvania Building High-Performing Teams / University of Pennsylvania Creating a Team Culture of Continuous Learning / University of Pennsylvania What is Corruption: Anti-Corruption and Compliance / University of Pennsylvania Building High-Performing Teams / University of Pennsylvania Connected Strategy Capstone / Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania Retail Fundamentals / Dartmouth
ART & DESIGN COURSES Gamification / University of Pennsylvania page 104
Reinventing the Piano / Princeton University Exposing Digital Photography / Harvard University Music and Social Action / Yale University
SOCIAL SCIENCES COURSES Justice / Harvard University Moral Foundations of Politics / Yale University The Age of Sustainable Development / Columbia University The Science of Well-Being / Yale University Tangible Things: Discovering History Through Artworks, Artifacts, Scientific Specimens, and the Stuff Around You / Harvard University Designing Cities / University of Pennsylvania Revolutionary Ideas: Utility, Justice, Equality, Freedom / University of Pennsylvania Monasteries, Schools, and Notaries, Part 1: Reading the Late Medieval Marseille Archive / Harvard University
Media / Columbia University Citizen Politics in America: Public Opinion, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media / Harvard University CitiesX: The Past, Present and Future of Urban Life / Harvard University Child Protection: Children’s Rights in Theory and Practice / Harvard University Positive Psychology Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Wellbeing / University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods / University of Pennsylvania The Top 10 Social Issues for the First 100 Days / University of Pennsylvania US Social Services: Where did they come from? / Columbia University Freedom of Expression in the Age of Globalization / Columbia University Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings / Columbia University Structuring Successful Business Deals / Cornell University
PERSONAL DEV. COURSES Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator / Yale University
America’s Unwritten Constitution / Yale University
A Preview Course on Collaborative Knowledge Services / Columbia University
Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills / University of Pennsylvania
Improving Communication Skills / University of Pennsylvania
Making Government Work in Hard Places / Princeton University
Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking / Harvard University
English for Media Literacy / University of Pennsylvania Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing / Yale University Global Muckraking: Investigative Journalism and Global
Find Your Calling: Career Transition Principles for Returning Veterans / Columbia University By Dhawal Shah for FreeCodeCamp.org
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
What are COVID-19 and Coronavirus really teaching us? and drinking water that is contaminated with chemicals upon chemicals. If we don’t look after our health, we will, of course, get sick. It is reminding us of the shortness of life and of what is most important for us to do, which is to help each other, especially those who are old or sick. Our purpose is not to buy toilet roll.
I’m a strong believer that there is a spiritual purpose behind everything that happens, whether that is what we perceive as being good or being bad. As I meditate upon this, I want to share with you what I feel the Corona/ Covid-19 virus is really doing to us: It is reminding us that we are all equal, regardless of our culture, religion, occupation, financial situation or how famous we are. This disease treats us all equally, perhaps we should to. If you don’t believe me, just ask Tom Hanks.
It is reminding us of how materialistic our society has become and how, when in times of difficulty, we remember that it’s the essentials that we need (food, water, medicine) as opposed to the luxuries that we sometimes unnecessarily give value to. It is reminding us of how important our family and home life is and how much we have neglected this. It is forcing us back into our houses so we can rebuild them into our home and to strengthen our family unit. It is reminding us that our true work is not our job, that is what we do, not what we were created to do.
It is reminding us that we are all connected and something that affects one person influences another. It is reminding us that the false borders that we have put up have little value as this virus does not need a passport. It is reminding us, by oppressing us for a short time, of those in this world whose whole life is spent in oppression.
Our true work is to look after each other, to protect each other and to be of benefit to one another.
It is reminding us of how precious our health is and how we have moved to neglect it through eating nutrient poor manufactured food
It is reminding us that the power of freewill is in our hands. We can choose to cooperate and help each other, to share, to give, to help and
It is reminding us to keep our egos in check. It is reminding us that no matter how great we think we are or how great others think we are, a virus can bring our world to a standstill.
to support each other or we can choose to be selfish, to hoard, to look after only our self. Indeed, it is difficulties that bring out our true colors. It is reminding us that we can be patient, or we can panic. We can either understand that this type of situation has happened many times before in history and will pass, or we can panic and see it as the end of the world and, consequently, cause ourselves more harm than good. It is reminding us that this can either be an end or a new beginning. This can be a time of reflection and understanding, where we learn from our mistakes, or it can be the start of a cycle which will continue until we finally learn the lesson we are meant to. It is reminding us that this Earth is sick. It is reminding us that we need to look at the rate of deforestation just as urgently as we look at the speed at which toilet rolls are disappearing off of shelves. We are sick because our home is sick. It is reminding us that after every difficulty, there is always ease. Life is cyclical, and this is just a phase in this great cycle. We do not need to panic; this too shall pass. Whereas many see the Corona/ Covid-19 virus as a great disaster, I prefer to see it as a great corrector. It is sent to remind us of the important lessons that we seem to have forgotten and it is up to us if we will learn them or not. By Bill Gates
page 105
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 106
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 107
Subscribe to POLO LIFESTYLES TO RECEIVE A DELUXE PRINTED MAGAZINE EACH MONTH IT'S THE PERFECT GIFT OR BEAUTIFUL ADDITION TO YOUR COFFEE TABLE
MISS A MONTH...? THERE'S A FULL ARCHIVE ON POLOLIFESTYLES.COM
FASHION & STYLE
COÛT DE LA LIBERTÉ SHANGHAI'S PLAN TO SAVE FASHION
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
COÛT DE LA LIBERTÉ COÛT, CONCEPT & COUTURE
A
ll eyes were on the iconic Paris Fashion Week. Since 1973, the event’s initial concept consisted of presenting designers’ collections to elite fashion editors and potential buyers. The work to gain visibility and expedite an individual collections’ sale for the upcoming season was nothing short of pure genius as they presented extravagant versions of their clothing later to be modified and toned down for retail sales. While the fundamental essence of these events remains true to their fashion heritage, the style in which the brands present their sought-after couture has evolved. Fashion provides influence over all elements of style, everything from coloration to textile design, printing techniques, materials and even beauty page 110
trends. Fashion also dictates the way the culture visualizes the humble line. This is one of the reasons why many countries have adopted the fashion week concept and why numerous brands are eagerly clambering at the opportunity to take part in the halo of influence it creates. From the first fashion week until now, the largest driving factor setting them apart is the expectation of technological advancement and social media placements. We see brands swooping in with some of the most defined campaigns that command the engagement of both the audience as well as at home viewers – creating this perpetuating voice of what the designer has once sketched on paper, loosely templated, making a production-ready piece all to have it yearned for by the masses. Holding influence on a captive audience over
that 15- to 20-minute catwalk segment is a pivotal moment in a designer’s career where unless a true convergence of the cosmic forces align, then once the runway lights fade to black, they might as well leave them off. The event interior has also changed. Pushing a slew of shapely silhouettes and utilizing muted bodies to serve as elevated merchandising tools to display designer accessories. You can clearly see it’s a new era. Brands have also moved away from a traditional runway-only programming style and include large-format set instillations and graphic representations of the line’s latest campaigns to draw in the viewer from a whole new perspective. Many shows also include the brand’s history, telling the story of how a collection has been curated or the origin of its’ inspiration – quite charming.
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
Even in such an expansive marketplace, many brands, even those noted and established, are not able to participate due to the steep entry obstacle of cost. In fashion, it is all about a pay to play. To be a headliner, you need to bring your headlining budget. Over the past 10 years, this created a new sub-culture of shows that provided the momentum for a new set of fashion week elite events to develop. In walks ultra-luxury previews and capsule collections, capsuling off these condensed versions of a designer’s vision, allowing for a limited quantity, has proven to be ultra-successful. These chic, often limited editions of the originals released are tailored to reflect a more resounding style tone, something transcendent of the current fad while being functional yet reading commercial. The real heads turn, however, when brands announce a preview page 111
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
COÛT DE LA LIBERTÉ
in conjunction with the adjoining programming. This has to be one of the smartest brand moves as these previews are always invite-only, and it leaves everyone scrambling for an invitation once the news is released. Fall 2020 received one of its most anticipated previews coming from the brand Coût de la Liberté by founder and creative director Jeff Lubell. The Los Angeles based brand took to Paris Fashion week for their ultra-luxury preview, which was held at Le Hôtel de Crillon in the Place de la Concorde. The showing, which even at over 100 page 112
individual pieces, was done in a way that still felt like a one to one design consultation, set against a backdrop of gilded 17th-century antiquities and hand-painted ceiling frescos. The line created by Jeff and his wife Carrie spoke to the ornate nature of the fashion business: craftsmanship. As the founder of True Religion Brand Jeans, you can see that he, unlike many others, did not compromise on any facet of the design or its quality. Lubell stated, “We wanted to showcase that when you take only the finest materials and treat them with the most refined techniques,
you produce something that is uncompilable” The couple holds nothing back in sourcing the materials used in their new collection, which includes the most luxurious hand-dyed furs and exotic textiles, threads and trims. The finest cashmere from Italy, and innovative leathers and skins from France and Turkey, among other parts of Europe. Oah and the brand also features a curated denim collection in its finest form, which is no surprise. The brand draws you in with its 1970’s post-modern vibe, and their choice to preview has had fashion week fans, friends and foes shaking.
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 113
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
SHANGHAI'S PLAN TO SAVE FASHION: DIGITAL SHOWS
W
hen Shanghai Fashion Week and e-tailing juggernaut Tmall announced an entirely live-streamed, digital fashion week, it left many fashion councils scratching their heads. This online shift has drastically altered the very core on which fashion weeks were built — a physical space for buyers to preview new collections.
sumer focus, catering to a potential 800 million active users might have far-reaching implications on who future fashion weeks cater to. Shanghai’s online makeover could offer hope to an already jaded fashion week system challenged by the emergence of COVID-19 globally and increasing environmental pressures, most notably in travel.
Instead, Shanghai’s “See Now, Buy Now” format will see more than 150 designers and brands use livestreaming to present over 1,000 products from their current and upcoming collections. Moreover, the core con-
How Showrooms Are Adapting
page 116
Just at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, Meimei Ding co-founder of DFO, and one of the leaders in Shanghai’s recent showroom boom,
knew she had to react quickly given the company’s international remit. “We were under pressure to react sooner as we run a showroom in Paris, so we had plans in place even before the announcement from Shanghai. Our immediate response was a jump to digital, livestreaming and 5G.” Ding is confident about the season given the company’s newly developed capabilities in livestreaming and successful results (it streamed or shared live videos for 22 brands during Paris Fashion Week including N°21 and Snow Xue Gao. Client interest more than doubled, rising by 105 percent,
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
when compared to SS20). DFO will launch a new online showroom for this season as well as extended dates for extra security. “We figured out livestreaming in Paris, so we have addressed all the issues, and after core training, it’s just promoting, creating a variation in content, and readjusting and chasing our targets.” Initial predictions are high, too, as Ding reports DFO reached over 80% of its target from the Paris Fashion Week digital campaign and has extended sales deadlines to cater for increased demand. Livestreaming’s figures are certainly on the rise in China. However, it is not a priority for all this season. Ying Zhang, CEO of NOT Showroom, will focus on video appointments from the end of March. She believes her bespoke one-to-one approach is the best way forward, “As the client in each case is so different, we want an individual approach. Also, if for some reason we can’t actually do our offline sales, we can still make sales.” Given that factories and workers in mainland China have only recently returned to
work — following a lengthy period on lock-down — an additional issue for showrooms this season is that many brand collections will not be ready in time for the fashion week event. While some designers will have to promote current seasons on Tmall, TUBE Showroom has developed staggered media-led strategies to help brands promote as they produce.
“We have been devising new ways for brands to get more press buzz before the shows, given they might not have full collections ready,” founder Zemira Xu said, stressing that the media in China, from L’Officiel to Elle to Nown ess, have all jumped on board. Initiatives include a charity event with Elle, a collaboration with Nowness, and a more generalized sharing of selected looks with key page 117
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
influencers, media and VIP clients to create campaigns and photoshoots to amplify content reach and shares. Online Means Emerging Brands Will Struggle to Attract New Buyers Of course, as many founders will admit, the brunt of this season will be felt by new designers. The likes DFO is already skewed to a more established brand list, and platforms have been reluctant to take on new brands knowing buyers will have more trouble pushing unknown designers to customers. According to Zang, the set up around the communication of her video appointments means it favors those, “who already know the brand.” She continued, “Buyers will spend carefully for Fall 2020, maybe on very special things or safe products. But this is good for brands too in terms of their own development, they need to think about what kind of products are working at this time.”
page 118
London’s Fashion Innovation Agency has been working with a range of designers recently on new digital possibilities. According to the company’s Head, Matthew Drinkwater, this crisis may well force a new way of doing business for buyers. He stated that there are now so many tools available to allow brands to showcase in an “entirely new way, from AI to livestreaming”, all that is required is a “shift in behavior.” “Culturally, up to now, they [buyers] have physically needed to go to showrooms. The very nature of fashion week has been questioned for seasons now, so I think this is going to force brands to look at different, creative ways to express and showcase collections to consumers and buyers. We need to embrace what can come out of this, such as cloth simulation technology.” If how a garment moves can be accurately captured in 3D is an exciting proposition, Drinkwater hints at even more to come. “We can see creative
changes, a lot of people moving to 3D design, for example… We need to continue to push these areas so they can be accurately represented. How does it [fabric] feel like [it] is further down the link in tech advancements, but I feel like this will come,” he stressed. Undeniably, Shanghai’s showroom ecosystem is pulling together this season. What seems to matter most is that the show goes on. Xin stated they are cautiously optimistic about this season if the situation in China remains stable. “As the majority of collections deliver from August onwards, we’re hopeful that the retail environment will be largely back to normal by then. Our expectation for orders from the domestic market is, therefore, more positive.” Lin summarized it best when he said, “It’s important to be continuous and to keep showing to buyers. It’s vital for the designers too that we keep going.” Gemma A. Williams for Jing Daily. Reprinted with permission.
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 120
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 121
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 122
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
Host a Virtual Happy Hour
Recently, drinks at the bar turned into drinks in our individual homes, but that doesn’t mean you have to drink alone. This past Monday, on a whim, Jackie Summers, a liquor-brand owner, put out a call on Twitter for people to join him for a virtual cocktail hour. Since many of his friends in the hospitality
industry were suddenly out of work, he felt that this was the perfect way to encourage social distancing while giving people a much-needed outlet to socialize.
Fifteen people attended the event, which he organized with his friend Daniella Veras. The next day, over 100 participants logged in. He plans on hosting virtual happy hours page 123
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
Host a Virtual Happy Hour
regularly until the Coronavirus crisis resolves. It’s understandable that people are looking to the Internet to lessen feelings of social isolation. Not only does an evening “event” help give the day structure but seeing friendly faces can be a lifeline for people who miss their friends and loved ones. Whether you’re having a cozy chat with your far-flung besties, or plan on dropping into a video chat room filled with dozens of strangers, here’s what to know about having a successful virtual happy hour.
Keep it small As co-hosts of the YouTube show Natalie and Tara Try Stuff, the Los Angeles-based friends Natalie Lynch and Tara Jayn naturally took to the Internet as they observed social distancing guidelines. Even though they live-streamed a virtual happy hour for their online fans, Lynch thinks there’s a benefit to keeping your happy hour fairly intimate. “Too many people in a Google Hangout and it just becomes chaos,” she said. “More than eight to 10 people and conversations can’t really happen without leaving people outside looking in.” If more than 10 people are attending your virtual happy hour, consider appointing a moderator to help the conversation run smoothly.
Get dolled up Connecting online is also a good excuse to shake off rumpled clothes and shimmy into a snappy outfit. Jessica Lawlor of Chestnut Hill, Pa., applied makeup and put on a cute sweater for her virtual happy hour with three friends. She said the act of getting ready gave her a sense of normalcy.
page 124
Get comfy Wherever you hold your happy hour, make sure the lighting is bright enough so others can see you. It’s also wise to keep ambient sound to a minimum, as barking dogs and shrieking children can affect the vibe. Backyard patios, kitchen
tables and front porches can be suitable places to convene as well, as long as there is a stable surface to rest your laptop or device on. “You should participate in the place in your home where you are most comfortable,” Summers said. “Not everyone has
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
a home bar, but everyone should feel at home.”
Settle on food and drinks “Most of the happy hours have a combo, which is a beer or a lager with a tequila shot, or a dark beer with a whiskey shot,” said Yolanda Baez, a bartender at Broken Shaker near Gramercy Park in Manhattan. To get into the happy hour spirit at home, she recommends creating your own version of this classic happy hour staple. Cocktails like an Old-Fashioned and a bramble are easy drinks to whip up at home, she added. And mocktails like virgin mojitos, piña coladas and margaritas can be good options for those who aren’t imbibing alcohol. Many groups improvise with a “Quarantini,” which is basically a mixed drink containing whatever liquor you have on hand. Lynch shared a cocktail recipe for a drink called the Smoky Irishman before her virtual happy hour so people could get supplies and drink along if they wanted to. While she didn’t have everyone in attendance drink or eat the same thing, she did name her virtual bar Steve’s Irish Pub ahead of time. The virtual location influenced people’s food and drink choices, she said.
Go for the grid There is a variety of platforms you can use to get everyone together: Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts and Zoom, to name a few. Lawlor chose Zoom to host her virtual happy hour. She recommends using the grid view in any teleconferencing software, as it will let you see everyone at once in equal-size boxes. This also allows her to see everyone’s facial expressions more clearly. “It truly felt like we were sitting around a table at a bar or restaurant,” she said. Because Zoom outlines the person speaking (or making noise), it became a helpful visual cue to let others know that someone was about to speak, which minimized people talking over one another.
Be a good listener Summers encourages everyone who attends a virtual happy hour to be prepared to listen. “Everyone will try to talk and there will be rooms full of people and you can only really hear one person at a time,” he said. Let everyone participate.
Keep the conversation light As chief experience officer of the Westfield, N.J., dinner club Fat, Drunk and Fancy, Kim DiGiovanni tried to introduce as much levity as possible
while hosting her virtual happy hour. To get the conversation started, she encouraged people in attendance to share three new things that had happened in the last 24 hours that they were grateful for. Jenny Wang, a licensed psychologist, also recommends these starter questions, if you want to drive the topic of conversion a bit:
Coping What is something you’ve been putting off doing that you now suddenly have time for? What shows/movies have been helping you cope during this time? What is one small thing you are doing to bring a little joy or comfort into your day?
Work How do you stay focused when working from home? What is the most hilarious thing you’ve seen that distracted you from work? If you had a mantra right now, what would it be?
Connection Who do you see most now? What is the most annoying thing about that person? page 125
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
Host a Virtual Happy Hour
The Quarantini: The act of perfecting your bartending skills at home, or mixing drinks with whatever alcohol you happen to have on-hand and readily available. What do you love about being stuc with that person/people?
Avoid topics associated with anxiety, panic or fear, Wang said. Finances, stocks and politics also can make people feel on edge. If conversation drifts to more nerve-racking topics, she suggests redirecting the anxious energy by asking questions like: What are you going to do today? Who else are you video chatting with? What exercises will you do? What are you reading?
page 126
Highlight actionable items we have control over instead of dwelling on hypothetical and terrifying scenarios in the future. “If we can accept the uncertainty of tomorrow and embrace the ability to live in the now, I think this helps us live well despite chaotic and uncertain times,” Wang said.
End on a high note Keep your virtual happy short and sweet, then make plans to do it again. It’s a courtesy to include a set end time, but as with in-person happy hours, it’s likely people may continue gabbing if they’re having fun. Although Lawlor scheduled her virtual happy hour for one hour, her friends chatted another 30 minutes because they were enjoying themselves.
In the future, she’ll plan to include more time in the initial calendar invite. And she would let people know they can hop off whenever they need to. However, she notes, if she were speaking with her best friend or her mother, she wouldn’t set a time limit. “We already have a super comfortable relationship where I’d feel OK with saying, ‘OK, I gotta go.’” Lawlor is already planning on attending more virtual happy hours with other groups of friends. “It’s a great way to stay in touch, though I’m definitely looking forward to the day we can meet up IRL again,” she said. By Anna Goldfarb; Alexandra Petri contributed to reporting.
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 127
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 128
SPIRITUALITY DEFINING THE DIVINE PRACTICING
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE “Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” “Winnie the Pooh” - A.A. MILNE
being served up as the daily plat du jour now, it takes real determination and acceptance to be grateful.
JYOTI PAINTEL @jyotipaintel Spirituality Contributor
Typing these words into my laptop and writing this article on gratitude during the current world chaos was in itself a practice in discipline and focus. The novel coronavirus pandemic has dramatically changed our lives in a matter of weeks, leaving many of us with only uncertainty and fear. As I write from the confines of my shelter, practicing the attitude of gratitude at a time like this seems paradoxical. With fear and dread
Who didn’t feel chills and become emotional when citizens in locked-down countries coordinated shows of gratitude for their health care professionals? More appreciation and displays of solidarity came in the form of music and singing echoing down from balconies and windows and spilling into whole neighborhoods across Italy and Spain. This reverberation of gratitude caused a small amount of joy in suffering hearts and was broadcast and felt all over the world. In Italy and other hard-hit countries where the fight rages on, and in the U.S., which has not yet experienced the full onslaught, this type of giving thanks and morale-boosting will prove to be vital to our survival now more than ever before.
My first act of gratitude as I begin this article is to acknowledge with deep reverence all those who are engaged in fighting this battle. I have gratitude for all who have lost, all who have won and especially to all those who risked their lives so others could live. So, how can we create gratitude during a time of grief?
Gratitude as Meditation “Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity, a meal into a feast...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” -Melody Beattie from the 21 Days of Gratitude with Deepak Chopra Luckily gratitude meditation is considerably easier to master than most traditional forms of silent meditation and clearing thoughts. This
might come as good news to people who feel too stuck in their current situation to create an empty space in their heads. One way to make empty space is by creating a diversion. Instead of attempting to clear our minds through quietude, gratitude meditation requires using our minds to develop thoughts that generate good feelings, what is described as ‘anand’- the Sanskrit word for bliss. For decades now, Deepak Chopra has been guiding people in the practice of Indian meditation and holistic healing. Outside of an ashram (a place for spiritual retreat) these practices have been traditionally difficult to master but, Dr. Chopra’s work is highly relatable and useful in our practical worlds as busy humans, and I am grateful to recommend his 21 Days of Gratitude Guided Meditations as a guide to understanding this powerful way of centering and openpage 131
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
SPIRITUALITY DEFINING THE DIVINE PRACTICING
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE ing our hearts.
A Simple Exercise in Grace and Gratitude “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” Robert Brault I have often pondered the word “grace”, as it applies to a spiritual context and have turned to theology to explain the significance of it, and in doing so, I stumbled upon its opposite: karma. Our karma is the physical manifestation of what we deserve or have earned when practicing our dogma (the set of principles that we believe to be true and right for us), often resulting in punishment or reward according to our actions. On the other hand, what we receive and accept into our hearts unconditionally from the Divine (regardless of whether we deserve it or not) is forgiveness, unconditional love, kindness and peace for the restless and troubled soul. This defines the phrase “by the Grace of God”, and it is also the feeling we arrive at when we practice unconditional gratitude. According to Chopra, in day two of the Gratitude Meditation: “Gratitude is an
page 132
inner conversation with one part being thankfulness and devotion, and the other the response bringing even more to be grateful about.” So, we can begin the inner conversation very easily by asking: What are three things for you to be grateful for? They do not have to be large or significant. For example, if you have woken up feeling healthy in your body, and it’s a beautiful day outside, the birds are singing a joyful song, you have breakfast in front of you, then you already have many things to be grateful for! Can you think of 10 more things? How about 50 or 100 more reasons to be grateful for being alive? If you are thankful for something or someone that isn’t in front of you, then you can visualize it and say out loud, “thank you!” If you feel depressed because you want a specific condition in your life that does not exist just yet, whether it’s financial abundance, good health or a wonderful lover who is devoted to you, then try this exercise: imagine vividly what it would feel like to have it and take time to see the details of it all. Do you feel your heart gently relaxing? Does it bring a smile to your face? Hang on to this feeling, it is more im-
portant than you think. Tell the universe how grateful you are because you know it’s coming your way. I once read it is almost impossible to feel depressed and grateful at the same time.
Gratitude during the Pandemic There is no better time than now to open our hearts to those who have shown us grace and helped this world to function amidst the crisis. Have you tried the act of unrelenting gratitude yet? This is something that only takes practice, but once you start doing it, it’s hard to stop. Try thanking the person who is working at the grocery store, or the pharmacy cashier when everyone else is at home trying to avoid people. What about the people working overtime right now, unloading food and supplies for the shelves? Thank the delivery workers for bringing supplies to your family when they are at risk and also have families. Call local hospitals and ask if there is any way the community can support and bring any relief to the stressed staff working overtime. The list goes on, and actually, you will find that it never ends. There is always something to do, or someone to be grateful for every day. God bless us all.
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
BO S S / HU G O
page 133
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
Welcome Home
JACKSON HOLE PROXIMITY RANCH ON 6,000+ ACRES 640 CLEARWATER LANE, THAYNE, WYOMING $24,450,000USD Set amongst 300-acres of stunning Wyoming landscape, with proximity to Jackson Hole, The Ranch is comprised of a magnificent 6,000+ square foot residence - harnessing breathtaking views from every room, the day lodge with a full commercial kitchen, hay barn and pasture, equipment barn and apartment, farm and 120-acres of fenced in pasture with the opportunity and infrastructure to develop even more! This Thayne ranch/farm is for sale and has 6 bedrooms, 12 full baths. This ranch/farm is listed on the Christie’s International Real Estate website in zip code 83127 and it boasts 6,414 Sq. Ft. of interior space on a lot of 299.1 Acres.
page 138
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 139
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
Welcome Home
PALM BEACH POINT EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY 15725 SUNSET LANE, WELLINGTON, FLORIDA $14,900,000 USD Palm Beach Point on one of the largest contiguous tracts available (3 Lots). An incomparable professional facility completed in 2016 on over 16 acres. 20 stall center aisle barn has 4 grooming stalls, 2 tack rooms, hot and cold water wash stalls, extended laundry room with double set of machines and extensive storage space, oversized feed room, and 2 staff apartments. Three arenas including covered, outdoor and derby field. Palm Beach Point is an exquisite estate home, fully renovated in 2016 offering captivating views of the expansive property floods the interior with natural light from its floor to ceiling windows, Snaidero kitchen design, indoor and outdoor Porcelanosa Urbatex tile, private master retreat and additional five bedrooms with en suite bathrooms.
page 140
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 141
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
Welcome Home
HOLLYWOOD GLAMOR & NEW YORK ELEGANCE 828 MOAIALA STREET HONOLULU, HI 96821 $11,888,000 USD
One-of-A-Kind Luxury Residence in Honolulu, Hawaii! PANORAMIC OCEAN & MOUNTAIN VIEWS! Designed/built by Al Masini, famous TV producer and creator of “Entertainment Tonight”. Two-story hillside home offers unmatched
page 142
quality in every detail. 5-star Resort atmosphere with tropical waterfalls, outdoor spa Jacuzzi, Biometric entry elevator, personal gym & 4-car garage. Hand selected exceptional stone, marble and elegant finishes of the
highest standards. Facing east and south, this spectacular dream home offers security in a prestigious gated community. Seller may consider trading for a smaller home/condo plus cash.
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 143
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
Welcome Home
HIGHEST RIVER HOUSE DUPLEX WITH TERRACES
435 EAST 52ND STREET, 18/19C NEW YORK CITY, 10022 USA $15,750,000 USD
High atop the storied River House, this majestic duplex residence features expansive outdoor space from two southern-facing terraces and panoramic river views over the East River and into Midtown. Exquisitely designed with historic elegance and graceful flow, the residence boasts four exposures, welcoming sunlight into its 17 rooms, including a stately great room and dining room, library, sun room, page 144
six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and four wood burning fireplaces. Through a gated drive court, and attended lobby, one arrives at the private elevator landing and onto a double-height entrance foyer featuring a sweeping staircase leading up to the living quarters. A noble great room, with wood-burning fireplace, looks directly out and over the East River
through multiple picture windows. Full-height double doors lead to a grand corner dining room accommodating seating for 16. To the south of the great room is the corner library, a regal hideaway with a wood burning fireplace, mahogany millwork throughout and sweeping riverfront views looking east and south. A sunroom provides open access to the two large south facing terraces. The scale, depth and
flow of this floor, inclusive of a chef’s kitchen with butler’s pantry, breakfast room, laundry, powder and double staff rooms, is a testament to the original architects Bottomley, Wagner & White vision of grand luxurious living at its absolute finest. The second floor of this expansive duplex, also accessible by elevator, is exclusive to the living quarters. It spans six bedrooms, all with
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
en suite baths, including the corner master suite wing, with a wood burning fireplace, and a sitting room, also with wood burning fireplace.
provide immediate service and security at all times. Privacy is unparalleled and is further ensured by state-of-the-art security systems.
Elegant and timeless, River House was designed by architects Bottomley, Wagner & White and built in 1931 by James Stewart. Located at 435 East 52nd Street, River House is situated at the enclave of a quiet cul-de-sac with a gated and cobblestoned Palazzo courtyard. The Art Deco lobby overlooks lush gardens with a fountain nestled along the East River. Multiple doormen, lobby attendants and concierge
Apartment ownership now comes with automatic membership to the River Club (with separate membership fees), one of the city’s most exclusive members-only athletic clubs featuring a swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, garden, gym, and a restaurant. A private storage unit is assigned to this property and includes a temperature-controlled wine fridge.
page 145
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
M U S C L E The revolution to online, at home and interactive Appbased fitness is here. Functional Muscle Fitness is proud to be able to offer a variety of fitness programs to users all across the globe. Our programs include physique programs, at home programs, circuit-based training, athletic programs and more. Our interface provides each user with videos and exercise coaching points within each workout. Taking it even one step further, the interface is fully interactive - allowing for users to input their numbers, which is stored for future reference, and a message board to ask questions. Choose between custom programming or a basic online programming. Functional Muscle Fitness brings over a decade of training and programming experience‌ experience that ranges from youth training to professional athletes. We do not believe in random when programming. Everything has a purpose and if you have a goal we will make sure your get there.
page 146
F I T N E S S
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 147
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 148
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
DIET, FITNESS & NUTRITION
HOW TO LIVE
LONGER, HEALTHIER & STRONGER The entire balance of your bank account and all the tips on the Internet can't help if you don't follow some basic guidelines.
MARK WINE CSCS, BA, USAW, PT, PES, CES @functionalmuscle Healthy Lifestyles Contributor
In a world of stress, panic, cultural disdain and artificial everything our bodies and minds are being eaten alive. We carry phones around with us 24/7 that send radio-active waves constantly; we use cellular streaming that is basically a microwave; we have so much demand for food that food could be labeled toxic; our governments allow lobbyists and billionaires to control and dictate how things are run; and worst of all, our media has turned in to a propaganda nightmare that creates panic. Where does this leave us? As more and more citizens
become enlightened to good health practices and the political evils in the world smarter choices are being made.
non-filtered water as your daily water intake. I suggest investing in a high-quality filtration system, your mind will thank you!
For this blog I am not here to dive in to the politics of the world but rather the health side of nutrition by providing simple tips to protect yourself by reducing inflammation within your body.
The fat you eat
The water you drink There are many dangers with Fluoride ingestions, which have been linked to numerous adverse side effects. One of the most dangerous side effects is how it calcifies the pineal gland (third eye) of the brain. This creates a side effect that allows your mind to remain one-dimensional and therefore be easily manipulated and controlled. Begin by removing tap water from your daily intake of water. Challenges will be brushing your teeth, boiling pasta and other daily tasks. A solution to consider is putting a filtration system on your kitchen faucet to filter water while in use for daily-life. However, it is necessary to avoid drinking
Not all fat is created equal and there are two kinds of fat that you must intake as part of your daily requirement. Omega-3 fat and Omega-6 fat are ingested daily in what we eat. In a western diet Omega-6 fat is more often eaten and thus creates a massive imbalance between the two. Omega-3 fats are harder to attain but are the fat that fight cancer, reduce inflammation and decrease the likelihood to be overweight. Omega-3 fat examples: salmon, tuna, mackerel, herrel, walnuts, flaxseed oil and leafy greens Omega-6 fat examples: eggs, milk, processed grains, corn oil, soy oil, canola oil and fried foods
Dairy that is pasteurized, organic and grass fed can shift back to Omega-3 and not Omega-6 A significant imbalance between the two fat types has
been reported as a cause of cancerous tumors, diabetes, stroke, heart disease and more. Therefore, it is crucial that we increase our Omega-3 fats while restricting the amount of Omega-6 fats. Healthy fats mean healthy cells; after all, fats oxidize thus producing free radicals that damage cellular walls and DNA. A healthy dose of insoluble fiber Fiber is a vital part of a healthy diet. Soluble fiber is not what you want either, which is often added in to foods. Insoluble fiber is found in “real food� and it does not dissolve in water. Choose a diet that is rich in things like brown rice, fruits, beans, veggies and whole grains. This will help you become more regular and therefore allow for dangerous carcinogens (which cause cancer) to be removed in stool. Meditate There are strong links to self-healing through meditation for centuries. Ancient cultures have sworn by it and page 149
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 150
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
even modern-day natural health practitioners swear by it. One of the major benefits is a reduction in inflammation by shutting down the mind and relaxing the body.
7. Be patient, with anything you will get better with practice
Easier said than done with all the technology we have today; here are a few tips:
Although meditation is challenging there are many different forms.
1. Do it inside of a completely dark room
Finding a place, position and style that works for you is important because it allows you to relax and “reset” the body and mind.
2. Have periods of time with no electronics surrounding you 3. Try for 30-minutes per day 4. Meditation is best alone and not in large groups 5. Do not be afraid to fall asleep 6. Do not check your “phone” instead set a timer and do not check the clock
8. Get comfortable sitting in an upright position
cause high heat kills nutrients while oxidizing fat 2. Choose organic, grass-fed, pasture raised 3. Eat a lot of dark leafy greens 4. Omega-3 fats are the best to eat 5. Avoid high amounts of Omega-6 fats 6. Meditate daily
Lifestyle
7. Avoid checking your phone frequently
It takes time to make something a lifestyle so be patient and be disciplined.
8. Do not eat processed foods and sugar
Here is a list of 10 general rules that will help you get on your way.
10. Choose purified water to drink
1. Avoid high heat cooking… low heat is best or no heat be-
9. High fiber diets are best
By Mark Wine Fitness Columnist Polo Lifestyles 2020 •
FOODS TO CHOOSE Dark Leafy Greens White and Pink Grapefruit Green Tea Omega-3 fish: salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring Flaxseed Oil Walnuts Grapes Berries Garlic and Onions Mushrooms Cruciferous veggies: broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage Fresh Herbs: basil, rosemary, turmeric, ginger, parsley Citrus fruits
page 151
L E G E N D S I N LU X U R Y F R O M FAT H E R TO S O N SINCE 1760 P R E S E N T I N G S P O N S O R O F T H E C A P TA I N S C U P I N L AG O S
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
MOLD YOUR MIND
MOTIVATION
PART 2 LEADING BY EXAMPLE JOEY VELEZ MA, MBA @velezmentalperformance Healthy Lifestyles Contributor
John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” Understanding what motivates you can help you get through the tough times. It can also help you see the bigger picture, and finally, motivation can help you become dedicated and totally focused on a particular goal. However, for those of you holding a leadership role, there are times where it is about more than motivating yourself, you must motivate your team as well. Discovering ways to develop and enhance the motivation of others can be the determining factor in how successful you and your team can become. There are a few different approaches to increasing motivation within your organization: simulation, challenge, competence, self-worth and acceptance and belonging.
Motivation and Me For the past two years, I have been the head coach of the junior varsity basketball team at my high school alma mater. In this leadership role, part of my responsibilities is to motivate a diverse group of individuals that include freshmen, sophomores and juniors, as well page 154
as different personalities and different skill levels. When the team is winning, it does not matter who is playing or what the situation is, because it is easy to motivate the team when things go our way. However, there are situations where it is more challenging to hype up the group, and that includes practice sessions and losing in competitions. One area of personal growth for this season was adjusting practice plans to increase the team’s motivation. There were times, especially early morning practices, where I could tell some guys did not want to be there, so I would start practices off with a game to switch things up. There were times where we did the same drill multiple days in a row but added a different spin on it each time to keep it from being mundane. Sometimes I would have to make the most routine drills a competition between players so that they would take them seriously. Whether their motivation was low due to a lack of sleep, fatigue or unfinished homework, it was my duty to provide those opportunities for increased motivation so that they could get the most out of practices. In my first year, our team went 5-19. We lost the majority of our games by over 20 points, which was compounded by their 3-23 record the season before. Motivating the team during games was extremely difficult because they had become so accustomed to losing that they would succumb to adversity. Yelling at them, trying to get them to understand that once their motivation drops their
effort lowers, switching lineups, nothing seemed to help drive the team. This season, I had three players return to play for me, and we finished 8-18. However, the record does not show how their motivation was drastically higher than the previous year. In our 18 losses, we trailed by at least 25 points in every single one of them. In each of those games, we cut the deficit to under eight. We did not win any of them, obviously, but the team never quit. There was a change in how I approached these situations. I would alter our style of play by giving the team more freedom, I began speaking in a calmer tone rather than yelling, I would focus on our process rather than the score and I would give them short-term goals to achieve to get back into the game. I quickly figured out that yelling was not the best approach. I started to notice that keeping calm in losing situations made my players begin to relax more. Once I started giving them short-term goals to focus on as opposed to the overall score, their effort and intensity began to elevate. That was my challenge as a coach, motivating a group of individuals in situations where our backs were against the wall. A lot of it was through trial and error, but as a leader, you have to continue to find ways to motivate your group to develop positive qualities.
Increasing Motivation as a Leader in Three Methods One method of increasing motivation
W W W.P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
in the workplace is through simulation and challenge. Leaders can help increase motivation among their team by incorporating fun activities to help keep their employees fresh and motivated throughout the workday. This could include a game of charades to start your morning meeting, or some other game of your choice, ultimately, the goal is to make your employees laugh and build team chemistry. Leaders should be a motivational model and attempt to transform the work environment into a stimulating, exciting and challenging place where people want to be. Goal mapping strategies can help turn an individual’s dreams into tangible objectives. Going through the process with your employees on how to set challenging performance goals can ignite their flame because they now have a sense of direction. Follow up here is key, and it shows that you support them along their journey. Your employees should be focusing on the enjoyment of their work; being a reminder of this or taking their focus away from results would help increase motivation. Finally, proper motivational climates are congruent with personal motivational goals and become more satisfying, motivating and productive. Individuals should seek out stimulating and challenging situations where co-workers and leaders share their specific needs to experience optimal challenges. Another method to increase motivation in the workplace is through increasing
competence and self-worth. Employees need and want appropriate technical instructions; therefore, an effective leader is also an effective teacher. Doing this in a facilitative way and giving specifics on what to work on, rather than what to avoid, enhances the motivation of the person because they want to work harder to show you that they can complete the assigned task. Errors are typical in learning, so being able to explain this message to your employees is going to help them deal with mistakes more effectively. Also, leaders must assist their employees in developing attributional patterns to feel personally responsible for their achievements. It is important to reiterate to your employees that success comes with hard work and is not simple luck. Be optimistic and hopeful that they can overcome failures and setbacks to help maintain their level of motivation. Affirm that they are a special and worthy person despite setbacks and failures. By doing this, leaders can help their employees honor themselves in their pursuit of excellence. Finally, leaders can enhance motivation in the workplace through acceptance and belonging. Social activities can be used for team building and cohesion, and to allow space for employees to get to know each other beyond the workplace environment. This allows each individual the opportunity to gain a new respect for their peers because they have the chance to connect with their co-workers on a different level.
Leaders can also increase motivation by helping their employees develop self-esteem and acceptance of themselves by showing them that you are there for them and that you care. Leaders need to understand their personal biases and how they can affect their ability to accept employees for who they are, so understanding other perspectives is an essential aspect of being an effective leader. Finally, recognize and reward role fulfillment for those who give their all to the team. To the employee that gets asked to stay late but never complains, acknowledging the importance of their job is going to increase the likelihood that they continue that role. Leaders should repeatedly and consistently demonstrate their beliefs in the value of these roles to create buy-in and consistency amongst the team.
Final Thoughts One size does not fit all with how people like to be motivated. This can be tricky to accept, but it is part of being an effective leader. Being able to find what drives each person and being able to find different ways to stimulate the group to be productive both take some trial and error. But what you will ultimately find is that your team will not only become more productive but will become more joyful individuals, which helps them with their lives outside of the workplace. Learn to motivate, be creative and improve your position as a leader. page 155
VOLUME IV / ISSUE IV / APRIL 2020
page 156
W W W. P O LO LI FESTYL ES .COM
page 157