The Flourish Lifestyle | FLOURISH DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Behind the Glamour: A Conversation with Lindsey Jones on Atlanta’s Premier Coco Chanel Ballet Preview

Flourish Digital Magazine — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 20:43:23 +0000

Atlanta Ballet Presents
COCO CHANEL
The Life of a Fashion Icon
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

FEBRUARY 9 - 17, 2024 | WITH THE ATLANTA BALLET ORCHESTRA

Chloé Taylor Brown had the honor of attending the preview of the Coco Chanel Ballet presented by the Atlanta Ballet. During the event, she had a chance to chat with Lindsey Jones, the Area Director of Marketing for Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza Malls, to delve into the excitement surrounding the event and learn more about the malls' initiatives.

Chloé: What are you most excited about in the work you do?

Lindsey: It’s great to really talk to people about the philanthropic and community partnerships we have been doing at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza. Today, we’re hosting an event to preview the U.S. premiere of the Coco Chanel Ballet with the Atlanta Ballet. It’s called Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon. This is the first time anyone in the U.S. can see a sneak preview of the costumes for the upcoming ballet.

Chloé: Are these costumes part of the Coco Chanel collection?

Lindsey: They are part of the costumes for the actual performance that you will see beginning February 9th, when the premiere run starts. This is a preview, and these costumes were specifically made for this ballet. It’s the first time in the U.S. that this ballet will be performed – and it’s here in Atlanta. It was only performed once in Hong Kong, so they shipped everything here.

Chloé: What's your greatest ideal in your work?

Lindsey: I think it is great to bring the arts back into the malls. I think it is so important to make the arts accessible for everyone, which is part of our continued partnership with the Atlanta Ballet. We started with them last holiday season when they did a Nutcracker performance inside Lenox Square, and we are continuing to build on that partnership with tonight’s preview event.

Chloé: Can you tell us more about the reimagining of Phipps Plaza?

Lindsey: So right now, where we are (inside Citizens Market), this used to be the women’s fragrance and cosmetics department of Belk. We are now sitting in this amazing mixed-use property, with Citizens Market food hall here, One Phipps Plaza office tower across the way, Nobu Hotel and restaurant as well as THE GREEN space. We opened 17 new retailers on Level 1 last year. If you just think about the whole new transformation of Phipps Plaza, it is definitely very different.

Lindsey: Look at all the new things we have been able to bring to the Atlanta market. It really has changed everything as far as the landscape of Buckhead.

Chloé: What do you like best about your job?

Lindsey: I love being able to work with community and philanthropic partners. So, tonight, we are working with the Atlanta Ballet. We have done all kinds of partnerships with all kinds of groups. There is a winter clothing drive with YMCA of Metro Atlanta happening over at Lenox Square. So, during this month, we have YMCA at Lenox, Atlanta Ballet at Phipps but that is just a sprinkling of the different groups we work with throughout the year.

Chloé: What are your aspirations for 2024?

Lindsey: My goal is to keep building better and bigger. I want to continue the community partnerships, continuing to work with the arts, continuing to work with the great community, charities and outreach in Atlanta. There are so many great philanthropic groups. We want to continue to work with these groups and curate a great experience for everybody where we can give back to the community – and also continue to grow our centers.

Chloé: What else would you like to tell people?

Lindsey: I would tell people to continue to check out our websites – Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza. You’ll find all the great events and things we have going on. Last year at Phipps Plaza alone, we had 57 different events, so there is always something happening, and we have a lot of exciting things planned. This year is a big anniversary year for both malls – March 2nd, Phipps Plaza turns 55 and on August 2, Lenox Square turns 65. We have a lot of great, unique experiences to come on both sides of the street.

Chloé: Thank you, Lindsey.

Chloé Taylor Brown

The post Behind the Glamour: A Conversation with Lindsey Jones on Atlanta’s Premier Coco Chanel Ballet Preview first appeared on FLOURISH DIGITAL MAGAZINE.

Mind over money: How to navigate the effect of mental health on financial wellness

Flourish Digital Magazine — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:00:08 +0000

Mind over money: How to navigate the effect of mental health on financial wellness

Its important to take a step back and reflect on the increasing rate of stressors, uncertainties, and unprecedented challenges that impact our mental health.

From the pandemic's toll on mental well-being to the everyday pressures of work, relationships, and personal expectations, many individuals find themselves grappling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Yet, despite the growing awareness of these challenges, there remains a significant gap in understanding, acceptance, and action.

ts important to take a step back and reflect on the increasing rate of stressors, uncertainties, and unprecedented challenges that impact our mental health.

From the pandemic’s toll on mental well-being to the everyday pressures of work, relationships, and personal expectations, many individuals find themselves grappling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Yet, despite the growing awareness of these challenges, there remains a significant gap in understanding, acceptance, and action.

Navigating the effect of mental health on financial wellness

When our mental health is on a downward spiral, our finances often pay the price. It has been shown time and time again that our emotional state can play a significant role in our spending habits.

when we are stressed or anxious, we are more likely to make impulsive purchases or take on debt. “Stress and anxiety can lead us to seek immediate gratification rather than considering the long-term implications of our decisions.”

On the other hand, people with strong mental health are better at managing their finances and making sound investment decisions, says Wanita. They are less likely to succumb to impulse buying and more likely to be able to think through their decisions rationally before making them.

Given this financial juxtaposition between mental states, she says it is important to take care of both our mental and financial wellbeing to be successful in both areas of life.

“Taking some time out for ourselves, whether it is to meet a friend or take a relaxing walk, can help reduce stress levels,” says Wanita. “It can also help us to be mindful about how much money we spend every month.”

Although it is usually never as easy as ‘taking a walk’, she believes seeking advice from a mental health professional when needed and a financial adviser can help with striking a healthier balance between mental and financial wellbeing.

How mental blockages impact spending decisions

Habitual decision-making is one way in which our mental health impacts our finances. “When we’re used to making the same choices, it’s easy to buy things without considering if they are necessary or not. The same applies to subscriptions, cars, and entertainment.”

Decision fatigue also plays a major role in our financial decisions. We only have so much energy and focus when it comes to making choices. When it runs out, we are more likely to turn to bad spending habits.

“Instead of focusing on what we need and working slowly to achieve our financial goals, we may obsess over material possessions or the desire to become wealthy quickly. If left unchecked, both of these can leave us with debt or other financial problems. This exacerbates the stress and anxiety that triggered the behaviour in the first place, causing a spiral that erodes both mental and financial wellbeing,”

Talking to someone helps

To prevent or stop such a spiral, We advise speaking to the professionals who can support you in clarifying things, provide insights and help you work out a personal plan for your unique situation.

“Talking to a professional can help you find a way out of a challenging situation and towards healthy mental and financial habits. Together, you can work towards achieving your goals. Our money and minds are inextricably linked. One impacts the other and we need to equip ourselves with the best advice to fuel our different journeys to success. “

The post Mind over money: How to navigate the effect of mental health on financial wellness first appeared on FLOURISH DIGITAL MAGAZINE.

16 things you need to know about buying a house as a single woman

Flourish Digital Magazine — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 10:08:08 +0000

16 things you need to know about buying a house as a single woman

Buying a house is not for everyone – especially in this economy. But personally, if it's a choice between paying off my landlord's mortgage or my own? I'd rather opt for the latter. As a single woman, it feels like I'm at a disadvantage to all my coupled-up friends, especially when it comes to the not-so-small matter of stumping up a deposit.
Here's the thing… Even if I were in a relationship, I'm not convinced I'd like to buy a house with another person. To me, the appeal of home ownership is the financial independence and security. So, regardless of my relationship status, I'd still have ~questions~ about how to purchase my first home as a sole buyer.

I asked around FLOURISH HQ to find out the most common questions about buying a house as a single woman, from facing potential gender discrimination to the technicalities of completing a purchase. Next up, I shared our concerns with Davinia Tomlinson, a financial educator and author, who answered all our questions and identified 16 things all single women need to know before buying a house

1. It's YOUR decision – nobody else's

“For some of us, getting on the property ladder is a long-held aspiration,” explains Davinia. “Perhaps you’ve been a long-term renter and want a space to call your own, free from worry that your landlord might increase the rent or sell. Or maybe you’ve moved to a new phase in your life, and you’re ready to give up the flexibility of renting for something you can put your stamp on, decorating it as you see fit without asking permission. Or perhaps you’ve run the numbers and found that renting is no longer economically viable for you, and a mortgage over the long term would be cheaper, even factoring in maintenance and other costs associated with home ownership.

“Spoiler alert,” she adds, “It’s not the right decision for everyone, though, so stay focused on what matters most to you and don’t allow yourself to be swept away in the tide of what you think you should be doing, based on external pressures. You know what’s best for you.”

2. Plan BEFORE starting the house hunt

We see you scrolling through Rightmove! Sadly, buying a house is not as simple as *adding to cart* – we wish it was. Davinia recommends answering the following questions before window shopping:

What can you afford? There’s no point even starting your search before you have clarity on this. The sooner you can determine how much you can comfortably afford, the more precise you can be with your search.

How does home ownership fit in with your broader life goals? For example, if you plan to start a family in the short to medium term, then buying in an area with good schools might be more of a priority for you.

Where would you like to live? Are you more of a city dweller, or do you prefer rural life? Are you looking for a house or apartment?

What are your non-negotiables? Is not having a garden an absolute deal-breaker? How many bedrooms would you like, ideally? Is parking for you or your guests important to you?

3. Preparation is everything

“Prioritise,” says Davinia. “This is where a little tough love kicks in as we remind ourselves that we find the time for whatever is important to us.

“If you find that life is constantly getting in the way, then it could mean that now is just not the right time for you to add a property purchase into the mix, or perhaps that subconsciously it’s not something you really want to do. Exploring which of these things is true for you is important if you keep on hitting a brick wall whenever you begin.

“As with any big goal, sometimes the enormity of it can overwhelm us, so breaking it down into bite-sized chunks, such as looking at prices in your desired area, then comparing them against what you might be able to afford, is a great way to get going.”

4. Start where you are

We’re all guilty of daydreaming about an unspecified time in our future when we finally live in our dream house. But if you want to make the dream house happen, you need to prioritise action over fantasies. Here’s what Davinia recommends:

“Look at your personal finances in terms of what you might be able to afford based on your current and projected income and expenses and see how that measures up against likely housing costs for properties in your chosen area.

Explore possible mortgage options to get an idea of what you could borrow without committing until you’re sure. Then, register with a few estate agents who can help you research the market within your price range and book some viewings. Recognise that it’s the start of a journey that may include a number of stages such as research, analysis, selection and purchase, so commit yourself to playing the long game and doing your due diligence throughout to give yourself the best possible chance of finding the right property for you.

5. Do I stand a chance if I’m a sole buyer on a single income?

“Absolutely!” says Davinia. “The number one metric you need to be concerned with whether you are buying your property alone or jointly is affordability.

“This overrides all else because it dictates what banks might be willing to lend and, therefore, what your options might be for a suitable property. Speak to a mortgage adviser who can help you run the numbers. Having a good grasp of your cash flow in the months leading up to starting your search will help with this. You may need to be savvy about how to make your pounds stretch, and it’s worth keeping an open mind about where your first property might be, but don’t count yourself out before you take the first step.”

6. As a single woman, will sellers take me seriously?

As Davinia explains, “In most cases, you’d be represented by an intermediary or estate agent, who’d be acting on your behalf, so your exposure to the seller should be minimised throughout the process. Ultimately, it is in everyone’s best interests for the process to be run as seamlessly as possible, which is a difficult thing to achieve with so many moving parts, so lean on your advisers to make sure they’re acting in your best interests.”

“Sadly, even with the most positive mindset, discrimination remains a pervasive threat, but in the spirit of controlling what we’re able to control, don’t allow imposter syndrome or concerns about other people’s opinions to force you out of the race before you even reach the starting blocks. Remember: what other people think of you is not your business!”

7. How do you deal with being constantly dismissed as a single woman?

“Don’t!” says Davinia. “Instead, ask for recommendations from friends or colleagues who’ve had positive experiences and request an introduction. For what is likely to be one of the biggest investments of your life, it’s important that you have a team of advisers (as well as cheerleaders who have already been through the process) who are committed to helping you realise your goal. Don’t spend a single second worrying about those who won’t. Chemistry really counts, so trust your instincts.

“Remember there is a mutual benefit to your successful property purchase so even though it might appear that way, don’t feel that your advisers have the upper hand. You get to decide who you want to work with.”

8. What questions do I need to ask when viewing a house?

Paper and pen at the ready, here are the top questions to ask when viewing a property, according to Davinia:

Why are the sellers moving on?

Ask about the neighbours and what the neighbourhood is like overall, including the quality of local schools if that’s a priority to you.

What are the sellers leaving behind, and what are they taking? (This could be fixtures and fittings, carpets and even lightbulbs!)

Get a feel for average bills; how much are utilities, and how strong is the WiFi?

Ask when last the house was rewired, and whether there are any known plumbing issues or structural problems that may not be uncovered in a survey.

Confirm whether it is freehold or leasehold and, if the latter, what the tenure is. Depending on how long is left on the lease, you may struggle to get a mortgage unless it is extended to a suitable level (usually over 70 years).

Ask about the water pressure – put the taps on yourself if you can!

Check if there have been any modifications to the original house spec, perhaps they’ve done a loft conversion or added a conservatory, make sure they’ve had planning permission.

Ask about access rights via your property to public pathways or spaces, which areas you are responsible for and which belong to neighbours, to avoid disputes after you’ve bought the property.

It’s a big purchase, so be thorough (while respectful of someone else’s home – don’t go in and slate the current décor for example!), take someone experienced with you who can capture the things you miss, and don’t be afraid to make two or three visits before you make an offer.

9. What is Stamp Duty? Do I need to pay it?

According to Davinia, “Stamp Duty or its more complete title, Stamp Duty Land Tax is levied on properties, over a certain threshold. For residential properties, you only pay land tax if your property is over £250,000. The exact rate you pay varies, subject to the final purchase price.”

It’s also worth bearing in mind that there’s Stamp Duty relief available for first-time buyers. If you’re a first-time buyer in England or Northern Ireland, you won’t pay Stamp Duty on properties worth up to £425,000.

10. What are all the extra bits that I'd need to pay for on top of the deposit?

Davinia notes that in addition to your deposit, you’ll also need to budget for:

Conveyancing: Legal costs or conveyancing as well as searches to check who owns the property and whether the name on the title deed matches before it is transferred over to you.

Valuation: Lenders will request a valuation of the property to check that it is a suitable property to lend against, i.e. it is worth the purchase price.

Survey: You’ll need a survey to check the condition of the property and see if there are any costly repairs required that might compromise its value and force you to revise your offer price.

Financing costs: The cost of arranging finance including a mortgage adviser if you used one as well as an estate agent fees should be considered too.

Stamp duty: On completion, you may also be required to pay stamp duty.

Be clear on all the costs associated with your purchase in advance so there are no surprises during the process.

11. What should your solicitors do on your behalf?

“Your solicitor, also referred to as a conveyancer in the case of property matters, is instructed to act on your behalf in all legal matters related to the purchase,” explains Davinia.

“This includes performing all the due diligence associated with the home you are purchasing to check all the correct documents are in place, reviewing survey and search information, requesting any additional information as required and coordinating with your seller’s solicitor to agree exchange of contracts. This is the longest part of the process with good reason – your solicitor will make sure that nothing is missed in purchasing your property that could leave you exposed to liability or further expense when the property is yours.”

12. Is shared ownership actually worth it?

“For some, it’s a viable first step to home ownership, provided the numbers work. With shared ownership properties, you effectively own a stake in a property, say 25%, with the rest owned by a private developer or housing association who acts as a landlord. You secure a mortgage for the part you own and you pay rent on the rest. Usually you are able to incrementally increase the size of the stake you own up to 100% or a predetermined cap of say 80%. This is known as ‘laddering’.

“Typically you’d have to meet certain eligibility criteria to secure a shared ownership property, which may include annual salary or key worker status for example. Do look into likely resale value and exit process should you want to leave in future. There are often restrictions on renting out your property in the event you do not want to sell but do decide to move on.

“Do your due diligence, run the numbers and be clear on the terms of your purchase before you decide to commit.”

13. What's the difference between a leasehold and a freehold?

“The difference between leasehold and freehold is primarily one of land ownership. With a freehold property you own the house and the land it is built on. With a leasehold property you own the property for a certain length of time, as determined by the length of the lease, but you do not own the land.

“In addition to mortgage repayments, therefore, leasehold property owners also have to pay ground rent for use of the land upon which the property is built as well as maintenance and other charges as determined by the freeholder.

“The length of the remaining lease is an important consideration in the purchase or sale of a leasehold property. Many banks will not mortgage a leasehold property with less than 70 years on the lease.”

14. What does ‘no-chain’ mean?

“When you buy a property, effectively a new marketplace is being created in which you are the buyer and on the other side there is a seller. If your seller is not dependent on buying a new property before they can sell you theirs, this means there is no chain, which typically makes for a smoother process as there are only two parties to manoeuvre (you and them) instead of three or more (you, them and their seller).

“Conversely, if your vendor is selling their property and buying a new one at the same time (as opposed to selling it and banking the proceeds before using them to buy a new property in what is effectively two separate transactions) and/or if you are also selling an existing property to buy the new one, then this lengthens the chain and potentially the length of time it will take to complete the process.”

15. Where do I stand legally if the chain falls through?

“If the chain falls through before you have exchanged contracts, then, unfortunately, there is nothing you can do. Once contracts have been exchanged, however, you may be able to claim compensation from your vendor. Be clear on what the obligations are for everyone in the chain before you exchange and how long it takes between exchange and completion. In some cases, both can occur on the same day.”

16. How long does it take to complete a purchase?

“Given the many stages involved in purchasing a property, the average estimated completion time is 12 weeks from the offer stage. This may be shorter or longer, subject to circumstances.”

This article’s information was sourced from UK finance.

The post 16 things you need to know about buying a house as a single woman first appeared on FLOURISH DIGITAL MAGAZINE.

5 Reasons to buy our Fall Issue

Flourish Digital Magazine — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 12:52:34 +0000

5 REASONS TO BUY OUR FALL ISSUE

As one of Atlanta’s leading women-focused magazines, Fall is one of the most important times of the year for us here at FLOURISH DIGITAL MAGAZINE.

While we always seek to provide insightful and uplifting content for women in all phases of life, our 2023 FALL issue is just an extra bit special.

Our team has worked hard to create an issue that is packed with inspiring stories of women who are excelling in their chosen fields, both locally and globally, and highlights women who have played an instrumental role in changing our realities for the better.

As always, we have the latest in fashion, beauty lifestyle content, as well as touch on trending topics at the forefront of womanhood in 2023.

Atlanta icon MALEEKA HOLLAWAY graces the cover

In the vibrant heart of Atlanta, Georgia, a woman driven by divine purpose and an unyielding commitment to inspiring others graces the stage. Maleeka Hollaway, our esteemed Editor-in-Chief at Flourish Digital Magazine, where she’s poised to lead our publication to new heights with her unique blend of professional prowess and deeply held personal values. She is the perfect cover star for this edition. (pg 14).

Women-focused issues

For Fall, we’re shining a spotlight on female pioneers who are excelling in their chosen fields against all odds, as well those who are making history and are sure to be remembered in decades to come (pg 18). We also delve into the business world that shows women how to achieve financial success (pg 36), as well as delve into the signs of a feminine leadership (pg 76).

At the forefront of fashion

Get the look with our regular trends and importance of “the dress” (pg 54) and lean into young make fashion with Joshua Brown (pg 52).

Beauty and wellness watch

At FLOURISH we’re all about feeling good from the inside out. Some of our standout features include Lifetime Fitness – an amazing experience at a luxury lifestyle gym at Nobu, Atlanta (pg 79), ‘Beauty On Purpose’ Advanced Skincare (pg 48), and books to finding courage to change (pg 24).

Fall Manifesto

The food life is what we live for and there’s plenty in this issue of FLOURISH DIGITAL MAGAZINE. Read our delicious recipes and try them out while smelling some pumpkin spice this fall (pg 46), and the Pecan Pie of your holiday dreams (pg 42).

Purchase our latest issue and read the full articles.

The post 5 Reasons to buy our Fall Issue first appeared on FLOURISH DIGITAL MAGAZINE.

The Flourish Lifestyle | FLOURISH DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Behind the Glamour: A Conversation with Lindsey Jones on Atlanta’s Premier Coco Chanel Ballet Preview

Atlanta Ballet PresentsCOCO CHANELThe Life of a Fashion IconNORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

Chloé Taylor Brown

Mind over money: How to navigate the effect of mental health on financial wellness

Mind over money: How to navigate the effect of mental health on financial wellness

Navigating the effect of mental health on financial wellness

How mental blockages impact spending decisions

Talking to someone helps

16 things you need to know about buying a house as a single woman

16 things you need to know about buying a house as a single woman

1. It's YOUR decision – nobody else's

2. Plan BEFORE starting the house hunt

3. Preparation is everything

4. Start where you are

5. Do I stand a chance if I’m a sole buyer on a single income?

6. As a single woman, will sellers take me seriously?

7. How do you deal with being constantly dismissed as a single woman?

8. What questions do I need to ask when viewing a house?

9. What is Stamp Duty? Do I need to pay it?

10. What are all the extra bits that I'd need to pay for on top of the deposit?

11. What should your solicitors do on your behalf?

12. Is shared ownership actually worth it?

13. What's the difference between a leasehold and a freehold?

14. What does ‘no-chain’ mean?

15. Where do I stand legally if the chain falls through?

16. How long does it take to complete a purchase?

5 Reasons to buy our Fall Issue

5 REASONS TO BUY OUR FALL ISSUE

Atlanta icon MALEEKA HOLLAWAY graces the cover

Women-focused issues

At the forefront of fashion

Beauty and wellness watch

Fall Manifesto

Purchase our latest issue and read the full articles.

Atlanta Ballet Presents
COCO CHANEL
The Life of a Fashion Icon
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE