Have an idea for a story? Let us know! Contact: Brittney MacDonald, Life & Style Editor Milifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca Summer trends » What you should expect to see Brittney MacDonald Life & Style Editor met © lifeandstyle = @theotherpress.ca Summ is upon us, so what can you do to make sure you look your most stylish? Like any product of the digital generation, I usually take my cues from my favourite celebrities, especially when they walk the red carpet. Last month’s Billboard Music Awards was a great chance to get a sneak peek at coming trends, and admittedly there were some hits and misses. Starting off, I couldn't help but notice the abundance of jumpsuits. Sported by the likes of Taylor Swift, Chrissy Teigen, and Ellen Pompeo, these svelte little numbers have the added bonus of being a complete outfit unto themselves! That’s right, no clambering to find a flattering skirt, or donning those old jean shorts yet again. Jumpsuits are great because they’re so versatile when it comes to your style— breaking out your patent pumps will turn the whole look dressy, while choosing a simple flip flop : will have you looking elegant but : casual. is a lack of jewelry. Everyone : from Jennifer Lopez to Iggy : Azalea decided to go bare this : season, leaving the overpriced : bracelets and necklaces at home. : I will definitely say I am in total : support of this. Though jewelry : may be fun, choosing not to wear : any can look really elegant. Not ; to mention it’s a great way to : keep everyone’s focus on just your ! : outfit if you want to show off a The only real issue with : this is jumpsuits tend to flatter : very certain body shapes. They : look fantastic on tall women, or : women with longer limbs and : maybe a shorter torso. If you're : not one of these, or maybe you’re : a bit curvier and worry you might : come off looking lumpy—look for : an option that’s more flowy than : structured, and avoid anything : with a seam at the natural waist, : as it will make your backside look : huge. If you're thinner, make sure : you find something with straps : as it will create a better silhouette : and make the entire garment : easier to wear—nobody wants to : be that girl tugging at herself to : keep from flashing everyone. The next trend I noticed : bit. What I like about this trend is : that it’s universal—everyone can > do it! Plunging necklines also : seem to be seeing a resurgence. : With such a varied group of : spokespeople—Karen Fairchild, : Kendall Jenner, Rita Ora, and : many more—it’s no wonder that : women might be flocking to try : this look out for themselves. I : will say now that this definitely : comes with a disclaimer. There : isa right way and a wrong way : to doa plunging neckline, the : right way comes off looking : sexy and high-fashion while the : wrong way just comes off looking : skanky. The thing to keep in : mind is that if you’re going to do : a plunging neckline, keep the : other aspects of your outfit fairly : modest. Either have the dress : be loose or fairly shapeless for a : boho aesthetic, or cover the legs : and/or arms. I would not advise a : plunging neckline if you're a fairly : busty woman, that’s just begging for a nip slip. Most important of all, keep : in mind that fashion is about : fun and communicating your : aesthetic to the world. So never be afraid to try out > something new. This issue: (Y The Intrepid Gastronomer: Pasta bene? More like just okay... (Y Fighting Fit: Enter the dojo (¥ Meatless Monday: Liquid lunch! And more! MU Image from tomandlorenzo.com Slt & >i Image from latintimes.com RDS Peep A Ca LAL Image from instyle.co.uk Stop HIV & hep C now » Get smeared—what to expect when you get tested Andrea Arscott Senior Columnist f you're already sexually active, you probably book a yearly physical, which includes a pelvic exam and swab tests, possibly a Pap smear (if you're a woman), and if you request them, blood and urine tests to check for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, if you're just starting to dabble in sexual delights and late night rendezvous at popular make-out spots, you may be wondering what to expect at the doctor’s office. Doctors recommend women consult their doctor about getting a Pap smear once they become sexually active, or after the age of 21. Depending on your situation, the doctor will determine how often you should get a Pap, but generally women have one once every year or two. A pelvic exam and Pap smear do require you to undress, but this is done with the : doctor and any other support staff : out of the room—at the beginning : : of the exam you'll be asked to : change into a paper smock that : you will wear for the duration. : Upon re-entering, the doctor will : instruct you to lie down on the : table, bend your legs, and rest : your heels in the metal stirrups at : the end of the table. : during the examination, so if you : suffer from a latex allergy be sure : to let them know before the exam : begins. : uncomfortable portion of the : visit—just remember it may feel : awkward or embarrassing to you, : but doctors are professionals, and : they've seen it all! Don’t be afraid : to seek a female gynaecologist : if you think that will make you : more comfortable. The doctor : will then look for signs of STIs, : such as unusual discharge, sores, : cuts, and/or genital warts. They : will then use a large cotton swab : to scrape the inside of the vagina The doctor wears gloves Now, here comes the : or cervix for abnormal cells (cervical cancer or the human : papilloma virus). This part of : the exam is called the Pap. Then : you'll be swabbed for chlamydia, : gonorrhoea, yeast, bacterial : vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. : Have no fear—the scraping : doesn’t hurt, but a lot of the : tools the doctor will use will be : metal, so they might be cold or : uncomfortable; it’s generally over : fairly quickly though. : : What physicians are unable to : : see are signs of those STIs that can : : only be detected through blood : and urine tests. HIV, hepatitis, : syphilis, and herpes are tested : through blood, and chlamydia : and gonorrhoea can also be : tested through urine. Other STIs : like genital warts can only be : diagnosed by visual inspection if you have an outbreak. The more : you know about the various STIs, : the better you'll be at getting : doctors to test appropriately, : so don’t be afraid to do some : research! An STI is not something : you want to pick up, but iffyou : catch one—like a swatter to : a fly—zap it fast. If you think : you have symptoms of an STI, : get checked and treated. Don’t : leave it! It’ll only get worse. If : you have questions or concerns about symptoms or methods of Image from Thinkstock : prevention, don’t be afraid to : make an appointment with your : doctor to discuss them. Other : resources can include youth clinics : if you're under 21, or STI clinics if : youre over, and never forget the : almighty Internet!—though you : might not want to Google some of : this stuff.