The ingenious inventor, the savvy entrepreneur, the innovative scientist, the imaginative writer… No matter what our field or area of expertise, we all seek to be more creative and innovative.

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein

Here are five ingenious ways you can begin

Seek to use both sides of your brain.

Don’t fall for the myth that right-brained people are more creative while left-brained people are more analytical. True creativity comes from using both sides of your brain.

Cultivate a thirst for knowledge.

A lifelong thirst for knowledge will fuel your creativity. A thoughtful and intelligent mind demands a constant flow of information. By continually learning and growing, you feed your mind with ideas and expand your thinking.

Explain things back to yourself.

Being creative also requires that you understand the information you have been given. It’s one thing to read a book and study a subject, but it’s another thing entirely to be able to explain that topic to someone else (or yourself).

Let your imagination run wild.

One of the best things you can do to hone your creativity is to tap into the natural imaginative and ingenuity that you had as a child. We loved to play and pretend as kids. We learned how to create imaginary worlds where anything was possible.

Get in the know. Subscribe to Azura for updates on the blog and the magazine.

Nothing says bright, fresh and clean like white. This versatile neutral works well in a variety of color schemes and design styles, and it’s hardly sterile and boring. There was a time in home decor in which the color white was an ideal color for a formal living room. These days, color isn’t always king, especially as people look to live in more minimalist environments. White is a color that is often ignored, but used purposefully and carefully can and should be embraced.

Do:

• Mix different tints, tones and shades of white.
• Incorporate the color white into accessories such as vases, florals and toss pillows.
• Mix white with colors such as silver gray and taupe to help create a soothing environment.t
• Use textured white accessories such as area rugs and toss pillows to help to soften a space.
• Mix white with both warm and cool colors. White can be warm, like in a shade closer to taupe, or cool, such as a shade that has gray undertones. Whether blending with warm or cool colors, white helps create the ideal color balance.

Don’t:

• Forget to extend the color white into elements such as cabinetry, fixtures and appliances.
• Ignore the opportunity to reflect color through the use of mirrors and windows.
• Be afraid to use the color white in areas that may be used often such as bedrooms or dining areas.
• Omit the use of negative space, such as white trims, door headers and under ceiling soffits.
• Dismiss the power of a pure white space. One of the most powerful color combinations is a monochromatic scheme, which involves a blend of similar shades of the same color.Fifty shades of white

Get in the know. Subscribe to Azura for updates on the blog and the magazine.

Innovation makes the world go round, and the internet has made it even better. The establishment of the digital infrastructure has provided a platform for new trends to emerge faster than ever before. By the time you get hold of one trend, another one is already emerging.

Is it possible to stay updated on the ever-changing trends in a way that is cost-effective to your business? Yes! Here are a few ways:

Read Wisely

You have to pay attention to what the influencers in the market are talking about. You can achieve this by reading blogs, going to conferences, and watching videos, and get a general idea of what people are talking about in your industry.

Study Your Industry

It takes a bit of experience to know what is going to be a trend and what won’t in your industry. You need to be able to look at something interesting and think of how it may change or shake up your industry.  

Grow Your Network

Stay close to people in the industry who are conversant with trends that might be of interest to you. This means that you will have to build relationships with influencers, journalists at conferences, industry leaders, and have conversations with like-minded individuals about things you think might affect your industry.

Get in the know. Subscribe to Azura for updates on the blog and the magazine.

There are many forms of renewable energy. Most of these renewable energies depend in one way or another on sunlight. Biomass is the term for energy from plants. Energy in this form is very commonly used throughout the world. Unfortunately the most popular is the burning of trees for cooking and warmth.

Sargassum, a growing problem throughout the Caribbean. Experts think this particular bout of Sargassum originated off the coast of South America. When ocean conditions are ripe, pelagic sargassum can form “islands” a few acres across. Sargassum can survive a wide range of temperature and salinity; therefore, you’ll find it floating in every ocean except the Antarctic…

Did you know? Sargassum is edible, it’s harvested to feed livestock too, and you can fry, boil, steam or dry it. It’s played a part in Chinese medicine as far back as the 8th century, treating goiters (high iodine content) — and made into tea to control phlegm.

Get in the know. Subscribe to Azura for updates on the blog and the magazine.

When it comes to superheros, how do you stack up? Have abs like Christian Bale in Batman Begins? Relax—that’s entirely real and who wouldn’t want Mr. Fantastic’s flexibility, the calorie-burning skills of the Human Torch, or be super strong as the Hulk? One thing’s for sure, they must be eating their vegetables!

Superfoods are those foods which are believed to be high in antioxidants, vitamins or other nutrients, bringing health benefits through a super-charged nutritional boost. However, while the term may be relatively new, many of these so-called superfoods have been around for centuries and are enjoying a new phase of popularity.

There are many superfoods. Here’s a list of some popular superfoods:

1. Blueberry

2. Kiwi

3. Dark Chocolate

4. Kale

5. Grapefruit

Get in the know. Subscribe to Azura for updates on the blog and the magazine.

Getting noticed is the key to getting work of any kind. And these days, with fewer jobs and more ways to promote yourself, simply answering ads and sending in resumes is a sure way to get stuck on the sidelines.

So get out there and start tweeting, following, posting and making a name for yourself in cyberspace. It might feel like you’re splashing around, shouting “Look at me!” and in a way you are, but remember the one essential rubric for successful social networking – give away before you try to get.

Follow and read blogs from people working in the fields which interest you. Make comments on their posts. Answer questions and make connections. You’ll start to feel more comfortable in this world.

Get in the know. Subscribe to Azura for updates on the blog and the magazine.

When you reach into the closet and choose your clothes or scour the racks at your favorite retailer, the choices you make have an impact on the environment.

Opting for a “green” wardrobe means paying close attention to fabrics, countries of origin, and laundering requirements, and considering how to dispose of clothes that are torn or no longer trendy. The decision to emphasize environmental sustainability in your wardrobe is easier than ever.

Here are some tips to get started.

Choose eco-friendly fabrics: A quick look at clothing labels offers a lot of information about the fabrics used to manufacture a piece of clothing. Common sustainable fabrics include hemp and bamboo. Both are fast-growing and rapidly renewable. Soy textiles are made from the by-products from the manufacturing of tofu and soybean oil. The waste product produces textiles that are soft and drape like silk. When it comes to eco-friendly fabrics, clothing made from organic cotton is probably the most popular option.

Shop second-hand: Vintage boutiques, consignment stores, and thrift shops are great alternatives to purchasing new clothes. Many resale shops are set up like fashion boutiques, selling trendy clothes at a fraction of the cost of traditional retailers.

Research brands: Find out which brands are manufactured with environmental and labor standards in mind. Before you hit the mall, go online.

Get in the know. Subscribe to Azura for updates on the blog and the magazine.

We all have down days and tough times and sometimes get stuck in a funk we just can’t seem to shake. For many people, this can become an all too familiar existence leading to depression. 

The concept of a personal “happy place” — somewhere you can escape the stress and constraints of everyday life and feel completely at ease.For some people, it may be a busy shopping mall. For others, it’s the serenity of a beach. Think of it as that place you go to be fully present with yourself, and you can savor the experience.

Here are some tips on finding your happy place:

1. Recall places you’ve been where you appreciated the sounds.
2. Summon the places where you’ve enjoyed the imagery.
3. Choose a place where you can experience the elements that contribute to your happiness.
4. Remember where you were when you experienced deep contentment and meaning.
5. Stay open-minded.

If you don’t really have a happy place, you can make your own go-to list of happy things which you can bring to mind when you need a break from everything.

Get in the know. Subscribe to Azura for updates on the blog and the magazine.

Solar energy is definitely the future trend of energy. Nowadays, many households have converted their home to be powered solely by solar power, reaping all the advantages offered by the sun.

Here are some good reasons for using solar energy to power your home.

Cut-down electricity bill
The key reason that most households convert their power source to solar energy is to cut down their electrical bill because the electrical usage generated from the sun is free.

It is a renewable energy source
Typical electricity is generated from fossil fuel that will run out one day. Solar energy is a good alternative to replace fossil fuel as the major energy source because solar power is renewable at absolutely no cost to supply energy infinitely.

Environment friendly
The world pollution is getting worse. Any effort that can reduce the pollution to the environment helps to save the earth. Solar panels are able to harness the energy from the sun and convert it to electricity. Therefore, the use of solar panels is environment friendly.

Low / no maintenance needed
Once you have installed the solar power system, it can last twenty to thirty years without major maintenance needed. You may need to do system check once a year, just to make sure everything is performing as it should.

Get in the know. Subscribe to Azura for updates on the blog and the magazine.

Branding has long been related to companies, but today almost every individual has a personal brand.

Personal brand, for many, it means being an expert within a category; for others, a platform by which one can convey their services and products. And some see their brand as the extension of energy and credibility that people should come to expect from you in what you do and say.

Your image plays a big part in this. What do you want your personal brand to convey? What adjectives do you want people to associate with you (as the product) and why? In what niche of the market do you want to become known?

Your style should empower you to take on the world each day. It should give you the energy and confidence to tackle whatever comes your way. Well, that and coffee.

Get in the know. Subscribe to Azura for updates on the blog and the magazine.