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How to Shop Fashion Sustainably and Affordably

Ethical fashion is a huge concern for many fashion lovers. You might love clothes and accessories, but you also want to make sure you’re not harming the planet unnecessarily. However, one of the issues that you might face if you’re looking for sustainable and ethical clothing is that it often seems to be more expensive than other options. It makes sense that you can be expected to pay more for anything that’s not fast fashion, but you can feel the financial sting if you struggle to find affordable brands and pieces. Fortunately, you can shop both sustainably and affordably if you’re looking for new clothes.

Look for Durable Pieces

One of the best ways to shop in a sustainable way is to look for items that are going to last you longer. Paying for durability doesn’t necessarily mean spending a whole lot more on your clothes. You can find brands like Hometown Heritage Clothing that offer durable and affordable clothes that are still stylish and comfortable too. The more durable your clothes are, the longer they will last and the less you will need to buy. More durable clothes are also often easier to repair, so you can mend one part that might have worn away instead of throwing the whole item out.

Only Buy What You Need

For fashion lovers, one of the most difficult parts of shopping in a more sustainable way is having restraint. It’s hard not to buy everything that you like even if you don’t really need it. But if you’re able to only buy what you need, you can create a much more sustainable wardrobe. What’s more, the less you spend on impulse purchases, the more money you’ll have available for the really important items that you really need. So you’ll be able to invest in something that’s of great quality instead of buying several items of lesser quality.

Buy Second Hand

If you want to shop both sustainably and affordably, you often can’t beat buying second-hand clothing. You avoid creating demand for new clothing, and you get the chance to buy something that otherwise might have been thrown away. Second-hand clothes can often be great quality too. They’ve already survived through having one owner and you can check that they’re still in good condition. You can find second-hand clothes in a number of locations, from thrift stores to online auction sites and selling apps.

Research Retailers

Before you buy anything new, it’s a good idea to research the retailers you want to buy from. You might find that some of the more affordable brands actually have good ethical policies. On the other hand, some more expensive brands might not be particularly sustainable at all. A little bit of research can go a long way, especially as there are some websites that will give you all of the details about how sustainable a brand is.

Sustainable fashion doesn’t have to be super expensive. There are affordable ways to buy the sustainable clothing that you want.

4 Biggest Jackpot Wins in Canadian Casino History

Canada may not have the same reputation for casino gaming as the US, but it is still home to some major land-based gambling venues, as well as a burgeoning online betting scene.

Because of this, big jackpots have been won by Canadian players over the years, some of which instantly catapulted the lucky players into the club of the mega-rich. If you’re looking to try your luck without risking your own money, exploring the best no deposit bonus casino real Canadian options can be a great way to get started.

Here’s a quick overview of the most jaw-dropping sums ever to be won at Canada’s casinos. Read on, try not to get jealous, and remember that you can’t win if you don’t play!

$16.5 million

Back in 2020 the slot game Mega Moolah paid out just under $16.5 million to a player who used the online casino site operated by popular brand JackpotCity.

As one of the most lucrative games at one of the best online casinos Canada has to offer, it’s no surprise that Mega Moolah regularly attracts a lot of attention from players.

In fact, Mega Moolah is more popular among players from Canada than almost anywhere else on the planet, explaining why over the time that the game has been available, an impressive 20 Canadian jackpot winners have arisen, collectively accounting for $144.6 million in prize money.

While the average win may be just over $7 million from this game, there are outliers who manage to bag much more, as you can see. This all comes down to variance, and understanding how odds work is the only way to play slot games wisely.

Slot machines with progressive jackpots are the only casino games that can turn an average player into a multimillionaire with a single spin of the reels. And it is this simplicity and accessibility that keeps Mega Moolah and its contemporaries pulling in the punters.

$5.8 million

A casino in the resort town of Niagara Falls was the venue for a slots win which was a record-setting sum at the time it paid out in 2004.

The $5.8 million jackpot was a major payday for a Toronto native called Nick Hulst, who was playing the appropriately named Megabucks slot when he struck it rich.

Hulst was clearly not afraid of putting his money on the line, as his total spend on the game at the time of his win was at $60. That’s obviously not a lot in the context of the payout, but in isolation is a decent chunk of change, and demonstrates just how much you need to spend in pursuit of a jackpot.

It was spin number 20 that did it for Hulst over 18 years ago according to CBC News, and this record stood for many years, only being broken when higher paying games like Mega Moolah were introduced both at land-based and web-powered casinos.

$1.8 million

Niagara Falls is clearly a lucky place to play casino games, or at least one of the major locations in Canada where bricks and mortar gambling is actually allowed, as another big win happened here more recently.

A player known only as Kathryn bagged a cool $1.8 million on a game called the King of Pop, which is unsurprisingly themed around and officially endorsed by Michael Jackson’s estate.

Like the Megabucks winner, Kathryn spent $60 on the slot before the payout occurred, perhaps suggesting there is some luckiness to the number; although in reality it really is a random chance that is at play whenever you spin the reels.

$4.7 million

As you might have guessed by this point, the biggest wins from casinos in Canada and anywhere else for that matter are generated by slot machines. This story is no different, with the Toronto-based Woodbine Casino playing host to another Megabucks jackpot payout worth close to $5 million.

What makes Megabucks appealing is that spins cost as little as $1 and still give players the chance to earn the full jackpot for this amount.

In this instance, while the winner decided to remain anonymous, it was still possible for the casino to publish the news of the jackpot being snatched.

Honorable mentions

If slots aren’t your thing, there are winners from the Canadian table game scene who are worth mentioning.

Poker star Daniel Negreanu is often ranked as among the best players in the world, and has career winnings of over $45 million, while other stalwarts including Timothy Adams and Sam Greenwood have also both made more than $20 million with their poker talents.

Canada’s casino industry is up and coming, and it will be interesting to see whether the increased access to online casino experiences will result in bigger jackpots being won in years to come.

The Best Movies for Students Not About Studying

Every stage of life is full of self-education, especially when you are a student. While you are busy with ordinary assignments like to write my thesis or write a book review, this is a time that forms your personality and leads you to the person you want to be. That’s why wasting a day of your youth is unacceptable. Vise versa, you should spend time nice and profitably to be able to open new edges and prospects in the future.

Movies that change lives

Let’s talk about movies. This is a fantastic tool to become a more open-minded, experienced, and motivated person. You can relate the stories with characters and understand things you have never thought about. Besides, it doesn’t mean you need to watch movies only about students and their campus lives. Frankly speaking, any impressive movie can bring essential and game-changing ideas for you.

For instance, you may watch a movie about particularities of human conscience and accidentally collect perfect arguments for your coursework. It’s not a surprise that enjoying a documentary about the Earth you may find a fantastic and unique topic for your dissertation. And there are many similar examples of how watching a good movie may give you inspiration for how to write review or do a presentation.

Of course, you can always rely on a professional online essay writing service. Meet BidForWriting – a well-known company that serves customers with writing, editing, and proofreading assistance. Our experts are keen on numerous challenges you would face during your education. Among them are essay authors, case study writers, content creators, etc. With years of experience in the academic field, our team is able to lend you a hand of relevant help.

Anyway, great movies are perfect sources for inspiration, new ideas, and motivation. Here are 5 awesome examples you may both enjoy and use as a practical tool to improve your self-education.

Human (2015)

This is a unique documentary film that consists of first-person stories. It covers the essential question of how to be a human. At the moment the documentary is available on YouTube in 6 languages (English, Russian, French, Arabic, Portuguese, and Spanish).

Watching this movie you can enjoy fantastic landscapes from an aerial view. Be sure it will take your breath away and help to start an essay with a fresh idea.

Waking Life (2001)

If you are looking for something very unusual then “Waking Life” is definitely what you need. This is an experimental animated movie that is concerned with numerous philosophical statements. It reveals issues about the meaning of life, the origin of reality, and other existential topics.

The plot starts with a young man living his life and meeting different people. All characters in the story discuss a variety of philosophical topics. Lucid dreams are a very important element in this film that helps to highlight the nature of human beings.

I Am (2010)

This is a documentary film that states many essential questions and tries to help viewers find true answers. The main issue of the story asks us: what is wrong with our world? This movie contains numerous interviews with philosophers, religious leaders, scientists, etc. They try to answer what we can do with all the stuff around.

If you struggle with your homework and keep repeating “I can’t write my essay” this story may give you food for reflection. Just give it a try!

Spirit Channelers in America (2008)

This documentary is based on 10 years of research in the phenomenon of spirit channeling. It explains the practice of making physical contact with another person’s spirit. Such a condition usually requires an individual to experience trance to be able to make spiritual connections.

The movie is focused on 6 channelers, their spirits, and messages both sides exchange. Yes, these stories are called controversial and provoking but be sure the film is worth seeing.

Happy (2011)

After watching this movie you may conquer anxiety and write essays non-stop. That’s because it is called “Happy” and reveals happiness in all its meanings.

This movie is focused on interviewing different people from 14 countries. All of them share their stories using positive philosophy. Be ready to experience 1 hour and 13 minutes of happiness! The approach the producer used to share the story is truly inspiring.

Please, feel free to enjoy these movies. While watching high-quality videos with valuable content, you can help yourself to brainstorm and find unexpected solutions for different academic challenges.

Expanding Your Reading Selection is Easier Than You Think

The national average number of books read per year is 12, reports the Pew Research Center. The most popular literary genres include Young Adult, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Thrillers, and Romance but these represent just a handful of the many genres available. If you are wishing to expand your personal booklist, here are a few easy strategies to help you build a more varied book or e-reader shelf?

Turning Insecurities into Strengths

It is interesting how, since childhood, human beings often pigeonhole themselves according to perceived talents or abilities. For instance, people often say they are good at either humanities or STEM subjects; few see themselves as ‘jacks of all trades’. Your choice of study is also determinative of how confident you might be with subjects such as Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Economics, or Law. However, all these subjects are fascinating once you hone the basics. To learn more about a subject you have always felt a bit insecure about, start with authors known for explaining complex matters in graspable, everyday language. For Economics, for instance, Thomas Sowell Books are known for making complex topics easy to understand. For a subject like Science, on the other hand, C.L. Stong books are a great introduction to subjects like Biology, Earth Sciences, and Nuclear Physics.

Solving Problems

If you are a bookworm, then reading is probably already a big stress reliever for you. However, if you find that you are sticking to a specific author or subject, consider making your next book non-fiction. Think of an area of your life you may need help with—it could be cooking, car mechanics, or drawing. Go to a popular book site and check out their list of best-sellers on this subject. Make sure you choose a book that suits the niche you are looking for and read a few reviews to see if the book is up your street.

Connecting with Friends on Social Media

Friends and family with similar tastes in books and film are a great place from which to obtain recommendations for new books. This is especially true with respect to those living in other countries and continents since their experiences and learning will have presented them with works you may never have heard of (and vice-versa). Influencers you trust are another good source of recommendations. Some influencers review books almost as a ‘side hobby’. For instance, PewDiePie, with a 111 million following, is known for covering current events on social media. However, he is an avid reader whose video, whose recommendation for Mishima’s Spring Snow tetralogy has 4.2 million views.
It is easy to get stuck reading specific book genres, be they thrillers, westerns, or young adult works. However, each book is a world and experimenting with your reading list can open your mind and extend your range of interests just like travel can. Start out by reading books you think you need or those you think can solve personal dilemmas. Turn to friends, family, and your favorite influencers for recommendations of books you may never have heard of but, thanks to them, you start to find intriguing.

Proper. Announce New Bartees Strange-Produced Album, Share New Song ‘Milk and Honey’

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Brooklyn trio Proper. have announced a new LP called The Great American Novel. Recorded and produced by Bartees Strange, the album is set for release on March 25 via Father/Daughter and Big Scary Monsters. Today’s announcement comes with the release of the new single ‘Milk and Honey’, which follows early single ‘Red, White and Blue’ and features Jer Hunter of Skatune Network/We Are the Union and backing vocals by Long Neck’s Lily Mastrodimos. Check it out below.

‘Milk and Honey’ draws from vocalist-guitarist Erik Garlington’s experience growing up in the bible belt. “You’re taught early on that having children is the ultimate end goal in lift,” he explained in a statement. “I knew from a young age that being a family man wasn’t appealing to me but it was drilled into my head I’d change my mind once I settled down. Now that I’m almost 31, it’s finally settling in for my parents that I won’t be the one to pass on our family name. There’s a mixed feeling of bitterness, relief and quite a bit of feeling selfish that comes with a conversation like that.”

According to Garlington, The Great American Novel is “a concept album about how Black genius goes ignored, is relentlessly contested, or just gets completely snuffed out before it can flourish. The record is meant to read like a book, every song is a chapter following the protagonist through their 20s. Imagine a queer, Black Holden Caulfield-type coming up in the 2010s.”

The Great American Novel Cover Artwork:

The Great American Novel Tracklist:

1. You Good
2. Shuck & Jive
3. Red, White and Blue
4. Jean
5. McConnell
6. Ganymede
7. Barbershop Interlude
8. In The Van Somewhere Outside of Birmingham
9. Juvie
10. The Routine
11. Huerta
12. Milk and Honey
13. Done Talking
14. Americana
15. Yeah… I’m Good (Epilogue)

A Place to Bury Strangers Share Video for New Song ‘I Hurt’

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A Place to Bury Strangers have shared a new song, ‘I Hurt’, taken from their upcoming LP See Through You. The track, which follows previous entries ‘Let’s See Each Other’ and ‘Hold on Tight’, arrives with an accompanying video directed by Chad Crawford Kinkle. Check it out below.

“‘I’m Hurt’ is the sound of friendship dying. At the time of writing this song, I was going out of my mind dwelling on conflict in my head and beating myself down while trying to rebuild my faith in humanity which is reflected in the actual structure of the song,” Oliver Ackermann explained in a statement. “The drums build with this frustration and a desire to scream with no voice. Listen closely to the vocal phrasing of ‘I’m Hurt’ in the chorus and you can hear the self-doubt and failure I was experiencing at the time.”

See Through You is out February 4 digitally and March 11 on vinyl via Dedstrange.

Fly Anakin Announces Debut Album ‘Frank’, Drops New Madlib-Produced Song

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Richmond, Virginia rapper Fly Anakin has announced his debut album, Frank, which will arrive on March 11 via Lex. The 17-track effort includes guest appearances from Pink Siifu, Henny L.O., Big Kahuna OG, and others as well as the previously unveiled tracks ‘Ghost’ and ‘Sean Price’. Check out the new song ‘No Dough’, which was produced by Madlib, below, alongside a music video directed by Skyler Vander Molen.

Last year, Anakin dropped his self-produced EP Pixote. Frank also follows his recent collaborations with Pink Siifu, 2020’s FlySiifu’s and 2021’s Smokebreak EP.

Frank Tracklist:

1. Love Song (Come Back)
2. Dontbeafraid [feat. Henny L.O.]
3. Sean Price
4. Underdog Theme
5. Kenneth Cole Collections (Skit)
6. WaxPoetic
7. Black Be The Source [feat. Pink Siifu & Billz Egypt
8. Ghost [feat. Nickelus F.]
9. Class Clown (Interlude)
10. Bread (Skit)
11. No Dough
12. Grammy Snubnose
13. Bad Business (Killswitch)
14. Poisonous Primates
15. Fly Away (Skit)
16. Telepathic [feat. Big Kahuna OG]
17. Bag Man

Jenny Hval Announces New Album ‘Classic Objects’, Shares Video for New Single

Jenny Hval has announced a new album: Classic Objects, the Norwegian artist’s first for 4AD, is slated for release on March 11. To accompany the announcement, Hval has shared a video for the new single ‘Year of Love’, which was self-directed alongside Jenny Berger Myhre and Annie Bielski. Check it out below and scroll down for the LP’s cover art and tracklist.

‘Year of Love’ was inspired by a proposal Hval witnessed as she was performing in one of her shows. “For me, this experience was very troubling,” she said in a statement. “It confronted me with the fact that I am also married. What does that detail from my private life say about me as an artist? ‘Year of Love’ asks, who am I as an artist? Do my private actions betray my work and voice?”

Commenting on the video, Hval, Myhre, and Bielski stated: “A sense of loss and joy intertwines in a world of disconnected rooms. The artist inhabits these rooms. She is frozen in time, space, and mid-vowel. She is aware of her immediate surroundings. She is aware that there is more beyond what she can see. A version of her exists in a compressed, compromised, and objectified state. She is sitting in a room, in a house, in a neighbourhood, in the art industry.”

Classic Objects, the follow-up to 2019’s The Practice of Love, will include Hval’s November single ‘Jupiter’ – one of our Best New Songs. Last year, she collaborated with Håvard Volden for their first record as Lost Girls, Menneskekollektivet

Classic Objects Cover Artwork:

Classic Objects Tracklist:

1. Year of Love
2. American Coffee
3. Classic Objects
4. Cemetery of Splendour
5. Year of Sky
6. Jupiter
7. Freedom
8. The Revolution Will Not Be Owned

Darkside Unveil New Song ‘Ecdysis!’

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Darkside have released a new track titled ‘Ecdysis!’, which was recorded in the same sessions that yielded their sophomore LP, SpiralGive it a listen below.

Spiral, the follow-up to Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington’s 2013 debut Psychic, arrived in July 2021. This September, the duo are set to perform their first show in 8 years at Primavera Sound Los Angeles. Read about the Spiral artwork in our Best Album Covers of 2021 feature.

PUP Announce New Album, Drop Video for New Song ‘Robot Writes a Love Song’

PUP – the Toronto punk band comprised of Stefan Babcock, Nestor Chumak, Zack Mykula, and Steve Sladkowski – have announced their fourth LP. THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND is out April 1 and includes the previously released single ‘Waiting’, as well as a new track called ‘Robot Writes A Love Song’. Check out its Whitey McConnaughy-directed music video below, and scroll down for the album’s cover art (by Jordan Speer) and tracklist.

The new album was recorded and mixed over the course of five weeks in the summer of 2021 in producer Peter Katis’ Connecticut mansion. “As the weeks passed, we seemed less and less rational, objective, and sane,” Babcock said in press materials. “You can hear the band start to fall off the cliff, and because of that, I think this record is our truest and most genuine to date. There is nothing more PUP than a slow and inevitable descent into self-destruction.”

He added: “There’s only so many times you can write a song about how much you hate yourself before you write a song about how fucking good you are at hating yourself. I wanted to write about the horrible state of the world, but through a very specific and personal lens. It’s a lot of me trying to articulate my own coping with existential dread, hopelessness, and what I’ve called ‘Grim Reaping’—which is to me, the idea that we are all reaping what we sow, and right now we’re sowing some pretty fucked up shit.”

THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND features contributions from Sarah Tudzin of illuminati hotties, NOBRO’s McCaughey, Casper Skulls’ Melanie St-Pierre, and Erik Paulson from Remo Drive. It will follow PUP’s 2019 full-length Morbid Stuff as well as the 2020 EP This Place Sucks Ass.

THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND Cover Artwork:

THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND Tracklist:

1. Four Chords
2. Totally Fine
3. Robot Writes A Love Song
4. Matilda
5. Relentless
6. Four Chords Pt. II: Five Chords
7. Waiting
8. Habits
9. Cutting Off The Corners
10. Grim Reaping
11. Four Chords Pt. III: Diminishing Returns
12. PUPTHEBAND Inc. Is Filing For Bankruptcy