It’s Always Summer on Model Nathalie Darcas’ Instagram Feed

Give her a follow and soak up some sun.

We spend a lot of time on Instagram (no, really—a lot of time), and when we're not living vicariously through our favorite FOMO-inducing accounts, we're checking out some particularly talented users. So when our GQ castings team finds a 'grammer worth shouting out, we think it's our duty to share him or her with you, dear followers. Up today, model Nathalie Darcas, citizen of the world, health nut, and professional spreader of joy—but you can
call her Nat.

Nathalie Darcas grew up in some exotic, far flung corners of the globe—North America, Hong Kong, France, and Australia. You could say she's made for the model lifestyle, jetting from city to city and tropical beach to tropical beach. Darcas has many reasons to be happy, but you're more likely to find her spreading smiles than concentrating on her own happiness. Just ask any of her 43K Instagram followers. Darcas loves the outdoors, and if you give her a quick follow you'll get to tag along. We chatted her up about life mottos, alternate careers, and her life away from the cameras.


Where are you right now?

Bondi beach, Sydney, Australia!




Where did you grow up?

I spent the first half of my life traveling around for my dad's work. Two years in the US, four years in Hong Kong, five years in a little town outside of Paris, before then settling down in Melbourne, Australia.




If you weren’t a model, what career would you pursue?

I am currently studying a bachelor of nutritional medicine on top of full time modeling. It's so important for me to have that on the side. Keeps me sane! My dream is to do something with that eventually whether it be opening up my own little cafe/shop or possibly working in a holistic clinic.




What is your mantra? (If you don't have one, make one up. We'll wait.)

It's better to have tried and failed then to have not tried at all and spend your life wondering "What if."


What makes you feel sexy?

Getting dressed up for a dinner date.




Where have you never been but want to go?

Tulum, Mexico. I've booked myself in for a little yoga retreat there in May and I seriously can't wait.




Do you read the comments?

Most of the time. You can't help but be a little bit curious.




What is the craziest thing you’ve done on a shoot?

Some shoots can get seriously adventurous! Whether it be standing on the edge of a high cliff, running barefoot info tall grassy areas probably full of snakes, shooting winter knits in in the middle of the New Mexico desert. It's usually either that or jumping around in my bra and undies in front of a room full of people — which is standard.




How do you spend your time off?

Taking care of myself. Waking up and doing some sort of exercise (whether it be training with my private trainer here in Sydney, a pilates class, a long run along the coast) or catching up with friends and family over breakie.




What is your most prized possession?

Can my family count as prized possession? Besides them then it would probably have to be my passport!

Model Carolina Sanchez Is the Realest Model on Instagram

This is not a dream.

We spend a lot of time on Instagram (no, really—a lot of time), and when we're not living vicariously through our favorite FOMO-inducing accounts, we're checking out some particularly talented users. So when our GQ castings team finds a 'grammer worth shouting out, we think it's our duty to share him or her with you, dear followers. Up today, model Carolina Sanchez who grew up in Uruguay but calls Venice, California home.

Carolina Sanchez does not seem real—that's how effortlessly cool she is. The Venice, CA-based model spent her former years in Uruguay, before coming to live in the United States. But despite her dreamlike appearance (piercing blue eyes, sun-kissed skin, and a smile not easy to forget) Sanchez is made of flesh and blood—oh, and plenty of vegan treats. Want more proof of her realness? This model goes bowling, and she's pretty good at it. She also reads every single comment, so you better watch what you say. Check out her answers to our questions below and then go straight to the 'gram and give her a follow.

Where are you right now?

I'm laying on my yoga mat at home in Venice, CA! :)

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Montevideo, Uruguay.

If you weren’t a model, what career would you pursue?

Acting.

What is your mantra? (If you don't have one, make one up. We'll wait.)

What we think, we become. When you're not in a rush, things come together.

What makes you feel sexy?

No makeup and messy hair.

Where have you never been but want to go?

Thailand and India, my dream trip is in two weeks; I'm going to Thailand, living out of a backpack, and then heading to a retreat in India.

Do you read the comments?

I read every comment :)

What is the craziest thing you’ve done on a shoot?

I love editorial shoots where you can play different characters, show different emotions. I ended up crying, screaming, and throwing things around. It's so much fun!

How do you spend your time off?

I spend it reading and studying online, watching movies, going for hikes, and always looking for a new healthy vegan restaurant to treat myself.

What is your most prized possession?

My polaroid book. I made it a while ago with photos I took. I have so many family memories in that book from every time I go back home. It's precious for me.

Here's Just How Much Emma Watson Is Earning as Belle

Emma Watson,   who lived her and most girls' dreams playing Disney's live-action Belle, is reportedly set to make millions off of the part. Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that Watson got $3 million up front to play the role. Her final pay, which depends on the film's worldwide box office gross, is likely to go up to $15 million assuming Beauty and the Beast brings in a total close to Maleficent's $759 million. (It's already off to a strong start, with $16.3 million from Thursday previews, per Deadline.)

Her pay as a princess in some cases exceeds those of action heroes. Chris Pratt made less than $10 million from Jurassic World, Forbes reports. Robert Downey Jr. brought in $40 million from The Avengers: Age of Ultron, while Scarlett Johansson earned $20 million, according to Business Insider. Chris Evans made $6.9 million and Chris Hemsworth got $5.4 million. Disney owns Marvel, the studio behind Avengers, and was reported by Variety in November 2015 to be actively working to balance the pay discrepancy between men and women.

Watson additionally made $60 million for all eight Harry Potter movies combined. She's just 26. Let that sink in.

Adele's Beyoncé Impersonation Is Pure Magic

Adele and Beyoncé have a lot in common: They both go by their first names, they're both gorgeous humans, and they both know Bey should've won Album of the Year at the Grammys!

Now, Adele has taken to the stage at her Melbourne concert to pay homage to her friend, Queen Bey, with an impersonation for the ages:

And here's just a magical singing moment because Adele is magic:

UGH WHY IS SHE SO WONDERFUL. Nobody knows!

Also, this is very special: Apparently earlier in the evening, she told the audience if they were there for a good time, that was their mistake, adding that the concert is, "basically just two hours of crying and songs about my ex-boyfriend."

As someone who has cried along to Adele songs in my car more than I've done pretty much anything else in my life, I can say that most definitely qualifies as a good time. A good, cathartic sob in your automobile to Adele is basically the best thing about being alive.

10 Sneaky Ways Selena Gomez Confirmed She's Dating The Weeknd on Instagram

Selena Gomez and The Weeknd (whose real name is Abel Tesfaye) have been officially, publicly dating since mid-January. They aren't hiding it from the paparazzi or fans, who have spotted the couple together on two separate trips to Europe. And Gomez, Instagram's most followed person, isn't completely hiding it on the 'gram either.

While there are no traditional, Instagram official shots of the two, Gomez has snuck in a couple subtle shoutouts to The Weeknd—the you'll-miss-them-at-first-glance kind. From Gomez wearing Tesfaye's clothes in her pics (twice!) to strategically liking some of the Weeknd's 'grams, here they all are:

1. That Time The Weeknd Posted a Pic Using Selena Gomez's Filter (That Fans Speculate She Took)

A day after The Weeknd posted several shots in his Instagram story of Gomez during their date at Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto, Tesfaye posted an official 'gram of himself with a very familiar filter.

2. That Time She Posted a Pic of Her Legs on The Weeknd's on Her Instagram Story

3. That Time She Posted and Deleted a Video of The Weeknd on Her Timeline

4. That Time She Appeared in The Weeknd's Instagram Story

5. And That Other Time She Appeared on His Snap Story

6. That Time She Wore The Weeknd's Jean Jacket in Her Instagram

7. That Time She Wore The Weeknd's Sweatshirt on Her Insta, and He Called Her Out for It

8. That Time She Used Just Her Shoes to Announce She Was at The Weeknd's Concert

9. That Time She Said "Oh Baby" While Watching The Weeknd, Which She Posted on Her Instagram Story

10. The Multiple Times She Liked The Weeknd's Posts

GIRL CRUSH: ALI TATE CUTLER

Ali Tate Cutler: model, feminist, globe-trotter. Her Instagram account looks like Travel+Leisure on steroids and is the envy of us mere mortals. Since becoming a model, she has scored prestigious campaigns like Mango and Ralph Lauren. This Californian beauty is not just charming and stylish, she’s also a lover of all things green and created an eco-lifestyle page, Conscious Child, to raise environmental awareness.


10 questions………

1/ your favorite city is and why?
I have been to some amazing cities for modeling, and some of my favorites are in Europe like Stockholm, Copenhagen and Berlin. But I have to say my favorite city is where I am from- San Francisco. Vancouver is a close second.

2/ define your travel style:
My signature travel style is most importantly comfy! If it ain’t comfy, I don’t wear it. I also tend to bring just neutral colors and a lot of black so I can interchange the tops and the bottoms to keep my suitcase smaller. Think wide leg trousers and crop tops! I recently am pairing with a choker for a cooler look.

3/ what do you always bring in your carry on?
In my carry on I always have my laptop for work, some Carmex, my supplements and vitamins to keep me healthy on the go, and some moisturizer for my skin after the plane ride.



4/ your favorite emoji is?
obviously.

5/ your fave 5 conscious products are:
Great question! Conscious products are my thing. I love Dr. Hauschka day cream moisturizer, simply the best in the business! Number 2 would be Dr. Brite non-toxic toothpaste. Three has to be my GreenPeople organic tanner, a perfect brown for jobs and vacation. Four is my pit-rok no chemical deodorant– this one really keeps the stank down and five has to be my cruelty-free Matt & Natt bag!

6/ your dream vacation is?
Bali. Always Bali. A perfect day would be to wake up with a green juice, practice yoga in the day, have a walk amongst nature, and lounge with my mates at night.

7/ the best advice you’ve ever received is?
Pain is temporary, sadness is temporary, and happiness is temporary as well. Know that this, too, shall pass.


8/ plus size modeling has changed for the better/worse in:
Modeling has definitely helped me in many ways! I never liked the way I looked before it, but now I am so comfortable with it. But more than that, it’s helped me transcend my looks! I realized there is so much more to life than physical appearance. It’s your character and the feeling you leave people with that really matters.

9/ your latest splurge for your closet is?
My vegan leather Matt & Nat bag.

10/ your favorite restaurant in the world is?
It used to be Pure Food & Wine in NYC before it broke my heart and closed down last year. I love vegan food and search out new places constantly.

HOW TO DATE... CHLOE LLOYD

Have you ever wondered what it takes to date leading British model – the stunning Chloe Lloyd? Well, wonder no more. After spending hours (literally, hours) on her Instagram account we have come up with 12 pieces of advice to point you in the right direction. (*This advice may not work.)

1. Don't be intimidated by her success.

2. Know your Guns N’ Roses...

3. ...And your Nirvana.

4. Double-denim is a must.

5. Own a cape.

6. Realise cocktails are VERY important.

7. Encourage water-sports.

8. Own (or have access to) a speed boat.

9. Always let her lay-in.

10. Never challenge her to a pillow-fight.

11. Never leave her at the bar.

12. Always be patient.

HOW TO DATE… ISKRA LAWRENCE

Have you ever wondered what it takes to date British-born model – and #everyBODYisbeautiful advocate – Iskra Lawrence? Well, wonder no more. After spending hours (literally, hours) on her Instagram account we have come up with 12 pieces of advice to point you in the right direction. (*This advice may not work.)

1. Must love dogs...

2. ...And midnight snacks.

3. Own a matching crop-top

4. Take her on holiday.

5. Always offer her your jacket.

6. Be prepared for bombshell moments.

7. Don't be jealous of other men's attention.

8. Make her smile.

9. Try not to argue...

10. ...And when you can't win. Surrender.

11. Realise kisses are VERY important...

12. ...But not quite as important as crisps.

HOW TO DATE… MILLIE MACKINTOSH

Have you ever wondered what it takes to date make-up artist and fashion designer, the stunning Millie Mackintosh? Well, wonder no more. After spending hours (literally, hours) on her Instagram account we have come up with 12 pieces of advice to point you in the right direction. (*This advice may not work.)

1. Must own a ball pit.

2. Understand that bath time is sacred.

3. Keep a well-stocked cellar.

4. Take her to Glastonbury.

5. Buy a boat.

6. Take her on holiday…

7. For plenty of sun…

8. Sand…

9. Sea…

10. And… summer reading.

11. Always buy the pizza.

12. And ALWAYS make a fuss for her birthday.

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT QUICKLY WITH THESE SMALL CHANGES

Forget the blood, sweat and tears of regular regimes - new, under-the-radar research has uncovered how small changes to your lifestyle can help banish the excess for good and fast


1. Sweet loss
And the secret to fat loss is... chocolate. A British researcher served up either 40g white chocolate or 40g dark chocolate to nine cyclists for 14 days prior to a two-minute flat-out time trial with the "dark" pedallers generating significantly higher power output. The cause is the substance epicatechin, a flavanol found in cocoa, which results in a chemical reaction that elevates nitric oxide levels in the blood, stimulating vasodilation, greater bloodflow and increased fat-burning.



2. Sleep easy
Sleep your way to a thinner you - that's the message from Uppsala University in Sweden. Subjects slept for eight hours per night or had shut-eye curtailed to four hours to observe how sleep deprivation affected gut health. Analysis of the subjects' bacteria showed an increased ratio of firmicutes to bacteroidetes in the sleep-loss group. This disparity in the two bacterium is important because it replicates the profiles seen in humans with obesity and type 2 diabetes.




3. Go organic
A European team has revealed that choosing organic burns more fat. Researchers undertook a meta-analysis to examine how nutritional content varied between organic and nonorganic red meats, and discovered that organic meat contained around 50 per cent more Omega-3 than its more affordable alternative. That's good news for calorie counters because this polyunsaturated fatty acid has been proven to increase fat metabolism.



4. Circadian peak
FITNESSHow to lose weight fast Continue ReadingA team from France has shown that if you're looking to kill fatty deposits, pencil in a 5pm workout. After analysing world records from across a range of sprint and endurance sports, they noted that the majority were broken later in the day. This is because you need more electrical energy to contract the muscle earlier in the day with aspects such as light, ambient temperature and food intake all having an impact on the efficiency of skeletal muscles.





5. Drink water
Water really is the elixir of life. A recent study in the Journal Of Obesity split 84 overweight participants into two groups with both put on a 12-week hypocaloric diet; in other words, consuming fewer calories than expending. Group one told themselves they were full after each meal, while group two drank 500ml water 30 minutes prior to consuming three daily meals. Though both groups lost weight, the water-intake group lost an extra 2kg. This is due to the water eliciting a fuller feeling in the stomach and brain.






6. Coffee swilling
Training in a fasted state to increase fat-burning's been a popular weight-loss strategy for the past couple years. Now a team from London Metropolitan University has shown that mouth rinsing with caffeine after a night fasting helps individuals to unleash a more intense workout than training in a glycogen-depleted state without a coffee hit. Caffeine latches onto sensors in the mouth that basically cons the brain into thinking that it can work harder than first thought.






7. Don't forget your oats
While glycogen-depleted, low-intensity sessions might be in vogue for raising fat metabolism, don't do this more than once a week. Researchers from Loughbourgh University dissected numerous journals and came to the conclusion that while missing breakfast resulted in a lower daily energy intake, it also led to a reduction in physical activity. That's why slow-releasing carbs like porridge are a must.






8. Scare yourself thinner
British researchers have found that watching a scary film - The Shining, Jaws, anything with Adam Sandler - burns the same amount of calories as a brisk 30 minute walk. Films that spark an increased heart rate cause a surge in the adrenaline hormone, which leads to reduced appetite and an increase in metabolic rate - the perfect duo for slashing the excess.

HOW TO DATE... ASHLEY JAMES

Have you ever wondered what it takes to date model, television presenter and DJ – and all-round uptown girl, Ashley James? Well, wonder no more. After spending hours (literally, hours) on her Instagram account we have come up with 12 pieces of advice to point you in the right direction. (*This advice may not work.)

1. Minty fresh breath is a must

2. Get yourself in shape

3. Buy her flowers

4. Get to know her pets

5. Make her laugh

6. Buy her dinner

7. Take her dancing

8. Whisk her away on holiday

9. Stock up on her favourite tipple

10. Don’t interrupt when she’s working

11. Never question her fashion choices

12. Treat her like a princess

HOW TO DATE... KARLIE KLOSS

Have you ever wondered what it takes to date American supermodel and coding enthusiast, Karlie Kloss? Well, wonder no more. After spending hours (literally, hours) on her Instagram account we've come up with 12 pieces of advice to point you in the right direction. (*This advice may not work.)

1. Enjoy snorkling...

2. And sunbathing.

3. Buy her drinks for the ride home...

4. When brunching...

5. As well as for backstage.

6. Be prepared to hang out with T-Swift...

7. Angels...

8. And in extreme conditions.

9. Be prepared for some tough gym sessions.

10. Love gold...

11. And silver.

12. And NEVER get on the wrong side of her.

HOW TO DATE… SAHARA RAY

Have you ever wondered what it takes to date Australian model and swimwear designer – the delightful Sahara Ray? Well, wonder no more. After spending hours (literally, hours) on her Instagram account we have come up with 12 pieces of advice to point you in the right direction.                                                         (*This advice may not work.)

1. Own a copy of Back In Black.

2. Make her laugh.

3. Don't argue.

4. Always get the papers.

5. Buy her plenty of books.

6. Whisk her away to New York.

7. Always be prepared to smile...

8. Get messy...

9. And strike a pose.

10. Don't play her Wonderwall.

11. Don't go chasing waterfalls...

12. And NEVER share her secrets.

Local heroes in India: readers’ travel tips

The thick, heavy heat hits you at 6am on a Mumbai morning during monsoon season. This, however, is the ideal time to wake up if you plan to venture out into the streets on a bicycle, ready to explore its hidden areas. I spent a morning weaving through the streets of Mumbai with Reality Tours, an India-based organisation that creates change within communities through providing young people from underprivileged areas in India with high-quality education and opportunities. It provides new, exciting ways to see Mumbai (they also run programmes in Delhi), with 80% of its profits going back into lasting, beneficial community projects, all of which they are happy to explain, show you and even have you get involved in.
realitytoursandtravel.com
Natalie Lever


While visiting the Ganges river at the end of last year we saw a TV crew who told us they were filming Kumaran Mahalingam, a geologist who in January finished paddleboarding (as part of a team of three) the entire length of the 2,600km river to raise awareness of the conservation of water bodies. He had his work cut out; from sewage plants pumping untreated waste straight into the river to floating plastic debris as far as the eye can see. The Discovery Channel has made a documentary about the trip which will air later this year.
• bayoflife.com
Dolly Sully



This NGO works with the women of the Kutch area (north of Bhuj in Gujarat) to preserve their unique handicrafts. The people of this area migrated from what is now Pakistan, but can trace their origins further back, and are famous for producing (among other things) incredibly fine embroidery and textiles. This craft is born out of the tradition of giving dowries when marrying, some of the best dowries being fine textiles. The organisation doesn’t just sell stuff for them, it catalogues their designs, as well as making them available online. It provides the women of the various villages (each with their own unique traditions) with everything they need to produce their goods, and then sells them responsibly and sustainably on their behalf, allowing them to concentrate on producing more while enriching their own lives.
• kala-raksha.org
Awen Schiavone

36 Hours in Sapporo, Japan

Sapporo was once synonymous with winter, thanks to its annual snow festival, its famed snow crab and the white powder that reliably blankets the surrounding mountains. But much has changed since the city hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics. Today the capital of Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, is proving itself to be fertile ground for homegrown creativity, with basements and passageways and crumbling old houses being transformed into galleries and shops and exciting new restaurants. Green urban parks, laid-back residents and an outdoorsy spirit have many comparing the city to Portland, Ore., Sapporo’s sister city on the opposite side of the Pacific. To judge for yourself, speed north on the new Hokkaido Shinkansen; the bullet train began service last year, making this newly dynamic city easier to reach in every season.