BEHIND THE ISSUE

1)We didn’t talk to art director JED TALLO for, well, at least 45 minutes after he showed us this photo from the One&Only Palmilla. If you’re not prone to jealousy, read all the deets on his otherworldly stay in Mexico in our spa special, “Destination Wellness” (p. 107).

2) Major props to prop stylist CAITLIN DOHERTY, who brought the open road to a random parking lot in Toronto’s West End for our Western-inspired shoot, “High Noon” (p. 94). REINER CARLOS, of photography duo Carlos + Alyse, expertly captured it all—without breaking the slightest sweat.

3) JENNIFER COHEN might actually have more energy than the entire ELLE team put together. To wit: The L.A.-based Winnipeg native is a wellness trainer, an app developer, a Forbes columnist and the author of the new fitness journal Badass Body

Goals. Oh, and she somehow managed to squeeze in time to write about why practising wellness shouldn’t feel like work in “No Chill” (p. 68).

4) Boy bye. Vancouver-based writer MEREDYTH COLE reflects on the end of the era of the bad boy in her heart—and in pop culture—in “Better Men” (p. 76). So how else is she putting herself first these days? “Self-care and self-indulgence are basically indistinguishable for me: ’80s movies, croissants and chronic overspending. Also, a whole day in bed.”

5) Good thing managing editor CARLI WHITWELL’s interview with Tracey Anderson took place before her workout with the celeb trainer at the Westin Chicago River North hotel—she could barely crawl off the mat afterwards. For more on our inspiring (and exhausting) international hang with Gwyneth Paltrow’s go-to fitness guru, turn to p. 110.

6) Minimalism definitely wasn’t the mood for our OTT animalprint shoot, “Ready to Roar” (p. 80). Stylist JULIANA SCHIAVINATTO pulled the prettiest bold gold jewellery to complement the bright patterns and luxe fabrics in this fashion story.