2020
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F E BR UARY 2020
Issu e On e Hu n d re d S ixt y- Fou r
page 5 Meet self-published author Amelia Griggs and see how she has turned her love of writing into her new life and career path.
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2006-2020
pages 7-9 Reclaim moments of calm in
your day with this gorgeous new book from Melanie Barnes, Seeking Slow. And we’ve compiled great tips for keeping your skin feeling healthy and hydrated this winter with our Winter Skin Care 101.
Joey Coakley Beck Publisher & Owner jbeck@beckmediagroup.com •••
editorial
For editorial consideration: features@beckmediagroup.com
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page 11 Check out these fun winter finds that are great for your skin and mind. We have everything from cute hand scrub singles to a new skincare line that can help with all your winter skin issues, so read on!!
Contributors: Gretchen Weinnig Beedle, Beth Deel, Wendy Maxey, Member One Federal Credit Union, Hayleigh Worgan
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advertising
pages 12-13 Help make your home
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warm, cozy and eco-friendly with these earth-friendly home improvement tips for winter. Simple changes can make a huge difference and keep your family warm
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With over 14 years experience in Southwest & Central Virginia, Bella is the BEST advertising option with proven results, loyal readership, wonderful content, and an award-winning design!
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page 14 We all love paper! And kids love paper too. The newly-released Kids’ Book of Paper Love is chock full of wondeful paper crafts and ideas to spark creativity in children of all ages.
To market yourself and your business to the women of Southwest & Central Virginia, call us at (540) 339-6117 or email advertise@beckmediagroup.com
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pages 16-18 When cold weather hits, it’s
operations
For general inquiries: bella@beckmediagroup.com Sara Coakley Office Manager
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natural to seek comfort in a variety of forms: warm blankets, layers of sweaters and delicious, hearty meals. Thanks to our friends at FarmToFork Sauces, we have a wonderful starting point for your winter warm-up with recipes and tips rooted in delicious goodness.
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pages 21-22 Jefferson Center is going to
LLC
P.O. Box 107 Roanoke, Virginia 24002 (540) 339-6117 Bella Magazine is the property of Beck Media Group LLC. It is a free publication printed monthly and is distributed throughout Southwest and Central Virginia and beyond. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse ad space for any advertisement or editorial content the staff deems inappropriate for our readers. The concept and design of Bella Magazine, as well as the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content is property of Beck Media Group LLC and may not be copied or reprinted without written permission from the publisher. ©2006-2020 Beck Media Group LLC All Rights Reserved. PRINTED IN VIRGINIA
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be HOT this month with a fabulous evening jazz performance from New York Voices, along with guest vocalist and guitarist Camila Meza! And just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you need to stay inside and hibernate. We’ve also included Forest Farmers Market Indoor Winter Market and Sisters of Change’s Crown Conference as our other not-to-miss events for February. Get all the details inside!
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Meet Author Amelia Griggs
Amelia and her mom
gar s with Su nowflake S m o fr e Pag
PHOTOS COURTESY Amelia Griggs
Self-published author creates a fun children’s series Thinking of self-publishing a book? Author Amelia Griggs’ shares her latest journey into how she turned her fun, part-time hobby into a full-time passion. “I always loved to write for as long as I can remember,” says Amelia. However, back when she was growing up, writing and art was thought of as more of a hobby than a career. “Even as a child, I loved writing stories and drawing pictures. In addition to writing, I loved reading poems, especially ones that contained rhymes. I even saved stories that I wrote as a child, hoping that I could turn them into books someday.” “My background is actually in computer science,” she says. After years developing training manuals, she decided to write her Microsoft Office How-To Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts series. After that, she decided to try something more fun and creative. Her newest endeavor is an exciting one: a series of children’s books based on personal memories of cooking and baking with her mother, creating homemade goodies together. “My mother and I were always making something homemade and that’s what I based these books around, making it fun and exciting for kids using my love for rhyming.” Amelia also includes a recipe in the back of her books so parents can recreate the homemade recipes with their own children. It’s interactive and fun, reading about the excitement of her characters Bella and Mia and their adventures. This children’s series is designed to foster love within families by promoting fun activities with parent and child. In the first book Silly Willy Apple Cake, Bella and Mia go apple picking and create a delectable apple cake. The second book, Squishy Wishy Meatballs includes a homemade Italian meatball recipe. And the third book in the series, Snowflakes with Sugar, is based on her family’s tradition of baking pizzelles every holiday season. Coloring and activity books are also in the works! Now inspired by her success as a self-published author, Amelia wants to share all she has learned with aspiring authors to help them accomplish their goals and achieve their dreams. She is planning on creating a series of books and videos to help others with the self-publishing and marketing process. “I want to share all the knowledge I’ve acquired through this process with other writers,” Amelia says. “I have so much information that will help others who are considering self-publishing.” Amelia recently transitioned from full-time to freelance. Working as a freelance instructional designer and eLearning developer allows her to have a more flexible schedule for family/work balance, and devote more time to self-publishing, marketing, and of course, writing! To check out more about Amelia and find out about all the exciting projects she has in the works, follow her on Instagram: “ameliagwrites” and on her author page: www.amazon.com/author/ameliagriggs. For more info or to hire Amelia to help you get started with self-publishing, contact her at ameliagriggs@gmail.com. febr uar y 2020 •
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Photos by Melanie Barnes
Seeking Slow
Reclaim moments of calm in your day
Are you consumed by never-ending to-do lists? Are you working harder and enjoying less? The gorgeous new book, Seeking Slow by Melanie Barnes provides simple ways for you to slow down and reconnect with yourself, your family and your surroundings—and find joy in doing it. If daily life feels like a relentless onslaught, it’s time to discover the beauty of slow living. Being fully present and embracing what you have it key; whether that means getting outdoors for a walk with family, learning to meditate, taking up a new craft, reading a book or simply taking a long deep breath during the umpteenth load of laundry. This soothing book can help with managing your time, seasonal living, living sustainably and more. Melanie Barnes is the writer and photographer behind the Geoffrey and Grace blog—a home for slow, wholehearted and creative living. She has spent the past 15 years studying various forms of yoga, movement, and mediation, she is always looking for ways to be present and truly connected. www.geoffreyandgrace.com febr uar y 2020 •
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Winter Skin Care 101 Cold weather can take a real toll on your skin. Dry skin can lead to discomfort and, if neglected, can affect your skin’s elasticity and trigger outbreaks of irritated skin. Help keep your skin feeling healthy and hydrated this winter with these tips:
Drink water. Hydrating your body from the inside out plays an important role in keeping skin supple and soft. When you’re dehydrated, the body pulls water from any source it can, including your skin. A good rule of thumb is at least 8 cups of water a day. Hydrate with food. You can also boost your internal water reserves by eating foods rich in water, nutrients, vitamins and beneficial fats and oils. Fish, nuts and avocados all contain plenty of essential nutrients that help promote well-hydrated skin. Foods like cucumber, zucchini, lettuce and watermelon also naturally have a high concentration of water. Use body lotion. Your skin naturally loses moisture throughout the day through evaporation, but you can help trap the
hydration you add from bathing by adding a layer of quality lotion. An option like Remedy Dermatology Series Moisturizing Body Lotion contains a proprietary botanical blend of nutrients, emollients and antioxidants, including green tea, clove and safflower oleosomes. Its smooth, rich formula absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling soft with no greasy or oily residue. Formulated by skin care experts, the lotion helps skin stay moisturized for up to 24 hours and is free of 80 of the most common allergens that contribute to rashes and skin sensitivity. www. remedyderm.com
Protect skin. Exposure to harsh weather can quickly dry and chap your skin, so any time you’ll be outdoors, especially for extended periods of time, be sure to cover up exposed areas. Keep an extra set of gloves and a scarf in your vehicle so you’re prepared for unexpected time outdoors, whether from an accident or impromptu stop at a local park for some fresh air and exercise. Change out of wet clothes. Always remove wet clothes as soon as possible. Not only do cold, wet clothes affect your body’s ability to regulate internal temperature, they can create friction that leads to uncomfortable and painful skin irritation. If getting wet is unavoidable, consider layering your clothing so you can shed wet outer layers quickly before they can soak through. Use a humidifier. The indoor climate becomes considerably drier in the winter months when the furnace runs regularly. Using a humidifier can help restore a level of humidity that’s better for your skin. Aim for humidity levels in the range of 3550%; depending on your climate, you may need to err on the lower side of the scale to reduce condensation on windows.
Wear sunscreen. Winter sun rays are just as strong as summer rays, even if you don’t feel their heat quite as much. In fact, snow burns that result from sun reflecting off the snow can be even more dangerous than regular sunburns. Protect your skin from burning and drying out by using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 any time you venture outdoors. febr uar y 2020 •
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Care Skincare
Years of experience in the global beauty industry and as a consumer taught the founders of Care Skincare that skincare is often being overcomplicated, overpriced and full of ingredients that do more harm than good. Equipped with a deep knowledge of what actually works, they set out to cut through the noise. The result is Care—a curated line of essentials designed to deliver outstanding results, with minimal daily effort and no beauty BS. Their products are ideal for this time of year! Learn more at www.careskincare.com
s d n i F a Bell Fun winter finds great for your skin & mind
Bonblissity Hand Scrubs
Big moisture in a tiny package! These single-use, candy-wrapped solid hand scrubs from Bonblissity are super handy in a pinch—there’s no mess, no jars, and nothing else quite like them. Grab, unwrap, and massage onto skin with a touch of water. Sweet + Single Candy Scrub turns into a 3-in-1 lotion, leaving skin silky soft and exfoliated. Single-use packaging made from biodegradable cellulose helps keep dirt and germs out for a fresh batch of goodness every time. www.bonblissity.com
Eco Lips Lip+Cheek Balm
Looking for a pop of color without the additives? Eco Lips is a multi-tasking vegan beauty balm. It has a smooth lightweight formula that delivers natural color to lips and cheeks while imparting a soft, smooth finish. Organic jojoba, coconut oil and organic Fair Trade Certified™ cocoa butter moisturize and protect while leaving behind a fresh hibiscus scent. Made with non-toxic earth minerals, Red Lip + Cheek Tint works with many skin tones. Simply apply to cheeks and blend with pads of your fingers! www.ecolips.com
EFF This! Meditation
You already know you should meditate, and that meditation will make you happier and healthier... but you’re tired and irritated, and every time you try to meditate, your mind races and you can’t stop thinking about your to-do list. Sound familiar? Turn to EFF This! Meditation: 108 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for When You’re Stressed Out, Anxious, or Overwhelmed by meditation teacher and sought-after global keynote speaker, Liza Kindred. www.effthismeditation.com
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PaperLove Imagine a book full of whimsy, where each turn of the page brings an unexpected surprise: a set of bookmarks to cut out, patterned paper for collaging, a few hidden notebooks to pull out and write or draw in, and so much more. This amazing book has ALL the bells and whistles with a paper goody on every single page. Introducing The Kids’ Book of Paper Love: Write. Craft. Play. Share. From the creators of the hugely popular international magazine Flow comes their first ever book for children, a treasure trove of screen-free fun for kids of all ages packed with every paper project under the sun. Overflowing with 180 pages of their signature pull-out goodies and fun activities, The Kids’ Book of Paper Love is the perfect mix of creativity and unplugged fun for younger readers. Every page is perforated so kids can tear out the beautiful paper that beg to be cut up, crafted with, written on and shared. Authors Irene Smit and Astrid van der Hulst are the creative directors of Flow magazine, an international publication celebrating creativity, mindfulness and life’s little pleasures. They each live with their families outside Amsterdam. www.flowmagazine.com page 14 •
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Jefferson Center is HOT in February
New York Voices
Don’t miss New York Voices with Camila Meza at Jefferson Center on Thursday, February 13, 2020
Camila Meza
This year marks New York Voices’ 32nd Anniversary and they show no signs of slowing down. This critically acclaimed jazz vocal group has refined their musical story to a high art with close-knit voicings, inspired arrangements, and unparalleled vocal blend. From hard driving swing to lush ballads, you’ll hear adventurous and meaningful renditions of many of your favorites from the American songbook. www.newyorkvoices.com Joining New York Voices for the February 13th peformance is vocalist/guitarist/composer Camila Meza. Originally from Santiago, Chile, she possesses a gift for composing brilliant musical landscapes, a captivating, soulfully pure vocal instrument, and a consummate prowess on guitar, ablaze with irresistible melodies and improvisations. Meza has garnered rapt attention from her colleagues, the press, and audiences internationally, for her distinctive ability to blend jazz with her broad musical world, and for the emotional depth of her music. www.camilameza.com For tickets and more information, visit www.jeffcenter.org or stop by the Box Office at Jefferson Center in Downtown Roanoke. febr uar y 2020 •
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Winter happenings not to miss! Check out CROWN Conference from Sisters for Change & be sure to stop by Forest Farmers Market’s Indoor Winter Market
C.R.O.W.N. Conference
Multi ethnic & generational conference focused on empowering women in all walks of life with the necessary tools to take next steps The second annual C.R.O.W.N. Conference is brought to you by the Sisters of Change. Join them Saturday, February 15 th at Grace Covenant Church at 756 Peters Creek Road in Roanoke from 10am-2pm. Join guest speakers who are advocates of the community in an event for all women, from stay-at-home moms, to entrepreneurs, and career-driven women. They will give Ted X talks and teachers will give hands-on lessons to help you move forward today! Tickets are on sale now! (Brunch and childcare will be provided.) To purchase search “CrownConference2020” on EventBrite.com or find the event on Facebook. ***SPECIAL OFFER: Bella readers get $5 off their ticket by using code: BELLA
Indoor Winter Farmers Market
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At the most basic level, when you buy local more money stays in the community. All year long, Forest Farmers Market offers the region’s best produce and handmade goods around. But with winter in full swing, their wonderful offerings don’t come to an end! Enjoy seasonal favorites and goods from local farmers and artisans with their Indoor Winter Markets held inside one Saturday a month during the winter season. Forest Farmers Market will host their Indoor Winter Market on Saturday, February 8 from 8am-noon at 1088 Rustic Village Road in Forest, Virginia. Stop by and pick up fresh produce, delicious baked good, handmade treasures and more. www.forestfarmersmarket.com • fe b r u a r y 2 0 2 0