LETTER from the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
THE HOPE ISSUE
“
When I lived in Ohio back in the ‘90s, my mom, brothers, and I were walking into a store inside Salem Mall in Dayton. An elderly white man stopped my mom and asked her if we were her children. In her broken English, she answered yes with a smile. He asked her why she would choose to ruin “their” race having kids “like that.’ He walked away angrily as my mom and I stood there not quite understanding what had just happened.
Our human compassion binds us the one to the other—not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.” I remember saying, “Did he just ask you why you ruined your race?” With a ~Nelson Mandela
pained smile, my mom quickly changed the subject and hurried me inside the store to meet up with my brothers. This was only one of many similar incidents that happened during the years we lived in Ohio.
I was 9 years old when I learned that my skin color was something I would have to defend and claim space for—for the rest of my life. Fast forward to 2006, the year I got married. We have two healthy and beautiful boys, yet when they were babies, it was dehumanizing having to carry their birth certificates around to prove I was their mother. It’s unbelievable that it’s 2020 and race continues to be a cause for so much hate, hurt, and discord in our world. When I sat down to think about the theme of BELLA’s coveted Summer Issue, I looked at my children and found solace in what I believe is the direct response to racial divide: love. My biracial sons are walking examples of what love, which sees no barriers, looks like. And as children, in their undisturbed innocence, they represent so much hope. Hope means to believe, to desire, to trust. Hope is sustaining. And while hope may be a word we use when things are going well, “hopeful” may not feel like the best word to describe what we’re facing in the current state of the world. We’ve collectively seen tragedy, heartbreak, and pain. We are afraid, we are sad, we are angry. And yet, in spite of all of this, some pretty wonderful things are happening. Just take a look at our cover story, “Letters of Hope to our Future,” on pages 62-77. You may want to believe you have no power, that there’s no reason to act, that you can’t win. Hope, however, provides us all a gift we don’t have to surrender. It’s a power that is all ours for the taking, one we don’t have to give away. Hope is a force you can always source from, even when the glass has nothing in it at all. Hope has the possibility of creating reality. Hope is activism (dive into “Why Teaching BLM Matters” on pages 112-113 for inspiration). I recognize how hope has been at the helm of every single prayer that’s impacted every decision I’ve ever made in both my personal and professional endeavors. I am sure you have noticed many of those changes at BELLA, especially over the past year. Our world may look stark, and you may feel tempted to lose hope. I believe that holding on to hope—especially that which emanates from looking into my children’s eyes and holding their hands—makes it even more important to hold on tightly to a vision of a better future. With love, gratitude, and hope for more compassion in 2020,
Vanessa Coppes
behind
scenes
the our front & back covers
Traditionally, this issue would have been our Hamptons Summer Issue, celebrating the season of relaxation, travel, all things beachside, and more. With our world in its current state, it felt only right to do what I knew in my heart will continue to be the direction of BELLA. Culminating my first year as BELLA’s owner, CEO + Editor-InChief, I’ve spent a lot of time listening to my team, our brand partners, and you—our readers. The common thread has been to continue to highlight celebrities we all know and love, but to also include everyday men and women doing extraordinary things. With that, I give you this—our Hope Issue, a testament to love. Our cover was photographed by the fabulous Jessica Cirz. What you see are my children’s hands in mine. I firmly believe our future is in our children’s hands, and how we will get to a better state of our world is through compassion. Compassion is what visual artist and designer Elizabeth Sutton decided to name her tribute artwork of George Floyd. When she shared her work online, it ruffled some feathers. His death continues to fuel protests about racial injustices and many unsettled social issues all over the world. When I saw her painting, I was reminded of the lyrics from Bethel Music’s version of “Champion”—
I’ve tried so hard to see it Took me so long to believe it That You’d choose someone like me To carry Your victory Perfection could never earn it You give what we don’t deserve You take the broken things And raise them to glory Elizabeth and I have a special connection, and I am thrilled you get to experience her work in this issue (just flip to the back cover). No matter what or who you believe in spiritually, compassion is something we’ve all experienced. Compassion is empathy and caring in action. Empathy allows us to connect with other people. I dare to believe that hope, compassion, and love are what allow us to see our shared humanity. I hope you enjoy every part of this issue.
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Vanessa Coppes Chief Executive Officer, Editor-in-Chief Gina LaGuardia, Editorial Director Jessica Licciardello, Creative Director Janene Mascarella, Beauty Director Alexandra Anastasio, Entertainment Editor Amanda Mactas, Food, Travel & Accessories Editor Mindy Shapiro Gura & Paula Shapiro Orlan, Stylists Jonathan Calixto, Fashion & Lifestyle Correspondent Emily Brickel Edelson, Contributing Fashion Editor Norah Lawlor, Lifestyle Editor Jennifer Walsh, Mind + Body Correspondent Jessica Cirz, Cover & Features Photographer Michele DiNardo, West Coast Editor Amanda Ringel, Intern Natalie Shaw, Intern
Jennifer DeCillis Publisher Cheryl Devine, Circulation Director Lynette Barbieri, Business Development Associate Jenna Guarneri, Public Relations Raffaela Pontecorvo, Administrative Assistant
Contributors
Barbara Bellesi Zito, Katya Bychkova, Jennifer Capella, Kimberlee Ho, Ilsy J. Hoo, Kristen Robertiello, Maureen Spataro, Elizabeth Sutton, Jarrod Thalheimer, Shenna Vaughn, Lauren Vena, Geraldine Viggiani
Medical Advisory Board
Dr. Ronit Gilad, Dr. Katherine Melzer-Ross, Dr. Soriaya Motivala, Dr. B. Aviva Preminger
Real Talk with BELLA, The Podcast Vanessa Coppes, Host
BELLA TV
Danita Chantel, Host Jennifer DeCillis, Host Jessica Cirz, Producer Stephanie Giang, Contributor
BellaMag.co
Vanessa Coppes, CMO & Editor-in-Chief Jennifer DeCillis, Managing Editor Anna Hutchinson, Editorial Assistant Julie Freeman, Editorial Assistant
Contributing Editors & Writers
Maxine Albert, Alexandra Anastasio, Kelly Bellucci, Jonathan Calixto, Danita Chantel, Tara Ciccone, Dionne Clarke, Brana Dane, Jennifer DeCillis, Ruta Fox, Inna Lapin, Jessica Licciardello, Dr. Robi Ludwig, Amanda Mactas, Janene Mascarella, Elena Murzello, Kristen Robertiello, Tambi Saffran, Roger Sands
BellaLatinaMag.co
Vanessa Coppes, Editor-In-Chief Candy Calderón, Editor-At-Large
Contributors
Jennifer Barreto-Leyva, Evan Elkowitz, Paula Lalanne, Melissa Landau
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Photography by Doreen Laskiewicz Photography DoeMiso
contributors KRISTEN ROBERTIELLO is the owner and head stylist of KR Wardrobe Design, LLC and a contributing editor for BELLA Magazine. Kristen started her career in New York City and has since traveled nationwide to style celebrities, national ad campaigns, commercials, and more. In this issue, she commemorates the Class of 2020 (pgs. 7886), and shares some of her style picks in “The Color of Hope” (pgs. 16-17). Visit KRWardrobeDesign.com and follow her on Instagram @KRWardrobeDesign.
ALEXANDRA ANASTASIO, Entertainment Editor for BELLA Magazine, is a lifestyle writer with a knack for sharing stories about people—and pets! Follow her on Instagram @Alexandra_Anastasio or visit AlexandraAnastasio.com.
Former founder of beauty brands such as Beauty Bar and Pride & Glory, JENNIFER WALSH gives her in-depth perspective on wellness as a veteran entrepreneur for the past 20 years. Now, through her Walk with Walsh Media platform, she shines a light on the people and brands that are putting nature first.
AMANDA MACTAS is BELLA’s Food, Travel & Accessories Editor. In this issue, you can find her article highlighting some of the amazing restaurants that have shifted their focus during the pandemic, as well as some fun fashion finds. Follow more from Amanda on Instagram @ManhattanTwist.
JESSICA CIRZ is the cover/ feature photographer for BELLA Magazine, capturing fleeting moments in time for what they are and what they may never be again. Follow her on Instagram @JessicaCirzPhotography.
BELLA Beauty Director JANENE MASCARELLA has all the beauty tips and tricks you need to make this your most beautiful summer ever! In addition to some super cool gizmos and gadgets to make your life easy and breezy this season, she also rounded up the very best treats, eats, trips, and sips in the 9th Annual Best of BELLA feature (pgs. 32-39). Happy summering!
Need some fashion advice? Then look no further—BELLA’s Fashion and Lifestyle Correspondent JONATHAN CALIXTO has you covered. He’s on top of the latest trends as seen during NYFW, Miami Swim Week, and all the events in between. Stay tuned to what he is up to next via his Instagram @ThisisJCali.
JENNIFER DECILLIS is the Managing Editor for BellaMag.co, Publisher for BELLA Magazine and a BELLA TV host. Passionate about writing, fashion, beauty, travel and all things BELLA, you can follow along with her on Instagram @MissNYUS2016.
ELIZABETH SUTTON is a 30-year-old NYC-based artist, designer, entrepreneur, and single mother of two. Her designs range from fine art and limited edition prints to award-winning tile collections, a fashion accessories line, and wallpaper collections. Elizabeth created this issue’s back cover, entitled “Compassion.” MINDY GURA AND PAULA ORLAN, The Style Duo, are BELLA’s fashion stylists. Check out their vibrant “Color Your World” feature (pg. 22), along with “The Color of Hope” (pgs. 16-17). And for more tips and tricks, check out their Instagram: @TheStyleDuo.
GERALDINE “GERRY” VIGGIANI, LCSW, LCADC, PMH-C is a psychotherapist and owner of Lotus Blossom Psychotherapy, LLC in Eatontown, NJ. Her expertise lies in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, maternal mental health, KIMBERLEE HO is a food traumatic birth experiences, and photographer and baking addiction. Gerry's passion is her blogger who loves sharing work with maternal and women's mental health, and she is easy recipes and tips dedicated to actively advancing for busy people on her the treatment of maternal blog Kickassbaker.com. Follow her on Instagram mental health through her board position on Postpartum Support @Kickassbaker. International NJ chapter.
SHENNA VAUGHN is a contemporary artist born and raised in Queens, NY. The intention behind her work is to evoke empowerment, strength, conversation, and inspiration. Sheena’s art has appeared in multiple films and publications, and she also participated in an international artist residency in Japan and Barbados. Her work has also appeared at Art Basel both nationally and internationally. Check the back cover for one of Shenna’s latest works.
BARBARA BELLESI ZITO reads. A lot. When she’s not on the hunt for her next favorite book, she’s writing about personal finance and real estate for The Motley Fool and others. Catch her at @BarbTheWriter on Instagram.
Known for the best insights in the industry, pro makeup artist LAUREN VENA has worked for more than 19 years with some of the world’s top beauty brands. Every day, she feels fortunate to have a career that fuels her passion—to make everyone who sits in her chair feel and look irrevocably and effortlessly beautiful. Follow her on Instagram @MakeupArtist_LV.
ILSY J. HOO, a New Jersey resident, is a regular contributor to “The Love Files.” She also works as a publicist and influencer who loves writng about entertainment, entrepreneurship, and relatonships. Visit IlsyJHoo.com, and follow her on Instagram and Twitter @IlsyJHoo.
BELLA Editorial Director GINA LAGUARDIA has been in the publishing biz—online and off—for more than two decades. She spends her days ensuring good grammar and maintaining deadlines while enjoying her daughters’ extra curricular activities, watching movies with her husband, and doing CrossFit and running obstacle course races with her friends. Follow her on Twitter @GinaLaGuardia. BELLA Creative Director JESSICA LICCIARDELLO brings the pages of BELLA to life with her design. She is also an artist and art historian who shares her expertise with BELLA readers in her articles both in print and online. You can discover her work at ArtistInTheCity.com, JLDello.com, and on Instagram @JLDello.
NORAH LAWLOR is the founder of Lawlor Media Group, a PR, marketing, and strategic communications agency in New York City, which is celebrating its 20 year anniversary in 2020. She is also an avid traveler and chronicler of the jet-set lifestyle. Follow her on Instagram @LawlorMedia.
MAUREEN SPATARO is the founder of the non-profit Because She Is, providing free services to victims of domestic and sexual trauma. Visit BecauseSheIs.org for more information.
Freelance writer and independent film producer, JARROD THALHEIMER, continues to be engaged—and absolutely dazzled—by the fascinating distractions that seem unique to this moment in history. Check out his take on “Tiger King” Joe Exotic’s contribution to the chaos (pgs. 98-99). All-around beauty boss, JENNIFER CAPELLA is a certified makeup/lash artist and the founder of GlamLife Lounge. Being all about women’s empowerment, Jennifer is aware that a woman can hold an entire audience captive with the flare of her eyelashes and the right shade of red lipstick. Adding to a long list of achievements, she has also worked on NYFW, Miami SwimSuit Week, various movie sets, photo shoots, and off-Broadway productions, as well as various TV networks and as a radio host. See her work on Instagram @Glamlife_Lounge. EMILY BRICKEL EDELSON a BELLA contributing fashion editor, is the co-founder of Chic Sketch, a published fashion illustrator, author, and influencer. Emily has illustrated this issue’s Arts & Culture section, and has sketched at NYFW for top fashion editors, brands, and celebrities. Her sketches have reached millions of viewers around the world, as she has worked with brands like Sak’s Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Fendi, Dior, Cartier, Ralph Lauren, Rachel Zoe, Michael Kors, and more. Follow her at @EmilyBrickel, @ChicSketch, and ChicSketch.com.
Letters of Hope
62
CONTENTS STYLE REPORT 15 THE The Color of Hope, Women and Men
Face Off, The Evolution of Pride, Color Your World, My Oh My Tie Dye
SCENE 25 BEAUTY Ohm Sweet Home, How to Get a
Sun-Kissed Glow, Summer Beauty Boosters, Janene’s Summer Vacay Stash
OF BELLA 2020 32 BEST You’ll Love Our Picks! BOSS 40 BELLA 7 Amazing Women Doing Their Thing
+ LIFE 48 HOME Cool for the Summer Black Lives Matter
142
SPACES 50 SOPHISTICATED Enchanted Makeovers
LIFE 56 CELEBRITY "Selling Sunset" Stars Shine Bright STORY 62 COVER Letters of Hope
TO KNOW 78 GETTING The Class of 2020
BELLA 88TEAM Graduation #Throwback LIVING 90 SUMMER Hamptons Is Happening
w
e n r u o o t n Liste
T S A C D PO Tune in as BELLA Magazine’s new podcast division shares some sassy, funny, and intelligent conversations with Team BELLA and Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Coppes. It’s all the BELLA content you love, from entertainment, beauty, lifestyle, empowerment, and more. The BELLAs will dish their opinions on each topic, diving deep beneath the surface of what we see on the glossy cover. Whether it’s fashion and lifestyle tips, celebrity interviews, or exclusive for-BELLA-earsonly news, the ladies will deliver what you want to hear the real way—the only way!
ith w K L A T REAL
A L L E B Z I N E M A G A
Class of 2020
78
CONTENTS CLOSE & PERSONAL 94 UP Ian Duke
LOVE FILES 96 THE Couples Beating COVID-19, Amazing (& Clearly Insane) Life Hacks from Joe Exotic
NOVEL IDEA 98 ABooks Are a Balm OF GIVING BACK 102 BEAUTY Pajamas With Love & CULTURE 103 ARTS Places Without Faces, Why
Teaching Black Lives Matter Matters, VITAL Agibalow
Best of BELLA
32
BELLA 115 CHOW Inspiring Ways Restaurants Pivoted
through the Pandemic, Cooking With Sass, Grilled Peaches with Honey & Ice Cream, Prosecco Rosé Is on its Way
+ BODY 129 MIND Healthy Home, The Healing
Power of Collective Hope, The Ultimate Rise of Green Thumbs, Harmonizing Home Rituals, Dr. B. Aviva Preminger
TOWN 142 AROUND NYC Through the Lens of
Photographer Brandon Parker
5 152 FAB Lockdowns End, Summer Fun Begins
M RIA GIAMBRONE It’s never been more certain, that people need to earn an income from home. FROM EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
IN CORPORATE AMERICA
TO SUCCESSFUL
INDEPENDENT
BUSINESS OWNER
Maria offers her clients Health, Wealth & Happiness Opportunities through her
ELEVATE PRODUCTS
ELEVATING
HEALTH WEALTH & HAPPINESS Maria@ElevateItAll.com
BELLA
THE STYLE REPORT THE COLOR OF HOPE ∙ WOMEN AND MEN FACE OFF ∙ THE EVOLUTION OF PRIDE COLOR YOUR WORLD ∙ MY OH MY TIE DYE
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the style report | statement fashion
BTL Satin Face Covering in Yellow $32, BlankaBoutique.com
“I just go with the flow, I follow the yellow brick road. I don’t know where it’s going to lead me, but I follow it.” -Grace Jones Perforated Fluo Leather Tote with Bamboo handles $327, bevinimodena.com
Les Girls Les Boys Rib Underwired One Piece Swimsuit $170, OliveLA.com
THE COLOR OF Yellow is the color of the sun, and the color we turn to for a light and bright vibe. It is an uplifting shade that radiates joy, positivity, energy, and warmth. It is also the color of the solar plexus chakra, the chakra responsible for your identity and personality. When the energy of this chakra is aligned, it increases self-esteem and respect for others, and also induces a sense of overall calmness. Now is the perfect time to incorporate delightful yellow hues into your wardrobe. Whether it’s just a fun accessory or full yellow ensemble, this color of hope is the shade we are gravitating toward this summer. Soave Leather Yellow and White Shoulder Bag $240, BeviniModena.com
Chiara Boni Mali Skirt $198, us.chiaraboni.com
16
Copacabana Beach Towel $59, Funboy.com
Seventy Venezia Yellow Pants $275, Seventy.it
AqC Soft Silk Blend Jezebel Mask $40, OliveLA.com
Dandelion Fluff Dangling Earrings $39, BaruAccessories.com
By Mindy Gura, Paula Orlan, Kristen Robertiello, and Natalie Shaw Sunset-Neon Summer Sandal $40, Skechers.com
Badgley Mischka Day Shirt Dress $430, OliveLA.com
Anya Hindmarch Neeson Cross Body $750, OliveLA.com
17
the style report | men’s trend Pleat Mask $30, Rag-Bone.com
Mostly Heard Rarely Seen Check Print Face Mask $75, Farfetch.com
Grill Sergeant $13.99, MaskClub.com
Rapha Denmark Performance Jersey $146, Farfetch.com
Adapting to this new normal doesn’t mean we can’t be trendy while keeping safe. Face masks have become an essential item in our wardrobe, so here are a few you can fashionably grab and go. From the grill dad or preppy businessman—there’s an option for everyone. Plus, pairing them with some staple everyday items just got easier!
FACE
Nº21 Billy Pride Low-Top Sneake $466, Farfetch.com
Billie Blooms x Karolina Kurkova Mask $20, StateBags.com
Calvin Klein Knee-Length Chino Shorts $85, Farfetch.com
Midnight Navy 5 Pack Cotton Face Mask $30, TheTieBar.com
18
Army Mask $65, RomeoHunte.com
the style report | women’s obsession Amora Pink Sequins Mask $20, ShukuruCouture.com
Pink and Blue Floral Pattern $13.99, MaskClub.com
Sleepy Bumble Bee Butts Floral Face Mask $13.99, LookHuman.com
OFF By Jonathan Calixto
We can’t let the guys have all the fun! Dare to add some flare to your face mask? From prints to sequins, the options are truly endless. Brighten up your summer wardrobe by pairing your mask with other light-tone items in your closet and you will be in full PRIDE spirit.
Adriana Degreas Tie-Front Blouse $270, MatchesFashion.com
Protective Face Mask Begonia $40, Araks.com
Studio Amelia 2.4 Thong-Strap Sandals $224, Farfetch.com
Symonds Pearmain High-Rise Cotton Shorts $320, MatchesFashion.com
Safety Mask Grapes $38.12, Helmsteadt-Online.com
19
the style report | queer history
THE EVOLUTION OF PRIDE BY JONATHAN CALIXTO
20
F
rom its birth in 1969 to today, the LGBT+ movement for equality continues.
Throughout the years, Pride has brought the Queer community and Allies together in celebration of the legislative wins for equal rights, all while understanding the challenges still present today. Summer is the perfect time to reflect on the advancements made by the Queer community while looking forward to how much more there is to accomplish. Writer and journalist Matthew Todd shares the evolution of this momentous time by commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first Pride Parade in his book, “The Story of the LGBTQ Equality Movement.” His book shares rare images and highlights moving anecdotes from key players and witnesses that pushed the movement forward. With a historical moment, led by Marsha P. Johnson in the Stonewall Riots that changed Queer culture forever in 1969, Todd knew his book had more relevancy now than it ever did before. “We are in a very similar period now—fighting against racism, for LGBTQ rights, to stop the destruction of the environment, and more. This is a time of consequences for all of us,” he shares. It’s a battle from a time in which people couldn’t authentically be themselves. From denying their sexuality, to homophobic doctors giving false HIV-positive results to gay men, or couples killing themselves because there was no way to live openly as a queer couple, this is how people were living in the mid- to late-20th century, as recounted in Todd’s book from a memoir by filmmaker by Derek Jarman.
While this same type of systemic oppression may not be so blatant today, the Queer community still feels restriction through legislation, such as excluding transgender youth from athletics and discrimination in public accommodations, healthcare, and more. In his book, Todd connects with different voices to amplify the Queer perspective. Pushing the evolution forward are the supportive voices creating awareness, as Todd recounts in the story of the Manford family. Morty Manford was a student who was at the Stonewall Inn when it was raided. He became an activist, and in 1972, his mother Jeanne attended Pride with him holding a sign that read “Parents of Gays Unite in Support for Our Children.” Jeanne and her husband Jules set up a parental support group that eventually became PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). This group would grow to have countless meetings across the world demonstrating that family is at the root of defeating oppression. The evolution of Pride has resonated with many because it is full of resilience. It is a movement that encompasses different communities coming together, whether oppressed because of race, poverty, gender, or other identities. It showcases the beauty of unity and empathy. Just like the colors in the rainbow, there is a beauty in seeing a blend of tones come together. While people navigate how to best serve and continue their advocacy during this time, Todd shares advice he would have shared with his younger self and with other LGBT youth: “Go easy on yourself and learn to tame that voice that says you’re not good enough. The greatest thing that has helped me is connection with others and realizing the power of community.”
21
the style report | queer history
COLOR YOUR WORLD By Mindy Gura and Paula Orlan
Purple Lina Dress $445, RamyBrook.com
Ruby Gown (Style #S10420) $298, Faviana.com Green Margo Palm Long Kaftan $435, us.odabash.com
Jaz Royal Blue/White Short Dress $223, us.odabash.com
Yellow Cassie Dress $695, ChiaraBoni.com
Orange Ronan Dress $595, RamyBrook.com 22
Casadei Embossed Tie-Dye Shoulder Bag $789, Farfetch.com
the style report | hot trend
Nikki Mermaid Chain Multi-Use Strap $36, Shop.PrettyConnected.com*
STATE Unisex Tie Dye Duffle Bag $120, Bloomingdales.com
*15% of net proceeds from Pretty Connected’s mask chains will be donated to COVID-19 relief efforts
GRLFRND Protective Face Mask $17, Revolve.com
Tokyo Crop Shirt Desert Vortex $125, CottonCitizen.com
Fore Tie-Dye Cami Top $58, Bloomingdales.com
My, Oh My—
Tie-Dye! Our parents never would have imagined it, but tie-dye is back in a big, big way. The trendy ‘70s fashion statement has returned anew, and honestly—we couldn’t be happier. We all need some fun and color in our life, so why not pick up a piece or two of today’s latest fashion trend?
MSGM Tie-Dye Cardigan $645, Farfetch.com
By Amanda Mactas
Second Wave Tank One-Piece Swimsuit Tie-Dye Print $75, Madewell.com Fore Tie-Dye Slip Skirt $68, Bloomingdales.com
Raquel Allegra Tie-Dye Drawstring Trousers $341, Farfetch.com
Vicenza Tie-Dye Heels $150, Anthropologie.com
Lyza Sandals Citron Multi Tie Dye Stella $45, DolceVita.com
23
Sun Days are Fun Days with
SPF30
Lip Balm For Healthy Sexy Lips 24/7
Lip Balms SPF30 | After Hours | Hemp Infused www.PreventiveMeasures101.com
BELLA
BEAUTY SCENE OHM SWEET HOME ∙ HOW TO GET A SUN-KISSED GLOW SUMMER BEAUTY BOOSTERS ∙ JANENE’S SUMMER VACAY STASH
25
beauty scene | tranquility now
OHM
Home
SWEET
Here are the best ways to pamper yourself like a pro and recreate a posh spa environment at home—no appointment required! By Janene Mascarella
Light Set the mood to “serenity now” and light the way to an instant unwind. DEHV Candle Co. candles are rooted in simplicity and sustainability, hand-poured in concrete vessels, with thoughtful touches like lead-free cotton wicks that keep your home free of chemicals. The scents are carefully crafted to call up certain memories or beautiful scenes. $38, DehvCandleco.com
Warm Ah, the joy in being wrapped in a warm, toasty towel! Amba heated towel racks add a stylish accent to your bathroom and instantly transform it into a posh spa-like space. Utilized in Europe for decades due to their energy efficiency, heated towel racks use much less energy than a standard dryer (about the same amount of electricity as a few light bulbs), and it’s quite luxurious! $300-$2,500, Amazon.com 26
Wear Look and feel like you’ve enjoyed a day at a swanky spa! The Turkish Towel Company’s bathrobes come from the legendary region of Denizli, Turkey. This is where the world’s finest cotton for towels and bathrobes have been grown since ancient times. The Turkish Peshterry® Linen Bathrobe will make you feel like a VIP. $108, TurkishTowelCompany.com
Activate No need to book ahead for this high-tech facial treatment. DEMINUAGE - NanoPen Prime Rejuvenation Kit is
a revolutionary professional facial tool that boosts the effectiveness of skincare ingredients through the use of nanotechnology. It activates skin cells, promotes skin self-renewal, and gives skin a plump, elastic glow. $169.99, Deminuage.com
Brush Reveal beautiful skim like a pro. The
Escape Take pampering to the next level and pour a few drops of L’Occitane Lavender Foaming Bath under running water. The rich foaming bath, with its captivating lavender scent, lets your mind escape to Provence as you breathe in its fragrance and enjoy a soothing moment of relaxation. $39, Loccitane.com
Tone
An in-home facial toning device using microcurrent technology that stimulates skin for improved appearance, Nu Skin - Facial Spa and Conductive Gel unlocks the future of skin care with its in-home spa. Indulge in a rewarding 10-minute regimen three times each week for results that will make your friends wonder if you’ve had work done. $349, Nuskin.com
Glow
Celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas brings the spa to your home with her new skincare device, Magic Glow Wand. Each of the four high-tech settings recreates the full salon facial experience—from steaming to facial massage to cryotherapy—with just one tool. Get that red carpet glow all on your own! $285, JoannaVargas.com
GILDED - Marble Body Brush
stimulates the lymphatic system, increases circulation, provides energizing benefits, and detoxifies the body. Brush on completely dry skin, and starting at your ankles, move the brush in long, circular motions that go in the direction of your heart. $88, GildedBody.com
Treat
Power shower and infuse your locks with bioactive minerals. Blue Lagoon
Iceland - Home Spa: Hair
is a three-step hair treatment trio that gives your hair a hydrating boost, leaving it smooth, vibrant, and oh so spa-worthy. $129, Shop-usa.bluelagoon.com
Mist
Take your nighttime shower routine to a whole new level of chill with Truly’s Moon Shower Adaptogenic Spa Mist. Adaptogenic herbs such as Ashwagandha and calming natural ingredients like eucalyptus oil work together to address the effects of stress on the mind and body for a more restful night of beauty sleep. $15, Ulta.com
Exfoliate A naturally derived, sugar body polish made with fine sugar crystals, J.R. Watkins Detox Sugar Body Polish is infused with a powerful blend of natural extracts to soften the skin while clearing the mind, relaxing the body, and washing away impurities. $14.99, JRWatkins.com 27
beauty scene | expert advice
Get a Gorgeous
Glow Sun-Kissed
Self-tanners have come a long way, and with the right products and techniques, you can look like a bronzed goddess safely and easily. Here, the experts at VersaSpa, an innovative sunless tanning/skincare company, share their top tips and tricks to get a perfect sunless tan at home. Begin with clean, exfoliated skin, which will allow for a more even tan. If you’re newer to tanning, start with a gradual tanning product, like VersaSpa’s Gradual Tanning Body Butter Lotion.
Apply self-tanning products with the applicator mitt to avoid streaks and ensure an even application of color (and to keep your hand clean).
First apply to feet and legs, working your way up your body with a circular motion. Apply to larger areas of your body like your lower or upper legs and blend into drier parts of the skin, including feet, knees, hands, and elbows. Overlap from area to area to be sure no skin is missed. Don’t forget your face! VersaSpa’s Gradual Tanning Face Moisturizer is weightless and blurs fine lines.
Avoid getting your skin wet from working out, showering, or swimming for at least four to six hours to allow the tan to set. For a deeper and darker tan, apply in the morning and night. For a lighter tan, apply every other day. 28
THE FUTURE OF SUNLESS VersaSpa is formulated with a blend of green and brown marine algae, which stimulates collagen production in the skin while the tan develops. This unique combination of tanning and botanical skincare technology will detoxify, firm, and hydrate skin cells. VersaSpa.com
beauty scene | hot stuff
Summer Beauty Boosters By Janene Mascarella
Hitting your “I feel pretty plateau?” Here are some bright ideas to revamp your vanity with the hottest new beauty launches.
Lust-Worthy Lashes FACTORFIVE Eye & Lash Cream Mini $55, FactorFiveSkin.com
Smoldering Eyes
Sun Shield
One Click Beauty b.SEDUCTIVE 2-Piece Eye Kit, Longwear Makeup, The Golds $24, Amazon
Australian Gold Botanical SPF 50 Tinted Face Mineral Lotion $15.99, Ulta.com
Beautiful Brows
High Shine:
Gucci Crayon Définition Sourcils $32, Sephora.com
Alterna My Hair My Canvas: Glow For It Universal Gloss $26, AlternaHaircare.com
Bronzed Beauty Airbrush Smoothing + Pore-Blurring Bronzer $55, CharlotteTilbury.com
Signature Scent
Clean Reserve Radiant Nectar Eau de Parfum $98, CleanReserve.com
Underarm Care
LAVANILA The Healthy Underarm Detox Mask $26, Ulta.com
Gilded Glow
Cocoa Brown Rose Gold Goddess Highlighter $24.95, CocoaBrownTan.com
Clean Slate
Bioré Rose Quartz + Charcoal Daily Purifying Cleanser $6.49, Target
Mighty Multitasker
The Better Skin Co. LAVA MAGIK $32, TheBetterSkinCo.com
All Set
Merle Norman Cosmetics Expert Touch Finishing Spray $23, MerleNorman.com 29
beauty scene | tried & true
Embrace limitless possibilities and bright, bold colors to play up your look! I love the Anastasia Beverly Hills NORVINA® Pro Pigment Palette Vol. 4, a professional-grade artistry palette featuring 25 deluxe-sized, highly pigmented shades. There’s an extra-large mirror on the inside for flawless touch-ups. $60, AnastasiaBeverlyHills.com
The MVP (most valuable product) of any summer road trip: Dove Care Between Washes - Go Active Dry Conditioner. The bright, floralscented spray (amazing!) instantly conditions and helps detangle your mid-lengths to ends, and it also helps to reduce frizz without weighing hair down. $4.99, Walmart
Janene’s
SUMMER
Weightless and without a white cast, ILIA Beauty - Super Serum Tint SPF 40 is my summer skinplumping go-to. The patented non-nano zinc oxide boosts skincare effectiveness by 200%, while safely shielding skin from UVA, UVB, UVC, blue light, and infrared. Shake well before use, and skip your skincare—it’s already built-in! $46, ILIABeauty.com
VACAY STASH
My favorite way to de-puff on the fly: Fraîcheur Ice Globes. The ice-cold facial roller is great for chilling out any angry breakouts and reducing swelling and inflammation. It helps to calm and cool the skin and seriously feels fabulous! Put the globes in the freezer at night and use them after your morning routine. $55, FaceIceGlobes.com
Fun in the sun often leaves my skin a bit irritated, so I don’t leave home without MONAT - Be Gentle Creamy Cleanser. The delicate, cream cleanser gently lifts and washes away dirt and impurities while it conditions and nourishes, leaving skin feeling refreshed and hydrated. $45, MonatGlobal.com
Staying hydrated is simply a must, and I’m seriously smitten with My Bougie Bottle. The beautiful and essential accessory keeps me sipping in tropical style! It’s convenient in shape and size (car cup holder- friendly), no spill, no need to unscrew the cap every time, and keeps drinks cold for hours on end. $34.99. MyBougieBottle.com
Instead of a plain hair tie, I love using these superinspiring Yogalastics. Take that feeling you built during yoga class and run with it all day. In your hair or on your wrist—and on your mind—your intention will keep you grounded and centered all day long. $12, Yogalastics.com
Our Beauty Director Janene Mascarella reveals what’s inside her weekend beach bag… A gentle exfoliator with an amazing scent, Tree Hut’s Island Bliss Shea Sugar Scrub provides intense exfoliation and moisturization, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth while providing powerful hydration. The blissful scent makes you feel whisked away to an exotic locale. I’m obsessed! $8.99, Ulta Need a lip color that really goes the distance? SeneGence LipSense Liquid Lip Color is a long-lasting, waterproof lip color that provides up to 18 hours of pigmented color–without drying out your lips! I love the pink hue of “Summer Fun” on its own, but you can mix shades to create a number of effects. $25, SeneGence.com
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Fruity and deliciously scented, Bali Body - Grape Tanning Oil SPF15 is enriched with grapeseed and coconut oil to help you achieve a deep, dark sun tan while hydrating and repairing your skin. Lather generously while soaking up the rays for the deepest glow and the silkiest skin. $22.95, us.balibodyco.com
feel beautiful Esta Crompton President
ANTI-AGING LINE • ACNE LINE • SELF-CARE ACCESSORIES • AND MORE Our High-Quality Professional Products are Affordable and Simple to Use EstalaSkincare
EstalaSkincare
EstalaSkincare
EstalaSkincare
727-481-4337 31
best of BELLA
BEST of 2020 Family, friends, fun‌summer is prime time to make memories, and now more than ever to celebrate who and what we love most. Once again, we scoured the country to bring you the very best sips, trips, eats, and treats. Here are our favorite ways to make the most of the season right now or in the very near future– with winners in 19 categories! By Janene Mascarella
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Best
LUXURY INN
The new South Harbor Inn in Southold, NY, is a small luxury inn that includes only four guest accommodations, affording innkeeper owners Alex Azcona and Daniel DeVito the luxury of greater control over their intimate and welcoming environment. With only one housekeeping staff member and the absence of a bar and restaurant, foot traffic and density of people are kept to a minimum. Unwind in elegant accommodations, stylish public areas, outdoor sitting areas, walking distance to the harbor, and complimentary house-made breakfast. The region also offers beaches, scenic walking routes, and outdoor farmers markets. 565 S HARBOR ROAD, SOUTHOLD, NY SouthHarborInn.com
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best of BELLA
(UNDER-THE-RADAR)
COASTAL ESCAPE
Located within a day’s drive of most places along the east coast, the family-friendly seaside destinations of Corolla and Corova, North Carolina await. You won’t find theme parks or superstores here, but you will find miles of soft sand beaches and wild Spanish mustangs roaming the dune lines. Explore historic Corolla Park, climb 220 steps to the top of the Currituck Lighthouse for a stunning view, or take a drive on the four-wheel drive beaches. These need to be added to your bucket list! VisitCurrituck.com
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Best
ROOFTOP TERRACE
Meatpacking staple and known celeb hangout, Catch Roof is located on the rooftop of Catch NYC and is open all year long. Up for a drink soon? Enjoy the 3,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor penthouse space with panoramic views and ultra-chic atmosphere. Take advantage of the rooftop for lunch, dinner, and late night, as well as for brunch on the weekends. Sip on signature cocktails, including the Detox Retox, One Too Many, and Mango Haze. 21 NINTH AVENUE, NYC CatchRestaurants.com
Photograhy courtesy of Catch Hospitality Group
Best
Best
HOLISTIC RETREAT
Rejuvenate in physical activity and the power of water! Nestled in the Sonoran Desert, CIVANA resort aims to make holistic wellness more approachable for all travelers by focusing on four pathways: healthy cuisine, movement, discovery, and the healing arts. Relax at the spa, take a fitness class, and catch stunning sunsets over the mountains. Every day you’re invited to participate in more than a dozen complimentary movement and fitness classes–everything from a morning hike and aerial yoga to myofascial release and TRX training. The resort’s state-of-the-art spa has 22 treatment rooms, offering a wide range of therapeutic and rejuvenating treatments focused on healing through water. 37220 MULE TRAIN ROAD, CAREFREE, AZ CivanaCarefree.com
Best
WATERFRONT RESTAURANT
Located on the waterfront in Greenport, Long Island, the iconic Claudio’s Restaurant is celebrating 150 years in operation this year. While soaking in views of the waterfront, you can sip on signature cocktails and enjoy craveworthy seafood favorites by Culinary Director Franklin Becker and Executive Chef Kevin. The menu features popular dishes like Claudio’s Famous Baked Clams, New England Clam Chowder, Lobster Roll, and a selection of One Pot Wonders. Good food, good fun…and the rest is history! 111 MAIN STREET, GREENPORT, NY Claudios.com 35
best of BELLA
Best
COFFEE SHOP
Known for its iconic vanilla lattes and beloved matcha, and touted by the stars like Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, and more, Alfred is a Los Angeles staple. With chic decor, including the ever-so-famous neon But First, Coffee signs and innovative drink menus (complete with seasonal, trend-mapping menus), Alfred will satisfy your caffeine cravings. Alfred has 10 Los Angeles locations, with additional locations in Austin, Texas, and Japan. Alfred.la
Best
CRAFT BREWERY
Portland, Maine has long been on the map as a top destination for foodies and craft beer lovers, but travel a bit north and you’ll be rewarded with creative cuisine and inventive brews at Mason’s Brewing Company. Located in the small town of Brewer on the beautiful Penobscot River, this 350-seat pub and craft brewery offers indoor and outdoor seating with a view of downtown Bangor and mountains in the distance. Mason’s most popular brew is Hipster Apocalypse IPA, a piney and tropical dry-hopped American IPA that continues to prove a favorite of locals. MasonsBrewingCompany.com
Best
LOBSTER ROLL
Best
FRENCH PASTRIES
Oh la la! The elegant French cafe and bakery Patisserie Chanson, located in New York City’s Flatiron District, is known for its phenomenal pastries, including Kouign Amann with seasonal flavors like Black Sesame and Strawberry Cream, Eclair, Messy Chocolate Croissant, and Sourdough Pancakes. The combination of classic European coffee shop and French bakery ambience with a wide selection of breakfast and brunch options is très magnifique! 20 WEST 23RD STREET, NYC PatisserieChanson.com 36
Top-notch lobster rolls delivered right to your door? Yes, indeed! LobsterAnywhere can ship overnight to anywhere in the US, and their much-raved-about lobster rolls can be made two ways: hot and buttered, or with mayo! Two pounds of premium lobster meat, plus top split rolls make up to eight crustacean-packed sandwiches. You’ll want to get your claws on these! LobsterAnywhere.com
Best
ADIRONDACK GREAT CAMP
Situated in the dense forests of the Adirondacks, Lake Kora (as with most Great Camps of their day) provided owner families and their guests a remote and healthy private fall retreats from overcrowded and polluted cities in the late 19th- and early 20thcenturies. Rich in natural beauty, the historic location still serves as a remote, safe sanctuary today. Lake Kora is widely known as the most picturesque, elaborate, and well-appointed Great Camp, and is available only by exclusive reservation. The season opens July 1 to October 15, 2020. 1185 SAGAMORE ROAD, RAQUETTE LAKE, NEW YORK Lakekora.com
Best
GIRLFRIEND GETAWAY
Located in one of Atlanta’s major thoroughfares, Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead is distinguished by its 15,000-square-foot Waldorf Astoria Spa. Inspired by the lush, green canopy that embraces the city, Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead is a true oasis, offering respite from the rigors of urban living and everyday stress. The new spa program is the perfect place for girlfriends to discover a transformative spa and wellness experience within, while enjoying a dose of luxe pampering. 3376 PEACHTREE ROAD NE, ATLANTA, GEORGIA WaldorfAstoria3.hilton.com
Best
HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
Hands down, this is the most swoon- and spoon-worthy ice cream you’ll ever try! McNulty’s Homemade Ice Cream Parlor is a family-run treasure nestled in the heart of Miller Place Historic District . They’ve been scooping up homemade ice cream since 1992. One amazing creation (totally worth ditching your diet for!) is the Whoopie Pie Sundae made with soft-serve vanilla, Snickers, hot fudge, peanut butter, whipped cream, and of course, a cherry on top. The cakes and shakes are heavenly as well, so you may need a few trips! 153 NORTH COUNTRY ROAD, MILLER PLACE, NY 37
best of BELLA
Best
SOLO GETAWAY
Tucked away on Palm Beach Island, The Brazilian Court is an 80-room boutique hotel seductively hidden amongst elegant mansions and curtains of cascading bougainvillea. Across the threshold, a cloistered world unto itself with lush gardens, intricate courtyards, and a beautifully landscaped pool. The hotel is home to The Brazilian Court Salon and Chef Daniel Boulud’s Cafe Boulud, and resides just steps from famed shopping destination Worth Avenue. It’s the perfect spot for some much needed (and deserved!) post-quarantine bonding time with your bestie. TheBrazilianCourt.com
Best HISTORIC ATTRACTION
The Penn Museum in Philadelphia transforms understanding of the human experience. It offers art, history, cultural heritage, and more by unlocking the wonder of the human story and fostering connection and empathy while creating more understanding in today’s complex world. Its centerpiece is the 25,000-pound Sphinx of the Pharaoh Ramses II, which greets guests using the main entrance. Nearly 1 million objects are showcased through the Penn Museum’s amazing gallery spaces, where visitors can explore ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and Central America. 3260 SOUTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA Penn.Museum
Best
READY-TO-SIP SANGRIA
Sweet, sunny sangria bliss! Ragazzi Italian Kitchen & Bar in Nesconset, NY (known for its delicious Italian dishes) serves up some spectacular homemade sangria to go. Fresh fruit with a refreshing boozy twist, their sangria is ready to pour and poised to make a splash either at home or at the beach. And while you’re there, be sure to order up a batch of the Arancini Rice Balls. Cheesy on the inside, crispy on the outside…all-around amazing!
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2950 MIDDLE COUNTRY ROAD, NESCONSET, NY Ragazzi-NY.com
Best
SPANISH PAELLA AND TAPAS
Owned by Chef Lolo Manso, Socarrat Paella Bar is named after the crusty, crispy bottom of the paella that becomes caramelized and toasted on the bottom of the pan when it is cooking. Since 2008, this Spanish restaurant has impressed New Yorkers with its many versions of exquisite paellas, as well as tapas and ham and cheese boards. There’s a paella for every taste; signature versions include the namesake paella with free-range bone-in chicken, chorizo, shrimp, white fish, squid, mussels, cockles, fava beans, peppers, and tomato sofrito. 3 NYC LOCATIONS SocarratNYC.com
Best
NYC TAKE OUT
Rooted in traditional African home cooking that emphasizes African-grown ingredients, Teranga is a culinary journey into the depth, diversity, and deliciousness that the motherland has to offer. From the source to your bowl, the Harlem-based restaurant is committed to serving authentic dishes from across Africa, and promoting sustainably-grown African ingredients. Senegalese chef Pierre Thiam has designed an innovative and fresh menu, offering an adventurous change of pace from your average quarantine take-out: a fave is the Casamance salad featuring kale, mango, fonio, and a moringa dressing. 1280 5TH AVENUE, HARLEM, NEW YORK ItsTeranga.com
Best
PRETZEL BITES
Your summer snacking just got a serious upgrade!
Eastern Standard Provisions Co.’s Soft Pretzel Bites are made using the same all-natural recipe as
the Boston-based brand’s popular hand-twisted soft pretzels, which have been ordered by tens of thousands of hungry customers in recent months. Perfect for snacking and available in three sizes, the gourmet pretzel bites are delivered fresh to your door. You can either “heat ‘em and eat ‘em” within two days of receipt, or—since the pretzels are individually wrapped—can be frozen and saved for a future noshing. ESProvisions.com
Best
WEST VILLAGE BURGER
With special, high-quality ingredients, 27 Morton is by far the best biteworthy burger in the West Village. The makings are from the local bakery and butcher, bringing you a special-blend ground beef that sits atop a soft and tasty brioche bun. The additions to the always juicy and flavorful patty include a German-style brine bacon that’s cured and smoked, leaving a soft texture and signature coating of blood. The lettuce, onions, and tomatoes come from local farms in the tri-state area and are always fresh, giving you an Eastern European farm-to-table experience at your desired temperature. 27 1/2 MORTON STREET, NYC 27Morton.com 39
BELLA boss
Boss
BELLA
7 BELLA Bosses We Admire By Janene Mascarella
Running a thriving business takes drive, determination, and a whole lot of hustle! We’re spotlighting seven fierce, fabulous, and fearless BELLA bosses who have founded their own companies and proven how a little belief and a big leap of faith can land you a leading role in your own life.
40
RENEE
Marshall-McKinley
Newark, New Jersey FOUNDER AND CREATIVE IN CHARGE, KEEP YOURSELF SMELLING SWEET (KYSS) myKYSS.com + Colorstreet.com/reneesonthegonails MY BUSINESS: KYSS provides solutions for women. We offer a full
line of natural and organic body care products, as well as soy candles and so much more. With our products you can pronounce the ingredients you are applying to your skin. We put “good” in our products. We believe in “reach one, teach “ by offering educational DIY body care workshops for people of all ages. We host Girls’ Night Out/In spa parties, as well as offer private lessons. We participate in corporate and vendor events, as well as with local community events as a giveback. WHY I LAUNCHED IT: In 2012, I was committed to supporting local
and small businesses. I fell in love with handcrafted soap. One day while using the soap in the shower, I wondered if I could make a bar of soap myself. That little thought in a shower was the launch of KYSS. I was ready and jumped all in. I learned everything I could about the science behind it, the ingredients, and how to make it smell delicious on the skin. I could not stop thinking about KYSS. After my launch, I told everyone I knew about my new business. I pulled in my aunt, my sister, and my sister-friends to help me spread the word and share KYSS.
Photography by Radiant Imagery by Jocelyn Renae
MOST REWARDING: The most rewarding part was that I did it...I am
an entrepreneur! I am from a family of women who made and sold items but never used the term entrepreneur. They did what was needed to make ends meet. I’m blessed to be a fourth generation of makers. I still pinch myself. I have met amazing people who want to treat their skin better and built long-lasting relationships and partnerships. I have sold KYSS to local and international celebrities. I get to work with my children in this business, which is a dream come true by keeping the legacy going. The icing on the cake was receiving a thank-you letter from former First Lady Michelle Obama!
SECRET TO MY SUCCESS: Persistence. In
the early stages of KYSS, I showed up everywhere. I was so hungry to show all the ladies my product line. I showed up on time, professional and ready. If I received a no, I would try another way. If I failed— and I did—I got up and pressed on anyway. I could not stop. almost halted until I shifted. Although we are an online company, I was primarily selling KYSS at vendor events and retail locations. I would never have imagined the world shutting down. Because of COVID-19, all of my vendor events were cancelled and the retail shops were closed because they were not considered essential. In my head, KYSS was essential. I shifted and started selling products live via social media. I offered a variety of DIY kits and communicated with our customers that we were still operating by practicing safe, social distance deliveries. We are in a good place because we did not freeze; we flowed instead.
Photography by Audrey M. Vasey
NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC: My business
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BELLA boss
JEANNETTE
Mejias
Woodbridge, NJ MANAGING DIRECTOR, KYNECT Jmejias.wekynect.com MY BUSINESS: We connect our
customers to better value by offering savings on life-essential services such as electric bills and competitive wireless plans, and we recently partnered with Brinks Home Security, a proven leader in the smart home technology and securities industry. WHY I LAUNCHED IT: I
launched my business two and a half years ago to have more time and freedom with my family, and bring in residual passive income.
MOST REWARDING: It’s
building long-term relationships with my customers and creating leaders on my team to reach their optimum potential. SECRET TO MY SUCCESS:
Investing in my personal growth has been monumental, but surrounding myself with successful, like-minded people has been my success. There is so much you can learn from others. I always say if you’re the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room. NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC: Thankfully my
business has not been impacted during these challenging times. I found that people have been open to taking advantage of the savings for budget certainty or look at additional income opportunities in my company.
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AMANDA
Whitcroft
Jersey City / New Jersey FOUNDER, PANDA PR AND MARKETING PandaPRAndMarketing.com MY BUSINESS: It’s a full-service PR and marketing firm that services
clients in hospitality, lifestyle, and tech. WHY I LAUNCHED IT: I launched my company in 2018 because
I love the creativity of building a brand’s name and messaging while continuing to adapt to current trends and platforms. MOST REWARDING: Seeing the decisions you make, and being
completely responsible for the outcome of those choices. SECRET TO MY SUCCESS: My tenacity and persistence. NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC: I temporarily lost most of
my hospitality and lifestyle clients, which made me realize that now more than ever is the time to diversify. As a result I have been working with clients in the tech vertical, supporting those in Blockchain, AI, healthcare tech, and FinTech. I am also offering pro bono PR now through the summer for restaurants in the New York and New Jersey area to give back during this time of crisis.
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BELLA boss
LAYNE
Luttenegger
Mediapolis, IA OWNER, LARUE BOUTIQUE, LLC LaRue Boutique VIP on Facebook
MY BUSINESS: LaRue Boutique opened its doors in March of 2017. What
started out as graphic t-shirts quickly evolved into a trendy, fashionable, and affordable boutique located in Southeast Iowa. A lifelong passion for fashion turned into a dream come true! WHY I LAUNCHED IT: I have always loved fashion. What started out as
making graphic t-shirts in our home quickly turned into a home boutique. When the opportunity came to open a brick and mortar shop, my husband, Travis, and I jumped on it. MOST REWARDING: Inspiring and helping other women find their sense
of style. SECRET TO MY SUCCESS: My kids. I want them to see what hard work
and following your dreams can do! NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC: Our doors were closed from March
26 through May 8, and while we did offer some online options, things were different. I found myself trying to keep my dream alive, my children homeschooled, and life moving! I messed up orders and forgot to reply to emails, which has rarely happened in the last three years of business, but these times of COVID are different. My husband and I, along with our family and friends, started focusing on our new shop—something positive that we weren’t going to let COVID ruin! Every business is going to have different rules and guidelines, which can change daily. None of us know what the right thing to do is; we are all navigating the best we can. I just hope that during this scary and stressful time, everyone remembers to be kind and respectful in the months ahead. This new normal will take some time to get used to, but I couldn’t do it without my family, friends, community, and customers. They’ve all been amazing!
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EMILY
Lowenfels,LCSW
Morganville, NJ FIGURE 8 THERAPY CENTER: A CENTER OF EGL THERAPEUTIC SERVICES, LLC Figure8Therapy.com MY BUSINESS: I am a psychotherapist working
with children, young adults, adults, and families on challenges of anxiety, depression, and behavior. I specialize in developmental disorders such as ADHD and autism. I provide individual, group, family counseling, and parent consultations. WHY I LAUNCHED IT: Figure 8 Therapy
opened its doors in March of 2018. I had been working in another private group practice in North Jersey (my hometown area) since grad school. I had been thinking of opening my own space in my current town after moving here three years ago. I wanted to be closer to home and more available to my family, rather than commute an hour each way. Lastly, I was ready to have a space that was mine and where I would be able to freely incorporate my ideas.
MOST REWARDING: While this may sound like a
cliché, it is my biggest reward when I see a client making progress. It is uplifting to witness the moment when a client successfully completes or “graduates” from our time together. SECRET TO MY SUCCESS: So many things!
I had a fantastic foundation between my internships and the group practice where I started my journey. It provided the support I needed to take that leap to go out on my own. I must give credit to my husband and extended family for their unconditional support as well. I believe in being genuine toward my clients during their most vulnerable times, and I think they can sense that. I provide an open, safe, and relaxed approach to my practice. NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC: When
COVID-19 first began, I had a lot of clients who were hesitant to continue despite all the precautions I had instituted in my office. Once lockdown began, I went against my previous negative beliefs about teletherapy and now give the option of video sessions. I am happy to say that almost all of my clients continued, with a few new clients who started sessions amid the pandemic. Additionally, I offer brief pro bono phone calls for anyone in need of support. 45
BELLA boss
JODI
Sharp-Brullo
Middletown, New Jersey “ELEPRENEUR” OF ELEVATE PRODUCTS JodisJava.com
MY BUSINESS: I’m in the business of health and wellness. Our main
product is “Happy Coffee,” which gives you energy, clarity, focus, and a bonus/side effect of weight loss along with “Xanthomax,” an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that gives off a calm chill feeling. Together, it’s called DOSE, which works on your Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins. WHY I LAUNCHED IT: After the birth of my only son in October
2011, I had a mini stroke. I was on a plethora of medications, which included painkillers and nerve medications. I was left with atrophy in my muscles and nerve damage on my right side affecting my arm and leg. I was 40 years old with a newborn and a handicap tag for my car. I made up my mind to get off all prescription drugs! Jump to 2018 and a Facebook post about my now company and DOSE products (coffee and Xanthomax). Voila—I found what I needed. Within two days I felt like the old me. These products saved me; so I too, became an Elepreneur.
MOST REWARDING: The most rewarding
aspect of running my business is helping others. When someone texts me and says, “I can’t thank you enough; I feel so much better,” it is so gratifying. Also, I reconnected with a high school alum, Maria Giambrone, who is not only my upline, but in the top echelon of this company. It is beyond rewarding because I’m getting firsthand experience. SECRET TO MY SUCCESS: It’s the support
of my husband Michael. We have been through so much in our marriage of 15 years. He is my biggest cheerleader. He pushes me when I need to be pushed. I didn’t work for many years due to my illness, and he was truly fine with that....I was not. Before my son I was a licensed esthetician and makeup artist in New York. I was devastated when I couldn’t go back. Thanks to DOSE, I’m able to do that again, too! NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC: COVID-19
has affected my business a bit. Being an esthetician myself, salons and spas are a portion of my client base and they have been closed for some time. Recommendations, social media, and having a great team of awesome leaders have kept me going and made me more passionate. I’d love to add to my team with so many out of work. My company would be a great asset to them. It’s an awesome journey, and I know they would love the ride.
YLETTE
Luis
Miami, Florida CO-FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, XIO BY YLETTE XiobyYlette.com MY BUSINESS: XIO by Ylette is a unique monthly jewelry
subscription service that provides four to five sterling silver or golddipped pieces carefully curated by Ylette. The company is a tribute to my Cuban roots and was inspired by and named after my grandmother Xiomara, who I credit with instilling in me a love for entrepreneurship, a passion for jewelry, and a deep admiration for the story each unique piece tells. Priced at $60 a month, XIO gals receive the beautiful XIO bag of carefully curated jewelry inspired by my love of fashion, astrology, and the latest trends. Each bag is valued at an average of $160 collectively and may include a variety of pieces, from necklaces, chokers, bracelets, bangles, stud or hoop earrings, and rings. WHY I LAUNCHED IT: My husband, Eddy Luis, and I founded
and launched our company in July 2017 because we truly wanted to be able to work for ourselves and dedicate more time to our kids and growing family. We saw XIO as an opportunity to put our expertise together and build something of our own. Having worked for three years as blogger relations and social media manager for subscription giant BoxyCharm, I knew I wanted to bring my talent and expertise to create something I am passionate about, given my strong ties to the fashion industry and influencer community and my husband’s motivation, business acumen, and sales expertise. MOST REWARDING: Hands down, it has to be owning our time
and being able to dedicate additional time to our young kids and growing family, which has been immeasurably rewarding. My husband and I have also enjoyed watching our company evolve and grow from the brainstorming stage to where we are today. It is always special to celebrate any professional success with a spouse, but even more so when it has been a collaborative effort from the start. SECRET TO MY SUCCESS: I attribute a lot of what’s gone right
for us to the fact that I am very passionate about what I do. I genuinely enjoy accessorizing and creating pieces for others to wear and feel beautiful in. There are many long nights and early mornings involved in entrepreneurship, and I am a firm believer that it is our passion that really helps us power through those frustrating hurdles that inevitably present themselves. NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC: While most online retailers
have been spared from the worst effects of this situation, we have had to deal with several hurdles during this pandemic. We’ve had to get creative with our monthly photo shoots and content creation, given we were limited in locations, studios, and most places being shut down. We’ve also had to alter the way we collaborate with each other. In addition, we have taken measures so that our fulfillment team can do their jobs safely without affecting the quality of service we provide our loyal customers. We’ve addressed some of these by coming up with initiatives to promote user-generated content, making it a point to increase the frequency of our Zoom meetings in order to simulate that face-to-face productivity, and of course frequently sanitizing workstations throughout the week. 47
home & life
Cool for the
Summer Get ready for BELLA’s no-sweat guide to summer life, toggled to easy-breezy mode. Here are 10 of the hottest ways to exude coolness… By Janene Mascarella Your summer jam sessions just got an upgrade. The Sony SRS-XB43 EXTRA BASS™ Portable BLUETOOTH® Speaker blends deep, punchy bass with clear vocals for that signature festival sound. It’s durable and easy to use, too, so you and your friends can focus on enjoying the party. The speaker is available in blue, taupe, or black, and it’s certainly a sound worth sharing. $249.99, Sony.com It doesn’t get cooler than this! Uber Chill Mini Fridge XL is a retro beverage cooler that serves as a portable desktop fridge with a 12-can capacity that’s great for the bedroom, dorm room, office, nursery, car, boat or RV. Utilizing state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly thermoelectric technology, it’s capable of cooling or warming within a reasonable amount of time. Keep your food warm now and your drinks cold for later! $62.50, Amazon
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Take your selfie to new heights! The Moon UltraLight is a portable lighting gadget controlled by touch that lets you say goodbye to bad lighting. Brighten and enhance photos and videos thanks to this simple, attachable gadget. The easy-to-use accessory is the best way to illuminate the moments of your life. $49.99, MoonUltra.com
Perfect for blending JetPack Smoothies and protein shakes on-the-go, BlendJet One is a handy-dandy portable blender and the gym bag must-have you never knew you needed. Available in 14 stylish colors, simply charge the base once to craft 8-12 single-serve drinks whenever you need an energy boost or delicious recovery treat. $39.95, BlendJet.com
For the ultimate in binge-watching TV, look no further! With up to 165% more color and 10x brighter than standard 4K TVs, the VIZIO P-Series Quantum X is the brand’s most colorful and brightest TV. The Smart TV platform— VIZIO SmartCast—offers many benefits, including Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit for effortless streaming, voice control with Google, Siri and Alexa compatibility, and more. Plus, with VIZIO WatchFree, you get access to hundreds of free live and original channels with no fees or subscriptions. Starting at 1,299.99, Vizio.co Samsung lovers, this is music to your ears—in a brand new color! The Aura Blue Galaxy Buds+ gives you more ways to listen and show off your vibe. The sleek audio accessory is perfect for those working from home, studying over the summer, or stepping out in style. The earphones deliver up to 11 hours of music streaming on a single charge for nonstop entertainment. $149.99, Best Buy Brush away stress and unwind with Buddha Board, a unique mindfulness tool that uses the act of creating as an outlet for your emotions, thoughts, fears, and anxieties. The simplicity of the design creates a quiet space for kids and adults to explore their thoughts, reconnect with their feelings, and get grounded again. By putting brush to slate, you’ll begin to paint away your stress. As the water evaporates, you’ll be left with a clean slate, a clear mind, and the chance to create something brand new. $34.95, BuddhaBoard.com
Need a perfect cleaning hack for the home while you’re enjoying your summer outdoors? Let Neato vacuum and you’ll come back home to a clean, pollen- and pet hair-free home. The Neato D7™ is a highly-advanced robot vacuum that does the dirty work for you. This smart and powerful robot helper features topof-the-line technology to tackle the tedious task of vacuuming. You’ll be left wondering how you lived (and cleaned) so long without it! $829.99; on sale for $599.99 at BestBuy.com Take control of your home temp and your budget the smart way! The
Google Nest Learning Thermostat will not only keep your home energy-
efficient, it can also help you save money. This smart device is simple to use and will adapt to your life and change in season. As the thermostat learns your routine, it will automatically turn up or lower the temperature, as well as go into eco-mode when you’re not home so you’re always saving. $249, Target
Perfect for sleeping, studying, relaxing, and traveling, AcousticSheep - SleepPhones® were developed by a family doctor who needed a way to listen to soothing music after taking patient calls in the middle of the night. The luxuriously soft headband contains thin, removable speakers that play music, audiobooks, meditation, white noise, or talk radio. So comfy to keep on for hours or (as the name suggests), you’ll for sure snooze off while wearing. The Effortless Version is wireless and features no-fuss induction charging—just lay the headphones on the charger. $149.95, Amazon, SleepPhones.com
sophisticated spaces
Enchanted MAKEOVERS By Jennifer DeCillis
We typically envision interior design as a luxury—a want, not necessarily a need. But what if designing spaces that are nurturing and safe, for individuals who are in dire need of shelter, could directly and positively impact their lives and well-being? CEO, visionary, and founder of Enchanted Makeovers, Terry Grahl, has recognized the need in interior design and is paying it forward with her Michigan-based charitable organization. BELLA got to know Terry and learn more about her design business, where the mission is equally as beautiful as the finished product‌
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sophisticated spaces Terry, your story and your mission are so moving and selfless. Could you give our readers a brief intro into Enchanted Makeovers and the story behind the polka dotted pillow?
In 2005, I decided to start my own decorating business. I wanted to use my talents to transform the lives in my community. Having no portfolio, my first client took a chance on me. When the project was done, I asked her to give her home a name for a sign to hang in the yard, and she chose “High Hopes.” A year later, that same client called to tell me how one of her customers shared how he always passes a home going to work that had a sign in the yard called “High Hopes.” She couldn’t believe it and shared with him how I helped to heal her and her home. He didn’t hesitate for a second to ask for my contact information. I did receive a phone call from this gentleman, but it wasn’t to hire me for interior decorating. It turned out he did fundraising for a local shelter for women and children. He asked that I volunteer my time to paint even just one wall. I agreed to at least visit the shelter’s dorm where women and children stay for over one year. There were more than 30 mothers and their children that would share this space. What I saw and experienced there would forever change the course of my life. I took pictures of the dorm, although the images would forever be burned in my mind. The beds provided were used metal prison bunks with stained mattresses. They were covered with used bedspreads from a nursing home. The crumbling walls were held together with duct tape. The environment was completely broken. I battled for days over whether I would even look at the photos I took that day. I did, and then I saw it: a simple white pillow with polka dots. You see, I have loved polka dots since I was a little girl. When I saw the polka dots, I heard “TRUST ME.” I immediately raised my right hand and said, “I will do it”! After six months of learning and building relationships, the dorm was transformed into a beautiful cottage-like environment. Shortly after the project was done, I closed my business and started the non-profit Enchanted Makeovers.
Explain some of the many benefits of living in a nurturing environment and the positive impact these makeovers have had on the women and girls living in them.
We don’t just transform the “physical” environment at a shelter. What we do goes much deeper than just changing a surface. When we change the physical environment, it changes the way the women and children feel about themselves. The vast majority of the women and children have really never lived in a nurturing environment. Behavioral and psychological studies have shown that a nurturing environment leads to better outcomes in physical/ mental health and overall well-being. The majority of longterm stay homeless shelter environments work against those positive outcomes. The environment and empowering programs are critical if residents are to successfully re-build their lives. A beautiful space sends the message, “You matter, and you are worthy.” 52
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sophisticated spaces
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You have intertwined your compassion for others with your talent to design in order to transform these shelters into safe and comfortable spaces. Talk about what inspires you when decorating a room and the importance of incorporating handmade elements.
I always say what we do has really nothing to do with decorating. We don’t just transform the physical space; it is a tool for something much greater. What inspires me with each project are the women and children and how we may be able to positively impact their lives. It is inspiring to know we may be able to help someone stay in the program as some shelter programs are over a year. I think about someone is going to live in an institutional room that is basically black and white for a long time while re-building their lives.
it within them to be their own superheroes. Children are transformed with a simple piece of material around their shoulders that lets them tap into the power of their imaginations.
You recently opened a new national headquarters. Explain the importance of this and what that means to Enchanted Makeovers.
Another important “transformation” that has taken place is with our new national headquarters located in Taylor, MI. One of our biggest goals over the years was to establish a national headquarters where all the business of Enchanted Makeovers could be conducted. It’s a place where our donors and volunteers can gather to learn more about the mission and participate in our programs. With the help of so many donors and volunteers, we completely transformed a 1920s arts and crafts home into an “Enchanted” headquarters. We have rooms that look exactly like the bedroom transformation in a shelter. We have a Sacred Sewing Room and rooms that showcase the handmade doll, pillowcases, and capes. We have a large community table where people gather to share their stories too. To a person, they say there is something so special about the space and the way it makes them “feel.” They then know first-hand how powerful those feelings are, and why it is such a blessing to be able to share that experience with the women and children we serve.
The transformation of people when we bring the room to life with color and handmade treasures is what inspires me. When we are done with a makeover, I have had people say they have never seen a world like this before. They have never felt the love that goes into the details of the handmade items in the room. It is a powerful thing when you know an item was not mass-produced and bought in a store. It is a powerful thing when you know the item was made just for you and is as unique as you are!
Could you talk about some of Enchanted Makeovers’ initiatives, like Capes For Kids and The Sacred Sewing Room?
Enchanted Makeovers offers six projects and programs to not only inspire and empower women and children in shelters but the entire “village” that supports us. In addition to shelter makeovers, we have a program called the “Sacred Sewing Room.” I started the program after my mother once told me, “A sewing machine saved my life.” It is what helped her to battle depression. I knew I had to bring this life-saving skill to women re-building their lives at the shelter. The Sacred Sewing Room is a permanent fixture in the shelter. This program does not just set up a room full of fabric, patterns, and machines; through volunteer sewing instructors, this program shares the life skill of sewing that also serves as an important coping skill. The other projects and programs are Doll Adoption, Traveling Pillowcase, Patch Project, and Capes for Kids. All of these involve people from our “village” who love making these handmade items. Capes for Kids is a simple yet life-changing program that has gone viral—capes are now being made all around the world. We believe the capes serve as an armor of strength, imagination, and hope. We want children in shelters to know that they have
You have been honored by and partnered with numerous organizations and individuals that recognize the importance of the work you are doing. Let our readers know how they can support, volunteer, follow, or help your mission.
We believe we have an unmatched ability to create a connection with the shelter, its residents, and the community at large. We believe if we change the way we serve, it will change the way we see each other. We never see it as we are “helping” the women and children as they have helped us in so many ways. We are all just walking together as one. Individuals who would like to get involved can use what they love to do to contribute. Just e-mail us at EnchantedMakeovers@comcast.net. Volunteers put their hearts into their handmade items in support of our programs. We even have schools across the nation having their children make capes for other kids. Nursing homes are getting their residents involved too, which empowers them because they love how they can still share their talent by participation in our projects. And of course, we are always in need of monetary donations that allow us to run the mission.
EnchantedMakeovers.org 55
celebrity life
“SELLING
SUNSET”
STARS SHINE BRIGHT
Photography by Lindy Lin
By Alexandra Anastasio and Jonathan Calixto
A
s Netflix’s first English-language docusoap to hit the streaming service, “Selling Sunset” is the guilty pleasure we all seem to need in our lives right now. The brainchild of Adam DiVello, creator of the hit show “The Hills,” “Selling Sunset” follows the lives and careers of top real estate agents at the Oppenheim Group, a brokerage agency that specializes in high-profile clients and luxury properties in West Hollywood and the Sunset Strip. Run by Jason Oppenheim and his twin brother Brett, the show is filled with some of the most amazing multi-million dollar homes one can imagine. But it’s not all business at the OG, as it wouldn’t be binge-worthy TV if there wasn’t a
bit of drama added to the mix. Season one, which debuted in 2019, introduced viewers to the six beautiful, successful real estate agents all vying to sell some of LA’s priciest properties. This past May, season two debuted with another eight drama-filled episodes and a new member of the team. From an engagement announcement and baby news, to a $75 million dollar listing and a season finale wedding, viewers eagerly await the third season, which debuts globally August 7, 2020. BELLA had the chance to talk with each of the “Selling Sunset” stars about their work both on-screen and off.
THE JASON
OPPENHEIM
BROTHERS
As the founder and president of the Oppenheim Group, real estate runs in Jason Oppenheim’s blood, but it was surprisingly not his first career choice. After working as a lawyer, he decided to leave the business in 2007 and traveled for the next three years. Upon his return, Jason decided to go into real estate full-time, a business that has been a part of his family’s legacy for over 100 years (his great-greatgrandfather was the late Jacob Stern. Fast-forward 10 years later and Jason, along with his twin brother, Brett, run one of the most dominant real estate brokerage firms in the Hollywood Hills and Sunset Strip.
The show contains its fair share of drama, which you and your brother don’t get involved in. Do you find that challenging at times, especially when it spills into the office?
That’s no accident—I prefer it that way. I think I have the best gig on the show. I’m not someone who engages in drama, I just focus on my business and my work. I am who I am on the show.
In season 1 viewers were introduced to a $40 million listing; inquiring minds want to know, did you sell the home?
That house was spectacular; I showed it a couple dozen times, it was not an easy sell. We got a lot of people up there but there was always one thing or another that stopped them from moving forward. We did find this young couple, it was their dream home. But you don’t just rush into that; they were very careful and thoughtful. It was exciting for me to have my biggest sale, and it was cool to have it be such a young couple that appreciated it. Plus, I was hoping to sell it because you can imagine the letdown—the “in conclusion” to the past two seasons.
You are passionate about giving back to your community and work closely with “Food on Foot.” What drew you to the organization?
I got involved with them in 2010 when I came back from traveling. I returned with a bunch of credit card debt so I needed to find an organization where I could dedicate my time because I didn’t have much money to donate. It is privately run and encourages those who want to pick themselves up and improve their lives the opportunity to do so. Over the last decade I’ve become much more financially successful, and I’m able to contribute financially. Almost everyone at the brokerage is involved; it’s nice to be able to have a tangible effect on your local community.
BRETT
A successful lawyer before making the move into real estate, Brett Oppenheim, one half of the Oppenheim Group, says looking back now, it seems odd he didn’t begin his career in a business that dates back to his greatgreat-grandfather. “I’m not sure why it took me so long… stubbornness, insecurity about whether I would be successful, a fondness and aptitude for higher education?” ponders Brett. Despite all of those reasons, he says he has no regrets. Not only did he learn much during his legal career years, he says, they also made him both a better broker and a well-rounded person.
Unlike the rest of the cast, this is your first show. With three seasons under your belt do you think TV is something you’d like to do more of ?
I can’t imagine doing anything after “Selling Sunset,” although I never would have predicted this, so who knows what the future holds? The older I get, the more I realize how pointless it is to predict the future.
In addition to selling these beautiful homes, you also love buying and flipping high-end properties. Has there ever been a property you didn’t want to let go of ? After I spend hundreds of hours renovating a project I am very attached to it, so I don’t think I will ever sell a property I don’t hate letting go of. Without the ability to sell properties you’re attached to, the journey would end, and for me, the journey is paramount.
What is it about “Selling Sunset” that has fans binge-watching through each season?
My friends and I are fortunate enough to live lives filled with things that many people think bring happiness. The show provides them with a glimpse into those things, but also exposes the complexities of our lives. For many, it is a vivid journey into a different world, and I think that is the essence of entertainment. 57
celebrity life
HEATHER RAE
YOUNG
No stranger to the screen, Heather Rae Young, a former model and actress, transitioned to a career in real estate five years ago and hasn’t looked back since. A natural networker, Heather is passionate about building relationships, one of the many attributes that make her a successful agent and one of the stars of Netflix’s hottest unscripted shows. Despite selling some of the most beautiful, and expensive real estate, Heather’s small town roots (she grew up in Running Springs, CA) are what keep her grounded. “I’m so grateful I grew up there because it made me humble and appreciate the life I have today,” she says.
Has it been a big adjustment opening up your life for the cameras? Yes! Reality TV is much different than a scripted movie or TV show; this is our real life, showcasing our emotions, our relationships, our breakups.
What people forgot is that when the cameras turn off, our real life doesn’t. Some of the arguments or events affect me for days—even weeks.
How do you balance the drama that goes on for the cameras with the work that you’re doing?
For me, I don’t have a lot of time to feed into the drama. I’m balancing a relationship, my boyfriend’s children, my own stress, and commuting from Newport Beach to West Hollywood. I voice my opinion when I feel it’s needed. A lot of people mistake my kindness for weakness; I am not weak, I am poised. I have a huge heart and I am sensitive, but I also fight for what I believe in.
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It was such a fun and incredible experience. It was our first time on camera together, and we had so much fun. Filming for his show is much different than ours; it’s fastpaced and on the spot. When the cameras turn on, you start. With mine, it’s reality, so it’s me being me, and us girls talking about our life, work, etc. We film for hours and hours and the cameras capture that.
Photography by JJ Velasquez
You’ve also filmed an episode of “Flipping 101” with your boyfriend Tarek. How was the experience?
CHRISTINE
QUINN
A woman who is not afraid to speak her mind, Christine Quinn, the real estate agent- turned- Netflix-star, has quickly become one of the most talked-about cast members amongst fans. Known for her quick wit, skyhigh heels, snatched ponytail, and fabulous outfits (she does all of her own styling), Christine offers no apologies for who she is. “People always deem me ‘the villain,’ but why? Is it because I speak my mind, because I have opinions, or is it because I have a clear, concise idea of what I want?” In comparing herself to “Maleficent,” one of her favorite characters growing up, underneath the tough exterior is a heart of gold, she says.
You originally moved to LA from Dallas to pursue a modeling and acting career. How did your path lead you to real estate?
Photography courtesy Christine Quinn
I was friends with Jason before he became my tyrant boss [laughing], and I saw him living this glamorous, cool lifestyle where he made his own hours and did what he wanted to do. I quickly phased out of acting and modeling because I wanted to be in charge of my own destiny. There is no limit to the amount of money that can be made, and that meant copious amounts of red bottoms and Louis Vuitton, pour moi. I love couture, and I found a way to buy it all!
You have an eye for fashion; how do you choose your looks for the show?
I take into account where we will be filming that day, and I try to match the vibe as best as possible. For example, when Davina and I went to the $75 million house I knew there were soft pink accents throughout the space. I played up the pink with my Cher from “Clueless” ensemble that day. I also love a snatched pony–it makes me feel fierce. You know when I have a snatched pony, shit is about to go down!
DAVINA
PORATZ
As a member of the Top Agent Network, Davina Poratz is a leader in the real estate industry. With over a decade of experience and half a billion dollars in sales, Davina has sold some of the biggest condo projects in LA. In addition to her work for the Oppenheim Group, she also runs her own company, The Davina Group, which focuses on multiunit developments. With an eye for aesthetics coupled with a love for beauty, Davina has also created beauty products in collaboration with a company called, withSimplicity.
Do you have a favorite moment from either the first or second season?
One of my favorite moments from the second season was with my client Adnan Sen. I’ve known him for about five years. He’s always been warm and sweet with me, but I got to see another side of him at our listing appointment. It was quite fun for me as his negotiating tactic was to throw me off. That’s why I try to stay calm—to observe and stay logical instead of being led by emotions.
Before becoming a real estate agent you worked as a model for over 10 years; what led the career change?
Working as a model I learned about confidence, perspective, and was lucky enough to participate in some of the most amazing experiences. One of the downsides though can be the constant traveling; you don’t really have a “home base.” I was also curious about real estate and wanted to learn more. That, combined with the desire to live in one city and work with new people all of the time, lead to opportunities that became a career.
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celebrity life
AMANZA
SMITH
She may be new to the show, but Amanza Smith, Mary Fitzpatrick, and Jason Oppenheim have been a part of the same circle for the past 20 years. Since getting her real estate license and officially joining the Oppenheim Group, the trio is spending much more time together. “It doesn’t feel like work when I get to hang out with my best friends,” says Amanza. Those genuine friendships come through on camera, and Amanza is happy viewers get to see the bond she and Mary share as they’ve literally been through everything together. “A lot of people don’t have friends for that long and I really cherish it, everyone should have a friend like Mary.”
How has the experience been joining the show?
I was nervous, but it was fun. My life took a pretty big flip on its head two weeks into filming, so that was nerve-wracking—not knowing how much of that to share on camera. A lot of times I was holding things in I didn’t want to bring into the show, so that made the experience a little more stressful.
Along with real estate, what other new projects do you have in the works?
I’m designing a furniture line, which combines a lot of the different styles I like. I enjoy mixing things up, doing the unexpected. I have an edgy style; I really like art-deco, mid-century-modern, as well as traditional, so I combine a lot of what I love into one piece. I also get ideas from other pieces and add my own flair. I’m working on a website now so that anyone, not just private clients, can order my pieces.
CHRISHELL
STAUSE
Photography by Lindy Lin
I enjoy being creative, and I’m also planning on launching a t-shirt line. I’d love to do some more modeling and after my experience on the show maybe I can host my own—maybe a design show. I put those things on my vision board, and I’ll be working toward making those dreams come true. But for now, I’ve got the show, my design, my furniture, my t-shirts, and my kids.
Chrishell stepped into the scene of Netflix’s Selling Sunset as the “new girl” during its first season. Through her bubbly personality and determination to step out of the norm to conquer the real-estate industry, Chrishell immediately became a fan favorite.
How do you balance the drama that naturally happens amongst you all in the workplace?
Recognized for her acting role as Amanda Dillon on ABC’s soap opera, “All My Children,” many people didn’t know Chrishell had already pursued real estate, just on a smaller scale. Her transition from scripted to reality TV has served as a new beginning, which has come with many new lessons, especially to “know who you are and stick to it, and you’ll be fine,” as Chrishell explains.
I am more comfortable with scripted just because there is no element of surprise. The biggest adjustment I had to make in doing reality TV is being able to just relinquish the idea of having any control over what is done or said and trust the process so you can just be yourself. It really doesn’t work otherwise.
Very carefully! Ha! Try and remember exactly what was said, and you have to know who you can trust.
Reality TV, or a TV series: What has been the biggest adjustment from one to the other?
What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned during your time on Selling Sunset?
Know who you are and stick to it and you’ll be fine.
MAYA
VANDER
Known for her go-get-it attitude, Maya Vander is breaking all misconceptions that come with being a real estate agent on TV. Becoming a mother while on the show has been part of her journey, but another snippet has been living a life back and forth from LA to Miami. Through this new lens of being a mommy with two zip codes, she is making it work while dealing with all the drama and good times that come along with being part of the Oppenheim Group. It’s her cooler-than-life spirit, and saying what she means without ruffling any feathers that make Maya one of the mostliked personalities on the show.
Describe how you balance being a mom of two babies and real estate life?
It’s never that easy or perfect. I am just a very productive person and usually good with sticking to a schedule. Real estate can be flexible, so that allows me to coordinate showings in a time that works for me. I do have my in-laws here as well, which is super helpful.
What has been your favorite moment from being part of “Selling Sunset”?
Photography byAria Askari
Although you see mini drama between the girls, we do get along and we all enjoy filming. It is nice to hang and spend time together because once the cameras are off we are not always at the office or at the same open houses. We are all very busy.
What is a misconception people have about being a real estate agent in Hollywood Hills?
In general, people think it is easy…you get a listing or work with a buyer, and boom—it’s under contract. It takes more than that, and many times deals are not happening, you can lose a listing, your buyer can flake, etc.
MARY
FITZGERALD
What has been the most difficult part of adjusting to this new normal in your industry?
It is a people business. The interaction, the hand holding. Now things are slowly starting to reopen, but in the last three months doing virtual is not ideal—it is less personal.
Not only have we seen Mary win at love, but viewers have witnessed her dominate the real estate game on “Selling Sunset.” As a pro in the industry, Mary even defies, Jason, co-owner of The Oppenheim Group, to get her clients the best price. As she puts it, “I want my clients not to lose money!”
What’s the biggest misconception about real-estate?
It’s that agents can take the test and hit the ground running making millions. In reality, it takes a good amount of time and effort to build a substantial clientele base and become successful.
Now with two kids, it will be hard. I will most likely stay more in Miami unless I have a very serious client that will be worth the time flying for a day or two back to LA. Before, it was more flexible for me (even traveling with one baby); now things are different. I am working on growing my business here in Miami. Photography by Lindy Lin
Throughout her journey, Mary’s fiery spirit and louder-than-life attitude has made her one of the must-watch realtors—viewers can’t wait to see what’s next. From the friendship drama to hosting an on-site walk-through the day of her wedding, there’s nothing Mary can’t handle, proving the key to success entails, “brain, talent, and professional drive.”
How do you juggle being a mom and flying back and forth to Miami for work?
Advice for women looking to get into real-estate?
Definitely get in with a good brokerage that has a mentor system in place. Also, be professional at all times; don’t allow the perception of “sexy agent” to overpower your image as a powerful woman. Let your brain, talent, and professional drive be the dominating factors to your success!
How has this past year of marriage been?
Romain and I are extremely happy together and just taking in this whole experience of the show. However, we’ve been swamped with work, and we desperately need a getaway. Between filming, both of our crazy work schedules, and our honeymoon having to be cancelled/ postponed due to COVID, we are definitely looking forward to the travel ban being lifted so we can spend some long overdue quality time together.
How was quarantine life like?
Our quarantine was work as usual, just in a face mask and gloves.
What can we expect to see more of from you on season 3?
More impressive home sales, and of course, more relationship drama!
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cover story
LETTERS OF HOPE “IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO STAND UP FOR ME IN SILENCE.” UNKNOWN/ANONYMOUS
62
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hese last few months have been a whirlwind of unknown circumstances coupled with emotions that have run the gamut. What started out as a year of hope for a new decade quickly turned into something much different than what we originally imagined when ringing in the New Year. Many have even jokingly asked for a “2020 redo,” but what if all that has happened thus far was actually intended to lead us further? For the majority of the population, the threat and then the experience of a pandemic sent families into self-isolation. The time together allowed for many to look internally within the walls of their own homes at what truly mattered most. Material things once thought to be of significant importance proved insignificant when it came to the health and wellness of loved ones. In essence, we saw what truly mattered vs. what we thought was important; for many, COVID-19 brought about a sense of awakening. But over the last two months there has been an even bigger awakening, one that has forced us to look externally—outside of the confines of the bubble we’ve wrapped ourselves in—and confront the injustices taking place right outside our very own doors. What we are witnessing is by no means “new,” but a racial divide that has enveloped not only our country, but the world as a whole.
inclusion for all. People are tired of the same narrative and are no longer willing to accept the discrimination that has long been conferred upon them. Now is the time for everyone, regardless of color, to use their voices and take action. At the end of the day, it is about loving people for who they are. It’s impossible to truly understand someone else’s plight when you have never had to walk a day in their shoes. But if you accept the fact that you may never understand, and vow to listen, learn, and commit to being a part of the movement for change, then there is hope for a better future. The conversations are not easy ones, but they are necessary, and must remain continuous in order to keep moving forward. For parents, those conversations may be tough, but when we say the children are our future, how can we expect them to help one another if we do not lead by example? One way to do that is by using our voices to inspire the change needed for a world that is completely inclusive. That is why we at BELLA are using ours to educate and inspire others. Our hope as we look toward the future is to shine a bright light on what it means to simply be human.
It is an awakening that is long overdue. Humanity is no longer willing to tolerate the social injustices that have plagued us for so many years.
As we are focused on change, we have asked others to share with us their hopes for the future, which have been compiled into this series of beautiful and moving letters. The hope we all share is for equality and opportunities afforded to all and a desire for people to listen with an open mind and an open heart to appreciate one another’s differences.
Along with the fight for racial equality, this is a fight for gender, sexual orientation, and
-Alexandra Anastasio 63
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JACOB ALI WERTHEIMER
GRANDSON OF MUHAMMAD ALI, ACTIVIST + HARVARD UNIVERSITY STUDENT Dear Future, I would like to send a salute to all of my people—my brothers and sisters—who have been out protesting, marching, and risking their lives—not just now, but every day just by being Black in America. I am blessed to be a part of the richest tradition on this earth filled with its most beautiful, gifted, loving, and righteous people. Allow me to quote the revolutionary and true queen that was Ms. Fannie Lou Hamer—rest in peace—when I say, “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.” I don’t want my mother to live in a world in which she has to be worried about her son just taking a jog because of his ethnicity. I don’t want the children I bring into this world someday to be punished for the beautiful blood that runs through their veins. I don’t want to see my aunts and uncles and cousins suffer any longer. I don’t want my grandfather’s love, blood, sweat, and tears to be in vain. I don’t want to see my friends— the people I love so dearly—killed, incarcerated, and abused because they were born. W.E.B. Du Bois said, “One could not be a calm, cool, and collected scientist while Negroes were lynched, murdered, and starved,” and those words still ring true to this very day. While Du Bois said that from the perspective of being a Black man, I don’t see how it cannot apply to every single person in this nation. White America, I look at you in particular, and for obvious reason. It is time for white Americans to do more than say they’re supportive from the side. It’s not enough to say, “I’m not racist,” have a couple Black friends, and continue living your life. Even if you are not racist yourself, you still not only benefit from the systems of oppression that attack my people mercilessly, but also are a part of the larger white community. Your silence and complicity only exacerbates the issue. White privilege is a fact of society; I’m not shaming you for being born into it, but I will take note if you are not making a concerted effort, if you are not using using your voice—using that privilege— to help enact a change while American people are being lynched, murdered, and starved. In saying this, I want to make an important distinction: Many people call this a Black problem, but it is not. We are not the problem. These are atrocities inflicted upon Black people. This is not a problem of the oppressed; it is the oppressor who has the problem, and while we will continue to fight back and demand justice as we always have, the oppressors ultimately need to look themselves in the eyes and fix their own issue. It is the world of white supremacy that is built on fabrication—the lie that white men and women are somehow greater. I urge you to look at yourselves and challenge yourselves. You owe it to yourself, to your community, and to your country to find emancipation from the chains of hatred and racism that still exist. Best, Jacob Ali-Wertheimer
CHRISTOPHER ANASTASIO + TRICIA RIGGS
TV HOST, AUTHOR + LIFESTYLE EXPERT To Our Precious Son Roman, When you came into our lives, you came as a representation of everything we wish for the world to be—a joining in perfect harmony of race, culture, and background. You are the manifestation of the love two people from different backgrounds can produce when we make the conscious choice to see each other as fellow human beings—nothing more, nothing less. Son, when you grow up and become more aware of the world around you and its troubles, you may find your innocence with respect to skin color challenged. The world may try to tell you a different story than the one you came to know at home and in the comfort of your closest loved ones. The world may try to impart its pain on you, bend you to its will. It’s in those moments that you must call upon that very innocence—that knowledge that, as imperfect as we all are, what lies in our heart is where the determination of our character as human beings begins and ends. You can drive back the pain directed at you by drawing upon this knowledge and by summoning the contents of your heart to show the world a better example of what we can and should always be striving for. Our hope for the future is bright, because our hope is embodied in you. Love, Mom and Dad 65
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TALI PETTO STUDENT Dear Future, The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has been very important to me since I have learned about white privilege, police brutality, and the widespread racism in the U.S. I believe that as a white teenage girl growing up in New Jersey, I am definitely privileged due to the color of my skin. I have always known that I need to use my privilege for good and fight for those whose voices have been ignored for hundreds of years. With this being said, the world seems pretty scary right now, but I believe there is hope. The best part of the BLM protests is that thousands of young people are coming together to fight for something that we all care very strongly about. We are the generation that will finally make a change. My hope for the future is that my peers and I will continue to fight for what’s right so that future generations don’t have to. Hopefully, all of our voices together will be strong enough to make a substantial change to the unjust treatment of Black kids, teens, and adults in the U.S., and eventually all over the world. I genuinely believe that my generation—united—will be the generation that ends racism once and for all. Love, Tali
BRITNEY WINTERS
CEO, UPGRADE BOUTIQUE Dear Future, My hope for the future is that the world can appreciate others for their differences while recognizing that we’re all human. I hope that people recognize that our differences make us unique, and our varied voices actually empower us and create stronger communities. Diversity of thought and experience is how we can create a better future. I hope for the future that more Black- and Brown-owned businesses receive the capital they need to fund their dreams as easily as white men do. I hope that minority-owned businesses get the press coverage as easily as white-owned businesses do. My hope for the future is that there’s equity in education and that children of color are afforded the same opportunities as their white counterparts. Our country needs to be uprooted and changed from the bottom to the top. It is systematically defunct, and I hope this time is the revolution we need and not just another social media challenge. My hope for the future is that we all recognize and see humanity in one another. All my love and optimism, Britney Winters 66
YOLANDA JOHNSON
FOUNDER OF WOC, WOMEN OF COLOR IN FUNDRAISING AND PHILANTHROPY Dear Future, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” ~Psalm 90:12 On this particular day, the sun is shining; the sky is blue; and I am smiling at a hazy Hudson River. Life has still not returned to normal, and it has been quite daunting to live through a pandemic, in addition to civil unrest around the racial inequity in our country. However, I am a pragmatic optimist, and this moment in time has taught me to honor and value each and every day. By doing so, I have learned important lessons and gained wisdom that will carry through, so that you, the future, will be an even better place than ever before. I am restless today. I feel that we as humankind are on the cusp of something different, something potentially new, heading toward a truly just society. I am restless, and I promise you I will do everything in my power today to ensure we can grasp this moment and enact change, planting the seeds so that you will be a place of peace, love, and equality. I believe that you will be such an amazing place, and I very much look forward to seeing it come to fruition. Here’s to you! With hope and gratitude, Yolanda F.
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RENEE GREENSTEIN
QVC DESIGNER, PRESIDENT + OWNER OF TWO CHICKS IN THE BACKROOM Dear Future, In Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, the definition of “hope” is as follows: “Hope” seems close to “wish:” “To cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true.” Whatever the details, hope, in general, means a desire for things to change for the better and to want that better situation very much. Being Jewish and a woman of color in America, my biggest hope is for equality. The world I grew up in wasn’t easy. I have a very distinct memory, one that remains with me to this day. I was walking into synagogue and it seemed like every head in the congregation turned to my direction. All of those heads turning in my direction left an indelible mark in my memory; obviously, it’s one that is not easily forgotten over time. At the time, I thought to myself, “Why is everyone looking at me? Is there someone behind me?” but it set in…it was me. I stood out from the rest of the congregation; it was then I knew that I was different. Because I was raised to have a strong belief in self-worth, even at that young age—with all of those eyes on me—I didn’t feel different. So I thought, Why should they see me differently? As I got older, I embraced that I would always be different and that no one but me puts a value on my worth because of skin color, religion, or sex. However, being in the field of fashion design, when I first started that field of work it was predominantly male. I took knocks—some hard and some not so hard. Regardless, I took them and forged forward. I was interviewing for a job one day and I happened to be the only woman in the room with four other men waiting to be interviewed. When the receptionist called my name, I proceeded into the interview, and the gentleman interviewer said to me, “For a broad, you’re asking for a lot of money!” I pondered that very direct statement for a moment, and thought, “How could this be?” I was just as qualified to do this very straightforward job as the four other men behind me were. As women, we should not have to fight so hard for equality in our lives. I know I have had to work harder to get to where I am today, and I do not regret one day of that work nor the experiences it allotted me. It instilled more insight, and I still work hard every day. As a woman, I know in my heart I am not alone when I say that. For my son, Corey, and my grandchildren, Aya and Levi, my wish is for them to experience an inclusive world. Everyone deserves to grow up in a safe and equal environment where there is no judgement by gender, race, age, creed, or sexuality. I pray we can come together as one and share the equality that we all deserve. As a mother, I worry every day about the inclusion and equality issues within today’s world, but I shouldn’t have to. What I have read is heart-wrenching. What I have watched is gut-wrenching. Will there be an end to the destruction that has crossed all nationalities? Will we remove the hate? Likely, no, as hate is something that is learned. That being said we can educate our children, grandchildren, and even our neighbors, and it’s with that education that the hope then becomes reality that generations to come will see and embrace a brighter future within an inclusive society. And then my hope will be fulfilled.
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Sincerely, Renee Greenstein
DARNELL “SUPERCHEF” FERGUSON CELEBRITY CHEF + OWNER OF SUPERCHEFS Dear Future, With all that’s going on in the world today, I’m so proud and encouraged to see the younger generation brave enough to speak their mind and fight for what they believe. My hope is that we continue to move forward and that our efforts lead to people of color having a fair shot in this world. It is so important that we continue to use our voice, platform, and actions to fight for equality and the greater good; that we don’t get intimidated or back down from those who present a challenge to that vision and that we refuse to take a step backward. This effort has to lead to change, and it has to be worth something. I think we should all learn from the way Muhammad Ali lived his life. We need to be willing to sacrifice our comfort to speak for those who have no voice. We have to put the God-given rights of every man, woman, and child at the forefront of our lives, so we know what we’re fighting for every day. Sincerely, Darnell Ferguson
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JULIE LONGYEAR
HERBAL CHEMIST + FOUNDER OF BLISSOMA Dear Future, We are in the midst of a great awakening, and it is as necessary as it is painful. Healing often begins from a place where the discomfort has grown so great that there is no choice but to address the problem. That is where we currently are, and our actions from here forward will determine how well and quickly we can find peace. Our unrest is a message, asking us to address things we have been ignoring. My hope is that people will not turn away. We must humbly examine ourselves and our own contributions to the inequities and injustice around us. The truth is that we have been an unhealthy society for a long time now, and we simply reached the flash point. I personally believe that all conflict is an opportunity. Conflict comes from a misalignment, a miscommunication, or a wrong committed. Rather than bemoaning that the conflict occurs, I hope people will regard this as a chance to discover why the conflict has occurred and how we can better tend to one another. This messy, tender process gives us the chance to create a better, healthier future. Every person deserves to be supported, respected, and offered the opportunity to be his or her best. This is how I design products as well, with deep support in mind, so this philosophy about healing is something that applies not just to the body, but to communities. Instead of punishment, offer nourishment. Instead of using force, we must soften.
AMANDA TALTY
CEO + PRESIDENT OF TOURETTE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Dear Future, Though the current state of the world may not be what we expected when we rang in the new year, I have learned to see a lot of promise, potential, and most of all hope for what comes next. As a leader of a national nonprofit, the Tourette Association of America, the last three months have been some of the most incredibly challenging times to navigate as an organization. Though challenging, it has afforded me time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, like time with my family to learn and grow with one another.
We would not expect a plant to grow well in poor soil, with little sun and nourishment, being stepped on and cut at. Similarly, we cannot expect people to be their best when their essential human needs are not served. When the needs of people are served, they can grow and blossom to their fullest potential.
Promise that as human beings we will learn to accept differences, be open to learning, and be more empathetic and understanding to diverse populations including those impacted by Tourette syndrome, Tic disorders; mental health issues; gender, race, and equality issues; and other disparities.
I hope we can build the community structures that will truly serve people. It is absolutely time to reimagine how we care for one another.
Hope that we will all be better and do better. People impacted by disabilities have long been misunderstood and mocked. These incredibly resilient individuals are children and adults—human beings—with hopes, dreams, and feelings. As a leader in charge of implementing real change, I hope to create a world where people are seen for who they are and not their disability.
Sincerely, Julie Longyear
Sincerely, Amanda Talty
Embrace the potential to collaborate and work with more like-minded organizations through virtual and in-person programming, training, and awareness-based activities. If there is one thing we have learned over the course of the last three months, it’s our ability to do good work doesn’t stop if we’re not all in the same location.
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ELIZABETH POTTS
FOUNDER OF VINTAGE JEWELRY ONLINE RETAILER, THE MOONSTONED My Dearest Heart, When I think about the times you have been born into, I know it’s easy to think of despair. We close our eyes only to see the light of fires burning, buildings and cars torched in outrage glowing behind our eyelids. We hear collective voices chanting, crying as feet pound the pavements, fists in the air with the rhythm of a movement. We feel the angst, the heartbreak, the uncomfortable itching before breaking through skin that has been too snug for too long. When I open my eyes and look at you, I see hope. I see the possibility of banishing the old ways of living, scraping back the layers of hate, of misogyny, of false gods, and salacious pride. I see the magic in your face, your willingness to see the good despite all of the mistakes that you have inherited. I see the opportunity for change; walls being torn down, a government with seats filled with the bodies of many colors, denominations, and histories. I see forests blooming and blossoming, spreading lush and green to heal the scars that we had left there before. When you reach out to touch my face, I can feel the softness in your fingertips and imagine the way that you will change this world and care for others, for the planet. I see a new way of holding one another accountable; where integrity and honesty have more weight than paper money. When you smile at me, I feel this tug deep inside my belly to fight that every mother can feel this hope, this possibility in her babe’s eyes. The world—it is changing. When I look at you, I know that we will change it for the better. All my love, all my hope, Elizabeth 72
DEBORA BALARDINI
BOARD OF THE LEAGUE OF PROFESSIONAL THEATER WOMEN Dear Future, In the 30 years that I’ve been in the arts—and the 20 years I’ve practiced Hatha yoga—I’ve learned that to align with hope that is rooted in equity, or retrieve it when it feels lost, [we must] start with the breath and the body. As an artist who embraces my Brazilian, Afro Brazilian, and Indigenous Brazilian roots, I’ve had to learn complicated lessons by watching people make Black jokes in my Afro Brazilian father’s face and see him be repeatedly disrespected in front of his family. I didn’t realize at the time that the oppression I witnessed was not isolated. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, my experiences living at the tail end of the Brazilian dictatorship in the 1980s, and having the government show up the night before our premiere to make its preferred revision, changed my life. I’ve learned that empathy, equity, and solidarity are sacred teachers. It means we don’t have to parade apathy that is really a cloak to cover guilt, shame, and other stuck feelings. With young people who have their lives ahead of them, to be resilient when confronting injustice, you’ll need to shine the brightest light you have inside. It connects you to your life purpose, your voice, and your ability to be resilient when confronting injustice.
My hope for the future is that you embrace that art is as critical for radical change as your voice is as a vehicle for protests, peaceful or otherwise. Art, beyond celebrity and entertainment, is a vehicle to reconnect with hope. To achieve equity and inclusion, and make real, lasting change, there is no room for elitism, vanity social media posts with the “right” hashtags, or faux concern for #BlackLivesMatter. If it’s not equitable, it’s not art. My hope for the future is that #BlackLivesMatter will be an effective global movement in overhauling the demeaning assault on Black/ African American and other people of the diaspora who are marginalized, murdered unjustly, and profiled worldwide. My hope for the future is that institutionalized racism is turned into institutionalized anti-racism education through all stages of schooling. I also hope we are so unified globally that children of multicultural families, regardless of what assumptions we make about how they look, are supported in their developing awareness and have autonomy over their own identities rather than being vilified. Listen, always, with a willingness to hear. Best, Debora Baladrini 73
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ASHLI HAYNES ACTRESS + WRITER Dear BELLA Reader, We are in the midst of a collective crisis. Based on the trajectory of 2020, it’s tempting to believe the end of the world is near. Between the spread of COVID-19, World War III being nearly instigated by the U.S. attack on Iran, the death of a number of legends (Kobe Bryant, Little Richard, B. Smith, Irrfan Khan, and Lynn Shelton, just to name a few), Trump’s acquittal, economic crisis, various natural disasters, the sweep of social unrest sparked all over the globe by the genocide of Black people in the U.S. at the hands of police brutality, the U.S. government and its entities, that assessment would not be inaccurate. Collectively, we’re stressed, anxious, hurting, and tired. The world as we know it is coming to an end. We’re in the midst of a global energetic shift. Our collective trauma, faulty foundations, imbalance, and everything that has proven to no longer work is bubbling to the surface so that these things can be exposed, dealt with, transmuted, and cleared away. Our survival relies upon acknowledging the connection between our external circumstances and our internal environment. We, as a people, are sick. The sickness that was once hidden, denied, and allowed to fester and grow deep within us is now manifesting in very real, physical ways in our external environments. We can no longer turn a blind eye to social injustice. We can no longer continue to ignore our intuition and go with the flow in an effort to maintain the status quo. We must recognize the gift of opportunity life is now presenting to us. There’s not enough “love and light” lingo to spiritually bypass what we are currently facing. Peace of mind and a clear heart demands confrontation, truth, awareness, and integration. We’re caught between two worlds: the old paradigm, which clearly isn’t working, and the new, which is full of uncertainty and transformation. This is our opportunity to decide which world to lean into. It takes a lot of work to maintain a high vibration. You don’t just heal a few wounds and are then healed for the rest of your life. Being happy and healthy takes work. It’s a conscious, continuous, and active commitment—a daily effort. Self-work isn’t donning a pair of rose-colored glasses to live in a state of denial. The actual work requires taking a long, hard look at yourself, your life and choices; examining the sickness that has lived within you; digging deep to the root of your trauma, pain, and shadow; and choosing to uproot it from its core. It requires a dedication to honesty and compassion. It takes time, vulnerability, and discomfort. In the end, it will all have been worth it because healing the world requires healing yourself. Life is not easy, but it is beautiful, BELLAs. Value life as though it were the most profound, loving, thoughtful, divine, miraculous gift one could ever receive; because that’s exactly what it is. You only get one. Cherish it. Love, Ashli Haynes
DR. KAN CAO
SCIENTIST + FOUNDER OF BLUELENE Dear Future, We have witnessed unprecedented change in the last three months that has come at a huge cost to our society, but it has also provided us with new lessons for a better future for all. We now know that under dire circumstances, innovation can happen at warp speed, with agility, and without the insurmountable hurdles of regulated process. I hope that going forward, we keep our priorities on the solutions innovation is meant to create and flatten down the hurdles that elongate time to market. Communication with our customers, employees, and stakeholders has never been this critically important. For the last decade, we thought that “Emotional Intelligence” in leaders is the answer to creating positive work and community culture. What we have learned from these unprecedented times is that we need to step up to “Human(ity) Intelligence” to ensure we treat our employees, business partners, and community stakeholders with unequaled respect, empathy, and transparency. I hope that people now embrace the fact that leadership does not depend on our position in a business or community hierarchy. Instead, we are all agents of change through our personal thought leadership. Our words, or the lack thereof, speak volumes; our thoughts create an energy that is felt by everyone around us; and our actions, or the lack thereof, will create the legacy we leave behind for our children and for the world. Sincerely, Dr. Kan Cao
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JORDAN SCOTT
FOUNDER, CEO AND CHIEF EDITOR OF COBBLE Dear Future, I think about you all the time—when I wake up in the morning, when I go to bed at night. Sexy, right? Mostly I think about what I wish you are. How I wish you’re different from today, and how I wish you stay the same. Personally, I’m on a mission to better understand and advance how we love each other. My business is couples. Our romantic relationships are often the building block of our lives—they lead to adventures, to big steps forward, to new generations. At Cobble, we aim to help people in relationships make decisions. Even the smallest decisions like “where should we get dinner tonight?” add up to countless memories and experiences that become our lives. We create technology that guides couples toward better, faster decisions so that they spend less time planning and more time living. I hope that you’re a world where we continue to place an emphasis and importance on our relationships—they are, after all, the closest we understand to be the meaning of life. If not for the people we love, why else are we here? I hope that you continue to become a world where love really does win. When all else feels dark (and 2020 has been a banner year for just that), it’s the people we love who keep us going. We’re on a mission to show and lift up love in all its forms—young or old, Black or white, gay or straight—and in that way, show us how we’re all really on the same mission, and that should make us feel closer than ever. Love proves that we have more in common than not. When we feel connected, we move in the same direction. Whatever I build—whatever we build—as women we have a responsibility to lift up each other’s businesses and missions. For Cobble, that’s featuring the women-owned (and especially BIPOC women) businesses, from restaurants to events and beyond, for couples to make decisions on. Truly whatever we do, I hope female entrepreneurs are building to build others up. I hope you are still a magical land where humans try to create “previously thought of as impossible” stuff, and that more people are given the access and opportunity to go for it. I hope women continue to take an active role in shaping you—based on the incredible entrepreneurial women I meet today, I’d find it hard to believe otherwise. If that’s the case, I bet you’re pretty bright.
DENISE CESARE
EDUCATOR + AUTHOR OF “MOMENTS IN MOTION WITH LOVE” A Message to All Our Beautiful Children: The Universe is speaking to us, let’s listen with an open heart, mind, and soul. It is important that you know how precious you are in this world. Always remember to BELIEVE in yourself and let your light shine in this moment. We will teach and learn from each other; with learning there is healing...together we can heal. You are hope and you are LOVE! The future is waiting for you and you are our Future! I believe in you! Sincerely, Denise Cesare
NICOLE YOUNG
TV HOST, AUTHOR + LIFESTYLE EXPERT Dear 2025, I am so proud of you, World! You really stepped up your game and rose to the occasion! The strides you’ve made in the last five years—where racial equality and justice for Black lives are concerned—are so impressive. I know I’ve been critical of you, so I just have to give you the credit because it’s due! The way you finally grabbed racism by its ugly horns back in 2020 still warms my heart. It is so comforting to know that my son is no longer in danger of being discriminated against, held back, harmed, or killed by anyone just for being Black, and that the same is true for all Black men. I can sleep soundly at night and spend my days migraine headachefree knowing that being Black is no longer a detriment to my life, my business, and my potential for earning. You really turned yourself around, World, and in such a short span of time! You deserve so much respect and adoration. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Nicole Young
getting to know
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2020 By Kristen Robertiello
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he end of one journey begins another. Our 2020 graduates from all walks of life will most certainly be remembered and cherished for years to come. As they grieve their losses— their missed milestones—we want them to know we feel their pain and appreciate their life lessons on resiliency and acceptance.
This past March, millions of students unknowingly said goodbye to the life they knew without proper closure. Emotions ran deep as daily changes to commencement rituals honoring them for years of hard work fluctuated. My daughter, Mia, is one of those who battled the emotional roller coaster as she came to terms with the fact that memories of her senior year consist of daily virtual classes and a non-existent social life. She holds out hope for colleges reopening in the fall. At BELLA, we understand and honor all graduates, from kindergarteners moving up, 8th graders about to enter high MIA ROBERTIELLO school, high school seniors preparing Northern Highlands Regional High School for college, and college grads excited to Allendale, New Jersey embark on a career journey. We celebrate the Class of 2020 with this tribute as a keepsake to cherish and share with their own families as they recount this pivotal moment in their lives. To our 2020 graduates—a class of visionaries and history makers—congratulations! This defining moment and the life lessons learned has made you stronger. Move forward with strength and positivity, and go make a difference in our world. You are very special…you are the Class of 2020.
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HANNAH ANDRADE Rutgers Law School Newark, New Jersey
KIMBERLY AVELAR Rutgers University New Brunswick, New Jersey
CATERINA B. AZZARELLO Colorado State University Fort Colllins, Colorado
KELLY-ANN BARRUFFE Bachelors of English Georgian Court University Lakewood, New Jersey
ERIC RYAN BELCHER Chapel Hill High School Douglasville, Georgia
KAILEY ERICA BELCHER Chapel Hill High School Douglasville, Georgia
ABIGAYLE BOCOLA St. Charles School Staten Island, New York
MATTHEW BOCOLA Monsignor Farrell High School Staten Island, New York
CAROLINE C. BOYLE Freehold Borough High School Freehold, New Jersey
VICTORIA BROADBENT Northern Highlands Regional High School Allendale, New Jersey
NICHOLAS BUYCK Paramus Catholic High Schoo Paramus, New Jersey
CLARE CAHILL Georgian Court University Lakewood, New Jersey
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JOSHUA CALIXTO Theatre Arts Production Company School (TAPCO) Bronx, New York
ISABELLA CAPRIO Saint John Vianney High School Holmdel, New Jersey
DEIRDRE CAHILL Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia
MAURA CAHILL Dartmouth College Hanover, New Hampshire
KAYLEE CARRION Professional Pathways High School Brooklyn, New York
ISABELLA SANCHEZ CASTANEDA AMANDA CERROTTA Villanova University St. Charles School Villanova, Pennsylvania Staten Island, New York
NICHOLAS CETROLA Clifton T. Barkalow School Freehold, New Jersey
MARCO CHESTARO Coral Reef Elementary Lake Worth, Florida
JORDON COOPER IS 75 Staten Island, New York
BRYAN DECILLIS Cherokee High School Marlton, New Jersey
KIARA CRASTO Northern Highlands Regional High School Allendale, New Jersey
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NICOLETTE DEGERONIMO Fort Mill High School Fort Mill, South Carolina
STEPHANIE DENISCO LIM College New York City, New York
JORDYNN ENNISS University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin
ANDREA ISABEL FELIX El Camino High School Oceanside, California
ILIANA FLORES Texas A&M Kingsville Kingsville, Texas
ISABELLA FOUNTAIN Howard University White Plains, New York
YSABELLE FRANCOIS CUNY Lehman College Bronx, New York
SIRENA ESPERANZA GATICA Austin High School Austin, Texas
ALEXANDRA GENOVESE St. Joseph Hill Academy Staten Island, New York
VICTORIA GILHAM James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia
SAM GUTMAN Colts Neck High School Colts Neck, New Jersey
JADON WILLIAM HURD Rampart High School Colorado Springs, Colorado
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ANNA HUTCHINSON Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA
IZABELA/BELLA JAY Hofstra University (Master’s) Hempstead, New York
CARLY KAPLAN Georgian Court University Lakewood, New Jersey
JANEN KHAN Stuyvesant High School New York City, NY
GAELLE PIERRE-LOUIS Soka University of America Aliso Viejo, California
JAIMIE LUDWIG NYC Lab Collaborative High School New York, NY
AARON MAC DONALD Howell High School Howell New Jersey
JEANCARLO MALDONADO Suffern High School Suffern, New York
JULISSA MARIN California State University Long Beach, California
KYLEE MCGUIGAN The Pennsylvania State University University Park, Pennsylvania
ALEXIS MENDOZA Northern Highlands Regional High School Allendale, New Jersey
NICOLE MOS Ramapo College Mahway, New Jersey 83
The
CLASS
CORRADO MICHAEL NIRCHIO Marist College Poughkeepsie, New York
MAKAYLA ANN NIRCHIO Emil A. Cavallini Middle School Upper Saddle River, New Jersey
MATTHEW O’CONNOR Don Bosco Prep Ramsey, New Jersey
NINA RISPOLI Manalapan Middle School Manalapan, New Jersey
ERIN ROACH Montclair State University Montclair, New Jersey
CHERYL ROBINSON, Ed.D. Stockton University Galloway, New Jersey
KATE ROSE Georgetown University Washington, DC
ISABELLA SCHUH Ramapo High School, Oakland, New Jersey
SYDNEY SFORZO Out of Door Academy Sarasota, Florida
ANJALI SHAH Holmdel High School Holmdel, New Jersey
KRISTEN SIEGEL Clarkstown North High School New City, New York
Photography by Bella Cosa Couture
ALYSSA MOYA New York University New York City, New York
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ANDREA SILVA Freedom High School South Riding, Virginia
VICTORIA SILIVERDES Freehold Township High School Freehold, New Jersey
ANDREW SOMPLE American University School of Public Affairs Washington, DC
MADISON SOMPLE Montclair State University Montclair, New Jersey
MIA STAWECKI Northern Highlands Regional High School Allendale, New Jersey
ROBERT STEFANELLI Our Lady Star of the Sea Staten Island, NY
MAYA THARBY Kinnelon High School Kinnelon, New Jersey
MELANIE NICOLE TOTARO Immaculate Heart Academy Washington Township, New Jersey
STEPHANIE URBINA Florida State University (Master’s) Hialeah, Florida
ANNA VENE Saint John Vianney High School Holmdel, New Jersey
PHOEBE WILLIAMS Central Catholic High School Portland, Oregon
SOPHIA WINOGRAD Cliffside Park Public School #3 Cliffside Park, New Jersey 85
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CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH WOJCICKI Applied Technology High School Paramus, New Jersey
CLASS of 2020
BRANDON X. WRIGHT Howell Middle School South Howell, New Jersey
JUSTIN M. WRIGHT Howell High School Howell, New Jersey
FORDHAM SCHOOL OF LAW
Watch Hip New Jersey Saturdays at 9 AM on News 12+
For more information, visit HipNewJersey.com
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EMMA ZERKA Fairlawn High School, Fairlawn, New Jersey
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team BELLA
Graduation
#Throwback
VANESSA COPPES
CEO & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
I’ve been writing in journals since I was 7 years old. Encouraged by my teachers, writing and telling stories came naturally and helped to make my troubled childhood less of a personal burden. I was the Editor-in-Chief of my high school newspaper in English. After becoming a teacher, I helped my students start school papers as well. My parents were both teachers and I grew up with the mantra that no matter what I was going through, my education was the one thing no one could ever take away from me. Naturally, I threw myself into learning, focusing on improving my talents and helping others along the way. Bringing people together for a common objective always came easily to me. I remember one of my teachers telling me that that alone was a gift. I didn’t understand it then, but I do today. I was 13 years old when I envisioned where I am today. Many things got me here, but most importantly, so did a lot of hard work.
MINDY GURA & PAULA ORLAN
KRISTEN ROBERTIELLO
ONLINE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Fashion has always been on my radar and a huge passion of mine. During my high school years, I worked part-time in retail sales and dreamed of owning my own clothing store. Today I own a wardrobe styling business and am blessed to incorporate my experience and knowledge into my other favorite interest, writing.
THE STYLE DUO
We remember taking this picture like it was yesterday. Both of our parents always stressed the importance of a good education, as they both worked in education and still do. After we graduated from Tufts University, we started our careers in fashion and entertainment. If we could tell our younger selves anything, we would say, enjoy the moment and enjoy the process. Life is a wonderful journey of adventures and learning along the way.
ALEXANDRA ANASTASIO LYNETTE BARBIERI
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
Ever since I can remember I’ve always wanted to own my own business. I never had the desire to get into a big corporation like many of my friends. I was always willing to try whatever I had to to make money. The only part of school I ever enjoyed was the social aspect. Having fun was my priority. It’s OK to be different and to try new things until you find your passion. Just keep moving, keep learning, and getting better. Don’t worry about what your friends think—it won’t matter 30 years from now. Just be the best you can be. 88
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
“There are no wrong turnings. Only paths we had not known we were meant to walk.” -Guy Gavriel Kay, Canadian fantasy fiction author When I rewind back to my high school days, the dreams I had looked a lot different than they do now. Back then, I envisioned myself being in front of a camera; now, the people who know me know the camera actually scares me! Instead, the hobby I had growing up—writing in my journals, “reporting” on my days—would turn out to be my life’s passion. I have always loved telling stories, and today, I get to do that through my work “behind the scenes.”
JENNIFER DECILLIS
PUBLISHER
After deciding to take time off from school, I wasn’t sure I’d ever graduate college, and the road to my cap and gown was not an easy one. The passion and persistence that drove me there are also what drove me here today, to BELLA. I could have never dreamed I’d be living in New York City, working for a women’s magazine and having my writing featured in a nationally printed publication. Dreams do come true, so never give up!
AMANDA MACTAS FOOD, TRAVEL & ACCESSORIES EDITOR
I don’t think when I graduated high school or college I ever envisioned where I’d end up. When you graduate, it’s OK to not know what you want your path to be right away. I majored in psychobiology and was on a completely different career trajectory. I ended up working in nonprofits when I decided to leave my job and pursue writing full time. It was a gamble and it was scary, but it paid off. If you want something, go after it, and don’t stop until you get there.
JONATHAN CALIXTO
FASHION CORRESPONDENT
When I graduated college I was not sure where I’d be today. I knew I loved journalism, specifically entertainment news, but didn’t know how I would get that big break. From graduation to now being a Fashion and Lifestyle Correspondent, while having my own endeavors within the social media space, I wouldn’t trade my journey for the world. I would tell my younger self, continue to be yourself no matter what and never give up because it’ll all work out for the best.
JANENE MASCARELLA
BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Since I was a little girl, I always had my eyes on the prize...making it big in New York City. In my early 20s I was living in the Big Apple, hosting an international television show on fashion and beauty and always knew this is exactly where I wanted to be. I must admit, I’m so proud that I never settled, I never flinched, and I followed my dreams. Sometimes I wish I could go back and tell that 22-year-old girl with such hope In her eyes: “You are not going to believe what you have achieved!” I have the family and the career I always wished for, and the future is still unfolding…
GINA LAGUARDIA EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
I’ve been pursuing journalism ever since I rallied for my high school’s newspaper Editor-in-Chief position as a junior. They usually gave that title to seniors, but I worked my grammar-lovin’, storytelling butt off to earn it, and haven’t stopped since!
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summer living
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Hamptons is
Happening
The Wait is Over‌ Let the Summer Commence!
his year has seen in search of social activity and a long winter and relaxation on the beaches or slow spring— at the top socially-responsible even for those places of the season. By Norah Lawlor who headed to the Hamptons and started their season early, Although different from albeit in quarantine. As the temperatures soar and the recent years, summer 2020 will finally be fabulous! quarantine restrictions are lifted, this July and August will Expect to see social distancing and also a number of represent the peak of both the summer and the social events moving to calendar slots. Here are some of our season in the Hamptons, which will bring New York players favorites to look forward to‌ 90
DINE & PARTY Safely
This season, Southampton Social Club will continue to set the standard of the Hamptons nightlife scene while recognizing the safety concerns of today. Utilizing the exact mantra it launched with 10 years ago, Southampton Social Club offers that “Vintage Supper Club Experience”— the idea that you can join in for an elegant, high-energy dinner, then stick around and enjoy time with friends, bottle service, and—of course—table-side dancing under the stars. The one thing that is required at this time, however, are reservations. With limited space and no ability to have lines or indoor space, outdoor tables are hard to come by. Make plans ahead of time, and then get ready to mask up and dance. SouthamptonSocialClub.com
AL FRESCO DINING Revival
The best dining establishments in the Hamptons have responded to this summer of social distancing with al fresco dining—tables spaced out under the East End sunshine. Soak in the ambience while enjoying some of the best meals and social activity in the Hamptons. The newest arrival on the North Fork’s dining scene is the incarnation of the Upper East Side French bistro classic, Demarchelier Restaurant at the AHEAD Americas 2020 Virtual Award-winning Menhaden Hotel in the charming Village of Greenport. Led by siblings Emily and Benjamin Demarchelier, this restaurant is a family affair that builds on the legacy of the Demarchelier family’s eatery in New York. Popular dishes include the Steak Tartare appetizer, and the Duck a l’Orange and Moules Mariniére entrees. The traditional French menu is paired perfectly with a wide range of predominantly French wines. Demarchelier looks to bring the North Fork of Long Island a taste of France! DemarchelierRestaurant.com
T-Bar Steak and Lounge Southampton, like its sister restaurant
on the Upper East Side, offers guests innovative contemporary American cuisine in a warm and inviting ambiance. The outdoor terrace and garden, with outdoor dining spaced sensibly apart, make it the quintessential location for evening cocktails on those warm summer evenings. T-Bar is a newest spin on the classic upscale steak house. The menu features a wide range of dishes, ranging from renditions of classics to refined and inventive plates. 631-283-0202 The all-new Union Sushi & Steak restaurant at 40 Bowden Square in Southampton, NY is open. It’s owned by Southampton Social Club’s Ian Duke and David Hilty, who have teamed up with awardwinning Executive Chef Scott Kampf to create a go-to modern sushi and steak eatery for the Hamptons. For the slightly older crowds that do not want to be bombarded by the twenty-something crowds at Southampton Social Club, Union Sushi & Steak will serve as a place to enjoy cocktails into the wee hours. Bonus: This one is co-located with the contemporary casual Union Burger Bar, which offers an assortment of specialty gourmet burgers that are hormone-, antibiotic-, and additive-free, along with fresh hand-cut fries, maniacal milkshakes and desserts, and an elaborate craft beer and small batch bourbon selection. DineatUnion.com • UnionBurgerBar.com 91
summer living
Picnic TIME
Claude’s Restaurant has been transformed into The Great
American Picnic Place, open from 7am to 7pm daily. The menu consists of all of your favorite breakfasts, as well as sandwiches, salads, soups, and freshly baked sweets. You can take your picnic basket (with rosé or champagne, fruit smoothies, or homemade iced tea) to your favorite table, into the beautifully planted courtyard, on the pool patio, the lawns, to your guest room, or off to Agawam Park. There is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy an old-fashioned picnic. SouthamptonInn.com/Restaurant/
STAY AND Play
Bridgehampton’s Topping Rose House Hotel is situated at the end of Main Street, enabling guests to walk and enjoy all that Bridgehampton has to offer. Outdoor dining at the on-site JeanGeorges at Topping Rose House restaurant is available to enjoy amidst the gardens of the property. ToppingRoseHouse.com At the end of the Long Island Rail Road is Montauk and one of the most well-known places to stay and play–The Surf Lodge. In recent seasons, regular live performances have made a visit an essential to listen, dance, drink, and dine. The Surf Lodge also has guest rooms ranging from standard to suites. TheSurfLodge.com The award-winning Southampton Inn is a classic, welcoming haven in the heart of the historic Southampton Village, offering the personal attention of a bed and breakfast with the services and amenities of a hotel. Surrounded by world-renowned beaches and estates and Rockwellesque village life, the Inn is the perfect place to relax, indulge in a romantic rendezvous, or enjoy precious time with the entire family with the Inn’s child-friendly facilities. The Southampton Inn is complying with social distancing rules, mask orders, and CDC cleaning and disinfecting protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for the safety of all guests and staff. SouthamptonInn.com
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GIVING IS Good
Photography by Michael Paniccia
While COVID-19 has captured the news headlines, cancer remains one of the biggest health scourges of our world. Samuel Waxman M.D. and the team at the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation are fighting an ongoing battle to eradicate cancer by funding research grants for 14 types of cancer. Support their cancer research by participating in the 2020 Hamptons Happening virtual concert and viewing party. WaxmanCancer.org/Events Hamptons resident Jean Shafiroff is renowned for her charitable giving and commitment to philanthropy. She chairs numerous galas and hosts many events benefiting several not-for-profit organizations each year, and is the author of “Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life by What You Give,” a book that serves as a practical guide for both the aspiring and seasoned philanthropist, as well as the host of an LTV show on philanthropy. She serves on the boards of six charitable organizations—the New York City Mission Society, Southampton Hospital Association, French Heritage Society, Couture Council (Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology), Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation Honorary Board, and Global Strays. She is an Honorary Trustee of the Jewish Board and served on their board for 28 years. She is also an ambassador for the American Humane Society and is their national spokesperson for their Feeding America program. JeanShafiroff.com
Get Back TO GOLF Hampton Hills Golf & Country Club
is Westhampton Beach’s best-kept golfing secret, located amongst 2,000 acres of the Pine Barrens. Respected as one of the more challenging courses in the Hamptons, the masterfully designed golf and country club promises exciting activities for the entire family. The Hampton Hills Golf and Country Club’s peaceful, wooded setting allows club members to escape city life and participate in friendly competition against a challenging Par-71 - 148 slope golf course featuring dramatic elevation changes. HamptonHills.com
FIND THE PERFECT
Rural Escape
Lisa Maysonet leads the Lisa Maysonet Team
at Sotheby’s International Realty. As a real estate broker, owner and investor for 40 years, Lisa’s team members follow suit in experience, talent, and dedication. Their commitment to results comes with an exceptional approach to servicing buyers, sellers, and developers. To date, she has negotiated properties valued at over one billion dollars in the New York City metropolitan area. In addition to being an established top producer in the NYC market, her breadth of knowledge on real estate markets has expanded to include clientele from around the world, including the Hamptons. SothebysHomes.com 93
up close & personal
IAN DUKE RESTAURATEUR By Norah Lawlor
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iving in the Hamptons for several years, Ian Duke has made quite an impact on Southampton’s social and culinary scene. As a key part of the leadership team behind the 2019 launch of Union Burger Bar and the ever-popular Southampton Social Club since 2010, Ian along with his partners, David Hilty and Tuck Hardie, are embarking on a new venture with the launch of the all-new Union Sushi & Steak this summer. Catering to a clientele both in New York City and Southampton, Ian prides himself on designing hospitality experiences that are appealing to families, groups, locals, singles, and as go-to venues for parties and events, whether it is during the bustle of the summer season and holidays or the quieter times in between. While it has been a challenging start to the 2020s with the COVID-19 pandemic, Ian has maintained a strong presence in the Hamptons and looks to make the summer of 2020 the best it can be by providing some of the most memorable gourmet meals and nightlife scene for everyone to enjoy.
When and how did you first realize that you wanted to work in the culinary and hospitality industry? I started quite humbly as a dishwasher around 12-13 years of age. Since then I have worked in nearly every position in the restaurant business and am a partner in six restaurants now, including Prohibition—a live music bar, restaurant, and lounge on the Upper West Side; three Lucky’s Famous Burgers located in Hell’s Kitchen, the East Village, and Chelsea; Southampton Social Club; Union Burger Bar; and most recently Union Sushi & Steak, also in Southampton.
Also this summer, for the first time, my restaurant partners from Prohibition in New York City and my partners from the Hamptons are joining forces to open The Baylander in New York City once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. This restaurant is going to be very unique. Baylander is a beautifully restored naval vessel that was most recently used for the training of Navy helicopter pilots and was known as the world’s smallest aircraft carrier. Moored at the West Harlem piers, it has a casual, beer garden-style feel, killer cocktails, and one of the best sunsets in Manhattan.
What is a typical day like for you?
There’s really no such thing as a typical day in the restaurant business. That’s one of the best and worst things about it. You never know what will happen—and I say that on both the good and bad sides. Even with everything going on, most days fall into the good category! We work in a business that has an immense number of variables, which means there will be many potential things that can happen. Because of this, our restaurants and their staff are very well-suited to handle the challenges of running a business, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Union Burger Bar celebrating its second season, and Southampton Social Club its historic 10th season, what inspired you to open Union Sushi & Steak, and what prompted you to choose its particular theme?
Last year when we opened Union Burger Bar, Chef Scott Kampf and I did so for the main reason that we both really love burgers and we saw the need for a good gourmet burger restaurant in the Hamptons. We were an instant hit from day one. Fast forward a year, and we had a similar situation. I am a believer that the ultimate goal for every restaurateur should be to give people what they want. I am a big red meat eater and love a traditional steakhouse. I love ordering a great steak and then all the things that come with it—the specific sides, as opposed to the chef allocating what comes with a dish. We’re going to have a few of the best—the best filet, the best strip, the best ribeye. With the sushi, we have a great chef who has worked all over, and this is going to be his unveiling in the Hamptons. Building the first sushi bar in Southampton, we are really confident that this will exceed the expectations of the slightly more sophisticated crowd that comes with it.
I also want to make Union Sushi & Steak the nightlife hub for the slightly “older” crowds who have been clamoring for a hotspot where they won’t be overwhelmed by the twenty-somethings that regularly inhabit Southampton Social Club.
What do you regard as being the secrets to success in the hospitality industry?
My team, including the exceptional leadership of chefs Scott Kampf and Mark Fasciana; general managers Chris Cappiello, James Brew, and Shelly Roberto; and our resident house mom Carolyn Cashman. It truly is a business where no one job is any more important than any other, and everyone relies on one another in order for everything to work smoothly. The irony is that as the owner, if anything, I’m the least important person in the place. Secondly, I’d say would be the ability to adapt to anything on a small and large scale. Every day is a different one that will present different challenges. Being able to roll with the punches is paramount.
The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown had a major impact on the restaurant and hospitality industry. What changes have you made to your businesses to keep them going, and how will you handle social distancing this summer season?
Early on it was very challenging because the statewide closures happened so quickly and no one knew what you could or could not do. But thankfully, one of the state orders was that restaurants would be able to still operate via pickup and delivery. Besides being a great sitdown restaurant, Union Burger Bar already had a strong pick-up service that we expanded on. Social Club had a delayed start to the season, and we were in the middle of renovating to open Union Sushi & Steak, so quarantine just gave us more time to focus on the upcoming Hamptons season. We strongly encourage reservations for both Union Sushi & Steak and Union Burger Bar to reduce the possibility of people congregating while waiting, and the fact people been wanting to get out, we anticipate long waits. However, you can still grab a cocktail at the bar and enjoy the outdoors while waiting. At Southampton Social Club, we are requiring reservations; unfortunately, there will be no exceptions for this. Absolutely all guests during this outdoor dining time need to have a reservation for entrance. As restrictions are removed, we hope to be able to adjust this policy. Masks will be required at all our locations, but can be removed once at your table as tables have been spread out with social distancing in mind.
How do you think the COVID-19 pandemic will affect your businesses long term?
It will be a while before we get back to normal or the “new normal,” but if everyone does their part to stay healthy, protect themselves and others, and continue to support each other, the restaurant and hospitality industry will make a comeback.
When not working at your restaurants, how did you pass your time during quarantine? How do you spend your free time now?
While lockdown might have slowed down everyone else, I was constantly busy, so there was not much free time, especially with renovations we were making to Union Burger Bar and for the opening of Union Sushi & Steak. Three months later, we are ready to go. But, when I do have a little time, I have now taken up tennis. I need to work on my back swing!
To date, what has been your best Hamptons moment?
There have been many unbelievable moments—things I never could have imagined. But they all came from one...I’d have to say the opening of Southampton Social Club. It was really the beginning of a whole new life for me. 95
the love files | love conquers all
Couples Beating COVID-19
Love conquers all, but can it help someone fight harder to live in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? Can the emotional connection to your loved one play a significant role in healing? These true love stories from couples caught in the trenches of this terrible virus and how it brought them closer together will inspire you.
By Ilsy J. Hoo
JESUS AND DIANA Clifton, NJ
Jesus, originally from Mexico, and Diana, from Peru, fell in love and were living the life they had always dreamed of—traveling, working out, and spending time with their daughter, Christine, and her girlfriend, Kirsti. It seemed that nothing could disrupt the life they’d built. Kirsti and Christine were just planning out their second world trip, until that is, the unexpected struck. Initially, the family was more concerned about Diana being susceptible to the virus given her high-risk status following a stroke, so they were blindsided when, the week of March 21st, Jesus started to feel ill with fevers, cough, and chills. After testing positive for COVID-19, his health rapidly declined and the doctor placed him in a medically induced coma and put him on a ventilator. This was extremely upsetting for Diana who hadn’t been apart from her “Cielo” (her heaven) in 28 years. She was also heartbroken by the death of her mother, Julia, who was also admitted to the hospital and later passed away from COVID-19. Even with so much sorrow, she was determined to stay connected to her love. Knowing that comatose patients can still hear others around them, Diana asked the nurses to Facetime her so she and her daughter could speak to Jesus. Although her heart ached for him, she knew she needed to stay strong and reassure him to keep fighting. Diana would tell him, “We love you and miss you. You’re going to get stronger and beat this, and there are people all over the world who are rooting for you.” After 21 days in the hospital, Jesus’ health started to improve, setting him on his journey to recovery. One of the first things the couple did when he was released from the hospital was cuddle for hours. They often took naps together. They also made time for date nights with and without the kids. It was a miracle of love that brought him home. Diana has her “Mi Cielo” back. Jesus is not quite fully recovered, but he’s getting better each day.
Love Is a Catalyst to Healing
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According to Suzanne Orlando, a licensed mental health professional in New Jersey, “it is absolutely possible that love can motivate someone to fight harder to live.” She points out studies of NICU babies, which show the more human touch they have and the more they are held, the higher the probability that they will thrive. “This goes for all humans.”
turn their focus on hope, love, and connection to help them heal. “When we are connected emotionally through love, human connection, and compassion, we are more likely to fight and to see the value in pushing past pain—be it physical or emotional—to continue on with those we love,” Suzanne says.
“We often hear about people with terminal illnesses or elderly loved ones who hang on long enough to say their last goodbyes to those rushing to see them,” she adds. Time after time, we learn the stories of individuals battling cancer who
Rarely do we get to see examples of physical healing that defies science, but these stories show us that love can heal anything. There are no limits, regardless of what doctors say. We like to believe that love conquers all.
ARTHUR AND TANIA Carteret, NJ
After 10 years of marriage, Arthur and Tania Campbell renewed their wedding vows in February of 2020 in Las Vegas. It was a special moment of their lives that they will remember forever. Although their work schedules could be hectic, they always made time for date nights, long walks, biking (3x a week during the summer), and sightseeing. They felt that spending time together was very important to a healthy relationship. Both Arthur and Tania have dedicated their lives to medicine, and when the pandemic hit, Arthur worked on the COVID floors of a busy New York City hospital. In the beginning of April, he suddenly started to feel ill with chills and flulike symptoms. He immediately slept in the second bedroom out of fear of exposing his love to what may be the virus that took so many lives. After he tested positive for the virus, both he and Tania agreed he would stay in the basement until he was cleared to return back to the main part of the house. Luckily, his symptoms weren’t as severe as those of others, but the couple took the necessary precautions anyway. During this time, they would have dinner “together” on separate floors of the house by videoconferencing. Arthur would even send texts to Tania while she was cooking saying, “Dinner smells so good!” Date nights consisted of texting each other to make each other smile and meeting up on Zoom. Those were the moments that kept their love growing through this terrible situation, says Arthur. “Being in the basement made me miss my wife. It’s one of those things I want to remind myself about so I know what’s important in our love,” he explains. “It was a scary and isolating feeling but what helped me fight to get better was the love of my wife and family.” Arthur is fully recovered and is enjoying his time with this love, Tania.
TRENT AND IRISH Tallahassee, FL
Trent and Irish Porter, owners and founders of the Florida-based Avail Health and Behavioral Solutions, have had their share of battles with health and other issues. When they first met, Trent was living in his car, and Irish had just finished college, but once they became a couple, their lives flourished. After years of battling heart disease and diabetes, Trent, an avid cook, finally had a lifesaving heart and kidney transplant. Weeks after returning home from the hospital, however, his wife and son, Caleb, started to feel ill. Trent was suffering from respiratory issues, lethargic, and was unable to walk. Irish then sprung into action and immediately had Trent admitted back into the hospital where he was put on a ventilator. She was heartbroken that after all he’d been through, this could be the thing that sent him to his death. She resolved to put it in God’s hands and focus on her faith and love for him to stay sane for the sake of the family. While in the hospital, the couple stayed connected by holding daily prayers led by their son via Facetime. They told each other they loved one another, and Trent would remind them that he was “doing this for them.” Despite the odds against him, Trent began to win the fight. Doctors may have called it a miracle, but Trent knew how badly he wanted to win the battle. The faith in his Lord and love for his family were the things that inspired him to fight harder. The love Irish and Trent shared helped them overcome obstacles in their past—he wasn’t going to let this illness stop them from loving and living triumphantly. Trent has recovered well and is enjoying his time home with his soul mate and son.
This article is dedicated to all those loved ones lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. You will never be forgotten.
the love files | love & laugter
AMAZING (& Clearly Insane)
LIFE HACKS FROM
T
Joe Exotic
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By Jarrod Thalheimer
iger King’s Joe Exotic has lots to teach about life and love…but only when you know how to look.
It was bound to happen. When hundreds of millions of people found themselves locked down with little to do other than eat and binge Netflix 24/7, the likelihood that some weird phenomena would take hold was pretty high. That the first, unofficial mascot of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown turned out to be a self-described “gay, guncarrying redneck with a mullet” simply speaks to the unbelievably bizarre circumstance we find ourselves in.
Shockingly, the man born Joseph Schreibvogel actually does have something worthwhile to share. No, it’s not about personal style (his hair!), fashion (those clothes!), relationships (seriously?), or even animal husbandry (good lord, no…). What Joe Exotic has shared about his life is exactly the sort of things the rest of us should never, ever do. Curious? You bet your Carole Baskin tiger-printed leggings you are. 98
ALWAYS SHARE PRIVATE MOMENTS IN ABSURDLY PUBLIC SETTINGS From the horrifically inappropriate memories he recounted during Travis Maldonado’s memorial to his routine offer of cash to almost anyone who would “dispose” of his main irritant Baskin, Joe Exotic proves once and for all that having a proper, balanced filter is the key to not having the kind of life he does. In the most direct way, knowing the difference between what you should say in public vs. what is totally off limits not only gives you a better shot at keeping your own relationships together, but it might just keep you out of jail too.
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HAVING MULTIPLE SPOUSES (AT THE SAME TIME!) IS THE SECRET TO OBSESSIONS + HAPPINESS REVENGE-SEEKING = It’s one thing to have been married more than SUCCESS once. It’s quite another to have multiple marriages happening at the same time. That all of them seem to depend on endless gifts (often firearms), off-the-hook partying, and copious amounts of chemical enhancement only drives the message home. While I would never question the initial sincerity of the parties involved, ignoring the daisychain dumpster fire that is Joe Exotic’s relationship track record is impossible. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that polyamorous relationship commitments made between (apparently) confused young guys and an image-obsessed publicity hound is doomed to undeniable–and totally spectacular—failure.
While the hatred between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin possesses an almost Bugs Bunny/Yosemite Sam comedy to it, Joe’s constantly-fanned, sick fantasy of shooting/killing/ blowing up Carole eventually becomes just plain disturbing. That he filmed so very many skits of him “acting out” such things is incredible. Did he really not think any of it would come back to haunt him? The saying is “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” That means take a long time and do it unexpectedly instead of yapping about it constantly. Joe can think long and hard on that one while behind bars.
4 5 6 WHEN THINGS LOOK THEIR WORST, START THE CAMERAS ROLLING
Like some twisted, redneck Kardashian, when Joe saw the bills piling up or his relationships crashing down, it only meant one thing: Turn on the cameras! Whether it was announcing that a tiger tore the arm off a staffer to crying over arson and BBQ’d crocodiles, Joe Exotic’s main focus was always getting good footage. He had two TV shows, music videos (which he Milli Vanilli-ed), interviews, film shorts, books, branded condoms, and more. While most folks look to put out the fires that burn in their lives, Joe Exotic hunts around for more wood (and even some gasoline) to make them bigger still. It’s a strategy for something. What that something actually is we may never know.
ALWAYS SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE MORE DESPERATE AND MESSED UP THAN YOU
Even as the Joe Exotic story plays out, comprehending the level of crazy represented by those around him is almost impossible. From the parade of dolts he chose to “marry” or the obvious predator he decided to partner with on the zoo, Joe consistently found people in worse states than he was. Even his competitors in the field of “tiger sales” model the sort of “messed-up moron” that seems too far-fetched to be real. Honestly, at times it seemed like a competition as to which “Tiger King” character is more intellectually dense, criminal, or simply headed for a medieval-like “reckoning” of some kind. The opposite of this is called “Choosing your friends wisely.”
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE
In what can only be truly poetic, Joe Exotic managed to confirm the darkest and saddest truth of all: When you have messed up absolutely everything in your own life, it’s time to convince even more people to let you mess up theirs. Joe Exotic ran campaigns for president and then governor (newsflash: he lost). While it’s extremely hard not to tar all politicians with the same brush (really hard!), the fact that Joe’s best solution to his mounting woes was running for office says more about those who often seek to lead us than anyone should want to acknowledge. That Joe was never elected to anything is an under-appreciated gift to us all.
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A NOVEL IDEA
Booksare a Balm When the headlines get too tense, we’re thankful to turn to books. Here are some recommendations that are sure to provide some necessary distraction this summer. By Barbara Bellesi Zito
ASK THE AUTHOR:
ALICE FEENEY
HIS AND HERS ALICE FEENEY Flatiron Books
British journalist Anna Andrews is assigned to report on a woman’s murder in her hometown of Blackdown. The victim turns out to be a childhood friend, and Anna soon has a bigger part in the case than just reporter. The detective on the case, Jack Harper, also knows the victim, but keeps that information to himself. Then he becomes a suspect in the very murder he is investigating. As it turns out, Anna and Jack both have stories, and both have secrets. But who has the truth?
THE VANISHING HALF BRIT BENNETT Riverhead Books
The Vignes sisters are identical twins. They grew up in the same Black community in the South, but they are living completely different lives as adults. One is still in her hometown, raising her daughter. The other moved across the country, married a white man, and is secretly passing for white. Her past hidden, now she has a daughter of her own. What will happen when the twins’ daughters meet? This is a powerful story about family, race, gender—and ultimately identity. This is the much-anticipated second novel of Bennett, whose debut novel, “The Mothers,” was a bestseller and won multiple awards.
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Before Alice Feeney wrote novels, she was a reporter for the BBC. We asked her how her journalistic background and instinct fuels her fiction…
“I think my background as a journalist helps with fast storytelling, editing, and sticking to deadlines. After years of interviewing people, I’m also pretty good at knowing when someone is fibbing. The reason a person lies is almost always more interesting than the lie itself, which might be why I enjoy writing unreliable narrators like Jack and Anna in ‘His & Hers’!”
ALL ADULTS HERE EMMA STRAUB Riverhead Books
In addition to being a bestselling author, Emma Straub is co-owner of the beloved bookstore, Books Are Magic, in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.
Astrid witnesses a school bus accident that recalls a blocked memory from decades ago when she was a young mother. With three adult children who are now grown, she begins to question how well she raised them. Is it too late to matter? What happens when adults still have growing up to do, and Astrid’s teen grandchild seems more mature than all of them combined? Straub’s much-anticipated new novel approaches life and family with wisdom and humor.
IT’S ABOUT DAMN TIME: HOW TO TURN BEING UNDERESTIMATED INTO YOUR GREATEST ADVANTAGE ARLAN HAMILTON (WITH RACHEL L. NELSON) Currency
It’s hard to get into the Silicon Valley “boys’ club” as a woman. For Arlan Hamilton, a gay black woman, it was practically impossible. But she did it. This frank memoir details how Hamilton went from food stamps to breaking through the glass ceiling in the world of venture capital—all without a college degree or an A-list professional network. Whether you need inspiration for your own career or just about anything else you’re aiming for in life, get ready to be inspired by Hamilton. Hamilton was the first noncelebrity Black woman to be seen on the cover of Fast Company.
UNTAMED GLENNON DOYLE The Dial Press
If you’ve heard about this memoir, then know this: It’s worth the hype. Activist and author Glennon Doyle is the epitome of what it means to be brave in the search for a happy life. On a book tour to promote her memoir of repairing her marriage after her husband’s Glennon Doyle is betrayal, Doyle met and also the founder fell instantly in love with of Together retired soccer star Abby Rising, an Wambach. To live the live all-female-led she wanted, Doyle turned philanthropy for people in crisis. her back on everything she felt she was expected to be and instead marched forward to be the mother, wife, and human she most wanted to be. This powerful memoir is a poignant yet funny, thought-provoking pageturner—a perfect summer read with substance.
d o o w y l l Ho
s r e n r u T Page-
INDIE AUTHOR
Spotlight
“It’s very real, and it exists whether we believe it or not,” says Mary Petto. She’s referring to the Law of Attraction, the power fueled by gratitude and positive thinking that allows us to achieve anything we set our minds to. “It’s like gravity,” she explains. “You can’t see it, but it’s real.” In her book, “The Family Guide to the Law of Attraction,” she provides a manual to get family (and friends) on literally the same page about achieving their wildest dreams and desires. Who better to support each other than the people you love? In light of all that has gone on this year, Petto’s book is a breath of fresh air. Read it and share it with your favorite people—and get ready for something truly incredible to happen in all of your lives.
Are You in a
Book Slump?
Having trouble getting into a book? You might be in a book slump. If you are, you have permission to move on to a new one. Whether you feel distracted by the news of the world or you simply aren’t into the plot or characters, put the book down. Then pick up another. Do it again if you must. Just. Keep. Reading. Life is too short to read books that don’t move us. You’ll find something that hooks you again soon—perhaps on these very pages!
The reboot of “Emma,” starring the glorious Anya Taylor-Joy, would have likely made a splash at the box office. But due to the pandemic, it went straight to streaming. If you love Jane Austen—or heck, if you loved “Clueless” and want to see this remake of the source material—be sure to watch. 101
beauty of giving back
P
PAJAMAS WITH LOVE: A Mother’s Love and Loss Are the Strongest Threads
ajamas bring to mind a sense Working through the pain and grief of of warmth and comfort. They her daughter’s illness and passing took are the security blanket we many years, but Leela never forgot the By Maureen Spataro wear as we settle in for the night before comfort and security Priyanka was drifting off to sleep. We feel safe and cozy, and you would be hard pressed to able to have simply by having her own pajamas. In the unknown and sterile find a child who doesn’t recall his or her favorite pair. But for Leela Rao, her environment of the hospital, her pajamas were her reminder of home. company Pajamas with Love was born from the heart of a mother who knew firsthand the impact a simple pair of pajamas could have on a child fighting a Pajamas with Love was launched 16 years after Priyanka’s death in April life-threatening illness. 2019. The logo—the letter P adorned with a crown—is found in each of their designs. And, to assist in providing the much-needed funds for pediatric cancer As Leela recalls, even as an infant, her daughter Priyanka had several health research, 50% of company profits are donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma issues. Then at the age of 4½ years old, Leela Society. In the near future, the company would like to received the heartbreaking news that her daughter host hospital pajama parties similar to the sleepovers had leukemia. Hospital stays became a frequent Leela’s son, Nihal, had hosted for his baby sister. necessity. Priyanka’s life—and death—had a lasting effect on the Although the hospital provided patients with family. “You never recover from the death of a child. pajamas, Priyanka disliked them and found them Many days are spent faking it until you make it,” says uncomfortable. “It was crucial during those Leela. difficult days that she had some sense of comfort and safety,” Leela recalls. “I made sure to bring her However, with a resilient mind and spirit, and driven pajamas and slippers with us for the days she had to by love, Leela continues to build a legacy of safety, be hospitalized.” comfort, and fond memories of her daughter by making a warm pair of pajamas available for other As the years passed, those visits became more children just like her. frequent and longer. Throughout her battle with leukemia, Nihal had been a remarkable big brother “Not only are our designs 100% chemical-free, stretchy to Priyanka. He had Friday night sleepovers with cotton, and have unique features that make changing her at the hospital, and did all he could to be a your baby hassle-free, our buyers become contributors cheerful and loving brother. that provide funding, comfort, care, and courage for an important children’s cause.” After a long and fierce fight, Priyanka passed away before her ninth birthday. PajamasWithLove.com 102
BELLA
ARTS & CULTURE PLACES WITHOUT FACES ∙ WHY TEACHING BLACK LIVES MATTER MATTERS ∙ VITAL AGIBALOW
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arts & culture | exhibits
PLACES WITHOUT FACES By Vanessa Coppes Photography by Andrew Werner
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hotography is the art of capturing light with a camera to create an image. It can vary depending on what the photographer is trying to achieve. For example, documentary and news photographers capture images for the purpose of providing detailed account of actual events, while hobbyist photographers aim to capture life moments with their families and friends. Andrew Werner is a New York-based photographer whose unique approach to style and innovative vision have afforded him a versatile career. With work spanning the fashion, event, and corporate spaces, his photographs have been featured in multiple national and international publications, including Harper’s Bazaar, The New York Times, Vogue, and Town & Country. But what happens when your world is tilted on its axis abruptly? Shelter-inplace orders and quarantine are the new normal. Events you were supposed to capture can be no more. You’re left with so many difference spaces, and there you are, just you and your art form. I took notice of Andrew’s work on social media. Our ever-buzzing city had come to a screeching halt, yet I was able to also see the beauty in the spaces he was capturing. As Andrew so eloquently expresses, his Places Without Faces series was inspired by people, humanity, and connection, and what it is to be in a moment without it. It’s so mind-blowing to see Manhattan’s biggest landmarks and iconic spaces devoid of human activity, conversations, glances, laughs, and engagement. It’s something Andrew said he felt compelled to document. This series invites the viewer to thoughtfully pause just as our great city had.
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How did you get your start in photography?
I’ve been behind the lens of my camera for as long as I can remember. My passion for photography stems from my love of people—being connected to their lives and their stories, even if for a brief moment. I initially entered the University at Buffalo with the intention to study musical theater but switched my focus to communications and photojournalism when I realized that this medium could allow my inner director, storyteller, and anthropologist to mesh together to capture the finite moments of the human experience. I remember shooting everything from theatre headshots, sports, and Greek life to student politics. After graduating, I began photographing New York City’s notorious nightlife— this was the start of my career. I stayed out at all hours working for club promoters, using my pointand-shoot to capture the lavish parties and the bold personalities. I expanded to Manhattan’s society events, red carpets, charity galas, and weddings. I’ve always loved the city’s contrast and spontaneity. Over the years, I’ve been able to refine the narratives that inspire me, and found my love for photographing fashion, beauty, interior design, jewelry, and architecture. While my subject matter has varied over the years, people have always provided the common thread— relationships, society, and the environments in which we experience key life moments.
What is your favorite part about photography? What is the best part your job?
My favorite part about photography is the moment when my finger clicks the shutter—a single still frame, that brief moment that can bring you out of your own reality, allowing you to reach out and connect to another time, another place, another person’s experience. I love that I get to interact with such a diverse set of people, and it allows me to catch a glimpse of their experience.
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arts & culture | exhibits What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I can give anyone is to follow your own dreams…chase after them with unrelenting passion and discipline. Put honest action behind your goals. There inevitably will be moments where you will doubt yourself or feel that the path you’ve chosen is too hard, but that is exactly when you need to persevere to turn your dream into a reality.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about what you do?
The biggest misconception about what I do is that it’s just a matter of clicking a shutter, and boom—a great image is created. It doesn’t happen like that. You have to spend years training your eye to recognize the serendipity in a normal moment. You have to align your sight to capture the essence of the characters or environment in your story and then wait for that perfect pause—that in-between where it all comes together. That congruence of events could take a few seconds, or it can take a few hours or a few days. The ability to notice and capture is everything. That’s where the beauty is.
What do you hope your scope of work accomplishes throughout your lifetime?
I hope my work inspires people to be more present in their everyday life and to see beauty everywhere, even in the mundane. There is so much beauty in the world that passes us by when we are hampered by time, anxiety, or the laundry list of things that cause us to zone out and disengage. If my images are able to help you shake off the stress and reconnect even for a moment, that may inspire you to engage in the rest of your day— and what a positive impact that can make on your life and for others! Photography has the power to wake up your emotions, memories, and senses, and can bring you back to an exact moment in time—your first concert at an iconic venue, the feeling of walking through the cobblestone streets in the Meatpacking District, window shopping down 5th Avenue, your first Broadway show—these moments are made immortal with an image. My hope is that my work reminds the viewer that humanity is beautiful—that life is beautiful.
How do you define beauty?
I am optimistic but also keenly aware that moments are fleeting, and that is why I try to find the beauty in every environment or circumstance. I look for the beauty in moments overlooked— there is power in that; beauty is that which is finite. The process of capturing Places Without Faces presented an opportunity for me to show the world what I found beautiful during a time when the absence of New York's heartbeat— its people—was hidden from view. AndrewWernerPhotography.com PlacesWithoutFacesSeries + AndrewWerner
THE LATIN@ VERSION OF
IS COMING
TO MIAMI
IN 2020!
BELLALATINAMAG.CO @BELLALATINAMAG 111
arts & culture | tolerance
WHY TEACHING
MATTERS BY VANESSA COPPES
Some content is adapted from Why Teaching Black Lives Matter Matters | Part I, by Jamilah Pitts, with permission of Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/summer-2017/why-teaching-black-lives-matter-matters-part-i
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n September of 2019, after a full day of shows during New York Fashion Week, BELLA team members Jessica G. Cirz + Cheryl Dantoni Devine and I saved ourselves from the rain—and hunger—by spilling into a Chinese restaurant in NYC.
At the table next to us, I overheard two young photographers talking about the Fashion Week hustle, going from show to show. I smiled to myself because I know it all too well. When my food came, one of them looked over and said how good my plate looked. I took the opportunity to share my food with both of them and talk. We ended up chatting up a storm about fashion, BELLA, and life in the city. We exchanged information. I kept in touch with one of them— Brandon Parker, a media student. Scrolling through Instagram, his photography brought me to tears. Given everything going on in our city, I was reminded me of the beautiful moment we shared over something we both love: eggplants + fashion. His work has evolved tremendously since then. Understandably so—he’s a Black man. I reached out to him to share his work in this issue. More importantly, I wanted to delve into why as content creators, we have the civic responsibility to learn and teach the basic history and tenets of this movement for racial justice. Brandon’s work matters. His life matters. We have all had either direct or mediated exposure to Black Lives Matter (BLM). We should know the basic facts about the movement’s central beliefs and practices. As a communicator and truth-seeker, I can acknowledge how the threat of justice in one community is, to borrow from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a threat to justice in every community. We have a civic responsibility to be educated about Black Lives Matter and, as we learn, we must inform. THE BEGINNING AND THE HASHTAG
The Black Lives Matter movement began with a commitment to end police brutality and state-sanctioned violence and injustice against Black people. It is also dedicated to affirming Black people’s “contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression,” according to its founders. The movement was started by three Black women—Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi—following the 2013 acquittal of George Zimmerman, a Florida man who had shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Black teenager, the preceding year. Garza took to social media the night of that acquittal, stating in part, “Black people, I love you. I love us. Our lives matter.” A year later, Michael Brown, another unarmed Black teenager, was shot and killed by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri; the officer was not indicted.
Shortly thereafter, the internet was filled with messages of outcry and support that included #BlackLivesMatter. Since the Ferguson action in 2014, BLM has taken shape as a multi-chapter national organization; 37 chapters currently operate in the United States, and one in Canada. Many BLM chapters and other organizations that embrace the movement mobilize people to demonstrate in communities where police shootings have occurred and to convene at large gatherings—such as political rallies—to bring awareness to police brutality. The website of the original group, BlackLivesMatter. com, also lists other types of local and national events, such as teach-ins, panels, and Twitter chats, and encourages organizers to submit their own events. In an October 2016 interview with TEDWomen, Cullors explained what the movement means to her: “Black Lives Matter is our call to action. It is a tool to a reimagined world where Black people are free to exist, free to live. It is a tool for our allies to show up differently for us,” she said. “I grew up in a neighborhood that was heavily policed. I witnessed my brothers and my siblings continuously stopped and frisked by law enforcement. I remember my home being raided. And one of the questions, as a child, I had was why? Why us? Black Lives Matter offers answers to the why.” MYTHS AND CRITICISMS
People who don’t follow Black Lives Matter usually become aware of the movement when news sites report on BLM actions or protests. What many people don’t realize is that the leadership also embraces policy change and legislation as necessary elements to end oppression of Black people, and that the work and the leadership are not limited to the Black Lives Matter network. One common misconception about the BLM movement is that it is leaderless. But there isn’t one leader; there are many. “BLM is composed of many local leaders and many local organizations including Black Youth Project 100, the Dream Defenders, the Organization for Black Struggle, Hands Up United, Millennial Activists United, and the Black Lives Matter national network,” organizers explain on the website. “We demonstrate through this model that the movement is bigger than any one person.” Another misconception is that the movement is solely a mechanism for protest. In fact, the many people and organizations with agendas and goals that overlap and align with BLM have produced detailed policy demands and proposals for institutional reforms. Campaign Zero, for example, outlines a list of policy proposals largely focused on ending police brutality. It is a strategy for addressing one of the most visible, damaging, and deadly symptoms of systemic racism. The Movement for Black Lives, a collective of more than 50 organizations, advances a platform
covering six areas of domestic-policy reform, including economic justice, investment in equitable education, and health care instead of criminalization and incarceration. Many people, however, view the BLM movement as violent, seeking to “sow a racial divide” and intent on interrupting the work of police officers commissioned to protect and serve the public. Another common criticism of the movement is that it should be more like the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, which is praised today as a seemingly perfect, orchestrated and acceptable movement. Some critics who prefer the style and tactics of that movement find it difficult to imagine that the BLM movement might actually be an extension of the work that was done in the 1950s and ’60s. Perhaps the gravest criticism and misunderstanding of the BLM movement stems from a failure to acknowledge the conditions that created the resistance. Without an understanding of the everpresent effects of slavery and the systems that have been built to protect and preserve the devaluing and oppression of Black bodies, BLM—and any other movement for rights concerning people of color in this country—will never be understood. The strategies and tactics of social movements are rooted in their times, so it is no coincidence that the leadership of this generation looks different and is carried out differently from the civil rights era. BLM activism boasts a great range of diversity that includes Christians, Muslims, atheists, and people of all religious and nonreligious beliefs. There are no rules that will indirectly or directly keep certain groups from participating in this movement. Additionally, the use of technology, particularly social media, has equipped the BLM movement with capabilities that allow “regular” people to be “citizen journalists.” #BlackLivesMatter has become a tool used for mobilization. This movement for rights and humanity is growing by the day and is bolstered by the very technology young people are using. Our children need to know the facts about BLM’s role in this historical moment and how it connects with a history of social change. BUT DON’T “ALL LIVES MATTER”?
Perhaps the most common criticism leveled against the Black Lives Matter movement is that the movement is racist because it focuses on Black people. One way to counter this notion is to point out that all lives cannot matter if Black lives do not, and to educate critics about the conditions that ignited the resistance. All lives are connected. All oppression—including that of LGBT individuals, refugees, immigrants, Muslims, women, people living in poverty and people with disabilities—negatively affects all lives. And although the BLM movement focuses on the oppression of Black people, its mission is intersectional and invested in liberation for all. 113
arts & culture | artist spotlight
VITAL
AGIBALOW
PHOTOGRAPHER By Katya Bychkova
F
lipping through the pages of BELLA, you have definitely seen some of Vital Agibalow’s stunning work. A world-renowned fashion, beauty, and celebrity photographer, Agibalow has worked with many frontrunners of the industry, including the late Karl Lagerfeld, Stuart Weitzman, Diane von Fürstenberg, and Priyanka Chopra, among others. I have been following Vital’s career since 2008, when he had just signed a contract with HENSEL, a world leader in studio lighting equipment. Since then, his work has been featured in countless publications and his artistry has reached hundreds of thousands of eyeballs around the world. Despite his success, Vital is extremely down to earth. Whether he is shooting backstage at New York Fashion Week among the industry's finest or helping out an up-and-coming blogger with his wisdom and experience, the photographer’s charming smile exudes the confidence and joy of a man who genuinely enjoys what he’s doing.
In return, Vital’s jubilant and calm attitude makes his photo shoots one of a kind. He is famous for his therapeutically relaxed approach when it comes to working on set with huge names. “The main point is to make everyone feel at home," he explains. Even supermodels like Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio seem to look more beautiful and unguarded in Agibalow’s portraits. “What I really enjoy in life is capturing the beauty of the subject in front of me,” Vital says. It is the enthusiastic yet composed perspective he embodies on his sets that differentiates the purity of his work from others. Vital likes to keep busy, but he makes sure to invest some of his time in a vast array of charitable causes. His latest project, an art exhibit designed to educate Hamptonites about sustainability, brought him an enormous amount of satisfaction, he explains, that can only compare to his previous exhibit dedicated to New York Fashion Week. With his unmatched work ethic and emotional support, Vital deserves the recognition he receives from his peers and partners in the industry. When you see his name printed in your favorite magazine from here on out, you will be familiar with the face behind the lens. VITALphoto
VitalPhotoNYC
BELLA
CHOW BELLA
INSPIRING WAYS RESTAURANTS PIVOTED THROUGH THE PANDEMIC ∙ COOKING WITH SASS GRILLED PEACHES WITH HONEY & ICE CREAM ∙ PROSECCO ROSÉ IS ON ITS WAY
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chow BELLA | innovation
Inspiring
Ways Restaurants
Pivoted During The Pandemic By Amanda Mactas
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We’ve found ourselves living in a “new normal” these past few months, and everyone has had to shift their focus, priorities, and businesses to weather the storm. The restaurant industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with many businesses shuttering, employees laid off, and the culture of dining out brought to a screeching halt. No one can escape the impact. Mr. Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” Indeed, during times of change and struggle, you will always find innovative individuals who are inspiring others through their creativity. The restaurant industry is no exception.
FEEDING THOSE IN NEED Take New York City’s Eleven Madison Park, for example. The elite restaurant, which held the title as the number one restaurant in the world in 2017 by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, was forced to let go of most of its employees and go back to the drawing board. Chef and owner Daniel Humm transformed the once prestigious and swanky restaurant into a commissary kitchen with the help of Rethink Food, a nonprofit that uses excess food from restaurants, grocery stores, and corporate kitchens to create nutritious meals for those in need, and now produces close to 3,000 meals a day to feed NYC’s hungry. Photography courtesy of Instagram.com/DanielHumm
Similarly, Michael Lennox, CEO of Electric Hospitality, which houses Atlanta’s Golden Eagle, Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall, and Muchacho restaurants, founded the nonprofit ATLFAMILYMEAL, which helps to feed, nourish, and support hospitality workers during and immediately after the pandemic. Since its inception a couple months ago, other local restaurants and chefs have also gotten involved, and together they have successfully delivered more than 41,500 meals to hospitality workers in need.
Photography by Patrick Kolts
Nearby, Biltong Bar at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta is now utilizing its kitchen to prepare meals for frontline workers at three Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta campuses. As a part of Frontline Dine, a new initiative from True Story Brands and Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation, the restaurant group supplies hearty and nutritious meals to healthcare workers and has delivered over 10,000 family-style meals. Photography by True Story Brands 117
chow BELLA | innovation
SWITCHING GEARS Popular restaurant Avocaderia, which has three New York City locations, has done a complete 180; instead of attempting to maintain their presence as a restaurant, they have opened Friendly Bodega. Bodegas are a staple in New York City and this new iteration leverages the restaurant’s past relationships with suppliers to provide the community with quality food essentials, such as produce, proteins, flour, bread and local cheeses, as well as essential items like face masks and gloves. The new bodega keeps Avocaderia employees employed, and 100% of the profits will be donated to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Orders can be placed each week by Friday at 8pm to ensure Sunday delivery to many of New York’s boroughs.
In a similar vein, Atlanta’s Hampton + Hudson has transformed from a restaurant and bar into the Hampton + Hudson General Store. While their elevated pub food is still available for pick-up and delivery, the community can shop online for items like the much-coveted toilet paper, face masks, paper towels, eggs, milk, and even local farmer boxes with fresh produce and recipes. The store is open daily from 12-8pm, and customers in the community can pick up their items curbside or get them delivered. Photography by Hampton & Hudson
Greenville, South Carolina’s Methodical Coffee is assisting customers with more than just curbside pick-up. Not only can local caffeine addicts get items like cold brew coffee, apple pie, farm fresh eggs, and more delivered to their home, but those who are forced to take matters into their own hands (i.e. make their own coffee) can benefit from the company’s new virtual home barista classes. The affordable $10 classes, which have received rave reviews, share lessons on how to brew using a variety of machines, from the French press to Chemex to the aeropress, as well as how to make shaken cold coffee, cold brew, and even Japanese iced coffee.
Manhattan’s Ruffian Wine Bar, which has been deemed one of the best bars in America by Esquire Magazine, has developed multiple ways for foodies to entertain themselves at home, from their Ruff Nite Cooking Classes to their weekly online wine classes. Their downloadable sessions, available at RuffianNYC.com, are both playful and informative. For example, Secondhand Sourdough instructs home bakers what to do with their leftover bread dough, teaching ‘students’ how to make okonomiyaki, roti, and malfatti, while Go Shuck Yourself gives a lesson on shucking oysters, along with a fabulous mignonette recipe. Also, Ruffian’s online wine classes run the gamut, with topics ranging from Oak Chardonnay: The Wine Style We Love to Hate to Love to Austrian Wine & The Rebirth of Cool to Blind Tasting: Not As Douchey As It Sounds. Locals can shop Ruffian’s best wines for delivery, whether they’re looking to score just one bottle, or discover an array of Fancy A** Orange Wine in a four pack. 118
BRINGING FUN TO YOUR HOME Instilling playfulness and happiness into our lives right now is something many of us have struggled with. Fortunately, many hospitality workers are aiming to brighten up your day with inspiring and innovative ways to serve you while maintaining social distance. Bigsby’s Folly, located in Denver’s RiNo Art District, has always been about connecting and experiences, so they knew they wanted to do more than just take-out and delivery. Even though they were forced to make the difficult decision to lay off the majority of their staff, the team behind Bigsby’s Folly wanted to keep the joy of serving others alive. The owners now dress up in a different costume every day (thanks to neighborhood costume donations), bringing smiles to their customers’ faces and keeping their spirits high. (They’ve even inspired some of their customers to come pick up their food in costume, too!) They’re also giving away free pints of wine to all healthcare heroes who stop by. (Follow along in their journey by tracking #WhatsChadWearing on social media.)
New York City’s ARDYN has also made splashy headlines with its extravagant Doomsday Dinner Party. With a fun sprinkling of dark humor comes a seven-course chef ’s tasting menu that comes ready to assemble, heat, and plate, along with detailed instructions, YouTube videos, and even a music playlist to add to the dinner party ambiance. For an additional fee, you can add cocktail and wine pairings to your feast. And since it wouldn’t be a spectacle without a little something extra, the meals are delivered by two tuxedo-clad people wearing bunny masks. Kitschy, certainly. Entertaining? Definitely. “We did not offer delivery and rarely sent food to go. We knew we would need to pivot or fall into a flat spin,” explains Chef Adam Bordonaro, who also serves as co-owner. “The guests who have experienced this have been surprised at how easy it is to prepare and plate, as well as the high quality they were able to achieve in their homes. The ARDYN at Home concept is not a stop gap solution getting us through the pandemic, but a unique and well thought out brand of our business,” he continues. They are currently delivering to New York City, New Jersey, Westchester, the Hamptons, Long Island, and Greenwich, with plans to grow into other markets.
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chow BELLA | cooking with sass
HOT DAMN SRIRACHA BLOODY MARY ACCORDING TO JOEY, THE BLOODY MARY IS “ARGUABLY THE BEST HAIR-OF-THE-DOG DRINK YOU CAN SIP AT BRUNCH.” AND, OF COURSE, HE SUGGESTS SPICING IT UP WITH SOME SRIRACHA. FIND THE RECIPE IN “BASIC BITCHEN” AND PAIR WITH YOUR PANCAKES!
Basic Bitchen THE COOKBOOK YOU NEVER KNEW YOU ALWAYS NEEDED By Jennifer DeCillis
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oey Skladany is not only CBS Interactive’s Chowhound editor-at-large; he is a TV and radio personality with endless pizzazz and—most importantly—THAT basic bitch. Clever content creator and lover of bottomless mimosas (same, girl!), Joey has turned his passion for cuisine and editorial gold into his debut cookbook, “Basic Bitchen: 100+ Everyday Recipes.” Curating instant favorites like the Instagram-Friendly Aperol Spritz and Nothing But Truffle Macaroni and Cheese, Basic Bitchen serves up recipes for any time of day and any occasion—even some brunch classics (don’t miss his Gossip-Worthy Sunday Pancakes.)
Using some signature “Joey-isms,” let everyone know why the need a copy of “Basic Bitchen” in their kitchen.
Made for the Basic Bitch in your life, this cookbook is anything but. Chockfull of devilishly delectable dishes and witticisms, “Basic Bitchen” recipes also include sidebars on the nutritional benefits of ingredients (turmeric = antioxidants = J.Lo glow!). Joey also serves up tips and tricks, like how to stock the basic pantry with staples and those “extra” extras that make a basic bitch’s life easier. This hilarious compilation of basic bitch soul food is set to release August 4, 2020, and it’s safe to say I have never been more excited to buy a cookbook!
Brunch is my favorite meal of the day—a staple summer tradition of dressing up in your Sunday best, gabbing with girlfriends, and sipping on mimosas. So, I obviously love that you included an entire brunch section in “Basic Bitchen.” What are a couple of your go-to brunch recipes?
So, pour that glass of rosé, or kombucha— “kombitcha, if ya nasty”—embrace your inner basic bitch, and read what Joey had to share with BELLA… First and foremost, what came first... the comedic genius or the master chef ?
The comedic genius, for sure. Extra emphasis on “genius.” I actually grew up an extremely picky eater, but have always been a selfdeprecating, outspoken, and sarcastic guy, so it was my goal to merge the humor of my everyday life with my eventual love for food. A lot of people in the cookbook industry take themselves very seriously...and that’s fine! I truly think there is a place and audience for everyone when it comes to cooking and baking and varying degrees of skill levels. But I wanted to go into this project with a lighthearted, fun, and simple approach that really plays into basic bitch culture—something we can all relate to no matter how sophisticated or highbrow we are or pretend to be.
I can’t wait for “Basic Bitchen” to be released, so I can start whipping up these fabulous recipes and laugh my butt off while I do it! What was your inspiration to create such a unique style of cookbook?
When I got into food editorial, I was initially disappointed with the number of cookbooks that were aspirational over inspirational. The kitchen is an amazing place to challenge yourself and learn new techniques, but many chefs present these in ways that are entirely too unrealistic and unattainable for the everyday person. “Basic Bitchen” really caters to the amateur cook or baker with basic (duh!) and easy recipes that are supported by helpful tips, tricks, hacks, substitutions, and nutritional facts to guide you along the way. I love, love, love a complex, creative, and fancy dinner, and I love, love, love traveling across the world to experience new cultures and cuisine. But I also love chicken nuggets with french fries just as much, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. This book celebrates these go-to comfort foods that have become mealtime staples, except now you get to build up the confidence to make them yourself.
If you chop garlic like you’re wearing Sally Press-On Nails or have no idea what a fine-mesh sieve is, this is the book for you. It’s OK to not have the cooking skills of an Iron Chef. It’s OK to crave something as simple as a Nutella mug cake. It’s okay to be fearful of appliances and ingredients with exotic names. Ultimately, this book’s goal is to teach you the basics of cooking and baking techniques while making you laugh along the way. And if you mess up anything in the process, you get to at least laugh at how hilariously tragic my life is through a series of vignettes that introduce each recipe. You’re welcome.
Of course! We basics love to brunch. It was a must-have section. Since I have a ginormous sweet tooth, my Gossip-Worthy Sunday Pancakes really hit the spot. I’m also a huge fan of the Cinnamon Rolls with Stupid Amounts of Cream Cheese Frosting. You could put cream cheese frosting on a dead rodent and I’d probably eat it. Kidding (maybe!). Wash these down with a mimosa—or seven—and you have yourself a successful Sunday to fight those pesky Sunday scaries.
I’m excited to share the Gossip-Worthy Sunday Pancakes recipe with our readers, because they look to die for! How would you describe this drool-worthy dish?
Well, please don’t die for a pancake because that would mean your priorities are all kinds of messed up, but they’re absolutely the reason why I’m willing to get out of bed and cook with a hangover. That blueberry syrup is tangy and sweet and everything you want on a stack of delicious carbs. Serve these with my Healthy Herbed Omelet to get your protein, and you’ve got yourself a well-balanced meal that I can only hope Ina Garten would approve of.
This cookbook is bold, witty, and unapologetically authentic; how does it feel seeing it all come to life? What is some of the feedback you’ve gotten so far?
It’s so surreal to see an idea like this come to fruition. I have been writing “books” since I was a kid, so this absolutely checks off an item from my bucket list. The feedback, thus far, has been great. It really resonates with people who don’t take life too seriously, but also with those who do and need an escape (me!). I am so happy to see people celebrate the type of cuisine that is universally beloved and connects us all: simple, comfortable, and easy. Think of me as your culinary cheerleader. You’ve got this! And if you don’t, then take a moment to laugh it off. Chia pudding should not cause anxiety.
Well, I know my kitchen will never be without this instant staple, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for you! Let everyone know where they can purchase the book, read more of your work, and follow you along on your journey!
You’re the best, Jennifer. Thank you. I still can’t decide if I want to be you or marry you, by the way. At the very least, you’re exactly who my drag persona (who is in the book!) aspires to be. You can pre-order “Basic Bitchen “at all major book retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It will be in stores on Aug. 4. Please feel free to follow me @JoeySkladany for rants, raves, recipes, and the occasional thirst trap. Until I find a husband, I have to keep the gays interested and wanting more. 121
chow BELLA | cooking with sass
GossipWorthy
Sunday Pancakes From Basic Bitchen
If Sunday is God’s day, then God clearly wants us to partake in boozy brunch activities and gossip about everyone we know. He also clearly wants us to nosh on pancakes that soak up all the rosé and liquor so that we don’t waste a sick day on Monday. Every breakfast table demands a pancake, and while they come in all shapes, sizes, and preparations, these are the ones that will have you bidding adieu to Jenny Craig and saying hello to layering season. I also can’t believe I’m saying this, but maple syrup is completely optional, much like my dignity after a latenight rager at a local dive bar (which we’ll surely be discussing at any brunch with pancakes).
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YIELD: 10 PANCAKES PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES COOK TIME: 30 MINUTES INGREDIENTS:
For the Blueberry Syrup
• 2 cups frozen wild blueberries (8 ounces) • 1/3 cup honey • 1 cup water • 1 tablespoon tapioca starch • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 medium lemon)
For the Pancakes
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 2 tablespoons sugar • 2 eggs • 1-3/4 cups buttermilk • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter for cooking the pancakes DIRECTIONS: 1. In a medium saucepan, combine the blueberries, honey, and water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the tapioca starch and lemon juice to combine. Remove the blueberries from the heat and add the tapioca starch mixture. Stir to combine until the sauce thickens. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and sugar. 4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted butter to combine. 5. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing to combine. The batter should be a little lumpy. 6. On a griddle or in a large nonstick skillet over mediumlow heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. 7. Using a 1⁄3-cup measure, ladle the batter into the pan to form 5 pancakes (or as many as will fit in the pan). Cook until the edges set and air bubbles begin to rise to the surface, flip, and cook for 2 more minutes, until cooked through and golden brown. 8. Transfer the pancake to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter, using the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to grease the pan between batches. 9. Serve warm, with the blueberry syrup.
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chow BELLA | yum
Grilled
Peaches with
Honey &Ice Cream By Kimberlee Ho of kickassbaker.com
Ever thought about grilling your dessert? The height of summer calls for all parts of the meal to be thrown on the grill and spent outdoors. Slice up some juicy, ripe peaches, pair them with a high-quality, fruity olive oil, get them smoky from a few minutes on the grill, and you’ve got yourself one fine summer dessert! Go the extra mile by topping the peaches with a scoop of ice cream and drizzle of honey and we’re in summertime heaven! 124
SERVES: 8 PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES COOK TIME: 5 MINUTES INGREDIENTS: • 4 ripe peaches • 1-2 tablespoons fruity olive oil • 1-2 tablespoons honey • One pint vanilla ice cream DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat for at least 15 minutes. 2. Slice each peach in half. Remove and discard pits. 3. Lightly brush each peach half with olive oil. 4. Place peaches on the grill, flesh side down for 4-5 minutes. 5. Remove from grill and serve immediately with a drizzle of honey and a scoop of ice cream.
For more recipes, visit kickassbaker.com or @kickassbaker on Instagram and Pinterest.
You can also skip the ice cream for a non-dairy alternative!
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chow BELLA | cheers
Hooray,
Prosecco
Rosé
Is on Its
Way
By Jennifer DeCillis If you’re a prosecco lover (aren’t we all?) and a selfproclaimed rose connoisseur (who isn’t?), BELLA has the most exciting news! Our favorite brand of bubbly, Prosecco DOC, has announced that the production of Prosecco DOC Rosé has been approved. But wait, haven’t we all sipped on some pretty-in-pink prosecco before? Well, actually, no…this is the first time in history that the Prosecco DOC Consortium has approved the production of Rosé. And for the knowledge-hungry sommelier inside all of you, here’s the criteria and rules producers must follow in order to label Prosecco DOC as Rosé: GRAPE VARIETIES: Glera and 10%-15% Pinot Nero YIELDS 18 tons/hectare for Glera and 13.5 tons/hectare for Pinot Nero SECOND FERMENTATION – MARTINOTTI/ CHARMAT METHOD minimum of 60 days SALES allowed from the 1st of January after the harvest COLOR pink—more or less intense, shining, and with a persistent foam RESIDUAL SUGAR from Brut Nature to Extra Dry LABEL REQUIREMENTS must include the word “Millesimato” and the vintage (minimum of 85% of the grapes from that year)
Even better news—According to the Consortium’s estimates, the total production of Rosé could reach 30 million bottles per year (thank you, wine gods!). So, cheers to more popped bottles, excuses to toast at brunch, blush-toned everything, and the birth of Prosecco DOC Rosé—due out this fall! 126
ABOUT THE PROSECCO DOC CONSORTIUM The organization unites the different groups of manufacturers—wineries, individual, and associated vine-growers, along with still wine and sparkling wine producers—to ensure the designation continues to grow and that production regulations are complied with.
ABOUT PROSECCO DOC
Prosecco DOC wines come in Spumante (sparkling), Frizzante (semi-sparkling), and Tranquillo (still) varieties. The wines are made from mainly Glera grapes, native to Northeast Italy, and can be combined with a maximum of 15% of the following grapes: Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera, Glera Lunga, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Nero. The end result is a brilliant yellow wine with fine perlage (bubbles) and aromas of white flowers, apple, and pear.
ProseccoDOC_USA ProseccoDOCUSA CasaProsecco.com
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To our biggest supporters— we’re here to support you with safe, reliable care. At Northwell, we’re making sure you can get the care you need, when you need it—with smart precautions in place to keep you and your family safe. It’s more important than ever to stay healthy because there’s so much ahead to cheer for, together. Northwell.edu/SafeCare
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BELLA
MIND & BODY
THE ULTIMATE HEALTHY HOME ∙ THE HEALING POWER OF COLLECTIVE HOPE HARMONIZING HOME RITUALS ∙ RISE OF GREEN THUMBS ∙ DR. B. AVIVA PREMINGER
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mind & body | home sanctuary
The Ultimate
Healthy Home By Jennifer Walsh
Over the past few months, we have each experienced life in our home in a completely new way. Our safe spot has become not only a place to reside, it’s also become our office, school, gym, and restaurant. Simple additions to a home, specifically incorporating natural elements into our living spaces, can make a positive impact on the entire family. More and more indoor spaces are utilizing this approach— referred to as biophilic design. We can all breathe a little deeper knowing it’s possible to infuse health and wellness throughout our homes. These products can help…
Bearaby is a naturally cool, biodegradable weighted blanket made of plant-based ingredients, and is ideal for
hot sleepers. When an evenly dispersed weight is placed on the body, natural hormones are released that calm you down, help you feel relaxed, and let you drift into dreamland more easily. They come in different weights beginning at 15 lbs. Prices start at $249, Bearaby.com
The scent of candles has the ability to transport you to another place, and the soft flickering of candlelight creates a relaxing atmosphere that can add a sense of warmth to your home. Lighting a few well-placed candles can add effect and create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. DEHV candles are rooted in sustainability, hand-poured in concrete vessels, with showcase thoughtful touches like 100% non-GMO soy wax and lead-free cotton wicks that keep your home free of chemicals. The packaging is plastic-free and biodegradable, so it’s good for the environment, too. Prices start at $34, DEHVCandleCo.com There is one thing we often take for granted—the quality of the air within our homes. What we have come to find out over the past few years is that our indoor air is often worse for us than the air outside. Thankfully, Intellipure, an air purification system, can help keep our indoor air as clean as possible while removing bacteria and pollution particles that can cause us to get sick. We can now literally take a deep breath of fresh, clean air the minute we walk in the door. Prices start at $500, Intellipure.com
Over the past few years, and even more so the past few months, we have heard experts extolling the praises of plants. They don’t need to overtake a space or be in every room; even just one or two plants in a home can help boost morale, supercharge the immune system, and even clean the air. The team behind Plantogram wanted to make sure they gave people options for adorning their homes with beautiful, unique plants— over 200 different types—no matter what size space their space. Prices start at $40, Plantogram.com
Did you know that even the carpet in your home can add warmth and dimension to a space, as well as boost its comfort level? The simple addition of a great carpet can warm a room instantly no matter the size of the space. Even better are ones that utilize eco-friendly fabrics, and feature colors found in nature, such as West Elm’s Flame Rug. Prices start at $600, WestElm.com
Saatva creates the ultimate in coziness and comfort for your
bedroom by offering organic 300-count Fair Trade sheets and bedding. Long organic cotton fibers are woven to create soft, sumptuous, durable sheets that are free of toxic chemicals or irritating dyes. You’ll love sleeping soundly knowing these are soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic, with a 300-thread count that is optimal for cool sleep. Twin sheet set: $125, Saatva.com 131
mind & body | hope & healing
THE HEALING POWER OF COLLECTIVE HOPE DIFFUSING COLLECTIVE TRAUMA THROUGH HOPE AND UNITY By Geraldine “Gerry” Viggiani, LCSW, LCADC, PMH-C 132
T
he coronavirus pandemic and now the massive civil rights protests spurned by the unjust death of George Floyd, have left most of us feeling off-kilter, angry and frightened.
We are living in what feels like the “The Twilight Zone,” a horror movie that is constantly running in the background of our minds. Humankind is not a stranger to traumatic events like natural disasters, but traumas that are systemic and pervasive have the potential to cause a deeper level of hopelessness and alienation both individually and as a collective whole. Many studies have shown that resilience in the face of adversity has aided survivors of traumatic events to grow and heal. Resilience is understood as the innate human capacity to rebound from traumatic experiences. Dispersing the experience of the tragedy as a collective experience adds an extra layer of healing. “We’re all in this together” allows us to feel supported, connected, and diffuses the intensity. Patrisse Cullors, one of the founders of Black Lives Matter (BLM), highlights this concept when she collaboratively wrote the mission statement of BLM: “[To] provide hope and inspiration for collective action to build collective power to achieve collective transformation.” This essay is not meant to ignore the strife we are enduring but to shine a light on lessons that can be learned and the power to collectively drive change. Hope is defined as the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. Valarie Braithwaite, a theorist on collective hope, contends that collective hope is a “shared desire for a better society articulated through a broad set of agreed-upon goals and principles and elaborated throughs social inclusive dialogue.” Seeing hope as a collective and boundless well can increase our courage to act and create social change despite the darkness and uncertainty. It can lift us up instead of dragging us down.
Unfortunately, some are taking this opportunity to instead divide, focusing on the powerful above the weak, on who has a right to survive and who does not. Paradoxically, we have also seen the beauty of displays of love, epic acts of citizenship, and heroism. There is abundance of gratitude for “essential” and health care workers. Charity, donations, and volunteerism are at all-time highs. We have seen positive changes in our environment through a reduction of harmful emissions, and our wildlife have seen renewal. We now have time to learn something new, connect with friends, enhance family time, remove clutter, and more importantly, stand up for change—all signs of our resilience individually and as a collective group. Michelle Obama said, “You may not always have a comfortable life. And you will not always be able to solve all the world’s problems all at once. But don’t ever underestimate the impact you can have, because history has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.” Disaster preparation, sweeping changes in our food supply, healthcare, and power differentials have all been lacking. It has become apparent that we need to recognize our role in this troubling environment and work together through advocacy and change. What can you do to contribute and tap into this collective hope? Get on social media and start a conversation, advocate, learn and grow. Meditate and pray within a community. Join groups that share like-minded ideas that help you feel connected. Rest and take care of yourself and also others. Make eye contact despite your mask. Volunteer and donate within your means. Contact your government to advocate for change. Sign petitions. Protest, and vote! Spend quality time with your family, friends within the confines of what feels safe and is permitted. Ultimately it’s important to reflect on the things that bind us together instead of focusing on what drives us apart. We are all grieving a world that we once knew, and/or praying for a new peaceful and just world. We can choose to tap into collective hope and participate in the profound opportunity to unite for a better world through agency and service and work toward healing the trauma. 133
mind & body | growing gardens
The Rise of
S
GREEN
THUMBS
pring and summer have always been “We decided to give the garden a nautical synonymous with gardening, but theme given our coordinates,” Leslie explains. something very different happened this While the family’s stay in suburbia was year. When the lockdown began to take temporary, it was also inspiring. “We may By Jennifer Walsh hold across the country in mid-March, many put together a window herb garden when we people were a bit fearful about how they were return to the city. Fresh basil and rosemary are going to get their food, and concerns around a food shortage began to grow. perfect garnishes for a delicious Italian meal!” Thankfully, the food shortage never took place, but some people dove right into No matter the size or location of your space, it may be time to get your hands their indoor and outdoor gardens to see what they could grow for themselves. dirty—and make new memories along the way. Consider some of our favorite tools and then see how your own garden grows… Sales at W. Atlee Burpee & Co, a Pennsylvania-based seed company blossomed. According to reports, they sold more seed in March of 2020 than any other time For those who have some space outdoors or a good size sill to grow your own, Garrett Wade offers the ultimate Grab and during their 144-year history. Go Set. It houses all of the key gardening tools one will need Indeed, people from all over the country began sharing their brand new sprouts in an easy-to-store tote that is super durable. and newfound love for gardening across social media. This wave of planting $85.95, GarrettWade.com was reminiscent of what were once called Victory Gardens planted across the CrateJoy’s My Garden Box is an inspiring subscription box country after WWII. for family-friendly planting projects. Each month they create a unique plant-themed box that contains everything you need Gardening is a great way to reconnect to where your food truly comes from and to build relaxing, rewarding, and enriching garden projects, how long it takes for a vegetable or food item to grow. Leslie Woodruff, an events including a variety of live indoor and outdoor plants. With and media executive from New York City, truly transformed the visually illustrated instructions, simple garden care tips, and experience into a lesson. properly portioned ingredients, assembly is fun and easy! Prices begin at $35.50/month, CrateJoy.com “Our daughter, Ruby, was studying plants in school, and the teacher mailed the entire class seeds for the For those who have limited space indoors but still want to try to kids to a start a garden,” Leslie explains. When the grow their own, vertical gardens have become a very popular family received an offer to quarantine at a friend’s alternative. The self-watering, self-fertilizing hydroponic home in Southampton, Leslie says it felt like they had Farmstand from Lettuce Grow makes it possible to grow won the lottery! “After looking around the property 200+ varieties of veggies, fruits, and herbs. on arrival, we found a stack of plastic pots in the shed Prices begin at $42/month for 24+ plants, LettuceGrow.com and got to work creating a container garden.” Microgreens and micro herbs are the seedling versions of leafy greens, vegetables, and herbs that are a few days older than The ability for a child or teen to watch seedlings grow day to sprouts. Hamama offers nine different types of microgreens, day or week to week—even from a small windowsill or backyard such as broccoli microgreens and energizing kale that you area—is a gift they will always cherish. It’s also an opportunity for memories to can grow yourself. Opt for the Starter Kit, which includes a bloom. Leslie says she and Ruby went shell-hunting at a nearby pond preserve reusable grow tray, easy growing instructions, and 3 Seed Quilts. and spent a fun afternoon decorating and decoupaging the potted containers. $49, Hamama.com
mind & body | living well
The Crystal Cove Square Meditation Pillow from Brentwood Home
I
t has been a stressful time in our country, so it’s no wonder many of us are eager to create calming rituals for ourselves at home. But with all that we’ve been juggling in our daily lives, and the landscape of how we are moving forward continuing to change week to week, it can get a bit hectic.
HARMONIZING
HOME
RITUALS
collection of scrubs that will engage your senses and make you feel a million miles away from your very own bathroom. $4.95 - $25, LushUSA.com
There’s something very special about putting on a comfy, cozy robe that eases you right into a heavenly headspace of relaxation. Wrap yourself up in goodness with Farm to Home’s Organic By Jennifer Walsh While the world seems to be a bit uncertain, Terry Cloth Robe. Take comfort knowing you it’s nice to carve out simple things to do for yourself to lift your spirits and can look good, feel good, and do good in the world as these are certified to bring a sense of calm. Having a daily ritual that makes you feel good or brings the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the highestyou joy or peace—even if for a few simple moments—can bring you much level environmental criteria along the organic textiles supply “ahhhhhhhhhh.” chain (it requires compliance with social criteria as well). $42, PackageFreeShop.com Here are some of our favorite tools to help you create a peaceful, healing ritual of relaxation from home. Setting up a little spot in your house to meditate, pray, or do yoga is a nice way to bring Zen to any space. The Crystal Beauty Everywhere has a beautiful box called I Am Cove Square Meditation Pillow (pictured above) Love Kit, which includes a gorgeous 30-day journal for from Brentwood Home is not only beautiful, comfortable, sharing your morning musings and evening reflections. It’s and a good size, but it’s good for you too. It’s made with nona great way to take a few minutes every day to sit and just toxic, sustainable materials like a liner crafted from organic cotton and a write freely. The box also includes essential oil, a bracelet, buckwheat hull fill. And, with reinforced handles, its durability is unmatched. and small cards to share with loved ones. The kit is all about $99, BrentwoodHome.com manifesting love, whether you are looking to call in your soul mate, bring more love in your existing relationship, or build up your It’s very easy for us to just fall into bed after a long day of holding your confidence. household together, working, and keeping the kids occupied. $49.95, BeautyEverywhere.com But when we get set to do our evening routine to brush our teeth and prep our skin for the night, don’t forget your body. LUSH has long been a go-to beauty brand for creating the Treat yourself well by spritzing on the beautiful Rahua ultimate bath experience. Their beautiful Bath Bombs are Body Oil. This delicate mist is powerful, fast-absorbing, often multi-colored and offer a multisensory experience. lightweight, and deeply hydrating. Its restorative formula The sound of the fizzing and effervescente scents quickly boasts Omega-3 and Omega-9 fatty acids, antioxidants, flow throughout the bathroom, and watching the bombs carotenoids, and vitamins C and E, which work to repair, heal, explode in a symphony of color is the ultimate satisfaction. and moisturize dry skin. No bathtub? No problem! Lush also features a beautiful $57, Rahua.com
JUSTINE
SANTANIELLO
ERALDO MAGLARA
A fast-paced, interactive, and upbeat lifestyle program designed to inform educate and engage audiences. Through extensive Smart TV syndication, Lifestyle Today with Justine and Eraldo will be viewable on all of the top networks around the world!
Saturdays at 3:30pm
WLNY is a part of the CBS Television Family
lifestyletodayshow.com
BREASTS
ENHANCE, LIFT AND SHAPE RESTORE FULLNESS
AFTER
AFTER
BEFORE
BEFORE
INCREASE YOUR SIZE
BREAST AUGMENTATION By Dr. Aviva Preminger
BREAST REDUCTION & LIFT By Dr. Aviva Preminger
“Enhancing your breasts can provide balance to your figure and greatly boost your self-confidence.” - Dr. Preminger Do you think your breasts are…Too small? Too large? Asymmetric? Do your breasts droop? Have you lost fullness? Some women have never been happy with the appearance of their breasts, while others have experienced significant changes over time. Whatever your concern, there is a solution. If you want to increase breast size and fullness, a breast augmentation may be the procedure for you. Three dimensional imaging can even help you visualize your result and find the breast size you desire. Some women have enough volume, but it’s all sitting in the lower part of the breasts causing sagging and drooping. This is particularly common after pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight loss. A breast lift may be the key to restoring fullness in all the right places. Breasts that are too large, however, can cause back and shoulder pain and interfere with exercise and weight loss. If that’s your issue, a breast reduction may be the solution. At your consultation, we will discover what you like and dislike about your breasts and create a customized surgical plan that will address all of your breast concerns, leaving you looking and feeling your best - a more confident, beautiful you!
FIND YOUR IDEAL SHAPE
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212.706.1900
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
B. Aviva Preminger, M.D., F.A.C.S. 969 Park Avenue, #1E New York, New York 10028
ELIMINATE SAGGING
mind & body | medical advisory board
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s a result of the pandemic, many businesses were either put on pause or had to find alternative ways to operate during what were—and still are—very trying times.
We’re also spreading out appointments so there are fewer people in the office, and we no longer keep people in the waiting room. Previously, I would sit down with patients in my consultation room but now they go straight to an exam room.
Almost immediately, elective surgeries came to a halt, and doctors were tasked with finding alternative ways to communicate with patients. Fortunately, through the use of telemedicine, doctors were able to stay in touch via virtual visits and still serve patients to the best of their abilities.
I used to be all nicely dressed up in the office, but I don’t do that anymore. Everyone is in scrubs, I wear a disposable jacket, and my staff and patients must all wear masks.
For Dr. B. Aviva Preminger, one of Manhattan’s top plastic surgeons, consults, post-op, and follow-up visits were all conducted virtually, unless a patient needed to be seen in person. And while elective surgeries were put on hold, Dr. Preminger was still available for those patients who needed a plastic surgeon. “We never fully shut down,” says Dr. Preminger. “I was still available for emergency care. People were home, cooking things they hadn’t been cooking, fixing things around their home, kids were cooped up, running around, and falling, and I went in for a lot of those cases.” As a doctor, it was very important to Dr. Preminger to be available for her patients because not only did they need her, it kept them out of the hospital where they could have potentially been exposed to the virus.
For some doctors, seeing patients virtually was a new way of working, but you have experience with this type of communication. Do you think this method will be around to stay?
I have used telemedicine when seeing patients who are from out of state, or with international patients who are planning to fly in and see me, so I have experience using telemedicine.
Back to Business AFTER COVID-19
Being able to connect with patients in this way definitely makes you realize you can do it, but my personal preference is still an in-person consultation. Particularly with what I do, there is something to be said for being able to perform a physical exam in a follow-up to make sure everything feels OK.
Which procedures would you say have been most requested since returning to the office? I would say there has been a tremendous rush on injectables. Patients usually come in every three to six months, and no one was able to come in for a while. People were looking at themselves on Zoom screens and weren’t happy with the way they looked post-COVID-19.
When doctors like Dr. Preminger were cleared to resume working By Alexandra Anastasio at full capacity, they were faced Now that elective surgeries have with embracing a “new normal.” resumed and many people haven’t Dramatic changes have been put into place. For patients anxious to get fully gone back to work and are still working remotely, it’s a good time to their beauty regimen back on track, there are going to be significant have something done without having to take a lot of time off. And with changes. injectables, if a person bruises, they can just shut their screen off on Zoom.
Photography by VITAL AGIBALOW for HENSEL
BELLA sat down with Dr. Preminger to talk about how she and her staff are moving forward post-pandemic.
What are some of the new rules and precautions patients must be aware of when it comes to treatments post-COVID-19?
We are pre-screening all patients with a list of questions on the phone first, and then when they come in, we screen everyone with a temperature check at the door. Also, before we go ahead with surgery, we do our own coronavirus testing, and the patient must quarantine from then until the time of surgery. I used to be fine if patients brought a friend with them to a consultation, but now, unless it’s a child or a post-op patient that needs assistance, we really discourage anyone else coming in.
PremingerMD
You truly love what you do; how was that first “official” day back?
I was so happy the first day back. My whole staff was applauding after the first case I did; everyone was thrilled. I missed it so much, although you sort of get used to not going to work, and at one point thought to myself, maybe I won’t miss it, but as soon as I was back in the OR, I was like, this is awesome!
One of the nice things about your office is that you have an operating room on site. Can you share your thoughts on that benefit?
While I think hospitals are very safe, there are some patients who are still afraid, so having an OR in my office is nice for those who are nervous being in a hospital right now. The office is a bit more of a controlled environment, and it gives patients a sense of calm that, for many, is still not easy to find. Along with the practical precautions we’re taking, it's also important to make patients comfortable and safe to relieve any anxiety they may feel!
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NYC Through the Lens of Photographer
BRANDON
PARKER
Brandon Parker, a senior media studies student at The New School, shared his heartfelt sentiments—and equally heartwarming images—about the Black Lives Matter movement in NYC… “I moved to New York two years ago to pursue a career in fashion photography. After the murder of George Floyd, I felt a calling to be present. I remember sitting in class during Black History Month, thinking to myself, ‘If I was alive during the civil rights movement, I would have done something.’ I quickly realized that this, too, was a movement, and it wasn't going away. In the beginning, I was angry; I felt the rage and desire to destroy like many people. Upon going to my first protest, I looked into the eyes of the police officers there and realized that they are people too. It would be wrong to be mean to someone who has done nothing to me, the same way I don't want to be blamed for the crimes of Black people. It is my hope that these images show the reality of our movement and the humanity in us all. We are one people, and it's free to be nice.”
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BELLA's fab 5
Lockdowns End, Summer Fun Begins By Norah Lawlor The summer season is almost in full swing after months of being cooped up during the COVID-19 quarantine. While it might be a while before things are back to “normal,” you can pass the time reading a good book, indulge in luxury caviar, or maybe learn to give yourself a stylish haircut.
THE ARTIST: JACQUES LIEBERMAN Artist Jacques Lieberman is the first artist to create works of art in Adobe Photoshop, ushering in the digital age of art. A World War II Jewish refugee from Antwerp, Belgium, Jacques came to Brooklyn in 1959, where he went to school for and began working as an architectural designer. He later moved to SoHo and painted and sold his own art, making enough to quit his job to become a full-time artist and gallery manager. In 1988, Adobe Photoshop was introduced, and Jacques realized he could use the same color palettes and geometric design capabilities to create colorful pieces of art in a fraction of the time it took him to create a painting. His prints caught the attention of renowned art critics such as Holland Cotter, currently an art critic of the New York Times and maintained his own gallery space on Broome Street selling his art. Jacques is married to chocolatier Maribel Lieberman of MarieBelle New York. JLEditions.com
THE VIRTUAL: XAVIER CRUZ OF BARBA MGB In desperate need of a haircut after quarantine? Xavier Cruz, master stylist and founder of Barba MGB, has you covered. A veteran of the beauty industry for over 30 years, Xavier has launched Quarancuts Virtual Hair School, a complimentary one-on-one video session with Xavier himself. Xavier will be your step-by-step guide through whatever trim, cut, or buzz. Gather your friends or family, grab your scissors, and learn to cut like an expert. Just not too much off the top! BarbaMGB.com
THE GIFT: IKRAA CAVIAR For the ultimate in self indulgence, luxury service Ikraa Caviar will deliver anywhere in the Hamptons or Long Island within four hours of ordering one of their VIP packages. Try IKRAA Caviar on an included mother of pearl spoon that will make you feel like a million bucks. Combined with either the best Brut Champagne or your favorite vodka, it is the ultimate treat. Naturally, goodies such as truffle butter, creme fraiche, and blinis come with your order. IkraaCaviar.com 152
THE LAWYER: RANDY ZELIN Randy Zelin, a highly sought-after legal commentator for the media, is regularly on Fox News, Fox Business Channel, CNN, CBSN, CNN Headline News, Bloomberg, and Law and Crime. He has been named a New York Super Lawyer from 2011 through 2020, and boasts more than 30 years of experience defending individual and corporate clients in both state and federal courts across the United States. WilkAuslander.com
THE BOOK: “GATECRASHER, HOW I HELPED THE RICH BECOME FAMOUS AND RUIN THE WORLD” Ben Widdicombe of AVENUE Magazine has appeared at nearly every gossipworthy venue—from the Oscars and the Hamptons, to the Met Gala and Mara-Lago—and has rubbed elbows with a dizzying array of celebrities (and wannabes). He whisks us past the clipboard and velvet rope to teach us the golden rules of gatecrashing, dishing on dozens of boldface names along the way. The former TMZ, Page 6, and The New York Times writer spills the sensational stories that never made it to print. SimonAndSchuster.com
SHENNA VAUGHN "FAITH"
