B Woman Magazine November 2013

magazine

November 2013

Get a Healthier complexion from the inside out

Interview with K&B Bridals’ Bridget Moore Get Organized for the Holidays

Prepare your Immune System for Winter

Jo Ellen Soesbee

ToolBox TomGirl

Baltimore’s Premier DIY-Her

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On the Cover

CONTENTS 05

Letter from the Editor Thinking Ahead

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10 Meet Jo Ellen Soesbee CEO/Founder of ToolBox TomGirl

12 How to hire a contractor Not a Fake

14 Interview with Bridget Moore Founder of K&B Bridals

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Getting to the Core of the “Core” Advice from a Fitness Pro

18 How to Get Organized for the Holidays

20 Bra Fitting Tips from Baltimore’s Premier Fit Specialist

Jo Ellen Soesbee of ToolBox TomGirl, was styled by Makeup Artist Kim Sampson, and photographed by Titorian Richardson, IZIS www.izis-online.com

21 Transform Your Health, Transform Yourself!

Series III of VIII

22 BUILDING A STRONG DEFENSE

AND IMMUNE System for a Healthy Winter

24 Grow a Better Complexion

from the Inside Out The REAL Way to a Younger Looking Face

Photo by Mia Clapp

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26 The 21st Century Woman Over-Achievers & Conquers

28 The Women’s Growth Center Growth and Self-Care for Women

Get a Natural Complexion

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B Woman Magazine / November 2013

32 laura and james Tied the Knot

34 Featured Volunteer from Baltimore CASH Campaign

IN THIS ISSUE

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Hire the Right Contractor

18

Planning for the Holidays

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16 Strengthen Your Immune System for Winter

In Next Month’s Issue Legendary Love for Life’s Dave Elliot will Share Relationship Tips Prepare for Tax Season with Liberty Tax Experts Learn How to Plan the Ultimate New Year’s Party!

Get to the CORE

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Inspiring you to live your life with your eyes and heart wide open – a true authentic life.

Career, Transition & Life Coach

Offering Individual and Group Coaching and workshops on The Federal Hiring Process, Interviews, Stress Management, Work Life Balance, Energy Leadership and more....

All workshops have a limited class size allowing for more individualized instruction. Leave each workshop with new skills and increased confidence. Call or email to find out more about the workshops or to schedule a complimentary coaching session.

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PO Box 1774, Baltimore, MD 21203 Phone: (443) 278-3823 info@BWomanMagazine.com

Publisher & Editor in Chief BETH KURTZ

Creative Team

TITORIAN RICHARDSON, IZIS KIM SAMPSON, IZIS

Contributing Writers

Jo Ellen Soesbee, Bridget Moore, Lisa Martin, Jacquie Ross, Heather P. Shreve, Linda Penkala, Carol Stover, and K. Lee Rice.

Contributing Photographers: Local Artists: Titorian Richardson of IZIS Inc (Cover, 2, 3, 6-9, 16-17), Mia Clapp (2, 20), Unveiled Faces by Jennilyn (10), Nicholas Griner Photographer (10-11), Kenny Clapp (21), Rochelle Mirabito of Rochelle Photography & Design (26), Legacy Photography by Beverlee Barthel (27), and Artful Weddings by Sachs Photography (28-29).

Advertising Inquiries

Contact Beth: info@BWomanMagazine.com

• Certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

• Federal Job Search Trainer (CFJST)

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• Federal Career Coach (CFCC)

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B Woman Magazine / November 2013

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Letter from the

E ditor

B

Thinking Ahead

elieve it or not, November is here! And that means the Holidays are upon us. If you haven’t begun to think about the Holiday season, it’s time to get started. With it already being November – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s will come and go before we know it. Whether or not you are spiritual, the Holidays are the perfect time to take a minute and reflect. Think about who you are, what you are thankful for, how you want to give back during this joyful season, and how you want to better yourself.

As you begin to make your shopping list for the ones you love, consider getting an extra gift for those that may be less fortunate than you. If you have children, now is a great time to show them that there is more to the Holidays than presents and toys. It is a time to share with your loved ones, family and friends. It is time to give thanks and show how much you appreciate one another. Lastly, it is a time to give back. This time of the year offers so many opportunities to support the local communities and volunteer. Check out our events calendar to get the latest events to that you can participate in and help support great organizations!

Each month, you’ll get to meet new and inspiring women that are right here in our communities, and this month is no different. In this issue, we’ve featured Jo Ellen Soesbee, the Founder and CEO of ToolBox TomGirl. Jo Ellen is our cover girl and she’ll share her story on becoming Baltimore’s Top DIY-Her. She’ll also tell you how to hire not just any, but the right Contractor for your home improvement needs. In our interview with Bridget Moore, the Founder of K&B Bridals, she’ll tell us what inspired her to go into a business where she gets to create custom wedding experiences that allow brides to have the perfect wedding day. We’ll also get to the core with fitness, get organized for the holidays, learn how to build a strong immune system and get your complexion flawless from the inside-out.

As always, I encourage everyone to keep track of us and stay abreast of what’s happening by “liking” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BWomanMagazine and following us on Twitter, @BWomanMagazine. We’ll give you the inside scoop on what’s next for the Baltimore’s 1st women’s monthly magazine and how you can be a part of a powerful women’s community.

We also have tons of great new things planned for the months ahead - Monthly Spa Launch Parties, New Year’s Fitness Contest, Weekly Facebook Giveaways, Local Discounts, and much more. Don’t miss out on all the fun!

@BWomanMagazine

Luxuriously styled Meticulously planned.

Melissa Easterling, Owner • Brooklandville, MD • 443-927-7143 • easterlingevents.com

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B Woman Magazine / November 2013

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B Woman Magazine / November 2013

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Jo Ellen Soesbee,

Meet

CEO/Founder of

ToolBox TomGirl Written By: Jo Ellen Soesbee, tOOLBOX tOMGIRL Photographer: Titorian Richardson, izis Makeup Artist/Stylist: Kim Sampson, izis

Why are most little girls attracted to dolls rather than drills?

According to Jo Ellen Soesbee, CEO/Founder of ToolBox TomGirl, the answer is simple: Lack of exposure to drills.

Jo Ellen believes that no matter what our preferences were growing up, women can benefit greatly from learning how to use tools properly and how to make basic to complicated repairs around the house.

In fact, that was the brainstorm behind ToolBox TomGirl – to provide women with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to become more independent, confident and self reliant through the simple act of, oh say, installing recessed lighting and ceiling fans to support task and ambient lighting.

Jo Ellen, a master repair expert herself, became even more interested in empowerment through home repairs when she applied for Minority Owned Business status for her residential and commercial repair company, ToolBox TomGirl.

Because some companies attempt to attain MBE status without truly being minority (woman)-owned, the panel’s job is to grill hard to make sure a woman is really at the helm.

Jo Ellen knew the tough questioning was very necessary, but she also knew that even if the MBE panel was only feigning disbelief to make sure she was for real, plenty of other people would have biased perceptions about women and repair 10

B Woman Magazine / November 2013

work. People might believe that women and tools just don’t go together; that women are not good at repairs; that women usually need someone else to fix it for them.

From that moment forward, Jo Ellen vowed to turn around the assumptions that women “can’t.” And it’s not men’s minds she’s interested in changing. It’s women’s minds.

Jo Ellen believes that when women think they lack the capability to do their own home repairs, it’s not just a confidence issue. It’s a financial one. The “I can’t” costs women a fortune in professional services every year. Jobs that would require only 30 minutes for a woman to both learn and perform can take $350 out of her wallet if she believes she can’t. Jo Ellen, for one, thinks that’s insane.

So began ToolBox TomGirl.

Today, Jo Ellen teaches women how to make their own home repairs via speaking engagements, a monthly eNewsletter, Webcasts and more. She knows that when she is showing a woman how to repair her own toilet, she’s giving her more than just a working toilet.

Beyond women’s DIY, ToolBox TomGirl is also a woman-run, woman-operated residential repair service in Maryland which means your home repairs have a woman’s touch, so you can count on efficiency, friendliness, openness and collaboration.

Jo Ellen is a wife and mother to grown twins (a girl

B SPOTLIGHT

and a boy). She holds a B.S. in Business Management with an emphasis in Leadership from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and is a 2009 recipient of the Top 100 Minority Business Owner Awards. She also is a member of the National Association of Women in Construction, Sisters in the Building Trades, Pasadena Business Association, and a past Board member of the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Needless to say, her favorite TV show is anything where women are wearing safety goggles.

When Jo Ellen is not immersed in running her residential and commercial repair business or creating more ToolBox TomGirls like herself, she stays as far away from drills as she can get. Sometimes that means heading out in her kayak, or diving into a book – or anything else that’s pretty certain not to break. ■

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How to Hire a

Contractor not a Fake

BE BOLD.....I’m not shy. I have no problem drilling the people I’m thinking of hiring to do work for me. I have a list of questions for everyone from the plumber to the boy who rakes my leaves. No one escapes me from the long list of questions I require to be answered.

The point is, I’m not concerned about sounding like a nagging woman, aka, a Vixen. Why? Because the truth is that drilling down to ensure you are making the right hire is not going to get over on you. Men do it all the time. It’s business. The people you are screening are going to be doing work for you, not a favor. You are paying them to do a job. And if they don’t welcome the third degree, chances are, something is off.

I know that many of you “Vixen’s” are right there with me. But I also know that sometimes we women 12

B Woman Magazine / November 2013

Written By: Jo Ellen Soesbee, tOOLBOX tOMGIRL Photographer: Titorian Richardson, izis Makeup Artist/Stylist: Kim Sampson, izis

tend to sacrifice our wants and needs because we’re being nice (a.k.a. being a pushover). We don’t want to rock the boat.

So when it comes to pre-screening our contractors – or overseeing them on the job – we tend to say things like, “Would you like something to drink?” rather than, “Would you like to get your muddy shoes off my carpeting?”

You are the general contractor of your life. You are the boss. You can be a nice boss, but you have to be smart boss, too.

So, if you are you thinking about hiring a contractor to do a project you can’t DIY (or don’t want to), take my advice and get the quality of work you want instead of, well, a nice big mess.

B HANDY

Honey-Do list 1. Just because the contractor is listed in the Yellow

Pages does not mean they are licensed and insured.

Check for their license number online at: http://www. dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic/ (or your state home improvement licensing board address) and ask for proof of insurance. It is VERY important and it is your responsibility to check credentials – buyer beware.

2.

In Maryland a contractor must have a Maryland Home Improvement Contractor License in order to work inside your home. All MHIC license numbers should be carried in a wallet, displayed on a business card or otherwise available in some way at all times. It is a requirement in Maryland that it is provided to the customer.

3. The best way to hire a contractor is through word

of mouth. But whether you have a referral or not, ask for references. CALL! Do not be afraid to ask lots of questions: • Were you happy with the end result?

• Were you happy with the process?

• Was the project completed on time and within budget? (If not, ask for specifics – it might not have been the contractor’s fault).

• Were the contractor and actual work team polite?

• Did they listen?

• What was the experience of having the contractor and his/her team in your home like?

4.

Ask for pictures of finished projects like yours. For small jobs, pictures may not be available. In that case, you can review pictures of unrelated projects. You just want to get a sense of the contractor’s work.

5.

Ask how many other projects the contractor will be working on in addition to yours. Be sure they are not spread too thin.

6. Check to see if com-

plaints have been filed against the contractor.

Check the Consumer Pro-

tection Agency or the Better Business Bureau. You can also Google the contractor’s name and business name.

7. Always, and I can’t stress this enough, ALWAYS

get a written estimate and CONTRACT (not necessarily for a toilet flapper and such, but you get my drift).

Make sure that the paperwork spells out what will happen if there is a problem or the cost exceeds the quote.

Look for a start and end date. Ask the contractor to break out labor and materials separately. A good rule of thumb: Labor should be about twice the cost of materials. Do not give more than 1/3 of the money at the start, 1/3 in the middle and the final payment at the end of the project (once you are satisfied). If there is a change order you can give additional money but only within the 1/3 parameters.

8.

If something makes you unhappy during the course of the project, stop the work until the problem is straightened out. Do not continue with a contractor you are not happy with. No matter how uncomfortable it makes you feel, it’s better to end the relationship than to continue when you are less than pleased.

9.

If you are not going to be there while the work is being performed, have someone else stop by, or come home early/leave late on certain days. Always be aware of what is happening. You do NOT want any surprises! ■

ToolBox TomGirl LLC is a woman-owned, woman-operated (MBE/DBE) business performing facility maintenance, as well as residential/commercial repair services in Maryland. Along with my passion for my company I teach women how to be self-reliant and empowered. I teach women how to perform their own home repairs via speaking engagements, an eNewsletter, articles, blog posts, and teaching at the local community college and senior centers.

Web: www.toolboxtomgirl.com Facebook: ToolBox TomGirl Office: 443-286-6923 Email: joellen@toolboxtomgirl.com Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/toolboxtomgirl

Interview with

Bridget Moore K&B Bridals of

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Written by Bridget Moore Photography by Nicholas Griner Photographer

ridget is the founder and owner of both Moore & Co. Event Stylists and K&B Bridals. After years of helping family and friends plan their weddings and events, she knew this was her passion. After completing her degree in Business Management and Marketing, she continued on to get her Wedding Planning Certification to help further her background in wedding planning and design. Her love and compassion for people, as well as her driven, hard working personality shine through to all of her clients.

When did you realized you wanted to be a business owner?

My first job was working at a party store. We got to go set up balloons displays and drops at large events. I got to learn how to run the store as it was small and family owned so they needed me to be able to know the processes from open to

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B Woman Magazine / November 2013

close. I loved it so much that I knew I wanted to own my own business and at the time thought it would be in something related to event planning.

Tell us about K&B Bridals

K&B Bridals and Event planning was established in 2009. We wanted to create a one of a kind concept where brides & grooms could come to one location and take care of their wedding needs without the worry or stress of running from place to place. We wanted to create an experience where they could enjoy the process of planning their wedding, create a one of a kind event with them and provide all of their fashion items for their entire wedding party all under one roof.

Our bridal boutique concept is to offer them designer wedding gowns at affordable prices. Our Moore & Company team works with the brides to bring their wedding day vision to life.

What struggles have you faced?

Starting a business is very challenging! There was a lot of pressure from family and friends that I wasn’t making the right decision to leave a steady job and risk starting a business in a bad economy. I started with a business partner who had to leave the partnership as her family was relocating for her husband’s job.

I brought in a new business partner who was very familiar with running a business but was new to the world of weddings.

Working in a very emotionally driven business, there are times that you see people at their best and worst moments. All are struggles, but in the end I LOVE what I do and it makes it all worth it.

Who is your inspiration?

My two current mentors have been a huge inspiration to me.

Glenn Gustafsson (also my business partner) has had several successful businesses. His hard work and dedication has shown me what it takes to be successful and that it isn’t always easy. My new mentor for marketing, Mara Glazer, just started her business in the last two years and is already making six figures. She has shown me to work smarter not harder and to make the best out of all situations.

B INSPIRATIONAL

Tell us about the path you took to get where you are today.

While in college, I wrote a business plan for wedding planning and actually talked myself out of the business, as I was very young and scared I could ruin someone’s big day.

Knowing I still had a passion for starting my own businesses, I landed a job out of college in the financial world, where I made

Tips for Brides

business partner and has helped me through the good and the bad over the years.

Besides your daily work, what are you passionate about?

I love spending time with my husband, taking walks with our dog, spending time with our friends, a glass of wine with the girls, Ravens Football and traveling.

When things get tough, how do you keep yourself going?

A phone call to my mentor and a few minutes of peace and quiet to myself to clear my head and come up with a solution. Always moving in a positive direction to find solutions to problems instead of dwelling on the issue.

48% of couples go over budget when planning their wedding.

Hiring a wedding planner can help stay in budget and save money.

Make a list of everything you want for your wedding in order of importance. This helps to allocate budget.

Don’t be afraid to tell vendors what you are looking for. It helps vendors to better prepare a package just for you.

Take your planning process one step at a time. You can break down tasks into monthly to-do lists to make the process much less stressful.

Hire professionals and have contracts with your vendors to make sure your event runs smoothly.

several connections with business owners in the area and always built relationships with them. In the process I met my now business partner who owned several successful companies.

I also partnered with an acquaintance at the time who was experienced in the bridal industry.

She became the lead in the bridal boutique and taught me all about bridal fashion, designers and the industry.

What advice would you give to other women who want to do what you do?

The one piece of advice I give a lot of women business owners is to have a mentor. This has been the best thing I could have done. My mentor became my

How do you find balance in your life?

My husband and I lead a small group at our church with a group of other couples our age.

We get together every other week and do a study as well as enjoy time together. Having people you can turn to in times of joy and in tough times is a blessing.

What “rules” do you live by?

You never know what baggage someone is carrying around each day, treat them with love and grace that you would want to be treated with.

Want More on K&B Bridals?

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Getting to the Core of the “Core” Written by Lisa Martin

W

e hear the term core training so often now in the fitness world yet few people actually understand what this means. Sometimes people say it in reference to wanting to reduce their waist size, other times it is used in conjunction with a sport. Most people equate the word “core” with the abdominals yet the core is more than creating a six pack and doing crunches. Let’s look at things in more detail.

Recall that familiar song “the thigh bone’s connected to the hip bone, the hip bone connected to the back bone, etc.” from childhood? Little did you know you were getting a simple anatomy lesson at such a young age. All these bones connect and they impact each other. The upper and lower bodies work in conjunction throughout all movement. Pay attention to how you walk. As your right leg comes forward, your left arm swings forward and vice versa. The hips, lower back and abdominal area connect the two together.

The core muscles of the trunk work to help us maintain posture, relieve some chronic pain, minimize risk of injury and control movements. Core exercises generally work the muscles that stabilize the spine, pelvic area and shoulders. In order to move efficiently, the muscles in these areas need to be able to work by themselves in isolation but also learn to work together to transfer movement to the legs and arms. Think of these muscles running from the shoul16 B Woman Magazine / November 2013

der through the hip and into the legs as a chain where each link connects the other. If one link is missing or “not working”, it impacts how the rest of the chain moves. The arms and legs really don’t want to lift heavy things and move by themselves! They need the trunk muscles to help.

Most core exercises can be done with little to no equipment. To design your program, take injuries or accidents into consideration. Create a program that provides exercises specific to your activity, whether it is for sport or everyday life. To list all the exercises to train these muscles would make for a small novel. These two exercises tend to fit many peoples’ needs and help to reconnect the body.

To train the abdominal muscles more effectively, begin to work on a basic plank. The most basic form of the plank starts lying on the stomach then propping your body up on your elbows and toes or knees. The body should form a straight line from the head down to the feet or knees. Hold this position for a certain amount of time; start with 20 – 30 seconds.

To get the feeling for good form with the plank, use a broom handle and place it on your back. It should touch your body on the back of your head, between your shoulder blades and at your tail bone. This exercise takes some mental focus as you need to consciously focus on holding your abdominals in tight. Variations of the plank include holding on your hands instead of elbows, holding on your

B FIT

side, alternating lifting a leg or arm and hold for longer.

Increase time and/or intensity as your body feels comfortable.

In order to work the hips and get those buns of steel, lie flat on your back with your knees bent at about 90 degrees and feet flat on the floor. Lift up your toes so your heels stay in contact with the ground. With your toes up in the air, lift and lower your hips slowly by squeezing your butt cheeks. You should feel your butt tighten. Hold the position at the top for a few seconds to get the feel in the right muscle group. Play around with this one. Be sure you feel it in your butt and not

“Core muscles of the trunk work to help us maintain posture, relieve some chronic pain, minimize risk of injury and control movements. Core exercises generally work the muscles that stabilize the spine, pelvic area and shoulders.” the back of your thighs. Hold at the top for longer to get the right feeling.

Once you feel comfortable with isolation movements, begin using multi directional exercises such as lunges with rotation into your program. Progress the exercises as you build strength. Incorporate core training on a regular basis throughout your workout program. Continue to find the exercises specific to your body and your needs. ■ Lisa Martin owns Salvere Health and Fitness in Columbia and brings over 15 years of experience in the fitness world to her clients.

Her private studio hosts a group of wellness practitioners that help individuals realize that true health is a journey, not a destination in a fun, motivating environment. She can be reached at (410) 707-0055 or via their website www.SalvereHealthAndFitness.com.

Are you longing for a place where you can receive resources, support and connections with other women to help you live a healthier, happier life?

Try Just BEE Wellness An Online Wellness Community educating women on how to live balanced, empowered and energized Cassandra Herbert MS, APRN/PMH-BC www.justbeewellness.com cassandra@justbeewellness.com

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How to Get Organized for the Holidays

by Jacquie Ross, CastAway the Clutter!

Getting Started:

To get started, you’ll want to list all of the tasks you perform each year. Once you have a list in place, you’ll know all that you have to do between Thanksgiving and the New Year and can begin to make a plan.

I recommend keeping all of this information inside a Holiday Notebook. That way, you will have one place you can refer to for all of your holiday related activities, plus you’ll be able to easily add information and update the pages as needed, especially if you type up your lists and store inside a binder.

Here are 9 holiday organizing tips and ideas to get you started:

G

etting organized for the holidays may sound simple enough. After all, the holiday season comes around at the same time every year. We know it’s coming, and we generally have the same things to do – shopping for gifts, decorating, wrapping gifts, etc. However, knowing this and following through without a mad rush at the end is not always easy.

Holiday planning and preparation can be a bit chaotic, but in some ways, most us of rather enjoy it. What we don’t enjoy are the long lines at the department stores, rude drivers who steal our long awaited parking spaces, and family and friends who won’t RSVP to our invitations!

One thing we do need to remember is that there are still only 24 hours in a day, and somehow we have to find the extra time to shop, decorate, bake, socialize and entertain! It’s no wonder we feel rushed every year. However, we can make this experience a whole lot easier if we create systems that we can follow year after year.

Even if your organization efforts have failed in the past, you can still succeed at being more organized during the holidays. It’s all about planning and preparation and once you’ve created a system, you can continue to tweak it each year as your needs change.

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B Woman Magazine / November 2013

1

Calendar/Planner – First and foremost get out your planner, or print off some free printable calendar pages from the internet. This will help you to plan ahead and keep track of what needs to get done.

2

Holiday Entertaining

– If you are usually a dinner host, list what you typically need to make the day a success, including a sample menu, table setting/décor, invitation list, etc. If you are usually a guest, write down some pot-luck ideas, or favorites and then schedule time on the calendar to get some cooking done.

3

Holiday Guest Prep – If you plan to have overnight guests, this is the time to think about where they will be sleeping. Do you have a dedicated guest room fit for guests, or is it more of a catchall? If not, decide where they will be sleeping and what you will need to do to prepare for them, e.g. organizing, new bedding etc.

4

Holiday Events

– Write down all holiday events in your calendar, including parties, school plays, etc.

What will you need for these events? A new outfit? A dish?

Once you’ve determined this, you’ll need to schedule time to get this done.

5

Holiday Gift Shopping – Create a holiday gift shopping list that you can refer to each year. This will

B ORGANIZED

and listening to holiday music! If this is just not your thing, call in a professional organizer to help with decorating your home for the holidays.

8 avoid you buying the same gift for the same person two years in a row. Shopping for holiday gifts can take a lot of time, so if you’re struggling to find the time, ask your spouse, partner or friend to “hold the fort” while you’re out. You can also avoid the stores altogether and do most of your holiday gift shopping online.

6

Holiday Cards - Shop for holiday cards now, or if

you already have a supply from last year, you can actually start writing them now. This task will be even easier to start if you already have a holiday card address list that you use each year. If you don’t have a holiday card list on your computer, schedule some time to go through your address book and type up a new holiday card list on your computer. You only have to do this once, and then updating it will be a breeze.

Get some help if this task proves too difficult for you.

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Holiday Home Decorating

– Decorating the Christmas tree and the rest of your home is most definitely an event! Avoid rushing through it as if it were a chore! Make it a festive occasion by enjoying holiday treats

Holiday Gift Wrapping – Purchase gift wrap early, so that you’re not running out to shop during peak holiday shopping time and schedule one or two evenings to wrap gifts. Set up a gift wrapping station, if space allows, and be sure to have all supplies on hand, e.g. pen, scissors, tape, gift tags, tissue, ribbon and bows, etc, so that you’re not constantly getting up looking for supplies, and then getting sidetracked!

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Weeknight Meal Planning - Prepare a few meals that you can freeze and re-heat on busy weeknight evenings. This is a good thing to do throughout the year, but during the busy holiday season, you’ll be even happier you did. Restaurants are notoriously busy during the holidays, so knowing that you can quickly reheat a home cooked meal will take some of the stress away from weeknight meal planning.

You will have noticed that the recurring theme throughout is to schedule, plan and prepare. The earlier you start planning for the holidays, the easier it will be.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend or family member, or consider hiring a cleaning or organizing company to help free up some time to get some of these holiday tasks done! Happy Holidays! ■

Jacquie Ross is a Professional Organizer, Certified Life and Family Coach and award winning owner of organizing and decluttering company, CastAway the Clutter! Since 2007, CastAway the Clutter has helped hundreds of clients to declutter, pare down and reach their organizing goals. Jacquie can be reached at (410) 615-0320 or through the website at www.CastAwaytheClutter.com.

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B FITTED

Bra Fitting Tips from Necessary Secrets

As 8 out of 10 women wear the wrong sized bra, Necessary Secrets fit consultants answer the pleas of many women like you who need help navigating intimate apparel.

The fit specialists identify your proper bra size, and take into consideration your body type, wardrobe and lifestyle.

Take advice from a Fit Specialist - they are passionate about helping women find the right bra size.

Eighty percent of women wear the incorrect size bra. All women need to get professionally fit at least once a year. If you find that you lose or gain more then five pounds, you should go in and get remeasured. All women should have 5-7 bras in their wardrobe. There are different bras for different clothing (lacy, smooth, demi, sport, strapless, racerback and these are just a few). Always wear a sport bra when exercising. You should hand wash your bra after each wearing in a delicate fabric wash such as Forever New, and let it hang dry. Rotate your bras. Wear nude bras under light clothing and black bras under dark clothing. If you find your bra is not fitting right, here’s a few tips: Does the band ride up your back?

If it does, your bra is either too large or needs to be tightened. If it's still too loose after you've adjusted the band, it's time to go down a band size (and possibly up a cup).

Does your breast tissue spill over or bulge under the cup?

If so, your cups are too small and you need to go up a cup size.

Do the cups pucker or gap?

If your breasts don't fill out the cups, your bra is too large.

Do your straps slip and slide?

If you've adjusted your straps and they still fall off, either the band is too big or your bra has lost its elasticity. If you have sloped shoulders, opt for a racerback bra or a style with convertible straps.

Do your straps dig into your shoulders?

If so, try loosening the straps. If that doesn't solve the problem, it's likely the cups are too small and you need to go up a cup size.

Does the wire poke and prod?

If so, you're wearing a cup size that's too small.

Necessary Secret’s is the Premier Lingerie Shop in the Greater Baltimore Area for Professional Bra Fittings for Over 30 Years! To make an appointment for a professional fitting with a Necessary Secrets specialist, contact them at 410-583-1383 or visit their website at: necessarysecrets.com.

“He knew what I was looking for... ...and exceeded my expectations.”

-Sarah K, Catonsville

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I

Transform Your Health, Transform Yourself!

Part III of VIII

n the ‘Art of Becoming’ there are invisible forces which we run up against and don’t recognize them as limiting or empowering until we take a closer look. Honesty with ourselves is always necessary in this process of transformation and Invisible Force #2; The Ring of Responsibility, is no different.

By Heather P. Shreve

our circle, not outside. If we allow external forces, circumstances or economy to control us and change our lives, then we will never be able to master our health…or anything else. The starting point of this thought process should be based on what we want in life. To think otherwise would be thinking in reverse.

Thoughts, Feelings, Actions: Boundaries and More: Now, if you were to write down these What we are really talking about three words and draw a circle around here is healthy boundaries! They are them we could call this our person- an appropriate way to say “yes” or Introspection Sparks Direction: al ring of responsibility. Someone “no.” People get tripped up because When you understand how the Ring that does not take responsibility for they do not know where they stand, of Responsibility gives you back your their thoughts, their feelings or their and therefore don’t know where to power, it becomes much easier to actions, they live outside the circle. lay down that boundary. One way move forward. ‘Off-the-hook’ thinkThey are constantly doomed to play- to discover where you stand is to ing just delays direction, and serves ing ‘the blame game’; “Look what write down your top 10 values. Genno one, least of all you. But, the best you made me do” or “you make me erally, your top 5 values drive your news is, when you do succeed, you so mad.” If you allow others to make decisions, both unconsciously and also get to claim that as well! When you feel, glad, sad or mad, then consciously. Where is health on you learn to claim your boundaries, you’ve been had. that list? This can be very revealing! life gets much easier, stress is nomcontrol of Most people will say that health is “Proper Hitting bottom can be inal and you can glide through your our ticket attitude has us #1, but rarely are they in alignment your to the top!” day. It is a beautiful thing! Until next Need a dynamic speaker?

For working from within with that, making it their top priority. time, look up. That is where life is. ■ an event, conference or club? the boundaries of HEATHER SHREVE Heather P. Shreve is a certified Wellcoach ™ (ACSM) certified personal trainer (ACSM), creator of the Drawn Into Wellness™ Platform, author of Caught On The Equator, Finding The Fire Within, and Powerful and authentic Drawn –everyInto time!Wellness; Train Your Brain to Create Lasting Change and Doodle Urself to Health for Teens, is a mother of two and has logged 30,000 hours as a fine artist.

Cert. Wellcoach™, Speaker,

thelifeguard@lifeguard wellness.com

Naturalist, Author, Master artist and mother of two.

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Izis, a premiere Photographer in the Baltimore area, has an exceptional ability to bring out the natural beauty of the client. Whether you desire a shoot for Fashion, Wedding, Bedroom, Engagement, Expecting or Beyond, Izis offers outstanding work for a very reasonable price.

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21

BUILDING A STRONG DEFENSE AND IMMUNE SYSTEM FOR A HEALTHY WINTER

I

magine an army that collectively prepares for battle with the finest machinery, and manpower, or a soccer team that intentionally goes after the best players in their countries to win the World Cup, or a racehorse whose trainer prepares this fine athlete with the best food, riders and horsemanship to win the Kentucky Derby. All these scenarios are meaningful, crafted decisions to be at the height and pinnacle for success.

We too, with our remarkable and resilient bodies, can go into the battle of winter and then spring with a strong, healthy and vibrant immune system within the body, all by design by being pro-active. Holistically minded people are looking to the spice cabinet, essential oils and all that Mother Nature has to offer naturally, to simply stay well by boosting the immune system daily, not a one- time event. These choices help reduce the chances of succumbing to the flu, colds, respiratory illnesses and sickness. “The best offense is a great defense” my dad taught our sports minded family and to this day, this adage holds true for our bodies in terms of our 22 B Woman Magazine / November 2013

By Linda Penkala, LMT

army of protection. It works 24/7 for us daily, by way of our immune systems identifying and killing viruses, bacteria, and pathogens that may harm us.

The good news is that there are preventive choices that promote and strengthen the immune system which is a network of cells, tissues, lymph nodes, the lymphatic system, spleen, T lymphocytes, from the thymus, and the B lymphocytes, from the bone marrow. It just may be that our spice rack and life enhancing essential oils from plants can be our greatest ally in the fight to keep robust and healthy all year long. Garlic, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, lemon, thyme, oregano, cumin and lavender all have immune enhancing properties that have been consumed for centuries medicinally. My grandmother would chew on a small piece of garlic to remedy a sore throat. Healing traditions of Ayurveda – India’s ancient healing system values the energizing and warming effect of cinnamon.

Equally valued - the doctors of TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine may prescribe cinnamon and ginger to ward off colds. The Jour-

nal of Diabetic Medicine research reveals that cinnamon supplements offered more improvement in blood sugar levels than standard diabetes drugs.

Historically according to the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and Chinese manuscripts, priests and physicians have been using essential oils for thousands of years, as mankind’s first medicine. They were revered in Biblical times for healing and rituals, for emotional and physical healing by the Greeks, for diffusing and purification by the Romans, and are currently in 25 hospitals and the oncology departments of Sloan Kettering, Duke University, Mayo Clinic and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

The quality and therapeutic grade of essential oils is critical, knowing the source, the distillation process and organic practices while in production. The ISO (International Standards Organization) and AFNOR (Association French Normalization Organization Regulation) are two international quality control organizations. They have strict standards to differentiate between therapeutic grade, cosmetic

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or perfume grade oils via gas chromatography. As an informed consumer, once knowing this, you can make a choice to find the purest, and highest therapeutic grade essential oils for ingesting, diffusing, and for topical application.

Each essential oil has its own unique vibrational frequency with Rose having the highest at 320 MHz, which is associated with Love and the sharing of roses. Unadulterated pure essential oils create an environment where low frequency diseases, harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungal disease can’t survive.

Bruce Tanio’s research revealed the body’s normal vibrational range (electrical f r e -

quency) is between 62 and 68MHz. Disease begins in the body at 58MHz and cancer beginning if the body’s frequency gets below 42MHz. Dr. Richard Gerber’s book Vibrational Medicine and researcher Jim Oschman PhD. agree the best way to maintain balance and harmony is through “energetic pharmacology.”

Prayer raises the body’s frequency 15 MHz in current research.

IMMUNE ENHANCING OILS: Lavender, clove, lemon (tapped onto thymus), cumin, ledum, oregano, cinnamon, rosemary, eucalyptus, orange, mountain savory, hyssop, ravensara, frankincense (a highly researched anti-cancer oil), cistus, rosemary, thyme, orange, ginger, spruce, myrrh and patchou-

li. All can be diffused or topically applied to the feet, throat or chest, daily or at the onset of symptoms.

Knowledge is NOT power unless action is behind it! You are now equipped with more tools to enhance the immune system along with: • Washing hands frequently • Drinking plenty of water (1/2 the body weight in ounces) • Regular exercise helping circulatory and lymphatic systems • Taking Vitamin D supplement • Taking probiotics at night • Getting plenty of restful sleep • Minimizing all sugar intake (depletes immune system) • Receiving regular massages (immune enhancing) • Whole food supplements ■

As a professional businesswoman, writer, educator and licensed massage therapist, Linda Penkala, LMT owns Corporate Pit Stop (www.corporatepitstop.com) and Optimum Health for Life, two holistic massage therapy companies. She is a frequent and dynamic guest speaker on wellness issues, with a passion for and extensive knowledge of the healing power of essential oils for vitality and health seen on www.gogreengal.org.

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Annie Koukoulis, M.Ed. Owner/Family Trainer Autismconnection09@gmail.com 443-312-9434

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Grow a Better Complexion from the Inside Out The REAL Way to a Younger Looking Face

By Carol Stover, Professional Makeup Artist & The ‘Ageless Beauty’ Expert Photo by Mia Clapp

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verybody wants to look younger. The parade of new & improved high-tech skincare formulas for those of us on the other side of middle age continues. Even ‘twenty-somethings’ are now getting botox, collagen injections and dermabrasion, in an attempt to look younger than they are. It’s a booming industry.

Nothing against all that - it’s a huge self-esteem boost to look your best. But there are easy things anyone can do to look younger and fresher, while being gentle with their oneand-only face. It all starts on the Inside. Because how you look on the surface is a dead giveaway to how healthy you really are underneath.

First, know what you’re working with. Skin is a living, dynamic, unpredictable organ - the largest functioning organ of the body. Everything we put onto our skin is absorbed and quickly goes through every vital organ. Everything we breathe, eat, drink, smoke and feel comes back out through our skin in some way. Our skin breathes out waste and toxins, and takes in oxygen, moisture and nutrients for us. If you respect it and care for it, it will always look younger than its years.

Here’s my Short List of “must-do’s” to create a beautiful, glowing complexion at any age:

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B Woman Magazine / November 2013

1. Nourish from the Inside

It’s true -- you are what you eat! Years of processed food, sugar and alcohol wreak havoc on the most fabulous of faces.

Our bodies are starving for real food and pure water to feed new skin cells trying to push their way to the surface. Junk food creates junk cells that don’t look or function as they should. Since we lose 1%-2% of our skin’s collagen (responsible for skin’s elasticity) every year after age 30, healthy diet is one sure way to fight inevitable signs of aging. Fresh, locally grown and organic fruits, meats and vegetables are the best way to go. And not nearly as expensive as poor health! Ditch the “Big Bad 3” - Dairy, Bread and Sugar (sorry, I know I’ll lose friends on that one!) - to minimize symptoms of acne, eczema and rosacea. They each cause more skin, hormone, weight and allergy issues than all other foods combined.

2. Did Somebody say “Water?”

Drink at least 8 glasses of clean, purified water each day to hydrate skin and clear out the liver, colon and kidneys. It’s all connected. Happy organs inside means happy skin on the outside. And water cushions delicate disks in the spine for pain-free posture. If you don’t like the taste of just plain water, add slices of fresh lemons, limes or oranges for a ‘spa water’ treat.

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3. Supplement

to toe. But it’s not just the gym or tennis court that can give you this youthful glow. A healthy sex life is one of the best ways to oxygenate your complexion and give it luminosity.

Plus it balances hormones, controls acne, grows healthier

Photo by Kenny Clapp

For a quick turnaround of dull, lifeless, aging skin, nothing beats the powerful combo of Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin C. Omega 3s are found in salmon, tuna, eggs, olive oil and avocadoes, and can be obtained in supplements from health food stores. Heart-healthy omega 3s reduce inflammation throughout the body, and promote beautiful skin by helping prevent wrinkles, dryness, eczema and psoriasis. Vitamin C helps – absolutely everything! – but is responsible for building new collagen in the skin layers, and helping cells fight off stress and free radical damage. Good C sources are citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwifruit, cantaloupe, sweet peppers and potatoes. When buying C supplements, don’t go cheap; C is volatile and must be bio-available to do any good.

4. Gut Feeling

How you break down your food and how well it moves along means everything to how you look and feel. Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics are worth their weight in gold to your body! After age 40, natural stomach enzymes reduce, and we experience more indigestion, bloating and constipation, leading to blotchy skin and breakouts. Modern thinking credits the intestines with being our ‘second brain’ and the home of our immune system. We boost health and appearance immensely by improving that internal ‘flora.’ One of the fastest ways to pretty skin (and a flatter belly) is through high-quality enzymes and probiotics from good health food stores.

5. Get Moving – with Exercise & Sex!

Exercise in any form offers great benefit to every body organ, including your skin. The visible payoff from the neck up: that gorgeous healthy radiance that comes from stronger blood circulation and the flushing out of toxins from head

hair, staves off age spots and slows aging by boosting collagen production, preventing wrinkles and dry skin. It also puts a smile on your face and a sizzle in your step, giving you a youthful, confident attitude – which is the best approach to aging beautifully.

Special Bonus Tip:

While you’re cleaning out from the inside, try this fabulous ‘Ageless Beauty’ tip to jump-start your younger look now!

Visible texture makes skin look gray and lifeless.

Banish flaky dead skin quickly by washing TWICE each night before bed with a good anti-aging cleanser. Follow with your toner and night cream. Then every morning, do a gentle exfoliating scrub to remove the top layer that’s ready to go. Shine on! ■

Carol Stover is a professional makeup artist from the Baltimore area with 32 years experience. She specializes in TV/Video, Film, Still Photography and Events. Carol also holds seminars on the topic of “Ageless Beauty” and is writing a book on how to look and feel fabulous over 50. She can be reached for questions and bookings at www.carolstover.com.

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21st

The Century Woman By: K. Lee Rice

“Today’s women are over achievers, we are conquers. We are victorious and fearless. We are mothers, daughters, and wives. We are youthful and spunky, vivaciously aged, and beautiful.”

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oday’s women are over achievers, we are conquers. We are victorious and fearless. We are mothers, daughters, and wives. We are youthful and spunky, vivaciously aged, and beautiful. We are smart, intelligent, outspoken, and just as opinionated as our male counterparts. We have a voice in the America today. We are the CEO’s of some of today’s largest corporations, and some of the most successful and powerful entrepreneurs. We are multi-dementional, talented, sexy and courageous. We are the women of the 21st Century and we are fabulous!! I commend female warriors like Representative Martha Griffith, a Democrat from Michigan, who in 1970 was able to push the Equal Rights Amendment (E.R.A) before Congress as a proposed amendment to the US Constitution. Another feminist by the name of Alice Paul, founder of the National Women’s Party, originally draft the E.R.A. and introduced it to Congress in 1923. This proposal came just three years after the 19th Amendment which guaranteed women the right to vote. After years of 26

B Woman Magazine / November 2013

oppose, in March 1972, Congress agreed to the Equal Rights Amendment. This Amendment invalidates the laws that impose restriction on women in business, laws that favor women in child custody cases, and others that deny compensation to pregnant women. The Amendment states that “Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation”.

The advocates of our past times have undoubtedly paved the way for the present reality we live in today.

World War II was the obvious catalyst for the new household prototype with men off to fight the war and women headed to factories and offices. After the war, women returned to their customary roles, but not for long. The approaching 1960’s and 70’s allowed evolution to make way for women to begin seeking careers outside of the home. This planted a new archetype, different from the 1950’s, where women had to choose between a marriage and career in order to

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maintain the domestic sphere. Giving up on our goals and aspirations for outside of the home fulfillment, we fell prey to what society established as the role for all women but this has all changed today. A paradigm shift. Instead of cooking, cleaning and caring for the kids, we have redefined our existence, changed characters for a different story. The traditional gender roles no longer exist by society’s standards. We have managed to catapult ourselves into the position of the sole provider of the household as our husband’s take the responsibility as the primary caregiver for the children and house chores. In other families, the woman is an entrepreneur and able to manage her empire with flexibility. We have given a new meaning to what it means to be a woman today.

As a dynamic woman in 2013, we can have it all. We can have amazing careers, million dollar businesses, demanding positions with a successful company, wonderful kids to nurture, and sup-

porting husbands. We can stand as examples and be exactly what our grandmothers and great grandmothers desired to be without limitations. Whatever the reason or purpose, we now have opportunity. Although we still make less than our male counterparts at 81 cents on the dollar, we have come so far. We have triumphant and have accomplished a revolution that completely changed our role in society today. We are the women of the 21 Century and we are fabulous! ■

K. Lee Rice is the President/CEO of Lipscomb Technology & Consulting Services, LLC. She aims to influence others through optimism using a classic theme consisting of ordinary people and real life issues.

References: catalyst.org, learning.blogs.nytimes.com, dol.gov

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he Women’s Growth Center, founded in 1972, offers individual, couple, family, and group therapy to adults and teens. Located in a warm and welcoming space at 5209 York Road, our feminist collective of therapists takes pride in our 41 year legacy of serving any person interested in personal growth and change. Here, our therapists share their insights about the work of the Growth Center.

What issues and problems are appropriate for therapy? Is therapy limited to addressing illness and symptoms?

WGC: First, therapy is not about “fixing” things. Any issue that will contribute to a client’s sense of well-being is appropriate for therapy. Each person struggles with adjusting to difficult circumstances, whether it manifests as anxiety, depression, boredom, anger, distress, or some other feeling. In reality, all people are on a continuum of mental health, with serious mental illness at one end and “fine right now” on the other. Everyone can benefit from

The Women’s Growth Center 28

B Woman Magazine / November 2013

paying attention to how they cope with difficulties and how they find joy, and learning ways to enhance both. This philosophy is reflected in the name of our collective – Women’s Growth Center. We are here to help clients help themselves learn not just to survive, but also to flourish.

What therapeutic approaches do you use?

WGC: We believe that a relationship of trust and equality is the foundation upon which all successful therapy is built. Our goal is to meet the client where they are, and tailor our work to the client’s strengths and needs. With that in mind, our therapists draw on a wide array of approaches stemming from multicultural, feminist, and interpersonal frameworks, including cognitive behavioral, narrative, mindfulness (ACT and others), and assertiveness training. Our collective members have worked in a wide variety of settings, and have diverse backgrounds and clinical interests.

How are your feminist values reflected in the kind of therapy you do?

WGC: We believe that shared power between therapist and client enhances the work for both participants. We view the client as the expert in their personal experience, and the therapist brings expertise in the growth/change process. We also incorporate an awareness of power differentials in the world into our work – for example, what is it like to be a woman in a patriarchal society, gay or lesbian in a heterosexist society, a person of color in a racist society, and so forth.

Your practice is called the Women’s Growth Center. Do you see men, too?

And, if so, why is it still called the Women’s Growth Center?

WGC: When we began, in the early 1970s, there was a clear need for woman–only space. Later, however, we began receiving requests from current clients to offer individual counseling to the men in their lives – brothers, partners, friends. We thought long and hard

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What is a Mindful Eating Workshop?

about this; we could see needs and changes in the community. Our commitment is to serving ALL persons on the gender continuum, while celebrating our herstory as the Women’s Growth Center!

Is therapy just for individuals? People with insurance?

People with disposable income? People free during the day?

WGC: The members of the Women’s Growth Center are committed to reaching folks who seek growth and change.

We provide individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, group therapy, and workshops, serving individual adolescents and adults, couples, families, and groups. As part of our mission to serve those of varying income levels, we offer a sliding fee scale, and accept some insurance.

Hours (days, evenings, and weekends) are by appointment only, so we can find a time to fit your schedule. We also are dedicated to training clinical interns, and helping to inform the continuing generations of feminist therapists.

What is a Therapy Group at the Women’s Growth Center?

WGC: The Women’s Growth Center provides an ongoing therapy group that is open to all on the gender continuum.

Listening and sharing with the group can counteract feelings of isolation, give the opportunity to be real with others, and allow members to see their patterns of relating to people, allowing for an opportunity to challenge these patterns and try out new behaviors in an environment of safety and respect.

Group members work on their individual goals while getting support and perspective from the group, and have the opportunity to share their perspectives with others. The group is co-led by two clinical social workers. Each group member is screened by one of the group leaders to ensure a good fit between the individual and the group. The group is not a support group, which encourages contact outside the group.

The therapy group at the WGC discourages members from communicating with each other outside of group to ensure confidentiality and maintain a “safe” environment for its members to share.

WGC: The Mindful Eating Workshop is a series of 4 sessions. First, here’s what it’s not: It’s not a class, or a lecture.

You won’t be told what to do, or what to eat, or how to lose weight. It’s not about weight: it’s about changing your relationship with food. It is a workshop, meaning that each member participates, shares, works, learns from each other.

We look at our relationship with food, practice noticing how we feel, what we do, what we think, how we use food, how we feel about that. We learn to notice what happens, how we feel, when we diet/deprive/restrict, when we overeat, when we eat from physical hunger, when we eat from emotional hunger. We practice paying attention to what we really want, and paying attention to what we eat, enjoying taste, smell, texture. Instead of asking “Should I eat this or not?” we practice asking, “What is happening right now?”

Is growth limited to clients?

WGC: No! We take growth, and self-care, seriously for ourselves as well as for our clients. Our mission proclaims our dedication to continued growth for each and all members.

Please join us to plant a seed, discover yourself, think about change, nurture yourself, be heard, expand your mind, open your heart, find direction, make time for you, work through fear, breathe, take time for yourself, build self-esteem, acknowledge feelings, be inspired, have hope, feed your heart, accept yourself, laugh out loud, expand your mind, be present, reclaim life, move forward, and GROW!

To learn more, please visit our website www.womensgrowthcenter.com, or feel free to contact us by phone or email, 410-5322476 or womensgrowthcenter@ gmail.com.

Zest and Harmony Counseling

Cassandra Herbert MS, APRN/PMH-BC, CDNC Holistic Nurse Psychotherapist 5026 Dorsey Hall Drive • Suite 205 Ellicott City, MD 21042 (410)-415-1454 cassandra@zestandharmonycounseling.com www.zestandharmonycounseling.com WWW.BWOMANMAGAZINE.COM

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Gorgeous From The Inside Out with Katie Kinslow, Mrs. Bel Air Maryland America 2013 September 21st 2013

Event hosted by Mrs. Bel Air Maryland America 2013, at Jordan Thomas Salon & Spa with the Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation benefiting the Patricia D. and M. Scot Kaufman Cancer Center.

Photography by Rochelle Mirabito of Rochelle Photography & Design © Rochelle Photography & Design www.rochellephoto.com

September 17th 2013

Brick Bodies’ Open House - the Baltimore Bird’s Fall Festival Event!

More Picture of Local Events at: www.BWomanMagazine.com/Events 30

B Woman Magazine / November 2013

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The National Association of Women Business Owners

On September 24, - Baltimore Regional Chapter held a luncheon at the Hunt Valley Inn to recognize its corporate partners and kick off the program year.

Photography by Legacy Photography by Beverlee Barthel

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&

Laura

James

September 7, 2013 Photos by Artful Weddings by Sachs Photography

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aura was born in Georgia, but raised in Frederick Maryland. She completed her undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech and then moved back to Maryland to work on her masters degree and took a job as mental health therapist to “at risk” youth in Hagerstown. James was born in Virginia but spent most of his life in Massachusetts. He completed his undergraduate degree and played on the baseball team at Husson University.

Once he graduated, he moved back to Virginia and ended up working as a sale representative for Pepsi Cola.

Laura and James met at a bar in Laura’s hometown.

One night, while trying to watch her annual viewing of the Ten Commandments on ABC, Laura’s roommate, Rheanne

“forced her out to dinner and drinks. After some pizza we drove into downtown to one of Frederick’s favorite bars, Brewers Alley,” says Laura. “That same day James made his first trip to Frederick to attend a friends family barbecue.” Coincidentally, James and his group of family and friends made their way to Brewers Alley to finish the day with some drinks.

After finding a table near the bar, Laura pulled out her outdated flip phone and began texting Rheanne’s friend. James made his way over to Laura and used Laura’s archaic phone as a way to start a conversation. The two talked for a few hours and eventually exchanged numbers, using their drink coasters to write their numbers down. “At the time James claimed that he was never coming back to “the middle of nowhere” ever again. That worked out well James...” says Laura sarcastically.

Laura and James had their first official date the following week. Laura continues their story, “I was so nervous I nearly backed out a million times but knew that there was something special about him that I should get to know him better. My roommate at the time had a code word for me in case the date went horribly wrong or if I got kidnapped, since I didn’t really know him that well and was meeting him a ways away from home. The date lasted like 8 hours, so she was 32 B Woman Magazine / November 2013

frantically texting me for the code word then asking me random personal questions to make sure it was me and I wasn’t kidnapped. It was the best date either of us had ever had.”

Laura and James began seeing each other more and more. They went out as much as their hectic schedules and the distance between them would allow. James would cook Laura dinner every week. They made their relationship official and got engaged in December 2012, just before Christmas. James planned to propose at Brewers Alley, the location where the couple first met.

James’ plans were interrupted at the restaurant, so they headed home for the night. “On the way back to the car James panicked and got down on one knee....in the parking garage!” Confused and not sure if James was being serious, Laura ended up accepting the proposal with a very confused “I guess! Is this real??? Yes!” Laura, James and their friends then went back inside the pub to celebrate. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Laura could not wait to plan her dream wedding.

“I knew from the get-go that I wanted a lace-theme in my wedding. I had seen a cake on the TV show Cake Boss that had a light champagne colored underlay with lace appliqué fondant. I decided that I wanted my cake to look like that and the rest of the theme of “Champagne and Lace” kind of came from there. I had found

Chase Court online and we looked there and one other space in Havre de Grace, but decided that same day that Chase Court was perfect. We found it really beautiful and unique with a charm that many other weddings I have been to didn’t have,” explains Laura.

Laura collaborated with Tara Franklin from The Organized Bride in Frederick to create custom invitations and day-of things that supported her champagne and lace theme. “She did such a great job and made everything so beautiful!” says Laura. The look and feel was very simple and elegant. Lace was used to detail everything, which eliminated the need for color, creating charming details. “I wanted a lot of candlelight as well since Chase Court was already so beautiful. I also knew that I wanted all white flowers and found some stunning bouquets that flowers and fancy had on their website and decided to go with them. The flowers were one of my favorite part of the wedding! Overall I wanted everything clean but elegant and think that I was able to pull that off.” ■

THE DETAILS BRIDAL GOWN Pronovias GROOM’S SUIT/TUX Mens Warehouse HAIR STYLIST Jordan Winn PHOTOGRAPHY Artful Weddings by Sachs Photography FLORIST Flowers and Fancies ENTERTAINMENT Sound of Art Music, DJ Arturo Castro CEREMONY MUSIC John Baldwin CATERER Rouge Fine Catering CAKE Baltimore Cakery WEDDING LOCATION Chase Court WEDDING OFFICIANT Jae McCadden Photo Booth Top Hat Photo Booths

WWW.BWOMANMAGAZINE.COM

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B INVOLVED

Spotlight Volunteer

Vivian Fenton of the Baltimore CASH Campaign

S

ince 2009 Vivian Fenton has been a volunteer with the Baltimore CASH-Creating Assets, Savings & Hope-Campaign a nonprofit dedicated to providing free tax preparation and financial services to low income families in Baltimore. Each year, Baltimore CASH recruits, trains and IRS certifies hundreds of volunteers like Vivian to provide free tax preparation and savings opportunities for thousands of Baltimore families. In 2013, CASH Campaign volunteers provided free tax preparation to over 8,000 families in the Baltimore metro region and helped 250 individuals save over $25,000 dollars in U.S. Savings Bonds.

In her four years volunteering with Baltimore CASH, Vivian has helped keep money in the pockets of local residents who need it. Every year, through comprehensive trainings, she earns her IRS Certification to volunteer during tax season (January – April). Vivian can often be found at the entry point to a tax site, welcoming clients and checking to make sure they have all of their documentation in order; a perfect role for her warmth and cheerfulness. She says that her biggest motivation in coming back year after year is maximizing clients’ earning potential. “My reward is seeing the client’s face when a tax refund is identified, especially when they are not expecting it,” she said. In addition to the long volunteer hours she has worked, she often recruits her Bank of America colleagues to volunteer as well. Vivian also serves on special event planning committees that help

increase the capacity and profile of Baltimore CASH Campaign.

Vivian is an Assistant Vice President and Trust Administrative Officer with U.S. Trust/Bank of America.

She has also been involved with Junior Achievement of Baltimore, The Arthritis Foundation, and The American Heart Association, while volunteering her time to Baltimore CASH. She loves contributing her talents to her community and continually searches for organizations where she can offer her help, experience, and knowledge. In a professional capacity she enjoys mentoring people and watching them advance in their careers. Personally, Vivian is a joy to work with in any capacity!

Want to help Vivian keep money in the pockets of working families in Baltimore? Want to know more?

Contact Sharon Baldwin, Volunteer Maryland Coordinator, at 410-234-2804 or sharon@baltimorecash.org. Or, visit our website at www.baltimorecashcampaign.org. ■ Know a woman who is doing something great in the community? Nominate her to be featured in B Woman Magazine! www.BWomanMagazine.com/CommunityService

ROUGE F I N E

C A T E R I N G

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Call 410-527-0007 for complete event planning services www.rougecatering.com delight@rougecatering.com 11110 Pepper Road ~ Hunt Valley, MD 21031 800 Boylston Street ~ Boston, MA 02199

34

B Woman Magazine / November 2013

B EVENTFUL

06

November Events 21

Women’s Law Center of MD Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony

WHEN: November 6th at 5:30pm WHERE: Grand Historic Venue, 225 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD DETAILS: Awards Ceremony to honor three prestigious award recipients who have made significant contributions to the legal community and have helped to make history in Maryland.

Funds raised will help the Women’s Law Center continue to protect and promote the rights of women and children by working for systemic change while providing invaluable services including free legal representation for victims of domestic violence and employment and family law hotlines accessed by nearly 10,000 individuals each year.

MORE INFORMATION: www.wlcmd.org

Santé: A Culinary Odyssey WHEN: November 21st, 6pm-10pm WHERE: M&T Bank Stadium, North Club Level, 1101 Russell Street DETAILS: With over 750 guests expected, the business/casual fête will feature signature dishes from 35 top local restaurants paired with enticing beverages. Adding to the fun will be live music, interactive food demonstrations and the chance to pose for pictures in costume at the photo booth.

Proceeds to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland.

MORE INFORMATION: santebaltimore.com For More Events - Visit www.BWomanMagazine.com/Events

Stubborn fat has met its match.

12

NAWBO: Pre-Show Reception & Show: Jersey Boys

your < Freeze fat away.

WHEN: November 12th, 6pm-10:30pm WHERE: France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 North Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD DETAILS: Networking, Pre-Show Reception and Optional Performance of Jersey Boys. Enjoy a great performance, Hors D’oeuvres and a complimentary glass of wine or a beer!

MORE INFORMATION: To Register, visit: http://nawbobrc.org/events.php#November.

For more information contact the (NAWBO) National Association of Women’s Business Owners - Baltimore Regional Chapter at (410)876-0502 or info@nawbobrc.org.

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B WOMAN MAGAZINE’S

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B WOMAN MAGAZINE • PO BOX 1774 • BALTIMORE, MD 21203 • 443.278.3823 info@BWomanMagazine.com • www.BWomanMagazine.com