DC Life Magazine January-2012

DCMagazine LIFE January 2012

Cultural Fusion for Social Change

ĺş„Ai shoda

Photography By: Charles Butler

Training At A Higher Standard

He Said She Said

Dating Experts Square-off

Flirt With Purpose

A single persons how-to guide to successful flirting

ARTICLES | NEWS | HEALTH | LIFESTYLE | FOOD

Publisher: Mestizo Media Group, Inc General Manager: Eugene O. Smith, Jr.

Editor: Gigi Smith Columnist: Anna Castillo Contributors: Kelly Haywood, Crystal Hammond, Charles Butler, Michelle Jacoby, Jason Yaskoir, Destiny Cammack, Tishawn Seaton, Mutsa Meda, Janine Driver .

Advertising Sales Dumfries, VA P.O. Box 272 Brand Launch Agency Phone: 877-275-5569

ŠDC Life Magazine S.A., 2010 All Rigths Reserved

Editorial

I want to thank you for your continued support as we enter into 2012 our “BREAKOUT YEAR”! This year we will strive to offer more stories that highlight extraordinary people here in the Washington, DC Metropolitan region. There is plenty of clout flowing to our region’s social scene, and we don’t want to miss any of it. We have a great “New Format” throughout 2012 that will touch on more diverse topics about; relationships, overall wellness, and fresh takes on fashion.

Eugene Smith / Editor In Chief We are excited to bring on board our new contributors Mutsa Meda and Jason Yaskoir. We also appreciate our guest contributors Destiny Cammack, Janine Driver, Crystal Hammond, and Michelle Jacoby. As our team grows, we are confident that you will see a consistent growth in the quality of our publication. I bid you a prosperous 2012 and thank you again for being on the side of diversity.

Cheers.

Content 12 10 Beautry Resolutions to Revamp Your Regimen Anna Castillo of shopinkcosmetics.com shares the top 10 beauty resolutions to make for the new year.

14 When It’s Time to Change Daphne Domingo discusses the steps to make changes in the (re)new year.

16 Dust of Those Old Nikes Mutsa Meda explains how to stay fashionable while focusing on fitness goals.

19 Ai Shoda We interviewed Ai Shoda, owner of High Standard Fitness, to get an idea of what motivates this fitness guru to keep training her clients to the highest possible standards every year.

22 Sugar Rush An interview with local confectioner and baker Jenny Lybarger.

24 Stop Making These Financial Mistakes in 2012 Crystal Hammond of sophisticatedspender.com shares her tips for maintaining finacial goals after the new year.

26 Flirt With Purpose Body language expert Janine Driver how to use body language to express yourself.

28 He Said She Said DC Life’s new dating column brings two of DC’s leading dating experts to offer their dating insights.

34 Saks Fifth Avenue Presents: New Year New You

38 Can’t Give Up A Poem by Destiny Cammack

40 Music in the New Year Tishawn Seaton of Celestial Caring Enterprises spotlights local music talent in the local area with the creation of DMV Rising Starz PressCase.

Contributors

Beauty Resolutions Anna Castillo 12

New Year Changes Daphne Domingo 14

Yea rs will pa ss..m emories would la s t. Cheris Celebra te New Yea r in a cheerful spirit, by n By - Priyanka Gulati 6 DC Life Magazine

Flirt With Purpose Janine Driver 25

She Said Dating Tips Michelle Jacoby 31

sh the good on es an d ign ore wha t gives pa in.. n ot regrettin g or feelin g proud of ga in s.

DC Life Magazine 7

“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.�

Maya Angelou

Beauty

10 Beauty Resolutions to Revamp Your Regimen

By Anna Castillo Celebrity Makeup Artist www.shopinkcosmetics.com

01. Clean out your makeup bag

04. Whiten your teeth

Out with the old and in with the new! Reminder: Mascara should be thrown out every 2.5 – 3 months.

Make your first impression a lasting impression, Take care of your pearly whites!

02. Clean your makeup brushes

05. Take care of your skin

Wash your brushes every week if possible. I use baby shampoo in cold water. Lay flat to dry.

NEVER sleep with makeup on. Have makeup remo ving pads readily accessible for a quick wipe if you can’t wash everything off.

03. Shape your brows 06. Where more sunscreen Your eyes are the window to your soul! Frame them by treating yourself to a threading session.

12 DC Life Magazine

Take care of your skin! Use at an SPF 15 at a mini mum each day, and don’t forget your hands. You would be amazed how much sun damage they get just from driving.

07. Get manicure at least two times a month

10. Wear more color

Nothing crazy… just a basic to keep your hands polished.

This means everything from changing up your lip color to a pop of pink or wearing a violet shadow and teal liner. Don’t be afraid to make a statement. Just remember to blend!

08. Take care of your feet too If you can’t afford a mani-pedi every month, do it at home. You can find some great over the counter pedicure sets for only $10. Try TJMAXX they get amazing new items every week!

09. Don’t forget about your hair Try not to wash your hair every day it can strip the natural oils. Instead, wash every few days and use dry shampoo in between.

stylus magazine 13

Wellness

When it’s Time to Change Instead of struggling to initiate and maintain those New Year’s resolutions, this may be a better time to slow down instead.

By Daphne Domingo New Year’s Day symbolizes a time to let go of our holiday (and all-year) indulgences and embark on a new path to living the way we feel we should. The airwaves are filled with commercials about weight loss or dating sites and gyms get overcrowded that were filled with tumbleweeds the weeks prior.

By February, the momentum wanes, those memberships expire and by March, many forget whatever resolutions may have been declared at all.

14 DC Life Magazine

While it’s traditional for us to make these changes along with the calendar, it might make better sense to follow the schedule of the seasons. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, we’re just beginning winter, designed to be a time to hibernate and rest, to sip cocoa in front of that fire and to snuggle a few extra minutes under that comforter in the morning. It’s a great time to relax and rejuvenate from the hectic holidays, quiet ourselves for inward reflection and take inspiration from many indigenous cultures who, according to anthropologist, Angeles Arrien, use this time to focus on completing what was left incomplete.

FOUR STEPS TO MAKE CHANGES IN THE (re)NEW YEAR. 01. BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF Stop beating yourself up for some of the behaviors you had vowed to change this year (as you may have done last year, and the year before that). You did the best that you could with the knowledge and the tools you had at that time. And if you still engage in such behavior, simply ask yourself how it’s beneficial and if there is another way to achieve that benefit in a different way. And if there isn’t, or isn’t one at that time, allow yourself to enjoy it to its fullest. There’s no point

in degrading yourself anymore and diminishing the experience while you’re doing it anyway.

02. REALIZE IT’S OKAY TO STAY IN The holidays were a time of gatherings with friends, colleagues and family. While you may want to keep up the momentum of the connections that were made or if you would like to renew the ones you were too busy to, make time for yourself – alone time – a priority. Even if it’s one day a week, or a few hours a day, you’ll be much better company if you’re not feeling drained.

03. STAY STILL Transitions are happening all over, lots of job changes, moving homes, relationships evolving or new policies implemented, so any moment of stillness you can manage to find is gold.

Take some time to be present, perhaps meditate, focus on getting plenty of sleep, and find other ways to replenish your energy.

04. REFLECT Perhaps while taking part in Step #3, think about things you wanted to let go of in 2011 and what you’d like to bring in for 2012? If you don’t have one already, start a journal.

Contemplate about what you learned

over the year and how much you’ve evolved. While there’s no way to predict what will happen this year, but you can develop some guidelines to establish some goals and how to achieve them.

Notice a theme? Take time out to listen to your Self and plan to commence those “resolutions” in the springtime when it’s a more natural time for renewal and everything, including your positive changes, starts to come into bloom.

Daphne Domingo is a holistic coach and creative strategist. www.daphnedomingo.com stylus magazine 15

Fashion

Dusting Off Those Old Nikes Getting back into an active lifestyle after being inactive for so long is no easy task.

By Mutsa Meda As children, we are encouraged to engage in plenty of physical activity, like playing around on the jungle gym, and joining sports teams.

Quicker Knicker Titlenine.com

At the time, many of us enjoy this, because it allows us to combine having fun and the thrill of competing against our peers. Being in an exciting and competitive environment was usually the driving force behind us pushing the limits of our physical capabilities and pouring hours and hours into training each week. We go on to join the track, basketball and soccer teams, and graduate from the little leagues all the way up to the varsity teams. Suddenly we’re in our prime; healthy, strong, agile, acceptably arrogant, and then BAM. Before you know it, you reach that age where your priorities change dramatically for various reasons. In other words, life happens.

Perhaps the college you attended didn’t have a football team so you gave up on athletics altogether. Maybe pregnancy

16 DC Life Magazine

interrupted your routine and you had to sign up for full-time mommy duty from then onwards. Maybe you toil through a sixty hour work week, and by the time you get home, the pillows and sheets draw you in like a magnet. Maybe you occasionally experience prolonged periods of stress, which you always deal with by confiding in your good friends Papa John, and Ben & Jerry. Or maybe, you just don’t feel exercising. Fair enough.

But next thing you know, your closet becomes your worst enemy. Mid-thigh is the furthest you can manage to pull up those cute Levi skinnies of yours, and that gorgeous one-of-a-kind strapless number that everyone thought you looked phenomenal in, is now doing more splitting at the seams than zipping up at the back. Constantly buying new clothes becomes a necessity rather than an enjoyable leisure activity. It’s a sad reality, but a lifestyle lacking adequate exercise could negatively affect everything from your closet, wallet and self confidence, to your long term health.

So what’s the solution, you ask? Following these three steps can get your started on your journey to fitness…

STEP ONE: Tackle and overcome your lack of motivation. If you don’t want to let all those chic menswear inspired blazers and crisp blouses in your closet go to waste, you should probably work out. If you last worked out when Sean John tracksuits were relevant, you should probably work out. If you want to increase your chances of overall longevity, you should probably work out.

STEP TWO: Figure out what you want to accomplish. Make a list of goals for yourself that you hope exercising will help you achieve.

Post the list on your fridge, that way it can serve as a daily reminder.

STEP THREE: Consider alternative exercising. If early morning jogging in the cold January air doesn’t quite sound like your cup of tea, worry not. The American Council on Exercise just released the list of 2012 Fitness Trends to Watch, which included the continuing popularity of trends like Zumba and boot camp-style workouts. Who says exercising can’t be fun?

So after determining what kind of exercise is ideal for you, you need to pick out the appropriate gear. Like fashion, the fitness industry is constantly changing. Over time, new markets within the fitness industry have emerged while existing markets have expanded. Activewear has become so significant that it’s now even being brought to the forefront on the runway, as seen in Alexander Wang’s Spring/Summer 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection. Functional attire is an important part of the journey to fitness, so suitable high quality activewear is essential.

Nike Lockdown training glove Nike Hyperwarm dri-FIT fitted shirt

Citysports.com

Nordstrom. com

Nike Musique IV ladyfootlocker.com

Oakley small duffel bag Oakley.com

Nike Shape high support bra ladyfootlocker.com

stylus magazine 17

庄 田 愛 Ai Shoda

Training At a Higher Standard DC Life Magazine 19

People One look at Ai Shoda and it’s apparent that she has been working in fitness for quite some time. Perhaps, it’s the lean physique on her small frame. Or the fashion forward athletic wear she sports while training her clients.

“Sta yin g con sis ten tly discip lin ed ha s a lwa ys been an importan t pa rt of my life.”

Either way, the path that led this Japanese implant to become one of the Washington, DC area’s most successful trainers is an interesting one. Ai, oldest of three children, was born and raised in Japan. Her mother and father both worked very hard to support their family.Though her upbringing was typical of most other Japanese middle-class families, Ai had a longing to be different early on.

She recants stories of her experiences as a high-school youth. She says while most “good” Japanese girls were researching the latest fashion designers, she was sporting a Mohawk and playing the drums.The activities she was interested in were abnormal by her cultural standards; Skateboarding, surfing, 20 DC Life Magazine

martial arts and playing the drums.

In fact, her abilities as a drummer is what originally brought her to the States.

A decade after her father bought her first play drum, she won Sony’s National drumming competition and signed-on to a professional contract with the entertainment giant Disney Corporation. At Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, she played on stage with some of the world’s best musicians.

However, with all of the pressures of performing and the convenience of fast food, Ai found a new love for junk food. “When I came here to the States there were so many different types of fast food. The prices were so cheap and portions were so big compared to back home.... so I gorged.”

With her new found diet, she soon grew to the heaviest she had ever been, and it took a toll on her health and selfesteem. “I’m 5’3’, and I was over 150 pounds, My body fat was unacceptable, and I had to get it under control.”

Longing for a change in her life, Ai moved off to Boston, Massachusetts to finish a degree in Music Psychology at Berkley School of Music.

While in school she aspired to run every day, but quickly she began training for a marathon. Later on, she also cleaned up her diet and began to research different ways of

training. The research was so exciting that she decided to get a second degree in sports science from Boston College.

Ai has taken bits and pieces of all of her personal experiences and ultimately developed her own unique philosophy of training. This philosophy, centered on each client’s particular needs, is designed to expose weaknesses and challenge strengths. She has worked as a personal trainer and has been active in the fitness industry for 7 years.

“Staying consistently disciplined has always been an important part of my life.”

Her discipline and consistency is why she is number one on DC Life Magazines Top Trainer List.

Ai Shoda is the owner of High Standard Fitness, an Arlington, Virginia based personal training company. She is one of three trainers at the Breakfast Boot Camp in Mclean, Virginia. Ai also specializes in pre/post natal training. She is a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Ai practices Kendo (Japanese sword) and Kyundo (Japanese archery) and enjoys Martial Arts training of all kinds.

Important Questions For Your Massage Therapist Amanda Boehm, local massage therapist, tells us how to find reputable service.

4. Do they specialize in a type of massage?

1. Are you licenced? Where?

I specialized in Deep tissue, reflexology, and energy massage.

I am a Virginia licensed and nationally certified massage therapist since 2006.

helpful to living better.

5. Did they get certified in it?

Contact Information:

2. Where did you go to school?

I attended the National Massage Therapy Institute in Falls Church, VA. 3. How long was your school?

The program I attended was 600 practical hours that took 9 months.

I am certified in Indian Head Massage, Chakra massage, Pregnancy massage, Aromatherapy and Hot Stone massage.

6. Ask them if they think massage can help you?

I believe that massage therapy is beneficial for everyone. Depending on your situation, there a type that can be

20% discount for first time clients when you mention DC Life magazine. http:// www.mandamine.com Facebook:http://www.facebook. com/pages/Mandamine-MassageTherapy/165022173529071

DC Life Magazine 21

Sugar Rush Hi Jennifer please introduce yourself, and what is the name of your company, Where you are located?

My name is Jennifer Lybarger my company is Sugar Rush Cakes and Candies. Im located in Alexandria, VA. So when did you 1st begin baking?

Hmmm good question, I can remember making my own 16th birthday cake. I have always been the one to bring the dessert to our functions. It’s been with in the past 2 years that I have branched out and made cakes and desserts for others.

What are your specialties?

Cake balls would have to be my specialty. If you think of a flavor I can make it into a cake ball for you. When it comes to cakes I feel that the ones im best at are the ones that I’m given a theme and told to run with it. I love to take a theme and be creative.

What flavors are available, and what is your most popular flavor?

There are a wide variety of cake, cupcake and cake ball flavors. If you can think it I can create it. I have made regular vanilla to Chocolate with bacon. I think the most popular flavors are any of my fruit ones, Lemon, orange, banana, key lime. Seems anything in Dark chocolate is a huge success. I would have to say top three have to be, Red Velvet, Dark Chocolate Raspberry, and Pumpkin spice.

What’s the wildest flavor anyone has ever requested?

The Claytonator- Chocolate cake with bacon.

Whats your favorite flavor? well here’s the funny part. I’m a baker and I’m allergic to gluten… I have sampled a few flavors here and there and I think my favorite would have to be apple spice.

How can people order cakes from you?

They can go to my website www.sugarrushcakesandcandies.com or visit me on facebook at Sugar Rush Cakes and Candies.

Stop Making These Financial Mistakes In 2012

By Crystal Hammond It’s that time of year again-time to make some changes for the new year. I know a lot of people will completely forget about their “resolutions” around 3 weeks into January. You have a better chance of sticking to your goals if you write them down and put them somewhere visible.

Here are 5 things that we should focus on in the new year!

01. Not socking any money away for emergencies! Things come up all of the time-cars break down, kids get sick, appliances stop working. That is why it is so important to have some money saved for when these little things pop up. Try to aim for at least a cushion of $1,000. Saving that small amount can be easier than you think-it’s only $83.33 a month for a year!

02. Stop buying crap! Take a moment and look around your lovely home.

I bet there are a lot of things there that you haven’t touched or used in 24 DC Life Magazine

over a year’s time. Start to get rid of stuff before purchasing new stuff.

03. Stop paying bank fees! There are plenty of banks out there who would like your business and some even offer financial incentives for switching to their bank. Do some comparison shopping! Grab your bank statement and make sure you aren’t getting taken to the cleaners on small fees. Those little amounts can really add up!

04. Stop paying late fees! These are the times of automated everything!

You can probably pay a bill from your cellphone while in the desert (or on the moon)! Set up auto pay whenever possible. Or write down due dates on a calendar where you can see it and not miss a payment.

05. Stop paying high interest rates and high bills! Get on the phone and negotiate. Ask to have your interest rate lowered and if they say they can’t do anything, ask to speak to a

manager. They are more likely to have the power to lower your interest rate. Cable bills have a way of creeping higher and higher. My favorite trick is to call my cable company and tell them that the bill is too high and see what they can do to lower it or I would switch to their competitor.

These are only a few tips. Head on over to SophisticatedSpender.com for more financial tips! ~SophisticatedSpender SophisticatedSpender.com is all about practicing good financial planning. She is currently an engineer who works for the government. She’s also a landlord of a multi-unit property, a former day trader, a former real estate agent and a former property rehabber. Crystal has learned a lot from all of her trades and has a lot to share. She loves personal finance and the complex tax code. So come along for the journey!

Brand Launch Agency Hyper-Local. Targeted.

Affordable.

We are a proven boutique marketing firm that specializes in Social Marketing and Public Relations. Our proprietary system uses constructional linguistics to design semantic keyword campaigns that generate organic search engine results quickly.

BrandLaunchAgency.com provides an interactive marketing, advertising and public-relations platform that combines the technology of search engine marketing and credibility of traditional print to impact local markets.

PRINT We manage Hyper-local magazine websites in 13 top U.S. markets; which provides instant Search Engine Reach and Relevancy.

WEB Our networks provide relevant content to reference sites, we are able to create fast, organic web rankings for your company.

VIDEO Our creative team can design your brand from the ground up, or enhance your current offerings with professional imagery and consultation from our in-house photography studio.

CALL TODAY: 877-275-5569

Dating & Relationships

Flirt with Purpose

By Janine Driver We’ve all been there, single and ready to mingle, yet you just don’t know if you’re sending off the right signals. Body Language Expert and New York Times Bestselling author Janine Driver is ready to share tips on how to use body language to express yourself and to determine whether or not your new friend is into you!

According to Janine, the direction that our bellybuttons point to hold a special meaning because our first physical connections with another person when we come into this world are with our mothers, through our umbilical cords. Therefore, we point our bellybuttons to people we like, admire and trust.. »» So if you’re interested in someone, make sure your bellybutton is facing them and you’re not giving them a “cold shoulder” by facing away. If you are pointing your bellybutton to someone you’re interested in, and they are pointing theirs to a door or an exit, be aware!

They are probably thinking that they want to be elsewhere. Use your “naval intelligence!” »» Shy or Introvert women often cross their arms over their chests or lace their fingers on their laps. This gives off the impression that you need reassurance and you’re also creating a boundary, as if to say “off limits buddy!” If you really need to cross your arms or your fingers, do it behind you. »» A great pose for men is the “figure-four” position. Throw one ankle across the opposite knee, keeping your “naughty bits” open. When you do these kinds of “crotch displays”, you are basically saying “look what I have to offer.” And believe me; the girls will want to know.

Then lean back and pop your elbow behind your chair. This move is confident, super sexy and guaranteed to catch a girl’s eye! »» Mirroring is also a great way to make the person in front of you more comfortable.

If you’re talking to someone and they’re leaning back in their chair, you lean back in your chair. If they are leaning in with their elbows propped on their knees, then you should lean in with your elbows propped on your knees.

People like and feel more comfortable around other people that look like them.

26 DC Life Magazine

A single persons how-to guide to successful flirting »» The dip in your neck, dubbed by Janine as your “neck dimple”, is another power zone you should always keep open when you’re on the prowl.

Remember to Show off your neck dimple it’s bold and beautiful, so leave those bulky scarves at home.

When you’re out on the scene, you always want to look confident. Closing up your body is a sure way to get lost in the crowd. Take up space! Janine says there is an immense difference in perceived value between people who take up space and people who don’t.

DC Life Magazine 27

Dating & Relationships

He-Said She-Said The New Year brings DC Life’s new dating column, “He said, She Said,” where two of DC’s leading dating experts bring you their dating insights.

Jason Yaskoir is a Dating Coach and body language expert—his website is Daygamer.net. Michelle Jacoby is a Matchmaker—she is the owner of DC Matchmaking. Every month, they will tackle a different dating topic. This month’s topic, meeting a person at the gym, is a bit of a challenge because there really isn’t standard etiquette for meeting potential dates at the gym.

He Said How To Meet Women At The Gym As a dating coach, clients often ask me how to meet women at the gym, since it is a place where they spend a lot of time.

Plus, generally they share common interests (fitness and living a healthy lifestyle) with other people at the gym. So, how do 28 DC Life Magazine

you meet women at the gym? The gym is a social environment, a place where people spend a lot of time and often know the staff and other people who are there working out. Below are my tips for meeting women at the gym: 01. Choose your gym carefully. You want a gym that meets your needs and interests. This could mean joining a gym with pools, running tracks, saunas, basketball courts, specific classes (see below), rock climbing walls, etc. The happier you are with your overall gym experience, the more successful you will be meeting people there. And, you could have fitness preferences and conversation topics in common with a potential match–you both like to swim, run, rock climb, or practice yoga. Tour the gym to see if it has the equipment and facilities you need, and see if the type of women you are interested in work out there.

02. Dress well. In a gym, I wear cool tshirts (as far as design, logo, or message), but that isn’t the only way to go. You want

to show that you have style. Don’t wear worn out or ratty sneakers or clothes. I have seen people wearing clothes with stained armpits or holes and that is not the way to go.

03. Get to know the staff. If you want personal training to jump start your workout, consider scheduling time with a trainer. Many gyms give free sessions with trainers to get you to join; some even offer discounted memberships and/or sessions with trainers through daily deal websites like LivingSocial.com. Personal training sessions put you in more of a direct client-trainer relationship with the staff member, making him or her more

interested in helping you in general. These trainers might even introduce you to people, or give you intel without you even asking. Be friendly with all the employees you encounter (trainers/instructors, assistants, front desk, etc.); it will be helpful when women see you getting along well with the staff, especially (but not exclusively) female staff.

04. Start conversations. You do not have to start a conversation based on working out. Do not start conversations with “excuse me” (because you are then assuming that you are interrupting them) but simply start the conversation with a situatio-

nal topic or general theme. My gym conversations tend to be about music (what is playing, if I can change the music, what I’m listening to on headphones, what the other person is listening to on headphones), TV (what is on it, if I can change it, similar shows to what is on the TV, new shows), or food (because I’m into food), but you could just as easily talk about movies (probably not horror), hiking, adventure sports, or a variety of other subjects.

You are leading the conversation, but if a subject consistently doesn’t work, try new ones. Humor works as well as long as it comes off as natural and not forced or nervous. You want to make friends with

the regulars as well, male and female, for “social proof,” which is similar to befriending the staff. Some more specific info about talking to people at the gym: 05. Talk to women in different areas of the gym to see what works for you. I have had success talking to women who are on the next treadmill, as well as women on weight machines near me, with the former being longer conversations with people who often would rather talk to you than be bored on a treadmill, and the latter being shorter conversations that you drop and pick up again as you move around the gym. You can also talk to them DC Life Magazine 29

again another day. I’ll pretty much talk to someone anywhere (except areas that are for women only), with the understanding that some of the conversations will be longer than others.

06. Pay attention to how responsive she is. If she is really into her workout, she may not be responsive to conversation, but may actually be more open talk at other times, such as the beginning or end of her workout, during a break between different types of exercises, or on another day.

07.

08. Attend classes. Gyms have a variety of coed classes, which can be a good way to meet people. Check out a variety of classes (yoga, jujitsu, strength/flexibility, body pump, etc.) and see what works for you, both for your workout and meeting people. I know a lot of women go to Zumba and Pilates classes, but I’ve never attended those particular classes. Show up to the classes early so that you can chit-chat with others while waiting for the class to begin.

09.

10. Have a plan for a future date or an “insta date.” Think about possible dates or activities that you can do with her if she is responsive. Knowing where good nearby cafes, bars, and restaurants are can be useful. You can also take her to events or plan activities such as hiking. As fra as setting it up, you can take her somewhere right now, after the gym (food, drinks, coffee), setup a future date (schedule it now), or seed a future date (get her number to ask her out later). As always asking her out now is better than asking her out by phone, which is better than asking her out via text. Get a number! Don’t just give her your info and not get hers. And don’t even think of getting an email or a facebook account instead of a number.

11. Get to know other gym-goers. Be friendly and talk to people even if you aren’t interested in a date with them. You don’t want to talk people to death (especially if they are not responsive), but be friendly. Keeping a relatively stable workout schedule will help you see and talk to the same people, but you can also run out of new people to meet that way (unless it is a large gym). I go to the gym very often and without a set schedule, which allows me to meet a larger variety of people.

12. The more you practice being social (regardless of environment), the easier meeting people becomes.

Cuisine of Daygamer.net

30 DC Life Magazine

She Said 10 Tips for Meeting Your Match at the Gym The New Year is upon us and with it comes New Years resolutions. More people frequent the gym in January than during any other month.

Here are 10 tips for singles who will be hitting the gym in January: 1. Don’t wear earphones. If you tune in to music on your ipod or watch TV while on the elliptical, you’re tuning out everyone around you. People who wear earphones are not approachable. Take them off!

2. Ladies - ask a man to spot you. You’ll find a higher ratio of men in the free weights area. If you see someone you’re interested in, smile and ask him to be your spotter.

3. Ask for help with a lifting technique. If you aren’t sure how to use a specific machine or how to do an exercise (or even if you are), go ahead and ask for a little help.

4. Make friends with a staff member and ask him or her to introduce you to the object of your affection.

5. SMILE. People are much more likely to start conversations with those who are friendly and warm. Smiling makes you approachable, and that can make all the difference.

6. Introduce yourself. No - you are not going to spontaneously combust if you approach a stranger to introduce yourself. And yes, it’s okay to make the first move. Just say “Hello, my name is __________”, and see what happens. This may be hard at first, but practice makes perfect. Just do it.

7. Take a class. Some gyms have classes that are fairly small so going regularly can set the stage for easy conversation. If you like spinning and there is someone you’re interested in, grab the nearest bike. If you take yoga, get there early and position your mat accordingly. Proximity makes conversations easier.

8. Ladies, do not show cleavage or put on tons of makeup when you head to the gym. First and foremost, you’re there to workout.

9. Guys, don’t stare at a woman or follow her around without introducing yourself. There is nothing worse than a lurker who doesn’t have the courage to say hello. Introduce yourself and see what happens.

Confidence is just plain sexy.

10. Wear a good deodorant and bring a towel. Need I say more?

BIO: Michelle Jacoby is a matchmaker, dating and relationship coach and the owner of DC Matchmaking, a boutique matchmaking company for commitment-minded singles in Washington, DC, MD and VA. Michelle has gained national recognition and was awarded finalist for best matchmaker in the US at the 2011 iDate Awards and was a speaker at the 2010 National Matchmaking Conference. Michelle will be a featured presenter at the 2012 iDate Matchmaking Conference in Miami. She has appeared in The Washington Post, The Northwest and Georgetown Currents, The Washington Examiner, Bethesda Magazine, WUSA Channel 9, News Channel 8 - Let’s Talk Live and NBC Washington. Her articles have been featured in Your Tango, EHarmony Advice, Alexandria Woman, Fairfax Woman and Southern Maryland Women Magazines.

Website: www.dcmatchmaking.com, Twitter @DCMatchmaking

DC Life Magazine 31

Events Gallery

Images of The International Motorcycle Show at the Washington Convention Center exotics pavilion featuring rare, high-end motorcycles and custom bikes.

Photographs courtesy of Chapi D Photgraphy. http://www.chapid.com/

DC Life Magazine 33

Saks Fifth Avenue Presents...

New Year New You Saturday December 31st, Saks Fifth Avenue Tyson’s II Galleria in Mclean, Va. opened exclusively to an elite crowd of guests awaiting the newest spring color trends for Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier Cosmetics.

The hour-long breakfast reception and cosmetics show “A New Year, A New You”, provided the newest beauty must haves, beauty secrets, live demonstrations, and generous giveaways. Commercial brand models from DC Life Magazine modeled the 2012 color looks; Bobbi’s Neons and Nudes, and Laura Mercier’s the Lingerie Collection.

Commercial brand models, from DC Life Magazine also worked as demo models for the resident and national/global team makeup artists from Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier. Guests were walked through the steps required to get a flawless makeup application.

DC Life Magazine’s commercial and fashion modeling opportunities are growing along with our partnership with the Brand Launch Agency. The Ritz Carlton Tyson’s Corner launched its own new addition at this DC Life Magazine event, providing attendees with a scrumptious complimentary breakfast from Entice, the Ritz’s newest coffee and tea encounter.

Guest enjoyed private color and skincare appointments with the global and national artistry teams throughout the day highlighting the event as a morning of New Year’s glamour.

DC Life Magazine 35

Can’t Give Up Poetry By: Destiny Cammack

What do you do, when you can’t take no more?

And your mind and your heart can’t agree, When the world pulls you one way, And your soul pulls you another, And stuck in between are your dreams, How can I go after all my goals?

When worldly obligations pull me back, How can give my heart to a dream, With no one to pick up my slack, When every thing around me is telling me not go on, But in my heart I know the truth, That if I succumb to this dilemma and give up on my dreams, Then my life will be over in an instant, Poof, So I’ll hold tight to my dreams, Keep my head up high, And continue to fight the good fight, I’ll pray for the success and prepare for the worse, But at the end I can say I Tried, With God as my father, And in faith in my heart, I refuse to turn around, I am so far from where I use to be, And I just can’t give up, Now

Music Review

Music In The New Year The year 2012 is full of promise and DC Life Magazine, in conjuction with Indiesteps.com and #DMVStamp, is seeking to shine the spotlight the local music industry professionals.

ensure that our clients will be gratifying to the eyes and ears of many whom will want to pursue the artist.”

Tishawn Seaton, owner of Celestial Caring Enterprises, has created DMV Rising Starz PressCase to provide a platform for talented artists. Her vision is to assist local talent in developing as entertainers and unleash their music creativity in front of key industry power executives. The format she provides gives participants real opportunities:

For Media Relations, please contact Tishawn Seaton at 209.227.

CARING3, pr@celestialcaringent.com

01. Oppotunity to gain credible recognition.

02. Chance to create more awareness on a global scale.

03. Make valuable business connections that could ultimately generate profits.

Celestial Caring Enterprises, LLC brings top industry players, Wise McGriff, former Def Jam Director of Marketing; Bway, IMG A&R; and Gearni Money of Doug E Fresh Entertainment. To name a few.

Tishawn’s heartfelt mission is to make a positive impact in others personally and professionally in order to make a difference in our world for our up and coming generations. CCE is a virtual based company stationed in Montgomery County, Maryland that specializes in providing comprehensive Business and iMarketing Management services.

Seaton explains, ”We thrive on creating brand awareness, generating traffic & leads, increasing profits & sales; and tapping into various opportunities for area market expansion.” The collaborating partnership with Blue Pie Productions USA, LLC is to primarily focus on branding the artists and delivering the artist in whole to the public and industry professionals. “Our job is to 40 DC Life Magazine

Intellectual Property Notice: The above material and concepts are the intellectual property of Celestial Caring Enterprises, LLC 20072012, All Rights Reserved Celestial Caring Enterprises, LLC http://celestialcaringent.com

“Blood and Thunder” is recommended listening for fans of lush, story telling in their rock and folk music. Devotees of Pink Floyd, David Bowie, and The Beatles should find something to enjoy here.

Listen to Matthias’s music and find out more on his Facebook page.

German rock/acoustic artist and Independent Music Awards Nominee Matthias Sturm comes across both as a seasoned songwriter and communicator on his US debut “Blood and Thunder”, due for release on Jan 17, 2012.

Matthias Sturm, reputed as a painter as well, started out as one of the young talented painter generation hailing from East Germany. His mixed-media paintings and monotypes are part of some more important public and private art collections in Germany, Austria and the USA.

DC Life Magazine 41