HERS magazine Jan/Feb 2015

New Ways

TO MANAGE STRESS

Designing Woman:

Jennifer Adams Making Your Food Look Even Better Than It Tastes

Leading

LADIES of

2015

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION TRACKER

How To FIND YOUR VOICE

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Women To Look For In 2015 Are Female Memes

SEXIST?

Editor-in-Chief, Annette Johnson Managing Editor, Morgan Hufstader Design Director, Joey Shepherd Online Editor, Bianca Nelson Beauty Editor, Erika Mitchell Social Media Director, Tamara King Editorial Assistant, Sarah Kitchens Sales Manager, Mic Mell Special Projects Manager, Veronique Thomas Contributors: Andrea Jurjevic Cassandra Hooker Darcell Lawrence Denise Renee Erika Mitchell Genie Patterson Jaime Johnson Keith Johnson Kim Seals Lenise R. Williams Linnet Brown Nicole Brodie Olivia Johnson Paige Hovey Peggy Hattendorf Rhea Li Toby Nyghtstorm Tyra James Claudia Jordan pictures: Juan Gibson, photographer (DNR Customs) Fallon Armbrister, makeup Tyiesha B, hair (HairnistaDivas) Lisa Nicole Collection, clothes Customer Service For subscription service or change of address, including email, contact info@hersmagazine.net or write to P.O. Box 1071, Atlanta, GA 30301 Hers (ISSN 2372-3785) is published six per year by Allwrite Communications, 241 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-221-0703

New Year

CONTENTS

F E AT U R E D S T O R Y 10 Bras and Business: Double Divas in 2015

Is your bra the right fit for you?

LifeTime’s Double Divas offer some surprising insight.

28 Women to Look for in 2015 A look at the up and coming powerhouse women of 2015.

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The Phantom Comes to Atlanta The Phantom of the Opera is up to new tricks in Atlanta’s inventive productions.

HER FLAVOR 27 Eat Right for Your Skin Type Whether you’re HER HEART

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Best Free Apps for Business Women All work and no play can make anyone a little crazy. With these free apps you can transform your phone into your own personal assistant.

9 The Woman Beyond the Pain When a relationship

ends, it’s important to pick yourself up off the ground and start all over again. Easier said than done unless you have these tips to help you through.

32 Education Your Teen About Personal Safety Personal safety is more about physical protection. Make sure your teenage daughter knows the warning signs and protects herself.

suffering from dry or oily skin, these tips will help you take care of your skin.

36 Winter Wardrobe It’s

cold outside, so make that work for you with our fashion tips for the winter season.

37 Moussaka Learn how to

make this healthy Greek treat to ignite your taste buds.

41 Five Fresh Hair Styles for the New Year New year, new you. Flaunt your luscious locks with these inspired winter styles.

HER LESSONS 42 Architects of Change

Two female architects discuss how they exceeded everyone’s expectations in a male dominated field.

46 The Voice You use your voice

daily, but do you really utilize it? Put your voice to the test and reach your full potential.

HER WORK 61 Budgeting Tips for the New Year Your wallet can take

a blow during the holidays. Retake control of your money with these budgeting tips.

ON THE COVER 14 Jennifer Adams

HGTV’s Jennifer Adams sits down with us and gives us never before seen tips and tricks to creating a better home for the new year.

63 3 Ways to Cope with a Layoff Layoff can feel like the end

of an era, but with these three methods, you can embrace it as a new beginning instead.

H E R P L AY

H E R H E A LT H 18 Accept Change

Change takes place all around us, whether we want it or not. Start embracing change instead of avoiding it.

19 New You for the New Year

It’s easy to set New Years resolutions, but how do you keep them?

24 Four Ways to Manage Stress

Between family, shopping, and cooking, the holidays can make you want to tear your hair out.

Keep sane with these easy tips.

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50 A Riot in the Soul This

controversial memoir focuses on the peculiar connection between intimacy and abuse through the lens of race, gender, and class.

51 Leading Ladies of 2015

Prepare for a leading lady take over in 2015. Top ladies of film and television to keep an eye on.

53 Most Anticipated Sounds of 2015 From Madonna to SOMEONE, what sounds are you eagerly looking forward to in the new year?

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6 ISSUES FOR

JUST $9.95

F E AT U R E S • H E A R T • F L AVO R • H E A LT H L E S S O N S • W O R K • P L AY W W W. H E R S - M A G A Z I N E . C O M 6

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Editor’s Letter

omen are interesting people; we really are.

However, you’d never know that by looking at the list of Google’s 10 most popular searches of 2014. What I immediately noticed is that there are no women or even women-oriented things on the list. Robin Williams tops the list followed by the World Cup and then Ebola. Major news stories, which are of interest to everyone, made the list, including Malaysia Airlines, 4, ISIS, 7, and Ferguson, 8. An online game called Flappy Bird and the children’s movie Frozen provided enough interest that they made the list at the 5 and 9 spots, respectively.

I would think that the trials of Bill Cosby would get an honorable mention, as a new woman seemingly emerges with a sexual

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assault accusation just about every week.

Curiously, the topic “police shootings,” or something surrounding that – besides just Ferguson – is nowhere to be found. Has the Oprah effect waned? Neither she nor any of her protégés, such as Dr. Phil or Iyanla Vanzant, made the top 20.

Women, no doubt, made a stir in 2014.

Seventeen-year-old Malala Yousafzai became the youngest woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. College sexual assault came to the forefront with new legislation being passed in California while people debated the legitimacy of an allegation at the University of Virginia. The many celebrity nuptials and pictures had people sharing images and commenting about everything from their unique gowns (Angelina Jolie) or lack thereof (Solange

Knowles) to the potential longevity of the relationship (Kim Kardashian).

Meanwhile, “nude picture-gate” exposed both Jennifer Lawrence and Gabrielle Union to a whole new set of eyes.

What do we have to look forward to in 2015? Apple and Facebook will be paying for female employees to harvest and freeze their eggs, and maybe this will start a trend. If that’s not interesting enough, we created a list or several to highlight women we think will be noteworthy for various reasons. Check them out and then search for them online. Maybe they’ll make this coming year’s top 10 popular searches.

Until, Annette R. Johnson

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Power Couples Begin With Supportive Spouses

W

hen you look at the couples society has branded as “power couples” such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z, David and Victoria Beckham, Barack and Michelle Obama, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, what do you see? What makes them different from other married celebrities or even everyday married couples all over the world?

1. They’re rich. That’s the obvious one. They have access to people and opportunities that the average couple doesn’t.

2. They have been together for a long time; people look up to them.

3. They support each other in their emotional and professional lives.

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When people learn that my husband and I work together, we hear the same old story. Over and over again, spouses tell us that they could never work with each other because they use work as a way to get away from each other.

I understand their reluctance, but I have a question to pose to them. How much closer would you be to the goals that you have set for your family and the advancements you have in mind for yourselves if you and your spouse learned to build up, motivate, and support one another? When the whole Solange, Beyoncé’s sister, attacked Jay-Z in an elevator, their response was united.

Beyoncé addressed the fiasco by saying, “Of course, sometimes (expletive) goes down when there are a billion dollars on

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BY TOBY GEORGE NYGHTSTORM

an elevator.”

There wouldn’t be a billion dollars on an elevator if they did not support each other in the good times and in bad. They’re each other’s biggest fans and support each other on and off stage. We as spouses must focus on supportive roots in order to build our own personal empires. If you make this principle a part of your marriage foundation, I promise you will be on the road to Power Couple status and be a force to be reckoned with in no time.

Toby George Nyghtstorm is the co-host of the weekly radio show, Nyghtstorm Nation, which helps people deal with issues that affect their everyday lives. She also co-authors the Nyghtstorm blog along with her husband, Y.G. Visit her on her website at http://nyghtstorm.com/

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The Woman Beyond the Pain

BY DARCELL LAWRENCE

“The woman in me is greater than the pain you might see,” I say to remind myself that I am not the sum total of my failures, missteps, or wounds I’ve received. Granted, moving on from a broken heart can be daunting, but it does not have to be debilitating. If you’re dealing with the pain from a broken relationship, don’t give up! Let that pain serve a purpose and learn from it instead. You made it through the holidays, so let’s start 2015 off right with the woman beyond the pain.

Though broken hearts are temporary, when going through the process of pain, it feels like the pain will never end. Everything and everyone seems to remind you of what “once was.” There is a woman inside of you that longs to live beyond that pain. She is an overcomer. In fact, she is unstoppable when she sets her mind to it. Furthermore, that woman is you!

The woman beyond the pain knows that even when relationships don’t work out, she is not a failure. She knows that

pain of the heart is temporary once she recognizes a disruptive moment is just that, a moment and not a lifetime. She knows that even if the world seems silent and distant, she can be her biggest cheerleader. And she will overcome.

We all have uniquely designed qualities that make us incredibly special. If we trust in those qualities, we will find the inner resources to silence the pain of heartbreak and hurts. Go beyond the pain. Use your time alone to discover the powerful woman inside of you. If fears, insecurities or other pressures have prevented those qualities from showing in the past, now is your time to shine brightly and purposefully. You can now hone your God-given strength and courage and move beyond the pain of a failed relationship.

Begin to be different; your desperate days are over.

Begin to live as the woman beyond the pain.

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H E R F E AT U R E

The Butterfly Effects of the Perfect Bra Fit

BY DENISE RENEE

Sit down with Cynthia Decker and Molly Hopkins for just a little while and you’ll find their candor, playfulness and sincerity move you to both out-loud laughter and tears…sometimes at the same time! Recently, the ladies of LifeTime’s hit show Double Divas sat down with HERS magazine for an intimate conversation.

“How did you do that?” Cynthia replied “This really is our gift. It’s our God-given talent.”

That God-given talent and passion for helping women opened up a whole new world for them. In 2013, the duo found their way into our hearts and homes via their hit show on Lifetime, Double Divas.

Their production company pitched them to the network as the “Lucy and Ethel of bras,” and indeed, they are quite the comedic duo. Episodes were usually fun-filled while they helped to bring much-needed transformations to women’s appearances and confidence. Indeed, the response across the country was phenomenal, but they never expected to begin to have a global impact on women around the world.

“Guess who wants bras?” Molly excitedly exclaims. “African women! They want bras…badly! It’s the women who are in the social system: schools, hospitals, educators, the business women. There’s a lot of income there, but because of the import/export duties and the tariffs on the components that make up the bras when it’s coming from here going there, it’s too high. Our show has been seen in Nigeria and South Africa, and we get messages daily from African women saying ‘help me.’

“We have clients here,” Cynthia continues, “who are from Nigeria, and they send us pictures of their family members and say please send my sister a bra.

They’re very loyal to us, and they want us to help.”

No More Double Divas?

After two seasons on Lifetime, no new episodes of Double Divas are currently being taped because Molly and Cynthia didn’t agree with the direction in which the network wanted to take the show.

Molly explained: “The head people at Lifetime are men, and the stereotype of lingerie is Victoria’s Secret. So their idea for the show was to put it on at 10 p.m. and see a bunch of sexy girls. When we first started filming, that’s who they hers-magazine.com

brought us to work with: cheerleaders and perfect bodies. Then they wanted us to have trouble fitting them. Cynthia and I were like, ‘This is fake. That’s not our customer.’”

Another major sticking point: their spiritual roots. They didn’t want to compromise their values. Proud of their personal beliefs, Cynthia shared, “I believe the show popularized that, and there was an episode where we went to fit ladies at a church. The producers wanted us to show more sex. We don’t fight and cuss.

We had people whose stories we wanted to share. They talked to us about their body shame, their abuse or why they over ate. It became more than just getting a pretty bra; it’s almost like they got their healing through a bra fitting. We know women have been going through real issues and that women like us are interested in watching, but [the TV execs] weren’t interested.”

What’s Next The lack of a TV show currently airing new episodes has actually opened up new possibilities for the ladies, which they’ve been able to give their full attention to since they are no longer filming. For example, at LiviRaeLingerie.com, the ladies have recently launched a “Virtual Fit” where they’ve translated their private, customized fitting experience you get in their store to the online space. “We can virtually fit you in the comfort of your own home or office via Skype without us putting our hands on you.”

Also on the immediate horizon is a program they’re about to launch in January 2015 that will allow them to “franchise” their concept by certifying brand ambassadors who are passionate about helping women the LiviRae way and building a business that could help them become more independent. They will come to their store in Kennesaw, GA, for an intense four days of training and will be provided with a tool kit and access to marketing support to help them launch in their area once they return home.

“We’re going to start the ‘Mary Kay’ of bras! We’re taking 10 people at a time.

We’re going to do an interview process to make sure they’re right for this and really want to do it because we’re not going to send people out there who don’t have a compassion for women or the passion for this business like we do. We’re not going to multi-level it, and we’re not going to join the direct sales association because we don’t want to let just any and everybody purchase a kit to make money. They’ll be certified by us to do what we do.”

And don’t be surprised when one day, they launch their own line of bras. “The reason we want to do it is because we know bra fitting,” says Cynthia confidently. “We know what’s needed in the marketplace.

We know what’s out there and what is being discontinued because of the lack of demand of more stores and boutiques placing orders. We want to make beautiful bras that fit big girls. The women who fit a 50N want to feel sexy too; they don’t want to see a granny pattern peaking through their shirts!”

-----------------About the Author Denise Renee is a professional copywriter, freelance journalist and blogger based in Atlanta, GA. Connect with her on Twitter via @MeetDeniseRenee.

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DESIGNING WOMAN Jennifer Adams explains how she created her prized interior design brand and how you can too.

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ennifer Adams may have gotten paid a pittance to clean houses for a living when she was growing up, but today, she has earned millions for decorating them. Adams grew up so poor that she had to help her mother literally make furniture for their 1,000 sq. ft. Oregon home.

She was the oldest of four children and started a housekeeping service with her sister in high school making $50 per job.

Realizing her passion for designing beautiful spaces, she worked as a receptionist to pay her way through design school, and by age 27, she opened her own interior design firm.

The former lead designer on HGTV’s “My First Place” and the a current design expert on Hallmark Channel’s “The Better Show,” Adams says, “A lot of women don’t have the confidence to believe that they can start their own business while men, for some reason, feel more confidence in their business or their idea.”

Getting past the “mental stereotyping,” as Adams calls it, or overcoming our own mental barriers, and having confidence and perseverance are the biggest challenges to female entrepreneurs.

“Women tend to believe that when they do start their own business, that they’re not going to be a good enough mom or a good enough wife or a good enough partner. That’s something I hear continually.”

While she hasn’t had children yet, the 40-year-old married designer says it’s something she still considers. “I don’t think you have to sacrifice [having a family], though. I do think it’s more of a mental thing, and there are ways you can do it and make it work. There are so many women who do. Look at Sarah Palin. She has five kids. You can do it and keep your family intact. I think the kids will be better off for it because the kids will learn from their mom’s entrepreneurial spirit, especially in empowering the girls.”

Adams feels that female entrepreneurs have more of a “unique path” than men, in part, due to the additional insecurities and guilt many women, especially mothers, have in trying to become successful in business. This is why she believes that having positive, supportive people around is pivotal for businesswomen.

“My sister and I used to sleep in the same bed together, and we cleaned houses together… We did every single thing together.” Still, she had to branch out on her own in business.

With little support, she launched her award-winning interior decorating firm in 1999. “When I started my interior design business, everybody knew I had been the receptionist the day before,” she recalls. “You shouldn’t look to your family, friends, and the people closest to you to support your new business.

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3. Decorate the walls. Frame pieces of fabric or wallpaper that you love or even pictures from books and magazines. For instance, matching the fabric you have on pillows, putting the fabric in picture frames, and then hanging them on a wall, will create a unified room. In general, hang a series of pictures, 12 or so, with the same theme in one room. Adams has framed recipe cards in her kitchen.

4. Reupholster chairs. Adams says this can be done in five minutes. In fact, it’s one of the easiest most inexpensive DIY room enhancements.

“Buy the best quality that you can afford,” Adams suggests.

“Vintage is so chic now, so people can go to vintage shops, flea

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markets, garage sales, and online resources for vintage pieces.

People can get a better quality, higher-end piece for a lesser price than some of the retail stores. Dig before you just go to buy something brand new. Be creative and don’t be afraid to repurpose or refinish pieces.”

An admitted online shopping addict but not a brand enthusiast, her favorite sites besides her own (www.jenniferadamshome.com) include: • •

One Kings Lane Restoration Hardware

-ARJ

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Change + H E R FA I T H

BY KIM SEALS

Change is everywhere. It’s taking place all around us.

Change occurs in our lives whether we initiate it or not. Not all change is voluntary. Without any effort from us, every 60 seconds produces a minute. Every 60 minutes then turns into an hour. Every 24 hours marks a new day. Change is ever-present.

The Purpose of Change Whether we like it or not, change is necessary. If we aren’t growing, we’re dying. If we’re not transforming, we’re stuck. Stuck is neither improving, nor getting worse.

We get stuck in many ways – probably too many to number—in our attitudes, our health, our habits, our professions, and even in our relationships. After a while, being stuck can get old. Our level of satisfaction begins to wane and we find ourselves craving a change.

Change is the effort required to move us beyond our present circumstances. Change is necessary if we are going to keep advancing, growing, and improving. Even change that’s generated by pain is a necessary evil that prompts growth in our character and integrity. In the end, change is good.

Anticipate Change Each year, corporations invest millions of dollars in change management initiatives. They actively devise an approach to transition individuals, teams, and their organization to a desired future state. Thus, they anticipate change and decide, in advance, their status or outcome as a result of that change.

As these professional change managers anticipate changes in the marketplace that will require adjustments in the way they do business, we too should anticipate changes in our lives. Everything changes; nothing remains the same. And in light of this truth, we have the choice to embrace change voluntarily or involuntarily.

We do not have to become victims of change, accosted by its unannounced impact, adjustments, and demands.

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We can prove victorious in light of change, if we learn to manage it properly.

Maintain Your Goal The first step in successfully managing change is defining our goal. As mothers, grandmothers, wives, sisters, aunts, nieces, friends, entrepreneurs, managers, and coworkers, we have personal and professional goals. Goals provide purpose for the time we expend each day. Without goals, unfortunately, we are merely wasting time. Goals are set.

Setting goals is like driving a stake in the ground and marking one’s destination. Goals are declarations of advancement, and when we encounter change in our lives, it can threaten our ability or desire to achieve the goal we have set for ourselves. As long as a goal is positive and does not promote harm in our lives or the lives of others, we should maintain our commitment to achieving it regardless of the challenges we may face.

Altering our goals promotes instability and uncertainty.

Just as shifting targets are more difficult to hit, shifting goals are more difficult to achieve.

Exercise Flexibility Adapting within – not to – our circumstances is not an admission of failure, but wisdom. When we adapt, we demonstrate our ability to alter our path to success, without removing the option of success. We do not change our goal, but rather we change the means by which we achieve it.

Success is our only option, but how we achieve that success is up to us.

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BY RHEA LI

New You for the New Year The New Year is here! While many, many people plan to use this landmark time to get healthier or lose weight, the problem with these goals is that they are difficult to maintain. Most people want to see a significant weight loss within a few months or hope to change eating habits within a few weeks. Unfortunately, weight loss can be more complicated than that, but here are some tips to help you reach your goals.

Set Realistic Goals First, choose a resolution that is attainable.

For example, set a time frame that within 3 months, you will lose 10 pounds. This would be a healthy way to lose weight, about 1-2 pounds per week. It is possible that you could actually lose more weight, which would make you feel that losing weight is easy. If you were trying to be healthier either through diet or exercise, set a more realistic goal. For instance, plan to exercise for 30 minutes 2-3 days per week, and gradually increase throughout the year. I always tell my patients to set goals for the week or month. When trying to eat healthier, make small changes, such as eating one fruit per day, and increase as this becomes a daily habit.

Get Support To help you meet your resolutions, you also need support within your everyday life.

While family and friends are a great support system, you also need to “redo” your house and office space. Try to eliminate all the “junk” foods or foods that you have a weakness for. This could include chips, crackers, cookies, bread, or the granola bar that you have at your desk every afternoon.

Replace these items with healthier

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alternatives in your refrigerator, pantry, and at work. Consider including yogurt (Greek yogurt will provide more protein, making you feel fuller longer), whole grain crackers or bread, high fiber cereal (already portioned in separate containers or bags), oatmeal, fresh fruit or vegetables, and water.

In the last few months, I started adding yogurt to my daily routine. As someone who does not particularly like the taste, I now have it almost daily, helping me resist my neighbor’s candy jar.

Ease into Exercise Additionally, you can try to set a time to exercise with friends or family. If this is difficult, try to have your workout attire ready to go each day as a reminder to take action. Take breaks or walks during your work day to help get in the 30 minutes that you might not have time for later in the day. Once you do this for a couple of weeks, it will become more habitual. Most cell phones and other technology can help you set an alarm that will remind you to exercise.

Make Your Health a Priority Perhaps the most difficult thing to do is to make all of this work in your hectic schedule. It usually helps to maintain a list of things you need to do. To help with your cooking, try to plan a menu each week so you will know exactly what you need at the grocery store - and to minimize the possibility of ordering take-out. If you must eat lunch or dinner out, remember that healthy choices, such as salads or wraps, are better options. However, moderation is also okay. Occasionally having the dinner that you enjoy will not hinder your ultimate weight loss goal.

In sum, don’t try to put too much on your plate (so to speak). Take each day as it comes, and do not get frustrated if you slip up every now and then. Don’t be afraid to start again! Once you establish healthy habits, the rest will be that much easier.

Treat yourself for reaching each goal or staying on track for a certain amount of time. Good luck with your resolutions!

Rhea Li is a Registered Dietitian who received her

Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Texas.

She has a special interest in working with children and has received her certification in pediatric weight management. Currently, she is working on a research study to determine the importance of nutrition in pediatric cancer patients. In the past, she has worked with pregnant women and their children. In her spare time, she enjoys being with family, exercising, traveling and of course, eating. Rhea can be reached via Twitter at @rhea_li.

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+ H E R F E AT U R E

MAJA SLY THE BRAI (AND BEAU BEHIND WALK-IN WEAVES 20

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Y: INS AUTY)

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H

air is a woman’s crowning glory. So, when we don’t like the hair coming out of our heads, we have no problems changing it with a wig, extensions or a weave. Even if you didn’t know that the hair care industry is a $4 Billion (with a “B”!) industry, just about any woman knows that it is easy to lay down a small fortune for good products, good service, or any hair we want added to our own.

So what comes to mind when you hear that you can walk into a salon - without an appointment - and get a weave starting at $45 and walk out (on the quicker side of things) in about an hour?

Are you thinking, “Well, how good can that be?”

Don’t worry, it wasn’t a trick question; you’re not alone. Many women, in fact, already think that’s impossible for a truly professional weave job.

However, Maja Sly would like the opportunity to show you just how great (forget good) it truly can be.

With six locations across Atlanta, Columbus, GA and now Charlotte, NC, Walk-in-Weaves is a concept salon that is a force to be reckoned with in the salon industry. “My motto is ‘We’re affordable; we’re not cheap,” says Sly, a savvy entrepreneur.

“I wanted to bring something to the marketplace so that women could afford to maintain their style and look without sacrificing their purse.”

Multi-talented and multi-faceted, Maja holds a degree in finance and has been successful in other ventures. But hair is her calling. “I’m a real estate broker. I’ve made a lot more money in other industries doing a lot less work. This is a passion for me.”

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4 Ways to Manage Stress

BY NICOLE BRODIE

W hat is the number one thing in life that people can do without? When asked that question, many answer with just one word: “stress.” Being a single mother of a set of twins, working a full-time job, and pursuing my life’s passions keeps me on the hunt for new ways to manage my stress level at all times.

Stress to many is synonymous to the air they breathe. It’s not that people purposely go out looking for reasons to be stressed, it’s that stress is one of the easiest emotions to channel especially when those around us demand so much from us.

Stress is a component to life that is unavoidable; however, it is manageable. Here are four ways to manage stress so that you can get back to the things that matter:

+ HER WELLNESS

Evaluate the Company You Keep At times, those around us will keep us grounded and share our value of friends and family; however, there’s nothing like a good trial or tribulation to bring to light the need to take inventory on those we depend on. Unfortunately, life has a way of forcing us to make hard decisions that often include the need to terminate certain relationships that are doing us more harm than good. Never get so busy or too flippant that you become unaware of the people that are negatively influencing decisions that affect your life. It’s important that we keep ourselves surrounded with people who tell us the truth and who have our best interest at heart.

Know the Importance of the Word “No” As a nurturer, advisor, and an answer to someone’s bad day, it’s hard to leave much room for the word “no,” and that lack of space often causes the stress level of many women to hit its highest peak. We’ve all heard that stress is a silent killer, and some of us have even been warned of the physical dangers come with a stress filled life; yet there are still those of us who insist on learning the repercussions of stress the hard way. It’s important that we listen to our body and realize that our world will not fall apart just because we can’t answer every call or solve every problem presented to us. Our reputation of being the “super hero” in the lives of those we love will not get tarnished just because we have to say the word “no.” The word “no” will be a lifesaver to those who learn how to properly use it.

Do Something Just For You Women in today’s world have the added stress of surpassing the stigmas and prejudices of society. Many of us get so caught up in the

hustle and bustle of everyday life that we become completely neglectful of our own needs. We have to understand that we are no good to those around us or to the responsibilities that we attach ourselves to if we don’t take the time to take care of ourselves. When a person neglects to address their need to do something that feeds their soul and fuels their inner being, they become unhappy and eventually depressed. Recognize when you are running on empty and take the time to do things that make you smile and remind you that you are alive.

Make Mental Rest a Priority When many of us say, “I’m tired,” we are not always talking about being physically tired.

When our mind is on overload and we are being pulled in many directions, we can become mentally drained and unable to function at our full potential. Though our bodies are moving to and fro, our mind is stuck in quick sand and our emotions are tangled in a web of confusion.

It’s important that we take time out of our busy schedules for a mental break. Taking a mental break can be as simple as meditating or reading a good inspirational book. Prioritizing mental rest is a way of putting ourselves back on track with the things that are important to us. When we are mentally rejuvenated, we are then able to handle all that life has to offer.

Author Nicole Brodie takes great pride in inspiring people to live a happier, more productive life through her articles on topics covering self-esteem and accepting personal responsibility in the pursuit of freedom. Nicole is also the author of “Exposing the Bondage Within,” which is an inspirational and motivational tool designed to inspire those to take the journey of self-evaluation in order to find freedom from what keeps them from forward movement. To learn, more visit www.nicolebrodie.com.

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Women to Watch in

2015

BY D E N I S E R E N E E

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2 Who: Maja Sly What Area: Business Where She’s Located: Atlanta, GA Why: She’s a Real Estate mogul, owns

several locations of an innovative concept beauty salon, and carries a degree in finance. Is there anything Maja Sly can’t do? Maja has been a quiet tour de force in the Metro Atlanta area, but living under the radar will not last for long. Once considered for the cast of Real Housewives of Atlanta and Married to Medicine, don’t be surprised if you see Maya on a TV screen near you soon! Learn more about Maja Sly’s current ventures in our feature article.

Who: Erin Brockovich What Area: Advocacy Where She’s Located: Agoura Hills, CA Why: Erin Brockovich became a household name

back in 2000 when Julia Roberts portrayed her so well in a movie bearing Brockovich’s name that Roberts won an Oscar for Best Actress. However, major corporations who were wreaking havoc on the environment already knew her name since 1993 and have been shaking in their boots ever since. Fast forward 20 years and Erin is still going strong, championing causes and still holding major corporations accountable through her firm Brockovich Research & Consulting. Although synonymous with championing environmental causes, she has expanded her advocacy to include assisting those wronged by pharmaceutical companies and their products as well as personal injury cases. A few of her current projects include helping those affected by the drugs Xarelto and Lipitor as well as women who underwent unnecessary hysterectomies to treat fibroids. Learn more at Brocovich.com.

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Who: Condoleezza Rice What Area: Sports Where She’s Located: Stamford, CT Why: She’s most known for being the 66th Secretary of

State of the US and for her academic career at Stamford University. However, Condoleezza Rice is a woman of many talents; and they extend beyond her classical piano skills. In October 2013, Rice was selected to be one of the 13 inaugural members of the College Football Playoff, Postseason Selection Committee. She endured initial criticism over her selection. But her dad’s influence (who was a football coach), her experiences dealing with athletic issues in her role as Provost at Stamford, plus her own dedication to the game (she watches 13 – 15 college match ups every week!) has helped to quiet the naysayers. Keep up with the former Madam Secretary at Facebook.com/ CondoleezzaRice.

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Who: Jessica Camerata and

Cathy Anderson What Area: Business Where She’s Located:

Atlanta, GA

Why: The two fashion bloggers

4

Who: “Rowdy” Ronda

Rousey What Area: Sports &

Entertainment Where She’s Located:

Venice, CA Why: Rhonda Rousey is an

accomplished Judoka, having won a Bronze Medal in Judo at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Not one to rest on her laurels, Rousey entered the Mixed Martial Arts arena as an amateur but quickly became one of its’ brightest rising stars. Currently, Rousey is literally at the top of her game, being ranked the #1 female MMA fighter in the world. What’s next for this champion? Maybe an Oscar? In 2014, Rousey appeared in the Sylvester Stallone film The Expendable’s 3. Look for her on the big screen near you in April when Furious 7 is released and remember: you heard it here first! Get more first looks at RondaMMA.com.

founded the Southern Blog Society in January of 2012 and then recently launched the Southwest Blog Society in September 2014. For 2015, they plan to host the “biggest” annual blogger event to date in Charleston, SC, at the Belmond Hotel and potentially launch a third blogger region. Cathy Anderson, the former NYC fashion magazine editor, is the voice behind the style blog Poor Little It Girl. She has been featured in People StyleWatch among other publications. Jessica Camerata’s blog, My Style Vita, is where she shares fashion and beauty tips and inspiration, beauty, recipes and home decor inspiration.

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Who: Yuxi Bi What Area: Fashion Where She’s Located:

Paris, France

Why: Yuxi Bi is a designer to watch. Recently graduating from top design school Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), she secured herself the prestigious honor of showing her collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week as a finalist in the 2014 Suprima Design Competition.

In her romance-inspired collection, Bi draped and twisted the fabrics in to luxurious gowns that enhanced a woman’s body. Yuxi’s true passion, though, lies in Haute Couture. Having moved to Savannah from her home in the Heilongjiang Province in China, Yuxi packed her bags one more time and recently headed off the Paris, France to take on an apprenticeship at a Parisian couture design house. Stay on the lookout for more to come from this rising star.

Who: Elizabeth Warren What Area: Politics Where She’s Located: Cambridge, MA

Why: Elizabeth Warren is not only a woman to keep an eye on this year but, quite

possibly, in the years to come. The Massachusetts Senator has been recently labeled as a leading figure for the Democratic Party and, quite possibly, a major contender in the 2016 presidential elections. Warren’s main focus is on financial issues; not surprising, considering she was involved in overseeing many of the relief programs in the 2008 financial crisis. Her latest battle looks to be centered on the recent Congressional effort to overturn the Dodd-Frank law, an act that, she claims, would dismantle programs vital to the regulation of Wall Street and the prevention of another financial crisis. If she is, in fact, gearing up to run in 2016, we anticipate big efforts in the works for Elizabeth Warren in 2015.

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Training Young Girls in Emotional Self-Defense

BY MORGAN HUFSTADER

The statistics of violence against females are staggering. According to the CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey in 2010, 80% of rape victims were younger than 25. Of that number, 42% were raped before the age of 18. Teens and young adults run the highest risk of falling victim to sexual assault.

J

ennifer Riis-Poulsen, founder of Powerhouse Self-Defense, saw this problem and wanted to do something to change those statistics. “There are so many self-defense programs out there,” Jennifer Riis-Poulsen reported. “I’m in martial arts and I know the kind of self-defense that we teach…it’s not working. We need to teach more than just that physical aspect.”

With a background in psychology, RiisPoulsen decided to move away from the physical aspect of self-defense and, instead, started to teach young women about awareness. “[When most] self defense classes teach awareness, it’s more like be aware of strangers, don’t take this, don’t do that. It has to be more than that.”

Powerhouse Self-Defense teaches emotional self-defense, where young women learn how to predict behaviors 32

and made decisions based off of those predictions. “We made predictions all the time,” Riis-Poulsen explained. “When reading books, we can predict the end; when watching movies, we can predict the end. But in our real lives, we’re not doing that in terms of personal safety.”

Imagine trying to watch a movie while the person next to you is talking the entire time. You lost track of the plot and become distracted. Riis-Poulsen explained that the same reaction occurs in our everyday lives. “[We are] interrupted all time, so we’re not getting the full picture and we’re not able to predict what is going to happen…My teaching helps them predict certain behaviors in certain situations and recognize the danger signs. And I don’t mean the danger signs of someone coming towards you with an axe, that’s a very overt sign, we’re talking about subtle

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mind manipulations involved in grooming or luring someone, lurking them, calling them, doing things to play on your emotions. We focus on that; we train on women how to identify those warning signs.”

In order to recognize warning signs, Powerhouse Self-Defense makes a point to teach women the power of observation.

They give them activities to hone their observation techniques and make them more aware of their surroundings. We’re not as observant as we think we are, Riis-Poulsen said. “It’s called intentional blindness; we’re looking around without seeing what’s right in front of us.”

Part of sharpening your observation skill involves developing your intuition.

Intuition, Riis-Poulsen explained, is more than a feeling. Rather, intuition is an understanding of the way your body reactions to fight and flight instincts, for example, the way your heart beat picks up when sensing danger. We’re biologically connected to our animal instincts, but technology has dulls our senses and judgment occasionally forces us to overthink situations. “We need to get back to our actual instincts.”

Emotional self-defense is preventative as well as practical. Riis-Poulsen said, “Sex trafficking is on the rise—it’s huge—it’s one of the most heinous crimes and it’s effecting our young girls. [Not just the] girls from different economic backgrounds; we’re talking about the girl next door, right here in your neighborhood. We need to educate young girls to identify and recognize the signs of grooming so they don’t get caught up in that industry. We want them to enjoy their lives, we want them to have their goals, but…there’s a lot happening out there and teenage girls are very vulnerable. Their self-esteem issues are bad and the perpetrators know this. My program is there to educate them and empower them to avoid things like that.” Emotional self-defense is not only for young women, but also for women of all ages. “The powerhouse mission is to empower all woman to live safe, healthy, and active lives.”

Learn more about Powerhouse Self-Defense at www.powerhouseselfdefense.com.

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Couture Bakery + HER FOOD

SHARON HUDSON

Sharon Hudson has her own secret recipe for success.

This female entrepreneur started her own bakery— AKAKery—with her daughter, Hillary. She operates out of Atlanta, Georgia, and designs custom cakes and cupcakes. We had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Sharon Hudson about her delectable bakery.

PHOTOGRAPHY DARRYL ROGERS FOR D.A.P IMAGE

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How long have you been in business and why did you start?

I’ve officially been in business since 2010. Prior to that time, I’ve been baking for family and close friends.

Through their encouragement, I took the plunge into full time baking as a way to spread happiness and good cheer.

How did you learn to bake?

I was raised by my great grandparents in a very old school manner. Dinner was served every night at 6:00 p.m. with several courses, including dessert.

My great grandmother cooked everything from scratch; so many of my cake recipes were memorized when I was a child and incorporated today. Some of the best memories of childhood were of freshly baked cakes with fluffy icing swirled on top, so I strive to recreate that with every cake I bake. I’ve taken a few decorating classes to perfect some of the techniques used now, but learning to bake was taught in my great grandmother’s kitchen. I am a lifetime learner and I learn different tips and tricks by talking to fellow bakers worldwide through a number of different groups and associations.

Where do you get you design ideas from?

Design ideas come from everywhere.

I am blessed to be able to recreate anything I see through the medium of cake. Customers give me pictures and I can recreate. Customers can state an idea and I can transform their idea from a conception into cake. If you can conceive it, I can recreate it in 2D or 3D form through cake.

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How long does it take you to make one of your designer cakes from start to finish?

It takes me about three days to create a cake from start to finish. The easiest part of creating a cake is actually baking it. The baked cake is my medium for design and once the cake has been properly baked and cooled, I can begin the artistry. After the cake has cooled and been refrigerated overnight, I can then begin the design work. Often this takes several instances of icing and refrigerating to “set” the icing, which takes place on day two. The third day is putting the finishing touches on the cake and delivery to the customer.

“Some of the best memories of childhood were of freshly baked cakes with fluffy icing swirled on top,”

What guides or influences your creative process?

Artistic self-expression. I am an extremely creative person and I work with a number of different mediums - sewing, crocheting, knitting, and various types of needlework.

It seems that another offshoot of my selfexpression is to marry my love of cake with the creativity of cake design. I can see something on paper and bring it to life through cake. My knowledge of color, shading, and texture obtained through fabric crafts transfers to cakes when using different techniques and different design mediums such as choosing fondant versus buttercream icing. I can create draping and fluid movement on cake just as I can with fabric by using fondant.

know to do. [Other] challenging designs are shoes, boots, [and] skates. Something we don’t typically think of as edible has to be realistic enough, yet whimsical enough to want the customer to cut right in.

What is the most challenging design you’ve done thus far?

Who would you like to decorate or design a cake for as your own personal challenge or interest?

The challenge in cake design for me is properly stacking cakes so that they don’t lean or wobble and are 100% level.

Nothing worse than creating the Leaning Tower of Pisa when it is supposed to be perfectly aligned. To that end, cakes that are designed to be off center and tapered are equally as maddening to me. The “topsy -turvy” design challenges me every time. It’s supposed to teeter and not fall, but mine tend to slip. I have to convince myself to do almost opposite [of what] I

There are a number of people and entities who I would like to take on the challenge of designing a cake. Arthur Blank comes to mind as I’m a huge football fan, a huge Atlanta Falcon’s fan. I would thrilled if I could design a cake for our hometown team. As Arthur Blank is also a co-owner in Home Depot, he might like the… cupcakes and cakes I made for a child’s birthday party. It would be an honor to design for both Home Depot and our Atlanta Falcons.

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Are your cakes affordable for a simple birthday or are you more geared toward high-end, bigger events?

AKAKery has affordable cakes for anyone who eats cake. I create delicious cakes in a variety of sizes from 4” up to 22” inches.

The more elaborate the decor the cost increases accordingly. A simply designed cake such as what you would expect to find for Sunday dinner is as lovingly prepared as a showpiece. Cupcakes are another option, which can be perfect for a child’s birthday party or a formal evening wedding.

Visit Sharon Hudson bakery and view her designs at AKAKery’s website, http:// akakery.com.

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ARCHITECTS of CHANGE

BY MORGAN HUFSTADER

“I would hear people say, Did you know there’s a child protégé here? For a while, I thought they were talking about me…I didn’t realize there were two of us.” Rosannah Sandoval attended college at only 12 years old after passing the California proficiency exam. She then enrolled in architecture school and immersed herself in “architecture boot camp.” After nine years of intensive mandatory training, Rosannah became the youngest licensed architect in the history of the American Institute of Architects at age 23.

She was not alone. Courtney Brett found her own loophole. An anxious test-taker as a child, her parents encouraged her to take the SAT for practice so that, by time she reached high school, she would get the hang of it. To her surprise, Mary Baldwin College received her SAT scores and contacted her about starting college early.

“I’m a high school drop out,” she laughed as she recounted how she left high school to start college at the young age of 14.

Blueprints for a Future What drove these two women to accomplish so much at such a young age? Was it nurture or nature? For Courtney Brett, the key to her early success involved both a clear direction and the support of her family to encourage her down the right path. “I’ve wanted to be an architect

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since I was 10,” she said. Her father was in the Air Force, her mother a stay-at-home parent, and they travelled frequently, following her father from base to base. On the car drive back and forth, her mother used to give Courtney and her sister paper and pens to play with. Instead of drawing dragons and princesses, Courtney drew blueprints of the different houses they lived in and the schools they attended.

On her 11th birthday, her parents gave her a scale and graph paper and explained what an architect did. After that, she was hooked.

Courtney never felt the pressure of gender roles in her household. “I was raised to believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that I could do anything, be anything.” Her father did the same things with his daughters that he would’ve done with sons and took them sailing and golfing. Her mother made it clear that she was a stay-at-home mother not to fill a gender role, but because that was her passion in life, and she told her children that they had the option to follow in those footsteps when they grew older. “It wasn’t, ‘you can be an architect if you want to be an architect’…I never had a doubt that I could do anything. That really helped me.” With the support of her parents, Courtney attended the school she wanted, got her dream job, and even set up her own architecture firm.

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“I’ve always been surprised by what you can get if you just ask for it,” Redesigning the Glass Ceiling Like Courtney, Rosannah also came from a supportive family and, coincidentally enough, a military family, constantly on the move. She knew she wanted to get into architecture and her family encouraged her into it from a young age. She met very few hurdles based on her gender, though she claimed, “I had more obstacles because of my age rather than my gender. Academically, I was at the level of my peers, but there was a social discrepancy…People observed me as a young female and thought, ‘I don’t know if 44

she can keep up.’”

According to The American Institute of Architects’ 2014 Foresight Report, only 15% of their licensed members are women. “The air gets thinner the higher I climb,” Courtney explained. While there are plenty of women in the educational programs, very few women actually attain their license.

Courtney added that there had not been what she called a “defining moment of prejudice” in her life. She acknowledged that prejudice existed, but explained that she did not let it hamper her career choices. “[Prejudice] does not define their path in life,” she said when she spoke about women struggling in male-dominated professions. “While it may happen, it doesn’t need to be a defining moment.”

The lack of women in leadership positions becomes a problem when young architects are looking for role models.

Rosannah, however, claimed she had plenty of mentors to help her along the

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way. In her second year at architecture school, Rosannah met the “other child protégé,” Courtney Brett, and they lived under the same roof for four months while building family houses. Even when they went their separate ways, they still kept in touch and encouraged one another professionally. “I always found amazing female mentors,” Rosannah said. “That’s key for women in any profession, find someone who you want to see yourself as.

I wanted to speak to people as they did, command an audience as they did.”

Driven by sheer determination and a desire to prove the naysayers wrong, Rosannah accomplished what many would have only dreamt of doing at her age. Half of her success, she claimed, came from learning not to fear failure.

“I’ve always been surprised by what you can get if you just ask for it,” she said. “I always wanted to live in New York and go to graduate school, but the program I was interested in had a 9% acceptance

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+ HER BY PERSONAL GROWTH

The Voice

BY TYRA JAMES

S

top…close your eyes and ponder this question. How long would it take for anyone to notice you have stopped using your voice? I know it may seem like an odd question, however your answer may be quite revealing. What is the purpose of your voice? You have a voice for three reasons: expression, distinction, and protection.

Expression involves process of making known one’s thoughts or feelings. As infants, children, and teens, this component of the voice is often used very freely, to the point where it can be humorous, liberating, or annoying to their adult counterparts. Nevertheless, the parent or guardian consciously or unconsciously begins the process of quieting the child’s expression and, in most cases, justifiably. This “quieting process” leads to learned behavior which often follows into adulthood, and affects your expression of who you really are.

What you feel, like, want, and love is then expressed often quietly or not at all. Express yourself ! Let your unique and valuable voice out. Use it in a way that will bring love, peace, and joy to your family, friends, and community.

The second reason for having a voice is distinction.

Distinction means the difference or contrast between similar things or people; it’s the ability to define that “thing” that sets someone or something apart from others.

There is only one you. Does that bring a smile to your face? Your voice has its own identity. Take a moment to think of your favorite singer. Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Celine Dion, or Patti LaBelle. Collectively, they’re professional singers,

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however there is a magnificent distinct difference between the way Elvis Presley sings verses the way Patti LaBelle sings.

They have decided express themselves through their own unique musical style. Have you decided how to distinctively identify yourself ? What do you give to your family, friends, and community? What is your magnificent, distinct difference?

Your difference is your reward. Discover it, use it, and share it!

The third reason for having a voice is for protection.

Protection prevents someone or something from suffering harm or injury. Dare to be vulnerable and live authentically in every component of the voice, especially this one. As a child, I suffered sexual abuse and I didn’t have my voice to protect me.

I now use my voice to bring awareness and to teach others to protect themselves with their voice. This may not be your story, but for what cause are you using your voice to protect someone or something in this world?

My challenge to you today…speak! Find your voice and, in doing so, you will encourage others to find theirs.

A powerful positive and larger than life force of personality, Tyra James brings a special brand of evolving and wholeness to her life coaching business. Tyra is a Certified Life Coach, conference speaker, seminar presenter, and motivational teacher. She received her life coaching certification from The Life Coach Institute (LCI), and has dedicated 17 years to helping women and men overcome various problems concerning their health and life. Tyra D. James, Certified Life Coach, wolstudio220@bex.net, 419.271.7758

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HERS New Year’s Resolution Tracker What do you want to change for 2015?

Plan : Here is our 4A’s method to successfully achieve your goals: 1.) State or admit without excuses or blame that you have a particular problem.

For example: “I am a procrastinator.”

2.) Apologize directly or indirectly (i.e. letter) to those, including yourself, who you have hurt or disappointed because of this personal shortcoming or issue.

3.) Determine what action you need to take in order to immediately change or begin to minimize this behavior.

Complete both statements below: What do I need to stop to reach this goal?

What do I need to start to reach this goal?

4.) What’s your motivation, or aim? If you already haven’t, you will need to identify a reason that is inspiring or stimulating enough to keep you going.

For example: “I could lose ________________ (something you value) if I don’t change.”

For example: “I could gain ________________ (something you value) if I change.”

Popular Resolutions You can use this list or modify it to include your resolutions Stop smoking Weight loss Career change Save money Spend more time with the family _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Post Post your goals online and tag us at #hers2015goals #hersmagazine

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+ H E R S O C I A L C O M M E N TA RY

Are Memes SEXIST?

A

picture is worth a thousand words, and nowhere is that more on point than on the Internet, where the most popular form of self-expression can be communicated through a selfie or meme. While selfies may capture your personal mood and style, memes do it indirectly through the use of funny, sometimes controversial pictures of celebrities, animals, and everyday people.

A picture alone is not what makes a muchshared meme, the words must complement the picture in a way that both elicits a response and invokes an opinion. The comments serve to pinpoint an audience or individual and make a declaration using sarcasm, irony, or cynicism. People even “troll” popular posts simply to read or even “steal” other people’s memes.

The ability to be anonymous behind a computer leaves the door wide open for people to remain faceless/nameless and to toss their negative or oftentimes ignorant opinion into a stream of otherwise corresponding comments. These memes

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BY KEITH JOHNSON

are occasionally funny but often crude form of self-expression. Pronounced like the word “me,” memes are often sexist. Memes feature women are almost always either sexualized or promoting the stereotype of the “stupid woman.” Some of the more popular memes are Idiot Nerd Girl, a hipster character who pretends to be nerdy to “fit in” with an alternative group. Confused Black Girl is another popular meme character who wears an incredulous expression and points out the confounding dilemmas of daily life. Lastly, Overly Attached Girlfriend perpetuates the stereotype of the “psycho” clingy girlfriend who commits wild antics to keep her boyfriend.

on Twitter: “I’m always amused by the @ OvrlyAttachdGF tweets. Then I realize my face is associated with it and I’m slightly disturbed. Still awesome.” Others have felt attacked by the memes and even attempted to file lawsuits to get their image removed from these meme-making sites.

It is important to note that none of the woman in the images are actually writing any of the memes; rather, their likeness has been duplicated by strangers over the internet who use the image as a humorous outlet. Some of the unintentional “meme models,” such as Laina Walker of the “Overly Attached Girlfriend” fame embrace the meme and even mentioned

You can laugh, shrug, or debate about this assertion, but it remains a fact that people like making fun of other people’s perceived shortcomings, mishaps, unfortunate situations, and even status in life. Do you find memes offensive or funny? Email us your answer at editor@hers-magazine.com with the subject MEME DEBATE. Now smile.

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From there, memes range from classy comedic satire to downright degrading and offensive. As I furthered my (little to no) research by Googling simply “kitchen jokes,” I found a litany of jokes geared toward popular gender perceptions. It seems that the best way to combat or cope with it is to laugh or personally strive to overcome such perceptions.

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+ HER TRAVEL

15 Must-See Spots for

2015

Singapore – The Lion City achieved independence from Malaysia in 1965 and is celebrating her Golden Jubilee in 2015. This financial, commercial, and economic powerhouse of Southeast Asia it has taken the nod from Tokyo as the most expensive city in the world.

When to go – It has a tropical year-round climate. High season is November-June.

Why - In anticipation of the festivities and events, the City boasts several new developments including Marina Bay, a defined entertainment district, a new National Art Gallery, Sports Hub, and expanded Metro system.

Enjoy shopping along famed Orchard Road, visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum and delight in the 10,000 plants, trees and rainforest at the Botanic Gardens.

BY PEGGY HATTENDORF

These are destinations that deserve “serious consideration” for travel in 2015. Whether you love sightseeing, shopping, delectable cuisine or adventure – these places deliver. Below you will find places to go for white, pink hued, or black sand beaches for that relaxing escape. If your interests rest in world and military history or ancient civilizations and ruins, this list contain the blockbusters.

Here are the top 15 places to travel for 2015:

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Steamboat Springs, Colorado – This charming town, often overshadowed by the more “glitzy” cities of Vail and Aspen, is known as “Ski Town USA.” Here lives the true spirit of the West. Howelsen Hill is the state’s oldest continuously operated ski area with the largest natural ski-jumping complex in North America.

When to go – It’s a year-round destination.

Why – Enjoy downhill skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, ice fishing and even ice climbing in the winter.

The winter carnival features an amusing scene with adults on shovels being pulled behind horses down

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Main Street. Summer brings both the Annual Cowboys Roundup Days and a Hot Air Balloon Rodeo. Fall presents the perfect time for hiking and biking along the scenic Yampa River Core Trail.

Empire. Machu Picchu is a 15th Century Inca site located 7,972 + feet above sea level. Arequipa, called the “White City” was built on a white volcanic stone called sillar rock. It holds the UNESCO designation as a World Heritage Site.

through August. The months of November - March represent the prime ski season.

Peru – With over 5,000 years of history, this is one of the most diverse countries in the world. Did you know the Norte Chico civilization has been established as the oldest civilization in the Americas?

The Incas, the largest and most powerful empire in the Southern Hemisphere, came from Peru. Painstaking efforts have been made to conserve the architecture and archeology of these fascinating cultures.

When to go – Two main seasons: wet season from November-March and dry season from April-October. Weather varies greatly by geographic region and elevation.

Why – Go to experience the ancient ruins and culture and to meet the extremely polite and peaceful Peruvian people.

Lima, the City of Kings, is a modern and cosmopolitan capital city that has careful preserved the historical center. Peruvian cuisine has gained worldwide acclaim.

Cuzco is both the archaeological capital of America and the capital of the Inca

Bermuda – There is no need to “cross the pond” to hear a British Ascent. Set 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina, this striking grey rock is one of the prettiest islands in the world. Today it still remains a British territory. As a low-key and gentrified getaway for decades, it’s now a financial hub as well.

Why – Calgary is perched in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. A visit should include Heritage Park to relive the City’s Wild West past in the 66 acre living history village. The World Famous Calgary Stampede is a must-see. Edmonton, the capital city, is known as the Festival City with over 30 arts and cultural festivities every year. A trip to Alberta would not be complete without seeing Banff and Jasper Nationals Parks.

When to go – The Gulf Stream affords two seasons: spring and summer.

Why - To feast your senses on the yellow, pink, red and white oleander and hibiscus flowers that adorn the pastel houses, buildings and street lamps. Did you know Crustaceans give the beach sands its iconic pink hues? Elbow Beach and Horseshoe Bay remain tourist favorites. British traditions abound with afternoon tea and cricket matches. Bermudian dishes include Fish Chowder and grilled Rock Fish. Tour the island by scooter but save time for duty-free shopping.

Alberta, Canada – This Western Canadian Province brims with diverse landscapes sandwiched by the Rocky Mountains to the West and the Canadian Badlands, a wind-eroded moonscape of canyons and coulees, to the Southeast.

When to go – Special events in most of the cities in Alberta take place from June

Chile – The Andes Mountains rise majestically to the East and to the West the Pacific Ocean splashes on the shores of this long narrow strip of land. While Argentina, its larger neighbor, may get more attention, Chile is a stand-alone tourist destination. It boasts 2,672 miles of coastline as well as the world’s driest desert.

It sports glaciers and fjords and an array of volcanoes along the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire.”

When to go – With the country’s vast north to South layout, the weather is extremely varied. The seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. It’s

Budgeting Tips For The New Year

BY LINNET BROWN

F

or some, shopping is fun and entertaining. It’s a way to renew and revitalize your wardrobe, your house, or your kitchen cabinets.

However, when finances are limited, shopping can become a major point of stress.

For large families on a low income, the month after Christmas can be a tight one.

Here are a few budgeting tips for the new year.

1

. BUDGETING. Calculate a budget of the amount of money you can afford to spend.

Most people rely on credit cards to make purchases. If funds are tight, have your kids realize that they cannot go on wild shopping sprees due to lack of finances.

Hopefully, you’ve managed to keep within budget over the holidays, or else in the new year all you will be doing is paying back debt and this could create stress and frustration.

2

. MAKE A SHOPPING LIST. Hold a family meeting and discuss who needs what before you go shopping, so that you do not buy items they would not want. Have a separate shopping list for these items. For example, birthdays and religious festivals.

Kids tend to want items that fit in with the season and simply might not require them later on. Discuss and explain to the

child why certain gifts would not be desirable since they are only a seasonal gift.

If a kid asked for a puppy for a birthday or during a religious celebration, explain to the child that a puppy is not a toy and would need to be taken care of after the initial excitement wears off.

Go through the same steps for food markets. Find out which stores and supermarkets have good bargains and, if possible, make enough purchases to hold out for for a while. Some people tend to make bulk purchases which are cost effective, so try doing this.

Try to stick to your list when shopping.

There are instances when we get distracted while in the store or supermarket and ignore our list. In doing so, we often end up spending more money than budgeted for.

3

. DON’T PURCHASE UNWANTED ITEMS. Try not to purchase items that you do not need after the seasonal holiday.

Do not over strain your budget to buy everything you want, because some items will be on sale after a few weeks and there will be the chance to get them then. It is

tempting to purchase items that you like rather than what you actually need, so try and hold your focus.

4

. AVOID LAST MINUTE RUSH. Do not wait until a few days during the shopping rush to make your purchases. Most supermarkets get fresh provisions on a Thurday, so aim to shop on such days. Read the booklets published by the stores and take vantage of the discounted items. During festive seasons, do not wait to perform last minute shopping as most of what you might need could be already gone and you could end up purchasing expensive items left behind.

About the Author.

Linnet worked as a social worker in a Family Centre in the UK where she conducted group sessions with parents around budgeting and providing cost effective menus for their households. She is also the author of “The Power of Words,” which enables children to be aware of the danger of bullying. She also authored “Stepping Stones For Kids” and “Keep your Optics on the Goal” which help children meet their goals and prepare for adulthood.

Let’s Do Business!

BY CHARVELLA J. CAMPBELL

So you’ve started a business, or perhaps you’re trying to grow an existing business?

What’s your brand and marketing strategy?

How are you promoting your product or service?

These are major questions that a professional businesswoman should know the answer to. Surprisingly, many of us who desire to launch a new business or keep one booming lack the tools needed for sustainability. During recent interactions with fellow business owners, I have learned a few things: These women truly want their businesses or brands to flourish. They want to succeed and reach specific consumer groups. However, locating potential customers or clients and establishing long-term relationships have been the challenge.

According to research conducted by the Continuum Women’s and Children’s Group in 2011, women controlled more than 80% of U.S. spending. They made final decisions on 91% of home purchases, 65% of car purchases, 80% of healthcare choices, and 66% of computer/technology purchases (Fabry). What does this mean for business owners? Well, four key areas are mentioned: technology, healthcare, automotive and home (such as appliances, equipment). If you are a tech-savvy business woman, why not think about what you can offer? Do you specialize in software products or training of some kind that would be practical for homeschooling parents? Perhaps your business is a brand or service, such as cleaning or interior design. How would you promote your 64

unique service to consumers? What can you provide to stand out among your competitors?

Consumers feel more inclined to conduct repeat business with you if they know you care.

Here are a few tips:

Build or redefine your business platform. Sometimes one of the most difficult things to do is be assertive. It is perfectly fine and

If you don’t have one already, establish an air-tight business plan.

This step is fundamental to getting started.

You must know what you want to sell and how to do so. Basic templates are available for download on Microsoft.com. The Small Business Administration website also provides information for startup and existing business plans.

Do some research on your product or service, focusing on methods for reaching a specific group or demographic. Surveymonkey.com is

an excellent site for creating a survey and reviewing results, such as consumer shopping habits and market analysis.

Stay active. As your clientele grows,

maintain contact with these clients by finding out what they like about your product or service. Find out what areas you could improve in as well. Invite comments on your website and read them often. Reply promptly via email or by phone. Make it personable, expressing appreciation for the customer’s business.

Be quick to resolve any problems, maintaining your integrity and goal of customer satisfaction. Establishing relationships is critical to success.

| HERS M a gazine | Januar y/Feb ru ar y 2015 |

suggested that you promote your business.

Let people know what you do and highlight why you’re special in that particular area.

Keep business cards available, seeking opportunities to network. Attend business conferences or expos and share ideas with other professionals. The more you get out there, the more comfortable you will feel.

Think positively. Whether you’re selling

a product or marketing a brand, believe in it. You know why this venture was important to you in the first place. Remind yourself of why it’s worth the effort and keep pushing forward. Constantly seek ways to enhance your product or service.

Customers will return to do business and also refer friends or family. Keep them happy and enjoy your business!

Charvella J. Campbell owns an editing company, volunteers as a grant writer for nonprofit agencies and recently released a collection of short stories, A Life Interrupted, available on Amazon.com.

Contact Charvella Capmbell of Campbell Editing & Proofing Services, Inc. at charvella@ campbelledit.com.

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+ HER GADGETS

Best Free Apps for the Business Woman It’s hard to find good help these days, that is, unless you have an iPhone or Android to do the hard work for you. If you don’t have the money or energy for a personal assistant, you can program your iPhone to do all the tedious, time-consuming work for you. Here are five free apps that will do the grunt work for you and free up your time for the important work:

Mint.com If you’re looking for an app to help you with your personal finances, look no more. Mint collects data from your personal finances and then tracks the money you earn and spend through your accounts. The iPhone app encourages you to keep track of your finances and gives you an easy way to track your financial goals and stick to your budgets.

Any.do Any.do is a great list-making app to help you keep track of your day-to-day activities.

It helps you to make notes of your tasks and goals and holds you accountable for completing them. It comes with a unique feature called the Any.do moment, which compels you to habitually check your daily tasks before starting your day. It comes complete with time, date, and even geolocation reminders.

Cloze BillGuard

Dropbox

Take control of your money with the BillGuard app. This nifty little app is a one of a kind program that tracks your spending, allows you to view your all of accounts in one place, and protects you from unwanted charges. It flags merchants who charge consumers for products or services that automatically subscribe you to unwarranted charges and puts you back in control of your bank account.

Dropbox is the program for the modern business woman. It gives you an easy tool to share files with multiple clients and coworkers all at the same time with one click of a button. Furthermore, you can personalize Dropbox so you can collect files on your laptop, home computer, and office computer all at the same place.

Gone are the days of the desperate “where did I save that file…?” hunt with Dropbox.

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| HERS M a gazine | Januar y/Feb ru ar y 2015 |

Cloze is the first iPhone app that collects and prioritizes tweets, emails, Facebook posts, and other social media communications. Rather than showing you the last person you talked to, it organizes your social media by the people you talk to most through your contacts, uniquely personalizing your social media experience. Therefore, when your best friend tweets, posts on Facebook, and shares a picture on Instagram, Cloze will notify you and let you see all three posts in one place. hers-magazine.com

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New Ways

TO MANAGE STRESS

BRAS AND BUSINESS:

Double Divas

Leading Ladies of 2015

15

Women To Look For In 2015 THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA WELCOME

CLAUDIA JORDAN OR DO THEY?

&

Are Female Memes Sexist?

How To

FIND YOUR VOICE

4 INEXPENSIVE TIPS TO REDESIGN YOUR LIVING SPACE

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION TRACKER