Scotch Plains, NJ May 2024

Celebrating Inspiring Women

I don’t know about you but I love any opportunity to recognize the women in my life who just make life more rich and beautiful. And of course with Mother’s Day this month, all eyes are on moms… But it’s not just the biological mothers but the mother figures in our lives who have made an indelible impact on us. It’s the family members, teachers, friends and neighbors doing awesome things in our communities, pouring into our livesmaking themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable.

As women, we are fortunate to live in a community that values our contributions outside of motherhood. Our town recognizes that we have unique talents, skills, and ambitions that extend beyond our roles as moms. Whether it's pursuing a career, starting a business, or volunteering for a cause we are passionate about, we are encouraged to pursue our dreams and make a difference in our community.

Of course, being a mom and a woman is not without its fair share of sacrifices. We often put our own needs and desires on hold to prioritize the well-being of our families. But it is important to remember that self-care is not selfish. Taking care of ourselves allows us to be the best version of ourselves for our loved ones. Whether it's carving out time for a hobby, practicing mindfulness, or seeking support from friends and family, we owe it to ourselves to prioritize our own well-being.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your kids on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day and remind them how much you love them.

Wishing all the mothers, grandmothers, wives, aunts, sisters, teachers and friends a wonderful month!

LYNN HARRIS, PUBLISHER

@SCOTCHPLAINSCITYLIFESTYLE

CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/SCOTCHPLAINS

May 2024

PUBLISHER

Lynn Harris | lynn.harris@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Stephanie Padula | stephanie.padula@citylifestyle.com

SALES DIRECTOR

Kevin Harris | kevin.harris@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sue Baldani, Carly Okyle, Elle Bridge

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Chelsea Doyle, Joan Marie Photography, Craig Smith, Liz Polo

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

AD DESIGNER Josh Govero

LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

city scene

1: Bhumi Shah and her children 2: Danielle King Sherman and her children 3: Richa Gupta and her family 4: Jessica A Alquijay and her family

5: Alicia Swain’s mother with her granddaughter 6: Melissa Bianchino and her daughter 7: Nonna Maria with her great grandchildren

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WITH ARBOR

Grace Montes and Cynthia Vanadium help with evidence-based methods and humor.

ARTICLE BY CARLY OKYLE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRAIG SMITH

The season of Spring has arrived, bringing with it a sense of hope, growth, renewal and positivity. It is also a time when we tend to focus on our own personal wellness. In the month of May, people across the nation come together to raise awareness for Mental Health, aiming to reduce the stigmas and discrimination surrounding this illness and encourage those in need to ask for support. ARBOR Counseling Centers' owners, Grace Montes and Cynthia Vanadium, share how they provide treatment and support to their patients throughout the year.

Montes and Vanadium provide services to approximately 25 clients each month, catering to both male and female demographics. It is widely accepted that there are some notable gender differences when it comes to coping mechanisms. Men tend to rely more on physical and action-based coping strategies, while women tend to gravitate towards more emotionally-focused methods such as journaling. Moreover, women tend to experience issues related to anxiety, depression, post-partum, and boundaries, at a higher rate than men. Additionally, the messaging directed towards men and women is often different too. Women are often conditioned to prioritize being nice and taking care of others before themselves.

When it comes to self-care -- a buzzword that can mean anything from enjoying a spa day to planning for retirement -- Montes’s advice is that it needs to be done with intention, rather than indulgence.  “What I remind folks is that it’s not going to get a manicure and a pedicure,” she says. “Those are great and that can be part of your self-care, but really, self-care is what we’re doing on a daily basis: how are we eating, what are we eating, what are you reading, what are you doing spiritually? How do you fulfill these different needs from a physical, emotional, financial, social [standpoint]? Really look at what are the things that are going to replenish who you are as an individual.” For some, she explains, that could be restoring your spirit with a walk in nature while for others it might be healing and energizing to play with kids.

While self-care is described as a very individual practice, some aspects of their therapy sessions are universal. Specifically, both women mentioned the important role that humor plays in sessions, with Vanadium pointing to the well-known adage that laughter is the best medicine. There is science to back up the expression as well. “Scientifically, we know laughter is helpful because it releases happy chemicals in your body,” Montes explained. “Some clients are very serious. You want to be in line with your clients, but a lot of times our clients are looking for that moment to laugh.” She noted that getting a person to laugh when they make a mistake instead of criticizing themselves is a good benchmark of their progress in therapy. Vanadium agrees, and says that humor is also important to her as a form of connection and authenticity. “I'm a very playful person,” she says, “so within boundaries, I want to give that window of who I am as a person to connect to my clients.”

Potential clients often need to overcome some misconceptions about therapy in general. “A lot of it is fear-based,” says Montes. One worry is how long the process takes, which Montes says is not as long as people fear.  “As mental health professionals, we do a lot of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy because it’s an evidence-based practice, which means that there are fewer sessions and you’re not going into therapy for 10, 20 years. We’re really working on brief sessions because the goal really is how do we get you to connect with yourself, how do you start feeling better, how do you start working on whatever goals you want?” Vanadium puts it this way:  “I think as a clinician, the role that Grace and I play is that we’re more of a guide.”

Visit www.arborcounselingcenters.com to find the resources tab where Vanadium and Montes have shared phone numbers of various hotlines, Amazon links of several recommended books, and PDFs of sundry therapeutic activities like grounding exercises, and more.

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John M Capeci

Advisor

Jose H Monroy Jr, CFP®

Advisor

Female Inspiration & Empowerment

Tiffany Slowinski - Team Spark Advisors

An inspiring woman is someone who embodies resilience, compassion, and authenticity. She is not defined by societal standards but instead embraces her unique strengths. She is a trailblazer who leaves a lasting impact through her actions and empowers others to strive for greatness.

Patrice Chatman - AR Workshop Westfield

My mom is my inspiration, we have been through a lot of tough times but she taught me the perseverance needed to keep going. Although you may not always see the bigger picture, trust and believe there is something out there to keep you grounded.

Lisa Mohn - Apple Blossom Flower Shop

The woman who inspired me most is my Mother. She is the most dedicated and hard-working person I have ever seen. She inspired my work ethic.

Mary DePaola - Coldwell Banker Realty

My mother is my inspiration. Not only was she a registered nurse who served in the Air Force, but an encouraging, yet strict mother. She showed me through her quiet dignity and dependability that there is tremendous value in caring for your family day after day.

Blair A. Rolnick MD, CLC, FAAP - Bee Kind Pediatrics

Currently, my company is all women and all mothers. I feel the best way to empower women around me is to call out all the amazing things that they do and point out just how much they are doing! Especially mothers.

Recharge Your Body and Soul

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEA DOYLE

“When we feel good about our bodies and eyebrows, we’re going to show confidence,”

While cosmetologist Lauren Cruz originally set out to be a hair stylist, she soon changed her mind. “I was always into beauty, hair and makeup, so I wanted to learn more,” she says. “I went to school for hair and hated it.”

It was when she started working at a waxing center that she found her true passion. “I really enjoyed it and stayed there for about seven years. I then decided I wanted to do something on my own.”

In 2019, Lauren founded The Body Department in Garwood. “I also competed in a waxing competition and won for waxing and eyebrows.” She was the TSG (The Skin Games) 2020 Waxer of the Year.

In 2022, she moved her business to Scotch Plains, and after partnering with Dr. Rosario Zambrano, The Body Department became a full-fledged medical spa.

“The spa is cozy, but it's also very modern and chic, so it definitely is refreshing. We play French music, which has the relaxing vibe I was looking for.”

With over 10 years of experience, Lauren has become an internationally recognized eyebrow and body waxing specialist among her peers in the industry. The most sought-out services at her spa involved the eyebrows.

“We do all kinds of eyebrow services - threading, waxing, tinting and laminating,” she says. “We do permanent eyebrows now too.”

Lauren’s been able to take her exceptional skills and train her staff. “We have junior and senior stylists as well as master stylists for eyebrows. Everybody is trained by me. They have their licenses, they have their experience from school, but then we do an intensive hands-on training which includes styling and shaping so everybody has the same background.”

Having talented staff is so important because she finds a lot of people have experienced what she calls “eyebrow trauma.” “They usually have had some kind of really bad experience where they've been burned, their eyebrows have been completely taken off, or they themselves have overplucked. That’s where we come in - getting them back to a place where they're happy with their eyebrows.”

“We have a lot of people who come in hating their eyebrows and when they leave they're like, ‘Oh my God! I didn't think my eyebrows could look like this.’”

The spa also offers other beauty-enhancing services, such as dermaplaning, chemical peels, microneedling, and injectables like Botox and fillers. These are provided by aestheticians, nurses and physicians’ assistants who specialize in skincare and have advanced knowledge of the skin.

The Body Department also offers IV therapy. “IV therapy are different cocktails,” says Lauren. “We put the IV into a vein and as you sit there, all the vitamins and hydration go in and give you all the things that your body needs.”

The cocktails can be geared towards immunity, anti-aging and a host of other health-boosting benefits. “We also have B12 shots, which are also packed full of vitamins and things that help with energy and sleep.”

There is also a retail shop. “We have SkinCeuticals®, which is a medical-grade skin care line,” she says. “We have professional eyebrow products and post-waxing products. Pretty much anything that goes with the services we offer.”

Lauren is also very excited to be launching her own eyebrow line. “There will be makeup pencils, tinted brow gel, pomade, clear brow gel, and more.

I'll also be wholesaling the line to other professionals.”

She believes taking time out for pampering makes people feel good. “I think we easily lose sight of ourselves in the chaos of life. I have three kids – 13, 7, and 1 - and I'm running two businesses. We need to remind ourselves that we’re the engine, the core that keeps everything moving.

“I feel like a lot of moms and a lot of women burn themselves out and forget to remind themselves that it's good to press pause sometimes and put oil in the engine to take care of the machine.”

Having a career and being a mom is a balancing act, she says, and she wants to show women that they really can do it all. “As moms, even though our plates are already so full, we always find room to make everyone else’s life better. We’re a force to be reckoned with.”

Looking one’s best is also important for how we feel inside. “When we feel good about our bodies and eyebrows, we’re going to show confidence,” says Lauren.

Come into The Body Department and walk out feeling like a new woman.

TheBodyDeptNJ.com

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Sparking Success

THE INSPIRING JOURNEY OF A FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR FOLLOWING HER PASSION

ARTICLE BY ELLE BRIDGE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIZ POLO

As a woman business owner, Tiffany Slowinski knows success comes from constantly evolving. Over her journey from college student to young earner to motherhood to successful entrepreneur, she has forged new identities and reinvented herself many times over.

Recently, as she embarked on her latest venture— Team Spark Advisors, which employs data analytics to help businesses hire the right people in positions where they will be most effective—she reflects on how the experience that she has built over her decades as a professional informs the work she does today. Where she started is far from where she is now, but in a way she has come full-circle, challenging herself and learning as she went. She earned her undergraduate degree in journalism and media studies with a minor in counseling from Rutgers University, which is where she met her husband, Jake. Although she initially pursued broadcast journalism, she earned a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University.

“I was fascinated by the developing mind and with a love for working with children, I became a high school counselor,” she says. “Although it was a safe career with perks, there was no upward progression.”

When she was on maternity leave after the birth of her youngest daughter, Violet, she felt it was time to start pursuing her dreams, but she wasn’t sure what they were. She felt pigeonholed in a specific career path and didn’t see how her skillset would translate to something else.

“While scrolling through Facebook, I saw an ad for a managing editor at a hyperlocal parents website. The description seemed tailored to me: a local mom with kids under 12 who was active in the community and had strong communication skills,” she says.

She applied but was initially passed over due to the fact they didn’t think she would have the time. Her husband convinced her to call and tell them why she would be successful. Filled with renewed confidence, she did and was hired as a “mommy blogger.”

It didn’t take long for Slowinski to recognize the potential for increased earnings through selling advertising space on her website. However, there was a catch: She had absolutely no experience in sales. Undeterred, she decided to teach herself. Early in the morning, on weekends and during Violet’s nap time, she dedicated herself to reaching out to prospective clients, driven by the goal of generating enough income from the website to match her current counselor salary. The ultimate aspiration? To transition to working from the comfort of her home. After one year, her dream became a reality. She quit her job in December 2018 and focused on building her site.

As she was settling into her new routine, her husband dropped some unexpected news: He had sold his business. Though it came as a shock, it was the right move. Seeking new business ventures, Jake learned about City Lifestyle, a national magazine franchise. “I think you’d be really good at this,” he told her.

“What if we went into business together?” she responded.

“As we looked closer at the opportunity, I fell in love,” she says. “Owning a magazine combined my love of journalism, passion for my community and desire for helping local businesses get their message out.” People have inquired what it is like working with a spouse. “In our case, working together has made us closer,” she says. “We discovered we are the perfect partners: We are aligned, trust each other and know the other is always acting in our collective best interest. Working together also allows us to better balance family life.”

“When you put the right people in the right seats, they shine. Everyone deserves to be in the right job for them. That is when the magic happens.”

They launched their first magazine, Bridgewater City Lifestyle in August 2019. “Our children were young and kept me busy. I’d rise at 4 a.m. on the weekends to edit articles and get a jump on the day before the girls woke up. In our first six months, I did not take a day off,” she says. Their hard work was rewarded. They grew quickly, and the corporate office named them “Rookies of the Year.” In 2020, City Lifestyle headquarters invited Slowinski to join the corporate team to help other magazines in the franchise of about 190 markets nationwide achieve the same success. As she rose through the ranks to Vice President of Sales, Jake was busy launching their second publication, Somerset Hills City Lifestyle, and growing their local team.

“Our success continued, but at headquarters, our CEO was looking for a way to recruit stronger publishers. We wondered: Why were some people experiencing incredible success while other smart, capable people struggled?” she says.

They enrolled her in training of a system that used a diagnostic tool that could tell them in about seven minutes who had the internal makings of a good publisher, one who naturally had the drive, vision and follow-through skills. Using this system, they also could easily identify who would be the right support staff for each publisher, people who could fill in their weaknesses. She started working closely with the recruiting department and the publishers on building their teams.

“I realized: When you put the right people in the right seats, they shine. Everyone deserves to be in the right job for them. That is when the magic happens,” she says.

“Then, I realized something else: I was not in the right seat. Although I loved my job, corporate life was taking me away from what I wanted. I had started my own business to be an entrepreneur, work with my husband and be involved with local businesses. I decided to make another adjustment in my life, while still continuing to help grow and build local magazines in New Jersey,” she says.

Inspired by the personnel analytics and team building she did at the corporate office, Slowinski founded Team Spark Advisors to bring these benefits to local businesses. “I feel like I’ve come full-circle: I’m a counselor again, only now for business owners. I apply the diagnostic tools to the business’ team to give them insights on their strengths and weaknesses. This will help them place the right people for precise positions based on the current dynamic,” she says.

Sales is a part of every business, and with her background Slowinski particularly loves working with sales teams. “It’s impactful to see their numbers skyrocket once they make the right hires,” she says. “I also particularly love working with female leaders. When a talented woman is surrounded by the right team, she can be her best self.”

What she is most proud of is that her four daughters can witness their mom pursuing her passion. “We talk a lot about business and entrepreneurship. They see how heavily involved I am in the business community: I am a member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization NJ, Patriots BNI and the Somerset County Business Partnership,” she says.

“I lead by example. I want my girls to know that they are only limited by themselves. They do not have to follow societal norms of what is expected of them,” she says. “They should put in the hard work and never feel that opportunities are limited. I want them to grow and have a life like I have forged, one driven by passion where they wake up every day excited about the work they have chosen to do.”

What lies ahead? “Only time can reveal that, but currently, I take great pleasure in helping businesses build their teams. Furthermore, I derive immense satisfaction from contributing to the launch of new City Lifestyle publications throughout New Jersey,” she says. “I am eager to explore and seize the untapped opportunities present in both of these endeavors. My story isn’t over.”

LEARN MORE: Discover how Team Spark Advisors can help your business grow at TeamSparkAdvisors.com

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ARBOR Counseling Centers focuses on helping you Adapt to life's challenges, Restore your inner balance, Become the best version of yourself, Optimize your mental well-being, and Rebuild a strong foundation for a brighter future. Let us be your guide towards a happier and healthier you. Contact us today to start! www.arborcounselingcenters.com

Grace Montes

Cynthia Vanadium

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ACROSS FROM NETTINGHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL 908-322-7800

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOAN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

SCOTCH PLAINS RESIDENTS, RYAN AND JENNIFER MANVILLE, UNLOCK THE SECRET TO REVITALIZING YOUR MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT.

UNLEASH YOUR INNER GLOW

Life is busy, and sometimes we just have to slow down and make time for ourselves. Imagine settling in for an amazing massage, or having your skin pampered with a refreshing facial. When you visit Spavia Clark Commons, you’re able to fulfill this desire.

Coming into the spring, some of the most popular treatments are body scrubs and body wraps. With the seasonal facial for spring is a detoxifying facial called the Spring Thyme Eraser.

While going to a spa can be a luxurious indulgence, Spavia is affordable

“WE’RE CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE ARE HAPPY AND THEY’RE RELAXED.”

“I love the vibe of this being like a mini-vacation,” says Ryan Manville, a franchisee, along with his wife, Jennifer, of Spavia Day Spa. “I’ve been a spa owner and a spa goer for many decades, and I think that what we offer is indispensable for people's emotional and physical health.”

From the moment you arrive at the spa, you’ll be pampered. “We have a retreat with heated neck pillows and carafes of hot water for tea,” she says. You can arrive as early and stay as long as you'd like. “We really give clients the time to decompress and it really sets them up for their treatments,” says Ryan.

When it comes to massages, Spavia has many choices, but its top three are its Signature Massage, which incorporates elements of Swedish techniques, a Himalayan Salt Stone massage and a Deep Tissue Therapeutic massage. There are also maternity massages, sports massages and couples massages.

for the average person. To assist with that, the spa offers a monthly wellness program. “This makes it even more affordable because members get 20 to 30% off our prices,” he says. “Plus, we have specials Monday through Thursday where we offer $20 off various services.” All prices are listed on its website.

Spavia is also a fun place to hold a Spalibration and celebrate special occasions with friends and family. Birthdays, Mother’s Day, bachelorette parties and more can be held here. And, gift cards make wonderful presents for those who need a little luxury in their lives.

Spavia’s boutique is also a fun place to shop. “We have a good selection of procured items and many of them have a give-back component that provides assistance to women's charities and also supports smaller vendors like Sonoma Lavender, which is a small farm based in Sonoma, California,” says Jennifer.

The couple loves the Spavia brand so much that they have three other spa locations – one in Bridgewater, another in Cedar Knolls and one in Nashville, Tennessee.  Ryan and Jennifer especially enjoy being able to offer these services to their community and surrounding areas. “I'm a lifelong resident of the area,” says Ryan. “I grew up in Westfield, and outside of my time at college and in the military as a Navy submarine officer, I've lived in the area my entire life. Jen grew up in Monmouth County and today we both live in Scotch Plains. We raised our kids there and we’re very happy with the township and the community. We love staying connected to it.”

ClarkNJ.SpaviaDaySpa.com

MAY 2024

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

MAY 4TH

Scotch Plains Farmers

Market

Opening

430 Park Avenue (Municipal Parking Lot), Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 8:00 AM

Shop fresh and local - with a full roster of the "Best of the Best" vendors every Saturday - rain or shine.

MAY 4TH

Mental Health Awareness

Wellness Fair & Walk

Alan M. Augustine Village Green 430 Park Ave, Scotch Plains | 9:00am

Walk to promote mental health awareness with proceeds donated to Resolve Community Counseling. Featuring kindness crafts and giveaways, mini yoga and meditation sessions and a hair cut-a-thon with Lifestyle Studio Salon.

MAY 11TH

Chicago roots-rock band comes to Fanwood Performance Series

Carriage House, 135 Watson Road, Fanwood, NJ 07023 | 7:00 PM

The Empty Pockets bring their unique blend of rootsy rock, with touches of folk, blues and soul, to the Carriage House stage on May 11 for the second of this year’s Fanwood Performance Series concerts. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors – cash at the door. Reservations are strongly suggested

MAY 11TH

Mother's Day

Blooms and Boxes

AR Workshop of Westfield - 226 N Ave W, Westfield, NJ 07090 | 3:30 PM

Create a special project for Mom! Mother's Day Retail Sale - 30% off all Full Priced Retail

MAY 27TH

Fanwood Memorial Day Observance Ceremony

North Avenue Train Station - 238 North Ave, Fanwood, NJ 07023 9:00 AM

Join your community in paying tribute to lost servicemen and women.

MAY 27TH

Scotch Plains-Fanwood

Memorial Day Parade

Downtown Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 10:45 AM

Let us acknowledge and honor the commitment and sacrifice of our Armed Forces, who defend and protect our nation. Start point: Gazebo at Park Avenue and Front Street.

DAY SPA

Scotch Plains City Lifestyle Launch Party

It was a night to remember, the start of something great!

Greeted with flutes of champagne and welcoming neighbors, the Shackamaxon County Club was the place to be on January 18th, celebrating the launch of Scotch Plains’ own City Lifestyle Magazine. A magazine that celebrates all things local; events, businesses and community.

While outside was covered in snow, inside, the room buzzed with excitement, while local business owners such as; Armen Saqe from Jessica’s Cafe, Jay and Kate Neiswinter from Individual Physical Therapy and many more shared delicious appetizers and mixed drinks while listening to music played by DJ Paul Fessock. All gathered together to support not only their beloved town but publisher Lynn Harris whose vision was to show her love of community by creating content that draws attention to all that Scotch Plains and its surrounding towns have to offer.

It was an eventful evening in which all attendees participated in a complimentary raffle, eager to win one of the

beautifully crafted gift baskets and generous gift cards donated by local businesses; Casa by Cherry Home Designs, Spavia, Hotworx, AR Workshop, Grano Pizzeria & Italian Tavern, Able Body Spa, Premier Detailing NJ, Active Life Fitness, and MettaCasa. Artist, Ricardo Roig spent the evening creating a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork he later gave away to one lucky drawing winner, while passionately sharing his process with onlookers.

Of course, all great beginnings start with a ribbon cutting ceremony and this was done by Lynn Harris, alongside her husband Kevin Harris, with Mayor Josh Losardo and the Scotch Plains council members’ support. Guests parted with champagne-filled gift bags from RStudio Beauty and delicious cookies from Treats by Elyse. The night concluded with neighbors becoming friends, business owners supporting one another and the excitement of knowing that this is just the beginning for Scotch Plains City Lifestyle Magazine.

ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE PADULA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRAIG SMITH

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