A P R I L L B R A N D O N | P I C T U R E T H I S ! | FA S H I O N JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
COVER STORY
HOMETOWN
spirit ALSO INSIDE
women in business:
ALICIA NOLTE beauty
SKIN PEN
microneedling treatment
FLIP-the-ISSUE
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Home
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s t n e t n o C JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
Beauty: SkinPen
Feature: Alicia Nolte, Cherry Hill Med Spa
8
Beauty 8
10
Cover Story: Hometown Spirit
15
Women in Business: Alicia Nolte, Cherry Hill Med Spa
17
In Every Issue Shop This! Picture This!
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
PRODUC
TS BY MIC AT LO UIS MO HAEL ARAM RGAN NO. 4
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CHEER! Holiday Gift Giving
ALSO INSIDE
women in business:
LINDA FULLMAN school:
MERRY BAKING making your own holiday cookies
PRODUC TS AT LO BY LAURA ZINDEL UIS MO RGAN NO. 4 12 CH
ARM
| NO VE
MBE
R/DE
On the Cover
Winterize your Workout
A P R I L L B R A N D O N | P I C T U R E T H I S ! | FA S H I O N
spread
20
SkinPen
14 24
COVER STORY
School: Tis the Season For...Love!
Fashion
Aprill Brandon: Get Over Your Selfie
FLIP-the-ISSUE
17
15
Features
22
Fashion: Winterize Your Workout
CEM
BER
4 CHARM | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y
Giving back to the community is ingrained in Melanie Northcutt Crocker’s core. Her parents and grandmothers were involved in their communities and their churches, giving back in their own ways. They encouraged that same spirit in her.
Spot the Charm Our November/December Spot the Charm winner was Mike Cassin and he received a $100 Visa gift card. He spotted the Charm on Page 12 in our last issue! We invite you to spot a special Charm logo in this edition. If you locate it, sign on to mycharmonline.com and click the Spot the Charm link on the homepage.
The
List
Winter weather brings us inside - let’s
de-stress after the holidays & relax. Here are some essentials & luxuries for body, mind and spirit.
~Julia
Lacy Barron searched out the BEST exfoliating sugar cubes. She found them from a small-batch apothecary where they are carefully crafted by hand. Use a single cube in the shower or bath, massage over wet skin twice a week to leave your skin feeling ultra soft, moisturized and radiant. $10-$22
ThisThe Shower Burst has become my “best friend” at bathtime! These hydra therapy bombs transform a shower or tub into an at-home spa. Place one on a dish or in a sachet, wet brieey to activate the highest grade, concentrated essential oils and BAM! You’ll enjoy a great aroma therapy experience. $4.99 Featured in the December Oprah’s Favorite Things list, this ultra-soft Snuggle Lounger offers elegant versatility. The lightweight stretchy velour is the same inside & out. Perfectly warm & cozy for snuggling on the couch or pop on some leggings for going out & about! We stock 3 colors sized from S/M to 2x/3x. $96-$100 No one does luxurious body & bath better than Niven Morgan, and his offerings have grown with his success. My 2 absolute favorites are: Jean Baptiste 1717 Bath Soak, a wonderfully scented eoral infusion with traces of vanilla, rich woods & patchouli! $28 ...and Gold Melting Body Butter, a rich, silky blend of ... shea butter, organic oils & vitamin E that softens & absorbs for deep moisturization. The scent is an amazing eoral amber - his original signature fragrance. $38
In the winter time nothing seems to hydrate my skin better than a vitamin-rich body oil. When we met the family who developed Farm House Fresh we found a treasure of ne organic products proudly made right here in Texas. My FAVES are their body oils. The Citrus Cilantro offers the light herbal scent of freshly cut greens. The Agave Nectar oil is a powerful mix of extracts that improve skin’s rate of water loss. I massage it in immediately after showering for even more softness and sheen. $18
When it needs to be
special, you’ll find it here!
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@BARRONS_CAFEBARRONS
LOL&M
Lots of Laughs and Music
CHARM / VIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 PUBLISHER Stephen McHaney EDITOR Ric Brack • 903.237.7759 • rbrack@news-journal.com MANAGING EDITOR Christina Lane • 903.237.7724 • clane@news-journal.com ART DIRECTOR Katie Case • 903.237.7715 • kcase@news-journal.com PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Cavazos • 903.237.7748 • mcavazos@news-journal.com Les Hassell • 903.237.7764 • lhassell@news-journal.com
Manhattan Transfer & Take 6 Feb. 3, 2018
DESIGNER Sara Bryan ILLUSTRATOR Michelle Laverell CONTRIBUTING WRITERS April Barbe • Aprill Brandon • Jo Lee Ferguson • Christina Lane Clare McCarthy • Amy McHaney • Dawn-Renée Rice CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Courtney Case
Cameron Carpenter International Touring Organ
March 3, 2018
2017-2018 Discounted Packages:
3 Shows Left, Buy All 3 Get 15% discount, discounted fees & parking pass good for all 3 shows. Not available online. Call the Box Office.
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Darla Walker • 903.237.7727 • dwalker@news-journal.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Thomas Bonner • 361.574.1249 • tbonner@vicad.com Sylvia Darden • 903.237.7721 • sdarden@news-journal.com Chris Dean • 903.237.7719 • cdean@news-journal.com Kerri Esposito • 903.232.7276 • kesposito@news-journal.com Ginger Lovelady • 903.232.7287 • glovelady@news-journal.com Jeff Martin • 903.232.7221 • jmartin@news-journal.com Tracy Stopani • 903.237.7726 • tstopani@news-journal.com CIRCULATION Josh Hart • 903.237.7765 • jhart@news-journal.com PRODUCED BY TCM PRINTING Sherri Goodwin • 903.232.7245 • sgoodwin@tcmprinting.com SPECIAL THANK YOU TO Models: Allyssa Dodd and Ben Stoddard
Season Sponsors: Martin Midstream Partners, KLTV Marquee Sponsors: Joy Global Foundation, Carol and Richard Manley, Transet Co. 6 CHARM | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y
mycharmonline.com • news-journal.com
HEALTH & BEAUTY
SKINPEN MICRONEEDLING TREATMENT
favorite aestheticians, Mandy Faughn at Cherry Hill Med Spa. I was intrigued, but didn’t act – four kids, too busy, blah blah blah. Last spring while at a local fundraiser I came across a SkinPen treatment package while perusing the silent auction offerings – the next thing I knew I’d won! I did a little research and scheduled the first of my three treatments – here’s how it went …
Words by AMY MCHANEY
I
WHAT IS SKINPEN? Although Jennifer had given me the basics of what SkinPen
seem to have a recurring theme in my beauty columns –
entailed, I wanted to read more about it before I actually signed
the search for the Fountain of Youth. Maybe it’s because
up for the procedure. I learned that Dallas-based Bellus Medical
as of December, I’m halfway to 90. Maybe it’s because
created the SkinPen, the name of the microneedling device that
I wish I’d enjoyed my wrinkle-free skin when I had it. Whatever the
features 12 fine, surgical-grade needles that produce microscopic
reason, I am certainly on a quest for the elixir that will turn back the
punctures in your skin. The minor injury to your skin stimulates the
hands of time.
production of collagen and elastin – two key ingredients to younger
In 2016 I did a six-month Rodan and Fields trial that yielded
looking skin. If you’re familiar with fractional laser treatments like
impressive results and I still use the products today. One of my
Fraxel, SkinPen mimics that procedure but with very little downtime
favorite aspects of the Rodan and Fields regimen is the super-cool
– and SkinPen does not risk burning or hypo/hyper-pigmentation
microneedling roller that pricks teeny holes in your face to make
since no heat is used. The difference between SkinPen and the
products absorb more completely. This is great for everyday use,
Rodan and Fields roller is the length of the needles.
but if you’d like a little more punch, SkinPen takes microneedling
WHO BENEFITS MOST FROM SKINPEN?
to a whole different level.
SkinPen is effective in treating acne scars, deep wrinkles and
My friend Jennifer first told me about SkinPen several years ago
sun damage; multiple sessions are recommended at a frequency of
– she has raved about the results from the procedure by one of our
about once a month. I had three sessions and scheduled them four
8 CHARM | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y
weeks apart. SkinPen can be used to treat the face, neck, upper
as necessary to soothe my skin. By the time I woke up the next
chest or décolleté, arms, legs, hands, stomach and back, and it
morning, nearly all the redness had subsided, and what was left was
works well in reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
not noticeable.
THE PROCEDURE
THE RESULT
I arrived at my first appointment with the silent auction item donor, Gina Archer, the proprietor of Platinum Beauty, who had me lie back in a treatment chair similar to what you would recline in at the dentist. She told me the needles would be good long enough to treat my entire face, neck and the backs of my hands. I was
I have now completed all three treatments – the result? I think it’s pretty fantastic. I noticed the biggest difference after the third procedure – a fairly dramatic difference in the crepey-ness of the skin on the backs of my hands and my neck. Fine lines around my
especially excited about working on my neck, which is looking more
eyes are reduced and my pores are noticeably smaller. The photos
and more like chicken skin, unfortunately.
tell the story of my progress, although I will have to show you the
The first step in the procedure is numbing cream; once on, Gina set the timer for 30 minutes to let the cream do its work. I found
final photo in the next issue – the best results are five weeks post procedure, which was after my deadline.
this to be an excellent time for a power nap. After the 30 minutes
Aside from noticeable improvement in skin tone, one of the
elapsed, Gina wiped my face clean of the cream, then applied a
things I liked best about the SkinPen procedure is that I was in
serum to help the SkinPen glide smoothly over my skin.
and out in under 60 minutes, so it was easily doable on a lunch
The SkinPen itself makes a buzzing noise as the tiny needles pulsate. The cream did a good job numbing my skin – although I could feel a few pricks here and there and the facial was not really relaxing, I did not find it painful. She worked quickly over my face, neck and hands. After the SkinPen portion of the treatment was complete, Gina wiped the serum off my face then applied SkInfuse Rescue Calming Complex, which is basically a cooling gel. From start to finish the
hour. And although my skin felt hot and appeared sunburned immediately after, it was not so uncomfortable or unsightly that I felt like I needed to go hide at home; it did not slow me down at all. Costs for the procedure vary, but around $300 per session is a good guideline – and is way less expensive than a face lift. Overall I was very pleased with SkinPen – I say give it a try if you’re looking for great results with minimal discomfort and downtime. C
procedure was just under an hour. The SkinPen definitely left my face, neck and hands flushed – it looked as if I had sunburn. Plus there were a few distinct needle
LOCAL SKINPEN PROVIDERS
marks here and there. My face felt tight and hot for the remainder
Gina Archer - Platinum Beauty | 903.407.3335 Mandy Faughn - Cherry Hill Med Spa | 903.757.2955
of the day – I was instructed to apply the Calming Complex
This serum-like foundation primer features suspended 24-Karat Gold Flakes designed to help energize skin and restore its youthful appearance and natural radiance. Located in: Longview Mall 3500 McCann Rd, Longview, TX 75605
903-753-0041 Hours: Mon-Sat 10-9 Sun 12-6 Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios have been independently owned and operated since 1931
mycharmonline.com 9
COVER STORY
Hometown Spirit Melanie Northcutt Crocker & Her Passion for Longview Words by CHRISTINA LANE | Photos by MICHAEL CAVAZOS
10 CHARM | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y
G
iving back to the community is ingrained in Melanie Northcutt Crocker’s core. Her parents and grandmothers were involved in their communities and
their churches, giving back in their own ways. They encouraged that same spirit in her. When she returned to her native Longview a few years after graduating from college, she became involved in Junior League of Longview and is serving as its president this year coinciding with the league’s 70th anniversary. A few years ago, recognizing an overlooked niche in the community, she established Young Professionals of Longview. That organization, which now has about 190 members, is aimed at bringing young business professionals together to help them connect, form relationships and – together – give back to the community. In February 2017, she also opened her own real estate agency, Sugar Magnolia Properties, in downtown Longview. Downtown had become near and dear to her heart through her work with Young Professionals, Junior League, Keep Longview Beautiful and other civic organizations in which Melanie is involved. “We are so excited to call downtown Longview home and can’t wait to aid in the process of the Main Street revitalization,” Melanie said. “It is an exciting time for me, our incredible agents and Sugar Magnolia Properties.” Melanie is the daughter of Mike Northcutt, a teacher at Kilgore High School, and Glenda and Jim Hughes. Her mother, Glenda, is a long-time real estate agent in East Texas who joined Melanie as an agent at Sugar Magnolia Properties. Jim Hughes is a Longview attorney. Melanie graduated in 2002 from Pine Tree High School and went on to attend Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. She graduated in 2006 from SFA and began continued on pg. 12 Melanie Northcutt Crocker celebrates the opening of her real estate firm, Sugar Magnolia Properties, on Oct. 24 with a ribbon cutting and reception. Photo by LLS Photography.
mycharmonline.com 11
Left: Melanie Northcutt Crocker and Chelsea Cace, both members of Young Professionals of Longview, volunteer during Longview Green and Clean. Right: Julia Abrams, Dan Droege, Elizabeth Baumgardner and Melanie Northcutt Crocker volunteer during Longview Green and Clean. Members of Young Professionals of Longview, which Melanie founded in 2013, and the community volunteer during the annual Green and Clean to help beautify streets and neighborhoods in Longview.
working in sales and marketing. Melanie moved back to Longview
seven agents at her firm now and she is hopeful for continued
in 2010 and, shortly after, decided to transition into real estate.
growth in the years to come.
She had watched her mother growing up and knew that real
“My outlook for Sugar Magnolia Properties is to become
estate would allow flexibility in her schedule for family time; her
the finest, respected hometown real estate brokerage providing
income potential would be dependent upon her own work ethic; and, she would get to work with the public. She earned her real estate license in 2013 and began working in the business, learning under other realtors but always with a dream of establishing her own company. She knew she wanted her real estate firm to office in downtown Longview as it is the hub of the community. She also wanted it to be a boutique-style
unrivaled service and down-home southern hospitality. We are so honored and blessed to have the trust and support of so many in our community,” she said. “We hope to continue to grow our client base of home buyers and sellers through referrals from our friends, families and past clients. We hope to add agents who believe in striving to be a Peak Producer through the golden rule of taking care of our clients and they will in turn take care of us. We hope to continue serving
real estate agency that, as she describes, not only takes care of its
our community through our volunteer efforts and leadership in
clients but also offers old-fashioned hospitality.
various organizations represented throughout our brokerage.”
In partnership with her husband, Matt Crocker, she opened Sugar Magnolia Properties in February 2017, first operating it out of her home as she renovated a downtown building. Now, Sugar Magnolia is conveniently located downtown on Fredonia Street. Fun fact about Sugar Magnolia: Its name derives from a Grateful Dead song. “The name came about six months before the rest,” Melanie said. “I knew I didn’t want to use my name or a catchphrase; I wanted a name that was warm and inviting. My husband is a Deadhead. One day, we were listening to ‘Sugaree’ and then the next song that came on was ‘Sugar Magnolia.’ I knew that would be the name – it sounds southern, warm and approachable.” Today, Sugar Magnolia offers all types of real estate services – from residential to commercial to farm and ranch. Melanie has 12 CHARM | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y
Her community involvement over the years has gone hand in hand with her business motto. Melanie has been involved with Junior League of Longview since 2010, when she returned home. “The league touches the community in so many ways,” she said. Indeed, Junior League’s service has a multitude of ways in which it impacts the community. Its annual School Supply Train distributes backpacks filled with school supplies to children of families in need. Melanie said Junior League distributed 2,500 backpacks in 2017. But the School Supply Train is about much more than school supplies. It also offers health screenings for children and free haircuts. Through the Skills for Success mentoring program, Melanie shared that Junior Leaguers mentor middle school-aged girls and help them with everything from etiquette to resume writing.
The league’s Poverty Conference, which celebrated its third
and I had to meet people,” she said. “Young Professionals of
anniversary in 2017, has become a convocation of sorts for East
Longview is an avenue for people who want to be plugged in and
Texas school districts. The conference features speakers and a
who want to get connected.”
community panel discussion, and is aimed at providing education about poverty and related issues.
She didn’t know how many people would attend the first meeting, and while it was just a handful, those people invited
This year, Melanie said, Junior League is bringing back a
others to the next meeting. The organization steadily grew and
charity ball that it last offered years ago. The Black Tie fundraiser
now has about 190 members. Its monthly mixers allow young
will be Jan. 20 at the Summit Club. A formal event, the ball is
business professionals to network and build relationships.
open to the public. Cost is $100. For information about it, visit the league’s website at www.jllongview.org.
“For me, personally, it has really helped with business. Business is often driven by referrals. This is a way to casually meet
In addition to Junior League, Melanie also has been involved
people and the more you meet up with them, you become friends
with Keep Longview Beautiful serving on its Board of Directors,
and then your friends might become clients or they might refer
the city’s Main Street Advisory Council, Longview 20/20, the
people to you,” she said. “It’s all about building relationships.”
LeTourneau University President’s Advisory Council, Longview
But Young Professionals of Longview, or YPL, is also about
Regional Medical Center’s Women’s Advisory Council and
giving back to the community. The organization has a variety
Leadership Longview.
of service projects. Each holiday season, it collects toys for the
It was, in a way, through Leadership Longview that Melanie
Longview Fire Department’s toy drive. Through Keep Longview
came up with the idea for Young Professionals of Longview, an
Beautiful’s Adopt-A-Street program, YPL volunteers maintain a
organization she founded in 2013.
portion of Cotton Street. And throughout the year, YPL maintains
“I had gone through Leadership Longview, and there were people I still talked to all the time. We wanted to stay connected,” she said. Aside from connecting on their own, Melanie realized there
flower pots that adorn downtown Longview street corners, sprucing up the city. “Most members of YPL have a passion for downtown,” Melanie shared.
wasn’t an organization outside of Leadership Longview – a
While she isn’t certain what the future holds, Melanie said she
year-long program – that offered a chance for young business
hopes to see growth both in organizations in which she is involved
professionals to meet up regularly to network.
and at Sugar Magnolia Properties.
“I was like a lot of people who moved off to Dallas or Austin and then move back. When we moved back, I didn’t know everyone
“We can’t wait to see what the future holds, but we know it will be bright,” she said. C
Melanie Northcutt Crocker celebrates the opening of her real estate firm, Sugar Magnolia Properties, on Oct. 24 with a ribbon cutting and reception. Photo by LLS Photography.
mycharmonline.com 13
Shop this! Fit Fashion & Accessories
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14 CHARM | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y
Cateye Padrone Bike Computer $54.99 WOOLLEY G’S BIKE & FITNESS
F EATURE
WOMEN in business: ALICIA NOLTE Cherry Hill Med Spa
Words by DAWN-RENÉE RICE | Photo by LES HASSELL
F
or more than 20 years, Alicia Nolte
we’ve tried to do here is make it as medical as
has offered the women in East Texas a
possible,” Alicia said.
“It’s the No. 1 machine in the world right now and it’s kind of hard to market here in Longview.
high-end shopping experience through
To do that, Alicia seeks out the newest lasers
But this is something for women that is life
her boutique, Cherry Hill. However, Alicia found
and technology and her goal is to bring only the
changing,” Alicia said. “What’s nice about (it) is
it difficult to compete with the internet so she
best to Longview. There’s also a medical director
there’s no down time.”
looked at the needs within the community and
who is not only a practicing doctor (plastic
Cherry Hill also offers, among other
decided it was time to reinvent herself.
surgeon) but someone who is also onsite two days
products and services, a 3D personal facial
a week. The medspa staffs two registered nurses, a
analyzer and a gift shop that carries high-end
Earlier this year, she switched her business concept to a luxurious medical spa. “Fashion goes with beauty,” Alicia said. “I’m getting older, I like to take care of myself and I find that my clients’ needs are the same (as mine).” She went from wanting to meet the fashion needs of women in East Texas to meeting their beauty needs on a different level.
laser technician, two estheticians and a permanent makeup artist. Cherry Hill now has more of a “getaway” feel with the right touch of luxury and seclusion, even though it’s located off of busy Judson Road. “We have privacy, back door entrances and exits and everything is ran as professional and
“That’s what I’ve always done is try to make
locked down as you would at the doctor’s office,”
women be beautiful, feel beautiful, feel good
Alicia said. “Sometimes people feel that they’re
about themselves and be proud. And teaching
doing a procedure they don’t want someone to
them, too, like all the experiences and skills that
know about (so) they have that option of privacy,
I’ve learned. I’m still doing the same thing but it’s
especially with CoolSculpting and FemTouch.”
just with a different product,” Alicia said. She wanted to continue the Cherry Hill value and bring only the best to Longview, making
CoolSculpting is a 35-minute treatment for
Aside from running a successful business, Alicia is also known for her love of animals, especially with her nonprofit organization Fete for Pets. Years ago, Alicia became part of an effort to bring a larger animal shelter to Longview. Through Fete for Pets, she started doing fundraisers at her ranch, Flyin’ Feathers Ranch. Money raised from the fundraisers has gone toward the city’s new shelter. Alicia also volunteers her time with First Tee
almost every part of the body, such as the knees,
of Pineywoods, Teen Court and various other
stomach and chin.
animal related programs, and teaches golf part of
it stand out on the map. Since reopening as a
“It’s remarkable and it does work,” Alicia said.
medspa, she’s seen clients coming from as far
FemTouch through Lumenis offers vaginal
away as Dallas.
clothing and accessories.
rejuvenation with “innovative state-of-the-art
the school year at Trinity School of Texas. Her love for animals shines through when she’s asked about them.
“I knew that Cherry Hill always had that
CO2 laser technology that addresses common
“I just share their compassion with them and
recognition. And I knew I didn’t want to be just a
vaginal health related aspects,” according to the
it’s given me a love I’ve never found before,” Alicia
spa, a pop up store or anything like that. So, what
company’s website.
said. “They just bring such joy to your life.” C mycharmonline.com 15
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16 CHARM | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y
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FASHION
WINTERIZE
YOUR WORKOUT Photos by MICHAEL CAVAZOS
BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. BUT ON YOUR NEXT OUTDOOR WORKOUT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE.
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mycharmonline.com 17
RX Active Core Packable Jacket, $59.99; Racquet and Jog Patagonia Short Sleeve Nine Trails Shirt, $45; Racquet and Jog Adidas Long Tight, $65; Racquet and Jog Under Armour Gloves, $24.99; Racquet and Jog New Balance M880GY7, $124.99; Racquet and Jog
Arc'Teryx Atom Vest, $175; Racquet and Jog The North Face Reaxion Amp Tee, $30; Racquet and Jog Maaji Sailing Impulse, $74; Racquet and Jog Asics Gel Kayano 24, $160; Racquet and Jog
18 CHARM | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y
Patagonia Re-Tool Headband, $25; Racquet and Jog Mountain Hard Wear Ratio Down Vest, $125; Racquet and Jog Arc'Teryx Long-Sleeve Sirrus Shirt, $59; Racquet and Jog Lucy Powermax Power Train Pocket Legging, $89; Racquet and Jog Brooks Revel, $100; Racquet and Jog
mycharmonline.com 19
S CHOOL
WHAT TO DO: Buy or repurpose a picture frame with glass. Find a romantic background to print out and cut to size or use something you might already have on hand, like fabric, wrapping paper or a paper gift bag with a pretty pattern. You can also find a ready-made printable at www.thinkingcloset. com/2014/02/09/30-last-minute-diy-gifts-for-your-valentine.
Insert
the paper into the frame as you would do a photograph and secure the back. On the front, use a dry erase marker to write love notes to your special someone. The coolest part? You can leave love notes year-round, not just for Valentine’s Day.
SEED STARTER MASON JAR Does your special someone have a green thumb or want to try their hand at gardening? Gift them a cute seed starter jar!
‘TIS THE SEASON
FOR... LOVE! Words by DAWN-RENÉE RICE
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Mini Mason jar • Glass paint • Rubbing alcohol • Stiff bristle paint brush • Small piece of cardstock • Potting soil • Seeds
T
he holidays are over but that doesn’t get you off the hook for presents. Valentine’s Day is upon us and that means the typical gifts of chocolates and flowers for
your special someone. Or does it? Instead of a mad dash to the store, why not try making your own gift? A handmade gift means so much more because of the thought and time put into it.
• Coffee beans or small pebbles • Thread • Scissors • Glass adhesive, heart-shaped stencil • Hole punch • Spoon WHAT TO DO:
And it doesn’t have to stop at gifts. You can make your own
Clean the jar with the rubbing alcohol and once dry, place
decorations to showcase your love around your home. If you’re not
your adhesive stencil. Dab the paint over the stencil until it’s filled
sure where to start, we’ve rounded up some ideas for you to consider.
completely. Let the paint dry before removing the stencil. Place the coffee beans or pebbles in the bottom of the jar (this allows for
“I LOVE YOU BECAUSE …” PICTURE FRAME
drainage for seeds and plants). Add the potting soil to the jar, leaving
If your loved one’s love language is words of affirmation, this is the
enough room for coverage depending on the type of seed you’re
perfect gift to make.
using. Plant the seed depending on the depth required according to
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
the seed packet. Water according to packet instructions.
• Picture frame (new or repurposed)
Next, cut a little card out of the cardstock, punch a hole in the
• Patterned paper or fabric
corner and write your love note on the card. Then, thread some
• Scissors
ribbon or twine through the hole and tie the note around the jar.
• Dry Erase Marker
Secure the lid and you’re finished!
20 CHARM | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y
PICTURE PERFECT PULL-OUT PHOTO ALBUM If your special someone is the sentimental type a handmade photo album is a great option. WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Five images (small enough to be cut into 2-inch squares) • Heavy card stock (8.5 inches x 14 inches)
Let them dry for at least 10 minutes. You can also hot glue the last square to the bottom of the lidded box, allowing at least 10 minutes to dry. Then hot glue a loop of ribbon to the back of the first photo to make it easier for your loved one to enjoy their mini “scrapbook” of memories. Whether you’re handy with crafts, there are plenty of DIY ideas to make this Valentine’s Day unforgettably unique and easy to do.
• Ruler • Pencil • Hot glue
DIY HOME DECOR Planning to entertain for Valentine’s Day or decorate for the
• Small lidded wooden box
special occasion? We talked with Dylan Palmer, head designer at
• Spray mount adhesive
Ellis Pottery, for some ideas on how to dress up your home with love.
WHAT TO DO: Cut the card stock to a width of 2-13/16 inches. Measure and mark the card stock crosswise with a ruler and pencil every 2-13/16
“You can put together grapevine wreaths with mesh, add materials and embellish it,” Dylan said. “Or you can do a mesh garland and put it around your front door.”
inches. Fold the card stock at the first mark, creasing it, then fold the
He also suggested using the mesh to make table pieces for your
opposite direction at the next mark and so on to create an accordion
table if you’re entertaining for the special day. It can be something
fold. Erase the marks after folding the card stock. Place the folded
as simple as “fastening the mesh into small wreaths and putting
card stock on a flat surface with the topmost fold facing you. Cut your five images into 2-inch squares, center them onto each card stock square and adhere with spray mount.
a candle in the middle.” Or, you can embellish plaques that say Happy Valentine’s Day with bows, ribbons, glitter and hearts to hang in your home. C
1515 Judson Longview www.CherryHillMedSpa.co mycharmonline.com 21
F EATURE
get over your
SELFIE
Words by APRILL BRANDON | Illustrations by MICHELLE LAVERELL
M
y son has spent about 1,277 days on Earth. My daughter,
Now, if those three above sentences don’t seem like a revelation to you,
roughly 455. Counting the ones I took today, I have exactly
congratulations, you are likely a man or a well-adjusted, confident woman.
18 billion photos of them.
However, if you’ve ever taken 100 almost identical photos of yourself and
Oops. Sorry. 18 billion and one. They just did the cutest thing, you guys.
then agonized for an hour and a half about which one to post and then spent
And they look amazing in every single one of these photos, including
another 33 minutes trying out different Instagram filters to find the one that
the newborn “Benjamin Button” ones.
thins out your face the most, then you understand how huge this is.
By contrast, I have been alive on this planet for about 13,200 days.
I have wasted so much of my life either trying to micromanage every
Thanks to the invention of the selfie, there are now probably 18 billion
single photo I appear in or avoiding cameras all together. Because all
photos of me floating around, too. The only difference is I only like about
I saw in every photo of me was every flaw a single human body could
seven of them. Actually, more like six (in that one photo, my eyes are doing
possibly house. I’m too fat in this one. My nose is all wonky in this one.
that weird thing).
I’m too pale. Greasy hair. No makeup. Arm flab. Dumb smile. Double
Yes, I know. Female hates how she looks in photos! Shocker!
chin. Triple chin. Everywhere a chin, chin. Crow’s feet (or, in some
This revelation is right up there with me admitting my feet are always
lighting, the whole crow). Forehead pimple. Bad posture. Crooked teeth.
cold and that I don’t understand the appeal of “Entourage.” But I bring
I can go on…
this up for a very good reason, because I have recently come to terms with
Dark circles under my eyes. Cellulite. Sausage fingers. Flat hair. Dull
some vital facts and it has made a huge difference. I’m 36. This is my face. I need to get over it. 22 CHARM | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y
hair. Frizzy hair. Freckles. Acne. Acne scars. Thin lips. Fat thighs. That weird flub that hangs out around the side of your bra.
I’m 36. This is my face.
I need to get over it. Yeah. It’s exhausting hating how you look in photos, especially in
another one,” followed by “let me see it,” followed by “let’s take another
this social media era where photos are taken and shared roughly every
one,” followed by “let me see it,” followed by nothing because we are dead
2.3 seconds.
because we got caught in this stupid loop and couldn’t get out because no
And so, I decided to let go. Just...let it all go. Unfurl my fists and let go of the iron grip I was using to control the face that got shared in public. Because, technically, it’s all the same face. This is my face. This is my body. And in every photo, that is how I look at that particular moment. Guys, the freedom that comes with this revelation ... such a weight has been lifted. I’m now more than willing to let my husband take a picture of me playing with the kids when I’m in my pajamas and sporting my best Swamp Witch hair because I want to remember that moment. And because, yes, some days I look like a Swamp Witch. Now when a parent wants a photo of me, I don’t say “how about later, when I have makeup on?” I shut up and pose. And now when my friends whip out that cellphone, I smile and BOOM. That’s it. Done. No more “let me see it” followed immediately by “let’s take
matter how many photos we took, we magically never ended up looking like Jennifer Lawrence. (Which is so dumb, because even if we did look like Jennifer Lawrence, we still can’t afford Jennifer Lawrence’s stylist, meaning we still wouldn’t look like Jennifer Lawrence.) Of course, every road that leads to brilliant revelations is full of potholes. I mean, do I still want people to only post photos of me where I look good? Of course. I’m still embarrassingly vain. But now, if they don’t, it no longer bothers me because I’ve realized it’s more important to me to be part of the picture — to be part of that memory. This is my face. And now that I’ve stopped ripping it to shreds in every single photograph, it turns out that I actually kind of like it. Oh man ... guys ... is this what being well-adjusted feels like? C
asa CF lora FLOWER SHOP
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 5pm Saturday: 8am - Noon 314 Magnolia Lane, Longview
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PICTURE
This!
CHARM/VIEW
COVER REVEAL PARTY
JOHNNY, JOHN & REBECCA STONE
LONGVIEW | HEALTHCARE EXPRESS | 10/12/2017 Photos by MICHAEL CAVAZOS
There was a great turnout at the Charm/View Cover Reveal Party on Oct. 12 at HealthCare Express in Longview. ExcelER sponsored the cover reveal
SHELBY MCNEESE, CASEY MCKNIGHT
party. Guests enjoyed socializing and food provided by Perfect Catering. The next Cover Reveal Party is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio, located inside Longview Mall at 3500 McCann Road. Heritage Wine and Spirits is sponsoring the event and Perfect Catering will provide food. Businesses
interested
in
either
hosting
or
sponsoring a future cover reveal party may contact
REBEKAH MCCLENNY, PHYLLIS RIEVES, RACHAEL HACKER
Event Coordinator Gai Bennett at (903) 232-7206 or gbennett@news-journal.com.
SHARLAN WARDLOW, BONNIE BEADLES
24 CHARM | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y
MISTY & MATTHEW HAMILTON, KAREN WRIGHT
P ICTURE THIS
YAMBOREE QUEEN
CORONATION
CEREMONY GILMER | GILMER CIVIC CENTER | 10/18/2017
CASSIE HUTTON, KACHELL VARNADO
Photos by MICHAEL CAVAZOS
Hundreds of people eagerly filled seats in Gilmer on Oct. 18 awaiting the coronation of 80th East Texas Yambore Queen Madison Dean. Madison, a senior at Gilmer High School, presided over Yamboree festivities in Upshur County throughout the week.
LINDSEY MCFAUL, KIM JACKSON
PAT BYNUM, JOYCE RAABE, DIANA SEAHORN
HANNAH IRVIN, BEN JAEGER
DEBORAH & RICK MERITT
PAULA DAVIDSON, MABLE ODOM, JO SMITH
mycharmonline.com 25
P ICTURE THIS
SCRABBLE WITH FRIENDS LONGVIEW | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | 10/24/2017 Photos by LES HASSELL
Letter tiles flew Oct. 24 during a Scrabble with Friends tournament. The event – attended by dozens – served as a fundraiser for the East Texas Literacy
JANA FRIEDEL, PAM IBEH, JERRY AND IRIS STANKORB
Council, which provides such services as instruction on literacy skills in reading, math, writing and the GED as well as English as a Second Language.
JESICA ALLEN, SETH HILLMAN, MARY COLLIER, JANICE CRANE
ALYSSA SHOBERT, ALEXIS FREEMAN, JESSICA MENA
DEBBIE NIEHAUS, DIANA HUDMAN, DR. PATRICK BRISCO, NITA FUDGE, SONIA COLE
26 CHARM | J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y
LINDA ADLER, TRACEY HENDERSON
EVA LEGARDA, LINDA LEBLANC, JULIE NOBLE, CATHIE PORTER
SALLY LEJEUNE, LINDA CUNNINGHAM, REGINA FENDERSON
P ICTURE THIS
HOLIDAY TEA ROOM
& MARKET BLANCHE BRUYERE, WINNIE TAYLOR
LONGVIEW | LONGVIEW MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS | 12/5/2017 Photos by MICHAEL CAVAZOS
Longview Museum of Fine Arts welcomed guests to dine on delicious catered lunches and to browse goods from a variety of vendors at its annual Holiday Tea Room and Market, held Dec. 5-9 at the museum. An annual Christmastime tradition, the theme of the 2017 event was “Holiday Magic.”
DEBBIE ANDERSON, BARBARA SCOTT
MOLLIE MAE MCKINNEY, KARRIE TRAYLOR
DEBBIE CONNER, TERRY HOLMAN
MARGARET PARTIN, BARBARA HAWKINS, PHYLLIS SKOLNICK, KAY RAY, NATALIE RABICOFF
mycharmonline.com 27