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I N S P I R AT I O N F O R W O M E N I N TO DAY ’ S B U S Y W O R L D

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A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

November 2020 - NortheastOhioParent.com

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Hello, ladies, and welcome to refresh!

THE YEAR 2020 has been challenging, right? We’ve experienced a lot of ups and a lot of downs. But guess what? Through it all, we prevailed.

If there is any group who can turn a negative into a positive, it’s women! This year we were told we needed to live, work and teach from home due to coronavirus stay-athome orders. Of course we listened, but we also made sure to make it fun.

Leave it to us to create “quarantine chic” and make loungewear the new fashion trend.

TikTok is the teenager’s app, right? Not in 2020. We took that over real fast and even started a #MomsofTikTok viral hashtag.

We were told we weren’t allowed to get together at restaurants with our friends. No problem. We created Zoom Happy Hour. Grab a glass of your favorite wine and make sure you’re logged on at 8 p.m. to chat with your girls.

Women rule. We are strong, we are ingenious and we are so funny.

As moms, we’re balancing a lot. Let’s be honest, we are doing the hardest, albeit most rewarding, job in the world. But we need to remember it’s also important to take care of ourselves!

That’s why we’re excited to bring you refresh: a lifestyle magazine just for us. From fashion and food to home decor and fitness, we’re covering all the topics women love and need.

This month’s introductory edition is just a snippet, but it’s packed with information you can use. Read about the latest winter fashion trends, try out our tips for getting a better night’s rest, and keep up with the latest binge-worthy shows.

Remember, while it’s good to be independent women, it’s also important to have a tribe of ladies with us! Take it from someone who went to an all-girl high school and lived with 40 women in her sorority house at college — it really is true that when women support one another, incredible things happen!

So join us, will you? Take a load off your feet and let yourself be catered to for once.

Sit back, relax and refresh!

Jessica Dill refresh.

IN THIS ISSUE

33

What’s Trending

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34

Comfy, Cozy Winter Wear

38

Make the Most of Your Sleep

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trending What’s

TRENDS

Our favorite finds in beauty, home, entertainment and more. By Shana O’Malley-Smith

BINGE-WORTHY:

FOR THE HOME:

Watch as organizing experts Clea and Joanna transform messy closets, overflowing pantries and garbage-collecting garages into beautiful and functional spaces for their celebrity clients. The Nashville-based BFFs work their magic by categorizing and storing similar things together, and editing (donating and tossing) things that aren’t used or needed anymore. The show will have you decluttering, rearranging and rainbow color coding every closet, drawer and shelf in your home. The inspiration is worth the binge.

NETFLIX

Taking inspiration from “The Home Edit,” we’re obsessed with the idea of see-through storage containers featured in the show. Organizing gurus Clea and Joanna highly recommend clear containers to help keep track of your home inventory. Here are a few items on our wish list.

GET ORGANIZED WITH “THE HOME EDIT”

IDESIGN LINUS DIVIDED TURNTABLE CLEAR – 11-inch $24.99 or 9-inch $17.99 containerstore.com CHEF’S PATH 14-PIECE AIRTIGHT STORAGE CONTAINER SET - $44.97 amazon.com

SUBSCRIBE:

CHATBOOKS

There’s a subscription for everything nowadays and this one is pretty genius. Give the photos on your phone a permanent home with monthly mini Chatbooks. Easily upload 30 of your favorite photos of the month onto the Chatbooks app, and they’ll take care of the rest! Each month you’ll receive a 5-inch by 5-inch photobook of all your favorite snaps in the mail. They also make great gifts for grandparents! $5 a month.

CHATBOOKS.COM

SAMLA 12-GALLON BOX – $5.99 ikea.com

PLANNING FOR THE HOLIDAYS: GIVE GIFTED

BEAUTY BUY:

OLAY WRINKLE CORRECTION SERUM WITH VITAMIN B3 + PEPTIDES

CLEAR STORAGE CONTAINERS

We love a good drug store beauty find, and this affordable Olay serum is getting all the top reviews. Treat your skin to this ultra-concentrated serum that has the power to renew a million skin cells 10 layers deep. Penetrate your skin’s surface and treat wrinkles at the source with a serum that’s free from parabens, phthalates, mineral oil and synthetic dyes. $28.99.

OLAY.COM

COVID-19 hit small businesses especially hard this year, making it more important than ever to shop locally this holiday season. Take the stress out of gift giving and support local by letting the pros of Give Gifted help! This Cleveland-based company will hand pick custom gifts from Ohio vendors like food and beverage makers, clothing companies, photographers, artists and more. We love that they work with local small businesses to provide unique, personalized gifts for everyone on your list.

GIVEGIFTED.COM

WORTH THE READ:

“THE GOOD FIGHT: WANTING TO LEAVE, CHOOSING TO STAY, AND THE POWERFUL PRACTICE FOR LOVING FAITHFULLY” BY JANNA KRAMER AND MICHAEL CAUSSIN

Country music singer, actress and “Dancing with the Stars” alum Janna Kramer and her husband, former NFL player Michael Caussin, provide an honest account of the ups and downs of their five-year marriage. The 36-yearold mother of two has been outspoken about her marriage struggles, including career jealousy, raising small children and dealing with infidelity. In a time where everything (including your marriage) is supposed to look Instagram perfect, Kramer and Caussin provide a raw and relatable look at their relationship struggles and successes. Their book provides helpful tips they learned from working through their own personal issues, as well as advice from their marriage therapist.

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FA S H I O N

COMFY, COZY

Winter Wear Women want comfortable, chic fashion as we head into the chilly season.

I

By Jessica Dill

t’s time to say goodbye to what many would call the most fashionable season, fall. Winter is just around the corner, and while that does mean more layers, it doesn’t mean we can’t make them look fabulous.

To say the year 2020 has been interesting would be an understatement. The pandemic changed everything for us, including fashion.

To find out what’s trending this year we spoke with two fashionable Northeast Ohio women, Nicole Marcellino and Isabel Pritchett.

If you recognize the name Nicole Marcellino, you may be a big Cleveland Cavaliers fan. Marcellino has been the Cavs in-arena announcer for the past 15 seasons. She’s also the founder and owner of Bleu Chic Boutique in Strongsville.

“Bleu Chic Boutique is a women’s clothing and accessories boutique that carries adorable and affordable clothing for the always-on-the-go woman with a fierce and fabulous sense of style,” Marcellino says.

Sanity is a boutique in Chagrin Falls owned by Isabel Pritchett.

“From comfy to cute to classy, we have the favorite go-tos for every closet,” Pritchett says.

Both Marcellino and Pritchett say the biggest trend is now comfort.

Marcellino says women are choosing to invest in pieces that are casual and versatile. Ditch the high heels and grab the sneakers.

“Comfy joggers, a kick-butt pair of faux leather leggings, cozy pullovers and cardigans,” Marcellino says. “These are all items that with the simple swap of a tee for a blouse, jeans for joggers, or high boots for slippers, you can mix and match to get you from carpool to your Zoom meeting to date night.”

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FA S H I O N

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLEU CHIC BOUTIQUE

Bleu Chic Boutique in Strongsville carries the latest in 2020 winter fashion, focusing on transitional pieces to carry you from playtime to a work meeting to a date night, and everywhere in between. Owner Nicole Marcellino models a few of these pieces, like a great blazer.

Pritchett agrees, saying winter fashion is all about the “comfy cozy.”

“We’re seeing tons of lounge wear in different styles,” she says. “From leopard print to tie dye and beyond, lots of matching sets that you can mix and match with jeans and leggings and basic tops.”

Seasonal Prints

While tie dye has been a huge trend for women this year, there are a few other colors and prints to look out for when you’re shopping.

Marcellino says deep magenta is the hot color right now.

“We have seen this pop up in the fall, and this rich color will continue to make its presence throughout the rest of the year,” she says. “Paired with cream and with hints of silver or gold, it will really stand out this holiday season.”

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Another popular pattern is buffalo plaid.

“Buffalo plaid has been popular the last few years, and we’ll continue to see a lot of that, especially in the accessories world,” Marcellino says. “Think mittens, beanies, scarves, tops and blankets.”

Speaking of accessories, Pritchett says versatility is key when you accessorize.

“Pick pieces that you can wear several ways and with several different items in your closet,” she says.

For example, a brim hat. “It’s super chic and takes any outfit you’re wearing up a notch,” Pritchett says. “We carry a beautiful hat line, ASN, that was created by two sisters and a brother. These hats are handmade and timeless.”

Marcellino says it’s always a good idea to choose accessories and clothing that you can bring with you year to year. Her ex-

amples are high quality denim, an amazing pair of leggings and a great everyday purse or backpack.

“These are a few items that will be slightly higher priced, but when made well and properly taken care of, will last you several years,” Marcellino says. “Be willing to invest in these great pieces, but only if you love them.”

Marcellino also advises women to start their winter shopping by purchasing a few staple pieces, such as a great pair of jeans, leggings, boots and a well-fitted blazer.

You’ll feel better about spending the money on these items since they easily transition into the next season.

Invest in Layers

Alright, let’s talk about layers. We do live in Cleveland, where one hour it’s 30 degrees and the next it’s 60 degrees.

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FA S H I O N

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SANITY

Sanity owner Isabel Pritchett says loungewear is in. She also recommends picking pieces with lots of versatility to add to your closet.

“Invest in a great new cardigan or two and something a little more out of the box, like a puffer vest,” Marcellino says. “Then, try pairing with a pocket tee, long sleeve top or graphic tee you already own. It’s a great way to get additional use out of items already in your closet and when paired with something new, brings it back to life.”

Of course we’re not all fashionistas, so that’s why Marcellino and Pritchett say they’re always available to help us.

“Fashion isn’t one size fits all and not every trend is going to work on every person,” Marcellino says. “Find the things you love and make them work for you.”

You can see more of the fashion Marcellino and Pritchett as they both have active social media accounts where they show off the latest styles. Check out their Instagram accounts, @bleuchicboutique and @sanitystyle.

Jessica Dill is an award-winning TV news anchor and reporter turned blogger at jessicalynndill. com. She is taking a quick break from television to be home with her husband, Michael, and their baby, Vivian. She writes about everything, including family, food, travel, fashion, motherhood and, of course, baby Vivian. Jessica grew up on the West Side of Cleveland while her husband grew up on the East Side, so the pair loves to spend time all over Northeast Ohio.

Coming 4x in 2021!

February May August November

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WELLNESS

Make the Most of Your

SLEEP How to wake up feeling rested and refreshed

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By Jamie Winebrenner

P

arents sacrifice their sleep to late night feedings, monsters under the bed, work deadlines or our own to-do lists after bedtime.

Add in the stresses and responsibilities of the global pandemic — homeschooling, changes in routine and more — and a restful night’s sleep may seem like something only in your (limited) dreams.

If you’ve found yourself lying awake once you finally get to bed, you’re not alone. According to a study published by the Journal of Sleep Research, 11 percent of mothers reported insomnia in the one to two months leading up to the pandemic.

That number has more than doubled, reaching a reported 23 percent, in the months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another 80 percent of women also reported mid or

high levels of anxiety at the same time.

Sleep is a critical part of caring for our mental health and it’s an integral part of self-care. So how can we get the most from our sleep when it seems that rest has fallen off our priority lists?

Whether you get four or eight hours each night, here are a few tips to wake up feeling rested and refreshed.

Stop the scroll early. Speaking of screen time, many studies link eye strain and the decreased ability to sleep to scrolling social media. Remove the temptation by charging your phone away from your bed, or at least out of reach. This move has an added benefit if you use your phone as an alarm clock. You’ll have to get out of bed to turn it off, and you’re less likely to snooze through your morning.

Make a routine for yourself. If you’ve ever had a newborn, you might have been given the advice to create a bedtime routine.

Maybe that included doing a bath, a story, snuggles and a lullaby in that order every night to signal the end of the day and the start of bedtime. Try doing the same thing for yourself. Whatever your wind-down routine entails, try doing it in the same order, around the same time, every night.

Consider incorporating essential oils like lavender, sandalwood or vanilla into your bedtime routine to ease any anxious feelings and signal your brain that the shutdown is coming. Instead of leaving on the TV, listen to a relaxing playlist while you pick up toys or clean up the kitchen.

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WELLNESS

Easy Restorative Yoga Poses People of all ages all over the world practice yoga to increase feelings of relaxation and rebalance the nervous system. Try these three easy restorative poses for enhanced sleep.

Legs Up The Wall (Viparita Karani)

This one is just like it sounds. Lie on the floor, with your tailbone close to the wall and your legs extended up toward the ceiling. Rest your arms at your sides, or overhead, and close your eyes for five to 10 minutes. By elevating your legs, you can increase your circulation and decrease any fluid buildup that may have occurred throughout the day. You also may feel release in lower back tension and a gentle stretch in your hamstrings. If your hamstrings are tight, scoot yourself away from the wall a few inches.

Child’s Pose (Balasana)

Take a restorative approach to this classic yoga pose by incorporating a pillow or two. Sit with your knees wide, toes touching, and rest your upper body on the pillow. This pose is a great choice if you’re experiencing tension in your hips or lower back.

You might also feel opening in your shoulders. Take long inhales and exhales to calm your mind.

Corpse Pose (Savasana)

Lie on your back, legs extended out long and arms resting at your sides. Feel yourself being fully grounded and supported.

Close your eyes and try to calm your thoughts. This is a great pose to practice meditation, or clearing your thoughts in favor of an emotionally calm state. Don’t worry if meditation doesn’t come easy to you, it can take months or even years of practice.

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WELLNESS

Brain dump. Write down the thoughts floating around in your head prior to starting your bedtime routine. That could be to-dos, things you want to remember, ideas you have, or a reminder for someone in your family about tomorrow’s schedule. Get these things out of your mind and onto paper, so they’re not crossing your thoughts as you lay in bed trying to sleep.

Move your body. Even if you exercise during the day, try some gentle stretches or yoga poses (see sidebar on page 40) in the 10-15 minutes before you crawl into bed. Not only is this great for your muscles and physical health, but it also can help calm your nervous system.

Not everyone will experience the same benefits from the same routine, and trial and error is important in figuring out what will work for you. Give yourself a week or two to test different routines until you find the steps that work best for you, and look forward to getting a good night’s rest.

Jamie Winebrenner is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher and teaches in Medina and Wadsworth. She also is trained in reiki, and when she is not teaching, she works as a content marketing and graphic design consultant. She resides in Medina with her husband and two young children.

SPONSORED CONTENT PROVIDED BY

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