Today's Charlotte Woman April 2014

APRIL 2014

VOL 17 | NO 12 | COMPLIMENTARY

Cheryl Tiegs On Living Your Best Life Style Boho Chic Is In Full Bloom Get Rustic With Amanda Lawlor’s Handmade Wares Awaken Your Home Fling Into Spring With Crisp Décor

Bothered by Receding Gums?

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Inside This Issue

60 8

Editor’s Note Home Is Where The For Sale Sign Is

10 Girl Power Eat, Shop, Drink & Be Powerful

16 The Queen’s List Goings On Around Town

18

18 The Heart Of A Home Amanda Lawlor Builds A Business Crafting Unique Wares

22 Secrets From A Cover Girl Cheryl Tiegs On Living Your Best Life

50

26 Seen In The City Out & About In Charlotte

28 Business Spotlight Closet & Storage Concepts Changes Lives Through Organization

29 Style Boho Chic Is In Full Bloom

36 Wish Come True Torie Costa Finds Confidence On The Other Side Of Cancer

40 BusinessWoman Of The Year

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Duke Energy’s Lynn Good

50 Dwellings Design Tips For The Spring Season

58 Business Spotlight Dr. Maeve O’Connor & AAIR Help Control Spring Allergies www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 6

60 Health Flash An Apple A Day & Other Wisdom

66 I Really Think

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OnTheCover Cheryl Tiegs comes to town.

PHOTO BY GLENN ROBERSON.

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From The Editor » By Karsen Price www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 8

Home Is Where The For Sale Sign Is his issue is the Home Issue, with a special focus on selling your home.

While I am not qualified to offer tips on how to sell your home — turn to an industry expert for that — I am uniquely qualified to describe life while perpetually on the real estate market.

My beautiful, custom-built home has been for sale for over a year now.

I have prepared for over 50 different showings. And 9 times out of 10, I hear the same thing: “Great home. Shows beautifully. Not right for my client.”

I have heard some amusing reasons why people aren’t interested in my house. Once, a realtor said the potential buyers thought our grass wasn’t as green as other yards in the neighborhood.

Another time, the reason for not wanting the home was: “Dislike paint color in dining room.”

Ever heard of fertilizer? Ever heard of paint?

Recently, I got a note from a realtor who said the potential buyer thought she “smelled cat.” (Perhaps that is because I own one.) He added, “Honestly, they are impossible to please. The house shows beautifully.” I appreciated the apology in his words.

I am well aware that not everyone is lucky enough to live in a home that is for sale for over a year. Here are a few of the things I’ve learned: First off, don’t own cats. Or pets at all, for that matter. They don’t understand when you say in a huff, “Nobody make a mess because we have three showings

Volume 17, Number 12 April 2014 Karsen Price Editor Editor@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

Sharon Simpson Publisher sharon@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

Trisha Robinson Sales Executive Trisha@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

today!” In fact, such a statement tends to earn you a well-placed furball gently vomited up on your white carpet.

Be aware, right from the start, that if your house is spotless, no one will want to see it. But let the laundry pile up for two weeks, or skip cleaning the kitchen, or run a quick errand while your home is a total mess, and you will get inundated with showings faster than you can say “need a maid.”

So you love your home’s crown moldings, and backsplash, and turret room, and wraparound porch? That’s all fine and good, but it has nothing to do with the value of your home. It’s all about square footage these days. And green grass. Don’t forget the grass.

All those tried-and-true tricks for selling your home? Like bake fresh cookies, clean the house within an inch of your life, and take down everything personal, because it disturbs potential buyers to see pictures of your brighteyed kid? Those are urban legends. It is all about the price. And the square footage. And don’t forget the grass.

Kidding aside, living in a home that is always for sale has been good for me in ways. I have learned to live in constant cleanliness, which isn’t the worst thing in the world. I nix disorder the second it knocks on the door. Most of all, I have learned to let go, realizing some things are out of my control … including my square footage.

Beth Packard Sales Executive Beth@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

Taylor Buckley Sales Executive Taylor@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

Kerrie Boys Creative Director idesign2, inc

Social Media Director Michele Chastain mac21268@yahoo.com Style Editor Stacee Michelle Contributing Writers Dana Durham Beth Howard Melinda Johnston Lee Rhodes Lori K. Tate Contributing Photographers Andrea Perullo de Ledesma Glenn Roberson www.todayscharlottewomanmag.com www.facebook.com/TodaysCharlotteWoman Mission statement:Today’s Charlotte Woman celebrates the lives, loves and endeavors of the women of Charlotte. Our mission is to inspire and motivate our community through well-written editorial content, artful photography and elegant design. The magazine will enlighten, engage and entertain its readers, ever seeking to spotlight the unbreakable strength that is the heart of Today’s Charlotte woman.

P.O. Box 1676 • Cornelius, NC 28031 704.677.9159 Today’s Charlotte Woman is published by Venture Magazines Inc., and is distributed on a complimentary basis throughout the greater Charlotte area.

Subscription rate is $20 per year for 12 issues.

Copyright© 2014 Venture Magazines Inc. All rights reserved. Copying or reproduction, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited.

Today’s Charlotte Woman and Venture Magazines Inc. do not necessarily endorse the views and perceptions of contributors or advertisers.

What makes you

"Dr. Nash had a vision for my teeth that simply revealed my heart's desire.

My smile is fuller, whiter and absolutely perfect.

All I want to do now is smile!"

Janie Shipley

Smile by Dr. Ross Nash

Of the nearly 8000 8 American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry ry members worldwide, there there are only 45 who ha have ave achieved the exclusive level le evel of Accredited Fellow.

Fello ow. In all of North and South South Carolina, only one e dentist has earned this elite e status by illustrating illustraating the required level of excellence in the area rea of cosmetic dentistry: Accredited Fellow Ross ss W W.. Nash, DDS DDS. S.

Girl Power » In The Moment »

By Karsen Price » Photo By Joe Martin www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 10

GIRLPOWER Eat, Shop, Drink & Be Powerful • Compiled By Karsen Price

For The

Birds

Jennifer Gordon & Carolina Waterfowl Rescue Enjoy National Exposure pparently, plastic surgery has gone to the birds.

Just ask Jennifer Gordon, director and creator of Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, a volunteer-run nonprofit in Indian Trail that helps more than 2,000 birds a year.

Along with a resident swan named Sitara, Gordon is being featured this month on an episode of the show “My Bionic Pet,” which is part of the PBS Nature Series.

The episode follows the story of Sitara, a male mute swan who recently had surgery to install a prosthetic beak.

Gordon explains that the procedure is more than cosmetic — it’s life altering for the swan, which most likely lost his natural beak after being bitten by a snapping turtle.

“Without a complete beak, birds struggle to eat and clean themselves, to ward off mites and other disease-causing insects,” Gordon says. “There’s a cosmetic aspect, too — birds with missing beaks and dirty feathers aren’t likely to get selected as a mate.”

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue was created by Gordon in 2003 from her home. She is a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and recently received the North Carolina Governor’s Wildlife Achievement Award in association with the NC Wildlife Federation.

CWR specializes in the rescue and

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CWR

Sitara most likely lost his beak due to a run-in with a snapping turtle.

His prosthetic beak has been life altering. rehabilitation of water birds, including ducks, geese and swans, although volunteer rehabilitators are licensed to take in every kind of wildlife.

It’s the second time CWR has been featured on national television in the last two months. On Feb. 1 and 5, the rescue was featured on an episode of “We Move Animals,” on National Geographic’s Nat Geo Wild Channel.

A PBS film crew taped volunteers working with Sitara in late October 2013 at CWR’s Poplin Road facility, before Sitara traveled to Durham, N.C., for his surgery, also filmed by PBS. Dr. Greg Burkett, who cares for many of CWR’s birds, performed the surgery. The prosthetic was handmade using epoxy and pinned into place.

Within a week of receiving his new beak, Gordon said Sitara was “flirting” again with his female friends, eating with ease and cleaning his feathers.

“Now he has a girlfriend out at the pond. It’s helped his self-confidence a lot,” she says. “You can just see how Carolina Waterfowl happy he is now.”

Rescue will be The rescue has eight other birds in featured on an need of a prosthetic beak, but doesn’t have the money to pay for the episode of “My procedures. These prosthetics typically Bionic Pet,” on April cost $500 to $800 each, Gordon says, 9 at 8 p.m. The and birds need a sponsor or sponsors to make it happen. show is part of the She hopes the show will spur PBS Nature Series. donations and local volunteers.

“Hopefully, people will see this and want to get involved,” she said. “A lot of people don’t know the extent of medical care we provide. I don’t think anybody does what we do.”

The nonprofit is a no-kill facility, and provides rescue and rehabilitation for sick, injured and orphaned birds. Gordon also strives to increase public awareness and appreciation for animals. The nonprofit relies solely on donations from the community.

WantToWatch?

For information about Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, visit Carolinawaterfowlrescue.com. Visit Pbs.org/nature.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

TOLEARNMORE

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Girl Power » Shop Talk » By Lee Rhodes » Photos By Andrea Perullo de Ledesma www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 12

Fit For A Queen The Royal Café & Creperie

ake up and smell the crepes!

At Royal Café and Creperie in Matthews, customers rise and shine to get a bite of savory French-style pancakes — from the Florentine option, with melted mozzarella cheese and baby spinach, to the smoky chipotle chicken. But crepes are not just for breakfast anymore. The café, which was founded by the mother and daughter duo of Elena Mizrahi and Alexis Botero, serves lunch and dinner, and even does a bustling business of dessert crepes in the evening.

“We are originally from the former Soviet Union, and I grew up with crepes,” Botero explains. “My grandma used to make them for me as a child. I’d ask for them in the morning and that was how my

TOLEARNMORE Royal Café & Creperie is located at 131 Matthews Station Street, Suite 1-E, in Matthews. Visit Royalcreperie.com or call 704/846-2233.

For Franchise Opportunities call 980-721-7293

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

day started.”

Botero has fond memories of the simplicity of her childhood crepes, served with sugar or cream, and she carries that approach into her business today. The café makes everything fresh, and offers minimally processed foods bursting with an array of flavors.

“It’s fast food, in that it’s made quickly, but in a way that’s very fresh and very good for you,” she explains.

Portions are sized for good health and don’t include a lot of breading. In lieu of breading or fillers, the crepes include protein, a vegetable and/or fruit.

Botero points to the Caramel Apple Pie, a spin on homemade apple pie without all the guilt, as her favorite menu item. Made with fresh Granny Smith apples and brown sugar, it comes on a cinnamon-butter crepe and is, Botero says, the ultimate comfort food.

Royal Café also partners with a local roaster to serve high-end coffee, and offers organic, loose-leaf teas. These two items pay tribute to the Russian culture.

In the beginning, Botero says, she educated customers about her processes and the ingredients that go into her crepes and beverages.

Now, the cafe’s customers are familiar with it all and comprise a family of sorts.

“We have the most amazing following here,” Botero says.

“We have retained almost 80 percent of the original customers who came the first day. People brought us flowers for the one-year anniversary. It’s very close-knit and welcoming.”

The café’s interior has a cozy European feel, contributing to the sense of community, and every customer is given the royal treatment.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Botero concludes. “I can only hope more people find what they like to do as much as we do.”

13

Girl Power » Good Eats » Photos By Glenn Roberson

Marinated Roasted Beets With Honey, Pistachios And Frisee on’t visit Charlotte’s first rooftop restaurant just for the view … go for the delish food with a local bent. Fahrenheit’s Chef Rocco Whalen, who has experienced Food Network fame and is partnered with Cheryl Tiegs, is focusing on local products and fresh ingredients. He has developed relationships with Meat & Fish Company, Cloister Honey, Tega Hills Farm and other Carolina purveyors. One local ingredient is used in this recipe — Cloister Honey, based in Charlotte.

For the beets: 2 pounds red beets 2 pounds golden beets 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon black pepper Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash the beets in cold water. Rub the beets with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Transfer beets to a baking dish with 1/4 inch of water in the base of the pan. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 3-4 hours or until tender all the way through, but not mushy. Let stand at room temperature until cool enough to handle. Peel beets using a paring knife. Keep the beets separate, as the red beets will discolor the golden.

Dice beets.

For the marinade: 1/2 cup honey 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/2 cup water 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Combine all ingredients. Once beets are diced, toss in marinade separately and let stand for at least an hour.

Remaining ingredients: 2 heads frisee, cleaned 1/4 cup pistachios, toasted, chopped 1/4 cup honey Lay the marinated red beets and gold beets on a plate, keeping them separate.

Use a little of the beet marinade in the bowl and toss the frisee as you would any salad. Season with salt and pepper.

Arrange frisee on top of beets. Sprinkle pistachios all over and drizzle the dish with honey.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 14

FINDITWHERE? Fahrenheit is located on the 21st floor of Skye Condominiums, at 222 S. Caldwell St., in uptown. Visit Chefroccowhalen.com/fahrenheitcharlotte/.

Cool As A Cucumber

Girl Power » Happy Hour

6 strips cucumber, sliced lengthwise with a vegetable peeler Two 2-inch slices of peeled cucumber, plus a slice for garnish 1 lime wedge 1 1/4 ounces gin 3/4 ounce St-Germain liqueur 1/2 ounce Malibu rum 1/2 ounce pineapple juice Crushed ice Tonic water Finely dice the cucumber slices.

Muddle the cucumber and lime wedge in a 10-ounce Collins glass.

Add the gin, St-Germain, rum and pineapple juice. Add the crushed ice and top with the tonic water. Garnish with cucumber slice and lime wedge, and serve. Makes 1 cocktail.

FINDITWHERE?

Comprehensive

Tupelo Honey Café is located at 1820 South Blvd. Visit Tupelohoneycafe.com. [TCW]

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15

The Queen’s List

THEQUEEN’SLIST Goings On Around Our Town

Artfully Ordinary Pease Gallery Features Kirsten Tradowsky entral Piedmont Community College’s Pease Gallery is hosting works by painter Kirsten Tradowsky April 1 through July 3, including an artist lecture April 9 at 2 p.m.

Tradowsky’s work focuses on items found for sale on Craigslist. Her art captures the quality of the seller’s photographic presentation in all its awkwardness, overexposure and strange angles. She renders these unwanted items in both rich and faded hues, delicately revealing imperfections.

The San Francisco artist has exhibited nationally. This is her first exhibition in the Southeast.

WANTTOGO? Pease Gallery, located at CPCC Central Campus, is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Visit http://blogs.cpcc.edu/cpccartgalleries/.

Tea, Anyone?

Ladies Spring Tea At Levine Senior Center

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 16

he nonprofit Levine Senior Center is hosting its inaugural ladies spring tea April 25 and 26.

The center, located at 1050 DeVore Lane in Matthews, is seeking donations of china plates, teacups, saucers, teapots, serving trays, cloth napkins and vintage linens.

Donations can be dropped off at the center office Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A donation receipt is

available for tax purposes.

Teas will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Fri., April 25, and 10 a.m. to noon Sat., April 26. Both events include a guest speaker and raffle prizes.

Tickets are available through April 18 and are $20 for adults, and $10 for young ladies age 15 and under. Tickets will not be available at the door.

WANTTOGO? Call Levine Senior Center at 704/846-4654.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CPCC

Horse, Of Course Queen’s Cup Steeplechase

Cultural Awakening Dances Of India Returns To Halton Theater

sher in spring by attending the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase Sat., April 26, presented by the Charlotte Steeplechase Association Inc. Enjoy the sights and scents of spring while experiencing exciting thoroughbred races featuring beautiful horses galloping over two miles at 30 mph.

The event, located in Mineral Springs, features professional horse racing and plenty of socializing, and has been a Charlotte-area staple since 1995.

Tailgating contests, live music and delicious food create high energy in a fun atmosphere. Last but not least, whip out your finest spring style and find your philanthropic heart.

Since 1995, the Charlotte Steeplechase Association has donated over $575,000 to local and regional charities.

xperience the history and culture of India by attending “Dances of India,” hosted by CPCC’s Halton Theater Sat., April 26 at 4 p.m. This special event strives to introduce Indian dances to the world through a series of striking dance dramas that feature unique props, silk costumes and a compelling narrative.

A staple of Charlotte for the last 12 years, this year’s performance explores the world of martial arts, including the ways many of India’s classical dances

explore practices such as yoga, kung fu, Kali and others.

Audiences will delight in performances that show the similarities between Indian dance styles and other international dances, especially during the show’s signature dance, “Unity in Diversity,” set to live orchestral music.

WANTTOGO? Halton Theater is located uptown, at 1206 Elizabeth Ave. Visit tix.cpcc.edu.

Racing For Glory Second Annual Belmont Criterium his April, more than 200 cyclists will compete on a fast-paced, 0.67-mile loop in downtown Belmont, with many competing for prize money and Olympic dreams.

The second annual Belmont Criterium, held Sun., April 13, features amateur, professional and Olympic cyclists, and is sponsored by Carolinas HealthCare System.

“We are unbelievably proud to welcome the Criterium back to our city streets in 2014,” says Reba Edwards, downtown director for the City of Belmont. “Not only does bicycling have one of the highest participation rates among sports in our country, but as a spectator, you learn so much about the importance of being active and healthy today.”

The Criterium in Belmont closes out a big weekend of cycling in the region. This year’s event is coupled with the Novant Health Criterium in Charlotte, hosted the day prior to Belmont’s race. The two National Criterium Calendar contests create the Charlotte-Belmont Omnium, a weekend anticipated to usher in competitive teams from across the United States and thousands of spectators.

WANTTOGO?

WANTTOGO?

The Queen’s Cup Steeplechase is located at 6103 Waxhaw Hwy., in Mineral Springs, N.C. Visit Queenscup.org.

The Belmont Criterium kicks off at 12 p.m. with amateur races, followed by professional races at 5 p.m.

Both race series begin and end at City Hall on Main Street. Visit Belmontcrit.org. [TCW]

Mover & Shaker » By Lee Rhodes » Photos By Andrea Perullo de Ledesma

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

18

The Heart Of A Home Amanda Lawlor Builds A Business Creating Unique Furnishings tions. Her business can’t be painted with a broad brush, however. Her wares include various handmade products crafted from refurbished materials that have been gathered from all areas of the country, and supplied wholesale to retail giants such as Anthropologie and Restoration Hardware.

Items are also sold through BlackLion, the Southern Christmas Show, and Lawlor’s own online Etsy store.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

ooking to immerse yourself in history and beauty, while simultaneously sprucing up your home? Consider investing in a rustic windowpane mirror, lovingly created out of wood salvaged from historic properties.

Amanda Lawlor is owner of the Decorative Company, and she serves as the driving force behind these types of crea-

19

Mover & Shaker » By Lee Rhodes » Photos By Andrea Perullo de Ledesma www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 20

Wood You Like?

Work From The Heart

Her business may have many sales platforms, but Lawlor’s passion remains singular: to empower women in the Charlotte area to “make things happen.”

She currently employs a staff of over a dozen women and is looking to expand.

“My goal for years has been to not only be successful myself, but to empower and inspire women to use their creativity,” she says.

Lawlor’s journey began north of here, in New York City, where she studied fine arts.

“Unless you die, you’re not going to make any money in fine arts,” she says with a laugh.

She was still able to put her degree to good use, and even expand on it. She hired on at a Connecticut antique store and learned all she could about old furniture and how to turn relics into treasures. She also discovered an untapped niche.

“People were coming into the store and there were reproductions and original pieces, but nobody could afford them,” she explains.

She soon opened her own store and sold handmade pieces created with items from around the world, with a focus on affordability and catering to people her own age. It was then that she began hiring women.

“My staff has always been a revolving staff of women, moms and part-time people,” she says.

It’s a tradition she continued as business ebbed and flowed, and later, when she moved to Rhode Island and then to Charlotte in 2012.

The Queen City has been good for the Decorative Company, and business has taken off. Lawlor’s first order of the day upon arrival in town was not to find studio space, but rather to hire a core group of women, off Craig’s List no less.

“All are funny, spontaneous, upbeat and some are rather outspoken,” she explains. “I try to make them feel that work is a getaway, not a job, and that coming here is a release.”

The women set their own hours, and most average 8 to 10 hours per week. A few work as many as 30 hours. (For her part, Lawlor works 60 to 70 hours per week.) Some of her staff pour time and energy into Lawlor’s products, while others work on their own products.

Still others have created their own product lines, which allows Lawlor to purchase from them and then place their items in BlackLion.

“People come in and work when they want,” she says. “Often, they want to be creative but haven’t been able to be creative for years. And I’ve realized how many of us have the same story — nobody takes us seriously.”

Lawlor is referring to the common presumption that she has a craft room in her home versus a true warehouse.

In general, she encountered a maledominated trade. In fact, when Lawlor first arrived in Charlotte, she found many great studio spaces but had difficulty getting male real estate agents to return her calls. One dodged her calls for a month, but when Lawlor’s husband called him, he returned the call within seven minutes. The Lawlors

were able to negotiate several months of free rent as a result.

These days, her studio is located between South Boulevard and Clanton Road, and is what Lawlor deems “flex warehouse space,” with an entryway, dry storage area, and plenty of storage in the back for her windowpane mirrors. Her other cornerstone products include benches and picture frames. She networks with various companies and receives photos from pickers of items that might be of interest to her.

In terms of the future, Lawlor hopes to continue to expand her core group of women, including those with specialized areas of expertise. She also plans to expand her workspace, and grow the business itself.

“I have gone from one employee — myself — to over 20, and my desire is to double that every year for the next 10 years,” she says.

When she’s not working, Lawlor can be found enjoying the company of neighborhood friends, sipping wine or faux painting.

“I always seem to find a way back to painting and art stuff and canvases,” she says. “I love what I do. I’m very spoiled in that way.” [TCW]

TOLEARNMORE Find the Decorative Company on Facebook, or email thedecorativecompany@gmail.com.

Lee Rhodes is a freelance writer who lives and works in Waxhaw, N.C.

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Mover & Shaker » By Melinda Johnston » Photos By Glenn Roberson » On Location At Fahrenheit Restaurant

Secrets From

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22

A Cover Girl

Cheryl Tiegs On Living Your Best Life

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

heryl Tiegs is an icon, by many standards.

One of America’s first supermodels, she has appeared on multiple covers of Sports Illustrated, Time Magazine and People, among other publications. She was the face of CoverGirl for a time, and in the 1970s, she was a glamorous role model for teen girls across the country, while her posters hung on the bedroom

23

Mover & Shaker » By Melinda Johnston » Photos By Glenn Roberson » On Location At Fahrenheit Restaurant

walls of countless teenage boys.

The 66-year-old model was born in Breckenridge, Minn., and discovered at 17 years old by Glamour magazine. Since that time, she has worn many hats, including that of activist, philanthropist, actress and entrepreneur. She was in town recently promoting the opening of Fahrenheit Charlotte, Chef Rocco Whalen’s new rooftop restaurant on the 21st floor of Skye Condos, located at 222 S. Caldwell Street.

While in the Queen City, Tiegs graciously offered advice for women everywhere on how to be your best at any stage in life.

That was in my heart. I always loved books. There’s something physical and emotional that happens when you walk into a room filled with books. I used to take four or five books with me wherever I went. Now, I take my iPad. I read all the time. My favorite book is “Lost Horizon,” by James Hilton.

I love biographies/autobiographies and a good mystery, but they are hard to find. I would have certainly lived a simpler life and been just as happy.

Money does not equal happiness.

Q: What’s the best part of getting older?

A: Wisdom. Very little throws me

change them, but of course it doesn’t work that way! I’m a very peaceful, calm person. I started doing yoga 20 years ago and I meditate one hour every day. Exercise also helps. I love hiking. Fortunately, I live in LA, where we have lots of hills.

Q: What’s the hardest part?

A: Seeing how my body is changing.

There are surprises that come — like the wrinkle on my arm — and there’s nothing you can do about them. I think that growing old gracefully should be everybody’s goal, and to do that you have to make yourself happy inside. You should work to maintain

“I was an English major, so I probably would have been a librarian. That was in my heart. I always loved books.”

— Cheryl Tiegs Q: You are an icon to women all over the world. If your modeling career hadn’t panned out, what would have been your second choice?

A: I was an English major, so I probably would have been a librarian.

these days. Very little rattles my cage.

I’m much calmer now. I know everything I’ve been through and I know that everything will be OK. Life is good and it works itself out. I used to think I could control everything — including the men. I thought I could

your physical body — exercise and eat good foods — but beauty really does come from within. Educate yourself, do something different, travel, dance in the kitchen while you are making dinner … anything to shake it up.

To Rome withJoinLove.... us as we head to Italy October 13-19, 2014! www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 24

• Ancient City tours • Tuscany tastings & indulgences • Florence delights of art & beauty Our tours are fun, safe and friendly!

Come meet new friends… a travel buddy is not required.

We specialize in group travel and we cater to women travelers.

Reserve your space soon!

1-855-59-GROUP • www.PeopleThatTravel.com • Info@PeopleThatTravel.com

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ommitted to making an impact in our patients’ dental health, Holt Family Dentistry delivers exceptional high-tech dentistry in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Our diverse and dedicated staff collaborates as a team to surpass expectations, putting patients at ease and earning their trust. We look forward to having you become a part of our dental family.

12105 Copper Way Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28277

Sheila Gordon-Holt, DDS

704.542.2325 www.holtfamilydentistry.com Q: Rumor has it you were kicked off “The Celebrity Apprentice” because you were “too nice.” Do you think your inherent niceness has helped or hurt your career?

A: I wasn’t kicked off. I just told Donald [Trump] that it wasn’t for me. I believe kindness is best in business and life. Don’t be cutthroat. I don’t care if it’s good for my career or not, kindness is good for my soul and my spirit.

But that’s really a Catch 22 because it always comes around. I do it for myself, and my career blossoms.

It’s Not Spring Fever that’s got you sneezing.

It’s Allergies!

Q: Is there one thing you do every day that helps you feel your best?

A: I meditate for an hour every day, and I always try to do something nice for someone. Maybe it’s just rushing to open a door if they have a lot of packages. But you don’t tell anybody about it — that’s the point.

Q: Do you have a hero?

A: My son, Zack Peck, is my hero. He is 22 years old. He is so smart and so interesting and so interested — he’s so full of life. He has this energy and a real kindness about him.

He’s sensitive and so thoughtful. He is what I wasn’t at 22.

He’s everything I would want my son to be. [TCW]

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Allergy Asthma & Immunology Relief of Charlotte 8810 Blakeney Professional Dr. – Charlotte 28277 (Across from the Blakeney Shopping Center)

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www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

A: I’m basically shy and can be very quiet. I have a bunch of friends spread out across the United States, but my favorite thing to do is have a quiet dinner with a few close friends at home, light a fire and watch a movie.

AAIR

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n the spirit of charitable giving, Make-A-Wish® Central and Western North Carolina hosted its annual signature event, The Wish Ball, on Fri., Feb. 21, at the Ritz-Carlton Charlotte. The evening included cocktails, dinner and dancing to the sounds of Flashback the Party Band, featuring lead singer Jessica Moore, who doubles as Make-A-Wish®’s individual and annual giving manager. The Wish Ball is an evening of charitable giving, raising more than two million dollars over the years toward granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions in our community.

BRIAN CHRISTIANSEN

» Photos By Lana Lamkin & Brian Christiansen

Out & About In Charlotte LANA LAMKIN

Seen In The City

SEENINTHECITY

BRIAN CHRISTIANSEN

Taylor Pike and Kasandra Carbino.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 26

Jack and Robin Salzman, with Wish Art

by Shelby Purvis.

Robin and Chuck Coira.

LANA LAMKIN

The Isabella Santos Foundation was a presenting sponsor of The Wish Ball.

LANA LAMKIN

LANA LAMKIN

Lindsay Sadler, with Wish Family Miranda Eckard, Danny Eckard and Jennifer Eckard.

Leigha Smith and Mischell Christmas.

LANA LAMKIN

M

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North Carolina Dance Theatre made a magical appearance.

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR LEARN MORE CALL 704.596.0021 OR VISIT US AT MALLARDCREEKDENTISTRY.COM DOCTORS HILLARY E. ROGERS, D.D.S., P.A. MELISSA GUSTAFSON, D.D.S., P.A.

3010 BAUCOM ROAD SUITE 200 CHARLOTTE, NC 28269 704.596.0021

MallardCreekDentistry.com Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry | Zoom! Whitening | InvisalignÂŽ Intra Oral Camera For Early Detection Of Dental Issues | Digital Radiography | Early Periodontal Disease

Wish Kids Jack and Eleanor Bolton, with Amy Brindley.

Lakeside Neurology Lakeside Neurology offers a more natural, holistic approach to your medical problems including:

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New York University School of Medicine

Awards received last three years running “Patients’ Choice� Award ard “Compassionate Physicians� Award

704-896-5591 704-896-559 91

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www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

Lori Schneider, M M.D. D.

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Business Spotlight » By Melinda Johnston » Photo By Andrea Perullo de Ledesma www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 28

ORGANIZED BEAUTIFULLY Closet & Storage Concepts Changes Lives One Custom Closet At A Time ome women are born organizers, ensuring “a place for everything, and everything in its place.”

Others are lucky to find two shoes that match.

The good news is, Closet & Storage Concepts caters to both.

The custom closet firm can help those already organized use their space more efficiently, and help the organizationally challenged rein in their confusion.

“We make space ergonomically, aesthetically and spatially more efficient. It looks attractive and everything is more accessible,” says Leah Ward, who co-owns the company with her husband, Andrew.

But does it really matter what your closet looks like, as long as you keep the door closed?

“Absolutely,” Ward says.

Ward says that encouraging clients to get rid of the excess in their closets, and then providing them with a structure to organize what’s left can literally change their lives.

“We have some customers who struggle with organization, but when you give them a place for everything, their lives become easier. We have had clients shed tears of gratitude because they feel they have finally been given a template for organizing

themselves and their lives,” she says.

Ward notes that customers are constantly amazed at how much space can be found when a closet is designed properly.

“People are always surprised at how efficient their closets are when the project is complete,” she says. “In some cases, replacing wire racks can double your hanging space, not to mention the extra shelves, cubbies and all the other accessories available to customize your closet.”

A sampling of accessories available from the company includes retractable mirrors, tie and belt racks, ironing boards, tilt-out hampers, cutting-edge lighting and even valet rod extensions for easy outfit selection or travel preparation.

For a more contemporary or sophisticated look, Closet & Storage Concepts offers glass treatments for doors and

Closet & Storage Concepts 635 Pressley Road Charlotte, N.C. 28217 704/525-6515 Closetandstorageconcepts.com

drawers, Lucite drawer fronts, a wide variety of jewelry inserts, and much more.

Ward says, “Because we are custom, if the client can think it, we can design and build it. We also do garages and mudrooms. For example, we can install shelves in your garage sized specifically for your Christmas Tupperware bins, or custom build a workbench to your specifications.”

Their showroom on Pressley Road is a great place to start if you are interested in getting your closet in shape. They will also come to your home for a free consultation and give you their ideas for organizing your space.

In a few days, they will contact you with design options, and you can choose the one that works best for you. Depending on the materials you choose and the complexity involved, they will be on site in just a few days or weeks to install the closet of your dreams.

And don’t think that your closet isn’t large enough to work with. Ward says no space is too small. They’ve customized a number of reach-in closets, pantries and coat closets, and they can work within most budgets.

“There’s so much we can do that most people just don’t realize,” she says. “We really do make our clients’ lives easier!”

[TCW]

Bohemian Photographed By Glenn Roberson Directed & Styled By Stacee Michelle Hair By Ashleigh P. Hairstyles Makeup By Jami Svay Assistants: Janelle Graves & Erica Dunn

y d o s p Rha

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

he Bohemian trend is in full bloom this spring! Born of the hippie styles of the 1960s, bohemian chic looks have continued to resurface into fresh, updated ensembles. Bold aztec prints, crochet, fringe, leather and draped silhouettes allow “boho chic� to bring vintage back to the modern era.

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Style » Styled By Stacee Michelle » Photos By Glenn Roberson

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

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Page 29, left: ASTR gaucho jumpsuit, $72, Nordstrom; Blu Pepper crochet kimono, $56, KK Bloom; loop necklace, $36, Scout & Molly; Tildon black tall gladiators, $99.95, Nordstrom.

Center: French Connection shark print shirt, $58; Free People striped studded shorts, $128, both at Belk; cream and beige calf hair band, $48, Rawsugarshop.com; House of Harlo necklace, $58, Nordstrom. Leather vest and boots, stylist’s own.

Right: Free People Aztec lace front tank, $128; BlankNYC leather flares, $98, both at Nordstrom; fringe purse, $76, Bevello; feather earrings, $25, T Shanell Designs; Cole Haan black wedges, $228, Nordstrom.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Opposite page, left: Lace romper, $168, Cheeky Bean; purple tassel necklace, $65, Scout & Molly; Aztec boho bag, $120, KK Bloom. Shoes and scarf, stylist’s own.

Right: orange fringe dress, $89, Cheeky Bean; pink and green necklace, $48, Bevello; Vince Camuto neon metal cuff, $48, Nordstrom.

Shoes and scarf, stylist’s own.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

This page: Free People tiered coral dress, $128, Belk; silk chiffon leopard print band, $25, Rawsugarshop.com; triple tassel necklace, $49, Kla Boutique; Tildon black tall gladiators, $99.95, Nordstrom. Sunglasses, stylist’s own. .

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Style » Styled By Stacee Michelle » Photos By Glenn Roberson

This page: Mixed media tiered dress, $56; plated crescent necklace, $28; charm necklace, $22, all at Salice Boutique; Aztec cuff, $38, Nordstrom.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Opposite page, left: Crochet drape blouse, Yoana Baraschi, $279; Vanilla Star Aztec print pants, $30, Belk.

Shoes and hat, stylist’s own.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Opposite page, right: Free People orange sweater, $98; Free People printed shorts, $78, both at Belk; fringe purse, $76, Bevello; brushed gold braided suede band, $20, Rawsugarshop.com; teal ring, $26, KK Bloom; beaded necklace, $60, Bevello.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 32

Be Vivid!

Embrace bold colors and patterns this spring.

Promenade on Providence • Beside Ann Taylor Loft

Jewelry, Clothing and Accessories Boutique 5341 Ballantyne Commons • Pkwy Charlotte, NC 28277

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

704.845.5466

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Style » Styled By Stacee Michelle » Photos By Glenn Roberson

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

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Opposite page: Michael Kors chambray patch romper, $130, Nordstrom; fringe floral kimono, $98, Scout & Molly; Frye leather mini crossbody, $288, Belk.

Shoes and sunglasses, stylist’s own.

••••••••••••••••••••••••• This page: Lilly Pulitzer maxi wrap dress, $228, Belk; beaded necklace, $60, Bevello; orange bracelet, stylist’s own; gold fringe metal cuff, $12, PrimNEdgy.com. [TCW]

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 35

Feature » By Lori K. Tate » Photos By Glenn Roberson

SILVER LININGS Make-A-Wish® Recipient Torie Costa Finds Strength From Cancer Diagnosis ighteen-year-old Torie Costa has long been a fan of everything style-related, including pageants. Every year, she looks forward to watching the Miss Universe Pageant with her mother, Marnae, and little sister Emme.

For years, Costa fantasized about entering pageants, but a lack of confidence coupled with a lack of funds stopped her in her tracks.

“I was never really fully confident that I could do well,” explains Costa, batting her large hazel eyes above her freckled cheeks.

“I was like, ‘Oh, next year I’ll get fit [for a dress]. I’ll get this next year.’ I just never did anything with it.”

It wasn’t until she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer — Stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that affects approximately 300 people a year — that Costa learned to face her fears, entering in Miss North Carolina Teen USA in November 2013.

As she walked across the High Point Theatre stage in a lavender sequin gown, she was the picture of beauty and grace. Although she didn’t win the crown, the Cornelius resident won in all the ways that matter most.

Forever Fearless

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 36

Lacking confidence is no longer a problem for Costa. Ironically, her cancer diagnosis has given her the strength to fight for her dreams.

Her diagnosis came after a shortness of breath sent her to the pediatrician the day after her junior year ended. She soon learned she had cancerous tumors on her diaphragm, pelvis and collarbone. One day she was daydreaming about summer parties with her friends, and the next she was fighting for her life.

After staying at Hemby Children’s Hospital every other week for a year for chemotherapy and spending a month at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City for radiation, Costa has become fearless. These days, competing in a

pageant — or anything else for that matter — isn’t nearly as intimidating as it once was.

“It’s interesting that when Torie pretty much had it all, the long brown hair, popularity and her health, she didn’t feel confident enough to compete in a pageant,” says her mother, Marnae. “It wasn’t until she lost her hair and gained this complete new sense of self that she gained the confidence.”

Torie explains that when girls enter pageants, they are mainly judged by their looks, and the thought of a judge not liking your looks can be hard on a girl’s self-esteem.

Competing after cancer treatment changed that for Costa, giving her insight that the other contestants couldn’t possibly have.

“I didn’t think I was going to win because the girls there are like drop-dead gorgeous,” explains Costa, who won Miss Congeniality.

“Me competing was just saying that even like this, I can do what you guys do — even in my situation.”

Moving On Costa’s situation is looking much brighter these days. She’s been cancer-free for six months, although she still does chemotherapy every Monday through a port and daily via oral medication. The goal is to get to the five-year cancer-free mark, as her type of cancer has a 30-percent survival rate.

She’s taking classes at CPCC with the hopes of attending UNC Charlotte next year.

In addition to competing in Miss North Carolina Teen USA, which was courtesy of Little Smiles, a nonprofit in Cornelius that helps kids escape the reality of unfortunate circumstances, Costa also won Lake Norman’s Next Top Model 2014 from TCW’s sister publication, Lake Norman CURRENTS Magazine.

She also enjoyed a dream trip to New York City via Make-A-Wish®, which funds wishes for children who have life-threatening illnesses.

Robin Smith-Salzman, owner and

marketing director of Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, granted Costa’s wish, which included tickets to the Victoria’s Secret fashion show and a backstage tour.

“It was so awesome. It was an experience I would have never had unless I somehow become famous, which there’s a good possibility,” Costa jokes.

The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it was the kindness behind the Wish — and the many other wonderful things that have happened to her since her diagnosis — that made a greater impact on Costa. She can’t count the number of fundraisers friends and family held for her.

She won prom queen even though she couldn’t go to school her senior year, and Smith-Salzman still keeps in touch with her, even sending her flowers when she won Lake Norman’s Next Top Model.

Costa is beyond grateful for what her cancer experience has taught her, and plans to one day start a nonprofit. Going through treatment and meeting so many other kids battling cancer has made her passionate about pediatric cancer awareness, a cause she vows to focus on for the rest of her life.

“I’ve become such a better individual. I’m so much stronger in who I believe I am,” says Costa of the past two years. “I have so much faith in myself and in others, and I’ve become so courageous.”

Her mother says her daughter’s diagnosis forced Torie to grow up overnight and realize what’s really important in life. “She has a maturity that many people never gain in a lifetime,” says Marnae. “She has this deep, sensitive, compassionate insight that people work a whole lifetime to develop. She has gained that before she was even 20 years old.

If she’s like that now, just imagine what she will become.” [TCW]

For the Free Spirited

SHOPPING FOR WOMAN

Every

trendy accessories & apparel unique home decor • awesome gifts 704.412.1696 www.incognitogypsy.com 3099 Hwy 21 bypass Fort Mill, SC 20715 located 1 mile from Carowinds

Your LIFE. Your STYLE. Our CLOTHES. Now Open

PROMENADE @ PROVIDENCE 5341 BALLANTYNE COMMONS PKWY | STE 325 | CHARLOTTE, NC 28277 (704) 708-4343

|

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www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 37

Advertising feature that keeps the women of Charlotte in-the-know about what the Queen City has to offer

w h a t ’s h o t t o d a y !

The Reunion Bowl This hand-carved, solid wood, four compartment bowl in artifact style will add texture and style to any tabletop. Add your favorite herbs or citrus for a splash of color and fragrance.

34W x 8D x 3.5H Boulevard Bazaar 704-527-4223 3021 Griffith Street Charlotte, NC 28203 www.boulevardbazaar.com Open Weekends Only Fri & Sat: 9am-5pm Sun: 1pm-5pm

The Smart Way To Buy…The Easy Way To Sell Open 7 Days!

We have over 4,500 sq. ft. of display space stocked full of great furniture, accent pieces and home accessories.

We get new arrivals daily from the area’s finest homes so our selection is always fresh and the prices always comfortable.

Consign ON A Dime 19207 W. Catawba Avenue Cornelius, NC 28031 704-892-8492 www.consignonadime.com

A New Look For Your Home!

Echo Attic, the sister store to Echo Consignment Boutique in Lake Wylie, is an inviting and interesting shop specializing in unique items for your home.

Everything from furniture to pottery, crystal, original paintings, rugs and eye catching decorative items fill our store! Fabulous new items arrive daily and consignments are accepted by appointment at both locations. Mention Today’s Charlotte Woman Magazine and receive 10% off your first purchase!

Echo Attic 803.831.0177 • 221 Latitude Ln Ste 104 • Lake Wylie, SC 29710 shop@echo-consignment.com Mon-Fri 10-6 Saturday 10-4

Join The Spring Jewelry Trends! www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 38

Shop spring’s newest accessories and fashions at Leah & Company. Come in to see all our spring styles and have a great shopping experience!

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and check out new arrivals.

Leah & Co. Jewelry, Clothing and Accessories Boutique 704-845-5466 Promenade on Providence Beside Ann Taylor Loft 5341 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy Charlotte, NC 28277

Weddings!

Our creative and innovative style speaks for itself. Let us design your bridal bouquet — we promise you’ll never want to put it down. Flower Boutique will make the kind of lasting impression that will warm everyone’s heart and brighten everyone’s day. Regardless of how big or small your flower needs, the Flower Boutique provides excellent service every time.

The Flower Boutique www.matthewsflowerboutique.com 11025 Monroe Road, Suite H Matthews, North Carolina 28105 704-708-8549

Shop Spring Styles!

Luna’s at the Lake has been serving the Lake Norman community since 1998 with style and unsurpassed service. Shopping by appointment available. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see our latest arrivals.

Spring Has Sprung!

Luna’s at the Lake 19732 One Norman Blvd Cornelius, NC 28031 704-892-1004

Spring has finally arrived and Tash has all your spring necessities. We have maxi dresses, sundresses, fun blouses, white denim & everything else you need! Come stop by for all of your spring wardrobe essentials!

Mon- Fri: 10am-6pm Sat: 10am-5pm

Spruce Up For Spring!

Tash Boutique At The Promenade On Providence 5341 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy Suite 325 Charlotte, NC 28277 www.facebook.com/Tashboutique Mon-Sat: 10 am-7 pm Sun: 12 pm-5:30 pm

It’s well worth the trip to the beautiful shores of Lake Wylie to visit TWO unique Consignment Stores! Echo Consignment Boutique carries upscale women’s clothing, handbags, jewelry, shoes and accessories. You’ll find premium brands such as Coach, J. Jill, Dooney & Bourke, Banana Republic, St. John, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and Chico’s just to name a few! Just steps away is Echo Attic, featuring unique home décor, home furnishings, original artwork, and select discounted Boutique items. Come have lunch overlooking the lake, then just minutes away, discover why it’s worth the trip to shop and save at two fabulous locations!

Echo Consignment Boutique 803.746.5656 • 164 Hwy 274 • Lake Wylie, SC 29710 Mon-Fri 10-6 Saturday 10-4 shop@echo-consignment.com

Fresh Fashions!

Come visit Salice in Downtown Statesville. We carry unique clothing, accessories and gifts. Bring in this ad and receive 20% off your clothing purchase.

Salice Boutique is located at 105 S. Center St., Statesville, NC 28677 Salice Boutique Kristen, Owner (704) 380-4983 www.saliceboutique.com ONLINE SHOPPING now here! www.facebook.com/saliceboutique

Find Quality For Less

Uniquities features: J Brand, Seven for All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, Joe’s, James Jeans, Paige and AG. Uniquities also has complimentary denim hemming.

Mon-Sat 10am-7pm Sun 12pm-6pm After Hours by Appt.

Consignment LKN

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

Uniquities At Birkdale 16836-C Birkdale Commons Pkwy Huntersville, NC 704-960-8057 Uniquities.com

Fine quality pre-owned furniture, home décor, new market samples and model home closeouts. Find exactly what you’re looking for! Great selection of living room, bedroom, dining groups, artwork, lamps, rugs & more.

Consignment LKN 350 W Plaza Dr., Mooresville (between Belk & Kohl’s) 704-663-0905 consignmentLKN@windstream.net Visit us on facebook.com/consignmentLKN.com or www.consignlkn.com

The Place For Premium Denim

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Feature » By Dana Durham

BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR PHOTO COURTESY OF QUEENS UNIVERSITY

Queens University Honors Duke Energy’s Lynn Good The BusinessWoman of the Year Award celebrates women professionals who exhibit competence, character and commitment to the community.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 40

ueens University of Charlotte has named Lynn Good, president and chief executive officer of Duke Energy, the 2013 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year.

The award celebrates the achievements of exceptional women professionals who exhibit leadership as defined by the values of the McColl School of Business at Queens: competence, character and commitment to the community.

“When looking at this year’s nominees, Lynn’s candidacy quickly rose to the top,” says Queens president Pamela Davies. “In addition to her role as a national newsmaker and one of just 22 women

running Fortune 500 companies, no one more perfectly exemplifies the values celebrated by the BusinessWoman of the Year award.

“We are so lucky to have a nationally recognized leader right here in Charlotte, selflessly giving back her time and skills to the community.”

Good is the 29th woman to be honored with the Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year award. Previous winners include Laura Schulte, president of Wells Fargo’s Eastern Community Bank; Ann Caulkins, The Charlotte Observer publisher; and Carol Hevey, executive vice president for Time Warner Cable’s East Region.

Good, 54, was unanimously elected president and CEO of Duke Energy, the largest electric power company in the United States. She succeeded Jim Rogers, and assumed the role July 1, 2013. She has

served as Duke Energy’s executive vice president and CFO since July 2009.

Good serves on the board of directors of the Edison Electric Institute and the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations. She is an executive committee member of the Nuclear Energy Institute, and also serves on the boards of Hubbell Inc. and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. “I am pleased to be selected by Queens University of Charlotte to receive this award,” Good says. “Queens has been important to the Charlotte community for more than 150 years and their array of excellent undergraduate and graduate programs are a valuable resource to the business community. Many of our employees at Duke Energy are proud graduates of Queens. I am honored to be listed with the other women who have received this award.” [TCW]

make your

move pring may be etched in folklore as the cleaning season and the time for weddings, but truth is, spring is prime real estate time. No other time of year is quite as opportunistic when it comes to home sales. Add to that a definite uptick in the market as of late, and homeowners looking to sell a home suddenly have more to be excited about than in recent memory.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

Spring Is Prime Real Estate Time

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Special Feature » By Dana Durham www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 42

Interested in selling your home this season? We turned to area experts Sara Roche and Scott Pridemore for tips on ways to enter the market with knowledge and style.

Home Sweet Home Pridemore is president, broker and realtor® for Pridemore Properties, and has been a real estate broker in Charlotte for 17-plus years, with much of his business falling in Myers Park, Cotswold, Dilworth and SouthPark.

“I believe in creating clients for life, by offering outstanding customer service before, during and after the sale,” he says. “I’m a believer that success will come if you just focus on the people.”

Pridemore says the first thing a homeowner should do is research real estate agents, and discern which one best suits their needs and market.

“If you don’t already have an agent, people should look for one who has a solid track record for selling homes in

their particular neighborhood, and if possible, get a referral from a friend or neighbor if they don’t know where to look,” he says. “Referrals account for 70 percent of my business.”

Roche is proud to work with Cottingham Chalk Hayes. She says when looking for a realtor, you must set your sights high.

“Look for an agent that is passionate about selling real estate,” Roche says.

“It is a tough business and it requires serious attention to detail and a strong

commitment to customer service. Most importantly, today’s agent needs to have an excellent reputation, be someone that you trust and respect, and be up-to-date on

What is your home worth?

“People should look for an agent who has a solid track record for selling homes in their particular neighborhood, and if possible, get a referral from a friend or neighbor if they don’t know where to look.”

— Scott Pridemore technology. They also must have a very broad network and be current on your target market. Knowledge is power!”

Both Roche and Pridemore agree that first impressions are invaluable when it comes to home listings. Homeowners need to be prepared to have an open, educated conversation with a broker or real estate agent to discover what improvements need to be completed before listing the home.

“It’s imperative that homeowners get their home in the best shape possible before going on the market in order to cast the home in its best possible light,” Pridemore says.

Roche agrees. “First impressions are critical,” she says.

“You must maximize your curb appeal with fresh plantings, mulching and sparkling windows. The little things are important!”

Find out for FREE!!! www.MyCharlotteHomeValue.org Website provided as a service by: Scott Pridemore, Realtor® Pridemore Properties

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1422 Lexington Avenue

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www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

“I work very smart and go the extra mile for my clients.

Attention to detail, personal interaction, and listening skills are strengths my clients value.”

HAYES

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Special Feature » By Dana Durham www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 44

Roche also says to de-clutter your home — all the way to your closets. And if your home hasn’t been inspected in the last five years, she suggests being proactive, and having a pre-inspection done.

“Follow up by addressing major repairs, and also paint and touchup where needed,” she says. “Your efforts ahead of time will save you many headaches down the road.”

Pridemore says sellers should get familiar with comparable data and review sales comparisons to identify the most likely listing, and therefore, selling price. It’s also important to identify the best timing to put the house on the market.

“For planning purposes, they should identify the time the home would be on the market, between listing the property

“Look for an agent that is passionate about selling real estate. Today’s agent needs to have an excellent reputation, be someone you trust and respect, and be up-to-date on technology. They must have a very broad network and be current on your target market. Knowledge is power!”

— Sara Roche and the actual closing,” he says. “Having an idea of a timeframe will help to plan their move, by getting information on average days on the market for that particular neighborhood.”

Pridemore says that certain things make or break it when selling a home.

For instance, these days, professional photography is mandatory.

“Today, 90 percent of homebuyers go online to look for homes,” he says.

“Therefore, professional photography is an absolute must. Gone are the days where an agent goes out to the home and takes amateur pictures with a pointand-shoot camera and expects the home to appeal to home buyers.”

Price is important. Roche says this is perhaps the most important element to consider when listing your home.

“Price your property realistically and competitively from the start, so you will peak the greatest interest among real estate professionals and buyers,” she says.

“It also helps your property sell in the shortest time possible. To obtain the

best price for your house, it is most important to list it at a price that challenges the competition, attracts attention, and generates activity.”

Both agree that it is becoming a seller’s market in many Charlotte-area neighborhoods … however, it is a case-by-case basis.

“It is true that we are currently in a seller’s market in many neighborhoods, however, that is not true for all neighborhoods throughout the Charlotte-metro market,” Pridemore says. “It’s a neighborhood-to-neighborhood situation. It really all comes down to whether there is a shortage or oversupply of inventory for that particular neighborhood.”

Roche agrees. “With less inventory available, an increase of potential qualified buyers, and interest rates still very low, sellers definitely have the edge,” she says, adding, “as long as they price it right.”

TOLEARNMORE For information on Scott Pridemore, visit Pridemoreproperties.com. For information on Sara Roche, visit Cchrealtors.com.

[TCW]

plaza Midwood

45

plaza Midwood Customized skincare • Facials & peels with medical grade products No down time peel • Full body waxing Eye enhancement – brow shaping, lash & brow tint Image skincare products

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Welcome to

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We bring you relaxation and healing from the moment you step through our door.

28

Our patio with outside bar gives you a relaxing break from the busy-paced uptown.

Argentine, European, and American-influenced entrées that is sure to satisfy any foodie.

We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and making the experience affordable.

Come check us out for yourself, you’ll be glad you did!

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draughts on tap and a selection of craft bottle beers that will make choosing a drink easy for all tastes.

Our soothing space and kind staff will take care of you as the world busily drifts by outside.

Full schedule of yoga classes 2 weeks for $20 for new students 4 licensed massage therapists New client rate of $49 for a 60-Minute Swedish or Deep Tissue Weekly alternative healing classes Guided meditation, breathwork, belly dancing, and more!

Locally sourced tea & coffee lounge Open 7 days a week from 8am – 7pm

Collection of Retail from Jewelry 1912 Commonwealth Ave. to Clothing featuring a variety of Charlotte, NC 28205 local artisans.

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Beginner & All Levels Yoga Classes Workshops & Yoga Teacher Trainings 908 E. 35th Street | Charlotte, NC 28205

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NODA Coffee Roasters See coffee roasted while you wait for your latte.

CLASSES & CONDITIONING: CrossFit, Aerial Silk, Kettlebells and Qi Gong

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We bring you the freshest coffee possible our very own, roasted in-house.

KIDS CLASSES: Judo/Ju-Jitsu (starting at 6 yrs), Boxing (starting at 8 yrs) Systema(starting at 11 years old)

Stop by Smelly Cat Coffee in NoDa. We now have cold brew on tap.

Also: FREE, WOMEN ONLY self defense class. 2 hours, offered the 1st or 2nd Sat. of each month.

Offering a huge variety of Fitness Classes plus a 5,000 sq. ft. weight room 401 E. 35th St. Charlotte • 704.333.0071

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Present this ad and receive a FREE 12 oz. cup

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of brewed coffee with purchase of a bag of fresh roasted coffee.

We are currently roasting a selection of meticulously-crafted coffee beans, either in whole bean or ground.

514 E. 36th Street • Charlotte, NC 28205 704-374-9656 • www.smellycatcoffee.com

Edgeline Flats doesn’t just adorn one of Charlotte’s best-known streets, this off beat apartment community distinguishes itself with an industrial vibe. Our cinderblock walls, stained concrete flooring and chromatic exterior all speak to the culture of our community. Let your apartment reflect your personality. Check out our spacious new 1 & 2 bedroom apartments.

Call 704-494-1919 today to take advantage of our move in specials.

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south End reative Layers Hair & Art Studio was created in 2012 in the Lenox Salon building located in the Historic South End. The Historic South End is an up-and-coming area where businesses are booming with a growing demographic. Being a Charlotte native, I love how the South End area has tons of history and it is my favorite part of town.

My salon is special to me because I do what I’m very passionate about: hair and art. Here at Creative Layers I strive for excellence in providing my clients with the utmost creative experience they can imagine and desire.With my creative side and passionate attitude, there is no style that I can't accomplish. I will transform your everyday look into the style you have been waiting for. Let your hair be my blank canvas. Let’s Get Creative!

— Nicole Peskin, Owner/ Stylist/ Artist

Experience a whole new you!

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Cut & Style Highlights & Color Perm & Straightening Shampoo & Blow Drying Special Occasion Styles Lash & Lip Services Schedule your appointment today!

1515 South Tryon Street • Charlotte, NC 28203 704.373.0048 • www.kmandcompanysalon.com

matthews Check out all the quaint shops in downtown Matthews and enjoy the small town feel, just south of the big city.

Royal Cafe & Creperie

Santé is named for a toast in French,“a votre santé”, translated to “to your health.” in honor of Chef Adam’s French heritage.

Experience our eclectic French/American theme while enjoying cuisine created with locally raised product.

Matthews Station Street, 131 suite E Matthews, NC, 28105 • 704-846-2233

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Specializing in inspired, high quality, healthy meal options.

Monday Closed • Tuesday to Friday - 9am-3pm & 5pm-8pm (closed 3-5pm) Saturday - 8am-8pm • Sunday - 10am-3 pm

Reservations: 704-845-1899 165 N. Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105 www.santeofmatthews.com

Our Creativity Knows No boundaries

163B South Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105 p: 704-841-7602 • f: 704-841-1136 www.designsbyshirlee.com • designsbyshirlee@hotmail.com

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• Celebrating our 25th year in Matthews • Family owned and operated • All work done “on premises” • Rated Best of Charlotte in Custom Design • In-house repairs • We specialize and believe in....renovate, or recycle and redesign

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Dwellings » By Karsen Price » Photos Courtesy Of Lauren Nicole

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

50

Awaken Your Home

Design Tips For The Spring Season

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014

fter a long and somewhat crazy winter, spring is here! If you find yourself overwhelmed by the itch to redesign your home, you aren’t alone.

Interior designer Lauren Clement, owner of Lauren Nicole Designs and Lila Home, says spring is the perfect time of year to overhaul your home’s design approach.

“Spring is always a fun and busy time in the interior decorating world,” Clement says. “Everyone, myself included, is feeling renewed, revived and looking to freshen up their home.

It is amazing how natural this urge comes — whether it’s the need to move your furniture around, change out pillows on your sofa, or add new accessories to a space, all to make your home feel as crisp as the spring air.”

51

Dwellings » By Karsen Price » Photos Courtesy Of Lauren Nicole

Must-Have Furnishings Fling Into Spring With

Style auren Clement, owner of Lauren Nicole Designs, believes that homes should be both beautiful and functional.

“If there is one item that I see as vital to every home, everywhere, to help minimize the functionality dilemma, it would be a family room storage ottoman. This room seems to be the center of most homes, and this piece is literally the center of this room. Whether you have young children or grown ones, this is an easy place to throw toys, blankets, magazines and remotes. It provides additional seating, and a comfy place for your feet. And, this piece can have a fun fabric; it can be tufted; it can be leather. It can be a statement piece in the room both visually and functionally. It is a must-have for me!”

Clement says homeowners should also consider: www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 52

• An upholstered headboard • A bench at your kitchen table instead of two side chairs • Garden stool used inside as a chairside table • Pillows that make you happy • A chalkboard wall • Frames around your bathroom mirrors • Some type of tufted piece of furniture • A round or shaped mirror

So Fresh Clement began her interior design career in 2006 after, as she says,“21 years of living with a decorator mother.”

Her design approach is to match the desires and personalities of her clients with beautiful décor, so homes offer a true reflection of its owners. Likewise, as the mother of two girls — Finley, 4, and Campbell, 2 — Clement is all about creating a functional home that imparts beauty and comfort.

Clement is the winner of several design awards, including Best of Houzz 2012, 2013 and 2014, and 8 time Dream Room Winner. Her studio is located in the Toringdon Circle Shopping Center, and housed inside her retail shop, Lila Home, which is managed by her mother.

The shop offers an array of gifts, candles, handbags, jewelry, home decor and accessories.

One of Clement’s favorite decorating trends in springtime is to bring the outdoors in. She says the use of greenery creates a fresh feeling faster than you can say daffodil.

“Whether you have a green thumb and love to bring in fresh flowers every week, or if you are like me and need something that looks alive forever, greenery can make a space feel alive in

an instant,” Clement says.

Color is another great way to infuse life into a home. While Clement recognizes that neutral and monotone rooms are beautiful and popular today, she personally opts for bolder applications of color when trying to make a statement.

“The use of color can offer an immediate boost to the emotional impact of a room,” she says. “As with all trends, we see our favorite colors come and go, but I love that my portfolio over the last couple of years showcases everything from burgundy to the newest tone of greige, and everything in between.”

According to Clement, this variety has as much to do with her clients’ preferences as her own decorating style.

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Introducing

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Dwellings » By Karsen Price » Photos Courtesy Of Lauren Nicole www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 54

A home must match its owner, and that includes using hues that the homeowner feels comfortable living with. “Each client of mine has her own preferred style and palette,” she says.

That said, the color blue is making a striking appearance in her portfolio as of late — including all shades, from navy to silvery spa blue. “Blue is a classic color that is gender neutral, and can be a beautiful accent color or even bolder wall color selection,” Clement says.

Balancing Act When you are pulling together a room, be it your formal dining space or your everyday family room, it is all about balance. Using the correct mixture of texture, color and pattern, and correctly scaling the pieces of the room to work together can create a balanced, comfortably beautiful space.

“One texture that I have been loving lately is that of a more raw or natural wood piece,” Clement says. “Many of us can relate to the dilemma of matching wood tones in a room. These raw-looking wood species options — such as reclaimed fir, teak, mango wood and weathered pine — make great pieces that can be infused into a space alongside your existing pieces, to create a balanced look, without being ‘matchy-matchy.’”

Clement suggests using a dark wood cocktail table and reclaimed fir sofa table to provide visual interest. However, she notes that you don’t have to start over with new furniture. If you love your coffee table but hate the end pieces, she suggests replacing those end tables with pieces that are connected by similar wood tones found elsewhere in the room, adding,“They will co-exist nicely.”

This technique also works with accessories.

“I love using a beautiful teak bowl or a set of mango wood candlesticks to add interest in the room,” she says. “This type of wood has two definite pluses. One, raw wood is always unique. No two are alike, as these are naturally occurring wood species that are not finished to all look the same.

Secondly, because they already have so many raw characteristics, they are hardy!

Your children, grandchildren or pets are free to use the pieces, because it will take a lot to harm these pieces. That’s what I call a mom and decorating win, all in one.”

Above all, Clement believes that a home

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Dwellings » By Karsen Price » Photos Courtesy Of Lauren Nicole

needs to match its owners. “Your design approach, whether it’s freshening up your home for spring, or creating a completely new look, should always match this motto: It’s all about you. Every single client has a different style and different needs, including budget restraints. That is part of what I love most about my work: learning what each and every client is truly looking for, and then designing a plan that exceeds their expectations.”

She adds, “Even in the most formal of houses, there is still a sense of, ‘I need to be able to sit on my sofa, not just look at it.’

This is where my personality shines through as a designer, because while I want everything to be beyond gorgeous in my own home, it must, and I repeat, must be functional and appropriate for my own family’s lifestyle. Likewise, my selections for clients are always based on style, function and budget, to ensure that their designed homes are 100 percent a perfect fit, that day and everyday. I love helping a family live better in their homes.” [TCW]

TOLEARNMORE Visit Laurennicoleinc.com.

Caring Dentistry...

With a Gentle Touch!

Delivering the Highest Standards of Dental Care “As a patient, many times we do not look forward to a medical appointment. But at Cotswold Family Dentistry, the doctors and staff make it fun to return.

I have always had a great experience there. I will continue to recommend them to others. The front office, the assistants, hygienists and the doctors all are great people to deal with. They are very honest and friendly.

-Moises www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 56

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Business Spotlight » By Melinda Johnston » Photo By Andrea Perullo de Ledesma www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 58

PREVENT THE POLLEN BLUES Dr. Maeve O’Connor & AAIR Help Control Spring Allergies ith trees and flowers in bloom and everything coming up green, spring is one of the most beautiful seasons in the Queen City. It’s also one of the most miserable for Charlotteans who suffer from spring allergies.

But if you are sniffling, sneezing, wheezing, itching, or your head hurts, you don’t have to suffer till summer. Dr. Maeve O’Connor, of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Relief of Charlotte (AAIR), says there is plenty you can do at home to mitigate your symptoms. If those ideas don’t work, a trip to her office can put you back on the path to enjoying the outdoors.

The key to controlling symptoms is to limit your exposure to pollen.

“If the weather is pretty, you want to open the windows and you want to be outside,” says Dr. O’Connor. “But if you are allergic to pollen, that’s going to make everything worse. You’ve got to control the symptoms, and the best way to do that is to avoid tree pollen whenever possible.”

Dr. O’Connor has several tips to help manage allergies. “If you have been outside, wash your hair before you go to bed,” she says. “The same goes for your child who has allergies. Otherwise, you’re just sleeping in pollen.”

She adds, “Pets are carriers. If your dog or cat goes in and out, brush them daily to remove the pollen so it doesn’t settle in

your house.”

For those with true pollen allergies, Dr. O’Connor recommends keeping the windows closed in your home and automobile, and using the “re-circulate” button in your car to avoid pulling the pollen inside. She suggests staving off outdoor activities until later in the day.

If avoidance doesn’t work, it’s time to get professional help.

“The first thing I recommend is that you get an allergy test from a board certified allergist/immunologist to confirm which pollen(s) you are allergic to, and then we can decide how best to treat your symptoms. We have to know what your

Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Relief of Charlotte (AAIR) 8810 Blakeney Professional Dr. Charlotte, N.C. 28277 704/910-1402 info@aairofcharlotte.com www.aairofcharlotte.com

triggers are in order for you to be healthy and well,” Dr. O’Connor says.

Medications may work for some, but others may benefit more from desensitization — in the form of injections, or sublingual immunotherapy (drops under the tongue).

“At AAIR, the care we provide to patients is tailored for the individual. My staff knows each patient’s name and they receive personalized care. Our philosophy is simple yet effective: integrative, innovative and individualized,” says Dr. O’Connor. AAIR offers state-of-the-art, yet cost-effective diagnostic testing and treatment.

“At AAIR of Charlotte, we treat allergies in traditional ways, but we also practice integrative medicine, which is healingoriented medicine that takes into account the whole patient, including all aspects of lifestyle. We use evidence-based, mind-body medicine that includes an anti-inflammatory diet and supplements, stress reduction, exercise and regimens, and other ways to promote overall wellness while minimizing the use of multiple medications when possible. Allergies are caused by inflammation and we will try to find all ways to get rid of that inflammation,” says Dr. O’Connor.

She adds, “All of the physicians at AAIR of Charlotte are board certified by the American Board of Allergy/Immunology. We partner with our patients so they can enjoy spring again.” [TCW]

Health Flash » By Beth Howard

HEALTHFLASH An Apple A Day & Other Wisdom

Forget The Feather Duster!

The Upside To Mess

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 60

ut down that Swiffer!

There’s good news on the home-cleaning front.

A little clutter and dust don’t just make a household easier to maintain than a super tidy home, they also have some unexpected advantages.

The “mess is best” philosophy flies in the face of the current dogma that clutter creates chaos and stress, and stymies creativity. Messy people are often perceived as being lazy or lacking in discipline.

But you don’t have to clean to extremes to be happy, healthy and productive, says a growing chorus of experts who highlight the hidden benefits of dirt and disorder.

They advocate embracing mess — or at least trying to tolerate a little of it.

Part of it is common sense: Holding yourself to perfect standards on the job and at

home is a recipe for stress and discontent. Giving yourself — and your children — a pass on constant cleaning allows you more time for yourself and family. The time you spend fighting the tide of dust and chaos could be devoted to bonding activities — or painting your nails. (If you are worried about losing important bills or your kids’ school forms, create a mess-free zone.)

Messiness may have other perks.

Studies suggest that moderately disorganized people are

more efficient and creative than the obsessively neat. A recent survey linked messy desks to higher salaries, and neat ones to salaries under $35,000.

In a new experiment from the University of Minnesota, people with both cluttered and tidy desks were challenged to brainstorm different ways of using a ping-pong ball. Those with messy desks were able to come up with more ideas. A less-than-perfect work environment, the researchers concluded, can make a person more likely to think outside of the box.

According to study authors, “Disorderly environments stimulated creativity, which has widespread importance for culture, business and the arts.”

Being a clean freak can actually contribute to health problems. Turns out, exposure to many environmental

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allergens helps kick children’s immune systems into action.

Kids who have been exposed to dust and pet dander are less likely to have allergies and asthma.

“It’s called the hygiene hypothesis,” says Maeve O’Conner, M.D., an allergist with Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Relief of Charlotte.

The idea emerged when researchers started to realize that, while many diseases had been reduced by sanitation in Western, industrialized countries, the rates of asthma and allergy were increasing. At the same time, allergies were less common in developing countries. People who grew up in rural environments and on farms, where they were exposed to bacteria in the earth and on farm animals, have a lower incidence of allergies and asthma.

In a similar vein, studies have shown that children who live with cats and dogs are less likely to develop allergies to these animals later on in life, but only if the pets are in the home from birth. Kids who grew up with cats are about half as likely to be allergic to them as teenagers.

And there’s at least one ominous downside to America’s obsession with cleanliness. Growing evidence shows that repeated exposure to products containing household disinfectants makes bacteria more resilient and less susceptible to killing by both disinfectants and antibiotics.

In other words, super cleaning could have broader and more profound negative health consequences, such as contributing to the rise of super bugs and increased antibiotic resistance.

Dr. O’Conner says, “We may just be getting too clean for our own good.” [TCW]

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61

Ask The Expert

Componeers for Instant Cosmetic Smile Enhancement

neers fore Compo The smile be

Dr. Ross W. Nash Ross W. Nash, DDS, is one of only 46 Accredited Fellows in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, meaning he has acquired extraordinary skills in the area of esthetic and cosmetic dentistry.Founder of the Nash Institute for Dental Learning, Dr. Nash is the epitome of “expert.” Here, he answers questions about Componeers.

Q: What is a Componeer?

A: A Componeer is a new product that can be used by a dentist to assist him or her in placing a direct composite resin veneer. A direct veneer can be used to give a tooth a new and improved surface and repair broken or decayed teeth as well as to change the color, shape or alignment. The final esthetic result is determined by the artistry of the provider of the treatment. A Componeer is a preformed surface with all of the artistry built in. It can improve the final surface and shorten the time needed to place a direct composite resin veneer.

Close up view before Compo neers

Q: Are Componeers economical?

A: These veneers can be placed at fees that are very affordable for many more people today.

Q: Are there advantages of Componeers over porcelain veneers?

A: Porcelain veneers are considered to be the most durable and long lasting of veneers,but composite resin veneers have some advantages.

They are resilient,and will absorb stress. They require minimal or no tooth reduction. They can be easily repaired and they will not wear away apposing tooth structures. They can be placed at a lower cost and the esthetic result can be controlled by the provider of the treatment.

Q: How long can Componeers be expected to last?

A: A well placed composite resin veneer can be expected to last five to ten years or more. The dense and durable surface of the Componeer may help provide a longer lasting and more stain resistant direct veneer. www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | April 2014 62

403 Gilead Road, Suite E • Huntersville 704/895-7660 CosmeticDentistryofthe Carolinas.com

A Componeer being treated with bonding agent

Close up view after Co placement mponeer

ers ter Compone The smile af

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