Today's Charlotte Woman May 2015

MAY 2015

VOL 19 | NO 1 | COMPLIMENTARY

Style White Hot

The Season’s Ultimate Neutral

Lily Winnail

From Motherhood To Motivated Inventor

For The Love Of

Mom

BEAUTY

PHOTOGRAPHY

glennroberson.com

Alice Andrews Designs

Canvas Boutique, Latta Arcade

Inside This Issue

48

38 6

Editor’s Letter

For The Love Of Mom

8

Queen’s List

Goings On Around Town

10 Girl Power

Eat, Shop, Drink & Be Powerful

16 Mom’s Best Friend

23

Dr. Courtney Stephenson Is A Fetal Miracle Worker

20 Perfectly Candid

Former U.S. Attorney Anne Tompkins Is For The People

23 Style

16

This Season, Get White Hot

31 Living Well: Skincare

8

Make Beautiful Skin A Priority

38 Dwellings

Create An Outdoor Oasis

48 Dwellings-Special

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 4

Bringing The Inside Outdoors

50 I Really Think

Five Tips For Mothering Mom

On The Cover Hitting The Motherlode: Inventor Lily Winnail.

PHOTO BY ANDREA PERULLO DE LEDESMA.

Southern Charm Starts Outdoors

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From The Editor » By Karsen Price

PHOTO BY MICHAEL C. HERNANDEZ

Volume 19, Number 1 May 2015

For The Love Of Mom

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 6

have always considered myself a daddy’s girl. (I think it’s the tomboy in me.) That said, I am well aware that without my mother, I would be lost.

Nearly everything that I value in life today weaves its beginnings back to her.

Growing up, she was my counselor, my safety net, my teacher, and my friend. When I hit the glorious teen years, she became my best sparring partner!

In many ways, she was a pioneer.

As a mother to two young girls in the 1970s and ’80s, she exuded an incredible talent at raising well-rounded children on a budget.

She stretched dollars so my sister could have a horse and I could take gymnastics. She taught me to rollerskate, to shag, to read, to bake cakes, and she gave me my first cat. She trained me to work like a dog in the yard, and to have a clean home. As a child, I made colorful hook rugs and delicate cross-stitch patterns, and then played soccer on an all-boys team. My sister and I both played instruments, and we learned the value of exercise at a very young age. We celebrated holidays together, and every year we enjoyed a family trip to the beach, where she made us wear sunscreen before it was en vogue.

She turned me on to Steve McQueen, “Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid,” Jimmy Buffett,“Gone With The Wind,” and The Tams. Just to name a few.

These days, my mother is the one I turn to for gardening advice. Parenting, too. If you need a quick psychoanalysis,

she is always ready and willing. (Even if you are not!) We share musical tastes and a love of literature and an appreciation for nature. And when it comes to my daughter, when Mama can’t do it, Nana is the only one who will do.

My mother is part-time counselor, with a dash of psychic. I can be miles away, but she will pick up a vibe that I’m struggling or need encouragement.

She rarely goes shopping without me in mind; it’s not uncommon to visit her home and leave with an eclectic collection of purchases — a bag of organic apples, a Tupperware container full of spaghetti, a bottle of B vitamins, and a new shirt for my kid.

Even the guinea pig loves my mother.

When Mom walks in my door, the guinea pig knows her voice, and goes on high alert, wheeking impatiently until “Great-Grandma” brings her a piece of red pepper or a slice of cucumber.

In a word, my mother is a five-star nurturer, and my No. 1 champion. She always encouraged me to write, to play sports, to do anything I wanted (as long as I was careful). Most of all, she taught me to value myself. One of my earliest memories is of wearing a halter-top she bought that declared, “Anything boys can do, girls can do better.” I took this advice to heart; in fact, it became my mantra throughout childhood. It shaped me into an adult who believes in the power of women.

Karsen Price Editor Editor@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

Sharon Simpson Publisher sharon@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

Trisha Robinson Sales Executive Trisha@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

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Taylor Buckley Sales Executive Taylor@todayscharlottewomanmag.com

Kerrie Boys Creative Director kerrieboys@gmail.com

Social Media Director Michele Chastain mac21268@yahoo.com Style Editor Stacee Michelle • Stacee.michelle@mail.com Contributing Writers Erica Bryant Dana Durham Ramona Holloway Melinda Johnston Dawn Liles Contributing Photographers Amy Ellis Ken Noblezada 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 LLC, and is distributed on a complimentary basis throughout the greater Charlotte area.

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

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Queen’s List

Queen’sList Eat, Shop, Drink & Be Powerful

Big Bottles & Blues Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 8

ne of the Southeast’s largest wine and food events, Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend, is hosting Big Bottles & Blues May 9 to benefit Safe Alliance, among other charities.

Since its inception in 1989, Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend has grown into one of the Southeast’s most successful fundraising wine and food events, attracting many of the best chefs and winemakers from around the world to produce a series of events that showcase the finest in culinary culture, taste, wine and cuisine. In 2014, Forbes Travel Guide ranked Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend one of the top five in the United States.

“We are honored to partner with Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend,” says Karen Parker, president and CEO of Safe Alliance, which has served the Charlotte region for more than 105 years. “Our programs and services involve working with children that have been impacted by severe trauma.”

Over the past 25 years, Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend leaders have distributed more than $4 million to local charities.

“Adding Safe Alliance to our charity partners gives us that much more incentive to do what we do each and every day because of the valuable work they do,” says Dockery Clark, executive director of Charlotte Wine & Food.

WantToGo? Visit Charlottewineandfood.org.

Timeless Style

Passport For Fashion Spring Show assport For Fashion is hosting a springtime fashion show, “Decades of Fashion” May 9, at the new Le Meridien Hotel, located at 555 S. McDowell Street, Carolina Ballroom.

Come dressed in your favorite decade or come just as you are! The evening will consist of fashion shows with over 100 models presenting styles from the 1920s to today, with clothing provided by local boutiques and designers.

Afterward, dance the night away at the afterparty, and mingle with models and designers.

WantToGo? Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 8. Visit Charlotteseen.com for tickets.

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Walk This Way

Dress For Success 5K Power Walk ress for Success Charlotte is holding its fifth annual 5K Power Walk in Freedom Park Sat., May 9, including the much-anticipated Stiletto Swagger.

During the Stiletto Swagger, more than a dozen men will come out to “Raise the Heel” by walking in man-sized stilettos to support Dress for Success Charlotte. Swaggerers include Rob Brisley, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office; Garrett Lucas, Adams Outdoor; Kevin Pitts, Charlotte Business Journal;

Jeff Rivenbark, WTVI PBS Charlotte; and Eugene Robinson, WCNC-TV Charlotte Today.

The Power Walk and Stiletto Swagger raise funds to help support the nearly 900 women who turn to Dress for Success each year hoping to secure employment, achieve economic independence and strengthen their families.

WantToGo? Registration is at 8 a.m., the Swagger is at 8:15 a.m., and the walk is at 9 a.m.

Visit Dressforsuccess.org/charlotte.

End Lupus Now 14th Annual Walk Returns

considered a fundraiser, and is encouraged to raise or donate at least $100.

“We look forward to another great event where participants can experience firsthand the power of the movement to end lupus,” says Christine John-Fuller, president and CEO of Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina chapter.

WantToGo? Check-in begins at 3 p.m., and the walk starts at 5 p.m. Visit Lupusnc.org or call 877/849-8271. [TCW]

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harlotte’s 14th Annual Walk to End Lupus Now is Sat., May 16 at Central Piedmont Community College’s Belk Plaza, located at 425 N. Kings Drive.

In 2014, more than 2,300 people gathered for the Walk to End Lupus Now, raising more than $126,000, to benefit national research and local support services to help the estimated 10,000 people in the Charlotte area who are living with lupus.

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Girl Power » In The Moment » By Karsen Price » Photo By Jon Strayhorn

GirlPower Eat, Shop, Drink & Be Powerful

Remembering www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 10

Selma

he Mint Museum recently observed the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement with an emotional public program entitled “Conversation: Selma in Retrospect — The 50th Anniversary of a Monumental Civil Rights Moment.” During the event, the work of art “Selma” — created by Alabama artist Barbara Pennington in 1965, and recently acquired by the Mint

A Unique Painting Commemorates A Moment In Time

Museum — was highlighted.

Charlotte writer Vicki Moreland (pictured above) discovered the breathtaking, 9-foot canvas after the death of her aunt, Pennington, in 2013. Moreland was going through Pennington’s studio when she found the canvas rolled up in a corner.

“Selma” depicts the heart-wrenching events that unfolded in the spring of

1965, during a series of civil rights marches in Selma, Ala. Pennington was working as an artist in New York at the time of the marches, and the events unfolding in her home state inspired her to create the canvas, which is unlike the majority of her work. Pennington’s striking narrative serves as a powerful representation of the events nearly 50 years later.

“I was amazed when Vicki Moreland showed me images of ‘Selma,’ ” says Dr. Jonathan Stuhlman, the Mint’s senior curator of American, Modern and Contemporary Art,“and even more so when I had the opportunity to see it in person. Pennington’s painting will serve as a powerful reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of the brave individuals who participated in the Civil Rights Movement.”

Here, Moreland talks about the event, and her aunt’s artwork.

Q: When you found “Selma,” did you dream it would one day hang in the Mint Museum?

A: We immediately knew when we unrolled the canvas that we had something special and that it belonged in a public venue. Honestly, I did have the Mint in mind when I thought about a possible place for “Selma.” However, I never imagined the wonderful response that it has received.

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Q: Do you think she attended the march?

A: I don’t know, but there is some speculation in the family that she may have been there. Aunt Barbara was very private, and she never confirmed or denied the idea when questioned.

Q: What do you think art contributes to history?

A: I think art can freeze a moment in time, and motivate us to learn more about our past or another past that interests us. It can also capture the feelings of a particular time or place without the distractions of sound, allowing us to fully absorb the work and become part of it. I think “Selma” is transformative and healing.

ToLearnMore Visit Mintmuseum.org.

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Q: The canvas is a departure from your aunt’s typical style of painting, correct?

A: “Selma” is distinctly different, because it is a strong political statement and figurative, where her other work is

primarily abstract. “Selma” came from a place of sadness. Her abstract works seemed to originate from joy. From abstract landscapes of her garden to southwestern vistas, it’s all about bold, bright colors and life.

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Q: Tell me about the recent event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights

Movement.

A: Ten seconds after I walked into the auditorium, I knew it was going to be an emotional night. All I had to do was see Aunt Barbara’s work on the program, and I was in tears. Rubie Britt-Height, the director of community relations at the Mint, put together a fabulous program.

The events at Selma are emotional, but the participants in the program captured a depth of feeling that was overwhelming. From a letter by a father to his son about his participation in the marches, to the performance of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Choir, it was a fitting tribute to the marchers that participated in Selma 50 years ago. Kendra Mekkah Collin’s poem “An Ode to Jimmy Lee,” was especially moving, as it honored Jimmy Lee Jackson, the young man whose death helped spark the Selma marches.

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Girl Power » Shop Talk » By Dawn Liles » Photos By Andrea Perullo de Ledesma

Hitting The Motherlode Lily Winnail Finds Success With Padalily

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 12

o an outsider, Lily Winnail’s life may sound a bit charmed. The creator of the Padalily® — a baby product that just reached $2 million in sales — is also an inventor, an actress, a wife and a mother, and she has traveled the world. But Winnail wasn’t born into such a glorious life; she made it happen.

Winnail grew up one of five children in a small town in eastern Canada, with parents who were devoted to a strict religious order that shielded Lily and her siblings from popular culture such as mainstream music, movies or television. They didn’t have a lot of money, but Lily’s mother was always working to earn extra income, and she passed on her “can do” spirit to Lily.

“We lived in a pretty repressed area, but I would collect empty beer bottles and beer cans, return them to the local store for the recycling fee and use that fee to buy candy,”

Winnail says. “Then I would take the candy to school and sell it to kids for a profit. I made pretty good money for a little girl!”

Winnail earned her degree at a U.S. college, met her husband, traveled the world as a flight attendant and had three children. In 2007, after giving birth to her third child, son Blake, she was struck by the idea for the Padalily® — a fashionable and functional cushion that wraps around the handle on infant car seats, providing 360-degree comfort. The item can be customized in over 20 fabric choices.

She was at the post office with her two older daughters, a package to mail in one arm and the heavy car seat in the crook of her other arm, when the ah ha! moment hit.

“As my arm became sore from the car-seat handle digging into me, the idea struck,” she says. “My love for designer fabrics and all things handsewn brought my first prototype into

existence that very same day — scrap fabric and stuffing make very cute Padalilies, too!”

She adds, “I went home, did a little research and discovered that nothing like this existed in the marketplace.”

A talented seamstress, she sewed 300 prototypes, which she sold out of her son’s stroller at the park.

“Sometimes, I just gave them away to women in the grocery store parking lot who looked like they were struggling with the pain of carrying a heavy car seat,” she says. “Complete strangers were so supportive.”

One day, she gathered her courage, walked into Mud Pie Monograms & Gifts in Blakeney, and sold her first boutique order. Three years later, Padalily® became profitable.

Winnail’s timing couldn’t have been more auspicious. Her husband lost his job just as her business was taking off. “It was a wonderful feeling to be able to support my family with my idea,” she says.

Along the way, she has learned from the ground up how to run a business, how to get a patent and how to keep others from stealing her idea. (Answer: Hire a lawyer!) She is happy to mentor and offer advice to other mom inventors.

“I was doing it all on my own, calling individuals to get advice, not realizing I could have called the Small Business Administration, and they could have connected me with a mentor,” she says.

Winnail has since made deals to sell Padalilies in 1,500 boutiques across the U.S. and Canada, plus online retailers.

“Our bread and butter is from our boutique sales,” she says. “As much as people love to shop online, we see America’s small town stores still thriving, and hope they continue to do so.”

These days, she spends most of her time designing new styles, ordering raw materials, keeping up with finances and social media, plus managing account relationships.

Ironically, Winnail’s success in business gave her the confidence to answer an open casting call when the Showtime TV series “Homeland” began to film in Charlotte. “I didn’t expect to

hear back, but they felt I’d be perfect for Claire Danes’ body double!” she says.

She appeared in several episodes and that experience led to another acting job — as a featured extra in “The Hunger Games.”

Winnail’s on-camera experience was a plus when “The Steve Harvey Show” came calling in January. “His producer was given a Padalily® as a baby shower gift about 18 months earlier and she remembered that gift when they were planning a show on mom inventors,” Winnail says. “It was such an honor and so much fun to share my story.”

Winnail loves to meet other mom inventors and to inspire women whose fear may be holding them back.

“It may sound corny, but I believe that if you have a love for life and love to do well and make people happy, many doors will be opened,” she says.

“I’m a believer in writing down goals for your future. I visualize things that I want to happen and often I have found they do!”

ToLearnMore Visit Padalily.com.

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Girl Power » Readers Respond » Compiled By Karsen Price

Mother Knows Best Readers Remember The Best Advice Mom Ever Gave

ay is for mothers! When asked for the best advice Mom ever gave, readers responded enthusiastically.

Below, Charlotteans offer nuggets of wisdom from the beloved women in their lives.

What You Said ...

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 14

Andi Perullo de Ledesma “Sometimes it’s better to be happy than to be right.”

Amy Flowe McKelvey “A hundred years from now, it won’t matter.”

Sandra Escobosa-Guynes “Treat everyone with respect no matter who they are or where they are from. We are all equal.”

Tamara Titus “My mom made me take typing.

She said,‘No matter what you choose to do, you will always need to know how to type.’ ”

Jackie Fishman “Never listen to what men say; watch what they do.”

Elaine Helton “Instead of jumping on the bandwagon of talking about people who may be doing everything wrong in life, pray for them.”

Tiana Byers “My mom’s new mantra is to ‘grow bold, not old.’ She is turning 50 this year, and is graduating from the University of Florida with her MBA in two weeks, so she certainly lives this out.”

Wendy Shanahan “If you are going to be embarrassed or afraid to tell me about something you have done, then you probably shouldn’t do it!”

Jennifer Garrison “Don’t get married straight out of college. Take time to see the world and develop yourself first.”

Katie Rozycki “You buy cheap, you get cheap.”

Robin Waddell “Treat your husband like a king and he will treat you like a queen.”

Jill Swain “Lock your car doors.”

Colleen Taylor “Sometimes the best place for the baby is their crib; don’t be afraid to put them there when you need a break.”

Amy Donovan “Whenever I suffered a romantic heartbreak, my mother told Sharon Lachow-Blumberg me to, ‘Get busy!’ As a teen, I rolled my eyes, but as I grew up, “Never leave the house looking as if you don’t care. You never I saw the wisdom in this.” know who you will run into.”

Maureen Carlomagno Marce Ramirez Savage “While on your life’s journey, if you step in poo, just wipe it off “Friends and money will come and go, but no one can ever and keep going.” take your education away from you.”

Katy Ridnouer “Kindness is a virtue that blessJennifer Brantley es everyone involved.”

“The train is coming — you can get on it, or lie on the tracks.”

Andrea Long “Consider the source and move on.”

Mackenzie Farone-Waite “Put on your big girl panties!”

[TCW] Carol Adams “Whatever happens on your date tonight, just keep your legs crossed and your pantyhose on.”

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Mover & Shaker » By Melinda Johnston » Photo By Amy Ellis

Dr. Courtney Stephenson Is A Fetal Miracle Worker

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015

16

Best Friend A Mother’s

PHOTO BY CHS’ EMILY BARNES

r. Courtney D. Stephenson performs life-saving surgery on babies while they are still safely enclosed in their mother’s womb. Her passion and expertise in dealing with the most fragile of fetuses has given many moms a reason to celebrate Mother’s Day. But the fetal miracle worker didn’t set out to be a healer for Carolinas HealthCare System. For the first 18 years of her life, she thought gymnastics would be her chosen career, and she even selected a college based on the gymnastics program offered.

From Gymnast To Doctor “I started gymnastics at the age of 5 and basically grew up in a gym,” says Dr. Stephenson. “I went to Southern Connecticut State University, where Bela Karolyi coached the men’s team. I thought I was going to be a gymnast. After I won a bronze medal at Nationals on the balance beam, I realized that a gymnast’s life span is short.

Once you reach 20, you are pretty much done and ready to coach.”

After competing for three years at the college level, she made the life-changing decision — both for herself and for the babies she has since saved — to give up gymnastics and set her sights on medical school.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015

“Gymnastics is a very intense sport that requires laser-focus, dedication and the ability to block out pain and fear. I think the lessons and traits I learned during my athletic career allowed me to excel in medical school and made me who I am today.”

— Dr. Courtney Stephenson

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PHOTO BY CHS’ EMILY BARNES

Mover & Shaker » By Melinda Johnston COURTESY OF COURTNEY STEPHENSON

wanted to do with the rest of my life.”

During her junior year, she transferred to Fairfield University in Connecticut and jumped on the pre-med track. She replaced gym time with library time, and began to apply the same intensity to studying as she did to perfecting her dismount.

After obtaining a bachelor’s in science, she earned her medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, followed by four years of obstetrics and gynecology residency in Brooklyn, then a three-year fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at New York University.

Pioneering Procedures

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 18

sds“As a gymnast, I was under frequent medical care for injuries,” she says. “I grew to love the physicians that treated me and kept me healthy for my sport.

I decided that’s what I wanted to do.

Originally, I thought I would go into orthopedics or sports medicine, but after spending one day in labor and delivery, I changed my mind. I knew that’s what I

She arrived in Charlotte in 2004, and helped form the Levine Children’s Hospital’s Fetal Care Center at Carolinas Medical Center in 2010. There, she treats babies in utero, and was the first in the world to pioneer a procedure to treat a condition called twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (known as TRAP) — in which she is able to successfully save a single twin when the other twin doesn’t form and has no heart.

“Basically, the other fetus never fully

forms but is connected to the healthy baby, who is pumping blood into this mass,” she explains. “That baby will eventually fail. Dr. David Iannitti and I had an idea. He is a specialist in the use of microwaves and I am a specialist in fetal procedures. We figured we could use a microwave antenna to ablate the vessels that feed the mass, and save the healthy baby. Doctors have come from all over the country to learn this procedure.”

Through extensive research and analysis, Dr. Stephenson has proven that microwave ablation is safe, effective and superior to other techniques for treating TRAP. On behalf of her accomplishment, Dr. Stephenson was selected to present her abstracts for the International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society in Jerusalem and Boston in 2013 and 2014. One presentation was given in collaboration with Dr. Iannitti and discussed the technique of the microwave, and the second discussion focused on how she started a unique fetal care center with U.S.-based training.

Both presentations were received with overwhelming praise from authorities in

fetal surgery.

In addition to the unique procedure she performs for a TRAP sequence pregnancy, she can drain fluid from unborn baby lungs to allow them to develop properly and drain their tiny bladders when blocked. She can correct the balance in blood flow between twins (twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome) using a laser so they both grow at a normal rate. She can even give blood transfusions to an anemic fetus — all in utero.

By the time a mother-to-be gets to her office, unfortunately, the baby is in jeopardy.

“Patients come here and they are desperate for help,” Dr. Stephenson says.

“Many times, the babies are going to die if something isn’t done. We are a provider of hope for many people who have no other options.”

She adds, “I promise my patients that I will do everything humanly possible to save their baby. The rest depends on a higher power than mine.”

For Dr. Stephenson, a good day at the office is a great day.

“I’m comfortable with doing these procedures because we do it all the time,”

she says. “But it never becomes routine, it’s never commonplace. They are all very complicated and unique. I love it because the good days are really, really good. I feel like I’ve made a difference.”

She credits her almost two decades of grueling gymnastics training with giving her the ability to focus on these tiny patients, and to perform the intricate procedures necessary to save them.

“Gymnastics is a very intense sport that requires laser-focus, dedication and the ability to block out pain and fear,” Dr. Stephenson says. “I think the lessons and traits I learned during my athletic career allowed me to excel in medical school and made me who I am today.”

She adds, “When you are on the balance beam, you can only think of those 4 inches, not what’s outside of it.

The same goes for fetal surgery.”

When Dr. Stephenson is at work, she’s completely focused — and, as the only fetal surgeon in Charlotte to use a laser to treat twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, she’s at work or on call much of the time.

But outside of work, she’s dedicated to family, friends and fun. She spends as much time as she can with her two children, 14-year-old George, a baseball

player, and 12-year-old Julianna, a soccer player. She also enjoys visiting with friends, seeking out the latest fashions, and traveling.

“Between gymnastics and med school, I was never able to travel much,” she says.

“I’ve started going places over the past few years. I want to see the world, and I have a lot of places left to go!”

She also has a daredevil side — not surprising since she grew up perfecting difficult gymnastics moves, and now operates on some of the tiniest of patients in pressure-filled situations.

“I’m a little bit of an adrenaline junkie,” Dr. Stephenson says. “I ski pretty hardcore. I’ve flown a plane, and I appreciate fast cars and roller coasters. I guess I like to push the limits.”

And she’s not afraid, even at age 44, to break out into the occasional back handspring or aerial, to amuse and remind her children — and herself — that life is what you make it.

“I tell my kids all the time that all you can do is control your performance,” she says. “Don’t get caught up with what everyone else is doing. Focus on your own goals, work hard, and do your best.

That’s all you’re called to do.” [TCW]

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19

Perfectly Candid » By Erica Bryant » Photo By Glenn Roberson

Perfectly Candid

With Erica Bryant Erica Bryant is an Emmy Award winning journalist, and coanchor of WSOC-TV’s Channel 9 Eyewitness News. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a passionate volunteer, she lives in Charlotte with her husband and two children.

They Said It: “I hope the people of Charlotte and the greater Western District of North Carolina feel like I served them well and did justice fairly and professionally.

I hope they know that I care deeply. That was my www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 20

hope as I left — that I gave it my all.”

— Anne Tompkins

For The People

COURTESY OF ANNE TOMPKINS

Anne Tompkins cares deeply about the Charlotte community.

Here, she addresses the crowd at CMPD’s Fallen Officers Memorial in May 2014.

Former U.S. Attorney Anne Tompkins Looks Forward

Here, in her first interview since leaving public office,Tompkins discusses a few highlights of her career, and her plans for the future.

Q: What were your thoughts when you first got word of the potential case against former Mayor Patrick Cannon and the accusations of impropriety in office?

A: Whenever there is public corruption, it gives you a sinking feeling, especially when you look at it and you know the impact on the community is going to be harmful. I remember when the investigation reached that point. I remember knowing that we had to be careful; we had to be complete. We had to be thorough and make sure that we were making a good case. We do that in all areas, of course, in the U.S. Attorneys office. But with something like this, in this community — where we are unused to this type of crime — I knew we had to be very careful and make sure we made a really strong case.

There was that feeling of sadness, too. I felt like, “This is too bad, because this isn’t who we are.” But you have to do what you have to do, and so we persevered and we made a good case.

And the rest is history.

Q: Do you believe that the federal prison time Cannon received was appropriate? Does it send a strong message?

A: I do think it sends a strong message.

Forty-four months is a long time. In my line of work, we know what other similar cases get. There are federal sentencing guidelines. So, it wasn’t a big mystery what Cannon was facing. Obviously, we thought that was an appropriate sentence for the conduct.

Q: Do you think Charlotte is

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015

ess than a month after leaving her high profile post as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Anne Tompkins is well into her next assignment.

Now a partner in the international law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft, LLP, Tompkins has already logged multiple trips to the firm’s offices in New York and Washington, D.C. Her focus will be on growing the organization’s Charlotte office — specifically, the White Collar Defense and Investigations group.

It’s an opportunity she plans to pursue with the same intensity she has exuded throughout her career.

Tompkins is coming off a productive stint as a U.S. Attorney under the Obama administration. During that time, she closed many high-profile cases, including securing a multibillion-dollar settlement from Bank of America for mortgage fraud; prosecuting former Mayor Patrick Cannon for accepting bribes; and coordinating a plea deal from General David Petraeus, who is accused of sharing top-secret military documents with his biographer, Dilworth resident Paula Broadwell. At the time of Tompkins’ appointment, she also made history as only the second openly gay U.S. Attorney in the country.

Tompkins values passion, perseverance and professionalism, and says these traits are what distinguish a great attorney from a good one. She also credits her progress in part to “great women in our community who are willing to help each other out,” including her mentors Vi Lyles and Pam Syfert.

Outside the courtroom,Tompkins is passionate about using her powers for good. She works for human trafficking prevention and anti-bullying, and hopes to continue focusing on these topics in her new role.

21

Perfectly Candid » By Erica Bryant

irreparably harmed by what happened?

A: No, no. This is a resilient city. I think Charlotte has bounced back already. I really do. I think there was the shock of having it happen. It was devastating.

But, this city began to bounce back that day. That’s who we are.

Q: You’ve been vocal about being a product of the public school system, and attended Piedmont Middle School and West Charlotte High School. On a visit to one local campus, you explained your role at the time as U.S. Attorney — but you also shared something personal that could help deter bullying. Can you describe that experience?

A: I went to Northwest School of the Arts with Tom Perez, who was then head of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. We went out there to explain who we are in the Department of Justice — what we do, and the role I play as U.S. Attorney. I talked to those kids about being an openly gay person. To me, I think it’s important for young people to see

people who are like them in public positions — positions of leadership, positions of authority. And by the term “like them,” I mean, the ways all humans can be similar in a variety of different roles. Whether that’s me as a woman, whether that’s me as a Charlottean, whether that’s me as an openly gay person, or whether that’s me as a graduate of the public school system … I just think people want to see themselves in inspirational positions.

And so, I am comfortable with that.

Q: How did students respond?

A: It was crazy! They applauded and screamed. It was really like,“Wow! These kids are ready for this!” And so, I just let that be part of who I am to youth. Whether that resonates with them or not, I will let that be up to them.

I wanted that to be part of who I am to the community, to kids and to adults, frankly.

Q: How do you spend your time away from the office?

A: I spend a lot of time with my dad.

He lives in Charlotte. We spend time

together every weekend. My wife and I play golf and she’s a great cook, and so we like to eat and hang out with our neighbors. I ride the Booty Loop when I can [the original course for Charlotte’s 24 Hours of Booty, an annual biking event that raises funds for cancer research and survivorship]. I enjoy being a part of this great city. I really do.

It’s been a privilege to be in positions that have allowed me to try to make the city the best it can be.

Q: Now that you’ve left the U.S. Attorneys office, what do you hope resonates with the community about your service?

A: I have always had a part of me that is very public-service oriented, and I still do. It is just part of who I am. I hope the people of Charlotte and the greater Western District of North Carolina feel like I served them well and did justice fairly and professionally. I hope they know that I care deeply about the communities and the district and Charlotte. That was my hope as I left — that I gave it my all.

[TCW]

NAWBO C H ARLO TTE PRES ENTS

Busi ne ss Wom e n of t he Ye a r Awa rd W in n e r s

June 2, 2015 11:30am - 1:15pm 2015 NAWBO Charlotte Business Women of the Year Award Winners will present their personal stories of growth and success. Join us for lunch, networking and these special guests. www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 22

NAWBO Rising Star: Given to a woman business owner who has been in business less than five years.

Finalists: Lisa Woodie, Homemade Fresh Chef Service Juanita Tackett, LED Source Jennifer Buzek, CoSaint Insurance NAWBO Business Owner: Given to a woman business owner who has been in business more than five years.

Finalists: Christine Roper, Roper Physical Therapy Ellen Linares, HF Financial Julie Ayers, LB&H Accounting

Byron’s South End 101 W. Worthington Ave, #110 Charlotte, NC 28203

For more information: NAWBOcharlotte.org 704. 367. 3454 Join the conversation:

National Association of Women Business Owners, Charlotte Chapter, is a professional organization specifically designed to fuel the success of the 42,000 women-owned businesses in the greater Charlotte area.

Photography By Glenn Roberson Styled & Directed By Stacee Michelle Hair By Sheena Steele Makeup By Alyssa Green Model: Rachel

Sequin top, $75, KK Bloom. Swing tunic button-up blouse, $98, Canvas, A Boutique. Cropped pant jumpsuit, $189, Five13studio.com. Orange satchel, $66, Canvas, A Boutique. Orange perforated “Gannett� shoe, $79, Easy Spirit.

S

ome may define white as the absence of color, but when it comes to fashion, the clean, crisp hue is the hottest color of the season. Consider it a blank canvas for your wardrobe, and get playful with a delightful mix of colorful handbags, shoes and accessories that pop!

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015

WHITE OUT

23

Style » Styled By Stacee Michelle » Photos By Glenn Roberson www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 24

Above left: Mesh sleeve jumpsuit, $65, Blake Riley & Co. Headband, $14, Francesca’s. Studded clutch, $55, Hautelook.com. Sandals, $15.99, Target. Bracelets, stylist’s own.

Above right: Lace crop top, $77; lace illusion skirt, $139; both at Cheeky Bean Boutique. Beauty cuff, $65, Drjeweldesign.com.

Multicolor canvas tote, $85, Canvas, A Boutique. Fringe heel sandals, $98, Nordstrom.

Below left: Tunic dress, $29.99, Blake Riley & Co. Goddess of Life neck-piece, $335, Drjeweldesign. com. Fringe taupe clutch, $74, Cheeky Bean Boutique.

Bracelets and shoes, stylist’s own.

Below right: Embroidered tassel-trim peasant top, $118, KK Bloom. Wide-leg lace pants, $370, Sloan Boutique. Wrap bar choker, $42, Baublebar.com.

Studded orange envelope clutch, $45, Hautelook.com. Vintage gold-plated bangle, $265, Drjeweldesign.com. Neutral wedges, $79, Lucky Brand.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 25

Style » Styled By Stacee Michelle » Photos By Glenn Roberson www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 26

Above left: Alice & Andrews silk dress, $300, Canvas, A Boutique.

Long-sleeve crochet open-back blouse, $40, Five13studio.com. Floral headband, $14; and double-layered pendant necklace, $40; both at Francesca’s. Joie nude heel sandal, $375, Monkee’s Boutique.

Above right: Halter trapeze tank, $142; and silk shorts, $145, KK Bloom. Lace-up strappy bootie, $119, Zara. Sunglasses, stylist’s own.

[TCW]

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Discover Sculptra® Aesthetic Stimulates collagen for a natural look with results that lost over two years* *Clinical trial ended at 25 months.

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Sandra Hatfield | 260-418-1479 Summit Plastic & Hand Surgery | 198 South Herlong Avenue | Rock Hill, SC 29732 Sandra can also be contacted at: Phone:(803) 802-2488 Call today to learn more about Sculptra Aesthetic.

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Sculptra® Aesthetic and Galderma are registered trademarks. © 2014 Galderma Laboratories, L.P. SCU-105 Printed in USA 09/14

Important Safety Information You should not use Sculptra Aesthetic if you are allergic to any ingredient of the product or have

a history of scarring on your skin as a result of

injury or surgery. It should not be used in areas where you have an active skin infection or swelling,

the red area of the lips, or near the eyes. Do not have treatment if you are pregnant, lactating, breastfeeding, or under 18 years of age.

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Sandra Hatfield Cosmetic Nurse Specialist

mild and went away on their own, while others were more serious, required treatment and lasted 7–10 days.

Other side effects may include small lumps under the skin that are sometimes noticeable when pressing on the treated area. Larger lumps, some that appeared months or more than a year after treatment, with or without swelling or skin discoloration, have also been reported. Some of these lumps were serious and required additional treatment, or even surgery.

Please see your healthcare professional for full Product Information for Sculptra Aesthetic.

Living Well » Advertorial » By Dana Durham

The Experts

Agree

Make Beautiful Skin A Priority This Season

hen it comes to beautiful skin, cosmetic nurse specialist Sandra Hatfield can attest for the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

“I think that prevention is most important when maintaining beautiful, youthful and healthy skin,” Hatfield says. “Many times, I have had 20-somethings come in for Botox/Dysport or other aesthetic procedures, and I’ve heard older women ask, ‘Why is someone so young coming in for that?’ I answer that question by stating they are preventing deeper lines from forming in their 30s and beyond.” www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 31

Living Well » Advertorial » By Dana Durham www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 32

Valid for one time use only. Valid from 5.01.15 to 5.31.15 inclusive

She adds,“This is a very smart approach to anti-aging.”

Hatfield moved to Charlotte from California, where she worked at The Aesthetic Laser and Vein Centers in Napa/ Santa Rosa. While there, she earned the nickname “HawkEye” due to her ability to point out asymmetries and treat them. She has over 20 years of experience in the medical field, and is always learning new and advanced techniques. She currently is working on an advanced certification in aesthetic nursing that only approximately 150 nurses hold across the country.

As a cosmetic nurse specialist, Hatfield wears many hats in the field of aesthetic nursing. “If I had to say what my specialty is, I would say it is my passion to make others feel better about what the mirror reflects, so that my clients have renewed confidence that spills into every aspect of their lives,” she says.

Hatfield can give clients a complete rundown of their skin’s strengths and weaknesses, and offer a variety of solutions for problems. Her approach is to deal with the root issue rather than the symptom.

“I also perform many injections that a lot of my clients on the East Coast have never heard of, such as treatment of a gummy-smile, nose tip-lift, Nefertiti-lift and hyperhydrosis (excessive-sweating),” she says. “And I absolutely love Sculptra!

I believe it is the best product on the market in terms of re-volumizing the face. It stimulates the client’s own collagen and lasts for a very long time.”

Hatfield notes that women should take care of their skin first and foremost from a health perspective, and she notes that melanoma is on the rise.

She suggests visiting Cancer.org to get statistical and preventive information.

But it’s no secret that a person’s appearance speaks to others, and the skin plays a huge role in that. “Whether we like it or not, we live in a society that is a bit superficial,” she says. “The field of cosmetic surgery and aesthetic procedures would not be booming if there were not some truth to that.

But I have to say, making skincare a priority does not mean ‘looking perfect.’

It means looking fresh, healthy and vibrant.”

“Develop a skincare regimen that works for your skin type.”

– Pat Helmandollar

Something To Smile About Dr. Richard Rolle, of Oral and Facial Surgery, is the official oral surgeon of the Charlotte Hornets and the UNC Charlotte 49ers, and known for his beautiful smile.

Dr. Rolle is happy to announce the coming addition of a med-spa element

to his popular Cornelius practice.

“We decided to incorporate a medspa element to the practice to extend a new line of services to our patients,” he says.

“We invite you to experience excellence,” he adds. “Come in to our state-of-the-art facility with the

SUMMER LOVING SKIN TIPS

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015

704-895-0404 Savvysalonanddayspa.com 20430-2W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius

33

Living Well » Advertorial » By Dana Durham

Savvy Skincare

latest innovative technology and exclusive products to enhance the natural aesthetic, a beautiful, youthful appearance.”

Dr. Rolle takes pride in offering fullscope oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures, including digital imaging, 3D access and general anesthesia

10th Annual

capabilities. But now, clients can indulge in a little skincare, too.

Dr. Rolle believes that great skin and a beautiful smile go hand in hand. He notes that people should make their skin a priority. “When you look great, you feel even better,” he says.

Save Your Skin

A decade dedicated to raising awareness of melanoma Melanoma Awareness Golf Classic

10th Annual

Benefitting Carolinas Melanoma and Immunotherapy Fund at Carolina HealthCare System’s Levine Cancer Institute

Save Your Skin 10th Annual

Pat Helmandollar, president of Savvy Salon & Day Spa, says everyone should make beautiful skin a priority, because it is the largest organ of the body.

“The skin on your face is on full view every day and it will be with you for your entire life,” Helmandollar says.

“The better you protect it and care for it, the better it will look, and everyone knows when you look good, you feel good.”

She suggests starting with the skincare basics, which include eating a healthy diet, drinking lots of water, and getting plenty of sleep. But a skincare regimen is a must.

“Develop a skincare regimen that works for your skin type,” she says.

“Never cleanse your face with soap or products containing mineral or petroleum-based oils, and just like your mama always told you, never sleep in your makeup.”

She suggests choosing a good moisturizer, whether your skin is dry or oily.

“There are so many new break-

Save Your Skin

10th Annual

Sponsorship Opportunities Melanoma Awareness Golf Classic

Save Your Skin Save Your Skin Benefitting Carolinas Melanoma and Immunotherapy Fund at Carolina HealthCare System’s Levine Cancer Institute

Sponsorship Opportunities Melanoma Awareness Golf Classic

Benefitting Carolinas Melanoma and Immunotherapy Fund at Carolina HealthCare System’s Levine Cancer Institute

May is National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, and the Save Melanoma Awareness Golf Classic Your Skin Melanoma Awareness Golf Classic wants Benefitting Carolinas Melanoma and Immunotherapy Fund Charlotteans to Cancer know exactly how important it is to at Carolina HealthCare System’s Levine Institute take care of your skin.

The golf classic was started by Martin J. Kreshon Sr., a prominent local physician, in honor of his late wife, Jerri Kreshon, who passed away from melanoma on June 14, 2005.

“Her wish was that we do everything we could to try and save ‘even one life’ through awareness about this silent, deadly disease,” he says. “Jerri was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend to so many in this community. She shared a love of golf and gardening with her friends and family. We ask that you join us in honoring her memory and her wish.”

The 10th annual event is June 1 at Carmel Country Club. To date, the Save Your Skin Golf Classic has raised over $400,000 to support melanoma research, treatment and awareness at Levine Cancer Institute.

Sponsorship Opportunities Sponsorship Opportunities

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 34

1, 2015.

June 1st,Monday, 2015June at Noon

Carmel Country Club.

Carmel 10thCountry Annual

Club

Save Your Skin Save Awareness Your Skin Classic Fund at Carolinas HealthCare System’s Melanoma Levine CancerGolf Institute.

The Fund supports ongoing immunotherapy research, as well as melanoma awareness, outreach, andSponsorship prevention Opportunities programs.

Monday, June 2015. Carmel Country and Club.Immunotherapy benefits the 1, Carolinas Melanoma Benefitting Carolinas Melanoma and Immunotherapy Fund at Carolina HealthCare System’s Levine Cancer Institute

Contributions to the Save Your Skin Melanoma Awareness Golf Classic are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.

10th Annual

Carolinas HealthCare Foundation

10th Annual

Save Your Skin Save Your Skin

www.givecarolinas.org/saveyourskin/

Monday, June 1, 2015. Carmel Country Club.Monday, June 1, 2015. Carmel Country Club.

Melanoma Awareness Golf Classic Melanoma Awareness Golf Classic Monday, June 1, 2015. Carmel Country Club.

Benefitting Carolinas Melanoma and Immunotherapy Fund

Benefitting Carolinas Melanoma and Immunotherapy Fund

Look Younger Today

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Living Well » Advertorial » By Dana Durham

throughs with skincare products, including night-time moisturizers with ingredients that work with your circadian rhythm by helping to repair the environmental damage done to your skin during the day,” she says.

Sunscreen is the most important element of good skin.

Choose a daytime moisturizer that contains an SPF of 15 or above and shield your skin from exposure to the sun as much as possible.“If you feel pale without a tan, get your color from sunless tanning lotions and spray tans,” Helmandollar notes.

From there, boost the beauty of your skin with specialized treatments meant to relax and purify your skin.

“I have to say, making skincare a priority does not mean ‘looking perfect.’ It means looking fresh, healthy and vibrant.”

— Sandra Hatfield

“Treatment based products these days are magical!”

Helmandollar says. “The use of Retinoids in products is becoming quite prevalent, and is so important in gently resurfacing your skin and smoothing away fine lines and wrinkles. Using these basic steps, along with receiving professional treatments like facials, microdermabrasion and peels, are the best nonsurgical methods of keeping your skin youthful, refreshed and glowing.”

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Savvy Salon specializes in skin resurfacing treatments like microdermabrasion and peels. “But our most requested service is still our basic Savvy Renewal Facial,” she says. “This service is a good, basic deep cleansing,which includes steaming, exfoliation, extraction, specialized treatment, massage, toning and moisturizer. Plus, the relaxation benefits you get will melt the tension from your face!”

Toned Skin Is In Of course, an undeniable aspect of beautiful skin is a toned, strong body. Hypoxi has been specially designed as a targeted method of body shaping that systematically reduces undesired fat deposits, especially in typical problem areas such as the stomach, hips, buttocks and thighs.

Mandelynn DeLuca is a master trainer at Charlotte’s Hypoxi Studio, and she notes that the Hypoxi-Dermology treatments exercise the skin, leaving it firm and smooth.

“We specialize in training the skin,” she says. “The HypoxiDermology treatments include integrated chambers within the suit that apply high and low pressure to the skin. As a result, the skin and connective tissue is gently stretched and compressed in a similar way the muscle is trained. The treatments take only 20 minutes and results can be seen after just a few sessions.”

DeLuca believes that people should make an effort to care for their skin.

“The skin is the first thing people see … why not make it a priority?” she says. [TCW]

Will Six Months Smile Work For You?

by Dr. Chris Bowman

D

o you have crooked, spaced, or uneven teeth? Would you like to have more confidence in your smile?

Read on for infomation on the amazing differences today’s dentistry can make in your life.

Whether you’re seeking cosmetic solutions for your smile, wondering how to correct certain dental problems, or simply looking for a new dentist, we can help.

Got a question for me? Great! Please send all questions to DrChris@SmileSatisfaction.com, and include your first name and city/town where you live. Either I or one of my professional dental team members will answer every question we receive within 1-2 business days. We look forward to helping you!

• Six Month Smiles is a compleletely different process than traditional braces.

Six Month Smiles is a simplified orthodontic system for adults who don’t want to spend up to 2 years in conventional metal braces. Using light forces and low-friction tooth movements, we can move teeth quickly, focusing mainly on the teeth that show when you smile. While most cases take 3-9 months, we can achieve gorgeous results for our patients in an average of about 6 months.

• Six Month Smiles™ is not the same as Invisalign™.

It’s actually quite different...we offer both in my practice. While Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth, Six Month Smiles uses clear brackets with tooth colored wires. Each system has it’s own advantages,and both are cosmetically appealing during treatment. We help each patient make the best treatment decision for her/him, based on their individual cosmetic goals and the clinical conditions we’re addressing.

Mia, Before Six

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• Most people are candidates for Six Month Smiles™.

The only way to know for sure is through a simple but thorough consultation and smile evaluation. Most people with crooked or spaced teeth are candidates for Six Month Smiles™. It’s very rewarding to help our patients achieve the smile they want during the average time span between two typical dental cleanings!

If you have any further questions about Six Month Smiles™, or any-thing else “dental”, simply contact us by calling Advanced Dentistry of Charlotte at 704-837-8261. Free “Smile Consultations” are available for serious inquiries.

Mia, After Six Month Smile s Treatment tim e: 5 1/2 mon ths!

Dr. Chris Bowman is a leading Charlotte cosmetic dentist, Six Month Smiles™ Clinical Instructor, and Invisalign™ Preferred Provider. He is among the first 16 general dentists in the world to provide the Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation procedure.

Dr. Bowman is also a dental author and international speaker, He has been featured locally on ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX.

Dwellings » By Karsen Price » Photos By Ken Noblezada

Create “It is a fact that the more senses we use in a situation, the better the memory is kept. Outdoor living spaces are no exception.”

— Kelly Cruz

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 38

An Outdoor Retreat Decorating Tips For The Perfect Alfresco Living Space

Make It Memorable Decorate Using The Five Senses

nterior designer Kelly Cruz offers a plan for tapping into all five senses when decorating outdoor living space.

Sight

“To create an outdoor living space that is memorable, we must first employ basic design elements of scale, balance and symmetry to make the space visually appealing,” Cruz says.

Touch

She suggests adding textures through the use of plants, fabrics and patterns “to appeal to your sense of touch.”

Hearing

If the outdoor space doesn’t include a beachfront or a lake/river view, Cruz suggests adding a water feature to delight your sense of hearing. “Of course,” she notes,“the sound of rain falling or wind blowing, plus birds, frogs and crickets, always chime in to our outdoor symphony.”

Smell

Outdoor spaces offer their own fragrances, but Cruz suggests enhancing them by adding a fragrant candle.

Taste

“Finally, our sense of taste can be employed to seal the memory with a little alfresco dining, a personal favorite,” Cruz says.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015

fter a long, frosty winter, people are craving the opportunity to spend unlimited amounts of time in the great outdoors. What better place to soak up copious amounts of fresh air, blue sky and fragrant smells than your own backyard?

Interior designers have long touted the outdoor portion of your home as an important extension of the house, not to be overlooked in style or comfort. In fact, outdoor living spaces are often the best “family room” imaginable.

39

Dwellings » By Karsen Price » Photos By Ken Noblezada www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 40

Outside Is In Interior designer Kelly Cruz has a unique take on what makes an outdoor living space memorable. “It is a fact that the more senses we use in a situation, the better the memory is kept,” she says. “Outdoor living spaces are no exception.”

Cruz is owner of Kelly Cruz Interiors, an award-winning, full-service interior design firm that has catered

to Charlotteans since 1996. Her company focuses on both commercial and residential projects, including new construction and remodeling jobs.

Cruz believes that interior design is not simply about fabrics and paint colors.

“Good design starts with the architectural elements of a space (or lack thereof), then creates function and balance,” she says. “Only then can the layers of color, texture, and the right

pieces of furniture be added.”

She suggests homeowners create a backyard retreat that taps into all of the five senses (see sidebar). Above all, Cruz says to strive for one particular goal when designing an outdoor oasis.

“In a word, comfort,” she says.

When asked to pinpoint the best addition a homeowner can incorporate in an outdoor living space, Cruz hesitates to select just one

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015

41

Dwellings » By Karsen Price » Photos By Ken Noblezada

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015

42

option. There are many ways to enhance outdoor living arrangements, from adding a fire-pit or pool, to creating a gorgeous view, to building a cozy seating area.

“I would ask the homeowners to evaluate what would bring them the most enjoyment,” she says. “Then I would ask them to consider a budget that would make sense for the price value of their home. That said, a seating area appeals to a greater audience and enhances almost every space and location.”

charming chipped &

What’s Hot This summer, Cruz expects the use of river rock to be extremely popular in outdoor spaces. She notes that it comes in several different sizes and colors, and adds an interesting component to many landscapes.

“I have seen river rock used in contemporary settings, as well as very traditional landscapes,” she says. “Generally, the nod to nature in outdoor living through the use of regional materials — such as stone, brick, timbers, etc. — creates outdoor living spaces that enhance the setting rather than detract from it.”

She adds, “Of course, this is not a new concept. Architects like Frank Lloyd Wright have built a reputation on embracing the setting.”

You don’t have to break the bank to add interest to your outdoor living space. Something as simple as new pillows nestled in comfortable chairs can add a burst of color and texture.

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Dwellings » By Karsen Price » Photos By Ken Noblezada

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few years, because the technology has been greatly improved,” Cruz says. “Upholstery and pillows suited for outdoor use that are much more attractive, with brightly colored patterns and textiles that resist fading and mildew, are readily available. A pop of color with textiles in a natural setting creates a draw to even the city slicker who usually prefers a concrete jungle.”

Homeowners on a budget also can make their space pop by creating simple, clean areas.

“This may seem overly simplistic, but I would suggest creating a space that is neat and clean that creates a stress-free environment,” Cruz says. “Then, I would add a comfortable chair or two that would provide bright color and texture. In other words, carve out a comfortable seating area somewhere outdoors.”

She adds with a smile, “We can build a fireplace and a pool overlooking the lake when the budget allows.”

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45

Real Experience, Real Results Kathy Kreshon Carver, of RE/MAX Metro Realty, has over 24 years of experience in the business.

Her specialties include development land, farm and land, luxury homes, foreclosure properties and relocation, among others. Over the years, Carver has found that marketing is very important, and she has developed a team of experts to help her with staging, photography, and marketing. “With a team of experts to help me, we can get the job done in the least amount of time and for the most profit to the seller!” she says.

As an agent who’s an expert in this local area, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate here. It’s not the same everywhere, so you need someone you can trust for up-todate information. I take a different approach to real estate, one that is built on personal touches, win-win deals and positive results. I utilize the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to exceed your expectations. More importantly, I listen and that means we find solutions that are tailored to you. I am eager to serve you.

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Karla Roberts founded CLT Residential in 2010 after 20 years in the Charlotte real estate market as a Realtor, Broker-In-Charge and real estate trainer at some of Charlotte’s top firms. Joined in business by longtime friend and business associate Sara White, this duo of entrepreneurs has taken customer service to the next level.“Our firm is set up as a partnership, where our agents profit in our success,” says Roberts.“We have many talents: relocation, first time buyers, unique marketing styles for our sellers... but we have one focus: making sure our clients are completely satisfied!” Why hire one realtor when you can have a TEAM at your service: Karla Roberts, Sara White, Jecolia White, Amy Cartner, Keith Scroggins & Sally Lucas.

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49

I Really Think » By Ramona Holloway

Mothering

Your Mom

y mom, Wheezy, is a slice of awesome with homemade icing on top. She is inspirational, spiritual, educational and totally frustrating all at the same time.

I love her, but when I express the issues that accompany living with her, I can expect multiple Facebook friends to tell me to “cherish her.” Can I cherish her and profoundly understand the challenges of caring for her as she ages?

My best friend and biggest critic turns 75 this year. After sharing a household with her for the past 11 years, I have plenty of granny nanny wisdom to pass long. This is AARP gold! I’ve got five tips for mothering your mother.

1. Practice avoidance.

Some of that psychobabble about family relationships is bull. Total family harmony is as big a fantasy as Cinderella, unicorns and one-size-fits-all pantyhose. Therapists will tell you that you need to work through your issues no matter how big or small. Only you need to make peace with family dysfunction. There are issues you may never be able to discuss with your mother without major drama ensuing.

www.TodaysCharlotteWomanMag.com | May 2015 50

2. Remember Mom still thinks she is in charge.

Your mother will never understand or appreciate the role change. I constantly remind my mom about unpopular decisions she made while parenting me. Did I want the braces that made this chubby kid the instant subject of ridicule? Heck, no! Looking back, I understand why she didn’t want me to face the world with buckteeth and a gap the size of a Kardashian

booty. Not getting everything you want is a blessing in disguise for a kid. Not giving your parent everything they want can be a blessing for everybody.

3. Ask for her help.

I assign jobs to my mom to make her feel more useful. I understand how helpless she must feel at times.

From dropping mail off to getting a stubborn stain out of a shirt, I give her tasks that allow her to shine. I get some assistance and she doesn’t feel obsolete.

4. Take timeouts.

Even though one of the things your mom probably craves is your time, making time for yourself is essential.

Whether it’s hiding in your garage for 20 minutes after you actually get home or pretending to be constipated to hermit in the bathroom, you simply can’t ignore you. Make time for yourself, your girls and your man!

The relationships you neglect while caregiving will be the very ones you need to help sustain you when your mother is gone.

5. Admit vulnerability.

An African proverb that wasn’t originally uttered by Hillary Clinton says,“It takes a village to raise a child.”

The same applies to our golden agers. Reach out to friends and family members. The comfort that comes from hearing them say you are “doing a good job” is priceless (thank you, DeeDee Strickland). There will be friends who recognize you are doing too much and tell you to “get help, girl” (thank you, Sharon Decker). Ask for advice from friends who’ve already experienced the challenge of managing care. They can offer suggestions and

resources you never considered (thank you, Annabelle Suddreth and Rhonda Johnson). Do you need to hire help ... someone to monitor meds, moods and offer old-lady maintenance? Then do it (thank you, BethAnn Stamper).

Tell the doctor’s offices about your hectic schedule to help you manage check-ups (thank you,Teri Clark). Ask relatives to intervene. Oftentimes they know your crazy parents almost as well as you do (thank you, Jason Holloway, Eric Holloway, Rose Walker-Mason, Shai Littlejohn, Russell Walker, Tony Walker, Wayne and Debbie Walker and our beloved nephew/grandson, Jeremy Hays). Ask a friend to bring dinner, because it’s not a good time to meet at a restaurant (thank you, Jenn Snyder and Nan Gray). When you tell one of your girls you need to get out of town and she plans a trip? That’s a slice of heaven with sprinkles on top (thanks Rachel Sutherland, Sally Green and Karen Parker-Chesson).

It’s not just about surviving this stage of your parent’s life. As Maya Angelou really said (yes, that’s a Postal Service jab),“Surviving is important.

Thriving is elegant.” You do that by breathing life into your granny nanny village.

Mother’s Day is upon us. Let us salute the women who bore us and adore us (and sometimes abhor us).

Let us celebrate the most complex relationship God created — that of mothers and daughters. And let us pray that no one shows my mom this article. [TCW]

Listen to Ramona Holloway on the “Matt & Ramona Show” on 107.9 The Link.

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