SheSparkOctober2016

October 2016

SheSpark #FightLikeAGirl

SURVIVOR/DESIGNER Cherie Mathews Wages

WAR

FRAN DRESCHER TURNS PAIN INTO PURPOSE

Secret SEXY Skincare to Talk About

10 FALL FASHION TRENDS FOR THE OFFICE

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NOTE FROM THEA & AUDREY Ready or not, here comes Fall. Time to pull out the sweaters, and maybe even start thinking about the holiday season (gasp). Before the craziness of holiday celebrations is upon us, SheSpark is taking time to celebrate true heroes: breast-cancer survivors and women who are fighting the battle.

And make no mistake - it is a battle. Just ask Cherie Mathews, breast-cancer survivor.

Tired of the “tutus and pink ribbons” surrounding breast cancer, Cherie has taken a more “rock and roll” approach to the fight. Having gone through the recovery process herself, Cherie now helps women “Heal in Comfort” with her line of clothing designed for the healing process after a mastectomy. We are proud to feature her on our October cover and to share her inspiring story.

In this month’s issue you’ll also find: Products and people supporting the fight against breast cancer What you need to know about performing a breast self-exam Fashion & beauty tips for Fall So grab your Pumpkin Spice Latte and flip through the pages of SheSpark.

Cheers, Audrey & Thea XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX

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ISSUE EIGHT Co-Editors-In-Chief

Audrey Stefanik, Thea Wood

Copy Editor

Colleen Sullivan

CONTRIBUTORS

SUPPORT SHESPARK FRIENDS

Andrea Carter

Honey & Abernathy

Fran Drescher

InsideOutStyle

Simone Knight

Konenkii

Imogen Lamport

Lisa Joiner

Cherie Mathews

Quatro/Worth

Nicole Patel

RMB Naturals

Audrey Stefanik

Sarah Martin Bemrich Designs

Thea Wood

Simone France

University Hospitals

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

COVER:

Cherie Mathews, founder of healincomfort, breast cancer warrior.

Photo credit: Korey Howell Photography.

Success On Fire Academy SheSpark is published monthly by SheSpark, LLC., a publishing group dedicated to connecting over-40 women with emerging brands and experts in style, beauty, and wellness. Responsibility is not assumed for the opinions of writers, other articles, or advertisers. SheSpark does not endorse or guarantee the products and services it advertises.

Copyright Š 2016 SheSpark, LLC. All rights reserved.

No part of this online publication may be duplicated or reproduced without permission from the publisher. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of information included in the magazine at the time of publication, the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising from errors or omissions.

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Handcrafted Handcrafted to to be savored responsibly.

DISTILLED DISTILLED && BOTTLED BOTTLED BY

BY FIFTH FIFTH GENERATION GENERATION INC. INC. 40% 40% ALC./VOL. ALC./VOL. © © 2016 2016 TITO’S TITO’S HANDMADE HANDMADE VODKA. VODKA.

Cool

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Is Smart

10 Fall Fashion Trends For The Office

by Thea Wood (@Over40Style)

Look professional and cool with these Fall fashion trends for the office that visually state “I mean business.” These are over-40 style friendly and available through lookbooks designed to save you shopping time. Buy those that work best for your unique signature style!

1. Velvet jackets. Choose rich colors and match with a pencil skirt or trousers—or jeans! After work, slide off the work blouse and show off the silk camisole underneath with a statement necklace for happy hour or a dinner date. It’s subtle yet sexy with the velvet touch.

2. Plaid. Plaid is a power print,

iStock.com/Vagengeym_Elena

masculine and authoritative.

Easily mix your plaid with a bigger or smaller print, or even with an animal print, by using the same color palette.

3. Turtle necks under dresses.

This can get dowdy very quickly, so be sure you choose modern silhouettes and thin turtleneck fabrics for…

READ MORE

The PINK Round Up Blemish Erase by Simone France $40

Detox by RMB Naturals $12.95 Char/ Amethyst/ Pearl necklace Sarah Martin Bemrich $90

HealinComfortÂŽ Recover Shirt $84.95

Handcrafted Quan Yin from Billiant Imports $159

Druzy/Pearl/Kyanite Energy necklace $35

Wool Doubleface Sheet Dress $548

Thank these SheSpark supporters for donating to the cause: Brilliant Imports, Ford Warriors In Pink, healincomfort, Honey & Abernathy, Konenkii, Quatro Austin, RMB Naturals, Sarah Martin Bemrich Designs, and Simone France.

Your Purchase Benefits Breast Cancer Awareness

Ford Warriors In Pink “Inner Warrior” Tee $23

Ikate Throw Pillow, Brilliant Imports $85 Coat by Worth from Quatro Austin $798 Limited Edition $55

Rhodonite necklace Sarah Martin Bemrich $100

CLICK the description to SHOP and support small business

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How to Dress for ONE Breast

By Imogen Lamport (@ImogenLamport)

Today I want to share with you some guidance I received from Susan, who has lost a breast due to cancer and has shared her tips on how to disguise it (and other scarring that can happen with surgery). I’ve created some pictures to illustrate her advice under “read more.”

“I am a great fan of your website and have been following it for some time now. Thank you for all your insights…

“Reading the post on horizontal stripes reminded me of a challenging time in my life when I could have used a little sartorial advice. When I was only 40, I lost a breast to cancer. Not surprisingly, I was extremely self conscious about my irregularities, from the time I was stuffing a sock in my bra, to post reconstruction when I am still lumpy and lopsided (but glad to be here!). Those initial months I learned a few tricks to disguise my asymmetry without hiding in oversized sacks. I thought I would like to share.”

1. Obviously, avoid stripes like the plague. In fact, avoid all geometric patterns. All-over, asymmetric patterns are much better.

2.

If you prefer solid colors, cowl necklines and ruching are good disguisers. Looser, button down shirts are also easier to wear.”

READ MORE istockphoto.com/portfolio/forgiss

Rose Quartz

A stone believed to support love, tenderness, soothes the process of change and enhances all love. LOVE of self, STRENGTH of heart, COURAGE to face

what is next with confidence and compassion.

CLICK HERE TO BROWSE Your purchase benefits a local breast cancer fighting family in need through 10/31/2016

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Falling Apart Five Fall Skincare Tips

By Audrey Stefanik (@cremescometrue)

While many celebrate the arrival of Fall with a Pumpkin Spice Latte in hand…

I do not.

I fall apart… and so does my skin. I may not be happy about Autumn, but I AM ready for it.

Here are FIVE changes I make in skincare and makeup to get me through the cold-weather months.

1. MAKEUP—When my face has lost all summer color, I have to add color myself. I’m not just talking about self-tanner. It’s the season to level up with a red lip or a dramatic eye.

If you’re looking for a new makeup line to try, check out Jennifer Bradley. She’s “forty-ish” by her own description, so she can relate to the issues of over-40 skin.

I’ve tried her Eye Duo* in “Bombshell,” and it wears well.

READ ALL FIVE TIPS HERE

istockphoto.com/joycedragan

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Fran Drescher Turns Pain Into Purpose

by Thea Wood (@SheSparkChat)

FACT: Early detection is key to surviving cancer. A person diagnosed with cancer in Stage 1 has a 90 - 95% survival rate. Yet, many cancers (including breast, uterine, and ovarian) are detected much later, sometimes too late. Are you uninsured or underinsured? In a low income bracket?

Then you are more likely to be diagnosed in Stage 4.

Actress, director, producer, and author Fran Drescher faced a uterine-cancer

diagnosis after doctors confused her symptoms with peri-menopause for two years. Fran felt betrayed—by her body and the medical community.

After a radical hysterectomy, Fran made it her mission to help women everywhere take control of their health and wrote the book Cancer Schmancer.

The book tour opened her eyes to how many women went through the same experience. Fran took matters into her (cont’d next page)

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own hands by starting the Cancer Schmancer Movement and Cancer Schmancer Foundation, focusing on prevention and early detection. Fran’s take on it?

“I got famous, then I got cancer, and now I live to talk about it.”

And when Fran talks, people listen. She was an outspoken advocate for the passage of H.R. 1245, also known as Johanna’s Law, which promotes education and awareness of gynecological cancer. Now, she’s hosting the Fran Drescher Health Summit

(October 26) featuring experts in Eastern, Western, traditional, and alternative medicine.

The summit is open to anyone who wants to take control of her health.

Buy your tickets here.

Fran kindly took time to answer questions for SheSpark readers.

THEA: Did you experience emotional repercussions after the surgery that affected you as a comedic actress? If so, how did you overcome them?

“I got famous, then I got cancer, and now I live to talk about it.”

FRAN: No. I mean I had to write four drafts of the books before I really found my funny bone for it, but I learned that side by side with grief lies joy. It's when we're in the depths of despair when we really need to seek out those moments.

Fran Vans take free screenings to women who can’t afford them or can’t get to them any other way in the New York City and Los Angeles areas.

THEA: After beating cancer, you starred in two series (Living With Fran and Happily Divorced), hosted a talk show, made several special appearances on series, then made your Broadway debut in Cinderella. On top of that, you wrote a book about your cancer experience, remarried, and started the non-profit Cancer Schmancer Movement. When do you sleep? What gives you your super power? (cont’d next page)

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FRAN: Well I definitely don't have super powers. The cancer taught me that the hard way. I think I just do what makes my heart sing. I try to not get too caught up in negativity but that's a daily practice, and I don’t think something we ever get perfect at.

THEA: The second annual Fran Drescher’s Health Summit asserts it will transform attendees into “medical consumers.” What does that mean?

FRAN: That means most people give their doctors too much power and they tend to put more time and energy into their buying and selling of their

automobiles than they do their own body.

We educate them about how to become better partners with their physicians, how to take control of their bodies, how to recognize the early warning whispers of the cancers that may affect them, and about the tests that are available as all too often those tests aren't even on the menu at the doctor’s office. And how to embrace alternative ideas that also may not be discussed in traditional Western medical doctors’ offices. How to reduce your risk of cancers as well as other diseases through detoxing your home. *

Host a detox your home party— Fran will help!

Click here to get started

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(S)hero Cherie Mathews Designs Armor for Cancer Patients— Because This Is

WAR

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Cancer crusader and entrepreneur Cherie Mathews suits up every day—black leather, chains, red lipstick, and spiked hair—taking the fight to the front lines when it comes to changing how women confront a diagnosis, surgery, and recovery with her company healincomfort.com.

“My whole point in bringing rock and roll to breast cancer is because I’m so sick of tutus and ribbons,” says Cherie. “This isn’t fun and giggly… My friends are puking in toilets right now trying to survive another day.”

Next, Cherie asked what to do with the two surgical drains that were sewn into her body and needed to be changed three times a day. She was told to safety pin them to her shirt for the next two to four weeks. When the nurse moved her arms into the sleeves, the pain was so excruciating that Cherie threw up and left the hospital in a puke-stained hoodie.

She was humiliated and furious.

Arriving home wasn’t much easier. “For me, personally, it was the shock and horror of being mutilated. What you see in the mirror takes your breath away,” she explains. In spite of WOMEN feeling broken, she didn’t want Cherie’s drive and fierce her kids to see a scarred and compassion are contagious— have frightened mother. “I went just ask her 76,000 Twitter always just outside for my first walk after followers and women with surgery, and I saw my shadow on whom she personally consults suffered the sidewalk. Unlike the mirror after they receive a positive in that reminded me of all the cancer diagnosis. She says it’s all thanks to her “God SILENCE things that were wrong, my shadow reminded me of all the moment” after a double things that were right! I was alive mastectomy at age 40. and still able to cast a shadow on this earth.”

It started with Cherie’s “drive-through mastectomy” discharge only five hours post-surgery. She was instructed to bring one of her husband’s shirts as she would need loose clothing with front closures and shoe laces to the hospital. Cherie brought a hoodie. The post-op nurse admonished her saying it wasn’t the right attire.

“I’m in trouble for bringing the wrong recovery equipment?” she asked in disbelief. The nurse simply replied, “Women have always just suffered in silence.”

Providence and her Blackfoot Indian fighting blood inspired the concept and patent-pending design of the Healincomfort® (HIC) shirt. Within 24 hours of telling friends about the concept, Fox News called Cherie for an interview.

Cherie failed home economics in school for stapling a hem (it was fast!), but velcro’d together a sample for the segment. She pledged to make shirts for 100 patients (cont’d on next page)

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Since 2010, HIC was approved for two patents, has helped 10,000 people with the Healincomfort recovery shirt and just ordered 5,600 shirts. HIC was a 2016 Women’s Way Awards Winner, Top 15 finalist for the SBA InnovateHER Award, and earned awards from other notable state and national entities.

Her vision for the post-op top: Become as common as a sling. Ultimately, the goal is to change post-operative policy on a national scale and ensure that every woman is sent home with an HIC shirt to ease the reduced mobility and discomfort as a result of a mastectomy, and allow them to heal in comfort and dignity.

Cherie’s just getting started. “I’ve got a picture of a man who had open-heart surgery with a blue HIC shirt with a girl logo on it. So, how do we bring dignity to other surgeries?” she questions. By going black, of course! HIC will help military heroes who are recovering from upper-body trauma, so Cherie is seeing to it that new versions (color and design) will be available.

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Being an entrepreneur is a never-ending process and takes what she calls an Angel Team, consisting of business, health, and entertainment movers and shakers.

Cherie’s membership in EBW2020 is a key to her expanded aspirations for the company. “They have raised the bar for my entrepreneurial journey. I mean RAISED the bar. The ceiling is gone. I want to go global with this.”

No matter what your health battle, Cherie’s courage and example teaches us how to prevail—

Be Brave and FIGHT LIKE A GIRL!

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By Cultivating Your Power XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX It’s October. Breast Cancer Month is here and it holds a near and dear place to my heart as a ‘cancer thriver’ myself and as a woman with many women in my life who also have thrived through cancer, I’m thrilled to be joining you this month with information I’m certain you’re going to find so valuable!

Did you notice I didn’t use the wording, “cervical cancer survivor”? There’s a very specific reason for that! Did you know that the words that you use are powerful enough to change your DNA?

Just learning this basic research (that has been used by prominent cancer treatment centres for years) has the power to truly transform your life and I wish it was more mainstream knowledge… hence why I'm sharing today!

It’s my tribute, if you will to help women nurture their “ta-ta’s”, soul, mind and brain and body!

Most women (and men) greet each other and use words that have no power. Often they even use words that rob them of power and energy. Think of the last time you heard someone else (or even yourself) respond to a greeting of, “How are you?” with “Yah, I’m ok”, or “Hanging in there.”, or “I’m surviving!” All of these are examples of what I call ‘Power Crushing Words’ and by simply changing your wording to ‘Power Cultivating Words’ you can transform your health, wealth, career, relationships so that you are finally purpose-driven and in your flow!

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Secret SEXY – Skincare Designed for Healing

by Audrey Stefanik (@cremescometrue) and Simone Knight (@secretsexyoils) “When you look good, you feel good – and HEAL faster” - The words of breast cancer survivor, Simone Knight.

A double mastectomy saved her life, but it also left its mark on Simone emotionally and physically. Adjusting to a new body wasn’t easy, and looking in the mirror at her battle scars did nothing to boost her attitude during recovery. Quite the opposite.

After looking for skin-healing remedies, Simone was at a loss. There were plenty of products out there, but she wanted to be careful about what she was putting on her skin.

• Did it contain known cancercausing ingredients?

• Would the chemicals interfere with ongoing cancer treatments like radiation?

With limited options on the market, Simone set out to develop her own skincare line: Secret Sexy by Simone™. It is organic skincare formulated for oncology patients and people with sensitive skin. All products are made with organic oils specifically formulated to supercharge the moisturizing and skin-healing process without interfering with oncology treatments.

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Her first oil, Magic Mender, reduces scarring. Her second oil, Pink Lemonade, was designed to help minimize the effects of radiation treatments on the skin. Her line is expanding, and she shared with me that shea butter will be in a new product! An effective, organic deodorant is in the works, too!

If you’re looking to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, this line is fantastic for anti-aging. Simone’s formulas also aid in:

• Any Scar Repair • Stretch Marks • Acne The line has healing properties, but it DOES NOT HAVE parabens, sulfates, or chemicals. Click HERE to see the entire line and to learn more about Secret Sexy by Simone™.

*

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“A confident woman is a sexy woman, in my opinion.”

— Queen Latifah

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“Take TWO TRUFFLES and Call Me In The Morning”

by Thea Wood (@SheSparkChat) After meeting Chef Nicole Patel (owner and head chef of Delysia Chocolatier®) and tasting her uniquely crafted chocolate, you’ll swear that truffles can cure all of life’s problems. Or at least make life a lot sweeter.

Delysia is one of the few chocolatiers in the U.S. and has earned a reputation—and awards—for masterful recipes that cater to all tastes, diets, and lifestyles. Over 80% of Patel’s chocolates are kosher and gluten free, vegan and dairy-free options are always on hand, and she’ll customize batches to meet your special needs or events.

“Our brand is about the experience. We bring the European idea of chocolate and truffles to the U.S. Many people don’t know what truffles are,” Nicole says about her mission. Thanks to her passion for experimentation and an open kitchen where chocolate beginners and connoisseurs alike witness the creative process while taste-testing to hearts’ content, Delysia really does offer a simple, yet rich experience.

The sweets themselves are the result of thoughtful, ethical, and sustainable planning and execution. The ethically sourced cocoa from Ghana is processed into raw chocolate in Southern Germany. It’s not over-roasted like most chocolate, so the antioxidants stay put.

When the raw product arrives in Austin, Texas, Nicole then combines it with fresh ingredients in the Parisian handmade style in small batches. Preservative free, of course.

There’s a boxed collection (nine pieces with up to three flavors) for plenty of moods, tastes, and occasions.

Feeling under the weather? Delve into the Wellness Collection, which consists of green tea, dried blueberry, and bittersweet chocolate—packed with amino acids and antioxidants.

“Any of our dark chocolates have health benefits. You want 61% dark chocolate to get those health benefits,” Nicole explains.

In need of adventure? Dare to taste the Insect Collection with ingredients like grasshoppers, meal worms, and crickets.

Feeling lonely? Invite friends over for a happy hour featuring the Wine Collection or (a personal favorite) Tito’s Handmade Vodka Collection.

Nicole’s first commercial client was Becker Vineyards.

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“They gave us three bottles of wine and said, ‘See what you can do.’ We used the wine and lavender from their land.” In 2013, Nicole met the Tito’s Handmade Vodka team at the Austin Food & Wine Festival. She made a batch of Bloody Mary truffles and took them to the vodka distiller’s director of marketing.

Delysia became a featured artisan on its web site.

This month, Delysia created the Breast Cancer Awareness Collection, featuring a decadent dark chocolate.

Five dollars ($5) from each box sold will benefit Gifting Care. Order yours today.

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HOW TO PERFORM A BREAST SELF-EXAM No matter how old we are or how many times we’ve done it, reviewing a breast self-exam demonstration is always a good idea. Doctors are learning new techniques that could save your life, so it’s worth less than three minutes of our time to watch this video from University Hospitals.

For example, it may be news to many women that there is a circular and a vertical method. And that exams should be performed at a certain time of month. Most importantly, perform exams regularly for early detection.

Thank you to SheSpark’s friends at University Hospitals for creating this detailed video featuring nurse practitioner Gladys Stefanek, CNS.

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IT TAKES A TEAM

“From our first phone call to the amazing social build up on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, to the SheSparkChat, the ladies went above and beyond our expectations. Not only are Audrey and Thea smart and savvy social media mavens, they are a pleasure to work with.”

— Jan Craige Singer, Co-founder Konenkii At SheSpark we’re committed to providing affordable advertising and engaging content curation for rising stars in style, beauty, and wellness that cater to midlife women’s needs. We go beyond a simple display ad. We also: *Promote each page of the magazine for premium value on any page* *Retweet, share, and follow your social media to increase your reach* *Assist in designing ads that are engaging and result in clicks to your web site* Bloggers email: audrey@shespark.com

Brands email: thea@shespark.com