Lioness Magazine July 2012

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F E AT U R E S ISSUE 10 JULY 2012

42 Fun and delicious recipes for any summer party.

– BUSINESS

7 16 18 24 36

Changing the face of General Managers Ask an Entrepreneur Volusion® Selling online Women In Business Andrea Pitts Challenges for Woman-owned firms

28 One woman’s dream.


ISSUE 10 JULY 2012

– CAREER

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Learn the GLOW method.

How to fall in love with your job again.

27 Editor-in-Chief Natasha Clark

– FASHION

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Copy Editor Jeanne Wroblewski

The Voyage Exotique Collection.

Art Director Leonardo Pilares Director of Photography Denise Smith

– TRAVEL

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Columnists Crystal Senter Brown Brenda’s Child Erin Corriveau Katelyn Gendron

TOP 5 Summer Escapes.

– LOVE

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Contributing Writers Lamara Hunter

Love in the workplace.

– HEALTH & FITNESS

46 – LIFESTYLE

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The Best of night life.

3 Quick fat loss tips.

COLUMNISTS

5 EDITOR’S LETTER 8 LIPSTICK CHRONICLES 12 SHINE ON 43 STILETTO STATEMENT

©2012 Lioness Magazine is the first online magazine geared toward female entrepreneurs. We deliver sharp and compelling information on a variety of topics that are relevant to female entrepreneurs and professionals. Our mission is to elevate, educate and support female professionals. We celebrate the unique challenges and achievements of women in business. We believe women are multi-dimensional creations who flourish, personally and professionally, when they take time to nurture their spirits.


welcome to lioness editor’s letter Natasha Clark

Summer.... There is something about summer that gives my system a recharge. I don’t know if it’s a combination of sunrays, BBQ’s or the promise of poolside margaritas, but there is an extra pep in my step this time of year. Pedicures and bathing suits rise on my list of priorities. Winter clothes get pushed to the back of the closet. I want entertainment – blockbuster action flicks, live music and nights of dancing until my clothes are damp with perspiration. In essence, I take a break from my daily routine. While fun in the sun doesn’t mean I can totally disconnect myself from work, it sure does make the work week a lot easier. This month Lioness is bringing our readers a taste of summer. From mouth-watering cocktail recipes and top vacation spots to some of the best nightlife across the country. After all, in the midst of your hard work, you need to make time for rejuvenation. So slip into something a little more comfortable, kick your feet up and join us as we toast to the good times of summer. Cheers

Natasha

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Janine Chicourrat is the changing face of General Managers By Zee Elise

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here are very few female General Managers in the hospitality industry, but Janine Chicourrat is one of them. As the GM of Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California, she has led the hotel in a major green transformation in order to become silver Leadership in Energy and Environment Design Certified - one of only six hotels in the United States to become certified by undergoing renovations rather than building new. She has had an extensive, nearly 20-year career and proves that with dedication, hard work, and clear cut goals, gender has nothing to do with how well a person can perform their professional duties. “My dad died suddenly when I was only four and my brother and sister were a lot older and left home shortly thereafter. I basically grew up on social security and as an only child,” she recalls. Her love for hospitality became clear during her sophomore year in college at San Diego State. “My mom told me I couldn’t be a beach bum and needed to get a job. I put on my best pair of shorts, a polo shirt and borrowed her car. I told her I was going to Pebble Beach to get a job and she laughed at me.” Janine was hired to work in reservations and fell in love with the industry. She never looked back.

In fact, she altered her career course, changed her major and moved to San Francisco to work at Kimpton Hotels. She knew what she wanted and she knew hard work was the only thing that was going to get her there. So at 24 years old she sat down with the president of the company, Tom La Tour, and told him she wanted to be a GM. Tom heard this two more times. It wasn’t until after their third meeting that he was blunt and told her she would never be one of his GMs. Never one to be deterred, Janine took her determination and sealed it in ink. “I wrote him a letter, which I still have today, that said he’d be sorry because some day I would be running The Lodge at Pebble Beach,” Janine said. “At 26 years of age, Tom made me a GM of one of his hotels. At 37, I became the GM of The Lodge at Pebble Beach.” After eight years at The Lodge, she came to Portola Hotel & Spa, where she spearheaded a LEED® redesign of the property. Janine led the Portola Hotel & Spa through an entire “green” makeover in order to achieve the honor of becoming Monterey's first and only Silver LEED® Existing Buildings certified hotel. She implemented the Green LEEDers program, which consists of a team of hourly employees who meet to create awareness of the environment, share ideas to be green at work and at home, participate in community outreach, and promote green practices

Janine Chicourrat

that will help the environment and the hotel. Janine’s leadership in transitioning the Portola has transition from a boutique hotel, to a ski resort, to high end hospitality, then a large scale events hotel, and now finally a conference center hotel has given her versatility and deep knowledge about the hospitality industry as a whole. She has been able to take advantage of her different experiences and apply them into her current position as General Manager of Portola Hotel & Spa. When asked why there aren’t more women in leadership positions in her industry, she adds, “It is extremely time consuming to be in our industry. If you have a family, it puts a lot of pressure on a woman to balance both work and family. This is not an easy industry to be in due to late nights, weekends, holidays, all playing a factor… Being a woman, having children, and being in a key leadership role is extremely tough and with it comes sacrifice along the way.” Indeed, she quit her job at Pebble Beach because she felt she was missing out. Two years later, she was married and got back in the industry. Her advice for those who strive for a rewarding professional life is a universal one that resonates with all people, male and female. She advises that commitment to working hard, taking chances, and not taking anything personally is extremely important. In addition, she states that having mentors and seriously listening to their advice also served as a great way to grow and learn.

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Dishing it but never taking it F

or years I have been told I give good relationship advice. I manage to help friends into relationships, even successfully matched three couples who are STILL together, but more importantly I listen. I listen to what my friends are saying and offer my unbiased advice. Apparently, being unbiased has worked well for me but I wouldn’t go ahead and call myself a matchmaker. I think it is by pure luck that I introduced three couples and that they are still together.

But, with all of these new dating shows and dating advice columns out there I am left to wonder – why I don’t take my own advice?! Oh, that’s right – we never take our own advice. Come on, when is the last time you took your own advice? You and I both know it wasn’t recently. We will take advice from anyone else in the WORLD before we take our own. It’s okay; it’s how we operate as humans. This question became inherently clear when a friend, a newer friend, asked me if I was seeing anyone. Promptly, without hesitation, I said “NO.” I think she was shocked at how fast I answered but it was the truth. The other truth

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was my explanation why: “because I haven’t found anyone who doesn’t mind that I am smart, accomplished, and social (also known as ‘knows a lot of different people’). Somehow all of those are turn-offs?! After a few failed attempts and then a few more, I practically swore off dating. My philosophy in life is “if it’s meant to be, it will be.” My friend Gina, a life coach, would interject and say “but what are you doing to make things happen or be?” Such a buzz kill! And it doesn’t help when my dad says “you know you have to go on dates to have a boyfriend.” Thanks dad! Sadly, both are right. I do have to go on dates in order to find someone who could one day have the coveted title “boyfriend” but I much prefer dishing advice and words of wisdom rather than taking it; it is easier to help other people through heartaches. Don’t get me wrong. There are times I wish I could say I am a part of a couple, but the trauma (yes, trauma) of going on a blind date or the rejection after one or two dates just doesn’t seem enticing to me.

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For career success in today's tough economy learn the G.L.O.W. method (ARA) - Good is just not good enough for many employers today. As companies look to do more with less, hiring managers are drawn to those job candidates who stand out from the crowd and clearly illustrate the value they bring to an organization. If current employment trends didn't make landing your dream job tough enough, a gap between the skills hiring managers value in a candidate and how job seekers describe their own skills presents additional challenges. According to the annual Job Preparedness Indicator from CareerAdvisoryBoard.org, more than half (56 percent) of job seekers are confident they know what qualifications are required for employment. Yet, only 14 percent of hiring managers reported that "most" or "nearly all" job candidates, over the past three years, have had the skills their company looks for in a potential employee. J.T. O'Donnell, career strategist and author of "CAREEREALISM: The Smart Approach to a Satisfying Career," suggests that job candidates need to learn how to G.L.O.W. in order to close the employer-candidate disconnect

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and shine brightly among an ever more competitive job market. Here's how to G.L.O.W.:

G Gain perspective Take a step back and assess your situation. "No two people are alike," says O'Donnell. "You have to figure out what's important to you in your life and career. So, evaluating your values, preferences and interests will provide you with a customized plan and increase your ability to achieve success."

L Luminate your goal To "light up" your career goal, break down your preferred position into a list of "must haves," "nice to haves," and "don't wants." Let these criteria act as a compass to guide you toward your career destination. A vivid mental image of yourself as a success will keep you motivated and moving forward when things get tough.

O Own your actions Be ready and willing to put forth the effort required to make change happen. "Some requirements will seem more

daunting than others, like having to go back to school for the right education and careeroriented skills set," says O'Donnell. "However, there are excellent options like DeVry University, which provides flexible onsite and online scheduling so you can maintain current responsibilities while pursuing your dream career."

W Work it daily Keep your goals in the forefront of your mind so that you'll take steps every day, no matter how small, to get closer to them. Display your goal where you can view it throughout the day. You should also ask yourself at least five or six times a day, "Is what I'm doing right now helping me achieve my goals?" A truthful answer to this question can be very enlightening. If you are just starting your career out of college or are a mid-career professional seeking change - whether climbing higher in your current field or switching to a completely different industry - applying the G.L.O.W. method will brighten your future.


dishing it but never taking it The other part is I definitely don’t take the advice I dish out to others. Like everyone else I too get lost in the whirlwind of dating. I forget my rules of – ‘don’t call him, let him call you,’ ‘texting is not an approved way to ask someone out,’ ‘don’t make out with him on the first date,’ and ‘don’t sleep with the guy within the first month or first 3-4 dates.’ I call or text because by nature I am that person – I like to know what’s going on. Some say I am just nosey (and I can admit to that) but they aren’t always traits one should show right away. So instead of trying to “fix” my errors, I just give up when things go wrong and go back to being a happy, busy single girl. I don’t know what the next few weeks, months, or the year will hold in terms of my love life, but I know I will flip flop between “what will be will be” and “what are you doing to create your own destiny?” What I do know for certain - never expect a matchmaker or a dating columnist to be in the perfect relationship when they dish out advice. But, do expect them to question why they never take their own advice.

The Lipstick Chronicles KRISTINA CHAPELL is a single gal in her thirties making her way in the world. Passionate, savvy, and stylish; Kristina is a social relationship builder. You can often find her on Facebook and Twitter keeping up with the latest news and always supporting causes she is passionate about such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Link to Libraries, and The Businews Channel.


BULLY

In HIGH HEELS Spotting (and stopping) a workplace bully

When we graduate from high school, most of us assume our worries of bullies are long gone. We finish college and secure a satisfying job that allows us to earn an income that will support our families. But for many of us, once we settle into our jobs, we find the issue of bullying is still alive and well. The difference between our bullies then and our bullies now is that the “new” bullies are carrying briefcases and cups of coffee. They’re driving new cars and talking on smartphones. And they most likely have influence over the rest of your co-workers. Every day, some victims of workplace bullies have to take a sedative just to be able to go to work. Other victims spend their lunch hours in the car to avoid the stares and whispers in the employee lunchroom. They take “mental health days” at least once a month and they toss and turn on Sunday nights because they know Monday morning will bring another round of anxiety and stress headaches. Bullying used to be obvious (being pushed in the schoolyard, being yelled at in the school hallways, etc.), but workplace bullying is usually subtle. A workplace bully may exclude certain co-workers from lunch outings or coffee breaks, or the bully may speak down to their victim during meetings. No matter the tactic used by the bully, it’s up to you to diffuse the situation immediately. Use the Bible as your blueprint on how to handle your offender. Confront the bully in private (calmly) Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. Sometimes the person truly means no harm, but it is up to us to let them know how they are making us feel. Be clear about what is bothering you. And if the person laughs it off and continues to bully you, go to your supervisor.

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bully in high heels Develop a new daily routine Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! If you are being excluded from lunch outings, take yourself to lunch! Find a good book of devotionals to read or go for a walk. Spend time with your Father, who loves you most! Know your worth Psalm 139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. You are fearfully and wonderfully made! God made you just as you are, so don’t allow another person’s actions to change how you feel about yourself. The light of God will always outshine the darkness of a bully. Pray for your bully (Luke 11:4) and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Yes, I know what you’re thinking: “She wants me to PRAY for that #$@%*?” But believe me, prayer works wonders. Pray for peace in their lives. Pray for the love of God to come in and heal their broken hearts. You’ll be amazed to see how God can move in their lives! Dealing with a workplace bully is never easy, but by addressing the situation immediately, you clear the way for a more peaceful (and productive) work day.

Shine On Sista! Crystal Senter Brown has appeared in Essence Magazine, Vibe Magazine and Redbook Magazine and has released three music cd’s and three books, most recently “The Rhythm in Blue” (www.therhythminblue.com.) But the role she is most proud of is being Adonte’s mother and Corey’s wife. Learn more about Crystal at www.crystalsenterbrown.com.


1) How long have you been in business? 1 year and 4 months. 2) Why health and fitness? I love health and fitness! I help and motivate people to look, feel, and do their best. Health and fitness allows people the ability to live life full of energy, and influence how they feel emotionally. I am extremely fulfilled in this. Health and fitness is essential for everyone in order to have a good quality of life. There was no better time to get involved in this industry, with people now becoming more conscious of the significance of fitness. More importantly, we need to instill active lifestyles in the young generation. 3) What makes Fit For a Kid unique? Fit For a Kid is a mobile, early childhood physical education program designed to instill healthy habits in young children. Our fun fitness and healthy lifestyle classes are offered as enrichment programs at schools, private institutions, child-care facilities, parks, and studios. Our programs incorporate exercises and children’s fitness activities such as aerobics, dance, stretching, gymnastics, strengthening, and balance. Our goal is to teach children about the importance of taking care of their bodies at an early age, as this is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout adolescence and into adulthood. Unlike other children’s gyms, our services are completely mobile, so we travel around to different locations. We provide a unique and convenient attraction for parents and their children. 4) You could have worked for anyone and would have been successful, why become an entrepreneur? I believe that you either have the spirit of entrepreneurship, or you don’t; and I always knew that spirit lived within me! The most appealing aspects of entrepreneurship for me are the desire to control my own destiny, the ability to create the type of lifestyle that I prefer, and personal satisfaction in the work that I do. Also, I have two young children and didn’t like the idea of being stuck behind a desk and missing out on important moments in their life. Although it’s easy to glamorize the life of an entrepreneur (make your own hours, be your own boss), it is definitely one of the hardest things you can do. However, entrepreneurship has allowed me to be a better mother, and to live a more fulfilled and purposeful life. 5) What was your last, “why did I go into business for myself” moment? I haven’t had one of those moments yet!

Ask an Entrepreneur (Answers By: Naima Woodson, Founder and Director of Fit For a Kid, a Los Angeles based mobile fitness service. www.fitforakidla.com)

6) What was your last, “this is why I went into business for myself” moment? I have those moments every day! Every day I have the freedom to control my time, which is very important to me. 7) I can’t live without ________ when it comes to healthy living? My iPod! If I can listen to upbeat music while exercising, it really helps me get through my workouts with boundless energy. 1) My dumbbells, which I use to perform dozens of exercises that strengthen and tone every muscle in my body. 2) My Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix, which provides me with the protein needed to fuel my body after workouts, and provides a good dose of convenient, healthy nutrition. 8) Every female professional should have __________. A work-life balance. In anthropology, the definition of happiness is to have as little separation as possible "between your work and your play." This is so important! Your career, ambition, health, pleasure, leisure, family, and spiritual development all deserve attention. 9) If you could steal some business mojo from another mogul, who would it be and why? So many people inspire me, but the first person that comes to mind is one of the most well-known, enterprising and wealthy self-made female business moguls in the world… Oprah Winfrey. She has endured the ups and downs of her industry and has persevered to emerge as a business leader and tycoon. One of the things that has made Oprah’s enterprise so successful is her personal presence. A large party of her brand is her, herself! Most importantly, what she puts out there for all of us is that no matter how big or small, there is a purpose for each of us. A way for each of us to realize our greatest dreams and our potential all at the same time. 10) What is one of the biggest causes of childhood obesity? Sedentary lifestyles... In an age where electronics (video games, computer programs, television) dominate the attention of our children, insufficient exercise has become a major issue. Children are more focused on instant gratification than old fashion fun, and unfortunately, this includes playing outside. Their caloric intakes are not being burned off by sitting indoors, and overtime, the pounds begin to add on.

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Ask an Entrepreneur

11) What is your business motto? Fit For a Kid’s motto is “Creating a Generation of Healthy Children” 12) If you could give other entrepreneurs three tips, what would they be? 1) Network, network, network! Creating connections is key. 2) Make sure you have a complete business plan! It’s a powerful tool…like the ‘Bible’ of your business. 3) Immerse yourself in your industry and continually educate yourself. 13) Has there been a piece of technology or software that has been a lifesaver to you? My iPhone. It pretty much does it all. I can pull up my documents, manage my calendar, link to my social networks, navigate the city, and an app exists for pretty much any and everything! 14) What is your goal for the next year? Over the next year, my focus will be expansion and growth. Those plans include licensing, merchandise, and a physical location where children and families can participate in fitness, health and nutrition classes, recreation and workshops. 15) When someone is telling their friend about you, what do you hope they say? I would hope they’d say that Fit For a Kid inspired positive changes in their (or their child’s) life!

Naima Woodson

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Women In Business

Name: Andrea Pitts City, State: Springfield, MA Title and/or specialty: Vocalist Company/Organization Name: TM Connection Band History: The TM Connection band officially started four years ago in 2008. The band consists of five members: Jarreau Pitts (music director, keyboardist, lead and background vocalist), Andrea Pitts (lead vocalist), Trevor Pitts (drummer and background vocalist), Timothy Babbs (sound engineer and lead vocalist), and Kyle Blake (bass player). Jarreau and Trevor Pitts are brothers who have been performing together for over 15 years. The brothers started their own successful production company, Pitts Campaign, formerly known as Beatcity Productions, when they were teenagers. Timothy Babbs has been performing for over 20 years with several local bands and will be performing on Showtime at the Apollo in July. Kyle Blake is a self-taught bass player who began playing the drums in church and has been playing the bass for 14 years. Andrea Pitts began singing in school chorus over 20 years ago and has been performing on stages ever since. She was recently the winner of the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Prior to 2008, Jarreau and Trevor Pitts, who were sought out musicians in the Western Mass area, would sporadically play with another bass player for Tim or Andrea. After doing several performances separately, Jarreau and Trevor decided to mesh Tim and Andrea’s voices,

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enlisted Kyle Blake as their new bass player and the TM Connection was born, performing for the first time at a wedding reception. What you do: During my part time job, I am one of the lead vocalists in the band TM Connection. I assist the music director, Jarreau Pitts, in selecting songs to perform. When I am not entertaining, I am a full time middle school reading intervention teacher. I am also a mother of two as well as a full time student. The band performs all genres of music including R&B, pop, jazz, and neosoul. We perform at receptions, parties, clubs, festivals, fundraisers, and other social events. The dynamic of a family: Working with family is very special because you can be yourself and be honest with each other about what is good or bad in a performance. You also have the opportunity to spend time with people you really care about. Making your mark: Because we are a cover band, we often make the arrangements of the songs we perform our own. We keep the familiar enough for others to recognize but give them just enough differentiation to keep the audience engaged and wanting more. We also try to choose songs that most other cover bands do not perform, even adding a little hip-hop flare to our shows. My direction: The band hopes to continue to perform for audiences all over Springfield and the surrounding area. We hope to expand our geographic reach as more people are exposed to our performances. Eventually we hope to be performing on big stages throughout the USA and beyond.


Photo courtesy of Karolina Wojtasik

New social experiment tries a world without women

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an you imagine a world without women? Which gender is more capable of running society's day-to-day functions? What impact is today's shift in gender roles having on the world? Lifetime dives deep into the gender gap issue to answer these questions by bringing a daring social experiment to life by removing the women from one American town in the major program event, The Week the Women Went premiering August 15 at 10pm ET/PT. Narrated by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, and produced by BBC Worldwide Productions, the five episode, one-hour unscripted series will explore modern gender roles and find out what happens when all of the women leave town, leaving the remaining men to run their households, businesses and community on their own. Based on the ground-breaking British social experiment format from the BBC, The Week the Women Went focuses on the tight-knit community of Yemassee, South Carolina, from which its women left for one week last summer. With the women escaping to an isolated

site, the town's men are left to handle all responsibilities --ranging from making the kids' breakfast and putting them to bed to maintaining their households and coordinating events -- many of which resulted in unforeseen issues forcing them to create a new perspective on life during the seven day experience. Filled with a wide range of dramatic challenges and shocking emotions, The Week the Women Went will reveal what the men and women of Yemassee surprisingly learn about themselves and their roles in the home, relationships and society as close friendships are tested, unsung heroes recognized, old rivalries renewed and deep secrets exposed during their time apart. Yemassee, located more than 240 miles northwest of Atlanta, was selected for The Week the Women Went after an extensive search that included nearly 100 towns in the U.S. Jeff Foxworthy is one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country. He is the largest selling comedy-recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy(r) Award nominee and bestselling author of more than 26 books.

Widely known for his Southern-themed comedy, his popular act goes well beyond the region to explore the universal humor in everyday family life, interactions and human nature, a style that has been compared to Mark Twain's. The Week the Women Went is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Jon Kroll (Big Brother, Amazing Race, Amish In The City) is executive producer. Elli Hakami (Dual Survivor, Gold Rush: Alaska) and Jane Tranter (Top Gear, Dancing with the Stars, Torchwood), are executive producers for BBC Worldwide Productions. Rob Sharenow, Gena McCarthy, Colleen Conway and Noah Pollack are executive producers for Lifetime. The Week the Women Went first debuted on BBC Three in the U.K. in 2005, when it quickly became one of the channel's highestrated unscripted entertainment series of the year. The program has since been successfully formatted in a number of international territories, including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, India, Norway, Morocco and Sweden.

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Patricia Fripp

How to fall In love with your job all over again by Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

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emember how exciting it was when you first fell in love? Your heart did somersaults every time you met the one you loved. The two of you sat up talking all night. And you always seemed to have so much energy. The thrill of falling in love is wonderful. Soon enough, of course, reality set in, and you had to start working to make the relationship succeed. That’s good, of course. It’s how you truly grow to know and love the other person. In many ways, a new job is like a love affair. The first stage is excitement. It can last from an hour to many years. You think to yourself, “This job will pay me more money than I’ve ever earned before. The clients will be wonderful to deal with. I’m going to learn so much and do really exciting things.” The novelty of the job keeps your energy high. You are happy because you are so productive, and you’re more productive because you are so happy.

Then the second stage, reality, sets in. You still enjoy the work you do, but you begin to notice some of the irritants and difficulties. It bothers you that all the phones are ringing when you walk in the door. Deadlines seem endless and impossible. It becomes harder to arrive early or stay late. The novelty starts to wear off. And, like love, your job has a third stage too disillusion. The pendulum swings past reality, and you find yourself focusing on the negative things. That’s when the “maybe’s” begin. “Maybe I could make better money at Company X, and not have to work so hard.” “Maybe I’d be happier with more responsibility at Corporation Y.” “Maybe Company Z would let me come in a little later in the mornings or go home earlier at night.” In jobs, as in love, it’s very important for the pendulum to swing back. You need to work to regain the exhilaration of the first stage. Such excitement is essential to a fulfilling life. Think about what you did to keep the thrill in your love life. Maybe the two of you relived your first date at that little country restaurant, or you thought to thank your loved one for being kind and generous. In short, you remembered to see the person you first fell in love with.

Apply this same technique to your career. Rekindle the thrill you felt when you first began your job. You must have had good reasons for taking it. What were they? Make a list of them, and expect to experience those joys again in your daily routine. Begin each day with a smile. Anticipate having a productive, stimulating day. Isn’t that how you used to come to work in the morning? If you really expect to be productive, I guarantee that almost nothing can stop you. Here are some practical staying-in-love techniques: Have a good breakfast to give you the energy and protein, which you so badly need first thing in the morning. Dress with as much pride and attention to detail as you did on your first day of work. Start each day with motivated people who talk about the good things in their lives. Once a week or so, take the initiative to get up a little earlier and go to breakfast with some of these people. I’m a member of a group that does just that. It’s a very special way to start the day. Get to work as early as you can and spend some quiet time settling in before everyone else arrives. If this is hard, offer yourself some small personal reward. (Mine is that first lingering cup of coffee, all alone, while opening my very exciting email.)

Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE is an awardwinning keynote speaker, business presentation expert, sales presentation skills trainer, and in-demand speech coach to executives and celebrity speakers. Meetings & Conventions magazine named her "One of the 10 most electrifying speakers in North America." She delivers high-energy, high-content, and dramatically memorable presentations. Kiplinger's Personal Finance identified Patricia Fripp Speaking School as one of the best ways you can invest in your career. For more information visit www.fripp.com.

Do what I call the “icky” things first. Even the most fantastic job includes tasks that aren’t much fun. If you get them out of the way, the rest of the day will fly by. Make a list at the end of every day of what you learned, what was the most fun, who was the most fun to interact with, and how you feel you added to your group’s success. A list of the ‘beyond the paycheck’ benefits. If you only work for the paycheck you will be employed, but not ‘employable’ long term. There are many realistic ways to keep your relationships and your jobs exciting and challenging. Ultimately, your happiness depends on how good you feel about yourself at work, in love, and just living every day. Try doing something nice for your job and yourself. Fall in love all over again! LIONESS JULY 2012

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Carrie Green

One

woman’s

dream to unify female entrepreneurs

Meet Carrie Green of the United Kingdom The Female Entrepreneur Association started on a day in February... The winter that had just passed seemed more gloomy than normal; everything seemed greyer and more miserable! There was one reason for this - I wasn't happy, in fact I was totally miserable. I had reached the end of my tether with everything and I felt hopeless. I often wonder how I let it get that far, but I guess these things happen. Just under six years earlier… I was going into my second year of studying Law at university. During my first year I spent more money that I actually had… like most students! Not only had a reached my overdraft limit I had spent the whole of my student loan for that year too (on clothes I might add!). So when an opportunity came about to start a business I was more than interested. The business was mobile phone unlocking – at the time I didn’t even know what mobile unlocking was! I had no real clue about business either, but I had nothing to lose, so I came up with a name and got started. I decided to call it “Easy Mobile Unlock”. I bought the domain and put a terrible website together myself and set up an adwords

account. You may be wondering how I did all that with zero knowledge of the internet… I asked as many people as I could, who were far more clued up than I was. It worked, because I managed to fumble my way through. So, I had a service to sell, a website, a Google Adwords account and a credit card. I was ready to go… I started with a £30 spending limit on my adwords account and I tested different adverts and played around with my website (a lot). It wasn’t long before I really got in the swing of things – all of a sudden I’d gone from clueless to clued up in a short space of time. All of it was down to learning as much as I could and then applying what I’d learnt. I remember sometimes it would literally hurt my head to comprehend something for the first time – you know that feeling when you just haven’t got a clue what you’re doing? As the months of my second year at university passed by my business was becoming more and more profitable. It was a bit of a challenge trying to study and develop my business and keep on top of customer support – although I do believe that the busier you are the more you get done. Second year drew to a close and boy was I in a different financial position to what I had been

the year before! It was exciting and I really got the bug for learning. During my second year summer my law degree came in handy… I received a letter one day from a massive law firm telling me that I was “passing off ” as Easy Group and that I had to give them my domain name immediately and stop trading as Easy Mobile Unlock. I couldn’t believe it! Had they not looked at my website?? It was awful and there was no way in a million years that people would accidently think that it was anything to do with Easy Group! I thought it was laughable, unfortunately other businesses with the same problem didn’t. Companies with the prefix “easy” were being dissolved left, right and centre. I was horrified. So, I headed to a bookshop and bought a massive book on intellectual property rights. It was the only book I could find which had any information on passing off in it! After a little bit of research I was convinced that I was not passing off, so I learnt how to send a legal letter and gave them a professional piece of my mind! After several letters and a few phone calls I was delighted when they dropped it. It felt good to be a second year law

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Carrie Feature

student who had defended herself against one of the largest law firms. During my third year… I decided to go to night school to learn more about web development. I had realised how powerful the internet was and I wanted to know more. I also wanted to get a good degree, so I recorded all my lectures on a Dictaphone and typed them up (which took me hours), so when I came to revise I would have good notes. Third year went by quickly and I graduated with a 2.1 in law and a business which was turning over £30,000 a month. It felt good. Now came the question of “what shall I do now?” I had a decision to make: 1. I could do the Law Practitioners Course and become a lawyer; 2. I could keep building the business; 3. I could try and do both?! So, I applied for the LPC and carried on building the business, but eventually realised that Law wasn’t for me. By this point I’d brought on board a business partner to help me grow it. We got a new supplier in America, so we could unlock practically every single phone in lots of countries. Then we focused on marketing. We went all out on our SEO, so that we would be number one on the organic search. We outsources the adwords management to a company that were experts at it and we developed the website. It was around this time that social media was taking off, so I put a blog together, set up a YouTube account, a Twitter account, a Facebook Fanpage and got friendly with customers. We also developed an affiliate programme, corporate bulk unlocking and a referral strategy. Things really took off... We were receiving 100,000 hits to the site every month and we were selling thousands of codes every month… support was a challenge.

So, I had a look on Elance and posted a job for someone to look after our customer support. I interviewed lots of different companies and then we settled on one. We built an entire support system, so we could keep our customers happy. The key for us was to systemise everything, so it ran like clockwork. That way the business could run without my business partner and myself. Making money whilst you sleep, party and holiday is fun… but what happens when you’re not doing any of those things? This is when the problems started. I was 23, I had a successful business that ran itself, so I had all the time in the world to do whatever I wanted… which was?? I had no idea. All my friends had jobs, I rarely met new people, because I worked from home… so I became really lonely and bored. I would constantly ask myself, “what do you want to do?”, “what do you like doing”. One day I decided to volunteer at an animal rescue sanctuary! Let me tell you now… it’s not the best place to meet new people!! So, after that I decided to become a business mentor with the Prince’s Trust, which I loved, but it wasn’t a great way of meeting people either. In February of 2010 I decided I needed to do something drastic, so I went to meet my friend in Australia. 3 months of meeting new people, having a good time and not worrying about what I was going to do. It was brilliant… and then I had to come home. All my problems were still there when I got back… It almost felt worse, because I had hoped so much that I’d have an epiphany whilst in Australia. I didn’t. Months passed by and I felt so lost. I felt so defeated and confused. I decided that the best thing for me would be to get a job.

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The Voyage Exotique collection takes full-figured fashionistas on a magical journey IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel’s latest collection Voyage Exotique is a delightful summer escape inspired by some of the world’s most captivating and exciting regions including Japan, Africa, The Tropics, and the Mediterranean jewel, Ibiza. Headquartered in San Francisco, Ca, IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel was founded in 2000 with a mission to transform the world’s view of beauty by providing full-figured women with fashion-forward, quality, and well-fitting clothes that would help express their beauty. Voyage Exotique includes dresses and separates ruched and draped in signature Yuliya Raquel style that carry the season’s most sought after trends. Maxis and cocktail dresses in daring and vivacious floral, animal, and color-blocked prints, and lace; and business and casual separates in breathable, soft linen are just some of the highlights of the collection.

igigi.com

“Summer is the most exciting time of the year to escape to exotic, fun, and historical places for vacation, and I wanted to have our fashionista channel a world traveler going across the globe visiting different popular destinations perfectly dressed for each climate and occasion. I concen-

igigi.com

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trated on pieces which are both bold and beautiful as well as easy to pack and wear for an effortless and chic style.” said Yuliya Raquel, IGIGI Founder, Head Designer, and Creative Director. Collections are designed in-house and produced locally through independent San Francisco Bay Area contractors. IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel has been a favorite among celebrities such as Nikki Blonsky, Kim Coles, KayCee Stroh, Jill Scott, Kelly Price, Ashley Fink, Martha Wash, and Gabourey Sidibe. IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel collections are available online at www.igigi.com and select boutiques worldwide. IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel was honored with the Best Plus Fashion Retailer of the Year award (Full Figured Fashion Week, June, 2010), and made Internet Retailer's Top Hot 100 list (December, 2010), and received About.com Critics’ Choice Best Plus Designer Award (March, 2011).


Carrie Feature

New Year arrived and things looked gloomy. I felt overwhelmed with negative emotions – I was really dragging myself down and I didn’t know how to stop it. Then one day it hit me… I don’t know how it happened, but I realised that I had to live every day and be happy and stop worrying about the future. I decided to take control of the situation and stop being miserable. That day in February… Is when I decided that I was going to start a project to find like-minded women who had been or were in a similar situation to me. I thought that it’d help inspire me and it would be fun. The adventure of the Female Entrepreneur Association began… I put a website together and started looking for female entrepreneurs who wanted to share their stories, their experiences, their challenges and achievements. It wasn’t long before I received the first story. As I read through it a big smile crept over my face – she was a similar age to me and had just launched an online business and reading about how she’d done it really inspired me. It wasn’t long before more stories started pouring in and I loved reading them! I felt so encouraged by all these amazing women from all over the world who were really going for it and determined to make it happen - it really fired me up! The stories also made me realise that we all face challenges and tough times, but what counts is how we handle those adversities. How we choose to respond to the situations we find ourselves in – that’s what counts, that’s what shapes our future. When I was on the brink of giving up these women reminded me that I could do it, because if they can do it then I can too. I’ve published stories from girls in their teens to women in their sixties; from student entrepreneurs to mumpreneurs; from women who have been made redundant to women who quit their job, from women who are super fit to women with illnesses and disabilities. These women come from all over the world, from the UK to Australia to Nigeria and the USA – I could go on. Despite the cultural differences, the personal differences, the differences in the

type of businesses they run they all have some very special things in common: They believe in themselves and their ideas, so much so that despite the fears and the risks they have jumped off the edge and have gone for it! Throughout the challenges, the setbacks and the mistakes they keep going. They know what they want and I bet you that they’ll make it happen. Now more than ever before I believe that pretty much anything is possible. I also believe that your attitude is the single biggest asset or liability you have. Before I started FEA I was focusing on being and feeling miserable – so I was totally miserable all the time. Then on Saturday 19th February 2011 I changed my attitude. I decided from that day forward I was going to focus on being and feeling happy. If I did something that made me feel miserable I stopped doing it. My life totally changed. In 18 months I have built a community with over 13,000 incredible women involved, who inspire people from all over the world. I have written a book, in which over 50 women from around the world have contribute little snippets of advice and inspiration and I have launched a free, monthly digital magazine with the aim of helping to inspire more women from all over the world. When you believe that you can do something, it becomes possible. I think Goethe was right when he said... “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” I have loved every second of this adventure and I aim to keep doing all that I can do to put inspiring women in the spotlight.

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Summer Escapes TOP 5 HOTTEST

Celebrate your uniqueness by putting yourself at the top of your to-do-list and book that dream guided vacation, European River Cruise or African Safari you have been longing to experience! Amalfi Coast Discovery There’s nothing in the world like the Amalfi Coast, the rugged mountains edging Italy’s western coast from Sorrento to Salerno. The illustrious Italian Riviera awaits you, including Positano and Capri, plus cooking demonstrations and wine tasting. Travel from Rome, marveling at miles of hairpin turns, spectacular vistas, cliffs plunging into clear seas and charming fishing villages set along picturesque harbors. With a full-day speedboat excursion to Capri and spreads of traditional Neapolitan foods, you’ll experience the best of Bella Italia! The Amalfi Coast remains the number one destination for women so make certain you experience it. European River Cruise Very popular for women this summer is to experience river cruising. Women can explore Old

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World cities like Budapest and Vienna on a Danube itinerary, or stroll the cobblestone streets of riverside towns along the Rhine. Sample Riesling wines on a Mosel itinerary in Germany, or cruise the Douro through Portugal, the birthplace of port wine. History buffs can visit the landing sites of the D-Day invasion on Normandy's Omaha Beach, and art enthusiasts might survey the Louvre in Paris. Between each exciting stop, you'll cruise in maximum comfort past scenic castles, towns and landscapes. Alaska Adventure The Gutsy Women’s Alaska Adventure is the perfect trip to enjoy a great time with friends or even if you’re traveling on your own! Relax in your comfortable reclining seat on the Alaskan Railways as

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TOP 5 HOTTEST SummerEscapes

onboard experts discuss the spectacular landscapes. You will be able to board a paddlewheel riverboat on a journey to a re-created Athabascan village where you can meet with native Alaskans! Take an optional morning rafting trip or a guided hike; then immerse yourself in the untouched wilderness of Denali as your guide helps you spot local wildlife such as moose, bear and caribou. Jambo Kenya Safari Call of the Wild… Women! Have you only dreamed of visiting Africa? Gutsy Women Travel make dreams a reality with customized itineraries to scenic Kenya and stunning South Africa.

Transportation will be in a chauffeur driven minivan with a pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography. Services of an English speaking driver-guide, game viewing drives and parks entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary. Refresh with complimentary mineral water per person per game drive in. All meet and greet services, arrival and departure transfers, number and meals as indicated in the itinerary. Two-way long range high frequency radio communication in each vehicle is offered.

Shamrocks of Ireland Ireland is the perfect summertime vacation! Enjoy Small groups with a professional Gutsy Women Travel Director as you visit Dublin Castle and Trinity College to view the 8th Century Book of Kells. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre and learn about the fateful Titanic and experience a delicious "Gutsy Encounters" dinner on a farm in Killarney. See the natural beauty of Ireland on a coastal walk with delicious local food and the scenic beauty of Killarney and the Dingle Peninsula. Experience the 'craic' at a "Singing Pub" in Galway and finally enjoy an overnight stay and elegant dinner at the stately 'Ashford Castle'.

Gutsy Women Travel is the leading travel provider for vacation experiences designed exclusively for women and their unique interests. Remember their motto, It’s Your Life…Live IT! Visit www.gutsywomentravel.com or email for further info at info@gutsywomentravel.com.

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Animated sketchbook video illustrates financing challenges for women-owned firms

Lesa Mithcell

omen face greater challenges than men in getting financing for their companies, which is one of the reasons why this untapped population is not scaling businesses. The underlying causes for those challenges are spelled out in the latest Kauffman Foundation sketchbook video narrated by Alicia Robb, a Kauffman senior research fellow and one of the authors of A Rising Tide, a new book that delves into the topic of financing strategies of women-owned firms.

W

calls for finding ways to get more women into the networks that will open doors to capital. “The data highlighted in this video tell the back story about what’s limiting women from building scalable firms,” said Lesa Mitchell, Kauffman vice president of Innovation and Networks. “We are at this Summit to write the future narrative for how to encourage women to overcome the barriers to high-growth markets. Our nation’s economic growth depends on it. That’s why we are calling this the Decade of the Woman Entrepreneur.”

“You hear a lot about the number of womenowned businesses growing faster than firms overall, but that’s really just a reflection of the lower base,” Robb says in the video. “If you look at revenues or employment or payroll, [womenowned firms] are not growing faster than maleowned businesses; they are actually growing slower.”

Launched in 2009, the We Own It Summit is an alliance of more than 70 organizations from around the globe committed to increasing women's participation in high-growth entrepreneurship. The group’s goals for the next decade are to:

The video debuted at the We Own It Summit in New York before some 200 entrepreneurs, investors, academics, government and media representatives, and non-profit and industry leaders who gathered to create a roadmap for increasing women’s participation in highgrowth entrepreneurship. In the video, Robb

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• Increase the number of women high-growth entrepreneurs; • Increase likelihood of success of business at the growth stage; • Increase the number of women investors; and • Increase the number of women on boards. For more information, visit www.kauffman.org.


Help inspire girls to celebrate everyday victories (ARA) - Every two years, girls all over the world are captivated by the achievements of female athletes competing in the Olympic Games. Their successes inspire girls to try new things or pursue achievements they may not have thought possible. While not everyone wants to be an Olympic athlete, every girl should be encouraged to go for the gold when it comes to her goals and dreams. Five-time Olympic medalist Veronica CampbellBrown didn't let anything stop her from pursuing her dream to compete in the Olympic Games. Through hard work, perseverance and dedication, she became the second woman in history to win two consecutive 200-meter track and field events at the Games. But she also knows she couldn't have done it on her own. She credits her support

team - family members, coaches and trainers - for inspiring her every day to achieve small victories, which led to her greatest achievements. In the spirit of the Olympic Games, CampbellBrown has partnered with Always(R), the leader in feminine care, to support the Always "Baton Connection" Facebook program, which celebrates the inspirational support system important in anyone's life. On Facebook, Always fans can "Pass the Baton" to show their appreciation to those who inspire them. With this passing of a baton, the hope is recipients are inspired to do the same. "I'm lucky to have strong female role models in

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Love In The

Workplace

Work place romances are frowned upon – things could get messy. But here are some well-known couples who met at work and, well, it worked.

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love in the workplace

President Barack and Michelle Obama Barack Obama met Michelle Robinson, in June 1989 when he worked as a summer associate at a Chicago law firm. Michelle was his advisor.

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw These country crooners first met while performing in Nashville at the New Faces Show. After performing together again at an outdoor festival, the two embarked on a tour four months later and the rest is history.

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love in the workplace

Bill and Melinda Gates Melinda Gates excelled at Microsoft, advancing throughout the ranks. She and Bill shared a table at a trade-fair dinner and months later he asked her out.

Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf The paths of these two aces crisscrossed over the years but they finally officially met in 1999 when they both won their single Wimbledon titles. In 2001, they took on new titles – husband and wife.

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love in the workplace

Nicole Parker and Boris Kodjoe Actor Boris Kodjoe met his leading lady Nicole Parker on the set of Showtime’s Soul Food. She said they connected from the first rehearsal.

Maury Povich and Connie Chung In the case of matrimony ‌ Maury, you are the husband! Talk show host Maury Povich has been married to long-time journalist Connie Chung for nearly 30 years. The duo met while Maury was working in the news department at WTTG-TV in Washington.

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Almond Crusted Pork with Mango Relish

Smoky Creamsicle Float

TASTE OF RECIPES TO THESE & MORE DECADENT, DELICIOUS DINNERS & DRINKS STARTS ON PG 48

Simple Singapore Sling


Remain fashion forward by “Shaping” your wardrobe The stifling heat and sticky humidity of summer has always meant barely-there clothing from designers so we’re all inclined to wear a little less; however, that does not give us license to become one of the half-dressed fat-roll-protruding People of Wal-Mart. The lesson: dress for your body’s shape – apple, banana, hourglass or pear – to accentuate your assets as opposed to drawing attention to your blemishes.

Oprah

The apple shape is classified as a wellendowed bust, an undefined waist and a flat rear end. These women are usually on the shorter side so using heels to elongate the legs will assist the wearer in providing an illusion of length and leanness, as well as a curvier buttocks. If you’d rather not draw attention to your rear, the best way to dress for this shape is to use a monochromatic color palette, a belt to emphasize the waistline and a lean pant or skirt. Please note: color blocking – applying color theory to “block off” sections of the body’s form – is not your friend as it will overexpose your bust and other well-endowed features; rather, the use of one fluid shade to elongate your lady lumps is your best bet. The classification of “banana” can be deceiving as those who fall into this category are not arced like the fruit at your local grocery store. This shape is actually quite angular – your shoulders, waist and hips are the same measurements –

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Keira Knightley

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everyday victories

Campbell-Brown my life who have always encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming an Olympic athlete," says Campbell-Brown, who is a hopeful to compete in her fourth Olympic Games this July. "Whether it was a small victory or making it to the world stage at the Olympic Games, these women, like my mom, helped me reach my full potential and I can't thank them enough." Campbell-Brown hopes to continue to inspire girls and offers the following tips to help them achieve their dreams like she did: Make a plan. Write down goals and brainstorm some smaller steps that will help achieve them. Don't forget to celebrate the daily victories that happen on the road to the larger ones. Practice. Practice can help you learn, adapt and improve. Anything new may be difficult at first, so be patient. It will get easier. Track your progress. Every now and then, take the time to assess your progress. How far have you come? How far do you have to go? What could you change to be better tomorrow? Take the time to reflect, readjust your plan, and keep moving forward. Find a mentor. Coaches, mentors, teachers and trainers all exist for a reason - we need help achiev-

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ing our goals. Find someone that you trust and who can give you guidance in achieving your goals and steering you along the right course. We all need a little inspiration sometimes, and your mentor can help to give you the push you need. "Pass the Baton." We all have women in our lives who have inspired us at one point or another. Whether it is a mother, a sister, a friend or a teacher, take a moment to say thank you and "Pass the Baton" to thank the women who have helped you along the way. To "Pass the Baton" to an inspiring woman, visit and "Like" www.facebook.com/always and "Pass the Baton" to a woman who was a source of help, support or inspiration. If that woman is on Facebook, a notification will pop up to alert her that she has received an Always Baton. The Always Baton Connection Program is only available in the U.S. for girls and women 18 years of age and older and for girls and women 19 years of age and older in Canada. Whether it's running a marathon or even a goal to get up earlier in the morning, we all can aspire to achieve our goals and dreams. No one has to do it alone, and we all have someone in our lives who has inspired us. In the spirit of the Olympic Games, take a moment to recognize the people who believe in and support you.


shapes and sizes... and you happen to be flat all over. A woman’s greatest assets in this category are her long legs and her flat stomach because it gives her the ability to wear pants that sit below her hips, which provide the illusion of curvature. The bottom line is that if you’re a banana shaped female, you’ve got to wear a padded bra, horizontal and bright patterns, wrap dresses, large necklaces and belts to create those feminine curves that others take for granted.

Salma Hayek

If you’re an hourglass, you’ve got the bust, the booty and a smaller waistline in between; therefore you’re the envy of all other shapes. When picking out attire, you should focus on drawing attention to your waistline because genetics have given you the natural ability to accentuate your bust and rear end. You can do this by using more clingy fabrics or by wearing a printed top with a solid-colored bottom (or vice versa) with a belt in the middle. The most important thing to remember is that ill-fitting items can work against you, making you appear wider as opposed to curvier.

Those who are pear shaped have more going on toward the bottom half of their bodies than the top and because of this disproportionate ratio of bust to buttocks, you’ve got to downplay your butt and kick up the tempo up top. You can accomplish this by wearing dark colored, form-fitting pants or a pencil skirt accompanied by a bright or print top. Accessories such as necklaces or a V-neck top can also draw attention away from your lower extremities. Please note: these tips are not meant to discredit one half of your body, rather to downplay the emphasis on your buttocks and legs and give your top half some time in the spotlight. So remember ladies, less is not always more when it comes to summer fashion. Sometimes less is just an ill-fitting outfit that’s overexposing all the wrong features of your particular body type. You’ve got to play to your strengths and know that all outfits are not created equal for all bodies.

The Stiletto Statement Katelyn Gendron is a native of New York, who is currently living and working as a newspaper editor in Western Massachusetts. She is a collegetrained journalist and world traveler, who has documented her journeys for various publications spanning five of the seven continents (she plans to visit the remaining two during her lifetime). Her motto: “Life’s a ball. Let’s play!”

Jennifer Lopez

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Quick fat loss tips to kick start the summer


3TIPS Fitness expert and Portland personal trainer, Kisar Dhillon, has a few tips that can be used to shed more fat off the body in order to stay fit in those swim suits and bikinis all summer long.

Fat Blasting Tip No. 1 Make sure when doing cardiorespiratory exercise that the heart rate and intensity is high enough that watching television or reading a book is very challenging. Use the talk test, if the ability to speak a few words to get the point across is understood, then the right intensity is probably achieved. If no words can be spoken, then the intensity is too hard, but if a full conversation is being done during the exercise, then the intensity is too easy.

Fat Blasting Tip No. 2 When doing resistance training, incorporate some high intensity interval training (HIIT). A lot of these types of routines can be done without external resistance and solely body weight. This is a great way to utilize those fast twitch muscles fibers in conjunction with expending a lot of calories within in a small duration. Furthermore, when working with a personal trainer, they will make sure the person doing this type of training has a good fitness base level. This is so important because having a good fitness base will require proper technique and biomechanics so injury is minimized when doing this type of high intense exercise.

Fat Blasting Tip No. 3 When yearning for that lean, ripped, six pack look, make sure the food that is being ingested is healthy. Leaning out and wanting to look shredded requires a person to eat cleaner or healthier than someone who is just working out for better health and wellness. The food diet plays a critical role in achieving this look, so work with a Portland personal trainer and a registered dietician to get an exact food and fitness plan. Lastly, make sure fiber intake is adequate enough to make sure the entire digestive tract is working at its most efficient level. When fiber intake is neglected, that is when the bloating look appears and it is not good for the body if waste removal is not at its most optimal level. These three quick fat blasting tips are perfect for anyone who is looking to stay lean, trim and looking good for the summer months. Remember, just because it is summer does not give people an excuse just to look awesome for summer. Maintaining a great physique, excellent health and wellness and a consistent fitness routine should be a priority all year long. We all know that in the winter months, it rains and snows in a lot of areas in the United States, especially in Portland, Oregon. If this is something that challenges the motivation component, then maybe consult a local fitness expert or Portland Oregon personal trainer to overcome that obstacle.

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TASTE OF

Summer Uncooked Tomato Sauce This recipe is best in the summer when you have tomatoes and basil from your own garden. Makes 2 ½ cups 3 medium-size tomatoes, coarsely chopped 1 cup finely chopped fresh basil 2 cloves garlic, peeled 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper ½ cup olive oil Pasta Parmesan cheese

Submitted by Maria DeAngelis, Massachusetts

1. Chop tomatoes and basil together on a wooden board until very finely mixed. 2. Stir in garlic cloves, salt and pepper; pour oil over in a layer. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; allow to stand at room temperature for 1 hour. 3. Remove garlic; stir in the layer of oil until well blended. 4. Serve over one pound hot, cooked and drained pasta. Sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan.

THREE-NUT BASIL PESTO PASTA PASTA 4 medium zucchini, spiralized cherry tomatoes, quartered or whole 6 asparagus stalks, thinly sliced on an angle ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro Use a spiral slicer to cut the zucchini into long strips and put in a serving bowl. Add the other ingredients to the bowl.

Lisa shared this recipe from her book: Raw Inspiration: Living Dynamically with Raw Food

PESTO 2 cups raw pine nuts ½ cup raw cashews ½ cup raw macadamia nuts 4 garlic cloves, minced 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 4 teaspoons Himalayan salt 1 cup basil, freshly chopped In a food processor, combine all the pesto ingredients and process until smooth and sauce-like. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and toss well.

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TASTE OF

Summer

Party-Perfect Plates Recipes for easy entertaining (Family Features) Warm-weather entertaining calls for light, refreshing recipes full of flavor. These delectable dishes pair mangos and California Almonds for a main course, side dish and dessert that will have your dinner guests clamoring for more. The naturally sweet, refreshing taste of mango makes every dish special, and mangos serve up more than 20 different vitamins and minerals. Their exotic but versatile flavor and year-round availability make them a go-to ingredient for any kind of entertaining. California Almonds in all their forms provide a delicious depth of flavor and crunch that complement any dish. Whether whole, sliced, slivered, or as almond milk or butter, almonds add a sudden sophistication and tempting appeal to a wide variety of cuisines.

Almond Crusted Pork with Mango Relish Makes 6 servings Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes MANGO RELISH: 2 large, ripe mangos, peeled, pitted and diced 1/4 cup minced red onion 1/4 cup minced red bell pepper 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste ALMOND CRUSTED PORK: 3/4 cup chopped, toasted almonds, divided 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 2 pounds pork tenderloin 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste For relish, stir together mangos, onion, bell pepper, vinegar, mint, and salt and pepper in a medium bowl; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. To prepare pork on grill: Finely chop 1/2 cup almonds and stir in brown sugar and seasonings. Brush pork with oil then season with salt and pepper; roll in almond mixture, pressing into the surface. Transfer to a piece of heavy-duty foil and press any remaining nuts onto the top. Grill over medium heat, turning occasionally to brown each side, for 35 to 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 160째F on a meat thermometer. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing. To prepare pork in oven: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450째F. For the pork, finely chop 1/2 cup almonds. Stir in brown sugar and seasonings; transfer almond mixture to baking sheet. Brush pork with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil then season with salt and pepper; roll in almond mixture, pressing into the surface. Lightly spray pork with olive oil spray. Cook pork on foil-lined baking sheet until exterior is golden brown and meat reaches 160째F, 35 to 40 minutes, turning pork halfway through cooking. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing. To assemble, top sliced pork with mango relish and toasted almonds.

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TASTE OF

Summer Mango and Almond Custard Makes 6 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Chill time: minimum 3 hours 3/4 3 1/8 3 4 2 2 3/4 2 1/4 1/2

cup sugar tablespoons cornstarch teaspoon salt cups half-and-half large egg yolks teaspoons vanilla extract ripe mangos, peeled, pitted and diced; divided cup whipping cream tablespoons powdered sugar teaspoon cinnamon cup slivered, toasted almonds

In medium saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Whisk in half-and-half and egg yolks. Over medium-high heat, bring mixture to a simmer, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Pour custard through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl. Stir in vanilla extract. Cover with plastic wrap, placing plastic wrap directly on surface of custard. Refrigerate, until cooled and set, at least 3 hours. Meanwhile, puree 1/2 of the diced mango in blender or food processor until smooth, stir into cooled custard. Set aside remaining diced mango. In another medium bowl, beat cream, powdered sugar and cinnamon until stiff peaks form. Spoon custard into 6 dessert cups and top with whipped cream, then sprinkle equal amounts of almonds and the reserved diced mango.

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TASTE OF

Summer

Almond and Mango Couscous Salad Makes 6 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: about 15 minutes Chill time: at least 1 hour VINAIGRETTE: 3 1/4 1/2 1/8 2 1/4

tablespoons rice vinegar cup extra virgin olive oil teaspoon salt teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes cloves garlic, chopped cup chopped fresh cilantro

COUSCOUS SALAD: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 3/4 cups pearl (Israeli) couscous 2 cups water 1 mango, peeled, pitted and diced 1/2 cup sliced green onions 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper 1/2 cup golden raisins 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese For vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, oil, salt, crushed red pepper and garlic until combined. Stir in cilantro and cover and refrigerate until ready to use. For salad: In a medium saucepan cook couscous for 1 minute in oil over medium-low heat to lightly toast, stirring frequently. Add water and reduce heat to low, and simmer covered for 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly. To assemble, transfer couscous to a large bowl and stir in dressing, mango, green onions, bell pepper and raisins; cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Just before serving sprinkle with almonds and feta.

Appetizing Almonds Try toasting almonds to intensify their buttery flavor and classic crunch. • Toast a handful of whole, sliced or slivered almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned and fragrant, 2 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Roast larger portions on a sheet pan in a 350°F oven for 12 to 15 minutes (9 to 11 for slivered or chopped). • Sprinkle toasted almonds over salads, pastas, vegetables and desserts to add a sudden sophistication to the dish. For more recipes and serving ideas, visit www.almondboard.com. Mmmm Mangos Highlight the exotic flavor of mangos with these tasty ideas: • When cooking with ripe mangos, try some of these complementary flavors: lime juice, chili powder, garam masala, macadamia nuts, raisins and coconut. • Grill mangos and serve with a spicy rum glaze alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For info on how to select and cut a mango, visit www.mango.org.

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TASTE OF

Summer BBQ Sauce Servings:1 small jar Ingredients: 1 cup ketchup or catsup ½ cup soya sauce 2 minced cloves of garlic (or powder) ¼ cup brown sugar Instructions: Simply mix it all together and use on your BBQ!

Like 1000 Island Dressing

Homemade

Servings: 1 small jar Ingredients: 1 cup of mayonnaise (bought or homemade) 1/3 cup of Ketchup (bought or homemade) ½ cup pickles (sweet pickles...I use my bread n butter pickles) Instructions: Mix and process in food processor/blender. Ready to serve.

Vinaigrette or Lemon Dressing You can mix and match with this one. The main concept is to keep your vinegar/lemon juice in portion to your oil. (½ cup of lemon juice to 1 cup of oil) Tracey shared these recipes from her Book “The Sustainable Table”

Servings: 1 small jar Ingredients: ½ cup balsamic vinegar or lemon juice 1 cup oil 1 tsp salt Cloves of garlic minced (optional) Instructions: Mix and serve.

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TASTE OF

Summer

Impress Your Guests ...by offering a restaurant-quality cocktail. Lioness has rounded up some of the best, delicious cocktail recipes offered by foodnetwork.com. Which will you use for your summertime get together?

Pomegranate Cosmos Ingredients • 2 cups (16 ounces) good vodka (recommended: Stolichnaya or Finlandia) • 1 cup (8 ounces) orange liqueur (recommended: Cointreau) • 1 cup (8 ounces) pomegranate juice (recommended: Pom Wonderful) • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (3 limes) • Lime peel strips, to garnish Directions Combine the vodka, orange liqueur, pomegranate juice, and lime juice in a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to use. Pour the mixture into frozen martini glasses with a twist of lime peel and serve immediately.

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TASTE OF

Summer Smoky Creamsicle Float Directions Scoop some vanilla ice cream into a glass; add 1 ounce mezcal and 6 ounces orange soda.

Simple Singapore Sling Directions Shake 2 shots of pineapple juice, a generous shot of gin and a squeeze of lime juice in a shaker with ice, then strain into an ice-filled glass. Add a splash of seltzer and a spoonful of grenadine; garnish with a lime wedge and a cherry.

Frozen Mojito Ingredients • 1/4 cup simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water boiled together until sugar melts) • 2 limes, juiced • 12 fresh mint leaves, plus mint sprigs for garnish • 4 ounces white rum • 2 cups crushed ice Directions Combine simple syrup, lime juice and mint leaves in a blender and blend until combined. Add the rum and crushed ice and blend until frothy. Pour into 2 rocks glasses and garnish with mint sprigs.

Orange Cream Mimosa Ingredients • 2 1/2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice (5 to 6 oranges) • 1 orange, zested • 1 cup half-and-half • 1 cup superfine sugar • 1 bottle sparkling wine or Champagne* • Strawberries, for garnish • *Non-alcoholic sparkling wine, sparkling cider, or ginger ale can be substituted Directions Put orange juice, zest, half-and-half, and sugar into a blender and process until the sugar has dissolved, about 30 seconds. Pour this mixture into a shallow pan and freeze until hard, 4 hours or overnight. Remove the frozen orange mixture from the freezer and let it sit to soften slightly, about 10 minutes. With a scoop or tablespoon, scrape out a small scoop and put it into a Champagne glass. Slowly fill the glass with Champagne and serve garnished with strawberries.

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What can I do to improve my credit score? Credit scoring models are complex and often vary among creditors and for different types of credit. If one factor changes, your score may change -- but improvement generally depends on how that factor relates to other factors considered by the model. Only the creditor can explain what might improve your score under the particular model used to evaluate your credit application. Nevertheless, scoring models generally evaluate the following types of information in your credit report:

• Have you paid your bills on time? Payment history typically is a significant factor. It is likely that your score will be affected negatively if you have paid bills late, had an account referred to collections, or declared bankruptcy, if that history is reflected on your credit report.

many new accounts recently, that may negatively affect your score. However, not all inquiries are counted. Inquiries by creditors who are monitoring your account or looking at credit reports to make "prescreened" credit offers are not counted.

• What is your outstanding debt? Many scoring models evaluate the amount of debt you have compared to your credit limits. If the amount you owe is close to your credit limit, that is likely to have a negative effect on your score.

• How many and what types of credit accounts do you have? Although it is generally good to have established credit accounts, too many credit card accounts may have a negative effect on your score. In addition, many models consider the type of credit accounts you have. For example, under some scoring models, loans from finance companies may negatively affect your credit score.

• How long is your credit history? Generally, models consider the length of your credit track record. An insufficient credit history may have an effect on your score, but that can be offset by other factors, such as timely payments and low balances. • Have you applied for new credit recently? Many scoring models consider whether you have applied for credit recently by looking at "inquiries" on your credit report when you apply for credit. If you have applied for too

Scoring models may be based on more than just information in your credit report. For example, the model may consider information from your credit application as well: your job or occupation, length of employment, or whether you own a home. Courtesy of SBA

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THE BEST OF NIGHT LIFE AROUND THE

U.S.A.


Keep employees productive this summer

A

s a specialized employee benefit and property and casualty consulting firm and insurance provider, Better Business Planning, Inc. continually offers more than Illinois group health insurance solutions to the more than 700 clients it serves. It offers much needed risk management analysis. Employee productivity can have a huge impact on business risk in the summer time. That’s why the employee benefit consultants at Better Business Planning, Inc. have put together these top three ways to keep employees productive and happy this sum-

mer, in order to mitigate risk to Illinois employers: 1. Flexible Schedules In a recent survey conducted by OfficeTeam, 41% of the employees polled chose flexible schedules as the most coveted summer benefit. Offering a flexible summer work schedule could minimize distractions, especially for working parents with children out of school for the summer. 2. Early Leave on Fridays 28% of survey respondents said leaving early on Fridays was the best summer benefit perk. As summer is a time when many employ-

ees daydream about being elsewhere and enjoying the nice weather, early leave time on Fridays could encourage employees to work harder the rest of the week so they can enjoy more time with their families on Friday afternoons. 3. Company potlucks and picnics 11% of employees who took the survey said company activities such as a picnic would be their most desirable summer benefit. Company events are a good way to encourage bonding and solidarity among employees. It can also encourage emotional engagement, which is known to increase productivity.

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THE BEST OF NIGHT LIFE AROUND THE

U.S.A.

FLUXX nightclub

CALIFORNIA FLUXX nightclub, which has been recognized as one of the top nightclubs by Nightclub & Bar for the past two years, is definitely the summer hotspot in San Diego. True to its name, FLUXX nightclub’s mood and motif will be kept in a constant state of change, intriguing guests with regular shifts in theme and style designed to create a unique experience and new discovery with every visit. FLUXX’s modern, organic design oozes sex appeal without taking itself too seriously. Playfulness is the order of business and FLUXX delivers with an arsenal of cool elements purposefully chosen to tap into the big kid in us all. Managed by industry veterans, RMD Group and designed by awardwinning hospitality and nightlife designer, Davis Krumins of Davis Ink, the multi-million dollar, 11,000 square-foot venue is the definition of nightlife, re-imagined. Side Bar ultra-lounge

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Side Bar ultra-lounge, located in the Gaslamp District of San Diego, was first to bring luxury nightlife and VIP entertainment to downtown San Diego, and has since become a hotspot for both after-work cocktails and partygoers alike. As a pioneer of San Diego nightlife, Side Bar has consistently reinvented the scene and has set a new standard in the nightlife realm as Southern California’s premier bar and lounge venue. For the ideal summer Sunday pool after party destination, Side Bar made a stamp in the nightlife industry with the launch of their summer FIVE/TEN Party. Known as an intermission between the parties that fall between the high noon pool gatherings and the late night club events, FIVE/TEN After Party first opened its doors on Memorial Weekend. To maintain their reputation as San Diego’s top summer Sunday after party bash, Side Bar boasts various elements ranging from bringing in a hot tub for bar-goers still in their swim suits to offering champagne spraying parties that include gifted Panchos and an endless supply of champagne bottles for purchase. From bikini-clad bartenders to VIP table service packages, beach chic club attire, and rotating DJs, Side Bar refined Sunday Intermission with FIVE/TEN and quickly became THE summer after party, fresh and continually full of surprises.


THE BEST OF NIGHT LIFE AROUND THE

U.S.A.

massachusetts

FLORIDA

Sculler’s Jazz Club, Since 1989, the legendary Scullers Jazz Club has presented the biggest names in straight ahead, Latin and Contemporary Jazz, as well as Blues, Soul, R & B, Cabaret and World Music.

Mokai, Featuring eye popping cherry-red sofas, black lacquered walls, lipstick-pink panels, and an "Alice in Wonderland" array of custom-designed chandeliers, Mokai features a Baccarat-inspired chandelier pit - a modern take on a traditional fireplace. Embracing modern New York sensibility and Miami joie de vivre, other eye candy elements featured in Mokai’s design include a collectors selection of art and fashion photography, and contemporary MOroccan lattice work. Mokai’s grand showcase bar is the focal point of this hotspot, featuring a dramatic backbar display for bottles and glassware, and adorned with ornate floral arrangements and greenery. Guests are invited to sip a variety of spirits and champagnes at the bar, or servers donning La Femme Nikita attire and Mad Max-inspired uniforms provide VIP table service.

Sculler’s Jazz Club Scullers Jazz Club has hosted some of the very best musical artists in the business including; Harry Connick Jr., Chris Botti, Jamie Cullam, David Sanborn, Michael Bublé, Arturo Sandoval, Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis and Dave Koz to name a few. Led by Jazz impresario Fred Taylor, the 200-seat Scullers Jazz Club has become a true Boston landmark. Offering spectacular views of the Boston skyline and the Charles River, Scullers serves as the perfect backdrop for World-Class Entertainment you won't see anywhere else in Boston.

The DJ booth reign’s supreme at Mokai, where hip hop, rock and house music formats are spun by a celebrated collection of top DJs nightly. Frequented by celebrities Cameron Diaz, Tom Cruise, Lenny Kravitz and Gisele Bundchen to name a few, have all let loose in Mokai’s festive setting.

Mokai

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