OCTOBER 2016
Rory Lee Inside-out beauty Pg.8
OCTOBER 2016
WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL an annual celebration of women filmmakers and films about women.
Mark your calendars for this year’s festival,
HAPPENING NOV. 3 – 6.
Learn more at womensfilmfest.com.
Putting a smile on your face Order through the website:
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OCTOBER 2016
CONTENTS 8
COVER STORY
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RORY LEE’S INSIDE-OUT BEAUTY
MARTI MUSES ABOUT SISTERHOOD
12 S.O.S COUNCIL: Sad Control
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BLIND AUDITIONS ENHANCE DIVERSITY TEAM SISTERHOOD
SISTERSPEAK Poetic Expressions
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MICHELLE HOLLINGER Publisher and Editorial Director CATHY CHARLES Senior Graphic Designer and Illustrator ALEXANDRA HARRIS Staff Photographer STEPHANIE HARRIS Contributing Writer
Copyright © 2016 HOLLINGER PUBLICATIONS Volume 1, Issue 3 THE SISTER HOOD
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Inner beauty OCTOBER 2016
PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE
We’re up to our third issue of The Sisterhood and we’re getting better with each edition. There are so many different aspects of sisterhood to explore and share with you - and each adds an important piece to the overall experience of being a woman.
Last month, I was the guest speaker for Sisters in Spirit (SIS), a group of fabulous women that meets regularly to hold sacred sisterhood space for each other while enjoying delicious food and lively fellowship. The energy in the room was thick with beauty, love and support – true sisterhood. (Thank you, Denise Lane, for the invitation, wonderful hospitality and an awesome afternoon!) I read from my book, The Sisterhood Exchange, and discussed the 7 Principles of The S.O.S. (see below). The interaction was awesome as I shared how activating your S.O.S. unleashes your inner splendor, also known as your inner beauty, and is absolutely imperative to living the life you’re here to live. It really is an inside-out process. Our beautiful cover subject, make-up artist extraordinaire Rory Lee has captured this truth in the non-profit work she does with young women – pretty cool when her profession is enhancing women’s external beauty through her expert application of make-up. Spend five minutes with Rory and you come away with an unmistakable feeling that she is fiercely dedicated to women, oozes sisterhood and her mission in life includes elevating both. As it relates to the elevation of women, many are blocked from lucrative employment in the tech industry due to hiring biases that steer their resumes to the rejection pile. Turns out, when human resources departments courageously participate in blind hiring processes - reviewing resumes without their identifying information like name and gender - women and
MICHELLE@SISTERHOODNEWSMAG.COM @MSMHOLLINGER
minorities stand a much better chance of landing an interview where they have the opportunity to sell themselves. Annie Ryan shines light on this promising practice. Light was flowing freely during my interview with Maruta (Marti) Mang, a banking dynamo in the corporate lending division of TotalBank. Check out this month’s Sisterhood in Action to read what Marti has to say about sisterhood, women and their relationship with money, and the power of women edifying each other; it’s what The Sisterhood is all about. This issue also includes another riveting chapter of The S.O.S. Council, my unfolding novel that might be finished quicker than I’d anticipated because the characters have begun to speak for themselves and the story is pouring out of me at a very rapid pace. Stay tuned! Whether you read each article or you zero in on your favorite feature, thank you for reading The Sisterhood! We’re learning, growing and making wonderful progress – thanks to you! Your participation in this process is vital to our success. You help us by reading, by subscribing and by sharing each issue with others. Starting next month, you’ll be able to hold The Sisterhood in your hands because in addition to our online version, the next issue will also be available in print! Pick up your free copy at beauty salons, doctors’ offices, spas, nail salons, etc. throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. I’d love to hear from you. Share your feedback, suggest story ideas, or let me know about sisters you’d like to see on our pages. Email me at michelle@sisterhoodnewsmag.com. Until next time, celebrate your inner beauty by shining it wherever you go!
Michelle
In sisterhood,
7 PRINCIPLES of an active S.O.S.
• All women have an S.O.S. that is either active or inactive.
imperative to maintaining an active S.O.S.
• The only way to activate your S.O.S. is to spend time in the silence, daily.
• An active S.O.S. points the way to inner splendor, which reveals life purpose.
• Self-forgiveness elevates an active S.O.S. • Paying attention to thoughts and words is 4
• Gratitude helps an active S.O.S. thrive.
• An active S.O.S. impacts a woman’s sisterhood exchanges with other women
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OCTOBER 2016
The women of
Birth of a Nation By MICHELLE HOLLINGER To say watching The Birth of a Nation is an emotional experience is a huge understatement. From learning about young Nat Turner’s childhood, the love and anticipation for his future despite being born into slavery – to his defiant death, the movie about one of the nation’s most important figures elicits a range of emotion from the occasional laugh to justified anger and outright disgust.
Turner grew into his power and the women in Turner’s life were instrumental in him becoming the strong, confident man whose thinking transformed enough to risk his life in pursuit of freedom for himself, his family and his fellow slaves. His conversion from controlled religious puppet to a “by any means necessary,” willing-to-die-for-liberty man was fueled significantly by the strong women in his life; women whose strength
shone through despite slavery’s horrific circumstances. The relationship between Turner and his doting grandmother –played brilliantly with the tough tenderness present in many black matriarchs by Esther Scott – provided him the sacred space to evolve into his potential. Turner’s relationship with his wife, Cherry, awakened the already burgeoning determination brewing inside of him. Masterfully depicted by Aja
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Naomi King, her brutal rape and beating by white slave holders became the breaking point cementing Turner’s decision to turn the tables on white people into high drive. Although not related to Turner, the gang rape of Gabrielle Union’s character also served to convince Turner white people’s interpretation of the bible was flawed, fueling an expanding hunger for carrying out his own understanding of the word of God. The movie opens on Oct. 7th. Go see it. The timing for it is divine with the state of the nation’s racial affairs. Go see it, despite, or perhaps because of, how you feel regarding director Nate Parker’s 1999 arrest and acquittal of rape. There are striking parallels regarding consent and power, albeit under drastically different circumstances. Go see it because in addition to framing the birth of this nation’s tragic unbalanced racial dynamics between black and white people, The Birth of a Nation is also a powerful backdrop for the role black women play in the success of many black men. Go see it.
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OCTOBER 2016
SISTERHOOD IN ACTION Marti
muses about sisterhood By MICHELLE HOLLINGER Maruta ‘Marti’ Mang’s early life was horrific. After fleeing her home country of Latvia because it was being overrun with communists, she and her family ended up in slave labor camps in Germany. Packed in like sardines, sleeping on straw on beds in a very dirty environment with very little to eat was survivable because children, regardless of the circumstances, are able to live “in the here and now. It’s almost a blessing to be a child,” recalled Mang in a telephone interview. The senior vice president in the corporate lending division of TotalBank has a fascinating life story that is big on fortitude, self-worth, generosity and sisterhood. She doesn’t divulge her age, saying only that she’s “up there,” and has no plans to retire any time soon. “I can’t imagine staying home. Someday I will, but right now I feel like I’m energetic and I have a lot of stamina. I would not want to be quitting,” said Mang, who just returned from a two-week European cruise. She got into banking by knowing “the right people on the bowling team.” Starting out as a bank examiner, Mang’s career included becoming a partner at a firm where she ended up earning as much money as the man who initially hired her. “It was a little hard for my former boss to swallow that somebody he hired knowing nothing was now earning the same thing as him,” she said with a chuckle.
other we should be building each other up, consciously, go in there and amplify somebody. Women need to build each other.
”
Giving back is a part of who she is. Mang mentors younger employees, volunteers with CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), is involved in a prison ministry and helps college students prepare for a career in commercial real estate.
Bank since 1996, shared her thoughts on a variety of topics related to women.
Mang loves the idea of amplification – women verbally supporting each other’s ideas in meetings.
It’s extremely important. Instead of competing with each other we should be building each other up, consciously, go in there and amplify somebody. Women need to build each other.
“I have been in meetings where I have voiced a good idea and the men have been so male oriented they couldn’t even acknowledge that a woman had a worthwhile suggestion, so the next guy that would speak…and take your idea. No, Richard didn’t say that, I said it.” During our conversation, Mang, who has been with Total-
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“Instead of competing with each
On sisterhood:
On women and money: It’s important to understand finances and how they work; to overcome the fear. It’s just a matter of learning what everything is. We tend to shy away from math, from
THE SISTER HOOD
OCTOBER 2016
SISTERHOOD IN ACTION
Get your FREE subscription to THE
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understanding numbers, some of it is very sad. On conditioning girls for success:
Beginning in October, The Sisterhood will be available in a FREE print edition at several locations throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
We precondition our girls to think they’re not necessarily bound for math and science and we could precondition their thinking in a different direction - that you’re capable of learning anything you put your mind to.
You can have the FREE online version delivered via email each month by becoming a subscriber.
On goal setting: Be sure to identify the big rocks in your life. Put big rocks in your jar and there’s room for the sand. If you fill your jar up with sand, you won’t have room for the big rocks. On “middle-aged” women entering the workforce: Later on in life, I lost my job at Barnett when they were selling to Nations… and I had to strike out on my own. I was in my mid-50s. That was very scary to me. You have to get rid of all that noise in your head that no one was going to want to hire a woman in her mid-50s. On ‘Mondays with Marti’: When I became president of CREW, I decided I would have five people come to lunch with me to talk about (their) goals. What have been your greatest accomplishments? Where do you fit in our organization? I talked about those topics, provided a little bit of structure. Each meeting always took on its own personality. On taking responsibility for your life: Everyone needs to be responsible for your own life. Accept the responsibility because you are where you are because of the choices you made. You have the power to choose something different. Correct your path if you don’t like the path you’re on.
The Sisterhood is a South Florida publication like no other. Each month, it will deliver information, wisdom, insight and guidance with a singular purpose of motivating you to live your absolute best life. On its pages, you will not only read about tips and strategies for moving beyond fear, overcoming obstacles, becoming financially independent and living the life you were born to live – you will read about women who are who are doing all of that and more. We will regularly spotlight powerful characteristics in real life women because repetition is an extremely effective approach to empowerment. The more you read about women overcoming fear, the easier it becomes for you to do the same thing. The more you hear women talk about money, building wealth and how they took control of their financial life, the easier it is for you to embrace prosperity as your birthright. The more you see women checking dreams off their bucket list, the sooner you will check important dreams and goals from yours.
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OCTOBER 2016
Rory Lee
By MICHELLE HOLLINGER The multi-billion dollar cosmetics industry in recent years has become even more pervasive. With Youtube tutorials for amateurs to learn expert application and a preponderance of self-taught artists available for women to hire for all life’s milestones, make-up artist Rory Lee is a breath of fresh air. Her minimalist approach to make-up application centers on enhancing a woman’s natural beauty instead of the appearance-changing results of many artists. It’s an inside-out approach that radiates spirituality and affirms a woman’s inner beauty. She’s been at it for 22 years after essentially “stumbling” into the profession and sees clearly that her life is a blessing orchestrated by God. A retrospective glance confirms that each career change was instrumental in her becoming the successful, in-demand artist she is today. Each a necessary factor in the “tapestry of her life.” In addition to her work applying make-up for brides on their special day, Lee is a mainstay on many feature film and television show sets and has worked in the beauty pageant and music video industries. She built her popular product line a
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fe lip so ha av th Ro
W to ac of an fo de th Ba Ar
Be te op wh ce
“I’ te at br de m or si
e’s inside-out beaut y
ew years ago, beginning with a palette of p color, eye shadow and concealer that old out when she launched it. The line now as a wide array of high quality products, vailable at RoryLee.com. Lee’s vision is “for he brand to go global; for people to know ory Lee like they know Bobbi Brown.”
While she has to pinch herself on occasion o confirm that the dream life she lives is ctually real, the self-proclaimed citizen f the world obtains great joy from being n encourager of women as well as the ounder of a non-profit organization edicated to helping young girls discover heir inner beauty. She grew up in the ahamas and has lived in Switzerland, rgentina, Puerto Rico and California.
eing a professional, highly sought afer make-up artist has afforded her the pportunity to meet many, many women hose physical appearance and self-conept were at odds with each other.
’ve dealt with a lot of women, who exernally, the world may consider them ttractive, but inside they were hurt and roken. On the other hand,” she said, “I’ve ealt with women who may not be on a music video or on the cover of a magazine r billboard and the world may not conider them pretty and they have the most
OCTOBER 2016
beautiful spirit and the most beautiful heart and that just illuminated them with beauty.”
it just means in that season of your life you’ve learned what God had for you to learn.”
Her approach to sisterhood centers on helping women to succeed.
Rory’s thoughts on:
“I’m willing to share my knowledge and transfer my skills,” she shared. “A lot of women are not willing to share their secrets because they feel they’re in competition. There is no competition. You compete with yourself; you’re running your own race.” She wants women to know, regardless of their age, life is no dress rehearsal and there is merit to pursuing goals incrementally. “Everything I’ve done was a one step at a time process and I was not ready to do any of it. In order to live a life of faith you can’t keep…planting seeds of fear,” Lee said. “If you have a vision, or a dream or a desire to do something, you have to plant the seeds to make it happen. If not, ten years from now you’re going to still be wishing you had done something.” Besides, she said, every experience has its place. “Shifting a career doesn’t mean you failed,
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Gratitude An entire lifestyle and when you’re living a life of gratitude then it just opens up the world to you and it allows everything that is in that sphere to come in to bless you and for you to bless others. Courage Something that we have to live with on a daily basis because it is a muscle that needs to be exercised and when you exercise the muscle of courage it remains strong and it allows you the strength to succeed in all that you set out to do. Forgiveness The biggest gift and blessing that you can give to yourself. It allows you the open heart and freedom to receive all that God has for you. Forgiveness is not for the other person; forgiveness is for you even if that other person does not apologize because it allows you to live a life that is stress-free and strife-free.
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OCTOBER 2016
Sad Control
T he S.O.S Council An unfolding novel By MICHELLE HOLLINGER “Where you think you goin’?”
Nod’s grip on a handful of her hair tightened nastily as he dragged her across the threshold he once carried her over. Nasty is his treatment of Shelby, who could feel follicles expanding as hair snatched from its roots in chunks, excruciating pain competing with the agony of dreadful anticipation. Placing both hands on her belly to reassure the wildly moving fetus was all Shelby could do as Nod yanked her violently into the bedroom. He slammed the door shut, a reaction of his fury, not a desire for privacy. He was oozing anger at Shelby for trying this shit and rage at neighborhood gossips who obviously do not know their place. When he stepped outside to get her, he saw Mrs. Carmichael and Ms. Jamison standing outside talking. He saw Mrs. Carmichael respectfully lower her eyes when he looked at her while Ms. Jamison kept staring. He saw Mrs. Carmichael whisper something to Ms. Jamison. He saw her place a cautionary hand on Ms. Jamison’s arm, and he saw Ms. Jamison maintain her bitchy, nosey glare. “Muhfuckers betta stay out of my way,” Nod mumbled, carelessly, angrily, cruelly shoving Shelby onto the bed. Shelby felt a fleeting bit of relief when he removed his belt. “I’ll just lay here,” she thought, trying to keep still and quiet although she was sure he heard her heart beating because its thumps reverberated through her body, practically pushing her chest forward with each desperate beat. She was now uncertain, however, of her motivation for a quieter heart. “If I go along, he won’t hurt the baby,” she told herself. The vicious sting of the belt’s leather across her face caught her off guard; his intention lethal, not sexual. “Nod, I’m sorry,” she screamed, scooting away with nowhere to go except against the wall with the Muhammad Ali poster that Nod said he loves because “Ali was a real man who handled his business like real men supposed to.” Her hands still clutched her belly, protecting her girl. “You trying to leave me too, bitch. How you gon’ disrespect me like that?”
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The vacant look in his eyes scared her more than the self-righteousness in his monotone voice. The wave of pain from his fist slamming into her head stunned her. Her hand caught most of the next blow as she instinctively tried to shield herself from the unpredictable and savage punches Nod threw slowly, methodically, most landing on her bloody face, the right side pressed up against the white wall turning increasingly red. “He’s gonna kill me,” she said aloud, her weak voice suffocated by the stench of his violent sadness. Shelby instinctually curled into the fetal position, surrendering to a certain death while resuming her protective hold on her bruised belly that was now contorting weirdly, the urgency of premature contractions erupting, engulfing her in waves of unadulterated agony. When Nod suddenly stood up and began to walk away, she thought it was over. But he quickly turned, stepped onto the bed and began kicking her stomach. New, piercing pain rippled from beneath her navel and traveled deep within her uterus. The way the bed bounced from his weighted movement could have felt jovial, like children jumping, if not for the savage stomps across her head, the savage penetration of his foot into her battered body. “You gon’ have her trying to leave me too,” Nod shouted, spittle flying. Shelby’s head was left unprotected because her hands were back on her belly. Pre-vomit saliva flowed through her mouth before the contents of her stomach spewed onto the edge of the bed, dripping onto the floor. The distorted view of Nod through her swollen, blood soaked eyes became smaller and smaller, her heavy lids remaining closed longer with each painful blink. “I’m sorry Nod,” she whispered weakly before losing consciousness. Shelby woke up to a feeling of hasty movement. She grabbed the sides, trying to figure out where she was and why she felt suspended in mid-air. Her vision was blurred, but she could tell someone in a uniform was near her. She heard soft familiar voices. “I don’t think she’s gonna make it.”
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OCTOBER 2016
T he S.O.S Council cont. “You think the baby’s alive?” “I ain’t know it was that bad.” “Somebody need to whip his ass.” From the back of the patrol car, Nod watched the paramedics roll the stretcher carrying Shelby into the back of the ambulance. “She brought this shit on herself. Always tryin’ to embarrass me, showin’ out and shit,” he mumbled to himself in the empty police cruiser, lights flashing. Anger-tinged sweat poured from him as he watched a small group of neighbors stand around, obviously discussing his private business. The thought of him and Shelby in their mouths caused his settling rage to resurface. “Nosey ass bitches. I know one of ‘em called.” His gaze zeroed in on Ms. Jamison. Arms folded, lips pursed and head tilted with attitude, she met his eyes with a penetrating stare. Mouthing the words exceedingly slowly to be sure he read her lips accurately, she formed the words “sorry motherfucker” in slow motion, her bottom lip unfolding beneath her upper teeth with the letter “f” so angrily she drew blood. Unable to use his one of his cuffed hands to slice across his
throat to make sure she knew what he meant, Nod contorted his face viciously, mouthing the words, “you next.” What she did then confused him but he hid it behind his fury. Maintaining her piercing glare while walking slowly towards him, Candy Jamison clapped her hands five times, unhurriedly, in defiant applause. EDITOR’S NOTE: The S.O.S. Council is an unfolding novel being written by Michelle Hollinger. Each month, a new chapter will be included in The Sisterhood, culminating with the conclusion, which is yet to be determined
For more information visit nefertitissecrets.com or call 866-436-6327 THE SISTER HOOD
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OCTOBER 2016
Tech recruiter says blind auditions enhance diversity By MICHELLE HOLLINGER
Blind auditions, Ryan said, remove that bias.
Many qualified job applicants either steer clear of certain positions or if they apply, walk away from the process thinking, “if I’d only gotten a chance at an interview.” Even if they have the right skill set, some applicants with certain names or of a particular gender do not get beyond the application phase of the hiring process.
“There’s a lot you can infer about somebody from a resume… There’s a lot within resumes that you can kind of pick out and think to yourself, whether consciously or unconsciously, this person is a good fit or not a good fit,” she explained.
If it’s up to Speak With A Geek (SWAG), a San Francisco based technical recruiting agency, sex and race would be removed from job applicants’ resumes – at least in the tech industry. In a Skype interview, Annie Ryan, SWAG’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion, told The Sisterhood the company is “putting out a thought leadership piece talking to our community about the importance of utilizing a process like (blind auditions) instead of resume screenings.” Blind auditions solely measure performance. Information like background and name of the applicant is intentionally excluded. Early results of the company’s review of the alternative hiring process indicate that when human resources only focuses on applicants’ talent, a more diverse applicant pool emerges, and more women and minority candidates apply for and land jobs. Ryan said when women realize they will be evaluated based on their performance, they are more likely to pursue coveted tech positions they may otherwise shy away from. “Some tech positions only get five percent female applicants because of not having a blind audition. When you institute blind auditions our team found that the figure actually increased up to 54 percent,” said Ryan, whose interest in diversity reaches back to her undergraduate studies at Stanford where she majored in African/African American Studies and International Relations. While employment obstacles like institutional racism can and do taint the hiring process, enlightened companies may still have their diversity initiatives hampered by white male human resources officers who either consciously or unconsciously hire a workforce that looks like them.
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Raven Symoné unwittingly demonstrated the discrimination many people with ethnic sounding names encounter when pursuing employment. On a 2015 episode of The View during a discussion about the racist assumptions Americans make based on someone’s name, Symoné said, “I’m not about to hire you if your name is Watermelondrea.” She apologized days later, but not before being taken to task in social media for her discriminatory remark. “Preconceived notions lose their power over the recruitment process when blind performance auditions are implemented,” Grant Conyers, Executive Vice President of SWAG said in a written statement. “Only a candidate’s performance is rated, allowing the best talent to shine through regardless of background, gender, race, or ethnicity. All candidates are on an equal footing.” Ryan encourages candidates looking to become employed in the tech industry to question the company’s commitment to a diverse, inclusive workforce. “What’s the application process like at the company I’m applying for – am I being evaluated based on my talent rather than whether I fit in with this tech culture because we all know that tech culture is not overwhelmingly diverse.” Fifty-six percent of the SWAG community is made up of minority candidates. “Our mission will always be to help companies find the best technical talent from a diverse pool of candidates. Pinpointing the most effective ways in which blind auditions can facilitate diversity in the tech workplace is what we’re working on,” said Grant. For more information on SWAG’s diversity platform, visit speakwithageek.com/diversity.
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OCTOBER 2016
SisterSpeak
Poetic expressions
Inner Beauty By Michelle Hollinger Resting deep within her soul Awaiting love’s embrace Image of true destiny Blueprint now to trace Awakened in the silence Nurtured by wise thoughts Sacred, pure and powerful Its essence bliss, unbought Manifest divinity No grave to hold its truth Set free this inner beauty Express authentic you!
Advertise with The Sisterhood will help you connect with an audience of amazing, progressive and educated women who are determined to live their lives fully! These awesome women are actively discovering why they are here – diligently revealing their unique purpose in life and maxing out the joy in every single aspect of their existence, including:
• • • • • • • • •
Investing in fitness and wellness Shopping for healthy, nutritious food Understanding financial literacy and building wealth Planning for their dream home Practicing self-care with manis and pedis, facials and massages Vacationing and traveling domestically and internationally Driving quality automobiles Expressing their individuality with their fashion, shoes and jewelry Dining out for breakfast, lunch, dinner and, especially the sisterhood-friendly meal called brunch! This group knows how to have fun, whether they are supporting local live talent; dancing to a variety of good music, catching the latest theatrical performance or their favorite celebrities in concert. They are mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, aunts, godmothers and grandmothers who not only shop for themselves but also for the special people in their lives.
Contact us at michelle@sisterhoodnewsmag.com today to learn about your advertising options. DOWNLOAD 2016 MEDIA KIT THE SISTER HOOD
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OCTOBER 2016
Fall entertaining forecast: cozy, comfortable and outdoors
(BPT) — Whether an afternoon tailgating before the big game or a fun-filled evening under the dazzling autumn stars, the forecast for this season’s entertaining is trending toward cozy, comfortable and outdoors. “I think the big lifestyle shift right now is toward eating out less and entertaining more at home, and autumn is the perfect season for taking your get-togethers outside,” says Keith Winkler, marketing manager for dinnerware giant Replacements, Ltd. “Think about it - the temperatures are cooling down following our record breaking summer heat. You can have more people at outdoor gatherings than you can generally fit in your home. Plus, there’s more flexibility because you can easily have one or more set ups, whether that means setting up tables for dinner or having canapés and finger foods around a fire pit.” Fall is a great season for ditching the paper and plastic and taking your dinnerware outdoors. Tableware industry experts say there are many positives to introducing your “good stuff” to Mother Nature. It won’t blow away like paper plates, and it’s far more environmentally friendly than Styrofoam. MIX IT UP While serving finger foods on small plates is extremely popular and encourages your guests to mingle, there’s a definite return toward the comfort and connection of a sit down meal. To set the perfect fall table, designers encourage mixing and matching patterns to reflect your distinctive style. “I generally start with a pattern that sets the tone for the evening, one that reflects what I’m feeling for this particular gathering,” says Replacements’ designer Julie Robbins.
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“Whether that’s a cute salad plate that’s going to sit atop the dinner plate, or a fun color I want as my main design element or theme. I then add pieces that either draw out that feeling or ground the place setting to give me the ambiance I want for my entire table.” Robbins says that may mean pairing a current fall favorite, such as a dinner plate in Woodland by Spode, with vintage American amber glass from the 1940s. She also mixes different pieces. For example, adding a hued glass accent salad plate creates another layer of dimension, while a bright goblet can infuse a much needed pop of seasonal color. LIGHT UP YOUR EVENINGS There’s really no need to go heavy on the decorations for fall outdoor entertaining, especially in a tropical paradise like South Florida. Instead, use candles to light up your evenings. “It’s time to upgrade from the Mason jar look by mixing glassware and candles,” says Robbins. “Lighting can truly set the mood for your gathering, which is why I’m big on creating an eclectic grouping down the middle of my table by mixing glass and metal candlesticks with hurricanes, clear decanters and other pieces I can use to hold candles. If you don’t think you have enough pieces, old tumblers make great votive cups, while you can also turn wine glasses and goblets upside down and place candles on the inverted base. This is beautiful for daytime entertaining, and when lit, creates a simple, warm feeling on those nights when you’re just starting to feel a nip in the air.” Looking for more fall inspiration? Robbins and team suggest checking out Replacements’ website at www.replacements.com.
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OCTOBER 2016
5 simple tips to refresh ‘brown bag’ lunches
(BPT) — You’re running out the door, already late and thinking about that important 8 a.m. meeting. Lunch is the last thing on your mind. In fact, you usually just pick something up from the deli line or local fast food place and hurry back to your desk. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Only one in five people actually ditch their desks during their lunch hour. When you feel your stomach growl, it’s all too easy to grab something from the vending machine or - if you remember to pack a cold turkey sandwich. But there are plenty of easy ways to spice up your lunchtime routine at work. Here are some tips to improve your mediocre midday meal: WALK AWAY FROM YOUR DESK. Do you eat at your desk every day? You have a lunch break for a reason; so use it. You’re busy and need a few minutes to recharge throughout the day. You’ll come back refreshed and ready to be productive for the rest of the afternoon. Eating at your desk also means you’re probably multi-tasking, not paying attention to your food. Leaving your desk will help you become a more mindful eater and you’ll enjoy your meal more. Take a walk, socialize with coworkers, do something that gets you up and moving for at least 15 minutes. BAKE UP A BATCH OF HEALTHY CHIPS. Step away from the snack machine. You don’t need those stale potato chips. You can bake your own with only six ingredients. Thickly slice two pounds of potatoes and coat them with olive oil and one tablespoon of salt. Season with cayenne and ground pepper. Arrange the slices on a greased baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes until potatoes are crisp and golden brown. Then, spread them out on parchment paper, sprinkle with salt and enjoy. Pack a handful of chips in your lunch each day for more crunch and less guilt. STRAY FROM THE PB AND J. Peanut butter and jelly might be a staple, but it’s time for a grown-up work lunch. You can find sandwich fixings that are not only easy and quick, but take your lunch to the next level. Try a gourmet chicken salad like the no-mayo Avocado Chicken Salad from Willow Tree Farm. It’s a better-for-you option, saving you calories and fat, because it’s made with Aveyo, a spread simply containing Hass avocado, white vinegar, olive oil, sea salt and lime juice. It takes the place of eggs and most of the oil, while still maintaining that classic creamy texture and flavor. FIND A NEW WAY TO PACK YOUR SALAD. Forget about soggy, wilted lettuce. One of the best ways to pack a salad is in a quart-sized canning jar. Put your dressing on the bottom, add in your lettuce, veggies and any other salad toppings. If you really want to kick up your salad game, Willow Tree Farm’s new Sriracha Chicken Salad layers perfectly with leafy greens and adds a tasty spice to your salad. Everything stays separate until it’s time to toss together. Simply pour the salad out into a bowl and you’re ready to eat. Your salad will also last for a couple of days in the fridge, so you can make a few days’ worth of lunches ahead of time. MAKE YOUR LUNCH AT WORK. Are you always running out of time to pack a lunch? Choose a lunch you can throw together in minutes. A chicken salad wrap, tuna melt, pita pocket sandwich with hummus or a Greek yogurt parfait are all relatively simple, healthy meals you can prepare in the office. Keep the ingredients on hand and lunch will be a no-brainer. Make sad desk lunches a thing of the past with these tips. For more ideas for reinventing your lunchtime routine, visit willowtreefarm.com.
THE SISTER HOOD
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OCTOBER 2016
MakeupbyRory.com
Award-winning make-up artist and entrepreneur. Philanthropist who helps girls discover their beauty from the inside out with her Our Girls Enrichment Program. Change Maker selected to attend the inaugural White House Women’s Summit for her philanthropy work and leadership.
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THE SISTER HOOD