FA L L
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C O U T U R E & C U LT U R E
M A G A Z I N E
THRIFTY HUNTER
FACE TIME The Perfect
Products For A Glamorous Look Redesign Without Spending A Dime
POWER of THRIFTING
fall fashion from New York to Italy
How
9 Months Changed Everything
Full for $5
(and we don’t mean foot longs)
Inside
64 FOOD FU LL FOR $5 (and we d on’t mean foot l ong s ? By Kim Huynh
THRIFTY HUNTER FALL 2015
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E TS Y S P OT L IG H T
FASHION
66 FOOD THE POWE R OF FOOD By Kim Huynh
68 REDESIGN WITHOUT BREAKING
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THE BANK
VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK
By Denny Fernandez
B y R o b in To l ka n- D oy l e
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16 FASH IONS FOR MANK I ND C H ARIT Y By Gabrielle Gage
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TO THE MANOR BORN
AWOKE VINTAGE
B y E m y Lo u
B y L i n a Ta k e u c h i
COVER STORY Mr. & Mrs. Lewis: A Special Delivery By Gabrielle Gage
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FASHIONABLE FUNK NIK WEST
MISS FORTUNE
Photographer ilán terrell Makeup by Lindsey Calloway
B y E m y Lo u
B y Tr a c y R a s i n s k i
46 Alexandra & David By Michela Riva & Cristina Salvi
MI X U P YO U R MAK E U P B AG By Kristina Goldberg
61 FA LL MU S T H AV E S U N D E R $10 By Kristina Goldberg
62 MA K E U P, WIT H A TO U C H O F PA S S I O N B y G a b r ie lle G a ge
PROFILES & FEATURES
BEAUTY
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THE HU NGER GAM E’S
THE B L ESSING IN D IGUI SE
W IL LOW SHIEL D
B y A m b er Ly n n Sm i th
B y Sh eri sse’ D. Wo o dl ey
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THE 80s R OCK ER
SENS M U SIQ
OL IV IA HOLT
B y Ca rm en Greenwo o d
B y Sh eri sse’ D. Wo o dl ey
80 THE M U LTI-TA L ENTED DA NIK A YA R OSH B y Sh eri sse’ D. Wo o dl ey
82 THE SEL F - PR OC L A IM ED F OOD IE & TR AV EL ER TINA HUA NG B y Sh eri sse’ D. Wo o dl ey
84 M OM M Y TO B E: M R S. DU NNIE B y G a bri el l e G a ge
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THRIFTY HUNTER Couture & Culture FA L L 2 0 1 5
w w w. t h r i f t y h u n t e r. c o m Publisher / President / Founder G A BR I EL L E L E W I S Editor-in-Chief DENNY FERNANDEZ Creative Director G A BR I EL L E L E W I S ____________ Senior Fashion & Style Director G A BR I EL L E L E W I S Fashion Editor G A B R I EL L E G AG E ____________
Features & Profiles Editor S H ER I S S E’ D. W O O D L E Y Decor Editor D ENNY F ER NA ND EZ Food Editor K I M H UYNH Digital Editor – www.ThriftyHunter.com AM Y DA L E Contributing Photographers EMY LOU, LINA TAKEUCHI, TRACY RASINSKI, DEMANN CRAWFORD CRISTINA SALVI, MICHELA RIVA, ILAN TERRELL, JEFF PULLIAM, ISAAC STERLING, SAMI DRASIN, VINCE TRUPSIN, FACET FILMS, JOSH SMITH, B W BANKS, KENNY EMERSON Advertising & Marketing Inquiries Contact: Info@ThriftyHunter.com Editorial Submissions: Info@ThriftyHunter.com
©2015 THRIFT Y HUNTER MAGAZINE. ALL RIGHTS RESER VED. REPRODUC TION IN ANY FORM WITHOUT WRIT TEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER IS PROHIBITED. T H R I F T Y H U N T E R M A G A Z I N E I S A FA S H I O N A N D L I F E S T Y L E P U B L I C AT I O N P U B L I S H E D Q U A R T E R LY. P L E A S E S E N D C O M M E N T S T O T H E AT T E N T I O N O F T H E P U B L I S H E R .
Rebirth of T
The Hunter
ETSY SPOTLIGHT |Rustic Exquisite Designs
One Of A Kind By Cristy Templeton
In January of 2014, Doug and I decided to enter the world of business and we have yet to slow down. For years we found ourselves going to different antique shops looking to fill our home with one-of-a-kind rustic treasures, but never seemed to find the exact items we were hoping for at the price we could afford so we decided to get our hands to work. Doug grew up making cabinets at his father’s side as I grew up with an artist for a mom so being creative and artsy has become one of the ways we make ourselves useful in this world. Once our friends saw what we could do they were thoroughly impressed and the orders began coming in. We work out of our home in Sunnyvale, Texas with our two little boys, Noah and Nathan at our side. Each piece in our collection is handcrafted from solid wood and is something that will be treasured for generations to come. We love to inspire other people to go after their dreams of entrepreneurship by telling them that everything you need to start is already in you. You just have to do it and trust the Lord. The freedom we have and the reality of doing what we love while getting to be home with our family every day has been a true blessing for us. Shop Now
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WE SHOP HERE. SO SHOULD YOU. Goodwill
Vancouver Fashion Week returns for its 26th consecutive season featuring designers across the Globe from Sept. 28th – Oct. 4th
September 2015 - Vancouver Fashion Week will be returning for its 26th consecutive season at the end of September to launch the Spring/Summer 2016 collections of designers across the globe and Canada’s most exciting talent. From Monday, September 28th to Sunday, October 4th, Vancouver Fashion Week will showcase more than 100 designer collections at Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver at 50 E Pender Street, Vancouver. This is largest number of designers to show at VFW to date! Hailed as the West Coast's most prestigious industry event, Vancouver Fashion Week is recognized as a global platform for both established and emerging designers. Founded by producer Jamal Abdourahman in 2001, VFW has since been acclaimed worldwide as the fastest growing fashion week in the world and the only industry event that actively seeks to showcase International award-winning talent. Along with the designers, VFW brings together important partnerships from around the world and its own influential local community including Metro Show Vancouver who along with VFW are committed to fostering the growth of the fashion industry and celebrating the arts. Together, Metro Show Vancouver and VFW create a platform offering designers business, financial and mentoring tools they need to get their collections to the runway and onto the global stage. The partnerships VFW helps bridge the gap and help build relationships between the designers and agencies to create an opportunity to engage the public and buyers. MXN MXN is a brand of eco-friendly and affordable rocker chic apparel by sisters Nune and Mariam Hovhannisyan and Mariam. Their designs consist of jackets and bottoms in classic, but edgy styles. MXN was founded originally as Nune Hov Couture LLC and started off as a commission based design house with the hope to later expand into a fashion brand. Nune had participated in many fashion shows and events winning many 1st place prizes and was in several local magazine editorials, newspapers, interviews and a documentary. Nune currently has a non profit corporation for supporting local artisans and talent with more than 7,500 members. With her reputation slowly building, and demand rising for product, it was only when her lifelong friend and sister, Mariam, became her business partner and joined her venture that MXN became a real brand. The eco collections of MXN are made entirely out of repurposed materials, from materials manufactured at alternative energy factories, and materials provided from local communities and tribes as a volunteer effort to help empower local tribes and communities that need funding. This would include 100% recycled materials from companies like Ecospun, Eco-fi and Brentano Green Fabrics. These garments are all made from materials with the lowest environmental impact and completely vegan.
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F E AT U R E
Alisa Tovmanyan Alisa Tovmanyan, born in Los Angeles, California, grew up indulging in her two great loves, drawing and fashion. Her grandmother pushed her to follow her dream of becoming a fashion designer and her grandfather taught her how to illustrate at the age of 6. As a designer, Alisa combines sophistication, ease and super chic-ness in her designs. “Everyday, we put on more than just a garment, we put on an identity. We choose clothes that represent who we are, our moods, the times we live in, and our desires.” She loves the idea of elegance with a twist of fun and intricacy. She is never afraid to make a bold statement or try something new. “What I enjoy about fashion is fashion.” Alisa’s girl lives in a contemporary fairytale wherever she is. She changes the perception of fashion any-where she goes. She combines freshness and classic style with a contemporary twist. She is cheerful, colorful, and eccentric. She is a modern girl who is naturally delicate and feminine. She see’s fashion as an adventure and speaks who she is by what she wears. She is a dreamer and allows herself to express her hearts content through what she wears. She emphasizes her fresh, feminine, and cultural individuality. “I am all about encouraging my girls to live this colourful life.” In her Spring collection “Spring Time in Armenia,” she introduces a new world to the cultural girl with a contemporary mind. She combined a mixture of prints of her great interest in Armenian art by Tsolak Shahinyan and the combination of the ideal modern silhouette mixed with classic style with an array of textures in her clothes. Alisa began her journey in studying fashion design at Woodbury University in Burbank, CA and graduated in 2015. When Alisa is designing, she is inspired by personality, colors, seams, intricate details and shapes. Every design focuses on flattering a women’s personality and life. Alisa’s technical knowledge of a garment’s proper fit and design, combined with her innate creative abilities, results in an effortless and wearable line that reflect the kind of woman she is herself; colorful, strong, fun and fearless.
MAIV Mai Vang is an aspiring fashion designer. She grew up learning how to embroider intricate designs from her mother and took her passion to The Art Institute in San Francisco. It was there that she honed her skills in sewing, patternmaking, and Adobe Illustrator. She graduated with her A.S. in Fashion Design in2008, but moved back to Sacramento to take care of her ailing father. After a four-year hiatus, she began to sketch the workings that inspired her creations presented on her website. Mai has always been inspired by her Hmong culture and its bright, and colorful clothing. She also has a big admiration for Chanel and Schiaparelli. Her 2016 spring line consists of pure, simplistic styles, with a modern edge. Almost all of her silhouettes are loose fitting, for relaxed comfort, and movement-just the way Mai likes to live. Mai hopes to create a fashion house that will continue as a legacy.
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F E AT U R E
Fashions for Mankind Charity By Gabrielle Gage
Crowned Miss Nigeria in America, September 2013, Chidera Agude has since decided to make a bigger change in her community. She grew up in Corona, California with an eye for fashion and style, but she noticed her own culture wasn’t present in mainstream society’s fashion world. The mainstream only showed women wearing simple designs that lacked culture, community, and diversity. She took a step towards making the best decision of her life, making a stand to include the world in the fashion industry. 1)How did you first come up with the idea of Fashions 4 Mankind? I took a service learning class for one of my political science classes at the unversity. M y professor at the time gave us the option to either create a nonprofit or to write a 10 page paper on political revolutions resulting in or the caused by genocide. Although the topic was rather appealing, I thought it would be in my best interest to begin to form a business I had already desired to create. Fashion for me was my birthright. I always said, "even though God didn't bless me with the talent to draw or design, he gave me a keen eye for sensing what looked good and a creative thought process." As I began to mature into adulthood I began to seek work experience in the retail and fashion industry. While I worked, I noticed the blatant and most obvious thing my fashion stores were missing; me of course.
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No, not I personally, but whom I represent. I represent a community of first generations, more specifically a community of African descendants living in America. There are millions of descendants like I, living in the States. We have parents who were born in foreign countries with different customs and cultures. As a result, many of us were raised merging both cultures together. I identify as a NigerianAmerican. As a NigerianAmerican I have grown to love fashion from both of my cultures. My favorite clothing stores could not provide me with fashions that highlighted both of my cultures. Sure they tried, releasing “African” inspired designs here and there. They loosely partook in seasonal trends referring to them as “print on print”, “geometric”, “animalistic” or its recurring title “tribal print”.
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Simply, Fashions for Mankind was not birth out of a school final project, personal awards emphasizing my passion for fashion, or even the cultural exclusions I witnessed at my local stores. It is however, resulted from a combination of all as a whole and continued into this working idea. I imagined establishing a retailer that is fashion forward, culturally aware, and charitable. Keeping that idea in mind, I developed the name Fashions For Mankind. Because fashion is developed by mankind (including all of it's cultures, countries, and people), It was important that I spotlighted that within the name. "It is important to note that, as much as fashion is created by mankind, it is also created FOR mankind." 2) Growing up did you feel a lack of your culture’s fashion in the city that you live in or did you notice it when you were older? I grew up in a city that had little to no culture at all. I did notice at an early age that there was nothing in fashion that represented my culture. The only glimpse of African fashion my friends and I had was summed up in one chapter about Africa in our world history class. It wasn’t until I was much older and technology made the world smaller that I started to notice the scarcity of it. When ever my mother wanted to have a new outfit for a Nigerian event, she would have to ask one of my relatives in Nigeria make it and ship it to her or send her the fabric and she would have to go to a local african seamstress. Luckily in college I came across a plethora of african inspired designers who happily sold their designs through different online shopping channels like Etsy or Ebay. Although I noticed it as a child, it had no effect on me until I was older.
Shirts are available in both men and women styles. They vary from cultural inspirations to sayings inspired by the company’s core values. These are not your typical fundraising tees they are meant to be fashion forward and modern. 4) Since first working on F4M what has been your biggest breakthrough? I would say personal growth. Since this business is passion driven it has brought my work ethic to an all time high. It pushes consistency and creativity out of me from parts of my brain that I never knew existed. It makes me so proud to see how determined I am to succeed. Like every business I have come across a few setbacks, but what I have learned is to take them as learning curves. I’ve learned so much about myself and about how business works. When I don’t know something I research, I figure it out, teach myself and when that fails I find someone who can teach me or do it. As a result I am able to sync both the creative and operational parts of business in order to present to you the best Fashions for Mankind has to offer.
3) How do you plan to expand your charitable effort and who will it be benefitting? As “The charitable retailer” we want both our charitable and retail sides to thrive. Currently we are focusing on the development of our charitable efforts. Launching under the name F4M Cares (Fashions for Mankind Cares) we have many projects in mind. Our first project launching next summer is Project Needle & Thread, our international fashion mentoring program. Project Needle & Thread benefits poverty stricken girls, who despite their lack of resources, have dreams bigger than them and seek a place where they can explore their creativity and interests. The program is taught through mentorship during the summers. Students are given the opportunity to learn about garment construction, sketching, careers in the fashion industry, and other valuable skills that encourage selfsufficiency. We have decided to open our first location in Nigeria. As a part of our funding we are selling modern screen tees. These urban inspired designs are created by the CEO herself. Photographer: Kenoefoto, Kenny Emerson www.kenoefoto.com FA S H I O N F E AT U R E
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FA S H I O N
THRIFTY HUNTER is your haute couture guide to dressing in style without breaking the bank. The world of fashion is more than what you see on the r u n w a y s . I t ’s a b o u t t h e p e o p l e i n t h e c l o t h e s , s t y l i n g t h e m . T h e p e o p l e w h o stay looking through racks of clothes for something that defines them and t h e i r p e r s o n a l i t y. F a s h i o n i s a h u s t l e o f i d e n t i t y.” T h r i f t y H u n t e r w i l l i n s p i r e you to be stylish and thrifty while defining who you are. Thrifty shopping m a y l o o k d i f f e r e n t f o r e a c h r e a d e r, b u t w e c a n a l l l o o k c h i c a n d s t i l l s t a y within our own budget!
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To The Manor Born LONDON
Photographer & Director Emy Lou www.emylouphotography.co.uk Hair Stylists Jo Payne @ Steven & Laurent Hairdressers www.stevenandlaurent.co.uk Make up Artist Clare Bowring www.clairebowring.co.uk Wardrobe Stylists Donna Flower & Jasmine Diamond www.donnaflowervintage.com Venue Huntsham Court www.huntshamcourt.co.uk Model Becca @ First Model Management www.firstmodelmanagement.co.uk Manicurist Metta Francis using Elegant Touch and Nails Inc. www.nailsbymets.com
Photographers Assistant Madelaina Varela
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ZOE’S VI
www.zoesvin
NTIQUE
ntique.com
Photographer: B W Banks Hair/Makeup: Michelle Threat Stylist: Shawanna Davis Model: Jeanine Daniels
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AW O K E V I N TA G E 80s Rock
Photographer: Lina Takeuchi Stylist: Hanae Kita Hair & Make up: Yuko Kawashima Store: Awoke Vintage 10ft Single by Stella Dallas, Brooklyn NY
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PHOTOGRAPHY TRACY RASINSKI
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Miss Fortune LONDON
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Photographer & Director Emy Lou www.emylouphotography.co.uk Hair Stylists Jo Payne @ Steven & Laurent Hairdressers www.stevenandlaurent.co.uk Make up Artist Clare Bowring www.clairebowring.co.uk Wardrobe Stylists Donna Flower & Jasmine Diamond www.donnaflowervintage.com Manicurist Metta Francis Using Elegant Touch and Nails Inc. www.nailsbymets.com Venue Huntsham Court www.huntshamcourt.co.uk Model Scarlett Plott Photographers Assistant Madelaina Varela
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www.redblosso
omboutique.com
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andra + av i d I TA LY
Photographer Michela Riva
hotographer and Assistant Cristina Salvi Retoucher Michela Riva
Location rm’ Royston, Cambridgeshire (UK) SHOES BY REEBOK JEGGINGS BY LE GALLINELLE BODY STYLIST OWN FURCOAT BY FLAMINGO SUGLASSES BY MISSONI
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COVER STORY
Mr. & M
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December 10, 2014, after feeling dizzy and faint Gabrielle Lewis, Editor of Thrifty Hunter magazine, was rushed to the emergency room. Having test after test everything came back negative and normal, however her symptoms remained the same. She left the hospital feeling more confused than when she arrived. Weeks passed as she continued to feel ill. She felt that was not going to make it at times, but she continued to work on the magazine. December 28th, she realized she was so caught up in work that she missed her cycle, but pregnancy was the furthest from her mind. Having been married for almost 7 years without using any form of birth control, she never even thought she could get pregnant. Needless to say, she purchased a pregnancy test and with a shocking surprise her test came back positive. She never thought her life would take a turn like it did , but she can now say it was the best thing they ever happened. It was the greatest blessing and surprise. “
1) When you first realized that you were pregnant, how did you react? We were shocked! We have been married for seven years, and we never used birth control. So we weren’t expecting a pregnancy. My family knew that I was pregnant but, when we went to the hospital, the pregnancy test came back negative. So when I noticed that I missed a cycle, we purchased a $1 pregnancy test and that was the one that came back positive. 2) Did you have any doubts that your baby would have a negative impact on your magazine? YES, I thought about it all the time. I had thoughts like “ Thrifty Hunter is done, how will I manage?” I just immediately started thinking about preparing for the baby and nothing else. 3) What was your main reason for putting THM on hold during your pregnancy? Because the pregnancy made me sick, very sick. It went beyond morning sickness so I had to slow down the magazine. 4) What are the similarities between starting a new family and building up your brand? The fact that you are moving into something new, something fresh. We are figuring out what we want to do, but we don’t really know until it all happens.
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5) Have some of your stressful moments while dealing with the magazine made things easier while preparing for a child? (Such as a lesson learned situation) Yes, this made us realize that at the end of the day it’s just going to be us (my husband and I.). I have been through a lot of people with the magazine. Three years with the magazine and we have depended and looked for answers from outsiders, we relied on writers to make our stories. But, in doing that I realized that I wasn’t confident, I wasn’t listening to myself. Now at this point we know that we can do anything we put our mind to, and we aren’t afraid to follow our hearts.
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6) Being that both THM and your daughter are your “babies”, do you feel that you are pulled to one side every now and then? We know our responsibilities for both, let’s get that straight. In reality, our daughter is our baby and if she needs us then we will be there. Our goal is to balance it out and think of ways to incorporate both. The magazine is not going to come between family. My husband is the head of the household, our daughter comes second and Thrifty Hunter is third. 7) "Free time": what does that word mean to you nowadays? Now that the baby is here the word is different, before it was no such thing as free time. I wouldn’t even think about it. We are trying to be more organized, it’s about timing and balancing everything. If we have a second in the day, it is just spare time. But, we can do it, there is no need of looking for free time. Just manage and schedule and take the opportunity as it comes. 8) What made you continue to going hard for your dream while starting a family at the same time? I felt with Thrifty Hunter I had a message to the world. We want to show our child that you can do anything you set your mind to. We won’t give up just because we don’t think we can’t handle it anymore. Keep going until you can’t go anymore. 9) Did your own family support you while you were pregnant, or did everyone have their own opinion about what you should do? No, everyone supported us, they were just as shocked and happy. They were wondering when it was finally going to happen.
10) What is your favorite prayer to your child? I remember telling myself, the first few months into my pregnancy, that I wanted to give my child the life I never had. Give her everything I always wanted, but why? This pregnancy journey has shown me more than you can imagine. When I was about two months away from meeting my baby girl, I learned the life I never had was never meant for me , because if it was, I would have had it. Instead of wanting to give my daughter something I never had, why not, teach her and show her how amazingly grateful it is to be thankful for the life you have been given. As her parents, we want her to see and understand the importance of being a better person and striving to be an amazing individual. We want her to stand strong and hold to the truth; instead of being a part of the crowd, lead them and be a light. To me this is giving my child the life to imagine. Material things come and go and can be very forgettable, but who you are; your character, will always shine greater and leave an everlasting mark. Since our little Haley Anne Marie has arrived, I’ve realized no one is perfect, and we are all striving to be better. Having no clue as what’s to come, but I feel if I start now by changing me, I am one step closer to becoming the mom I desire to be. Photographer ilán terrell www.ilan.photography Tutu and Headband by Spoil Me Kids Couture
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BEAUTY
Mix up your Makeup bag BY KRISTINA GOLDBERG
Shopping for new makeup is a fun way to expand your fashion wardrobe. We have many choices when it comes to brands, prices, quality and places to shop. Our goal at Thrifty Hunter is to help you find the best products at the best prices! Our only rule is to never buy used makeup, other than that go for it! Here are a few suggestions to help you find the best cosmetics for your budget and lifestyle. Cosmetics come in many price ranges. Packaging, brand recognition, advertising, performance and ingredient quality are all factors in the price. The formulas and ingredients used to create products have a direct impact on how the product performs and reacts to your skin. Some ingredients used can improve your skin while others can harm your skin or cause a reaction. Do your research to find out if a brand you want to try aligns with your ethics or health concerns such as being “cruelty free, paraben free, fragrance free….” There are many terrific products in all price ranges. Drug store brands offer great makeup at good prices. Just be clear on return policies in case you get home and it does not perform like you had expected. Target offers quality products at good prices such as e.l.f., L’Oreal, Nyx, Pixi, Burts Bees and W3LL. Shopping for makeup at outlets, discount stores or beauty supply stores are other great ways to find some beauty treasures. Online shopping has its benefits as well. There are many boutique brands made by people who love makeup (some are even homemade and really cool), you can find some real treasures from small brands just blooming online. Check out social media for makeup artists who share their favorite brands and even look into Pinterest for cosmetic favorites. You’ll be surprised by how much you will find that fits your budget and performs like top tier brands. We will be highlighting many of these helping you to build your makeup wardrobe. We don’t shy away from a really nice Tom Ford lipstick or a Kat Von D eyeliner, just be picky when spending on your favorites. These will last a long time as the quality is very high, with concentrated pigments and you get great payout with little product, these brands tend to provide long wear as well. Sephora is a favorite place for makeup gurus and fashion forward shoppers alike. The Sephora brand itself is a great value and is high quality. Check it out next time you visit a Sephora.
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Mix up your makeup bag with lots of brands, over time you will find your go to products just like the professionals do! Another tip from us is that if you take good care of your makeup, it will last a very long time. Keep it clean and if used hygienically, you will enjoy using it much longer. We would love to hear from you! Where do you find great makeup at fantastic prices? Please share your finds here with our readers.
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MUST HAVES
Bur t ’s B ees O range E ssence Facial Cleanser, 100% Natural $8.00 http://bur tsbees.com
Under $10
We searced for product lines that are great for the skin, and that you can purchase at reasonable prices.
e.l.f. 3-in-1 M ascara Ver y Black , $3.00 http://target.com
L’O réal® Paris True M atch Super-Blendable Powder $3.58-$8.99 http://target.com e.l.f. Eye Shadow Edition 1 32pc $6.00 http://target.com
NYX MAT TE LIPSTICK, $6.00 http://nyxcosmetics.com
NYX BAKED BLUSH $7.00 http://nyxcosmetics.com
Pixi M ini Primers, $9.00 http://target.com
BEAUTY SPOTLIGHT
Makeup, with a Touch of Passion By Gabrielle Gage
Makeup artist Lindsey Calloway has her beauty journey working for her in the right way! She has been able to work on shows like BET’s Celebration of Gospel and Oxygen’s channel “Preachers of LA” and still have time to work with KisforKinky.com, a leading beauty community for women of color. Her resume is truly impressive; you can see her talent and passion on the faces of all her clients. Her interview gives our readers more motivation to continue in their passion and let nothing get in the way. When did you realize that doing professional makeup was your path in life? I realized my passion for doing makeup was huge when I hit a bump in the road of my career back in 2006 just before I moved to L.A. I was in a place where I felt like I was stuck and didn't know what else to do in my career. Being from a small city in Kansas, I felt like there was more for me but just didn't know how, where or what. Once me and my best friend came to LA to visit in 2006 everything just clicked and I knew LA was where I could grow and build my passion for makeup. Did you perfect your creative hand by going to school or practicing on your friends? So, basically my ability to do makeup came from God, hard work and being consistent. He has blessed my hands to be able to do what I do with no formal training. 62
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I have never been to school but I have attended small workshops along the way. I started off doing makeup on myself and practicing non stop, eventually I gained the confidence to do my friends and family and I grew from there. What is your favorite makeup brand and what is one makeup tool that you must always have? And why? Well, as a professional makeup artist there is not one specific brand that I can say is my favorite, because I use different brands and I love something about each of them. As far as a tool that I must have and that I love to use, is my beauty blender sponge. I absolutely love this creation, I use this product for smoothing out and blending in foundation to give a seamless and airbrushed look. I love it. What is your favorite moment when doing a client’s makeup? My absolute favorite moment of the makeup process, (I get emotional just thinking about sometimes) is the final reveal. To see my clients face and expression when they see their face for the first time after experiencing the LC touch, brings me to tears. To know that I did my best and that they are pleased with the result makes my heart glad and thats what its all about. I want them to leave seeing my passion for makeup on their face. How far do you plan to take your profession? Do you have other goals that you want to achieve? I plan to take my career as far as God wants me to, and in Him there are no limits. I would definitely love to travel around the country teaching and educating women about Makeup Artistry as well as having a cosmetic line for all women. The possibilities are endless.
www.lindseycalloway.com BEAUTY SPOTLIGHT
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FULL FOR $5
(and we don’t mean foot longs) By Kim Huynh
When people say cheap food a lot of us instantly envision two golden arches glowing in the night at some godforsaken hour that’s fully equipped with a convenient drive-thru and an even more convenient menu consisting of items that are suspiciously priced at $1. Am I right? You don’t have to answer that. Have no fear, cheap and affordable doesn’t have to always be fast food. We’re here to introduce you to some of our favorite spots for some tasty dishes, all for just $5 (seriously). The Original Hoy-Ka Hollywood 5908 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 We love Pad Thai just as much as the next person, maybe even more, but Thai cuisine has a lot more to offer than just a plate of delicious noodles. They also make a pretty good one in a bowl. Hoy-Ka Hollywood is known for their Hoy-Ka noodles, which you can order wet or dry, and Iets be honest, most things are better wet. You get to choose from 6 noodle options (we love the egg noodles) and a choice of chicken or pork. The broth has tangy and spicy notes that make for a perfect complex flavor. The noodles and meat are accompanied with crispy vegetables to give you a nice crunch with every bite and it’s all topped with a sprinkle of green onions, cilantro, and crushed peanuts. It’s basically a bomb of flavors exploding in your mouth with every slurp (don’t be shy). The dish originated in a small Province in Thailand where a little noodle shop served piping hot bowls to workers just finishing their day. The workers would sit together and dangle their legs over the river, thus came the name Hoy-Ka noodles, which literally translates to “dangling legs” (clever I know). So when you’re wrapping up with a busy day stop by and get you some oodles of noodles and feel a sense of achievement for spending less than $5 on a satisfying meal. SUSHI STOP 5917 Franklin Ave Los Angeles, CA 90068
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There are a million sushi options all ranging from super cheap and suspect to overly priced and still suspect. Our favorite of all time strictly advertises that all their dishes (unless otherwise noted) is $2.95. We know what you may be asking, “am I going to get lead poisoning?” Believe us, we had the same thought. Cheap sushi can definitely be a little skeptical but please, please, please take our word for it, Sushi Stop is legit. Their marketing tactics look very similar to that of Gamestop just in case you have trouble finding it. The little spot serves a limited but somewhat expansive menu with little pictures for each item which makes it easier to decide what to order as we typically make decisions with our eyes and not our stomachs. Sushi has a long history in Japan that dates back for centuries but the “sushi” that is known internationally was created as a form of fast food that could be purchased and eaten anywhere while on the run. People would eat it at the park or in the theater due to the convenience factor. Did you know it’s perfectly acceptable to eat sushi with your fingers too? So head over to Sushi Stop and forget those chopsticks and if anyone says anything tell them to take it up with us. Get yourself an order of the salmon and avocado roll with a miso soup on the side and rest assured that it’s a dime over $5. EL CHATO TACO TRUCK 5300 W Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90019 Food trucks are taking over the nation and there’s never a shortage of taco trucks lurking the streets to satiate that late night craving. Our favorite by far is the El Chato truck nestled on the corner of Olympic and La Brea (you can’t miss it). There’s always a line no matter what time you venture out there but the wait is well worth it. They offer the typical options of asada, pastor, and pollo but also a few other more adventurous selection like lengua (tongue) and buche (stomach). You can watch as the crew inside the truck slice and dice the meat and toss it on the hot griddle along with the tortillas. Each taco is lathered with their special sauce and topped with onions and cilantro and if you’re in the mood for some extra heat you can add a few slices of pickled habaneros to kick it up, but they’re no joke (you’ve been warned). The history of the taco is pretty up in the air but our most notable source states they originated during the 18th century in the silver mines of Mexico. The taco was small and compact enough to transport in and out of the mines and was something that could easily be modified with different meats and toppings to keep things interesting. El Chato serves up their tacos at a steal for $1 although they are on the smaller side but 5 top notch tacos for $5, can’t beat it.
Photographer Jeff Pulliam of PulliamPhotoGraphics
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THE POWER OF FOOD By Kim Huynh
Consuming food is one of the most basic human needs, one that only comes after breathing, and some would beg to differ is of equal importance, myself included. No matter if you’re a “live to eat” or an “eat to live” kind of person food is an integral part of our day to day lives. You wake up with some toast and a cup of coffee to kick off the morning, maybe a salad or sandwich for lunch, some snacks to hold you off till dinner, and maybe another snack, like a pint of Ben and Jerry’s (depending on the day) as you binge watch Netflix before bed. Food keeps us running, some slows us down, some makes us feel great, and some not so great (cheese always does it for me). It brings people together and helps them connect. Doesn’t a good happy hour make catching up with a friend even more enjoyable? And isn’t your crazy aunt Lucy a tad bit more tolerable over a bomb Thanksgiving dinner? And if you really allow it to, food can also transport you from one world to another, from the present to the past, and help you learn about places and people that you may never have the opportunity to otherwise. IT CAN CONNECT YOU WITH OTHERS Of all the things that I believe food can do, I find the absolute most important attribution is its ability to bring people together. People have gathered to break bread together for centuries. I mean The Last Supper looks just as dysfunctional as countless family Christmas dinners but we still look forward to them every year. It’s so much fun meeting new people and sharing your latest recipes, your new favorite spot for cocktails, or memories of dishes that both of your families prepared when you were young. IT CAN EDUCATE YOU Food tells us a story of a nation and gives us a rich and tasty history of the people that inhabit it. Like how Vietnamese cuisine has so many French and Chinese influences due to years of being under foreign power. Every ingredient has a special purpose that can enlighten you about the culture and its traditions. Allow your mind to wander with every bite. Use all your senses not just your taste but how does the dish look, how does the texture effect it, what about the colors, and the preparation too? What do you pair with it, and most importantly, why? Take Indian food with its savory and bold spices. The people of India were forced to be more innovative and 66
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experimental with their spices due to their diets of vegetables and legumes, for they couldn’t always depend on the flavors of meat and fats to satiate their palates. I know most of their dishes look like a goopey mess on rice but there’s a reason behind it. IT CAN TAKE YOU PLACES I would literally give my left hand (mostly because it’s useless) to stroll the streets of ancient Rome, to wander the cobblestone sidewalks of Paris, and to venture through the wild city of Bangkok but unfortunately body ligaments are not a form of currency and my travel funds are quite limited. Although I wholeheartedly plan on feasting my eyes on all these places one day I realized my next best option is to simply just feast. Luckily we live in America; land of the free, home of the brave, and a melting pot of cultures from all over the world. People have traveled long and far to be here and many of them come with the desire to share their favorite dishes from their homeland (lucky us). There are many places I’m dying to see but rarely any places that I have yet to taste (that sounds provocative hehe). Every spicy bite of my Pad Thai takes me to a hot and tropical beach in Thailand. A fresh and light Branzino smothered in lemon, garlic, and olive oil creates a picturesque image of the Mediterranean Sea in my head. I can almost smell the ocean and hear the ruffles of the olive trees swaying from the salty breeze that’s drifting from the water. So if you’re dying to make a trip to Germany but saving up till next year, find a cool gastropub or beer garden to prepare your taste buds (and your stomach) for the journey. Learn about the various types of meats and pickled veggies served and how the culture and environment have impacted these culinary choices. It’ll cost a lot less and be tons of fun to invite a friend or two and share the experience together. I promise you’ll never forget that one time you dared each other to try Zungenwurst, a processed meat that mostly contains pigs blood (yes… pigs blood). If dining out seems too costly take a stab at preparing some dishes at home, maybe make a pot luck out of it. I bet you could get some friends to come in stockings and lederhosens and compete in a beer drinking contest (were you thinking Beerfest too?). As a Thrifty Hunter one must be open up to creativity in all areas of life and I think food is definitely up there in importance. Have fun but most importantly, stay thrifty! Photographer Jeff Pulliam of PulliamPhotoGraphics
High Desert Dream Only 2.5 Hours Away from LA by Lucy Segal
You either love the desert or you hate it. Fortunately, for the Southern California high desert in San Bernardino County (only a 2 1/2 hours drive from Los Angeles), you either already love it or your waiting to discover this thing that you already love but haven't met yet. Your love for the high desert already exists. It's like that surrealist cliché about Pablo Picasso (even though he wasn't a surrealist) who painted the same portrait of a woman over and over again for years until he finally met the woman who he dreamed of. The high desert is that woman. And she's divided up into a bunch of towns and communities in the Morongo Valley Basin of the southeastern Mojave Desert: Morongo Valley, Landers, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, Wonder Valley. But here's the deal. Like everywhere else on this continent, before these towns in the the high desert even had names, they were originally populated by Indians, particularly the Shosonespeaking Chemuvi and Serrano Indians until a devastating small pox epidemic decimated them in the 1880s. The following year, some white man rancher named Chuck Warren came up with the very weird idea of leasing grazing land (because he, like the rest of most white colonizers and pioneers of the time, thought that land should be privately owned and not shared communally). This led to a flood of more desert pioneers to start ranches for their cattle and homesteading the dry land. Fast-forward to World War I when hundreds of veterans just came back from Europe and sought refuge in Twentynine Palms because a well known physician discovered a stabilizing cure for lung disease and other ailments. The physician believed that the aridity and dry air was enough to save his patients and it worked. For the next several decades families stayed and the unknown desert town could be heard on the radio in 1940s pop song hits like "The Lady from Twentynine Palms". Anyways, this is all boring trivia, but this is also why you want to getaway to the desert for the weekend or buy yourself a super cheap rusted out cabin from the 1950s on several acres of land and deck it out with DIY hullaballoo for you to enjoy as a retreat, Airbnb, artist enclave, or whatever your heart desires. I did this with my husband and our friend. We now have a cabin of our own in Landers, home of Integretron, Giant Rock, Landers Brewing Company, boulders, and other wild deserty things where jackrabbits run freely and magical coyotes roam howling. We made this decision to create our own drought resistant (using a grey water system - look that up if you don't know what that is) oasis because its the sanest thing anyone could possibly do: create one's own sanctuary, refuge, playground away from the nightmare and grind of capitalism. Take back your life by creating your own heterotopia! It doesn't have to be in the desert. This is just where we felt a pull and also where we got married.
Here’s a list of things we told our wedding guests to check out and see: Joshua Tree Saloon (Friday night karaoke) on 29 Palms Highway near the corner of Park Blvd. Joshua Tree National Park (the second largest national park in the country) open 24 hours a day on Park Blvd. just beyond Sacred Sands: http://www.joshuatree.org. You may also pitch a tent and camp in the park. Pie for the People in Joshua Tree is a real good pizza shop on 29 Palms Highway right across from the Joshua Tree Saloon. Pappy & Harriets is a honkeytonk & barbeque restuarant near Joshua Tree National Park in Pioneertown. Santana's Mexican Restaurant on 29 Palms Highway in Yucca Valley has the best Mexican food in town. Sagebrush Press Bookstore has rare books in Yucca Valley on 29 Palms Highway. Yucca Bowl & Cinema 6 Movie Theater in Yucca Valley on 29 Palms Highway. The Institute of Mentalphysics is a meditation & spiritual retreat center founded in 1941 by Ding Mei Ling who collaborted with Frank Llyod Wright to design the center. It's located in Yucca Valley on 29 Palms Highway. Rock Church & Desert Christ Park is a bizarre scultpture garden and small rock chapel in Yucca Valley. Robo Lights is a massive outsider artist sculpture park located in the artist's parent's home in Palm Springs. Integretron is the site of a crystal bowl "sound bath" that takes place in a resonant tabernacle in Landers that was formerly an extraterrestrial contact zone in the 1950s. Giant Rock is a giant free-standing boulder in Landers near Integretron. Salton Sea & Bombay Beach in The Salton Sea Basin about an hour from Joshua Tree. Salvation Mountain is a glorious colorful mountain made of adobe, straw, and thousands of gallons of paint, painted by Leonard Knight. It's located near Salton Sea, right next to Slab City. Hot Springs or Mineral Water Resorts in Desert Hot Springs about 35-45 minutes from Joshua Tree: http://www.visitdeserthotsprings.com High Desert Test Sites conceptual entity founded by Andrea Zittel & company is a non-profit organization dedicted to "learning from what we are not" and supports immersive experiences and exchanges between artists, critical thinkers, and general audiences: http://www. highdeserttestsites.com/site
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How to Start Fresh Without Spending a Dime by Denny Fernandez
There are only a handful of things in this world that seem unobtainable, too farfetched or simply expensive for the average working individual. That’s where the ladies of 3 Designing Divas come in. Hiring an Interior Designer to revamp your home seems daunting and quite frankly super pricey! We’re here to let you know it doesn’t have to be. Yes, as designers we put forth extreme effort and dedication to achieve the very best for our clients. Purchasing a home is by far one of the biggest life investments you will ever be faced with as an adult. Let’s not forget everything that goes into that home is just as important and equally an investment.
With that being said there are several ways a homeowner like yourself can spruce up your living space without breaking the bank. All you have to do is loosen the wallet just a bit if need be, be prepared to get crafty and just simply have fun! Some of the hottest shows we see today are based around DIY (Do It Yourself ) projects of restoration and rehabbing pieces you forgot you even had in your home. The Divas are here to the rescue, and to guide you in the right direction of room design or redesign. Here are our Top 10 Picks on ‘How to Start Fresh Without Spending a Dime’:
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1. Use old paint you have taking up space in the garage or out back stored away in your shed. This can spark new ways to put old paint to good use. Perk up a table, interior door, stair risers or a wooden chair that have seen better days by painting them in a bright, unexpected shade. Or, you can also incorporate the use of painter’s tape to section off stripes to create borders on walls. Try painting a concrete floor for fun; perhaps in the basement back East or laundry room here in California. For wearability when painting floors, make sure to apply clear varnish on top of the paint once dry to seal and protect.
(http://nyclq-focalpoint.blogspot.com/2015/02/weekend-decorating-splurge-save-on.html) (http://weaferdesign.blogspot.com/2015/02/before-and-after-living-room-and-dining.html)
2. Dig out some of those fabric swatches you can’t bear to part with. Reupholsery is always a great option, but can be costly. Instead, they might be just the right size to re-cover your old throw cushions for your sofa or bed. That can be much most cost effect but can add a completely different look to your space. Fabrics don’t have to be upholstery-type either; floral prints, stripes or gingham are fun for the summer, especially if the color scheme is similar so you can mix and match. Lastly, adding a pop of color is always the easy fix any room can use.
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(http://decoratingfiles.com/2012/08/room-makeovers/)
(http://msshowoff-ct.blogspot.com/)
3. Do you have boxes of photos that never get seen? Pull out some favorites and replace your old framed pictures with these ‘new’ ones. Group them in odd numbers on walls, shelves, coffee tables or mantles. Mixing and matching frames on a wall as a picture collage is a huge trend for 2015, and we are seeing this everywhere. 4. Re-arrange the furniture. Sometimes just moving your sofa into a new corner, or placing it on an angle, can make a world of difference in how a living room looks and feels. Rethink what rooms your furniture pieces call home now. Why not move that club chair into your bedroom, near a window for a nice reading nook? Not only does this completely change the look and feel or a particular room, but it’s FREE!! 70
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(http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/2013/01/no-cost-decorating.html)
( http://redecorate.com/before-and-after-decorating-a-contest-winners-room-redesign/) DECOR // THRIFT Y HUNTER
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5. Put old wallpaper to good use by using pieces to create pretty drawer liners. You can also use pieces as a backdrop for your built ins or wall units as seen in this picture below. It can give a blank slate a much more dramatic look, and effect.
(http://msshowoff-ct.blogspot.com/) 6. Create a new headboard from a beautiful blanket or quilt. Just fold it neatly over the bed frame or existing headboard for a nice shot of fresh. Repurposing old furniture might be a bit more time consuming, but if done right it can pay off substantially. DIY projects are always fun to get involved with. You are able to putyour own personal twist to any piece you may be restoring. It’s much more meaningful than going out to purchase a new furniture item that’s for sure.
(http://www.popsugar.com/moms/How-Reuse-Your-Crib-22726226#photo-22726226)
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7. Have an outdoor garden with flowers in bloom? Cut some and bring inside to enjoy in every room of the house. For us California residents, this may not be an option much longer. However, an easy fix is replacing your blooms with succulent plants or herbs. Enjoy the greenery once again, and they’ll survive the heat too. 8. Don’t use your wood-burning fireplace much? This is something we don’t have much use for on the West Coast. Move your potted plants (those that don’t need much sunlight) or a large grouping of block candles in various heights into that empty space. Again, repurposing item of sometimes just thinking outside the box can pay off big in new, and fun ways.
(http://www.tonischeferdesign.com/2014/01/23/3-easy-steps-to-style-your-mantel/) 9. This is simple… Mix two colors of bathroom towels on the racks and in baskets, rather than always reaching for a stack of the same shade. Try mixing your mint with aqua or turquoise with chocolate brown. Mix and match colors that you may not have ever thought of. Don’t be scared to be bold, and even pull in some crazy geometric patterns. 10. Lastly, do your research. With technology today there are numerous resources out there to provide an endless amount of tips and creative ideas to complete any look. Your space isn’t a lost cause. I promise! If you know any artist, or creative mind we seem to fall into the sense of boredom much easier than the average. That’s why we feel these tips are easy enough for anyone to apply to their home. So, what are you waiting for? Get going!
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For more information regarding Interior Design or weekly blogs visit The Divas at http://3designingdivas.com/. Also, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @3designingdivas.
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T h e H u n g e r G a m e ’s
WILLOW SHIELDS By Sherisse’ D . Woodley
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The Albuquerque, NM native Willow Shields is young, beautiful, and talented. Shields is known for her role as Primrose Everdeen in the “Hunger Games” series. Being a twin, Shields calls her sister is her best friend. She’s a lover of books and music and is obssessed with documentary films. “I watch all of them I can find on Netflix.” Read more about Shields below and what she is doing to make the world a better place! You went to Oklahoma for two years to help rebuild homes that were damaged. What made you choose to do that? I went to Oklahoma for a week to help with clean up after a tornado devastated Moore. My older brother was watching the news when it happened and said he wished we could do something to help. My dad contacted some people there and we were able to go out and help with clean up. My family has always promoted the idea of us being involved in community service, even when we were very little. Are you involved in any other charities or do any other philanthropy activities? I am involved with Operation Smile, which helps children suffering from cleft lip or palate. They are a great organization that provides free surgeries. What is it like to be working along with Jennifer Lawerence, Liam Hemsworth, and Josh Hutcherson? Just fun all the time. Everyone is sweet and fun to be around. It was a family on set.
Tell me about your experience on Dancing with the Stars. What was the most valuable thing you learned that you can apply to your everyday life? I loved being on DWTS! It was also one of the most challenging things I have ever done. Learning the new dances every week! It’s exhausting, but in a good way. I learned so much doing it, but probably mostly that you can learn ANYTHING if you work hard and put in the time. What projects are you currently working on? I am getting ready to go to China and New Zealand to shoot a family adventure film called “The Wonder”. It’s the story of a young girl and friends who travel through a rainbow to China, but accidentally harm nature in the process. They must then save the world! It is going to be in 3D. I’m excited and really looking forward to traveling to those countries. Tell me about a time where you were going through a hard time and your family was your rock? My family is my rock pretty much all time. When I first startedshooting the Hunger Games I was ten and terrified! All those great actors surrounding me…but with my family’s support it ended up being one of the greatest experiences ever. F E AT U R E / / T H R I F T Y H U N T E R
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The 80s Rocker
O L I V I A H O LT B y S h e r i s s e’ D. Wo o d l e y
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F E AT U R E Tell me about a time where you were going through a hard time and your family was your rock? I recently went through a hard time with balance. That being my friends, my work, my family, and my education, I was struggling balancing all of those. It was putting a lot of stress and anxiety on me and I felt a bit isolated going though that. My family started to notice what was going on and they brought it to my attention, and they were a tremendous help in getting back in the right place again. They were definitely my rock during this time, but really and truly, they're my rock all the time. What is your advice for young individuals like yourself?
The beautiful Olivia Holt, a Germantown, TN native is known for her role on the Disney Channel Original Series “I Didn’t Do It”. Growing up listening to her parents’ 80s rock music she has become a diehard fan. Aside from film, Holt is working on her first album. “Which is so exciting. Music has been apart of my life for so long now and I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” Holt added. Read more about Holt below, see why St. Jude’s Hospital is close to her heart, and how much family means to her.
Don't be afraid. Of anything really. To dream, to take risk, to fall in love, to stumble, to be confident, and so much more. I think it's so important to not be afraid of who you are and who you want to be.
What is something your fans don’t know about you? I’m a die hard 80’s rock fan. There. I said it. It’s something that I’ve grown up listening to from my parents and I was dragged to countless rock concerts and it’s a bit strange to admit, but I love 80’s rock. I recently took my brother to Van Halen concert, which was incredible. Guess you could say I found my retro side. You visit St. Jude’s Hospital frequently. What made you decide to visit that specific hospital? How often do you go? I grew up knowing about the hospital and their mission to help kids and families from all over. This hospital gives them hope. It struck me in a way that nothing ever has before. My grandad also volunteered at the hospital and so this was also a way to be closer to him. I go as many times as I can a year. I love it up there. Coming from the south, you would consider yourself a family gal. What activities do you enjoy doing with your family? My family and I have movie night every Friday. It is seriously so epic. We’ll trade off every Friday on who gets to pick the movie and if we’re staying home to watch or actually going to the theater.
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The Multi-talented
Danika Yarosh B y She r isse’ D. Wo o dle y
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Danika Yarosh, a New Jersey native and avid dancer is known for her appearance in Showtime’s “Shameless” and her upcoming role in “Heroes Reborn”. Aside from being an actor and dancer, Yarosh once competed in figure skating. “I always wanted to play ice hockey like my brother, but my parents didn’t think that was the best idea,” Yarosh added. Yarosh is the whole package. When she is not showing the world how talented she is Yarosh teaching herself physics. Yarosh sister came to visit her from New York and left some of her textbooks behind. “Well, I got bored one day and started to read them. I love science. I thought it was really cool, so I just read the entire thing for fun in summer.” Yarosh went on to say when she did not understand something she would go on educational websites to see what other information she could find on the topic. To add to Yarosh list of talents, she plays multiple instruments. When she was younger she thought drums were her favorite instrument, but as she grew older she grew fonder of the violin. “I’m pretty torn, I love exploring rhythms and playing around with the beats on my drums. Drumming is actually very similar to tap dancing in that sense. I think that’s part of the reason why I was so drawn to it at first. But at the same time, the violin just makes the most beautiful sounds.” Yarosh is big on charity and is part of the Best Friends Animal Society that runs the largest no-kill sanctuary and programs to help end euthanization of animals in shelters across the country. The organization reduces the number of animals coming into shelters by increasing the number of animals adopted. Yarosh heard about the organization from a few friends and immediately started to volunteer. “It’s really heart- breaking to know how much/what some of these animals have gone through in their lives, so it’s one of the best feelings in the world when you help pair an animal with a loving home and family. These animals are smart; they honestly understand what is going on. They know that they are finally going home, and that just makes me so happy.” Yarosh has an active lifestyle. From acting, school, friends and family, archery, and dance she never let’s anyone tell her no. For individuals out there, Yarosh advice is “Don’t let anyone tell you no, or that you’re not good enough. You can do anything you want to do. Know your self-worth. Know that you are more than capable. If you want something, make sure you go for it. You’re amazing, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
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T h e S e l f - P r o c l a i m e d F o o d i e a n d Tr a v e l e r
TINA HUANG By Sherisse’ D. Woodley
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The beautiful Tina Huang is known for her recurring roles in “Rizzoli & Isles” and “General Hospital.” She is the first generation Taiwanese-American. Huang and her family moved to Dallas, Texas from New York City when she was little. When her father could not find work he moved back to New York City and the family followed after Huang turned five years old. Huang studied theatre in High School at the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and later went to study at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Huang spent the last few years being the sole caregiver for her mother who lost her life to Parkinson’s disease. Her mother was 52 years old when she was diagnosed. Though Huang is not officially part of a Parkinson’s organization, she does help bring awareness of the disease to others who have loved ones battling it. “It’s such a difficult disease to deal with,” Huang added. She hopes to soon get involved with more organizations, but for the time being she donates to the Michael J. Fox Foundation and National Parkinson Foundation. Huang is in the process of adding producer and director to her resume. Recently she had a table read for a script she co-wrote. “It’s Veep meets Parks and Recreation,” she added. She is currently the co-director of the Ammunition Theatre Company where they are on a mission to “reflect the diverse and evolving identity of America and to engage with the community around us.” The company pairs with a charity every month. The recent charity they paired up with was My Friend’s Place that provides services for homeless youth in Los Angeles. Ammunition Theatre Company provides classes such as music, improv, circus classes, and much more. Huang added, “It’s been really enlightening and awesome… I’m hoping one day to start my own production company, but as you can tell I have a lot on my plate.” Speaking of plates, Huang is a self-proclaimed foodie and traveler. When asked what her favorite dish was Huang added “I always feel like it’s the end of the world when I have to answer this question. My comfort food is mashed potatoes. I know it sounds so boring, but a good bowl of mash potatoes when you’re not feeling too good is fantastic.” Before giving up meat and becoming a pescatarian two Thanksgivings ago Huang’s favorite dish was Hong Shao Rou (Red Braised Pork Belly). She added she had the best steak she has ever had in a mom and pop restaurant while studying abroad in Italy. “There are 7 out of 10 people living with Parkinson’s disease. Men are one and a half more likely to have Parkinson’s than women.” (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation) Huang’s advice to those who have loved ones battling Parkinson’s disease is to lean on your friends, educate yourself, find support groups, build a community that supports, and stay positive.
Photographer Vince Trupsin F E AT U R E
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Mommy to be: Mrs. Dunnie By Gabrielle Gage
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Wedding planner, special events producer and also recently married, Mrs. Dunnie B. OnasanyaHasan, is truly an amazing business woman. She hosts Facet’s Fashion Week, a star studded event that includes designers from all over to showcase their work on the runways of Hollywood, Ca. She also sets up quality networking events for young professionals to come together and mingle. Even though every day includes a tight schedule, her and her husband have decided to start their family! How does she keep up with everything? We were able to get in contact with Mrs. Dunnie and she gave us a little insight into her world. TH: Were you and your husband planning on starting a family, or was this unexpected?
TH: Have you had to put aside some of your own personal goals to make room for your new child? If so, what were they?
Mrs. Dunnie: We always wanted to have a family so we are so thankful to God for this blessing.
Mrs. Dunnie: No I haven’t.
TH: Being the businesswoman that you are, how has your daily routine changed from before being pregnant to now? Mrs. Dunnie: Not much honestly I’ve been blessed to have no complications so I’ve been able to travel throughout. I also have an amazing support system who all make sure I don’t over work myself.
TH: Do you find yourself being calm about becoming a mother or are you a little nervous? Mrs. Dunnie: I want my husband and me to be perfect for her and to be able to give her the best upbringing possible. I know that God will make this reality for us and will lead us every step of the the way. TH: Any advice to the busy women out there thinking of starting a family? Mrs. Dunnie: Take your time and make sure that it's with someone you love and that wants to start one also.
Photography by Facet Films
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The Blessing in Disguise By Amber Lynn Smith
I remember a time in life where seeing a positive pregnancy test would have been traumatizing, whether it was a timing issue, a financial struggle or the fact that I just wasn’t ready. However, over time I felt my heart slowly changing and I gradually grew fonder of the idea until it became a yearning desire for me to have a baby. My husband and I had been married for two years and he could have easily waited longer but he could tell how much I wanted to start a family. So we eventually made the decision for me to go off the pill. I imagine that every woman dreams of the day she gets pregnant and how she will share the news with her husband and loved ones. The day I found out that I was pregnant I took the test before my husband came home. I wanted to surprise him somehow and tell him through some grand gesture. That plan went out the window when he came home to see me crying while washing the dishes and he immediately thought someone had died. When I told him they were tears of joy he automatically knew that he was going to be a daddy. Just days later we shared the exciting news with my family; little did we know it still very early in the pregnancy. I was only four weeks along and we didn’t make it to our first doctor’s appointment before I miscarried. I thought that was only something that happened to people in movies and never once imagined that it could happen to me. It definitely took an emotional toll on us and made us both realize how much we wanted a child. If you have miscarried before it is terrifying when you decide to try again, but in the end it is completely worth the risks. A year later we were blessed with a healthy baby boy who has stolen our hearts. After I made the decision to quit working and stay home with our son we knew that we would have to watch our spending and stick to the budget. Parenthood is full of sacrifice and yes your life does change drastically but I would not trade it for the world. Many people say that your life is over when you start having children but my husband and I are both still pursuing our entrepreneurial dreams as we build our family. He owns his own professional photography and videography business and I continue to play the harp for weddings and special events on the side.
Photography by Joshua Smith
8 4 FA L L 2 0 1 5 / /
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F E AT U R E Everyone knows that having children can get expensive, but I have found there are little ways to save money and stretch your dollars by shopping smart. Rather than buying all name brand baby products I weigh the pros and cons and sometimes decide to go with a generic brand that works just as good. I also joined some online Facebook mom groups that buy, sell, swap and trade just about any baby item you could imagine. I buy his formula brand new from a Facebook group for half the retail price. When it comes to buying in bulk like our diapers and wipes, those items I get at Costco. We have made it work on his main income and our two small side businesses, which is a blessing. Life has definitely evolved and now it is impossible to imagine our lives without our son in it. He brings us so much joy and I know we will want to try for more kids in the future. Until then, I will continue to cherish what we have.
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Sens Musiq By Carmen Greenwood
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Photographer Jeff Pulliam of PulliamPhotoGraphics
F E AT U R E Being a distinguished gentleman himself, Nakia found it important to give Noah lessons in chivalry and manners. Noah has learned that it is polite to hold the door for the person walking behind him and say “please” and “thank you”. He has even found the joy in pulling out the chair for a young lady. Nakia figured out that Noah was catching on quite well when his pre-school teacher once called to let him know that Noah had graciously pulled his teacher’s chair out from under her as she was trying to sit down! While the teacher thought that Noah was being mischievous, (because she fell and hit the floor) Nakia knew that Noah was simply mimicking what he saw his father do. You never know what to expect from this 4-year-old gentleman!
Love, adoration and pure joy are three things that come to mind when in the presence of Nakia Gorden and his 4-yearold son, Noah. Nakia is a single father who is raising this little gentleman with no limitations. Given the fact that they had to overcome many obstacles, Nakia’s focus has always been to pour unlimited amounts of love and care into his son. He is determined to instill valuable life lessons into his offspring and be the father that he himself never had. When Noah was born, he was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and had to undergo open-heart surgery at 7 months old. He had 2 holes in his heart, which lead doctors to believe that his life would be full of complications. The prognosis was that Noah would not be able to walk or talk at a “normal” rate, and would have difficulty communicating like a “normal” child. Hearing the doctor say these things about his first-born child left Nakia feeling scared, nervous, angry and worried. Yet, because of his faith in God, Nakia was still optimistic and hopeful that the news he received wasn’t the end of the road. Nakia recalls the day of the surgery, touching Noah’s chest and whispering a simple prayer before the doctors took his infant son in to the operating room. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle! The doctors reported that Noah’s heart had begun to heal itself! There were veins, valves and blood vessels in his heart that were not there before. Noah was even expected to have multiple heart surgeries over his lifetime, but hasn’t had another one since that day. The combination of love, care and faith in God is the reason why little Noah is thriving as much as he is today.
Nakia thinks back to the morning that he decided to teach Noah how to tie his own shoes. A task like this requires a great deal of patience and understanding, but the look of determination in Noah’s eyes reminded Nakia that anything is possible with this miracle child! Nakia does not let Noah’s disability restrain him from doing anything he shows an interest in. Noah plays T-Ball, plays golf and takes drum lessons in his spare time. He has an undeniable love for music and is no stranger to the big stage. Along with his full time job, Noah’s father Nakia is also an inspirational hip-hop artist who goes by the name of “Sens Musiq”. Noah is undeniably a big part of his father’s show. They perform a song together called “Level Up” and Noah never lets the audience down when he runs on stage to rap alongside his daddy. As Noah sings the lyrics to the chorus, “It’s time to level up, we’re going to the top, we will keep it moving, we will never stop…” the audience is captivated by the thought of watching little Noah do what the doctors said he would never do! Just listening to Noah sing these words is a living testimony. Every time he sings the song, his father looks at him in awe, realizing that his son is literally growing and moving to a new level in his speech and development. Nakia uses his music as a part of Noah’s therapy, and putting Noah behind a microphone gives him an unexplained level of confidence to be himself and let his BIG personality shine! Watching the two of them perform is more than inspirational, it’s breathtaking. Nakia and Noah are indeed an unbreakable team. They share a very special father-son relationship that words cannot explain. The overwhelming feelings of love fill the air when around these two gentlemen and it is evident that Nakia only wants the best life for his son. Often times, doctors and medicine are looked at as the only cure, but it is good to remember the strongest source healing comes from love.
Life has not always been easy for this duo. Nakia himself was raised without a father in the home. He had a difficult childhood but somehow mastered what it takes to be the ideal father to Noah. The knowledge, leadership and compassion Nakia possesses was remarkably cultivated by his own struggle as a young boy. He refused to let the hardships he experienced pull him down, but instead use them as a way to propel him forward in life. The absence of his own father pushed Nakia to be that much more present in Noah’s life. Not only is he present, he never misses an opportunity to teach Noah something valuable. F E AT U R E
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LET TER FROM — THE PUBLISHER
I hope you enjoyed our fall issue, “Rebirth of the Hunter,” which was dedicated to the relaunch of Thrifty Hunter Magazine. The new vision for Thrifty Huter is all about uniting individuals from all walks of life. At the heart of this endeavor there is an inspirational message through a unique sense of integrity that combats the materialism of modern society. Whether it’s recreating up-to-the-minute styles easily and affordably for moms to be; cooking a gourmet meal for the entire family on a budget; or traveling to fun and friendly destinations at a fraction of the cost; our publication reflects true worth. We are dedicated to providing readers with a comprehensive guide to living a thrifty lifestyle without compromising comfort, elegance or style. For me this issue was very special. As I ended 2014 preparing to enter in 2015, my husband and I received the most incredible news: We are expecting our first child this year. This was truly life changing for us, however some issues did arise as I was very sick throughout majority of my pregnacy. This lead me to making this biggest decision of my life, putting Thrifty Hunter Magazine on hold for 9 months. It was something I didn’t want to do, but my body gave me no choice. However, what I eventually realized, this was the greatest thing I could have ever done. Stopping the magazine during this time gave me the chance to really think about the future of Thrifty Hunter and how it could help change the world. It opened up my mind and gave me a better understanding. I’m so thankful for the process I went through, what it taught me, and where it has lead us today. Since the arrival of my daughter Haley Ann Marie Lewis it has been beyond amazing and my husband and myself are excited for this new chapter in our lives! To our readers: I want to thank you all so much for your support. Thrifty Hunter magazine wouldn’t be where is it without you. I invite you to take this journey and grow with us. I know God has nothing, but great things in store and no matter where my life goes, my mind, my heart, and soul will always stay the same. Humble, grateful, and thankful! Always remember with God ALL things are POSSIBLE.
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I’M A THRIFTY HUNTER W W W. T H R I F T Y H U N T E R . C O M